The First Ohio Colored Regiment.
John M. Langston,
colored, made a speech at the Court House, Tuesday night of this week, in
behalf of the 1st Ohio Colored Regiment, in Camp Delaware –
asking for aid and recruits. We did not hear him, but learn from several who
did that he made an eloquent speech, not surpassed in power by any one who has
spoken in Marietta, this year. The house was filled, and at the close, the sum
of $260 was raised and paid for the Regiment. It will be borne in mind that the
Government does not pay bounty as for white recruits, the law not authorizing
it. The colored people present raised $10 towards procuring colors for the Regiment.
Two recruits were obtained. Dr. Coulter will canvass the county for colored
recruits. This regiment now has between 700 and 800 men in it. The
Marietta Register, Friday, October 2, 1863, p. 3, c. 2. [This may
not have been an Emancipation Day event, but it occurred near September 22 and
Langston was the speaker on at least two subsequent Emancipation Day
celebrations.]
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The Marietta Register, July 29, 1864 |
Emancipation Anniversary.
The colored people will hold a Celebration on Harmar Hill, Monday, August 1st - forenoon and afternoon. Dudley Asbury of Harmar makes an address before dinner, and John M. Langston of Oberlin, one of Ohio's best speakers, at 2 o'clock P.M. A table will be furnished on the ground for dinner at reasonable rates. In the evening there will be a Festival at Marshall's Hall in Marietta, the proceeds to be devoted to the benefit of the Colored Church. The Marietta Register, July 29, 1864.
Celebration.
The ‘colored people’ of Marietta, Harmar, and
vicinity, held a celebration, on the beautiful Harmar Hill, Friday, 22d inst.,
in commemoration of the Emancipation Proclamation of President Lincoln. Wonder
if the Copperheads think now that that Proclamation
was a ‘bull against the comet!’ Prof. Ferguson, of Albany, Athens county, made
a first-class speech – a speech, we are informed, for we were not there, that
would have done credit to any ‘white’ man. Rev. Mr. Bartlett,
of Barlow, and one or two others, addressed the audience – about 200 colored
and 50 white. The Marietta Register, Thursday, September 28,
1865, p. 3, c. 3. [Thomas Jefferson Ferguson (1830-1887), founder,
principal, and president of the Albany Enterprise Academy (1863- 1886) in
Athens County.]
The colored men of this county celebrated the anniversary of
the preliminary proclamation of emancipation, at Vincent, Saturday, 22d inst.
John M. Langston, the eminent colored orator, addressed them on that occasion.
At night, on very short notice, the Court House in Marietta, was filled, to
listen to Mr. Langston. The Marietta Register, Thursday,
September 27, 1866, p. 3, c. 1.
The "colored fellow-citizens" are to have a grand
celebration in honor of the Emancipation Proclamation, at Fleming Station,
Marietta and Cincinnati Railroad, eastern part of Barlow township, Tuesday, 24th inst.
John M. Langston, the eloquent colored orator, is to be present, with other
able speakers. It will be a "big" day – a highly interesting
occasion. The Marietta Register, Thursday, September 19, 1867,
p. 3, c. 1.
The colored people will celebrate the Sixth [fifth]
Anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, at Cook’s Grove, Belpre, Tuesday,
22d inst. Address by Rev. D. E. Asbury, of Wheeling; and perhaps there will be
other speakers. The Marietta Register, Thursday, September 17,
1868, p. 3, c. 1.
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The Marietta Register, September 16, 1869 |
Emancipation Celebration.
The celebration of the sixth anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, will take place near Flemming Station, on the Marietta and Cincinnati Railroad, Wednesday, Sept. 22, 1869. All persons desiring to celebrate this glorious event are earnestly requested to come and aid us, while we tell you how we are marching along. Those attending will be entertained by addresses from Prof. P. H. Murray, of Philadelphia; Rev. H. E. Asbury, of Allegheny City; Hon. H. H. Garnett, President of Avery College, Allegheny City. Arrangements have been made for half fare. The train will leave the Depot at Harmar, for Flemming Station, at 7:15, A. M. It will leave Belpre at 7, A. M. All can return on an extra train, which will leave the Station at 5 o’clock, P. M. / An invitation is cordially extended to all. The Marietta Register, Thursday, September 16, 1869, p. 3, c. 5.
The colored people hold a ‘Grand Celebration’ of the
anniversary of the Proclamation of Emancipation, and of the business of Equal
Rights, at Cutler, this county, Thursday, Sept. 22d. The speakers announced are
Prof. Wm. Hannibal Thomas, of Allegheny City, Hon. Wm. P. Cutler, Rev. T. J.
