Wednesday, December 28, 2022

Bootlegger Engages in Gun Battle

 The Marietta Daily Times, December 14, 1922

Passengers on the northbound Pennsylvania train from Marietta on Wednesday evening witnessed a wild west exhibition at Glenwood station when the Noble County sheriff and a deputy engaged in a running gun fight with a Slavish bootlegger. The fight started on the station platform and several shots were exchanged in sight of the train.

A report had come to Sheriff Rile Groves that a Slavish miner known as "Tim Brown" was operating at Glenwood station and had some corn liquor with him. Deputizing Marshal W. S. Sheckles, the sheriff boarded the afternoon train for Glenwood. When he and his deputy stepped to the platform they saw their man and started after him. The bootlegger was carrying a grip and a canvas bag, both of which he dropped as he fled.

With the officers gaining on him the man whipped out a gun and began to fire. Marshal Sheckles dropped at the first crack of the bootlegger's gun, then Sheriff Groves began firing. Sheckles had not been hit, merely dropping to the ground from which position he too began firing at Brown.

The bootlegger managed to escape despite the hail of bullets that followed him and made his way, with the officers in pursuit, to his home above the station, where he temporarily barricaded himself. While a posse was being gotten together to storm the place, the man, under cover of approaching darkness, escaped through a rear door and made a getaway.

Brown has the reputation of being a bad actor. He formerly was employed as a miner, but has been operating illicit stills and bootlegging liquor among his countrymen for several months. He has boasted that he would make trouble if the enforcement officials tried to take him and it is apparent that he meant what he said.

Sheriff Groves will reorganize his forces and go after Brown again.


Wednesday, December 21, 2022

Baskets of Food Will Be Given Needy

The Marietta Daily Times, December 23, 1933

Christmas Cheer Will Be Brought Many Homes in County

Christmas cheer will be brought to many poor families in Marietta through the distribution of Christmas baskets, each with food enough for a bounteous Christmas dinner. The fraternal organizations of the city, each with its list of private charity cases in the confines of the lodges, are doing their work in distributing food and relief where it is needed.

The Salvation Army, general medium for the distribution for the poor and needy families of the city is arranging to send out 100 baskets that are needed. Although contributions this year are far below the cost of furnishing the 100 baskets, Captain Garland has carried through his original plans confident that generous citizens will come to the rescue and make up the deficit in expense. Today, Saturday, marks the last opportunity Mariettans will have to contribute to the Salvation Army Christmas fund.

The 117 children at the Washington County Children's Home will enjoy a chicken dinner at noon on Christmas Day, and there will be all the good things that make a Christmas dinner. The Santa Claus of the home will make the distribution of Christmas gifts to all the children on Christmas morning, when he will hand down the presents from a large Christmas tree in the dining room. The Christmas dinner table will be decorated with greenery and small lighted trees. The children presented their annual Christmas program at the First Methodist Church on Friday evening before a capacity audience. The program was much enjoyed.

The Woman's Welfare League assisted by the Boy Scouts will fill the baskets in the Salvation Army building this evening and deliver them Sunday afternoon in time for the holiday. 

The Times-Auditorium benefit show on Saturday morning brought in a splendid collection of canned goods and provisions which will prove of great assistance in supplying bountiful Christmas dinners.

The Salvation Army is offering an attractive Christmas season schedule. Sunday morning the program will include special singing and a sermon on "The Gift of the Ages." A pageant will be given Sunday evening at a Christmas Candlelight Service. Mariettans are given a cordial invitation to attend these special programs.

Superintendent and Mrs. L. A. Hall of Washington County Infirmary have arranged for a Belgian hare dinner for the inmates of the home on Monday, and there will be all the trimmings. There are 90 men and women in the county home family, all able to enjoy the dinner. There will be a boiled beef dinner on Sunday on account of the double holiday. One of the classes of the First Baptist Church will present a program at the home at 2 p.m. on Sunday, and there will be distribution of a Christmas treat.

American Legion Auxiliary of Marietta Post No. 64, according to its annual custom of looking after Christmas cheer among World War veterans in Marietta and Washington County will send out a quota of Christmas baskets for families of needy veterans.



Wednesday, December 14, 2022

Milliner & Mantua Maker

The Marietta Intelligencer, October 29, 1846

Miss Ellen Young respectfully informs the Ladies of Marietta and Harmar that she is ready to commence the above named business at her Residence on 5th street, East of the College, at the house of M. Deterly, where she can be found at all times by those who choose to favor her with their custom.

She intends to have on the newest Eastern Fashions.

All orders from the country shall receive immediate attention.

N.B. She will also attend to Embroidery and plain sewing.

The Marietta Intelligencer, October 29, 1846






Wednesday, December 7, 2022

The Children's Home

 Marietta Intelligencer, December 15, 1860

It is some time since we have alluded to Miss Fay's Institution, "the Children's Home." We wish now to offer some remarks, which the approaching holidays suggest. All who have little children to love and care for, are now busily engaged in preparing some gift for the comfort or amusement of the dear ones, and anticipating with delight the smiles with which they will be received.

Now, Miss Fay has under her charge twenty-one children, all but three of whom are under ten years of age. All bright, active children, as fond of amusement and fun as the more fortunate little ones who will be loaded with toys and surfeited with dainties during the coming holidays. The noble lady who has undertaken the care of these poor friendless children, finds it as much as she can do to feed and clothe them, and it will of course be impossible for her to provide for them a holiday entertainment, or present them each with the trifling gifts which children all enjoy so much, and need for their reward and amusement. Will not some of our benevolent ladies move in this matter! Perhaps provide a dinner and be themselves present to cheer and encourage not only the children, but the heroic woman who has devoted her life to them. Articles for use as well as amusement would, doubtless, prove most acceptable.

Here is an opportunity of doing much good at very little cost, and the children as well as their parents can aid in it. You will gladden the hearts of twenty-one little children who receive very few of the good things of this life, you will greatly encourage and strengthen her who has assumed the position of mother to these children, and you will receive into your own hearts the blessing that is promised to those who minister to the wants of the widow and the orphan.

Any articles left at this office will be taken care of and forwarded to their destination.


Wednesday, November 30, 2022

William H. Dabold

 The Marietta Times, October 26, 1882

Early last Friday evening as Mr. William H. Dabold of this city was assisting with his team in hauling home the steam thresher of Mr. Ben Bragg, when near the Gage Barker place above Pinchville, one wheel of the machine ran into a rut and threw Mr. Dabold off the pole where he was standing, under the wheels and crushed him to death instantly, the wheel passing over him at the waste.

Mr. Bragg, in his efforts to catch Mr. Dabold when he fell, was thrown down and badly bruised about the leg and arm. The hind wheel pushed Mr. Dabold's body for some distance and finally passed over it before the machine could be stopped.

Mr. Dabold was 33 years of age and leaves a wife and two small children to mourn his untimely death. His remains were buried from his house on Third Street, Sunday afternoon followed by Odd Fellows in regalia and a large concourse of sympathizing friends.


