900 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. sixteen and twenty feet long, with hooks in the ends, and chains and ropes completed the fire equipment at that time. The village is now supplied with an ample fire department, consisting of a metropolitan fire engine, several hundred feet of hose, hose carts, and other necessary equipment. The department is made up of volunteers who receive pay for their services in case of fire. L. E. Willis is the present fire chief. On May 9, 1868, an ordinance was passed by the village council to purchase a site for a. town hall on the northwest corner of Mrs. Randle's lot, fronting Maple street. The lot was purchased in due time, but no arrangements were made to build a city hall for nearly two years. On April A, 1870, an ordinance was passed to erect a city hall and prison. The contract for the building was let during the same summer, and a hall, fifty by seventy-two feet and three stories high, was erected at a cost of ten thousand dollars. NORTH LEWISBURG SCHOOLS. Very little is known of the early school history of North Lewisburg. It seems that the children of the village attended a nearby township school for several years prior to the erection of a school building by the corporation. The first building used for school purposes in the village was a frame structure of one room. It has been transformed into a dwelling, and is still in a fair state of preservation. Here, among others, taught Hiram North, Wilson Young and H. O. Gowdy. After the school population had outgrown the capacity of a single room, two separate rooms a few rods apart were utilized; one for the elementary, and one for more advanced grades. Among the teachers who taught -in these buildings were L. L. Fowler, H. D. Gowey, and W. R. Warnock. In the early sixties, the first brick school house in the village was erected. It had at first but three rooms ; later, however, another was added. In 1873 six teachers taught in this building, Prof. F. S. Fuson, under whose leadership the schools reached a most commendable state of efficiency ; D. Mowry, high-school teacher ; B. W. Blair, high-school teacher ; Anna Baldwin, intermediate grades, Ellen Gray, primary department, and Amanda Swane, secondary department. As the town grew in population, the little four-room brick school house became inadequate for the educational needs of the community. It served, however, for school purposes until the present building was completed in 1876. It now serves as a residence, but has lost much of its school-house appearance through remodeling. The contract for the present school building was let on November 5, 1875. The original cost wos $8,895.13. This also CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 901 was a brick building, and was erected on a site purchased from L. Spain. This structure is still in use. Many improvements, have been added, however, thus making it convenient and sanitary. Prof. F. S. Fuson, who was head of the North Lewisburg schools for several years, was a prominent educator of his day, and to him is given a great deal of the credit for placing the schools of that time on so high a plane. He left the village in 1878 to become superintendent of the schools at Mechanicsburg where he remained for several years. CENTRALIZED SCHOOL. For three years prior to 1915 the school situation in Lewisburg was very much complicated. During this time there was a growing agitation for the centralization of the village and township schools. However, not until March 17, 1915, -did the question of issuing twenty-five thousand dollars worth of bonds to build a centralized school building come to a vote. The proposition carried, one hundred and eighty-one to eighty-six, the village of Lewisburg giving a majority of eighty-four and the district outside, eleven. The acquisition of a site was the next question which confronted the board. Lots 10, 111, 112, 250, 251, 355, and 359, aggregating about six acres, were purchased for a building site and playground. The contract for the building was let on May 29, 1915, to Royal Beltz for twenty-two thousand one hundred and sixty-one dollars. As the work progressed, additional money was needed. In August of the same year additional bonds were issued for the sum of eighty-five hundred dollars, twenty-eight hundred dollars more in September, and ten thousand dollars in November. In the following summer the building was completed. This building is one of the very best of the centralized schools in the state. The building is equipped with all the conveniences and appliances found in the city schools and represents the latest model in architectural design. The auditorium is one of the best in the state for a town the size of North Lewisburg, having a seating capacity of nearly five hundred, an excellent stage, and well-arranged exits. Beneath the auditorium is a gymnasium, regulation in size and equipped with all the necessary apparatus. To enumerate all the commendable features of this building would be tedious. C. O. Taylor has been in charge of the schools for the last four years, and the high standard which they maintain is due primarily to his efforts and influence. His assistants during the past year were the following : Florence Hunter, principal ; Edith Hick, assistant principal ; R. M. Hunter, seventh and eighth grades ; Hazel Overfield, fifth and sixth grades; Edna Cook, fourth 902 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. grade ; Margaret Barnes, third grade ; Alice Freeman, second grade ; Frances Wehe, first grade. The names of the superintendents, other than those whose names have been mentioned, are : Joseph Swisher, Mame Cornell, W. D. Tepple, B. F. Finkle, J. Jerome Welty, D. D. Bates, W. S. Coffey, W. H. Sidebottom, H. S. Thompson, and Professor Miller. POSTOFFICE. Prior to 1845, the citizens of the village received their mail from Coberly's on Darby creek, and from Woodstock. In 1845, a postoffice was established at North Lewisburg, with Royal Jennings as the first postmaster. He served until 1853, when H. D. Gowey was appointed. He held the office for thirty-three years. Other postmasters besides those mentioned include the following : Catherine Shay, William Hunter, J. P. Overfield, John C. Mount, Eli Sherrett, and Mrs. Elizabeth Tritt, the present incumbent, who was appointed in September, 1909. One rural route serves the rural community from this office, delivering mail to three hundred and nineteen patrons. The mail service received is good, as four mails are received and three sent out daily.. ELECTRIC LIGHTS. The village has been lighted with electricity since 1897. On May 5 of that year the city council granted a franchise to Julius Southwick. The system is a private enterprise, the city paying nine hundred and eighty dollars a year for lighting. STREETS IN NORTH LEWISBURG. The first streets of the town were Sycamore, running north and south, and Maple, running east and west. These were named for trees standing near them. The last old sycamore tree which stood near the railroad water-tank, furnished the shade for a Fourth of July celebration in 1840. On the east part of Maple street there were many large maple trees and a fine sugar camp as late as 1870. West street, running from Maple to Townsend, was originally the old road leading to Urbana. Gregory street, running from the railroad to Gunn street, was named after George Gregory, the proprietor of Gregory's addition, through which it runs. East street, running from Elm to Maple, was in Audas's addition. Linn, Cherry, and Wal- CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 903 nut streets, in Audas's second addition, lying east of East street and running north from Maple, were named for the trees standing near them. Audas street, running from Maple to the corporation line, was named for William Audas, a prominent citizen and the proprietor of that part of the village. Railroad street, connecting Mill and Maple streets, was so named because it ran from Mill street north to the Franklin & Warren railroad, which was built in 1853. Cemetery avenue was so named because it led from the village to Walnut Grove cemetery. Tallman street which leads from the north end of Cemetery avenue to West Elm street, was so named for the proprietor of that addition. Grant street, east of Tallman, and running paralled with it, was named for Gen. U. S. Grant. Townsend street, running from Audas to West, was so named for the proprietor of the Townsend addition, through which it runs. Gunn street, the one next south of Townsend, running from Sycamore to Audas, was so named for Rhoda Gunn, the proprietor of Gunn's addition and the owner of one thousand acres originally granted to her by her father, John Asken, an officer in the Revolutionary army. Mill street, extending south from Townsend and Mill street to the corporation line, was so named from the saw-mill on it, built in 1884. Young street was named for Dr. E. C. Young, who was the proprietor of Young's addition. Winder street, extending from Sycamore to Poplar, was so named for, a large family of Winders who lived here in 1840, and who at that time owned one-half of what is now North Lewisburg. Elm street, north of Winder, was so named for the large elms standing on the street ; it extends from the east to the west corporation line. North street lies north of Elm street, and extends from Sycamore to Poplar street. Poplar street, so named from the poplar trees standing near it, extends from Winder to the corporation line. Milburn street, so named for the proprietor of that addition, runs from Elm street southward. Water street runs from the north end of Gray street to Sycamore street and ends at the iron bridge. The Erie Railroad Company now uses this street without any lease or grant from the town. The various lengths of the streets are given as follows : Sycamore, 225 rods; Maple, 230 rods ; West, 30 rods ; Cemetery avenue, 52 rods ; Tallman, 45 rods ; Grant, 45 rods ; Water, 25 rods ; Townsend, 120 rods ; Milburn, 36 rods ; Young, 35 rods ; Winder, 40 rods ; Elm, 225 rods ; Poplar, 60 rods ; Gunn, 100 rods ; North, 50 rods; Gregory, 80 rods ; East, 120 rods ; Audas, go rods ; Linn, 35 rods ; Cherry, 33 rods ; Walnut, 30 rods, making a total number of twenty-two streets and approximately five and one-half miles. The incorporation limits of the village are one hundred and sixty rods, or 904 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. one-half mile, east from the town hall on Maple street ; west from the town hall on Maple and Mill streets, about a hundred and seventy rods to the west line of Mrs. M. C. Crery's lot; north on Sycamore street, about one hundred and fifty rods to the county line; south on Sycamore street about eighty-two rods from the town hall ; west on. Elm street about one hundred and forty rods from Sycamore to Milburn street ; east on Elm street about seventy-five rods from Sycamore street ; east on Railroad street twenty-eight rods from East street; west on Railroad street to a line parallel with the west line of the cemetery; south from Gunn street thirty-five rods, and east on Elm street fourteen rods. NORTH LEWISBURG IN 1836. There is probably no one living in North Lewisburg in 1917 who can recall the following picture of the town as described by H. D. Gowey and published in the North Lewisburg Gazette under date of September 29, 1876. The author of this article, entitled "Early Days in North Lewisburg," was postmaster of the town for thirty-three years and one of its best-known citizens of his day and generation. The article is reproduced as he wrote it; however, all of the buildings to which he refers are identified with their present (1917) owners. The article follows : Forty years ago the country now the site of our little village was an unbroken forest, where deer were found in abundance. The sturdy pioneer had planned his cabin home on its outskirts. The sound of his ax and_ the crowing of the cock were then only traces of civilization. Gray Gary, its founder, with many that shared the trials and privations of opening up the wilderness, have gone to rest. Their children have grown to be men and women, while the burden of years has made them gray. In 1837 Aaron Winder kept a hotel on the sight where the beautiful and commodious business building of John R. Wilson now stands. In one end he kept a country store. The building, lot and stable on the site were purchased by him in that early day for $200. Boarders were kept at one dollar and fifty cents per week, and transient men were entertained at from fifty to seventy-five cents per day, according to the quality of entertainment. The sign before the door read: "Lewisburg Hotel—Aaron Winder." Just opposite, and where Town Hall now stands, was a small frame building with a warehouse attached, in which Joseph Everett kept store. A frame building was erected where Fisher's grocery stands, but never finished. It was used as a shelter for hogs. The corner, occupied by Bookwalter's hardware store, was vacant. In 1840, during the political canvass, a public dinner was given there, and the people were addressed by William Lawrence, of Marysville, and Moses B. Corwin, of Urbana. Its unfortunate owner was compelled to cancel his board bill by giving a deed of his property. The creek was crossed by a foot-log which was tied with ropes to keep it from washing away in time of high water. A blacksmith shop, owned by Lester Ware, stood were J. J. Mercer's junk yard now stands. His dwelling was a little log house near the residence of William Doland. A one-story log house, known as the Black Horse Hotel, and kept by Nehemiah Green, occupied the site of H. D. Gowey's home. Abner Winder, CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 905 Sr., owned the old saw and woolen mill that stood where S. M. West's house stands. In the winter he taught a district school and was considered the best mathematician in the country. He was also township constable. Hw sad and strange it seems to see the mind once so gifted dethroned of reason; wandering in his native town, among his old friends, and yet a stranger there. A little school house, with slab benches, was situated near the place where Mrs. Mary Stoke's house stands. It was used for church and all kinds of public meetings. The Methodists were the first religious denomination to find their way to the new town. Soon they built a church in the Spain settlement. The old church on the hill is in ruins now and the many tombstones surrounding it reminds of the days and friends of other years. The Presbyterian minister of Milford Center came occasionally to preach in the old school house—a family or two of Presbyterians lived here at that time. The Friends built their first church, a little log one, just opposite Abner Winder's present home. The old school house was exchanged for one more elegant and commodious on the hill. It is now occupied by Mr. Donahoe as a private residence. It was in this building that W. R. Warnock, of Urbana, taught school. The house now occupied by Samuel Hutchinson was built by Gray Gary and considered a very fine one in its day. The sheriff walked back and forth between the store of John Everett and Mr. Winder as he cried the sale. Thus the flight of years had changed with its magic wand the wilderness into a beautiful town, and the prosperity enjoyed by the people of today has dimmed in many minds the memory of the past The foregoing article relates the changes which took place in the first forty years of Lewisburg. Yet these changes cannot be compared to those that have taken place in the last forty years. A great many of the old buildings are still standing, but others have been torn down to make room for modern structures. In 1876 the Partridge house occupied the site of the new bank building. The building spoken of in 1876 as being occupied by L. E. Skinner was later used as a blacksmith shop and was torn down in 1906. It was situated where the Cranston bakery and restaurant later stood. Hunter Brothers' store was where Fisher's grocery was later conducted. Berry's cabinet shop is the building now used by J. C. Mercer. The William Dolan residence was on the same site as the present dwelling of T. R. Taylor. John Callender's residence sat in the place now occupied by the dwelling of Seth West. The Friends' church at that time was just opposite from where it now stands. The house occupied by Samuel Hutchinson is now owned by W. S. Coffey, the present county auditor, and is occupied now by his son, Clark. The house has been rebuilt since those early days, and there is nothing about it now that betrays the fact that it was built by the first man who penetrated the wilderness and settled on the place which afterwards became North Lewisburg. 