New Addition to Marietta

 Marietta Daily Journal, March 5, 1917

Marietta will have another residence subdivision in the near future, according to information that was given out today. The new addition will be located on the Strecker farm, just off the end of Third Street, and will be built by the Strecker estate, B. F., C. F. Strecker and others. It is planned to start work on the new addition just as soon as the weather permits and when completed the place will be one of the finest sites for homes in the Pioneer City.

The Strecker farm consists of a large tract of land just off the north end of Third Street, and it joins the Rathbone Addition. It is planned to build the new addition on the right hand side of Third Street on the high ground. A part of the new subdivision will be within the city limits.

The Strecker Brothers plan to start the grading work on the addition in the near future and when this work is completed, several modern homes will be erected. E. T. Jenney, of the firm of Jenney and Jenney, of Cleveland, will supervise the work on the new addition. Mr. Jenney is a landscape gardener of much repute and only recently had charge of the work of improving the fine estate of D. A. Bartlett. He should be able to put the new residence site into the finest kind of shape.

Definite plans as to the number of homes and their style have not yet been decided upon, but a number of the most modern residences will be built. The construction of this new residence site will aid greatly in relieving Marietta of her present shortage of homes which has been caused by an increase in the industrial wealth of the city, hence an increase in the number of laborers.

Sad Christmas

 Marietta Tri-Weekly Register, December 24, 1891

Marietta will have a sad Christmas. The prevailing epidemic is affecting someone in almost every family. This sickness appears to be seeking the weak places in the weak subjects in attacks and several deaths have occurred, while many others are dangerously sick. As we write, the notes of the funeral dirge of Col. Phillips fall upon the ear; the remains of Dr. Addy and George Irish are in affectionate waiting for the last rites. Dr. Seth Hart, the veteran physician, is hover on the border line, while anxious watch is held over the bedside of many who are frail and very sick. What we say of Marietta is also true of many places in the county. Many who for a day or two were quite sick are up and at their duties again, but not strong and vigorous.

The Old Folks at Beverly

 The Marietta Register, November 4, 1875

Editor Register: Did you know what a grand, good time we have been having here? But then we are always having so many "good times" you could hardly expect to keep posted.

This, however, was something quite out of the usual way, therefore, all the more enjoyable. We called it a relic gathering, or more pretentiously, a centennial dinner. I am sure if you had been within the boundaries of our comely town on last Tuesday morning, you would have sniffed excitement with the very atmosphere, for everybody was in qui vive, and on the street. All the country round about came to town in holiday attire. If anybody stayed at home to "mind the children" or "tend the fires," it was not the old folks, as usual. At eleven o'clock, A.M., the lecture room of the Presbyterian church was filled with happy faces "and still they came."

Five large tables stood in the south side of the audience room, loaded with articles of every conceivable kind which had belonged to former generations. What the tables would not hold was hung upon the wall and in other ways displayed, provision not having been made for so extensive an exhibition. Most of the articles were over a hundred, and many several hundred, years old.

On the other side of the room were three long tables loaded with the fatness of the land - an appetizing array, indeed a substantial old fashioned dinner such as our great-grandmothers loved to spread for their friends. Chicken pies, baked beans and pork, immense puddings and pones, potatoes with their jackets on, boiled cabbage, doughnuts, pound cakes, pies, gingerbread after the good old way, and indeed almost everything that goes to make up a good dinner.

We think you would have enjoyed most of all the sight of the ladies on table committee. They were in old style costumes, veritable belles and matrons of ye ancient times. They were a never ending source of interest and amusement to all the guests. The ladies in costume were Mrs. Thurza Stull, Mrs. Eva Reynolds, Mrs. Mollie Parker, Mrs. Mary Blondin, Misses Ella Fowler, Tillie Glass, Flora Parker, Rose Davis, Lottie Buck, Jessie McIntosh, Mary Cooney, Emma Robertson, Josie Davis, Flora Fowler, and Mary Robinson. 

The hour for dinner having arrived, the audience was called to order by our friend, Boylston Shaw, and that good old song, Auld Lang Syne was "lined out" by Prof. Smith and sung by the audience after the manner of ye olden time. Prayer was then offered by Prof. Smith in an earnest and fervent manner and appropriate to the occasion. The guests were then seated, the old folks first quite filling up the tables.

After dinner Mr. Shaw again called the audience to order and short addresses were made recalling events of the past by Col. Enoch McIntosh, Ezekiel Emerson, Joseph Nickerson of Morgan County, Gen. H. F. Devol, and Prof. Smith of the Beverly Academy. Col. McIntosh read a list of all the first settlers of this community and gave a brief biographical sketch of the life of each one.

Taking a look among the tables containing the relics, we were greatly surprised at the large number and variety. We can mention but a few of the most interesting and valuable. A sun dial 125 years old, wooden plates over 100 years old, beautiful butter dish 100 years old, an iron kettle brought from Massachusetts by Mrs. Owens, grandmother of Elijah Sprague, the first white woman who landed on the Ohio Company's purchase. In this old kettle she cooked the first meal ever cooked by a white woman in Marietta. This valuable relic is now in the possession of Elijah Sprague.

A cradle belonging to the Devol Family, in which was rocked the children of that family twenty-five in number, from Alpha Devol, 1789, down to 1873. What squalls it must have witnessed in its eventful life. Two salt dishes 420 years old, a china mustard cup 175 years old, a horn drinking cup, carried by Benjamin Shaw in the Revolutionary War, a silver teaspoon over 300 years old, brought from England by Miss Judd of Morgan County.

Sword and bayonet from Bunker Hill battlefield, the Ulster County Gazette of January 1800 containing account of Washington's funeral and battle of Zurick, The Maryland Journal and the Baltimore Advertiser, August 20, 1773; The American Friend, Marietta, Friday, December 4, 1812, printed and published by Royal Prentiss. Episcopal Prayer Book 1725, examples of catechising upon the Assembly's Shorter Catechism for instructing the young and ignorant, &c., 1737. The above are but a few of the valuable relics found upon the tables. Everyone was surprised at this display of relics, for it far exceeded the most sanguine expectation.

