402 HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.
CHAPTER X.
EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS-CLERICAL PROFESSION.
THE DAYS OF LOG SCHOOLHOUSES-OLDEN TIMES MANNER OF TEACHING SPELL-
ING, SCHOOLS-ITEMS FROM THE SCHOOL REPORT OF l882-PRESENT EXAMIN-
ERS-THE FIRST MEETING OF THE WYANDOT TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION -
TEACHERS' INSTITUTE OF 1882-EARLY MODES OF RELIGIOUS WORSHIP -
MINISTERS OF THE GOSPEL, 180 TO 1851 INCLUSIVE-EARLY POETS AND
POETRY.
EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS.
AS a sort of prelude to a topic which, treated at its best, possesses but little interest for the general readers, we insert the following pen picture of the primitive log schoolhouse, and -the manner of teaching school twenty-five and thirty years ago in this county', and, indeed, throughout all of the northern portion of the United States (with the exception of the large towns and cities), before the advent of teachers' institutes, the graded school system, uniform text books, and costly high school buildings. The truthfulness of this description will be recognized by the old and the middle-aged readers at a glance.
The primitive log schoolhouse was erected in every neighborhood as soon as there were a dozen children to attend school. The general architecture of this original academy of the wilderness was the same as that already described for the cabin; the difference being that the furniture of the schoolhouse consisted exclusively of benches for seats and a desk fastened to the wall on two sides of the room, behind the principal row of benches, on which the pupils did their writing and laid articles not used for the time being. These writing desks were simply rough slabs, resting upon pins driven inclined into the wall, and they extended nearly the whole length and width of the building. The fire-place averaged larger than those in dwellings.
Imagine such a house, with the children seated around, the teacher on one end of a bench or in a chair, with no desk, and you have a view of the whole scene. The "schoolmaster " has just called "Books I books!" at the door, and the scholars have just run in, almost out of breath from vigorous play, taken their seats, and are, for the moment, hurriedly "saying over their lessons" in a loud whisper, preparatory to recitation. While they are thus engaged, the teacher is, perhaps, sharpening a few quill pens for the pupils, for no other kind of writing pen had been thought of as yet. In a few minutes, he calls up an urchin to say his A B C's. The little boy stands beside the teacher, perhaps leaning against him The teacher, with his penknife (urchin wishes he owned such a knife), points to the first letter, and asks what it is. The little fellow remains silent, for he does not know what to say. "A," Says the teacher; "A," echoes the urchin. Teacher then points to the next, when the same programme is carried out, and so on, with three or four letters a day, and day after day until the " boy has got all his A B C's by heart." At the conclusion of these exercises, the teacher bids the " Major " to go to his seat and study his letters, and when he comes to a letter he doesn't know to come to him and he will tell him.
HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY. - 403
Accordingly, he returns to his seat, looks on his book a little while, and then goes trudging across the floor to his master, pointing to a letter outside of his lesson, and holds it up awkwardly in front of the teacher's face. He is told that letter is not in his lesson, and he needn't study it now, and he trudges, smilingly as be catches the eye of some one, back to his seat again; but why he smiled he has no definite idea,
To prevent wearing the books out at the lower corner, every pupil was expected to keep a "thumb-paper" under his thumb as he held the book in his band, which was then the custom, there being no desks in front of the scholars. Even then the books were soiled and worn through at this place in a few weeks, so that a part of many lessons were gone. Consequently, the request was often made, " Master way I borrow Jimmy's book, to git my lesson in? Aline hain't in my book; it's tore out." It was also customary to use book pointers, to point out the letters or words in study as well as in recitation. The black stem of the maiden-hair fern was a favorite material from which pointers were made.
The a-b, ab, scholars through with, perhaps the second or third reader class would be called up, who would stand in a row in front of the teacher, "toeing the mark," which was actually a chalk or charcoal mark, or a crack, and, commencing at one end of the class, one would read the first " verse, " the next the second, and so on round and round, Sunday school fashion, taking the paragraphs in the order they occur. Whenever a pupil hesitated at a word, the teacher would pronounce it for him. And this was all there was of the reading exercise.
Those studying arithmetic were but little classified, and they Were, therefore, generally called forward singly and interviewed, or the teacher would visit them at their seats. A lesson, comprising several " sums," would be given for the next day to those in classes, while others would press forward without any regard to quantity. Whenever the learner came to a "sum he couldn't do," he would go to the teacher with it-unless he was a drone-and the teacher would do it for him.
