Survivors of 148th O.V.I.

The Register-Leader, October 11, 1911

Survivors of 148th O.V.I. Who Were in Attendance at Dinner Served by Daughter of Colonel of Regiment.

Following is a list of survivors of the 148th Ohio Volunteer Infantry who attended the banquet tendered by Mrs. Julia Reed, daughter of the late Colonel Moore, last week:

A. E. Tompkins, Co. F, Lowell, age 66.
John Drain, Co. H, Vincent, age 62.
I. F. Palmer, Co. F, Barlow, age 67.
J. A. Arnold, Co. J, Vincent, age 66.
David C. Smith, Marietta, age 71.
Milton H. Ellis, Co. H, Bartlett, age 64.
T. J. Mellor, Co. A, Marietta, age 75.
G. C. Henry, Co. F, Waterford, age 74.
Godfrey Leibrand, Vincent, age 70.
S. R. Beebe, Co. J, Waterford, age 75.
R. S. Babb, Co. G, Marietta, age 78.
A. S. O'Blenness, Co. G, Marietta, age 67.
Ezra Mankin, Belpre, Ohio, age 70.
J. P. Smith, Co. B, Marietta, age 73.
W. W. West, Co. B, Marietta, age 79.
H. C. Ferguson, Co. F, Marietta, age 65.
L. C. West, Co. B, Spring Hill, Kansas, age 64.
Enoch Huggins, Co. K, Marietta.
S. N. Hobson, Co. D, Athens.
R. T. Miller, Co. B, Marietta.
R. F. Alexander, Co. I, Cutler, O.
D. J. Richards, Co. I, Zanesville, O.
Roscoe Wolcott, Co. J, Watertown, age 69.
J. H. Gitchell, Co. J, Marietta, age 70.
M. M. Hart, Co. K, Marietta, age 66.
Edward Anderson, Co. K.
A. F. Braddock, Marietta R. D. 2, age 69.
W. P. Racer, Co. A, Marietta, age 66.
R. J. Beebe, Co. J, Marietta, age 73.
Edward Cecil, Co. H, Vincent, age 71.
James McCammon, Co. K, Marietta, age 72.
H. B. Davis, Co. G, Newport, age 71.
W. H. Jennings, Co. B, Reno, age 74.
George Mull, Co. K, Whipple, age 68.
Charles Coffman, Co. K, Marietta, age 74.
A. S. Wilcox, Co. K, Parkersburg, age 68.
John C. Vincent, Co. F, Vincent, age 70.
Albert Riley, Co. J, Waterford, age 67.
James Cain, Co. B, Marietta, age 73.
N. E. Kidd, Co. B, Stanleyville, age 78.
Luther Lapham, Co. G, Cleveland, Ohio, age 63.
Tyrannus Power, Co. J, Watertown, age 74.
J. R. Beebe, Co. J, Waterford, age 75.
A. M. Jordan, Co. F, Beverly, age 68.

Unique Carving Set Presented to President

Marietta Daily Times, December 12, 1922

Unique Carving Set Made By Washington County Man Is Presented to President.

President and Mrs. Harding may carve their Christmas turkey with cutlery made by hand in Washington county, as Sylvester Hoon, aged blacksmith residing near Vincent, has made and presented to the nation's executive a carving set of unique design and of real historical worth.

A number of Mariettans saw the carving set that has been given to President and Mrs. Harding by Mr. Hoon, and join in pronouncing it a creation of real beauty that will be worthy in every way of a place on the festal board at the White House.

The following copies of letters exchanged by the parties interested in the presentation of the gift explain fully the making of the cutlery by Mr. Hoon, and the historical significance that attaches thereto:

Hon. Warren G. Harding

Chief Executive of the U. S.

Washington, D. C.

My Dear President Harding:

I am forwarding you by today's mail a gift which I trust you will receive as a token of the high esteem and regard in which you are held by a plain and humble citizen of Ohio.

Some forty odd years ago I was presented with a steel pick that had been used to dress the burrs in the old Wolf Creek Mill, the first mill in the Northwest territory and the source of supply of the bread stuff used by the colonists who first settled at Marietta, Ohio.  This mill was erected in [1789].

 

To my mind this historical association gave to the old pick an unusual value and I took great pleasure in fashioning of its steel the carving set which I am sending you.  The handles are of curly maple and were dressed and fitted by me.

 

In passing judgment upon the workmanship please bear in mind that I am but a country blacksmith and am now 75 years of age; that the gift speaks only of my high regard for you, and carries with it a connection with the early life of our country which I feel will be of interest.

 

With every assurance of sincere good wishes for a continuance of your health, success and prosperity, I am, Honorable Sir,

 

Most Respectfully Yours,

Sylvester Hoon.

 

*     *     *

 

The White House

Washington

November 20, 1922.

 

My Dear Mr. Hoon:

 

I was interested and delighted to receive the present which you sent me, in the form of a carving set which you had yourself made from the old steel pick that had been used at the Wolf Creek Mill one hundred and forty years ago.  It is indeed a memento, of especial historic interest to anybody from Ohio, and both for its associations and for the splendid workmanship you have put upon the pieces, I want to thank you most sincerely.

 

Gratefully Yours,

Signed Warren G. Harding.

 

Mr. Sylvester Hoon

R.F.D. No. 1

Vincent, O.

Mail Collection By Automobile

Marietta Daily Times, September 30, 1911

Horses and Mail Wagons to be Done Away With in Marietta.

Beginning on Sunday, the horses and wagons, which have been used by the local post-office authorities in collecting mail from the street boxes, will be discontinued, and an automobile will be substituted.  From this date, the mail carriers will not collect mail from the boxes, all this work being done by the collector in the automobile.  In this way, the public will receive their mail earlier than heretofore.

The automobile will also be used to deliver packages, which come through the mails, to the remote parts of the city.  As the carriers have, in the past, been compelled to carry a heavy load around the city for several hours, this will be a welcome departure from the old way to the mail carriers themselves.

The arrangement for collections of mail matter by automobile has been made with the Marietta Motor Car Co. of this city, by Postmaster Alderman.  There will be no additional expense to the government under the new way.

Historical Exhibit

The Marietta Daily Times, November 17, 1905

Historical Exhibit At the Old Campus Martius Block House.

Many Antiquities and Relics Shown.

Daughters of American Revolution Invite the Public to Examine.

The old block house at the corner of Second and Washington streets, more than a century ago a part of Campus Martius and the home of General Rufus Putnam, was bright with lights once more last evening and its rooms and hallways were filled with the murmur of many voices.  People thronged the rooms and inspected the historic building, which many of them had never before entered, and examined many articles of historic and intrinsic value that were on display everywhere.