What added most to the enjoyment of the occasion was the deep interest manifested by the old men and women, and the intense pleasure it seemed to afford them to be allowed this opportunity of meeting together in such a way that they could recall to mind once more the days of old, when they were boys and girls, upon whose brows old time had not dared to strike a furrow.

In the evening a mush and milk supper was served at the same place and was well attended by the younger people. This event will long be remembered as one of the most pleasant episodes of 1875 in our village. All feel grateful to the kind ladies who gave the entertainment, and we can assure them that all, with one accord, pronounce it an honor to the fair ones who gave it.

Trio

Arrest Causes Surprise Here

Marietta Daily Times, December 12, 1924

Hearing of Hunter Set for December 16

Refusing to discuss his activities of the past eight years, during which he has been a fugitive from justice, George W. Hunter, missing Williamstown bank cashier, is in the district jail at Washington, D.C., where he is held for a preliminary hearing on Tuesday, December 16. Following his arrest on Wednesday evening, he was brought before a federal commissioner, where he declined to talk, even refusing to admit his name. His bond was fixed at $15,000.

During the greater part of the eight years that Hunter has been a fugitive, there has been a general belief here that he was living either in or near Washington, and there has been speculation as to why he was not arrested long ago. Different Marietta people have seen and talked with Mrs. Hunter in Washington at different times, and some of them have understood that Hunter was "staying nearby." This condition had prevailed for so long that it had come to be the generally accepted belief that no one cared to prosecute him, hence the surprise occasioned when federal agents arrested him.

Shadowed Mrs. Hunter

Washington reports indicate that department of justice agents shadowed Mrs. Hunter on the streets of Washington and in this way came upon and arrested her husband. He was taken into custody in one of the residential districts of the national capital. It is said that following his arrest he denied that he had spent any part of the past eight years roaming over the country, and further denied that he ever had been on the Pacific coast, in which section friends reported having seen him a few years ago.

Following Hunter's arrest on Wednesday evening, he got in touch with some of his former associates at Williamstown and Parkersburg, it is said, and arrangements were begun to provide counsel for him. It is understood that an effort will be made in Washington next week to secure a reduction in his bond. Then it is expected the case will be sent back to the northern West Virginia district for trail, possibly at Parkersburg.

Indicted After Disappearance

Hunter was indicted at the Wheeling term of federal court following his disappearance in 1916, and he is charged with appropriating to his own use $3,629.53 of the Williamstown National Bank's money. He is further charged with making false entries in the bank's books, which aggregate $2,073.21.

The alleged misappropriation of the bank's funds, according to the first of twelve counts in the indictment, occurred on or about June 16, 1914, at which time Hunter is alleged to have taken $454.29. 

A Lost Son

American Friend, December 24, 1819

On the 17th July I landed at Baltimore, from England, with a part of my family and immediately started for the western country. My son William Collis started at the same time for Pittsburgh, and we parted on our journey thence. After waiting at Pittsburgh some time, I left that place for Marietta, Ohio, where I now reside, waiting intelligence from my son, whom I have not since heard from and do not know where he is. If he is yet alive he will find me at Marietta, Ohio, to which place he is requested to write me immediately.

William Collis

Dec. 21, 1819.

Printers throughout the states of Ohio and western part of Virginia will confer a favor on me by giving the above a few insertions.

W.C.

Historic Spots Marked

The Marietta Times, December 17, 1891

Marietta, O., Nov. 20, 1891.

To the New Century Historical Society:

Your committee appointed at a recent meeting of the Society to mark historical spots in and around Marietta, in attempting to discharge this duty, have found themselves surrounded with difficulties innumerable and in this report, which is respectfully submitted, they but offer the results of broken history in support of their conclusions.

The Well at Fort Harmar, which for years has been disappearing in consequence of the crumbling of the riverbank and the innovations of man, after diligent search was identified and unmistakable marked by being covered at its mouth by an immense mill stone. Note - This is the stone spoken of as follows in Delafield's Washington County History in 1831, page 28: "In making a pair of mill stones out of a block from a quarry in Salem Township, there were discovered the marks of some ancient working of the same stone, and on penetrating to the depth of a few inches, there was an iron wedge discovered, firmly imbedded in the rock. The stone with this wedge in it is now the upper mill stone in Mr. Merriam's mill in Salem Township." Mr. M. in after years removed his mill to the Muskingum near mouth of Bear Creek, and this stone in 1887 was taken from the river by Capt. Sayre, Sidney Ridgeway and G. M. Woodbridge.

The place of the Landing of the Pioneers, April 7, 1788, (to one of your committee pointed out by one of that number, Amos Porter, many years since) was as nearly marked as possible, and the marking was as follows:

An iron rod once inch in diameter and three feet eight inches in length was driven even with the surface of the ground, near the mouth of Monroe Street, on the bank of the Muskingum River, on the lower side of the gully, 71 feet from the southwest corner of the Dudley Devol house, which point is 10 degrees E of N from the iron rod. From the iron rod to the upper corner of the Nye Foundry, 122 feet 4 inches in southeast direction. The iron rod was placed 33 feet 2 inches in a direct line to the outer curb of pavement 20 degrees northeast.

Picketed Point - Marked as follows: An iron rod, three feet eight inches long, driven even with the surface of the ground at the southwest corner, near the confluence of the rivers. This rod placed near the center of the road now traveled, 122 feet 4 inches, 15 degrees W of N from lower corner of office of Nye Foundry.

The southeast corner, marked by iron rod drive in landing 58 feet from the west corner of the Flat Iron Corner store house built and formerly owned by Dudley Woodbridge (near Boiler Corner); direction from rod 15 degrees west of north.

