Receipts. Amount from county treasurer Amount from commercial lighting Amount from commercial wiring Amount from sale of oil barrels Amount from sale of old fules Amount from sale of old copper Amount from sale of old belt Amount from sundry receipts Amount from paid insurance Total receipts from March 1, 1901, to March 1, 1903 Disbursements. Amount paid for labor Amount paid for fuel Amount paid for oils Amount paid for carbons Amount paid for insurance Amount paid for water Amount paid for specials (improvements on boilers and machines) Amount paid for general and sundry supplies Amount paid for interest on 1900 overdraft Total Balance amount on hand March 1, 1903

$7,973.73 7,797.57 554.60 10.45 59.81 17.42 10.00 7.56 79.82 $5,865.75 4,315.90 282.53 396.52 185.00 309.30 1,465.47 1,942.72 3.96

$16,510.96 14,767.22 $1,743.22

Two more orders were made out after this report was prepared, amounting to $17.75, leaving $1,725.99, which was turned over to the city treasurer, R. C. Stumm, on May 6, 1903. In 1903 the Wilmington Water and Light Company was formed and the United Water and Light Company of New Jersey gave way to it in October, 1904. In 1912 the contract with them was renewed, to take effect on February 1, 1913, and to run for ten more years. The Wilmington Water and Light Company also received the water franchise and contract from the village council in 1906. This company continued to furnish the city with water and light until May 1, 1914, when it gave way to the Dayton Power and Light Company, Wilmington district, which is the present holder of both the water and (22) 338 - CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO. light contracts and franchises. The officers of the Wilmington Water and Light Company, at the time of its liquidation, were Henry Lees, Plymouth, Pennsylvania, president; J. C. Martin, Wilmington, Ohio, vice-president; A. D. Shonk, Plymouth, Pennsylvania, secretary ; and H. B. Schooley, Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania, treasurer. The Dayton Power and Light Company purchased the total of the Wilmington company's one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars of bonds and one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars of stock on January 1, 1914, and later obtained permission from the public utilities commission to absorb it, which it did on May 1, 1914. The officers of the Dayton Power and Light Company are: F. M. Tait, New York, president and general manager; K P. Matthews, Dayton, Ohio, vice-president and general counsel; W. M. Stroup, Dayton, Ohio, vice-president; 0. H. Hutchins, Dayton, Ohio, associate general manager; Luther E. Funkhouser, Dayton, Ohio, secretary and treasurer; and F. C. Jeanot, Wilmington, superintendent of the Wilmington district. LIGHT ARCHES. In 1910, when the city of Wilmington was making preparations for their centennial celebration, four light arches were put up on South Street. This was merely a part of the home-coming decorations, but they added so much to the looks of the town that they were made a permanent fixture. After the centennial was over and the committees had made their settlements, they found that they had four hundred dollars left. It seemed that they were undecided how to spend this sum. After due deliberation, they decided to erect more arches. Several private donations were received and, with the amount already on hand, they had sufficient funds to erect nine additional arches. They were fitted with electric lights, adding greatly to the beauty of the town. CITY HALL The question of levying a tax for the purpose of erecting a city hall and engine house was authorized to be submitted to the voters of the city of Wilmington by the council on March 17, 1876. The election was held April 3, 1876, and resulted in a vote of three hundred and eighty-three to one hundred and forty-six in favor of the project. The council was authorized by a special act of the state Legislature, dated March 17, 1877, to issue bonds not exceeding in amount fifteen thousand dollars, and to levy a tax not to exceed two and one-half mills of the valuation of the taxable property of the town. The plans and specifications for the new structure were drawn up by William M. Cleveland, architect. The contract for its construction was awarded to Fisher & Hughes for sixteen thousand nine hundred and eighty dollars. but in the course of erection some changes were made and the cost of the building was increased to eighteen thousand three hundred ninety-nine dollars and forty-nine cents. Fisher & Hughes sublet the brick and stone work on the new building to McMillan Brothers, the galvanized iron and slating to Farquhar & Sparks, and the painting to Griffin & Austin. The plastering was done by P. J. Murphy, under employment of the contractor. The total cost was twenty thousand six dollars and fifty-two cents. The first stone in this building was laid on Friday, May 25, 1877, by Robert McMillan, and the building was completed in the spring of 1878. It is an imposing structure, two stories high, with a mansard roof. The front is formed of three towers, reaching to the roof ; the middle tower is surmounted by a belfry and clock, and in each roof of the other towers are two dormer windows. The clock in the middle tower was, at the time of its erection, the largest of its kind in the United States, outside of the clock on the city hall in Philadelphia. It now ranks sixth in size in this country. On the outside walls on either side are five buttresses extending from the ground to near the top of the building, four of which culminate, after making two offsets, in as many chimneys. The hall was formally opened and dedicated under' the direction of the city council CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO - 339 on the evening of Thursday, April 18, 1878, when the building was presented by Mayor Hayes and received by W. B. Telfair, Esq. Music was furnished by the Wilmington orchestra and choir. On the first floor of the building are eight rooms, as follow: East half, front room, mayor's office; middle room, for township purposes; rear room, council chamber; west half, occupied by the fire department; large room in front, engine room; three rooms in