The Mary E. Hovey Perjury Case

The Marietta Register (Semi-Weekly), Tuesday, June 17, 1884:

The Mary E. Hovey perjury case has occupied court three days and long ones at that. Saturday evening court ran till midnight, and then back to 11 o'clock and went over the last hour again. Nearly one hundred witnesses were examined including many experts. The cost to the county will be well nigh $1,000. As we go to press the jury are out on the case.

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The Marietta Register (Semi-Weekly), Tuesday, June 17, 1884:

The Hovey perjury case will cost nearly $1,000. The expense will fall upon the county unless the jury returns a verdict of guilty. For unadulterated nastiness and spite, this case is without parallel in late years at the court house.

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The Marietta Register (Semi-Weekly), Friday, June 20, 1884:

Guilty

The trail of Mary E. Hovey which occupied the court almost night and day for four days on a charge of perjury resulted in a verdict of guilty. The penalty is imprisonment for a term of three to ten years. A new trial was asked for and the motion will be heard July 2d. The grounds are considered slight and the chances are that Mrs. Hovey will be the second woman sent from Washington county for perjury. Mrs. Hovey's crime consisted in swearing out a warrant for a woman by the name of Kauf, charging her with stealing a watch which at the time was pledged to another party to secure a board bill.

The circumstances occurred some two years ago and were related at the time in the Register.

The case called a great many witnesses into court and in some aspects was scandalous. The defendant is a woman who has flaunted a disgraceful life in the face of decent people in Marietta for many years. A great many, several of them women, were dragged into court by her attorney and felt contaminated by the atmosphere surrounding the case, because they knew nothing bearing upon it and nothing good of the defendant. The verdict was one expected by all who heard much of the trial.

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The Marietta Register (Semi-Weekly), Friday, June 20, 1884:

At the close of the Hovey perjury trial Monday evening, when the jury brought in its verdict of "Guilty," Judge Sibley ordered the Sheriff to commit Mrs. Hovey until time of sentence. The defendant shed a few tears and her counsel offered $500 bond for her safe appearance. But all to no avail, the Judge was immovable. "That's the way we do at Zanesville," said her attorney. "Well," said the Judge, "That may be the way they do in Zanesville, but it's not the way we do in Marietta." She was committed."

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The Marietta Weekly Leader, Tuesday, June 24, 1884:

Monday evening about ten o'clock the jury in the Hovey case brought in a verdict of guilty Mr. Beard, the defendant's attorney, entered notice of a motion for a new trial and sentence was not passed. Mrs. Hovey was committed to jail notwithstanding Beard's earnest petition to have her placed in his custody. 

Since her confinement in the jail, Mrs. Hovey has evinced a good deal of stubbornness. She has eaten scarcely anything for several days and steadily refuses nourishment. Considering that she is probably doomed to a term of imprisonment in the penitentiary she is taking a poor way to prepare herself for it.

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The Marietta Register (Semi-Weekly), Tuesday, July 15, 1884:

Court Proceedings

July 9th.

The State of Ohio vs. Mary E. Hovey. Motion for new trial heard; leave to file additional motion; both overruled; defendant excepts; sentenced to Penitentiary 4 years.

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The Marietta Register (Semi-Weekly), Friday, July 18, 1884:

Mrs. Hovey expressed herself that she hoped she would never get out alive as she entered the female ward of the Penitentiary.

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The Marietta Register, March 19, 1886:

Mrs. Hovey Pardoned.

Gov. Foraker pardoned Mrs. Mary E. Hovey, Monday, on the petition of Senator John O'Neill and other leading citizens, and because the officers and physicians at the penitentiary officially reported her to be in such bad health as to have been a constant care and burden to the state for the last twelve months, and that her health is continually growing worse, with no reasonable hope of recovery. She was released and joined her son, Milton Hovey, outside the prison walls. Mrs. Hovey went up for perjury in July 1884.

The Ohio State Journal of Tuesday prints portions of a poem said to have been written by her during her imprisonment as follows:

God pity the wretched prisoners

In their lonely cells this day,

Whatever the sin that tripped them,

God pity them still, I say.

Only a gleam of sunshine

Cleft by the rusty bars,

Only a scratch of azure,

Only a cluster of stars.

Only a barren future

To starve their hopes upon,

Only stinging memories

Of a past that's better gone.

Only a scorn from woman,

Only hate from man,

Only remorse to whisper

Of a life that might have been.

Once they were little children.

Perhaps their unstained feet

Were led by a gentle mother

Toward the Golden street.

Therefore, it in life's forest

They since have lost their way,

For the sake of her who bore them

"God pity them still," I say.

And ye who judge so harshly,

Are you sure the stumbling-stone

Which tripped the feet of others

May not have bruised your own?

Then pray for the wretches prisoners

All over the land this day,

That a holy hand of pity

Will wipe their sins away.

Note: Mary E. Koontz, born about 1841, was married to Franklin Hovey in Meigs County, Ohio, in 1861. On the 1880 Census, she was listed as a seamstress, living on Greene Street in Marietta with her 16-year-old son, Henry M. Hovey. Mary E. Hovey was committed to the Washington County, Ohio, jail on October 8, 1883, on the charge of perjury. According to a complaint made by Miss Callie Kauf, Mary "wickedly and maliciously devising and intending to vex and aggrieve" Daniel Kauf and Caroline Kauf and to subject them to the "punishment, pains and penalties" of law, had gone to William Glines, Justice of the Peace, on March 14, 1881, and "falsely and maliciously" swore to him that on March 7, 1881, Daniel, Caroline, and Callie Kauf had stolen money from her in the amount of $84 and a gold watch valued at $200. A transcript of the trial is found in Washington County Common Pleas Final Record, Volume 59, pages 263-338. It appears that Mary E. Hovey lived until 1891 and is buried in Zanesville's Greenwood Cemetery.