In geography, no wall maps were used, no drawing required, and the studying and recitation comprised only the getting- by- heart " names and places. The recitation proceeded like this: "Where is Norfolk?" " In the southeastern part of Virginia." "What bay between Maryland and Virginia?" "Chesapeake." "What is the capital of Pennsylvania?" "Harrisburg." "Where does the Susquehanna River rise?" "In New York."
When the hour for writing arrived, the time was announced by the master, and every pupil learning the art would throw his feet over and around under the writing desk, facing the greased paper or glass window, and proceed to " follow copy," which was invariably set by the teacher at his leisure moments, not by rule, but by as nice a stroke of the pen as he could make. Blue ink and blue paper were both common, and a " blue time "the learner often had of it.
About half past 10 o'clock, the master would announce, " School maygo out," which meant, "little play-time," in the children's parlance, called in modern times "recess " or " intermission." Sometimes the boys and girls were allowed to have this intermission separately. Between play times, the request, "Master, may I go out? " was often iterated, to the annoyance of the teacher and the disturbance of the school.
At about half past 11 o'clock, or a little later, the teacher would announce, " Scholars may now get their spelling lessons," and then, in pros-
404 - HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.
poet of " big play-time " being near at hand, they would, with the characteristic loud whisper, " say over" to themselves the lesson a given number of times. "Master, I've said my lesson over four times," would sometimes be heard. A few minutes before twelve, the "little spelling class " would recite, and then the "big spelling class." The latter would comprise the larger scholars and the greater part of the school. They would stand in a row, toeing the mark in the midst of the floor, or standing with their backs against an unoccupied portion of the wall. One end of the class was the " head," the other the " foot," and when the pupil spelled a missed word correctly he would " go up," "turning down" all those who had missed it. The recitation done, the class would number, the head pupil numbering as at the foot, where he or she would take station next time, to have another opportunity of turning them all down. Before taking their seats, the teacher would say, " School's dismissed," which was the signal for every child rushing for his dinner, and enjoying the "big play-time." The same programme would also be followed on closing school in the afternoon.
"Past the Pictures." This phrase had its origin in the practice of pioneer schools which used Webster's Elementary Spelling Book, toward the back part of which were a few reading lessons illustrated with pictures-as the mastiff, the stag, the squirrel, the boy stealing apples, the partial lawyers, the milkmaids day ream, and poor Tray. Succeeding this illustrated portion of the book were a few more spelling exercises, of a peculiar kind; and when a scholar succeeded in reaching these he was said to be " past the pictures," and was looked up to as being smarter and more learned than most other youths expected to be. Hence the application of this phrase came to be extended to other affairs in life, especially where scholarship was involved.
Spelling and singing schools were held at night, at the schoolhouse, when a general frolic was had, and sometimes mischief was done by the " rowdies." On assembling for the spelling match, two youths would volunteer as " captains, " to "choose sides"and have a contest. Various methods were adopted, even in the same neighborhood, for conducting this exciting exercise. Sometimes "tally" would be kept; at other times a system of cross-spelling would be followed, commencing at the head or at the foot, or they would spell straight around, or have a "word-catcher" appointed for each side, or would " tarn down," etc. After an hour's contest, an intermission was had, which was indeed a lively time for conversation. After recess, the practice was to have a regular spelling-down, sometimes the sides chosen at the first taking their places so as to carry on a sort of double contest, and sometimes taking all the assembly promiscuously. The audience dismissed, the next thing was to " go home," very often by a round-about way, " a-sleighing with the girls," which, with many, was the most interesting part of the evening's performance.
The singing school was of later introduction, but afforded equal advantage for a jubilee. These occasions were looked forward to with great anticipation, even by the older folks.
From the published reports are gathered the following items regarding the educational interests of Wyandot County, for the year ending August 31, 1882, the report for 1883 having not yet been made public:
Amount of school moneys received within the year: Balance on hand September 1, 1881, $49,918.13; State tax, $11,175; irreducible school fund, $3,681.23; local tax for school and schoolhouse purposes, $45,258.73; received on sale of bonds, $1,745; fines, licences, etc., $350.35; total receipts, $112,128.49.
Page 406 Blank
HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY. - 407
Expenditures: Paid primary teachers, $29,822.77; paid high school teachers, $2,370.25; for managing and superintending, $1,050; for sites and buildings, $22,703.19; for interest on or redemption of bonds, $509.11; for fuel and other contingent expenses, $6,386.42; total expenditures, $62, 841.74; balance on hand September 1, 1882, $49,286.75.
Amount received by the county from the State Common School Fund, $11,175; amount paid by the county into the State Common School Fund, $10,935,81; excess of receipts over payments from this fund, $239.19; number of youth between six and twenty-one years of age in the county, 7,616, amount received by the county as interest from the Section 16 school fund, $4,124.53.
