HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY - 125 half of the volunteers, to protect the settlements they had left in Ashtabula and Trumbull counties. The drafted men were assigned to the company under command of Capt. Joshua Fobes, of Wayne, and following the reorganization at Harpersfield, the regiment proceeded to Cleveland. There they were provisioned and otherwise equipped and sent on to Avery, where a large blockhouse was constructed and preparations were made to meet any disturbance that might be started by the Indians in the western part of the Reserve. In September, 1812, the Ashtabula County soldiers were participants in skirmishes with the Indians upon the peninsula at Sandusky which is now the popular Cedar Point resort. The period of enlistment having expired, in February, 1813, the Ashtabula men were discharged and returned to their homes. Owing to the disturbed conditions there was much interference with the mails between Forts Stephenson and Maigs, and a call went out for volunteer dispatchmen, who would brave the dangers of the "Black Swamp" that lay between the two important military posts named. Among those who offered their services were Titus Hayes of Wayne and Dr. Coleman of Ashtabula. They, in company with Capt. Burnham of Kinsman, another volunteer, started on horseback on their perilous journey. They spent the first night out in camp beside the Portage River. They were aroused next morning by the sound of distant artillery play and an occasional Indian war hoop. As they neared their journey's end the sounds of disturbance became more pronounced, and Hayes was sent on ahead to reconnoiter and report in an hour. While Coleman and Burnham were awaiting Hayes' return, there was a rifle crack and the latter's hat was punctured by a bullet. They looked up to see an Indian dodge behind a tree and disappear. This evidence that they were being followed decided them upon immediate action to get under cover. They cut open the mail bag, took therefrom the important military mail and destroyed the remainder, then set foot toward Fort Stephenson, where they eventually arrived safe and well, after having gone four days without food. Hayes had found it impossible to return to his companions, so proceeded as best he could and arrived at the same point after several days and nights of hardship. The above gives a slight idea of the spirit of the time and shows 126 - HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY that Ashtabula County's men were not lacking in their patriotism or bravery. Following down the years through succeeding wars, the situation was found the same. The few hundreds of men that were available from this county to meet the fortunes of the War of 1812 was proportionately as great as the thousands who responded to the call a half-century later to put down slavery and preserve the Union. In the War of the Rebellion, Ashtabula County men were to be found in many regiments throughout the country, but the regiment that was practically made up locally was the Twenty-Ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. The whereabouts of the Ashtabula County men—the parts they played in the struggle for freedom, are summed up very aptly in the Williams Brothers' History as follows : "In the war for the Union, during the great rebellion, Ashtabula was prompt, patriotic and decisive. Her citizens were in the first fire upon the Confederates at Phillippi, and at the surrender at Appomattox. They were with Fremont in Missouri, with Banks in the Shenandoah Valley, and with Rosecrans in Western Virginia. They fought with Hooker at Lookout Mountain, with Grant at Vicksburg, and marched with Sherman through Georgia and the Carolinas. Their blood stained the way from the Potomac to the James, from the Ohio to the Tennessee and from the Missouri to the Arkansas. At Kernstown, Port Republic, Cedar Mountain, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg and Antietam ; at Resaca, Kenesaw and Chickamauga; before Atlanta; Stone River, Shiloh, Perryville, Pea Ridge, Murphresborough and Malvern Hill ; Cloud Mountain, Cedar Creek and Five Forks ; Spottsylvania, North Anna and Petersburg—wherever a glorious record was made, there Ashtabula had brave men who bore aloft her colors through the gloom of defeat as well as in the flush of victory. Ashtabula's dead lie in almost every battlefield ; they suffered in the trench and in the hospital ; they starved in the prison pens at Andersonville, Libbey, Belle Isle and Salisbury ; whatever sacrifice was demanded by the bloody moloch of war, Ashtabula had a victim who was offered to the insatiable monster." Came the war with Spain, in 1898. Ashtabula County had one full company of 111 men, also 5 men in the Hospital Corps of Ohio troops, 28 men in the First Ohio Cavalry, 8 in the First Ohio Light Artillery and 53 scattered in other organizations or branches, making a total of 205 of record besides numerous others who were with the navy. HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY - 127 In the World War, it was the same spirit of loyalty and love of country that sent several thousand of the youth of the county to arms, some never to return, some to come back maimed or marked for lives of misery because of shock, poison gas or impairment from other causes resulting from modern warring methods. As in the Civil War, so in the World War, Ashtabula County heroes were to be found in every branch and participating in the vital activities. County Red Cross.—Ashtabula county was one of the first to organize for the work of the American Red Cross, after the United States got into the World War. A meeting was held in the chamber of commerce rooms in Ashtabula on April 4, 1917, at which there was an attendance of eighty enthusiastic promotors and a county organization was formed with the following officers : H. W. Luethi, Ashtabula, chairman ; B. F. Perry, Jefferson, vice-chairman; Dr. Mary Miller Battles, Ashtabula, secretary ; B. B. Seymour, Ashtabula, treasurer; Directors, Capt. Whitney Carr, Dr. H. Milton Brown, P. C. Remick, W. S. King, Ashtabula ; Frank Martin, A. W. Chamberlin, Geneva ; E. G. Donnelly, E. L. Lampson, Judge J. W. Roberts, Jefferson ; R. R. Richardson, Allen H. Curtis, Dr. F. W. Upson, Charles Marcey, Conneaut. The work of organizing was pushed with vigor, with the result that before the first Christmas "roll-call", twenty-six of the twenty-eight townships of the county had a working organization. The county headquarters was established in the Federal building in Ashtabula, the entire upper story of which was given over by the Treasury Department of the United States to needs of the war activities. During the first years of the war the Woman's Auxiliary, which included hundreds of patriotic and faithful workers, was the most active branch of the work, if any could be so called. Every day, from morning till night, many women gave their time and effort to the making of needed garments, bandages, and other comforts and needs of the soldier boys "Over there". The women's work was supervised by Miss Elizabeth MacKay, Mrs. C. C. Crosby, Mrs. Jacob Strader, Mrs. R. R. Richardson, Mrs. Sarah Heyward and Mrs. Charles Marcey. H. A. Truesdale of Conneaut was director of the Home Service Work, while Miss Ella M. Pierce supervised the activities of the Junior Red Cross, which did a mighty work for the cause. 