Woodbridge Letter

The Marietta Intelligencer, April 8, 1858

Chillicothe, April 3, 1858.

William R. Putnam, Esquire, and others of the committee:

Gentlemen - Your invitation to the celebration of the seventieth anniversary of the landing at Marietta has served to revive memories of the past, which had slept for years.

My earliest recollection is of becoming lost in the thicket of bushes and grape vines that then covered the "Point," a brother two years my senior, and myself having wandered a few rods from our cabin.

Some eleven years later, the native growths of the soil had given place to the various materials used in ship building; the point was no longer a forest, but a ship-yard, where was built the brig St. Clair, and from whence she sailed under the command of Commodore Whipple, freighted with some of the surplus of land, cleared and cultivated for the most part, with rifle in hand, giving thus a foreshadowing of the energy and enterprise which have ever characterized the inhabitants of that place -- astonishing the commercial world by an arrival from a town scarcely if at all, heard of, and by a route not yet dreamed of.

After the Commodore's return, he was heard to say that he had achieved two things that no man could again do - fired the first gun, on shipboard, of the revolutionary war, and navigated the first sea vessel down the river Ohio.

My intervening memories are fraught with incidents, some sufficiently startling at the time, others ludicrous.

The surrounding country was traversed daily by spies.  This dangerous duty was undertaken by volunteers, going usually two together.  When signs indicated the presence of Indians, timely notice was given, sometimes by the discharge of a gun, that all occupied abroad might retire within the pickets.  These alarm guns were sometimes heard in the night, when the women would dress hastily, and the children were hustled up, preparatory to taking refuge in the blockhouses.  At other times, when all else was still, the calls of the sentinels were heard during each hour of the night - "look out sharp," with the response, "All's well," from the guard houses, one on the bank of each river, the other at the inner angle of the picketed enclosure.

Several lives were lost in broad day, notwithstanding this vigilance.  Robert Warth was killed whilst working in his "truck patch," on the Fort Harmar side.  Those who sallied out at the report of the Indian's rifle, reached the field in time to see the Indian leap the fence on the opposite side, having secured the scalp of his victim.

Rogers, one of the spies, was shot down by the side of his comrade.  Henderson, after discharging his gun, with what effect was not known, had no chance for his life but to flee.  In doing so he vowed to avenge his comrade by taking the scalp of one of their enemies.  This he accomplished, and it was borne in triumph through the streets, followed by a numerous procession.

The death of Mr. Carr was attended with yet more aggravating circumstances.  He was quite old and was, at the time, on the island, safe, as was supposed, from his insular position.  He was, however, approached, so stealthily as to be overtaken and tomahawked, no gun being fired, but his cries were heard, and the Indians were seen to escape to the main land in a canoe.

His son, Hamilton Carr, at once offered his services as a spy, or ranger, as they were sometimes called, and that he might be the sole avenger of his Father, he insisted on going alone, although the greater hazard of doing so was strongly urged in opposition.  He succeeded, and not satisfied with the usual trophy, he bore the head home with him, and that too, elevated on a pole, was the ghastly processor of the triumphal march.

It is known that Indians will hazard their lives to conceal their slain, saving the scalp being with them a point of honor.  Hence the whites, long engaged in Indian warfare, scalped the slain, not to secure a trophy, but as a means of striking terror into their savage enemies.  I am not informed whether the practice obtained precedence on either side in the Indian wars of New England.

Mr. Coquet, a Frenchman, excited, no doubt, by the acts of bravery, and hair-breadth escapes that were so frequently occurring, to become himself the hero of some adventure, was seen running at full speed, hat in hand, from an improvement near the first run below Fort Harmar.  A crowd soon gathered around him, to whom he exhibited his hat, perforated in the crown by a bullet from the gun, as he said, of an Indian.  Congratulations for his narrow escape were poured in upon him under great and increasing excitement, when an elderly person, who was cool, examining the hat, asked Mr. Coquet to put it on.  To the astonishment of all, the holes were found to be a considerable distance below the top of the head!

The men of that day, the actors in those scenes of toil and danger, have no doubt passed away, and I could hardly hope to meet those who in childhood had set foot on the soil so early as the spring of 1789.  Even St. Clair Kelley, to whom was donated a hundred acre lot in honor of his being the first born male, is said to be no more.

There are, however, many friends and acquaintances of later years, whom it would afford me great pleasure to meet, and by whom I hope still to be held in remembrance.

Trusting that the celebration of this year will be so pleasant as to be long remembered.

I remain, very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

J. Woodbridge.

Winter in Marietta

The Marietta Times, December 29, 1864

The holidays, so far as we know, are passing off pleasantly and agreeably to all.  Fine dinners and social gatherings are numerous among the older persons, while urchins throng the streets with their Jackson crackers, torpedoes, and other articles of amusement.  A good many country folks have come into the city during the week, and they all seem to partake of the general good feeling and hilarity which the annual return of the holidays is sure to bring.

* * *

There was fine skating for a few days, last week, on the ice which had formed over the back water on Second street, between the Court House and the new Methodist Church.  The sudden change of weather and the moderating rays of Old Sol, however, soon put a stop to that healthful exercise.

* * *

Mud! Mud! Mud! wherever you go, is found dirty, sloppy mud.  A city of as much pretension as Marietta should be kept clean and neat.  If it can be done in no other way, let the streets be Macadamized.  The authorities should be ashamed to see the streets in the condition they are, looking as they do, like highways through marshy places.  We trust something will be done to abate the nuisance.

* * *

"Light, more light," is needed in Marietta.  For a week past, the street lamps have not been lighted at nights and pedestrians have been compelled to pick their way through slushy mud and midnight darkness as best they could.  On Christmas eve, business houses were lighted up with common candles - a source of great annoyance to merchants and grocerymen, as on that evening, they were unusually thronged, and the fine things they had fitted up for the holidays showed to very little advantage. We know not the cause of these things.  If it be the fault of the gas company, we hope they may soon be able to supply the city with sufficient gas; but if the contract for supplying the city is ended, by virtue of limitations, then it should be renewed without further delay.

Santa Claus Welcomed by Large Crowd

Marietta Daily Times, December 13, 1929

Santa Claus brought pleasure to hundreds of children on Thursday afternoon when he jumped from the clouds and landed in Marietta. It was the annual Christmas party staged by Marietta merchants.

The idea of having Santa Claus travel by airplane, instead of in the time-honored sledge drawn by reindeer, proved a popular innovation, and established a precedent that may be made the rule of the future.

