A $6,000 Performance

 Marietta Daily Times, October 9, 1913

Admitting that it is unkind to call attention to the city's experience with the late lamented pontoon bridge when the city administration, particularly Director Meisenhelder, is trying so hard to let the public forget it, our excuse is that it cost the people $6,000 and they are interested in it to that extent.

The bridge disappeared almost before the public had become familiar with it. In the first place, the apron at the west approach was so arranged that when a heavy rain came, water ran down the approach and into the boats, sinking a section of the bridge. Then a real storm came during the night. For three or four hours after daylight the following morning there was opportunity for making the bridge secure, for the water came up gradually. But nothing was done until the river was a raging torrent Then there was no use in attempting to do anything. The bridge was carried out and dashed to pieces.

If there was any other responsibility for this than his own, Director Meisenhelder has never taken the public into his confidence, and consequently the people hold him responsible, for he is the head of the department.

This is a sample of the sort of management the city has had for the past three years. The men who have been performing such $6,000 disappearing "stunts" for the people are working energetically for the election of Col. Riley. They seem to think they know where they will be after the election if he is elected. If the people want a change they can get it by defeating Riley by voting for David Okey.

Following the destruction of Marietta's Putnam Street Bridge during the Flood of 1913, a temporary pontoon bridge was built across the Muskingum.

Lower Muskingum Ferry

 Marietta Gazette, July 24, 1841

Sealed proposals will be received at the Mayor's Office in Harmar until the 29th inst. for leasing, for the term of two years, from the 1st day of August next, the Lower Muskingum Ferry; the lessee to be governed by the provisions of the Ordinance regulating the Lower Muskingum Ferry, passed July 20, 1841, and to give security for the payment of the rent semi-annually. The Council reserve the right to reject all offers, if not satisfactory.

James Whitney, Mayor

Harmar, July 24, 1841.

An Ordinance,

Regulating the Lower Muskingum Ferry.

Section 1. Be it ordained by the Mayor and Trustees of the Town of Harmar, that the Town Council may lease the Ferry across the Muskingum river, below the dam, upon such conditions and for such length of time as the said Council shall prescribe.

Sec. 2. That the lessee or lessees of said Ferry shall provide and keep in complete repair, good and sufficient boats for the safe and speedy conveyance of persons and property, and shall, at all time, when the river is passable, give due attendance, with a sufficient number of hands to work and manage said boats, from sunrise in the morning until nine o'clock in the evening; and for a failure or neglect to perform the duty herein enjoined, the said lessee or lessees shall forfeit and pay, for every such offence, a sum not exceeding five dollars to be recovered, on complaint, before the Mayor, in the name of the town, with cost of suit.

Sec 3. That the sum to be charged any inhabitant of the Town of Marietta or Harmar, who may choose to be ferried by the year, shall not exceed the following rates: For any single person crossing on foot, not exceeding two dollars per year. For any family crossing on foot, no exceeding four dollars per year. For any family crossing on foot, and with horse or horses and carriages, not exceeding six dollars per year.

Sec. 4. That when any such inhabitants of the Town of Marietta or Harmar, and the lessee of said Ferry cannot agree as to the sum to be paid by the year, or when any person resident as aforesaid, may wish to contract to cross the Ferry with teams, and cannot agree as to the sum to be paid, the matter shall be referred to the Mayor and Recorder of the Town of Harmar, whose decision shall be final.

Sec. 5 That in fixing the amount to be paid for crossing the Ferry by the year, due regard shall be had to the amount of crossing, so as to preserve a proper and just proportion between different individuals.

Sec. 6. This ordinance shall be in force from and after the first day of August next. 

Passed July 20, 1841.

James Whitney, Mayor.

Attest, Douglas Putnam, Rec. pro tem.

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 train 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.

Old Marietta Papers - Number 19

The Marietta Register, January 19, 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."

We noticed last week the appointment of David Morris to succeed Henry P. Wilcox as P.M.; he only held the office a few months, when some time about August 1825, he was succeeded by D. H. Buell, Esq.

Jan. 9, 1826, Martha, daughter of Chambers Calhoun of Marietta, a little girl of 10 years, caught her dress while standing at the fire and was so badly burned that she died within a few days.

Jan. 14, 1826, two steamboats built at James Whitney's shipyard, the "Coosa" and the "Warrior," were launched - built by Mr. Whitney for Capt. James W. Byrne and Capt. Benjamin Horner, the Coosa for the Alabama River and the Warrior on the Tombigbee.

March 4, 18256, George Dunlevy and A. V. D. Joline issued a Prospectus for the "Marietta and Washington County Pilot" to make its first issue on April 7th.

March 6, 1826, election in the corporation of Marietta, which had now been divided into three wards - three Trustees elected to each ward - 1st, James M. Booth, Wyllys Hall and James Dunn; 2d, James Whitney, John P. Mayberry, John Crawford; 3d, Silas Cook, John Mills, John Clark. These constituted the Town Council, which appointed James M. Booth first Mayor of Marietta; John Mills, Recorder; James Whitney, Treasurer; Daniel Protsman, Marshal.

April 23, 1826, Rev. Luther G. Bingham installed as pastor of the Congregational Church in Marietta.

July 4, 1826, celebration at Congregational Church, oration by Arius Nye, Esq.

Col. Harry Hill and Lieut. Col. R. Prentiss having resigned, Maj. John Stone of Belpre was elected Colonel; Capt. Anselm t. Nye, Lieut. Colonel; and Capt. George W. Barker, Major, about this date.

Aug. 16, 1826, James Glines, a young man of 17, was killed by a tree falling upon him which his father and brother (William Glines, Esq., of this city) were chopping down near where Samson Cole now lives; the top was caught, which threw round the butt, knocking young Glines down and falling upon him.

Oct. 1, 1826, William & Miles Woodford advertise for cloth-dressing at Paine's Mill in Watertown; and John Green & Oliver Dodge advertise that their "Steam Mill on Point Harmar is in operation and ready to receive wheat, for which they will pay 37-1/2 cents per bushel, half in goods at their store in Marietta, and half in cash."

