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
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