The northeast corner, marked as other corners, in back of the Ebinger building, now occupied by Mr. Sulzbacher, 90 feet from the east line of Front Street, 12 feet 6 inches from the northeast corner of building, 106 feet from the south line of Butler Street.

The northwest corner, marked by iron rod placed near Muskingum River bank 106 feet south of south line of Butler, 36 feet west of building.

For a more full account of the subject matter treated in this report, inquiring minds are referred to the invaluable work of Dr. S. P. Hildreth, entitled Pioneer History, published in 1848.

Your committee would respectfully ask further time for investigation, and to be allowed in the future to report upon other points of interest.

Committee:

George M. Woodbridge

William H. Leeper

J. D. Cadwallader

Pleasant Trip to Newport

 The Daily Register, November 22, 1904

Enjoyed by the Register Man and His Friends - Thriving Village Destined to Grow and Flourish Steadily for Years.

One of the most thriving little towns of the county and, in fact, in this part of the Ohio valley, is Newport up the Ohio. The location is an admirable one, well adapted to a much larger town than now exists. Its people are a cultured class, enterprising, loyal to home, sociable to a large degree, and most of them descendants of pioneer families. 

While a good many of the homes and buildings are of recent erection, there still remain in the old town the buildings put up by the pioneers of that county, the Greens, Greenwoods and others. Those structures were well built. They are large in size, colonial in architecture, high ceilings, broad verandas and in every way comfortable and attractive to those who are cramped up in the modern house of the present. 

It was our pleasure and privilege on the last Sunday to drive up the beautiful valley from this city to Newport. The country is covered with the rust of autumn, and more burnt and dry by reason of lack of rain since July, except perhaps a light sprinkle. We drove because there was no trolley. There ought to be one built to and through Newport on to Matamoras. We know of no section better adapted to such an improvement, none more deserving of such and none to which a line would be more advantageous. We are told that the delay in building the line is due to the fact that quite a number of large owners between Marietta and Newport refuse to grant the right of way through their farms. They have not yet realized that they are standing in their own way, and it may be some time before they realize this to be true. While it may seem like considerable of a sacrifice to them to give up a strip of land, there is no doubting the statement that an electric line would be a great benefit to them in many ways and would also enhance the value of their farms. But they must live and learn as regards this. We believe with the proper encouragement on the part of land owners, a line would be constructed without delay. If not by one man or set of men by another. There are many people looking about for suitable routes for electric lines, and why not make it possible to have one to Newport?

We have gone our way, accompanied by neighbors, and at 11:30 we find ourselves in the yard of Junius Greenwood, and that gentleman is taking our horses to a good dinner. We approach the house where the estimable wife greets us and the odor of a well cooked country dinner meets the nostrils of a hungry four. The big house, remodeled to an extent, the old oven in the open fire place, the cheese cupboard and other things that we believe we would have left in, were gone, the rooms furnished with the tidy things and comfortable furniture, the old open fire place still there, but instead of the red oak logs the natural gas log has supplanted it and there is no more carrying of the cord wood. There is nothing more needed regarding the dinner to which we were invited to partake than that it was a regular Greenwood dinner. That's all; that's enough. There was nothing lacking.

The afternoon was spent about the village meeting old acquaintances and talking about Newport and her future. She has a bright future and oil is at the bottom of it. Aside from the fine farms that surround the town the oil development is the thing that will make the mare go. Newport is the center of a very important production. Recent developments have made it very attractive and it looks now like a second Belmont field, than which none more is important for a series of years existed, is to be opened just below the town. In fact, it is now up to the operators to define the direction the streak runs and see to what width it exists.

The Berea pool, which has been developing for a year or two, has now taken on new life and on the hill tops and in the valley may be seen the numerous new rigs, the wells drilling, pumping or flowing. The "find" of the field to date is the James Morrison & Co. well on the Friedel, which is about ten days old and still doing in the neighborhood of 300 barrels each twenty-four hours. This lease is attracting the fraternity far and wide, and there is promised during the coming weeks more wells of the like importance, the development of a great oil field and the enriching of many men, providing they get in line. 

The Snakards of this city are considerably interested in this Friedel lease. Joe takes his good fortune with the smile that is always his, whether in luck or disappointment, and we are glad to see the smile of good fortune on his countenance. Jimmie Morrison and D. C. Stewart are also interested. The former is a fixture in Newport. He found a fine wife there and is nicely settled in the village. Jimmie is one of those popular Democrats and is the only one of his political faith to hold office in the township and is the Treasurer. You wouldn't take him for a Democrat to look at him, neither would you take Dave Stewart for a Democrat. Davis is on the gold standard, all right. Look at his teeth for proof.

The people of Newport are to have the Marietta telephone line ere long. There are thirty-five subscribers to the new system and the poles are on the ground, ready to be set, after which the wire will be strung. This addition will give the people the advantage of having phones in their houses. As it is now, they have but the Central station, which is inconvenient at times, to say the least. The new system will hardly be ready for the people to be thankful for it on Thursday, but will certainly come as a welcome adjunct about Christmas time. It can't come too soon for the good people of Newport.

We are glad we went to Newport. We renewed some old acquaintances and saw many things of interest. Newport is a coming town. It will double in size in the next three years. Mark the prediction and if it gets the trolley, as it deserves to, it will just keep on growing. The visit to the town was a diversion from the every day life of Marietta. We shall not soon forget the ride, the oil fields, the scenery and the dinner and the hours spent in Newport and at the Greenwood home.

A. D. A.

   

Letter From Marietta

Weekly Messenger [Boston], January 15, 1818

Marietta, Nov. 11, 1817

Dear Friend - I now take this opportunity to inform you that we arrived here all in good health. I crossed the Ohio River at Charleston, Oct. 18th, 80 miles below Pittsburg, then went about 90 miles to Sairville - then I struck the Muskingum - then I went down by land sixty miles to Marietta.

