The Fourth of July

The Marietta Register, July 12, 1866

The morning, in Marietta, was ushered in with the firing of cannon, the ringing of bells, and martial music. At 7 o'clock, there was rain, but it soon cleared up so that the day was pleasant. The number of people in town was very large. At 10-1/2 o'clock, the procession was formed on Front Street, at the foot of Scammel, under the direction of Col. R. R. Dawes, Marshal of the Day, assisted by Col. Van Bukey and Maj. Palmer. 

The Martial Band, under command of Maj. George Payne, and the Athens Cornet Band, made the music and did it well. Flags of the 36th, 77th and 92nd regiments, of Buell's Pierpoint Battery, of Co. B. 4th West Va. Cavalry - "Paxton Guards" - and perhaps some others, all war-worn, were in the procession, proudly borne by men who had fought under them. There was one flag of the "stars and bars," captured from the rebels at Fort Donelson, and now owned by Charles Bowen of Waterford. Sergeant Shumon, who lost one arm in the service, led the soldiers, comparatively few of whom could be induced to go into the procession, very large numbers of veterans being in town, but not now disposed to "play soldier."

The procession marched to the Quadranaou above Warren Street, sometimes called "Camp Tupper." Rev. I. N. Carman opened the exercises with prayer. Gen. B. D. Fearing, President of the Day, made appropriate remarks. Col. S. H. Stafford read the Declaration of Independence. Gen. T. F. Wildes of Athens made a first-class address, which was exceedingly well received. Gen. C. H. Grosvenor of Athens spoke. Capt. S. S. Knowles made an appeal in behalf of the Washington County Soldiers' Monument. Gen. T. C. H. Smith made a few remarks. Refreshments and music, and a social time, completed the exercises. The Glee Club won general admiration. The leading singer, J. A. Freeborn of Harmar, has a powerful out-of-door voice, clear as a bell, and he is a most capital singer.

At night there were fire works on the Common under the supervision of I. E. Thurber. The display of some of the principal pieces was injured by a shower, just at the hour of beginning, but as a whole it was very fine.

 

Babcock's Fire Engine

Marietta Intelligencer, December 9, 1841

Mr. Joseph B. Babcock is the inventor and patentee of a fire Engine, three different sizes of which he has exhibited in this place. It is well adapted for the use of private dwellings and small towns, as well as large cities, as it is much more easily worked than the old fashioned engines, and requires less attention to keep it in order.

We saw a small one in operation at the Court House a short time since, which worked by only two persons, threw water over the chimneys of that building. This Engine occupied about the space of an ordinary travelling trunk. The largest of the three heretofore built by Mr. Babcock when placed in the middle of the street threw a hogshead of water per minute ten feet above the cupola of the exchange in Harmar - a three story building with a high basement.

Five Are Landed In Raid

Marietta Daily Times, December 30, 1915

Police raided an alleged disorderly house at No. 121 Ohio street about 9:30 o'clock Wednesday night, arresting Mary Snider, a former resident of Parkersburg, known as "Big" Mary, together with two men and two women visitors.

One of the women, the police claim, was putting on a life-like reproduction of a painting known as "The Bath," omitting the robe used by the creator of the original art study. Admission of ten cents was charged at the outer entrance of the building, and this charge was repeated inside.

Mary Snider, who came here a few weeks ago from Parkersburg, was held to the grand jury on a charge of conducting a house of ill fame, resorted to for purposes of prostitution. She declared she was not guilty, insisting that she was a poor woman and worked hard for a living. "I wish somebody'd take a rope and hang me," she sobbed as she was led to jail in default of bond in the sum of $300.

Charles Meredith, whose home is in the country near this city, is said to have taken part in the promotion of the exhibition at the resort. His companion, who collected the money, eluded the police when they descended on the place. Meredith pleaded not guilty to a charge of intoxication and disorderly conduct. The only part of his story which appeared to impress Mayor Okey was the relating to his admitted purpose in visiting the house. He was therefore fined $20 and costs for visiting a house of ill fame for the purpose of prostitution.

