Local Improvements

Marietta Intelligencer, August 29, 1839

Marietta and Newport Turnpike and Bridge Company

We have no desire to puff our goodly Town and County, or to boast of the enterprize and public spirit of her citizens. But we intend to speak fully and frequently of our natural advantages and shall also endeavor to show the distant public that something is doing here in the way of improving these advantages.

One important improvement - and this perhaps is nearer its completion than any other now in progress - is that of the "Marietta and Newport Turnpike and Bridge Company." This Company was incorporated in the winter of 1837 & '38 with a Capital of Sixty Thousand dollars, one half of which is taken by individuals, and one half by the State.

The road commences at the Corporation line of Marietta, crosses Duck Creek and the Little Muskingum a short distance above their junction with the Ohio, and terminates on the Ohio river at Newport. It is sixteen miles in length and the probable cost of the road, when completed according to the plan, is forty-five thousand dollars. It is proposed to McAdamize the road the whole distance in the course of the ensuing season.

The Bridge across Duck Creek has a length of one hundred and forty-eight feet between the piers, with extension bridges of forty feet at each end, making the entire length of the bridge two hundred and twenty-eight feet. The Bridge over the Little Muskingum has a span of one hundred and seventy-eight feet, with extension bridges the same as at Duck Creek, making the entire length two hundred and fifty-eight feet. The piers upon which these bridges are erected are thirty-three feet in height and built of the most substantial masonry. The superstructure is entirely of white pine, and on the plan of Col. Long's patent. They are well painted and the ends are finished in good taste.

At Newport this road connects with the Middle Island Turnpike, which is thirteen miles in length and connects with the great North Western Turnpike leading from Parkersburg to Winchester. At Winchester this road connects with Rail Roads leading to Baltimore and Washington.

In point of magnitude, this work does not compare with some others now in progress, and of which we shall speak in some future number. We believe, however, that it will affect the prosperity of our county more favorably than many, even of its friends, have anticipated.

The road will be opened as far as the Little Muskingum about the 18th of September.

*     *     *

Muskingum Valley Turnpike

The Directors of this Company have put a portion of the road under contract and are advancing the work with all possible speed. On Saturday last, sections B, C, D, E & F, were let to the following contractors.

Sections B & C, embracing the south side of March Run Hill, a distance of 144 rods, and the north side of the same, a distance of 168 rods, were taken by James Dutton and G. W. Trout.

The Culvert at Dyer's and Section D, embracing the narrows at widow Dyer's, were taken by James Dutton.

The bridge at Mason's run and at I. Devol's were taken by William Mason.

Section E, embracing the Steam Mill narrows, and Section F, embracing Mason's narrows, together with the bridges at Wincil's, at Decker's, and at Cole run, were taken by G. W. Trout.

The Directors have secured the services of Samuel R. Curtis Esq. as Principal Engineer, and under his superintendence there can be no doubt the work will e promptly and faithfully executed.

 

The Newport Road

 The Marietta Daily Leader, September 14, 1904

Description of One of the Most Prosperous Communities in Ohio, With Reminiscences of What It Was in Early Days

Mr. A. A. Middleswart has prepared for the Leader the following paper on "The Newport Road," in which he embodies a description of present day conditions with those of upwards of a century ago.

In Early Days

The first wheeled vehicle that passed up the road was in 1809. The road was on the banks of the river. Now the number of teams coming to Marietta on the road will average one hundred and fifty teams a day from the first of May until the first of October, most of them loaded with beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, melons, sweet corn, etc.

Garden Products

The land along the road is used mostly for gardening purposes. My recollection is, the first berries, tomatoes and green corn that was shipped from this county, I shipped in 1865 or 1866. They were shipped to Steubenville, Wheeling and Pittsburgh by river. Five hundred quarts of berries, one hundred dozen cucumbers and fifty dozen of corn is about all I could get for shipment a day. Now there is an average of about five car loads of garden stuff shipped from Marietta every day in the summer and fall, also a large amount from Newport, Belpre, Beverly, and points on the M. & C. railroad, which means a good deal of money, most of which is spent in Marietta.

Schools

The Marietta Township High School building was built in 1893. The school has the reputation of being a first-class school. The high school in the first special district at Newport Township is one of the best of its kind.

Churches

The Valley Baptist church is a neat building. There is preaching every Sunday, also preaching at Miller's school house, Barker's school house and Newell's Run. The Methodist church is a neat and tasty building at Sand Hill. The minister is Rev. Stuart. The Christian church at the same place is a quaint building The minister is Rev. Alford.

Business Houses

The stores along the road are owned by Mr. Reece, James Hyler, James Kester, William Eddy, Frank Leonard and Art Boswell. Charles Miller has a mill at Reno; he also makes berry baskets and boxes. There were oil refineries along the road, but they are dismantled.

The postmaster at Reno is James Kester; at Lower Newport, H. F. Middleswart; at Newell's Run, William Eddy.

The blacksmith at Reno is Peter Bender; at Bell's Run, M. Hauch.

Picturesque Point

One of the most picturesque points between Pittsburgh and Cincinnati is Mt. Dudley. As the road passes just at its foot, many stop here to make the ascent of the mountain and thus get the magnificent view of the country and river.

The People

The people along the road generally are industrious, saving, and honest and a credit to any community. Nearly every farm along the road is producing oil. The owners of the land are getting lots of money for their oil; they can dress in fine linen and velvet and fare sumptuously every day, especially in the summer when they have green beans, corn, tomatoes, melons, etc.

There is a telephone line along part of the road and free mail delivery every day. There is some talk of an electric road being built from Marietta to Newport.