128 - HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY After the first year, Mr. Luethi resigned as chairman and C. A. Corbin was appointed in his place and has occupied that position up to the present time. Throughout the entire period of greatest activities and needs Dr. battles served faithfully as secretary. The work of the Red Cross since the War has changed from supplying the material needs of the soldiers to after-care of the returned and disabled veterans, aiding them to secure the assistance offered by the Government in the way of hospital, medical and dental care, claims for compensation for injuries and illness received on account of the War, and the countless other problems arising as aftermath of the War to the service-men and their families. The Government from time to time amended the laws so as to more adequately care for the veterans, thus making it necessary to continue the work of the County Chapter, as the connecting link between the service-men and the Government. This work has been carried on steadily and intensely, since November 11, 1918, resulting in service having been rendered to thousands of veterans, both local and transient, since that date, and many more thousands of dollars being paid to the servicemen of Ashtabula. County by the Government, through the efforts of the county chapter. Mrs. Kate I. Laughlin, who has been the executive secretary of the organization in Ashtabula at the County Headquarters practically since the close of the war, has been tireless in her labors in the interests of the veterans, as a result of which many of the boys and their families have had cause to be grateful to her, and they have endeavored to show their gratitude in many ways. "Mother" Laughlin has been enshrined in the hearts of hundreds who feel that her dauntless efforts in their behalf have resulted in their getting a new hold on life when hope had fled. The present officers of the Ashtabula County Chapter are as follows : C. A. Corbin, chairman ; C. A. Hitchcock, vice-chairman ; Mrs. Kate I. Laughlin, secretary ; Judge J. W. Roberts, J. H. Craig, Mrs. J. F. Munsell, Dr. W. S. King, P. C. Remick, A. W. Chamberlin, Frank Martin, Charles A. Hitchcock, Mrs. H. B. Kurtz, Charles A. Marcey, Mrs. C. C. Webster, Allen Curtiss, directors ; Hitchcock, Martin, Curtiss, Craig and Remick, exectuive committee ; Mrs. Viola Marcey, supervisor of Health Department ; Miss Ella Pierce, of the Junior Red Cross, and Mrs. Olive Webster, of Woman's Work. HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY - 129 The Junior Red Cross, under the direction of Miss Pierce, has become a strong force in Ashtabula county. More and more the influence of the children is realized in the cementing of a world-wide friendship, through their annual exchange of gifts and correspondence with the young people of other countries. (7) CHAPTER IX. NEWSPAPERS. "TRUMP OF FAME"-FIRST COUNTY NEWSPAPER-ASHTABULA SENTINEL- ASHTABULA TELEGRAPH OF 1846-PIONEER EDITORS-CONNEAUT GAZETTE--JEFFERSON GAZETTE-OTHER PUBLICATIONS. The first Western Reserve newspaper was published in Warren. It was the "Trump of Fame", and was launched in 1811, by Thomas Webb, Esq. The paper had many subscribers in Ashtabula County and it was considered the local newspaper until 1823, when Asa and John Hickox gave the county a paper of its real own. The Ashtabula Recorder, published in Ashtabula, was the first county paper. It continued for three years, when it was succeeded by the Western Journal, of which R. W. Griswold was owner and editor. In November, 1827, the paper passed to the ownership of Park & Terill and they passed it on in the following year to Hugh Lowrey. In 1829 he changed the name to the Ashtabula Journal, under which title it struggled along till March, 1831, when it was suspended and the press and other equipment were sold to a company of Conneaut parties, who believed that their town needed a newspaper. In the following year, 1832, there was born in this plant the Salem Advertiser, of which 0. K. Knapp was editor. This paper continued a number of years. In 1828 the Ohio Luminary was published in Jefferson by Moorehead & Wallace, but it was short lived. The next venture in the newspaper field was made by a company of Ashtabula men who organized and started the Ashtabula Sentinel. The first issue came out on January 21, 1832, 0. H. Fitch being its editor. This paper proved a successful effort, and during the succeeding twenty years its management changed hands almost yearly, among those who edited it at different times being O. H. Fitch, Henry Fassett, J. A. Gid- - 130 - HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY - 131 dings and other prominent men of the early years. In 1853 the paper and plant were purchased by W. C. Howells (father of the famed novelist William Dean Howells) and J. L. Olliver, who moved the outfit to Jefferson and continued publication there for many years. The Ashtabula Republican was started in 1833, but did not survive long. In 1834 Clark & Company started the Democratic Free Press in Ashtabula, but its career was short and unprofitable. The next effort was made by Judge S. A. Dann, who began publication of the Ashtabula Democrat May 2, 1853. After a few months the plant was moved from Ashtabula to Geneva, where the paper survived a short time. The Buckeye Democrat, edited by a man named Smith in 1857. hit the rocks early in its career. In that year, also, a Mr. Barnes thought Ashtabula would be a good field for the exploitation of his personal interests, which lay in the promulgation of psychic education. He started a paper, the name of which is not known, but of which a contemporary, in giving it editorial greeting, said: "It is spiced with all the vagaries of Spiritualism, Free Love, Free Thinking, and a considerable amount of thinking generally". That was the last mention found of that paper. In 1846 the Ashtabula Telegraph was founded by N. W. Thayer, with W. E. Scarsdale as editor. Subsequently it came out for a number of years under the title "Ashtabula Telegraph and LaRe County Advertiser", one-half of each weekly issue being devoted to local news and advertising of Ashtabula and surrounding towns and the other to Painesville and its interests. This combination continued until January, 1853, when the Lake County interest was dropped and the paper continued as the Ashtabula Telegraph. Later, for a time, John Booth owned and conducted the paper, but in 1855 it was taken over by the Messrs. Willard, Hendry & Morrison, who made R. W. Handford editor and published the paper for a year, when it was bought by James Reed, in April, 1856. In 1873 James Reed, Jr., purchased an interest with his father and entered upon the active management of the paper. In 1885 the Daily Telegraph was started. In 1890 the paper was purchased by Scott & Remick, then editing the Rock Creek Banner, who consolidated the two and entered the business field of