Big Still is Discovered by Sheriff's Men

 Marietta Daily Times, January 11, 1926

Well-Hidden Plant Had a Capacity for Large Output.

Clarence Allen, who was sent to the penitentiary two or three years ago after his conviction on a charge of operating a still on the McCann farm above Waterford, was re-arrested on Sunday by Sheriff Yarnall's men and will be returned to the state prison to complete his term of one to five years on the former offense.

Allen, after his release from the penitentiary, rented the Marshall heirs farm above Devol's Dam and last year was one of the successful truck growers of that section. He was an energetic and tireless worker and produced bumper crops with fine profits to himself and the owners of the farm. He and his family resided in the old Marshall homestead near the Masonic Park.

Recently there had been rumors that all was not right about the place, and on Sunday Deputy Sheriffs Way, Lindamood and Masters raided it and found a liquor manufacturing plant.

Hidden Under Ground

After moving a large pile of coal that they found in an open shed about 60 feet from the house, the officers found a trap door leading into an underground passage. They lowered themselves into the tunnel and followed it into what proved to be the largest and best-equipped distillery ever found in the county.

The cavern extended clear along one side of the old brick house that Allen has occupied, and a large still with special apparatus for cooling the output was found. Connections had been made with the regular chimney of the house.

Place Well Stocked

A large underground room was filled with mash barrels with the necessary heaters to keep the mash fermenting, and it is apparent that the plant could turn out great quantities of liquor. The officers found 850 gallons of mash ready to run.

Stored in the plant the officers found large numbers of five-gallon jugs and other containers. They gathered up several gallons of liquor, but the supply of finished product was not large. They found hundreds of pounds of sugar and many sacks of cracked corn and rye, all of which were seized. Several truck-loads of the contraband were hauled to the court house.

Allen had built his underground plant months ago, it was apparent, and the ground above it was covered with good, firm sod. The roof of the cavern was made of heavy planking and this carried about 18 inches of soil, all neatly topped with grass that apparently had been kept moved during the past season.

Has Years to Serve

Allen was committed to the county jail and a parole officer is expected to come to Marietta within a day or two to take him back to the penitentiary. He has about four years of his original sentence to serve.

There was every indication that Allen's outfit had been in use for months, a condition that explains many things to the sheriff and the police. Time after time they would get word that the Allen crowd had big supplies of liquor in the city, but their best efforts to trace it to the base of supply proved fruitless until Sunday.

"We know one or two of the partners of Allen in this enterprise and expect to pick them up without much trouble," Sheriff Yarnall said on Monday morning.

The K. K. K.'s In Marietta!

 The Marietta Register, November 16, 1871

Fearful Doings - A Citizen Attacked - One of the Klan loses some Blood at the hands of another.

The K. K. K.'s have at length made their appearance in Marietta. No need of being startled, reader. Ours is not the much-feared Ku Klux Klan that spread such terror in the South. Our Klan would never attempt to harm anybody, except in case they could strike at a fearful disadvantage to the party they would attempt to injure.

Ours is known as the Kiss-me-Katy Klan - is of very recent origin - and thus far embraces only two members.

These two, within the past week issued an infamous card against one of our citizens and his household. On being interviewed in regard to the slander, they flew into a passion, showed fight two to one, and actually assailed one of our citizens with bricks! 

The older member of the Klan, being a little more courageous than the other, pressed the citizen a little too closely and was promptly floored on the pavement. The other member of the Klan, standing at a safe distance, bravely exclaimed: "Let us go into him, father!" But the old man was powerless to "go in," being held firmly in close contact with the pavement.

The son, to relieve the father, came forward, striking frantically with a brick, and in his wild rage made a mislick, striking his father a violent blow in the forehead and laying him out so effectually that the melee came to an abrupt end. Blood flowed profusely, and the sight of this chilled the courage of the unhurt member of the Klan, who had pressing business down town in search of a physician.

A burly magistrate appeared on the ground just in the "niche of time," and order was restored, and the wounded cared for. All is peace now on Second Street, above Scammel, but the battle ground will ever remain a memorable spot - to the Klan.

Seriously, is it not time that this business of slandering citizens, which the Kiss-me-Katy Klan have so long indulged in from their safe lodge in the third story of a building should be stopped by the Klan, or otherwise? We submit this question to a long-suffering community.

Disorderly House

The Marietta Daily Times, Monday, April 10, 1905

Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Smith and Mrs. Hattie Martin, who live together at the former's home in the upper end of the city, were placed under arrest Saturday afternoon and are now in the county jail.

For several years complaint has been made by people living in their neighborhood that the women, who were the Tucker sisters before their names were changed by marriage, were conducting a disorderly house. On that charge the prisoners were arraigned this morning. All three of them plead not guilty and they were locked up to await a hearing Wednesday morning at 8:30 o'clock.

A large number of witnesses for the prosecution and several for the defense will be subpoenaed.

Smith made a statement in court this morning protesting his innocence and that of his wife and declaring that they are being persecuted and tormented by the people of their neighborhood.

