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