Ashtabula. J. H. Scrivens & Son had launched the Daily Beacon in Ash- 132 - HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY tabula on January 26, 1888, and in March, 1891, a stock company was organized which combined the Daily Beacon and the Telegraph in one interest. J. H. Scrivens was president, W. W. Scott vice-president, C. L. Scrivens secretary and P. C. Remick treasurer of this company and they proceeded to give Ashtabula County a real daily paper, continuing weekly publication of the Telegraph for some time. The Ashtabula News entered the field of weekly papers in this county in 1873, its home being in Ashtabula and its sponsor A. S. Sperry. The following year N. C. Hawley purchased a half interest and in 1877 E. J. Griffin became a partner and the editor. B. H. Rickard bought in in 1881 and in 1883 Mr. Griffin became sole proprietor, and continued as such until 1896, when the Telegraph absorbed the subscription list .of the News and at the same time that of the Kingsville Tribune, and publication of both the News and the Tribune was suspended. In the meantime J. V. Gallup & Son had started the publication of the Evening Journal, a daily, on December 1, 1890. In June, 1892, W. A. Robertson, Jr., purchased the interest of the senior Gallup and became business manager of the paper, and soon afterward the plants of the News and the Journal were combined through a consolidation of the two interests, and the Evening Journal was changed to the News-Journal and issued from the News Plant. Shortly thereafter Mr. Robertson retired from the business and in 1897 Mr. Robertson sold his interest to A. F. Sperry, who leased the interest of Mr. Griffin and conducted the business for a time, but eventually it reverted to Mr. Griffin, who continued with it until he died. In 1870 a paper named "The Jeffersonian" was started in Ashtabula and survived for about a year. D. J. Sherman and R. 0. Rote started the Democratic Standard on November 14, 1876. In 1891 C. A. Corbin purchased an interest in the paper and became editor. In 1893 the concern was incorporated by a stock company of which R. 0. Rote was president ; T. E. Hoyt, vice-president ; J. C. Hubbard, secretary-treasurer, and C. A. Corbin, superintendent and manager. Under the new ownership the Standard entered the daily field, championing the interests of the Democratic party in Ashtabula County. As a daily, however, it did not continue very long, but the weekly issue came out regularly until 1922. In the meantime, editor Corbin's interests were necessarily severed by his appointment as postmaster, in 1914. HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY - 138 The first effort at publishing a daily paper in Ashtabula County was made in 1882 by Cartin & Johnson, who came out with the Daily Advance, which had a rather uncertain existence for a year or so and passed on. Then F. V. Johnson conducted the Daily Record for a time. W. V. Newberry, a young man who had grown up in the composing rooms of Ashtabula papers, aspired to something higher and, in 1889, he presented to the reading public the Daily Times, the editorial department which was conducted by his aunt, Miss Rose Gifford, the first and, thus far, the only woman editor of a daily paper in the county. The Times lasted about a year. In 1893 the Rev. Robert W. Peach, of the Trinity Reformed Episcopal church of Ashtabula, who had been publishing the Church Visitor, a monthly devoted to the interests of his parish, sold his plant to the Rev. John H. Meek, who moved the outfit to Ashtabula Harbor and began there the publication of the Weekly Visitor. Soon thereafter the paper was enlarged and came out as a daily and its name was changed to The Ashtabula Daily Record. This step grew out of the action of several Harbor business men who organized the Record Publishing Company. H. I. Clark took a lease on the plant. In 1898 the company was reorganized, J. S. Wilson taking an interest, and became the Wilson-Clark Company. The plant was moved from the Harbor to the city, located on Main street, the equipment largely increased and the size of the paper doubled. There was lively competition in the daily paper field for a couple of years and then The Ashtabula Printing Company was organized, its officers including the personnel of the Beacon and Record companies, and the two papers were consolidated as the Ashtabula Beacon-Record. On Sept. 4, 1909, The Independent Publishing Company launched the Daily Independent, in Ashtabula, and continued its publication until 1911. This company was composed of M. T. Stokes, J. J. Mundy and E. J. Hancock, , all strangers to whom the Ashtabula field looked promising. The Independent suspended in May, 1911. The Daily Star was started in 1914 and in April, 1916, combined with the Beacon-Record, and came out as the Star-Beacon, which is the only Ashtabula daily today. It is owned by The Ashtabula Publishing Company, and the personnel of the paper force includes C. A. Rowley as president and general manager ; G. H. Leggett and J. J. Mundy, editors ; J. W. Quigley, advertising manager ; Charles Evans, circulation manager. 134 - HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY Owing to the absence of any printed or written record, the date of the birth of Conneaut's first newspaper is shrouded in some uncertainty, but was probably in 1830 or 1831. It was some thirty-odd years after the first white settlers had arrived in what was then called Salem that the need of the printed word for the dissemination of news was felt and a "Washington" hand press was brought overland in an ox cart from Buffalo, N. Y., and used for printing the Salem Gazette. This old pioneer press, although having undoubtedly passed the century mark of its existence, is still in good, usable condition and occupies a revered corner in the plant of the Conneaut News-Herald, where it is allowed once a week to print the "mailing lists", a sort of pensioner's job just to keep it in operative condition. The oldest known copy of a Conneaut newspaper is a Conneaut Gazette, weekly, of May 15, 1835. This paper bears the mark "Vol. 4", giving rise to the conjecture that there was a suspension of publication sometime between that date and the first issue. The name of the little settlement was changed from Salem to Conneaut in the early '30s and the name of the newspaper quite plainly followed suit. The editor in 1835 was O. H. Knapp. In August, 1835, the paper passed into the hands of Knapp & Taylor and in April, 1836, J. H. Jacoby became proprietor with S. F. Taylor as editor. In October of the same year, the paper passed into the hands of C. A. Randall & Company, S. F. Taylor remaining as editor. In January, 1837, William Hulin became the Gazette's editor and remained until April, 1838, when the publication came under the direction of W. W. Ainger, publication agent. In the issue of October 4, 1838, S. F. Taylor's name is again associated with the Gazette as editor and in December, 1838, Taylor became editor and proprietor, remaining in that capacity for the next two years when the paper was acquired by D. C. Allen and W. J. Tait, editors and proprietors, the former having been