Election in 1826

The vote in Marietta stood - For Governor, Allen Trimble 120; Benjamin Tappan 78; John Bigger 5; Alexander Campbell 1. For Congress, Samuel F. Vinton 133; D. H. Buell 57; William Kendall 14. For Representative, William R. Putnam 108; James M. Booth 87. For Commissioners, 3 years, William Pitt Putnam 88; Jabish F. Palmer 74. 1 year, Silas Cook 155. For Sheriff, Jesse Loring 129; Timothy Buell 65. For Coroner, Griffin Greene 161; Amos Dunham 27.

In the county the vote stood - For Governor, Trimble 679; Tappan 260; Bigger 11; Campbell 26. Congress, Vinton 761; Buell 196; Kendall 19. Representative, Putnam 473; Booth 367. Commissioners, 3 years, Putnam 448; Palmer 315; Joel Tuttle 89; Seth Baker 61. 1 year, Cook 531; Seth Baker 295. Sheriff, Loring 617; Buell 340. Coroner, Greene 475; Dunham 446.

County Fair

The first Agricultural and Mechanical Fair ever held in Washington County was in Marietta, Oct. 18, 1826. The committee of arrangements consisted of Nahum Ward, S. P. Hildreth and John Mills. Capt. F. Devol was Marshal of the day. The President of the Society was Joseph Barker, Jr.; Nahum Ward was Corresponding Secretary, and William A. Whittlesey, Recording Secretary. The procession was formed at the Court House and with music marched to the front of the Congregational Church, where an address was delivered by President Barker. Dinner at 3 o'clock; and the awards announced at 4.

Several awards were made to persons who are now subscribers to the Register, as follows: Col. John Stone of Belpre for best cow $10, 2d best merino ram $1, for greatest crop of wheat - 4 acres, 32 and 3-20th bushel per acre - a Winan's patent plow valued at $10. George Dana of Belpre, 2d largest hog $1. Henry Fearing, greatest crop of corn - within a small fraction of 105 bushels per acre on 4 acres - a Sinan's $10 plow. William P. Putnam, 2d best crop of corn, 98-3/4 bushel per acre on 4 acres. O. R. Loring and William P. Putnam for cheese; and Mrs. William P. Putnam for a beautiful specimen of linen; and we may add Stephen Dana of Newport for 1/2 acre, 176 bushels, of potatoes.

Marriages in 1826:

Jan. 1, William Glines and Eliza Truesdell.

Jan. 1, S. John Cameron and Martha Atkinson, both of Barlow.

March 16, Thomas Ridgeway and Esther Ann Dyer, both of Union.

March 23, Peter B. Lake of Wesley and Caroline Wilson of Adams.

April 3, in Belpre, Capt. Hopson Beebe of Athens and Mrs. Rebecca Warren.

April 13, William Shields and Catharine Nulton, both of Watertown.

April 12, Charles Haskell of Marietta and Elizabeth H. Dana of Newport.

April 20, Maj. Jesse Hildebrand and Mrs. Senith Fowler of Fearing.

June 8, Benjamin M. Brown and Maria Lord, both of Wesley.

July 7, Hugh Ferry of Wood Co., Va., and Jane Brough of Marietta.

Aug. 8, Salmon Reckard of Marietta and Susan Stacy of Union.

Aug. 10, George W. Henderson and Elizabeth Ann Tomlinson of Wood Co., Va.

Aug. 27, Nathaniel Holden and Frances S. Buell.

Sept. 3, James Posey of Marietta and Miss Ann Racer of Newport. "She ran the Race. He gained the prize, A premium fair and rosy - As will all maidens, if they're wise, But all can't have a Posey."

Sept. 9th, Benjamin Soule and Lucinda Shanklin.

Oct. 12, James Dunn of Marietta and Mrs. Rachel Rolston of Va.

Nov. 9, John Bizer of Warren and Samantha Finch of Belpre.

Nov. 15, Christopher Burlingame, Jr., and Elizabeth R. Bartlett.

Deaths in 1826:

April 14, in Watertown, Thomas Johnson, a revolutionary soldier, 90.

April 26, in Detroit, William W. Petit, formerly of Marietta.

May 6, in Kaskaskia, Ill., Valentine Duncan of Marietta, 24.

May 11, in Louisville, Isaac Barstow of Newport.

May 17, Mrs. Eunice Hall, 70.

May 19, John L. Mackey.

May 26, in Aurelius, Esther, wife of Benjamin Corp, 69.

May 29, Calvin Reckard, 66.

July 26, in Gallipolis, Gen. Nathaniel S. Cushing.

Aug. 2, in Belpre, Adaline, wife of Jesse Loring, Esq.

Aug. 6, Dudley Tyler, 34.

Aug. 27, George Washington Lafayette, child of Nahum Ward.

Sept. 3, in Fearing, James White.

Sept. 26, Pamelia, daughter of William Dana, Esq., 15.

Sept. 29, in Watertown, Eliza B., daughter of Elias Wolcott, aged 19.

Nov. 20, in Parkersburg, Nathaniel Dodge, Jr., formerly of Marietta.

Dec. 15, in Lancaster, Nathaniel C. Gilman, formerly of Marietta.

Items from the "Friend" in 1827:

March 8, 1827, Levi Keyes began teaching in the Muskingum Academy.

April 9, 1827, a meeting was held at the Court House to take measures to induce the Directors of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad to make Marietta a point - Joseph Barker, Jr., President, and Nahum Ward, Secretary. Joseph Barker, D. Woodbridge, S. P. Hildreth, James M. Booth, William R. Putnam, Nahum Ward and John Mills were appointed a committee to correspond with the Directors. That railroad only reached the Ohio river over 25 years afterwards, Jan. 1, 1853. Similar meetings were held at Athens, McConnelsville and Zanesville. In Aug., `827, a party of Surveyors, under Col. Joseph Barker, left Marietta to explore the route to Clarksburg, Va.

April 15, 1827, John Moore of this township was killed by a tree falling upon him while on horseback with his wife, who was severely injured.

