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CHAPTER, VI.
CIVIL ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY.
LOCATION OF THE COUNTY SEAT-COURT HOUSES AND ,TAILS-COUNTY INSTITUTIONS AND SOCIETIES.
ON the 19th day of February, 1810, the General Assembly of the State of Ohio passed an act entitled, "An act establishing the county of Clinton," ' which was as follows:
SECTION 1.Be it enacted by Warren General Assembly of the State of Ohio, That all those parts of the counties of Warren and Highland, within the following boundaries, be and the same are hereby erected into a separate county, to be known by the name of Clinton: Beginning at the southeast corner of Greene County, running east five miles; thence south to Highland County line; thence west with said line within four miles of the eastern line of Warren County; thence southwardly so far as to intersect a line one mile east from the southeast corner of Warren County; thence west, and from the beginning west so far that a line south will leave Warren County a constitutional boundary.
The name Clinton was conferred upon the new county in honor of George Clinton, a distinguished citizen of the State of New York, and at that time Vice President of the United States. The territory forming the newly erected county was taken in about equal portions from the counties of Warren and Highland, the division line passing through what is now the town of Wilmington.
The Constitution of Ohio then contained a clause* as follows: "No new county shall be established by the General Assembly which shall reduce the county or counties, or either of them, from which it shall be taken, to less contents than 400 square miles; nor shall any county be laid off of less contents." Through some error in measurement or estimate, however, the area Clinton County fell short of the requisite 400 square miles, and the deficiency was finally discovered, though it is not known at exactly what time. The Legislature took it in hand, and, on the 4th of February, 1813, passed an act as follows, entitled, " An act to attach a part of Highland County to the county of Clinton."
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, That all that part of Highland County, within the following boundaries, be and the same is hereby attached to and shall remain the county of Clinton: Beginning at the Southeast corner of Clinton County, adjoining Fayette County; thence running a line in a southwesterly direction to strike the line of Clinton County at such a point as to include four hundred square miles in the county of Clinton.
SEC. 2. That the County Surveyor of Ross shall, within thirty days after being duly notified by the Commissioners of Clinton County, proceed to survey said county Clinton, and annex thereto so much of the county of Highland as shall make said county of Clinton contain four hundred square miles, agreeably to the provisions of thee first section of this act; and said surveyor, shall take to his assistance chainmen and axmen who are not inhabitants either of the counties of Clinton, Warren or Highland, and who have no interest therein, who shall be duly sworn as the law directs and said surveyor shall make out two accurate surveys, or plats thereof, one of which he shall return to the Court of Common Pleas for said county of Clinton, who shall record the same in the records of the court of said county, and other he shall deposit in the office of the Secretary of State, who shall preserve same with this act; which survey, when made and recorded, shall be the perpetual boundaries of said county of Clinton, and said surveyor shall receive $2 per day,
* First Constitution of Ohio, Article VII, section 3.
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and said chainmen and axmen shall each receive $1 per day for all the time they are respectively employed in such service, to be paid out of the treasury of the county of Clinton.
We quote from the Harlan manuscript: "The records of the Commissioners of Clinton County show that in conformity to the above act, they did, on March 3, 1813, issue a notification to the surveyor of Ross County to proceed and survey the county of Clinton, and annex thereto so much of the county of Highland as would make the county of Clinton contain the requisite number of square miles.
"John Evans, Esq., the surveyor of Ross County, on the 6th day of April, 1813, proceeded to make the survey required by the above act, and July .10, 1813, returned to the Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Clinton County, a report of his proceedings under said act. In this report he says that on the 6th of April, 1813, he proceeded to survey the county of Clinton, agreeably to the provisions of the act of February 4, 1813. He began at four gums, two elms, two burr oaks and one maple, a corner of Clinton and Highland and Clinton Counties, standing north 89 1/4 degree east, one mile from the northeast corner of Clermont County; thence with the line of Highland and Clermont Counties south 89 1/4 degrees west nine miles and two hundred and sixteen poles, passing the corner of Highland County at one mile, with the variation of 45' from the cardinal point, to a red elm, two maples and a white oak, a black oak, and thorn bush, southeast corner of Warren County, as it was then ran to contain its constitutional bounds; thence with the line of Warren County, allowing the aforesaid variation of 45' west, twenty-one miles and one hundred and fifty-eight poles to a large ash tree, two sugar trees, and two thorn bushes, northeast corner of Warren County, and in the line of Greene County, which was formerly ran and marked; thence with said line east twenty miles and two hundred and thirty-one poles, passing the corner of Fayette County at fifteen miles and two hundred and thirty-one poles, to a large maple tree, marked as a corner and with the letters C. C. F. C., being a corner of Fayette County; thence with the line of said county south eleven miles and ninety poles to two oaks and an elm in the line of Highland County; thence I run a line to attach a part of Highland County to the county of Clinton, viz., south 4° 45' west fourteen miles, two hundred and twenty-three poles to the first place of beginning, being the most eastwardly end of the line of Clinton County called for in the first section of the aforesaid act (February 4, 1813), in which bounds there is only contained 385 square miles and 622 acres. Therefore, I find it impossible with all the provisions of the aforesaid law; for, by striking or intersecting the line of Clinton County a deficiency of fourteen square miles and eighteen acres exists; and to include 400 square miles in the county of Clinton, the line strikes a point considerably to the east of the line of Clinton County, which the aforesaid law contemplated for the line to strike. I then run and marked the following lines, which includes the constitutional bounds in Clinton County: Commencing at the same corner from which the aforesaid line is ran; thence south 40° west twelve miles and one hundred and ninety-seven poles to two jack oaks, hickory and gum, all marked as a corner; and this line is represented on the plat as running from A (east corner of Clinton County), to C, two miles and three hundred poles, the beginning corner of Highland and Clinton Counties, in which is contained 400 square miles. Finding this conflict in the law and the express provision for including 400 square miles in the county of Clinton, I perceive no better mode to reconcile the difficulty than the one adopted, which shows the relation which each of these lines bears to the law under which I am bound to act."
"The same day on which Mr. Evans filed thus report, he produced to the
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Commissioners of Clinton County, his account for his services as such surveyor, amounting to the sum of $72.50, and also an account for the services of chain bearers and marker upon said survey, amounting to the sum of $66, which accounts, after being inspected, were allowed July 10, 1813; vouchers 514, 515, 516, 517, 518. The chainmen were Abel Crossley, Philip Hartman and William Clevenger.
"To make up the deficiency thus ascertained, the Legislature on January 30, 1815, provided that eleven square miles of the territory of Warren County lying upon the eastern boundary of the county of Warren, and extending parallel to the said eastern boundary line along the whole length of it from north to south should be and the same were thereby attached to and made part of the county of Clinton; and it was made the duty of the surveyor of Ross County, within thirty days after being duly notified by the County Commissioners of Clinton County, to proceed and survey and set off to the county of Clinton the eleven square miles as aforesaid, by running a straight line from north to south through the county of Warren, parallel to the eastern boundary thereof, a strip about one-half mile wide, so as to include the eleven square miles aforesaid. The act also prescribed the manner in which the survey should be made, the qualifications of the chainmen and axmen, with other necessary details.
"By the same act (January 30, 1815), Section 4, it was provided that three square miles and eighteen acres of the county of Highland should be and the same were attached to the county of Clinton: ' Beginning where the line ran by the surveyor of Ross, as described in the foregoing section, crosses the East Fork of the Little Miami River, and extending down the said East Fork until a line due west to the line of the county of Clermont, between the counties of Clermont and Highland, will include in the county of Clinton three square miles and eighteen acres of land, as aforesaid;' and the same was directed to be surveyed and laid off by the surveyor of Ross County, in the same way prescribed by the second section of the act to attach part of Highland County to the county of Clinton (February 4, 1813).