I find this to be a poor, muddy hole; the mud here is more disagreeable than the snow in Massachusetts. My advice to all my friends is not to come to this Country. I intent to leave it as soon as the spring opens, and mean to be back before May is out. And there is not one in a hundred but what is discontented, but they can't get back having spent all their property in getting here.

It is the most broken country that I ever saw. Poor lean Pork is 12 cents per lb. They sell Salt at 4 cents the lb., poor dry Fish is 20 cents per lb. The Corn is miserable and we cannot get it ground, we have to pound it, those who have Lanterns grate it. Rum is 25 cts. a gill. Sugar is 37 cts. per lb. and as for Molasses, there is none. Iron is 12-1/2 cents per lb.

My horses stood the journey well. They are yet alive and in good health and flesh, but they tell me every day they are homesick and want to go back. They say they were good servants to bring me here, but will be better to carry me back.

This Country has been the ruin of a great many poor people. It has undone a great many poor souls forever.

There has been a great freshet in Marietta. They had to drive the Cattle back to the hills, and to paddle all thro' town into their houses. I wish you to show this letter to all my friends, especially to Mr. Wyman and to write me as soon as possible.

Zacheus Parker

[To:] Mr. Daniel Wells

Barlow Burglary

 The Marietta Register, May 6, 1880

Barlow, Ohio, April 26th 1880.

Mr. Editor:

On Thursday night, April 22d, some miserable starved out sneaks broke into Dudley Hartson's cellar between 10 and 5 o'clock, and took therefrom one five gallon jar of butter and a three gallon jar of lard. They also visited the meat barrel and fruit cupboard. 

We presume the sneaks thought we would think the things were taken in the afternoon, as it was known the family were absent, but we happened to know for certain that all was right in the cellar between 5 and 6 in the evening. 

We are satisfied they are no strangers to our house or cellar. They left very plain footprints in the soft mud of the cellar bottom, one quite long with narrow heel, apparently that of a woman, wearing about a No. 7 shoe. The other rather short and thick with nails in heels and toes, undoubtedly that of a man. We do not imagine they came from afar.

The good people of Barlow will do well to keep their outside cellar doors locked and not leave their houses alone night or day. This is not the first time by some half dozen or so that we have missed small articles, such as corn, soap, sweet potatoes, chickens, apples, eggs and other things, and we think it about time to take some measures to dry up such business.

Losers

Hundreds Make Merry in Halloween Parade

The Marietta Daily Times, November 1, 1945

With every member of the police department on duty Wednesday night, Marietta celebrated Halloween without an accident of any kind. There were no reports of property being destroyed, Chief of Police H. O. Wolfe said.

Although a special policeman was again detailed to Marietta College campus at the request of college authorities, the students fooled them and none showed up for any pranks. Some of the leaders of Tuesday night's campus celebration took exception to police reports that windows and lights were broken. They said a special effort was made to see that no property was destroyed, and that they were only carrying out an old tradition of the college. They recalled similar celebrations staged by the fathers of some when a cow and chickens were moved into the chapel. With chairs scattered over the campus Wednesday, students were required to stand during some classes, while others sat on the floor.

Somewhat reminiscent of V-J Night was the crowd which thronged Marietta's streets for the Halloween parade and celebration which began at 7 o'clock. Mothers, dads, sons and daughters were all out to enjoy the gala parade of approximately 800 persons which was climaxed at the Stadium grounds where judging was held for the funniest and most tasteful costumes. Adding to the colorful parade was the Marietta High School Tiger Band, the Salem-Liberty High School Band, and the Norwood Drum Corps.

Prize winners in the 19th annual festival, sponsored by the Marietta Lions Club, were as follows:

Men's comic costume - Ralph Gearhart, 627 Ninth St., first prize; John Weiss, 629 Ninth St., second prize.

Boy's comic costume - Richard Hall, 141 Acme St., first prize; Bob McCain, 133 Acme St., second prize.

Boy's fancy costume - Weldon Weber, 306 Putnam St., first prize; John E. McClure, 708 Quarry St., second prize.

Women's fancy costume - Mrs. Ned Hockensmith, Williamstown, first prize; Mrs. Edna Fesler, 172 Front St., second prize.

Girl's fancy costume - Rose Hockenberry, 708 Washington St., first prize No. 1; Jeannie McClure, Quarry St., Judith Nancy Myers, S. Third St., and Sallie Ann Myers, S. Third St., first prize No. 2; Patty Richards, 710 Washington St., second prize No. 1; Sue Humston, 503 Second St., second prize No. 2.

Group prize - Jake Landsittle, 208 Sacra Via, Ray Wilson, 113 Porter St., and Jack Gardiner, 608 Seventh St.

Judges for the event were Miss Florence Hennis, Mrs. Wilbur D. Jones, Fred Mains, O. E. Capehart, and Maurice Mitchell.

A Garfield Club

 The Marietta Register, August 19, 1880

The colored voters of Washington County organized a Garfield Club Tuesday night, with the following officers: President, J. H. Bowles; Vice Presidents, John Thompson, William Finley, William Robinson; Secretary, Marshall Johnson; Assistant Secretary, John Thompson; Treasurer, G. W. Harrison; Sergeant-at-Arms, George R. Alexander; Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms, Thomas Brooks; Executive Committee, J. H. Bowles, Thomas King and William Jackson. The Club will meet every other Tuesday night in the room over Buell's drug store. The first meeting started off well. There are about 80 colored voters in the city. They should be solid to a man for Garfield.

Stop Thief!

American Friend, May 8, 1818

Twenty Dollars Reward.

Ran away from the subscriber, on Sunday March the 29th, a black man named HARRY, formerly owned by Capt. Compton, and Mr. Higgs of Wood county, Va. Said Harry is about fifty years of age, stout made, about five feet five or six inches high, generally wears a bushy grey beard, and is of a silent, sullen disposition, unless he has been drinking liquor.