Murder of William A. Dutton

 The Marietta Register, June 17, 1864

On Friday, 10th inst., about noon, William A. Dutton, a little son of John B. Dutton, nine years old last February, was shot through the heart and instantly killed at the upper end of the "Capitolium" square on Fifth Street, above Washington.

It appears that an abandoned family named Steed, two or three weeks ago, moved from the top of the hill north of town, into a small barn in the locality of the murder. Rude boys often threw stones at the barn in which they were staying and probably used impudent language to the inmates. Mrs. Steed became enraged and, it is said, threatened to shoot the boys.

Just before the shooting, some boys stoned the barn; who they were, we are not advised. The little Dutton boy and two or three others of his age were playing upon the commons near the barn. Perhaps some of them had thrown stones, influenced by larger boys, and perhaps not. At any rate, a gun was fired from the barn, killing the little Dutton boy.

Mrs. Mary Steed, her son William J. Steed, some 15 years of age, and two daughters were arrested and had an examination before John Test, Esq. The daughters were discharged. Mrs. Steed and her son were committed to jail on the charge of murder. Four of Mrs. Steed's younger children, one about a year old, have been sent to the County Infirmary.

County Jail Empty Only Once in Last Four Years

 Marietta Daily Times, December 14, 1922

Seventeen prisoners took breakfast on Thursday morning at the county jail and immediately thereafter John W. Britton, a bootlegger, was given a new pair of shoes and his liberty. He kept his agreement to leave Washington county and took the first train for Chillicothe where his home is located. Britton was arrested in a raid staged at Reno one night last summer and had served an even four months in jail. He was sent up by Mayor Sandford.

Eight of the seventeen men and boys in jail on Thursday morning are doing time for violating the different provisions of the Crabbe act and a majority of them have been sent over from the court of the mayor. Fred "Blinky" Hendershot is the "dean of the prison," having been confined for almost six months. He was sent up by Mayor Sandford on the 26th of June and his time will not be up until some time in February, if he serves it all.

When Sheriff Roberts came into office four years ago, the outgoing sheriff turned over to him seventeen prisoners. Within a few days that number was reduced and on Thanksgiving Day of 1920 the prison was entirely empty and the big doors stood open. They continued that way for two weeks, during which Sheriff Roberts spent several days at his Waterford township farm. Then the juvenile court committed a delinquent boy to the jail and it is recalled that he made a vain attempt to destroy the courthouse and jail by setting fire to his bed.

From that until the present time the prison never has been empty and the number of prisoners has fluctuated, dropping to a bare half-dozen, then climbing back to seventeen. About a year go, on the day that Sheriff Roberts took a party of eight boys to the Mansfield reformatory, the number of prisoners on the books mounted to eighteen, but several of them did not enter the jail, merely coming to the sheriff's office to surrender. Therefore, seventeen is the high record for the past four years - a number that has been twice attained.

Attempt to Swindle

 Marietta Intelligencer, January 2, 1845

A few days since a stranger called at the Grocery of one of our citizens, Mr. Lindner, and pretending to have a large quantity of counterfeit coin in his possession, offered to dispose of it at a low rate. Mr. Lindner, wishing to detect the rogue, affected to be willing to buy the coin, and an agreement was that the transfer should be made of $250 of good money for $500 of the counterfeit at Belpre in this County on a subsequent day.

Mr. Lindner after advising with Justice Browning of Belpre agreed that a seizure should be made of the Coin and the villain, in the very act of transfer. He was accordingly arrested with an accomplice, and a box, which was in appearance like a box filled with specie, was discovered hidden under the bank of the Ohio. On examination however it appeared that instead of being filled with counterfeit money, it contained nothing but some old iron and sand. The plot undoubtedly was to induce Mr. Lindner to bring a large sum of money, and if possible persuade him to buy the box as containing the specie, but if he should refuse to do so, to take his money from him by force. 

They were committed to jail, but being brought up before the Associate Judges of the Common Pleas were discharged - they having done nothing which under the defective provisions of our Laws is punishable.

The oldest of the two calls himself Simmons - sometimes James and at others William. He is a man of some 50 years of age, with prominent features, and of a rather repulsive appearance. The younger is about 25 or 30, and calls himself Joseph Wright. We advise people to be cautious, as they will probably attempt to swindle in other places. They represent themselves to be from Guernsey County.

Accuse Two of Whiskey Manufacture

 The Marietta Daily Times, November 21, 1927

Two affidavits charging manufacture of liquor were filed before Judge David H. Thomas in common pleas court on Monday. They are signed by the sheriff and the men accused are William Devore of Marietta and Clarence Barnes of Beverly. Devore was arrested by the police on Saturday evening. Barnes is in the custody of the sheriff and will appear in court on Tuesday.

Devore was arraigned before Judge Thomas on Monday. He pleaded not guilty and waived examination. He was held to the grand jury and his bond was fixed at $500. He was trying to find bondsmen on Monday.

Barnes, who is employed by the traction company, was detained at Lowell on Monday but agreement had been made for him to appear in court by 9:30 o'clock on Tuesday morning.

These arrests follow a raid made some months ago by the sheriff's men in which they found a whiskey-making plant hidden in a barn on a farm owned by Barnes near Stanleyville. Ed Butcher already has been arrested as the operator of the plant and is held to the January grand jury. It is charged that Devore and Barnes were partners in the enterprise.

The still had been arranged under a "tin house" that had been built in the barn and over which a lot of oats straw had been piled. A cleverly arranged trap door led into the distillery from the barn basement.

