Old Marietta Papers - Number 3

The Marietta Register, June 12, 1863

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

We possess a single number of "The Commentator and Marietta Recorder," and it has the top torn off. It was first issued Sept. 16, 1807, by Dunham & Gardiner. Mr. Gardiner (James B.) afterwards was a printer in Columbus. The Ohio Gazette was a Republican paper of that day, a supporter of Jefferson's Administration, as far as a paper with scarcely any editorial can be said to support anything. The Commentator was started in opposition, as a Federalist paper. There was not adequate support in Marietta, at that early day, for one good paper, and of course two did not thrive. The Gazette, in course of a year or two, was advertised for sale by the Sheriff, and both papers were suspended in their publication within two or three years.

The number of the Commentator before us, Feb. 1808, contains nothing that is of interest at this day, except that we learn from it that Thomas Seely was then Justice of the Peace in Waterford, and Simeon Deming, in "Wooster," the latter a township not known in this county during the past generation. Mr. Deming lived in what is now Watertown. The following anecdote appears in this paper:

A man carrying a cradle was stopped by an old woman and thus accosted - "So, sir, you have got some of the fruits of matrimony." "Softly, softly, old lady, said he, you mistake - this is only the fruit basket."

"Western Spectator - Vol. II, No. 1, Oct. 19, 1811 - published every Saturday at Marietta by J. Israel for C. Emerson at $2.50 per annum, payable half yearly in advance." This was a paper not half the size of our Register. Volume 2d, bound, belonging to Mrs. Emerson, widow of the late Caleb Emerson, is before us by her favor. Its motto was, "Be just and fear not." Mr. Emerson was a vigorous writer.

At the election, Oct. 8, 1811, the vote of this county stood for State Senator as follows:

Marietta - Putnam, 78; Woodbridge, 120.

Belpre - Putnam, 60; Woodbridge 12.

Waterford - Putnam, 54; Woodbridge, 26.

Wooster (Watertown) - Putnam, 28; Woodbridge, 15.

Salem - Putnam, 17; Woodbridge, 1.

Fearing - Putnam, 32; Woodbridge, 36.

Newport - Putnam, 11; Woodbridge, 30.

Grandview - Putnam, 28; Woodbridge, 23.

Adams - Putnam, 39; Woodbridge, 27.

Wesley - Putnam, 8; Woodbridge, 18.

Warren - Putnam, 29; Woodbridge, 7.

Roxbury - Putnam, 29, Woodbridge, 31.

Total Washington County - Putnam, 413; Woodbridge, 346.

Athens County - Putnam, 120; Woodbridge, 227.

Total - Putnam, 533; Woodbridge, 573.

Mr. Putnam, the candidate above, was the late Hon. William R. Putnam, father of the present Judge William R. Putnam; he was the Federalist candidate. His opponent, the Republican or Democratic candidate, was the late Hon. William Woodbridge, who died a year or two ago in Michigan, U.S. Senator from that state, 1841-47. He was a brother of the late Dudley Woodbridge of this city.

While Mr. Putnam had 67 majority in Washington County, Mr. Woodbridge had 40 majority in the district and of course, was elected. At the same election our venerable friend, Dr. Hildreth, who was a Jefferson Republican, was elected Representative to the Legislature from this county and Athens, Jehiel Gregory of Athens being his colleague - Dr. Hildreth beating the late Ephraim Cutler, 20 in Washington County, and 160 in the district. He had been a Representative in the Legislature immediately preceding.

Moses McFarland was at this time, October 1811, keeping a hotel on Ohio Street, "The Traveller's Rest."

Commodore Whipple returns - "My thanks to the gentlemen of Marietta for their subscriptions to enable me to purchase a horse. If I am never able to make restitution, that great Governor of nature who created us all may do it, is the wish of an old worn out Officer of the United States. Abraham Whipple."