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.