Hallowe'en Wild Night in Marietta and Lawlessness Results in Many Arrests

 The Marietta Daily Times, November 1, 1929

Marietta police declare that Thursday night was the wildest they have experienced in many years. Dozens of calls were answered in nearly every section of the city. Numerous arrests were made and a busy session of court was held by the mayor on Friday morning.

Destruction of property was reported in many parts of the city. The boys and young men celebrated Hallowe'en and they failed by a wide margin to confine their energy to harmless things.

One of the favorite diversions seemed to be the breaking of electric lights. Porch lights were knocked out at many points and even the street lamps suffered. The usual trick in the case of a street light was to untie the rope and let the light crash to the street. Lem Hess, city electrical superintendent, estimates the damage in his department at $75.

One of the worst outbreaks occurred on Phillips Street, where five boys bombarded the Carl Wunderlich automobile with pumpkins. The car, a new one, was damaged considerably. From that stunt the boys turned their attention to the home of W. M. Jones, where they smeared up the porch and plastered the front lawn with chicken feathers.

Jones chased the boys down the street, firing a 38-calibre revolver at them. The police brought the boys and Jones to headquarters. Earl Steed and Raymond Stegner were placed in jail while their three companions, Lewis Klein, Denver McCain, and William Becker, were ordered in on Friday. Jones also was ordered to come before the mayor. On Friday morning the case was certified to probate court.

Another outbreak occurred on lower Putnam Street where Hugh Smith and Roy Barnes engaged in a fight. They were under the influence of liquor, according to the police, and the battle was a vicious one. Both were arrested. Barnes' wife later secured his release by posting a bond of $100. The pair pleaded guilty on Friday to fighting charges and each was fined $15 and costs. Barnes paid both fines. Smith, it developed Friday morning, had sustained a broken shoulder in the fight.

Lat Thursday evening Mrs. Nellie Baker called for the police. She reported that Hugh Perry had attacked and beaten her in front of the post office property. Perry was arrested. He was fined $5 and costs on Friday and paid.

Elmer Lang, arrested in the city park, demonstrated to the world that he has one faithful friend - his dog. When Lang went behind the bars his dog raised such a commotion that he too was allowed to enter the jail and he slept on one of the iron cots along with Lang. The latter was fined $5 and costs on Friday.

 

Covered Their Ears

The Marietta Daily Times, April 10, 1905

Women On An Inter Urban Car

John Romire, who makes his home at Marietta and Parkersburg, created a scene Saturday afternoon on the Inter Urban car which left here at 2:30 o'clock.

The conductor had trouble in getting his fare after the car had reached Williamstown. When the fares were collected at Central, Romire was asleep and when awakened he refused to pay, and it is alleged called the collector of fares all kinds of indecent names. 

Among the passengers were about 25 women and they held their hands over their ears to keep out the sound of the oaths uttered. The conductor took Romire by the neck and ejected him from the car.

He continued his utterances and Policeman Noland placed him under arrest. His hearing was set before a Justice of the Peace at Parkersburg this morning.

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.

Dr. C. H. Smith Arrested Third Time for Same Offense, Let Go

The Marietta Daily Times, January 6, 1908

The question as to whether or not Dr. Charles H. Smith of this city is a fugitive from Justice from the State of West Virginia was before Judge Jones of the Court of Common Pleas, in chambers, Saturday afternoon, and was continued until this afternoon.

Dr. Smith was indicted in Pleasants County, W. Va., in September last, for performing a criminal operation upon one Gertie Brown, from the effects of which she died. The Grand Jury indicted Smith and J. J. Powell for murder.

Several attempts had been made to get Smith over the river but they had failed and this time a requisition for him as a fugitive from justice had been made by the Governor of West Virginia upon the Governor of Ohio and had been honored by the latter.

Smith was arrested on the requisition and, as is required by our statutes, was taken before Judge Jones by the Sheriff for a hearing.

Prosecuting Attorney Follett appeared for the State and W. S. Hancock for the defense. The Prosecuting Attorney, and Sheriff of Pleasants County and Attorney Craig, of St. Marys, were at the hearing.

The question at issue was whether or not Smith was a fugitive from justice from the State of West Virginia, as it was not claimed the operation was performed in that state. Under their laws the crime was committed where the death occurred, they claiming that Smith was constructively present and that he is therefore a fugitive from justice.

At 4 o'clock Saturday the hearing was continued until this afternoon.

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At 1 o'clock this afternoon the hearing was resumed. 

In his testimony Smith had stated that he was in Parkersburg in October last, which was since the finding of the indictment, and that raised the question as to whether or not going into a state and coming out again made him a fugitive from justice in that state.

Prosecutor Follett submitted what authorities they had found which he admitted were few.

Judge Jones discharged Smith holding that he must have been actually and bodily, and not constructively, in the state when the crime was committed and must have since fled into another state in order to be a fugitive from justice, within the meaning of our statute.

He quoted a number of decisions favoring that view of the case.

This hearing has nothing whatever to do with Smith's guilt or innocence of the crime as it was soley on jurisdiction as to whether or not he could be extradited on the charge under our laws.

The Pleasants County authorities claim they have the dying statement of the girl and other evidence to convict if they can get the accused into their custody.

What their next move to get him will be they did not disclose. 

Illicit Distillery Suppressed

The Marietta Register, April 11, 1872

On Friday last, April 5th, Messrs. Woodbridge and Barber, Government Revenue officers, took possession of a small distillery in Waterford Township, together with two stills, and from 25 to 50 gallons of whisky, manufactured and unmanufactured. The distillery belonged to a Mr. Hiram Beach, and he has been running it contrary to law since early last fall. 