First Settlers

Among the first settlers were the Greens, O'Neils, Browns, Rowlands, Thornileys, Bells, Barkers, Hills, Middleswarts, Millers, Harnesses, Wests, Smiths, Plumer, McCallisters and Cogswells.

Early Wells

The importance of good drinking water was recognized by the first settlers. A long line of wooden pipes was laid from a spring back of Joe Thorniley's barn to the different farms along the road. Another line was laid from the Alder's spring into Newport to supply the settlers with water. A good many wells were dug. The well my father dug was the first one walled up with cut stone on the road.

First Mill

The farmers did their milling at Marietta, Little Muskingum and Dana's mills. The latter mill was built in 1817; it was the first and I think the only over-shot mill built in Washington County. It has gone to wreck and ruin. Miss Cora Kraft has a picture of the mill as it formerly stood.

First School House

The first school house along the road was built about 1816. It was on my father's land and was used as a church occasionally During the sickly season of 1832-33 [1822-23?], it was used as a hospital. The next one was built back of where James West lived.

Settlers Remained

But little of the land has been sold to strangers in the last seventy-five years. Most of the land is owned by descendants of the first settlers. 

The first ministers that preached in the settlements were Jeremiah Dale, Allen Darrow, Harvey Dale and Pardon Cook.

Early Amusements

The amusements of the young people in early times consisted of spelling schools, taffy pullings, singing school and dancing. The fiddlers were a happy-go-lucy sort of chaps - the last of them died long ago.

Flatboat Days

Before the war nearly all the farmers along the road sent their produce of every kind south in flatboats. It was taken down in charge of someone, who brought back coffee, molasses, sugar, etc.

Early Industries

S. B. Smith was the first man to raise strawberries for shipment. William Thorniley, the tanner, the first man to raise sweet potatoes for shipment.

The shoemakers in early times were Thorniley, Cain, Richardson and Bosworth. They were not paid for their work in money, but by having rail split, wood chopped and grubbing done. The tanners were Thorniley and Lang.

Among the coopers were the Thornileys, Baldwins, Stewarts, Peggs and others. Quite a number of the descendants are living in Marietta, among whom is Miss Nina Pegg, the efficient stenographer and bookkeeper of Thorniley Bros. produce house.

Among the weavers were Mrs. Brown, Mrs. Smith, Mrs. O'Neil and Mrs. Dick. The latter wove linen cloth. The Misses Plumer have some linen which they wove about sixty years ago.

Stage Coaches

The lines of stage coaches were run to Marietta, Wheeling and Clarksburg by way of Newport. The mail was carried in them. When the stages were abandoned about 1850, the mail was carried in them, and then by steamboat.

Graveyards

The old graveyard at Lower Newport was established in 1812. The first person buried was James Reece. The Valley graveyard was established in 1862. The first person buried there was Maggie Carr.

Used Whisky Also

During the early times there was a great deal of sickness, and peach and apple brandy was used as medicine, consequently there was a still at Sand Hill and Newport to make it. These distilleries were dismantled seventy-five years ago. They also made whisky, which was used as a preventative against snake bites. A jug was generally kept in the kitchen and filled so as to be handy. The whisky was sampled every few days to see if it was keeping good.

Early Courtships

In the early times when the young man went to see his best girl, he was dressed up in claw-hammer coat with brass buttons, jeans breeches, cow hide home-made shoes, ground hog or coonskin cap and a deer skin shirt. His girl's dress was of linsey-woolsey, coarse shoes, home-made with a cotton handkerchief around her neck. They did their courting sitting in the kitchen on a bench or split bottom chairs.

Later Courtships

Now, when the young man goes to see his best girl, his coat is a Prince Albert, pants are the best of cassimere, patent leather shoes, derby hat and a gold watch and chain. His girl is dressed in silk and satin, their hair dressed in the usual pompadour fashion. They sit in the parlor with a Brussells carpet on the floor, chairs lined with velvet, lace curtains at the windows, and a piano, with modern music. Are people happier now than they were in the olden days? Who knows?

  

Pleasant Trip to Newport

 The Daily Register, November 22, 1904

Enjoyed by the Register Man and His Friends - Thriving Village Destined to Grow and Flourish Steadily for Years.

One of the most thriving little towns of the county and, in fact, in this part of the Ohio valley, is Newport up the Ohio. The location is an admirable one, well adapted to a much larger town than now exists. Its people are a cultured class, enterprising, loyal to home, sociable to a large degree, and most of them descendants of pioneer families. 

While a good many of the homes and buildings are of recent erection, there still remain in the old town the buildings put up by the pioneers of that county, the Greens, Greenwoods and others. Those structures were well built. They are large in size, colonial in architecture, high ceilings, broad verandas and in every way comfortable and attractive to those who are cramped up in the modern house of the present. 

It was our pleasure and privilege on the last Sunday to drive up the beautiful valley from this city to Newport. The country is covered with the rust of autumn, and more burnt and dry by reason of lack of rain since July, except perhaps a light sprinkle. We drove because there was no trolley. There ought to be one built to and through Newport on to Matamoras. We know of no section better adapted to such an improvement, none more deserving of such and none to which a line would be more advantageous. We are told that the delay in building the line is due to the fact that quite a number of large owners between Marietta and Newport refuse to grant the right of way through their farms. They have not yet realized that they are standing in their own way, and it may be some time before they realize this to be true. While it may seem like considerable of a sacrifice to them to give up a strip of land, there is no doubting the statement that an electric line would be a great benefit to them in many ways and would also enhance the value of their farms. But they must live and learn as regards this. We believe with the proper encouragement on the part of land owners, a line would be constructed without delay. If not by one man or set of men by another. There are many people looking about for suitable routes for electric lines, and why not make it possible to have one to Newport?