Ferguson, also Col. Realf, of South Carolina. Half fare on the M. & C.
Railroad, leaving Marietta, on the mail train, at 8:35 A. M., and returning on
a special train at night. The Marietta Register, September 15,
1870.
Emancipation Celebration at Belpre.
A Big and Enthusiastic
Crowd. / The celebration of the colored people in Col. Stone’s grove at Belpre,
Monday, 23d inst., was an immense success, far exceeding any celebration held
by them in Washington county. They came by cars, in ferry boats, in skiffs, in
wagons, in buggies, and on foot, from Ohio and West Virginia, till, estimating
after the manner of U.S. Democratic Senator Thurman, it was a ten-acre meeting.
The Cincinnati Enquirer would put it at ‘the lowest figures, 5,000 of the
sturdy yeomanry of the land present’ – provided it had been a Greeley crowd,
which it was not. Cut the meeting into five parts, and each part would equal in
numbers the Gen. Tom Ewing Greeley Libocratic meeting in Marietta, last week. It
is not probable there was a Greeley colored man in all that vast throng,
although several white Greeley men were there, Democrats, who did not at all
relish the speakers. / The meeting was called to order by Mr. Sawyer, of
Belpre, who was equal to the occasion at presiding. / The colored brass band,
from Parkersburg, gave much satisfaction to all who heard their ‘mellifluous
strains.’ / Prayer by Rev. Jesse Asbury, of Cedar, O. Lincoln’s Emancipation
Proclamation was read by Wm. Cross, of Decatur township. / First speaker
introduced, Thomas Still, of Chesterfield, Morgan county. Without pretension,
he made a first-class talk, made good points and hits, - a speech that many a
white man would be proud to deliver as well. / Dinner followed. There were baskets
well filled with provisions, and many friends were entertained, pic-nic style.
Twenty stands for the sale of refreshments, such as cold boiled hams, chickens,
pies, ice cream, lemonade, &c., dotted the woods, and nothing stronger than
sweet cider. One person was seen to ask for ‘suthin’ to take’ that might
inebriate, but was firmly told, ‘Not ‘lowed on de ground. Here’s water. Dis a
free country now sure, ‘cos of de Republicans, and you must take de free
drink.’ / The drum corps waked the woods during the hours of mid-day. Also, the
platform dance, to the music of three violins and a two-stringed bass viol, was
in energetic operation all the spare time. / After dinner, Rev. J. W. McMaster,
of Marietta, coming on the ground, was impressed for a ten minutes speech, the
only white speaker of the day. / Prof. T. J. Ferguson, of Albany, Athens
county, made the great speech of the day, drawing forth shout upon shout of
applause. He was an able speaker, very. / Robt. W. Simmons, of Parkersburg,
followed in a lively, ta[l]king speech. He is a sharp man, and was a delegate
from West Virginia to the Philadelphia Republican National Convention. / None
of the colored speakers had a word of comfort for Greeley. / The colored
people, with reason, felt great pride in the success of their meeting. It was a
very orderly assemblage, behaving with marked propriety of conduct. Men and
women acted like gentlemen and ladies, and children were exceedingly respectful,
quiet, tidily dressed, and did much honor to their parents. The
Marietta Register, September 26, 1872, p. 3, c. 2.
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The Marietta Register, September 17, 1874 |
Emancipation Day.
Tuesday next, September 22d, is Emancipation Day, and we learn it is the intention of the colored people of Washington, Morgan and Athens counties to celebrate the event at Cutler Station, with speeches, music, etc. Gen. Dawes, Hon. N. H. Van Vorhes, and others speakers will be present. Rev. Mr. Thomas, of this city, will also deliver an oration. A half-fare train will leave Marietta at 7 in the morning; returning, will leave Cutler at 4 P. M. The train from Parkersburg will leave a little earlier. All well disposed persons are invited to participate. The Marietta Register, September 17, 1874, p. 3, c. 5.
Celebration at Cutler.
The colored friends of this and
Athens county, joined in celebrating at Cutler, last Tuesday, the anniversary
of President Lincoln’s proclamation of Emancipation. Similar gatherings were
held at Parkersburg and at Nelsonville, in Athens county. These drew from the
Cutler meeting, still it was largely attended. The day was beautiful, and the
woods where the arrangements were made for spending the day, are delightfully
situated, and close to the station. Excursion trains were run, and all the
regular trains made stops. The German Band from Marietta was on hand to furnish
music. Besides, there was vocal music by those taking part in the occasion. In
the forenoon there was speaking for an hour, by Mr. Still, whose remarks we did
not hear, but they were spoken of favorably. After dinner, the meeting was
first addressed by Rev. Mr. Thomas, of Marietta, who spoke with a great deal of
earnestness, entertaining the audience as few can. / He was followed by Gen. R.
