Shooting the Town Bull at Parkersburg in 1845

The Marietta Register, January 2, 1868

The Parkersburg Gazette has been publishing some historical sketches of that place - written, we judge, by J. E. Wharton, Esq. The following is his account of an affair which caused much laughter at the time. It was, if we are not in error, in 1845, when Garner, Lorraine and Thomas of Decatur Township, this county, lay in Parkersburg jail, having been seized by Virginians, at the Ohio shore, just below Blennerhassett, for aiding in the escape of slaves. He says:

"The town bull story is one of the institutions of our place. In 1840 or about that time, there were numerous slaves run across the Ohio, as was supposed by the Ohio abolitionists. A company was raised to defend the 'peculiar institution' from the Bohemians - Capt. Daggs commanded. The boys were kept on qui vive every night with the guns, pistols and sabres in good condition, and they had fun at wholesale, on night there was an extra alarm. All were called to duty. 

"The Captain came up street with sword drawn and pistols cocked and called his men to order, and they were drawn up in line on Ann Street about Court. Some had just come from visiting the girls, some from the whisky shops and some from a sound nap. They listened. There was a stir in the bushes that embellished the borders of Pond run. The soldiers listened with all their ears and watched with all their eyes. 

"The word went out that the abolitionists had landed and were forcing their way up to the very muzzles of their guns. The bushes cracked, the Captain trembled in his boots, some ran for safer points, and something dark parted the bushes, and Captain thundered out, fi-fi-fire. About twenty guns rang out upon the midnight air. 

"The sound was followed by another, more dreadful still. It was 'boo-bo-baugh,' a cross between the sound of a steam whistle, thunder and an ungreased car wheel - the bushes cracked again. There was a heavy thud and all was still. A part of the soldiers looked and kited for their homes.

"The next morning there was a crowd of boys examining the corpse of the town bull in those bushes. His skin was so full of holes that it was unfit to tan, and they buried him in the run from which his ghost sometimes arose, in low water, and glared with solemn anger across the river toward the abolitionists who had been the primary cause of his untimely death.

"The escape of slaves through some means, either by the aid of abolitionists in Ohio, or of their own motion, was so great that it is not surprising that deep and general feeling pervaded our people, and mistakes or follies were committed in the defence of what was then regarded everywhere as a property peculiarly valuable and sacred, as it was not only the money value of slaves that was lost, but valuable house servants that could not be replaced, were lost."

In place here we print the lines below, written at the time by A. Winchester, the clever old gentleman who now resides in Harmar. We have had the manuscript in our hands for a long time:

The Mighty Battle

Listen, ye brave of every land and clime,

While I relate strange prodigies in rhyme,

Such deeds of valor never done before,

Were acted near the great Ohio shore.

Let bards no more attempt to tune the lyre

To sing the praises of the ancient Tyre;

No ancient city, though of great renown,

Could e'er compare with our great modern town.

Let old Athens boast not of laurels won,

Nor Spartan warriors of the deeds they've done;

Let learned men no more their pens employ

To celebrate the deeds of ancient Troy.

And mighty Rome with all her pomp and pride,

Compared with us, I'm sure would step aside;

Her fair fained laurels at our feet would yield

And own us mighty in the battle field.

Behold! our men are not afraid to die,

They cross the river and in ambush lie,

With dirks and pistols there, in dreadful fight,

Three Buckeyes captured in the dead of night.

Our valiant soldiers of the best renown,

Were now enrolled throughout our famous town,

To guard the prison and secure the place,

Against the onsets from the Buckeye race.

But lo! one dark and solitary night,

An abolition host appear'd in sight;

Our brave and warlike men reserved their fire,

Until the foe advanced a little higher.

Fired with the thoughts of victory and fame,

They raise their muskets, take deliberate aim,

The word was fire, and oh! what showers of lead!

The day was gained; THE OLD TOWN BULL WAS DEAD!

                                                            Satireacilus

The Gazette

Marietta Gazette, August 13, 1836

We appeal to the good feelings of our patrons and the public in relation to the imperfections of the present and of late numbers of the Gazette. We hope shortly to be freed from the embarrassments which have beset the press for some weeks and to go on our way as journalists in such manner as to give general satisfaction.

We ask the public to suspend their judgment in relation to any rumors which may have been afloat as to the course intended to be pursued. We do not propose any change - we intend to advocate the cause of the Whigs - to make our paper a repository of news and of articles conducive to instruction and improvement. The history of events - of interesting events - so far as may be, shall be placed before our readers; no injury shall knowingly be done, or justice withheld from, any man, or any class of men.

Rumors, it is understood, have gone abroad that this paper was to become the organ of Abolitionism. This is entirely incorrect. Even if we agreed altogether with the Abolitionists, which is by no means the case, we should deem it a departure from our engagements thus to change the character of the paper.

But in consequence of mobs and rumors of mobs and threatening of mobs, the printers of this paper have become too much alarmed to print, on their responsibility, even the history, as detailed today, of the late transactions at Cincinnati. They are now freed from that responsibility. There is surely something wrong in the moral atmosphere, when peaceable citizens - printers especially - dread to state things as they are. We feel confident, however, that no such fears need here be apprehended. We surely are not so far degenerated from the spirit of our ancestors as tamely to surrender the freedom of speech and of the press.

The Gazette will hereafter be published by C. & W. D. Emerson upon the principles of the Declaration of rights of the Constitution of Ohio:

"Sec. 1. That all men are born equally free and independent, and have certain national, inherent and unalienable rights; amongst which are the enjoying and defending life and liberty, acquiring, possessing and protecting property, and pursuing and protecting property, and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety." * * *

"Sec. 6. That the printing presses shall be open and free to every citizen who wishes to examine the proceedings of any branch of government, or the conduct of any public officer; and no law shall ever restrain the right thereof. Every citizen has an indisputable right to speak, write or print, upon any subject, as he thinks proper, being liable for the abuse of that liberty."

