The College Boat House and Gymnasium

The Marietta Register, January 15, 1880

An organization has been formed for the erection of a Boat House and Gymnasium for the students of Marietta College with the following officers: Chairman, Gen. Benjamin Dana Fearing; Secretary, A. D. Follett; Treasurer, S. J. Hathaway; Building Committee, M. P. Wells.

The location will be at the upper end of the City Park and the Boat House is expected to be completed by the next College Commencement. Several plans have been received and one of them will be decided upon soon. Subscription papers have been opened which our liberal minded citizens will have the pleasure of reading in due time. The Boat House to be put up will be an ornament to the Park and one of the finest in the country.

Gen. Fearing has had some correspondence with Secretary Sherman and has received from him the following interesting letter:

Treasury Department, Washington, January 5th, 1880.

        

My Dear Sir: Your letter of the 2d inst., enclosing the circular of Marietta College proposing a plan for the development of physical culture in connection with the College, is received.

I regard this as an important movement in the right direction. The great need of College life is, while developing the intellect and storing the mind with knowledge, to also secure to the student a strong body with sound limbs, so that in the struggle of life he may combine physical with mental training.

I have always regarded my experience as a junior rodman on the Muskingum Improvement, during which time I spend several very happy months in Marietta, as the most valuable period of my education. The exposure in the open air, the severe physical exercise, the necessity of taking responsibility and of obeying orders trained me for the most important duties of my after life.

The life of a boy between twelve and twenty will fix the habits and thoughts of the man in the subsequent years of his life. Therefore it is that I think any plan to develop the physical strength and vigor of the boy is as important a part of his education as the study of languages or mathematics, and I would regard the combination of the two as requisite to every school that undertakes to prepare men for active life.

Anything I can do to promote your plan will be cheerfully done, and I am glad that you are devoting a portion of your time to this subject.

Very truly Yours,

John Sherman

May Sell Boat House

The Marietta Daily Times, March 25, 1918

Residents of Marietta will probably get their last look at the old boat house in the Ohio River during the next few days. A deal is now on between Messrs. Morton Harper and Henry Best for the sale of the craft to some Parkersburg parties. It is expected to be put through on Tuesday.

The regular wharf boat arrived from the docks at Point Pleasant on Sunday morning. All merchandise was transferred from the boat house and the Marietta wharf had its first business transacted when the steamer Reuben Dunbar docked on Sunday morning.

The boat house will be converted into a club house by the Parkersburg parties. It was recently purchased by Messrs. Best and Harper for use while the wharf boat was being repaired.

The Barque "Muskingum"

Marietta Intelligencer, January 30, 1845

The Barque "Muskingum," a single deck vessel of 250 tons burden, Custom House measurement, was launched from the Marietta Ship Company's Yard on the 24th Inst. The Muskingum is a beautiful modeled vessel, nearly one hundred feet in length, twenty-five in breadth, and twelve feet hold. She is built of the best quality of white oak and black locust timber. Her plank are of clear white oak, & her ceiling is also entirely white oak, three inches in thickness. Her wales &c. are of white oak, four by seven inches, sixty feet in length. Her treenails are locust, and she is very heavily copper fastened. The deck floor is of clear white pine. The three lower masts are of white pine, eighteen inches through, and her spars of hard pine.

The master builder, Capt. Ira Ellis, of Portland, Maine, was employed by the day, and his instructions to have her equal in strength and finish to the best vessels built at eastern ports, he has endeavored faithfully to observe. All the men employed in her construction have been hired by the day, and thus all temptation to slight any part of the work has been removed. The manner in which their work has been done, given gratifying evidence of their skill and fidelity.

Her riggers are Messrs. Francis & William Lowe of Boston. Her rigging is of the best domestic hemp, spun at Marietta and Pittsburgh, steamlaid.

The "Muskingum" will leave Marietta about the first of March, under command of Capt. William R. Wells of Portland, Maine. She will be freighted at Cincinnati for either Liverpool or Boston. 

The vessel is owned by some half a dozen business men of Marietta, and so flattering is the promise of a profitable return for their enterprize, that the Company contemplate building more, and perhaps larger vessels, during the present year.

Marietta Will Attempt to Secure Button-Plant

The Marietta Daily Times, August 17, 1911

Board of Trade Undertakes to Raise a Bonus of $5,000

Plant would employ more than 100 men.

Half of money asked would not be due until wage expenditure has mounted to $75,000.

At a meeting Wednesday evening the Marietta Board of Trade got behind a movement to raise a bonus of $5,000 to secure a pearl button cutting plant for this city. A committee to secure the money was appointed. There is only two weeks in which to secure the industry, as a proposition that has been made by the manufacturers must be definitely accepted or rejected by September 1st.