"In the month of October, 1817, Moses Collier, Surveyor of Greene County, made a survey of the three square miles and eighteen acres of land off from the county of Highland to become a part of the county of Clinton; since which time said three square miles and eighteen acres of land have been a part of the territory of Clinton County, and the county invested with her constitutional number of square miles.
"A meeting of the Commissioners of Clinton County, present Joseph Doan, Mahlon Haworth and Samuel Ruble, Commissioners; date, June 4, 1817, allowance, 53: ' Walter Dillon, for conveying notice to the surveyor of Greene County to run off eleven square miles from the county of Warren, and three square miles and eighteen acres from the county of Highland to become a part of the county of Clinton, agreeably to an act entitled, An act to attach part of the county of Butler to the county of Warren, and for other purposes, and an act amendatory of said act. Order issued, $1.75.'
" Meeting of Commissioners October 21, 1817, present Joseph Doan and Samuel Ruble, Commissioners. The Commissioners proceeded to adjust demands against the county and allowed voucher No. 96. `No. 96, Moses Collier, Surveyor of Greene County, for making a survey of three square miles and eighteen acres from the county of Highland to become a part of Clinton, nine days at $2, and two chain and one axman eight days at $1, and Justices' certificate, 25 cents. Allowed. Order issued, $42.25.'
"Act of February 19, 1811), Section 2, contains this provision, that `after March 1 next (1810), said county shall be vested with all the privileges and
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ammunities [immunities] of a separate and distinct county: Provided, That the Sheriffs, Coroners, Constables, Collectors, and all the other township officers in the counties aforesaid shall continue to perform their respective duties as prescribed by law, within said county of Clinton, before said division; and suits at law which were or may be pending at the time of said division shall be adjusted in the same manner as if the division had not taken place.'
"Section 3 required the legal voters residing in Clinton County to assemble on the first Monday in March next ensuing, in their respective townships, and elect their several county officers, who should hold their offices until the next annual meeting.
"Section 4. By this section the place of holding the courts of the county was established at the house of Jesse Hughes, two miles southeast of Wilmington, until a permanent seat of justice should be established in said county as directed by law. And this act was made to take effect and to be in force from and after March 1, 1810."
LOCATION OF THE COUNTY SEAT.
We have before us two versions of the history of locating the seat of justice for Clinton County, one by Dr. Jones, and the other compiled from the notes of Judge Harlan. In many things they agree, and in some they do not. Judge Harlan has gone more fully into details, and quotes considerably from the records, beyond which we cannot go for reliable information-they are always the best authority.
After speaking of the erection of the county, Dr. Jones writes: "In this new county it soon became an exciting question as to where the county seat should be located and established. As is usual in such cases, the people of the county were much interested in the decision of the question. As to the best point to locate the town, there were three parties urging their claims. One of the parties was in favor of locating the county seat on or near Todd's Fork of the Little Miami River; another favored some point on Cowan's Creek, and the third party contended that the 'ovation should be made on the branches of Lytle's Creek. After hearing the many reasons given for preference of place, the advocates for locating on the branches of Lytle's Creek offered some solid reasons in favor of their locality. David Faulkner and Joseph Doan made donations of land, provided that the county seat should be located thereon. George McManis, James Birdsall and Henry Babb, Commissioners, accepted Faulkner's and Doan's donations, and located the county seat on the branches of Lytle's Creek. Surveyor Wright ran off the lots and made the plat of the town, which was recorded on the second day of August, 1810. Robert Eachus, then an Acting Justice of the Peace, took the acknowledgment of James McManis, who held the deed for the lands in trust, with power under his appointment to make title to the lots and pay the amount received therefor into the county treasury for county purposes. Lots Nos. 58 and 73 were given by the donors for the use and benefit of the people. Joseph Doan, one of the donors, reserved two town lots for his own use, benefit and profit."
There are several points of difference between the foregoing and the Harlan account, and we furnish the latter entire, deeming it very reliable:
"Clinton County having been established, it became necessary to select a county seat or place for holding the several courts of the county. By the act of March 28, 1803, it was provided that, `For each new county established during the present or any future session of the Legislature, three Commissioners shall be appointed by resolution of both Houses of the Legislature, whose duty it shall be to examine and determine what part of said county so established is
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the most eligible for holding the several courts within the county; and that it shall be the duty of the Secretary of State immediately to notify the persons of their several appointments.'
"Upon the passage of the act creating the county of Clinton, both branches of the Legislature, by a joint resolution, appointed three Commissioners to examine and determine what part of said county was most eligible for the seat of justice. One of these Commissioners was John Pollock, several times elected to the House of Representatives from Clermont County, and Speaker for the same body for the sessions of 1812-13, 1813-14, 1814-15; Mr. Stewart, either of Ross or Pickaway County, is supposed to have been a second. Whom the third was, the writer of these notes has not the means of knowing.
"These Commissioners, having been notified by the Secretary of State, proceeded, as required by the statute, to give twenty days' notice to the inhabitants of the new county of the time, place and purport of their meeting, by posting up a notice of their appointment in three of the most public places in the county, and, having taken the oath required by the statute in such cases, proceeded to examine and select the most proper place, in their opinion, for said seat of justice as near the center of the' county as possible, paying regard to the situation, extent of population, and quality of the land, together with the general convenience and interest of the inhabitants of the county. The examination resulted in the selection of the present county seat, and the report thereof was made to the court of Common Pleas next holden in and for the county.
"This was an extra session of the court for the transaction of official business, held at the home of Jesse Hughes, Sr. Present, Peter Burr, Jesse Hughes and Thomas Hinkson; Warren Sabin, Clerk pro tem. This report of the Commissioners was filed in the court May 18, 1810, and opened as shown by the minutes of the court.
"On its appearing that no town had been previously laid out at the place agreed upon, it became the duty of the court, under the law, to appoint a Director, whose duty it was, after giving surety for the faithful performance of his work, to purchase the land for the use and behoof of the county, to lay it off into lots, streets and alleys, under the regulations prescribed by the court, to dispose of the lots either at public or private sale as the court might think proper, and to make conveyances for the, same in fee simple to the purchaser. The person selected to fill this office of director was James McManis, a resident of the neighborhood in which Clarksville has since been laid' out. He was a brother of George McManis, one of the first three County Commissioners, who, soon after, on the resignation of Peter Burr, one of the Associate Judges, was appointed to fill the vacancy.
"It is believed that no offers to donate lands, goods or money were made to the Commissioners for the use of the county on condition that a different site for the county seat would be selected from the one proposed. Indeed, if there was any competition, or any sharp or excited controversy about the location of the county seat, no record of tradition of it has been preserved. Two concurrent offers to donate land for the use of the county were made the Commissioners on the condition that the county seat be established on the site selected, namely, sixty acres, one lot of fifty acres, by David Faulkner, and another of ten acres by Joseph Doan. Both offers were accepted. The lands thus offered lay partly in David Faulkner's tract of 350 acres, and partly in Joseph Doan's tract of 357 acres-tracts which lay side by, side, and were parts of Gen. Posey's survey, No. 1,057.
