Warren Township School Report

The Marietta Register, March 20, 1873

Report of School in Sub-District No. 2, Warren Township, Washington County.

The Winter term commenced Monday, December 2, 1872, and closed February 21, 1873.  Number of scholars enrolled, 33; average daily attendance, 25; average per cent of attendance, 80.

The scholars present every day during the term were:  Emma Bailey, Bertha Bailey, Minnie Bailey, George Williams, Robert Williams.

The following were perfect in deportment during the term:  Charlotte Dole, Sarah Dole, Susie Dole, Minnie Bailey, Allie Bailey, Clara Bailey, Emma Bailey, Bertha Bailey, Mary Hart, Lucy Hart, Maggie Blue, Mary Blue, George Williams, Robert Williams, Charles Hart, Hugh Reid, Sandy Blue, Robert Dole, Benjamin Hardy, Isaac Weaver, Harry McClure. 

The following scholars obtained a grade over 90 for the term:  George Williams, Robert Williams, Allie Bailey, Clara Bailey, Emma Bailey, Bertha Bailey.  Those obtaining a grade over 80 were:  Charlie Hart, Mary Hart and Susie Dole.  The highest grade was secured by George Williams, his average grade for the term being 95. 

Prizes for excellence in spelling were awarded to Allie Bailey in class A; to Mary Blue, Susie Dole, and Robert Dole, in class B.  At the close of each day an opportunity was given for any scholar to recite a verse from the Bible.  During the term there were 464 different verses recited.

An entertainment was given in the evening of the last day, in the Presbyterian church.  The exercises consisted of Music, Declamations, Recitations, and Dialogues.  The church was well filled by friends.  The exercises lasted about two hours and a half.  The scholars did remarkably well in their various parts.  Everything passed off pleasantly, and all went away feeling that the evening had been well spent.

A. J. Caywood, Teacher.

A New Bridge

The Marietta Register, September 18, 1873

 Editor Register:

I find a good many of our people concur with me in the opinion that it is premature and unfortunate to submit the building of a bridge across the Muskingum to a vote at this fall election, and among others that might be given for the following reasons:

First.  It remains to be demonstrated whether there will be any necessity for a New Bridge.  The M. & C. R. R. Co. is now constructing, and, unless counteracted by this movement, will, in a few weeks more, have a new bridge completed, constructed not only for their own use, but also with special reference to its use by the public.  Of course tolls will have to be paid as heretofore, unless after trying it a sufficient time, our Commissioners should make it free to the public, by paying the toll yearly in a lump, in other words, rent the use of the bridge for the public travel, and thus relieve the Railway Company from the annoyance and expense of collecting toll, and give the people a free bridge at a cost of certainly not over four per cent of the interest on a new bridge, and also exempt us from the risk of ownership, expense of repairs, and services of men day and night to attend the draw of a new bridge.

A second reason is that with the establishment of a depot in Marietta, the crossing of teams which at present makes so large a show, will be very small, and, for foot-travel, the Railroad Bridge will unquestionably be as good as any that can be made, and as the Railroad men, who, of all others, have perhaps the most experience in bridge matters, are willing to invest their money in finishing this bridge for the public use, it would seem to be at least good presumptive evidence that their plan will do what they propose, to-wit, furnish the public a safe and commodious bridge.

Third, if the people now vote in favor a new bridge, it is not at all likely the Railway Company will carry out their plan and build a bridge to compete with a free bridge.  They will drop the finishing of this bridge for the public use, like a hot potato, and leave us to ferry privileges for a couple of years longer.  That there may be some drawbacks attending the use of the same bridge, for different purposes, is perhaps to be expected, but the Railroad bridge, by its superior strength, will undoubtedly furnish a quicker mode of transit.  It would seem that on a bridge capable of bearing railway trains, there will be no need of signs threatening us with ten dollars fine for driving faster than a walk, so that if we sometimes have to surrender the bridge to the trains, we may be fully compensated for it by making better time when it belongs to us.  I therefore hope the proposition may be voted down, at the coming election.

B.