About two weeks ago the McKee & Bliven Button company of Muscatine, Iowa, offered to locate in Marietta a plant that will employ in the neighborhood of 100 men, if the city will give it a bonus of $5,000. One half of this sum is to be paid to the company when it has completed its plant; the second $2,500 is not due until the concern has paid out in wages the sum of $75,000. The matter was taken up by the executive committee of the Board of Trade and thoroughly investigated. This committee has recommended that favorable action be taken.

Buttons from Mussel Shells

The concern is engaged in the manufacture of buttons from clam shells, of which there are said to be vast deposits in the Ohio and Muskingum rivers. Marietta is the natural center of the shell gathering and great quantities of the shells have been shipped from this point to cities where the factories are located.

The shell gathering has become quite an important industry in this section of the valley. Cutting plants can be established here and the expense of shipping the shells obliterated. The committee believes that there is no good reason why Marietta should not be the center of the button industry, with a finishing plant, as well as cutting departments, located here.

Proposition Looks Good

The matter was brought before the Board by President Ward after he had enumerated some of the things that the body has been doing of late and has told of some of the plans for the future. He believes that the McKee & Bliven proposition is a good one and he and the members of the executive committee believe that the city cannot afford to let it pass without acceptance.

Mr. Ward said that experts declare there is a supply of shells about here that will last for at least 25 years. In the past three years $75,000 worth of them have been shipped away from the vicinity. The cutting plants run the year around and employ men at from $10 to $16 per week. Local labor will be used, the only imported men being the business staff and experts who teach the shell cutting to the new employees.

Is Established Concern

The McKee & Bliven company has been in business for 27 years, is rated at $750,000 and has ten plants in operation. The plant it proposes to establish in Marietta would contain 100 machines and employ 110 or 115 men. "It seems to me," continued President Ward, "that the Board of Trade can put this over, but it is up to the Board of Trade. It is not a matter for the committee to tackle. The work must be done by the 1st of September, but if we can do it at all, we can do it in two weeks."

On motion of F. L. Alexander it was decided to accept the proposition and raise the $5,000 needed, after a number of the men present had expressed their opinions that the proposal was a good one and that the money could be raised without any great effort.

This committee was appointed to raise the bonus: H. G. Chamberlain, F. L. Alexander, T. M. Sheets, S. M. Thurlow, J. S. Goebel, L. Gruber, C. L. Bailey, T. B. Bosworth, John Kaiser, and L. N. Harness.

[The company of McKee & Bliven, button manufacturers, Edward M. Jones as manager, is listed at 123 Third Street in the Marietta city directories from 1912 through 1916. It is no longer listed in the 1919 directory, and 123 Third Street is shown as vacant, probably due to the lack of supplies and workers caused by WWI. McKee & Bliven reappear in the city directory at 123 Third Street in 1922, with C. E. Doty as manager. By 1924, the button company and Doty are gone.]

 

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)

The Steam Boat

 Western Spectator, November 2, 1811

Lately built at Pittsburg, passed this place on Wednesday the 23d ult. Her appearance was very elegant and her sailing beyond any thing we have ever witnessed. We understand that by observation of Judge Fearing she was but fifteen minutes in passing from the foot of the island, where she disappeared below - a distance of 3 or 3-1/2 miles - so that she must have gone at the rate of 12 or 14 miles an hour!

We extract the following observations from the Pittsburgh Gazette:

With pleasure we announce, that the Steam Boat lately built at this place by Mr. Rosevelt (from an experiment made on Tuesday last) fully answers the most sanguine expectations that were formed of her sailing.

She is 150 feet keel, 450 tons burthen, and built with the best materials and in the most substantial manner. Her cabin is elegant, and the accommodations for passengers not surpassed.

We are told that she is intended as a regular packet between Natchez and New Orleans.

Information Wanted and Furnished

Cleveland Herald, January 5, 1832:

Information Wanted

My Husband, by the name of Joseph G. Fuller, a Painter by Trade, came to this place in Oct. last; the latter part of Nov. he wrote to have me come to Cleaveland; I accordingly done so, and arrived here about three weeks ago and found to my sad disappointment that he had gone south on the Canal Boat Liberty, destined for Chillicothe. The Boat has not returned in consequence of the ice, and it is possible he has gone to Cincinnati; be he where he may I am extremely desirous to learn his residence and also to have him know that I am in Cleaveland, Ohio, among strangers, and in a poor state of health; bitterly lamenting his absence, and anxiously hoping e'er long to enjoy his presence.