The penalty for a violation of the revenue law in respect to the distillation of liquors is very severe, including the confiscation of the machinery, buildings and property on which the distillery is located, and in extreme cases confinement in the penitentiary. The still, liquor, &c. were stored with Devol & Bowen, Beverly, and the officers are awaiting instructions from Washington. The property will probably be sold.

Old Marietta Papers - Number 18

 The Marietta Register, January 22, 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."

Marietta, in January 1825, lost two of its "rising young men." One - Henry P. Wilcox - left suddenly and somewhat mysteriously for "Parts unknown"; the other - Benjamin P. Putnam - was cut off by that "fell destroyer," consumption.

The exact date of the disappearance of Mr. Willcox we do not know, but it was about New Year's. He was the son of Gen. Joseph Wilcox, who died just eight years before, and who lived in the house since known as that of the Ward family. He built the house in which Col. Mills has lived for the last quarter of a century; also the store building corner of Front and Putnam streets, now occupied by J. L. Stephens. 

The Friend makes no mention of his departure, but he was Postmaster, and on the 7th of January the name of "David Morris, Postmaster pro tem, is published. Jan. 24th, notice was published by Dr. S. P. Hildreth and A. V. D. Joline, that they had been appointed by Mr. Wilcox as his agents to settle his business. Why he left, we have heard attributed to some purloining of money from letters in connection with the Post Office, the precise nature of which was, we believe, never full developed to the public. He went to Canada, but subsequently came into Cattarangus Co., New York, where he practiced medicine; and it is said that he went to Albany, where he had some prominence, being at one time Secretary to the Governor.

He started out in Marietta with dashing prospects, married a daughter of Rev. Joseph Willard, lived in style, but his career ended here as above related. He once came here, but kept out of public view. David Morris was appointed to succeed him as Postmaster.

Benjamin P. Putnam was the oldest brother of our fellow citizens Douglas and David Putnam. He died on Sunday evening, Jan. 2, 1825, in his 25th year, young, yet he had accomplished "the work of a lifetime." No man, at his age, has ever done so much in Marietta. He was twice married, first to a sister of the late J. W. Dana, of Waterford, afterwards to a sister of the late Nahum Ward. We copy from the Friend, as follows:

"Benjamin P. Putnam was endowed with a strong and active mind, which was early put in train for much usefulness; and having received an education at the age of 17, fitting for active life, he went into the Land Office of the late worthy patriot Gen. Rufus Putnam, where he continued, strictly and satisfactorily engaged, for two years; at the close of which a very extensive Land Agency was placed in is hands - and at a subsequent period the office of Cashier of the Bank of Marietta was given him. Business was rapidly multiplying upon his hands, for he gave satisfaction to all who had negotiations with him - when suddenly, in the bloom of life, he was called by his God, in whom he had full faith and confidence, to leave this world of sorrows and be at rest. His friends and society at large sincerely mourn the loss of so worthy, generous, humane, hospitable and philanthropic a character as that which he sustained. He has left a void in our society of no ordinary magnitude."

Jan. 3, 1825, Joel Sherman, son of Josiah Sherman of Waterford, died at the age of 21 - shot four days before at a Wolf Hunt in Windsor township, Morgan Co., by careless persons who fired at a deer.

Jan. 7, 1825, the card of "Arius Nye, Attorney and Counsellor at Law," first appears in the Friend.

Fayette Sherman was, at this date, Commissioner of Insolvents in Washington County. He was of the law firm of "F. Sherman and J. English at the New Court House."

Feb., 1825, Dr. John Cotton was elected Associate Judge, and held the office, we believe, twenty-two years, until his death in 1847.

About this date, Col. Mills resigned his commission. Harry Hill was Lieut. Colonel and was elected to fill the vacancy.

March 16, and "unprecedented hail-storm" occurred in Marietta, "breaking more or less glass in every house in town, from 20 to 80 panes each."

At this date, Lewis (the late John) and Robinson advertise as tailors, and Samuel McClallen as a saddler. 

March 29, 1825, Hon. Return J. Meigs died of consumption, late Postmaster General of the United States and former Governor of Ohio.

April 4, 1825, Royal Prentiss was elected Town Clerk; William R. Putnam, George Corner and Anaximander Warner, Trustees; John Mills, Treasurer; Eli Iams, Enoch Hoff and Notley Drown, Constables.

May 8, 1825, about midnight, the steamboat Mechanic, of Marietta, Capt. W. Hall [Wyllys Hall], coming from Nashville, was snagged and sunk while ascending the Ohio, about 125 miles below Louisville; no lives lost.

May 23, 1825, Gen. Lafayette passed up the Ohio on the steamer Herald - landed in Marietta, amid the firing of cannon, and spent about an hour at the house of Nahum Ward, with whom he had become acquainted at Paris, the people generally calling upon him at Mr. Ward's.

June, 1825, William A. Whittlesey appointed Auditor, in place of R. Prentiss, resigned.

June 24, 1825, Robert Dale Owen lectured in Marietta on "The New System of Society."

October 14, 1825, John Bryan was killed near the mouth of Duck Creek by the fall of a stick of timber upon him, while engaged in turning over a new-built flatboat.

Election in 1825 - For Senator, Ephraim Cutler 711, Ebenezer Currier 142. Athens voted with Washington, and Mr. Currier of that county was elected. For Representative, William R. Putnam 747, James M. Booth 117. For Commissioner, 3 years, Joseph Barker 776, Samson Cole 64. For Commissioner, 2 years, Thomas White 461, Silas Cook 237, Weston Thomas 105. For Auditor, William A. Whittlesey 702, William Slocomb 151.