associated in 1839 with Taylor as printer. The name of the paper was changed to the Ashtabula County Gazette late in 1840, but was soon clothed with its former name again. Tait became editor and proprietor in September, 1842, Allen evidently having left the partnership. There is now a break in the available files until February 3, 1848, when the paper had become the Conneaut Reporter with Allen & Shaw as proprietors and editors. This issue bore the volume number five, hence it is assumed that the Reporter originated in 1844, probably as a continua- HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY - 135 tion of the Gazette. With the issue of February 17, 1848, the name of Shaw disappeared from the editorial masthead and D. C. Allen was listed alone. On January 2, 1862, the paper passed into the hands of the late John P. Rieg, who remained associated with it until it was finally suspended for all time in 1900. Sidney Kelsey was joint editor with Rieg until October, 1865, when Rieg became sole editor and proprietor. In January, 1866, C. G. Griffey became an associate proprietor and editor with Mr. Rieg and remained until December of the same year, when he was succeeded by A. Harwood. The publishing firm was changed to Rieg & Harwood in February, 1867, and continued for exactly one year, when Rieg again became sole owner and editor. Mr. Griffey again became identified with the publication in December, 1869, and the paper continued under the direction of Rieg & Griffey until May, 1871, when Mr. Griffey left the partnership again. He later went to Michigan and engaged in the publishing business, where he acquired a fortune after having failed in an individual attempt to maintain another paper in Conneaut, the Conneaut Citizen. July, 1871, found J. S. Van Alstin as associate editor with Mr. Rieg, but in June, 1872, the former severed his connection with the paper. Mr. Rieg then continued on alone until January, 1875, when the proprietors and editors became Rieg & Stoner, the latter having been an employe of the paper for three years. In January, 1877, the firm became J. P. Rieg & Company, with S. C. Brooks, father-in-law of Mr. Rieg, as the silent partner. This firm continued until January, 1882, when C. S. Putnam. purchased an interest and the editors and proprietors became Rieg & Putnam. In January, 1884, the firm name was changed to Rieg, Putnam & Company, and in January, 1889, Mr. Putnam left the firm, the name again becoming J. P. Rieg & Co., with H. M. Wolcott as the "company." Meantime, in 1878, the Conneaut Express had been started by C. S. Putnam and L. V. Stone. In 1879, the latter sold his interest to a Mr. Foster and the paper was removed to Geneva, Ohio, where it became the Geneva Express. Later, as stated above, Mr. Putnam returned to Conneaut and purchased an interest in the Reporter. In January, 1890, the Conneaut Reporter came under the proprietorship of the Rieg & Smith Publishing Company, S. J. Smith being the second named partner, he having become associated with the Conneaut Herald, established by Keeler & Montgomery in 1882. The two weeklies joined 136 - HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY forces in January, 1890, and the Rieg & Smith Printing Company continued to publish both papers until April 5, 1895, when the last issue of the weekly Herald appeared. On April 11, 1895, the first issue of the Conneaut Daily Herald appeared with J. P. Rieg as editor, H. M. Wolcott and John B. Rieg, associates, and C. C. Boggs, reporter. The Conneaut Evening Post, this city's first daily paper, was founded in 1891 by P. E. Bissell as editor. This paper was purchased in 1895 by Frank Stow, who continued its publication until August 6, 1896, when it was consolidated with the daily Herald as the Conneaut Post-Herald with J. P. Rieg managing editor ; F. H. Stow, editor ; H. M. Wolcott and John B. Rieg, associates, and C. C. Boggs, reporter. The Post-Herald was a four-page, seven-column paper. In February, 1897, Stow and W. F. Ely, the latter of whom had been a silent partner in the Rieg & Smith Printing Company, sold their interests to Frank F. Rieg, a son of J. P. Rieg and brother of John B. Rieg. F. F. Rieg became manager of the Post-Herald and Clifford W. Smith, who had been a reporter since August, 1896, became editor. In 1897 P. E. Bissell again became interested in Conneaut newspaperdom by establishing the Conneaut Evening News in a wooden frame building at the corner of Main and Broad streets. Three years later the paper was moved to a new brick block, now the News-Herald building, at 180-182 Broad street. Mr. Bissell continued as editor. In January, 1907, C. S. Putnam, then postmaster and financially interested in the Conneaut Printing Company, which had been formed and purchased the News in 1903, engineered a merger with the Post-herald and on January 1, 1907, the first appearance of the Conneaut News-Herald was made. This was a six and eight-page, six column paper. A new eight-page Duplex flat bed press was purchased and on November 23, 1911, the News-Herald became a standard seven-column newspaper, and has continued as such printing four, six, eight and more pages daily as required. With the purchase by the Conneaut Printing Company of the News in 1903, H. T. Culp became business manager and continued in that position several years. H. A. Armstrong was the first manager and V. V. McNitt the first editor of the News-Herald. Early in 1908 C. A. Rowley became editor and manager. He left in December of that year and on January 1, 1909, was succeeded by W.. E. Putnam as manager. On January 14 Mr. Putnam became general manager and Alfred H. Lyons was brought here as editor. HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY - 137 Mr. Lyons left the News-Herald and was succeeded by F. A. Churchill, of Bradford, Pa., who assured the editorial chair on January 1, 1910. Mr. Churchill was succeeded in turn by Lee C. Thayer, who became managing editor April 27, 1914, and served in that capacity until June 25, 1918, when he left the paper and was succeeded by Clarence E. McManus, who had been connected with the News-Herald for eight years as reporter, sport editor and city editor. On January 8, 1923, Mr. McManus left to enter the editorial room of the Cleveland Plain Dealer and was succeeded by Harry W. Hawke, who had been city editor for a little more than two years. Mr. Hawk remains the present managing editor with W. E. Putnam as editor and manager. To revert to the old Conneaut Reporter, the last issue of this weekly that had served well the people of this community for 57 years was printed December 24, 1900, the need for a weekly publication having passed with the inauguration of the daily newspaper. It is worthy of note that, in a strong Republican state, county and city, every newspaper but one founded in Conneaut has upheld the platforms of the Republican party. The various newspapers published in Conneaut have always stood in the front rank among Ashtabula County publications and have been rated on a par with newspapers in the state and country in cities of similar size. The single exception to the Republican newspapers was the Conneaut