Now, all those (especially Editors) who will use their endeavors to circulate this note and accomplish the object expressed will not only confer a signal favor; but shall receive the grateful acknowledgements of a disconsolate "wife in search of a husband." Lydia Fuller.

American Friend & Marietta Gazette, February 25, 1832:

Information Furnished

Joseph G. Fuller, who is advertised in the Cleaveland Herald by his wife Lydia Fuller, to be informed of his residence, &c. has called at this office and requested us to publish that he has for a short time past been in Marietta - that he is mate of the Steam Boat Whale, built at this place, and that he shall go to Cincinnati, and from thence return to Cleveland to his wife.

 

Union Chair Factory - Messrs Dana & Shipman

Marietta Intelligencer, April 19, 1857

This is one of the most extensive chair Factories to be found anywhere in the West. It was commenced three years ago this spring and completed ready for operation early in the following fall. The principal building, that containing the machinery, is constructed of brick, 60 feet long by 38 wide and three stories high; it is strongly built and well lighted. The machinery is propelled by a single engine of 20 horse power, put up by A. T. Nye & Son, of Harmar. The dry-room, as it is termed, i.e. the place where the lumber is dried, after being sawed into shape, is built directly over the boiler and warmed partly by the heat arising from it and partly by the escape steam, which passes through a series of parallel pipes under the floor. The whole building is also heated in cold weather by steam. 

In the lower story, the rough lumber is cut into the required length and shape for seats, legs, backs &c., preparatory to being consigned to the dry house; and here also, the heavier kinds of turning are done. Among the novelties in this room is a circular saw, known as the concave saw, with the periphery inclined to one side and shaped somewhat like a wooden bowl, for sawing out the backs of rocking chairs. It was formerly the custom to steam and then bend these, but the liability to break was so great that they are now sawn into the proper shape. These concave saws are of comparatively recent invention.

The second story is devoted to machinery for planing, mortising and otherwise finishing the work ready for putting together. There are several curious newly invented machines in this room, which do their work with surprising rapidity and accuracy. Almost every process, from the lumber taken in the rough state till the chair is turned out perfect and complete, is performed by machinery, at a saving of expense which can hardly be calculated. On the third floor the chairs and bedsteads are put together, smoothed off and made ready for the paintshop.

The factory has power and machinery sufficient to enable the proprietors to turn out fifteen hundred chairs per week, when pushed to its utmost capacity. At present, owing to a  scarcity of lumber and other causes, they are manufacturing only about 750 chairs per week and 25 bedsteads. There are in the employ of the Company, at this time, about 75 persons; 50 or 60 of these are employed in or about the factory, and 15 or 20 girls and boys, engaged in cane-bottoming chairs, do their work at home.

The kinds of chairs manufactured are entirely cane and wood seated; but of these there is an almost infinite variety, plain, fancy, arm and rocking chairs, and ranging from $5 to $45 per doz. in price. The bedsteads are of the plainer kind known as the common and cottage bedsteads.

Messrs. Dana & Shipman find market for the greater part of their manufactured articles within fifty or eighty miles of Marietta. The Muskingum Valley trade is almost entirely monopolized by them, and they supply the towns up the Ohio as far as Steubenville, including Wheeling. They also ship a considerable amount to Cincinnati and St. Louis. The home trade we are informed is constantly increasing, and it is their design to foster and encourage it as much as possible.

One fact eminently worthy of note, in relation to this establishment, is, that all the machinery -  and much of it is of a very superior character - was made in this city at the foundries of Owen Franks, and A. T. Nye & Son. The patterns for the machines were designed and made by the ingenious and skilful machinist of the establishment, Mr. H. S. Eddy. Mr. A. S. Dimmock is the prompt and faithful foreman, who has entire charge of the manufacturing department. The finishing department is under the charge of J. M. Eells and F. H. Wesselman, whose work bears good evidence of their experience and taste in this branch.

Besides the main building of which we have spoken, there are three large frame structures - the finishing shop, 60 feet by 30, where the chairs and bedsteads are painted, gilded and varnished - a storage building for unfinished work, 70 by 24 - and an extensive warehouse, 100 by 26 feet, for storing the work that is ready for market.

The lumber used at this factory is poplar, sugar-tree, beach, black walnut and sycamore. It is all derived from this immediate vicinity, and gives employment indirectly to a number of men, in cutting, sawing, and bringing it to town.

Of the character of the work turned out by this establishment, we can safely say that it is much superior to most of that manufactured at the east. The stock is of better quality - the work is for the most part heavier - and it is put together in a much more substantial manner. Their cane-seated office armchairs are decidedly the best we have ever seen; they are made wholly of oak, the back and arms being of one entire piece, the ends bending down in front and fastening in the seat, which gives them great strength and firmness.