Number of unmarried youth in the county between the ages of six and twenty-one years: White boys, 3,991; white girls, 3,583; total, 7,574; colored boys, 25; colored girls, 17; total, 42; whole number between six and twenty-one years, 7,616; number between sixteen and twenty-one, 1,937; population of the county in 1880, 22,401.
Number of townships in the county, 13; number of subdistricts, 107; number of separate districts, 4; number of primary schoolhouses erected within the year, 5; cost of the same, $6,955.
Whole number of primary schoolhouses in the county, 107; number of primary schoolhouses in separate districts, 5; total, 112; value of schoolhouses and grounds, $123,050.
Number of school rooms, exclusive of rooms used only for recitation, 127; number of teachers necessary to supply the schools, 133.
Number of different teachers employed: Gentlemen in township primary schools, 95; ladies in township primary schools, 113; gentlemen in separate district primary schools, 4; ladies in separate district primary schools, 16; gentlemen in high schools, 5; ladies in high schools, 1; grand total of teachers employed for the year ending August 31, 1882, 234. Number of teachers who taught the entire time the schools were in session, 40.
Average wages of teachers per month: Gentlemen in township primary schools, $35; ladies, same, $22; gentlemen in separate district schools, $46; ladies, same, $33; gentlemen in high schools, $60; average number of weeks the schools were in session within the year: Townships, 26; separate districts, 32; high schools, 35; rate of local tax, in townships, 3.6; in separate districts, 6.5.
Different pupils enrolled: Boys in township primary schools, 2,402; girls in township primary schools, 2,019; boys in separate districts, 602; girls in separate districts, 647; boys in high schools, 42; girls in high schools, 71; grand total, 5,783. Average daily attendance in all schools, 3,868.
High School Statistics: Total receipts for school purposes within the you, at Upper Sandusky, $31,014.21; at Carey, $5,210.54; at Nevada, $6,414.17; total expenditures at Upper Sandusky, $15,073.80; at Carey, $2,358.60; at Nevada, $5,575.13. Number of schoolhouses at Upper Sandusky, 3; at Carey 1; at Nevada, 1. Number of schoolrooms at Upper Sandusky, 11; at Carey, 4; at Nevada, 6 Value of school property at Upper Sandusky, $18,000; * at Carey, $7,000; at Nevada, $14,000. Number of teachers employed at Upper Sandusky, gentlemen, 2; ladies, 10; at Nevada, gentlemen, 3; ladies, 4; at Carey, gentlemen, 1; ladies, 4. Average wages per month paid, at Upper Sandusky, gentlemen, $80; ladies, $35; at Carey, gentlemen, $75; ladies, $35; at Nevada, gentlemen, $57; ladies, $31. Superintendent at Upper Sandusky, W. A. Baker; salary,
* At Does not Include the elegant new School building which, at that time, was not commenced.
408 - HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.
$900; Superintendent at Carey, J. S. Lewis; salary, $750; Superintendent at Nevada. D. E. Niver. salary, $600. Superintendents for the year 1882-83, J. A. Pittsford, at Carey; D. E. Niver, at Nevada, and W. A. Baker, at Upper Sandusky.
The present County Examiners are D. D. Clayton, whose term expires August 31, 1884; M. M. Hollanshead, whose term expires August 31,1884, and W. C. Gear, whose term expires August 31, 1885.
The first meeting of the Wyandot Teachers' Association was held in the court house at Upper Sandusky-in the old Indian Council House-on Friday, August 25, 1848. At this meeting, Rev. Charles Thayer served as Chairman, and C. P. Culver as Secretary. After adopting various resolutions, those assembled adjourned to meet at the same place on Saturday, September 5, 184 8, at 1 o'clock, P. M. Since that date the teachers of the county have kept abreast of the times, and have almost annually met at the county seat, Seeking by professional contact, to widen their sphere of knowl. edge and usefulness.
At the Wyandot Teachers' Institute, held at Upper Sandusky, for five days, commencing August 28, 1882, eight lecturers and instructors, and seventy male and female teachers were present. Of the $192. 16 received from the County Treasurer, from members and from other sources, to meet the expenditures of the occasion, $60 were paid lecturers and instructors, and $39.35 were paid for other expenses, leaving a balance on hand of $92.81. The cost of the institute per day was $19.87, and per member, $1.42. The lecturers and instructors present at this session of the institute were W. A. Baker, Robert Carey and D. D. Clayton, of Upper Sandusky; W. W. Hobbs, of Nevada; J. L. Lewis, of Pitt; M. Manley, of Galion; J. A. Pittsford, of Carey, and H. M. Perkins, of Delaware. Of the $60 paid to lecturers, Manley received $50, and Perkins $10.