Vincent Frances, who, according to his statement to the court lives "out here about 18 miles," pleaded guilty to intoxication and drew $5 and costs.

The raid was due to a visit of two men who did not exactly approve of the show and reported to Patrolmen Wolfe, Strickler and Earl Britton.

Hearings of the two women visitors on charges of disorderly conduct and of Meredith on a similar charge were set for two o'clock Thursday afternoon.

 

Improvements at Mound Cemetery

The Marietta Register, November 18, 1875

During a recent visit to Mound Cemetery, we were surprised at the changes for the better that had taken place in the last few months. These changes will make the Cemetery a place of resort to visitors and the pride of every good citizen of the place. A substantial picket fence has been constructed on three sides of the Cemetery, with a nice walk just inside, extending the entire distance. This leaves the front to be provided for. Mr. Whiffing, one of the Cemetery Trustees, has been indefatigable in his efforts to carry forward these improvements. There has already been expended in building and painting this fence on three sides, $613.67; making sidewalk on outside of fence, $125.00 - besides walks on inside, next to fence. This work is all paid for.

The lot owners are now asked to build the front fence, which will cost, including a handsome entrance, about $620. Of this amount there is already subscribed $360. Two massive stone posts to support an arched gateway have been erected near the front entrance - the design and execution of Mr. N. S. Alcock, the practical stone cutter. These are 34 feet apart and are designed for the support of a large gate for teams, and two side gates for foot passengers - all to be constructed of iron. Lot owners in the Cemetery, in a number of cases, are handsomely decorating and improving their lots. It now remains for all who can to come forward with pecuniary assistance and finish the job up.

Col. McIntosh of Beverly says:

Beverly, October 29.

"I have some interest in Mound Cemetery, and I want to help build the new front fence. Take this five dollars."

The Trustees took it, and thanked him. They have about $360 subscribed, and want $260 more.

The Chair Company's New Building Opened

The Marietta Times, January 7, 1892

A card stating that the Marietta Chair Company desired our presence at the opening of their new building Wednesday evening, December 30, took us and thirteen hundred others who had received similar invitations to the place designated.

The occasion was the celebration of the completion of their brick, six story, 60x120 feet building, which their increased trade has demanded and which they have built. The building was brilliantly lighted by gas and early in the evening, 1,400 candles also gave forth their light. The crowd was very large, and we are inclined to think that everyone now living in the vicinity who had ever been employed by the Chair Company had received and accepted an invitation. They, as well as many others, all seemed to be there.

The first thing on the programme was the musicale, in charge of Mr. C. R. Stevens, which commenced at 7:30 and ended at 9. Becker's Orchestra furnished the instrumental music for the evening. After the musicale, Superintendent Grafton extended a hearty welcome to the employees and others present, turned the entertainment over to the employees, and granted all of us the liberty of the entire building, except the first floor, which he reserved until 9:30. Then came the promenade, which gave everyone who so desired an opportunity to inspect the mammoth building.

At 9:30 supper was announced and those whose tickets called for that hour went to the first floor where, after the divine blessing had been invoked by Dr. Dickinson, the work of destruction began. Everything was provided in abundance, and we will not attempt to tell you how many gallons of coffee were made or how many oysters or loaves of bread were eaten.

The menu was escalloped oysters, cold ham, Saratoga chips, bread, coffee, oranges, celery, ice cream,bananas and cake.

At 11:30 the tables were again filled, and those with 11:30 tickets took their places at them. Altogether about twelve hundred were fed.

Before ten o'clock the dancing was inaugurated by a grand march which was led by Mr. John J. Garry, assisted by Miss Garry. From that time until the next morning at 3, dancing was in order and was engaged in.

The universal opinion was that it was a grand occasion, and President Mills and the other officers are commended for providing this handsome entertainment for their employees and other invited guests.

May their increasing business require a new building every year, and may it be one of the unalterable laws that each one shall be dedicated in a similar manner.