HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY. - 419

CHAPTER XI.

MATERIAL PROGRESS.

POPULATION OF TOWNS AND TOWNSHIPS By DECADES-THE STANDING OF

TOWNSHIPS IN 1845-TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES-INDIAN TRAILS--WAGON ROADS-RAILROADS-POST OFFICES AND POSTMASTERS-AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIONS-STATISTICS FOR THE YEAR 1882-COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

IN the endeavor to show the gradual progress of the county of Wyandot during the past forty years (likewise its present resources), and for reasons which should be obvious to the general reader, we have here arranged under one general heading sundry topics, each of which, if treated independently, would not furnish sufficient material to form separate chapters.

POPULATION

Wyandot County began its existence in the spring of 1845, with about 5,000 white inhabitants; that its progress has been rapid with respect to population, is clearly shown by the following tabulated statement, which has been compiled with much care from the United States census reports:

* Total population of the village of Nevada, in 1880, lying in Antrim and Eden Townships, 1,036.

420 - HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.

THE STANDING OF TOWNSHIPS IN 1845.

Antrim -Number of tax-payers assessed for personal property, 75; acres of land, 8,6031; value of lands, including houses, mills, etc., $25,995; value of town lots, including buildings, $738; horses, in number, 134; value, $5,360; cattle, in number, 238; value, $1,904; merchants capital, and money at interest, $501; pleasure carriages, in number, 1; value, $40; total amount of taxable property, $33,639; -State tax, $335.47; county tax, $218.65; road tax, $50.45.

Crane -Number of inhabitants assessed for personal property, 57; horses in number, 85; value, $3,400; cattle, in number, 100; value, $800; merchant's capital and money at interest, $1,950; pleasure carriages, in number, 2; value, $100; total amount of taxable property, $6,250; State tax, $43.75; county and school tax, $40.62; poor tax, $31.25; road tax, $9.37; total amount of taxes assessed, $125.

Crawford -Number of tax- payers assessed foe' personal property, 165; acres of land, 17,830; value of lands, including houses, mills, etc., $38,868; value of town lots, including buildings, $2,288; horses, in number, 252; value, $10,080; cattle, in number, 690; value, $5,520; merchant's capital and money at interest, $2,185; pleasure carriages, in number, 9; value, $480; total amount of taxable property, $59,421; State tax, $415.94; county and school tax, $386.23; road tax, $89.13; total amount of taxes assessed, $891.31.

Eden -Number of tax-payers assessed for personal property, 18; acres of land, 2,704; value of lands, including houses, mills, etc., $8,452; horses, in number, 26; value, $1,040; cattle, in number, 56; value, $448; pleasure carriages, in number, 2; value, $105; total amount of taxable property, $10,045; State tax, $70.31; county and school tax, $65.29; road tax, $15.06; total amount of taxes assessed, $150.67.

Jackson -Number of inhabitants assessed for personal property, 48; acres of land, 15,686; value of lands, including houses, mills, etc., $20,352; horses, in number, 65; value of same, $2,600; cattle, in number, 145; value of same, $1,160; total amount of taxable property, $24,112; State tax, $168. 78; county and school tax, $156,72; road tax, $36.16; total amount of taxes levied, $361.68.,

Mifflin -Number of inhabitants assessed for personal property 60; acres of land, 6,162; value of lands, including houses, mills, etc.: $42,392-1 horses, in number. 86; value, $3,440; cattle, in number, 169; value, $1,352; merchant's capital and money at interest, $114; total amount of taxable property, $17,298; State tax, $121,08; county and school tax, $112.43; road tax, $25.94.

Marseilles -Number of inhabitants assessed for personal property, 86; acres of land, 14,460; value of lands, including houses, mills, etc., $34,. 496; value of town lots, including building" $2,889; horses, in number, 126; value, $5,040; cattle, in number, 304; value, $2,432; merchants' capital and money at interest, $7,925; pleasure carriages, in number, 2; value, $140; total amount of taxable property, $52,522; State tax, $367.65; county and school tax, $341.39; road tax, $78.78; total amount of taxes levied $787.83.

Pitt. -Number of tax payers assessed for personal property, 121; acres of land, 9,936; value of lands, including houses, mills, etc., $28,694; value of town lots, including buildings, $2,110; horses in number, 200; value, $8,000; cattle in number, 425; value, $3,400; merchants' capital and money at interest, $4,490; pleasure carriages in number, 6; value, $450; total

HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY. - 421

amount of taxable property, $47,144; State tax, $300; county and school tax, $306.43; road tax, $70.71; total amount of taxes assessed, $707.16.

Richland. -Number of inhabitants assessed for personal property, 62; acres of land, 17,279; value of lands, including houses, mills, etc., $30,059; value of town lots, including buildings, $36; horses in number, 79; value, $3,160; cattle in number, 165; value, $1,320; merchants' capital and money at interest, $139; total amount of taxable property, $35,614; State tax, $249.29; county and school tax, $231.49; township tax, $35.61; road tax, 124.64; total amount of taxes levied, $641.05.

Ridge. -Number of inhabitants assessed for personal property, 67; acres of land, 9,678; value of lands, including houses, mills, etc., $18,328; value of town lots, including buildings, $133; horses in number, 107; value of same, $4,280; cattle in number, 161; value of same. $1,288; pleasure carriages in number, 1; value $40; total amount of taxable property, $24, 069; State tax, $168,48; county and school tax, $156.44; road tax, $36. 10; total amount of taxes levied, $361.03.

Salem. -Number of inhabitants assessed for personal property, 34; acres of land, 5,114; value of lands, including houses, mills, etc., $9,420; horses in number, 53; value, $2,120; cattle in number, 131; value, $1,048; total amount of taxable property, $12,588; State tax, $88. 11; county and school tax, $81-82; road tax, $18.88; total amount of taxes levied, $188.82.

Sycamore. -Number of tax payers assessed for personal property, 123; acres of land, 13,372; value of lands, including houses, mills , etc., $36,380; horses in number, 230; value, $9.200; cattle in number, 446; value, $3,568; merchants' capital and money at interest, $200; pleasure carriages in number, 10; value, $535; total amount of taxable property, $49,903; State tax, $349.32; county and school tax, $324.86; township tax, $49.90; road tax, $74.85; total amount of taxes assessed, $798.44.