906 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. NORTH LEWISBURG SIXTY-SEVEN YEARS AGO. By Edward C. Young. It was in the winter of 1850 that I had my first visit to North Lewisburg, and the following autumn that I became a resident. My occupation was teaching and for several years my schools were conducted in the Friends meeting house,—the old house which stood near the site of the present building. In the extreme south end of the village, on what was known as Gunn's Field, stood two small square buildings, considerably dilapidated, where the public school was kept. Fidelia Courier, of Woodstock, sister of Mrs. Erastus Martin, was the teacher, and for that day she was a most efficient one. My school was in a great measure under the direction of the Friends church, and a great many gave it patronage who came from other places, until I had an enrollment of fifty or sixty, many of them young men and women. Among the things that were taught was grammar, higher arithmetic, philosophy, physiology, chemistry and meteorology. We opened school in the morning at eight o'clock and closed in the evening at five. At that time Lewisburg was but a small hamlet of perhaps three hundred people. There were two principal streets—Sycamore, extending from "Osborn's corner" on the north to the Gunn farm on the south, and Maple street, which extended from the property owned in later years by F. E. James to the Methodist church. Townsend street had just been laid out and the west part of it was called the Urbana road. Winder street was simply a road without buildings, and the farm of Griffith Lewis cornered onto the residence in later years occupied by William Lane. There was a fine row of sugar trees occupying much of the ground on the west side including the Butcher cemetery. East of the Methodist Episcopal church was another beautiful grove of sugar trees, where Sunday school picnics and Fourth of July celebrations were usually held. The streets were, at best, very straggling ways, bordered with many vacant lots, which were well grown over with dog-fennel and other weeds. These even ventured to claim place to the very edge of the driveway, and seldom did anyone venture to molest them. The houses were nearly all small cottages and not much effort was made to ornament the grounds about them with shrubbery. There were graveled walks except just about the corners, but there were no graveled streets or turnpikes near us. The nearest railroad was at West Liberty, but work began on what is now the Panhandle road about this time. We had two general stores, pretty well stocked for a village. One of them stood on the corner occupied by the town hall, and was conducted by Royal Jennings. The other was on the corner now occupied by Fisher's grocery, and was owned by William Boggs. The postoffice was kept by Jennings in his store. We got mail once a week; it was carried on horseback from Woodstock. There were two church buildings, belonging to the Methodist Episcopal and the Friends churches. At this time the Friends were a comparatively new organization in the village. During the winter of 18501851, a very serious epidemic prevailed, which took a great number of the more prominent members of the Friends church. Thus their membership was greatly reduced. This unfortunate circumstance was followed by the removal of several other families to the state of Iowa. At that time of which I write, the woollen-mill built by Abner Winder was completed; but as Winder had fallen a victim to the epidemic, it was rented to Ephriam Stewart. It was a very important adjunct to the business of the village, but in the CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 907 hands of renters it soon lost much of its importance, was later sold to Andrew Beltz and converted into a grist-mill. There were two saw-mills—one steam, Royal Jennings proprietor; one water, known as Audas's mill. There was also one tailor shop of which Adam Wood was the proprietor; two harness shops, shoe-shops, tinners, blacksmiths, etc. The old resident physician, Doctor Bowren, left for the West very soon after the epidemic, and Doctor Butcher and Doctor Hyde had the field for a trine between them. One of the old prominent citizens at this time was Bigelow Spain, who brought his bride, Mrs. Olive Spain, into the village and became a permanent citizen. But the husband soon fell a prey to the malignant disease and left her a widow. She was an unusual woman, and continued to reside in the village for a number of years. For several years we had no election precinct, but had to go to Woodstock to cast our votes. Often the mud made it a serious matter, and the minor elections were not so well patronized. It was at this time that the slavery question was shaking the country from center to circumference, and both of the old parties were at war with the Abolitionists. We were on the line of the "underground railroad," and the Quaker homes were very apt to be looked upon with suspicion as depots. A great many slaves were sheltered and helped to freedom from this point. At one time sixteen--men, women and children—were quartered at the home of the writer for a short time. Only once did I act as conductor for those poor unfortunate negroes. I landed them safe in Marysville at the next depot, and in a few weeks heard of their safe arrival in Canada. There were no open saloons in the village when I came, but liquors were sold over the counter in the hotel kept by Robert Elliott; William Boggs was the chief bartender. Johnston's distillery was running full blast between this place and Milford, and there was evidence often seen on our streets that those desiring liquor could easily get it. One Benjamin Wright, a teamster, was engaged in hauling barrels of whiskey from Johnston's distillery to the railroad at West Liberty. He not infrequently left his wagon standing loaded in the street in front of his' residence. After he was cautioned against this repeatedly, he persisted in doing so until one night all of the barrels, six I believe, were tapped for him. On the next morning he had left only two casks, and the hogs in the street were so drunk that they were unable to walk. With the better class of citizens, there Was a strong temperance sentiment, and their earnest efforts were made to check the drinking custom. Our county had a large temperance alliance and through it considerable good was accomplished. The retrospect of the intervening years since the occurrence of these events, is both interesting and for the most part instructive to the writer. We have had our trials and disappointments in common with others, but we can now, in the eventide of life, say God has all along been good to us. A METHODIST REVIVAL MEETING IN 1882. About the first of February, 1882, there began a Methodist revival in North Lewisburg that created more than local attention. The revival was so extraordinary that the Cincinnati Enquirer sent a special correspondent to the village to get information concerning it ; and in the issue of March 14, 1882, that paper devoted nearly two columns to a general and minute description of this religious awakening. With a few omissions and a few revisions the substance of the article is herein reproduced. 908 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. "It is the work of the Devil. There is no religion about this flummery. By your disgraceful actions you have put the Methodist church in this town back twenty years. Get out of here, every one of you !" Thus spake Elder Brewster, of Urbana, to a number of members of the Methodist Episcopal* church in North Lewisburg, about ten days ago. His wrath was called forth by the actions of the prime movers in a series of revival meetings, that had been in progress for nearly six weeks, during which the manifestations of a dozen or so of fanatics were the most remarkable on record. Religious frenzy could no further go. Had a company of lunatics been let loose from a insane asylum, they could not have discounted the antics of this lot of alleged sensible citizens. It is a topic of conversation within a radius of ten miles of this place, and the excitement in regard thereto is but just subsided, although the occurrences about to be related took place nearly two weeks ago. The pastor of the church is Rev. D. L. Hayward, a native of Warren county, Ohio, who has presided over this congregation for the past two years. He has always been considered a level-headed man and a fair preacher of the gospel. His family consists of a wife and two children, she being in very delicate health. Her health was so precarious, in fact: that she was unable to attend the meetings over which her husband presided with such startling results. QUEER SORT OF WAY TO "SAVE" SINNERS. The meetings were begun nearly six weeks ago, and in point of attendance were very successful. One peculiarity of the gathering was noted from the start; the Reverend Hayward did not attempt to preach, but contented himself by doing sensational "stunts"—posturing, groaning, throwing himself prone upon the rostum, rolling up his eyes, and walking about the platform on his knees,—all the time giving vent to unearthly sounds and yells, occasionally interspersed with lamentation; the sepulchral' tones of it seemed to come from the bottom of his boots. This struck the ungodly, and even some of the faithful, as a queer sort of a way to save sinners; but the preacher was running that machine, and nobody interfered. This "ground and lofty tumbling business" was kept up for several days, and, in the meantime a number of good sisters began to be infected. The preacher kept on in his maniacal mode of proselyting, and, before the first week had gone by, a half dozen ladies of the, church were as cranky as their pastor. Among these ladies was Sallie Cowie, the daughter of George Cowle, a well-to-do citizen of this place. She is not particularly attractive in personal appearance, but one whose devout manner and hitherto Christian conduct made up for lack of personal charms. This lady was among the first to succumb to the mesmerism, or whatever it may be called; and her conduct was most remarkable. She would walk up and down the aisles with arms outstretched, eyes rolling and in the greatest mental and physical excitement. Singling out someone in the audience, generally a man, she would go up to him, and with a voice supernaturally grave, would point her finger at him and say, "The Lord wants you." This would be continued in some instances for fully fire minutes, the victim of her attention during this trying ordeal quaking with embarrassment and shame. When .she grew tired, she would return to the rostrum on which the pastor had thrown himself, and who in the meantime had kept up his agonizing groans. Clasping him in her arms, she would endeavor to raise him to his feet. A singing band of seven or eight women, headed by a Miss Kemp who was here visiting Mrs. Garwood, kept things awake by their shouting and singing. Miss Kemp, an attractive girl of twenty-five summers, was an able ally of Miss Cowle and it was difficult to say which had become possessed of the CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 909 largest quantity of religious enthusiasm. Miss Kemp, during one of these meetings—which, by the way, begun at seven o'clock in the morning, continued all day and sometimes as late as midnight—tore the 'hat from her head, threw it with great energy upon the floor, and then deliberately lay down on the floor and rolled over it. The unoffending head-gear was too gaudy for her now. She had .become inspired. A third person who allowed herself to be carried away by excitement was Mrs. William Hunter, a modest and exemplary woman. Her antics were similar to those of Miss Cowie. and for vehemence and enthusiasm equalled anything of the kind ever witnessed. Picking out Ex-Marshall John Read one night, a heavyweight who would pull down the scales at two hundred pounds, she got behind him and clasped his head tightly in her hands. Occasionally she released her grip long enough to stroke his hair gently, and implored him all the while in piteous tones to "Come to Jesus." She was beside herself, and was unconscious of what she was doing. Days passed in this way and the city hall, in which the meetings were held, became a pandemonium.. The preacher and his worthy cohorts hardly took time to eat, and sleep was a secondary matter. During one of these spirited seances a man in the audience was pounced upon by the preacher as a fit subject for "wrestling." This man was no other than George Cowle, the father of Sallie, a man who as the saying goes, is "as close as the bark on the beech." He is wealthy and never spends a cent foolishly. As he was sitting there in the audience of Reverend Hayward, the pastor made it a point to go to him and say. "The Lord says fore you to give up all your possessions for the good of the church. Will you do it?" Cowie. who had by this time come under the spell, responded in a feeble tone, "Yes." "Louder," yelled Hayward. "Yes," responded Cowie with a slightly increased accent. "Louder yet," cried Hayward. "Yes, I will," answered Cowie, "All but my two ponies." By this time Cowle was standing in the aisle, while Hayward was literally "weeping on his neck." Hayward replied, "The Lord commands me to thrust you aside," and thereupon he pushed the submissive Cowie ten feet away, and he was only kept from falling to the floor by one of the audience, who steadied him as he reeled backward. One night during the fourth week of the revival the pastor announced, that his sister, Mrs. Hunter, had come to him with tidings from the Lord to the effect that Christ would visit the meeting in person on a certain night. This announcement was made with the utmost sincerity, and it stirred the faithful to the highest pitch of enthusiasm. The time for the appearance of Christ came. The pastor took his place on the rostrum, and, just before the music began he arose and, with his watch in hand, said: "Sister Hunter, what time did you say Christ would appear?" "Between seven and eight o'clock," she replied. "He will be here in just twenty minutes." The uproar became fast. and furious and the people were held in intense expectancy. The night passed and no vision came, although seven of the faithful, including the pastor, got together in one corner of the hall and remained there praying, shouting, groaning, and gesticulating until two o'clock the next morning. The following night the pastor made a statement in the meeting to the effect that Sister Hunter's prophecy had been fulfilled, that Christ had manifested Himself and that He had appeared in person. THE CROWNING EPISODE. The crowning episode of these remarkable manifestations occurred about a week before the close of the revival. At two o'clock in the morning on a certain day, the pastor arose from his bed and summoned together his faithful band. To each one he 90 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. imparted the startling information that the Lord had commanded his wife to die, and that the sacrifice would be made at five o'clock in the afternoon. The preacher explained that the remains of his wife would be buried in the northeastern part of his garden, at teh o'clock on the day following, Tuesday ; but, that on Friday of the same week she would be resurrected and come back to life. At two o'clock the next: day the pastor returned to his home and began to prepare for the sacrifice of his wife and unborn babe. As the hour of the sacrifice approached, the faithful band gathered at the home of the pastor to await the coming of the Lord, who would summon their dear friend. Mrs. Hayward had arrayed herself in her nightclothes and was willing to meet her fate. She lay on a blanket on the floor of the parlor, with her form covered by a sheet, which was to serve as a shroud. As the hour drew near, the devoted band of lunatics, driven stark mad by religious frenzy, began praying, sobbing, screaming and singing. The ,husband in his demented condition went to his room to get the razor with which to cut the throat of his wife. As he re-entered the room where his wife lay, he uttered this expression: "The Lord says, 'Thou shalt