"But the question in regard to the county seat was not yet settled. There
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was still existing an unpleasant uncertainty in regard to it. It appears quite plain that the donors of the land sought to be acquired, and those having charge of the location of the county seat, had met with some cause for discouragement. It might have been about the character of the conveyances to be made, as, for example, whether upon some contingency occurring in future, the land should or should not revert back to the donors or their heirs. Be this as it may, on June 20, the court ordered that `except David Faulkner and Joseph Doan come forward and make a good and sufficient title in fee simple for their respective donations, within fifteen days, then and in that case the court order the Director to proceed to give notice to the Commissioners to select the next most eligible place for the seat of justice for the aforesaid county.' What effect this order had, if any, cannot be ascertained, after such a lapse of time, with much certainty. But this much is shown by the minutes of the court for the day next succeeding the one on which this order was made. `Deed executed by David Faulkner to the Director of the county, agreeably to law' (June 21, 1810). Joseph Doan had previously, on the 7th of June, conveyed the title for his donation to the county.
"At a term of the Court of Common Pleas, on June 21, 1810, present Jesse Hughes, Thomas Hinkson and George McManis, Associate Judges, and Warren Sabin, Clerk pro ten., the court ordered that the Director proceed to lay out the town for the county seat, and, after advertising the sale in the Chillicothe and Lebanon newspapers so long as he might think necessary, to soil every odd-numbered lot at a credit; one-third in six, one-third in twelve, and one-third in eighteen months, by the purchaser giving bond with approved security.
"Accordingly, Mr. McManis proceeded to lay out the town, and, by August 2, 1810, had ready a plat representing the lots regularly numbered and the streets properly named; and, on the 5th and 7th of the same month one-half the lots were sold to the highest bidders for the same. The sale was largely attended and competition ran high. The name given the town on the official plat, was Clinton, from Gen. George Clinton, of New York, for whom the county had been named. The deeds for these lots frequently, if not generally, bore date early in September. The first deed was dated September 3. The highest price paid for any lot was $100, for No. 71, extending from Main street north to the alley, with the right of the lot on the east side of South street; bought by William Ferguson. The lowest price paid was for lot No. 82, on Sugartree street, late the property of Mrs. Louisa Ashcraft, but now of the railroad company. It was sold to Isaiah Morris on time for $4.12 1/2. No. 57, next to the court house on the west, now improved by William Preston and used for business rooms, was sold for $60. John Cox bought Lot No. 59, the old hotel property of Warren Sabin, where James Henry's grocery store now is, for $84. The Buckeye property was sold to Mahlon Haworth for $60. The corner lot on which William Hibben so long resided was bought for $36. The lot on the southeast corner of South and Locust streets (Lot No. 69) was bought by Jesse and David Hughes. William Polk bought Lot No. 17, dated September 3, 1810, for $6.. Absalom Haworth, Lot 179, South street, dated September 3, 1810. Joseph Doan, Lot No.. 28, for $35, dated December 5, 1810. William Hobson bought Lots Nos. 6 and 11, August 7, 1810.
"On September 10, 1810, the court ordered the name of the town to be changed from ' Clinton' to `Armenia.' On December 31, the name was again changed by the court, on request of the donors, to Mount Pleasant. (The name is written Mount Vernon, but the Vernon is marked out with a pen and Pleasant is written after it.) But this last name was not more satisfactory than the others had been, and on February 10, 1811, the Court of Common
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Pleas, which had charge of the matter, made an order that the county seat be called Wilmington, from cities of the same name in Delaware and North Carolina, from which States emigrants had come to this locality, and that the name be not altered again without a Legislative act."
TOWNSHIPS FIRST ERECTED AND THEIR SUBSEQUENT SUBDIVISIONS.
The first division of Clinton County into townships occurred at a meeting of the Commissioners of the county held April 6, 1810. At this meeting were present George McManis, James Birdsall and Henry Babb, Commissioners.
It was "Ordered, That all that part of Clinton County east of the old boundary line of Warren County shall be one township known by the name of Richland; and all that part of said Clinton County that is within the old boundary line of Warren and north of Lytle's Creek, and from the mouth of said creek west to the west boundary of Clinton County, shall be known by the name of Chester Township; and all that part of the aforesaid county that lies south of Lytle's Creek and south of the south boundary line of Chester and west of Richland, shall be set off in a separate township known by the name of Vernon." (I Com. Record, p. 1).
Two additional townships-Union and Greene-were created August 21, 1813, and the first election for township officers in each was held on the second Tuesday in October following. Clark Township was formed from Greene and Vernon July 14, 1817, and Liberty Township was erected at, the same date. The remaining townships of the county were organized at the following dates: Marion, August, 1830; Washington, June, 1835; Wayne, March, 1837; Jefferson, March, 1839; Adams, May, 1849; Wilson, August, 1850.
COURT HOUSES AND JAILS.
Concerning the first court house built in the county, Dr. A. Jones, nf Wilmington, has the following to say:
"In 1812, the people of Clinton County consented to be taxed to raise funds to build a court house. The Commissioners of the county, vested with power to act in the case, were Mahlon Haworth, Joseph Doan and Henry Babb. They contracted with Jacob Hale to furnish the material and build a brick structure forty feet square. The brick work was done by Mr. Hale and his son William. The wood work was sub-let to Mr. Sayres, of Lebanon, Ohio. The court house was completed in 1813, and stood for thirty-five or forty years (see account of new building), a specimen not of the finest order, but at least a substantial Structure. When it became necessary to remove the old court house to build a new one on the same ground, it required great effort to throw the old building down. Many inhabitants of the county and town recollect the old court room. The Seats for the Judges were elevated Six or eight feet above the floor; a few seats were furnished for the attorneys inside of the bar, with some standing room outside, and there was a large space without the bar for clients and visitors. The floor was of brick, and not a soltiary chair was there for those in attendance at court. In 1814, at the first court held in the new court room, the following officers were present: Hon. Francis Dunlavy, President Judge; Jesse Hughes, George McManis, Thomas Hinkson, Ins associates; Jonathan Harlan, Sheriff; Peter Burr, Clerk."
Mrs. Harlan has furnished us with the descriptive plan of the building, as given to those bidding for its erection and the furnishing of the materials, as follows:
"To be built of brick on a foundation of stone, sunk in the ground one foot and rising above the ground one foot; to be forty feet square outside of the walls; to be two stories high; the lower story floor to be laid part with
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brick and part with inch plank, well seasoned, jointed, planed and grooved. The ground story to be fifteen feet high, and the walls eighteen inches thick; the second story to be ten feet high, with walls thirteen and a half inches thick. Cornice to be of brick; to have two chimneys in the upper story, both built in the north end, two and a half feet in the back. To have two doors, one fronting each street, four feet wide; nine windows, each of twenty-four lights, one of which to be placed above the Judge's bench; eight windows above, each of twenty-four lights; all the windows to be filled with glass eight by ten. To have a cupola ten feet square and seventeen feet high above the roof of the house, with a square roof, a spire weather boarded, the boards to be planed and painted white, the roof painted brown. The doors to be paneled doors. The building to be made of good materials and in a workmanlike manner, and to be completed in two years from the day of sale. The payments to be $250 in advance; one-fourth of the residue in six months, one-fourth in twelve months, one fourth in eighteen months, and one-fourth in two years from the date of sale.
" `Jacob Hale bid $1,742, and no person bidding lower, the building of the court house was publicly cried off and sold to the said Jacob Hale for the sum so as aforesaid. bid. This was Friday, March 27, 1812, according to the record. The Commissioners had held a consultation on the 18th of February preceding, and then determined to build a court-house forty feet square and two stories high. And thereupon the said Jacob Hale, together with James Birdsall and Samuel Cox, who are approved by the Commissioners as sureties, executed bond for the performance of the building aforesaid.'