We have gone our way, accompanied by neighbors, and at 11:30 we find ourselves in the yard of Junius Greenwood, and that gentleman is taking our horses to a good dinner. We approach the house where the estimable wife greets us and the odor of a well cooked country dinner meets the nostrils of a hungry four. The big house, remodeled to an extent, the old oven in the open fire place, the cheese cupboard and other things that we believe we would have left in, were gone, the rooms furnished with the tidy things and comfortable furniture, the old open fire place still there, but instead of the red oak logs the natural gas log has supplanted it and there is no more carrying of the cord wood. There is nothing more needed regarding the dinner to which we were invited to partake than that it was a regular Greenwood dinner. That's all; that's enough. There was nothing lacking.

The afternoon was spent about the village meeting old acquaintances and talking about Newport and her future. She has a bright future and oil is at the bottom of it. Aside from the fine farms that surround the town the oil development is the thing that will make the mare go. Newport is the center of a very important production. Recent developments have made it very attractive and it looks now like a second Belmont field, than which none more is important for a series of years existed, is to be opened just below the town. In fact, it is now up to the operators to define the direction the streak runs and see to what width it exists.

The Berea pool, which has been developing for a year or two, has now taken on new life and on the hill tops and in the valley may be seen the numerous new rigs, the wells drilling, pumping or flowing. The "find" of the field to date is the James Morrison & Co. well on the Friedel, which is about ten days old and still doing in the neighborhood of 300 barrels each twenty-four hours. This lease is attracting the fraternity far and wide, and there is promised during the coming weeks more wells of the like importance, the development of a great oil field and the enriching of many men, providing they get in line. 

The Snakards of this city are considerably interested in this Friedel lease. Joe takes his good fortune with the smile that is always his, whether in luck or disappointment, and we are glad to see the smile of good fortune on his countenance. Jimmie Morrison and D. C. Stewart are also interested. The former is a fixture in Newport. He found a fine wife there and is nicely settled in the village. Jimmie is one of those popular Democrats and is the only one of his political faith to hold office in the township and is the Treasurer. You wouldn't take him for a Democrat to look at him, neither would you take Dave Stewart for a Democrat. Davis is on the gold standard, all right. Look at his teeth for proof.

The people of Newport are to have the Marietta telephone line ere long. There are thirty-five subscribers to the new system and the poles are on the ground, ready to be set, after which the wire will be strung. This addition will give the people the advantage of having phones in their houses. As it is now, they have but the Central station, which is inconvenient at times, to say the least. The new system will hardly be ready for the people to be thankful for it on Thursday, but will certainly come as a welcome adjunct about Christmas time. It can't come too soon for the good people of Newport.

We are glad we went to Newport. We renewed some old acquaintances and saw many things of interest. Newport is a coming town. It will double in size in the next three years. Mark the prediction and if it gets the trolley, as it deserves to, it will just keep on growing. The visit to the town was a diversion from the every day life of Marietta. We shall not soon forget the ride, the oil fields, the scenery and the dinner and the hours spent in Newport and at the Greenwood home.

A. D. A.

   

Celebration at Newport

The Marietta Register, July 12, 1866

As a slight shower had fallen in the morning, the original design of a basket picnic in a neighboring grove was laid aside, and the people assembled in the Baptist church of the village. Here the oration of the day was delivered by Rev. J. W. Hamilton, the minister of the Methodist charge at this place. The address of Mr. H. showed much thought and preparation and was spoken with an earnestness and animation which fixed the attention of his audience. His style displays much force and energy, and he bids fair to rise to a prominent position in his field of labor.

The regular toasts of the day then ensued, the first of which was: "Our Literary Institutions in the loyal states - their patriotic teachings have been demonstrated in the intelligent members which they have given to the service of their country." The remarks of the Professor were very instructive, but were so far prolonged as to render them rather tedious. 

By this time the sun and breeze had dissipated the remaining traces of the morning shower and the entire assembly repaired to the grove near the Methodist church, where an excellent dinner was enjoyed by all. The after-dinner toasts were then taken up:

"The loyal ministry - true indices to the duties of real citizenship, love to God, love to man, patriotic devotion to our common country." The response was made by Rev. C. D. Battelle, whose remarks were brief but appropriate.

A sentiment expressive of gratitude to the soldiers of the township was introduced with some remarks by George C. Shipman and replied to, in behalf of the soldiers, by Hon. James B. Greene. I regret that I cannot give the words of the toast.

"The fallen sons of Newport: Lewis Nine, Edgerton, Battelle, Greenwood, J. R. Newport, Hall, Gutshaw, Wetzel, Davis, Hill, Seevers, Mathers, Van Wey, Gates, McPeek, and others - let their memories be kept green in the hearts of a grateful people."

This toast was received in silence, save the song "Sleeping for the Flag," which was beautifully rendered by a group of young ladies.

To the volunteer toast, "Our Fathers and Mothers; green be the graves of our sires, honored the gray hairs in our midst today," response was made by T. W. Ewart, in which he spoke highly of those who had formed the early settlements of the vicinity.

The following sentiment was given by a West Virginian: "West Virginia, a proud bulwark against treason and rebellion; no longer the club foot of the Old Dominion, a wide road to prosperity opens before her." Response by Rev. Charles Buckman, also a native of that state.

Rev. Allen Darrow being called for, made some remarks of a patriotic character.