 

The occasion was the opening to the public for a brief period of the block house, by the Marietta Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, who took charge of the property some time since.  They have made some changes that have made things more convenient but have not altered the character of general appearance of the house and will contribute to its preservation.

 

Preparations had been going on this week for an exhibit of antiquities and relics of the time of Governor Meigs and other periods of long ago, some of them earlier and some of them later than the time when that leader held the reins of authority.  The three rooms on the ground floor were all very attractive and were the stories of only the most thrilling interest with which the various articles which are shown collected, a most interesting book could be written and one that would have much value from the light it would shed on the band of pioneers who made the early history of Marietta and laid the foundation of the Northwest Territory.

 

The apartments were lighted with candles throughout.  They were in candlesticks of all sorts and sizes, and in large numbers.  All of them were heirlooms and there were some particularly handsome and valuable ones among them.  Silver sticks of elaborate design held numerous dips which shed a yellow light over the interior of the house.  Single sticks of cheaper material were on all sides.

 

Chairs of fantastic design and other furniture such as the forefathers were accustomed to was arranged.  Pictures of various kinds, mirrors which date back to the settlement of Marietta, bed spreads made by the hand of the woman settlers, laces of elaborate design and great beauty, portions of the wedding gowns of the brides of a century ago, silverware that was used by George Washington and other notables, chine from which Governor Meigs and his associate leaders ate and drank, books and manuscripts growing yellow with the passage of time, etc., etc., held the attention of the caller and conjured up many visions.  The owners of some of these antiquities were present and told interesting bits of their history.

 

The kitchen is the room which seemed to appeal to most of the visitors.  In it was a great open fireplace which takes up almost one entire side.  Andirons a century old which were brought over the mountains supported the logs of the wood fire and over the blaze swung an iron pot which has a history of its own.  In a corner stands a spinning wheel, beside it rocks a cradle, ears of yellow corn hung from the ceiling.  On a table stood a keg and tin cups, from which sweet cider was served with doughnuts.

 

The exhibit opened Thursday afternoon and quite a large number of people called and were much interested in what they saw.  The block house will be kept open all of today and Saturday and all who care to visit it are invited to do so.

 

 

Robbery

American Friend, & Marietta Gazette, December 6, 1828

On Wednesday night last the watch-maker's shop of Mr. D. B. Anderson was entered through a back window and forty-two watches, among which were some gold ones, and a quantity of Jewelry were taken therefrom.  The thief or thieves made good their retreat without creating alarm.  In the morning, from the circumstance of a yawl being missing and a pair of oars from the ferry boat, it was concluded the villains had descended the river, and pursuit was immediately made.  We are informed that one man had been overtaken and arrested about twenty miles below this place, by the party who went in pursuit, and that thirty-eight of the watches have been recovered.

Horatio Booth Dies

The Marietta Daily Times, November 17, 1905

Old Resident Dies in the Person of Captain Horatio Booth.

He Had Lived In Marietta During a Life of Ninety-one Years.

 

The oldest native-born resident of Marietta passed away this morning when Captain Horatio Booth died.  His death occurred at his home on Fourth street at 1 o'clock.  While the members of the family had seen that he was failing, the end came suddenly.  Captain Booth was taken ill about 11:30 o'clock last evening, with congestion of the lungs due to old age, and he passed away an hour and a half later.

 

Born in Marietta, September 19th, 1814, and having lived in this city during a period of ninety-one years, his life span, he was the oldest resident of the city who was born here.  He was universally known and highly esteemed by the people of Marietta and many will mourn at learning of his death.  He was a son of James M. Booth.

 

September 19th, 1837, Captain Booth was married to Miss Harriet Soyez, also a native of Marietta, and for nearly seventy years the couple lived happily together.  Mrs. Booth is still living and the following are the other members of the immediate family:  Mrs. Sarah Holden, who lives at home; Frank Booth, of Callaway, Neb.; Harry M. Booth, of Cincinnati; Charles Booth, of Guymon, Oklahoma; and Mrs. Fannie B. Moore, of St. Louis.

 

Captain Booth retired from active business life thirty or thirty-five years ago.  When a young man he was engaged in the furniture business, having an establishment on Greene street.  In those days tables, chairs, etc., were made by hand and his store and factory was the only one in Marietta.  He carried it on for a number of years.

 

Later he became interested in the steamboat business and had some experience on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers.  He was associated with Captain Franks and others.  They made a practice of building boats, loading them with produce and merchandise in the fall, making the trip down the rivers to New Orleans.  There they would dispose of boat and cargo and make their way back home in the spring.

 

Captain Booth became interested in other ventures and was for a while in the grocery business.

 

His health was remarkable during his long life.  He had never been ill, say on one occasion when he had an abscess, but for a number of years his sight had been badly affected.

 

He had received recognition at the hands of his fellow citizens.  From 1854 to 1856 he served as Auditor of Washington County, defeating the late F. A. Wheeler and being in turn defeated by Mr. Wheeler, and he had acted as member of the City Council.

 

In addition to the widow and the relatives mentioned above Captain Booth is survived by a sister, Mrs. George S. Jones; a half sister, Mrs. Mary D. Murdoch; and two half brothers, Mr. Edward M. Booth and Mr. Henry J. Booth, the latter now residing in Cleveland.

Oak Grove Cemetery

The Marietta Register, November 13, 1863

The first sale of lots in the new cemetery of Marietta, will take place on Wednesday of next week, 18^th inst.  For particulars see advertisement.

 

The grounds have been laid out this Fall, and the indications all are that it will ere long be a beautiful cemetery – high ground, favorable soil, a pleasant location, and that the grounds will be tastefully adorned we have no doubt.  A bridge will probably be built across the ravine, in Wooster street, next season, making it easy to access in that direction.

 

Sale of Lots in Oak Grove Cemetery

 

The lots in several sections of Oak Grove Cemetery will be offered at Public Sale Wednesday, the 18^th of November, 1863, commencing at 10 o’clock A.M.  No bids will be received at less than ten cents per square foot.

 

One-third of the purchase money will be required at the time of the delivery of the deed, one-third in one year and one-third in two years, with interest.  The deeds will be so drawn as to operate as a lien on the lots sold until they are paid for.

 

These grounds are the best adapted for use as a Cemetery of any lands near the city, the soil being similar to that in the Mound Cemetery.

 

Persons desirous of purchasing are invited to examine the grounds before the day of sale.