R. Dawes, the principal speaker of the day, who, for an hour held the large
audience in unbroken interest. Gen. Dawes did himself credit, which, seeing he
is a modest man, is all we feel at liberty to say. Jon. N. H. Van Vorhes was
introduced and made a few remarks, being very unwell and not justified in
attempting a set speech. / Mr. G. W. Harrison, of Harmar, was chairman of the
meeting, and conducted it in a highly satisfactory manner. The day was
innocently, pleasantly and profitably spent. No disturbances to mar the
happiness of the occasion, which must have been participated in by nearly one
thousand people. The conduct, the intelligent appearance of those in
attendance, and the entire management of the exercises of the day were
creditable to our colored friends, and would not suffer in contrast with any
similar attempt of their heretofore more highly favored white brethren. The
Marietta Register, Thursday, September 24, 1874, p. 2, c. 4. [George
W. Harrison (1829-1897) was the father of Charles Sumner Harrison, John
Langston Harrison, and Walter Clifton Harrison, early Black graduates of
Marietta College. He had been a conductor on the Underground Railroad and was a
local activist for Civil Rights.]
Final Plans For Emancipation Day.
How the Afro-Americans
Will do Honor to the Memory of the Martyred Lincoln. / A Big Foreign Delegation
Will Be Present From Surrounding Towns – Good Speaking. / Good Music and a
General Good Time Anticipated at Maple Glen Park – Excursion Rates and
Everybody Going. / Thirty-three years ago to-morrow, President Lincoln with his
foresight and love for his fellowmen, issued a formal proclamation announcing
that the colored people who were then in bondage, should be considered free
after a certain date. / It was in the midst of a great struggle; at a time when
freedom was not wholly assured, but at the opening of the following year,
however, the proclamation became effective. Freedom, to men who had been bound
by the chains of slavery, was a dear word, and when it was put into actual
practice, how gladly was in received and hailed with joy by the colored
population throughout our land! / Since that time, no holiday, no celebration,
has been so dear to the colored people as has the twenty-second day of
September. It is then that their present condition is contrasted with that of
but a few years ago. Appropriate exercises in the principal cities of the
United States are prepared, and the day is made one of gladness and rejoicing.
It is right and proper that it should be. / It has been the custom of the
colored people of this city and the surrounding country to celebrate this day
in a fitting way each year, and this year promises to be no exception to the
general rule, but will perhaps be the most complete in the general make-up of
any that has preceded. The celebration, next Monday, will be held at Maple Glen
Park, which is situated about 18 miles up the Muskingum, and needs no
description to be made known to the people in this part of the country.
Amusements of various kinds will be offered, and besides the intellectual part
of the program, a general good time is anticipated. / The speakers expected for
the day are Gov. McKinley [spoke in Marietta Oct. 1 or 2, 1895], Hon. David Sleeper,
of Athens, and Mr. Chas. S. Dana, of this city. It is useless to say that these
speakers, if all can be present, will interest the people, as their reputation
is already established as eloquent, patriotic orators. / Singer’s famous
mandolin and guitar club will furnish music during the day. / A large crowd is
expected from Parkersburg, since the smallpox scare at Wheeling prevents them
from attending there, as they had anticipated. / Excursion rates have been
secured on the Z. & O. and T. & O. C. E. railroads. / Good connections
will be made by the T. & O. C. E. with the Z. & O., and the crowd will
be well accommodated. / Several of the leading colored people of the country
will be there, and impromptu speeches will be made, songs sung, and all of the
amusements characteristic of the colored people will be in full blast. That the
day will be gloriously spent and fittingly celebrated, is a foregone
conclusion, as the program arranged, already testifies. The Daily
Register, September 21, 1895, p. 4, c. 3.
The largest crowd that has left this city for some time to
celebrate Emancipation day, left this morning for Maple Glen Park. A large
crowd came from Parkersburg and many came in over the T. & O. C. E. and
were joined by the colored people of the city. About five hundred persons made
up the crowd. All left happy as could be and the happiness will no doubt
continue during the day.” The Daily Register, Monday, September
23, 1895, p. 5, c. 1.