"On March 5, 1816, the Commissioners entered into an agreement with Henry Vanderburgh for performing certain work on the court house, that is to say, to make Venetian blinds for the cupola of the court house, which is to be done in a workmanlike manners, one to be hung with hin hinges, the others nailed fast-all to be painted green; the work to be finished in a good and substantial and workmanlike manner. The said Henry Vanderburgh to furnish all the materials and finish the same against the fifth day of May, next.' The price for the work and material was fixed at $28, part to be paid in advance, and the residue on the completion of the work."
The old court house did good service for twenty-six years, and outlived its usefulness. At the March (183 7) session of the County Commissioners, the Auditor was directed to have published in the Democrat and Herald a notice that "Sealed proposals will be received on or before 12 o'clock of the first Monday of April next, for delivering 100,000 or more good merchantable brink in the kiln within half a mile of the center stone of the town of Wilmington, on or before the 1st day of November next." At an extra session, in April following, Elisha Doan offered to " burn 150,000 good merchantable brick," etc., at $4.25 per thousand, and his proposal was accepted and a sum of money paid him in advance. John and Joshua Haynes hauled stone from the quarry for the foundations of the new building in December, 1837. Doan's kiln of brick was not ready at the time specified, and he was given further time. On the 2d of January, 1838, it was examined by men appointed for that purpose, and as they found the brick to be not merchantable, the Commissioners rejected them, compelled Doan to pay back the $100 he had been advanced, besides some contingent expenses, and canceled the contract with him.
January 13, 1838, a plan for the new court house was received and accepted by the Commissioners. It was drawn by John B. Posey, a member of the Board. Notice for sealed proposals for doing brick and carpenter work on the now building was ordered published in the Democrat and Herald, and on
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the 12th of February, 1838, they were opened and read. The contract for the carpenter and joiner work, and all except brick and mason work was awarded to John Bush for $11,000; that for the brick and mason work and plastering to Thomas and Alfred Shockley and William and Joshua Noble for $11,146. John B. Posey was appointed Superintendent of the construction of the new building, and on the 7th of March, 1838, the old court house was sold to George Fallis and John B. Posey for $240. May 17, 1838, the Commissioners met and proceeded to lay off the foundation of the new court house, and agreed to enlarge said building five feet in width, making said building fifty feet wide." The new structure was painted by Samuel Peels. The final settlement with the brick and mason work contractors was made December 24, 1839, and that with J. H. Bush, carpenter work, etc., March 3, 1840. The offices in the new building were occupied in December, 1839. Some changes were made in the original plan of the building, owing to the inability of the contractors to get a portion of the materials in time, and this made the cost something less than it would have been otherwise. Additional expenses were incurred for numerous other items, and the total cost of the building, with outside wall (or fence), stone steps on south side, etc., was in the neighborhood of $22,000. It is still in use, and is a massive and imposing structure. The front is at the east side, on South street, where is a portico supported by heavy columns. The building has been in use very nearly forty-three years. A bell weighing 500 pounds, purchased at Cincinnati, of G. W. Coffin, for $150, was placed on the court house in May, 1846. At the sixth meeting of the County Commissioners, held September 22, 1810, the following " plan of the common jail for the county of Clinton" was presented and recorded: *
"Twenty by eighteen feet; a wall of good stone two feet thick, sunk two feet below the surface of the earth; the first floor one foot thick of hewed jointed timber, to extend with the extremity of the above-named wall; the first story to be nine feet high from the first floor, of a wall of hewed timber, two thickness"' of nine inches each, thicknesses laid close-a space of six inches wide between the aforesaid two thicknesses, on each side and end of the first story, to be filled completely with stone to average one foot square each; the aforesaid first story taken up, the first wall dove-tailed at each corner, and the inside wall taken up, half dove-tailed at each corner, and laid close. Four windows in the aforesaid first story, one foot square each; one bar of iron, two inches one way and one inch the other, let sufficiently into the wood, placed in each light, crossed with another bar of iron one inch square, running through the upright bar. The second floor, of timber, one foot thick, hewed and jointed close, extending with the outside of the first story; a door in the center of the last-named floor, three by two feet, the abutter two inches thick, of white oak plank one inch thick, spiked strongly together, and hung with iron hinges one inch in diameter each; three straps of iron on each side of the shutter, one inch and a half wide and a quarter of an inch thick, riveted strongly thereon, with a strong and sufficient prison lock, etc. The second story, seven feet high from the second floor, of a wall of hewed and jointed timber eight inches thick, extending with the extremity of the first story, taken up, dove-tailed at each corner, and laid close; a sufficient number of join eight by four inches; the third floor, of one-and-a-half inch plank, spiked strongly to the join and jointed close; a petition [partition] of two-inch plank in the second story, running crossways of the building, sufficiently secured; a sufficient door in said petition wall, with a common prison lock thereon; a good and sufficient joint shingle roof, and the gable end sufficiently weather-boarded; three nine-light windows in the second story, each
* See Volume I, Commissioner's Record, in the office or Auditor, Clinton County.
318 - HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
secured with three bars of iron, each bar half an inch one way. and an inch and a half the other, crossed with three bars of iron to each light, three-fourths of an inch square. A common-sized door in the second story, sufficiently cased and hung, and a common prison lock thereon; a sufficient set of steps leading from the ground to a platform three feet square at the above-named door, the platform and steps sufficiently hand-railed. All to be completed in a masterly and workman-like manner."
The record of the same date says: "Solomon Stanbury * undertakes the building of the aforesaid jail, at the price of $600. Enters Joseph Doan for security. . Allowed $50 in advance. The work to be completed in nine months from the above date, namely, the 22d of September, 1810."
"This uncouth-looking jail-house," says Dr. Jones, "stood on the east end of the e lot occupied by the present jail building. It was thought to be sufficient to hold all criminals, but before the close of the war with England, it was burned down. Mr. Spencer, who was confined in this jail for violation of the civil law, fighting and other misdemeanors, while confined in the jail set fire to it, burst out the lock and escaped. and let the building burn down."
The war with England closed in 1815, and, unless the worthy Doctor is erroneous in his statement, there must have been several years in which the county was without a jail, for nothing further concerning the subject is found on the records until January 29, 1819, when the Commissioners held a special meeting and devised a plan for a temporary jail. On the 5th of February following, the contract for building such a structure was awarded to William Butler, who proceeded with the work. Dr. Jones says of this: "In the construction of the new jail-house, he used unhewn and round beech logs, from twelve to fifteen inches in diameter, notched in so as to fit tightly, and so arranged that a crow-bar could not enter between them. This house had two high windows, so provided that it was impossible to enter them from the outside. The building had two strong doors-one on the inside and one on the outside. The upper and under floors were made of beech logs, fitted tightly. The floor was covered with two-inch oak plank, and the under side of the upper floor with the like quality of oak plank, well spiked on. This jail was named after the builder-Fort Butler--and was the strongest and best fitted to retain prisoners and offenders of the law of all the jail-houses that have ever been constructed in Clinton County."
During the existence of the first jail, a story is related, showing that Caleb Kirk, a member of the Society of Friends, was confined in it during the war of 1812-15 with England, for not "mustering" with the militia. He held firmly to his principles, and was discharged from custody after a few days' confinement. It has been said that this occurred after Fort Butler was built, but the record shows conclusively that the jail was not erected until 1819, four years after the war had closed; so, if the story is true, Mr. Kirk must have been confined in the first jail, built in 1810-11.