 

Twenty-five per cent of the purchase money will be appropriated to improving the grounds, until the grounds are paid for, when all will be applied to improvements.

 

T. F. Jones

A. T. Nye

Committee

Marietta, Nov. 13, 1863

Reward for Runaway

American Friend, & Marietta Gazette, September 6, 1828

Six Cents and a Pair of List Suspenders Reward.

Ran away from the subscriber, on the 10th inst. an indented apprentice to the Tailoring business, named WILLIAM G. HEATON; about sixteen years of age.  The above reward will be paid to any person on returning said apprentice, and inasmuch as I do not consider the loss I have sustained, sufficient to give either thanks or charges, on returning him, I will give no more than the above reward.  All persons are forbid harboring or trusting him on my account.

John Cunningham
Marietta, August 21st, 1828.

Cincinnati Reds in Marietta

Marietta Daily Times, October 24, 1911

Reds Here Tomorrow.

Big Leaguers Will Play Game With Marietta Professionals.

Everything Ready For Big Event of Season.

Local Team Will Pitch Hanley and Have Strong Combination in the Field.

Everything is in readiness for the big baseball game which will be pulled off tomorrow at the fair grounds between the Cincinnati Reds and the Marietta Professionals.  From present indications the crowd will number several thousand persons and everything has been done to take care of the crowd.  Ten special police will be on the grounds to maintain order, though the general crowds that attend games in this city are very orderly.

 

The locals will have a line-up that will give the Reds a hard game and will at the same time give the people a run for their money.  Marietta's favorite Tom Hanley, who has been pitching great ball for the Zanesville Central League club, will be in the box for Marietta.  In the event that they find him, Hunter, another local man, will be tried on the mound.  If he should be touched up he will be relieved by either Kaler or Robinson.  The management has been negotiating with both men, but will not decide until this evening which one will be engaged.

 

Capt. Ellis of the Professionals will catch the game.  "Pop" Hastings of Parkersburg, will hold down the initial bag.  Myers, a speedy second baseman, who played during the past summer in the Canadian league, and later with the New York State league, will be here in Reisling's place.  Myers was recommended by Reisling as a better man for the position than himself.

 

Cain, who has been playing for two years with the Portsmouth team in the Ohio State League will play short stop in the place of Mullen.  He has the reputation of being a terrific slugger, and much will be expected from him in the way of hitting.  He is also a good man on short.  Chester King, of the Wheeling Central League team, will play third base.  His playing is of high class and he should be a tower of strength on the local team.  The fielders will be "Home-run" Karl Meister, Curt Elston, and Neale of Parkersburg.  These are all fine gardners, and it may be possible that they will have plenty of work to do.

 

The regular Cincinnati Reds line-up will play.  It is:  Bescher lf., Hoblitzel 1st., Bates rf., Mitchell rf., Egan 2nd., Downey ss., Esmond 3rd., McLean c., Keefe or Fromme p.

 

Drumm and Camden will be the umpires.  There are being erected on the fair grounds today, bleachers which will accommodate all who attend the game on Wednesday, and the charge for both grandstand and bleachers will remain the same that it has always been, 10 cents.

 

It is understood that many people will attend the game from out of the city and it is expected that there will be several hundred up from Parkersburg, to see "Hobby" play first for the Reds.  The game will be called at 3 p.m.

 

The management has made arrrangements to receive the returns of the New York-Philadelphia game at the fair grounds, so that the public may know as soon as possible, the outcome of the very interesting game, which is attracting universal attention.

 

Marietta Daily Times, October 25, 1911:

 

Reds Meet Local Team.

 

Big Game on at Marietta Fair Grounds This Afternoon.

 

Big Leaguers Bring Regular Men on Barn-Storming Tour.

 

"Banny" Bancroft and his Cincinnati Reds arrived Tuesday evening from Ravenswood, and are quartered at the Wakefield.  This afternoon a big crowd is assembled at the fair grounds to witness a game between the Reds and the Marietta Professionals.

 

The Reds are here with their regular line-up, which is not often the case when National or American league teams go on barn-storming trips.  Fromme and McLean are the visitors' battery, while Hanley and Ellis are working for Marietta.

 

The Reds will leave this evening at 7 o'clock for Greenfield, where they will spend the night.  Thursday morning they go to Hillsboro, where they play Thursday afternoon.

 

Marietta Daily Times, October 26, 1911:

 

Reds Hit Ball and Easily Win Out.

 

Big League Team Makes Good Impression On Spectators.

 

Long Clouts Feature Exhibition Contest.

 

Marietta Team Shows Up Well and Scores Six Runs Against the Visiting Athletes.

 

Over 2,000 people witnessed the big baseball game at the fair grounds Wednesday afternoon, between the Cincinnati Reds and the Marietta Professionals.  For two weeks, it has been known, weather permitting, that the Reds would be in the city to play an exhibition game, the fans had been making their plans to attend, and from the appearance of the fair grounds "everybody" was there.

 

Between 300 and 400 people from Parkersburg came up to see the game, most of them personal friends of "Hobby," who played a good game on the initial bag.  Many came also to see Hastings, King and Neale, Parkersburg boys who played with the Professionals.

 

While the visitors had things easy, there were several features about the contest that deserve special mention.  Curt Elston played a star game for the locals.  He clouted the ball all over the lot and played a great game in the field and on the base lines.  This was the first time that Marietta people have had the change to see Curt play in a long time and they liked his showing.

 

Karl Meister was another Marietta boy who proved his ability to "bing the pill" by lining out a long drive for the circuit when there was a man on base.  Chester King played a great game at third.

 

Tom Hanley did not come up to the expectations of many.  He was undoubtedly nervous to a certain extent which accounts for his loose pitching in the first inning.  Tom has speed and he has the necessary curves and after playing a few games against the "big boys" he would hold his own.  Hunter pitched three innings for the locals, and he showed remarkably good form.  The locals fans were anxious to see him work.

 

Bules relieved Neale in right field and distinguished himself by getting a home run.  The first time Herman came to bat he appeared to Fromme, who pitched the game for the Reds, to be easy money.  But the next time Herman faced him he hit a long one out to the race track for four sacks.

 

Cain, who played short stop for Marietta, put up an exceptionally good game, and he made himself very popular with everybody.  Myers of Caldwell, put up a good game for the locals at second getting everything that came his way, and was careful in his throwing.  Barron, who is attending college, pitched the last inning of the game and Cincinnati failed to find him.  Barron is a southpaw.