Wednesday, November 23, 2022

Messrs. William & Bro.'s Historical Enterprise

 The Marietta Register, November 25, 1880

The writers in the employ of Messrs. H. Z. Williams & Bro., the projectors of the forthcoming history of Washington County, desire us to state that they have begun work in Marietta and at other points in their field, and that in course of time they will interview all old residents and others in the possession of valuable facts of local history. They desire that all may have an opportunity of contributing to the compilation of the volume upon which they are engaged and respectfully request that individuals throughout the county shall endeavor to refresh their memories of local events and bring to light whatever they may possess in the way of written or printed matter bearing upon Marietta or the county at large.

It is especially desired that those persons who are the depositories of information upon special topics shall be in readiness to give the fullest details possible upon those topics whatever they may be. The writers would feel obliged to those who have MSS or printed matter upon any of the institutions or interests of any locality in the county, will make such fact known to them, either personally or by letter, and so facilitate their search for facts. Communications should be addressed to H. Z. Williams & Brother, Marietta, Ohio. Anything concerning churches, schools, cemeteries, early events, or important later events, river navigation and improvement, old business houses, manufacturing establishments, etc., etc., will be particularly acceptable.

The publishers desire and intend to make their history of Washington County a comprehensive and exhaustive work. To this end they solicit the aid of all who are now residents or who may have been residents of the county, but who have located elsewhere. The volume will contain not less than 450 royal quarto pages, and be printed in the best style of the art, and with clear, large type, upon heavy tinted paper. It will contain among its illustrations sketches of historical objects and portraits of pioneers and prominent men of the county. Owing to the size of the volume, the broad scope of the work and the extraordinarily large task that the writers have before them in this classic ground, the company, although employing about eighteen or twenty men in all departments, will be unable to conclude its labors before the middle of next year.

M.


Wednesday, November 16, 2022

Return Jonathan Meigs, Jr.

 American Friend, November 17, 1820

Sundry newspapers at the South are calling for the removal of the Post Master General, R. J. Meigs, Jun. He is represented as having been absent at Ohio for several months, and the Pittsburg Intelligencer remarks that no man should be allowed to hold an office under Government, who for a week or a single day, should neglect personally to attend to the duties of his station. We want no such gentlemen officers, who can pass away their months at the watering places, while the public business is suffering for want of their attention. We can tolerate no sinecures - their very nature is at war with the spirit of our constitution. - Adams Centinel.


Wednesday, November 9, 2022

The First Freight Train

 The Marietta Register, November 13, 1873

Tuesday morning [November 11], about 11 o'clock, the Marietta and Pittsburgh Railroad sent the first train of freight cars over the new bridge. It consisted of five carloads of coal from the Ohio Coal Company for the Rolling Mill, one box car, band of music, and about one hundred passengers, anxious to take the first ride. (All freight.) No timidity was felt about the bridge, and indeed none should be. It bears every appearance of security. 

Perhaps two hundred citizens gathered along the bank to see the grain pass. One elderly businessman, standing near, remarked, "Business must revive now, since we have a railroad passing through town."

Whether it revives or not, all feel a deep interest in the road, and much credit is due to the men who have secured it for us. From this on, there will be progress. We cannot go back. No one will ever live to see the time when the Muskingum river will not be spanned by a railroad bridge. But there were those who witnessed the first train, Tuesday, who doubtless will live to see the time when it will bear a hundred trains a day.


Wednesday, November 2, 2022

The Steam Boat

 Western Spectator, November 2, 1811

Lately built at Pittsburg, passed this place on Wednesday the 23d ult. Her appearance was very elegant and her sailing beyond any thing we have ever witnessed. We understand that by observation of Judge Fearing she was but fifteen minutes in passing from the foot of the island, where she disappeared below - a distance of 3 or 3-1/2 miles - so that she must have gone at the rate of 12 or 14 miles an hour!

We extract the following observations from the Pittsburgh Gazette:

With pleasure we announce, that the Steam Boat lately built at this place by Mr. Rosevelt (from an experiment made on Tuesday last) fully answers the most sanguine expectations that were formed of her sailing.

She is 150 feet keel, 450 tons burthen, and built with the best materials and in the most substantial manner. Her cabin is elegant, and the accommodations for passengers not surpassed.

We are told that she is intended as a regular packet between Natchez and New Orleans.


Wednesday, October 26, 2022

Witches, Goblins, Ghosts, Make Merry on Halloween

 The Marietta Daily Times, November 1, 1947

"It's the largest parade we've ever had in Marietta," one man remarked to another after the start of Friday night's Halloween parade. It is doubtful if the likes of such a parade had never been seen in this city before. The Marietta Lions Club led the parade of the city's 23rd Halloween celebration with the caged lion whose eyes shed great rays of yellow light and whose mouth radiated a glow of bright orange. The Marietta Tiger band added to the affair with its 125 pieces, and it was followed by a long line of happy masqueraders.

There were ghosts, witches, dancing horses wearing tap dancing shoes, little crepe paper pumpkins, angels, the three bears and Goldilocks, frogs, "sports" wearing the famous "Glo-bow" ties, and other characters too numerous to mention. The Norwood Drum Corps and the Salem-Liberty band, decked in their white and red uniforms, who donated their services for the parade, did much to make the parade a success and also added to the hilarity of the group.

From the Municipal Stadium one could see the numerous glowing torches which lit the way for the long parade. The contestants for the prizes were strung from one end of the stadium track to the other, and the judges finally succeeded in lining them up along the yard lines.

Prizes Awarded

The contestants were lined up according to the costumes they wore and the prizes they sought. The boys who sought to win the prize for wearing the fanciest costume lined up along the goat line; those seeking to win the prize for being the most comical lined up at the 10-yard line; and so it went.

Jack Painter won the boy's fancy prize and Dale Thornton received second prize. Jess Berdine received first prize for the boy's comic costume and Jack Holdren received second. The prize for the fanciest costume in the girl's group went to Karen Henderson. Second prize in this division went to Gerry Lee Hickman.

In the girl's group, Dolores Buzzard received first prize for the most comical costume; Jean McClure received second. Violet McIntyre won first prize in the women's comic division and Helen Fryman won second. The prize for the most fancy woman's costume was awarded to Mrs. McComas; second prize went to Lenore Fields. The fancy group prize was won by Beverly Darnell, Linda Darnell, Sharon Reed and Jacqueline Reed. The group comic prize was won by Mrs. James Schafer and Miss Frances McClure.

The judges for the contest were Rev. D. J. Barthelmeh, Mrs. Glenn Rogers, Paul Petty, and Miss Joan Sutton.

The parade, an annual affair sponsored by the Lions Club, was under the supervision of Thomas L. Schwendeman, chairman of the parade committees.

Donn Winans and George Cranston were general chairmen of the celebration; Bradley Vrooman and Howard Taylor were in charge of the Boy Scouts, the judges, the prizes and the theatre; Leonard Boord, Donald Boyer and James Stowe were in charge of the trucks, the judges' stand and the bugle corps; Harold Oyster, Lester Krieg, W. S. Hawn and Walter McCarthy had charge of the decorations and the dance which was held following the parade at the Armory; Norman LaFaber was in charge of city affairs and the police for the parade; Herbert Smith headed the proclamation committee, and R. C. Ritchey handled the advertising.

The dance at the Armory following the parade was a taxi dance which lasted from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m., with music furnished by Bob Rice's orchestra. 

While the parade was said by police to have been the largest ever staged here, not a single accident was reported. All available police were on parade duty.