CLERICAL.
EARLY MODES OF RELIGIOUS WORSHIP.
Although matters relating to church organizations-the date of their establishment, building of houses of worship, change of pastors, etc.-are treated at length in the separate township histories, yet we cannot forbear adding a paragraph or two in this connection, for the purpose of showing the manner of conducting religious worship at an early day, and also to, men tion the names of some of the early divines of the county.
Says a writer, in speaking of early religious worship in this part of Ohio, "The Methodists were generally first on the ground in pioneer settlements, and at that early day were more demonstrative in their devotions than at the present time. Pulpit oratory was more full of action, and fraught with souring flights, while the grammatical dress was thought of but little. Family worship, especially among the pioneer Methodists and United Brethren, partook of the zealous fervency of their more public devotions. We then had a most emphatic American edition of that pious old Scotch practice so eloquently described in Burns' 'Cotter's Saturday Night:'
"The cheerfu' supper done, wi' serious face
They round the ingle formed a circle wide;
The sire turns o'er wi' patriarchal grace,
The big ha' Bible, once his father's pride.
His bonnet rev'rently is laid aside,
His lyart hafferts wearing thin and bare,
Those strains that ance did sweet in Zion glide,
He wales a portion wi' judicious care,
And 'Let us worship God,' he says wi' solemn air.
HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY. - 409
"They chant their artless notes in simple guise;
They tune their hearts-by far the noblest aim;
Perhaps 'Dundee's' wild warbling measures rise,
Or plaintive 'Martyrs,' worthy of the name;
Or noble Elgin' beats the heavenward flame,
The sweetest far of Scotia's hallowed lays.
Compared wi' these, Italian trills are tame;
The tickled ear nae heartfelt raptures raise;
Nae unison hae they wi' our Creator's praise.
"The priest-like father reads the sacred page
How Abraham was the friend of God on high, etc.
"Then kneeling down to Heaven's Eternal King,
The saint, the father and the husband prays;
Hope 'springs exulting on triumphant wing,'
That thus they a' shall meet in future days;
There ever bask in uncreated rays,
No more to sigh or shed the bitter tear,
Together hymning their Creator's praise,
In such society, yet still more dear,
While circling time moves round in an eternal sphere."
The familiar tunes of pioneer worship were mostly in the minor key, and very pensive and solemnly inspiring, in striking contrast with the worldly sound of nearly all modern church music. As they are named in the old "Missouri Harmony" (who has seen this music book within the last thirty years?), the characteristic standard tunes were such as Bourbon, Consolation, China, Canaan, Conquering Soldier, Condescension, Devotion, Davis, Fiducia, Funeral Thought, Florida, Golden Hill, Ganges, Greenfields, Greenville, Idumea, Imandra, Kentucky, Lenox, Leander, Mear, New Orleans, Northfield, Now Salem, New Durham, Olney, Primrose, Pisgah, Pleyel's Hymn, Rockbridge, Rockingham, Reflection, Supplication, Salvation, St. Thomas, Salem, Tender Thought, Windham, etc., besides a great number known only by the first lines of the words, as "O, how happy are they," "Come, thou fount of every blessing," "O, for a glance of heavenly day," " Jesus my all, to heaven is gone," etc.
Once or twice a day-in the morning just before or after breakfast, and in the evening just before retiring to rest-the head of the family would call to order, read a chapter in the Bible, announce the hymn and time by com. mencing to sing, when others would Join, then he would deliver a most for. vent prayer. If a pious guest was present, he would be called upon to take the lead in the religious exercises; and if, in those days, a person who prayed either in the family or in public, did not pray as if it were his very last on earth, his piety was thought to be defective.
Numbers of other orthodox denominations also had their family prayers, in which, however, the phraseology was somewhat dfferent from that of the Methodists, and the voices kept low and calm.
EARLY MINISTERS OF THE GOSPEL.
The following list embraces the names, denominations, etc., of the ministers of the Gospel who were licensed by the Court of Common Pleas during the years from 1845 to 1851, inclusive, to solemnize marriages in Wyandot County:
Benjamin Sager, Christian, April, 1846; Charles Thayer, Presbyterian, October, 1846; Nathan Evans, German Reformed, October, 1846; George Turk, Lutheran, November, 1847; Silas DeBolt, Predestinarian Baptist, May, 1848; James Milligan, Methodist Episcopal, November, 1848; Augustus Price, Baptist, November, 1848; Jacob Schaner, Evangelical Lutheran,
410 - HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.