 

The game put by Cincinnati was a hummer.  They were fast and strong everywhere.  "Larry" McLean caught the first three innings and his antics caused much amusement on the part of the spectators.  Esmond, who is a new man on the Reds, played short and he gives promise of being one of the fastest infielders in the National League.  He pulled off a fine play or two.

 

The Reds looked good to the local fans, who are trying again to figure how they finished so low in the National League race.  The men are fast in fielding and on the bases, hit the ball hard, throw well and know the game.  They are a good ball team.

 

The Reds opened up on Hanley in the opening inning.  After Bescher had been retired Hobby hit over second for a base.  On the hit and run Bates drove over first and Hobby pulled up at third.  Mitchell hit a long fly along the right foul line.  It went for two bags and two runs came across.  Egan flied to Meister and Mitchell beat the throw in.

 

In the third they doubled their count by adding three, Esmond hitting for the circuit when Bates and Egan were on the corners.  Fromme got a homer in the fourth, after Bates had doubled and been thrown out trying to steal third.  Bescher's four-base clout added one in the seventh and two-base shots by Fromme and Clark completed the count in the final.

 

Marietta's first tallies resulted from Meister's home run to right in the third, after Cain had singled.  They went scoreless from that inning until the eighth when an error, a single and Bules circuit drive gave them three.  Cain got a homer in the ninth and scored the sixth run.

 

Reds:  R-9 H-17 E-2

 

Marietta:  R-6 H-10 E-3

 

Moving Pictures

The Marietta Daily Times, November 16, 1905

The "Moving Picture" show which is coming under the auspices of the Woman's Auxiliary of the Y.M.C.A. will give the first entertainment tomorrow evening in the Y.M.C.A. auditorium.

 

This company has the most elaborate exhibit in this country.  No two programs will be alike.  The pictures are in natural colors and shown with all the noise effects.

 

Remember there will be two evening exhibits Friday and Saturday of this week and a matinee on Saturday at 2:30 p.m.  The program for the matinee is especially for children and will be enjoyed by every one.

 

Admission to evening exhibits 15 and 25 cents; to matinee 10 and 20 cents.

 

Tickets on sale at Y.M.C.A.

 

 

The Marietta Daily Times, November 18, 1905:

Picture Show

 

The Moving Picture Company, of Washington, D.C., gave an exhibition at the auditorium of the Y.M.C.A. building last evening.  It came here under the management of the Woman's Auxiliary of the Young Men's Christian Association.  A matinee is being given this afternoon and there will be a third performance this evening.

 

An audience of some proportions was present for the entertainment, which was received with demonstrations of marked approval especially by the younger element.

 

A good variety of pictures in colors were shown and they were accompanied by the noises accompanying a passing train, the running of horses, etc.  Some of the pictures were interesting and instructive while others were humorous.

Illustrated songs were on the program.  One of the company's men sang them.  He was assisted by a male quartet in a chorus and Miss Timblin played the accompaniments.

 

Flood!

Western Spectator, November 13, 1810

To people in other parts of the Union the movements of the waters in this western country must appear somewhat remarkable.  Owing to the extreme unevenness of the tract of territory extending a considerable distance in this state on the right bank of the Ohio, and in Virginia and Pennsylvania to the Great Allegany ridge, on the left bank; the rise of water in this river is sometimes astonishingly rapid.

Three days ago the Ohio was so low as to be almost impassable for keelboats.  To day it is almost full banks, and threatens to inundate the upper Point of Marietta.  The rise from night fall on Sunday evening to day break the next morning is said to have been about thirty feet; and has backed up the Muskingum nearly twelve miles.  This retrograde current on Monday morning was great that several New-Orleans boats lost their way in the fog, and were hailed at some distance up the Muskingum!

We learn that a considerable quantity of snow was on the mountains; this must have melted, and much rain must have fallen on the banks of the Monongahela.  We have heard that a great part of Pittsburgh has been laid under water.  We have had comparatively little rain here.  Fifteen miles up the Muskingum we are told, that river has scarcely risen six inches.

Much produce, which has been long waiting, is embarked and embarking on the Ohio.

The counter-current up the creeks has materially injured a number of mills in this county, particularly those on Duck-creek.  We hope the water is nearly at its height.

Fair Premiums

American Friend, & Marietta Gazette, January 24, 1829

Having been requested at a recent meeting of the board of Directors to prepare the minutes of the annual meeting and Fair of the Agricultural Society of Washington County the following summary, abridged from the reports of the various Committees, is respectfully submitted.

John Brown.

The premiums on horses were awarded as follows:

For the best Stud horse, owned
by F. Devol, $5.00
2d, Jonathan Ross, 3.00
3d, Rufus Payne, 2.00

Best Brood mare, Joseph O'Neal, 3.00
2d, William McAtee, 2.00

Best two year old colt, William McAtee, 2.50

Best yearling colt, Moses McFarland, 2.00

Best sucking spring colt, Thomas Seeley, 1.50
2d, William McAtee, 1.00

Best Bull, Jonathan Hoff, 3.00

Best yearling bull, William R. Putnam, 2.00

Best bull calf, William R. Putnam, 1.50

Best milch cow, Joseph Barker, Jr., 3.00
2d, Luther G. Bingham, 2.00
3d, James Forguson, 1.00

Best heifer calf, Luther G. Bingham, 1.00

Best yoke of two years old steers well broke, William P. Putnam, 2.00
2d best, Mr. Hoff, 1.00

Best beef animal (Reared by G. Dana, Esq.), C. C. Robinson, 2.00
2d best, Joseph Barker, Jr., 1.00

Best merino buck, Benjamin Dana, 3.00
2d, Lewis P. Putnam, 2.00
3d, Lewis P. Putnam, 1.00

Best pair of merino ewes, Lewis P. Putnam, 3.00
2d, Lewis P. Putnam, 2.00
3d, Benjamin Dana, 1.00

Best merino lambs five in number, Lewis P. Putnam, 2.00
2d, Luther G. Bingham, 1.00

Best Sow, Stephen Hildreth, 2.00

Best fat hog not over two years old, James Forguson, 3.00
2d, Ebenezer Gates, 2.00

Best piece of fulled cloth, 3 qr. wide not less than five yards, Mrs. Betsey Putnam, 2.00
2d, Miss Mary Lewis, 1.00

Best piece of red flannel, Miss Harriet Brown, 2.00
2d, Mrs. Betsey Putnam, 1.00

Best piece of white flannel, Miss Harriet Brown, 2.00
2d, Mrs. Betsey Putnam, 1.00