Advance, established by L. R. Benjamin in about 1913, which led a precarious existence for several years before it suspended. This publication was a sort of Democratic-Socialist organ which never secured a circulation of over a few hundreds. The Advance was first published outside the city and the plant later brought here. The Geneva Times was given to the residents of Geneva and surroundings as a home paper in 1866, H. H. Thorp being its sponsor and Warren P. Spencer editor. Spencer and Carey A. Vaughn bought it, enlarged the paper and continued publication until 1873, when H. W. Lindergreen purchased the Vaughn interest. In 1876 a competitor entered the field, the Weekly Free Press.. Daniel and Ferdinand Lee and Nathan Hawley conducted it till 1899, when it was sold to J. D. Field. In 1900 Mr. Field ventured into the daily field with the Free Press. In 1901 he purchased the Times and consolidated the two under the head of the Free Press-Times, discontinuing both as weeklies. This paper is now owned and conducted by interests controlled by C. A. Rowley, of the Ashtabula Star-Beacon. 138 - HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY The Jefferson Gazette was founded in 1876, by Daniel Lee & Son. It was purchased in 1883 by E. L. Lampson, who subsequently sold a half-interest to R. D. Lampson. The latter, however, sold his interest back, after a few months. E. C. Lampson, son of E. L., leased the plant and business in 1896, and in 1902 he purchased it outright and has since conducted it, together with R. D. Lampson, who again bought into the business in 1905. On June 1, 1906, the home of the Gazette was destroyed by, fire, but the hustling owners did not allow that misfortune to interrupt the publication and the paper was printed elsewhere until a new plant had been installed. In 1909 the Gazette took over the Ashtabula Sentinel, which had been published since 1832. The Gazette is now published triweekly by Messrs. E. C. and R. D. Lampson. In 1852 there was started, in Jefferson, a paper called the Western Reserve Farmer and Dairyman. In the course of time this was absorbed by the Ohio Farmer. In 1872 the Enterprise came out in Andover, under the ownership of J. S. Morley and D. S. Calkins. The former eventually became sole owner and in a few years publication was suspended. The Andover Citizen was the next venture in that town, it coming out in 1882, with J. S. Morley again trying his hand in the game. After changing hands several times, it finally came to the ownership of N. G. Richardson, who is still ruling its destinies. Relative to other papers, we quote the following from the History of the Western Reserve by Harriet Taylor Upton, published in 1910: "So far as the author knows, the only paper published and edited by women in Ashtabula County was the Plea for the Oppressed. This was short-lived and was issued in the cause of anti-slavery. The talented Betsy Cowles was editor. "When Virgil P. Kline, of Cleveland, was asked by the author whether he edited a small paper in 1859-60, which was issued from the Gazette office, he replied: 'Yes, I will plead guilty to being one of the boys who, when we were about sixteen years old, published, for a year, what was known as the Young American, at Conneaut. My boy and college companion, now the Hon. 0. M. Hall, of Redwing, Minn., was my associate. He continued it for a year after I dropped out, changed its politics and made it a better paper.' "Mr. Allen, of Conneaut, was one of the most energetic newspaper HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY - 139 men the county has ever had. The credit of founding the Reporter was due to him. At one time he and Mr. Finch issued from the Gazette office The Budget, a daily paper devoted to the troubles in Canada. Mr. Allen used to walk to the Harbor each night to get the news which the vessel the 'Bridget' brought in." The late William Dean Howells, called the "dean of American writers", was a son of William C. Howells, who came from Hamilton, Ohio, to Ashtabula, in 1852 and purchased an interest with Henry Fassett, in the Ashtabula Sentinel. During the time that the paper was published here, the elder Mr. Howells and his sons, Joseph and William Dean, were all employed on the sheet. For several years there was published in Ashtabula the American Sanomat, a weekly paper owned and edited by August Edwards and devoted to the interest of the Finnish people of this county. Charles J. Olds, in 1890, began publication, in Orwell, of the Orwell News-Letter. Four years later it was passed on to ownership of his son, Hal W. Olds, who conducted it for several years and sold it. It was also known for a time as the "Welcome and News-Letter". For a time Orwell boasted another paper, the Orwell Item, owned and edited by A. R. Woolsey. Rock Creek has had two weekly papers, the Signal and Banner. The Kingsville Tribune was published several years prior to 1896, when it was absorbed by the Ashtabula Telegraph. For a few short months, which seemed long to the management, a paper named the Daily Marine Times was published at Ashtabula Harbor. That was in 1889. In the early '80s John Eckman started a paper in Ashtabula named the "North Star", but it soon expired for want of nourishment. The Ashtabula Daily Record had a varied experience. In the summer of 1888 it suspended publication three times within a month. The Lake Shore Magazine, replete with anecdotes and stories, historical and fictitious, was published from an Ashtabula shop for several months in the '80s, by Prof. M. U. Johnson, but the patronage would not sustain it and it was short lived. The latest paper in the county field of journalism is the Poultry and Dairy Times, which was started in 1924 by C. L. Young, at Rock Creek Station. CHAPTER X. A COUNTY OF RESORTS. LAKE VIEW PARK-TARRY -A- WHILE-CAMP PORTER-OVERLOOK BEACH- KINGSVILLE- ON- THE-LAKE-WHITE-WHITM CREEK-CAMP WHITNEY-LAKE SHORE PARK-CLIFTON BEACH-WOODLAND PARK-PEARL CAMP AN I) ELKS' CLUB -BELL HAVEN-COUNTRY CLUB-RED BROOK-HALEWOOD-BILLOW BEACH -EAST GENEVA-ON-THE-LAKE-SAYBROOK TOWNSHIP PARK-NINEVAH BEACH - GENEVA-ON-THE-LAKE - CHESTNUT GROVE-TRAIL'S END-COLD SPRINGS-CITY ADVANTAGES-BOULEVARD ROAD. Ashtabula County's "front yard", old Lake Erie, is its chief attraction and visitors come hundreds of miles to enjoy the boating, bathing, fishing and invigorating atmosphere, not to mention the wonderful view that may be had on any clear day of the wide expanse of water dotted here and there with great ships of modern structure and design. Lakeview Park.—The shore from east to west is one continuous succession of summer cottages, summer hotels, and public resorts of every description. Beginning at the east border of the county the first big resort is Lakeview Park, in Conneaut, which was cleared and improved as far back as 1879 by private interests that foresaw, the demand of later years for a place where the public could go and feel at home. O. W. Germond, who was for a long time the proprietor, was a genial host and made the visitors feel that they were welcome. In the course of years, as the park's popularity grew, a nice hotel was erected and other attractions in way of amusement features added, and the permanence of its popularity was soon established. Unlike some of its successors, Lakeview Park is not a camping resort, but immediately adjacent thereto, on the west, the cottages start and line up almost solidly for several miles along the shore. Tarry-A-While.