the rear occupied by the engineer of the fire department as a residence. The entire second story comprises the auditorium. Across the rear of the auditorium is a gallery. The stage is well equipped with several changes of scenery, a full-sized stage house, set of flood lights and several well-kept dressing rooms. The auditorium has a seating capacity of seven hundred and seven. In 1910 five thousand dollars was spent in remodeling the auditorium and in purchasing new equipment for its stage. This was done in preparation for the Wilmington and Clinton County Centennial and Home-coming. In consideration of two thousand dollars paid by the trustees of Union township to the village of Wilmington at the time of the erection of the building, the city granted them a perpetual lease on a room on the first floor of the building for township purposes. STREET PAVING. The initial work was begun towards paving the streets of Wilmington in the fall of 1913, but was soon stopped by court injunction, and was not resumed until the spring of 1915. The esfimated value of the entire work, of a mile and one fifth, was sevenfy-two thousand dollars. The city paid twelve thousand dollars of this amount for street crossings and the property holders the remaining sixty thousand dollars. The entire contract was let at one time to Freshwater Brothers' Company, Chester, West Virginia. It is laid with Wassal brick, manufactured at Glouster, Ohio. F. H. Beckler, of Athens, was the engineer. The mile and a fifth of paving is on three streets: Main street, from Walnut on the east to Wood on the west; South street, from Birdsall on the north to the Pennsylvania railroad tracks on the south; Locust street, from the Baltimore & Ohio railroad tracks on the east to Mulberry on the west. The street cleaning department is in charge of Charles Harmell and James McCarty. These two men are members of the fire department, receiving fifty dollars per month for their services in this capacity and five dollars extra for their work in sweeping the streets. The equipment consists of a sprinkler and a sweeper, the horses of the fire departmeent being used with the sprinkler and sweeper. The streets are cleaned three times a week. WALKER MEMORIAL BUILDING. According to the will of the late Samuel Walker, which was made in 1900 and read in 1903, clause three of said will gave to the city of Wilmington a certain part of the Walker estate. The firsf settlement of this will was made by the receivers of the estate to the city of Wilmington on December 5, 1911, and consisted of $25,555.54 in cash. This was only a part of the amount due the city. The city council purchased the inferest of the heirs of this estate for $7,500 and gave Mrs. Walker's heirs $4,333.40 for their part and thus came into possession of the entire estate, or rather funds left by Mr. Walker for the memorial building. The clause which gave this amount to the city said that it should be used for the erection of a library and memorial building for the city. The lot and that part of a building which had been previously constructed were purchased of the Wilmington Building and Loan Association for five thousand dollars. It had been previously owned by Outcalt & Zahn, who had placed the foundation for a garage but had been compelled to abandon the enterprise on account of insufficient funds. On March 7, 1913, the final settlement of the estate was made in the probate court and through this settlement the city came in possession of the remaining part of the Walker 340 - CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO. estate, to the amount of twenty-three thousand seven hundred dollars. The work on he memorial building was immediately begun and it was finished and dedicated in 1914. This is a beautiful and modern building, located on Main street between Mulberry and South, adjoining the Martin hotel. The first floor is used as a business room, while the second story contains the Commercial Club rooms, a library room and a photograph studio. WILSON FLAG TOWER. The Wilson flag tower was dedicated on August 1, 1898. The dedication ceremony for this memorial was held in conjunction with the Peace-Day program. This was a gala day for the people of Wilmington and a general celebration was held. The city officials, fire department, lodges, school children and townspeople joined in the spirit of the day and helped to make the parade and dedication a success. The flag staff is of galvanized iron and the frame work is eighteen feet square at the base and tapers to a height of one hundred and twenty feet. The flag staff is thirty feet high. There is a circle of sixteen lights at the top and present a beautiful appearance when lighted. This was erected at a cost of seven hundred dollars and was presented to the town by A. J. Wilson, president of the First National Bank. A platform for the accommodation of the band, octagonal in shape and enclosed by an iron rail, stands within the tower, at a distance of ten feet from the sidewalk. MILITARY BAND. The Wilmington Military Band was organized in 1887, with Edwin Bath as director. At this time it was known as the Grand Army Band. Mr. Bath served as director from 1887 fo 1892, when he moved to Canada. Leo Weitz succeeded to the directorship, which position he held until 1906. During this time the band was reorganized and the name changed to the Wilmington Military Band. Mr. Bath, who has served as leader since 1906, received his musical education at Kneller Hall, London, England, which is the military school of music for England. He also served six years in the English army before emigrating to this country in 1881. Mr. Bath has been actively associated with different musical interests in this country and is a member of the Federation of Musicians, Local No. 1, Cincinnati. The number of members in this band has never exceeded thirteen and only a few times has it fallen below this number. The present members are: Edwin Bath, director and solo cornet; W. H. Taylor, assistant solo cornet; Hamlin Smith, solo clarinet; C. E. Nichols, first clarinet; D. K. Palmer, second clarinet; Richard Bell, first alto; Moscow Marshall, second alto; Charles Troops, first trombone; James Keefe, second trombone; Jerome