He had on a dark linsey woolsey round jacket, buckskin pantaloons and very large shoes: he has likewise a bundle of summer clothing. When he went off, he stole a black mare, a brown surtout coat, an English musket with double eights, and several smaller articles. The mare has since been recovered.

He will probably tarry at some of the towns on the Ohio, or proceed further back. The above reward will be paid for securing him, by

                                               C. Schultz, Wood Co.

                                                           Near Marietta, Ohio.

May 7th, 1818.

Belpre Library takes the Palm for Age

 The Marietta Times, April 29, 1880

During the Centennial year, a work on the public libraries of America was issued by Gen. John Eaton, United States Commissioner of Education. In this work was an article from the pen of Professor Venable of Cincinnati, in which he stated that the Queen City Library was the oldest in the Northwest. This was immediately disputed by the Athens County Pioneer Association, and later by citizens of Belpre, Washington County. As a consequence General Eaton appointed a commission to investigate the claims of the several localities. The report of this commission has just been forwarded to Washington. It is as follows:

Columbus, Ohio, March 15, 1880

Hon. Mr. Eaton, National Commissioner of Education

Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:

The undersigned, who were secured by you as a committee before whom could be brought claims and proofs of priority in the establishment of social (or public, as distinguished from private) libraries in the Northwestern Territory, beg leave to report that they have had before them the claims of three localities, viz: 1. Cincinnati; 2. Ames Township, Athens County, and 3. Belpre, Washington County, and that they are unanimously of the opinion that the claim of the last named place has been made good.

The evidence upon which they rely consists of the two following documents furnished in a letter of President I. W. Andrews of Marietta, dated March 1879, to the Marietta Register, and republished in the Cincinnati Gazette, the genuineness of the documents being certified to by that gentleman.

First - A receipt in the following terms:

Marietta, October 2d, 1796

Received of Jonathan Stone, by the hand of Benjamin Miles, ten dollars for his share in the Putnam Family Library.

W. P. Putnam, Clerk.

Second - A record in the Probate office of Washington County, among the items in the inventory of the estate of Jonathan Stone, dated September 2, 1801, reads thus:

"One share in the Putnam Library, $10."

It seems clear to your committee from these documents that the "Putnam Family Library," here referred to, was a social library with stockholders and officers, and that it was in existence in October, 1796. This antedates by a number of years the other claims. The library seems after a time to have been merged into the "Belpre Library," or "Belpre Farmers' Library."

Your committee does not find sufficient facts upon which to decide between the Cincinnati and the Ames libraries as to priority of inception. There seems no doubt that the Ames' Library Association was definitely organized in 1802, and quite probably in 1801. The first funds raised for the purchase of books were derived from the sale of raccoon and bear skins, which were sent on to Boston early in the summer of 1803, the first books being purchased in August, 1803, and reaching their destination in December, 1803.

The Committee consider it proved that the Cincinnati Library was organized in March 1802, and they count it entirely probably that this library was supplied with books at this time.

As to sustained vigor and efficient service in this community, the "Western Library Association," the "Coonskin," of Ames, seems clearly to have surpassed all its competitors.

Respectfully submitted,

Edward Orton

Isaiah Pillars

J. J. Burns

It may be added as a matter of interest that the Athens Pioneer Association, through Mr. A. B. Walker, Secretary, have expressed their pleasure at the favorable mention of the Ames' library, although regretting that the facts did not enable the Committee to award them the credit for the greatest age. The work of the Commission was largely performed by State School Commissioner Burns.

Ohio Statesman

Letter From Wesley Township

The Marietta Register, November 13, 1873

Plymouth, Ohio, November 10, 1873

Editors Register:

We have waited long and patiently to see something in your columns from our section of the county, and have at last concluded that Wesley must be heard from, even if our own natural modesty be sacrificed in the attempt.

It may not be generally known to "all whom it may concern" in Washington County, that Plymouth, the grand center of trade and commercial metropolis of Wesley Township, is a village of no mean pretensions. Located among the hills in the western part of the township, it presents an inviting appearance and becomes more inviting as one becomes better acquainted with its inhabitants. In population it numbers perhaps 250 souls. It boasts of three dry-goods and grocery stores, one hardware, and one drug store, two shoe shops, one harness, one wagon and one blacksmith shop.

We have three physicians, two resident ministers, and no lawyers. We never quarrel in Plymouth. Besides all these, we can claim the best hotel (so voted, I believe, by all travelers) in this section, kept by Doctor Smith, a man who has no conscientious scruples about giving a traveler a warm reception and a good dinner at living prices. Then we have a tobacco house which gives employment to several hands, owned and carried on by our enterprising young merchant, S. B. Kirby. Last, but not least, we are better situated in regard to schools than any other village of the same size in Southeastern Ohio.

First, we have the common village school, free to all, and I understand, carried on very successfully by the present teacher, Mr. Frank Cheadle. Next in order comes a tuition school, managed and taught by Miss Marietta Heald under the supervision of the Society of Friends and, if a school is to be judged from the opinions of its scholars, we must certainly pronounce this one a success.

Lastly, in a very pleasant part of the town, Bartlett Academy is located, and near the academy a large two-story boarding house is situated for the purpose of furnishing rooms for students. This school is now under the supervision of W. J. Cook and from the general good feeling which seems to exist between him and his students, we think all must be well. The fall term of this school closes soon, and indications at present are very favorable for a large and successful winter term, commencing November 24th.

An assistant teacher has been obtained from Lebanon, Ohio, and Plymouth has strong hopes that an institution of learning will be established within her limits that will give her a high position in the educational world.