Many thousands of people thronged the streets to welcome the visitor.

Soon after 3 o'clock on Thursday afternoon "Old Kris" came out of the North in his plane and, flying at an altitude of about a half-mile, soared over the city announcing his arrival by exploding aerial bombs. He "stunted" across the city, turned back toward the fair grounds and, carrying his pack of good-will, dropped with his parachute to a pretty landing. Many were on hand to welcome him and there was a scramble of little folks to grasp his hand.

The landing ceremonies over, the bright-clad, bewhiskered visitor was taken into an automobile and driven to the Front Street armory on the steps of which a party had been arranged. Crowds packed the grounds about the building, jammed the street for almost a block and fought for a closer view of the city's guest.

Harry E. Schramm of the Chamber of Commerce presented Santa Claus to the crowd and the old fellow got busy at once with his program. He made awards of gifts on behalf of 98 Marietta merchants and two numbers were drawn for each of them. The first number has been posted by the merchant offering the prize that it awards and it will hold until 10 o'clock on Saturday night. If it is not presented by that time, the second number will be posted as the winning one.

Following this ceremony Santa Claus, with boys and girls all but mobbing him, started on a tour of the business district. He carried a large mail sack and many letters that had been mailed to him in recent weeks were gathered from the boxes in the stores. With these safely tucked away for future reference he left for the landing field to continue his journey to the homes of other waiting children.

Prizes Awarded in Christmas Window Contest

Marietta Daily Times, December 5, 1929

Otto Brothers store won the grand prize in the Christmas window contest conducted by the Marietta Advertising Club and was awarded the silver cup.  They scored a total of 110 points. The W. A. Sniffen Company and the Becker Brothers Company were tied for second place, each receiving 105 points in the scoring.  Forty-five Marietta mercantile establishments competed. Awarding of prizes followed the Advertising Club dinner at the Hotel Wakefield on Wednesday evening.  More than 60 persons attended.

The Otto Brothers display made a perfect score. The following scale of points was used in judging:  Originality, 25; balance and arrangement, 25; color harmony, 15; special lighting, 5; neatness, 15; Christmas spirit, 25.

Winners in the 10 classes, each of whom will receive an autographed photograph of his window suitable for framing, follow, the number of points scored and the name of the decorator being given in each instance:

1 - Department Stores - Otto Brothers, 110, George Bengel.

2 - Hardware - The A. M. Swan Company, 60, J. L. Johnson.

3 - Drugs - Kuehn & Sells, 85, Shirley Radekin.

4 - Jewelers - Baker & Baker, 90, Carl Dyche.

5 - Furniture - Stanley & Grass, 95, Mrs. Lottie Simpson.

6 - Miscellaneous - Glines Paint Store, 85, E. W. Glines.

7 - Clothing - The W. A. Sniffen Company, 105, Carl Jackson.

8 - Shoes - Kestermeier & Son, 90, Albert H. Kestermeier.

9 - Automobiles and Accessories - Becker Brothers Company, 105, Robert Otto.

10 - Chain Stores - Montgomery Ward & Company, 85, A. L. Peterson.

Will Be Annual Affair

This is the first of such contests to be held in the city and announcement was made by Harold Becker, president of the Marietta Advertising Club, that the contest is to be made an annual affair. The handsome silver cup presented as the grand prize must be won for three years (not successive) to become the property of any one concern. It is planned to hold the contest each year in conjunction with the unveiling of the Christmas windows, and Marietta merchants have shown a lot of interest in the project.

In his address before the club and its guests on Wednesday evening, President Becker said that show windows are the eyes of any business city, and have a large part in influencing visitors as first impressions are the ones that count with strangers. He congratulated the business men of the city on the fine spirit in which they have availed themselves of the opportunity to compete in this important field.

In order that the contest might be impartially judged and to procure worth-while criticism, the club decided to bring in an outside judge. They conferred with the national organization of decorators and E. W. Quintrell of Dayton was recommended. He has worked in like capacity in numerous other cities and is a recognized authority.

Praises Local Decorators

Mr. Quintrell is connected with the Elder & Johnson Company, one of the larger department stores at Dayton, and is a former officer of the national organization. He spent most of Wednesday in the city and worked tirelessly in scoring the 45 competing windows. In announcing the winners he spoke highly of the attainments of local decorators and congratulated Marietta on the calibre of its retail stores and upon the progressive spirit that dominates its merchants. 

He said that the one general criticism that should be applied - and he declared that it is common in all cities - is that most decorators try to display too much merchandise in their windows. He urged that they use fewer pieces, grouping their displays in complete units and using spotlights to bring out the specials.

In Marietta, he said, there is a tendency to omit backgrounds from display windows. "The background is the same to a show window that the foundation is to a house," he told his auditors, "and it affords a base upon which to build a telling and appealing display."

Omit the Dead Colors

In decorating, especially for the holidays, Mr. Quintrell urged that black and dead colors be omitted. He would use green with a liberal use of holly and poinsettias and would let the Christmas spirit dominate. Cards should be used to explain or bring out the message that the decorator would get across. Above all else posters or foreign advertising must be eliminated.

He explained in some detail the grouping of displays into units. The larger the window the greater number of units that can be used although this is not necessarily essential. He praised one Marietta window of rather pretentious size where-in a single radio is displayed.

"Remember," he enjoined his auditors, "you don't have to use every inch of space in your window. Don't crowd."

Mac Henry, vice president of the club, made the presentation of the silver cup to Mr. Bengel of the Otto Brothers Company, then introduced the class winners, in each instance presenting the person who had arranged the display.

 

Beverly

Marietta Register, January 14, 1890

As every reader knows, Beverly was known as "Plainfield," the 2nd association of pioneers settling here from Marietta.  It consisted of 39 members.  The first outside one was at Belpre.  The settlement here was east of the river.  The old fort (Frye) stood on the bank of the river about a half mile below.  I saw a rough drawing in an old family here.  The front rested on the bank of the river and was 200 feet in length.  It was triangular and had a blockhouse at each corner and, I have often thought, with due respect to my grandfather, who was an inmate thereof through the Indian war, that it was filled with block-heads, though brave.  There was no necessity for rigging out ox teams and with women and children, leaving eastern farms and happy homes to climb over mountains of snow to settle among savages, to build mills in the Wolf Creek wilds and suffer and die and be buried on lonely knobs away up the valley of Wolf Creek, as I saw to-day.  