Law enforcement officers had an unusually quiet Halloween. Little property damage was reported in the county, while some street lights were reported damaged by boys with air guns. Several boys picked up by police have been ordered to appear in Juvenile Court next Monday. The usual hot spots - the West Side and Norwood sections - were extremely quiet, most of the calls for police coming in from residents north of Putnam St., according to Police Chief H. O. Wolfe.

*     *     *     *     *    



“Flash on Glo Bow Tie” illuminated clip on tie, c. late 1940s. The tie is made of rayon in a blinding blue and yellow print, but add two red light bulbs strung with wire attached to battery packs and you’ve lit up eyes from across the room. Old as Adam antiques of Providence, Rhode Island. 
https://oldasadam.com/goods/glow-bow/


Wednesday, October 19, 2022

Lizzie Beal

The Marietta Times, October 26, 1882

A dispatch from Columbus to the Cincinnati Enquirer of Tuesday contains the following: "Six months ago a young woman named Lizzie Beal came here from Athens, her people now residing in Marietta. She has been engaged about town as a domestic, and formed the acquaintance of Lucas, a cigar-maker. He left a month ago, and it has developed in the last week or so that the girl was in an interesting condition and told certain parties she was going to have an operation performed. There are statements showing that she made a partial contract with a certain physician. It is reported tonight that the girl is very low and not expected to live, though the family allows no one to enter the room, and give out information sparingly. From the best information to be had there seems no doubt but the girl has been subject to a criminal operation, and that she will die from the effects.


Wednesday, October 12, 2022

The Country

The Marietta Intelligencer, October 6, 1858

The township of Aurelius, to which we made our first visit last week, though considerably curtailed of its once fair proportions by having a large slice cut off to make up the new county of Noble, compares well in most respects with other townships in the county. It is quite hilly, but the soil is good and in ordinary seasons yields the farmer a fair remuneration for his labors. This year they have been more unfortunate than their neighbors in the western part of the county and along the river bottoms; their wheat was an entire failure. Hardly sufficient has been harvested for seed. Oats there are none and corn is only middling. Still the farmers are hard at work, nothing discouraged but earnestly engaged in preparations for the coming year. Most of the wheat is already sown and a good deal up.

Macksburgh, which is the only village in the township, is a small collection of houses, boasting two or three stores, a tannery, a flouring mill, a smithy or two, a good school house and neat little Methodist church. Something can be said of Macksburg which is not true of many villages in the county. No liquors are kept there for sale.

The hills in Aurelius are full of coal and a very good article can be delivered at 5 cts. a bushel.

We shall expect better things of our Aurelius friends at election this fall than the meagre majority of 8 or 10 votes which they gave last year. They rolled it up to thirty-five in 1856, and they can do it again. Will you not, Republicans of Aurelius, see that not a vote is lost. Let each man do his duty and we have nothing to fear. Sham Democracy will receive a defeat that will make it ashamed ever to show its head again.

Salem is even more hilly in some parts than Aurelius, and how they cultivate many of the hills is a mystery to us. But if they can only get the surface plowed and the grain sown, an abundant crop is almost guaranteed. Some of the farmers in this township had, even this year, a fair crop of wheat. It is a limestone soil, strong and productive.

The village of Salem is a very brisk little place; the streets often present a very city-like appearance when crowded, as they often are, with people. The Steam Flouring Mill of Stanley, Feldner & Co., has been greatly instrumental in giving an impetus to business. It was erected in November last, is built of wood, 30 by 40, three stories high, with an engine room 20 by 30. It contains two run of burrs, and is capable of grinding 30 barrels of flour per day. There is also a steam saw and lath mill owned by Mr. Alden. There are four stores in the place - E. Lindner's, F. Kueck's, Darrow & Davenport's, and Stanley & ____'s -  one hotel, two wagon shops, two blacksmith shops, and a tin shop.

A select school has recently been opened by Miss Wetherby of Lowell, under quite flattering prospects. She has already an attendance of 24 scholars. They have two churches, Methodist and Presbyterian, in each of which services are held every other Sabbath.

Mr. James Stanley is just preparing the foundations of a brick Hotel which will be an ornament to the place. The main building will be 20x83, three stories high, with a piazza 6 feet wide. This will be connected with another building already erected, thus making the entire frontage over 40 feet. In the rear is a kitchen 12x16. The style is to be Swiss. Charles DeLong is the architect and builder.

Boye's flouring mill on Duck Creek, a mile or two from the village, enjoys an excellent reputation for its flour. As we passed we found him engaged in putting in a new dam. 

We congratulate the Salem people in having at last got rid of their worthless postmaster. They have been imposed upon long enough. Under a new administration we trust their interests will be better attended to.

The village of Bonn, a couple of miles south of Salem, does not present an appearance of great thrift, though we observed some recent improvements in the way of building and painting.

There are several things we should like to speak of suggested by our trip, were not our columns so crowded with other matters.


Wednesday, October 5, 2022

Girls Club Name May Be Changed

The Marietta Register, October 7, 1924

Change in name of the Girls Monday Club to the Betsey Gates Mills Club for Girls is proposed in an amendment to the constitution of the organization as drawn up Monday afternoon at the regular monthly meeting of the Women's Board. Action on this amendment will be taken at the next regular meeting of the board to be held the first Monday in November.

Last spring a delegate from the Girls Board consulted Mr. W. W. Mills relative to a new name for the club and since then the matter has been under consideration. Definite action was not taken until the meeting of the Women's board yesterday afternoon.

The club was founded by the late Mrs. W. W. Mills in 1911 at the First Congregational Church and until 1916, their meetings every Monday evening were held at the church. As activities and membership became greater, it was evident that a change in meeting place was to be found. Mrs. Mills purchased the present club house from the church and presented it to the club as a gift. Mrs. Mills was active president of the club from its founding in 1911 until her death in April 1929. She had taken much interest in its welfare and saw its growth until it was a leading organization in Marietta.

Since 1920, Mrs. George Alexander has served efficiently as president of the club.

It is probable that the name will be changed at the next meeting of the Women's Board, on Monday afternoon, November 3. One of the principle reasons for the change officials stated is that the present name gives the impression that the club meets only every Monday and it was on that day only that events were carried on at the club. Due to the rapid growth of the club membership and its activities, classes and other affairs are scheduled for every evening.


Sunday, October 2, 2022

Old Marietta Papers - Number 39

The Marietta Register, July 1,  1864

"Old Marietta Papers" was a series of columns compiled and published in 1863 and 1864 by Rodney M. Stimson, editor of "The Marietta Register."

The Campaign of 1840

The election of the year 1804 is recollected by all old enough at that time to recollect anything. It was one of the most memorable elections ever held in the country, was conducted with a great deal of energy and enthusiasm, and there was much excitement throughout all the states. The campaign began early, Gen. Harrison, the Whig candidate for President, being nominated in December 1839. The Ohio Democratic State Convention was held Jan. 8th; the Whig State Convention, which nominated Tom Corwin, to oppose the re-election of Gov. Shannon, on Feb. 22d. The number of Delegates who actually went to the Whig State Convention at Columbus from this county was sixty; and that was before the days of railroads in Ohio.