Tymochtee. - Number of tax payers assessed for personal property, 260; acres of land, 17,180; value of lands, including houses, mills, etc., $47,518; value of town lots, including buildings, $8,272; horses in number, 387; value, $15,460; cattle in number, 636; value, $5,088; merchants' capital and money at interest, $7,919; pleasure carriages in number, 16; value, $873; total amount of taxable property, $85,150; State tax, $596.05 ; county and school tax, $553.47; township tax, $42-57; road tax, $127.72; total amount of taxes levied, $1,319.821

Grand Summary. -Number of inhabitants assessed for personal property, 1,176; acres of land, 138,005; value of lands, including houses, mills, etc., $310,954; value of town lots,* including buildings, $16,066; horses in number, 1,830; value of same, $73,200; cattle in number, 3,366; value of same, $29,328; merchants' capital and money at interest, $25,444; pleasure carriages in number, 49; value of same, $2,763; total amount of taxable property, $457,755; State tax, $3,204.28 1/2; county and school tax, $2,975.40; township tax, $128.09; poor tax, $31.25; road tax, $757.86; total amount of taxes levied in 1845, $7,096.89 1/2.

TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES.

Indian Trails.-The first white men to visit this region-the Indian traders, and the equally adventurous hunters and trappers-found their way from stream to stream, from prairie to prairie, and from one valley to another by following the trails or paths then in use by the Indians.

* This summary does not Include the town lots, etc., in the of Upper Sandusky, nor the lands and value thereof in Crane Township, which were not mentioned in the assessment of 1845.

422 - HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.

The latter certainly displayed much astuteness, or, if we may use the terra, engineering skill, in the choice of their routes of travel, for the same paths were pursued by the traders with their pack-horse trains. Next they were followed by the rude military roads hewed out by the axmen and pioneers attached to the American armies under Gen. Harrison and others during the war of 1812-15. Next came the highways, constructed under State authority. Then followed the ordinary wagon roads, and lastly, the railways of the present day,

At this late day, and with no authentic evidence as a guide, it is imposible to describe the route of the various trails which led through this imme. diate region during its occupation by the Indiana. It is a well-authenticated fact, however, that, from time immemorial, the Wyandots and other Indiana used a broad and well-defined trail, which in its course northward from the headwaters of the Scioto River to Sandusky Bay, led directly over the site of the present town of Upper Sandusky. Another favorite route with the aborigines, termed the "Old War Trace," intersected the trail just mentioned at Upper Sandusky, and thence led off in a southeasterly course through the present towns of Caledonia, Mount Gilead, Fredericktown and Mount Vernon, down Old Creek to White Woman River. Doubtless many other minor trails crossed and led into the broad paths, above referred to, but, as before intimated, it is now an impracticable task to even at-tempt to describe them.

Wagon Roads, Ferries, etc. -Without a doubt, the first attempt at roadmaking by the whites in the territory now embraced by Wyandot County, took place during the year 1812. This route, called the "Old War Road," was cut out by Gen. Harrison's soldiers, and passed in a nearly north and south direction through Upper Sandusky and the central part of the pres. ent county. Some years after the close of the war of 181.2-15, and by a treaty stipulation with the Wyandot Indians, a State road was marked out and somewhat improved, which led from Delaware to Upper Sandusky, and thence on to Lake Erie, via the towns now known as Tiffin, Fremont, eta. This road became well established, and for many years was the chief highway leading into this region. However, as the country settled up, public highways became indispensable, and they were slowly and gradually made, simultaneously with the building of the log cabin residences and the development of farms.

A number of roads were authorized to be laid out in this region by the authorities of Marion, Crawford, Hancock and Hardin Counties before the organization of Wyandot County. Since that time a large number of others have been opened, and a vast sum of money, in the aggregate, appropriated to improve them. Yet the county cannot yet boast of a mile of turnpike or macadamized road, and as a result of the peculiar character of the soil, the ordinary highways during certain seasons of the year are well. nigh impassable.

By turning to the court records it is ascertained that in 1847 Joseph T. Torrey was denied the right to maintain a ferry over the Tymochtee Creek, on the State road leading from Upper to Lower Sandusky. In July of that year, however, Jacob Bugh and Daniel F. Hodge, under the firm name of Bugh & Hodge, were granted the privilege of keeping and maintaining for one year " a ferry over the Sandusky River where the road crosses the said river, east of McCutchenville;" and at November term, 1848, Michael Noel and Cornelius Shaw were granted a license for one year to keep and maintain a ferry " at a point on the Tymochtee Creek, where the road leading from Upper Sandusky to McCutchenville crosses said creek."

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HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY. - 425

Railroads. -Indianapolis, Bloomington & Western Railway Company. -The corporate history and the changes which have led to this title, are briefly stated as follows: By a special charter, granted January 5, 1832 (0. L. 15), the Mad River & Lake Erie Railroad Company was incorporated and vested with the right to construct a railway from Dayton via Springfield, Urbana, Bellefontaine, to or near Upper Sandusky, Tiffin and Lower Sandusky, to Sandusky, Huron County; also to construct branches to the seats of justice of any county through which the road may be located.

Thereafter the following legislation furthering the interests of the corporation was had on the several dates specified:

An act to authorize a loan of credit of the State of $200,000 to the said company, approved March 14, 1836 (34 0. L., 570).

An act to authorize the Commissioners of Logan County to subscribe for $25,000 of the capital stock of the company, approved December 19, 1836 (35, 0. L., 7).

An act to authorize the Commissioners of Hardin County to subscribe $30,000 to the capital stock of the company, and, in case the railroad is located through the town of Renton, to make a donation to the company of any lots owned by the county in or near Renton; approved March 16, 1839 (37 0. L., 343).

An act to authorize the Commissioners of Hancock County to subscribe to the capital stock of the Mad River & Lake Erie Railroad Company the sum of $60,000, or such sum as shall be sufficient to construct a railway or branch from the main track of said railway to the town of Findlay, slid to pay such subscription; authorizes the said Commissioners to issue the bonds of the said county, bearing interest at not over six per cent per annum, pay able to said railroad company, or any other person or body corporate, no bond so issued to be for a less sum than $1,000; approved February 19, 1845 (43 0. L., 109).