[This article refers to the Pro-Slavery Riots in Cincinnati in 1836, during which the office and press of "The Philanthropist," an Abolitionist newspaper, were attacked. More information is available at: http://utc.iath.virginia.edu/abolitn/mobhp.html]

The Marietta Intelligencer, April 3, 1861

To the Public Generally

Justice to myself demands that I should be heard by the public at large in justification of myself against the unjust accusation of James S. Stowe, as I have heard he has charged against me before boatmen at New Orleans, and all along the Mississippi, and in our own community it has been published in the newspapers, and James S. Stowe, in answer to my letter to him of the 15th of March, says that he charges me with being the cause of his being cut loose, fired upon, and driven away from the landing at Lake Providence and other places below.

Now to show that James S. Stowe, to screen himself from his long known difficulties at Lake Providence, has taken this methods of shifting it on to me, whom he calls his neighbor. But we will let the community who cut him loose and fired at him, speak for themselves below.

S. M. Devol

[Simeon Manchester Devol, 1800-1876]

To Whom It May Concern

This is to certify that the cause of Mr. James Stowe being moved from Providence Landing, was not in consequence of any report made by S. M. Devol, Esq. - but was caused by remarks made against the institution of Slavery, at this landing for a number of years past, all of which can be proved by various individuals, among whom is the Town Marshal. Mr. James Stowe was moved from this landing previous to Mr. Devol's arrival here.

Providence, La., Feb. 27, 1861.

A. C. Jamison, Constable

A. W. Green

H. Stein

J. P. Gentry

W. M. Shaw, Prop'r of Wharf Boat

John W. Graves

*     *     *

James S. Stowe (1806-1895)

Note: James S. Stowe began flat-boating in 1829 and was very successful in the business, carrying a variety of goods including flour, meat, lard, beans, and butter. All along the river he had a reputation for being a “sharp but honest dealer.” His anti-slavery views were also well known. In the months leading up to the Civil War, Northerners were often threatened when traveling in the South. Stowe was a victim of this hostility while on the Mississippi River at Lake Providence, Louisiana, in 1860. His boat was tied up at the shore when news was received that South Carolina had seceded from the Union. That night Stowe, who did not carry a gun, was shot at and his tow line was cut. He was told by an angry mob that “no Lincoln abolitionists could land at their shores” and was given until four o’clock to leave. (Sources: History of Washington County, Ohio, H. Z. Williams & Bro, 1881; “Old Time Flatboatmen,” The Marietta Daily Leader, January 17, 1904)

Jewett Palmer, Sr. - Another Veteran of 1812 Gone

The Marietta Register, October 2, 1873

The subject of this sketch, whose death was announced in the Register of September 18th, was born in the county of Grafton, in the State of New Hampshire, on the 18th day of May, A.D. 1797, and was consequently in the 77th year of his age at the time of his death.

Such education as he possessed was obtained while assisting his father to wrest a living for a very large family from the reluctant surface of a New Hampshire farm. It consisted of such of the rudiments of learning as were supplied by most New England families of the time within themselves, one of the most important features of which was the habits of industry, temperance, and perseverance, instilled by those early and severe struggles.

On the breaking out of the War of 1812, he enlisted, at the age of sixteen, for one year, and served the time in the First New Hampshire Volunteers. At the expiration of his term of service, he re-enlisted for "three years, or during the war," in the 45th United States Infantry. In common with those who re-enlisted, he was granted a furlough. He traveled home on foot to Grafton County from Plattsburg and, joining his regiment at Concord, marched with it to the northern frontier Although not in any general engagement, he was constantly employed in arduous service against the Indians, and in guarding and forwarding supplies to the forces to the westward. His term of service closed with the termination of the war, and he returned to the farm. In 1817 the family started for Ohio, spending one winter in Butler County, Pa., and arriving in Marietta in the fall of 1818.

They settled in Fearing Township, near its northern line, on Whipple's Run; and though not one of the pioneers, probably few men in the county have done more effective work than he toward reclaiming the wilderness. In 1823 he married Rachel Campbell, who survives him at the age of 83 years, and with whom he lived over fifty years, rearing a family of eight children. In 1851 he removed to Salem Township, where he resided up to the time of his death.

Though he never held official position outside of his township, he wielded an extended influence in the community. He was a man of general intelligence, a constant reader of the best newspapers, as well as of all valuable books that fell in his way, industrious and upright, of unerring judgment, a fearless adherent of principle, and a firm friend of the needy and of the slave. A well-known station on the Underground Railroad was kept by him, and many an anxious fugitive has blessed him as he stepped aboard the train for the next station.

In politics his quiet influence was perhaps greatest. Many young men of the neighborhood, whose fathers were bitterly opposed to him politically, side by side with "Uncle Jewett" at the polls, cast their first ballot for his candidates, at a time, too,  when it required not a little courage to do so, for his were the Abolition candidates, whenever that party had a ticket in the field.

Voting for John P. Hale in 1852, a young and enthusiastic admirer of Scott and his military exploits (who was unable to realize that the Whig party was even then dying from an "attempt to swallow the Fugitive Slave Bill") asked him, why, as an old soldier, he did not vote for Scott. To which he replied, "You may not now understand my vote, but, should you live an ordinary lifetime, you will witness the triumph of the principle for which I contend," little thinking that his own eyes should behold the triumph which he prophesied in the removal of his country's curse.

The blood of the old soldier was fired as he read of the insult to the flag at Sumter and, at the close of the three months service, when it seemed that the government might need the help of every man able to do duty, he again tendered his services to the flag and country he had defended in his boyhood. He went to Camp Putnam, at this place, as a recruit for the 36th Regiment, then forming, but was persuaded that the time had not arrived when the service of men of his age was required, and reluctantly consented to return home to await with other anxious patriots the issue of the terrible, dark years which succeeded.

Entertaining habitually feelings of the broadest charity for all men his faith in the everlasting goodness and mercy of God was of the most unquestioning character. He early became a firm believer in the ultimate salvation of all, and it was largely through his influence and means that the substantial church from which he was buried, was erected. His earnest wish, often expressed, that, when his work on earth was finished, God would take him quickly home without sickness or suffering, was literally fulfilled at noon of the 12th day of September 1873.

Coming in from the field, where he had been busily at work during the forenoon, he sat down and read his paper until dinner was announced; he declined to eat, saying he would wait a little while; a few minutes later his arms dropped by his side and his breathing ceased. Thus quietly as he had lived, he passed from his finished work on earth, prepared by his pure, unassuming life here, to begin what God has appointed him to do in a higher and broader sphere.