1849; April, 1849; John Casper Christian Voight, German Lutheran, July, 1849, Louis A. Brunner, Presbyterian, November, 1849; Robert Weeks, United Brethren , April, 1850; Philip Cole, Methodist Episcopal, July, 1850; James B. Oliver, Evangelical Lutheran, November, 1850; Frederick Dolmetsk, Lutheran, November, 1850; James P. Hastings, Bible Christian, July, 1851; Samuel Kelso, United -Brethren, November, 1851.
EARLY POETS AND POETRY.
Wyandot County is better adapted to grass and corn than to poetry, consequently but little attention has been paid to the culture of the Parnassian crop.
The only specimen of aboriginal Wyandot poetry known to the writer is a hymn, of which a few verses are given, by Rev. James B. Finley, in his " Life Among the Indians." The first couplet reads as follows:
Yar-ro tawsa shre-wan daros
Du-saw shaw-taw tra-war-ta."
The rest will be forthcoming when called for.
The genial and simple-hearted Count Coffinberry, in his " Forest Rangers," has sung of the Sandusky Plains, and told how
"Crawford proved more fortunate,
For he escaped the public hate
By being captured there and dying,
When from the field his hosts were flying."
He has also portrayed the gathering of Indian warriors, when-
"Along Sandusky's verdant shore
Did hosts of dusky natives pour."
In a note to the passage first quoted, he informs his readers that the locality of Col. Crawford's torture is on the Tyamoherty, about four miles above its junction with the Sandusky River, and probably about ton miles in a straight line from his battle-ground on the Sandusky Plains.
But we are keeping our readers too long from the earliest poem, which is justly entitled to consideration, as a product of Wyandot County, and which was written during our first summer for our first newspaper, and published in the Wyandott Telegraph on the 9th of August, 1845. We transcribe carefully from the only copy now known to be in existence:
AMERICA.
Land where the Indians love to roam
Where true patriots' blood has flown;
Where freedom's sun has brightly shone
'Tis thee I love.
There's beauty in thy naked soil,
Bespeaking smiles of love;
Thy rocks and blooming wilds proclaim
Protection from above.
Land where the Pilgrim fathers rest,
Where no foe from us can freedom wrest;
Of the bright and growing
West 'Tis thee I love.
Where the eagle soars on pinions free,
O'er the towering mountain's top;
Thus proudly boasting of the liberty
That bears her onward-up.
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Land where the people's voice is heard;
Where on none are kingly powers confer'd;
Where freedom is the boasted word;
'Tis thee I love.
Here no aristocratic lords
Have power to bind us down,
But freedom grants-that sacred word
Power to each and every one.
Land of the patriot Washington;
Of the lamented Harrison;
Of the Statesman Jefferson
'Tis thee I love.
Thou art as a brightly shining star,
That is from every country seen;
Whose rays shine brighter every year,
Though clouded thou at times hast been.
Land that is lashed by Atlantic's wave;
Where monarchy soon found a grave;
That our fathers fought to save;
'Tis thee I love.
Thy cities great with crowded streets,
Tell of a nation prosperous, free!
Where every stranger kindness meets,
While in this land of liberty.
Land where the wrung soul may rest;
Where each may &like be blest;
Where the laborer is ne'er oppressed;
'Tis thee I love.
Yes, thou art the land I prize above
All others known to me,
Thou art the land so dearly loved,
Sweet I and of liberty I -A. W. B.
McCutchenville, July 26, 1845.
Of this poet all the other works have perished, and of his name nothing remains but the initials. The poem itself will doubtless suggest to some of our readers a rather clear imitation of an ode which is sometimes sung in the churches.
Next in order of time, is the remarkable poem which was published for the first and only time in the Democratic Pioneer for January 9, 1847, and which, with the editorial note that preceded it, we give entire.
The following lines some may suppose to be borrowed, but Mr. Harris informed us that they are wholly original, no portion being selected. These lines contain something sublime and beautiful, as every one will admit upon a perusal. It is altogether in the author's own style, and without alteration or amendment:
THE PRESENT AT PARTING.
Ellan dear, here is a book,
To pick one for you great pains I took.
And if I never do return,
My heart for you will always burn.
Ellan dear, do not take it amiss,
But take it with a parting kiss,
And wherever you may be,
When you look at this you will think of me.
Ellan dear, thou art a friend,
On whom a person may depend,
And with you and your good heart,
I am sorrow that I have to Dart.
412 - TORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.
Ellan dear, I must now go,
I bear good will to friend and foe,
The time has come, I now must I,
Bid you, my dear, a long good by.
-Bil J. A. Harris.