Here are three inscriptions on stones three miles from the river.  Two were of the 48 original settlers at Marietta:  "Peleg Springer, who endured many privations, encountered many hazards and hardships during five years Indian blockade in the first settlement at Marietta, died Sept. 28, 1828, aged 63 years."

"Maj. Haffield White served in the Continental Army," etc., born at Wenham, Mass., 1739, died Dec. 13, 1818, aged 80 years."

"Pelatiah White - " (about same inscription) died Feb'y 17, 1832, aged 63, from Rhode Island.

These burials, with Asa Convers, are near the old mill, on a bluff.  A huge cedar eight feet in circumference stands mournfully by the graves of all three.  These men were part of the "Plainfield" force detached to build the mills under the protection of the fort and commanded by Maj. Dean Tyler and which supplied food for even the Belpre settlement by prorogue and canoe.

But what of the Indian? Who sheds tears for Pontiac or Tecumseh.  What of the "six nations" which fought for their native heath.  Who mourns for Logan and Black Hawk?  No Beverly man!  The custom of these later days is to weep only over the greenest grave, and pass along into the great jostling crowd.  Nobody cares who settled London, whether Saxon or Norseman, Goth or Vandal.

The world is getting so infernal wicked that the people will once more be swept away, and the new race of people will wonder, not at the mound-builders, but at water-works, dikes, railways, telephones, &c., which some strange people had built and left to rot!

Beverly, O., Jan. 13.

Major Joseph Lincoln

The Marietta Register, September 25, 1873

Major Lincoln was born in Gloucester, Mass., in 1760.  The time that he came to Ohio I am not able to state with certainty.  It seems that he was at Farmers' Castle during the Indian War.  While in that garrison, probably in 1791 or '92, he married Miss Frances, daughter of Capt. John Leavens.  At the close of the war he removed to Marietta and opened a store on the corner of Ohio and Post streets.  His dwelling house was just above, on Ohio Street.  This house was built by Col. Ebenezer Sproat, and was, at one time, occupied by himself and wife, with his father-in-law, Commodore Abraham Whipple and his family.  This store and dwelling was on the ground where the "Mansion House" now stands.  Major Lincoln owned all the ground on Ohio street, between Front and Post streets, and from Ohio, on Front, as far as the store of William B. Thomas & Co.  Here he did business and resided till his death, September 2, 1807.

Previous to his death, he had built a substantial brick dwelling and store, one of the best finished buildings in town, at the corner of Front and Ohio streets, but had not moved into it.  It was owned and occupied for some years as a store by Col. Mills.  Portions of the walls are still standing.

The first business houses of Marietta were on Muskingum and Ohio streets, below Post street.  When Mr. Lincoln first opened his store on Ohio street, it was further up than any other.  Major Lincoln had a high reputation for integrity and business talent, and he seems to have been reasonably successful, holding considerable property when he died at the age of 47.

Major Lincoln had three daughters and three sons - Susan, Frances, Matilda, Charles, Richard, and Joseph.  Matilda died October 5, 1815, aged 12; Richard died February 17, 1808, aged 1 year; Joseph died February 1, 1819, aged 18 years.

Charles Lincoln, when a young man, went to Kentucky, where it is understood he died within a year or two.

Susan was educated at the Moravian School, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.  She was married, February 28, 1811, to Elijah B. Merwin, then a lawyer of Lancaster, afterwards of Zanesville.  Mr. Merwin died some years after their marriage, and Mrs. Merwin was married a second time, to Nathaniel Cushing of Gallipolis.  Mr Cushing did not live many years, and Mrs. Cushing was married a third time, to Rev. Augustus Pomeroy, a Presbyterian clergyman.  Probably several of her children are still living.  One son, Mr. Pomeroy, is living in Kansas.

Frances Lincoln married, October 28, 1817, Col. George Turner, a lawyer of Rhode Island.  She died in a few years after her marriage, and Col. Turner returned to Rhode Island, and was living, a few years since.

Mrs. Lincoln had several sisters:  Nanny, Esther, Matilda, and Betsy.

Betsey married Dr. Increase Mathews of Putnam; Matilda married John White of Fearing Township; Nanny married Jonathan Plummer, who died in 1807.  In 1811, Mrs. Plummer was married again, to Stephen Pearce.  There was one brother, John Leavens, who resided in Putnam.  Esther married Mr. Sandford of Alexandria.  After Mrs. Merwin's marriage to Mr. Cushing, Mrs. Lincoln moved to Gallipolis and resided there with the Cushings until her death.  She was an estimable woman.  The descendants of Major Lincoln are scattered, and as none now live in this part of the country, I have no knowledge of them.

A.T.N.

 

A Sketch of Early Times

The Marietta Register, August 28, 1873

Record of Mrs. Lucinda Fuller, daughter of the late Major Azariah Pratt, pioneer of the Northwestern territory in 1788, with his family.  Mrs. Fuller relates the following reminiscence of early times about Marietta:

Three boys by the names of Return J. Meigs, Joseph Kelly, and Thomas Kelly were engaged in planting corn on the west point of the Muskingum when, on a sudden, a squad of Indians rushed from the forest.  The boys rushed for the river and gained the sand island.  Thomas Kelly being the smallest, was taken prisoner on the island, and conveyed to Sandusky, the headquarters of the tribe, and held as a prisoner until Wayne's treaty, when he with the other prisoners was released.  The other two made their escape to Campus Martius.  Daniel Converse of old Waterford was taken prisoner by the same squad of Indians, about the same time.  When young Kelly returned home he was tall and straight, his hair black and long, his complexion of a red bronze, his whole appearance like an Indian.  He always liked their mode of living.

Mrs. Fuller says that as late as 1811 the Indians in squads would visit General Putnam (whom they called father) and encamp on the banks of the Muskingum, foot of Campus Martius, for the purpose of hunting and fishing.  They would often call at her father's shop to have their guns repaired.  The squaws had their papooses tied on a board, and at sunrise every morning would dip them in the river, and hang them on trees to drain.  She says she never saw a sick or dead papoose.