Marriages in 1825:

Jan. 20, James M. Amlin of Fearing (now of Ironton) and Eliza Sharp of Lawrence.

Jan. 24, Whipple S. Clark and Keziah McLane.

Feb. 3, Salmon Parke of Union and Sophronia Mason of Adams.

Feb. 13, Jabez Davis and Laura Learned.

Feb. 17, Henry P. Miner and Experience Fuller.

Feb. 17, Stephen Otis and Sally Dyer of Union.

Feb. 24, Silas Fearing and Mary B. Babcock.

Feb. 24, William Teas and Nancy Miller.

March 2, Simeon Deming, Jr., and Mary A. Ford, both of Watertown.

March 10, John Hoagland and Mary R. Proctor, both of Barlow.

March 16, Robert Crawford and Lucy Russell.

March 16, John Alexander and Polly Sinclair, both of Adams.

April 13, Joseph T. Millard and Lavina Warren.

April 15, John Clark of Belpre and Matilda F. Chappel of Warren.

April 28, Matthew Henry of Watertown and Mary Parke of Union.

May 12, Robert Riley and Mary Hoskins, both of Newport.

May 12, Stephen Gould and Polly Proctor, both of Barlow.

June 9, Smith Bartlett and Mary Willis of Union.

June 13, Samuel Whipple and Mrs. Margaret Lincoln.

June 23, Warren Wilcox and Emily Morse.

June 23, Richard F. Morris and Martha Lake.

July 12, Dr. Ephraim Quimby and Mrs. Sarah Guitteau, both of Fearing.

July 31, Jesse Loring of Belpre and Adaline Durfee of Union.

Aug. 10, Maj. William Hart of Fearing and Mrs. Mary McNeal of Marietta.

Aug. 11, in Fearing, Gilbert G. Drown and Eliza Perkins.

Aug. 11, John Merrill of Marietta and Ann Barber of Clermont Co.

Sept. 22, James Ferguson and Elvira Morse.

Oct. 6, in Fearing, Dr. A. Hicks and Eliza Rump.

Oct. 6, S. Whittock and Mixindia Stanley.

Oct. 16, Asa Davis of Madison Co. and Jane Lake of Union.

Oct. 17, Ezra O'Neal of Belpre and Matilda Ferguson of Newport.

Nov. 3, Deming L. Rathbone of Columbus and Catharine Putnam of Belpre.

Nov. 24, Enos Chapman and Anna Doan, both of Fearing.

Dec. 6, Dr. Perley B. Johnson of McConnelsville and Mary M. Dodge of Adams.

Dec. 10, James P. Beswick of Watertown and Augusta Thorniley of Marietta.

Dec. 12, Asahel Doan to Sarah W. Stanley, both of Fearing.

Dec. 22, in Lawrence, Amos Dye of Morgan Co. and Mrs. Sophia Dye.

Deaths in 1825:

May 21, Polly, wife of Henry Cogswell, 28.

June 6, Sally, wife of Billy Todd, 36.

July 3, in Fearing, John Amlin, 52.

July 8th, Mrs. Mary, widow of Israel Stone, 61.

July 30, in Watertown, Samuel Mellor, 76.

Aug. 10, in Watertown, Moses, youngest son of C. Malster, 19.

Aug. 28, in Waterford, Andres Powers.

Sept. 4, Sylvander Root, 28.

Oct. 17, Theodore S. Foster of Belpre, 30.

Dec. 21, Caleb R. Barstow, in Newport, 19.

Dec. 27, Luther Otis Dana, 13.

House of Ill Repute

The Marietta Daily Times, October 3, 1904 

A charge of keeping a house of ill fame was made by Chief Dye against Mrs. Angenora Robinson in the Mayor's court this morning. She is to be heard this afternoon.

Saturday evening Chief Dye and other officers raided Mrs. Robinson's house on Church Street. Three young women, Minnie Matthews, Irene Williams and Helen Hutton, and Frank Mouts, the latter of Parkersburg, were arrested and lodged in jail. A young Marietta man got away by a dash up Church Street at the critical moment.

Arraigned before the Mayor yesterday, the three women were charged with violating a rule of the Board of Health designed for the prevention of disease. They plead guilty, were fined $50 and costs, and sent back.

It is understood that Mouts is being held as a witness against Mrs. Robinson. She had maintained for the past few years that she is a reformed woman and does not tolerate vice.

Old Marietta Papers - Number 9

The Marietta Register, November 20, 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." 

March 15, 1816, the "American Friend" first issued under the sole charge of the late Royal Prentiss, he having bought out his late partners T. & D. H. Buell. He announced that the paper would continue Republican, with "Truth its guide, Liberty its object." In its second issue Mr. Prentiss declared himself decidedly in favor of James Monroe for "the next President."

The year 1816 has been distinguished as "the cold year." April 19, the Friend says: "On Sunday last we were visited by a severe snow storm, and the night following by a severe frost. The prospects of fruit are entirely cut off. The weather still continues very cold."

May 17, 1816, it was announced that the Ohio Penitentiary was "filling up very fast," and contained 16 convicts! Think of the 800 today! There were none from Washington County.

A visit to Mammoth Cave, Kentucky, in April, 1816, is related in a long letter published in the Friend by the late Nahum Ward. 