Notwithstanding the doubts suggested in the preliminary note, we unhesitatingly pronounce the foregoing poem to be wholly original. There is no question but that Mr. Harris made it entirely out of his own head, and had plenty of chips and blocks left,
The rare and authentic specimen of original indigenous poetry appeared in the Pioneer of January 19, 1849. The author, Robert Taggart, was an Elder in the Presbyterian Church, whose pious aversion to the sinful amusement of dancing found or forced an utterance in the following song. The introductory note, and the song itself with the exception of one verse, which, containing more truth than poetry, is especially liable to misconstruction-are copied literally.
At the request of a friend, and in compliance with a resolution passed by a number of persons, we publish the following lines as written by-Mr. Taggart :
ORIGINAL SONG.
You countries and cities, I pray you draw near,
A comical ditty you quickly shall hear,
The boys about here they think to advance,
By courting the girls and learning to dance,
And its O shame for them.
The boys about here they think theirs the plan,
You'll not say one word but you'll have it again;
And more they'll put to it, they will if they can,
And many a boy sits up for a man.
And its O shame for them.
Their jackets is short as e're they can be,
And in their bosoms they'll wear a gold key;
Their pantaloons they must have up to their chin,
And they're buckled and strapped like a horse in a sling.
And its O shame for them.
But now we leave off these sporting young lads,
And go to the girls, they're ten times as bad;
They'll powder their hair and rowlers they'll wear.
And just like an owl in the bush they'll appear,
And its fine fun for them.
They'll go to the church and down they will sit,
They'll laugh and they'll not know at what,
They'll laugh and they'll point and they'll think themselves wise,
And they can't get a man if they would lay down their lives,
And its fine fun for them.
Oh, when they go there, their box they'll pull out;
They hit it a crack to make you look about;
They'll band it to one, they'll hand it to two,
Saying, Sir, won't you take it, or Madam won't you?
And its fine fun for them.
With ribbands and lace they toes off their head,
And with a gauze veil they'll cover their face;
Their top-looks and lug-locks look wonderful queer,
And they bold up their head like a stiff-bridled mare.
And its fine fun for them.
The following lines, which have a somewhat familiar sound, purport to have been "written for the Wyandot Tribune," and were published in that
HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY. - 413
paper on June 30, 1849. That the greater portion of them had been written before for some other purpose is quite probable:
NIGHT.
I love the dark and gloomy night,
When moon and stars are hid from sight;
When deafening thunders awful roll,
And lightnings flash from pole to pole.
When Nature rests in silent awe,
As if to scan some secret flaw,
Amid her vast and ponderous wheels,
While all creation trembling reels.
Thus when the elements contend,
And lightnings with the darkness blend,
I'd have some fair one by me then,
To watch the tempest's gathering might.
How grand the scene! how bleat the choice
Of such an one in such an hour!
The dismal heavens would form our bower,
As blackning clouds around us lower.
UPPER SANDUSKY, June 80, 1849. - C. G. F.
For a few years afterward Wyandot County struggled along as best it could, without a sacred or other poet, until C. O. Mugg took charge of the Wyandot Pioneer, and in the omnivorous spirit which marked his control of that paper. became his own poet. As a fair example of his best style, we give the general reflections with which he concluded a lengthy poem on the subject of Col. Crawford's rather well-known mishap, published in the Pioneer of October 29, 1857, and entitled "Battle Island." After portray ing the varying fortunes and final result of the fight, our poet continues:
Long years have passed, and many a morn and eve,
Time's changes on the face of nature weave;
Where once the wigwam of the savage stood,
Or where unseen in pathless solitude,
Roamed the wild deer and beast of prey alone,
By marshy fen, by reeds and grass o'ergrown,
All these have passed away and in their place,
Are dwellings' of a nobler, better race.
Where once the Indian village decked the plain,
Bright Summer shows her fields of waving grain,
Which in the spring and early summer bloom,
Blossom &like o'er white and red-man's tomb.
To thee, thou Battle Isle, changes but few have come,
Since erst the Wyandot thy shade his home
Had made. Now wave thy oaks as green as when
Thou shelteredst in their need brave Crawford and his men.
Though near an hundred years have fled,
Thy shade still reaches o'er the slumbering dead,
That sleep in one huge grave, by midnight fires
Dug, for our murdered Anglo -Saxon sires.
God rest them I May their children ever keep
Sacred the spot where their forefathers sleep,
And may they make that mound, in years to come,
A sacred shrine-a proud mausoleum.
The same poet editor produced " A Lay of the Heart," which was given to the public in the Pioneer of January 14, 1858,The first of the four verses composing this lay is quoted as a fait example of its author's senti that mental poetry:
414 - HISTORY Of WYANDOT COUNTY.