Best piece of linen, Mrs. Rachel Clark, 2.00
2d, Mrs. Eliza W. Lawton, 1.00

Best piece of table linen, Mrs. Sally Dana, 2.00
2d, Mrs. Sally Dana, 1.00

Best piece of diaper, Mrs. Lydia G. Palmer, 2.00
2d, Mrs. Rachel Clark, 1.00

Best piece of carpeting, Mrs. Susan B. Cotton, 3.00
2d, Mrs. Lucy M. Mayberry, 2.00
3d, Miss Mary Greene, 1.00

Best piece of stair carpeting, Miss Sarah Whitney, 1.00
2d, Miss Mary Greene, .50

Best hearth rug, Miss Mary Gates, 1.00

Best pair of blankets, Mrs. D. S. Mills, 1.00
2d, Mrs. D. S. Mills, .50

Best piece of plaid, Mrs. Emily Fairchilds, 1.00
2d, Miss Susan E. Manson, .50

Best pair of thread stockings, Mrs. Sarah Bingham, .50

Best pair of woolen stockings, Mrs. Sarah Bingham, .50

Best piece of cotton and wool for mens' wear, P. Morris, 2.00
2d, Mrs. Betsey D. Anderson, 1.00

Best bonnet in imitation of leghorn, Miss Sarah A. Lund, 3.00

Best straw bonnet, Miss Mary Harris, 2.00
2d, Miss Mary Hildreth, 1.00
3d, Miss Nancy A. Lund, .50

Best piece of soal leather, Ichabod Nye, 2.00
2d, John Crawford, 1.00

Best two sides of upper leather, John Crawford, 2.00
2d, Ichabod Nye, 1.00

Best half dozen calf skins, John Crawford, 1.00
2d, Otis Wheeler, .50

Best fur hat, James Dun, 1.00

Best wool hat, James Dun, .50

Best cheese, Nancy Fuller, 3.00
2d, Rotheus Hayward, 2.00
3d, Mrs. Smithson, 1.00

Best butter, Mrs. Smithson, 2.00
2d, J. Portor, 1.00
3d, Mrs. C. Greene, .50

Best maple sugar, first and second, Benjamin Dana, 3.00

Best pearl ash, Miss Otis, 1.00

Best wine made in 1827, J. C. Cole, 2.00

Best axe, Zadoc Cory, 1.00

Best dung fork, A. Warner, .50

Best pitch fork, A. Warner, .50

Greatest quantity of wheat, upland, William P. Putnam, 4.00
2d, Joseph O'Neal, 2.00

Greatest quantity of corn, bottom land 117 bushels per acre raised by Ira Hill of Newport, 4.00

Greatest quantity of corn, upland, about one hundred bushels per acre, grown by E. Deming, Watertown, 4.00
2d, 67-3/4 bushels of small yellow corn, by James Lawton, Jr., Barlow, 2.00

Greatest quantity of flax, James Lawton, Jr., 3.00

Greatest quantity of white beans 18 bush per half acre, James Lawton, Jr., 2.00
2d, Charles Fuller, 1.00

Greatest number of wolves killed in the County, 15 young ones, James Handlin, 5.00
2d, Levi Allen and James Willis, 4 wolves each, each 3.00

Plough match - First premium awarded to John Henry for ploughing 1/4 of an acre in 30 minutes in the neatest manner, 4.00
2d, to Stephen Hildreth for ploughing 1/4 of an acre in 31 minutes, also well done, 2.00

Best coverlet, Miss Lucretia Allen, 1.00
2d, Mrs. Mary B. Fearing, .50

The following articles were examined and premiums awarded by the committee of the contingent funds.

Russian or naked barley 8 qrts in bags, .50

Time piece, D. B. Anderson, 1.00

Hearth rug ornamented, Mrs. Putnam, .25
2d, Mrs. Thacher, .25

Sample of willow basket ingeniously made, .25

1 Flowered Coverlet, .50

Kentucky jean and vesting, Mrs. Susan B. Cotton, 1.00
ditto, Miss Roana Fulcher, .75

1 Cotton bed quilt, Mary Cook, .50

1 Cotton counterpane, .75
ditto, Mrs. Sally Greene, .50

One pair of twilled rose blankets, Betsey Putnam, 1.00

1 Fancy handkerchief embroydered and one piece of wide inserting, Miss Eunice Allen, .25

One pair of knit over shoes or socks, Mary Cook, 12-1/2

One stock of cherry boards and one barrel of Apple brandy, Mr. Chambers, .50

One pair of yearling steers, John Hook, 1.00

One set of measures, Mr. Dutton, .50

Sweet apple molasses, Mrs. J. Smith, .50

One pair of socks, B. Dana, .25

Some interesting specimens of squashes, beets, carrots, parsnips and of the egg plant were also observed.

 

The fair was on the 16th and 17th of October; the weather pleasant.  The number of people present large.  The first day was spent in receiving and examining articles, entered for the Show.  The Society transacted its business on the second.  A procession was formed, which proceeded to the Congregational meeting house, where an appropriate address was delivered by Arius Nye, Esq. to a large and attentive audience.  After which, the procession returned to the Court house, where the above premiums were awarded.  An excellent dinner was then spread for those who wished to partake.  The exhibition of the articles, entered for the show, was going on most of the day. Those of domestic manufacture, were of superior workmanship.  The ladies did themselves much honor in the skill and industry, so observable in the truly pleasing variety, which they added to the show.  Some articles of female industry, which were through the hurry of business overlooked by the committee of the contingent funds, and for which no premiums were offered in the general list, past unobserved; among which were several pieces of ingeniously wrought lace.  It is to be regretted, that the number of animals, entered for the Show, was very small; neat stock in particular.

Extraordinary Circumstance

American Friend, & Marietta Gazette, November 15, 1828

On the evening of the 30th of October last, came to the house of the subscriber, living in Summerfield, Monroe County, Ohio, a gentleman about five feet six or seven inches high, thick set, of red complexion, sandy colored hair, and red whiskers - had on a light drab frock coat, and a high crown fur hat, known in this part of the country by the name of Joseph Berry, had with him a small bay horse, blind of the right eye, supposed to be 13 or 14 years old, and a handsome Dearborn wagon, bed painted green - and having taken his supper walked out, while Mr. William Heddleston and myself were at the stable, and has not been seen or heard of as yet known, leaving his horse and carriage, with some provisions in a linen bag.  Persons interested are requested to avail themselves of this notice, as proceedings will be taken on the case as the law directs.