We must not forget to express our commendation of the singing which was excellent. Altogether the affair passed off quite pleasantly. The general arrangements were good and were carried out quite as accurately as could be expected in view of interference of rain, etc. The day will be long remembered by those who participated in its enjoyments as an entertaining and profitable occasion.

H.R.E.
Newport, July 9, 1866. 

Young Couple of Newport Run Away

The Marietta Daily Times, December 1, 1931:

Marietta police and the sheriff and county court officers were appealed to Tuesday by the parents of Miss Mabel Taylor, attractive Newport high school girl, in an effort to locate her and help prevent what is believed by them to be an elopement wherein the Taylor girl and Byron Burton, also of Newport, are the principals.

Miss Taylor, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Taylor, is a member of the sophomore class at Newport High School. She is said to have left home at the usual time to go to school this morning but did not appear at the school building. Investigation is said to have developed the fact that young Burton, son of Mr. and Mrs. H. M. Burton of Newport, also had disappeared.

Report of the disappearance of the young couple, each of whom is 16 years old, spread quickly throughout the village and it is said to have been learned that they, in company with a well known Newport woman, had driven away shortly before 9 o'clock.

Authorities here and in adjoining counties on both sides of the river were notified by the parents of the girl and they were asked to prevent the issuance of a marriage license. The girl was described as an attractive blonde, dressed in a green suit, hat and shoes to match and wearing a tan coat. 

The young couple and their companion are said to be traveling in a Chevrolet coach, and local officers were directing the search at noon today toward the state of Maryland to which they may have gone.

Burton and Miss Taylor are said to have been sweethearts for several years, having until recently attended the same school.

Mother of Runaway Girl Files Charges

The Marietta Daily Times, December 3, 1931:

Mrs. Agnes Taylor of Newport, whose daughter, Mabel Taylor, 16, Newport High School girl, is alleged to have run away from home with Byron Burton, a 16 year old boy, came to Marietta today to urge the sheriff and other officers to renew their efforts to find her daughter.

"Go ask about them at the court house; go out and search the roads; do something to find them," the mother is said to have urged as she talked to local officers. Sheriff Thorn conducted an extended investigation of the case Tuesday afternoon and evening. Deputy Sheriff Mossburg was still at work on the case today.

Mrs. Taylor declared she would make somebody suffer for the "wrong done me" and went before Judge Frank F. Fleming in Probate Court where she swore out a warrant charging Byron Burton and George Delong with contributing to the delinquency of Mabel Taylor. The warrant was placed in the sheriff's hands to be served.

Delong's name was connected with the case upon authority of Mrs. Taylor. She told officials here that Delong and his wife assisted the young couple in their elopement and took them in their automobile.

Elopers Are Married in Oakland, Maryland

The Marietta Daily Times, December 4, 1931:

Byron Burton and Mabel Taylor, 16 year old Newport young folks whose elopement Tuesday morning created a sensation in their home village, were married at Oakland, Maryland, Tuesday afternoon. They are in hiding in West Virginia, awaiting parental blessings before they return home.

Mr. and Mrs. George Delong of Newport Township, who accompanied the young folks to Maryland, returned home Thursday evening. They told friends of the bride and groom about the marriage and informed them that they drove Mr. and Mrs. Byron Burton back to Wheeling, West Virginia, where they left them at noon on Thursday. They would not say definitely whether the young couple had remained in Wheeling or in some nearby city or town.

As soon as Delong and his wife reached home and learned that a warrant was in the hands of the sheriff for the bridegroom and Delong, the latter took steps to retain counsel and early Friday morning he came to Marietta and surrendered to the sheriff. Attorney C. C. Middleswart will defend him.

Arrangements were made to continue the case until Wednesday of next week, and an agreement was made by Attorney Middleswart to bring both Burton and Delong into court at that time to face the charge made by the mother of the bride that they had contributed to the daughter's delinquency.

"Plans for the wedding had been underway for several months," Delong said at the sheriff's office on Friday. Burton and Miss Taylor decided to go to Oakland, Maryland, and the Delongs readily agreed to accompany them. They knew how to proceed, Delong told the sheriff. "You know we were married at Oakland," Delong explained, "and we knew just where to take them."

The youthful Mrs. Burton was a sophomore at the Newport High School.

The Killing of Lewis Mitchell by Colby C. Coleman

The Marietta Register, September 7, 1865:

A distressing affair occurred on Eight Mile creek in Newport Township on Thursday night of last week, August 31st, by which one citizen lost his life at the hands of another. A company, of which Lewis Mitchell was one, were on their way home from a singing school, and while passing the house of Colby C. Coleman, the former went into the orchard of the latter to get a few peaches. Soon after the report of a gun was heard, and Mitchell not appearing, search was made, when he was found under a peach tree, dead, with a few peaches in his possession. The corpse was suffered to remain where it was found until the next morning.

The Coroner was then called, a jury summoned, and a verdict given in accordance with the above facts. The ball, it seems, entered Mitchell's left breast, near the heart and lodged in the shoulder bone. Mitchell leaves a wife and two children.

Coleman was arrested, examined before Esquire Hill, bound over to Court, and placed in prison. Afterwards, he gave bail in the sum of $3,000 and was released.

The Marietta Times, September 7, 1865:

Lewis Mitchell, a citizen of this county, living on Eight Mile creek, in Newport Township, was shot and instantly killed by his neighbor, Colby C. Coleman, on Thursday night, August 31st. The particulars of this sad affair, so far as we could learn them, are as follows: A party, of which Mitchell was one, were returning from a singing school and while passing Coleman's peach orchard, Mitchell entered the orchard to get a few peaches. Soon afterwards the report of a gun was heard; and Mitchell failing to make his appearance, a search was made for him, when he was found under the peach tree, with two or three peaches in his bosom, one in his hand, and a piece of one in his mouth. The corpse was left lying until the next morning, when the coroner was summoned. It was then ascertained that the ball had entered Mitchell's left breast, near his heart, and had lodged in his shoulder-bone. 