Under the last-mentioned act, and the authority of the charter of the Mad River & Lake Erie Railroad Company, the Findlay Branch Railroad was built from Carey, Wyandot County, on the main line, to Findlay, the county seat of Hancock County, a distance of 15.54 miles, and has ever since been operated and hold as a part of the Mad River & Lake Erie Railroad.

On the 6th of February, 1847 (45 0. L., 65), an act was passed authorizing the town of Springfield to subscribe $20,000 to the stock of the company, to be applied to construction between Springfield and Dayton; and two days later another act was passed (see 45 0. L., 87) authorizing the Commissioners of Clark-County to subscribe, on behalf of said county, not exceeding $25,000 to the capital stock of the Mad River & Lake Erie Railroad Company, payment therefor to be made by transferring to it certificates to an equal amount of stock heretofore subscribed by said Commissioners in behalf of said county, to the capital stock of the Little Miami Railroad Company.

In the spring of 1847, an effort was made in Wyandot County to secure railway connections with the Mad River & Lake Erie Railroad. Thus on the 21st of April; 1817, at a railroad meeting hold in Upper Sandusky, for the purpose of inaugurating a movement looking to the building of a branch railroad from Upper Sandusky to connect with the railroad above mentioned, Dr. James McConnell was elected President; David Ayres, Vice President; and Samuel M. Worth, Secretary. Robert McKelly, Esq., then stated the object of the meeting. Whereupon Henry Peters, Moses H. Kirby, Robert

426 - HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.

McKelly, John McCurdy and Samuel M. Worth were appointed a committee to ascertain the terms by which a railroad could be constructed from Upper Sandusky to intersect the Mad River & Lake Erie Railroad. However, it appears that in view of certain difficulties attending the construction of the proposed branch railroad, and the fact that the building of an east and west trunk line to pass through Upper Sandusky was already being agitated, all further efforts regarding the branch road were abandoned.

The Mad River & Lake Erie Railroad Company located and constructed its road from Tiffin to Sandusky byway of Bellevue. In 1851, the Sandusky City & Indiana Railroad Company, which was chartered by act of Febru. ary 28 of that year (49 0. L., 434), proceeded to build a road from Tiffin to Sandusky via Clyde, and this route being deemed more favorable than the other, on December 1, 1854, the last-named company leased this road for the term of ninety-nine years, renewable forever, to the Mad River & Lake Erie Railroad Company, which has since operated the same as a part of its line, ultimately abandoning the other route. The organization of the Sandusky City & Indiana Railroad Company is kept up for the purpose of perpetuating the lease, the interest of the companies being identical, and the road having been built in the interest of and with means furnished by the Mad River & Lake Erie Company, one person acting as President of both corporations.

On the 1st of June, 1854, the company leased the road of the Springfield & Columbus Railroad Company for the term of fifteen years, agreeing to stock and ran the same out of the proceeds, paying first the operating ex. penses; second, the interest on the $151 000 outstanding bonds of the Springfield & Columbus Company, and the balance to the lessor.

Subsequently, by a decree of the Court of Common Pleas of Erie County, of date February 23, 1858, the name of the Mad River & Lake Erie Railroad Company was 'changed to Sandusky, Dayton & Cincinnati Railroad Company. See Record of Corporations, office of Secretary of State, No. 1, p. 446. At that time the road was in full operation on that part of the line passing through Wyandot County.

On the 4th of February, 1865, a bill was filed by the trustee of one of the mortgages, covering the entire property, in the Court of Common Pleas of Erie County, against the company for foreclosure of mortgage and sale of the property; and on the 13th of October following, O. Follett was appointed Receiver and Special Master Commissioner in the case, who operated the road under the orders of the court.

While the suit was pending, various parties interested entered into an agreement for a capitalization of the stock and debts of the company, a sale of the road, and a reorganization under the proceedings for foreclosure; and in pursuance of this arrangement an order was issued by the court to sell the entire property, including the rights and franchises of the company, which, accordingly, on the 5th of January, 1866, was sold by the Receiver and Master Commissioner to three Trustees, who purchased the same in trust for the benefit of the parties to the agreement of capitalization, which included nearly all. the persons representing the stock and various classes of debt.

On the 2d of July, 1866, the certificate of re-organization, under the name of the Sandusky & Cincinnati Railroad Company, was filed in the office of the Secretary of State. See Record of Corporations No. 8, p. 5 8.

This company, on the 8th of October, 1866, leased its road and property for the term of ninety-nine years, renewable forever, to the Cincinnati,

HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY. - 427

Dayton & Eastern Railroad Company, but by mutual agreement of the two companies, January 9, 1868, the lease was surrendered to the Sandusky & Cincinnati Railroad Company.

Two days later, on January 11, 1868, there was filed in the office of the Secretary of State (see Record of Corporation, No. 4, p. 64) a decree of the Court of Common Pleas of Erie County, changing the name of the Sandusky & Cincinnati Railroad Company to the Cincinnati, Sandusky & Cleveland Railroad Company.

This last- named company, on the 28th of June, 1870, leased for a period of ninety-nine years, from July 1, 1870, renewable forever, the road, property and rights of' the Columbus, Springfield & Cincinnati Railroad Company (successor to the Springfield & Columbus Railroad Company, heretofore named as lessors to the Mad River & Lake Erie Company), the latter agreeing to complete its line of road from London to Columbus by September 1, 1871, and to keep and maintain its corporate existence and organization, the first party to have the privilege of issuing coupon bonds to the amount of $1,100,000, secured by mortgage or deed of trust on the property, and agreeing to maintain, use and operate the road from Columbus to Springfield, making such additions, etc., as the business may require, pay all running expenses, damages for loss or injury to property or persons, all taxes, etc., and to pay as rental, when in possession of the whole line between Springfield and Columbus, in equal quarterly payments, forty per centum of the gross earnings and income of the road between Springfield and Columbus; provided that when the aggregate thus to be paid shall exceed the sum of $120,000; the first-named company shall pay, and the latter be entitled to receive fifty per centum only of such excess in addition, the first party guaranteeing that the annual payment to the Columbus, Springfield & Cincinnati Railroad Company shall not be less than $80,000 each year.

The following in relation to the above lease is from the annual report of this company, June 30, 1872, to the Commissioner: " The lease has been modified so that this company, instead of paying forty per cent of the gross earnings of that road, guarantees the principal and interest of the bonds of the Columbus, Springfield & Cincinnati Railroad Company, and its stock, exchanged for stock of this company, share for share, is owned and held in trust by the Cincinnati, Sandusky & Cleveland Railroad Company."