The moral state of our village is far above the average. We have not a liquor shop in the place, and an intoxicated man upon our streets would be a novelty. Very little swearing or immorality of any kind is ever heard, and we have as few specimens of the "genus loafer" as can be found in any place of the same size and business.

Our farmers are complaining bitterly about the price at which they are compelled to part with their tobacco this fall, but Mr. Kirby tells them it is as well as they can do and that ends the matter.

We are very sorry to hear that our young friend, Dr. Hobson, is about to leave us. He goes to Flushing in this state, I believe. May good luck go with him and her who so recently promised to love and obey him as long as life lasts. We congratulate the people of Flushing. "What is our loss is their gain."

I have already troubled you longer than I intended, and now that your readers know our status as a city, I shall content myself hereafter by giving you a "plain, unvarnished tale" of our doings, misdoings, &c., ad infinitum.

Wesley

 

Abner Lord - Early Businessman of Marietta

The Marietta Register July 17, 1873

Among the prominent business men of Marietta at the beginning of this century was Col. Abner Lord. Co. Lord emigrated from North Lynn Connecticut, to Vienna, Wood County, Virginia, soon after the close of the Indian War of 1795. Vienna was a small village, situated on the Ohio, just above  the farm owned by Dr. Joseph Spencer, and nearly opposite the residence of the late Judge Cutler. It contained some twenty or thirty houses, all of which have since been removed. The place, though very handsomely situated on beautiful ground, was not favorable to the growth of a town. 

The exact time when Col. Lord removed to Marietta, I am not able to give, probably about 1800. He engaged in merchandizing, and also in ship building. His place of business was in a building at the foot of Front Street, on the Ohio riverbank. His shipyard was on the ground now occupied by the Phoenix Mills. His dwelling house, which he erected for his own use, was the house now occupied by Charles Biszantz, known as the "Biszantz House," on Butler Street.

His master builder in the shipyard was Whittington W. McGrath. He continued ship building from 1802 to 1807 inclusive, when the business was suspended by the embargo. During that period, he built the following named vessels:

1802 - Brig "Marietta" 150 tons.

1803 - Schooner "Whitney," 75 tons.

1803 - Schooner "McGrath," 75 tons.

1804 - Ship "Temperance," 230 tons.

1805 - Ship "John Atkinson," 320 tons.

1807 - Ship "Rufus Putnam," 300 tons.

1807 - Brig "Collotta," 140 tons.

Col. Lord's wife was Miss Mary Selden, sister of Mrs. Dr. Spencer of Wood County, Virginia.

Their children were Sophia, Polly, Betsy, Temperance, Eliza, and Abner R. Sophia married George Cass of Muskingum County, and Polly married Jonathan Guitteau, Marietta. These marriages were on the 18th of May 1809. Betsy married Capt. Eliphalet Fraser, November 28, 1809;Temperance married Thomas Backus of Franklin County; Eliza married Major A. J. McDowell of Columbus, the father of Gen. Irvin McDowell, U.S. Army.

Abner R. Lord was a successful merchant in the city of New York, but was never married. He died many years since.

Capt. Fraser was killed by the explosion of a steamboat on the Mississippi River. He left two sons, James A. Fraser and Abner L. Fraser, both well known business men of Cincinnati, who are now living. Mrs. Fraser afterwards married Hon. Benjamin Tappen of Steubenville, some time U.S. Senator from Ohio.

Col. Lord was married a second time, to Miss Ely of New York. They had three daughters: Phebe D. was married to Dr. Andrews of Steubenville; Sarah C. was married to John Ely of New York; and Mary S. who died without marrying, at the age of 20.

Col. Lord removed from Marietta about 1811, to Franklin County, Ohio, where he died in 1821.

A.T.N.

Woman Is Appointed to Indian Service at a Handsome Salary

The Register-Leader, May 4, 1907

Friends here of Mrs. Elsie Newton, widow of the late Dr. C. William Newton, who was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Newton, will be pleased to learn of an honor which was recently conferred upon her. The following is a copy of an item recently sent out under a Washington dateline:

"Mrs. Elsie Newton of Washington, D.C., is the first woman to receive a commission as special agent of the Indian Bureau. She was appointed April 23 at a salary of $2,000 per year. She is a daughter of the late General John Eaton, for many years United States Commissioner of Education [and president of Marietta College, 1885-91], and the widow of a physician once in the Indian service. 

"Commissioner Leupp proposes to assign her to the department which purchases supplies for the Indians. He says a woman knows more about what Indian children should wear than a man does, and that she is a better judge of the quality of goods.

"Mrs. Newton will make a tour of the Indian schools of the west, immediately, and take notes on the class of wearing apparel suitable for the Indian pupils in the different localities."

Mrs. Newton is well known in Marietta, where she has frequently visited the parents of her husband.

Marietta Youth and Sweetheart Dressed as Man Are Arrested

Marietta Daily Times, January 27, 1912

Travel in Box-Car When Money Gives Out.

"Man" Trying to Get Warm is Discovered to be Pretty Hotel Waitress.

Fall in Love at First Sight When Marietta College Eleven Played Buchtel in Game at Akron.

Delos B. Stull of this city is under arrest in Youngstown in company with Miss Anna Eckert, a pretty hotel waitress of Akron, who had been masquerading for several days as a man and was traveling with Stull in a box car, according to information received here today. Anna was nearly frozen when she got out of the car and while she was trying to get warm, it was discovered that she was not what she pretended to be.

The story of their escapade and their consequent capture and arraignment reads like a chapter of weird fiction.

The Eckert girl, who formerly lived in Akron, was employed as a waitress in the Union Hotel in that city, and had resided there but a short time. She gives her age as 18 years. Stull, who says he is 25, prior to his departure from Akron about 10 days ago, was employed at the plant of the B. F. Goodrich Rubber company and boarded at the Clarendon Hotel.