July 20, 1816, Nathan Cole of Warren, in a state of insanity, committed suicide by throwing himself into a well.

Sept. 2, 1816, William Reece was killed in Newport by a stick of timber falling on him at the raising of a barn.

Sept. 20, 1816, the store of Joseph Holden was broken open and robbed of between $100 and $200 in cash.

"David Putnam, Esq., raised in his garden this season a radish weighing 21 lbs., and 32 inches in circumference."

Levi Davis was tried for the murder of a stranger who was found floating down the river about a mile and a half below town. On the night of Aug. 8, 1816, Davis had started down the river in a canoe with this stranger; both had been drinking freely. Davis was sentenced to the Penitentiary for 21 years.

HORRID ACCIDENT - Under this head is related the explosion of the steamboat Washington, opposite Harmar, on the morning of June 5, 1816. It was a new boat, commanded by Capt. Shreve; left Wheeling Monday morning; "safely came to anchor opposite Point Harmar about 7 o'clock Tuesday evening"; the fires were kindled Wednesday morning, preparatory to starting, and soon it exploded and "spread death and torture in every direction"; seven persons lost their lives and ten others were scalded, some of them very badly; the town was alarmed by the explosion; six or eight of the victims "were nearly skinned from head to feet"; six died Wednesday night and were buried on Thursday, attended by a large concourse of citizens.

Among the badly scalded was Notley Drown; but he recovered to meet his death in a similar manner nearly fifteen years afterwards. He was killed by the explosion of the steamboat Tri-Color, April 19, 1831, at Wheeling, aged 35. Mr. Drown was Captain of the Tri-Color and was a resident of Harmar. His son, Capt. H. H. Drown, is the present well known and highly popular commander of the Marietta and Cincinnati packet, Bostona No. 2. 

Capt. Shreve was but slightly injured. The boat remained nearly three weeks for repairs, then left for the Mississippi.

ELECTION 1816 - Very light vote in this county. For Governor, Thomas Worthington, 360; James Dunlap, 225. For Congress, Levi Barber, 521; Edward W. Tupper, 47; Henry Brush, 17; John A. Fulton, 7. For Representatives, Sardine Stone, 535; and Robert Sinzee, 536, both elected without opposition. For Sheriff, Timothy Buell, 526; John Clark, 43; Alexander Hill, 28. For Commissioner, Titan Kimble, 441; Nathaniel Hamilton, 168. For Coroner, Sampson Cole, 525; A. Hamilton, 27. The district elected Levi Barber to Congress.

The Presidential Election took place November 1, 1816. The Friend of the week before contained no allusion to the fact, except the Sheriff's proclamation; and that published the week after contains no returns whatever. Two weeks after, the statement is made that but 42 votes were given in Marietta Township for Electors for President and Vice President, and but very few in the county. At previous elections Marietta had polled 170 votes. No public interest was felt in this election. The Federalist party was dead, and there was but slight opposition to the election of Mr. Monroe. Only 24 votes were given at Cincinnati, as the Friend learns. Ross County did not give 300 votes in all.

MARRIAGES in 1816:

January 21, Michael Gard and Clarissa Baker, both of Union.

April 7, Solomon Lewis and Miss Sarah White, both of Wooster (Watertown).

May 1, Joseph L. Reckard to Miss Delila Jennings, both of Marietta.

August 21, Henry Clark and Patty Herrington, both of Marietta.

August 15, John P. Mayberry, Attorney at Law, of Parkersburg, and Miss Lucy Fearing, of Harmar. 

August 27, John Corp and Elizabeth Dodd, both of Marietta.

September 22, George Dana and Deborah Fisher, in Belpre.

November 21, Zebulon Jennings and Betsey Maxon.

November 26, E. S. McIntosh of Marietta and Elizabeth Seeley of Waterford.

DEATHS in 1816:

Gen. Joseph M. Wilcox died in the beginning of the year, date not given.

May 10, H. W. Noble, Esq., formerly of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, a highly esteemed merchant.

October 1, in Adams, Joshua Sprague, Sen., in his 89th year.

October 4, in Union, Sprague's granddaughter, Mrs. Cynthia Olney, in her 20th year.

ADVERTISERS in 1816 - Some notes from the advertisements in 1816, as follows: March 20, Nahum Ward offers "prime Ohio Bottom," opposite Guyandotte, at $15 per acre; land now worth $100 or more. John Platt, choice fruit trees for sale in Marietta. April 10, Bank of Marietta, A. Henderson, Cashier. April 25, Nathaniel Dodge "has put the rope-walk on Point Harmar in motion"; also Henry L. Prentiss "has put the old rope-walk (formerly occupied by Giles Hempstead) in motion." Elias Colby, blacksmith, at Harmar. June 11, J. & A. Cunningham, tailors, Marietta; and June 21, A. Fuller, sadler.

Boy's Revolver Cracks in Crowded Theatre and Adds Thrill to Western Picture

 The Marietta Daily Times, February 20, 1926

A touch of the realistic was injected into the make-believe of a roaring western melodrama at the Lyric theatre on Friday evening when a 13-year-old boy discharged a revolver in the middle of a capacity audience. The bullet from the gun tore through the skirt of an overcoat worn by Glen Andrews, a Junior High school student, passed on through the leg of his trousers, struck a seat iron and glanced harmlessly to the floor. No one was injured.

Johnny Kidd, son of Fremont Kidd of Cisler's Ridge, had possession of the gun, a harmless-looking weapon of 22-calibre. It was in his trousers pocket, he declares, when it was discharged, and he says the whole thing was an accident. Johnny was slated to explain matters to the juvenile court on Saturday.

