Ancient Relics

The Marietta Weekly Leader, January 22, 1884

A grand pageant of three hundred French and Indians commanded by De Celeron, sent out by the Governor of Canada in 1749, crossed Lake Erie and Chautauqua and down the Allegheny and Ohio rivers in the interest of the French government, depositing at the mouth of the principal tributaries of the Ohio leaden plates with the object of their mission inscribed thereon.

Among those found at the mouth of the Muskingum were masonic emblems, consisting of square and compasses, level, plumb and cross with stars enclosed in a circle at the intersection, with an inscription in French engraved upon them. These emblems were in the possession of the late Louis Soyez, a Frenchman, who was mayor of Marietta for several years. A person now living remembers distinctly Mr. Soyez exhibiting them at his store on Ohio Street about 40 years ago to a party of gentlemen consisting of Stephen Hildreth, Lewis Anderson, Timothy Buell, Silas Cook, Benjamin Soule, John Cunningham and others, who after relating the circumstances named above, said that they were dug up by workmen in making a landing at Marietta.

If found, they would be interesting relics in a masonic point of view, as well as in connection with the history of our city. They would attract much attention at the centennial celebration in 1888. 

Who will say eureka?

G. T. H.

  

Washington County's War Loss Heavy

Marietta Daily Times, October 23, 1918

Twenty-six names of Washington County youths will be inscribed upon the county's honor roll of those who gave their lives for their country in the fight for Democracy against German autocracy. That number has thus far been reached on the book of death. These boys willingly gave their lives in defense of the country. They fought upon the bloody soil of France, in camps against disease, and one fought his last fight in Marietta.

Of this number, seven were killed in action and 19 died of illness. Marietta lost four lives on the battlefield and seven in camp, while the county is credited with three dying on the firing line and 12 passing away in camps. Williamstown has lost four men, one dying in action and three of sickness in camps.

Those killed from Washington County are:

Lieut. Gerald Kelly, 23, Marietta.
Pvt. Clarence G. McDonald, 22, Vincent.
Pvt. James I. Dodd, 19, Marietta.
Pvt. Carl F. Hinkelman, 19, New Matamoras.
Pvt. Harry Jenkins, 23, Marietta.
Pvt. Dale D. Scott, 30, Rinards Mills.
Pvt. Moses Justice, 23, Marietta.

Those dying of disease from Washington County were:

Corp. Nestor H. Steffey, 22, Coal Run.
Pvt. John E. Corum, 28, Flints Mills.
Pvt. Herman Albrecht, 25, Marietta.
Pvt. Howard Mounts, 20, Beavertown.
Pvt. Herman Strickler, 26, Marietta.
Pvt. W. B. Farnsworth, 26, Leith.
Pvt. Wilce Warfield, 22, Belpre.
Pvt. Ira B. Sauer, 21, Marietta.
Pvt. Enos Schneider, 31, Shay.
Pvt. F. McKinley Johnson, 21, Cutler.
Marine Guy D. Heslop, 20, Marietta.
Pvt. Patrick Doyle, 21, Dalzell.
Pvt. Edward H. Pught, 25, New Matamoras.
Seaman George Remmele, 21, Marietta.
Pvt. Emmett Roberts, 20, Grandview.
Pvt. Karl Epple, 24, Marietta.
Pvt. Max Williams, 18, Bartlett.
Pvt. Wade J. Wilhelm, 21, Marietta.
Pvt. Merritt H. Ellenwood, 27, Moores Junction.

Williamstown's honor list contains the following names:

Corp. William Griffin, 20.
Pvt. Clarence Gault, 25.
Pvt. William Obenhaus, 22.
Pvt. Dell H. Ralston, 21.

An Old Letter

The Marietta Register, August 25, 1870

The following letter was found, blown about by the wind, in a yard on Fifth Street, one day last week - written over forty-eight years ago:

"Colonel Augustus Stone
Point Harmar

                         Willow Island, {W.Va.,} 28 Jan., 1822

Dear Colonel:

      This week we shall have completed the High Wines
for Mr. Hedge. So far I shall have done my duty. Yours,
if I mistake not, is to have the barrels here.

Very respectfully yours,
A. Henderson." 

Alexander Henderson was the father of the late George Henderson, who lived across the Ohio, just below Marietta. He was Cashier of the old Marietta Bank more than fifty years ago.

 

Women Engage in a Hair-Pulling

The [Marietta] Register-Leader, July 22, 1920

When the children engaged in a quarrel Wednesday evening, the mothers took it up and Mrs. Basil Carpenter and Mrs. Ed McGovern of Barber Avenue engaged in an old-fashioned hair-pulling. 

A large crowd gathered to watch the fight and one of the neighbors notified the police. The two women were ordered to appear before Mayor W. M. Sprague Thursday morning. They were fined one dollar and costs each by the mayor, on a charge of fighting. They paid and were released.