October 18, 1827, the second annual Agricultural Fair was held in Marietta; William Pitt Putnam of Belpre was now President of the Society.

Nov. 12, 1827, the Corps of Engineers appointed by the Legislature to survey the Muskingum river, with reference to its improvement, arrived at Marietta, having completed their work, and reported "a favorable result."

Election in 1827

Washington County now polled a larger vote than ever before - 1257. The vote stood - For Senator, William R. Putnam 1051; Ebenezer Currier of Athens 206. (Dea. Putnam had 379 majority in the district.) For Representative, Arius Nye 825; Joseph Barker 425. For Commissioner, Anselm T. Nye 657; Ebenezer Gates 498; Jabish F. Palmer 49; John D. Chamberlain 2. For Auditor, William A. Whittlesey, re-elected without opposition, 1241. For Treasurer, Weston Thomas, no opposition, 1211. For Assessor, Jesse Loring, no opposition, 1243.

This was the first time that a County Treasurer was elected by the people - previously appointed by the Commissioners. A County Assessor was elected also for the first time, but the office was afterwards abolished, Township Assessors taking the place.

For Senator, Marietta voted, Putnam 251; Currier 28; and for Representative, Arius Nye 193; Joseph Barker 87.

Marriages in 1827:

Jan. 1, John V. Fletcher of Adams and Dorcas Emmons of Marietta.

Jan. 1, Clark Pratt and Cynthia Mees.

Jan 28, David C. Skinner and Eliza P. McFarland.

Feb. 20, Edwin West and Mary Gardner.

Feb. 25, Thomas Hall and Mary Carver.

Feb. 25, John K. Moore and Mrs. Catharine Smith.

Feb. 25, Richard Bodkin of Belpre and Mrs. Mary McCullough of Marietta.

March 11, Thomas Robbins and Mrs. Mary Smith.

March 30, Dan Hill and Mary Merriam, both of Salem.

April 4, Emery Bailey and Sophronia Maxon, both of Fearing.

April 5, Thomas M. Burns of Athens and Tabitha Bailey of Fearing.

April 10, Col. Francis A. Barker of Morgan Co and Catharine Barker of this county.

April 19, Marvin Swan of Belpre and Margaret Calder of Warren.

April 22, Jesse Loring, Esq., and Maria Fisher, both of Belpre.

April 26, Jonathan Sprague, Jr., of Adams and Melissa Smith of Union.

May 24, Hugh Allison and Drusilla Davis, both of Adams.

May 24, Willard Davis and Caroline Shepard, both of Adams.

July 1, Benaiah Howe and Mrs. Abigail Tyler.

July 15, Harry Cogswell of Marietta and Elizabeth Carlisle of Union.

Sept. 4, Perley Howe of Belpre and Sarah Emerson of Marietta.

Sept. 3, Jonas Livermore and Sally Wills.

Sept. 9, Andrew Livermore and Betsey Fuller.

Sept. 20, Clark Middleswart and Cynthia Barstow, both of Newport.

Oct. 11, William Lamb of Waterford and Christiana Fraser of Warren.

Oct. 11, Jonathan Hoff of Marietta and Louisa Greene of Warren.

Deaths in 1827:

Apr. 15, the wife of John Miller.

Apr. 17, in Fearing, John H. White.

May 21, Mrs. Stephen Davis.

May 23, Mrs. Frances S., wife of Nathaniel Holden.

May 27, Maria, daughter of George Crawford, aged 21.

Aug. 9, George Hildebrand, 73.

Oct. 14, Nancy, wife of Enoch Hoff, 41.

Nov. 29, Thomas Mixer, 26.

 

Steam Ferry on the Ohio

The Marietta Intelligencer, October 20, 1858

We learn that Mr. A. L. Kinnaird of Williamsport [Williamstown, West Virginia], has leased the Ohio Ferry for five years from the 20th of December next, on condition that he put on a steam ferry boat. He has purchased the old Muskingum ferry boat, "The Two Sisters," and will put her on the Ohio until a new boat that he is building shall be finished.

A steam ferry on the Ohio has long been needed, and we are glad Mr. Kinnaird has taken hold of the matter. He will undoubtedly make it succeed.

A new steam ferry boat owned by Messrs. Bowen & Judd is to take the place of the "Two Sisters" on the Muskingum. Mr. Merrit Judd has the lease of the ferry for three years from the 1st of November. He will have personal charge of the new boat and make it a pleasure as well as convenience to ride on it.

Old Marietta Papers - Number 16

 The Marietta Register, January 8, 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."

Note - We had expected to give a full account of the Epidemics of 1822 and 1823 in this number, but we are compelled to postpone it until next week, when we shall give the account in full.

The First Steamboat to Zanesville. Friday morning, Jan. 9, 1824, the steamer "Rufus Putnam," Capt. John Greene, on a favorable stage of water, with freight and a large number of passengers, left Marietta for Zanesville. She accomplished the trip, as says the Friend, "without accident, evincing the practicability of navigating this river (the Muskingum) a portion of the year by steamboats of 100 tons." The boat returned to Marietta Tuesday evening, having been gone 4-1/2 days. She "laid up" on Friday night and arrived at Zanesville at 10 o'clock Saturday night, stemming "a current much stronger than that of the Ohio." She ran down from Zanesville in about 7-1/2 hours. This was more than a dozen years before the "Muskingum Improvement" was begun. The Rufus Putnam was the first boat built on the Muskingum (at Marietta), launched May 18, 1822, and was the first steamboat to ascend the Muskingum to Zanesville. The arrival of the boat was hailed with delight at Zanesville, and a supper was given by the citizens to Capt. Greene and party at Hughes' Hotel.

Jan. 1824, Dudley Woodbridge, Henry P. Wilcox and Walter Curtis were elected Associate Judges of Washington County by the Legislature. Whether they all accepted or not, we are not advised.

"Billy Todd" gave notice that he was ready to begin cloth dressing at his mill. He lived where President Andrews now lives, and had a brewery and a mill on his premises.