The company has made a perpetual lease of that portion if its road extending from Springfield to Dayton, receiving therefor thirty-five per cent of the gross earnings, to the Cincinnati & Springfield Railway Company, by whom it was transferred, together with a lease in perpetuity of its own railway rights, privileges and franchises, to the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis Railway Company.

On the 8th of March 1.881, this company, and the Columbus, Springfield & Cincinnati Railroad Company, leased their roads to the Indianapolis, Bloomington & Western Railway Company, for ninety-nine years, renewable forever.

This road affords excellent facilities to the residents of the western part of Wyandot County, and running in a general northeast and southwest course, traverses, with sidings, 19-85 miles within the county limits. Its chief stations in Wyandot are Carey anti Whartonsburg.

Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railway Company -This company was organized in the summer of 1856, by the consolidation of the interests of the Ohio & Pennsylvania Railroad Company (which was incorporated

428 - HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.

February 24, 1848, by the Legislature of Ohio, and April 11, 1848. by the Legislature of Pennsylvania a), the Ohio & Indiana Railroad Company (whi h was incorporated March 20, 1850, by the Ohio Legislature, and ratified January 15, 1851, by the Indiana Legislature), and the Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad Company, which was incorporated in Indiana September 22, 1852, by filing articles of association with the Secretary of State, and in Illinois by an act of the State Legislature dated February 5, 1853.

Turning to a report (dated at Pittsburgh, Penn., May 6, 1856), addressed to the stockholders of the three roads by George W. Cass, President of the Ohio & Pennsylvania Railroad Company; Robert McKelly, President pro tem. of the Ohio & Indiana Railroad Company, and Joseph K. Edgerton, President of the Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad Company, we find the following facts concerning the early history of these roads.

The Ohio & Pennsylvania Railroad Company, as originally incorporated, was authorized to extend its road from Pittsburgh to the State line of Indiana, in the direction of Fort Wayne. The company did not, however, deem it expedient to exercise the full power of its charter, and the present town of Crestline, a point on the Cleveland, Columbus & Cincinnati Railroad, 187 miles west of the city of Pittsburgh, was established as the western terminus of the Ohio & Pennsylvania Railroad.

It was supposed in that early period in the history of the company, that. the extension of the road westward from Crestline could be better carried on under the auspices of another and independent company. The road was, therefore, only constructed from Pittsburgh to Crestline, and was opened for business over its whole length on the 11th day of April, 1853.

Pending the progress of the Ohio & Pennsylvania Railroad, and with a view to its western extension to Fort Wayne, the Ohio & Indiana Railroad Company was chartered and organized under the laws of Ohio and Indi. ana, and empowered to construct its road from Crestline to Fort Wayne. Liberal subscriptions were obtained from the counties along the line of the road, and from private individuals, and in the spring of 1852 the work of construction was commenced. On the 1st of November, 1854, the road was opened from Crestline to Fort Wayne, a distance of 131 1/4 miles. The Pennsylvania and the Ohio & Pennsylvania Railroad Companies had also aided largely in its construction by their means and credit, and in 1856 owned about one-fourth of the road, its rolling stock, etc.

The successful commencement and progress of the Ohio &Indiana Rail. road led to the organization in September, 1852, under the general railroad laws of Indiana, of the Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad Company, with power to build a railroad from Fort Wayne, Ind., the western terminus of the Ohio & Indiana Railroad, to the city of Chicago, Ill. This organiza. tion was strongly encouraged by the officers of the road first mentioned in this paragraph. Indeed, the Ohio & Indiana and the Fort Wayne & Chica. go Companies were regarded at; so strongly identified in interests that both were placed under the care of the same President, and obtained station grounds in common at Fort Wayne.

The Ohio & Pennsylvania Railroad Company subscribed $100,000 of the stock of the Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad, and the Ohio & Indiana Company made a similar subscription to the amount of $213,550.

The Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad was commenced in the summer of 1853, and its completion by January, 1854, was confidently expected, bat unavoidable delays, monetary depressions, etc., occurred, and at the time of the consolidation of the three roads in 1856, as the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne

HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY. - 429

& Chicago Railroad, only 20 miles of the 147 miles from Fort Wayne to Chicago were finished.

The relative value of the stocks agreed upon at the time of consolidation were as follows: Ohio & Pennsylvania, 120; Ohio & Indiana, 100; Fort Wayne & Chicago, 106.

Length of each road: Pittsburgh to Crestline, 187 miles; Crestline to Fort Wayne, 131 miles; Fort Wayne to Chicago, 147 miles. Air line distances between the same points: Pittsburgh to Crestline, 146 miles; Crestlips to Fort Wayne, 126 miles; Fort Wayne to Chicago, 136 miles.

Not deeming it pertinent to this work to follow further the history of the consolidated to organization - to give an account of its litigations, transfers, leases, etc. we invite the attention of the reader to a few matters of local interest connected with the history of this grand avenue of travel and commerce, now operated as a part of the great Pennsylvania Railroad system, which in passing through the central part of Wyandot from east to west, having the towns of Nevada, Upper Sandusky and Kirby as its principal stations, has 24.44 miles of road bed in this county, including 4.20 miles of sidings.

The first action taken by the people of Upper Sandusky to secure railway facilities, or rather the route of the then proposed Ohio & Pennsylvania Railroad through their town, resulted in a meeting being held in the court house on the night of December 30, 1848. At that time Robert Taggart was elected President, and William King, Secretary. Various speeches were made, and a number of resolutions were adopted to further the end in view, but other details of the doings of this assemblage have not been preserved.

In complying with the provisions of the thirteenth section of an act entitled "An act to incorporate the Ohio & Indiana Railroad Company," approved March 20, 1850, a majority of the votes polled at an election hold in Wyandot County on the th day of October, 1 50, were in favor of the proposition that the Commissioners of the county subscribe to the capital stock of the said company $50,000. Two days later, however, a writ was issued from the Court of Common Pleas of the county, which enjoined the Commissioners from subscribing to the capital stock of the road. Thereupon they (the Commissioners) refused to proceed in the matter, and retained Messrs. Berry, Sears, McKelly and Kirby, as attorneys in a suit in chancery brought by John Carey and others in the Common Pleas Court of Wyandot County. This case was continued until March term, 1854, when (considering the fact that the railroad in question was nearly completed without aid from Wyandot County*) the injunction, by the consent of both parties was made perpetual.