Mrs. Fuller says the pioneers had to grind their corn on hand mills and hominy blocks, and eat from wooden bowls.  Their daily meat was opossum, turkey, deer and raccoon and during the long confinement in Campus Martius, they suffered untold hardships and privations.  She says that during the bloody Indian war of five years, no emigrants arrived within the territory, that on hearing of the massacre on Big Bottom of the Muskingum, of the settlers, that the pioneers within Campus Martius hourly looked for a general massacre of all the settlers throughout the Northwest.  Alarming news was received that Farmers' Castle, Belpre, on the Ohio, had been taken by the Indians, and all the inmates murdered.  This, however, proved false.  The Fort was attacked by a squad of Indians, but the veterans within had served as officers and soldiers during the Revolutionary War, and proved too much for the Indians, who were glad to give up the attack, and made hasty their retreat.

Mrs. Fuller has promised to give, to the best of her recollection, items about the exciting times in 1806.  Colonel Burr, Blennerhassett, his noted Island, reminiscences of early habits, customs, fashions, general musters, first made drum and its history, names of first preachers, school teachers, school houses, singing schools, log rollings, huskings, quiltings, &c., which will no doubt amuse the numerous readers of the Advertiser, so I close the present brief sketch of early times by stating that Mrs. Fuller is now a resident of Twin Township, Ross County, with her son, Seth Fuller on 700 acres of choice land, and although advanced in years, she is up at five o'clock in the morning, milking her six cows, and does her share of other work.  She possesses the nerve and iron constitution of her father and can outwork forty young girls of the present age.

From the Chillicothe Advertiser.
 

Fine Pictures

The Marietta Register, April 27, 1865

J. D. Cadwallader took last week, two very fine photographic pictures of large size - one of the steamer Wild Wagoner, as it was lying, covered with people, at our wharf; the other of Front street, looking up from the bank of the Ohio.  These pictures have attracted considerable attention, and many persons are obtaining copies.  They are taken by C. C. Harrison's "Globe Lens," recently patented, by which objects in the distance shown in a picture, are as distinctly marked as those near by.

Mr. Cadwallader will soon have a series of views taken in and about Marietta, which it will be an object for many persons to possess.

Marietta To Lose Street Cars After Nearly 35 Years' Service

The Marietta Sunday Times, March 29, 1931

When the bell in the court house tower tolls the hour of midnight next Tuesday, city street car services in Marietta will pass into history and finis will be written for an industry that has been a part of the Pioneer City for almost 35 years.  It won't be a happy occasion for a lot of Mariettans for, inevitable though it may be that local street car service is moving out of the picture in many cities, it won't seem the same to realize that it is one of the things of life that definitely is gone.

Car service came to Marietta in 1896 and the Marietta Electric Company brought it.  Local capitalists sponsored the undertaking and the company held a West Virginia charter.  Those men may not have been "capitalists" in the accepted sense of modern times, but they were of the go-getter type and what they may have lacked in capital they made up in energy and in ability to carry on in an undertaking that was epochal in the community life of the city.

$30,000 Capital

The Marietta Electric Company, organized in 1895, had an authorized capital of $30,000.  That wouldn't indicate much of an enterprise today, but it was sufficient then to meet the needs of the occasion, and the men who swung the deal and organized the company were A. L. Gracey, J. S. H. Torner, W. H. H. Jett, D. T. McEvoy, J. S. Simpson, I. O. Alcorn, John Kaiser, Nelson Moore, and H. W. Craig.  But three of them are living today.  They are Jett, Kaiser, and Moore.  The first two are residents of Marietta and the other survivor lives at Evanston, Illinois.

With the organization of the company and the granting of franchise rights on the part of the city, the men back of the movement purchased real estate on Second Street, now covered by buildings at Nos. 307, 309, and 311.  There they built their power house and car barns and there for a few years the new enterprise was centered.

Install Gas Engines

Gas engine generators were installed at the start and were given a thorough trial.  They proved inadequate and were replaced by a steam plant.

The first tracks built by the company extended from the corner of Front and Greene streets up Front and Putnam to Second, thence to Montgomery and on around by Montgomery and Fifth Streets to the corner of Fifth and Putnam Streets.

The second extension was along Putnam Street, completing what ever since has been known as the "hill loop."

Opposition Develops

At about the same time the first Greene Street extension was built and it carried out Greene and down Fourth past the old Catholic Church to the corner of Fourth and Hart streets.  Opposition developed on the part of some members of the Catholic Church.  They believed that the noise of street cars would interfere with church services.  D. T. McAvoy, however, was a member of the church and it was through him that the late Rev. Father F. M. Woesman became interested in the traction company and the protest was removed.

By the time that these extensions had been completed, the company was getting well organized.  It has earned its right to live and the company began branching out.  A franchise for the Norwood Loop was secured and the line was carried out Hart, Sixth, Wayne, and Pike streets, and up Acme Street to meet the projection being built out Greene Street through the center of Norwood.

$150,000 Bond Issue

A bond issue of $150,000 was authorized by the company and the bonds were issued in two lots of $75,000 each.  It is recalled that the first bonds sold outside of Marietta were placed by the late Henry C. Lord with a New England syndicate located in New Hampshire.  Gradually the stock and bonds of the enterprise found market and further financial troubles were avoided.

The early days of street car operation in Marietta were not without their trials and tribulations.  There were "knockers" against the enterprise and almost continually there was opposition in the City Council.  So outspoken was this feeling in those days that the original company was required to post a bond that it was sincere in its purpose and would carry out the provisions of its franchise.  Only rarely from that time has there been a council that has not been unfriendly at least in some degree.

Abandon Location

With the building of the Norwood loop the power plant and car barns in that section of the city were built.  The Second Street plant was sold, a business block front was added and it passed to other uses.

The West Side extension was built some years after the original company was organized.  The line was carried out Putnam Avenue from the bridge and down Franklin Street to Virginia Street.  It then was planned to circle down toward Mile Run and go to Harmar Hill by way of Pearl Street extension.  That plan was abandoned, however, and rails and other material that had been strung for the line were moved elsewhere.

Another extension undertaken at about that time carried the company into Duck Creek Valley toward the bridge east of Norwood.  That was designed to serve the steel mill center then being created there.  When the mill failed, however, car service was abandoned and later the track was removed.

Used By Inter-Urban

The Second Street spur leading from Montgomery Street to the county fair grounds was a later improvement and was the beginning of the inter-urban extension later built to Rathbone, Devol's Dam, Lowell and Beverly and finally abandoned in recent years.

During the early years of the company in Marietta, the car lines made money.  Dividends were paid promptly and each years aw an increase in earnings.  Strange as it now may seem, the lighting and power end of the business developed slowly and for a number of years the earnings from the street cars covered the deficit in the light and power branches.  In recent years the thing has been completely reversed and light and power earnings have been used to cover regular monthly deficits created by operation of the cars.