—The above inviting title was given to about the first summer colony established on the shore in Conneaut Township. It was a - 140 - HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY - 141 great attraction for many years and formed the nucleus of a little village of cottages along the edge of the cliff just west of Lakeview Park. Camp Porter.—A most praiseworthy institution is Camp Porter, established by the Pittsburgh Y. M. C. A., situated on the lake four miles from Conneaut, where hundreds of city boys congregate every summer for recreation. This camp is described very aptly by the following, taken from the Conneaut News-Herald of July 31, 1922: "This institution is now in its second year, and has already been classed on a par with Camp Dudley, the New York State Y. M. C. A. camp, which has been called the finest in America, for a number of years, as regards site, equipment, leaders and organization. Camp Porter comprises sixty-five acres of ground, including twenty acres of wooded territory, along the lake front four miles from the city limits. It has been equipped with all conveniences, with appurtenances necessary to insure such an institution being an unqualified success. It has every feature that any of the camps in the country have, including 1,000 feet of bathing-beach, second to none. In addition, it has one feature that is exclusive with Camp Porter, a nine-hole golf course, the only one connected with a boys' camp in the country. The ground buildings include the headquarters and office building, a store-room and mess hall. Besides use of the beach, the boys have their permanent base-ball diamond, foot-ball gridiron, volleyball, basket-ball and quoit courts. The boys come and go in groups of 150, throughout the summer, and most of the number taken care of the first year are candidates to come back. Not only the boys and the young men who find the place a great summer recreational center, but the leaders and "Y" officials are enthusiastic in praise of Camp Porter, which has already meant an investment of $35,000." Overlook Beach.—On the shore north of Amboy is Overlook Beach, one of the newest of lake-front colonies, that was opened in the summer of 1923 and has at this writing a dozen or more cottages and many more to be built another season. Kingsville-on-the-Lake.—One of the earliest clusters of cottages for summer occupancy was that established at the end of the north-and-south road leading from the Lake road southward through the Kingsvilles. Residents of the two villages started it many years ago and it proved the need 142 - HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY of ready accommodations for the use of inlanders who wished to enjoy a few days or weeks in retirement on the shore of the lake. Whitman's Creek.—A short distance west of the resort mentioned in the preceding paragraph, Whitman's Creek runs down to the lake and at its mouth many years ago piers were constructed and the mouth of the stream was made into a small harbor, principally used by fishing-boats. The piers occasioned the making of a wide and attractive beach, which, backed up with trees that afforded desired shade, made a very attractive place and it has for many years been a favorite resort for picnickers, but never as a camping ground, excepting by tents. Camp Whitney.—Next to the westward is found the summer resort for tuburcular children of the county, Camp Whitney. This place was established in the summer of 1921, by the Ashtabula Health League, which was organized ten years ago in the interest of the public health. Three years ago, the county health commissioners called attention of the League to the undernourished condition of many children of the county rural schools, and asked the League to furnish a fresh-air camp. The matter was taken up and acted upon at once. Equipment was ordered and a site selected on the bank of the lake on Miss Julia Harmon's property, and thirty children, running in ages from six to ten years, were given a ten-weeks' outing. The demand was so great the second year, that the season was divided into five-week sessions and 60 children were thus accommodated, as the capacity of the camp will accommodate but 30 at a time. The same system was followed this year. The children are given health education, lessons in diet, and plenty of healthful exercise, teachers being in constant attendance. In the morning there are "setting up" exercises, then breakfast and the flag-raising. They are given all they want to eat and plenty of milk. They consume from 60 to 75 quarts of milk a day. The results thus far have been very gratifying to those who have the work in charge. The children show an average increase in weight during their five-weeks' stay of five to six pounds, and the exercises given serve to greatly increase the chest measurement of each. The camp was wrecked by the cyclone of the present summer, which struck it just before the children were to have taken possession. It cost considerable to replace the equipment, but the average expense of running HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY - 143 the establishment through a season is about 82,700. All the money derived from the sale of Christmas seals which are furnished by the National Tuberculosis Association goes into the funds for support of the camp. There have also been some very generous donations. The officers of the Ashtabula County Public Health League are Capt. E. 0. Whitney, Ashtabula, president ; Mrs. Mary Mayberry, Conneaut, vice-president ; Dr. Mary Miller-Battels, Ashtabula, secretary ; A. N. Loomis, Jefferson, treasurer. Lake Shore Park.—Next west of the above described camp is Lake Shore Park, description of which is given in the article on the Ashtabula Township Park Commission. The free camping site for tourists is adjacent to the park. The Lake Shore Park Hotel, which was formerly the Lake Shore Club, occupies an eminence overlooking the lake just above the park pavilion. This hostelry was opened to the public the present season by E. L. King, after being rebuilt and enlarged. Clifton Beach.—This is a new colony embracing twenty or thirty cottages, several of which are year-round residences. It is situated on the high bank of the lake just west of Lake Shore Park. Woodland Park.—This is probably the oldest public park on the lake shore in this section, and the only regular amusement park between Cleveland and Erie. It is adjoining Clifton Beach on the west and occupies what was known in early days as "Hannah's Hill". It was opened as a park in the summer of 1884 by J. D. Hulbert and M. L. Rice, who conducted it some years. It has changed hands several times, but has for the past thirty years or more belonged to the Woodland Beach Park Company, which is composed of several officers of the P. & L. E. and New York Central Railroad Companies. L. A. Robison, of New York, is president. The company maintains a trolley line between the park and the Harbor, which is probably the shortest electric line in the country, it being about a half-mile long. This is operated only during the months that the park is open. The park offers all the customary attractions to be found at any big amusement park. The New York Central has a spur track to the park entrance and during the summer months several excursions from the south are brought in each week. Pearl Camp and Elks' Club.