This campaign is known as the "hard cider and log cabin campaign." It may be a matter of interest to our readers at this day to know how the "hard cider" and "log cabin" business, which attended the tremendous Whig meetings of 1840, took start. The Baltimore Republican, a leading Van Buren paper, immediately after the nomination of Gen. Harrison, contained a long article in which was this in reference to the General:

"Give him a barrel of hard cider, and settle upon him a pension of $2,000 a year, and our word for it, he will sit the remainder of his days in a log cabin."

The Whigs caught at the sneer, and "Hard cider" and "log cabin" rang upon hundreds of thousands of tongues - they drank hard cider, treated their friends with it, and rode to conventions in log cabins on wheels, ornamented with skins of wild animals, deer horns, old rifles, etc.

The campaign was fairly opened in Washington County in February. The Whig Central Committee consisted of Noah L. Wilson, Henry Fearing, William R. Browning, Isaac Maxon, R. H. Dodge, John Cunningham, and John Dodge. The Chairman of the "Central Committee of Vigilance and Correspondence" was James M. Booth, Esq. The papers of the county were the Intelligencer, edited by Beman Gates; the Gazette, by Isaac Maxon; and the Democrat, by Daniel Radebaugh, Jr. The Register of the Land Office here, at that time, was Charles B. Flood, somewhat notorious as a Democratic newspaper editor, and he probably wrote most of the political articles for the Democrat. We have no copy of either it or the Gazette, published during the campaign; but the Intelligencer was conducted with much spirit and influence.

The Whig Senatorial Electors were Deacon William R. Putnam of this county and Reazin Beall of Wayne County. Dr. Perley B. Johnson of McConnelsville and Hon. Samuel F. Vinton of Gallipolis were Whig District Electors in this part of Ohio - Mr. Vinton for this District.

A Tippecanoe Club was formed in Marietta on the 19th of March - James M. Booth, President; John Greinder, Secretary; H. Fearing, Treasurer; E. W. T. Clark, Doorkeeper; George M. Woodbridge, David Barber, and Nahum Ward, Corresponding Committee.

A Tippecanoe Club was also formed at Little Muskingum about this time, and a Flag was presented to it by the ladies of the neighborhood.

April 7, 1840, there was held in Marietta the largest political meeting ever held here to that date - the lowest estimate, 1,500 people. The procession from Little Muskingum and east of that came into town with a log cabin, escorted by the Marietta City Band. The procession from Harmar, Warren and Belpre was headed by the Marietta College Band. The Adams and Waterford people came with a band of their own. Major Alexander Hill was Marshal of the Day; Francis Devol and Levi Barber, Assistant Marshals. Joseph Barker, Jr., President.

The meeting was held in the open air, near the Court House. Dr. Perley B. Johnson of McConnelsville was the principal speaker. Toasts were given, and songs enlivened the occasion.

April 22, a Tippecanoe Pole 87 feet high, with a flag-staff 13 feet long on top, was raised opposite Marietta, in Virginia.

April 27, in the night an attempt was made to destroy the Tippecanoe pole in Harmar, but it failed; it was bored through and through, so that the wind would blow it over, but the Tippecanoe boys discovered and saved it.

May 9, 1840, Tippecanoe pole was raised at the lower end of Front Street, Marietta, in place of one that had been destroyed by the Van Buren men; at Lowell, May 3, a pole 120 feet high was raised.

June 4, 1840, the Intelligencer graced itself with a fine picture of a log cabin, engraved by Joseph Hunter of Marietta.

June 17, 1840, there was held at Chester, Meigs County, the largest political meeting that had then ever been held in Southeastern Ohio. There were large delegations from Athens, Lawrence, Gallia, Washington and other counties. Banners, mottoes, and Bands of Music were very numerous. Among the speakers were Hon. Samuel F. Vinton, Hon. Simeon Nash, and Hiram Walbridge, then a student at Athens and since in Congress from New York City. The people from this county went down upon the steamboat Zanesville to Kerr's Run, then marched to the place of meeting.

June 22, 1840, Hon. John Brough, then Auditor of State, addressed a Van Buren meeting in Marietta. The Intelligencer spoke of him as "a man of talent."

July 9, 1840, the Tippecanoe poles had now become very numerous in this county, and within a week, four had been cut down by their enemies.

The Parkersburg Gazette, heretofore neutral, came out for "Harrison and Reform."

About this time there was a serious affair in Decatur Township. William Johnson among others, had a Tippecanoe pole in his yard, which excited the ire of some of the opposite party. He took it down to raise a taller one, and that night some of them went to his premises, but finding the pole down, they vented their spite by shearing off the mane of one of his horses, maimed a cow, etc. They then went to Abel Dufer's and he hearing them cutting his pole down, went out and followed them, when they threw stones at him and broke two of his ribs.

Arius Nye, Whig, and Isaac Humphreys, Dem., had political discussions at the Court House. Meetings were common all over the county in July.

Aug. 11, 1840, the Whig County Convention was held in Marietta. The speakers were Hon. Cavalry Morris, Whig candidate for re-election to Congress; C. B. Tompkins, of McConnelsville, and George M. Woodbridge. While Mr. Morris was in Marietta, the linchpins of his carriage were all removed; and the axle of the carriage of A. G. Brown of Athens was cut nearly in two, so that it broke down on his return to Athens.

Whig meetings were now very numerous in the county, among the speakers were George M. Woodbridge, Charles Hendrie, David Barber, John Crawford, and Nahum Ward The Democratic meetings were addressed by William A. Whittlesey, R. E. Harte and others.

Sept. 3, 1840, a large number of people went from this vicinity to Wheeling on the steamer Wacousta to attend a Whig meeting. On the return from Wheeling, Saturday night, Gen. Murphy of Chillicothe and a Mr. Penrose of Pennsylvania addressed a large crowd at the Court House.

Songs enlivened all the meetings, many of them written for the occasion. Among the Whig poets was John Greiner, who then was a citizen of Marietta; and since that editor of the Columbus Gazette and Secretary and acting Governor of new Mexico. We believe he now resides in New Mexico.

Sept. 10, 1840, Gov. Shannon, Dem., addressed the people of Washington County at Marietta.

Sept. 15, 1840, under the head of "Our Position Delined," the Intelligencer published an article, signed by 111 Democrats, all of whom voted for Van Buren in 1836, who now declared for Gen. Harrison. Thirty more names were subsequently published.

Sept. 19, 1840, Tom Corwin addressed "by far the largest political meeting ever held in Washington County," near the Court House. The day before he spoke at Newport. Hon. Samuel F. Vinton spoke in Marietta at the Corwin meeting.

The excitement ran high - very high - from this on to the election, Oct. 13, when the Whigs gave Corwin 467 majority in the county. As it was now demonstrated that the Whigs had the power, efforts fell off for the two or three weeks preceding the Presidential election, at which time the vote was 73 less than at the State election, although Harrison's majority was 652 - nearly two hundred larger than Corwin's.

At the State election, the opposing candidates were as follows, the Whigs being those first named: For Governor, Thomas Corwin; Wilson Shannon. For Representative to Congress, Cavalry Morris of Athens; George House of Gallipolis. For Representative to the Legislature, Arius Nye; William A. Whittlesey. For Sheriff, John Test; L. McClenathan. For Recorder, D. P. Bosworth; Joseph D. Beach. For Commissioner, John D. Chamberlain; ____ McIntire. For Prosecuting Attorney, David Barber; C. F. Buell; For Coroner, Lawrence Chamberlain; Warden Willis. The Whig majorities were - Corwin, 467; Morris, 479; Nye, 479; Test, 479; Bosworth, 480; J. D. Chamberlain, 473; Barber, 496; L. Chamberlain, 475.