Devoe. baritone; E. Chestnut, E-flat tuba ; Joe M. Walker. bass drum, and James Swisshelm, snare drum. This band has always been recognized as a leader in this part of the state and has attained a high standard of efficiency. It has a reputation of playing up-to-date, classical and popular music. Many of its members are capable soloists. Concerts are given by the band every Tuesday night during the summer months and meet with the heartiest approval of the town and country people. These concerts are given in the bandstand at the corner of Main and South streeets, which was built for this purpose in the Wilson tower. This is the most unique bandstand in this part of the state. CHAMPION BRIDGE COMPANY. The Champion Bridge Company commenced business some time prior to 1872, under the firm name of Wall & Bailey. At first they made only wooden bridges, but later manufactured an iron bridge which had been patented by Jonathan Wall. In 1872. when the present company was incorporated as the Champion Iron Bridge and Manufacturing Company, the stockholders were Jonathan Wall, Zimri Wall and A. U. Bailey. Later the name of the firm was changed to the Champion Bridge Company. Peter Clevenger was CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO - 341 president of the company for many years prior to his death, in 1910. He was succeeded by his son, J. R. Clevenger, who, in turn, was followed by A. I. Bailey, the present head of the company. The other officers of the company are as follow : J. R. Clevenger, vice-president; A. C. Briggs, chief engineer and secretary; R. L. Owens, treasurer. Mr. Biggs has been secretary of the company since 1886. Mr. Owens succeeded his father, G. W. Owens, as diretcor in 1896, and followed Mr. Bailey as treasurer in 1914. The directorate of the company consists of the officers, wifh the addition of Dr. E. S. Briggs. This company is now the oldest highway bridge company in the United States and does work throughout the whole country. The greatest amount of work, however, is done in Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania and in the Southern states. The most notable bridges recently built by the company are as follow : Bridge at Jupiter, Florida, over the Loxahatchie river in Palm Beach county; bridge over the Scioto river at South Bloomfield, Pickaway county, Ohio; bridge over the Big Sandy river at Pikeville, Kentucky ; several larger concrete structures in Polk county, Florida; lift bridge of the bascule type over the Hillsboro river at Fort Landerdale, Florida. In addition to bridge work, probably one-fourth of the output of the company is for steel buildings of the warehouse and factory type. THE IRWIN AUGER BIT COMPANY. The famous Irwin auger bit was patented on October 21, 1884, by Charles H. Irwin. The following year Mr. Irwin organized a stock company and began the manufacture of auger bits. The patent was improved on April 19, 1887. The company was first capital. ized at fifty thousand dollars. The prsent officers are as follow: A. I. Bailey, president; M. R. Denver, vice-president; J. R. Clevenger, treasurer; S. A. Mitchell, secretary. This company originated and perfected the genuine and only Irwin bit and are its sole manufacturers. The distribution of their product is world wide, covering every civilized country. FARQUHAR FURNACE COMPANY. The Farquhar Furnace Company was organized in May, 1908, with the following stockholders and directors: M. R. Denver, E. J. Hiatt, M. J. Farquhar, 0. J. Farquhar, F. M. Clevenger, J. R. Clevenger and A. J. Brown. In 1912 It. B. Monfort became a stockholder and director. The present officers are as follow: J. R. Clevenger. president; M. R. Denver, vice-president ; A. J. Brown, secretary; E. J. Hiatt, treasurer; R. B. Monfort, manager, since 1912. These officers have been in charge since the organizafion of the company, wifh the exception of the president, M. J. Farquhar, who was president from 1908 to 1913. when J. R. Clevenger became the head of the company. This company took over the manufacturing plant of M. J. and II. B. Farquhar, who had been engaged in the manufacture of furnaces for twenty years. They were first located on the Baltimore & Ohio tracks near the present Farquhar coal yard. The next location was in the brick building known as fhe pad factory building, on Ohio and B streets, in the north part of the city. In April, 1915, a contract was let for a new factory to be located at the intersection of the Baltimore & Ohio railroad and Owens avenue. This will be ready for occupancy by January, 1916. The company is capitalized at two hundred thousand dollars. Branch offices are maintained in Baltimore, Kansas City, Detroit, Undianapolis, Cincinnati, Greensboro, North Carolina and Portland. Oregon. The future of the company is very bright and the output is increasing from year to year with gratifying results. WILMINGTON CASTING COMPANY. The Wilmington Casting Company was organized in 1911 by P. S. Horton and Dr. Joseph W. Early, sole owners. It was reorganized and incorporated on April 28. 1915, with a capital of thirty thousand dollars and the following officers: P. S. Horton. president; Dr. J. W. Early, vice-president; E. R. Bales, secretary and treasurer, and 342 - CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO. J. D. Boone, superintendent of shop. The company began work in its old foundry on Clarke street and moved into its new ten-thousand-dollar building at Truesdell and Charles street in August, 1915. The company makes a specialty of manufacturing gray iron castings. THE NATIONAL SAFETY SNAP COMPANY. The National Safety Snap Company of Wilmington was organized and incorporated, August 4, 1905, with a capital stock of one hundred thousand dollars. The owners of the company were the following officers: J. W. Lawhead, president; A. I. Bailey, vice-president; M. R. Denver, treasurer ; Robert L. Owens, secretary, and R. C. Lawhead, director. Shortly after its organization the company purchased the buildings at the intersection of Mulberry street and the Pennsylvania railroad tracks, which it occupies at the present time. Since its foundation this firm has enjoyed a good business; its output has, on the average, practically doubled each year