—West of Ashtabula Harbor, the first summer colony is at Pearl Camp, which boasts several cottages owned and 144 - HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY occupied each summer by Cleveland parties. It was named for Pearl Lodge, Knights of Pythias, of that city, as the owners are members of that organization. The Elks' Club is next and embraces a neat and commodious clubhouse, with attractive surroundings and a splendid bathing beach. Bell Haven.—Just west of the Elks' Club is Belle Haven, a cluster of cottages that are in great demand during the camping season, owing to their splendid location and attractive surroundings. Country Club.—A short distance farther west is the home of the Ashtabula Country Club, with its new golf course and modern club-house just opened this year. Adjacent to the club are a number of the finest country homes along the lake in this section and many cottages are already built or planned. Red Brook.—Next comes another of the old and always popular resorts, Red Brook, which was first opened in 1879 as a public resort on all days excepting Sundays. Its attractiveness appealed to the fancy of a lot of Ashtabula men who had visited the place and could foresee the possibilities of future years, and, in 1884, these men rented the property for five years, with the privilege of ten, and they proceeded to improve it and convert it into a real resort, but not for the public. They platted it into thirty lots, which were at once taken by as many individuals and that. season about a dozen cottages were built and occupied by Ashtabula families. Later the Red Brook Company was organized and purchased the property and it has ever been a place of great activity during camping seasons. They had their own gas well for a number of years, also running water gravitating from a high tank, into which it was pumped from the lake. Many of the cottage owners and their visiting friends, who were always numerous, did not care to do their own cooking, so Mills & Baldwin built a hotel adjacent to the park, which was successfully conducted for many years, and about it many more cottages were erected. The greater number of Red Brook cottages have been bought by residents of Pittsburgh, or other cities inland, and only a few of the pioneers are now to be found there. Hallwood.—Just over the fence from Red Brook is Hallwood, which is a striking illustration of what possibilities there are in the lands along the lake shore. Three years ago this property was a veritable jungle HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY - 145 overgrown for many years with a tangle of vines and bushes which looked from the road to be almost impenetrable. Today it is entirely cleared up and graded and there are a score of nice cottages, all owned by individual families who built them for their own summer homes. Billow Beach.—Nine years ago the next property west of Hallwood was purchased and laid out in lots which found a ready sale and there are now 27 cottages and a store, which latter is doing a good business through the patronage from residents of the surrounding resorts. East Geneva-on-the-Lake.—Almost opposite Billow Beach, south of the Lake road, is a new colony named East Geneva-on-the-Lake. Why it was given that title is known only to the promoting company and it is a source of wonder, for it is several miles from Geneva-on-the-Lake, and in Saybrook Township. A number of lots have been sold and cottages built and it is quite a lively little settlement during the summertime. Saybrook Township Park.—One of the popular public resorts of this section is Saybrook Township Park, which was opened a few years ago and improved by the township trustees on the bluff overlooking the lake about a mile west of Red Brook. There are bath-houses, a little store and a dining pavilion ; also a concrete pier well out into the water, the presence of which serves to the formation of a splendid beach of fine sand, and just right for bathing and boating. Nineveh Beach.—This is a private resort on the Harley farm, a mile farther west. It had its beginning many years ago when Mr. Harley constructed a couple of cottages on the bank of the lake for renting purposes. They were in such demand that more followed. For the first few years they were tenanted mostly by relatives of the family, but of late others have been taken in, and the watchful care of "Aunt Fanny" Harley, and her efforts to make her tenants feel at home, is dear to a great number of persons. The cottagers enjoyed the novelty one summer of waking up one summer morning and finding two large vessels driven ashore right on their beach. The waves had sent them so far in that, next day when the storm had subsided, one could walk on the sand to the side of one of the boats. Geneva-on-the-Lake.--Of all the summer resorts on the south shore of Lake Erie, there is none more popular than Geneva-on-the-Lake, in the (8) 146 - HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY township of Geneva. Here are all the attractions of a typical resort, and in the height of the season its transitory population runs into the thousands. The editor is indebted to Roy H. Gee for the following sketch : "The many people from Ohio and Pennsylvania cities who flock to Geneva-on-the-Lake during the summer do not stop to give thought as to how that resort had its beginning. Furthermore, it is doubtful whether any one in this county, except, perhaps, a few old settlers, really know anything about the origin of one of Ohio's most popular vacation spots. From Lewis C. Spencer, now of Anaheim, Cal., but formerly owner and proprietor of Sturgeon Point House and old Spencerian Hall, the following facts were gleaned by the writer: "Mr. Spencer said : 'My grandfather, Harvey S. Spencer, one day hooked three sturgeon off what was known for years afterward as "Sturgeon Point". (Today the same location is known as Mapleton Beach, a private allotment owned by various cottagers.) This was done with what they called a boat-hook. Because of catching the sturgeon in this manner, my grandfather named the place Sturgeon Point. My ancestor cleared 60 acres of land next west of the Point, starting about 1820. He lived there for many years and owned the farm up to the time of his death. His son, Cullen M. Spencer (my father), bought the farm in 1870, and he also lived there until his death. In 1868, Father and Edwin Pratt rented Sturgeon Point, and on July 4, 1869, they opened it up to the public a s a summer resort. They operated the place for 17 years, after which W. P. Spencer bought Mr. Pratt's half interest, which, at his death, was sold to Warren E. and myself. The building of cottages that formed the nucleus of this now great resort was started by the late Judge J. P. Cadwell and the present Judge B. F. Perry, of Jefferson. I believe that C. M. Spencer's folks and Nelson Warner's folks kept the first city boarders.' " Chestnut Grove.