From all we can learn, Mitchell was a quiet, inoffensive man, respected by all his neighbors. He leaves a wife and two small children.

A warrant was procured, Coleman was arrested and tried before Esquire Hill, by whom he was bound over to the Court of Common Pleas, and in default of bail, was committed to prison.

Below we give the verdict of the coroner's jury:

We, the undersigned, jurors, impanneled and sworn on the first day of September, in the year of our Lord, 1865, at the township of Newport, in the county of Washington, by Lemuel Grimes, coroner for said county, to inquire and true presentment make, in what manner and by whom Lewis Mitchell, whose body was found in Colby C. Coleman's peach orchard on the last day of August, in the year 1865, came to his death. After having heard the evidence and examined said body, we do find that the deceased came to his death by a gun-shot, fired by Colby C. Coleman. Said body was found with gun-shot wound in the left breast.

Given under our hands at the time and place of said inquisition above mentioned.

Israel Irwin

J. S. McVay

William McVay

James McCoy

Thomas A. McCoy

Adam Wagoner

The Marietta Register, September 14, 1865:

The account we gave last week in reference to the shooting of Lewis Mitchell in Colby C. Coleman's peach orchard on Eight Mile, Thursday night, August 31st, has caused much comment. We are informed that scarcely anything was true in the statement, except the fact of the killing.

We have information that we cannot reject, that Mitchell had not been to the singing school at all, which was at George W. Hill's; that if he had, he was over a quarter of a mile out of his way, while in Coleman's orchard; that about half a peck of peaches were found on his person after he was shot; and Mitchell was not, as stated in the Times, a quiet and inoffensive person, and was not respected, but was a trifling man of not good character. 

It appears further, that Coleman had been greatly aggravated; that his peaches had been stolen in large quantities; that the bark had been stripped from his trees and the branches broken down; that even boxes of peaches prepared for market had been stolen; that he had told the depredators that he would shoot them unless they quiet their evil ways. 

The result is, one man killed and another in jail to await his trial. The facts, of course, will then come forth. It is doubtless true, that if these people had minded their own affairs this distressing affair would not have occurred.

The Marietta Times, October 19, 1865:

Court of Common Pleas

The September Term closed last Saturday night. The litigated cases of a civil nature posses no interest for others than the parties who were at issue, and so we shall not report them. The criminal cases - in part - are:

. . . State of Ohio vs. Colby Coleman. Murder in the Second Degree. Guilty. Sentenced to the Penitentiary for life. This is the individual who shot Lewis Mitchell in Newport Township on the night of the 31st of August, as Mitchell was passing through his peach orchard. Mitchell was about 35 years old; the prisoner is 57. This was the most important case tried by the court and elicited a great deal of interest.

The Marietta Register, October 19, 1865:

The Court of Common Pleas for this county, Judge E. A. Guthrie presiding, closed its October Term for 1865, at about 11 o'clock last Saturday night. It was an exceedingly busy and laborious term of eleven days. . . .

The Trial of Colby Coleman, for shooting and killing Lewis Mitchell in his (Coleman's) peach orchard on the night of Aug. 31st last, on Eight Mile Creek, in Newport Township, occupied fully two days. Col. David Alban, the Prosecuting Attorney, was assisted by M. D. Follett. For the defense, Knowles & Loomis. The Jury consisted of John Milligan and D. C. Perry of Barlow, John Boston of Liberty, W. A. Hawley of Beverly, H. H. Cole of Warren, and John C. O'Neal of Belpre, of the regular panel, J. S. Sprague, D. D. Rosseter, and J. L. Deterly of Marietta, Isaac Spaulding and T. K. Wells of Harmar, and W. Priest, talismen. It was a good jury. The charge was murder in the second degree. Thirty-two witnesses were examined.

It was in evidence that Coleman's orchard had been robbed of peaches to a very aggravating extent, that some of his trees had been "barked," and some limbs were broken down. on the night of the 31st of August, about dark, Coleman went into his peach orchard with a rifle and a revolver to protect his property. After he had been there about half an hour, probably a little after eight o'clock, Mitchell went into the orchard for peaches and was there shot in the left breast and killed. It was a moonlight night. There was no evidence that Coleman gave him any warning, or that he called upon him to halt.

After a thorough investigation of the case, the Jury returned a verdict of guilty, having been out about three hours. The Jury recommended "clemency." The counsel for Coleman moved for a new trial, which was overruled by the Court.

About 10-1/2 o'clock Saturday night, the Court commanded Coleman to stand up to receive his sentence, in giving which Judge Guthrie was very much affected. He remarked that Coleman was an old man, and he pitied him from the bottom of his heart; that the law had left him no discretion in the case; the Jury had found the defendant guilty of murder in the second degree, and the penalty was hard labor in the Penitentiary during the term of his natural life. He could not say that the verdict of the Jury was wrong, or that he himself could have found it differently had he been on the Jury. It was to be hoped that the defendant thought he had a right to kill the man who was in his peach orchard; and as to "clemency," the law allowed none on part of the Court, but if the defendant went to the Penitentiary, behaved himself well, performed all his duties in the right spirit, gave evidence that he might become a good citizen, and came to a realizing sense of the wrong he had done in killing his fellow-man, there was a chance for his pardon and restoration to society.

Coleman did not appear to be much affected, not nearly so much as was the Judge. On Monday morning, he still said he thought he had done right in killing Mitchell for stealing his peaches.