May 18, 1824, the friends of Gen. Andrew Jackson for the Presidency held a meeting in Marietta. George Dunlevy, Chairman; David Morris, Secretary. A corresponding committee was appointed consisting of Messrs. Dunlevy and Morris T. K. Cooke, S. H. Gates and Silas Cook. Col. Joseph Barker was recommended as a candidate for Elector on the Jackson ticket.

June 7, 1824, the steamboat "Red River" was launched at Harmar - built by James Whitney for Capt. J. R. Kimball of New Orleans.

June 9, 1824, the friends of John Quincy Adams for the Presidency held a meeting at the Court House, Ephraim Cutler, Chairman; Dr. S. P. Hildreth, Secretary.

The "Friend" favored the election of John Quincy Adams. William Skinner, Esq., of this county, was a candidate for Elector on the "Clay Ticket."

The Marietta "Minerva," which had been commenced a few months before by the Jolines came out for Clay.

July 4, 1824, celebration at Congregational Church; prayer by Rev. Mr. Limerick; Declaration read by James M. Booth, Esq.; Oration by John K. Joline, Dinner on the Commons prepared by Mr. Reno. Gov. Meigs was President of the day.

At the December session in 1824, on petition of the inhabitants, the County Commissioners changed the name of the township of Wooster to Watertown.

Dec. 3, 1824, the Marietta "Minerva," which had been published one year and six weeks by John K. and A. V. D. Joline, ceased to exist.

Marriages in 1824:

Jan. 11, Nathan Wheeler and Elizabeth Hart.

Jan. 11, Eli Green and Elizabeth N. Stewart, both of Barlow.

March 31, Capt. Nathaniel Dodge of Marietta and Mrs. Lucy Adams of Warren.

Apr. 4, Anthony Hill and Sally Lewis, both of Union.

Apr. 25th, John Smith of Newport and Eliza Williams of Marietta.

Apr. 25th, Caleb Thorniley and Tabitha Erwin.

May 1, William Case and Fanny Bryan.

May 25th, Powell Hoff and Martha Brewster.

May 30th, Col. John Mills and Deborah S. Wilson.

June 3, Cortland Shepard and Hannah Lake.

June 3, Maj. Henry Hill and Mrs. Jerusha Doan, both of Salem.

June 6th, Barker Rouse of Belpre and Mary Philips of Marietta.

June 8th, John Stacy and Lucoba Rice, both of Union.

July 13, John Stephenson and Louisa Gray.

Aug. 26, Chauncey T. Judd and Clarissa Hartshorn.

Sept. 21, Henry Armstrong and Sarah Stephenson.

Sept. 30th, in Barlow, James Lawton, Jr., and Eliza W. Paskell.

Oct. 7, in Waterford, Michael Devin and Harriet Chambers.

Nov. 28, Nathaniel Dodge, Jr., and Elizabeth Burlingame.

Dec. 16, George Payne of Salem and Julinda Hill of Fearing.

Deaths in 1824:

Feb. 9, Jonathan Samson.

Feb. 15th, Dr. John L. Shaw, 54.

Feb. 18, John Clogston, 58.

March 7, in Fearing, Sally W., wife of Maj. William Hart, 45.

March 9th, in Union (now Muskingum), Israel Putnam, a grandson of Gen. Israel, 58.

March 20th, Peter Radcliff Putnam, third son of David Putnam, Esq., 20.

April 13, Stephen Hodgman.

April 26th, in Columbus, Julia, wife of D. L. Rathbone (sister of William Pitt Putnam of Belpre).

May 1, Gen. Rufus Putnam (who was at the head of the first settlement here), 86.

May 11th, in Wood Co., Va., Dr. Joseph Spencer, 74.

August 19, in Newport, James Mullen, 27.

August 29th, in Newport, Isabella, wife of John Rowland, 63.

Sept. 15, in Meigs Co., Col. Robert C. Barton, formerly of Marietta.

October Election in 1824

The election in 1824 appears to have excited more interest and to have caused more feeling here than any previous election. After the death of the old Federalist party there had been a political millennium, as elsewhere in the country. Now they again split up, more with reference to men than to principles. We had here for President, "Adams men," "Jackson men," and "Clay men"; it does not appear there were any "Crawford men," William H. Crawford of Ga. being one of the four candidates for the Presidency. Men who had opposed each other as "Republicans" and "Federalists" in years gone by, now came together, while those who had been together in one or the other of those parties, now were apart. Yet the total vote at the October election in Washington County was only 986. The "Adams men" triumphed, less interest was felt in the Presidential election and the total vote was then only 788.

At the October election there were nine candidates for Sheriff and five for Commissioner. It seems to have been a "free fight." Dr. John Cotton was elected Representative; Jesse Loring of Belpre, Sheriff; D. H. Buell, Commissioner; R. Prentiss, Auditor; and Griffin Greene, Coroner. The Representative was now elected by Washington County alone; for a dozen years or more before, it had been classed with Athens or with Morgan, the district electing two Representatives.

The vote of Marietta stood - For Governor, Jeremiah Morrow 136, Allen Trimble 68; Congress, S. F. Vinton 142, Levi Barber 59; Representative, John Cotton 174, William Skinner 30; Commissioner, D. H. Buell 154, Joel Tuttle 29, Thomas White 9, Daniel Goodno 5, A. Porter 2; Sheriff, E. Hoff 58, S. H. Gates 50, L. D. Barker 45, E. Iams 31, N. Drown 3, A. Dunham 3, S. Dodge 3, J. Dunn 1; Auditor, R. Prentiss 187; Coroner, W. Talbot 115, G. Greene 74, J. Merrill 6.

The county voted - Morrow 723, Trimble 258; Vinton 696, Barber 277; Cotton 766, Skinner 184; Loring 370, Barker 274, Gates 131, Hoff 102, Iams 65, Dodge 17, Dunham 8, Drown 6, Dunn 5; Buell 490, White 312, Tuttle 125, Goodno 22, Porter 17; Prentiss 955; Greene 462, Talbot 322; Merrill 113.

Presidential Election in 1824

Adams: Adams 17, Jackson 9, Clay 1.

