Death of Another Old Settler

Marietta Intelligencer, March 16, 1853

Mr. John Wizer, one of the early settlers of Ohio, died last week at the residence of his son-in-law, Stephen Davis, in Marietta, at the advanced age of 84 years.  Mr. Wizer started from New England with the first company of emigrants to the North Western Territory, but when the company arrived at Wheeling, he was left there in charge of the cattle, and did not arrive here until some time after the "landing," on the 7th of April 1788.  He has resided here ever since the summer of '33, and we suppose was the last survivor of the pioneer company.

Will not some one furnish us a more extended obituary notice than we are able to write?  Many facts in his history must be worthy of preservation, and will be read with interest by many, probably all, of our citizens.

A Sad Accident

The Marietta Times, April 14, 1881

A Boy Shot Dead.

A very sad case of accidental shooting occurred on Tuesday afternoon, by which Elmer P. McGirr, a boy about fourteen years of age, a son of Mr. A. C. McGirr, the Front street gunsmith, lost his life.  It appears that he in company with several other boys on their way home from the Washington street school had a very small single barrel cartridge pistol belonging to a son of Mr. L. S. Brown, but it was in the possession of William Schramm, a ten year old son of Mr. John Schramm, on Second street.  When near the corner of Third and Washington streets, the Schramm boy attempted to cock the pistol while Elmer McGirr stood near to him.  By some means the hammer slipped and the pistol was discharged.  The ball entered McGirr's left breast, and we are informed severed the pulmonary artery, which caused instant death.  The parents of both children are nearly distracted and have the sympathy of all.  The funeral of McGirr will take place this Thursday afternoon, provided his sister, Miss Lucy, who has been attending school at Mansfield, reaches home in time.

Such occurrences as this should cause parents and teachers to exercise great caution in order to prevent school children from carrying pistols and other dangerous weapons.

Oak Grove To Be Improved

The Daily Register-Leader, September 15, 1906:

Grading of Hill as Planned By Service Board will Enhance Not Destroy Beauty.

The idea of cutting down the top of the hill in Oak Grove Cemetery has been protested against by a few people on the grounds that the grading down of the hill would mean the destruction of some of the large oak trees which crown the hill, and from which the beautiful grounds were given their names.

In speaking of this matter this morning one of the members of the Board of Service stated that it was not the purpose of the board to destroy the beauty of the place, but rather to enhance it.  The part which would be leveled is merely a knob with a few scraggy oaks on top.  It is the intention of the board to level up a good portion of this, put in a drinking fountain, flower beds, plant new trees, make gravel walks and roads leading to the place, and put in seats so that it can be enjoyed.

It is believed that when the people of the city understand the intentions of the board in this matter they will readily endorse the proposition.  The extra dirt which would be taken away in making the cut, can be used for fills in various parts of the city and the expense of this necessary improvement be greatly lessened.

The Marietta Daily Times, September 17, 1906:

Is it possible that any one would entertain for a moment the thought of defacing the natural mound in Oak Grove cemetery by taking off the beautiful, round, symmetrical top?  Ten feet would bring them to solid rock.  Some years ago the well rounded proportions of the mound in the back were destroyed by a few loads of soil being taken out.  By whom or for what I have been unable to learn.  Why not restore this, instead of taking more?  Will the writer in Saturday's Register-Leader go and see the so-called "scraggy oaks."  He will find them to be handsome, thrifty white oaks, that have been growing as long as has this city.  Too many century old trees have been destroyed.

Look at the nakedness of the "Indian Mound" in Mound cemetery which only a few years ago was robbed of the few remaining garments that clothed it.  The most beautiful views that we send out on our souvenir postal cards are the ones that were taken years ago, when that mound was covered with fine, old trees.

And now must the old oaks in Oak Grove cemetery go?  With the symmetry of this most beautiful mound, placed by nature in our "City of the dead," can we without protest allow it to be made a place of resort with drinking fountains and benches.  The benches in the front part of the cemetery have been removed within the last year to prevent loitering.

As you enter the ground you see this grand old hill looming up before you, with its natural rounded top.  A monument itself, excelling all others in Oak Grove, and one which we as citizens should be mutually interested to protect.  Can man improve the handiwork of the Creator?  At the height of two hundred feet, with its fine view, the only high point in the corporation, the grand old forest trees.  Let us preserve it intact as it was given to us.

A Citizen.

 

Dwelling House Burned

Marietta Intelligencer, October 4, 1853

The fine two story dwelling house belonging to Mr. James Holden, situated on Front street, was destroyed by fire, between five and six o'clock last evening.  It was the house built by the late William Holden, since owned by Dr. Trevor, and was purchased by Mr. James Holden only a few weeks since.  Considerable alterations and improvements have recently been made in the building, and except some painting, which was going on when the fire occurred, the house was nearly ready for occupancy.  It is not certainly known how the fire originated, but it is not impossible that a spark from the pipe or cigar of a workman may have caused it.  It was certainly the work of carelessness or design, for there was not properly any fire about the premises.

The house was one of the best frame buildings in town, and the loss must probably be at least $1,800.  There was an insurance on the property, but a recovery under it will depend upon the terms of the policy in regard to repairs, and upon other facts of which we have no knowledge.