According to their story, told after their arrest, they ran away from Akron to get married after they had earned enough money to start life together. They went to Jeannette, Pennsylvania, from Akron, but were unsuccessful in finding employment there and started their return trip for Akron. When they reached East Youngstown they were compelled to leave the box car because the girl was almost frozen.

They went to a house and asked to get warm. This they were granted, and during their conversation one of the "men" was discovered to be a woman. Police were notified and arrested the pair on suspicion. The girl could give no good reason for donning the men's togs. She said that her mother lived in Poughkeepsie, New York, and that she had no relatives in Ohio. Stull claimed his home to be in Marietta, where his mother is an instructor in the schools.

The pair, when taken into custody, did not possess a cent of money, but two suit cases containing their clothes, arrived in East Youngstown Monday. They had been sent on from Jeannette C.O.D.

Stull and the Eckert girl took their arrest as a matter of course, but later seemed to grow remorseful. Stull says he met the girl while the Marietta College football team was playing the Buchtel eleven in Akron last fall. He immediately fell in love with her. Consequently he went to Akron and secured a position there, that he might be near her.

Chair Company Has New Factory Superintendent

 The Marietta Daily Times, September 4, 1945

Carl A. Johnson, former vice-president and general manager of the Cron-Kills Company of Piqua, has been appointed to the position of general factory superintendent of Marietta Chair Company's plant and assumed his duties today. He will move his family to Marietta as soon as a suitable dwelling can be found.

In supervision of the manufacture of the Marietta plant, Johnson will not be new, as he has spent his entire life in the furniture manufacturing business.

The former superintendent, M. H. Kantzer, who came here from Peru, Indiana, in 1936, has resigned. Kantzer and his wife reside at 208 Wooster St. He has not disclosed his plans for the future.

During the war Marietta Chair Company has made many thousands of chairs for the various departments of the U.S. Government, but has not manufactured products requiring other than wood working machinery and equipment, and therefore the task of reconversion is not as difficult as it otherwise would be.

Established in 1858 this company has furnished furniture to the retail trade throughout the country through its various sales departments. For some time that part of the line designed for civilian use has been marketed through the sales department of Marietta Chair and Furniture Company, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Marietta Chair Company, with warerooms and show rooms in Pittsburgh and Cincinnati. R. R. Schuldt, who resides in Pittsburgh, is the president of both corporations, and visits Marietta and Cincinnati at regular intervals in an executive capacity.

Without much pretense Marietta Chair Company has gone along through floods and depressions as well as during periods of prosperity, and if it were not for the fact that the plant is located near the center of population of Marietta, perhaps many citizens would not know that so many people are occupied within its boundaries. Some of the employees have been employed nowhere else during their whole lives.

The company has a large backlog of orders on its books and will immediately expand its operations, making room for additional workmen. Necessarily this will be a gradual process because of the difficulty in obtaining certain materials.

The Diamond Photo Gallery

Marietta Olio, June 28, 1873

The Diamond Photo Gallery is on Front Street, nearly opposite the Post Office. Mr. Bennet, the operator, is an experienced photographer and warrants his work to please, or no sale. but it does please, and does sell! 

He will make a likeness anywhere from 50 cents to $50. He will enlarge an old likeness to "life size," or anything smaller, and finish it in oil colors, water colors, or India Ink. He keeps frames of the usual sizes, and fits them with French glass at a very small profit. Call and examine his work, his frames and his prices.

Greene Street School

The Marietta Register, September 2, 1875

The schools all began Monday, but Greene Street Grammar School didn't. Reason - no teacher. It will soon become a matter of public policy and public concern, and if the Board are forever to stand a set-off, the reasons should be given, fully and explicitly to the public when we venture one party or the other will feel disposed to change the base.

It is not our purpose to give any advice in these remarks, but possibly to reflect the status at present writing. Everybody knows the Board stand three for Mr. Phillips or nobody, and other three for anybody of good qualifications but Mr. Phillips. The first argue that he has been tried and found superior, why not keep him? See resolutions and they are supported by a large petition of good citizens. The others state that he has been guilt of grave misdemeanors, which they charge and stand ready to prove, and they cannot and will not consent that he again go into the public schools.

We know what these charges are and know they are serious, but we do not know whether they are true or false. These members are also supported by a petition of good citizens. Three stand for Mr. Phillips, and three not for any particular applicant, but offer to put in any one of several.

The feeling is intense and bitter with many. There are citizens who say to both parties to stand firm, although it would seem to be unnecessary advice.

There are other citizens who have no particular choice in teachers, and they argue that school should go on. They have nothing against Mr. Phillips, have not investigated the charges, and don't propose to But admitting he is able as his friends claim, it does not argue that nobody else can fill his place.

If this dead-lock continues, there will not likely be any school before January.

There are others again who suggest that the entire Board resign, while again it is said this is a child's play, and it is their duty to agree on someone and start the school. They are supreme in the matter, and whether it be devotion to principle or personal spite, the public are the sufferers.

John Dean Phillips, 1832-1888

[Ed. note] J. D. Phillips was born on a farm near Marietta in 1832, son of Joseph and Margaret Phillips, and graduated from Marietta College with the Class of 1854. He immediately engaged in teaching, taking posts at the Greene Street Grammar School and Harmar Grammar School, among others. He taught for 34 years, and over 3,000 pupils received instruction from him. In 1879, Phillips accepted the superintendency of the Harmar Public Schools and also continued teaching. After becoming ill during the summer of 1888, he resigned from his position and died August 15 of that year.

Bosworth House

The Marietta Register, August 25, 1870

D. P. Bosworth has moved into his new house, Third Street, above Putnam.

Home of Daniel Perkins Bosworth at 316 Third Street.

1850 Census Statistics

Marietta Intelligencer, August 15, 1850:

1850 Census Statistics of Barlow

The Deputy Marshals of this County are now busily engaged in performing the duties of their appointment, and we hope to make weekly reports of their proceedings. By favor of B. F. Stone, we are enabled this week to give an abstract of the census returns of Barlow.