Effect Merger

In 1905 the Marietta Electric Company was merged with the Parkersburg company and the enterprise headed by the late C. H. Shattuck and his associates became the Parkersburg, Marietta & Interurban Company.  The Parkersburg group acquired three-fourths of the holdings in the Marietta company and the price paid for the stock gave local investors a nice return on their holdings.

That company built the interurban line between Marietta and Parkersburg, W. VA., and concluded the deal with Beman G. Dawes and his associates whereby they built the tracks on the Marietta-Williamstown bridge.

Changes Hands

After several years of operation under direction of Shattuck and associates, the property passed into the hands of the Kanawha Traction & Electric Company which acquired a number of West Virginia properties.  Later those holdings were taken over by the Monongahela Valley Traction Company and finally, some years later, the whole thing was absorbed by the West Penn interests centering in Pittsburgh and it continues to operate as the Monongahela-West Penn Public Service Company with headquarters at Fairmont, W. Va.

Many amusing incidents occurred during the early life of these electric enterprises in Marietta, and a number of older Marietta residents were among the early operators of the cars on Marietta streets.

The original company purchased its rolling stock from the Barney & Smith Car Company at Dayton.  They were unloaded on Second Street near the present B. & O. depot and were dragged up to Putnam and Second streets where they were placed in service.

Used Summer Cars

After the Shattuck group acquired the property a number of used cars of open or summer type were purchased in Brooklyn, N. Y.  They proved popular in Marietta and many persons now of middle-age will recall the days when they operated and young folks used them for pleasure riding.  Then it was possible to ride around both loops for a nickel and if one were so disposed, he could transfer to the West Side line and take in the sights over in the old Harmar section of the city.

During the first few years of car service in Marietta, when the property was purely a local enterprise, the management was genuinely accommodating, and it will be recalled that in that now distant period it engaged in what might be termed a "jitney business."  Any person desiring to go home late at night after the "owl" car had run had but to call up the car barns and for a fee of three dollars a special car would be sent out to deliver the belated traveler at his doorstep.

Car Parties Common

Not only did the socially-inclined young folks make a practice of riding the open or summer type cars, but "traction parties" were common and many an enterprising host or hostess would charter a street car and take the whole party, refreshments, decorations and all.  Charges were reasonable for such a service and many availed themselves of that novel medium of entertainment.

The advent of the automobile here as elsewhere spelled doom for the street car enterprise and each recurring year has seen the margin of profit for traction owners dwindle.  At last the deadline was passed and then the reports began showing red ink.  Losses continued to mount.  Operating costs were crowded down and down.  Modern methods were applied and a determined effort was made to "make ends meet."  It was a losing proposition, however, and now the inevitable has come. 

The last car will pass the court house next Tuesday just before the hour of midnight.

- L. N. Harness

 

Ghouls at Parkersburg Rob a Grave

Marietta Daily Leader, January 26, 1901

Getting Jewelry of Great Value From the Corpse.

Rings and an Opal Brooch Were Taken From the Body of Mrs. Nettie Tracy.

Special to the Leader.

Parkersburg, W.V.  Jan. 25.  Two employees of the Parkersburg Chair Factory, Reedy Ruble and Ellsworth Cornell, were passing through Tavennerville Cemetery on their way home and a horrid sight met their eyes.  Just as they reached a spot near the corner of the cemetery, Ruble noticed to the right of the path, along which they were walking, a place where a pile of fresh dirt had been thrown.  Calling Cornell's attention, both men walked over to it and made the startling discovery that a grave had been opened and robbed.

They immediately reported the matter to Squire William Kirk, who in turn notified the relatives of the deceased that it had been robbed.  In a short time the entire neighborhood was aroused over the startling disclosure that had been made by Ruble and Cornell, and a party headed by Mrs. Jones, the mother of the dead woman, with Samuel Stutler and son, set out for the cemetery.

Upon reaching the cemetery they found that the robbers had opened the grave some time during the preceding night, and had not taken the coffin from its resting place, but had broken the glass and robbed the corpse of a plain gold wedding ring inside of which had been engraved the initials "J. T. to N. T.," one opal ring, and one opal brooch.  The rings had been hurriedly removed from the fingers and the brooch had evidently been torn from its place at the throat of the corpse.

The ghouls were evidently aware of the fact that the dead woman had, previous to her death, possessed a very valuable diamond brooch and a gold watch, so not finding these valuable articles on the corpse, ripped open the clothing with a knife in an effort to locate the jewelry, which they believed had been interred with the remains.  Failing to discover the more valuable jewelry, they dumped the lids of the coffin and roughbox, together with a lot of dirt, back into the grave indiscriminately, shoved a few handfuls of earth over it all and departed.

The remains of Mrs. Tracey were interred on the 27th of December, death being due to consumption.  The parties who committed the robbery were undoubtedly familiar with the possessions of the deceased, or they would not have believed that the grave contained valuables enough to warrant the risk they ran in committing the crime.  The residents of the South Side are greatly agitated over the affair, and will leave no stone unturned to bring the guilty ones to justice.

Methodism in Newport, Washington County

Marietta Register, March 10, 1870

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

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

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

1830, John Johnson, Moses Tichenell.

1831, John Johnson, Nathaniel Little.

1832, R. Armstrong, H. Bradshaw.

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

1833, C. D. Battelle, George Smith.

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

1835, W. Athey, H. Tuttle.

1836, Pardon Cook, J. H. White.

1837, Pardon Cook, S. Jones.

1838, L. Petty.

1839, I. Archbold.

1840, I. Archbold.

1841, No record.

1842, John Hase, J. Adams.

1843, W. C. P. Hamilton.

1844, Philip Green, W. Cooper.

1845, Philip Green, J. D. Rich.

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

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

1848, J. Henderson.

1849, W. Athey.

1850-1851, J. W. Shirer.

1852, J. Phillips.

1853, No record.

1854, J. Phillips, J. Bailey.

1855, S. Lewis, J. Hollister.

1856, S. Lewis, A. Bell.

1857, Pardon Cook, E. Ellison.

1858, E. Ellison, A. Bell.

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

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

1861, A. Huston, H. Long.

1862-1863, J. Z. Morse.

1864-1865, J. H. White.

1866-1867, J. W. Hamilton.

1868-1869, D. C. Knowles.