Aurelius: Adams 9, Jackson 4, Clay 11.

Belpre: Adams 60, Jackson 5, Clay 5.

Barlow: Adams 22, Jackson 7, Clay 5.

Decatur: Adams 12, Jackson 0, Clay 0.

Fearing: Adams 43, Jackson 9, Clay 1.

Grandview: Adams 1, Jackson 17, Clay 0.

Lawrence: Adams 0, Jackson 12, Clay 0.

Ludlow: Adams 0, Jackson 14, Clay 0.

Marietta: Adams 90, Jackson 73, Clay 24.

Newport: Adams 24, Jackson 0, Clay 1.

Roxbury: Adams 10, Jackson 12, Clay 1.

Salem: Adams 23, Jackson 9, Clay 3.

Union: Adams 40, Jackson 8, Clay 1.

Warren: Adams 30, Jackson 17, Clay 0.

Waterford: Adams 32, Jackson 3, Clay 20.

Wooster (Watertown): Adams 49, Jackson 16, Clay 1.

Wesley: Adams 7, Jackson 10, Clay 13.

Total: Adams 469, Jackson 232, Clay 87.

The State gave a majority for Clay, the vote standing - Clay 19,255, Jackson 18,489, Adams 12,280.

 

Lower Muskingum Ferry

Marietta Gazette, July 24, 1841

Sealed proposals will be received at the Mayor's Office in Harmar until the 29th inst. for leasing for the term of two years, from the 1st day of August next, the Lower Muskingum Ferry; the lessee to be governed by the provisions of the Ordinance regulating the Lower Muskingum Ferry, passed July 20, 1841, and to give security for the payment of the rent semi-annually. The Council reserve the right to reject all offers, if not satisfactory.

James Whitney, Mayor

Harmar

An Ordinance Regulating the Lower Muskingum Ferry:

Section 1.  Be it ordained by the Mayor and Trustees of the Town of Harmar that the Town Council may lease the Ferry across the Muskingum River, below the dam, upon such conditions and for such length of time as the said Council shall prescribe.

Section 2.  That the lessee or lessees of said Ferry shall provide and keep in complete repair, good and sufficient boats for the safe and speedy conveyance of persons and property and shall, at all times, when the river is passable, give due attendance with a sufficient number of hands to work and manage said boats, from sunrise in the morning until nine o'clock in the evening; and for a failure or neglect to perform the duty herein enjoined, the said lessee or lessees shall forfeit and pay for every such offence, a sum not exceeding five dollars to be recovered on complaint before the Mayor, or in the name of the town, with cost of suit.

Section 3.  That the sum to be charged any inhabitant of the Town of Marietta or Harmar who may choose to be ferried by the year, shall not exceed the following rates: For any single person crossing on foot, not exceeding two dollars per year; for any family crossing on foot, not exceeding four dollars per year; for any family crossing on foot and with horse or horses and carriages, not exceeding six dollars per year.

Section 4.  That when any such inhabitants of the Town of Marietta or Harmar and the lessee of said Ferry cannot agree as to the sum to be paid by the year, or when any person resident as aforesaid may wish to contract to cross the Ferry with teams, and cannot agree as to the sum to be paid, the matter shall be referred to the Mayor and Recorder of the Town of Harmar, whose decision shall be final.

Section 5.  That in fixing the amount to be paid for crossing the Ferry by the year, due regard shall be had to the amount of crossing, so as to preserve a proper and just proportion between different individuals.

Section 6.  This ordinance shall be in force from and after the first day of August next.

Passed July 20, 1841.

James Whitney, Mayor.

Attest, Douglas Putnam, Rec. pro tem.

 

Muskingum Bridge

Home News, January 15, 1859

The Muskingum Bridge is to be built. That is a fixed fact. The Ross County Court so decrees, and the citizens of Marietta and Harmar supply the material aid, and control the structure until they are reimbursed, principle, interest, and profit. The work is to be commenced as early in the spring as the weather and the river will permit, and compelled as speedily as possible, by the contractors, Lyman & Schofield. So be it.

Front Street

Marietta Intelligencer, August 12, 1841

There is now a prospect of the speedy completion of some of the improvements long ago commenced upon this thoroughfare. Instead of the present circuitous route, the completion of the bridge over the "cut," will make it direct, safe, and pleasant. The abutments of the bridge are to be 21 feet high, of solid masonry, and connected with them is a Guard Lock which controls the water power of the Muskingum Improvement. Mr. Cram, the contractor, hopes to complete his job by the 1st of October.

Muskingum River Closed By Ice

Marietta Daily Times, December 18, 1909

Freezes Over for First Time During Present Winter.

For the first time this year, the Muskingum river is frozen over and boys are skating upon its surface. The river has been full of floating ice for several days and this morning about 6 o'clock a gorge was formed near the Putnam street bridge and unless the warm weather comes soon, a heavy blockade of the ice will be formed.

Near Washington street the surface of the shore ice is quite smooth and a number of boys were skating there this morning. The ponds and small streams are also frozen and from present appearances some good skating will be afforded local lovers of the sport.

At Oak Grove Cemetery, the fountain which occupies a prominent place in the artificial lake, has formed a most beautiful cascade, as the water freezes upon emerging from the pipe. It has now attained a height of over six feet, while at the base it is probably twelve feet across and is gradually becoming larger as the water is still flowing through a hole in the ice. Its form is unusually beautiful and is attracting much attention.

New Government Building

The Daily Register, January 21, 1899

Plans Received for the New Lockmaster's House on the Ice Harbor Lot.

Lockmaster Henry Savage has received from the U.S. engineer department the plans for the new house which is to be erected on the Ice Harbor lot on the 45-foot strip granted to the general government by the State Legislature, Ministerial Trustees, and City Council. The building will be an eight-room brick structure, 39.2 by 26.6 feet in dimensions, two stories in height, and will contain eight rooms.

While the structure will not be large, it will present a handsome appearance and contribute materially to the improvement of the lot. The foundation will be built under the direction of Mr. Savage and will be entirely of concrete, blocked off in imitation of stone work. The foundation will be built to a height of six feet nine inches above the surface of the ground.