The enterprising gentlemen composing the firm, after a hard struggle under many difficulties and embarrassments, are now beginning to reap their reward in the constant enlargement of their business, and in the extended reputation their manufactured articles are acquiring abroad. As we have before stated, they control nearly the whole trade along the Muskingum valley to Zanesville, up the Ohio to Steubenville, and down the river to Cincinnati. This trade, which is daily increasing, they will be sure to retain, while at the same time they are distributing their wares in the far west, and rapidly extending the area of territory which is supplied by their factory. They are now well established, and with their present experience, their energy, perseverance, and good business habits, they must succeed.

Steam Ferry on the Ohio

The Marietta Intelligencer, October 20, 1858

We learn that Mr. A. L. Kinnaird of Williamsport [Williamstown, West Virginia], has leased the Ohio Ferry for five years from the 20th of December next, on condition that he put on a steam ferry boat. He has purchased the old Muskingum ferry boat, "The Two Sisters," and will put her on the Ohio until a new boat that he is building shall be finished.

A steam ferry on the Ohio has long been needed, and we are glad Mr. Kinnaird has taken hold of the matter. He will undoubtedly make it succeed.

A new steam ferry boat owned by Messrs. Bowen & Judd is to take the place of the "Two Sisters" on the Muskingum. Mr. Merrit Judd has the lease of the ferry for three years from the 1st of November. He will have personal charge of the new boat and make it a pleasure as well as convenience to ride on it.

Builder of Boats Dies

The Marietta Daily Times, November 21, 1923

Older Mariettans will remember Capt. Daniel Webster Morton, who died in Cincinnati on Sunday, and the following regarding him from a Cincinnati paper will be of interest.

Captain Daniel Webster Morton, 86, who built many of the boats that made the Ohio River the main artery of traffic 50 years ago, died at Christ Hospital Sunday morning. He was buried Tuesday afternoon from the funeral parlors of W. Mack Johnson.

Captain Morton was born in West Marietta, Ohio, and started to work with his father at the age of 15 years. When 19 years old he superintended the construction of the cabin of the steamer Catahoula. Later he entered the ship-building business with a partner and continued construction work of river boats for many years.

Captain Morton's ancestors were among the Pilgrim settlers of the Plymouth colony. He was a near relative to Marcus Morton, twice governor of Massachusetts and member of Congress. He married in 1866, and his wife died in 1907. He is survived by two sons, Charles H. Morton, with whom he made his home at 3432 Wellston Place, Hyde Park, and Oliver W. Morton, St. Paul, Minnesota.

 

A Wet Season

 American Friend & Marietta Gazette, August 13, 1831

The Season has thus far been remarkably wet - more so, perhaps, than any since the settlement of the country. Much small grain has been left standing in the field, so much injured as not to be worth the reaping - grass has also suffered, and although the crops have been abundant, but little fair weather has offered the farmer opportunity to reap the fruits of his labors. Four fair days in succession during the past week has been improved to much advantage in making hay, and much will be saved in good order. 

At no time, within the present season, has the Ohio River been so low as to suspend its navigation by Steam Boats; during a part of Wednesday last and the following night, it rose about eight feet and is now half way up the banks.

The high stage of the waters has been very favorable for emigrants on their way to the West. During the past season from 500 to 1000 it is estimated, have arrived at this place by way of the Ohio Canal and the Muskingum River, where they embark on board of Steam Boats, generally, for the States below us.

New Bridge Dedicated

The Marietta Daily Times, May 1, 1916

Formal dedication of the Parkersburg-Belpre bridge, which has been open for travel since a week ago, drew an enormous throng of people to the Wood County seat on Saturday afternoon. The weather was ideal for the occasion, and a number of speakers made addresses during the ceremonies.

President E. M. Gilkinson of the Parkersburg Board of Commerce, who presided at the affair, introduced H. P. Camden, president of the Parkersburg-Ohio Bridge company, who spoke on behalf of the Parkersburg Board of Commerce. J. Mentor Caldwell, former president of the Parkersburg Board of Commerce and the man to whom is given credit of first conceiving the practicability of a bridge between the two towns, was introduced by A. E. Kennedy and gave an interesting talk. Former Governor White of West Virginia also made a brief address, as did also Dr. F. B. Ames.

An automobile parade, the largest ever witnessed in Parkersburg, was a pleasing feature of the affair. Many of the cars were gorgeously decorated.

Another charming feature of the ceremonies was the march across the bridge of little Misses Dorothy McGrew of Belpre and Mary Camden of Parkersburg, hand in hand, each carrying banners bearing the mottoes and coats of arms of Ohio and West Virginia.