John P. Bevan

Information Wanted

American Friend, & Marietta Gazette, November 8, 1828

In October 1826, I published a notice requesting information of a son of mine named ABRAHAM SHIMER who had been bound an apprentice to the Stone Cutting business, in Cadiz, Ohio, and who had left his master on account of severe treatment, as was supposed.  As I have not yet heard any certain intelligence of him, I now renew my request to the public, and earnestly solicit any person or persons who may have a knowledge of him, to give me information thereof, and confer a favor on an anxious parent, and perhaps save a youth from ruin.  He is supposed to have gone down the Ohio river.

 

He is now aged about 18 years - he need not be afraid to return, as his master has no further power over him.  Address letters to Cadiz, Ohio.

James Shimer.
October 18, 1828.

Notice

American Friend, & Marietta Gazette, November 1, 1828

Notice is hereby given to Frederick De Bearen, otherwise called Van Bearen (whose present residence is unknown) that a petition will be presented to the General Assembly, of the State of Ohio, at the next Session, to commence at Columbus, on the first Monday of December next, by Elizabeth De Steiguer (late of the county of Athens, now of the county of Washington) for the passage of a special act, to declare void the marriage heretofore celebrated between her and the said Frederick De Bearen, without the consent and against the will of the said Elizabeth; and for such other relief, from the same as the said Legislature may grant.

Marietta, Ohio, Oct. 29th, 1828.

Sheriff's Sales

American Friend, & Marietta Gazette, October 4, 1828

By virtue of a writ of fi fa &c. issued from the court of common Pleas of Washington County, against Philip Cole and others, in favor of the President Directors & Co. of the Bank of Marietta, I shall offer for sale at public vendue at the house of Levi Cole, in Marietta, on Saturday the 18th inst. at 10 o'clock A.M. the following property which has been turned out to satisfy said execution, viz. three bed quilts, four pillows, two feather beds, two straw do., three sheets, one bolster, one bureau, one writing desk, one brown horse, one gray mare, one bay mare and two yoke of oxen.

ALSO - On the same day at 1 o'clock P.M. at the house of Nathaniel Clark, I shall offer as above, one bay horse, saddle and bridle, one bureau, one small case of drawers, two candle stands, one set of windsor chairs, one great chair, one bed, bedstead and bedding, and a quantity of crockery ware, taken as the property of Nathaniel Clark, at the suit of Charles Petty.

Jesse Loring, Sheriff.
By Amost Dunham, Dep'ty.

October 1st, 1828.

John Quincy Adams at Marietta

The Marietta Register, April 14, 1881

From the "Evangelist."

In the summer of 1843 the newspapers announced that this distinguished man had consented to lay the corner-stone of the Cincinnati Observatory.  The month of November was selected for the imposing ceremonies of that occasion.  The 10th of November proved stormy, but an immense concourse of people assembled to witness an event so unusual, and also to see and hear a man whose name was associated with the history of the nation from its infancy. 

As soon as Mr. Adams was known to have accepted the invitation of the Cincinnati Astronomical society, the citizens of Marietta took measures to invite him to their place as the first settled north of the Ohio, and by men from Massachusetts.  Mr. Adams accepted their invitation conditionally, agreeing if consistent with other engagements to stop a little while, on his journey up the Ohio.  No day or hour for his arrival could be fixed, positively, but it was understood throughout the town that on his arrival the bell of the Congregational church would be rung.  People were watching all the boats in expectation of the distinguished guest.

Early one afternoon the preconcerted signal announced his arrival, and the whole town poured towards the church.  A great crowd met him at the wharf and went with him to the church.  He was introduced to the people, I think by Caleb Emerson, Esq., and in response he made an address extemporaneously.  In his remarks he showed a minute acquaintance with the first movements which resulted in the settlement in Ohio.  He spoke of the leading men in the enterprise.  He had known Rufus Putnam, what part he had borne in the Revolutionary War, and what had been the leading influence he exerted in founding the colony and in raising it through the hardships of its first decade.  He paid a noble tribute to the memory of this man, so dear to the Marietta people.

He spoke also of bold Commodore Whipple, who "fired the first gun on the sea at the British, in the opening of the Revolutionary War," by heading the party which captured and burnt the Gaspe in the waters of Rhode Island.  He described Col. Tupper, Return Jonathan Meigs, Gen. Varnum, Col. Parsons, the Devols, the Greens, the Putnams, Dr. Cutler and his son, the Fearings, &c., &c.  His knowledge of the families of the original settlers, where they came from, what they encountered on the journey and after landing at the mouth of the Muskingum, their sufferings during the Indian Wars, &c., surprised all present.  What made it the more remarkable was, that there was then no published book from which he might have gleaned the facts, for Dr. Hildreth did not publish his "Pioneers of Ohio" until 1848, and the "Lives of the Early Settlers of Ohio" until 1852. 

I was afterward informed that Mr. Adams accounted for his minute acquaintance with the early settlers of Ohio, by stating that he carefully read the accounts which were from time to time published in the newspapers of the day.  Many of the pioneers were educated men, and wrote from the wilderness letters to their friends in New England, detailing carefully all the events transpiring in the colony.  These were usually published in the Massachusetts newspapers and were read with as great avidity as a few years since people read the exciting letters from California.  From this source Mr. Adams drew the materials of that admirable half hour's address, and the minuteness of his details, and the correctness of his names, dates, and other statements, proved the amazing accuracy and discipline of his memory.

After his remarks were concluded, Mr. Adams left the pulpit and one by one the congregation were presented to him.  The first settlers were almost all gone, in fact I do not recall one who was present on this interesting occasion.  However, there were many there who had come as children with the pioneers, or who had been born soon after the settlement was made.  There were descendants of Israel Putnam, of Pomfret, through the line of his son, Col. Israel Putnam.  There were Deacon William Rufus Putnam and his son William Rufus, the son and grandson of Gen. Rufus Putnam.  There were the Nyes, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of Col. Benjamin Tupper.  There were Judge Cutler and his son, the son and grandson of the Rev. Manasseh Cutler who negotiated with Congress the purchase of the land for the Ohio Company.  There were the descendants of Capt. Joseph Barker, prominent among whom was Joseph Barker, Esq., the first child born in Belpre township, which settlement was made soon after that at Marietta.  Capt. Barker himself had been dead only two months. 

The Danas from Newport and Belpre came also to welcome the sage of Quincy.  One of these, Mr. George Dana, a plain farmer, of uncommon mental parts and acquirements, came up leading his little son, John Quincy Dana, and said to Mr. Adams, "here is my youngest son, whom I have named to show my esteem for you."  Mr. Adams immediately put his hand on the lad's head and said "God bless you my son."