Mr. Savage states that the government will fill only that part of the lot under their control.

 

Two Old Captains.

Marietta Register, May 5, 1892

They Commanded Boats in the Halcyon Days of the Muskingum.

Now Living at Beverly, Ohio.

There are two old steamboat officers yet living in the town of Beverly, Ohio, men who were prominent boatmen forty years ago, and who were abreast of the most able officers in the Zanesville and Pittsburgh trade.  Captains D. T. Brown and Calvin Stull were well-known and they always held responsible positions in the river trade.

At that time many of the brightest adventurous young men in the Muskingum valley were willing to take responsible places on the fine steamboats afloat on the Western rivers.

D. T. Brown's boating career began with his brother John, in the engine room of the May Queen, at the age of nineteen years.  He and David Hann were the engineers at the time the boat was burned at the Marietta wharf in February, 1847.  David T. Brown and William Davis are the only two men that ever held government papers for the offices of captain, pilot, and engineer on the Muskingum river.

Many persons may not understand what is meant by a license for captain, pilot, or engineer, and for their benefit this information is given.  The above named officers have to be examined by the U. S. government officials for captain, pilot, and engineer, as the U. S. laws have charge of the steamboat interest in our government, and no one occupying these official stations can continue on duty without passing such ordered examination except in defiance of the law.

A Signal reporter visited Captains Brown and Stull at their homes in Beverly, and from them information was obtained as follows:

Captain D. T. Brown

After the destruction of the May Queen, D. T. Brown was one of the engineers on the following named boats:  Mingo Chief, Julia Dean, Ludlow, Comet, Del Norte, Newark, Helen Mar, Chevoit, Lizzie Martin, and Zanesville Packet.  He was captain of the Lizzie Martin and Chevoit.

When D. T. Brown was engineer of the Ludlow, on entering the Marietta lock the guard on one side of the boat was all torn off by striking the end of the lock wall.  From bow to stern there was no protection.  Brown procured a rope and fastened it to the stanchions, preventing any person from attempting to pass our on the damaged side of the boat.  The boat landed at Windsor to take on freight.  As Brown was tired he lay on a bench to rest while the men were engaged at their work.  He was suddenly awakened when their work was completed.  He passed forward along the guard, half asleep, to examine the water in the boilers by the water gauge, then in front of them to examine the fire.  In returning to the engine room he ran against the rope.  He exclaimed, "What is this put here for?"  He raised it, passed under and . . .

Fell Into the River.

He swam round the boat and again got on board more wet than wise, but he was thoroughly awake.  In relating the incident, he said, "As soon as I struck the water, I remembered all about the cause of the presence of the rope."

He and Edward Tignore were the engineers of the Helen Mar.  On a trip to Pittsburgh in passing up Horse Tail ripple at the head of Seven Mile Island he had . . .

A Swim For Life.

The current at the head of the ripple is very swift.  He was a cautious, careful engineer.  He went along the guard to try the water gauges, then passing in front of the fire to see that the fireman was doing his part of the work, he passed on down the guard for the engine room.  A truck had been left on the guard.  In the dark his knee struck it and he fell overboard in the swift current, barely missing the wheel of the boat as he was going down the river and the boat up.  He called to John Cox, who was on deck, to waken the other engineer, as he was going in another direction much against his will.

The captain was in bed with rheumatism.  He was unable to turn himself and a sheet had to be used in turning him.  When he heard the cry, "The engineer is overboard," he was excited.  He arose from his bed, his rheumatism was forgotten and he ran out on deck and ordered a boat sent out to save the engineer.

The boat went rapidly through the water.  The engineer was a good swimmer.  He saw lights on Seven Mile island and he went for them.  It was swim or drown with him.

He landed on the island about the same time as the boat did.  There was great rejoicing on the small boat that the engineer was saved.  Soon they were all ready to return to the steamer and there was rejoicing on the steamboat when they were informed "Brown is safe."

During the excitement, the captain forgot his rheumatism.  As soon as the excitement ceased and the engineer was on the steamboat, the captain was again writhing in his rheumatic pains.  It was with difficulty that he was carried to his room.  The anxiety and excitement caused him to forget his aches, but the pains were worse than ever as soon as he saw the engineer was on the boat.

Brown said, "I had lately been married.  As I passed the wheel when the heavy planks were striking the water near my head, I thought there will be another widow."

Captain Stull

was found at his home.  When informed of the business of the Signal reporter, he freely gave him the following:  I was a pilot on the St. Cloud, Ludlow, Loyal Hanna, Viroqua, Robert Wightman, Buckeye Belle, James Watts, R. H. Lindsey, Kate Cassell, Dan Convers, John Bissel, Chevoit, Adelia, Brown Dick, Emma Graham, John Buck, Charley Bowen, Lizzie Cassell, J. H. Best, Prairie City, Ohio, Emma Graham No. 2, Freighter, Falcon, Tom Patten, Silver Bells and Two Sisters."  He also piloted a number of Ohio river boats that were too large for the Muskingum locks.  He was captain of the Falcon, Emma Graham No. 2, and Vega.  He said, "I made 201 trips on the Emma Graham, often carrying 3,000 barrels of flour to Pittsburgh.  We never broke a timber of the boat."  Captain Stull was the pilot at the wheel when the ill-fated steamer Buckeye Belle blew up in the Beverly canal.  He was blown some distance and had a leg broken, which, at time, causes much pain.

Joseph Daniels

The engineer on duty when the Buckeye Belle caused the death of more people than were accidentally killed on all the boats ever on the Muskingum river, was in Beverly last Tuesday. 

The following incidents are related by old people at Beverly about the accident of the . . .

Buckeye Belle

One man said, "I saw a brick that was thrown from the boat to the top of the hill where it fell and killed a rabbit."

Another said, "Dillon was going up when Munsey was coming down, and Munsey spoke.  Dillon replied, "I don't speak to mechanics."

An Interesting Bit of River History

The Marietta Daily Times, January 22, 1906

A Veteran River Man Furnishes the List of Boats and Their Captains Who Navigated the Muskingum in the Palmy Days of River Traffic.