Old Marietta Papers - Number 37

 The Marietta Register, June 17, 1864

"Old Marietta Papers" was a series of columns compiled and published in 1863 and 1864 by Rodney M. Stimson, editor of "The Marietta Register."

Friday, Aug. 30, 1839, occurred a transaction at Parkersburg that is worthy of note, even now. It was a circumstance that had its influence in this region to bring about the state of public opinion today - a transaction that caused some excitement at the time, and but one of thousands that have taken place under the infernal influence of slavery, thousands many times more aggravated than this. It was the mobbing of Col. Augustus Stone and David Putnam of Harmar, because they were charged with being abolitionists. 

Mr. Putnam, we believe, was the particular object of the Parkersburg ruffians; and Col. Stone suffered, perhaps, because he happened to be in company with the former. It is now nearly twenty-five years ago - what a change in the country! Abolitionists are now about as thick as mosquitoes in August, and through the wicked and tyrannical spirit of slavery - its own suicide - their principles now prevail. Col. Stone and Mr. Putnam both live to see their sentiments popular, however much odium and contempt may have been cast upon those principles in times past. It may be remarked that Col. John Stone of Belpre, living opposite Parkersburg, did not cross the Ohio to that place for many years, for the hate that there prevailed against him because he exercised free thought on the subject of slavery and dared maintain his thoughts before the people. He has had no trouble in going to Parkersburg during the past three years. Even an abolition paper is published there, edited and printed by an abolitionist.

The following is copied from the Marietta Intelligencer of Sept. 5, 1839:

"Outrage at Parkersburg - On Friday last, Mr. David Putnam, Jr., and Col. A. Stone, two respectable citizens of Harmar, went to Parkersburg to transact some business, and as they were about to cross the river on their return, were assailed by a mob and both of them knocked into the river. Fortunately, they escaped without much injury, but from the spirit manifested by the assailants, there can be no doubt that they intended a most brutal outrage upon the person of Mr. Putnam. We do not intend to give the particulars of this assault, or comment upon it in the terms it deserves, until we learn whether the respectable citizens or our neighbor city give countenance to it. We cannot believe they will consent that the odium of this disgraceful affair shall rest upon them. On the contrary, we trust they will use all diligence to bring the perpetrators to justice.

"If Mr. Putnam has violated law, let him be punished by law, So long as we profess to be governed by laws, it is the duty of every good citizen to maintain their supremacy. We cannot imagine a case where a resort to mob law would be justifiable; and unless our Statute Book is to become a reproach, and the name of Liberty a bye-word, every attempt to supplant law by violence should be promptly and fearlessly put down."

Sept. 12, 1839, "Morton" communicated to the Intelligencer a high appreciative and just notice of Lilly Martin, then a girl in her seventeenth year, living with her father, a few miles up the Muskingum, and since so distinguished as an artist. The writer spoke of her "extraordinary taste, talent, and genius," and mentioned that:

"Her first work was on the unwhitened plastered wall of her chamber. She commenced with a piece of charcoal and common chalk, using her finger to stamp with. She has recently obtained some poor crayon and a few paints and brushes. With these instruments, she has covered the sides of her room with splendid pictures."

"One side of the room presents a view from a public piazza out upon a water scene bordered by hill and dale, and field and forest; all original, and beautifully conceived. Groups are presented on the piazza, in various employments, and the figures present not only an accurate proportion, but some of them are shaded and finished in the most exquisite manner. There are some talking politics and some making love. One picture presents a boy playing with the dog and cat; the dog and cat are fighting, and the boy has thrown his cap over the head of the dog, and is exulting at the advantage thus given to puss."

Several other pictures on the walls are noticed:

"But the best hit of all is 'the young baker.' Mrs. Martin had sent her daughter to make bread, and while engaged, the child (for she has only the appearance of a child) conceived the idea of drawing a like figure on the wall. And there it is, not in rude unfinished outline, but a well finished and most strikingly rich crayon drawing. This picture being alone, in a rough room, full of barrels, meal tubs, and rubbish, and being drawn on the rough plaster, has the most extraordinary effect. It represents a girl with a very pretty face, bending over her work, her hair disheveled and yet ornamental; the cape tied loose about her neck, and turned round to the side, sleeves rolled up, and both hands delving in the dough. One could not conceive of anything more natural. This picture, alone is worthy of more than I can write, and no one can have any idea of it without seeing it.

"I can only say, that the circumstances of this display of talent are the most extraordinary. I cannot associate the work and the author together, so strange is the contrast! One gazes at the pictures and glances at the child, who appears to gaze totally unconscious of the merit they possess."

Marriages in 1839:

Aug. 8, Israel W. Andrews, Professor in Marietta College (now President), and Miss Sarah H. Clark of Danbury, Conn.

Aug. 12, Col. Ichabod Nye of Marietta and Mrs. Rebecca Beebe of Belpre.

Sept. 22, Benjamin W. Clark and Marietta Broadhurst.

Sept. 25th, Rev. J. R. Barnes of Evansville, Ind., and Caroline M. Webster.

Oct. 2, Riley Bruce and Mary D. Cockshott, both of Belpre.

Oct. 6th, Richard Beebe and Vilate Wolcott, both of Waterotwn.

Oct 6th, in Marietta, Flavel C. Cole and Mary Dye.

Oct. 10th, Samuel Weston and Eliza Ann Reckard.

Oct. 11th, in Warren, Jacob Reppert of Madison, Ind., and Ann M. Reppert.

Oct. 17th, Sala Bosworth and Joanna F. Shipman.

Oct. 17th, William J. Smith of Marietta and Elmina Clarke of Athens.

Nov. 17th, in Harmar, Alfred Finch and Jane Williams.

Nov. 20th, William Foster of Springfield, Mass. and Matilda W. Foster of Marietta.

Dec. 3, James Withrow and Betsey Locker.

Dec. 5th, William Grant and Mary Ann Willard.

Deaths in 1839:

Aug. 11, Miss S. Maria Brigham, formerly of Princeton, Mass.