Fort Butler was not long in use. At the session of the County Commissioners held in December, 1821, it was agreed to advertise for proposals for 150 perch of stone, suitable for the erection of a stone jail, and, on the 5th of the following January (1822), the contract for furnishing them was awarded to George Haworth at 74 1/2 cents a perch. June 12, 1822, the contract for building this jail-the third in the county-was let to Levi Sheppard for $508. The building was to be 211x26 feet, long way north and south, two stories high, walls of lower story three feet, and upper story two feet, thick; lower story six feet and upper story seven feet and four inches in the clear; the building to be completed by July l, 1823.Jacob Doan and Samuel Myers furnished 1011 perch of stone, in ad-
* This name to also spelled Stanbrough on the records, and often in the manner quoted.
HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY. - 319
dition to the first 150, and the irons of the old jail were sold to John A. Hays, for r the sum of $9.62 1/2. The new jail was viewed and accepted by the Commissioners August 1, 1823. To John McElwain was awarded the contract for making and hanging five iron doors in the building, for $109. June 26,1824, the old log jail was sold to Isaiah Morris, who paid therefor into the treasury of the county $3.31 1/4.
The early jails of Clinton County appear to have been short-lived. On March 1, the subject of building a new jail came before the Commissioners and they ordered that an advertisement for bids for the work be published in the Constitutional Republican, a newspaper issued at Wilmington. We learn from the records that Joel Woodruff furnished the timber and executed the work on the new building, while the masonry was laid by Jacob Miller. The work of both contractors was accepted--Woodruff's in November, 1831, and Miller's in January, 1832. This building was badly damaged by fire in the fall of 1841, and a considerable sum was expended for repairs upon it. July 1.7, 1850, the Commissioners bethought them of building a "new jail and jail-house." The old one was torn down and the debris removed `from the lot, and in August of that year, the new structure was commenced. Azel Walker was appointed General Superintendent of Construction. The building, which is of brick, and fitted both for jail and residence, was completed in 1852, and cost in the neighborhood of $7,000. It is still in use; therefore this building, the fifth for jail purposes erected in Clinton County, closes the list to the present.
In the manuscript furnished us by Mr. Harlan, and also in the Commissioners' records, we find the following account of a "humane measure:" "February 19, 1814, on application of Jonathan Harlan, Sheriff, the Commissioners--Joseph Doan, Mahlon Haworth and Timothy Bennet-order and direct that one blanket and bed-tick, made of tow linen and filled with straw, be procured and kept by the said Sheriff for the prisoners when confined in jail, and for no other purpose whatever; the proper expense thereof to be paid out of the county treasury." Under date of March 7, 1814, in the record of allowances by the Board of Commissioners, we find the following: " Samuel H. Hale, for tow linen for making bed-tick for jail, $2.33 1/3; Timothy Bennet, for making said bed-tick, 37 1/2 cents; Ferguson & Morris, for blanket and postage, $7.45."
In 1824, the Commissioners formed a plan for a building for public offices, to be erected on the court house lot, 35x18 feet in dimensions, and one story high. Levi Sheppard was given the contract, and the edifice was completed and accepted by the board August 13, 1825. In December, 1841, the materials composing it were sold at auction, and the building was demolished. John B. Posey had also built for the county, in 1833, fire-proof offices costing about $500.
A building was erected by the Commissioners in 1881, on Lot 73, in Wilmington, in which are located the offices of the Probate Judge and the Prosecuting Attorney, besides a number of other rooms which have been rented as offices to various parties. The contractors on this building were Robert and Charles McMillan and William M. Cleveland, and the contract price for the building was $8,279.10. The allowance finally made to the contractors at the settlement February 7, 1882, was $9,418.97. The building was occupied in February and March, 1882. It is a fine-looking structure, three stories and a basement in height, with a front of Zanesville pressed brick.
THE CLINTON COUNTY INFIRMARY.
With the exception of a few figures and dates from the Commissioners'
320 - HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
record, this sketch is furnished by Dr. A, Jones. We give, following it, an account handed in some time later by Mrs. Harlan.
At the session of the Ohio Legislature for 1834-35, an set was passed enabling each county in the State to erect suitable buildings and make other Provision for the relief and care of its aged, infirm and destitute citizens. March 21, 1835, as per record, the Commissioners for Clinton County purchased of Alexander Jennings, for the sum of $1,250, 1011 acres of land lying a short distance east of Wilmington. April 10, 1835, the contract for building a poor house was awarded to Alexander Jennings and Abel G. Martin, who soon began its construction, and had the building ready for occupancy March 17, 1836. The rooms were shortly filled lip, and forty-two paupers were soon registered at the institution. The cost of the original building was about $2,000. In 1840--41, additional buildings were erected, and a considerable amount was expended in repairs upon the old one. A department for the insane was fitted up, and that class of persons was kept separate from the other inmates. These improvements required an outlay of some $4,500. A new infirmary was built in 1855, to which a large addition was made in 1869. An extensive barn was erected in 1853-54. Several pieces of land have been obtained since the original purchase, and the farm now (March, 1882), contains 276 35/100 acres. This figure was given at the Auditor's offIce. Dr. Jones states the farm contains 350 acres, of which 325 are finely improved. See also the accounts of the different purchases as given in the Harlan account of the institution. The main buildings will accommodate 140 inmates, while there is room for eleven persons in the department for the incurable insane. The present value of the infirmary farm and the buildings and improvements thereon is estimated at $66,528. There are eighty-three paupers (forty-five males and thirty-eight females), in the institution, the youngest in infancy; and the oldest ninety-three years of age. All the buildings are substantial, well ventilated and convenient. Among the improvements are a barn 60x80 feet, a row of sheds 220 feet in length, a large double corn-crib, the necessary granaries, woodhouse, smokehouse and milkhouse. The water supply is derived from a fine spring near the main building, and a small living stream flows diagonally across the farm. The first infirmary Directors were James Harris, James Fife and Isaiah Morris, who appointed James Wilson as first Superintendent, at a salary of $300 per year, and Dr. A. Jones attendant physician, at a salary of $60 for one year. These two men were continued in the positions named for years in succession. The Superintendent in 1882 is J. W. Stephens, who receives an annual salary of $675. The Board of Directors consists of Robert Skimmings, William Mann and Mark Peelle.
CLINTON COUNTY INFIRMARY. *
On the 20th day of March, 1835, the County Commissioners purchased of Alexander Jennings 100 acres of land one mile east of Wilmington, paying for the same $1,250, upon which a poor house was erected during the same year. The buildings were constructed without any reference to architectural elegance or to any kind of display, but with the view of observing the strictest economy consistent with the requirements necessary for the convenience and comfort of the occupants. James Harris, James Fife and Isaiah Morris were appointed Directors of the poor house March 11, 1836, and they at once proceeded to select a Superintendent. Their choice was James Wilson and Eleanor, his wife, then living in Wilmington. They entered upon duty at once, and remained in charge four years. Seventeen was the greatest number of inmates at any one time during; their term of office, but the average number was
* From the Harlan notes.
HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY. - 321
much smaller, as they were coming and going continually. The first inmate admitted was Mary Johnson, of Clark Township, born in North Carolina. She had been a resident of Clinton County twenty-six years, and a pauper seventeen years. She was subject to fits of insanity. Julia Clause was the second inmate admitted. She was from Union Township, and was afterward transferred to the Asylum for the Insane at Columbus.