—For attractive surroundings, Chestnut Grove, a half mile west of Geneva-on-the-Lake, has any resort in the county beaten. This place was popular as a rival to Sturgeon Point, a half century ago, and, though its popularity waned for a few years after Geneva-on-theLake became a rage, it is today taking its place among the leading resorts of the shore. It occupies a grove of stately trees, flanked on the front by the lake and on the west side bordered by Cowles Creek, which empties into the lake at that point. Usually the outlet is stopped by the beach and the water backs up and covers a considerable territory, forming a lake, HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY - 147 where boating and fishing are enjoyed. There are numerous cottages in the park, built in among the trees, and on any pleasant summer Sunday picnickers flock to this grove by thousands. Trail's End.—On the next eminence west of Cowles Creek outlet is the site of the annual encampment of Boy Scouts from Ashtabula and Geneva, the place being known as "Trail's End". Scoutmasters are assigned to remain in the camp and look after the welfare of the boys and train them in military tactics and physical stunts. They have a regular daily program that is followed out to the letter, and every boy who is privileged to enjoy the advantages of this camp must obey the scoutmaster and the rules of the camp. Many boys are here given free outings that are a great aid to their physical and moral welfare, and the training and discipline help to fit them for activities of later life. Cold Springs.—Ashtabula County's summer resorts are not all on the lake. Grand River, which courses its way through the county, affords an almost continuous succession of beauty spots, and its banks, in sections, are becoming sites for numerous cottages. Cold Springs has for many years been the principal attraction of the interior. It is situated about three miles south from Austinburg. Orlando Payne, who came to be familiarly and affectionately known as "Dad" Payne, was the original promoter of the resort. Out from the side of the river bank, about 30 feet from the water at normal tide, flow two voluminous springs of cold water. Mr. Payne conceived the idea of commercializing this gift of nature, and following it up, he built two or three cottages and a service building which served the purpose of office, store, refreshment pavilion and dancing hall. Then he let it be known that "Cold Springs" was open to the public and the popularity of the place grew surprisingly. Grand River always afforded good fishing, and Mr. Payne bought a fleet of skiffs and tackle for use of the anglers. As an added attraction, Clayton L. Payne, in 1901, hired George Mason & Son, of Geneva, to build a neat little steamer, to be used to run excursions up and down the river from Cold Springs, the stream being navigable for a distance of about nine miles. This steamer was a big attraction. It was 30 feet long, with 7-foot beam, and a staunch craft. After "Dad" Payne's death and the resort had passed to other hands, the steamer was transported to a little inland lake some miles away. The Cold Springs resort is now the property of Cleveland Girl Scouts, who, it 148 - HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY is said, sold doughnuts to start the fund for its purchase. It is a lively place throughout the summer seasons. Associated with Orlando Payne, for a time, were his sons, Carl and Rufus. The latter went farther up the river and purchased a resort that was named "River Glen", where he built a hotel and several cottages,. but it did not prove a paying venture. Carl, after Cold Springs was sold, was prospecting, a couple of miles up the river, and found another spring. He bought the land, cleared the spring and started a new resort, where he has built several cottages and a pavilion, and hopes to make a successful outing spot. Cleveland promoters have recently purchased two miles of Grand River frontage in Austinburg and it is being platted to be put on the market. There are at this writing 12 cottages in course of construction in that section, and many more are said to be in contemplation. City Advantages.—All the comforts of home (or nearly so) are enjoyed by tenants of the cottages along the shore west of Ashtabula, as the service of Ashtabula water, electric lights and gas has been extended as far as Geneva-on-the-Lake, and is available at every resort or house on the route. Boulevard Road.—A project which it is expected will be worked out in years of the near future is the boulevarding of the Lake road from Red Brook to Geneva-on-the-Lake. The present right-of-way is 60 feet wide, and it is proposed to make it 80 feet wide and pave it. Many property owners along the route specified have expressed a willingness to donate the necessary land for widening the road. The east end of this improvement will be the intersection of the Lake road and the Center road, which latter is the direct road south to Warren and is the route traversed by the thousands of persons from the Pittsburgh and Youngstown district who come to the lake every summer to sojourn. CHAPTER XI. FORMER RESIDENTS. BENJAMIN F. WADE—JOSHUA. R. GIDDINGS—GEORGE, E. POWER—THEODORE E. BIRTON—GRANVILLE W. MOONEY—PETER H. WATSON—GEO: A. J. SAMPSON —MAJ. GEN. ADNA R. CHAFFEE—DR. ARTHUR C. McGIFFERT—ROBERT G. INGERSOLL—VAN SWERINGEN BROTHERS—JUDGE FLORENCE .ALLEN—AND OTHERS. Many celebrated men of past and present years spent more or less of their lives, and especially their boyhood years, in Old Ashtabula County. Limitation as to space prevents more than a passing review of those who have gone forth from this county and found fame and fortune. First and most noted, perhaps, were Jefferson's two old "War Horses", Benjamin F. Wade and Joshua R. Giddings, whose unflinching stand for the abolishment of slavery made them the most loved and most hated men of their time. Wade's son, Gen. James F., who died in recent years. spent his entire adult life in the United States Army service, and his son, James, is following in his footsteps. Benjamin F. Wade and Joshua R. Giddings, although not natives of Ashtabula County, spent nearly the whole of their lives in this commonwealth and were closely associated with each other. From a little law office in the village of Jefferson went these two men to the seats of government of the state and nation, and there stuck so unalterably to their ideas of right and wrong that they eventually came to be known as among the great men of this blessed country. Their influence in one particular direction spread over the county, the state and the nation, sowing seed that grew and thrived until these United States were freed of one of the great curses of humanity. Wade and Giddings grew up under similar surroundings in the days when Ashtabula County was practically all rural. Their acquirement of - 149 -