Aug. 11th, Anna Maria Ward, in her 19th year.

Aug. 22d, Frederick Shipman, aged 44.

Sept. 8, in Belpre, Rev. William H. Jolly, a Universalist clergyman, 43.

Sept. 10th, in New Orleans, of Yellow fever, Royal G. Hart of Harmar, 29.

Sept. 11th, in Marietta, Rowena, wife of Dennis Racer, 30.

Oct. 22, Caroline Augusta, daughter of F. A. and Harriet Wheeler, 11 months.

Oct. 29th, Selah, wife of William Slocomb, 54.

Nov. 11, in Salem, Mary, wife of Rufus Payne, 45.

Nov. 30th, Mary Ann, daughter of John Collins of Fearing, 14.

Election in 1839:

The result in this county in 1839, between the Whig and the Democratic parties, was very close - caused by "stay-at-home" Whigs. The Whig vote on Representative was 166 less than in the year before, while the Democratic was only 15 less; and the consequence was that the Whigs lost the best offices in the county at that election. The total vote stood as follows: For Senator, Samuel R. Curtis, Whig, 1210; Isaac Humphreys, Dem., 1215. Representative, William r. Browning, Whig, 1199; William A. Whittlesey, Dem., 1225. Auditor, James M. Booth, Whig, 1177; J. P. Wightman, Dem., 1251. Commissioner, Daniel H. Buell, Whig, 1211; Hapgood Goddard, Dem, 1199. Treasurer, Robert Crawford, Whig, 1238; John Young, Dem., 1196. Assessor, Tartus Lindley, Whig, 1144; A. G. Hollister, Dem., 1242. Prosecuting Attorney, Arius Nye, Whig, 1224; Charles F. Buell, Dem., 1180.

The Democrats, it will be seen, elected the Representative, Auditor and Assessor, while the Whigs elected the Treasurer, Commissioner and the Prosecuting Attorney.

S. R. Curtis, who was beaten for the Senate in this District, then hailed from McConnelsville and had been an Engineer on the Muskingum Improvement from which position he was removed on account of his politics. He has since been well known to the country as a Colonel of one of the Ohio regiments in the War with Mexico in 1846-47; as a Republican Representative in Congress for several years, from Iowa; and as a Major General during the present war, west of the Mississippi.

We give the vote of the county in detail for Representative, as follows:

Adams - Browning 50, Whittlesey 75.

Aurelius - Browning 35, Whittlesey 55.

Belpre - Browning 105, Whittlesey 51.

Barlow - Browning 39, Whittlesey 35.

Decatur - Browning 17, Whittlesey 13.

Fearing - Browning 29, Whittlesey 33.

Grandview - Browning 5, Whittlesey 99.

Lawrence - Browning 8, Whittlesey 55.

Ludlow - Browning 7, Whittlesey 55.

Liberty - Browning 4, Whittlesey 33.

Marietta - Browning 381, Whittlesey 204.

Newport - Browning 68, Whittlesey 53.

Roxbury - Browning 58, Whittlesey 79.

Salem - Browning 46, Whittlesey 32.

Union - Browning 47, Whittlesey 62.

Warren - Browning 35, Whittlesey 60.

Waterford - Browning 117, Whittlesey 99.

Watertown - Browning 88, Whittlesey 68.

Wesley - Browning 60, Whittlesey 63.

Total - Browning 1199, Whittlesey 1225.

Nov. 14, 1839, the Intelligencer contained the following notice:

"Big Steam Boat. Among the novelties of the day worthy of notice is a steamboat just built by Mr. Wyllis Hall of this town. It is not a rival of the Great Western, but is, nevertheless, quite a curiosity. It is only thirty feet in length - has an engine of four horse power and a cabin sufficiently large to accommodate twelve or fifteen persons - and is, altogether, a very neat, well proportioned steamboat."

Nov. 21, 1839, the Intelligencer had an article - a "leader" - which favored the nomination of Gen. Scott for the Presidency for political reasons, although stating that Daniel Webster was the first choice of the editor - but he could not probably be elected. The friends of Clay and Harrison had become embittered against each other, and Gen. Scott was the man to unite them. Gen. Harrison, however, did unite them.

And this in the Intelligencer of Dec. 2:

"Mr. Leonard Scott brought to our office on Tuesday, a steel trap found in the forks of a sugar tree on Wolf Creek in this County. The pan of the trap extends entirely through the wood and over it three or four inches of solid wood is formed. The fork in which the trap was found was about 45 feet from the ground. Every part of it is in a perfect state of preservation. Mr. Scott is of opinion that it was undoubtedly carried there by some animal. It has been purchased by Mr. Scott, who intends taking it to New York, probably to place it in the Museum."

Judge Ephraim Cutler of Warren was the Delegate from this Congressional District to the Whig National Convention, held at Harrisburg, Pa., in December, 1839, which nominated Gen Harrison for the Presidency.

Old Marietta Papers - Number 33

The Marietta Register, May 13, 1864

"Old Marietta Papers" was a series of columns compiled and published in 1863 and 1864 by Rodney M. Stimson, editor of "The Marietta Register."

James Dunn has kindly furnished us nearly a complete file of the Marietta Gazette from the year 1837. We have but about six numbers of the year 1838, and only two or three in 1839, until the Intelligencer was started in August of that year. The Register Office owns a complete file of the Intelligencer, from the beginning, except five or six copies that are missing. Cannot some one furnish us numbers of the Gazette in 1838-39?

January, 1837, the Legislature incorporated what was the Second Ward in Marietta into the town of Harmar.

January 20, 1837, an advertisement gives us the first intelligence of the "Marietta Library" through the columns of a Marietta newspaper, although the Library had then been in existence some years. A. T. Nye was at this time the Secretary and he still holds that place.

January 25, 1837, Wednesday evening, there was the brightest and most beautiful display of the Northern Light that has been seen this century; the whole northern half of the heavens was brilliantly illuminated with many changing shades, from the brightest crimson to a pale white light.