Fairest of earth's bright-eyed daughters,
Milder thou than breath of morn
Gladsome as the chime of waters,
O'er the wold at twilight borne,
List the lay of one who loves thee,
one but who lives in thy smile
Dearer far to him than any,
Gem that gleams on Eastern isle.
"The Upper Sandusky Bard," whose lengthy productions in poetry were published in several numbers of the Democratic Union, beginning with January, 1858, was another whose poetic efforts, perhaps, entitle him to some recognition in these pages, but as before intimated, his articles all verge upon the extreme of prolixity, and as space and time with us are valuable, we will cordially delegate the task of their reproduction to those possessing more appreciation and more leisure.
Again turning to the last article contributed by Mr. Sears, we find him commenting upon the only poetess Wyandot County has produced as follows:
"Though we disclaim any credit for go ordinary an act of politeness, we trust our readers will not overlook the fact, that the places of honor in these sketches have been reserved for our only poetess, the sweet and sentimental songtress, who gave to the world the gushings of her gentle heart. in a small 16mo, volume, bound in muslin and modestly labeled, ' Lute's Poems. '"
Turning to the title page, we are introduced with somewhat more formality to " Poems by Lute, respectfully dedicated to M. C. H:"
O let us seek some friendly isle,
Far o'er the deep blue sea,
Where none save nature's own sweet smile,
Will rest on you and me;
Where frowns we've met in other years,
Will sink in Lethe's streams,
Where pa sing smiles and bitter tears,
Will never haunt our dreams.
"Printed for the author at the establishment of the United Brethren, at Dayton, Ohio, 1858."
While the opening lines of the dedicatory strains, above quoted remind us somewhat forcibly of the fate of that unfortunate colt which was drowned in attempting to cross the river to get a drink, and although there are many other passages in the book where impulsive genius has set the rules of composition and grammar at defiance; yet it is our only printed volume of poetry-it may be the only one we shall ever have-and we are determined to make the most of it. Consider for a moment, in a proper spirit of thankfulness, and without exulting over our less fortunate neighbors, how few of the eighty odd counties in Ohio have a printed volume of their own homemade poetry.
"Lute's Poems" are the unassisted work of a young lady who was brought up in Wyandot County, whose intellectual training was the work of our common and other schools, and whose heart here received that education of love, hope and disappointment which finds full expression in the volume before us.
Such selections as our space permits will be given for the benefit of our readers, the most of whom will never see ought more of the contents of this privately printed and already very scarce book. There are many religious poems, notable among which are Kedron, Jesus; Wept, Jerusalem and The
HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY. - 415
Reconciliation. The last-named is Miltonic, both in style and subject, and treats of Adam and Eve's criminations, recriminations and final reconciliation after the ejectment from Eden.
There are many pieces devoted to the perpetuation of the very laudable affections of the author as a sister and daughter, some obituary feeling offerings to departed friends, a few fancy sketches such as The Fairy's Tale and The Aborigines, and also something philosophic, and didactic in reference to Homer and Napoleon; yet, among them all, we prefer those pieces which treat of the gentle passion, those outpourings of the heart, whose intensity might almost compensate the lack of genius. Our few extracts, which will be confined to this class, can have no more fitting introduction than the hymn to the god with plump cheeks, who with bow and quiver, and without trowsers, is worshiped openly or in secret, by all sentimental young ladies under the name of him
CUPID.
Little flying gleam of fancy,
Little ray
Chasing peace away,
Every day, and every hour,
Proves more absolute his power, atal
Habitant of every nation,
Handed down through all creation,
Here, there, everywhere,
Making mischief where he can,
In the heart of man.
Little flying gleam of fancy,
Little Tay,
Chasing peace away,
Styled by some a gift from heaven,
Others say, whence unforgiven -
Spirits dwell in blackest night,
He has 'scaped and come to light.
Loved by some, and scorned by others;
Still their hatred never smothers
The bright fires which he starts,
On the altar of our hearts.
Another poem is addressed to some faithless swain, and entitled:
YOU CANNOT QUITE FORGET ME.
You cannot quite forget me -
Go leave me if you will -
But lingering memories of me
Will haunt your pathway still.
The tears when we have parted,
The smiles when we have met,
The kindly words we've spoken,
You never Can forget.
You cannot quite forget me,
Although another shrine
May claim your priceless favor,
You'll often think of mine.
The smiles from some one fairer,
Awhile may drown regret,
But still our sunny mornings
You never can forget.
416 - HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.
And then in a spirit of despondency, doubtless caused by that fellow's persistent efforts to forget her, the fair songstress declared:
I'LL NEVER LOVE AGAIN.