The following table gives the vote for Governor, and for President, in the several townships of the county.

Adams: Corwin, 95; Shannon, 104; Harrison, 104; Van Buren, 81.
Aurelius: Corwin, 78; Shannon, 57; Harrison, 73; Van Buren, 50.
Barlow: Corwin, 72; Shannon, 56; Harrison, 72; Van Buren, 48.
Belpre: Corwin, 159; Shannon, 71; Harrison, 150; Van Buren, 58.
Decatur: Corwin, 52; Shannon, 20; Harrison, 55; Van Buren, 17.
Fearing: Corwin, 95; Shannon, 53; Harrison, 103; Van Buren, 50.
Grandview: Corwin, 31; Shannon 85; Harrison, 31; Van Buren, 72.
Independence: Corwin, 13; Shannon 45; Harrison, 11; Van Buren, 45.
Jolly: Corwin, 20; Shannon 63; Harrison, 20; Van Buren, 64.
Lawrence: Corwin, 31; Shannon 65; Harrison, 36; Van Buren, 74.
Liberty: Corwin, 21; Shannon, 46; Harrison, 24; Van Buren, 51.
Ludlow: Corwin, 5; Shannon, 89; Harrison, 12; Van Buren, 78.
Marietta: Corwin, 470; Shannon, 188; Harrison, 512; Van Buren, 175.
Newport: Corwin, 105; Shannon, 78; Harrison, 95; Van Buren, 58.
Roxbury: Corwin, 141; Shannon, 94; Harrison, 143; Van Buren, 95.
Salem: Corwin, 72; Shannon, 50; Harrison, 75; Van Buren, 53.
Union: Corwin, 75; Shannon, 78; Harrison, 71; Van Buren, 68.
Watertown: Corwin, 119; Shannon, 104; Harrison, 118; Van Buren, 100.
Waterford: Corwin, 194; Shannon, 113; Harrison,194; Van Buren, 101.
Warren: Corwin, 92; Shannon, 73; Harrison, 89; Van Buren, 68.
Wesley: Corwin, 130; Shannon, 72; Harrison, 138; Van Buren, 68.

Total: Corwin, 2070; Shannon, 1603; Harrison, 2126; Van Buren, 1474.


Wednesday, September 28, 2022

Marietta Vessels

The Marietta Intelligencer, February 11, 1847

Two Schooners - the "Ohio" and the "Grace Darling" - built last season by the Marietta Ship Company, left here on the evening of the 7th inst., in tow of the S. B. "Wing & Wing" for Cincinnati, where the balance of their cargo will be received and whence they will depart for Boston in the course of a week.

The "Ohio" is 91-1/2 feet on deck, 24 feet beam, 7-1/2 feet hold. She measures 146 tons, Custom House measurement.

The "Grace Darling" measures 124-1/2 tons. She is 83-1/2 feet on deck, 23 feet beam, 7 feet 4-1/2 inches hold.

Both vessels are built of the best white oak and are heavily iron fastened. The decks are white pine. The cabins are below, very neatly finished with black walnut. They were built under the direction of Capt. Ira Ellis, the master builder, and one of the stockholders of the Marietta Ship Company, for E. D. Kimball Esq. of Salem, Massachusetts.

The vessels were rigged by Mr. William C. Fauvelle, who takes one of them round to Boston. 

The iron work was done by Count De Bonney.

* * *

The barque built here last season by Captain William Knox for Messrs. A. & I. Waters is nearly finished and will be launched on the first rise of water.

* * *

Another schooner has been contracted to be built by the Marietta Ship Company. The workmen commenced their labors last week, and Capt. Ellis informs us that if the weather is favorable, in sixteen days from this time the frame work will be up and ready for planking! This schooner is building for a Mr. Cochran of New Orleans.

* * *

The steamboat "May Queen," which was burned at our landing on Friday morning last, had on board a full cargo for New Orleans. The following list includes the valuable items:
                    1353 Barrels Flour.
                    27 Barrels Tallow.
                    46 Kegs lard.
                    269 Sacks Dry Apples.

Of the flour, 1050 barrels belonged to Beaumont of Putnam (and a portion of it was of very extra quality), 167 barrels to Dewer and Granger, and 136 barrels to Culver and Porter. 140 barrels (only one of which belonged to Beaumont) were saved in good order; and 300 barrels (of Beaumont's) were saved in a damaged condition. The lard was all saved; and all the Tallow, except one barrel. Eighteen sacks, only, of the dried fruit were saved. Probably $5000 would not cover the loss upon the cargo, which it is understood was mostly insured.

The "May Queen" belonged to C. R. Kelley and W. T. Bowen of Zanesville. She was considered worth from $4,000 to $5,000, and was insured in the Columbus Insurance Company for $3,000. The fire is supposed to have originated from the ash pan under the boilers and had probably been burning some hours before smoke was discovered issuing from her hold.

It was about half an hour after the alarm was given before the flames burst through the deck floor, and had she been scuttled, the boat and cargo might probably have been saved. But the Captain would not consent that this should be done, lest the Policy of Insurance should thus be vitiated. A singular opinion this, though no doubt honestly entertained!


Sunday, September 25, 2022

Old Marietta Papers - Number 38

 The Marietta Register, June 24, 1864

"Old Marietta Papers" was a series of columns compiled and published in 1863 and 1864 by Rodney M. Stimson, editor of "The Marietta Register."

To go back to the first newspaper ever published in Marietta, the "Ohio Gazette and Virginia herald," by Wyllys Silliman, an article we have just discovered, written by the late Caleb Emerson in 1839, says that he then had in his possession an imperfect paper of the first number issued - on December 7, 1801. The earliest number in possession of the Register Office bears the date Oct. 24, 1803, and is No. 97.

In the opening address of the first number - according to an extract in Mr. Emerson's article - the editor apologizes for adding "Virginia Herald" to the title previously fixed upon, "Ohio Gazette." "He might rest this apology," he says, "upon the generous and extensive patronage he has received from the inhabitants of the western part of Virginia"; but he wishes to place it upon a broader ground and he goes on as follows:

"He is, indeed, proud in having this opportunity, at this time, and by this measure, to give to his Fellow-Citizens on both sides of the Ohio a pledge of his equal regard and an example of that liberality of sentiment, which is not only so decorous in private character, but which forms so important a pillar in the fabric of social and political happiness.

Breathing the same air - having the same wants - being capable of the same pleasures - talking the same language - living under the same national government, what is there to limit or divide our affections? - A river! - A river whose kindred branches we inhabit - whose current, mild and unbroken, though composed of a thousand tributary streams, affords us an impressive lesson of unity and peace.

Surely this country ought to become one of the happiest under Heaven! Blessed with a friendly climate - a rich and diversified soil - a rapidly increasing population - and separated on all sides from the rest of the world by lakes and mountains, we form a world of our own, which can be ruined only by our own follies - shall we admit, that of all the most fatal, a spirit of discord.