The railroad buildings at Upper Sandusky and the railroad bridge over the river at the same place were built in the summer of 1853. On Friday, November 11, 1853, the completion of the Ohio & Indiana Railroad to Upper Sandusky was celebrated at the later place by the firing of cannon, with music, speeches, etc., and. a grand supper at the Exchange Hotel. The first through passenger train from Pittsburgh reached Upper Sandusky on Friday, January 20, 1854. It here made connection with the Mad River & Lake Erie Railroad, which led to Sandusky and Cincinnati. Mr. Mills, in 1854, became the first telegraph operator at Upper Sandusky. At the same time E. P. Copeland was known as the first freight and ticket agent.

*The town of Upper Sandusky subscribed $15,000 to the capital stock of the Ohio & Indiana Railroad Company, which was paid.

430 - HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.

However, the latter was succeeded in the course of a few weeks by Curtis Berry.

Columbus & Toledo Railroad Company. -This company was incorporated May 28, 1872, under the general act of Ray 1, 1852, the corporators being M. M. Greene, P. W. Huntington, B. E. Smith, W. G. Deshler, James A. Wilcox and John L. Gill, of Columbus, Ohio, who were empow ered to construct a railroad from the city of Columbus to the city of Toledo, through the counties of Franklin, Delaware, Marion, Wyandot, Seneca, Wood and Lucas, a distance of 123.7 miles. The capital stock named in the certificate of incorporation is $2,500,000, which by law is divided into shares of $50 each. On the 1st of July, 1872, subscription books were opened in Columbus and Toledo. During the succeeding three months, $270,000 having been duly subscribed, the corporators called a meet. ing of the stockholders, which was hold in the city of Columbus on the 13th day of November following, and nine Directors were duly elected. On the same day the Directors met and organized the company, by the election of the proper officers. One year later October 15, 1873-the line of the road was permanently located through the towns of Delaware, Marion, Upper Sandusky, Carey and Fostoria. The bids for construction were opened August 4, 1875, and on the 16th of the same month a contract was concluded with Miller, Smith & Co. They commenced work the next day, and in November, 1876, the work upon the line from Marion to Columbus was sufficiently completed to justify the company in complying with the urgent solicitation of the stockholders and business men along the route to commence running trains. This was done at considerable cost in proportion to the amount of business, which was, necessarily, limited on so short a distance upon a new and incomplete road.

On the 9th of November, 1870, a contract was made with the Pennsylvania Railroad Company for joint use of the Toledo & Woodville road from Walbridge to Toledo, five and one half miles, including the bridge of that road over - the Maumee River at Toledo, and its depots and other terminal facilities in that city.

Early in January, 1877, the entire line was so far completed that through business was commenced, and regular trains were run between Columbus and Toledo, under an arrangement with the contractors, who were, however, occupied for some time after that in finishing up the road, so that it was not fully completed and accepted by the company until July following. This road-118.2 miles -was constructed, f ally equipped and provided with all the necessary and proper terminal accommodations in Columbus* and Toledo, at a cost of $3,338,507.54.

In July, 1881, this road-the Columbus & Toledo Railroad-was sold to a syndicate, and the name was thereupon changed to the Columbus, Hocking Valley & Toledo Railroad.

In passing through the central part of Wyandot County, in a northwest and southeast course, 24.40 miles of road bed, including 2.26 miles of Sidings are required. The principal stations in the county are Fowler, Upper Sandusky, where it crosses the Pittsburgh, Ft. Wayne & Chicago Railway, and Carey where it crosses the Indianapolis, Bloomington & Western Railway.

POST OFFICES.

Under this heading will be found a complete list of Wyandot County's

* Columbus, on the 22d of February, 1877, an arrangement was effeted with the Columbus & Hocking Valley Railroad Company, for the joint use of its terminal property.

HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY. - 431

post offices and postmasters, which, through the courtesy of Hon. George E. Seney, the present Member of Congress from this district, and Hon. Louis A. Brunner, the present Speaker pro tem. of the Ohio House of Representatives, has been procured especially for this work from the books of the Post Office Department at Washington, D. C.

BELLE VERNON-(Late in Crawford County).

Jacob Curtis, May 10, 1842; Ezekiel Eckleberry, Jr., September 11, 1848; Ashford Stover, December 10, 1855; Seldon T. Payne, May 29, 1861; J. V. Stevenson, March 12, 1867; Jacob Staum, December 22, 1870; David Dubre, October 25, 1871; Daniel Pope, January 2, 1879; Daniel Bope, January 20, 1879; Marshal B. Snover, April 2, 1883.

BIG TURTLE.

Thomas Wolverton, May 29. 1854. Discontinued December 10, 1855.

BOWSHERVILLE-(Late in Crawford County).

William H. Hunt, October 31, 1839; Albert Mears, October 17, 1845; Barnet Hughes, September 19, 1863. Discontinued April 17, 1865.

CRAWFORD-(Late in Crawford County).

George Ames, November 1.5, 1844; Abraham Myers, July 29, 1845. Name changed to "Carey," June 5, 1848.

CAREY-(Late Crawford P. 0.).

Abraham Myers, June 5, 1848; Samuel B., Turner, July 5, 1861; Roswell Perry, December 4, 1865; David Jay, March 2, 1868; Robert Gregg, February 22, 1869; James W. Herndon, June 24, 1881. Re-appointed (Pros.) April 2, 1883; (President and Senate), December 20, 1883.

CRAWFORD.

Joseph D. Baxter, June 5, 1848; George Unger, June 27, 1848; William Parker, June 11, 1849; Reuben Savidge, November 17, 1851; Solomon Hare., April 6, 1855. Discontinued November 12, 1860.Re'established January 15, 1877, and McDowell M. Carey appointed. McDonough M.

Carey, January 31, 1877.

DEUNQUOT.

James Culver, June 3, 1880.

KIRBY.

James C. Culbertson, September 26, 1854; Franklin Hilliard, December 15, 1855; Hugh H. Long, May 14, 1857; James Warren, September 27, 1858; Perry Knox, July 26, 1861; Franklin Pope, February 22, 1864; Ormund W. Johnson, December 11, 1865; Silas S. DeBolt, October 4, 1869; Luzern E. Landon, May 2, 1872.