since it has been in business. WILMINGTON AUTO COMPRESSOR COMPANY. The Auto Compressor Company of Wilmington is an unincorporated concern that was organized in 1911 by the owners of the National Safety Snap Company. Ut manufactures air compressors and electric hand lamps. It bought a tract of land just north of the new plant of the Wilmington Casting Company in August, 1915. THE TURNBULL MANUFACTURING COMPANY. The Turnbull Manufacturing, Company of Wilmington was originally organized in Columbus, Ohio, and for many years its plant was at No. 115 Vine street, Columbus. In February, 1913, it was purchased by Wilmington capital and incorporated, with J. W. Lawhead, president; E. E. Terrell, vice-president; R. C. Lawhead, treasurer; 0. W. Hale, secretary; Mrs. Rate Vandervort. director. This company continued its operation in Columbus until July, 1915, when it was moved to Wilmington. It now occupies a new building on Sugartree street, between South and Mulberry streets, which it rents from Frank Gallup. Its present capital stock is one hundred and sixty thousand dollars. Its officers are: J. W. Lawhead, president ; 0. W. Hale, secretary; W. M. Winters, assistant secretary; R. C. Lawhead, treasurer; J. E. Fisher and Clyde Fisher, directors. The company manufactures ice cream cone and pop corn machinery, auto accessories and gas engines. Its goods are known as the "Turko' line. CEMETERIES. The old Methodist graveyard, located in the northeastern part of Wilmington, was originally the private burying ground of Isaiah Morris, who set apart a small lot prior to 1820. Ellis Pugh, Levi Sheppard and James Fife owned adjoining land and each made additions to it. On April 23, 1832, Levi Sheppard sold one-half acre of land to Amos T. Sewell, Charles Russell, E. Kelly, Israel Johns, James Christy, Daniel Jones and Thomas Gaskill, trustees of the Methodist Episcopal church of Wilmington, for twenty-five dollars. The land, which had been donated, was then thrown together and the Methodist graveyard formed. The first burial of which there is a record was that of Rachel Morris, on January 22, 1720, although it is probable that others were buried there before that, as it is the oldest graveyard in Wilmington. The remains of many of the old citizens, who were buried here, have been removed to Sugar Grove cemetery, among whom are the following prominent families: Morris, White, Holland, Gustin, Curtis, Treusdell, Sheppard, Hughes and Barrett. In 1830 Mark Thatcher and wife deeded the old graveyard at the western end of Sugartree street. adjoining the Hicksite Friends church, to William Adams, Azel Walker and Jesse Doan, trustees of the society of Friends. The grounds have been abandoned as a burying place for a number of years. On February 24. 1848, the General Assembly of Ohio passed an act providing for CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO - 343 the incorporation of cemetery associations, and on April 11, 1857, a number of citizens of Clinton county met at the court house at Wilmington and organized the Sugar Grove Cemetery Association. The first officers of the association were: E. L. Lacy, president; Matthew Romback, W. C. Fife, J. E. Hibben, A. E. Strickle, J. W. Chaffin, L. B. Welch and E. L. Lacy, trustees, and Albert Hockett, clerk and treasurer. Nearly twenty-three acres of land situated southwest of Wilmington were purchased from William Hibben for one hundred dollars an acre and were laid out by Leo Weltz. Additions have since been made to the cemetery until it now contains about fifty acres. Catherine Kline was the first one buried in the cemetery, being buried on July 4, 1858. Isaiah Morris, the old pioneer, was the next one buried there, being interred on July 20, 1858, and the marble shaft which marks his grave was the first erected in the cemetery. The cemetery derives its name from the timber which once covered the grounds and many of which have been left standing. These stately trees, the rolling ground, the beautiful monuments and a little stream, which flows quietly through its narrow channel, give the cemetery a beautiful appearance and make it a picturesque spot for the resting-place of the dead. There is a special plot in the cemetery set aside for the burial of veterans of the Civil War. Two cannon, mounted on wheel carriages, are set in the midst of the soldiers' graves. In the summer of 1915 a destructive wind storm swept across the cemetery and destroyed more than a score of beautiful trees. Some monuments were also damaged at the same time. POSTOFFICE HISTORY. The first postoffice was established at Wilmington in 1812, with Isaiah Morris as postmaster. It has been impossible to obtain the years served by the various men who have held the postoffice, but it is believed that they served in the following order: Isaiah Morris, James Magee, George Bruce, Joseph Hale, James E. Johnson, James Fallis (appointed in May, 1853), Thomas Van Tress, W. J. Marble, John C. Moon, W. P. Wolfe, C. N. Browning, William Clevenger, C. R. Fisher, John H. Hirt, John C. Smith, William F. Haines, and A. J. Hummel, who took the office on July 4, 1914. It is not known where the early postmasters held forth. Johnson and Fallis were in a building at the corner of Main and Mulberry streets; Van Tress moved it to a room on South street. Later the office was in a room immediately north of the court house on the west side of South street. At the present time the office is in the building of the Clinton Telephone Company on West Main street, to which location it was moved in March, 1915. Wilmington enjoys free carrier service and three regular carriers now make three daily deliveries each through the week. The business portion of the city gets four deliveries daily. Since the establishment of the rural free delivery, in 1902, Wilmington has been the distributing center for several hundred patrons. Nine carriers are sent from the local office each morning on as many different routes. A closed pouch is taken by one of the carriers to Port William each day. Other towns in the county having rural carriers are as follow: Sabina, five; Blanchester, three; New Vienna, three; Martinsville, three; Clarksville. three; Westboro, New Burlington and Midland, one