To us, it is a plain case. Mitchell was a trespasser, and in trespassing upon the property and the rights of another, he lost his life. Coleman was aggravated by repeated depredation upon his peach orchard, but his remedy was not in shooting and killing his neighbor for the wrong done him, thereby committing a far greater wrong, immeasurably greater.
 
 

Plans For A New High School At Newport Adopted

The Register-Leader, March 23, 1916

Fine New Structure is to be Erected in Newport Village

Plans for the Newport high school building have been adopted by the Newport board of education, the plans having been submitted by Architect Harry Myer, of Zanesville. Work on the building will probably be begun in the near future. The residents of this section voted for a $15,000 bond issue for the school building on Jan. 4, and bonds have been sold to the state industrial commission.

The plans were adopted by the board at its last meeting, and Mrs. Effie S. Rea, who has the distinction of being the only woman president of a board of education in the county, has taken up a number of matters pertaining to the new school under consideration.

The new building will be a two-story structure with an assembly room, seating 300 on the second floor, and a large gymnasium will be installed in the basement, with shower baths, and with manual training and domestic science laboratories adjoining. There will be a number of recitation rooms, and complete physics and chemistry laboratories.

The building will be erected on the three-acre tract in the center of the town recently purchased by the board. The old high school building will be turned over to the grades.

Beginning next year, four rural school districts will be united with the Newport district, thus creating a new school district.

There are at present forty students enrolled in Newport high school of whom seven will receive diplomas this spring, and of whom thirteen are freshmen. The three high school teachers are Supt. R. E. Stone, Miss Mary Brown and Miss Ethel McCarley.

 

Methodism in Newport, Washington County

Marietta Register, March 10, 1870

The preaching by Methodist Ministers in this township was in dwelling houses and school houses until the year 1829, when a small, comfortable frame house was built, and deeded to the M. E. Church.

There is no church record to be found reaching beyond the dedication of this church edifice, but some of the old members recollected distinctly the ministrations of Revs. James Quinn, David Young, David Smithers, T. A. Morris (now Bishop), A. McElroy, Abraham Lippel, ____ Reynolds, Andrew Coleman, D. C. Merriman, P. M. McGown. 

In 1829, the house of worship was formally dedicated by Rev. R. F. Naylor; Philip Darby was his colleague.  Most of the years following, two ministers were sent annually to labor in this field, it being a circuit with other appointments connected thereto.  The following list is as nearly correct as can now be furnished, it being copied from the record kept in the Church Bible.

1830, John Johnson, Moses Tichenell.

1831, John Johnson, Nathaniel Little.

1832, R. Armstrong, H. Bradshaw.

(During this year, C. D. Battelle of Newport, was licensed to preach; recommended, and received on trial in the Pittsburgh Conference.)

1833, C. D. Battelle, George Smith.

1834, J. W. Minor, James C. Merriman.

1835, W. Athey, H. Tuttle.

1836, Pardon Cook, J. H. White.

1837, Pardon Cook, S. Jones.

1838, L. Petty.

1839, I. Archbold.

1840, I. Archbold.

1841, No record.

1842, John Hase, J. Adams.

1843, W. C. P. Hamilton.

1844, Philip Green, W. Cooper.

1845, Philip Green, J. D. Rich.

1846, R. Stevenson, T. F. Higgins.

1847, R. Stevenson, J. H. Sweany.

1848, J. Henderson.

1849, W. Athey.

1850-1851, J. W. Shirer.

1852, J. Phillips.

1853, No record.

1854, J. Phillips, J. Bailey.

1855, S. Lewis, J. Hollister.

1856, S. Lewis, A. Bell.

1857, Pardon Cook, E. Ellison.

1858, E. Ellison, A. Bell.

1859, A. Bell, C. H. Edwards.

1860, A. Huston, W. B. Edwards.

1861, A. Huston, H. Long.

1862-1863, J. Z. Morse.

1864-1865, J. H. White.

1866-1867, J. W. Hamilton.

1868-1869, D. C. Knowles.

Four native born sons of Newport became Methodist preachers.  Two of them now sleep in the graveyard near which they were raised.  Five members of this church became preachers wives.  Four of them are now in their tombs.

Of the fifty-six ministers named here, sixteen have passed away from earth.  This embraces a history of about fifty years.  Many precious revivals have been enjoyed in what is now called the frame church.  Rev. L. G. Bingham, aided by Methodist and Baptist ministers, held a very successful Union protracted meeting in that church, March, 1833.  Many were added to the different churches interested in the meeting.

Of the 38 members of the church in that place when the house was dedicated, nine are still living, though but two of them are in Newport.  That aged couple, Ebenezer Battelle and his wife Mary, hold an honorable membership here.

A brick church, a very fine edifice for the place, was built in 1869, and dedicated in the fall of that year.  May "the glory of this latter house" greatly exceed "the former."

C. D. B.

Pioneers of Newport Township

Marietta Register, Semi-Weekly, May 22, 1888

Benjamin Racer, Sr., (whose real name was Benjamin DeCourcy) landed at Marietta, Ohio, April 7th, 1794, bringing at that time his family, consisting of wife and four children, viz:  Dennis, Benjamin, jr., Elizabeth and Mary (Polly).  The family lived for some time in the Stockade at Marietta, then moved to land now owned by Mr. John M. Plumer in lower part of Newport Tp., when said land belonged to the Government, the exact date cannot be ascertained, but between 1794 and 1797, when he moved in last named year to the old John Rowland place in Newport Tp., lived there several years and then moved to west side of Big Muskingum River below Devol's Dam on place now owned by Capt. Gage Barker.  It is not known exactly how long he lived there but he spent his last days on the farm owned by his son Benjamin in upper end of Marietta Tp., where he died in 1823.