January 26, 1837, the Washington County Anti-Slavery Society held its second annual meeting, in Fearing, the President, L. DeWitt, in the chair. Luther Temple, Thomas Proctor (now editing an unconditional Union paper at Macon, Mo.), and James M. Amlin took an active part in the meeting. Officers for the year 1837 were elected, as follows: President, J. C. McCoy; Vice President, D. G. Stanley; Secretary, L. Temple; Treasurer, Thomas Wickham. The Directors were, Col. Harry Hill, Salem; J. Amlin, Fearing; Rev. B. Roberts, Watertown; James Lawton, Barlow; John Stone, Belpre; Thomas Ridgeway, Union; Seth Hart, Harmar; Rev. A. Dana, Newport; Rev. L. DeWitt and T. Post, Marietta.

Anti-Slavery doctrines are slightly more popular now than in those days.

February 25, 1837, two fine steamboats were launched from the boatyards in Harmar - the "John Mills," under command of Capt. Charles Bosworth; and the "Isabella," Capt. James Whitney.

February 27, 1837, Theodore Scott began his second quarter of school in Marietta. He is still "at it" here, after a period of over twenty-seven years - has been a very successful teacher.

A. L. Guitteau & Co. were at this date opening out a new dry goods store, groceries, &c., "one door north of the store of Mills, Wilson & Co., on Front Street."

March 11, 1837, another public meeting was held at the Court House to secure the Ohio River terminus of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad at this point - Col. A. Stone, chairman; N. Ward, secretary.

May 2, 1837, Arius Nye resigned the position of Cashier of the Bank of Marietta, which he had held nine or ten years; and Anselm T. Nye was appointed Cashier in his place.

May 4, 1837, the first meeting of the Commissioners of the "Duck Creek Navigation Company," incorporated at the previous session of the Legislature, was held at Salem. William W. McIntosh, S. N. Merriam, James Dutton, James M. Amlin, Harry Hill and Silas Hobby were appointed to open the books; and one hundred shares were at once subscribed. Col. Harry Hill was chairman; Joel Tuttle, secretary, of this meeting.

May 15, 1837, "Hon. Daniel Webster and lady arrived and landed at this place, and after a short promenade, passed on down the Ohio. There was no display in their appearance or conversation, and Mr. Webster conversed in an easy and affable manner with those who accosted him."

July 11, 1837, a lad named ____, who was in service at the Mansion House, was drowned in the Ohio at the foot of Front Street.

July 15, 1837, a man named Rowe was killed two miles below Harmar, where he had been employed in getting out stone for the lock on the Muskingum. He took shelter from a heavy shower under a shelving rock, which took a slide and crushed him to death.

September 2, 1837, a public dinner was given to Hon. Thomas Ewing in Marietta under the trees at the Court House. Judge Ephraim Cutler was President of the day; the Vice Presidents were Arius Nye, Joseph Barker, Jr., George Dana, Dr. George Bowen, Judah M. Chamberlain, William Mason, Thomas F. Stanley, and Major John Clark. The Marshal was Capt. Francis Devol. Mr. Ewing addressed a large concourse of people.

Election in 1837 - The election in Washington County in 1837 was bitterly contested - more so probably than at any previous period, unless perhaps in 1828. Both the Whig and Democratic parties made strenuous efforts, and personalities were not uncommon currency. The opposing papers of the county were conducted - the Gazette (Whig) by Caleb Emerson; and the Democrat, nominally, by Jacob Baughey, although Charles B. Flood probably did most of the campaign writing for the democratic organ. The vote was larger than ever before polled in the county - 527 larger than at the Presidential election in 1836, which was the largest previous vote. The Whigs triumphed by an average majority of about 115. The young Whigs were jubilant at their successes in the town, county, and State. In Marietta they fired 26 guns; but in Harmar they "waked the hills" with 250 guns! Of course, Levi Barber had a hand in that.

The Whig candidate for Senator in this district - Washington, Morgan and Perry - was Dr. Perley B. Johnson of Morgan County; and the Democratic candidate was William Hawkins, also of Morgan. Perry was a strong democratic county, and Mr. Hawkins was elected, although Dr. Johnson carried this county by 145.

Judge Walter Curtis of Belpre was the Whig candidate for Representative and was elected over Isaac Humphreys, Dem., by 132 majority. J. D. Chamberlain, for Commissioner, Whig, had 103 over Legget, his Democratic opponent. James M. Booth, Whit, had the same majority over William A. Whittlesey, Dem., for Auditor. Robert Crawford, Whig, beat Ebenezer Gates, Dem., for Treasurer, 83. D. P. Bosworth, Whig, had 121 over M. Deterly, Dem., for Recorder. And Francis Devol, Whig, was elected Assessor by 119 over Crawford, Dem.

We give the vote of the county in detail, for Senator and Representative, as follows:

Adams: Johnson 72; Hawkins 46; Curtis 70; Humphreys 48.

Aurelius: Johnson 32; Hawkins 50; Curtis 31; Humphreys 50.

Barlow: Johnson 39; Hawkins 39; Curtis 38; Humphreys 38.

Belpre: Johnson 131; Hawkins 47; Curtis 131; Humphreys 47.

Decatur: Johnson 28; Hawkins 7; Curtis 28; Humphreys 7.

Fearing: Johnson 60; Hawkins 25; Curtis 59; Humphreys 23.

Grandview: Johnson 19; Hawkins 89; Curtis 19; Humphreys 89.

Lawrence: Johnson 22; Hawkins 70; Curtis 22; Humphreys 65.

Liberty: Johnson 6; Hawkins 30; Curtis 6; Humphreys 30.

Ludlow: Johnson 3; Hawkins 66; Curtis 3; Humphreys 66.

Marietta: Johnson 393; Hawkins 147; Curtis 391; Humphreys 145.

Newport: Johnson 64; Hawkins 58; Curtis 64; Humphreys 58.

Roxbury: Johnson 63; Hawkins 67; Curtis 62; Humphreys 66.

Salem: Johnson 53; Hawkins 50; Curtis 52; Humphreys 51

Union: Johnson 51; Hawkins 54; Curtis 52; Humphreys 53.

Warren: Johnson 45; Hawkins 88; Curtis 47; Humphreys 88.

Waterford: Johnson 121; Hawkins 95; Curtis 115; Humphreys 98.