At present we enjoy the protection of a Government recognizing an equality of rights and having liberty for its basis; may it be perpetual! but may we never forget that the best guarantors of our freedom will ultimately be found in the justness of our principles and the harmony of our feelings!"

The only thing that has ever created anything of a "spirit of discord" between those residing upon this or that side of the "river whose kindred branches we inhabit," is Slavery. Our neighbors over the river have now put that out of the way, and hereafter it will be a reign of "unity and peace."

Jan. 9, 1840, "George Benedict, Dealer in Groceries and Provisions at the Upper Landing on Ohio Street" first appears in an advertisement. Mr. Benedict is still "at it," now on Front Street, although he took a vacation from that business for some years, in the way of steamboating and banking.

Jan. 23, 1840, the Intelligencer notices a Durham calf raised by Judge Joseph Barker of Newport, which was eight months old and weighed 630 lbs.; also a potato raised on the farm of William R. Putnam, Jr., which weighed 3-1/3 lbs.

Franks and Hendrie advertise that they had bought the extensive iron foundry - "Washing Foundry" - of Nye & Cram and would carry it on.

Feb. 20, 1840, Edgerton & Woodbridge (Luther Edgerton and George M. Woodbridge) advertise the close of their business; and Woodbridge & Barber (George M. Woodbridge and Levi Barber) continued the store at the same stand.

March 2, 1840, the County Commissioners formed the township of Jolly from the north part of Grandview. On the formation of Noble County in 1850, a portion of the township was attached to Monroe County and subsequently the remainder of the township was again attached to Grandview.

About this date, J. P. Wightman leased the Mansion House from John Lewis.

March 28, 1840, Robert Hurdsman and a Mr. Yates were drowned at Beverly while attempting to cross the Muskingum in a skiff. Mrs. Yates was in the skiff, but retained her hold on it after it passed over the dam, and was rescued.

April 26, 1840, Thomas Fleming was drowned while passing over Chambers' dam on the Little Muskingum.

May 7, 1840, F. B. Loomis first advertised his store in Marietta.

May 19, 1840, John Miner, a son of Henry Miner, was drowned in the Little Muskingum, about a mile Corner's mill.

June 1, 1840, the County Commissioners formed Independence Township.

July 1, 1840, J. Moorehead opened an office as attorney at Law in the Court House.

July 14, 1840, "George H. Wells, recently from the city of New York," announced that he had established himself in the Hardware business on Front Street. Mr. Wells is still here, in the grocery business. This was the foundation of the present house of Bosworth, Wells & Co.

July 28, 1840, Rev. Thomas Wickes, from Troy, N. Y., was installed as Pastor of the Congregational Church in Marietta. Opening prayer by Rev. L. G. Bingham, former pastor; sermon by Rev. Dr. Linsley, then President of Marietta College; installation prayers by Rev. M. DeWitt; charge to the pastor by Rev. Francis Bartlett; right hand of fellowship by Rev. Dr. D. H. Allen, then Professor in Marietta College; charge to the people by Rev. L. G. Bingham; concluding prayer by Rev. B. Roberts; benediction by the pastor. Mr. Wickes is still the pastor of that church.

Aug. 4, 1840, the "Mail Line and "Opposition" stages, while racing, came into collision while ascending March Run Hill, six miles above Marietta, as they were coming down from Zanesville. The opposition stage was thrown off the bank, with nine passengers, several of them injured, a Mr. Peck from New York very seriously.

Aug. 28, 1840, Squire A. Null fell, with a scaffold, sixteen feet to the ground while at work on the house of Vincent Payne in Marietta, and was so severely injured that he died on the next Monday, aged 24.

Sept. 11, 1840, a shocking fight occurred at Beverly between workmen on the Lock and the Creekites, as they were called, between whom ill feeling had existed for some time. Clubs, stones, brickbats, knives, etc., were freely used, and the fight did not terminate until five or six persons were seriously injured, one dangerously. Gov. Shannon, Dem., was speaking there at the time, but the fight did not arise from politics, and was not at the meeting.

Returning from Beverly, a horse and wagon drive by a German named Kneille of Marietta was precipitated from the bank near Coal Run, and Mr. Kneille was instantly killed and his wife very much injured. There had been some racing and the horse was frightened.

Oct. 30, 1840, in carelessly loading a cannon at the foot of Front Street, it burst and so seriously injured a German that he died the next Tuesday.

Marriages in 1840:

Feb. 13, Stephen Smith of Marietta and Sarah J. Marshall of Harmar.
March 8, George W. Lane of Aurora, Indiana, and Sally Maria Buell of Marietta.
March 9th, Matthew Beswick and Lydia Smith, both of Harmar.
March 17th, Conrad Cline of Virginia and Mary Ann Crawford of this county.
March 18th, John Thornily and Jane Temple.
March 19th, William Whittock and Nancy Patton, both of Fleming.
April 19, Ethan Allen of Marietta and Patience Dye of Lawrence.
April 21st, in Newport, Bartlett Jackson and Amanda M. Bell.
April 29th, William Wallace Dodge and Harriet H. Holden.
May 5, William Alcock and Polly White.
May 10th, William Slocomb and Siba H. Buell.
May 20th, Noah L. Wilson and Kezia R. Waters of Columbus.
May 21st, Leonard Scott and Rebecca Briggs of Westchester County, New York.
May 30th, Jacob Moats and Elizabeth Young of Salem. 
June 11, David McKibben and Eliza Ann Crea.
June 25th, in Newport, Ira Hill 3d and Desdemona Lackey.
July 1, Nathan Udell and Eliza Payne of Salem.
July 1, in Belpre, Asa D. Newell and Eleanor Shettlesworth.
July 23d, Wyllys Hall Jr. and Emma Sullivan.
Aug.12, Peter Wilkins of Harmar and Anna Otten of Fearing.
Aug. 18th, Joshua Ripley and Cynthia F. Rouse, both of Belpre.
Sept. 1, in Fearing, Thomas Lankford and Hannah Hill.
Sept. 16th, George Putnam and Susan A. Westcott.
Sept. 23d, Milton Ellenwood and Sophronia S. Needham, both of Warren.
Sept. 24th, Solomon Athey and Lucinda N. Hill, both of Fearing.
Sept. 24th, Rufus Payne of Salem and Mrs. Elizabeth Gay of Guernsey County [in Guernsey County].
Sept. 30th, John Floyd of Woodsfield and Nancy Harper of Marietta.
Oct. 1, Francis Vinton and Harriet W. Fox, both of Waterford.
Oct. 18th, Jacob Wood of Marietta and Marinda Longfellow of Aurelius.
Oct. 21st, Z. B. Ballard of Decatur and Mary Ann Cole of Warren.
Oct. 23rd, Hiram Martin of Watertown and Caroline Woodruff of Barlow.
Nov. 8, Joseph Caywood 2d and Elizabeth Reed, both of Lawrence.
Nov. 24th, William P. Cole of Warren and Louisa Shields of Watertown.
Dec. 17, Henry Coomes and Polly A. Vaughn.
Dec. 17th, Joseph Morris and Elizabeth Herrington, both of Harmar.