Three of his children viz:  Dennis, Benjamin Racer, jr., and Mary, married Holdrens, and Elizabeth married Aaron D. Straight.  Dennis, the oldest son, built a log cabin on Bell's Run below where the oil tank stood on hill, and in this in March, 1805, Benjamin Racer, jr., went to housekeeping.  Once child, David C. Racer (now living in Marietta Tp., and thought to be oldest man living born in Newport Tp.), was born in the cabin, Dec. 19, 1805.  About 1806, said Benjamin Racer, jr., bought and cleared 50 acres close to Newport village, and is part of what is now the Jeremiah Bosworth farm, and he lived there until 1816.  Here were born to him eight children:  Dennis in 1807, Benjamin in 1808, Mary in 1809, Sophia in 1810, Susan in 1812, Frank in 1813, Rachel in 1814 and Wm. Pitt in 1816.  In 1816 he sold and moved to farm now owned by E. O. Racer in Marietta Tp., where he died in 1872, aged 88 years.  In Marietta Tp., were born to him by his first wife, seven children, viz:  Grace, Cynthia, Elizabeth, Charles, Dudley, Ann and Ezra, in the order named, making in all 16 children.  Benjamin Racer, jr., married for his second wife, Mrs. Abigail Churchill (widow of ___ Churchill) in 1834, they having one child which died in infancy, and his second wife died before he did.

David C. Racer, his oldest child, married for his first wife, Anna Maria Corner, great granddaughter of General Rufus Putnam, the head of the company that settled at Marietta, was with the last Dudley Woodbridge, Esq., as clerk and partner for a great many years in Marietta, but in May, 1841, because of poor health moved back into the township in which he was born, on to the place known as the Woodbridge farm.  Here two children were born, viz: Mary, now Mrs. Chas. Dana of said Township, born Sept. 2, 1842, and Geo. C., born April 29, 1845, a son Benjamin and a daughter Susan, having been born in Marietta.  Benjamin died in infancy, and Susan is now Mrs. Geo. O'Neal, David D. Racer lived in Newport Tp. about four years and then back to Marietta, where his first wife died in 1846.  In 1848 he married Miss Susan C. Flagg, daughter of the late Capt. James Flagg, she having one daughter Sophia.  He survives them both.

Geo. C. Racer, son of David C., bought the upper part of the Woodbridge farm, the place of his birth and moved onto it in the fall of 1883, and still resides there.

This covers so far as known the history of the Racer family in Newport Tp.  The history of that part of the family moving into and born in Marietta Tp. will probably be covered by history of that township.

Up the River

The Marietta Register, June 17, 1875

Thursday morning last, ye Local having a little leisure time, paid a pastoral visit to the Register family in the "East End."  Taking the steamer Science, at 7 A.M., we arrived in Newport about 10 o'clock.  There, under direction of our good friend E. A. Jones, we were soon on the rounds; found collecting on foot in the blazing sun a warm business; but we visited all, not intentionally slighting any. 

Newport we found rather dull - business flattened out - everybody waiting for the "good time coming."  At the stores of E. A. Jones and J. M. Gano (the latter keeping the Post Office) considerable trading was going on, but nothing like it used to be.  The tobacco house of N. Little is in operation, employing about a dozen men, manufacturing tobacco and cigars.  The large flouring mill is in operation, a part of the time.  In addition to the above, a few small stores, groceries, shoe shops, &c., comprise the business of the place.  James White keeps the only hotel in the village - a nice, quiet, orderly place to stop. 

The farmers about Newport were very busy with their crops, hoping to make up for the failure of the fruit crop and other recent disasters by a large crop of other products.  The only product we saw brought in was tanbark.  This seems to have escaped the frost, if other things did suffer.  There were cords of it piled upon the bank awaiting shipment.  The strawberry crop is not a failure about Newport.  We assisted in stowing away a great many nice ones at the farm of I. H. Bosworth.  Afterwards visited the fruit and vegetable farm of Mr. A. B. Little.  Here everybody seemed on the go, preparing the ground, watering plants, and shipping berries and vegetables.  Mr. Little has shipped hundreds of gallons of strawberries this spring, the principal markets being Wheeling and Pittsburgh.  We were indebted to E. A. Jones, J. M. Gano, and Ebenezer Battelle, and several of the Bosworth family, for favors received.  We then took the steamer for

Matamoras.

Here we were surprised, astonished, had the scales knocked off our eyes.  Why, if we in Marietta don't quit going under, Matamoras will overtaken and outstrip us in a business way.  We thought Matamoras was small red potatoes, and only a few to the hill!  And here we found a little town - not so very little either - all bustling with business, stores full of customers, three good hotels, two drays busy, streets lighted with lamps, and everybody as busy and happy as though there had never been a panic in America.  There has not been a failure - except the failure of the tobacco crop - in that vicinity for a long time. 

The dry goods stores of S. Hutchinson & Sons, and of Miller & Hanschumaker, will compare favorably with any we have in Marietta.  These both have very large grocery and provision stores connected with them, and are doing a heavy business.  There are others of lesser dimensions that are doing a flourishing business; there is a large flouring mill owned by Mr. Shannon & Son; a full furniture store, kept by Mr. Hansel; a number of clothing stores, tailor shops, shoe stores, &c., the owners of which were busy.  It was Saturday, and a great many people were "in from the country." 