The increase of population in that township is greater than we expected, being over 20 percent. Two facts are worthy of special notice. 

1st. The number of families in the township exceeds the number of dwelling houses only two. We doubt whether there are a score of townships in Ohio in which only one dwelling house in a hundred has two families.

The rate percent of mortality is almost unprecedentedly small, less than 4-5 of one percent!

From Mr. Stone's items we copy as follows:

The population of Barlow is 1,062. There are in the township three ministers and three churches. The value of church property is $800. The church buildings will seat 875 persons, viz: Old School Presbyterian, 375; New School, 200; Methodist Episcopal, 300.

There are in the township 188 dwelling houses and 190 families. There were eight deaths in the year ending June 1, 1850, viz: two of consumption, one disease of the heart; one dropsy; one tonsillitis; one erysipelas; one scarlet fever; and one inflammation of the head. The ages of the persons deceased were 71, 38 26, 19, 16, 4, 2, and 2.

The Crops of 1849 were very short. The estimate is that the wheat fell short 7/8, oats 1/4, and potatoes 1/2. The potato crop was cut short by rot. As to the wheat crop, Mr. Stone says: "You may think reporting the crop of 1840 [1849] was 7/8 short is a wild idea, but I verily believe that no person could with any degree of propriety say that the calculation is far from the fact."

The usual average of crops in Barlow is estimated as follows: Wheat, 12 bushels per acre, Corn 30; oats 20; Potatoes 85.

The average wages paid for hands per month with board is $10. Day laborers 50 cents and board; carpenters, 87 cents and board. Weekly wages of female domestics with board $1.

Mr. Stone concludes his letter with a remark to the truth and justice of which every man who knows anything of the people of Barlow will subscribe. He says: "I do not believe that a more kind and hospitable, or a more industrious people, can be found in this or any other country, than I found in Barlow township, Washington County, Ohio."

Probably a larger proportion of the inhabitants of Barlow are Scotch, or of Scotch descent, than of any other township in the county. They are industrious, frugal, hospitable, and scrupulously honest. The township also has some of the Yankee leaven and we suppose, a sprinkling from Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. We presume the native Buckeye now predominates.

One fact more we may state in regard to Barlow. We presume there is no township in the county, and but very few in the State, in which so large a proportion of the citizens are free holders, nor one in which so few persons can be found who ever lack the necessities and comforts of life. Poverty, such as exists to a greater or less extent in nearly every township, is a thing unknown in Barlow.

Marietta Intelligencer, August 22, 1850:

1850 Census Statistics of Belpre, Warren, Beverly, and Ludlow

By favor of B. F. Stone, we are enabled to give some statistics of Belpre township. The population is 1,623 , an increase of over 20 percent since 1840. 

There are 270 dwelling houses and 278 families in the township. 

The number of deaths in the year preceding June 1, 1850, was 14, as follows: of consumption, 6; cholera infantum, 2; scrofula, 1; dropsy in the head, 1; putrid fever, 1; nervous fever, 1, unknown, 2. The ages of the persons deceased were as follows: 52 years, one; 33, one; 31, two, and 26, 25, 23, 22, 10, 6, and 3, each one; two, 1 year; and 1 less than one year.

There are four churches in Belpre, and one resident minister. The number of persons accommodated by the church buildings, and the value of the buildings, is thus stated:

Methodist, upper Belpre, 200 persons, $300 value.

Methodist, lower Belpre, 250 persons, $300 value.

Universalist, 250 persons, $300 value.

Congregational, 300 persons, $500 value.

Crops. The usual average crops are stated thus:

Wheat, 16 bushels per acre; Corn, 45; Oats, 25; Potatoes, 105. Last year Potatoes were short 1/4 and wheat about 7/8.

The increase of population in Belpre is greater than we anticipated. We shall look for the agricultural and other statistics from there with interest. Belpre is Mr. Stone's township, and he very modestly declines saying half so much in its praise as he might. We venture to copy from his letter, communicating the facts given above, one paragraph:

"Perhaps we cannot say with our Barlow neighbors that we are all industrious, to a man, yet the fact that there is a steady increase of wealth in the township proves that the majority of the people are industrious and prosperous, and sir, if you do not believe what I say about the increase of wealth in the township, I will refer you to the Auditor's books, and there you will find a steady increase of personal property, moneys and credits, new structures &c. brought upon the duplicate for taxation."

Correction for Barlow: There was an error in our statement last week as to the value of church property in Barlow. It is $1,900 instead of $800.

Warren - Beverly - Ludlow

Col. A. Stone has completed the census of Warren township and returns 1,425 inhabitants, an increase of 50 percent since 1840!

Mr. Lewis H. Green has completed the census of Ludlow, and sends us the following report:

The whole population is 1,051, an increase of nearly 100 percent since 1840! The number of males is 559; females, 492. Married within the year, four. Died within the year, 15. Born in the State of Ohio, 577. Value of real estate (by owners), $94,000. Other statistics will be published at an early day.

The "Huckleberry-Knobs," as a citizen of Columbus once styled this part of Ohio, are "coming out." We shall by and by see if the population of the "knobs" has not increased faster in the last ten years than that of the "fertile" counties in the center of the state. We want to compare the rate percent of mortality, too. We think the returns will show that Marietta is the healthiest town in Ohio and that the rate percent of mortality in the county, in the year ending June 1, 1850, was less than one half the average of the state.

The following is a table of the returns so far made in this county, compared with the returns of the last preceding census:

Barlow - 1840, 880; 1850, 1,062

Belpre -  1840, 1,296, 1850, 1023

Beverly village - 1840, 317; 1850, 526

2nd Ward, Marietta - 1840, 858; 1850, 1,635

Warren - 1840, 931; 1850, 1,425

Ludlow - 1840, 539; 1850, 1,051