each. The other postoffices in the county are Lee's Creek, Cuba, Melvin and Reesville. WILMINGTON LIBRARY COMPANY, 1816-39. In February, 1816, some of the most prominent men of Wilmington assembled to form a library association, in order that the citizens might enjoy the advantages of a circulating library. It was provided in their constitution that "no books which should tend to discredit the Christian religion, or bring into disrepute any religious society or 344 - CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO. denomination, nor any books which tend to corrupt the morals or youth or others," should find a place in the library. All novels and plays were excluded, fhe "Vicar of Wakefield" being the only one admitted. The library contained more than one hundred and eight volumes, among which were the following: "Life of Washington," "Life of Franklin," Robertson's "Charles the Fifth," Robertson's "America," "Irish Rebellion," Rollin's "Ancient History," Goldsmith's "England," "History of New England," Josephus' Works, "French Revolution," "Naval Biography," "History of China," Milford's "Greece," Homer's "Iliad," Pope's "Essay on Man," Cowper's Poems, Young's "Night Thoughts," Nicholson's "Encyclopedia," Park's "Travels," Keats' "Elements," "Debates in the Virginia Convention," Washington's Letters. Jefferson's "Notes on Virginia," "Lewis and Clarke's Expedition," Ferguson's "Astronomy and Atlas," Columbus' "Vision," Fox's "Journal," "Tour to Morocco," Paley's "Philosophy and Theology," Watt's "Logic," Morse's "Universal Geography"' Rushes Lectures, Curran's Speeches, "Modern Chivalry," "Botanic Garden," Cox on "Fruit Trees," Goldsmith's "Animated Nature" and Volney's Views." These books were kept in constant circulation by the members and it is an interesting fact that nearly every member of the associafion read Curran's Speeches. Prominent among the names on the records of the librarian is that of Mary Fallis, afterward Mary Peirce, who is the only lady whose name appears on the records. Other acfive members were Peter Burr, Loammi Rigdon, Charles Paist, Isaiah Morris. George McManis, Mahlon Haworth, Eli Gaskill, Rice Gaddis, Jesse Hughes, Sr. and Jr., David Hughes, Thomas Kersey, William Brooks, Eli McGregor, Uriah Farquhar, William R. Cole, Nathan Linton, William Millikan, J. B. Seaman, John McMauls, John A. Hays, Samuel T. Loudon, William Hibben, Samuel Wilson, Isaac Wright, James Birdsall, Richard Fallis, Henry and Peter Babb, John Stout, George Carter, Robert Way, John Eachus, James Gallaher, Aaron Sewell, Samuel H. Hale, James Dakin, James Harris, Arnold Treusdell, John Hadley, Joseph Doan, Richard Peirce, John McFall, George D. Haworth. Rockefeller and Perry Dakin, Amos T. Davis and P. F. Crihfield. Those more prominent as official members were Eli Gaskill, James McMonis, William Millikan, Uriah Farquhar, Eli McGregor, Philip F. Crihfield, J. B. Seaman, John McManis, librarians and treasurers; Mahlon Haworth, Isaiah Morris, Uriah Farquhar, William Hibben. Eli McGregor, William Millikan, Nathan Linton, John .McManis, Thomas Gaskill, Peter Burr, Loammi Rigdon, John A. Hays, George McManis, Charles Paist, directors. The books show an enrollment of eighty-one members, some continuing from the beginning to the end. The library was sold out in 1839, most of the books being bought by the members. Pope's "Essay on Man" was purchased by Richard Peirce, who, it is said, could repeat the entire poem from memory. Thus ended the career of Wilmington's first library. WILMINGTON READING BOOM, 1866-68. A society called the Wilmington Reading Club was organized in December, 1866, by some of the leading citizens of Wilmington for the purpose of opening a reading room and lecture hall for the public. The first officers of the society were Amos Hockett, president; Madison Betts, Cyrus Linton, J. A. Smith and R. M. Wickersham, directors. and almost seven hundred dollars were subscribed to start it. Brackney's hall was furnished for the purpose and all of the leading newspapers, periodicals and magazines were provided. The room was open to the public generally and ladies and ministers of the gospel were admitted without paying a fee. The reading room was open from two to five o'clock every afternoon and from six to ten every evening, except Sunday. This reading room was maintained until July 10, 1868. when it was discontinued and all of the furnishings sold at public sale. And thus Wilmington's second library came to an end. CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO - 345 THE WILMINGTON LIBRARY. The George Clinton Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, recognizing the fact that a library is one of the greatest forces in modern educational progress, and that it was one of the greatest needs of Wilmington, organized, on February 20, 1899, at the home of Mrs. Dr. W. R. Hale, the Wilmington Library Association, with the following officers: Mrs. C. C. Nichols. president; Mrs. J. W. Wire, vice-president; Mrs. R. J. Lacy, secretary; Mrs. J. E. Orebaugh, treasurer; trustees, the officers and Mrs. S. C. Smith, Mrs. R. C. Stumm and Mrs. N. E. Bennett. The citizens of the town were called upon for subscriptions to a sustaining fund for the benefit of the library immediately after the organization Of the society. This met with a generous response, the total amount subscribed being seven hundred and ten dollars. Of this amount, two hundred and tell dollars were donated by members of the George Clinton Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution. Several interested friends in Cincinnati and Xenia sent donations, while many former residents sent contributions of books. From the First National Bank were secured, in their building, two rooms, the use of one of them being offered gratuitously and for the other only a nominal rent was charged. Suitable furniture was purchased, shelving put up, books and periodicals were selected, and the library and reading room were opened to the public on June 5, 1899, Miss Minnie Farren having been employed as librarian. Tickets were sold for one dollar, which gave to the purchaser the privileges of the library and .reading room for one year; or, on the payment of seventy-five cents, one