Deaths in 1840:

Jan. 3, in Warren, Catharine, daughter of Lewis W. and Susan Reppert, aged three years.
March 8, in Cincinnati, Mrs. Sarah S. Bingham, wife of Rev. Luther Bingham, former pastor of the Congregational Church in Marietta.
March 19th, Clarinda, daughter of Nathaniel Bishop, 22.
April 22, in Marietta, Samuel Weston, in his 25th year.
May 9, in Union, Eliza Dickey in her 26th year.
May 10th, in Harmar, Mrs. Susannah Burlingame, wife of Christopher Burlingame and daughter of Gen. Rufus Putnam, 74.
May 11th, Mrs. Eliza, wife of Charles Sullivan, in her 39th year.
May 12th, in Lawrence, Mrs. Hannah Caywood, wife of Joseph Caywood and daughter of Samuel Dye, Esq.
May 21st, Harriet Tharp, wife of Silas Tharp of Harmar, 29.
May 26th, in Michigan, Mrs. Josephine N. Rice, daughter of J. Gabaudan of Marietta.
June 28, Mrs. Sally Booth, wife of James M. Booth, Esq., in her 51st year.
July 5th, in Harmar, Elizabeth Spencer Stone, wife of Augustus I. Stone, 24.
July 5th, in Waterford, Elizabeth McDonald, wife of Thomas McDonald, 56.
July 26th, in Clermont County, Daniel D. Morris, formerly of Marietta.
Aug. 16, in Roxbury, Elias Pewthers, Esq., 37.
Sept 11, in Choctaw Nation, Edward H. Byington, son of Rev. Cyrus Byington, in his 12th year.
Nov. 12, in Waterford, David White, 74.
Nov 27th, Col. Ichabod Nye, in his 78th year, a native of Tolland, Conn.; his family, with that of Gen. Benjamin Tupper, who was his father-in-law, and those of Col. Cushing, Maj. Goodale and Maj. Coburn, landed at Marietta, Aug. 19, 1788, the first families that arrived here.
Dec. 6, Lucius S. Palmer, 22.
Dec. 14th, William Skinner, Esq., 71.
Dec. 17th, Mrs. Sarah H. Andrews, wife of I. W. Andrews.


Wednesday, September 21, 2022

Death of Lilly Martin Spencer

The Daily Register, May 24, 1902

A Famous Artist Who Formerly Lived in Vicinity of Marietta

New York, May 23 - Lilly Martin Spencer, a noted artist, whose paintings years ago achieved for her worldwide reputation, died yesterday [May 22, 1902] at 226 West 114th street at the age of 77 years.

Mrs. Spencer came to America with her parents when she was 5 years old. Her father was a scholarly Frenchman, instructor of the young Dukes of Exeter and Devonshire. They lived in Marietta, Ohio. At the age of 12 years Lilly Spencer was considered a marvel, and Nicholas Longworth, the Cincinnati millionaire, who had heard of her, offered to send her abroad to study. She refused to do so, because he stipulated that she must abstain from all original work for seven years and spend that time studying old masters. He remained her friend, however, and after she married and came to New York, she opened her studio under his patronage.

Among her most notable paintings are the allegorical representatives of "Truth Unmasking Falsehood," for which Senator Sprague of New Jersey offered $20,000, an immense sum at that time.

Up to a few weeks ago Mrs. Spencer still worked at her easel. Among her recent paintings are portraits of Mrs. Benjamin Harrison, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Robert Ingersoll. Her masterpiece is considered to be "Algeria," from "Childe Harold."

*     *     *     *     *

Scores of Marietta people will remember Mrs. Spencer when she lived here, and how even in childhood her work was marvelous. It is told that when she resided in a house near Devol's Dam she covered the very walls of the building with exquisite paintings and for many years the house was a place constantly visited by sightseers.


Sunday, September 18, 2022

Old Marietta Papers - Number 37

 The Marietta Register, June 17, 1864

"Old Marietta Papers" was a series of columns compiled and published in 1863 and 1864 by Rodney M. Stimson, editor of "The Marietta Register."

Friday, Aug. 30, 1839, occurred a transaction at Parkersburg that is worthy of note, even now. It was a circumstance that had its influence in this region to bring about the state of public opinion today - a transaction that caused some excitement at the time, and but one of thousands that have taken place under the infernal influence of slavery, thousands many times more aggravated than this. It was the mobbing of Col. Augustus Stone and David Putnam of Harmar, because they were charged with being abolitionists. 

Mr. Putnam, we believe, was the particular object of the Parkersburg ruffians; and Col. Stone suffered, perhaps, because he happened to be in company with the former. It is now nearly twenty-five years ago - what a change in the country! Abolitionists are now about as thick as mosquitoes in August, and through the wicked and tyrannical spirit of slavery - its own suicide - their principles now prevail. Col. Stone and Mr. Putnam both live to see their sentiments popular, however much odium and contempt may have been cast upon those principles in times past. It may be remarked that Col. John Stone of Belpre, living opposite Parkersburg, did not cross the Ohio to that place for many years, for the hate that there prevailed against him because he exercised free thought on the subject of slavery and dared maintain his thoughts before the people. He has had no trouble in going to Parkersburg during the past three years. Even an abolition paper is published there, edited and printed by an abolitionist.

The following is copied from the Marietta Intelligencer of Sept. 5, 1839:

"Outrage at Parkersburg - On Friday last, Mr. David Putnam, Jr., and Col. A. Stone, two respectable citizens of Harmar, went to Parkersburg to transact some business, and as they were about to cross the river on their return, were assailed by a mob and both of them knocked into the river. Fortunately, they escaped without much injury, but from the spirit manifested by the assailants, there can be no doubt that they intended a most brutal outrage upon the person of Mr. Putnam. We do not intend to give the particulars of this assault, or comment upon it in the terms it deserves, until we learn whether the respectable citizens or our neighbor city give countenance to it. We cannot believe they will consent that the odium of this disgraceful affair shall rest upon them. On the contrary, we trust they will use all diligence to bring the perpetrators to justice.

"If Mr. Putnam has violated law, let him be punished by law, So long as we profess to be governed by laws, it is the duty of every good citizen to maintain their supremacy. We cannot imagine a case where a resort to mob law would be justifiable; and unless our Statute Book is to become a reproach, and the name of Liberty a bye-word, every attempt to supplant law by violence should be promptly and fearlessly put down."

Sept. 12, 1839, "Morton" communicated to the Intelligencer a high appreciative and just notice of Lilly Martin, then a girl in her seventeenth year, living with her father, a few miles up the Muskingum, and since so distinguished as an artist. The writer spoke of her "extraordinary taste, talent, and genius," and mentioned that:

"Her first work was on the unwhitened plastered wall of her chamber. She commenced with a piece of charcoal and common chalk, using her finger to stamp with. She has recently obtained some poor crayon and a few paints and brushes. With these instruments, she has covered the sides of her room with splendid pictures."

"One side of the room presents a view from a public piazza out upon a water scene bordered by hill and dale, and field and forest; all original, and beautifully conceived. Groups are presented on the piazza, in various employments, and the figures present not only an accurate proportion, but some of them are shaded and finished in the most exquisite manner. There are some talking politics and some making love. One picture presents a boy playing with the dog and cat; the dog and cat are fighting, and the boy has thrown his cap over the head of the dog, and is exulting at the advantage thus given to puss."