LITTLE SANDUSKY-(Late in Crawford County).

Joseph E. Fouke, July, 10, 1841; John Q. A. Worth, October 9, 1846, Joseph E. Fouke, November 8, 1849; William E. Hurxthal, November 1, 1850; Joseph E. Fouke, February 16, 1852; John F. Myers, September 5, 1853; Robert W. Malone, March 14, 1855; John S. Fouke, July 22, 1856; Samuel M. Worth, April 25, 1861; Joseph Wilmith, December 31, 1864; James Whittaker, November 4, 1880.

432 - HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.

LOVELL.

Jonathan Z. Walborn, January 10, 1877; John E. Kirby, December 23, 1878, Jonathan Z. Walborn, June 16, 1879; Jacob H. Foster, October 30, 1882.

MCCUTCHENVILLE-(Late in Crawford County).

Michael Brackley, August 8, 1840; Roswell Perry, July 24,1845; Henry Freet, February 28, 1849; James M. Chamberlin, November 13, 1849; Henry V. Brinkerhoff, May 1, 1851; John Myers, July 26, 1853; George W. Hoffman, December 9, 1856; David Hoffman. Jr., January 26, 1858.

MARSEILLES-(Late in Marion County).

Jasper Hunt, August 3, 1844; William M. Chesney, September 23, 1845; James P. Maddox, September 28, 1847; Charles Merriman, February 8, 1849; Lewis Merriman, December 30, 1851; John M. Chesney, July 29, 1853; Robert H. Mitchell, September 19, 1861; William M. Thompson, September 16, 1865; Charles W. Gates, June 21, 1866; J. 0. Studebaker, A ril 3, 1876; George W. Davis, January 16, 1882; Josiah Smith, July 3, 1882; John W. Kennedy, March 30, 1883.

Mexico-(Late in Crawford County).

Nicholas S. McCullough, November 14, 1843; William Nowell, April 7, 1846; Jacob H. Funk, September 24, 1851; Jared M. Hord, November 4, 1853; Edward P. Marble, January 18, 1856; Henry C. Bogard, March 29, 1859; Adam R. Ganter, May 4, 1863; B. A. Wright, February 22, 1864; John N. Biggs, March 21,1864; Henry M. Nichols, June 24, 1867; William Carr, March 20, 1871; Levi Gault, March 8, 1876; Levi F. Gault. April 6, 1876.

NEVADA.

William McJunkin, July 18, 1854; Robert Dixon, June 1, 1857; Will. iam McJunkin, March 22, 1858; Emanuel Aurand, January 29. 1859; Thomas J. Hinkle, August 9, 1860; William McJunkin, October 13, 1862; John Sheehy, January 10, 1867; Cyrenus De Jean, April 13, 1869; Thomas C. De Jean, October 19, 1874; William B. Woolsey, June 20, 1881.

PITT.

Cyrus Sears, January 15, 1877.

PLEASANT DALE-(Late in Hardin County).

Thomas Scott, March 23, 1846. Discontinued May 18, 1850.

SEAL.

James F. Wadsworth, December 26, 1850; Andrew Giegg, October 13, 1857; Elkanah F. Elliott, April 16, 1859; Philip Perdew, November 5, 1864; Hugh McKibbin, April 13, 1866; Benjamin Ulrick, November 22, 1867; John M. Lee, May 21, 1869; Levin D. Johnson, September 6, 1872; James Culver, November 3, 1873; Arthur S. Andrews, June 18, 1877.

SYCAMORE-(Late in Crawford County).

Samuel Hudson, October 19, 183 1; Luther L. Pease, November 13, 1849; Alexander W. Brinkerhoff, November, 5, 1851; John Harper, January 21, 1857; Pemberton C. Kitchen, June 28, 1861; Abram N. Gibbs, October 13, 1862; John W. Reynolds, April 5, 1865; A. Saffelt, November 23, 1870;

HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY. - 433

Abram N. Gibbs, January 5, 1871; Frank Babcock, November 9, 1875; Francis M. Babcock, November 24, 1875; Henry M. Byers, June 4, 1877; John E. Kitchim, April 23, 1879; Mrs. Mary King, May 9, 1881.

TYMOCHTEE-(Late in Crawford County).

William Irvine, May 17, 1844; Samuel Kenan, May 24,1845; Spencer St. John, September 13, 1847; Samuel B. Turner, April 9, 1850. Discontinued September 26, 1850. Reestablished January 23, 1851, and James H. Williams appointed. Alfred Enninger, November 17, 1851; Ellis Carter, June 23, 1854; John Ringeisen, July 24, 1855; Joseph Sanders, October 3, 1861; George W. Treet, April 24, 1865; John A. Roberts, August 8, 1866; George W. Freet, June 26, 1867; Philip Enders' April 18, 1875; Levi W. Spetler, May 6, 1875; Henry Long, December 3,1878. Discontinued September 20, 1881.

UPPER SANDUSKY (c. b.)-(Late in Crawford County).

Andrew McElvain, October 12, 1844; Hiram Flack, August 12, 1845; William T. Giles, January 21, 1846; John A. Morrison, April 21, 1846; Josiah Smith, January 12, 1847; Austin C. Hubbard, June 12, 1849; James W. Brown, March 19, 1850; William McCandlish, March 12,1857; Lewis R. Seaman, August 8, 1864; William A. Lovett. January 24, 1865; Moses H. Kirby, August 28, 1866; William B. Hitchcock (President and Senate), April 20, 1867; Pietro Cuneo, April 6, 1869. Reappointed (President and Senate), March 20, 1873; re-appointed (President), May 24,1877. William M. Thompson (President), June 25, 1877; (President and Senate), November 8, 1877 ; reappointed (President and Senate), January 12, 1882; John F. Rieser, February 26, 1884.

WARPOLE.

Daniel Straw, February 25, 1852. Discontinued August 2, 1858. Reestablished May 15, 1862, and Ephraim Stansberry appointed. Discontinued December 13, 1870. Reestablished August 17, 1874, and Jeremiah O'Neal appointed. Discontinued February 10, 1882.

WHARTONSBURG.