The chance shot was fired shortly after 7 o'clock, and the theatre was packed. "The Riddle Rider," one of those western pictures with Indians and cowboys and wild-riding heroes and an appealing heroine was on the screen. It is a serial that the Lyric is running and just as the story reached a thrilling climax and the audience was keyed to the highest pitch of excitement, the gun cracked and the smell of real powder was wafted over the crowed.

The management called for the police and a whole squad of bluecoats responded. They pressed into the theatre and wormed their way through the crowd, finally discovering the boy with the gun. He was taken to headquarters and there told his story to Lieutenant Mills. He couldn't account for the firing of the gun and insisted that he wasn't even touching the weapon when it "took a fool notion to explode."

Judge Fleming of the juvenile court was called to headquarters and after questioning the Kidd boy, he sent him home with an agreement that he would report in court on Saturday.

The lad lives north of the city near the old Cole farm, and he and a twin brother attend the Lyric theatre regularly. "We always try to be there on Friday nights to see "The Riddle Rider," he told the judge. "It's a good picture and we like it. Several nights when we have walked to our home in the country, persons in automobiles along the Glendale hill road have shot at us, so I decided to get a gun. I bought the weapon of Chuck Camden of Norwood, giving him 50 cents for it. I got shells for it out of my father's rifle at home. I have carried the gun for a week or 10 days.

Johnny is a small boy for his years, is a student at Junior High school, and this is the first time that he has been in trouble. His chief concern on Friday evening was the worry his experience would bring to his parents.

Mayor Makes Proclamation

 Marietta Daily Times, November 16, 1918

At this morning's session of court, Mayor Crawford issued the following statements:

My experience as police judge of this city has fully convinced me that by far the greater portion of juvenile delinquency and criminality is attributable, directly or indirectly, to mothers and fathers who have the insane idea that the sooner they get their children from "under foot" the better, and that is is the duty of the juvenile judge, the police officer, or perchance the mayor, to train up their families for them. The parent animal does better than this for it not only raises and trains its own young, but stoutly resists outside interference.

I have issued orders that the Curfew ordinance of this city be enforced to the letter, and further that all boys under eighteen years of age who make a practice of loafing and hanging around public pool and billiard halls with a cigarette in their mouth are to be summarily arrested and brought before me.

The workings of the recent health order has shown me that nearly all of our "gutter snipe" drunkenness comes from "bar drinking" and "treating," so that I have also given orders that the anti-treating ordinance is the only remedy just now available and will be strictly enforced.

I feel that the laws and ordinances upon which the above orders are based are just and wholesome, and I believe that every law-abiding and self-respecting man and woman in Marietta will rally to the support of our police force in carrying them into execution.

Goes Mad in County Jail

The Marietta Daily Times, September 30, 1908

Reported that Nellie Kelley's Mind Has Become Unbalanced.

Woman Is Awaiting Hearing On Charge of Grave Character.

Is Nellie Kelley, in the county jail awaiting the sitting of the grand jury on a charge of harboring in a house of ill-fame a girl of tender years, insane, or is she feigning madness in an effort to escape a term in the Ohio penitentiary?

That is a question the courts will probably be called on to answer.

The woman has been in the prison for the past five or six weeks. She was arrested when a fifteen-years-old girl, Lena Freeman of Parkersburg, it is alleged, was found in her house on Ohio Street. When arraigned the evidence was found sufficient to warrant her being held for further investigation. Being unable to give bond in the sum of $1,000, she was sent to jail.

At first there was nothing unusual in her appearance or actions. Now, it is alleged, she gives evidence of being of unsound mind. At times she seems to have little recollection of where she is or why she is being held there. She talks incoherently and disconnectedly, and sometimes raves like a person who is violently insane.

The matter has been brought to the attention of her attorneys and the probability is that an effort will be made to secure her release on the ground that she has become insane through the confinement to which she has been subjected.

If the woman is found guilty of the crime with which she is charged, and the evidence is said to be very strong against her, she will get a term in the penitentiary. She is aware of that fact and this gives rise to the question of whether she is really insane or whether she has adopted this as a means of securing her release and possibly escaping the penalty for her alleged wrong doing.

The girl who was taken from the Kelley house was found guilty of incorrigibility and sentenced to the girls' industrial school at Delaware. She was taken there a few days ago and has begun her time at that institution. 

The condition of the Kelley woman has been noted only recently and her lawyers became aware of the change in her condition today. It is believed that they will take some action in the case within a day or two.

So far as there is any evidence the woman is really out of her mind, there having been no intimation that she is feigning insanity.

Stop the Horsethief

 American Friend, August 24 1821

Ran away from the subscriber on Saturday 14th inst. near Ripley, 

JOHN TREAT DEMING,

about thirty-five years of age, about six feet high, light complexion, blue eyes, long visage, one tooth stands inside the natural row on the upper jaw, and straight built. He had on a blue cotton surtout, linen overalls, and a smooth castor hat.

Since he made his escape he has changed his name.

The above Deming stole a horse about one year ago, and the subscribers had caught him and were bringing him to condign punishment when the rascal made his escape.

A reward of twenty-five dollars will be paid to any person who will apprehend said Thief, and give such information as will enable the subscribers to get him, by placing him in the nearest jail.

A letter directed to the Post Office at Point Harmar, Washington County Ohio will be received.

John Smith

Robert Campbell