Several other pictures on the walls are noticed:

"But the best hit of all is 'the young baker.' Mrs. Martin had sent her daughter to make bread, and while engaged, the child (for she has only the appearance of a child) conceived the idea of drawing a like figure on the wall. And there it is, not in rude unfinished outline, but a well finished and most strikingly rich crayon drawing. This picture being alone, in a rough room, full of barrels, meal tubs, and rubbish, and being drawn on the rough plaster, has the most extraordinary effect. It represents a girl with a very pretty face, bending over her work, her hair disheveled and yet ornamental; the cape tied loose about her neck, and turned round to the side, sleeves rolled up, and both hands delving in the dough. One could not conceive of anything more natural. This picture, alone is worthy of more than I can write, and no one can have any idea of it without seeing it.

"I can only say, that the circumstances of this display of talent are the most extraordinary. I cannot associate the work and the author together, so strange is the contrast! One gazes at the pictures and glances at the child, who appears to gaze totally unconscious of the merit they possess."

Marriages in 1839:

Aug. 8, Israel W. Andrews, Professor in Marietta College (now President), and Miss Sarah H. Clark of Danbury, Conn.
Aug. 12, Col. Ichabod Nye of Marietta and Mrs. Rebecca Beebe of Belpre.
Sept. 22, Benjamin W. Clark and Marietta Broadhurst.
Sept. 25th, Rev. J. R. Barnes of Evansville, Ind., and Caroline M. Webster.
Oct. 2, Riley Bruce and Mary D. Cockshott, both of Belpre.
Oct. 6th, Richard Beebe and Vilate Wolcott, both of Waterotwn.
Oct 6th, in Marietta, Flavel C. Cole and Mary Dye.
Oct. 10th, Samuel Weston and Eliza Ann Reckard.
Oct. 11th, in Warren, Jacob Reppert of Madison, Ind., and Ann M. Reppert.
Oct. 17th, Sala Bosworth and Joanna F. Shipman.
Oct. 17th, William J. Smith of Marietta and Elmina Clarke of Athens.
Nov. 17th, in Harmar, Alfred Finch and Jane Williams.
Nov. 20th, William Foster of Springfield, Mass. and Matilda W. Foster of Marietta.
Dec. 3, James Withrow and Betsey Locker.
Dec. 5th, William Grant and Mary Ann Willard.

Deaths in 1839:

Aug. 11, Miss S. Maria Brigham, formerly of Princeton, Mass.
Aug. 11th, Anna Maria Ward, in her 19th year.
Aug. 22d, Frederick Shipman, aged 44.
Sept. 8, in Belpre, Rev. William H. Jolly, a Universalist clergyman, 43.
Sept. 10th, in New Orleans, of Yellow fever, Royal G. Hart of Harmar, 29.
Sept. 11th, in Marietta, Rowena, wife of Dennis Racer, 30.
Oct. 22, Caroline Augusta, daughter of F. A. and Harriet Wheeler, 11 months.
Oct. 29th, Selah, wife of William Slocomb, 54.
Nov. 11, in Salem, Mary, wife of Rufus Payne, 45.
Nov. 30th, Mary Ann, daughter of John Collins of Fearing, 14.

Election in 1839:

The result in this county in 1839, between the Whig and the Democratic parties, was very close - caused by "stay-at-home" Whigs. The Whig vote on Representative was 166 less than in the year before, while the Democratic was only 15 less; and the consequence was that the Whigs lost the best offices in the county at that election. The total vote stood as follows: For Senator, Samuel R. Curtis, Whig, 1210; Isaac Humphreys, Dem., 1215. Representative, William r. Browning, Whig, 1199; William A. Whittlesey, Dem., 1225. Auditor, James M. Booth, Whig, 1177; J. P. Wightman, Dem., 1251. Commissioner, Daniel H. Buell, Whig, 1211; Hapgood Goddard, Dem, 1199. Treasurer, Robert Crawford, Whig, 1238; John Young, Dem., 1196. Assessor, Tartus Lindley, Whig, 1144; A. G. Hollister, Dem., 1242. Prosecuting Attorney, Arius Nye, Whig, 1224; Charles F. Buell, Dem., 1180.

The Democrats, it will be seen, elected the Representative, Auditor and Assessor, while the Whigs elected the Treasurer, Commissioner and the Prosecuting Attorney.

S. R. Curtis, who was beaten for the Senate in this District, then hailed from McConnelsville and had been an Engineer on the Muskingum Improvement from which position he was removed on account of his politics. He has since been well known to the country as a Colonel of one of the Ohio regiments in the War with Mexico in 1846-47; as a Republican Representative in Congress for several years, from Iowa; and as a Major General during the present war, west of the Mississippi.

We give the vote of the county in detail for Representative, as follows:

Adams - Browning 50, Whittlesey 75.
Aurelius - Browning 35, Whittlesey 55.
Belpre - Browning 105, Whittlesey 51.
Barlow - Browning 39, Whittlesey 35.
Decatur - Browning 17, Whittlesey 13.
Fearing - Browning 29, Whittlesey 33.
Grandview - Browning 5, Whittlesey 99.
Lawrence - Browning 8, Whittlesey 55.
Ludlow - Browning 7, Whittlesey 55.
Liberty - Browning 4, Whittlesey 33.
Marietta - Browning 381, Whittlesey 204.
Newport - Browning 68, Whittlesey 53.
Roxbury - Browning 58, Whittlesey 79.
Salem - Browning 46, Whittlesey 32.
Union - Browning 47, Whittlesey 62.
Warren - Browning 35, Whittlesey 60.
Waterford - Browning 117, Whittlesey 99.
Watertown - Browning 88, Whittlesey 68.
Wesley - Browning 60, Whittlesey 63.
Total - Browning 1199, Whittlesey 1225.

Nov. 14, 1839, the Intelligencer contained the following notice:

"Big Steam Boat. Among the novelties of the day worthy of notice is a steamboat just built by Mr. Wyllis Hall of this town. It is not a rival of the Great Western, but is, nevertheless, quite a curiosity. It is only thirty feet in length - has an engine of four horse power and a cabin sufficiently large to accommodate twelve or fifteen persons - and is, altogether, a very neat, well proportioned steamboat."

Nov. 21, 1839, the Intelligencer had an article - a "leader" - which favored the nomination of Gen. Scott for the Presidency for political reasons, although stating that Daniel Webster was the first choice of the editor - but he could not probably be elected. The friends of Clay and Harrison had become embittered against each other, and Gen. Scott was the man to unite them. Gen. Harrison, however, did unite them.

And this in the Intelligencer of Dec. 2:

"Mr. Leonard Scott brought to our office on Tuesday, a steel trap found in the forks of a sugar tree on Wolf Creek in this County. The pan of the trap extends entirely through the wood and over it three or four inches of solid wood is formed. The fork in which the trap was found was about 45 feet from the ground. Every part of it is in a perfect state of preservation. Mr. Scott is of opinion that it was undoubtedly carried there by some animal. It has been purchased by Mr. Scott, who intends taking it to New York, probably to place it in the Museum."

Judge Ephraim Cutler of Warren was the Delegate from this Congressional District to the Whig National Convention, held at Harrisburg, Pa., in December, 1839, which nominated Gen Harrison for the Presidency.