Morgan Raiders Gave Good Scare

Sunday Morning Observer, April 15, 1917

Marietta prepared to give them warm reception, but they failed to come this way.

At this time when the country is on the threshold of real activity in another war, it is interesting to look back over the past and glance at the wars that have been and note the side lines and pick up the little things that happened in and about old Marietta from where many of her sons went forth to battle.

One of the always interesting stories of that war is the one of Morgan's Raid. The "Home Cuards" of that time were kept busy to get ready to "head him off," but he never got within gun shot of the "loved ones" at Marietta. The story is often told of the local activities. 

Morgan Raiders crossed the Ohio River below Cincinnati.  The main body did not enter the city. They were next heard from where they crossed the Little Miami R.R. a few miles below Loveland. There they boarded a passenger train. Their route was towards Jackson, passing through Piketon and Berlin to Cheshire, Gallia County.  At Buffington Island, a few succeeded in crossing the river and escaped. The river was being patrolled by ferryboats converted into gunboats by building up the sides with baled hay.  These prevented the main body from crossing the river.  Morgan then started through Vinton County, passed through Nelsonville to the northeast and was captured before reaching the Ohio River.

Col. Benjamin P. Runkle brought a train load of troops from Chillicothe to Moore's Junction and established a camp there.  Part of the troops were cared for at Marietta.  At the camp there were some ten or twelve locomotives with train crews and cars.  Earth works were constructed at the William P. Cutler farm at Constitution.  Trains were constantly taking fresh troops to the trenches and bringing back those who had been working there.  

There must be some mistake regarding the hay placed on the railroad bridge at Marietta for the purpose of burning it. It was placed there, undoubtedly, as a barricade and not with a view to burning the bridge. A can of oil and a lighted match would have accomplished that purpose.  

Col. Runkle's troops probably saved Marietta from a visit from Morgan.

 

Death of Aunt Fanny

Marietta Intelligencer, April 6, 1853

Died of paralysis on the morning of the 18th Instant [March 18], in Adams Township, at the residence of Mr. P. B. Buell, Aunt Fanny, in the 92nd year of her age.

The deceased was a native of Virginia, in which state she lived about sixty years in slavery. She was a woman of unusually strong and vigorous mind, every faculty of which she retained to the day of her death.

Her cheerful and affectionate disposition, and her long residence with the family in which she died, had endeared her to all. She has lived and done good, while three successive generations have passed away. May her future be as happy as her past has been free from blame.

[Note: The 1850 Census of Adams Township, Washington County, Ohio, lists a blind, black female named Fanny Fitzhugh living in the household of Peres and Elizabeth Buell. She was born in Virginia, and her age appears to be 87 or 57.] 

Mary Ransom Stone

American Friend, July 12, 1822

State of Ohio, 

Washington County, ss.

Clerk's Office Supreme Court, Marietta

July 6th, 1822

Whereas Mary Stone, of Marietta, in said county, hath this day filed in this Office, her petition to the Judges of the said Supreme Court, next to be holden within and for said county. Wherein she represents that on the 25th day of February, A.D. 1798, the said petitioner (then Mary Ransom) was lawfully married to Derick Stone, then of Sandgate, county of Bennington and state of Vermont. That she has been abused and neglected by her said husband - who in the month of June, 1818, ordered and obliged her to quit the house wherein they then resided.  And that, ever since that time, the said Derick has wholly neglected and absented himself from said petitioner, nor has he in any way contributed to her support and maintenance. And praying for the causes aforesaid, that the bands of matrimony between said Mary and Derick Stone may be dissolved, &c.

Notice is, therefore, hereby given to the said Derick Stone, that he be and appear before the Judges of our said Supreme Court at the Court house in Marietta, in said county, on the seventeenth day of October next, being the first day of the next term of said Court, within, and for said county, to answer the allegations of said petition, and shew cause if any he have, why the prayer thereof should not be granted.

Attest,

Geo. Dunlevy, Clerk.

Reuben Merriam Atty. for Petitioner.

[Note: "1798 Feb. 25  Derick Stone and Polly Ransom," as published in "Sandgate, Vermont, Marriages (A list of persons married by James Murdock)," Genealogy: A Journal of American Ancestry, ed. by William Montgomery Clemens, Vol. X, No. 5, October 1921, p. 39]

 

Fourth Will Be Observed

Marietta Daily Times, July 3, 1918

The nation's second "War-Fourth" will be celebrated in a fitting manner in Washington County, but instead of the usual "fire works," the day will be quietly spent. Many community celebrations are being planned and at nearly every one some war fund will be the chief object of interest.

The picnic and dance at the Country Club, which will through the generosity of the board of managers be thrown open to the public, is sure to be a popular event. Admission will be free and only a nominal charge made for the dancing which will be held in the evening.

Racing will be the order of the day at the Fair Grounds where some really notable talent is on the card. The racing will start at one o'clock and Dr. Gale of Newport will act as starter.

Beautiful Fern Cliff park will be open all day for picnickers and other features will abound.

Over in Williamstown arrangements have been made for the proper observance of the day. A basket picnic on the High School grounds, with a patriotic speech by Hon. Harry Hiteshew of Parkersburg and an auction for the benefit of the Red Cross, are only a few of the things arranged by the committee in charge.

On the Stowe farm up the Muskingum, the Elks are going to hold a picnic outing which promises to prove of unusual enjoyment to the members of the local organization.

Under the auspices of the Barlow Township War Board a flag raising and auction for the benefit of the Red Cross, with an all day picnic, are a few of the many attractions arranged for the pleasure of the people of that community.

At Eight Mile, patriotic addresses, athletic games and a ball game, with an all day picnic, will enable the people of that neighborhood to pass a pleasant and enjoyable day.

Last but by no means least in importance comes the banquet which the Safe-Cabinet company will tender the members of its selling organization at the Hotel Lafayette Thursday night. No details as to the entertainment of the men are being given out, but as is customary with Safe-Cabinet functions there is sure to be nothing lacking for the amusement of the visitors. Special music and other features will be offered for the pleasure of the sales club.