not kill.' " Throwing aside the weapon, he fell by the side of his wife and began to pray to God that he should come and take his wife and thus fulfill the Divine prophecy. :Five o'clock came but the woman still lived. After a few minutes had elapsed, during which the faithful band was still praying for the death of the innocent woman, the preacher arose and said: "The Lord is displeased; the prophecy will not be fulfilled." When it seemed to the conservative citizens of the town that the climax had about been reached, Elder Brewster of Urbana and Rev. G. H. Kenedy, a. former pastor of the church, were telegraphed to come at once. They arrived one-half hour after the time appointed of the death of Mrs. Hayward. The house was surrounded by excited citizens and nearly three hundred people were stationed on Maple street in front of the house where this remarkable scene was being enacted. The crowd having been dispersed, she was cared for, and her husband was put under the influence of chloroform by Drs. Williams and Smith, and quiet once more reigned in that household. After peace and quiet had been restored in the village, the preacher acknowledged that he was under the influence of a personal devil ; and said that if anyone doubted his present sanity let him come and trade horses with him. FIRES. Very few are the towns, large and small, that have not had the terrible experience of a disastrous fire. Oftentimes these fires are due to gross carelessness, or they may be traceable to unavoidable causes. Be it as it may, all fires result in irreparable economic loss to the community, and all care should be taken to prevent such disasters. Of course the improvement in fire-fighting apparatus tends to reduce damage to a minimum, but the most important thing is to prevent the start of such fires. Thanks to the fire-prevention propaganda of recent years, such disasters are becoming fewer in number. Lewisburg paid a heavy toll of property in its most destructive fire, which occurred on February 7, 1895. Its origin remains a mystery to this day. It was about six-thirty in the morning when the fire started in the rear of Frank CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 911 Connell's or T. W. Weston's restaurant, and soon the whole population organized themselves into a bucket brigade. Notwithstanding the valiant efforts of the fire fighters, both of these buildings were soon consumed.; and the fire showed no disposition to cease its destructive work. Hawkins and Holt's meat market, and the hotel, a three-story brick building on the south side of the street, were the next to succumb. In quick succession the business rooms occupied by J. N. Embreys, jeweler ; Fereman and Spain, furniture dealers ; the Bank of Lewisburg, the Lindsay Hotel, and the drug store of Christopher Brothers were in ruins. So completely 'did it sweep the east side of North Main street, that the drug store belonging to E. G. Ware and the postoffice were the only buildings left standing. Not satisfied with the wholesale destruction they had wrought, the flames crept eastward on Maple street where they totally destroyed C. S. Overfield's barber shop, Samuel Landis's saloon, Jordan Asher's livery stable, Jule Southwick's saloon, the grocery stores of Thomas Tracy & Company and McClung & Foster, and the blacksmith shop belonging to H. H. Foster. When the seriousness of the fire became evident, the authorities telegraphed to Urbana, Springfield, Marion, Galion and Richmond for aid ; but, owing to adverse weather conditions none could be given from these four points. The fire was finally checked after it had destroyed fully one-half of the business district of the village, leaving only fifteen business rooms standing. On November 19, 1899, came the next fire of any note. It destroyed the dwelling of Dr. Wagstaff, B. F. Painter's meat shop, F. E. James's novelty store, and the dwelling of Mattie 'Marquis. The only other fire worthy of mention occurred on March 5, 1904. Then the large grain elevator and electric-light plant belonging to Chamberlin brothers were destroyed, causing a loss of approximately ten thousand dollars. It was at this time that the new fire apparatus was called into use and rendered excellent service. CURRENT BUSINESS DIRECTORY. The business and professional interests of North Lewisburg are in the hands of the following : Bank of North Lewisburg; J. H. Beltz, grist-mill; Dr. H. A. Boulger, dentist ; Buckwalter Hardware Company ; Frank Connell, clothing; A. K. Cooksey, harness shop ; William Curl, barber shop ; William Dobbings, pool room ; J. B. Draper, barber shop and pool room ; G. L. Durnell, blacksmith shop ; Fisher & Son, grocers ; Floyd Freeman, undertaker ; Harry Freeman, auto repair shop ; Cora Foster, milliner ; M. C. Gowey, 912 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. attorney ; H. D. Grube, jeweler ; E. R. Huber, druggist ; Hunter & Company, general store ; J. C. Immel, coal dealer ; W. C. Jackson, pool room ; John Jones, barber ; F. A. Jordan & Company, elevator ; D. W. Lease, bicycle and general repair shop; E. -A. Kerns, cement blocks ; A. M. McCreary, meat market; North Lewisburg Reporter, Levi Millice, editor'; North Lewisburg Telephone Company ; C. S. Overfield, pool room and barber shop ; J. P. Overfield, saw-mill; Mrs. B. K. Spain, hotel; Spain & Dolan, hardware ; R. L. Stout, produce dealer ; H. C. Williams, decorator ; Willis Auto Company, garage and auto supplies. FOUNTAIN PARK. Fountain Park was surveyed by Samuel G. Smith for A. J. Smith and Azro Smith, proprietors and owners of the land. The forty-four lots were in surveys Nos. 1118 and 13503 in Rush township. The plat was recorded on May 28, 1883. An addition of seventy-eight lots was made later, but there was no need for them. Of this addition, lots 74 to 122, inclusive, including streets and alleys, were ordered vacated by the county auditor, August 25, 1905. Lots 46 to 61, inclusive, known as the South Side addition, were platted for A. J. Smith by S. G. Smith and recorded on October 1, 1886. The village was planned primarily as a summer resort,. but it has failed to live up to the expectations of its promoters. A hotel was erected, but its destruction by fire soon lost whatever hopes it may have had. There is now no business of any kind in the 'village. CHAPTER XXXV. MECHANICSBURG. John Kain, the original proprietor of Mechaniscburg, came to Goshen township in the early part of 1814, with the idea of laying out a town somewhere in Champaign county. On account of the fine site and the natural drainage of the land he made arrangements for the platting of what was later to become Mechanicsburg. He came from Springfield and built the first house in his own village. At that time he had no name in mind for his village, but left the matter for the incoming inhabitants to determine. It is not known exactly when the name Mechanicsburg was given to the village, but it must have been sometime within three or four years after the town was platted. During this time a flood of emigrants were coming into this county from the East and among them were men representing all trades, and because the town had so many mechanics it was given the name of Mechanicsburg. Thus it may be said that the town named itself. PIONEER CONDITIONS. The ground now occupied by the little city of Mechanicsburg was once a wilderness, covered with a dense forest of all kinds of timber and underbrush. What are now some of the principal streets were then mere cow paths. These conditions remained unchanged until the town was platted by John Kain in 1814. These pioneer conditions gradually improved, and in 1814 a small sawmill was built within what is now Mechanicsburg, about a hundred yards back of the house of Joseph Wilkinson, now belonging to Tully McKinney. This mill seemed to mark the beginning of Mechanicsburg, for it was laid out by John Kain on August 6th of the same year. As it was then platted, the only streets were Chillicothe and Sandusky streets. Since then the former has become Main street. The corporation limits extended north and south from the residence of Doctor Deland to that of R. D. Williams ; and east and west from Locust to Walnut streets. Before Kain laid out the village, he built a double log house which was undoubtedly the first residence erected (58) 914 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. within what ,is now the corporation. Following this beginning a small store was built and run by a man whose name was Owen. In 1816 a small hotel was erected and operated by Warren Owen on the present site of the Anderson Inn. Later another hotel was needed, and Kelly's tavern was erected across the street from the first one. It was kept by William and John Kelly. The present hotel, however, was built in 1874. Samuel Miller was among the first merchants. Since the people of Mechanicsburg were not then blessed with the present rapid means of communication and transportation, he had to borrow a horse from Ed. Legge and rode the same to Cincinnati for goods which he brought back in a saddle-bag slung across the horse's back. DEVELOPMENT OF CHURCH AND SCHOOL. The church is always in the vanguard of civilization. Back in those old days whenever a few of those doughty settlers got together, they recognized the need of a minister of the Gospel. Mechanicsburg was no exception to the rule, for the first church was built the same year that the town was laid Out. It was located on the brow of the hill in the rear of the old Methodist Episcopal church. This building was made to serve another purpose, for it was also used as a school house. This building, which was made of logs, hewed out of the neighboring forest, served the two purposes until 1819, when it was replaced by a more modern frame building, which stood only a few feet distant from the old structure. This last building sufficed until 1839, when it was replaced by a brick structure. An idea of the growth of the little village may be gained when it is said that in 1826 there were only eighteen houses, most of which were built of logs. But it is surprising the number of people that these houses accommodated. A great majority of these rude log houses contained only two rooms, but in them lived as many as six persons and several boarders. But even tinder these circumstances the people were very sociable and hospitable. During these early days some of the more religiously inclined from the surrounding country would come to the little village to attend church, and were usually entertained in these pioneer dwellings by the towns-people. The annual revival meetings that were held during these pioneer days attracted attention not only in the immediate vicinity, but for a radius of from ten to fifteen miles around. According to tradition, it has been said that when the interest in these revival meetings was at its highest point, the services frequently lasted until two o'clock in the morning, and the shouting could be heard from a distance of two or three miles. CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 915 DERISIVELY KNOWN AS "FROG POND." As early as 1825 the village had long been officially known as Mechanicsburg, but it was known in derision as "Frog Pond," from a small pond opposite C. H. Newcomb's residence, which was used as a swimming hole in summer and a place for skating in winter. The streets, if they may be so called, were so muddy that wagons would mire down in the mud and the young men had to carry their girls across the streets while escorting them about the village. From some time before the town was incorporated, which was in 1834, until after the Civil War, the village had a reputation as being a very "rough" place, and it well deserved the name, as there was much drinking, quarreling and fighting. The boys, encouraged by older persons, helped to make drunkenness more disagreeable than funny. But the way of the drinker was hard, because the method of treating him was rather harsh. One of the most common means of dealing with a drunkard in those days was to tie him to a wagon, -haul him to the race, and give the "patient" a cold bath. This treatment was repeated if necessary. A short time after 1850 an important enterprise was agitated for the improvement and .convenience of the people. This was the construction of the Springfield, Mt. Vernon & Pittsburg railroad as it was then called. This road was only built from Delaware to Springfield and is now used as a branch of the Big Four. It may be added in passing that although the railroad had the name of the Springfield, Mt. Vernon & Pittsburg system, it was never extended to either Pittsburgh or Mt. Vernon. This railroad is not the only one the town had, however ; for back in the early fifties there was another of quite a different nature. In all the long, Clark years of its use there was no noise to announce the arrival and departure of its trains; there was never a merry farewell by those leaving. This is not to be wondered at, when it is remembered that the travelers were passengers on the "underground railroad." Mechanicsburg was a very important point in this 'system, the local station of which was located east of the present Methodist Protestant church and on the site of the present parsonage. The principal conductor on this road was Udney Hyde and it was he who transported more than five hundred fugitive- slaves to Northern limits with his horse and wagon. It was about this time that the Addison White difficulty occurred, an event that stirred the little village from center to circumference. 916 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. ORGANIZATION AND INCORPORATION. The land now occupied by the town was first owned by William Reynolds. He disposed of the property to Robert Means, who sold it to Duncan McArthur. The latter sold to John Kain, sho laid out the town site into twenty-eight lots, on August 6, 1814. Many additions have been made to the original site, until now the town extends over a section of land. The additions include the following : Isaac Putnam, March 25, 1836 ; A. B. Cowan, et al., March 7, 1849; John Sheppard, et al., March 10, 1849; Millicent addition, March 8, 1849 ; Jayner addition, March 6, 1849 ; A. B. Cowan, et al., March 8, 1849 ; James Woodard, April 15, 1852 ; Seeva addition, October 12, 1868; T. Jones, 1869; P. E. Colwell, 1870; W. H. Baxter, 1870; J. R. Ware, 1870; S. S. Staley, 1875 ; Clemans & Martin, part of old fair grounds. On August 5, 1865, the council resolved to submit to the voters the question of extending the corporation limits so. as to make them exactly a mile square. When the vote was taken on October 10, 1865, the result was one hundred and three for, and three against. On February 27, 1834, the state Legislature .passed an act for the incorporation of Mechanicsburg, and in pursuance to said act the first corporation election was held on April 5, 1834. The result was the election of Joseph H. Rathburn, mayor; Isaac Putnam, recorder ; Ebenezer Owen, J. H. Spain, William Neal, David H. Tullis and Jacob R. Ware, trustees.. The council met for the first time on April 11, 1834. The council then elected John Shepherd, marshal ; Dr. E. Owen, treasurer ; John Shepherd, street commissioner; ,William Kelly, assessor. The town was now started on its official career. The taxable property, real and personal, of the town at that time was thirteen thousand nine hundred and twenty-eight dollars, upon which a tax levy was made of one-fourth of one per cent. for corporation purposes. The tax produced by the levy was thirty-four dollars and eighty-two cents. Evidently the simplicity of those days did not require a large amount of money for the general expenses of the town. As an evidence of the small salaries paid the officials, D. F. Spain was allowed three dollars by the council for two years of service as treasurer of the town. EARLY INDUSTRIES. The industries of Mechanicsburg have been many and varied, and date almost from the time of the beginning of the existence of the town. At one CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 917 time the town was filled with nearly all classes of artisans and tradesmen, so numerous were the different industries of the place. One of the first enterprises was a corn-cracker which was owned and operated by the proprietor of the town, John Kain. He operated the mill for a few years and then sold it to Andrew Staley, who was an experienced millwright. Staley operated this mill for a number of years, but as his business grew the little corn-cracker became quite inadequate. He then tore down the old mill and erected a new one on the same site. This latter mill gained more than local reputation, as customers came not only from many parts of Champaign county but from Union, Madison and Clark counties. Staley built the mill that is in use at the present time, but it has been remodeled and changed in many respects. Among the other early industries of Mechanicsburg was an "ashery," the proprietor being Azro Mann. This small manufacturing industry was one which meant a great deal to the little village during its infancy. Wagons were sent out into the country to secure ashes from the farmers, who were paid at the rate of two cents a bushel. The product formed from these ashes was known as saleratus, which was very much like our common soda. It was estimated that one hundred barrels of ashes were required to make one barrel of saleratus. This little factory was located along the creek in the southern part of the village and was operated for about twelve or fifteen years. Merchants for miles around expected Mann to supply them with saleratus. His product was sold even in Cincinnati, for at regular intervals merchants in Mechanicsburg hauled saleratus to Cincinnati and returned with groceries and other necessities. The village boasted of two woolen-mills. Since steam as a power in industry was then in its infancy and had not penetrated so far westward, the millers had to depend upon the water power from the nearby creek. One of the mills which was owned by a man named Dye was on the creek below the town. Near it was a carding-mill, where all kinds of dress goods were made. The market for this commodity was less extensive than one might imagine, for there were few women living in Mechanicsburg at that time who were not skilled weavers. The other mill was located above the town. Its owner was a man whose name was Cheney. In the village and on the creek was a distillery which was always busy during the time it was operated. This distillery afforded an excellent market for the corn that was raised in the vicinity, for which the distillery owner paid twenty cents a bushel. The whiskey retailed to the consumer for twelve cents and a half a gallon and there was always a ready market. 