Descendants of Jonathan Stone, Paul Fearing, Ebenezer Battelle, Devol, and other Pioneers were introduced.  It was a singularly impressive sight thus to have the children and grandchildren of the very men Mr. Adams had been speaking of, come up to shake his hand.  In two hours from the time he landed he was on the boat, the crowd cheering him most heartily.

Mr. Caleb Emerson of Marietta accompanied Mr. Adams to Pittsburgh, and I was told that these remarkable men spent the greater part of the night in conversation.  Mr. Emerson was usually called "the walking Encyclopedia of Marietta."  Physically he was very lethargic, and he was negligent in the matter of dress, but in the absorption of knowledge he was a marvel.  He would read from the time he arose until late at night.  He had one of the most noble heads I ever looked at.  His knowledge expanded to every pursuit, and his almost miraculous memory seemed to retain everything he read.  His reasoning powers were masculine, and clear; and what he read he mastered.  His conversational talents were remarkable and it made no difference what topic might be introduced, he was ready to pour out the treasures of his mind, not in tame generalities, but in special detail. 

It excited the wonder even of intelligent men, to hear him trace the history of affairs in this country; for instance, the introduction of slavery, its progress, the views of patriots at the time the Constitution was formed, the means used to remove it, &c.  he was at home on every subject.  There was not a valuable book in the library of the Marietta Library Association, or that of Marietta College, which he had not devoured.  Not unfrequently he would go to Columbus, for the purpose of reading some rare book in the State Library.  In his habits he was simple, and it was a common habit with our boys in College when about to write a speech or composition on some assigned theme requiring reading, to call on Mr. Emerson to have him talk out what he knew.  And the kind hearted old gentleman always delighted to do the boys so easy a favor as that.

It was a common saying in Marietta, "what a pity Mr. Emerson did not have the executive energy which goads some men up to high places, for such a mind as his impelled by such energy would have made him a marked man in the nation!"  This was his deficiency, for with all his knowledge I do not think he ever published anything beyond one or two admirable papers in the North American Review.  A gentleman who was present told me that the conversation between John Quincy Adams and Caleb Emerson on the steamboat was marvelous, and that the Sage of Quincy did not outshine his plain companion from Marietta, a statement which I can easily credit, because few men had greater resources from which to draw than Mr. Emerson.

Mr. Emerson was a Baptist, but not a strenuous, intrusive one.  From its foundation he was a trustee of Marietta College, and took a lively interest in its welfare.  His views were held in great respect by his friends in the Board, and he had not a little influence in bringing that excellent institution to its present prosperity.  Originally he was a printer - and he had received only such an education as a Massachusetts Common School affords.

The exact date of Mr. Adams' visit to Marietta was Wednesday, November 15th, and the time two o'clock, P.M.  The day was unpleasant and rainy.  Mr. Adams rode from the landing to the church in Mr. Nahum Ward's carriage and after the address had been concluded and the informal reception brought to an end, the distinguished statesman was driven to the great mound in the cemetery, to the elevated squares and Sacra Via, which he viewed with great interest.  Mr. Emerson was one of the committee of three who traveled with Mr. Adams to Pittsburgh as a guard of honor.  The other members were Judge Ephraim Cutler and Judge Joseph Barker.

Nahum Ward was chairman of the Committee of Reception and the marshals were A. T. Nye and Noah L. Wilson.  The address of welcome was delivered by Deacon William R. Putnam.

Killed and Wounded in the 36th Ohio

The Marietta Register, September 26, 1862

From a list furnished by Surgeon James H. Whitford, and from scattering reports in the daily papers, we have collated the following list of the killed and wounded in our 36th regiment during the engagements in Maryland last week.  The list is probably not complete, as the wounded had not all been brought in when Surgeon Whitford made up his report on the 18th.  Considering the severity of the fighting and their advanced position, the regiment has come out with a fortunately small loss.

Battle of Middletown Heights, Sunday, Sep. 14:
Corp. Cortland Shepard, Co. A, killed.
Priv. Theodore Edmondosn, Co. C, killed.
Priv. H. J. Gibbons, Co. G, killed.
Priv. A. J. Daly, Co. K, killed.
Priv. Leander Simmons, Co. K, killed.
Priv. J. J. Anderson, Co. K, killed.
Priv. W. W. Kinnison, Co. K, killed.
Wounded - Priv. James huey, Co. A, slight.
Private Abraham V. Coy,* Co. B, foot, slight.
Private Marion Alloways,* Co. B, leg.
Corp. Samuel H. McKibben,* Co. C, slight.
Private Elisha Reeves, Co. C, serious.
Sergeant George J. Bartmess,+ Co. G, leg, severe.
Private Charles Pennybacker,* Co. H, head, slight.
Private John W. Hoover,* Co. K, right arm broken, serious.
Private John H. Stephenson,+ Co. K, abdomen, serious.
Private Morris Fullerton,* Co. K, head, slight.
Private William Lane,* Co. K.
Private James H. Langsdale,+ Co. K, right side, severe.
Private Frank M. Farney,* Co. K, slight.
Private Leonard Hutton, Co. K, serious.
Private James Ozler,+ hand, very slight.
Private Spencer Cherington,+ Co. K, head, serious.
Private William Duane,* Co. K.
Private George Malcolm,* Co. I.
Private John Zurcher,+ Co. I, left arm.

By Accident, Monday, Sept. 15.
Private William Rice, Co. K, killed.
Private John W. Smith, Co. E, wounded slightly.
Private James Alban, Co. G, wounded slightly.

Battle of Antietam, Wednesday, Sept. 17:
Lt. Col. Melvin Clarke, killed by solid shot through thighs.
Corp. Gustavus Wood, Co. A, wounded seriously.
Private Arthur W. Barker, Co. A, thigh, severely.
Private D. F. Wyatt, Co. B, wounded slightly.
Corp. A. J. Lloyd, Co. D, wounded slightly.
Private George Dillinger, Co. D, wounded slightly.
Private D. Hildebrand, Co. D, wounded slightly.
Private John S. Watkins, Co. D, very slightly.
Com. Sergt. S. H. Dustin, wounded slightly.

Wounded Thursday, Sept. 18, skirmishing:
Private Henry Thomas, Co. E, severely.
Private James Rainer, Co. I, severely.

* In General Hospital in Frederick.
+ In German Reformed Church, Middletown, Maryland.
Others unknown.

The Keelboatmen

Marietta Register, Semi-Weekly, May 22, 1888

The rivers were available means for the transportation of products before roads were built.  And they are still largely used, not even giving way to their most serious competitor, the railroad.