could have these privileges for six months. A request was made that on the opening day friends would bring donations of books. This request also met with a generous response and more than fifty volumes of suitable standard works were brought in. esides books and periodicals, many gifts were received, among them a Webster's "International Dictionary." from Miss King, of Xenia; a dictionary rack, from Charles E. Nichols; a wall map of the United States, from Grace Browning; a bust of Shakespeare. from Emma Browning; pictures from Mrs. A. T. Quinn and Mrs. U. W. Quimby; a sign, painted, presented and hung by Sabin Brothers. The first year of the library's existence saw three thousand eight hundred and eighty-one hooks. drawn out and more than three thousand two hundred and eighty-six renders in fhe reading room. The second year was a hard one in the library work, because of lack of funds adequate for its needs, for the citizens were not called upon the second time for a sustaining fund and the only revenue was from the sale of tickets (one dollar a year). fines assessed and a few gifts from interested friends. To obtain funds there were given bread and cake sales, a dinner and supper, and auction on the court house corner of contributed articles, a sale of old rubber, an *excursion to Dayton, a rummage sale and a concert. Some of the young men of Wilmington gave the proceeds of a football game. twenty-five dollars. to the library and with this, and the necessary balance, was purchased the Warner Library of Literature, a valuable addition to the reference department. A "book shower." given by the librarian at her home, added forty-eighf volumes. The Six-and-Twenty Club. a club of Wilmington ladies, for years have donated each year twenty-six or more volumes. In March. 1900, the Library Aid Society was organized, which met on invitation at the homes of the members. The amounts derived from this source were from. seven 'to twenty-three dollars each time the society met.' The Library Association availed itself of the arrangement made by the hoard of, library commissioners of Ohio for the loan of hooks 'from the Ohio state library, whereby from twenty-five to thirty-five books might he kept three months. All the while, the association kept its purpose to give "the best reading to the greatest number at the least cost" constantly in view. 346 - CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO. The village council created a special levy for the benefit of the library in March, 1901, when the library was incorporated and made free to the public. The association was given notice of this action on the part of the village council in the following message sent to its corresponding secretary: "To the Wilmington Library Association, Greetings: "In the vast social network known as 'society,' in one of its phases at least there should be expressed an educational interest, such as we see manifested by the D. A. R. ladies, in their endeavor to create and maintain a free library for Wilmingtonians. We hope and believe that the fire of your imagination, reinforced by the energy of your character and aided by the act of council, will stimulate you, if possible, to even greater works in the future than have characterized your commendable efforts in the past, in the unhanding of the library. We have the honor and pleasure, ladies, to notify you that on last Friday night, in regular session, the village council created a special levy for the benefit of the library. The amount of the levy will be approximately eight hundred and fifty dollars. His honor, Mayor Stewart, appointed a special committee to notify you of this action. On behalf of the council, we are, "G. W. WIRE, "R. S. MALOY, "Committee." The Library Association at this time was newly organized, with the following officers: Mrs. C. C. Nichols, president; Mrs. John E. Orebaugh, first vice-president; Mrs. S. G. Smith, second vice-president ; Mrs. R. J. Lacy, recording secretary ; Mrs. W. R. Hale. corresponding secretary. These constituted the board of trustees. Miss Minnie Farren was the librarian and Mrs. Susie Mory, the assistant librarian. On February 7, 1903, Andrew Carnegie gave ten thousand dollars for the purpose of erecting a free public library building, provided the village council should appropriate one thousand dollars annually toward the support of the library. This the council decided to do, and the gift was accepted, February 13, 1903. A site on North South street was selected and purchased on the same day from J. C. Martin, twenty-eight hundred dollars being paid for the northwest corner of what had been known as "the Martin field," across from the high school building. The site was purchased by the village council, which in turn leased it for twenty-five years to the Library Association, on April 17, with the privilege of renewal at the end of that time for a like term. W. S. Kauffman, of Richmond, Indiana, was secured as an architect and plans were accepted in June, 1903. On July 13, 1903, bids were received for the construction of the building and the contract awarded to John Doyle, of Wilmington, for eleven thousand one hundred sixty-eight dollars, exclusive of the lighting and heating, the building to be completed by February 1, 1904, (later an extension of time was made until May 15), and on July 16, 1903, the ground was staked off and the excavating commenced at once. In June, 1903, Mr. Carnegie was asked for an increase of two thousand five hundred dollars to his gift, which was granted. At the same time the village council increased its annual subsidy to one thousand two hundred and fifty dollars. At this time the officers of the association, who constituted the board of trustees of the library, were: Mrs. C. C. Nichols, president; Mrs. R. C. Stumm, first vice-president ; Mrs. W. R. Hale, second vice-president; Mrs. R. J. Lacy, recording secretary; Mrs. S. G. Smith, corresponding secretary, and Dr. Elizabeth Shrieves, treasurer. The cornerstone of the new building was laid on Thursday, September 17, 1903, with simple but appropriate ceremonies. At four thirty o'clock in the afternoon of that day the members of the Library Association assembled, with quite a number of interested