More than 400 were present at the "Dollar Dinner," which was given at 6 o'clock Saturday evening, and at which many speakers, including Mayor Allen C. Murdoch of Parkersburg, U.S. Senator William E. Chilton of Charleston, former Governor White and Hon. James A. Wakefield of Pittsburgh, made addresses.

Belpre's Bathing Beach

Marietta Daily Times, December 10, 1924

Belpre's bathing beach, which commanded a lot of attention in the local courts a year or so ago, came back on Wednesday for a further airing when two damage suits were called in common pleas court. More than $11,000 are involved in the two cases and they were to be tried to a jury starting on Wednesday afternoon.

Joseph Keever of Parkersburg, and Carl Medley of Hockingport, are the plaintiffs, and each sues for $5,150 in damages for false arrest and destruction of business.

Last year, it is declared, the two plaintiffs obtained a license from the town council of Belpre to operate a bathing beach on the dead end of East Fifth Street in Belpre. Earl Harbart and Samuel and Rosa Woomer had them arrested and ejected from the premises on the charge that they were trespassing on private property. The plaintiffs were bound over to the grand jury and the latter failed to indict.

As soon as the case thus collapsed, suits for damages were instituted and the outcome will be of general interest in Belpre and the southern end of the county, as all of the parties are well known. Judge C. M. Showalter of Parkersburg, and Asa E. Ward of Marietta, are counsel for the plaintiffs, while the defendants are represented by C. T. O'Neill and J. C. Brenan of Marietta, and William Beard of Parkersburg.

The Floating Bath-House

The Marietta Register, June 24, 1880

Another ornamental and useful addition has recently been made to the river prospect of our park in the shape of a floating bath-house. There has long been felt the need of some institutions of this character, and after having been discussed for a time, has come to be a reality under the supervision of a number of our prominent citizens. 

The Bath has been built at an expense of over three hundred dollars and is designed solely for the enjoyment and benefit of the public. A small fee is charged each bather to defray incidental expenses and in the course of time pay the cost of construction. After the Bath has paid for itself, all surplus funds are to be placed in the hands of the Park Commissioners to use as they see fit.

The bathing house is built upon a float, 46 feet in length and 24 feet in width. In the center of the float, which protrudes about four inches above the level of the river, is the bathing tank. The tank is 30 feet long and 10 feet wide and has a movable bottom which can be raised or depressed any distance between seven and two feet.

Two feet back from the tank are the dressing rooms, fifteen in number, ranged in rows about the sides and ends of the float. Each of these dressing rooms is four feet by four and supplied with a glass, chair and a foot-bath twenty inches in depth.

The entire structure is covered with a neat, colored awning and surmounted with a turret. The superstructure is built of light material, in portable sections, in order that it may be safely stored away at the end of each season.

Certain days will be set apart on which the ladies are to have the exclusive use of the Bath. A reliable and competent person will be in constant attendance and the utmost safety is assured.

The gentlemen under whose directions the Bath has been constructed have formally organized under the name of The Floating Bath Company. At their last regular meeting the following officers were elected and a set of rules adopted. President - Dr. Sam Hart, Treasurer - Col. R. L. Nye, Board of Managers - A. B. Waters, Mr. C. B. Hall, and Dr. Z. D. Walter.

Regulations:

1. On entering the Boat a fee of 10 cents will be paid and the name registered.
2. Bathing suits will be required, and if furnished by the Boat, five cents extra will be charged.
3. Twelve tickets will be given for one dollar in advance.
4. Children in companies of 10 or more under 14 years of age will be admitted for five cents each.
5. One hour will be allowed for a bath.
6. No child under eight (8) years of age will be admitted without a competent attendant.
7. Ladies may have exclusive use of the Boat with the female attendant from 8 to 10 A.M.
8. Bathing hours from 7 A.M. to 12 P.M. and from 1 to 10 P.M.
9. No spectators can be admitted.
10. The Boat will be closed on Sunday.

 
 

Lower Muskingum Ferry

Marietta Gazette, July 24, 1841

Sealed proposals will be received at the Mayor's Office in Harmar until the 29th inst. for leasing for the term of two years, from the 1st day of August next, the Lower Muskingum Ferry; the lessee to be governed by the provisions of the Ordinance regulating the Lower Muskingum Ferry, passed July 20, 1841, and to give security for the payment of the rent semi-annually. The Council reserve the right to reject all offers, if not satisfactory.

James Whitney, Mayor

Harmar

An Ordinance Regulating the Lower Muskingum Ferry:

Section 1.  Be it ordained by the Mayor and Trustees of the Town of Harmar that the Town Council may lease the Ferry across the Muskingum River, below the dam, upon such conditions and for such length of time as the said Council shall prescribe.