The second Superintendent was George Washington Morey. He remained in that position until March, 1845, when he was succeeded by Isaac Pigeon. Mrs. Morey died while they were in charge of the infirmary, in August, 1844, and her husband left the position at the close of the year's engagement. Mr. Pigeon bad charge of the infirmary from March, 1845, to March, 1855, and was succeeded by Humphrey Riddell, who was Superintendent until September, 1855, when he resigned and was succeeded by William E. Ashcraft. Mr. Ashcraft served until March, 1858. A. Taylor Moore Succeeded Mr. Asheraft in 1858, and continued in the position until March, 1861. when he was in turn succeeded by Bennet B. Arnold, who remained until March, 1866. William P. Wolf entered upon the duties of Infirmary Superintendent in March, 1866, and continued in the same three years. Josephus Blair succeeded him in March, 1869, and discharged the duties of the office until March, 1872. In 1872, H. F. Armstrong became Infirmary Superintendent, and continued in that position until 1880. J. N. Stephens, the present incumbent; was elected in 1880. He is now (1882) entering upon his third year.
In 1855, the original building was remodeled and extended. In later years, the buildings have been much increased, both in number and capacity, as circumstances have made it necessary. Several changes have also been made in the farm. The first addition to the infirmary farm was made April 10, 1856, and consisted of fifty acres bought of Jesse Hughes, out of survey No. 2690, for which the Commissioners paid him $2,600. The next addition was made December 29, 1859, and was also purchased from Jesse Hughes. It consisted of thirty-six and three-quarters acres in the same survey, for which $1,914.90 was paid. The third addition was made March 28, 1867, from survey No. 1162, and consisted of 111.41 acres. This land was bought of the Sheriff of the county, who sold it under a partition suit styled Francis M. Underwood vs. Socrates Harlan, et al. The consideration was $6,266.25. The fourth addition was made June 1, 1872, of fifteen acres, in survey No. 2690, bought of James R. Webb for $1,800. March 6, 1876, a purchase of 1.37 acres was made from James Wallace for $164.40. This was in survey No. 2693. The sixth and last addition that has been made to the farm was purchased of Edith Emma Moody, on October 23, 1880, and consisted of fifty-four acres in survey No. 2693. The consideration paid was $4,087.95. The infirmary farm now consists of 368.52 acres.
INFIRMARY DIRECTORS.
March, 1836-James Harris, James Fife, Isaiah Morris.
March, 1839-Samuel Smith, William Ruble, Warren Sabin.
1843-Daniel C. Hinman, Perry Dakin, Samuel Smith.
1844-Nathan Walker, Perry Dakin, Samuel Smith.
1845--Nathan Walker, Samuel Smith, Isaac B. Thomas.
1846-Joseph W. Hackney, Isaac B. Thomas, Nathan Walker.
1847-50-Samuel Nordyke, Joseph W. Hackney, Isaac B. Thomas.
March 5, 1850-John Jones, Joseph W. Hackney, Isaac B. Thomas.
1851-John Jones, Joseph Woods, Joseph W. Hackney.
1852 -Joseph R. Moon, John Jones, Joseph Woods.
1853-John Hazard, Joseph R. Moon, Joseph Woods.
322 - HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
1854-Eli McMillan, Jesse Doan, Joseph R. Moon.
1855-John Rannells, J. V. Whinery, Eli McMillan.
March 25, 1856-John M. Wright (instead of John Rannells, deceased), Thomas Custis, Eli McMillan.
October, 1856-Asa Walker, John M. Wright, Thomas Custis.
October, 1857-James Gregory, Thomas Curtis, John M. Wright.
October 1858-60-Jonathan Doan, James Gregory, John M. Wright.
1860-63-Thomas Curtis, John M. Wright, Jonathan Doan.
December, 1863-64-David Chance, Jonathan Doan.
1864-66-William M. Mann, David Chance, E. W. Marble.
March, 1866-68; October 13-William M. Mann, E. W. Marble, William Applegate.
1869 (from October, 1868)-Robert Skimming, William Applegate, William M. Mann.
October, 1869-70-Samuel H. Hadley, William M. Mann, Robert.Skimming.
October, 1870-November, 1871-William Bentley, Robert Skimming, Samuel H. Hadley. .
November, 1871-November, 1872-Samuel H. Hadley, William Bentley, Jonathan Bailey.
November, 1872-73-William Bentley, Jonathan Bailey, Harlan F. Walker.
November, 1873-Jonathan Bailey, H. F. Walker, S. H. Hadley. November,
1874-H. F. Walker, S. H. Hadley, Robert Skimming. December,
1875-76-S. H. Hadley, Robert Skimming, William M. Mann. November,
1876-82-Mark Peelle, Robert Skimming, William M. Mann.
CLINTON COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Through the efforts of Eli Gaskill, Representative in the Ohio Legislature from Clinton County, an act was passed February 25, 1833, authorizing and encouraging the establishment of agricultural societies in the various counties of the State, and those interested in such matters in Clinton County speedily took advantage of the privileges granted them. The act passed at the above date was subsequently amended, and, on the 12th of March, 1839, a new one was passed and the old one repealed. Numerous amendments have since been made. June. 14, 1833, a notice was published in the Democrat and Herald, the Wilmington newspaper, that a meeting of interested citizens would be held the last Friday in that month for the purpose of organizing an agricultural society. The plans were successfully carried out, and Azel Walker was chosen President, and A. E. Strickle, Recording Secretary of the organization At a meeting of the Directors held July 28, 1833, it was voted that each member pay to the Treasurer of the society on or before the first Saturday of the ensuing October, the sum of 50 cents. It was resolved to award premiums on horses, cattle, sheep and hogs, owned by members of the society, also on articles of all descriptions manufactured by said members. It was voted to have the first exhibition on the last Saturday in October, 1833. The fair was accordingly held, on the premises owned by Richard Peirce in Wilmington, and among numerous curiosities in the possession of Samuel Walker is the following souvenir of this fair in the form of a premium certificate:
"Clinton County Agricultural Society.--This is to certify that at the agricultural fair, held in Wilmington, Ohio, on the 26th day of October, 1833, Azel Walker presented the best yearling filly, sired by Bucephalus, for which a premium of $1 was awarded by said society. Azel Walker, President; A. E. Strickle, Recording Secretary."
PAGE 323 - PICTURE OF ALEXANDER LIEURANCE
PAGE 324 - BLANK
HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY. - 325
June 27, 1834, the society met and elected the following officers: Eli Gaskill, President; Isaiah Morris, Vice President; Lawrence Fitzhugh, Treasurer; C. B. Harlan, Recording Secretary; R. B. Harlan, Corresponding Secretary; Samuel Wilson, Thomas How, Jr., Abraham Nordyke, Isaac Strickle, John B. Posey, Aaron Jenkins, Isaac Collett, William Hadley,. Jacob Haines, Azel Walker, Directors. The fair in that year was held on the Peirce lot October 31. In 1835, Eli Gaskill was President, and L. Wright, Secretary. The fair was held the last Friday in October, as usual. The officers at the date of the fourth fair, held in 1836, were Eli Gaskill, President; Isaiah Morris, Vice President; A. T. Sowell, Treasurer; A. E. Strickle, Secretary; Thomas How, Jr., Jesse Hughes, Jr., Gayer Starbuck, Isaac Strickle, George McManis, Jacob Haines, John B. Posey, James McFadden, Benjamin Nordyke, Cyrus Reed, Directors. In the issue of the Democrat and Herald, of October 18, 1887, is a notice of a fair to be held in Wilmington on the 28th of the same month. The year had witnessed the production of excellent crops of fruits and grains, and the amount and quality of stock was exceedingly creditable for that day. Eli Gaskill was President, and A. E. Strickle, Recording Secretary. The judges of horses were Jacob Haines, Curtis Jackson, Benajah Nordyke, James McFadden, Simon Hadley; judges of cattle, John Hadley, George D. Hawarth, Cyrus Reed, Eli Gaskill, Abraham Nordyke; judges of sheep, swine, etc., Nathan Linton, Charles Russell, William Hadley, Gayer Starbuok, Thomas How, Jr.; judges of domestic manufactured articles, John B. Posey, Isaac Strickle, William Hibben, C. D. Hughes, Thomas B. Carroll. The fair was held at the house of Richard Peirce; admission, 50 cents; dinner extra.