The speeches at Maple Glen Park, yesterday, were made by
Messrs. Chas. N. Dana, W. B. McGill and I. R. Rose. They were all very
interesting throughout and were heartily received by the people present. The
celebration was a great success and the day was appropriately
celebrated.” The Daily Register, Tuesday, September 24, 1895, p.
5, c. 2.
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Marietta Daily Leader, September 20, 1897 |
Emancipation Day.
Colored People Anticipate a Big Time
Wednesday Afternoon. / The local committee on arrangements for the Emancipation
Day celebration at the City Park Wednesday afternoon are confident of a large
attendance and an old-time celebration. The T. & O. C. E., Z. & O. R.,
B. & O. S. W. and C. & M. railways will all make special excursion
rates, and as this is the only celebration in Washington county this year, big
crowds are expected over each road. / The orator of the day will be Hon. Wm. H.
Parham, of Cincinnati, who is a member of the Ohio Legislature and one of the
most widely known colored orators of the state. The colored people will be
addressed by Hon. Lorenzo Danford also and probably by other speakers not yet
secured. / The celebration promises to be the most successful one ever held in
the county. Marietta Daily Leader, September 20, 1897.
Emancipation Day.
Colored People Have a Most Successful
Celebration on Wednesday. / There was a large and enthusiastic crowd of colored
people in the city Wednesday to attend the Emancipation Day celebrations at the
City Park. The day was an ideal one for such an occasion and the celebration
passed off most successfully and enjoyably for all. / At one o’clock the
exercises began with a street parade headed by the Marietta band and the
speakers in carriages. Seats enough for about 3,000 people had been erected in
front of the orchestra stand in the park, and when Chairman Ambrose Barnett
called the audience to order every seat was filled. The orator of the day was
Hon. William H. Parham of Cincinnati, a member of the Ohio House of
Representatives and one of the most widely known colored speakers of the State.
He was enthusiastically received when introduced, and after the reading of the
Emancipation Proclamation by Miss Justice, delivered one of the strongest and
most eloquent addresses ever heard in this county on a similar occasion. He was
listened to with great interest by his large audience, who frequently showed
their appreciation of his eloquence by enthusiastic applause. / At the
conclusion of his address the crowd was entertained with some excellent music
by the Marietta band, after which Senator M. A. Hanna was introduced amidst
great applause and made a neat and appropriate speech, calling attention to the
rapid strides of the colored race since the shackles were stricken from them by
the great Proclamation, and prophesying continued advancement and increased
prosperity in the years to come. Marietta Daily Leader,
September 23, 1897, p. 3.
Program and List of Events for Emancipation Day.
Following
is the program and list of events for the 38th Emancipation Day
anniversary to be held in the City Park, Marietta, O., next Monday, September
23rd. / 1:00 P. M. – Parade, starting at Bethel A. M. E. Church,
South Third street, in the following order: Marietta Police Force; Marietta
Band; Pioneer City Lodge No. 43, K. of P.; Fire Department; Afro-American
League of Washington and adjacent counties; Speakers of the day in carriages. /
The line of march will be on Third to Greene, Greene to Front, Front to Putnam,
Putnam to Second, Second to Scammel, Scammel to Front, Front to City Park. /
Music and Prayer; Address of welcome by Hon. W. E. Sykes, Mayor of Marietta;
Music by Marietta Band; Reading of Emancipation Proclamation, by miss Lizzie
Dickinson, Vincent, O.; Music by Marietta Band; Address by Hon. C. C.
Middleswart; Music by Band; Address by Henry Savage, Esq.; Music; Address by T.
M. Fletcher, on Knighthood; Music; Address by Dr. O. A. Lambert; Music; Address
by Bishop A. Grant, of the African M. E. church. / Evening. / 7:00 P. M. –
Opening concert by Marietta Band, in front of City Hall; 7:30 – Speaking at
Auditorium by one of the following able, eloquent and entertaining orators;
President Joshua H. Jones, D. D., of Wilberforce University, the able negro
educator of the North; Prof. Booker T. Washington, of Tuskogee Normal
Institute, the leading negro educator of the South; Vocal and instrumental
music will be rendered. Marietta Daily Leader, September 21,
1901, p. 8.
Emancipation Was Fittingly Observed by a Large Crowd on Monday.