918 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. Mechanicsburg was well supplied with tanneries from the time that the town was laid out until the smaller tanneries throughout the country passed out of existence. The first tannery located near the cemetery was owned and operated by Col. Therms Moore. The second tannery was operated by Reed & Jones, and was located between the railroad .and the creek, just back of George Bumgardner's.place. The third industry of this kind was in the house now occupied by Levi Venrick. Later, another tannery was located on a hill just back of the Lawler house. Sometime after the Civil War, at a date which cannot now be exactly ascertained, a disease attacked all the sheep, not only in Champaign county but throughout the central states. Under the circumstances it was a question as to what was best to do with the diseased animals, and it was Major John Baker, of Mechanicsburg, who solved the problem to his satisfaction. At the saw-mill near the railroad, where B. A. Phillips now lives the Major established a slaughter house, which he later moved to the present site of the Chautauqua grounds. He went about through the country buying sheep by the thousands at prices ranging from twenty-five to fifty cents apiece. Hundreds of these animals were killed daily, the pelts and wool being turned to commercial uses, the tallow rendered at the slaughter house and the carcasses turned over to farmers to be used as fertilizer. EARLY BUSINESS CONCERNS. The first tavern in the village stood where the Anderson Inn is located at the present time. Charles Joiner was the owner and proprietor and conducted a tavern that was well worthy of the name. He was one of the first business men of Mechanicsburg and also served the ton as marshal and constable for many years. It is said upon good authority that his father was one of the wealthiest men living in Champaign county during the pioneer days. However, Charles was not as successful as his father and not many years passed until he was forced to give up his tavern. He then engaged in the mercantile business across the street from the old tavern and was in business there for many years. The second tavern was located on the present site of the Knights of Pythias building, but the name of the proprietor is not now recalled. The first drug store in town was located on the site of the present tin-shop. The owner and proprietor was Doctor Owens, who employed a man by the name of Keyes, who lived at Woodstock and was a tinner by trade. Keyes had been so unfortunate as to break his leg, and had called upon CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 919 Doctor Owens to set the fractured member. Doctor Owens explained to him that he would never be able to follow his vocation again, and suggested to him that he come to Mechanicsburg and clerk in his drug store. Although he knew absolutely nothing about drugs, he performed his duties' to the satisfaction of the Doctor and the store's customers. The first bank of Mechanicsburg, according to tradition, was kept by one of the early merchants, who had a little spare money. In connection with his store he loaned money to such of his customers as had need of the accommodation, and the idea occurred to him of calling his place of business a banking house as well as a grocery. As the story goes, the "vault" of his bank was a stocking leg, the money being placed in one of his wife's stockings at the close of each day's business and hidden in some obscure place. But this pioneer banker was of the dishonest variety, and when he thought that he had in his possession as much money as it would be possible for him to secure, he made his escape, leaving his wife with the empty stocking and the "bank's" depositors without their money. What in reality may be said to be the first bank was started iii 1816, with John Owen as president and Samuel R. Miller as cashier. The bank issued its notes for small amounts, which passed among the people for a short time. However, the institution was not in existence any length of time. At one time, when sixty dollars of the bank's notes were presented for payment, a panic almost ensued, greatly to the embarrassment of the managers, as it was a serious drain on the bank's capital. The first blacksmith to set up a shop in the village was a man of the name of Worley, and his shop was located on the site of the brick house owned by George Bumgardner, on South Main street. The next man to operate a shop was the father of Henry Tullis. The father and son ran the shop for several years, or until the son become dissatisfied with the trade, when the shop was given up, the owner moving into the country, where he became a prosperous farmer. MECHANICSBURG GAS COMPANY. For many years prior to 1879 the village of Mechanicsburg had been lighted, if at all, by coal oil lights. As the town grew larger the people demanded a better lighting system and this desire led to an election held on September 18, 1878, for the purpose of voting on the question of permitting a gas-light company to lay pipes in the streets. The vote was almost unanimous in favor of allowing the gas company all of the usual priv- 920 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. ileges. Thereupon the Mechanicsburg Gas Light Company was formed, with a capital stock of fifteen thousand dollars and the village was lighted for the 'first time about the middle of February, 1879. A. L. McKaig was the first secretary and manager of this company. The town was lighted with gas until the time of the installation of electric lights in 1904. Gas is still used, however, for all of the usual purposes. The present organization of the gas company is made up of J. C. Sceva, president; C. R. Hunter, vice-president, and J. D. Burnham (the largest stockholder), secretary-treasurer. A BIT OF REMINISCENCE. The following reminiscence, penned by Mrs. O. C. Hupp, April I, 1917, is herewith reproduced for the purpose of presenting a vivid picture of Mechanicsburg as it existed during the later pioneer days : On this beautiful Sunny afternoon, I am busy with reminiscences of the early days in this little burg. Starting with the Staley homestead on South Main street, a visit to the old place itself is one of the happy milestones, with its basement kitchen wherein Mary Mulcahy reigned supreme and its old enclosed porch, with brick floor and rope swing and the kindly hospitality of "Aunt Em" and "Uncle Stephen" and white-haired Grandpa Staley, and, oh yes! we must not forget the drink of cold milk and the bubbling cold spring water from the old spring house. Across the road was the old homestead of Rev. Parsons. The writer remembers when the brick residence now owned by Calvin Hunter was being built. The creek had to be crossed on a log. The old homestead of Colonel Dye came next, and afterwards owned by Mr. Wilkinson, where Tully McKinney and wife now reside. Across the railroad was the old Big Four depot, a long wooden structure that was pretty nearly as good as the one still used as a station. Billie Abbot had a grocery on the west corner of South Main, and oh ! yes, we must not forget the little old one-story house occupied by Mrs. Abbot and her parrot, friends of all the children in town. Our pennies went to buy things to get "Poll" to talk. Sometimes she was pleasant and again her words would be pretty black. She would say "Pretty Poll" and "Polly wants a cracker" and then maybe some youngster would shake the old cedar tree that she always perched on and then she certainly could make the atmosphere blue with the words that smelled of brimstone. And the old pond, what grand times we had ice skating there; all the places are rebuilt on the west side of Main street, but the old house occupied by Ed Taylor. From the Layton home up to the corner were little old frame buildings, part of them with wooden steps, several in number, occupied by G. W. Hupp, Taylor's drugs and some there I do not remember ; Robert Jones' store, Sammy Mann's old picture gallery, where you could look pretty by being as stiff as it was possible and have your tintype taken; also the old Mann home; then the old hotel, a long low wooden structure on the corner where the present hotel stands. Where Doctor -Ogden lives was an old livery barn and Joiner's hat shop where the men had their hats blocked over. Across on the opposite corner where the I. O. O. F. building now stands was Newcomb's lumber yard. The whole corner from William Saxbe's present home up to the blacksmith CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 921 shop on the alley was towering stacks of lumber, fine walnut and all kinds of boards that he made coffins of. This was the play ground of the children. Who is there that lived in those days that does not remember the postoffice; the games of hide, and seek and tag. Across Main street was the vacant lot with a board fence around it ; where we used to sit on the fence to see the circus parades and torch-light processions .with Uncle Jesse Bates in command, and hear "Bates Silver Cornet Band" play, where the telephone exchange and Cal Armfield's barber shop now stands. Doctor Lawler's home was then considered one of the show places of the town, now owned by, T. J. Davis. Fred Owen's home was Doctor Lawler's old apple orchard; and the little old shop on the corner of the orchard—how we used to hold our breath and tiptoe up to the window to peep in at the woman's head in alcohol. I guess the task is too large for one afternoon, so will have to skip to the old school house. We had four rooms on the same site the present school house stands, but we had a board fence clear around it with a stile at the corner next to the A. L. Shaw place, the land being owned then by Major Baker, with a little low house standing back in the trees, great towering trees, large cedar trees and vines and flowers; and oh ! we don't want to forget the "Ware woods," beginning where William Osborn lives and extending to the Stacy home where we had our May Day picnics, and the old grapevine swing where we swung down the hill at the back part and made the older ones *hold their breath. "Swinging in the grapevine swing, Laughing where the wild birds sing; O, breathe and sigh for the days gone by— Swinging in the grapevine swing." FIRST JAIL AND CITY HALL. The first jail was a log structure of two rooms and stood on the site,, a little back from the street, just below the Farmers Bank. The story is told that when the jail was not occupied by prisoners that it was used by a certain lady in the town as a smoke house, and there were times when she had to make haste to get out her meat to make way for prisoners. On March 11, 1878, the town council decided to submit the question of the erection of a city hall to the voters of the village. At that time there was no place of sufficient size in the village to accommodate a public gathering and there was a strong sentiment in favor of such a hall. An election was held on April 2, 1878, and the question was carried by a large majority. A lot had already been purchased, at a cost of nine hundred and seventy-five dollars, and by a special act of the Legislature, the town was authorized to issue bonds to the extent of eight thousand dollars with which to pay for the building. Afterward the Legislature authorized two thousand five hundred dollars more for the furnishings, etc. The building when completed and furnished entailed a cost of thirteen thousand dollars. The building contains a hall, jail, a council room and an assembly room. 922 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. Bonds were issued to the extent of ten thousand five hundred dollars, eight thousand bearing eight per cent. interest and two thousand five hundred bearing seven per cent. interest. The remainder of the original cost had already been paid for by means of taxation. The last bond was paid on March 1, 1889. In the erection of the town hall, in 1878, provisions were made to include the jail in this building, and the first ordinance with respect to this matter Was adopted on March 25, 1879; however, the limits of the jail were not definitely established until March 9, 1885; According to the ordinance passed at that time the jail was established in the rear of the right-hand hallway of the first floor and the town marshal was given complete charge. He was to receive fifty cents for committing, and fifty cents for discharging each prisoner, and was allowed forty cents a day for sustaining each prisoner. In 1885 the council passed an ordinance that had for its purpose the working of prisoners. According to the provisions of this ordinance, all male prisoners upon the non-payment of any fine or costs were to be sentenced to hard labor on the streets and alleys, for which labor they were to have the credit of seventy-five cents a day. Each prisoner was to have iron chains and balls attached to his legs in such a manner as to prevent his escape. In case he refused to work he was to be kept on bread and water, and. this menu to be granted him only twice a day until he was willing to go to work. Although the motive for the passage of this ordinance was, for the best interests of the town, yet the instances have been few and far between where the ordinance has been enforced. ELECTRIC LIGHTS. A contract was entered into between the Electric Light Company of Mechanicsburg and the city council on January 18, 1904, whereby the Electric Light. Company was to furnish thirty two-thousand-candle-power lights to illuminate the streets and public places for the sum of sixty-six dollars per year, and as many additional 'lights as the council might see fit to install, at sixty dollars. The contract, as drawn up, was to expire at the end of ten years. The village was first lighted by electricity on May 1, 1904. In January, 1914, a new contract was made between the Mechanicsburg Light & Power Company and the city council whereby the company was to furnish forty enclosed arc lamps at sixty dollars per year, and as many more as the council might consider necessary, at fifty-five dollars. The company furnished day-and-night service, except on Sundays, during the winter months, CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 923 at ten cents per kilowatt, with the minimum charge of ninety cents per month on a sliding scale of ten cents for twenty to forty kilowatts; twenty cents for forty to sixty kilowatts, and thirty cents for sixty kilowatts and over. EFFICIENT FIRE-FIGHTING FORCE. The town has a strong and capable fire company, with H. H. Darling as chief. The fire equipment includes a chemical engine, a gasoline-water fire engine, a truck with ladders, several hundred feet of hose and a hand-pump. Scattered about over the town are numerous cisterns that are used in times of emergency. One of the urgent needs of the town is a system of waterworks. A waterworks system could easily be installed, since in close proximity to the town are unlimited supplies of water that could be utilized without great expense. A proposition to install a waterworks system was submitted to the town council in March, 1917, but no definite action has been taken in the matter. NICSBURG SCHOOLS. Taken from the Reminiscences of J. S. Magruder. In 1835 the log school building was located just back of where the first log church building stood, and Sarah Hazel was the teacher at that time. In those days the teachers received about ten dollars per month as a salary, which was made up by subscription by the parents. A few years later a brick school was erected on what was termed "The Green," not far from the old log building and where C. L. Burnham's stable yard is now. The school was maintained wholly by subscription, the cost for each pupil being about three dollars per quarter. In the early fifties Robert Wilson came in and taught a select school. He first taught in a small house just back of the old Methodist church, but as the interest grew and more pupils 'came in more room was required. Thereupon he built a frame house on the Ed. Barr lot. About 1855, W. D. Henkle came over from Urbana for the purpose of assisting Wilson in the school work. When the Akron school law became effective in 1855, the citizens of the village began to cast about in quest of a suitable location for a school house. Finally some one said that Mr. Ware had made mention of the fact that he would give a lot for such a purpose. We hunted him up and, upon asking him the question, he said, "Yes, I'll give you a lot." With the preliminary matters settled we started up West Main street (there were no 924 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. building then west of Darius Burnham's), and when we got in front of George Buffington's he told us that we might have that lot. We asked him how much ground he would give us and he remarked that he was willing to give just enough on which to build a house. We asked him about playgrounds, and he said, "You have all of this country to play on." I told the gentlemen. with me that I would not accept his offer as a gift and be coin. pelled to build on it and have no playgrounds. Uncle Dick Williams turned to me and said,. "What better can we do ? We have been all around and cannot find a suitable site." I told him, "Lansdales is the place for it—that has been my choice all the time." He said there was no use. spending. time about that, because Lansdale would not break in on his farm and sell us a lot. We approached him on the matter and he was very Willing to meet our request. Then and there a motion was made that J. L. Magruder and Col. C. H. Newcomb be appointed a committee to buy two acres of Lansdale for school purposes. A satisfactory deal was made and the papers were signed in my home. A few days later he came into town and said that he had decided not to sell the property, but he. was duly informed that the time had passed for him to change his mind. In 1856 a school building was erected. To keep pace with the growth of the town, it was found necessary to build an addition to the rear of the original building in 1871, at the cost of eight thousand dollars. The building as it then was, remained occupied until the erection of he present building, which is now entirely too small and inadequate to serve the growing needs of the present school system; The high school was established in 1878 by Frank Fuson. He probably did the work during the first year by himself; but at the beginning of the second year he was given an assistant. The first graduating class of the high school was in. 1880 and the graduates included Clay Runyon and Marion Abrogast. The class of 1881 included seven members, of which number Charles A. Wood and Will Culbertson are the only ones now living in Mechanicsburg. The first commencement was held on June 3, 1880. The school board at the time consisted of J. C. Sceva, president; J. H. Runyan, clerk; E. D. Morgan, William Martin, S. S. Staley and C. K. Clark. The faculty was composed of Frank S. Fuson, Carrie Dalrymple and Millie Owen. SUPERINTENDENTS AND TEACHERS. The superintendents who have been at the head of the local schools include the following : Frank S. Fuson, 1878-89; John Marshall Mulford, CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 925 1890-96; S. H. Layton, 1896-99 ; Charles R. Frankham, 1899-1902 ; E. A. Hotchkiss, 1902-04 ; C. C. Kohl, 1904-06 ; J. W. Bowen, 1906-12 ; Bert Highlands, 1913-17. Under the direction of Superintendent Highlands the school system has reached a high standard. The school has become accredited by the North Central Association of Secondary Schools and Colleges at St. Louis. As this honor comes to very few schools of this size, the people of Mechanicsburg surely have reason to be proud of their school system and also of the man who is largely responsible for the present condition of things.. The school has a library of two thousand five hundred volumes. The teachers for the school year 1916-17 include the following : Bert Highlands, superintendent; Edna Paschall, principal ; Martha Rowinsky, Latin and German ; Ella Clemans, English and Latin ; J. C. Woodward, science ; Bess Hunter, music ; W. T. Thompson, eighth grade ; Zita DeVereaux, seventh grade ; Anne Dorsey, sixth grade ; Ada Longbrake, fifth grade ; Lenna Morgan, fourth grade; Lottie Hunt, third grade; Blanche Messick, second grade ; Donna Colwell, first grade ; Rhea Sweeney, district No. 2 ; Blanche Smelster, No. 4; Ruth Vaughn, No. 7; Warren Talbott, No. 8. The school districts of Goshen township were consolidated with the schools of Mechanicsburg in October, 1915, and are now under one board of education. The enrollment for the high school is one hundred and one ; for the village grades, three hundred and fifty-two; for the rural schools one hundred, making a total of five hundred and fifty-three. Following are the members of the present board of education : W. W. Osborn, president ; E. W. Johnson, clerk ; Adolph Lehne, Walter Hupp and Charles Neer. No teacher has endeared herself more in the hearts of pupils who have attended the local schools than did Ida Bunkers, who began her work here in 1882 as principal of the high school, and taught in the schools for several years. Pupils respected her advice and opinion above all others, no matter on what subjects. During her connection with the high school she was generally regarded as the most proficient Latin teacher in the state. PRIVATE SCHOOLS OF ANOTHER DAY. A former popular educational institution of Mechanicsburg was a school for girls that was in operation in 1845 and perhaps a few years after. The school was in charge of a highly educated woman from Massachusetts, and the subjects taught included Comstock's Philosophy, Comstock's Physiology and Arithmetic, Astronomy and other branches. Doubtless the only person 926 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. now living in Mechanicsburg who attended that school is Miss Fannie Williams. Robert Wilson built a. one-story frame school building on Race street about 1851. He was the only teacher for five or six years, but as his school grew larger in numbers he was compelled to seek the assistance of another instructor, whose name was Henkle. As near as can be ascertained, this school was started about 1845 and the purpose was the preparation of men and women for service as teachers. The ages of the pupils ranged from about eighteen to forty years and the average term of school was six months. The school was purely a subscription school, the tuition being five dollars to six dollars the term. The influence exerted by the Wilson school was not merely local in character but extended over three or four counties, and at that time Mechanicsbu attained quite a name as a center of education, continuing to maintain this distinction as long as the school was in existence. Mr. Wilson, the principal, was an elderly man when he came to Mechanicsburg, and after remaining at the head of the school for about eight years, was forced to retire on account of the infirmities of old age, and the school was discontinued. Before Mr. Wilson erected a school building he had conducted school for two or three terms in vacant rooms in the village. His quarters became so crowded that he was forced to seek a new location, and in order that he might be more independent he decided to erect a building of his own where school was conducted during the remainder of his stay in the village. When the school was discontinued, the building was transformed into a dwelling house and is now occupied by Joseph Metzner. THE CURRY SCHOOL. In the summer of 1895, Rev. E. W. B. Curry, a colored educator, visited Mechanicsburg with the view to locating a school for negroes here. The matter was laid before the city council and, on the approval of that. body, the school was located, the following committee being appointed to raise- money for the purchase of land for a school building : E. D. Morgan, V. S. Magruder and Rev. N. S. Merritt. The school began its work in the basement of the Baptist church on East Sandusky street the latter part' of September, 1895, with eighteen students. The faculty was composed of Rev. E. W. B. Curry, president and professor of languages, mathematics and natural science ; D. N. Kinney, professor of English literature, history and business; W. A. Kelley, professor CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 927 of music, piano, violin and choral director ; Lizzie Hampton, instructor in German and assistant normal teacher. Acting upon the advice of the main supporters of the school, the institution was moved to Urbana the third week in September, 1897. THE INDEPENDENT CHAUTAUQUA. One of the most effective mediums for the spread of general culture and information in the United States today is the chautauqua; and Mechanicsburg is fortunate in having such an institution. The man who is responsible for the beginning of the Independent Chautauqua at Mechanicsburg is Doctor Sowers. He came here in the spring of 1910, and broached his scheme, which became a reality, of holding a chautauqua at seven different places ; and in this number was Mechanicsburg. The chautauqua of 190, although not a success financially, served the purpose of planting the seed which was in the end to mean for Mechanicsburg a strong and enthusiastic annual chautauqua. For the second year one of the strong boosters for the chautauqua movement was the Tuesday Night Literary Club, which substantially supported the formation of the Mechanicsburg Chautauqua Association. John N. Mattox was chosen president of the association, and J. W. Magruder, secretary-manager. Upon his removal to the country in 1915, John N. Mattox was succeeded as president by H. C. Rogers. For the second year the chautauqua was a success, and the spirit of the organization was well established. Since the association "got on its feet," it has been a success, much of the credit for this state of affairs being due to the untiring efforts of the officers of the association, especially to Dr. J. W. Magruder, who has acted as secretary, manager and platform manager during the existence of the chautauqua. The chautauquas have always been held on the grounds belonging to the Matinee Company, an organization composed of forty public-spirited citizens of Mechanicsburg, who, after the land had been offered for sale, upon the discontinuance of the Central Ohio Fair Association, bought the site rather than to let it be purchased by private persons for commercial purposes. At that time the town was badly in need of a public park, and it was only after the proposition to buy the grounds by the city had been voted down that these men took the matter upon themselves to see that such a public place should be provided. The dates of chautauqua for 1917 was August 19 to 26, and an excellent program was provided by the officials in charge. 928 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. BUSINESS INTERESTS SIXTY YEARS AGO. The business interests of Mechanicsburg sixty years ago were represented as follow : P. W. Alden, merchant ; Chapman & Jones, leather dealer and tannery ; J. L. Carlton, merchant tailor ; V. Hunter, mill (flour) ; Thomas Jones, physician ; James & Taylor, drugs ; Legge & Sceva, boots and shoes; A. L. Mann, railroad agent and commission merchant ; J. L. Magruder, saddle and harness-maker; William Murray, carriage manufacturer ; Thomas Morgan, house furnishings; C. H. Newcomb, furniture and undertaking; J. W. Runion, groceries ; S. S. Staley, flour- and grist-mill; R. D. Williams & Brother, merchants. The business and professional interests of Mechanicsburg during the summer of 1917 were in the hands of the following : American Express Company ; C. A. Armfield, barber ; Anderson Inn, hotel ; Dr. L. E. Baker, physician ; Mrs. L. A. Baker, millinery ; Boulton and Ware, grocery ; John Brinnon, general store and meat market; Frank Brown, restaurant; H. M. Brown and Company, elevator; Mrs. L. C. Brown, millinery; BuckwalterAdams & Company, general store ; J. 0. Bunch, barber ; Burnham and Hyde, livery and stock dealers ; R. B. Byers, dry goods ; Pat Caliaghan, grocer; Central Bank ; Chinese laundry ; Clemans and Alexander, saw-mill ; D. G. Colwell, photographer ; Edward Conway, blacksmith ; Culbertson Brothers, garage, machine shop and carriages ; H. H. Darling, blacksmith ; Davis and Byers, furniture and undertaking; Dr. H. Dickson, physician ; Farmers Bank ; H. H. Freeman, automobile repair shop; C. H. Fullerton, tailor shop; F. E. Gannon, grocery store; W. F. Griffin, barber ; Gas Company ; Greenville Gravel Company ; Hager and Raltus, pool room ; W. H. Halley, grocery; Hanley-Maddox Company, clothing store; Dr. J. C. Hathaway, physician; Mrs. May Hellman, millinery ; W. H. Hunter, hardware ; O. C. Hupp and Son, undertakers; E. W. Ingman and Son, tailors ; Irwin Hardware Company; C. M. Jack, florist ; Floyd Jobe, baker and confectioner ; Albert Kolb, second-hand store ; C. E. Leavitt, poultry house ; Legge & Osborne, hardware; Adolph Lehne, jeweler;; F. Locke, grocer; Long Mill and Elevator; Longbrake & Reece, shoe store ; Edward M., Loney, grocery store ; Magruder & Son, insurance, loans and real estate ; C. W. Martin, grocery; C. L. McCorkle, harness shop ; D. F. McLaren, coal dealer ; Mechanicsburg Creamery Company ; Mechanicsburg Telephone Company ; Mechanicsburg Light and Power Company ; Joseph Metzner, meat market ; B. F. Moody, stock dealer ; P. T. Moore, dry goods ; O. A. Ninchelser, physician ; H. O. Ogden, CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 929 physician ; Ohio Grain Elevator Company ; Fred Owen, books and notions ; Earl Parson, shoe cobbler ; Princess Theater ; Dr. W. A. Rebert, dentist ; William Richter, restaurant ; W. H. Robinson, dry cleaning; S. J. Robinson, blacksmith ; George Sewell, woodworker ; O. E. Shaw, editor of News Item; 0. E. Shaw, druggist ; Sisson-Robison. Lumber Company ; C. C. Slater, editor Morning Telegram; Dr. E. R. Stockwell, veterinary surgeon; Dr. William A. Stoutenborough, physician ; L. F. Stoup, variety store ; Stuart & Company; Dr. E. H. Thorpe, dentist; Venrick & Northup, tin shop; T. B. Ware, attorney ; James Waugh, barber ; Weaver & Bower, farm supplies ; Wing's meat market ; Wing Brothers Seed Company ; C. A. Wood, attorney. POSTOFFICE. The Mechanicsburg postoffice was established only a few years after the village was established ; but in the absence of all records little is known concerning the office during the pioneer days. Charles Baxter was appointed postmaster in 1890 and served four years. He was succeeded by Harry Moody, who also served four years and was. followed by Tulley McKinney, who held the office two terms, or until 1906. Edward