Section 2.  That the lessee or lessees of said Ferry shall provide and keep in complete repair, good and sufficient boats for the safe and speedy conveyance of persons and property and shall, at all times, when the river is passable, give due attendance with a sufficient number of hands to work and manage said boats, from sunrise in the morning until nine o'clock in the evening; and for a failure or neglect to perform the duty herein enjoined, the said lessee or lessees shall forfeit and pay for every such offence, a sum not exceeding five dollars to be recovered on complaint before the Mayor, or in the name of the town, with cost of suit.

Section 3.  That the sum to be charged any inhabitant of the Town of Marietta or Harmar who may choose to be ferried by the year, shall not exceed the following rates: For any single person crossing on foot, not exceeding two dollars per year; for any family crossing on foot, not exceeding four dollars per year; for any family crossing on foot and with horse or horses and carriages, not exceeding six dollars per year.

Section 4.  That when any such inhabitants of the Town of Marietta or Harmar and the lessee of said Ferry cannot agree as to the sum to be paid by the year, or when any person resident as aforesaid may wish to contract to cross the Ferry with teams, and cannot agree as to the sum to be paid, the matter shall be referred to the Mayor and Recorder of the Town of Harmar, whose decision shall be final.

Section 5.  That in fixing the amount to be paid for crossing the Ferry by the year, due regard shall be had to the amount of crossing, so as to preserve a proper and just proportion between different individuals.

Section 6.  This ordinance shall be in force from and after the first day of August next.

Passed July 20, 1841.

James Whitney, Mayor.

Attest, Douglas Putnam, Rec. pro tem.

 

New Steamboat

Marietta Intelligencer, January 2, 1845

"Yallabusha" is the name of a new Steamboat built at Marietta and Harmar the last season, which is intended to run as a Cotton Boat on the Yazoo River and its tributaries. Her dimensions are as follows: Hull 115 feet keel, 24 feet beam, 24 feet floor, and five feet hold. Two Engines, cylinders 16 inches in diameter and 5 feet stroke, Main shaft 8 inches. Wheels 18 feet in diameter. Two boilers, 20 feet long and 40 inches in diameter.

A more substantial and better finished job than her engines, which were built by Mr. Owen Franks at his foundry in this place, we have never seen. All the iron work was made at Mr. Frank's establishment. Every part of the boat, and her furniture, is the work of Marietta and Harmar mechanics. Her cabins are neatly finished and the boat, in every part, is highly creditable to the skill of those employed in her construction. She was built under the direction of Mr. William Knox for a company of our own citizens. We wish them a profitable return for their enterprize.

The "Yallabusha" left this place yesterday morning for New Orleans, and we may here mention that her load was principally made up of Marietta manufactures. Among other things we noticed several cords of brooms from the Factory of L. & S. Temple, and three or four hundred ploughs, and some tons of hollow ware from Mr. Frank's Foundry.

 

Fatal Stabbing Affray

The Marietta Register, May 17, 1866

On Saturday last, after the circus exhibition, three citizens of West Virginia, opposite Marietta, when returning home, engaged in a drunken brawl on the ferry boat J. B. McMillan. During the fracas, one of the men, named Reed, stabbed one of the others named Kinnaird in the bowels, inflicting a wound from which he died the following Monday morning. The third man, named Ritchie, also received a severe, but not dangerous, stab in the side. Reed was then knocked down by one of the passengers and the knife taken from him. On reaching the Virginia shore, Reed was arrested by a Constable, but managed to escape, and has thus far eluded all efforts of the officers to re-capture him.

The case, carefully summed up, stands thus: Three neighbors start to town in the morning, warm friends; before they return home, one of them receives a death blow from his friend - another receives a fearful wound - and the third is made an exile from home and friends, a fugitive from justice, a vagabond on the face of the earth!

Truly the power of strong drink is fearful when it can thus make demons of men and blast their lives forever.

The Marietta Register, May 24, 1866:

Reed, who fatally stabbed Kinnaird, on the Williamsport ferry boat, was arrested at Athens on Wednesday, 16th inst., by Sheriff Johnson, and brought to Marietta and lodged in Jail, from whence he was removed to Parkersburg on Friday evening. He voluntarily went over the river with the Sheriff of Wood County, West Virginia, thereby avoiding the delay of a requisition from the Governor.