About 1834, George D. Haworth introduced into Clinton County the celebrated breed of cattle known as Short-Horns, and as early, probably, as 1885, exhibited those he had at the county fair. This is from the recollection of his daughter, Mrs. Judge Harlan, who adds that premiums were awarded him, the committee meeting at his house, which stood at the northwest corner of South and Locust streets, where Benjamin Farquhar's grocery now is.
After 1837, there is nothing to show that another fair was held until 1849. From the report of the State Board of Agriculture for that year it was learned that the organization of a new society had been perfected the previous year, and its first fair was held at Wilmington on the 17th and 18th of October, 1849. The officers were: Eli Gaskill, President; Josiah* Morris, Vice President; Isaac B. Thomas, Treasurer; Grafton B. White, Secretary; Paul H Vandervort, William Hibben, Isaac Haslett, Curtis Jackson, Milton McMillan, Managers. This fair was held on the north side of the Washington pike, east of town. The total receipts were $157.59, of which amount the county furnished $78.59. Since then there has been no. interruption of proceedings, and each year has witnessed a fair. In 1850, it was held October 17 and 18, Eli Gaskill being President, Isaiah Morris, Vice President; G. B. White, Secretary. In 1851, the court house was used as a building in which to exhibit farm products. The chief officers were Eli Gaskill, President. and Ethelbert C. Hibben, Secretary. Isaac Haslett was President; E. L. Lacy, Vice President; and Joseph Wood, Secretary in 1852. In 1853, the fair was held on new grounds where Leo Weltz now has his nursery, in the western suburb of Wilmington. Isaac Haslett was president, D. Persenger, Vice President, and Joseph Wood, Secretary.
1854-Eli Gaskill, President; Thomas L. Carothers, Treasurer; A. W. Doan, Secretary.
1855-Paul H. Vandervort, President; William Crumly, Treasurer; A. W. >, Doan, Secretary.
*So printed in the report - should be Isaiah.
326 - HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
1856-Thomas D. Austin, President (had been Vice President the previous year); J. G. Starbuck, Vice President; William Crumly, Treasurer; A. W. Doan, Secretary.
1857-A. E. Strickle, President; J. G. Starbuck, Vice President; A. W. Doan, Secretary. The fair in this year was held on the grounds east of Wilmington, where the college now stands, the land having been leased by Isaiah Morris. Fairs were held here nine seasons.
1858-A. E. Strickle, President; Jesse G. Starbuck, Vice President; William Crumly, Treasurer; A. W. Doan, Secretary.
1859-A. E. Strickle, President; Samuel Knowlton, Vice President; William Crumly, Treasurer; A. W. Doan, Secretary.
1860-P. H. Vandervort, President; A. W. Doan, Secretary.
1861-J. D. Hines, President; J. M. Haworth, Vice President, and subsequently President, Hines not serving; A W. Doan elected Secretary, but in his absence L. C. Walker was appointed Secretary pro tem., and discharged the duties of the office.
1862-B. W. Fuller, President; L. C. Walker, Secretary.
1863-Cyrus Linton, President; L. C. Walker, Secretary.
1864-Cyrus Linton, President; L. C. Walker, Secretary.
1865-J. D. Hines, President; L. C. Walker, Secretary; William Crumly. Treasurer. Mr. Crumly died in office, and Charles N. Osborn was appointed
September 21, 1805, to fill vacancy. Mr. Osborn has been Secretary of the society for a number of years.
1866-Paul Vandervort, President; L. D. Reed, Treasurer; S. M. Babb, Secretary. This year the present fair grounds west of Wilmington were purchased, and the materials belonging to the society were removed from the old grounds.
1867-A W. Doan, President; L. C. Walker, Secretary.
1868-James S. Hoblet, President; Levi Milts, Secretary.
1869--J. S. Hoblet, President; Levi Mills, Secretary.
1870-C. M. Walker, President; Levi Mills, Secretary.
1871-C. M. Walker, President; Levi Mills, Secretary.
1872-C. M. Walker, President, D. T. White, Secretary.
1873-C. Rhonemus, President; D. T. White, Secretary.
1874-75-Same officers as in 1873.
1876-C. Rhonemus, President; W. H. Rannells, Secretary.
1877-C. Rhonemus, President; N. M. Linton, Secretary.
1878-Cyrus Linton, President; S. G. Smith, Secretary.
1879-80-E. H. Matthews, President; N. M. Linton, Secretary.
1881-Leo Weltz, President; N. M. Linton, Secretary.
1882-David Peebles, President; N. M. Linton, Secretary.
The grounds of the society comprise thirty-one and ninety hundredths acres, having good buildings and race track, and shaded by forest trees. They are situated a short distance west of the corporate limits of Wilmington, extending south from the Wilmington and Goshen pike. The fairs for a number of years were held in September, but in 1881, the experiment of holding a fair in August was tried, and it is to be repeated in 1882. The affairs of the society are in a favorable condition.
THE CLINTON COUNTY FARMERS' INSTITUTE.
This Institute was organized on Tuesday, March 8, 1881, principally through the efforts of Leo Weltz, then President of the County Agricultural Society. The object of the Society was to " acquire a more thorough knowledge of agriculture, scientifically as well as practically." The first meeting
HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY. - 327
was held two days-March 8 and 9, 1881, and forty-eight persons then became members. Meetings have since been held monthly, at the houses of members, by appointment, and are usually very interesting.
CLINTON COUNTY PIONEER SOCIETY.
August 18, 1874, a call was published in the Wilmington newspapers, signed by R. B. Harlan, J. H. West, Samuel Johns, James M. Farren and W. H. P. Denny, for a meeting of the pioneers of the county to be held in Wilmington on Saturday, the 26th of the following September. It was thought :that "such a meeting would serve to draw out many facts, dates, circumstances connected with past occurrences, that obscure names might be brought into prominence, and that the character, habits, circumstances, and social condition of our pioneer people would be illustrated and developed." It was also thought that " the proposed meeting would serve to keep bright and united the he chain which connects the past generation, now fast passing away, with the generation which now occupies the stage of human life. "The desire for such °a meeting had been quite generally expressed, and it was perhaps increased by a knowledge of the fact. that sister counties in the State were taking pains to preserve accounts of their pioneer days.
Pursuant to the call, the old folks met at Wilmington on the day appointed, when many of them related their experiences in the clays when the forests were not yet subdued, and told tales that were strange to the younger people present. Madison Betts was Secretary of the meeting, and took copious notes from which Judge R. B. Harlan prepared an interesting article for the press. Judge Abner Haines, of Eaton, Preble Co., Ohio (since deceased), was present and delivered a very interesting speech. Other Speakers were Esquire Charles Porter Gallaher, of Sabina; William Moon, of Clark Township; Thomas N. Adams, of Sabina, aged ninety-eight years; Ephraim Kibby, Esq., a pioneer of Clarksville; Rev. George Villars, of Clarksville; Judge Benjamin Hinkson, a man who for many years had been prominent in the county .` as a journalist, lawyer and legislator; Samuel H. Hale, an early lawyer and merchant; Rev. James Villars, elder brother of George; Jesse Doan, of Wilmington; Eli McGregor, the well-known former advocate of the abolition of Slavery; Newton McMillan, of Chester Township; George D. Haworth, who had known the locality around Wilmington since 1804; Daniel Jones, Jesse Thatcher, Squire G. Harris, Harvey Gallaher, Harvey H. Hankins, Samuel Vestal and John Garoute. Several old Wilmington' newspapers were produced as curiosities. The gathering proved most pleasant and enjoyable.