The coopering business is the leading trade pursued in Matamoras and vicinity.  There are several extensive shops in Matamoras and vicinity; also two or more in Grandview, a mile below.  W. T. Stedman is the proprietor of one in the latter place, and we mention it to say that he is the liveliest man we met in our rounds.  He will make business, whether there is any business or not.  He is a good Democrat, and times are hard, but we talked 50 cents out of him in a twinkling; we happened to be in a good humor, too.  He mistook his calling - he ought to be the funny man on some city paper.

The people of Matamoras, Grandview, and all that region say if crops are good this season, they will be prosperous as usual, and Matamoras will continue to flourish.  The wheat crop promises well, much better than is reported from other portions of the county.  The first setting of tobacco plants, the main hold of farmers up there, were eaten by bugs or killed by frosts; but, as the crops can be made if the plants are set before the 1st of August, the farmers are yet hopeful.

We must not omit to mention a trip to the Yellow House, three miles back of Matamoras, where Democrats spring up like mushrooms, and where hundreds of the faithful can be called together in fifteen minutes by a blast from Way, McMillen, Collett, or any other orator.  The Yellow House is owned by Mr. George West, a jolly, fat, good-natured "king of the manor," and is situated on an elevation, overlooking all creation, and part of Monroe county.  The cross roads there made us think of Nasby's "Confederate cross roads, which is in the State of Kentucky."  Besides a fine mansion, Mr. West keeps a tip-top country store, grocery, tobacco packing house, cooper shop, blacksmith shop &c., and weighs 260.  He ought to be active.  We never felt our littleness - 222 lbs. - so much as when in his presence.

But we must stop.  We want to go to Matamoras again, they treat a good looking fellow so kindly.  We picked up subscribers fast - being assisted by Will Lamping, Rev. Mr. Stewart, S. H. Riggs, and others.  They, as well as all others, have our thanks.

Old People in Newport

The Marietta Register, June 3, 1875

J. W. Kerr, Esq., furnishes us with the names of forty persons in Newport township over 70 years of age, twenty-one men and nineteen women, as follows:

Men.
Ebenezer Battelle, 96
Jasher Taylor, 86
George Davenport, 84
John Reynolds, 84
Charles Little, 80
George Reese, 80
Samuel Reynolds, 80
Samuel Clark, 77
George W. Gale, 76
William Hemmeger, 76
Moses Hanna, 76
John M. Plumer, 76
Coventon Magruder, 75
Henry Pegg, 74
Ezra O'Neal, 72
B. F. Marshall, 71
Matthew Mathers, 71
Thomas Coen, 70
Hiram Foshey, 70
B. F. Hartwell, 70
W. C. Greenwood, 70

Women.
Sarah Phillips, 83
Anna Frances, 82
Margaret Petty, 81
Sarah Newlen, 78
Mary A. Smith, 78
Eliza Guiger, 78
Harriet Greene, 77
Elizabeth Becker, 76
Mary A. Barker, 75
Margaret Reese, 75
Margaret Rowland, 74
Anna E. Rowland, 74
Eleanor Cook, 74
Louisa Davenport, 74
Elizabeth Broome, 74
Jane Leonard, 72
Jane H. Plumer, 71
Anna Magruder, 71
Martha Rosenbush, 71

Visiting His Old Home

Marietta Semi-Weekly Register, August 19, 1884

The return of Capt. Thomas S. Battelle, after an absence of more than a third of a century, to visit his old friends in his native county, is an event of unusual interest.  Capt. Battelle, who is now 72, bears the burden of so many years with remarkable vigor.  He was born in Newport, this county.  One of the earliest incidents of his eventful career will certainly not diminish the cordiality of his welcome at the hands of the people of this city.  While in business in Clarksburg, (now W. Va.) in 1837 or '38, he came near being the victim of an infuriated mob, because he resented the charge of cruelty made by the slaveholders against the people of Marietta, in their treatment of certain Virginians, who were arrested and imprisoned for attempting to smuggle the negroes back into slavery, without due process of law.

In 1840 Captain Battelle moved to Muscatine Iowa, and for several years engaged in the steamboat business on the upper Mississippi.  He was unfortunate in this venture, twice sinking his boat, but managed to save enough from the wreck of his fortune to buy ox teams and outfit, and with his family he started in 1852 across the plains.  The wonderful revolutions of time are shown by the simple statement that he was as many months in making that disagreeable journey as he was days upon his recent return across the continent.

After an absence of half a long life time the captain, of course, finds many changes in his old friends and the scenes of his youth.  In that time very many have passed away.  His father and mother, who almost reached the century, lie buried at Newport.  Three of his brothers, whose families he has been visiting, and who, like himself, are natives of this county, are living in other parts of the state.  He expects to return in the fall to California, where he has grown up sons and daughters, who are married and settled in the Southern part of the state.

Soldier Burials

The Marietta Register (Semi-Weekly), June 7, 1887

At Yankeeburg Graveyard, Newport Township:

Revolutionary War
Oliver Woodward

War of 1812
Isaac Lackey
Jotham Wright
Austin Peckens
Joseph Johnson
Daniel Dick

War of the Rebellion
John Mahoney
Taylor Mahoney
Alfred Hemeger

Lower Newport:

Stephen Osborn - War of 1812

Newell's Run:

William Vanway - War of the Rebellion

Union Chapel, Lawrence Township:

Jacob Newland - War of 1812
Henry Newland - War of the Rebellion

Valley Graveyard, Marietta Township:

Col. Van West - War of 1812
John Stephenson - War of 1812
John Miller
Sereno Dye
Joseph Snider
Mathew Thorniley
John McCloskey
Thos. Alcock
James Bean
John Stucky
Owen Miller