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

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

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

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

C. D. B.

Mr. Cadwallader's

The Marietta Register, October 16, 1873

Some weeks since, we made mention of a removal, soon to take place, by Mr. Cadwallader, the photographer.  Since then, he has had put up an addition to Mr. Eells' new building, in the rear, and finished, for his accommodation with it, the entire second floor.  It is now ready for occupation, or nearly so, and looking upon it as an enterprise in which our town will feel some pride, as an Art Hall, complete in all its arrangements, we deem it deserving more than a passing notice.

To give some idea of its completeness, we would notice, first, a snugly fitted show case, at the foot of the stairs, setting in appropriately, as if so designed by the architect.  Here can always be seen to a good advantage samples of the work done.

Ascending a commodious stairway, we find ourselves in a long hall from which two or three rooms may be entered from the right, and in the rear of which, is found the reception room.

This is commodious, cheerful, and nicely furnished.  The walls are painted, the floor covered with a fine carpet, and a good case and counter for business stand at one side.

To the right of a short hall, leading from this room in the rear, we enter a dressing-room, supplied with a beautiful case, mirror, and marble water sink.  This room is especially cheerful, with its painted walls, and frescoed ceiling.  

From the hall, leading by this, is entered the Glass Room, or operating room.  For this, the addition to the building was put up.  It is so arranged that light can be thrown on all sides of the subject, and is finished in the best color and manner known to the art.  Mr. Cadwallader has profited by his long experience, and, it is believed this room, on which so much depends in getting a good picture, is all that could be desired.  Its height from the ground is much in its favor, shutting off any reflection.  From this, the dark room is entered, which is supplied with all modern improvements and conveniences.

Mr. Cadwallader has introduced many features entirely his own, found desirable in his experience.  His manner of washing prints will strike many as novel and full of merit.

But, going back and through the reception room, we find, on the south side, two rooms, used for stock and working rooms; and farther on, occupying corner of Butler and Front, a printing room, in which are perfect arrangements for preserving negatives.  The work of five years can be securely kept.  Besides the different rooms referred to, there is one, at the head of the stairs, designed for a studio for finishing in oil and crayon work.  Throughout, the rooms are complete; and, we suggest to our citizens generally to accept Mr. C.'s compliments for next Saturday evening, and see for themselves what a Fine Art Hall is to be opened for them to enjoy.

Girls Monday Club to Have Fine building

Marietta Daily Times, May 3, 1921

Memorial Will Honor Mrs. Mills.

Plans which he has developed for perpetuating the memory of Mrs. Mills, who was the founder and first president of the Girls Monday Club, were made known by William W. Mills at a meeting of the board of directors of the organization Monday afternoon.

This memorial will probably take the form of a group-building which will include a gymnasium, dormitory and cafeteria and of which the present building will be a wing.  The location of the Girls Monday Club is one of the most prominent in the city, and the lot is 91 by 135 feet.  The proposed building will be a handsome, fire-proof structure, complete in every detail, and occupying the entire Putnam street frontage.  The main entrance will be on Putnam Street.  It will be one of the finest buildings in Marietta, and will be a fitting memorial to the woman whose beautiful life has inspired the gift.  Mr. Donald P. Hart of New York is the architect.

In offering this wonderful gift, Mr. Mills emphasized to the board the great responsibility involved in undertaking the direction and maintenance of such an institution.  He suggested that the remainder of this year be devoted to perfecting the designs for the building and developing further plans for enlarging the usefulness of the club, and expressed the hope that the actual work of construction might be undertaken early in the spring of 1922.

The members of the board were overcome by the magnitude of the proffered gift.  They fully realize what an impetus will be given to their work by such a club house for the girls of Marietta.  They also realize that it will play an important part in the life of the community, and they hope that the interest shown by the people of the city will be sufficient to warrant their acceptance of the trust and responsibility which that acceptance entails.

Record of Deaths in Washington County for the Year 1873

The Marietta Register, January 8, 1874

At Knoxville, Tennessee, January 7, 1873, Mrs. Charlotte Nicholson, daughter of Col. A. Stone, of Harmar, aged 40.

In Marietta, January 12, Rezon Willis, aged about 68.

In Harmar, January 13, George V. Pattin. 

In Harmar, January 14, Mrs. Caroline Marshall, aged 40. 

In Toledo, January 12, Miss Augusta F. Tenney, formerly of this place.

In Muskingum township, January 18, Freeman Davis, in his 78th year.

In Scioto county, January 16, A. B. Murphy, an old resident of this county.

In Watertown, January 23, Mrs. S. Winn, in her 69th year.

In Watertown, January 31, Mrs. Catherine Remley, aged 60.

In Marietta, February 4, Benjamin F. Stone, aged 91.

In Marietta, February 15th, Mrs. Seneith Hildebrand, wife of the late Col. Hildebrand, aged 69.

In Washington City, February 16, Col. D. L. Eaton, brother-in-law of Prof. G. R. Rosseter.

At Flint's Mills, February 18, George W. Harvey, aged 45.

In Harmar, February 21, Mrs. Matilda F. Clarke, aged 73.

In St. Cloud, Minnesota, February 25, Major William G. Bloomfield, formerly of Marietta.

In Harmar, March 1, Mrs. Daniel P. Bosworth, aged 43.

In Marietta, March 12, Dudley W. Racer, aged 47.

In Marietta, March 13, John Theis, aged 48.

In Marietta, March 15, Mrs. Susan H. McIntosh, aged 87.  Mrs. M. was born in Massachusetts and resided in Marietta over 50 years.

In Marietta, March 21, Mr. Henry Opp, aged 62.

In Marietta, March 21, Elmira McAlister, wife of William Greenhill.

Near Chillicothe, March 27, James B. Marsh, aged 52.  He left Salem, this county, seven years before.

At Newport, March 27, Henry O. Little, aged 77. 

In Marietta, March 30, Mrs. Cordelia M. McKellar.

In Harmar, March 30, Mr. Arnold Winchester, aged 77.

In Marietta, April 2, Deacon Dennis Adams, aged 81.

In Marietta, April 7, R. H. Rood, aged 55.  His death was after a brief illness.

In Marietta, April 8, Mr. James Dunn, aged 81, came to Marietta first in 1812.

April 8, in Barlow township, Mrs. Abigail Richards, aged 91.

April 16, near Plymouth, Wilson Graham, aged 46.

April 24, William Gray, aged 78, Waterford, of paralysis.

April 27, in Marietta, Mrs. Rosanna Hall, wife of Joseph E. Hall, Sen., aged 69.