persons, and brief exercises were conducted. In the absence from town of Mrs. C. C. Nichols, the president of the association, and also of Mrs. R. C. Stumm, first CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO - 347 vice-president, Mrs. Dr. W. R. Hale, second vice-president, was in charge and presided over the ceremonies. Prayer was offered by Rev. Robert Elder, of the First Baptist church, and an historical sketch of the association, which had been prepared by Mrs. Nichols, was read by Mrs. Hale and then deposited in the tin box in the stone. Following this there was deposited a copy of the Wilmington Journal of July 1, which contained a picture and a description of the new building, as taken from the plans, and there was also inclosed in the receptacle copies of all Wilmington papers of the issue of the third week in September, 1903. Following these there was deposited a finding list of the library, a finding list of the library supplement No. 1, from June 1, 1902, to January, 1903; and No. 2, from January, 1903, to September, 1903, these giving the name of every book in the library at that time. Also there was placed in the stone the rules and regulations of the Wilmington Library, three library cards, book slip, reader's slip and reader's card; the Daughters of the American Revolution year book, with the names of all the members of the Library Association; the names of the village council at the time of Mr. Carnegie's gift in February, 1903, and also of the members at that time. After the various articles had been placed, the box was sealed, deposited within the stone and cemented securely. Mayor W. H. Hartman then delivered a short address, the stone was swung into place and the ceremonies were over, after which the masons resumed the work of erecting the walls. In January, 1904, Mrs. C. C. Nichols, the president of the Library Association, gave a beautiful bronze tablet on which the names of all the members of the Library Association during 1903 and 1904, the building committee and the librarian, are shown in relief letters. The tablet is found on the north vestibule wall, to the left as one enters the building. The library was dedicated by ceremonies, over which Mayor W. H. Hartman presided, on Thursday afternoon, June 30, 1904. The meeting was opened by a song rendered by a quartet composed of Messrs. Colvin and Hockett and Mesdames Linton and Hazard, with W. G. Fisher acting as accompanist. Rev. Walter Mitchell pronounced an invocation, which was followed by a solo by Robert Hoekett. Mayor Hartman then read a letter from the Xenia Library Association, congratulating the Daughters of the American Revolution upon their great success. Prof. Charles B. Galbreath, librarian of the state library at Columbus, Ohio, then made the address of the evening. After the reading of the treasurer's report by Dr. Elizabeth Shrieves, and a solo by Mrs. elate Linton, an appeal for funds was made by the Rev. J. G. Pumphrey, of the Methodist church. The afternoon was closed by a song by a quartet composed of Messrs. Hockett and Colvin and the Misses Howland and Thorne. That evening the building was lighted for the first time and thrown open for a reception to the public. Hundreds of the citizens of the town called to see the interior of the building and many compliments were paid the ladies for their well-directed efforts and indefatigable labors. The library was opened for its readers on June 30. The library building is a handsome structure, sixty by fifty-six feet, with a foundation of gray stone left in the rough, walls of buff pressed brick and roof of red tile. Entrance is made into a beautiful vestibule with floor of mosaic tile. marble wainscot. and doors of quartered oak. There are practically two floors, the main floor and a basement. In the basement on the north side are found toilet rooms, a magazine room, a bailer room and fuel bins; in the center is an auditorium, thirty-two by twenty-one feet with a stage about twelve feet square, and seating capacity of about two hundred people; on the south side is a museum, twenty-one feet wide and thirty-two feet long. On the main floor, facing the entrance, is what may be called a delivery lobby, seventeen by nineteen feet, with the librarian's desk; beyond the librarian's desk is the stack or book room; on the north is a general reading room and in its rear is a 348 - CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO. reference room; on the south side of the delivery lobby is a children's reading room and in its rear is the librarian's room. The library has been remembered most generously by its many friends and patrons in the way of suitable gifts and bequests. The most notable example is the library of the late Judge Felix Grundy Slone, which was given to the library in April, 1914y by Mrs. Slone. This collection contains twelve hundred and seventy-five well-chosen volumes of standard works. They are found in handsome sectional book cases along the wesf wall of the adult reading room. They were accompanied by an excellent steel engraving of Shakespeare and his friends. This collection of books, a library in itself, is a fitting memorial to the memory of its donor. A few other friends of the library and their gifts should be mentioned. Mrs. Katherine Denver Williams has contributed many well-chosen volumes. An annual Christmas present is received from Mrs. C. C. Nichols, in the form of books. Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Bosworth, of Cincinnati, have been very generous also. The Woman's Relief Corp gave a beautiful silk Hag and ornate stand in 1913. Kent Browning contributed the outdoor flag. W. H. Colc, of Sabina, former superintendent of the Wilmington schools, gave fhe library his bound proceedings of the American Educational Association. This is only a partial list of the larger contributions that have been made. In the basement of the building is found a museum that is a great credit to the library. The relics are placed under cover in beautiful, heavy, hand-carved walnut cases that were obtained by the library trustees from the esfate of the lafe Capt. D. A. Lamb. Mrs. Maria S. Rickham, of Dayton, gave to the museum the great collection of relics that had been gathered by her son William Rickham from all portions of the country. The museum also contains a good collection of eggs, that Was purchased by the town from the Samuel Walker estate. There are quite a few relics of pioneer households in the form of spinning wheels, distaffs, etc. The Library Association is composed of the members of the George Clinton Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution. It is governed by six officers who constitute the board of trustees. Two trustees are elected annually to serve for three years. The present board of trustees and officers -are; Mrs. C. C. Nichols. president; Mrs. Dr. W. R. Hale, first vice-president; Mrs. Charles Skimming, second vice-president; Mrs. Amos Huffman, recording secretary; Mrs. Frank L. Miller, corresponding secretary, and Dr. Elizabeth Shrieves, treasured. Miss Minnie Farren is the librarian, with the Misses Cleta Williams and Ethel McCoy as assistant librarians. WILMINGTON COMMERCIAL CLUB. Wilmington has had two commercial clubs within the past fifteen years, the first club leading more or less of a desultory existence from 1901 to 1910. The second and present club dates from 1914. In the spring of 1901 a large number of the business and professional men of Wilmingfon conceived the idea of organizing a commercial club. A constitution and by-laws were adopted at a public meeting held in the mayor's office on March 12, 1910. D. A. Lamb was chairman of the meeting and Dr. Thomas L. Cooksey was secretary. The record shows that the club had sixty chartered members, including most of the leaders in the business and professional life of Wilmington. The first officers were as follows: Dr. George W. Wire, president; J. S. Kimbrough, vice-presidenf; Dr. Thomas L. Cooksey, secretary; Frank L. Gallup, treasurer. For some reason, the club maintained an active existence for only two years. It held sporadic meetings up to January, 1903, but no other meeting is recorded until December 22, 1910, and this was the last one. The 1910 meeting was the result, evidently, of a breach of contract on the part of the Wilmington Water and Light Company and this last recorded meeting CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO - 349 of the club was held to protest against the dilatory tactics of the public utility company. With this meeting the first commercial club of Wilmington closed its career. The present Wilmington Commercial Club was organized on February 25, 1914, with the following officers: M. It. Denver, president; G. P. Thorpe, vice-president; Dr. F. A. Peelle, secretary; H. H. Henderson, assistant secretary; Frank L. Gallup. treasurer. Within a month there were one hundred and forty-four members enrolled and the membership has been materially increased since that time. The object of this association is to promote the industrial, commercial and civic welfare of Wilmington, and to develop the manufacturing and industrial interests of the cify and vicinity. Membership is limited to those recommended by a member of the associafion, active membership being contingent upon approval of the board of directors and the payment of stipulated fees. The admission fee is five dollars, with annual dues of two dollars. The constitution provides for fhe appointment of seven committees, who are to take general charge of as many different lines of activities. These committees are as follow: Finance, J. W. Sparks, A. J. Bailey and S. G. Smith; city, mercantile and manufacturing industries, J. W. Lawhead, E. E. Ferrell, R. B. Montfort, J. W. Metzger and J. S. Hummel; entertainment, A. J. Brown and C. A. Rennells; press, H. B. Patterson.. 0. J. Thatcher and F. C. Jeannot; railroad relations, S. A. Mitchell, C. R. Fisher and J. R. Clevenger; membership, H. E. Hoskins, E. J. Hiatt, I. N. Lair, D. F. McCoy and Frank Murphy; civic relations, R. L. Owens, F. M. Clevenger and Joseph T. Doan. The executive committee is composed of the five club officials, the same body consfituting the board of directors and the committee on committees. The officers for the year 1915 are as follows: M. R. Denver, president; G. P. Thorpe, vice-president; Dr. F. A. Peelle, secretary; H. N. Henderson, assistant secretary; F. L. Gallup, treasurer. The club meets on the second Friday of each month. Its handsomely appointed rooms are in the Samuel Walker Memorial building. Although the present club has been organized less than two years, it has already done much for the city. It yeas largely instrumental in bringing about the paving of the streets in 1914, and is now agitating additional paving. The club is also responsible for the fall festival, which was held for the first time in 1914. BUSINESS DIRECTORY. The following is a list of the business interests in Wilmington, 1915; Abbatoir, William Thompson, C. C. Nelson; auto dealers, Wilmington Auto Company, Griffith Auto Sales Company; auto repair, Bonta & Davis; auto livery, Wohlgamuth & Lowry, H. D. Pennington; abstractor, J. C. Linton; auctioneer, Brann & Steele, Charles Ayres, A. W. Lacy; architect, L. L. Compton, John Doyle; attorneys, Smith & Clevenger, W. L. Sfewart, Doan & Cartwright, G. P. Thorp. S. L. Gregory, J. M. Moore, J. Clayton Linton, Edward J. West, Hayes & Hayes, Swaim & Jordan, N. M. Linton; agents, railway. E. H. Cowden, Pennsylvania; F. P. Leary. Baltimore & Ohio; express, V. B. Tooker, Wells-Fargo; W. B. Kirk, Adams; banks, First National, Clinton County National, Citizens' National ; building supplies, Edwin S. Collett, Fisher Manufacturing & Fuel Company; building associations, Wilmington Homestead Company, Union Loan & Savings Company; bakeries, Homestead Bakery, Alkire Bakery, George Riehl; barbers, G. E. Merker, Sliker, manager; Randall & Funk, Harry Bath, Thatcher, Marshall. Clifford Brann; bonds, F. H. Bryan, H. N. Henderson, E. E. Terrell; blacksmiths, C. D. Wallace, Lew Wallace, Cliff Reed, Baker & Huff; book stores, A. W. Starbuck, Hildebrant Book Store, Joe Walker, proprietor; brickmason. William Taylor, Charles carriage and auto painting, H. M. George Company; chiropidist, Josephine Hart; cigar stores, T. M. Burnett, Walker Zimmerman, Thomas J. Denehy; coal dealers, C. R. Van Tress & Company, L. Egan, Edwin S. Collett, Frank Farquhar, Fred Orebaugh;