Byres was the next postmaster and served until in March, 1914. On March 20, 1914; J. D. Yocum received the appointment and is the present incumbent. The receipts of the office have increased from year to year until the office is now on the second class. The receipts noted in the last report were more than eight thousand dollars. Radiating from the office are four rural mail routes, covering one hundred and six miles and serving five hundred people. The people of Mechanicsburg are given excellent mail service, receiving four mails daily and sending out the same number. CITY GOVERNMENT. Mechanicsburg has been fortunate in having at the head of her city government such men as the present mayor, J. S. Neer. Almost without exception the officials have been strong and competent citizens who have striven without selfish motives to further the interests of their town and community. The city officials for 1917 include the following : J. S. Neer, mayor ; S. T. Stultz, clerk ; M. S. Moore, marshal ; William Culberson, William Cheney, D. J. Burnham, Bruce Neer and Frank Adams, councilmen. (59) 930 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. SOLDIERS MONUMENT. Located on the highest point in Maple Grove cemetery is one of the most beautiful soldier monuments in Ohio. The monument stands thirty-two feet high and weighs sixty tops. It was erected at a cost of three thousand one hundred dollars. The monument serves as a monument not only to the "boys" of 1861-65, but to the noble and patriotic women who made possible its erection. A little band of women, headed by Mrs. J. S. Moore, worked unceasingly for several years for the purpose and succeeded in raising one thousand six hundred dollars. Through the efforts of the Memorial Association, and the aid of B. F. Cummings, the necessary amount was raised. The monument was unveiled by Mrs. J. S. Moore and the dedicatory address was given by Miss Maxon, of Gallipolis. Nearly every town has produced men and women who have achieved more than local reputations and Mechanicsburg can easily boast of her quota. Among those who attained more than local note, none was better known than the late Joseph Wing, who was known all over the United States as the best authority on the culture of alfalfa. He was so recognized by the government, and on several occasions was sent abroad and to various parts of this country in the interest of alfalfa culture. The Wing Seed Company, known throughout the entire Central West, was started by Joseph Wing and stands as a monument to his industry. Edward Hunt, the son of Mrs. Julia Davis Hunt, is gaining quite a reputation as an artist, and bids fair to make a national reputation. Mechanicsburg has produced a song writer in the person of Arthur Longbrake, who has written more than twenty-five songs, all of which have been accepted and published. Odell Williams, a well-known comedian, was born in Mechanicsburg. GEORGE W. HUPP. One of the prime developers of Champaign county was George W. Hupp, who was born in the historic Shenandoah valley of Virginia, in 1813. When eighteen years of age, after the death of his father, he emigrated with his mother to Ohio and settled in the Mad River valley, where he with the family engaged in farming for fifteen years. Upon leaving the farm, Mr. Hupp learned the cabinet-makers trade in Urbana, after which he located in Mechanicsburg and thereafter made that place his home. He was one of the first furniture manufacturers in Champaign county and his products gained a wide reputation for strength and general utility. CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 931 AN ANTE-BELLUM INCIDENT. Perhaps the most exciting incident in the history of Mechanicsburg occurred on a Sunday sixty-five or seventy years ago, when several negroes were brought from Cawtaba to Udney Hyde, the local "conductor" of the "underground railroad," to convey to Northern limits. As there was then in Mechanicsburg a strong pro-slavery sentiment such a scheme was odious to many of the citizens and when the men arrived on the outskirts of the village with the negroes, they were attacked and a serious encounter followed, during which the negroes escaped. A part of them returned in the direction from which they had come and the others continued northward. In the encounter the men in charge of the negroes were taken from their horses and severely beaten. The streets of the village were thronged with people, many of whom carried with them long clubs and other weapons which they intended to use to defeat the plans of the Abolitionists in secreting the negroes and conveying them to Northern limits. The Abolitionists at that time in Mechanicsburg were very few, in fact, only three, Jacob. Ware, Robert Wilson and Udney Hyde. Jacob Ware was doubtless the first Abolitionist there. He had seen slaves sold at auction in Southern states and was thoroughly converted to the Abolitionist cause. When he returned to Mechanicsburg, he brought with him some ideas and information not known to the average Northerner, and it was through his. influence that the Abolitionist cause was furthered in Mechanicsburg and the immediate vicinity. BIG FIGHT ON THE MAIN STREET. During the early days in Champaign county there were many men proud of their physical prowess and of their ability to fight. During those days fights were not engendered so much on account of ill-feeling between different parties as for the purpose of displaying the "manhood" and ability of the belligerents. Men who were on friendly terms would meet on a certain date to decide which was the better man physically and with them came their friends and supporters. These fights were not fought on the plan of our modern prize fights with respect to referees, rounds, trainers, etc., but the fight would be continued until the conquered said the word, "enough." On one occasion one of these big fights took place in the main street in Mechanicsburg. One of the parties lived eight miles below the town and the other lived several miles east. They met as by agreement, pulled off their 932 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. coats and the fight was on. A large and enthusiastic crowd had gathered and the applause and taunts of the spectators urged the participants to their greatest efforts. No rules were laid down for these fights, as the bystanders believed that anything was fair in war. The fight continued for perhaps an hour and the injuries received by both were serious. It is said upon good authority that the eyes' of one of the men were gouged from their sockets. He, with the fortitude of a Spartan, deliberately put them back in place and tried to resume the combat, but he was so dazed that his efforts to get at his antagonist were futile thereafter. The injury that this man received was of such a character that he was unable to see for one year. His opponent, however, did not. come out of the battle unscarred. While lying on the ground he had been kicked until many of his ribs had been broken, and his flesh had been beaten almost into a pulp. The names of these participants cannot be learned, as much of this story is handed down by tradition. Who was the victor will never be known. OLD-TIME AUCTIONEERS. The village of Mechanicsburg has produced two auctioneers of more than usual note. The bid of one of these for distinction is based on the fact that he was perhaps the first auctioneer in this section of the country. His name was Owens. The other auctioneer was an extraordinary one because of a certain ludicrous incongruity in his nature. He was a most ardent tem perance advocate. Here is where the incongruity of his nature enters, if tradition is to be relied upon. The most striking part of his apparel was a high, commodious plug hat which he wore when he cried sales. The story goes that on one occasion, at least, he. had a bottle of whiskey concealed in the crown of the afore-mentioned plug hat. When he felt that he was in need of strength and inspiration, he would excuse .himself and step to one side as if to recuperate his energy and wipe the sweat from his brow. While he did so, however, he removed the bottle of whiskey from his hat and took a drink. After he had returned the bottle to its place he would proceed with the sale with renewed energy and enthusiasm. FIRST COLORED SETTLER. The first colored person to become a permanent inhabitant of Mechanicsburg was Sandy Lynns, the grandfather of Sarah Reid. It is not known at just what time he came, but if tradition is to be relied upon, it was in the early forties. Since for several years he was the only colored person in CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 933 Mechanicsburg, he was looked upon with a great deal of curiosity and perhaps with some mystification. It was not until after the Civil War that there were many colored people in Mechanicsburg. After the close of the war, however, there was quite an influx of colored people. From that time until this their number has continued to increase until at present there are about two hundred in Mechanicsburg. CONTRAST BETWEEN PAST AND PRESENT. John Kain little dreamed, when, in 1814, he laid off a little patch of ground comprising one thousand and twelve square feet and called it a town-site which was later to be known as Mechanicsburg, That at the beginning of the year 1917, his cross roads village could increase to a busy city of more than one thousand seven hundred inhabitants and cover an area of one thousand acres. The contrast between the two dates is so great that it is difficult to comprehend. The whistle of the locomotive and the factory, the rattle of machinery, the tall church spires, the elegant business blocks, handsome residences, paved streets with their bustling throngs of busy people have taken the place of the silent woods. The location of any town or city is always the result of some circumstance, and whatever might have been the conditions that inspired Kain to choose this particular spot, it is quite evident that a more lovely spot or one more generously endowed by nature could scarcely have been found. THE TEMPERANCE CRUSADE. At one time the saloon in Mechanicsburg was the most largely represented of all the business interests. There seems to have been a reason for this, because in the early days, and even forty and fifty years ago, drinking seemed to be universal. Men and women, and oftentimes preachers considered it proper to drink. But there came a time in the history of Mechanicsburg when excessive drinking became very obnoxious to a few of the better citizens of the village. Thereupon they sought to abolish the saloon. What is known as the "temperance crusade" occurred in 1871-72. There were six or seven saloons in Mechanicsburg at that time. As is usually the case the women of the town Were the instigators of a crusade against the liquor interests and were very persistent in attacking this evil. Their plan was rather a unique one for that time. But the results were in later years for. the best. The plan chosen by the leaders for the elimination 934 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. of the liquor evil was the influence of prayer. The crusaders organized themselves into bands and held prayer services in the saloons when permission was granted them by the owner, and on the outside if he was unwilling for them to enter his place of business. In very few instances, however, was the saloonkeeper willing to have the crusaders in his place of liminess. There was one exception, when a man by the name of Wilkinson, was asked by the women for permission to enter his saloon, he gladly gave his consent and told them that they should feel free to come and go and to stay as long as they wished. His saloon was located on the east side of Main street near the railroad and was quite a loafing place for the men of the town. But in most cases the saloonkeeper did not wish to be bothered with this praying band of women and permission to enter their saloons was usually denied. Under these circumstances prayer services were held on the street in front of the saloons to which entrance had been denied. Besides, preaching and prayer services were held on the street corners, around which large, enthusiastic crowds would gather, some for curiosity and some for sincerity of purpose. The newspaper of the village treated the crusaders with the utmost courtesy and granted to them one column of the paper to use for promoting their interests. The woman chosen to do the editorial work for the crusaders was F. Rachael Ray, who was also secretary of the organization. She contributed several articles to the paper and was secretary of the orgnization for some time. But in the course of time the leaders disagreed as to proper policies, and this led to the resignation of F. Rachael Ray. When the organization of the crusaders thus became partly disrupted, the enthusiasm and interests of the members seemed to wane. Finally the demonstrations in the saloons and on the streets ceased. It is not the intention of the historian to comment on the results attained at that time, but doubtless the few women living now who were leaders in the crusade feel amply rewarded for their efforts. MECHANICSBURG BOY SCOUTS. The Boy Scout movement in Mechanicsburg began in January, 1912, but for various reasons was not then very successful. The idea of a Boy Scout organization was not revived until January, 1913, when Thomas C. Erwin passed the necessary qualifications of a scout. The first permanent organization was formed on January 15, 1913. The commission received from national headquarters was made out to H. C. Rogers, scout master, Bert Highlands and A. G. Welshimer, assistants. A. G. Welshimer served as CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 935 assistant for one year and was succeeded by Thomas C. Erwin, who was elected on October 1, 1914, and is in charge at the present time. The first meeting of the Boy Scouts was held in the office of Bert Highlands, the superintendent of the city schools. The meetings continued to be held there until a suitable place could be secured down town. After looking at several rooms, a room above the Burg hardware store was secured and fitted up as a club room. The organization has been able through the help of the citizens of the town to equip the room with carpenter tools, benches, and other equipment necessary to provide training for the boys after school hours and on holidays. The organization began with a membership of about twenty and has grown until the membership now numbers about twenty-eight. One of the inducements that was attractive to the boys was the idea of an annual camping trip. The first camping trip was near Clifton, on the line between Clark and Greene counties. The men in charge were H. C. Rogers, A. G. Welshimer and Bert Highlands. This camping trip lasted for a period of one week. The camping trip for the second year was taken to the same place and was extended over a period of thirteen days. It was on this trip that those in charge gained some valuable experience, in that they did not require all of the boys to remain in camp the full length of time. Since that time, however, the fact is made clear to the boys that they are required to remain in camp the full period of time. During the same summer numerous weekend "hiking" trips were made to places near Mechanicsburg. In order that the boys might be given a more varied experience, a new site was chosen for a camping ground in 1916. The site chosen was Dunraven Park, located near Dublin, on the Scioto river. The camp lasted for a period of twelve days and was under the supervision of C. H. Rogers, Thomas C. Erwin, and Bert Highlands. On this camping trip Mrs. Bert Highlands acted as chief cook for the troop. The matter of finance was one of the obstacles that somewhat hindered the progress of the Boy Scout meetings. The ways of raising money have been numerous. At .the time of organization a chicken supper was given at the Methodist Episcopal church and one hundred dollars was raised at that time. On February 8, 1916, a benefit show was given under the auspices of the boys to remain in camp the full length of time. Since the increase in the price of paper and rags, the boys have been interested in gathering up old papers and old rags, for which they receive from forty to seventy-five cents a hundred. CHAPTER XXXVI. ST. PARIS. David Huffman was the original proprietor of the townsite of St. Paris, which was surveyed and