Watertown: Johnson 76; Hawkins 84; Curtis 76; Humphreys 83.

Wesley: Johnson 47; Hawkins 67; Curtis 44; Humphreys 67.

Total: Johnson 1324; Hawkins 1179; Curtis 1310; Humphreys 1178.

Hon. Calvary Morris, Whig, of Athens, was elected to Congress from this district.

Marriages in 1837:

Jan. 1st, Charles W. Green of Watertown and Susan Parke of Union.

Jan. 24th, John Wilson and Hannah H. Hallet, both of Salem.

Feb. 13, Dr. George Bowen of Waterford and Miss Joanna Wheeler of Bridgeport, Conn.

March 3, Lewis Shepard and Julia Ann Kidwell of Union.

March 8th, William Brophy and Maria Peters of Salem.

April 5, John M. Slocomb and Julia White from Wardsboro, Vt.

April 13th, James Campbell and Nancy Culver of Adams.

April 20th, James Stanley of Salem and Grace Racer of Marietta.

May 4, John Greiner of Marietta and Lucinda Bennett of Athens.

July 4, Heman Fuller and Zipporah Miller.

Aug. 24, Hiram Pugh of Marietta and Miss J. Uhl of Virginia.

Aug. 31, Thomas Maxon and Hannah J. Caywood.

Aug. 31, William Caywood and Ann Henton.

Sept. 7, Dr. John C. Stone of Marietta and Mary E. Spinning of Springfield.

Sept. 28, Mighill Dustin of Barlow and Mary B. Dana of Newport.

Oct. 8, Dr. J. S. Dodge of Cincinnati and Emily W. Dana of Belpre.

Oct. 11th, in Adams, Chester Judd and Mary Burch.

Dec. 28, Francis G. Gitteau and Sarah F. Fulton.

Deaths in 1837:

Feb. 6, Capt. Timothy Buell, a native of Killingworth, Conn., aged 69. He had resided here over forty years, was Sheriff several terms, and Representative.

Feb. 18th, in Beardstown, Ill., Mrs. Nancy Greene, wife of Dudley D. Green, 25.

Feb. 19th, Miss Mary Dunlevy, 52.

April - in Marion, O., James B. Gardiner, who published the Commentator in Marietta in 1808-09; he afterwards published papers at other points, Columbus among them.

June 30, Mrs. Mary Hollister, wife of Sereno Hollister, 37.

Aug. 24, in New York, Mrs. Hannah Gilman, widow of Benjamin Ives Gilman, formerly of Marietta, 71.

Old Marietta Papers - Number 27

The Marietta Register, April 1, 1864

"Old Marietta Papers" was a series of columns compiled and published in 1863 and 1864 by Rodney M. Stimson, editor of "The Marietta Register."

Three weeks ago we printed that Rev. J. T. Wheat, Episcopal, conducted services in the forms of that church at Library Hall, July 15, 1832; and stated that it was "the first notice we have seen of preaching by that denomination in Marietta." But we since discover that on Sunday, March 25, 1832, Rev. Mr. Robinson, Episcopal, preached at the Old Court House.

Rev. Joseph Willard, who lived in the house were Dr. John Cotton died, on Butler Street, near the present Post Office, and who died during the epidemic of 1823, was an Episcopal clergyman. Whether he ever conducted religious services in Marietta, in the Episcopal form, we are not advised.

Lyceum. We wish here to refer to the "Marietta Lyceum," which was organized on Monday evening, Feb. 28, 1831. The first officers were President, John Cotton; Vice President, Caleb Emerson; Corresponding Secretary, Arius Nye; Recording Secretary, James M. Booth; Treasurer, John Mills; Curators, Arius Nye, S. P. Hildreth, Billy Todd.

April 12, a lecture on Astronomy was delivered by Dr. John Cotton, the President. He read many papers before the Lyceum, in course of time, on astronomical subjects.

The first discussion was upon the question, "Has the discovery of the art of Printing been more beneficial to the world than the Magnetic Needle?"

Four lectures before the Lyceum were announced for January, 1833, to wit: By Dr. S. P. Hildreth, "On the saliferous rock formation of the valley of the Ohio." John Delafield, Jr., "Egyptian Hieroglyphics." William A. Whittlesey, "Lyceums." John Brough, "The discovery and progress of the art of printing."

The Lyceum was sustained some years, doubtless with much profit to many.

Jan. 7, 1833, Samuel Hall began a singing school in Marietta. Many will recollect Mr. Hall. This was his beginning here - laboring to obtain an education. He was one of the four graduates of Marietta College in 1838 - its first class.

Apr. 8, 1833, the annual meeting of the Marietta Temperance Society was held. Elected officers for the ensuing year, to wit: William A. Whittlesey, President; Mansfield French and J. C. McCoy, Vice Presidents; Samuel Hall, Secretary; Robert Crawford, Treasurer; D. T. Morgan, E. Emerson, J. Way and D. Putnam, Jr., Executive Committee.

Apr. 20, 1833, Mr. Prentiss announced that he had sold the "Friend & Gazette" to Delafield & Nye, to be delivered on May 11th; and John Delafield, Jr., and Edward W. Nye published their prospectus for the "Marietta Gazette," in an enlarged form.

"Died in this town, after a short illness, on Tuesday, the 23d instant, Col. Levi Barber."

Col. Barber lived in Harmar; had been for many years a leading citizen of Washington County, and one of the most prominent in this part of Ohio; previous to 1817 he was for years Clerk of the Court; was a member of the State Senate in 1819-21; was Representative in Congress in 1817-19 and in 1821-23; yet the above simple announcement is all the notice of his death that appears in the "Friend."

A few marriages in the early part of 1833:

Jan. 13, Chad A. Phillips and Sarah M. Morse.

Jan 22, Samuel Shipman and Lucina Bingham, of Cornwall, Vermont.

Feb. 7, John Riley and Mrs. Tabitha Thorniley.

Feb. 28, John M. Gates of Waterford and Eleanor Walker of Rosbury.

Apr. 2, Junia Jennings and Eliza Reckard.

Apr. 10, Martin Sinclair and Naomi J. Baldwin of Zanesville.

Apr. 14, Lewis Anderson Jr., and Louisa Hildreth.