James E. James, July 20, 1852; Ira Bristoll, March 3, 1855; Adam De Brough, January 31, 1866; Charles Hostler, September 23, 1867; Hiram P. Marshall, December 18, 1867; Adam B. Houck, January 11, 1869; Sylvanus R. Coats, August 9, 1869. Name changed to Wharton, July 21, 1879, and Sylvanus R. Coats re-appointed.

WYANDOT-(Late in Marion County).

John Kirby, June 10, 1837; Augustus W. Munson, January 14,1846; Samuel Kirby, July 19, 1850; James H. Reicheneker, September 23, 1850; Henry Flock, June 3, 1854; Joseph Turney, December 4, 1860; Henry Flock, March 31, 1864; Daniel Flock, October 81, 1870; James G. Junkins, July 31, 1871. Discontinued September 23, 1872. Re-established July 11, 1873, and Daniel Flock appointed.

AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIONS.

Wyandot County has ever been famed for the natural fertility of its soil and its varied agricultural productions, yet, notwithstanding these advantages, the cultivation of the ground and the raising of live stock was not

434 - HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.

the road to wealth for the pioneers of this region. The great embarrassment under which they labored was the difficulty of getting their products to market. Despite roots and stumps, sprouts and bushes, the newly. cleared land brought forth bountiful harvests; but the early wagon-roads were, at most seasons of the year, in an almost impassable condition; canals and railroads were entirely wanting, and the distance to large towns, and consequent markets was so great, and the route so difficult and hazardous, that the pioneer farmer had but little encouragement to burden himself with surplus productions. However, the completion of various railroad lines leading north, east, south and west, has wrought a wonderful change during the past twenty-five years. Values have rapidly increased, and many farmers are now termed wealthy.

The following facts concerning the farm products, live stock, etc., of Wyandot County for the year 1882, have been compiled from the reports of the Ohio State Board of Agriculture, published in 1883:

Acres wheat sown, 34,674; bushels wheat produced in 1882, 467,841; average yield per acre, 13.49; acres sown for 1883, 31,450; cost of commercial fertilizers bought for crop of 1883, $62; acres buckwheat sown, 43; bushels buckwheat produced, 648; acres corn planted in 1882, 31,433; bushels corn produced, 1,314,606; acres oats sown, 6,299; bushels oats pro. duced, 103,998; average yield of same per acre. 30.79, acres rye sown, 142; bushels rye produced, 2,073; acres barley sown, 23; bushels barley pro. duced, 472; acres of meadow lands cultivated, 14,157; tons of hay produced, 17,583, acres clover sown, 9,157; tons of clover produced, 7,872; bushels of clover seed produced, 4,328; acres clover plowed under, 1, 184; acres of flax cultivated, 82; bushels of flax seed produced, 429; acres of potatoes culti vated. 1, 104; bushels of potatoes produced, 92,850; gallons milk sold for family use, 56,589; pounds butter made in home dairies, 445,957; pounds butter made in factories and creameries, 24,600; pounds cheese made in factories, 77,000; acres tobacco cultivated, 4; pounds of tobacco produced, 9,610; number hives of 'bees, 1,238; pounds of honey produced, 22,763; acres sorghum cultivated, 8; pounds sugar manufactared, 145; gallons syrup manufactured, 2,800; pounds maple sugar manufactured, 6,255; gallons maple syrup manufactured, 4,477; dozens eggs produced, 363,029; dozens eggs shipped beyond the State, 107,625; acres in vineyards, 16; pounds of grapes gathered, 56,165; gallons wine pressed, 407; acres occupied by orchards, 3,160; bushels apples produced 85,156; bushels peaches produced, 3,823; bushels pears produced, 714; bushels cherries produced, 208; bushels plums produced, 42; bushels sweet potatoes produced, 98; acres land culti. vated, 119,359; acres of pasture, 52,384; acres of woodland, 49,334; acres lying waste, 2,430; total number of acres owned, 223,507: pounds wool shorn, 435,217; milch cows owned, 4,769; stallions owned, 28; total number of dogs, or hydrophobic generators owned, 1,663; sheep killed by dogs, 312; value of sheep thus killed, $1,299; sheep injured by dogs, 331; amount of damage to same, $738; domestic animals died of disease-hogs, 758; value of same, $5,118; sheep, 1,179; value of same, $3,820; cattle, 183; value of same, $4,499; horses, 132; value of same, $10,672; losses by flood-live stock, value, $626; grain, etc., value, $2,381; houses, etc., value, $170; fences, etc., value, $6,215.

The number of horses, cattle, sheep, hogs and mules owned in Wyandot County in 1883. according to the County Auditor's report to the State Auditor, was as follows: Horses, 6,888; cattle, 13,490; sheep, 84,244; hop, 23,733; mules 157.

HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY. - 435

The following statement shows the inches of rainfall at Upper Sandusky, from January 1 to October 1, 1883: January, 1.14; February, 7.39; March, .48; April, 3.29; May, 6.58; June, 6.21; July, 4.94; August, 1.13; September, 1. 44. Total rainfall during the nine months indicated, - 32. 60 inches.

COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

The Wyandot County Agricultural Society was organized at a meeting held in the court house at Upper Sandusky on the 3d day of January, 1852. One hundred and twenty nine members were then reported, and after the adoption of a constitution and by-laws, the following -named gentlemen were elected as officers to serve for the first term of one year: President, Hugh Welch; Vice President, Abel Renick; Secretary, John D. Sears; Treasurer, Henry Peters; Managers, John Gormley, Samuel M. Worth, John Kisor, Francis Palmer and Jonathan Kear. Subsequently, at a meeting of the Board of Directors of the society, held at the Treasurer's office, May 29, 1852, George T. Frees, Henry Peters, A. J. Failor, Orrin Ferris and Robert McKelly, were appointed a committee "to consult upon the ways and means of getting up an agricultural fair, to ascertain whether suitable ground can be procured, to recommend a list of premiums, and to report thereon to the next meeting of this board." It was further ordered that the proceedings of the meeting be published in the Democratic Pioneer.

The next meeting of the Board of Directors was held at the courthouse, June 26 following, when the committee appointed at the last session reported that Chester R. Mott, Esq., had offered suitable grounds for the society's exhibition, and on motion this offer was unanimously accepted. At the same meeting, a premium list and various rules and regulations were adopted, and September 30 and October 1 following were named as the days for holding the first annual exhibition.