On the 22nd day of September, 1862, being thirty-nine
years ago Monday, President Lincoln proclaimed to the world his famous
Emancipation Proclamation, which became effective January 1st, 1863,
and which resulted in freedom to all slaves in the United States. / Each year
September 22nd is set aside by the colored people on which to
rejoice over their freedom, and on Monday of this week the celebration of the
38th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation was held in
the City Park, this city. / Church Dedication. / On Sunday, as a preliminary to
the Emancipation exercises, Bethel A. M. E. Church, on Third street, was
dedicated, the sermon being delivered by Rev. C. S. Gee, Presiding Elder of the
Columbus district of the A. M. E. Church. This took place Sunday forenoon, and
in the afternoon exercises were held at the Auditorium, the sermon being
delivered by Dr. Talbert, Secretary of Wilberforce University. Rev. Dr.
Townsend, pastor of St. Paul’s A. M. E. Church, Columbus, preached at Bethel
Church Sunday evening. / Emancipation Day. / Monday was a typical autumn day
and hundreds of visitors from various sections came to the city to attend the
exercises. / At one o’clock the parade formed at Bethel A. M. E. Church, South
Third street in the following order: Marietta Police Force; Marietta Band;
Pioneer City Lodge, No. 43, K. of P; Parkersburg Lodge, K. of P.; Fire
Department; Afro-American League of Washington and adjoining counties; Speakers
of the day in carriages. / The line of march was on Third to Greene, Greene to
Front, Front to Putnam, Putnam to Second, Second to Scammel, Scammel to Front,
Front to City Park. / Rev. W. H. Thomas, Pastor of Bethel Church, presided.
First came music, then prayer, then an address of welcome by Mayor Sykes, then
music, followed by the reading of the Emancipation Proclamation, by Miss Lizzie
Dickinson, of Vincent. Music by band. / Dr. O. A. Lambert was introduced and
talked from a historical standpoint on slavery at length. He was followed by
Henry Savage, who urged the colored people to organize. Hon. C. C. Middleswart
talked of the great progress made by the colored race and of the importance of
education. He was followed by Elder Gee and Dr. Talbert, both of whom made very
interesting and instructive addresses. The speaking part of the program was
interspersed with good selections from the Marietta Band. Marietta
Daily Leader, Tuesday, September 24, 1901, p. 1, c. 2-3.
53 Years of Freedom To Be Celebrated.
A celebration more
elaborate than that held three years ago, which marked the semi-centennial of
the abolition of slavery in this country and brought a large crowd of people of
the colored race from miles around, is being planned this year, the occasion
being the fifty-third anniversary of the freedom of the negro from the bondage
of slavery. The fittingness of a celebration of this kind finds ample
justification in the marked progress of the race during its fifty-three years
of freedom and everything points to the largest celebration of the kind ever
held in Ohio. / The celebration this year will be of the nature of a Home
Coming Week, during which former residents of this county and state are to be
invited back to join in the celebration which comes to a close on Emancipation
Day, September 22. / Thursday evening a concert at the Auditorium theatre
here by Miss Rachael Walker, prima donna soprano, who has won fame in the
musical world and distinguished herself among the people of her race. The
appearance of Miss Walker here promises to furnish a fitting climax to the week
of festivities. Miss Walker is a former Cleveland, Ohio, girl. She is a
finished singer, has been complimented by royalty and also by Mme. Patti. She
is a pupil of the famous teacher, the late Mme. Marchesi. / The concert will be
held Thursday evening, September 21, and local talent will contribute to the
entertainment. The presence of Wright's Orchestra of Columbus will also be a
pleasing feature. / The celebration will begin with special services at
the Wesleyan M. E. church here on Sunday, September 17. Monday evening a
reception will be given at the church according to the tentative arrangements.
Tuesday, a picnic and dance will be held at Fern Cliff Park, and on Wednesday,
a lawn fete will be held at Sacra Via Park. Thursday evening Miss Walker will
appear in a musical at the Auditorium, and Friday a general celebration of
Emancipation Day will be held. / A big parade will be held in the morning. William
Peyton of Rockland, an ex-slave said to be past 107 years old, will lead the
parade, which will proceed to the fair grounds where the festivities will be
held, including speeches and athletic events. / Governor Willis has been
invited to address the holiday crowd and a colored speaker of national
reputation will be included in the program of addresses. Gloucester, Athens,
Middleport and Pomeroy will join with Marietta in the celebration of
Emancipation Day, and large delegations are expected here on that day from
Zanesville, Cambridge, Noble County, and the many other points in this section
of Ohio and West Virginia. / A committee has been appointed by the Chamber of
Commerce here to cooperate with the committee which has the arrangements for
the celebration in charge and this furnishes even greater assurance of the
success of the affair. The Register-Leader, August 19, 1916.
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