Most of the speakers have since passed to the silent land, but their memory as pioneers is greatly revered by those who knew them.
The second old folks' meeting was held at Wilmington in the Friends' Meeting-House, October 9, 1875, when Cornelius Douglass was made Chair man, and Nathan M. Linton, Secretary. The attendance, though small at the beginning, swelled to large numbers before the close of the day, and once more the survivors of the pioneer generation took each other by the hand and went over again the scenes of other days. The speakers were Joseph R. Moon, Jesse Doan, A. W. Kibbey, Jacob Hadley, Ephraim Kibby, Jonathan Hadley, Lewis Hockett, Thomas McDonald, James Johnson, Nancy Sabin, John Oren, Samuel H. Hale, William Hale (still living at Wilmington, born 1790), John C. Harlan. Ezekiel Haworth, Thompson Douglass, Moses Garrison, David Jay, Judge R. B. Harlan and Eleazer Hodson.
The meeting for 1876 was held on the 26th of August, at Wilmington. The following were elected officers for the ensuing year: President, Judge R. B. Harlan, of Wilmington; Vice Presidents, C. P. Gallaher, Richland; Joseph
328 - HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
R. Moon, Clark; Mark Peelle, Wilson; George Villars, Vernon; James McKibben, Greene; Jesse G. Starbuck, Union; Joseph Ballard, Liberty; Nathan H. Collett, Chester; Reuben Gillis, Marion; Job Simcox, Jefferson: Stephen Evans, Wayne; David Curl, Adams; George Mann, Washington; Secretary, Madison Betts, of Wilmington. The report of deceased members included the names of Thomas N. Adams. Samuel Vestal, Ezekiel Haworth, Squire G. Harris, Daniel Jones, Thomas Hunnicutt, Nicholas Vandervort, Ephraim Kibby, James Johnson, Eli McGregor, John C. Harlan, Eber Patrick and Rebecca Hadley. An executive committee was appointed, numerous speeches made, relics of the pioneer days shown, among them some hand cards used in carding cotton and wool by the dames of the olden time, and the gathering finally adjourned after an enjoyable day.
The fourth annual re-union of the society took place on the fair grounds at Wilmington September 22. 1877, and was spoken of as the most enjoyable gathering of the kind yet held. The number in attendance was greatly in excess of any previous meeting. Pieces of old-fashioned kitchen and table ware, old wearing apparel, books, and quilts were exhibited in profusion. The speeches were in the usual vein, and the dinner which was served was the principal feature of the occasion. Eighty-one persons over seventy years of age sat down together at the tables, and enjoyed the meal with pioneer relish which means a great deal.
Tuesday, September 17, 1878, the fifth annual re-union was held at the same place, when J. R. Moon was elected President, and N. M. Linton. Secretary, with a Vice President from each township. Eighty-five persons, each over seventy years of age, partook of the bountiful dinner which was spread. Twenty-one persons had died during the year, none under seventy years old. It was estimated that in the entire county there were at the time of the meeting nut less than 400 people of that age and over, basing the calculations on the returns from a portion of the townships which aggregated 195. A flue bouquet was offered to the handsomest man on the grounds whose age should be over seventy years, and on taking notes and considering all the points, the prize was awarded to Jesse Doan, who " bore his blushing honors thick upon him."
The meeting held at the usual place on the 17th of September, 1879, was heartily enjoyed. Henry Gaither, of Cincinnati, a veteran of ninety-two years, was present and delivered a brief speech. Seventy of the old folks sat down to the first table at dinner time, and demonstrated the fact that old age had not impaired their appetites. One feature of the day was the appearance of John C. Cook, dressed in the wedding suit worn by his grandfather. Five members of the society were reported as deceased during the year then just closed. The report of the meeting which we have seen does not speak of the election of officers for the ensuing year, but it appears in another place that J. R. Moon was chosen President, and Levi Mills, Secretary.
At the meeting in 1880, held at the Wilmington fair grounds on Tuesday, September 21, there was the largest attendance which had yet been seen on a like occasion. Judge Thompson, of Hillsboro, Highland County, delivered an interesting address, and was followed by Judge Keys, of Warren County, who alluded to many historical incidents, and retouched with the pencil of his descriptive language the customs and manners and experiences of the people in the days when the many gray heads present were members of the persevering band of Clinton County's pioneers. Vice Presidents for the various townships were chosen, together with an executive committee, and the gathering broke up.
The last meeting was held at the usual place on the 13th of September,
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1881. An address of welcome was delivered by Hon. Isaiah W. Quinby, of Wilmington, whose people had been early settlers in the township of Adams. Mr. Quinby vividly pictured the life of the pioneer family, and his address was well received by all present. The officers of the society at this time (April, 1882), are Thompson Douglass, President; Levi Mills, Secretary.
CLINTON COUNTY AUXILIARY BIBLE SOCIETY.
The original name of this organization was the "Auxiliary Bible Society of the county of Clinton, Ohio," as appears from its first constitution, printed at Wilmington by George Denny. It is thought the society was formed as early as 1820, and possibly a year or two before; but we find the record of a =meeting held in 1879 given as the fifty-seventh annual meeting of the society, which would indicate that it was organized in 1823, though that was not the case, as there are records for 1822. Mr. Denny, who printed the first constitution, established his newspaper, the Galaxy, in Wilmington, on the 29th of October, 1821, and could hardly have done any printing before he had material for the purpose. The institution is a branch of the American Bible Society. Its constitution provided that persons paying 50 cents annually toward its sups port could become members, while those paying $5 each at any one time became life members. The society was formed for the purpose of co-operating with the parent organization in giving a wider circulation to the Bible. The following were the first officers: Daniel Collett, Sr., President; Arnold Treusdell, First Vice President; William Stockdale, Second Vice President, John McManis, Corresponding Secretary; Lewis Wright, Recording Secretary; Joel Woodruff, Treasurer; William Klbben, Aaron Collett, Isaac Collett, Eli McGregor, Thomas Hibben, Isaiah Morris, Thomas Gaddis, Warren Sabin, Samuel H. Hale, Jeremiah Reynolds, John Lewis, Jonathan Collett. The subscriptions to the society, according to an old slip of paper in the possession of Miss Rachel, daughter of Eli McGregor, were $9; for 1823-24, about $10.50. In 1824, the expense of getting a stock of looks from New York amounted to $9.97 3/4. Regular annual meetings have been held since the organization, although at times but little business was transacted and little interest manifested. The present number of members in the county is about ten, beside the Methodist Episcopal Sunday school at Wilmington. Life members now draw books annually from the parent society at New York, instead of procuring them as formerly of the Clinton County branch. The latter buys its books for cash of the main organization, and on the 1st of March, 1882, when the stock was largely reduced, it had on hand books to the value of $43.26. The officers for 1882 are: D. A. Lamb, President; pastorsof Wilmington churches, Vice Presidents; Dr. N. H. Sidwell, Secretary; A. H: Hains, Treasurer; W. P. Wolf, Depositary.