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