platted in September, 1831. It was the intention to call the village New Paris, but upon learning of another place in the state by the same name, the prefix, "Saint", was adopted instead of "New". The first house erected on the site was that of David Huffman, the proprietor of the townsite. The first frame house *worthy of mention was built by John Falkner shortly after the village was laid out. Among the first taverns was the one kept by William Rosebro and known as the LaRue tavern. Jacob Protsman was the proprietor of the first blacksmith shop, which stood on Main street. One of the early grocers was Dan Putman, who had a store on West Main street. After the Columbus & Piqua railroad was built through the village the growth of the town was comparatively rapid. The additions which have been made to the town include the following: David Huffman, October 6, 1832; James Huffman and Lemuel Taylor, July 1, 1850; John Snapp, April 23, 1851; John Walker, ten lots, March 17, 1852; John Snapp, March 17, 1852 ; John Huffman, July 27, 1853; John Snapp, sixteen lots, November 8, 1854; Jeremiah H. Klapp, March, 1855; J. S. Leedom, July 3, 1855; Hamilton, Apple & Richeson, thirty-one lots, March 26, 1855; D. W. White, ten lots, 1856; D. W. White, eight lots., January 2, 1857; D. W. White, five lots, October 14, 1857; D. W. White, January, 1858; David Scott, March 24, 1859; B. F. Golden, April .22, 1864; B. F. Golden, April 25, 1864 ; B. F. Golden, July 27, 1864; B. F. Golden, April 2, 1868; Samuel Bowersock, September, 1867; John Poorman, March 9, 1874; Ezra Furrow, April 7, 1874; David Strock, April 7, 1874; Ezra Furrow, October i 1, 1879; John McMorran, June 8, 1881; A. E. Davis, March 17, 1882; Furrow; Rhodes and Barley, July 12, 1882 ; North Park Place, August 14, 1882; McMorran and D. C. Gondeis, July 12, 1882 ; Wm. C. Moore, November 2, 1886; D. Dugan, April 26, 1888. On February 8, 1858, a petition signed by fifty-seven persons was presented to the county commissioners asking incorporation of the village. The CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 937 first mayor was John F. Riker. The officials at the present time consist of the following : Asa Taylor, mayor; Cory Landingburg, marshal ; John H. Myers, clerk;. M. Powers, treasurer ; Ira Hollis, Charles Kizer, W. B. Hill, S. E. Kite, James E. Kite and 0. B. Proctor, councilmen. POSTOFFICE. The postoffice dates from a few years after the village was laid out. The name of the first postmaster cannot be ascertained with certainty, but among the early postmasters was Jesse Long. Among others have been the following : "Daddy" Wort, Captain Beard, N. Scott, George Kelley; John French, Aaron Riker, William Huffman, J. J. Leedom and J. H. Biddle, the present incumbent, who was appointed on March 17, 1914. Radiating from this office are five rural mail routes, which serve two thousand one hundred and one patrons. The total receipts shown on the last report were $7,833.94. Eleven mails are received daily and nine sent out. ST. PARIS SCHOOLS. The first school in the village was held in the house of David Huffman, and the first school house used by the people of St. Paris was a log structure built in 1830 on the land now used as a cemetery, a short distance north of town. Some years later the location of the school was changed to the site of the present school building standing a short distance northwest of the corporate limits of the village. Among the teachers who taught in this early day may be mentioned Messrs. Thatcher, Faulkner, Gardner, Wiant, John Russell, and Miss Sally Armstrong. The first school within the present St. Paris district was a frame building erected in 1851, a part of which is now used as a residence. Dan Deach and D. W. White were members of the first school board under the free-school system and the first teachers to serve were Thurza Furrow and William Stapleton. In 1860 an intermediate and a secondary high school were established on the second floor of a building erected by the Sons of Temperance. The first high school teacher was Marion Ross, who later enlisted in the Union Army and served as one of the famous scouting party that attempted to break the Confederate railway connections at Big Shanty. He was captured and was later hanged as a. spy at Atlanta, Georgia. In 1867 a three-story brick building was erected. It was opened on September 5, 1868, for school purposes. James G. Blair was the first superin- 938 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. tendent. The other teachers were Mary Woods, grammar grades; Sarah Armstrong and Miss Drury, intermediate and primary, respectively. Blair was followed by E. D. Whitlock, W. W. Evans, F. M. Porsh and G. W. Snider, in the order given. In 1880 the present school building was erected. The first superintendent in the new building was A. Powell, who was succeeded by the following in the order named : T. S. Dixon, W. M. Howes, G. W. Miller, L. I. Morse, J. M. Reason, G. E. Stevenson, D. C. Bryant, J. H. Fortney, W. C. Coleman, and J. M. Turner, the present incumbent. The teachers who assisted Professor Turner during the past year include the following : Blanche Lowther, Florence Wyman, Harvey Loudenback, Bertha McBeth, Tillie Kiser, Verda Klapp, Christina Nitchman, Glenn Frye and Florence Jones. The enrollment for the school year was two hundred and seventy-one, sixty-eight of whom were in the high school. With the erection of the new seventy-five thousand dollar school building, the finest in the county, St. Paris will doubtless become quite an educational center, and the resulting influence will surely serve as a reward for those who have labored for better schools. HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES. Following is a roster by classes of the graduates who have gone from the St. Paris high school: 1879—Frank W. Fromme, Ida Knull-Smith, I. N. McAllister, Emma Northcutt-Talbott. 1880—C. E. Buroker; J. H. Biddle, Forest James, J. T. Hamilton, A. E. B. Helmick, Estella Riker-Fromme, Retta Flowers, Effa Furrow-Fiedler. 1883—Grant V. Fromme, U. F. Pond, John W. Millette. 1884—Claude D. W. Kelley. 1885—George C. Paxton, deceased ; E. O. Furrow. 1887—Harvey R. Nixon, J. Truman Nixon, Burt L. French, U. S. G. Mitchell, Iola Batdorf-Kizer, Alice C. Nixon-Robinson, Maggie Klapp-Bull, Mary Spitler-Wood, Emma Zimmer. 1888—A. C. Bolinger, B. E. Thomas, deceased ; A. W. Bull, Mary Gordon-Holleran, Maggie Huddleston-Marsh, Lizzie Neff-Wheeler. 1890—Ella Leathley-Kinsinger, Minnie Hendrickson-Pettigrew, Frank Zimmer. 1891—John E. Baker, Logan Carlo, Nellie Carlo-Greiner, Clara Cromwell-Richeson, William Hockman, John Richeson, Frank Richeson. 1892—Millard Brelsford, Earl French, Cappie McClure-Michaels, Guy CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 939 McElwain, Pleasant Powell, Nettie Shidler-Friauf, Laura White, Grace Rhoades-Jones. 1893—Eugene Brown, Daisy Cutler-Kite, 011ie Leathley-Toomire, Daisy Schull-Patrick. 1894—Jennie Verdier-Cook, Millie Gibbs, deceased ; Harry Hawk, Emmet Kite, Emma Pond, deceased. 1895—Frank Hanback, Wallace Hunt, Anna Jones-Brown, Otto Largent, Myrtle Musselman-Brubaker, William Runkle, Anna Wilson-Teachout. 1896—Victoria Brown-Raff, Lizzie Bull-Baker, Jackson Frank, Maud Hawk-Cox, deceased; Elma Kizer-Hunt, Jessie Leathley, Nellie Losh. 1897—Winifred Hutchinson-Scott, Minneta Lippincott-Cretors, Allie Rhynard, Grace Saunders-Miller, Emma Schull, Minnie Showers-Kite, Harry Woods. 1898—Elbert Apple, Mae Clem-Runkle, Eula Graves-Rushaw, Daisy Kite-Apple. 1899—Elizabeth Judy-Lemmon, Katie King, Sallie Pyle-Brown, Ernest Musselman. 1900—James Bollinger, Weber Hunt, Cecil Jones, Del Pond, Della Richeson-Sise, William Smith. 1901—Fred Black, Freeman Bollinger, Emerson Clem, Iza Everingham Stevens, Clarence E. Pence, Loren Pence, Claude Rue, Walter Stevens, Blance West-Johnson. 1902—Arthur L. Bollinger, Oasis G. Jones, Marley Leathley, Warren Stevens, Zephyr Deaton-McMorran, Hattie Mahan-Hunter, Mae Norman-Clem, Stella Sturgeon-West. 1903—Mary Brubaker, deceased, Bessie Dugan, Louretta Dugan, deceased; Zola Deaton-Pence, Mary Faulkner-Jones, Mary Huffman-Weimer, Carrie Graves-Ballinger, Alice Judy-Chambers, Leah Riker, deceased; Elsor Heator, Alpha Pence, Harley Scott, Paul Sheidler, Elba Sturgeon, deceased ; Wid Sturgeon, D. A. Mower. 1904—(Four-year course).--Zola Deaton, Carrie Graves, Wid Sturgeon. 1905—Garnard Jones, Bessie Faulkner-Stevens, Lucile Frazier, Alta Haines-Goode, Alma Leedom, Mary G. Leedom-Jones, Hattie Mott, Nellie Magovern-Dovel, Elizabeth McMorran-Black, deceased. 1906—Howard Becks, Ralph Garrette, Earl Zerkle, Nelle Culley, Regina McMorran, deceased. 1907—Vera Ballinger-Armour, Frances-Black, Nellie Brown-Sturgeon, Mamie Bolinger, Jessie Fuson, Verda Klapp, Nellie Nixon, Nora Poorman- 940 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. Casebolt, Mary Ricrran, Myrtle Urban-Remer, Oarra Buroker, Roy Mago em, Ralph Guthridge, Sam McMorran, He1908—Fayon, Benj. H. Riker. 1908—Fay Corey, Anna Gabriel, Mollie King, Augusta Leedom, Charles Putnam, Walter Jenkins, Thurman Huling, Leon Goldberg, Rex Furrow, Verda .Pence. 1909—Zetta Beatty, Fannie Cowan, Mary Dye-Sykes, Grace Goode, Flossie Hancock, Dessie Huffman, Lucinda Leedom, Mary Poorman, Harry Hunter, Tacey Jones, Harry Manning. 1910—Fannie Bolinger, Helen Fry, Fay Harvey, Asenath Kizer-Hanson, Jessie Nixon, Earl Guthridge,Lloyd Huffman, Carey Kite, Byron Snyder, Luther Snyder. 1911—Ruth Brown, Cecile Buoker, Flossie Cowan, Anita . Jones, Bessie Walborn-Bruner, Cary Bowers, Walter Faulkner, Byron Jenkins, Scott Mowan. 1912—Flossie Bull, Adelaide Fromme-Faulkner, Marie Harmon, Tillie Kizer, Mary Mathews, Marie Neal, Grace Reed, Naomi Shiedler, Georgia Tappy-Furrow, Olive Toomire, Leona Weaver, Ray Allison, Raymond Kemp, Harvey Loudenback. 1913—Mabel Jenkins, Agnes King, Lucile Kite, Alta Kizer, William Lad-kin, Earle Martz, Charles Spence, Bertha McBeth. 1914—Walter Bolinger, Beulah Carmin, Catherine Mohler-Huffman, Martha Mohler, Mabel Spence, Grace Walborn. 1915—Gladys Anderson, Ruth Berry, Marie Cory, Mary Mitchell, Oda Rhynard, Herbert Brown, Donald Bollinger, Lowell Jones, Ralph Klapp. 1916--Olive Kizer,. Kathleen Kite, Thelma Kite, Ruth McMorran, Lucile Pence, Gladys Tomlin, Ray Apple, Laurel Gibbs, Harold Lewis, Allen Taylor. MUNICIPAL IMPROVEMENTS. The citizens. of St. Paris have ever beencivicawake to municipal and Civic improvement. After many delays and much discussion pro and con, a municipal electric lighting plant was installed in 1899, at a cost of approximately eighteen thousand dollars. St. Paris thus became the first town in Champaign county to own her own electric lighting sstem, and among the few of . her size in this section of the state. The plant has given excellent service and has always been self-supporting until within the last few months, when causes arose for which the management is not responsible. An urgent need for better improved streets caused the leading citizens to agitate a movement to pave Springfield street. This movement started as CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 941 early as 1910, but little was accomplished until the summer of 1912. After going through with the usual formalities the city entered into a contract with a street-paving company on December 11 of the same year. However, there were many opponents, as is usually the case, and through their tireless efforts the contract was annulled by litigation. But the issue was not long to remain dormant. The advocates of improvement, were soon at work and as a result of their efforts on February 18, 1914, the city entered into a contract with Brewer, Thompson & Brewer, of Chillicothe, Ohio, for the paving of Springfield street. The contract was for one dollar and fifty-nine cents a square yard, which was one cent less than the former contract ; but figuring the excavation, sewer and curb construction the total cost was about the same as it would have been under the terms of the first contract, which was lost through litigation. The street was formally accepted by the city council on August 17, 1914. The feeling existing between the citizens of the township and' those of the town has always been very friendly. One of the most distinct evidences of this was the erection of the town hall, which was built by the township and town jointly. The hall is a substantial brick structure and was built in 1885. It contains the township offices, town offices, fire department and opera house. After the disastrous fire of November, 1883, when the whole village was practically destroyed, the citizens began to realize the necessity of an organized fire department. This led to the final organization of a volunteer fire department, September 19, 1884. The first men to volunteer their services were E. V. Rhodes, William.H. Rnyard, T. D. Mitchell, John McMorran, David W. Sayler, Samuel D. Richeson, Lee Evernham, A. B. Stradling, C. N. Barley, L. W. Gibbs, John Poorman, Ira McClure, H. C. Gibbs, W. S. Jenkins, W. S. Wirick, Emmett Mott, A. Musselman and E. G. Jones. In a short time an organization was perfected and included the following : E. V. Rhodes, president; Iva McClure, vice-president; W K. Walbarn, secretary; T. D. Mitchell, treasurer ; T. Mitchell, captain; E. V. Rhoades, first lieutenant ; A. Musselman, first hose director ; W. G. Wirick, second hose director; E. G. Jones, first engineer ; John McMorran, first assistant engineer; Ira McClure, second assistant engineer. A fire engine was purchased by the village in December, 1884, and was given its first trial in January, 1885. A fire bell weighing one thousand pounds was procured to warn the citizens of impending danger. In March of the same year a hook-and-ladder truck was purchased. In the meantime cisterns were dug in various parts 942 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. of the village to provide ample water in time of need. Nine wells and cisterns are now scattered about over the village. With a few additions the town has practically the same equipment as was purchased in the beginning. The present organization of the department is made up of the following : D. E. Brown, president ; L. Deal, vice-president ; Fred Beckwith, secretary ; Frank Hawback, lieutenant ; W. Showers, treasurer ; D. E. Brown, engineer ; C. B. Brown, first assistant engineer ; A. L. Apple, second assistant engineer; C. B. Brown, A. L. Apple, Perry Evernham, stokers ; Frank Baldorf, first hose director ; Frank Hoak, second hose director ; L. Deal, Ben Jenkins, A. Wiant, J.. J. Lewis, police ; M. Merica, W. G. Grubbs, axemen ; Asa Nitchman, Asa Jenkins, messenger ; C. C. Humphreys, captain hook and ladder ; Walter Pence, assistant hook and ladder. The department at the present time is composed of sixty men, most of whom have been in the service for years. Fred Beckwith, the present secretary, has held this position for the past fifteen years and is one of the oldest men in point of service in the department. ST. PARIS SIXTY YEARS AGO. If the historian were able to present a picture of St. Paris as it appeared sixty years ago, the residents of the now prosperous city would hardly conceive of such wonderful changes having taken place. There were only two or three houses on Springfield street, most of the business at that time being on Main street. One can judge of the size of the village only by the character- and number of the business interests -represented at that time. They were as follow : Rev. David Scott, merchant ; J. H. Clapp, merchant ; Larger & Maurer, merchants ; John J. Musson, physician and . druggist ; Thomas Hamilton, physician and druggist ; J. Walters, tailor ; Joseph Stover, National Hotel; Jeremiah Dippery, carpenter and joiner ; Jacob Trout, carpenter and joiner ; T. W. Flowers, daguerreotypist ; E. Runkle, rectifier and liquor dealer; Joseph W. Heterick, painter; John C. Clem, baker and grocer; Wells & Huffman, saw- and grist-mill ; F. F. Stovers, "tobacconist" ; Snapp, Buroker & Batdorf, saw-mill, grist-mill and distillery ; Francis West, postmaster. At one time in the history of St. Paris three distilleries were in operation within what are now the limits of the corporation. One of these was run by Samuel Bowersock and was located on the site of the elevator along the Pennsylvania tracks. Bowersock also operated a store in connection with the distillery. Another was located on the site now occupied by the Flaig lumber yard.. In connection with this latter 'distillery