Many of the Names Are Familiar and Will Recall Pleasant Memories.

In the appended article the writer gives a list of the early river craft plying the Muskingum and the men who followed the adventurous calling of boatmen.  A few of the names are quite familiar, descendants of the old time river men now being residents of this city.

Memories of the early days will be recalled by many who read the following contribution.

In making individual mention of bats and boatmen they will be taken up in order of their priority of date, as a class, and as there is no representative of the canoe era on the Muskingum now living, nor any trace of any of them to be found, we must pass over that class of craft and the men who navigated them and take up the days of keel boating.

Keel Boating

The writer has been unable to find anything that will definitely establish the date that keelboating first commenced on the Muskingum river, but there are many circumstances which strongly point to the time as about 1814 to 1815.

The following is copied from a letter written by a young lady of New York who was traveling in the west at the time it was written.  It was published in Marietta papers a few years ago:

Marietta, Ohio, May 14th, 1815.

The Muskingum has been six feet higher at Springfield (Putnam) than it was ever known to be.  A part of the upper bridge was undermined and carried away.  Dr. Fowler in attempting to cross the bridge was drowned.  He was much respected and highly esteemed as a physician and was the last person to bestow on us his good wishes and farewell when entering the boat we left Springfield in for this place."

Dr. Fowler is buried in the old Putnam grave yard, the inscription on his headstone states he was but 22 years old at the time of his death.

As this young lady made her trip from Zanesville to Marietta on a boat years before the first steamboat ascended the Muskingum and as it is improbable that she went in an open flat boat, it seems quite certain that at least one keel boat was here in May, 1815.  Perhaps others were here at an earlier date, but evidence of this is lacking.

List of Primitive Craft

The following list of names of keel boats which navigated the Muskingum river is doubtless very incomplete, but when we consider that it is nearly seventy years since the last boat of this kind was seen on this river, and that all the men but one or two who navigated them are dead, we can realize how useless would be an effort to obtain a complete list of the names of those early crafts.  With perhaps a few exceptions no attempt will be made to state the dates any of these boats were running on the Muskingum.  The name of the Captain of each of these boats so far as they have been learned will be given, but as the boats often changed captains as well as owners, some may have had more than one, but only one will be named here:

Amanda - Lemuel Pratt, captain.

Allegheny - Jesse Smith, captain.

Black Snake - William Scales, captain.

Buck - A. Z. Morris, captain.

Consolation - Absolom Boyd, captain.

Charity - Jesse Smith, captain.

Commodore - Absolom Boyd, captain.

Comet - Hercules Boyd, captain.

Davy Crocket.

Express - Harry Stull, captain.

Elk - Benjamin Godfrey, captain.

Faith - William Scales, captain.

Fink, Mike.

Governor Ritner - A. W. Sprague, captain.

General Marion - Ryan, captain.

Hercules - Hercules Boyd, captain.

Hope - Washington Scales, captain.

Hazard - Alexander Hahn, captain.

Lovely Sally - Ferrell, captain.

Lady - Williams, captain.

Merry Lady - John B. Lewis, captain.

Muskingum Valley - Dudley Davis, captain.

Mink, Mike.

McGregor, Hellen - Absolom Boyd, captain.

Majestic - Randolph Fearing, captain.

Marietta - Albert Carpenter, captain.

Marietta 2 - Baker, captain.

Nancy.

None such.

Number 4 - Absolom Boyd, captain.

Olive Green.

Patriot - Davis, captain.

Post Boy.

Pocahontas - Ferrell, captain.

Paul Jones - Hercules Boyd, captain.

Rob Roy.

Red Rover.

Return - George Carpenter, captain.

Rifleman - Absolom Boyd - captain.

Ram - Roberts, captain.

Remlin, James - Joseph Devol, captain.

Splendid - Reese, captain.

Silver Heels.

Sam Patch.

Steubenville Ranger - James Brooks, captain.

Saucy Jack.

Sycamore - Hart, captain.

Tam a am - Absolom Boyd, captain.

Uncle Sam.

Western Packet - S. M. Devol, captain.

Washington - Randolph Fearing, captain.

Waterford - Beatty Cheadle, captain.

Zanesville Packet - Dennis, captain.

Facts of the Amanda

The Amanda, named in the foregoing list, was sunk at Blue Rock bend in 1837, was soon raised, repaired and sold by her owners, Fearing and Sprague.  

The "Sycamore," belonging to Hale, Boyd and Scales, was sunk at Taylorsville, where her bones were to be seen but a few years ago and may be there yet.

Old Time Boatmen

The following is a list of the names of all the Muskingum river keelboatmen that can be obtained by the writer, but like the list of names of the keel boat, it is no doubt quite incomplete.  Many of these men became prominent steamboatmen and contributed much to the development of navigation of the Ohio and Mississippi valleys.

David Anson, Baker, Absolom Boyd, Hercules Boyd, James Boyd, Hiram Burch, McC. Bell, James Blunt, John Burroughs, James Booker, Booths, Curtis, McC. Coleman, John Carpenter, William Carpenter, Daniel Clay, Stephen Davis, Freeman Davis, Hildrick Davis, Ed Davis, Dudley Davis, Frederick Davis, John Davis, S. M. Devol, Paul Ditenhaver, Joseph (Little Jo) Devol, Bennett Devol, Simeon Devol, Till Devol, Dennis, Stanton Devol, Joseph (Big Jo) Devol, Evans, Frederick Erick, George W. Ebert, Evans, Evans, Ferral, Randolph Fearing, John Farris, Mike Fink, Jacob Flake, Benjamin Godfrey, Simeon Girty, Samuel Godfrey, John Green, George Hahn, Michael Hahn, Frederick (Major) Hahn, James Herron, William Helmick, Scudder Hart, Aaron Hart, Owen Hale, Issac N. Hook, Alexander Hahn, Israel, Knott, Knott, Isaac Johnson, Thomas Johnson, William (Purdy Bill) Larison, John B. Lewis, Robert Leggett, James Leggett, John Lyons, George Michael, A. Z. Morris, Adam Poe, Lemuel Pratt, William Parker, Jacob Poe, Reardon Reese, Tice Ridenhour, Ryan, Stephen Roberts, Harry Stull, William Scales, Lemuel Swift, Jessie Smith, Washington Scales, Nelson Stone, Stephen Stone, Austin W. Sprague, William Silverthorn, John Tarrier, Talbot, Asa Travis, Harris White, Stephen West, Williams, Webster.