Yes, yes, the happy dream is past,
To retain it I was fain;
But 'twas delusion now I know,
And I'll never love again.
O! may the past, the dreamy past,
As the summer rose depart;
And again I'll mingle with the gay,
But with a heavier heart.
For still fond memories of the past,
I ever will retain,
Remembering him I used to love,
I'll never love again.
Yet, despite the disappointment and deception, faithlessness and broken vows, true to the promptings and the destiny of the female heart, she continues to love under all disadvantages, as evidence of which we cite the concluding poem in this volume, and with it close our sketch of the early poets and poetry of Wyandot County:
TO -
They tell me, love, they tell me,
That thou art sadly changed,
That from the one that lived for thee
Thy heart is now estranged.
They tell me of thy baseness,
To send a sickening dart,
In thoughtless ease and trifling mood,
Into a trusting heart.
But this heart will never cherish
One bitter thought of you,
But live to love thy memory,
Of time when thou was't true
Thou was't not false-O! no,
Not ever false as now,
Once truth was pictured in thine eye,
And stamped upon thy brow.
And though thou'st proved, basely false,
And played a traitor's part,
Methinks that still an honor's gleam
Must nestle in thine heart.
They tell me to forget thee.
And that at pie pleasure's shrine
I may lose in oblivion,
The love which still is thine.
The following beautiful and expressive poem was written by Frank E. Dumm, who has gained considerable distinction as an elocutionist, and a very brilliant writer for one of his years. He was born in Upper Sandusky August 22, 1862, and is a son of R. D. Dumm, editor of the Wyandot Union:
HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY. - 417
LENA'S MOTHER
DECLAMATION.
Where is your mother? Come, Lena dear,
Stand close by my side, first wipe off that tear.
In a land far away-beautiful land -
A maiden there lived-child. give me your hand
A blithe, happy maid, who played all day long,
So sweet was her smile and bright was her song,
That the boatmen who passed on the river below
Would silence their oars e'er turning to go.
The easel-bowed trav'ler would slacken his pace
To gaze on the gems that shone in her face;
And turn as he passed to imprint on his mind
The beauty and light he was leaving behind.
So fair was this maiden, my Lena, child,
So innocent, artless, so undefiled,
That the country lads with much emotion,
Spoke the burden of their heart's devotion
But she loved one, and only one, and he!
Well, Lena, child, he was somewhat like me.
She used to sing a plaintive song, so sweet,
It mocked the river's rippling feet;
It was a mellow, mother's lullaby;
I'll sing it child, if you'll come nigh:
LULLABY.
Slumber as sweet as the breath of the roses,
Close Lena's lids, protect Lena's sleep,
For man never knows what the morrow proposes,
What snares on the land, what rocks in the deep;
Sleep, Lena, sleep,
Angels will keep
Ever by thee,
Ever nigh thee,
And lead you through dreamland's beautiful highways -
Mansions and bowers and woodlands and by-ways
Sleep, Lena, sleep.
DECLAMATION.
Sweet lullaby. how it brings back to me
The time, child, when you sat on my knee,
With your soft white hands clasped closely in mine
A look on your face that was half divine;
And with tears in my eyes and drooping head,
I gazed on the patient face of the dead.
How sweet to my soul came that lullaby,
And lightened the grief of both you and I
Sleep, Lena, sleep,
Angels will keep
Ever nigh you,
Ever by you;
The smile on her face, the light in her eye,
Spoke thro' the soul that ascended on high.
Come, child, we'll sing your mother's lullaby,
And softly, child, for her spirit is nigh;
Sweetly, too, and let a tear dim the eye adot
Sweet, mellow, Lena's mother's lullaby.
(Repeat Lullaby.)
418 - HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.
Heard you hot, Lens, child, the voice that long
Has been lost to our joys, echo the song?
Or heard you not flowers sighing to me
From a grassy mound, far over the sea?
Nor felt you the dread of silence that fell
On the mystic life, o'er the magic spell
That bean each token of life's fitful ways,
To the souls that revel in sun-lit days?
Heard you not a step so soft and light,
Falling as sweetly as rays of bright
Golden sunbeams, and then gliding away -
Leaving a shadow 'mid shadows to play?
That was your mother, Lens, watching nigh
So softly echoing our lullaby.
LULLABY.
Slumber as soft as the breath of the roses,
Close Lens's lid's, protect Lens's sleep,
For man never known what the morrow proposes,
What snares on the land, what rocks in the deep.
Sleep, Lens, sleep,
Angels will keep
Ever by thee,
Ever nigh thee,
And lead you through dreamland's beautiful highways,
Mansions and bowers and woodlands and by-ways-
Sleep, Lena, sleep.