was a saw- and grist-mill, both of which burned after a few years of operation. The distiller CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 943 of the pioneer days paid very little tax upon his product. In the first place the tax was not nearly so high as at the present time ; and secondly, the amount taxed was very small, in comparison to the amount manufactured. It was no uncommon sight in St. Paris, just a few days before the assessor was to appear, to see men scurrying in all directions with whiskey jugs, which were not taken to their homes, but hidden in the bushes and weeds until after the tax assessor had passed on. BUSINESS INTERESTS IN 1872. The business interests of forty-five years ago bear little relation to the business of today. At that time there were two carriage factories in operation, one by H. Saylor, and the other by Kemp, Beck & Fry. Competition between them seems to have been keen, as both were very liberal advertisers. Saylor in one of his advertisements disclosed that he wished to call special attention to his new patent fifth wheel, made of cast steel, and also to a most complete arrangement for raising and lowering of a buggy top. He also says that his prices are lower than at any other place in the state. The advertisements of Kemp, Beck & Fry declare that they were taking great pains to secure the most competent workmen, to select the best materials, and consequently were turning out some of the best work in the state. Especial attention was called to the Eureka carriage, which could be transformed from a single to a double-seated vehicle in a moment. Other business interests at that time included the following : Brubaker & McMorran, bankers and brokers ; John Baker, physician ; J. M. Band, hardware ; Jeremiah Bau, blacksmith ; J. K. Furrow, groceries ; W. T. Ellston, flour-mill ; S. Gibbs & Company, boots and shoes ; J. M. French, furniture dealer ; Thomas A. Hoburn, blacksmith ; Levi Hockman, carpenter ; David S. Helmick, store ; Samuel Johnson, blacksmith ; Kiser & Long, lumber dealers; William Marshall, livery ; J. W. Millett, harness shop; J. F. Riker & Company, lumber manufacturers ; David Strock, grain dealer ; J. J. Young, proprietor United States Hotel; G. W. Verdier, livery and feed stable. Sixty years ago St. Paris was considered little more than a crossroads hamlet. There was only one brick building in the village and it stood on the corner of Springfield and Plum streets. At that time all of the land south of the home of Mrs. Harriett Brubaker was in cultivation, and there in the summer were raised bountiful crops of corn and oats. Opposite her home in Springfield street was a mud hole that in wet weather seemed to have no bottom. Many an unsuspecting traveler found .himself in the mire and 944 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. required the assistance of. men and teams to extricate him from his predicament. Across the little stream that now flows under Springfield street was an old wooden. bridge.. During the early days an Omnibus carried transients from the railroad station to the hotel. On one occasion when the 'bus was making a hurried drive to the station, it struck the old wooden bridge and the structure collapsed, dumping the horses, 'bus and occupants into th stream. Springfield street fifty or sixty years ago was little better than a . fro pond. For about :nine months out of the year the street was almost impass able, a condition which caused numerous accidents. During the summe months the street grew up in weeds and grass. CURRENT BUSINESS DIRECTORY. The business and professional interests of St. Paris during the .summer of 1917 were in the hands of the following: B. T. Apple, grocer; Charles Arbogust, blacksmith ; George Armbrust, tinner ; Auto Sales and Garag Company ; Baker & Van Culin, insurance; George Baldwin and Son, millers, B. F. Baker, druggist ; Batdorf and Berry, general store; Ira A. Beaty; pianos and real estate; Beckwith & Wank, pool room ; Alva C. Bolinger attorney ; E. F. Brown, grocery ; D. E. Brown, grocery ; Brown & Wiant News-Dispatch; William Briggs, grocery ; Charles E. Buroker, attorney; J. F. Calvin, insurance ; Central National Bank ; Clark's Variety Store; Mrs. Costenborder & Son, grocery ; J. B. Creators, manufacturer of rubber goods ; James A. Curry, grocery ; John- H; Domigan, livery and sales stable; Duncan Seed Company ; Redding Everett, concrete blocks ; Farmers' Poultry Company ; S. H. Faulkner, insurance; J. P. Feaster, drayman; First National Bank ; W. Flaig, lumber; J. W. Flinn, dentist; C. S. French, veterinary; Fromme & Nixon, furniture and undertaking; Furnas-Brown Grain Company; D. L. Goldberg, jeweler; M. H. Guthridge, dentist; T. L. Hahn, pumps and repairing ; Dr. J. H. Hampshire, physician ; W. H. Heater, jeweler ; Harry Hole, poultry dealer ; W. C. Humphreys, pool room; Dr. H. B. Hunt, physician; E. D. Hutchinson, granite works; J. M. Ingells, grocery ; W. J. Jenkins, dray and transfer ; Jones & Son, drugs ; S. E. Kite, implements; Frank Knull, pool room; Hiram Knull, meat market and grocery ; William Lee, garage; L. W. Lindsley, Kline Hotel; Lock Two Grain and Milling Company ; W. F. Losh, hardware; Harry Luxon, grocery ; Joseph Malmberry, livery and feed stable ; Charles Maxon, green house; Grant McMorran, grain dealer ; Martha Mohler, millinery ; E. Musselman, drugs; CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 945 Amiceto Napoli, confectionery ; W. F. E. Offenbacher, bakery ; Morris Powers, clothing and furniture ; George Price & Son, coal dealers ; John Prinz, bakery; Proctor & Sturgeon, hardware and harness ; Reuler & Leonard, dry goods ; Isadore Reamer, women's clothing; Dale Runkle, barber, Frank Rushaw, barber ; Rushaw and Jenks, millinery ; E. T. Schooler, drayman; Wesley Showers, blacksmith ; John Shucraft, barber ; C. E. Smith, painting and repairing; Sam Stone, hardware ; St. Paris Grain Company ; Mrs. Hattie Taylor, milliner; C. O. Tomlin, plumber ; I. Urban, clothing ; Asa Wiant, grocery. The oldest men in point of business experience now living at St. Paris are I. P. Kizer and G. P. Shidler, both of whom were in business for approximately forty-five years. J. H. Biddle, the present postmaster, up to the time he received the appointment as postmaster was in the grocery business for nearly thirty years. Until March, 1914, there had been a Biddle grocery in St. Paris for fifty-three years. In 1864, John Biddle, the father of J. H. Biddle, moved from Addison, now Christiansburg, to St. Paris and opened a grocery store. YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION. A Young Men's Christian Association was organized at St. Paris on November 7, 1876, with forty-three members and the following officers : E. S. Faucett, president ; G. \AT. Kelley, vice-president ; John McMorran, secretary; William Henderson, treasurer. Rooms were rented, regular meetings held and for many years the association was one of the greatest agencies for good in the community. However, by July, 1880, interest in thq work had become so listless that the organization had to be abandoned). The last officers included the following : W. N. Reinhard, president ; James Brokaw, vice-president ; J. N. McAllister, secretary ; Augustus Leedom, treasurer. Since 1880 the association has not been rejuvenated. ST. PARIS ROLLER MILLS. The St. Paris roller mills were established in 1890, by W. J. Jenkins. and John Dudleston. These men operated the mill until 1893, when Jenkins purchased the interests of his partner and continued in the business until April 17, 1899. At that time he sold to the firm of Printz & Baldwin. The present owners are George Baldwin & Son. The mill is a three-story struc- (60) 946 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. ture and has a daily capacity of eighty barrels. The special brand of flour manufactured is "White Star" which is widely known and used in this section of the state. The St. Paris roller mill is the only flour-mill within a radius of eleven miles and consequently there is a large demand for its product. The wheat raised around. St. Paris is as good as any raised in Ohio, a fact which enables the mill to turn out excellent flour. COMMUNITY BOOSTERS CLUB. At a mass meeting held on February 9, 1914, at the mayor's office, the Community Boosters Club of St. Paris was organized. As the name implies it was the intention of the club to reach beyond the operation of a business men's club. At the first meeting the following organization was perfected : Albert Fromme, president; Guy W. Reuter, secretary; F. C. Batdorf, first vice-president ; B. A. Taylor, second vice-president; Wallace Hunt, treasurer; C. M. Duncan, Harry Luxon, L. E. Brown, Henry Flaig, J. B. Cretors and P. H. Berry, board of directors. Thirty-two business men and citizens joined the club at the first meeting. According to the constitution that was adopted the object of the club was to create and maintain a civic spirit, to promote community ethics, to discover and correct such abuses as outside patronage, conserve local capital in home enterprises, and to advance commercial, educational, manufacturing and municipal interests. One of the chief things that has been accomplished by the club was making the way possible for the "Great White Way," consisting of eighteen five-light standards of cluster lights. The total cost of this improvement was $1,037.40, one-half of which was met by the club and popular subscription. The remainder of the expense was met by the town council. The lights at the exterme north were paid for by G. Lear Smith, Dr. B. F. Baker and John Duncan. The activities of the club have become limited and it is now practically dormant. MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. Doubtless the greatest disaster that has ever befallen St. Paris was a fire that occurred on Thanksgiving morning, 1883. The fire started in a tinshop and spread with such fury that the entire business district was wiped out. In the summer of the following year the fire-swept district was mostly built up with modern and substantial brick buildings. CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 947 A few years ago the town was stirred from center to circumference by the greatest religious revival ever known in these parts. A tabernacle was erected and six weeks of services were conducted by Evangelist Wilson under whose exhortations nearly three hundred and fifty persons professed conversion. The first annual chautauqua at St. Paris was held on August 19-23, 1914, and so well pleased were the people that the chautauqua has become a permanent institution. The experience of St. Paris in securing various manufacturing plants has not been altogether successful. During the past two decades a number of industrial plants have been started in the city, but today there is only one of these many establishments which is in successful operation. Most of these industries have been financed by local capital, but since their management was in the hands of outside persons, they have proven uniformly unsuccessful. There have been many reasons assigned for the failure of these several establishments, but whatever the cause may have been the fact retains that they have not been a good investment for local capitalists. A resume of this series of unfortunate manufacturing enterprises shows that no fewer than seven industries have been established in the city only to operate for a time and then close down, leaving the local investor wondering where he is going to get any return for the money he invested in the plant. It is said that practically every man with a few hundred dollars to invest has been at one time or another interested in one of these enterprises. And the story of each has been the same—an initial appearance of success, followed in due course of time with the announcement that the plant was In the hands of a receiver. CHAPTER XXXVII. URBANA: The history of Urbana is an integral part of the history of the county of which it is the county seat. In other chapters frequent reference has been made to the county seat. In this chapter an effort will be made to trace the growth of the city from its beginning in 1805 down to the present time—a period of one hundred and twelve years. The name "Urbana" is of classical origin and suggests that its author must have had a knowledge of Latin. The word is indirectly derived from the Latin word orbs, meaning city, and, directly, from "urban," the English derivative of the Latin word. It was a happy thought of Joseph C. Vance in selecting the name he did, for the name is unique, musical and a distinctly appropriate name to be applied to a city. The location of the city, as has been told in the chapter on the organization of the county, was directly due to Colonel Ward. Just why the commissioners appointed to locate the county seat should have left the selection of the site to a resident of the county, and a land speculator, is difficult to see, but the fact of the matter is that Colonel Ward was delegated by the locating commissioners to select the site. The law provided that the county seat should be as near the center of the county as possible and it must be agreed that the site finally selected was about as near the center as could have beenbeen chosen The legal status of the city, the agreement entered into between Colonel Ward and Joseph Vance and the provision whereby Colonel Ward agreed to give half of the lots into which the one hundred and sixty-acre town plat might be divided—these facts have all been set forth in detail in the chapter on the organization of the county. The first white settler on the site of the town, Thomas Pearce, was here with his family as early as 1803.. Pearce built a log house on what afterward became East Market street, near the site of the present city building. He did not enter land here at first, but was only a "squatter." It appears that after Ward laid out the town in the fall of 1805 Pearce vacated the site of his first residence and located just north of the town as it was first laid out, building a log cabin there and living in it the remainder of his days. He CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 949 was a Revolutionary soldier and the grandfather of R. .S. Pearce, now secretary of the Central Gas Company. There appears to have been no other settlers on the site of the town from 1803 until the summer of 1805 when the town was laid out. When the county was organized in 1805 Springfield was the only place resembling a town in the county and consequently served as a temporary county seat. Naturally, as soon as Ward and Vance had the town of Urbana laid out as a new county seat,. the settlers began to locate here. It is impossible to trace the order of their appearance in the new county seat, and the town itself remained a part of the township for all civil purposes from the time of its organization until 1816, a period of eleven years. This makes it all the more difficult to determine with any certainty the first settlers of the town itself. The poll-book record of 1811 returned the voters of the town in with those of Urbana township, and even this furnished no clue as to which were living in the town and which in the township. SALE OF LOTS. The lots of the new town were placed on sale in October, 1805, but there has been no report of sale of lots found and no list of the buyers of the lots or the prices paid. The County had been given half of the lots and it was from the sale of these lots that the county expected to get enough money to build the first court house and jail and to start the county on its official journey. While it is not known how much money .the county secured by the sale of its lots, it is certain enough was received to pay for the county buildings. COUNTY SEAT LOCATED IN URBANA. It can not be stated positively when the county officials took up their residence in' Urbana, but, according to the late J. W. Ogden, the county seat was permanently established in Urbana in 1807. While it had been erected as the seat of justice in the fall of 1805, yet the county commissioners had to wait until suitable buildings were provided before they could order the transfer of the records from Springfield to the new county seat. It is evident that it would take about two years to build a court house and jail, log though they were, and therefore it. is fair to presume that the year 1807 found the county seat permanently established in the little village of Urbana.