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B. communicates an article in this paper, in which he opposes the building of a public bridge across the Muskingum.  He puts forth all we have heard against it, but it does not answer the question for the people.  No one doubts our ability to get along with a toll bridge (although a good many do doubt getting along comfortably with a railroad toll bridge), but the people have a right to own a bridge of their own.  Granting some sections of the county will not use it (and what bridge now built by the county accommodates more than a small portion of it), it is due the part west of the river that they have a bridge.  Marietta and the section west of the river pay over two thirds of all the tax, bridge and otherwise, that is paid.  But, says B., the Railroad bridge will answer, let us try it.  What an idea!  If the Railroad bridge was to be double, like the old one, and covered, we might get along with it.  But when the farmers learn that it is to be an open floor, perhaps 20 feet wide, with the railroad iron running through the center, and that by paying toll they can wait at one end, until the trains are not needing it, and then cross, what will they give for it?  Nothing at all.  Teams not familiar with the cars will be annoyed continually; and if not, why should the whole county, for 25,000 people are interested in this bridge, pay tribute to a railroad corporation, or any other?  Are not the people able to run their own bridge?

Bosworth, Wells & Co.

The Marietta Intelligencer, January 13, 1859

Messrs. Bosworth, Wells & Co., have purchased the buildings and ground on the corner of Front and Monroe streets, lately occupied by Joseph Wildt, and owned by Charles Shipman.  The lot is 42 feet wide on Front Street by 190 deep.  It is the intention of Messrs. B., W. & Co. to tear down the old buildings on the rear of the lot, move the dwelling house on the corner to the back end, and in its place erect two elegant brick stores, with iron fronts, having a width of 43 feet, and a depth of 100 feet.  These will be the largest stores in town, and if we are to judge from a partial design of them exhibited to us, they will be the handsomest and most showy structures in this part of the city.  This firm has been hitherto much straitened for room; in the new building opportunity will be afforded for the full development of their progressive, enterprising spirit.

The sum paid for the buildings and lot was $3,400.  The first has already begun to collect materials, and will commence building about the 1st of April.

A Sketch of the Life of One of Our Pioneers

The Marietta Tri-Weekly Register, March 13, 1890

A Remarkable Old Lady Who Celebrates Her Eightieth Birthday.

Since so much has been said of late concerning the aged persons, some of whom dwell in our midst, we wish to give for the benefit of our readers an account of one of Harmar's most esteemed ladies, in the person of Mrs. Mary Edelston-Pugh. While interviewing the subject of this sketch we were surprised at the accuracy of the dates of coincidences, which in every particular corresponded with the record of the family Bible. The lady is as yet possessed of all of her faculties; attends to her household duties, helping milk four cows, and on Sunday, when the weather will permit, attends the Unitarian Church in Marietta, being a member of the same, and seems to feel very little fatigue upon returning home. From appearances, we predict for her quite a number of years yet.

Mrs. Edelston's maiden name was Mary Smith. She was born one mile from what is now Williamstown, W. Va., on the 27th of February, 1810. She remained here until she was five years of age, at which time she moved with her father's family to Plymouth, Ohio, where she remained until she was eighteen years of age. Among her friends who visited her while she lived at Plymouth were the late Nahum Ward, Levi Barber, William Skinner, Daniel Greene, Oliver Cram, Henry Fearing, and David Barber. While there they would find amusement in wolf hunting.

She was married on the 26th of August, 1830, to Jarvis Edelston, who was a carpenter and contractor by occupation. She was the mother of four daughters and three sons. Two of her sons were in the Union Army, and one in the Confederate service.

Jarvis Edelston and his brother-in-law, Joseph Anders, took the contract and put the first dam in the Muskingum River, some portions of which are still standing the rapid current of the water. Mr. Edelston died on September 8, 1850, aged 51 years.

Mrs. Mary Edelston was married the second time to James Pugh, who was a farmer by occupation. After three years of happy married life, Mr. Pugh departed this life in Fairfield Township, Ohio.

Mrs. Edelston has lived since the flood of the Ohio and Muskingum rivers in 1832, in a large two-story brick building on Market Street, Harmar, Ohio, where she has raised her family and relates many pleasant and sad events which have transpired in that period.

On last decoration day, this loyal old lady joined the procession, walked to the City Hall, from there to the two cemeteries, and returned to her home in Harmar, remarking that she thought she had only done her duty.

She has always been known by the name of "Aunt Polly," and to the sick and those in need of assistance, she has always, no matter how much it inconvenienced her, give a cheerful, helping hand, as all who have the pleasure of her acquaintance will attest.

While yet a child she remembers distinctly the old earth works thrown up on the Muskingum as a refuge for the citizens in case of danger.

On Thursday, February 27th, Mrs. Edelston arrived at her eightieth mile stone. A few of her friends gathered in the evening and indulged in some choice selections of vocal and instrumental music. The aged lady is still a good conversationalist and enjoyed the occasion very much. Her numerous friends wish her many such pleasant returns and all hope they may by the hand of Providence be spared to attain her age and wonderful preservation.