Who They Were

Of the men named in the foregoing list the Boyds, the Hahns, the Caseys, Ayers, Scales, Ridenour and Helmick were from Zanesville.  The Davises were from Marietta and Lowell vicinities and the Devols were nearly all from Beverly and its vicinity.  Clay was from Lowell, Fearing and Hart were from Marietta.  The Johnsons, Evanses, Knotts, Godfreys, Leggetts, White, Swift and Webster were from Luke Chute.  Travis, Coleman, Bell, and others from McConnelsville.  Hook living near Windsor and nearly all the others resided somewhere on the Muskingum river and have descendants still living.  It is a matter of much regret that the names of all the men who were connected with these pioneer boats could not be obtained for publication in this list.

Muskingum Ferry

The Marietta Gazette, August 9, 1834

An Ordinance to regulate the Muskingum Ferry.

Be it ordained by the Mayor, Recorder, and Trustees of the Town of Marietta, in Council assembled.

Sec. 1.  That the lessee or lessees of the Muskingum Ferry shall be, and they are hereby required to keep a regular and orderly ferry, with some suitable person in attendance at all times, from sun-rise until nine o'clock at night, each and every day of the whole term of such lease granted by the Trustees of said Town, in Council assembled.

Sec. 2.  The boat or boats to be kept clean, free from water, in good order; and when the water will not admit of boats floating, a bridge of plank, at least three feet wide, for foot passengers, to be laid even, one plank butting against the other, and not to lap one over the other, shall be placed over that part of the ferry way when boats cannot float, that the passengers be not detained.

Sec. 3.  That the highest price to be paid by any citizen of the Town, for himself and family, with horses, carriage or teams, except with wood, sand, clay, brick, castings, and other heavy extra loading, shall not exceed five dollars per annum; and others in proportion to their crossing, down to the sum of one dollar and fifty cents per annum, for all citizens of the Town, who may elect to cross by the year, giving satisfactory security to the lessee or lessees to pay semi-annually.

Sec. 4.  When the lessee or lessees and the citizen cannot agree as to the sum to be paid for crossing said ferry per annum, or for extra crossing with articles excepted - the citizens may call on the Mayor, Recorder and Treasurer of the town, whose duty it shall be to fix the sum so, as aforesaid, to be paid, which shall be immediately complied with, or such citizens shall forfeit all the privileges of this ordinance.

Sec. 5.  The Muskingum ferry, aforesaid, shall be leased from time to time or terms in accordance with this ordinance, and for such term of time as the Trustees of said Town, in Council assembled, shall determine by resolution or otherwise.

Sec. 6.  For any breach of this ordinance the person or persons so liable, and so offending, shall forfeit and pay for the use of the town, on complaint to the Mayor, not less than one dollar, nor more than thirty dollars, with costs.

Sec. 7.  This ordinance to be in force from and after the fifth of August next, and all laws relative to the same heretofore passed are hereby repealed.

Nahum Ward, Mayor.

Caleb Emerson, Recorder, Pro tem.

Passed July 17, 1834.

Song - To the Muskingum

For the Marietta Intelligencer, January 4, 1844

To the Muskingum
                  Tune - Flow Gently Sweet Afton

Roll, gently, Muskingum, thy low banks along!
Sing softly, sweet Elk-Eye, thy own choral song!
I hear the blue wave of thy bright chrystal stream,
It sounds like the music we hear in a dream.

The Lark on thy banks, tunes his shrill matin lay,
In accents so gladsome, so sportive and gay.
The Mountains thy echoing murmurs repeat.
In cadence, so soothing, so chastened, and sweet.

How oft do I roam 'neath the shade on thy shore,
Whose long evening shadows have pictured thee o'er;
And thrill'd with thy beauty, thy borders of green,
Where glimpses of Heaven, through green boughs are seen.

I watch on thy margin, thy shade trees among,
Thy blue wave in majesty rolling along.
Hear, mild whistling warblers, attune their last lay,
In requiem notes to the Lord of the day.

And think of the Ages - the year upon year,
When none but the Red Man & fleet bounding deer,
Knew aught of the charms which thy bosom contains,
Or the green leafy copses which mantled thy plains.

When thy smooth flowing current, no rippling ee'r knew,
From aught but the winds, and the fragile canoe,
When no lengthened bulwarks thy windings impede,
Through pathways untrodden, thy waters to lead.

Whose rampart of hills & whose shores forest crown'd,
Had, yet by no venturous woodman been found,
Whose Trunk-trellised tops & whose columns of old,
Might, Legends- time-honor'd, & hallow'd have told.

But thy shades song-resounding - where, where are they now?
Their green plumes majestic have long ceased to bow,
And the waves of gold sheeting that burnished their leaves,
Now, gild where they once stood, the Husbandman's sheaves.

Those spirits, where are they whose voice with wild fear
Oft startled thy songsters and light sandal'd Deer?
Gone - gone are they all, scarce a vestige remains,
Of all that thou once deemed the pride of thy plains.

But thy landscapes appear in their verdure extoll'd,
With their mantles of velvet, and blossoms of gold,
Though in majesty less - yet their beauty transcends,
The sombre enchantment thy forest shade lends.

Thou gem amongst Rivers, -roll on, and rejoice!
Whilst valley, and mountains, re-echo thy voice!
Exult, in the change that has snatch'd thee away
From the dark, lurid wilderness that over thee lay!

And embellished thy borders with cities and spires,
All, that commerce bespeaks, all that learning requires.
Adorned thee with Temples - and pathways well trod
By those who go up to the worship of God.

                                                      MORTIMER.