Apr. 25th, Otis Wheeler and Nancy F. Foster.

Apr. 25th, Jonathan Caywood and Eliza Henton in Fearing.

Apr. 25th, Luther Leonard of Waterford and Caroline Adams of Watertown.

The Valedictory of Mr. Prentiss appears May 11, 1833. After that the title "American Friend" was dropped from the paper, and it was published as the "Marietta Gazette" for about eight years.

Mr. Prentiss had been a proprietor of the paper for nineteen years, most of the time sole proprietor, "during which time," he says, "the principal part of the mechanical labor has been performed by myself, without which, and close application to business, too, it could not have survived to the present day." He gives as one of his reasons for selling, "that the profit of the business is not sufficient to remunerate me for the labor and money actually expended in carrying it on."

That the "Friend" was not remunerative to Mr. Prentiss is undoubtedly true. Of all the newspapers yet published in Marietta during a period of over sixty-two years, probably the only one that ever afforded a profit, worth naming, to the publisher, was the Intelligencer, while published by Beman Gates, Esq. Mr. Gates was a first-rate newspaper man - none better for his time - was an industrious, active and energetic business man, and he succeeded. The "Hoe News," published by Mr. Winchester for two or three years, was a capital little paper of its kind, but could not have afforded, probably, a revenue worth talking about.

Mr. Prentiss struggled industriously to keep his paper alive; and in twenty years by close economy, getting a little from the office of Town Clerk, some from the office of County Treasurer, which he held two years, and some from four years in the County Auditor's office, he managed to save a small property, just enough to keep him from actual want - not what is usually called a competency.

Evidence of the hard struggles of Mr. Prentiss is to be found in the files of the "Friend." A call upon "my patrons for money to enable me to buy paper," is common during the whole nineteen years from 1814 to 1833. Almost every year, if not every one, half sheets or small sheets were published for one, two, three or four weeks, as well as issues missed altogether, several times for four or five weeks in succession. And he could not help this - his income was insufficient.

Two remarks are in place here:

First, down to this date - May 1833 - Marietta papers, as was then the custom in like towns, were published with very little editorial matter, very little of a local nature, almost all the reading being selected from exchanges, from Cincinnati, Columbus, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and other places. Many a paper was published without a line of a local nature, unless in an advertisement, but with two or three columns from Europe and Asia. The only editors in thirty-two years who wrote articles that could be dignified by the name of "leaders," were Caleb Emerson, in the Spectator, 1811-12; David Everett, in the Friend, 1813; and John Brough in the Western Republican, 1831-32; and they did not often write a "leader."

Second, no pro-slavery paper was published in Marietta until subsequent to the date to which we have now arrived - May, 1833. The Spectator, published by Caleb Emerson in 1811-12, was decidedly anti-slavery, and so always was the Friend, from 1813 to 1833. They on many occasions published articles, such as we have been accustomed to hear called "abolition," "nigger-head," and "incendiary," during these latter years of new ideas. Everybody hereabouts, in those days, seemed to regard slavery as an "evil" not to be extended, and not a "blessing" to be forced upon the whole country; and that the papers here should publish anti-slavery articles was deemed a matter-of-course - although there was no violent discussion on the subject save at the time of the admission of Missouri in 1820. What Northern paper then - in 1820 - took the slavery side of the question! and how quick were the Northern people to drive into obliion the few of their representatives who then proved false to Freedom!

  

 

Old Marietta Papers - Number 11

The Marietta Register, December 4, 1863

"Old Marietta Papers" was a series of columns compiled and published in 1863 and 1864 by Rodney M. Stimson, editor of "The Marietta Register." 

January 1, 1819, the Report of "The Society in Marietta for the Promotion of good Morals," appears in the Friend, signed by David Putnam, S. P. Hildreth and John Cotton. It relates principally to Sunday Schools. May 11, 1817, three Sunday Schools were opened, one under the Superintendence of William Slocomb at Buell's school room; one under Elisha Huntington at Muskingum Academy: and one under Dr. John Cotton at Point Harmar. In 1818, there were two Sunday Schools, one in Marietta, under charge of William Slocomb, and one at Harmar, under Mr. Judson. The committees reported that "the progress in the schools was such as to afford the highest satisfaction." The number of scholars in the two schools in 1818 was 208.

February 22, 1819, citizens met at house of Moses McFarland to form an Agricultural Society. Capt. Jonathan Devol, Chairman, Anselm T. Nye, Secretary. Adjourned to meet April 7, but we find no account of that meeting. The Society met Nov. 17 - Benjamin Ives Gilman elected President; S. P. Hildreth, Recording Secretary; Nahum Ward, Corresponding Secretary; David Putnam, Treasurer.

Spring election, 1819, Town Council elected, to wit: Caleb Emerson, John Merrill and Amzi Stanley; Town Clerk, Royal Prentiss; Treasurer, Sampson Cole; Assessor, D. H. Buell; Constables, Enoch Hoff, Notley Drown, John J. Preston; Police Officers, Griffin Greene, C. Sylvester, J. R. Curtis.

April 13, 1819, a steer, raised by William R. Browning, Esq., of Belpre, 5 years old, killed, and weighed - beef 1290; hide 114; rough tallow 192; total 1596.

May 6, 1819, Henry P. Wilcox, P. M., removed the Post Office to the corner of Market (Front) and Putnam streets.

July 4 (Monday, 5th), 1819, dinner at Major Hill's. We give two of the toasts: By A. Warner - "The members of the late Congress, who opposed the extension of slavery, may they be the Mordecais whom the sovereign people shall delight to honor." By William Slocomb (then a teacher - "The rising Fair, may they ever let virtue be the subject, propriety of conduct the attributes, and good reputation the object, neatness and modesty connective particles, and benevolence and charity inseparable adjuncts."

September 13, 1819, a public meeting was held at the Court House (old one) for ascertaining public opinion in reference to a new Court House - Hon. John Sharp of Lawrence, Chairman; James M. Booth, Secretary. The committee, R. J. Meigs, D. H. Buell and L. Barber, reported in favor of a Court House with fire-proof offices at corner of Second and Putnam streets. Report adopted and sent to the County Commissioners. The present [1863] Court House is the result of this preliminary movement, not built, however, until 1822.