As proposed, the first annual fair of the Wyandot County Agricultural Society was held in the vicinity of the "old council house," at Upper Sandusky, during the days above mentioned. It was well attended, and af forded an indication of future success. The persons to whom premiums were then awarded were as follows:

HORSES.

Best blooded stallion, S. P. Fowler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$4.00

Second best blooded stallion, Tennis Ten Eyck . . . . . . . . . . . 2.00

Best draught stallion, John Fehl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.00

Best brood mare and colt, S. P. Fowler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.00

Second best brood mare and colt, Isaac Jaqueth . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.00

Second best draught stallion, John Bope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.00

Best three-year-old colt, Barnet Hughes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.00

Second best three-year-old colt, W. B. Hitchcock . . . . . . . . Diploma

Best two-year-old colt, Andrew Clingman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 00

Second best two-year-old colt, Barnet Hughes . . . . . . . . . . Diploma

Best yearling colt, Scott M. Fowler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.00

Second best yearling colt, William Parker. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Diploma

Best span of matched horses, Charles Merriman . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.00

Second best span of matched horses, Hugh Welch . . . . . . . . . Diploma

Best saddle horse, William E. Harxthol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Diploma

Best plow team, John Lupton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.00

Second best plow team, D. H. Peterson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Diploma

Best horse for business, Dr. Orrin Ferris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Diploma

CATTLE.

Best yoke of oxen. Henry H. Honer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3.00

Best two-year-old bull, Abel Renick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.00

436 - HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.

Second best two-year-old bull, Henry Peters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1.00

Best yearling bull, Howell Lundy .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.00

Best bull calf, Henry Peters . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.00

Best cow and calf, Abel Renick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3.00

Second best cow and calf, Teunis Ten Eyck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Diploma

Best two-year-old heifer, Henry Peters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.00

Best yearling heifer, Henry Peters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.00

Best fat cow, Abel Renick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.00

Best three-year-old steer, Thomas V. Reber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.00

Beat two-year-old steer, Abel Renick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.00

Best brood cow, William H. Renick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.00

SHEEP.

Beat short wool buck, Orrin Ferris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$2.00

Second best short wool buck, John S. Rappe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Diploma

Best six French Merino ewes, Alonzo Robbins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.00

Second best six French merino ewes, Orrin Ferris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Diploma

Best French merino buck lambs, H. H. Holdridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.00

Second beat French merino buck lambs, Alonzo Robbins . . . . . . . . .Diploma

Best French merino ewe lambs, H. H. Holdridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.00

Second Best French merino ewe lambs, A. J. Tailor . . . . . . . . . . . . . Diploma

Best Leicester buck, John S. Rappe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2.00

Second best Leicester buck, G. A. Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Diploma

Best Leicester buck lamb, G. A. Cover . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.00

Second best Leicester buck lamb, Robert McKelly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Diploma

Beat Leicester ewes, McKelly & Sears . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . 2.00

Second best Leicester ewes, John S. Rappe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .Diploma

Best Leicester ewe lamb, John S. Rappe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.00

SWINE.

Beat boar, James G. Roberts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$2.00

Second best boar, G. R. Nelson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Diploma

Best sow, Virgil Kirby . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.00

Second best sow, Virgil Kirby . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Diploma

Best sow and four pigs, Virgil Kirby . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.00

Beat boar pig, James G. Roberts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Diploma

GRAIN AND FARM PRODUCTS.

Best two acres of wheat, Hugh Welch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$5 00

Best bushel of wheat, Hugh Welch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Diploma

Best bushel of corn, Thomas Baird . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Diploma

Best three squashes, Joseph Kemp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Diploma

Best lot of onions, Joseph Kemp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Diploma

Best lot of potatoes, George T. Frees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Diploma

FARMING IMPLEMENTS, ETC.

Best wagon, John Kisor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$2.00

Beat buggy, Charles Merriman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.00

Best plow, Gerhart Shultz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.00

Best cooking stoves, Anderson & McGill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Diploma

Best parlor stoves, Snyder & Waggoner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Diploma

Best hand cider mill, Solomon Hare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Diploma

FOWLS.

Best lot of chickens, F. R. Palmer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1.00

Second beat lot of chickens, John D. Sears . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Diploma

FRUIT.

Beat and greatest variety of apples, Hugh Welch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$2.00

Second best and greatest variety of apples, Gerhart Shultz . . . . . . . . 1.00

Best collection of grapes, Hugh Welch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.00

Beat specimen of quinces, Mrs, P. B. Beidler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Diploma

Second best Spec men of quinces, Mrs. H. Peters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Diploma

DOMESTIC AND MISCELLANEOUS.

Best worked quilt, Mrs. John Holderman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1.00

Second best worked quilt, Mrs. Solomon Hare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Diploma

Beat hearth rug, Mrs. Leefe Fowler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.00

Second best hearth rug, Mrs. Dr. McConnell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50

HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY. - 437

Best pair fringe mittens, Mrs. Hite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

Best lamp mat, Mrs. J. S. Rappe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.00

Best stand cover, Mrs. Leefe Fowler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Diploma

Best ottoman cover, Mrs. John S. Rappe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Diploma

The society's diploma was also awarded with each cash premium.

In April, 1853, the society leased lands for exhibition purposes of Dr. Orrin Ferris, which were occupied until 1856, when grounds were purchased from George Saltsman by a stock company, mainly composed of members of the society. In the spring of 1861, the original plat was enlarged by the purchase of four acres from Col. Joseph McCutchen, for which the sum of $200 was paid. In the autumn of 1875, the grounds were still further enlarged by the purchase of fifteen acres from Peter B. Beidler. At the present writing the lands owned by the society (comprising thirty acres) are fenced and furnished with the necessary buildings, etc., for a successful exhibit of all articles, animals, etc., brought forward. During the late war, when agricultural exhibitions were of little moment to a people struggling to maintain the best form of government on earth, one or two years passed by without an annual fair being held. Other than that, fairs have been hold each year since the organization of the society, and usually have proved fairly, successful. In the fall of 1883, the sum of $1,188 was awarded in premiums, The present members of the society are 519 in number. Its Presidents, Vice Presidents, Secretaries and Treasurers are and have been as follows:

* Resigned in April. 1856, and W. W. Bates elected to fill vacancy.

(2) Mr. L. B. Harris, for several years, has been one of the most active members of the State Board of Agriculture,