May 3, Mrs. Emily L. Hamilton, wife of Rev. L. L. H. Hamilton, of Boston, Mass.

May 4, in Belpre, A. H. Browning, aged 46.

May 7, in Marietta, Mrs. Sarah Talbot Stevens, wife of James Stevens.

May 19, in Barlow township, Alexander Gordon, aged 55.

May 23, in Marietta, Major George Clymer McCall, aged 78, a grandson of George Clymer, who signed the Declaration of Independence.

June 6, in Watertown, Conrad Bohl, aged 82.

June 13, in Harmar, of erysipelas, L. H. Jennings, aged 48.

June 23, in Barlow township, Mr. H. E. Vincent, aged 71.

July 7, in Marietta, of consumption, Edgar P. Pearce, aged 33.

July 11, in Marietta township, of apoplexy, Franklin Wells, aged 74.

July 11, in Harmar, of congestion of the liver, Mr. Isaiah Scott, aged 57.

July 26, in Waterford township, Mrs. Silence Devol, relict of Stephen Devol, aged 78.

July 30, at Butler, Bates county, Missouri, of consumption, Rev. Edwin W. P. Wyatt, aged 33.

August 6, in Mount Vernon, Ohio, Sophia Browning Clarke (widow of Col. Melvin Clarke, 36th O.V.I.), aged 37.

August 7, at Guyandotte, W. Va., P. S. Smith, aged 77; born near Marietta; and when he died, the oldest citizen of Guyandotte.

August 15, in Harmar, Joseph S. Morris, aged 56.

August 16, in Marietta, James Davis, a native of England, aged 75.

August 16, in Marietta, Mrs. Mahala Pixley, aged 68.

September 6, in Barlow, Mrs. Betsy Tompkins, aged 84.

September 14, near Watertown, of typhoid fever, Mrs. Mary Ann Ryan, wife of Michael Ryan, aged 34.

September 27, in Marietta, Mrs. Mary Hicks, aged 73.

September 29, on Mile Run, of dropsy, Samuel Sprague, aged 78.

In Elk River, Minnesota, September 29, Mr. Ezekiel Dye, aged 91.  He had been a resident of Marietta 72 years of his life.

October 2, in Harmar, of consumption, Miss Jenny Hartson, aged 25.

October 8, in Marietta, Mrs. M. Johnson, wife of Willis H. Johnson.

October 12, in Warren township, of heart disease, Amos Wilson, aged 27.

At Maple Grove, Michigan, October 21, Mrs. Eliza J. Aikman, a former resident of Marietta, aged 56 years.

October 25, Mrs. H. L. Follett, wife of M. D. Follett, aged 41.

October 26, Miss Elizabeth Chambers, aged 26.

October 28, of consumption, George J. Bishop, son of N. F. Bishop, aged 21.

November 4, in Dunham, Miller Clarke, aged 77.

November 7, in Meigs county, Melzar Nye, Sen., aged 88.  Was in early life a resident of Washington county.

At the County Infirmary, November 7, Peter Keith, aged 70 years.

Near Lowell, November 18, Elizabeth Field, wife of Mr. H. Field.

In Harmar, November 19, Mr. William Roush, in his 40th year.

In Marietta, November 20, Mr. Dunlap Atkinson, in his 70th year.

In Warren, November 23, Mrs. Sarah Jane Miller, aged 35 years.

In Marietta township, November 24, Mr. Carlton Palmer, aged 72.

In Lawrence, November 24, Mr. Edward Collier Nye, in his 31st year.

In Marietta November 28, Mrs. Irena Benedict, in the 92d year of her age.

In Marietta, November 28, Mr. George Lewis Barnhart, aged 86 years.

In Lowell, Ohio, after a lingering illness, Mrs. Alice Fleck, wife of Jacob Fleck, and daughter of Darius Rummer.

December 3, Louisa Woodward, daughter of E. and S. H. Woodward, aged 18 years.

In Waterford, December 9, Samuel Morgan, formerly of Morgan county.

In Marietta, December 12, Mrs. Catharine Peters Smith, aged 50 years.

In Decatur, December 16, David A. Newell, aged 24.

In Muskingum, December 24, Isaac Foster, aged 55 years.

In Marietta, December 27, Mrs. Mary Crickard, aged 28 years.

Woman's Rights

The Marietta Times, December 8, 1864

On Monday night, a brainless, senseless creature, clothed in female apparel (doubtless a female, though we could not vouch for that), delivered a ranting rearing Woman's Rights harangue at the Court House, in this city.  Our reporter having been absent, we are unable to give a synopsis of this piece of femme de nonsense; but we learn that she "spread it on" pretty muchly! - asserting the right of females to take part in elections, fill public offices, and do all other things which men may of right do, and declaring it to be the height of man's ambition to chew tobacco, smoke cigars, and drink whisky. We do not know that she announced herself in favor of doffing petticoats and donning breeches, but see no reason why she should not have done so.  

The audience was an unsympathizing one, and manifested their disapprobation in various ways, doubtless thinking such dubious characters better qualified for pinning up three corners of a diaper than instructing them in the rights to which females are entitled.  Of course, the lecturer was affronted, and left in high dudgeon, declaring that she "had always heard Marietta was a selfish place!"  May the good old city continue to be selfish!

 
 

Petroleum Saloon

The Marietta Times, December 8, 1864

On Thursday evening of last week, the "Petroleum Saloon" was formally opened to the public.  The proprietors, J. De Kator & Co., gave a free supper, and extended invitations to every body to partake of their hospitality.  Not less than one hundred and fifty persons availed themselves of the opportunity to test the quality of their edibles.  As for the quantity, there was "enough, and to spare."  The supper was all that the most fastidious epicure could desire - consisting of oysters, turkey, chicken, ham, pies, cakes, jellies, crackers, bread, butter, &c.

The Saloon is specially intended as an Eating House for oil men, and all others temporarily sojourning in the city.  Meals prepared at all hours, on short notice.  The bar, which is merely adjunct to the Saloon, contains the choicest liquors, cigars, &c.

When you desire to "eat, drink, and be merry," go to the Petroleum Saloon, north side of Greene Street, between Front and Second.

 

The First Freight Train

The Marietta Register, November 13, 1873

Tuesday morning, about 11 o'clock, the Marietta and Pittsburgh Railroad sent the first train of freight cars over the new bridge.  It consisted of five carloads of coal from the Ohio Coal Company for the Rolling Mill, one box car, band of music, and about one hundred passengers, anxious to take the first ride.  No timidity was felt about the bridge, and indeed none should be.  It bears every appearance of security.  