The Marietta Register, June 21, 1866:

 In order to correct the many misstatements and false rumors about the affray that occurred on the Ferry Boat between Williamstown and Marietta on the 12th of May, we publish the following testimony as given by State witnesses during the trial:

E. D. Geren, sworn - I saw the beginning of the affray; saw four persons only aft of the boiler on the ferry boat, when the affray took place, viz: Almstead [Armistead] Kinnaird, John Uhl, Russell Reed, and a man said to be Robert Ritchie; all seemed to be under the influence of liquor; heard some loud talk, and the first that I saw of the affray was that Kinnaird struck Reed, and then Kinnaird and Reed clinched; they were down; Reed rose up with Kinnaird; and then I saw John Uhl strike at Reed, and then Ritchie clinched Reed and they both fell over the stove together; and when they rose up, I saw a knife in Reed's hand; did not see him cut any person; all seemed to be fighting against Reed.

Robert Campbell, sworn - Did not see the commencement; Kinnaird, Reed and Uhl were in conflict; I went in to part them and Ritchie pulled me away; Kinnaird was on top; Reed turned him and got up; did not see Reed cut Kinnaird; at the time we had hold of Reed, he pulled out the knife; he did not say what he intended to do; he did strike at me; they all had the appearance of being intoxicated; the two were against Reed; when I first went in, Ritchie was there; I saw Kinnaird strike Reed when we were holding him; Reed was rather holding back; Reed's knife was visible when Kinnaird struck him; the room was five feet wide and twenty feet long.

George Metcalf, sworn - Was on my way over the river; when I went on the boat, Kinnaird and Reed were clinched; Kinnaird struck at Reed over my shoulders twice; Kinnaird kept pressing forward, and I slapped him; I went off and returned; Kinnaird had hold of Reed; did not see Reed strike Ritchie; when Kinnaird Went off the boat; he said he'd pay me for it; I was standing between Reed and him, when Kinnaird struck him twice; Ritchie said, "let him (K.) go, and whip the damn little rascal"; they were all drunk.

James W. Kinnaird, sworn - Was not in the cabin of the boat; Reed came down and said he was pretty tight, and I saw he was; John Uhl called A. Kinnaird back in the cabin; had a canteen with him; saw Kinnaird after the fracas was over, but did not know he was cut; he was pretty tight; they were all tight; when Reed went back, he was doing nothing; when Kinnaird had him down, he was choking him black; Kinnaird was a very strong man; when Reed left the boat, his hand was bleeding very freely.

L. C. Arbour, sworn - I came down to go over on the boat; saw there was a fuss; they had hold of Reed; I saw Kinnaird pushing to him, trying to strike him; Reed said, "give me my hat, and I'll go out"; I saw him make a motion, , but did not see him strike Kinnaird with the knife; I tried to push Kinnaird, but couldn't do it; I pushed Ritchie back; Uhl was cursing Reed; Ritchie, Kinnaird and Uhl were all making at Reed.

Rufus Campbell, sworn - I run the ferry boat; Kinnaird and Reed clinched and fell over the stove; Kinnaird on top; Kinnaird shoved me over, and struck Reed; and Ritchie said, "let Kinnaird whip him"; Kinnaird, Ritchie, Reed and Uhl were engaged; did not see Kinnaird cut; it was 5-1/2 o'clock in the evening; Kinnaird could see the knife, and after he saw it, he pushed me one side and struck Reed; it was a pretty hard blow; Reed told the men not to crowd him; he seemed only to want to get the men away from him.

Taking into consideration the above testimony, the extreme youth of young Reed (18 years), who was defending himself against three (3) grown men, and as for the justness of the sentence passed upon him, we leave only for the loyal public to decide.

The Horror of Hasty Interment

The Marietta Register, May 24, 1866

The Zanesville Signal of last week states that a few days since, a coffin containing the body of a lady was shipped from Parkersburg on board the D. M. Sechler for transportation to Guernsey County, via Wheeling. Upon reaching its destination and being opened by the friends, their horror and dismay may be imagined upon discovering that the unfortunate lady had evidently come to life during her incarceration within the narrow limits of her coffin. Her hands were up to her head, and the tangled and disordered hair gave evidence of a struggle which must have been as brief as terrible.

 

Marietta Watermelons

Marietta Intelligencer, September 8, 1852

Nearly or quite all the fine melons yet offered in our market were brought from Marietta and that vicinity. They are raised there in immense quantities, and we were somewhat surprised to learn that no work is done toward cultivating them. After the vines begin to run, so as to interfere with ploughing, the weeds are thereafter suffered to grow at will. The soil is sandy and finely adapted to the melon. Great quantities of fine apples are also grown there.