There were two forms of boats in common use on the western rivers in early days.  One was the flatboat or "broadhorn" as it was nicknamed; the other, on account of its different construction and to distinguish it from the former, went by the name of the keel boat.  The first was almost exclusively for floating with the stream, for when loaded it was about as unwieldy as a log would be for moving against the current.

To many of our older inhabitants a description of the keel boat may seem superfluous, but they should bear in mind that a large majority of the present generation never saw one, and have but an imperfect idea of what kind of a craft they were.

In outward appearance they bore some resemblance to a canal boat of the present day.  They were from fifty to eighty feet in length and eight to twelve in width, with a shallow hold, and sinking when fully loaded from two to three feet in the water.  They were substantially roofed, the height of which from the bottom of the hold was somewhat higher than a man's head.  Their carrying capacity was from fifty to seventy-five tons. 

The siding sloped inward so as to give room to the men who pushed the boat.  There was an extension on each side from the keel of eighteen inches to two feet.  This was termed the race board, and on it at short distances were heavy cleats nailed across that served as braces to the feet of the men who poled the boat.  The poles used were made of the very best timber that could be procured.  In length they averaged about ten feet, with a heavy iron socket fastened to the lower end, while the upper end had a smoothly turned knob of wood, about two inches in diameter, which was placed against the shoulder of the pusher.  The largest part of the pole was about one-third of the way from the lower end, and tapered to a much smaller diameter at the upper part.  The men were very careful in the selection of their poles, testing them in various ways, so as to be sure that they would be equal to any emergency.  They had good reasons for doing so.  If a man's pole should break while he is pushing he would be fortunate if he escaped with only a ducking in the river.  Sometimes a splinter of the pole would seriously wound him, and occasionally even death was the result.

The pilot of the boat was captain, too, and often also the owner, either of the whole or in part.  He stood on the roof at the stern, holding a properly shaped pole or stick of timber which extended back to the water, where was fastened a narrow plank six or eight feet long.  He had no kine of protection over him, standing out in all sorts of weather.  This was also the case with the early built steamboats.  I can remember of seeing steamboats on the Muskingum where the pilot stood at the wheel without any covering over him.  The pilot house was an after thought.

The pushing crew of a keel boat numbered from six on the small to twelve on the larger ones.  There was also a cook, and perhaps a cabin boy or scullion.  Two men, one on each side, of the strongest and most expert pushers, were termed bowmen.  Where the current was comparatively gradual the method was for the men to push the whole length of the boat.  But, as is the case in the Ohio now and was in the Muskingum before it was dammed, there were numerous shallows where the water ran much swifter.  These places were termed "riffles," and had sometimes a gravel bottom and in other places a rocky one.  Poling through these was slow and usually very laborious work.  In these places the custom was to break hands, as it was termed.  The bowsmen with one or more of the others would push half way on the raceboard, where they would stop and go back, while the rest of the hands went through to the stern.  By this means part of the men were pushing all the time.

The directions of the captain to the bow pushers when they reached the middle of the boat was he-e-ead to, dwelling long on the vowel sound in the first word, and uttering the last one with a strong, explosive sound.  When the balance of the men reached to the farther end of the boat, and the bow-hands had set their poles, then the captain sang out, u-u-up behind.  Some of the captains had very strong voices even if not especially musical.  One in particular, who followed boating for a long time and was well known along the river, could be heard at least two miles.

Where the water was smooth and the boat going along at a good pace, the captain might be in a very good humor and sometimes in a merry mood, whistling a tune or singing a song.  But let the boat get on a hidden rock or snag and their manner changed very quickly.  The whole air would be blue with profanity; every manner of cursing known in the language would be indulged in freely.  If the boat could not be pushed off of the obstruction readily the men were ordered to get out into the river and pry her off with their poles or handspikes, of which there was always carried a supply as they were often needed.

The crew of a keel boat was a "tough set," physically and morally.  There were some exceptions, of course, but they were generally considered the hardest lot of men in the whole country.  There was a saying among them, that a man wasn't fit to be a keelboatman unless he could drink a quart of whisky a day, and sleep at night on a sand or gravel bar without anything under or over him.  And there is not doubt but that most of them could do so.  They would push day after day with the wooden end of the pole often against the naked shoulder, and the skin would finally become so thickened and callous that they would feel no inconvenience from it.  It was very laborious work, and none but the most muscular and enduring men would think of engaging in it.  They did not have any eight or ten hour rule for a day's labor, but worked from morning until night, stopping only for meals, working in the rain or in the hottest sunshine, getting in the water perhaps every hour, and doing it all for fifty cents a day, which was about the average wages.

They were pretty good foragers.  So well was this known to be the case, that the farmers along the river considered it unfortunate to have a keel boat tie up at night near their farm, and if any chickens were missed from the roost or honey from the hive, it was usually thought best not to make any complaint, for more than likely they would get no redress and might fare worse next time.

When there was an unusually swift or bad place to be passed they had to resort to cordelling.  A line was sent ahead and made fast, and the boat warped forward with the capstan.  Also, when there was a rise in the river and the water was too deep for poling, they had resource to what was termed "bush-whacking," or catching to the overhanging limbs of the trees, which then lined the banks, and pulled their craft along in that way.

But, if their trip up the river was toilsome and tedious to the last degree, they made amends to some extent in the return passage.  There was no push then and no rowing except to keep out of the bends.  They lazily floated with the current, and if the weather was fair they spent their time on the top of the boat, either dancing to the fiddle played by one of their number or with a game of cards.  There was always whisky "galore" and they were as merry a set of lads as could have been seen anywhere.

There were many strange legends and stories told of the old boatmen, of their wild carousals and bitter quarrels, of their shooting off tincups placed on another's head in token of reconciliation, but it is difficult now to tell what was true or what was more invention or exaggeration.

The advent of the steamboat drove them from the waters of the Ohio.  They lingered a while longer on the Muskingum, for steamboats could only occasionally go up during rises in the river.  But after that stream was made navigable by the building of the dams and locks their vocation was gone.  They went on farms or drifted into the towns.  A portion of them found occupation as pilots on steamboats, for which they had a thoroughly practical training so far as knowing the channel and the situation of every rock and snag.

I have not as yet been able to find what was the charge for freight from Pittsburgh to Zanesville, but think it must have been about from fifty to seventy-five cents per hundred pounds.

It was considered a quick trip to go from Marietta to Zanesville in a week.  Now our steam packets run through in a little more than from sunrise to sunset, and in a few weeks, on this, the centennial year, the iron horse will traverse the distance in three hours.

J. W.