Perhaps two hundred citizens gathered along the bank to see the train pass.  One elderly business man, standing near, remarked, "Business must revive now, since we have a railroad passing through town."

Whether it revives or not, all feel a deep interest in the road, and much credit is due to the men who have secured it for us.  From this on, there will be progress.  We cannot go back.  No one will ever live to see the time when the Muskingum river will not be spanned by a railroad bridge.  But there were those who witnessed the first train, Tuesday, who, doubtless, will live to see the time when it will bear a hundred trains a day.

 

Two Old Captains.

Marietta Register, May 5, 1892

They Commanded Boats in the Halcyon Days of the Muskingum.

Now Living at Beverly, Ohio.

There are two old steamboat officers yet living in the town of Beverly, Ohio, men who were prominent boatmen forty years ago, and who were abreast of the most able officers in the Zanesville and Pittsburgh trade.  Captains D. T. Brown and Calvin Stull were well-known and they always held responsible positions in the river trade.

At that time many of the brightest adventurous young men in the Muskingum valley were willing to take responsible places on the fine steamboats afloat on the Western rivers.

D. T. Brown's boating career began with his brother John, in the engine room of the May Queen, at the age of nineteen years.  He and David Hann were the engineers at the time the boat was burned at the Marietta wharf in February, 1847.  David T. Brown and William Davis are the only two men that ever held government papers for the offices of captain, pilot, and engineer on the Muskingum river.

Many persons may not understand what is meant by a license for captain, pilot, or engineer, and for their benefit this information is given.  The above named officers have to be examined by the U. S. government officials for captain, pilot, and engineer, as the U. S. laws have charge of the steamboat interest in our government, and no one occupying these official stations can continue on duty without passing such ordered examination except in defiance of the law.

A Signal reporter visited Captains Brown and Stull at their homes in Beverly, and from them information was obtained as follows:

Captain D. T. Brown

After the destruction of the May Queen, D. T. Brown was one of the engineers on the following named boats:  Mingo Chief, Julia Dean, Ludlow, Comet, Del Norte, Newark, Helen Mar, Chevoit, Lizzie Martin, and Zanesville Packet.  He was captain of the Lizzie Martin and Chevoit.

When D. T. Brown was engineer of the Ludlow, on entering the Marietta lock the guard on one side of the boat was all torn off by striking the end of the lock wall.  From bow to stern there was no protection.  Brown procured a rope and fastened it to the stanchions, preventing any person from attempting to pass our on the damaged side of the boat.  The boat landed at Windsor to take on freight.  As Brown was tired he lay on a bench to rest while the men were engaged at their work.  He was suddenly awakened when their work was completed.  He passed forward along the guard, half asleep, to examine the water in the boilers by the water gauge, then in front of them to examine the fire.  In returning to the engine room he ran against the rope.  He exclaimed, "What is this put here for?"  He raised it, passed under and . . .

Fell Into the River.

He swam round the boat and again got on board more wet than wise, but he was thoroughly awake.  In relating the incident, he said, "As soon as I struck the water, I remembered all about the cause of the presence of the rope."

He and Edward Tignore were the engineers of the Helen Mar.  On a trip to Pittsburgh in passing up Horse Tail ripple at the head of Seven Mile Island he had . . .

A Swim For Life.

The current at the head of the ripple is very swift.  He was a cautious, careful engineer.  He went along the guard to try the water gauges, then passing in front of the fire to see that the fireman was doing his part of the work, he passed on down the guard for the engine room.  A truck had been left on the guard.  In the dark his knee struck it and he fell overboard in the swift current, barely missing the wheel of the boat as he was going down the river and the boat up.  He called to John Cox, who was on deck, to waken the other engineer, as he was going in another direction much against his will.

The captain was in bed with rheumatism.  He was unable to turn himself and a sheet had to be used in turning him.  When he heard the cry, "The engineer is overboard," he was excited.  He arose from his bed, his rheumatism was forgotten and he ran out on deck and ordered a boat sent out to save the engineer.

The boat went rapidly through the water.  The engineer was a good swimmer.  He saw lights on Seven Mile island and he went for them.  It was swim or drown with him.

He landed on the island about the same time as the boat did.  There was great rejoicing on the small boat that the engineer was saved.  Soon they were all ready to return to the steamer and there was rejoicing on the steamboat when they were informed "Brown is safe."

During the excitement, the captain forgot his rheumatism.  As soon as the excitement ceased and the engineer was on the steamboat, the captain was again writhing in his rheumatic pains.  It was with difficulty that he was carried to his room.  The anxiety and excitement caused him to forget his aches, but the pains were worse than ever as soon as he saw the engineer was on the boat.

Brown said, "I had lately been married.  As I passed the wheel when the heavy planks were striking the water near my head, I thought there will be another widow."

Captain Stull

was found at his home.  When informed of the business of the Signal reporter, he freely gave him the following:  I was a pilot on the St. Cloud, Ludlow, Loyal Hanna, Viroqua, Robert Wightman, Buckeye Belle, James Watts, R. H. Lindsey, Kate Cassell, Dan Convers, John Bissel, Chevoit, Adelia, Brown Dick, Emma Graham, John Buck, Charley Bowen, Lizzie Cassell, J. H. Best, Prairie City, Ohio, Emma Graham No. 2, Freighter, Falcon, Tom Patten, Silver Bells and Two Sisters."  He also piloted a number of Ohio river boats that were too large for the Muskingum locks.  He was captain of the Falcon, Emma Graham No. 2, and Vega.  He said, "I made 201 trips on the Emma Graham, often carrying 3,000 barrels of flour to Pittsburgh.  We never broke a timber of the boat."  Captain Stull was the pilot at the wheel when the ill-fated steamer Buckeye Belle blew up in the Beverly canal.  He was blown some distance and had a leg broken, which, at time, causes much pain.

Joseph Daniels

The engineer on duty when the Buckeye Belle caused the death of more people than were accidentally killed on all the boats ever on the Muskingum river, was in Beverly last Tuesday. 

The following incidents are related by old people at Beverly about the accident of the . . .

Buckeye Belle

One man said, "I saw a brick that was thrown from the boat to the top of the hill where it fell and killed a rabbit."

Another said, "Dillon was going up when Munsey was coming down, and Munsey spoke.  Dillon replied, "I don't speak to mechanics."