A more beautiful body of land than that of the Marietta bottom, as it is called, we have never raved over, and we think it strange that the town, which is most eligible located, has not more rapidly improved. But it will become a very important point and property, we learn, is recently advancing rapidly in value. The bar opposite the town makes it nearly impracticable to land at the wharf in low water, and the Virginians, it is said, refuse to suffer the wharf boat to lie out on the bar, so that Point Harmar (below the mouth of Muskingum) has advantage in her landing. This obstruction removed and the wharf now in progress perfected, we think speculators in town property, or those who desire a delightful and profitable residence, could hardly select a more advantageous point of operation.

Pittsburgh Dispatch

  

Harmar Bathing Beach

The Register-Leader, July 31, 1916:

Hundreds Find Relief From Heat in River

Hundreds of young people in Marietta, Sunday, found relief from the heat wave in the cool waters of the Ohio and Muskingum rivers, the most favored spot being the newly discovered bathing beach at the mouth of the Muskingum river on the West Side, which is becoming one of the most popular swimmin' holes ever known in this section. Several hundred people enjoyed bathing at this point and at times during the afternoon and early evening the spot was black with bathers frolicking in the water, while an even larger crowd composed the spectators.

There were many on the banks sweltering in the heat who would like to have gone into the water, but after a lapse of years wouldn't dare. For them it was a great treat, however, to watch the younger folks who apparently got much delight from the sport.

To add to the excitement of things on the river front, George Whiting, a local baseball player, jumped from the railroad bridge into the river, others following in his lead.

Owing to the present heat wave, ice manufacturing facilities of the local plant are unable to keep up with the great demand for ice, and as a result, carload shipments of ice are being received daily from the Athens ice plant to keep up with the Marietta demand. The experience of the Crystal Ice Company is that of companies in other cities in the heat belt, the big ice consumption keeping the companies hustling to keep up with the demand.

The mercury reached the height of 96 degrees Sunday afternoon, according to Prof. Biscoe's official thermometer, thus passing Saturday's high mark of 94 by two degrees. The lowest temperature of Sunday night was 70, and at 1:30 o'clock Monday afternoon, the thermometer registered 90 degrees.

The Register-Leader, August 3, 1916:

Sewers Too Close to Bathing Beach

Because of the proximity of the beach at the mouth of the Muskingum river to the outlets of two large city sewers, the bathing beach committee of the Chamber of Commerce has declined to accept the beach as a possible site for a public bathing beach, and points out to the public that the water at the mouth of the Muskingum is impure, and may prove a cause of infection.Dr. Ballard, chairman of the committee, stated that it was dangerous to the health to go bathing at this beach, because of the filth emptying into the Muskingum just above the beach.

The Register-Leader, August 10, 1916:

Bath Houses Will Be Built at Fort Harmar Beach

With Point Harmar bathing beach growing in popularity despite reports that sewers empty into the Muskingum river at that point, there is every indication now that the beach at the mouth of the Muskingum on the West Side will become a permanent swimmin' hole for the season anyway. A fund has already been started by patrons of the beach and residents of West Marietta, which will be used in the construction of two bath houses at the beach and a board walk down the bank to the river.

The fund for this purposes was started Wednesday evening when a collection was taken up among the two hundred bathers in the river at that point. The sum of $15.50 was raised Wednesday evening. As only $50 is needed, it is estimated, to provide the improvements needed at the beach, little difficulty is anticipated in raising sufficient money. A committee, it is understood, has in charge the matter of raising the balance of the money needed.

A drop in temperature failed to cut down the size of the crowd at the bathing beach Wednesday evening, there having been a large number of bathers and a large crowd of spectators.

The Register-Leader, August 18, 1916:

Council Takes Up West Side Bathing Beach

Council discussed the West Side bathing beach at its regular meeting Thursday evening, Service Director Daker recommending that council take favorable action in the matter. The bathing beach was discussed at considerable length, Harris leading the fight for the beach.

As it had been brought out that at present the beach below Fort school was contaminated by private sewers from Fort Street residences, the whole sewer problem of the West Side was introduced and discussed. It was suggested that a sanitary sewer be laid on lower Fort Street that would take the private sewers away from the beach. Councilman Dabold recalled that the sewer committee had investigated the west side sewer some time ago, and that it would cost the city more than $5,000.This $5,000 cost would be for putting in a sewer up as far as Smith Street, and it was brought out that it was not necessary to run the sewer up that far in order to make the bathing beach free from contamination.

A motion was made by Plumer that the bathing beach be referred to the sewer committee, and this motion was seconded by Harris. It was later amended to include the water and sewer committee and the city solicitor.

When the question was put, Dabold and Schultheis voted against the motion. President Crawford stated that the whole discussion was of too petty a nature to occupy the attention of council.