Extraordinary Pumpkins. In the year 1818, George Dana of Belpre raised 35 pumpkins from one seed, weighing in the aggregate 1759 lbs. and 11 oz. The weight of each is published in the Friend of Jan. 8, 1819. The 11 largest weighted: 154, 140, 130, 110, 108, 96, 94, 93, 90, 88 and 84. The smallest weighted 3 lbs and 14 oz.

Election in 1819. For Senator, in Washington County, Sardine Stone 540; Levi Barber 346; William R. Putnam 27. But Athens gave Barber 513; Stone 222. Majority for Barber, in the district, 88. For Representatives, Ephraim Cutler of Washington, and Elijah Hatch were elected, each receiving a majority in both this and Athens counties. For Commissioner, Titan Kimble was re-elected - Kimble 506; William Skinner 136; John True 103.

Marriages in 1819:

February 16, Lincoln C. Shaw and Miss Royal Protsman.

February 13, John Pierce of Marietta and Polly Locey of Warren.

["At Warren, on the 13th inst. by Ephraim Cutler, Esq, Mr. John Pierce of Marietta, to Miss Polly Locey, of the former place." American Friend, 26 Feb 1819, p. 2, c. 4]

March 1, Pardon Cook, of Wood Co., Va. (now Rev. P. Cook of this city) and Polly Russell of Union.

March 11, Edwin Burlingame and Jane Evans.

March 25, John Taylor and Mary Kepple, both of Salem.

April 1, Uz Foster and Mary Riley.

April 15, Samuel B. Jones of Fearing and Desdemona Slaughter of Marietta.

June 8, Elijah Boyce of Pint Pleasant, Va., and Mary Stacy of Union.

August 8, William Talbot and Jemima Smith.

August 18, Amos Chesebro and Lydia Maxon.

October 10, William Humphreys and Lydia Crane.

October 27, William R. Browning of Belpre and Miss Sophia, daughter of Col. Joseph Barker of Union.

October 21, Willey Fowler of Fearing and Cynthia Perkins of Salem.

December 2, in Lawrence, Robert Pierce and Susan Dye.

December 21, Gen. Nathaniel S. Cushing of Gallipolis and Mrs. Susan Merwin of Marietta.

Deaths in 1819:

January 1, Joseph Lincoln, aged 19, "an amiable young man of fine promise."

February 4, Timothy Stanley, aged 47.

February 16, William Whitehouse, aged 23.

February 24, in Adams, Mrs. Mary Spooner, wife of Dr. Cyrus Spooner.

February 26, Mrs. Jane Taylor, widow of Col. Robert Taylor, in her 79th year.

March 5, 1819, (nearly three months after it occurred), the death of Maj. Haffield White in Wooster (Watertown) is announced; he died Dec. 15, 1818, aged about 80, and was one of the leading men at the first settlement of Marietta.

April 23, in Wooster (Watertown), Mrs. Hannah, wife of Ezekiel Deming, Esq., in her 40th year.

May 13, Silas Parker, a candidate for the Gospel Ministry, aged 25.

May 29, Commodore Abraham Whipple, aged 85; his wife died October before, at the age of 79.

June 28, Isaac Palmer, aged 42.

July 8, in Lawrence, Mrs. Sophia Hoff, aged 70.

August 14, Wade Cross, aged 41.

 

Liberty Convention

 The Marietta Intelligencer, August 13, 1846

Pursuant to the call of the Central Committee, the Liberty Men of Washington County met at the Court House in Marietta on Saturday, August 1st, for the purpose of nominating candidates to be supported at the ensuing election. The Convention was organized by the election of Moses K. Soule, Esq., President, and Charles McCabe as Secretary. Their deliberations resulted in the following nominations and resolutions:

Representative - Joel Tuttle

Commissioner - Levi Heald

Sheriff - Benjamin Soule

Recorder - R. D. Hollister

Coroner - William Glessner

Director of Poor House - John C. McCoy

Resolved: That we recommend to the Liberty men of this Congressional District to hold a District Convention at McConnelsville on the 27th of August next for the purpose of nominating a suitable candidate for Congress, and that the delegates from this county are hereby instructed to present to that Convention the name of James Lawton of Washington County as a suitable person to receive such nomination.

Whereupon, David Putnam, Jr., Thomas Ridgeway, Joel Tuttle, A. G. Grubb, G. W. Richards, L. M. Parker, D. H. Pettie, J. C. McCoy, Levi Heald, Thomas Porter, S. W. Smith, Philo Mathews and Milton Smith were appointed delegates to attend the McConnelsville Convention, with power to fill any vacancies that may occur, or add to their numbers as they may see proper.

Whereas, the African Slave trade is by the government of the United States declared piracy, and the American slave trade too delicate a subject for public discussion, except by slave holders and slave traders, who hold it as a Bible institution,

Resolved: Therefore, as the deliberate sense of this meeting, that if the African slave trade is justly declared piracy on account of the horrors unavoidable connected with it, that the American slave trade, having all the horrible features of the African, should be in like manner considered a system of piracy against the best interests of the human race - and in its tendencies destructive of the great interests of humanity and religion, both to master and slave.

Resolved: That in view of the interpretation of scripture in the slave states of this Union, many are finding authority for enslaving their brethren, and sons and daughters, by the expression heathen that are around them, it becomes a grave question of great importance to us in the free states to know whether they are not beginning to consider us the heathen that are around them, and accordingly catching (at least every colored man) and making slaves of them, under their interpretation of the Jewish statute.

Resolved: That we rejoice in the evident extension of Anti-Slavery sentiments among the people of our State, and the country at large, and that this fact induces us to hold on the "even tenor" of our way, regardless of tramels of the old parties, who are afraid to vote and speak for the oppressed and down-trodden in our midst.

Resolved: That among the many helps to the cause of liberty, we view the circumstances connected with the "Parkersburg outrage" as very efficient; and among the individuals engaged in that affair, John J. Jackson, Esq., Prosecuting Attorney for Wood County, stands preeminent, whose aid to the cause of Anti-Slavery, however unintentional on his part, we cheerfully acknowledge.