350 - DARKE COUNTY She gave five exhibitions before the Prince of Wales and shot game on his estate at Sandringham, for which she was richly paid. At Earl's Court, London, she exhibited before three kings, two princes and five other titled people. Probably no American lady, except Mary Anderson, ever received as generous and enthusiastic reception in high European circles and her impression is that the educated classes of Europe are lavish in the recognition of talent when shown, while Americans, though more ready to hail aspiring genius, are less enthusiastic in applause. Her autograph album contains the names of a large number of noted persons, among which are noticed the following: Princess May of Teck, the Duchess of Cumberland, Hilde de Clifford, the famous English beauty; Lady Paget, Lord Windsor, Duc de Orleans, Seignor Crispi, Count Spaletti, the Chinese Embassy at London, Dinah Salifou, Sitting Bull, Rain in the Face and Curly, the Crow Indian Scout and sole surviving member of Custer's famous braves. The names of Lillian Lewis, Ellen Terry, Henry Irving, Chauncey Depew and Thomas A. Edison appear, not to mention a great host of others. One of the most prized is that of H. C. Bonner, deceased, the founder of Puck. It reads as follows: "It was a pleasant day As near the first of May As days come in pleasant April weather, That Miss Anna Oakley shot Her hundred pigeon pot, And the record on the clays broke together. And may all the days she knows, As through the world she goes, Be as lucky for her all time through, As that pleasant day in spring, When she showed us she could wing, One hundred birds in miutes six and seconds thirty-two !" Besides being feted by Queen Victoria, she has received jewels and presents from nearly all the crowned heads of Europe, and her collection of trophies in the way of jewels, firearms and mementoes is quite elaborate. Her salary as early as 1900 when with the Wild West was $150 per week with expenses paid, and it is said she gave generously of this for charity, being mindful of her own early struggles. DARKE COUNTY - 351 Strange as it may seem, she is not fond of public exhibition and social life, but prefers out of door sport, and yearns for the time when she can enjoy the seclusion of private life. Some of her best records with the rifles are 945 tossed balls out of 1,000; 96 small clay pigeons o double clays; 49 live birds out of 50. With 5,000 balls she broke 4,772 in one day’s shooting; and on the second thousand her best record of 984 was made. She is fond of swimming, walking, running and bicycle riding, and makes a point of getting plenty of outdoor exercise, to which custom may be attributed her remarkable vitality and sustained good health. Her guns weigh about seven pounds, and she sometimes shoots 150 shots in a day, thus lifting over 1,000 pounds. She has shot wild deer in America, ica, wild boar in Germany, and roebuck in Austria. In personal appearance she is slight, below average height. with black flowing hair, keen, blue-gray eyes, clear-cut expressive features, and a rather piquant face. One might ex pect that such a life as hers would produce coarseness and lack of refinement, but Miss Annie has certainly resisted: such an effect, and possesses a rare modesty and a charming personality. Unaffected, simple and sincere, she exhibits grace and tact rarely met. With a girlish voice, a genial vivacious disposition and winning ways she is a ready core versationalist and is, withal, charitable, thoughtful and r fined. Caring naught for the privileges of suffrage she only asks a fair chance for her sex to develop such talents r.-nature and education gives. In 1893 she built a handsome residence in Nutley. New Jersey, not far from New York City, where she spent several enjoyable vacation seasons. On October 30, 1901, the Wild West show suffered a disastrous wreck in which Annie Oakley was severely wounded, having to undergo five operations in order to save her life. This ended her engagement with the big show and in the fall and winter of 1902 she starred in a play written especially for herself, and, if possible. made a greater artistic success than she had in the shooting field. Then came the great libel suit against her in which fifty-seven newspapers participated. Two of these made immediate apology, but the other fifty-five were sued with the result that fifty-five verdicts were rendered in favor of Annie Oakley. Most of these cases were settled soon in a manner satisfactory to the plain- 352 - DARKE COUNTY tiff, but one suit dragged on for nearly seven years. ;hi' closed probably the greatest chain of suits on record in the history of the world, costing the plaintiff about $90,000.00 and the defendants about half a million dollars. Thus one little frail woman with a few thousand dollars that she had earned by her skill put up a wonderful fight against several of the most prominent newspapers in the United States representing a capital of several million of dollars, and manned by some of the brainy men of the country, and won practically a unanimous verdict in justification of her character. Annie Oakley joined the "Young Buffalo Wild West" in April, 1910, continuing with them three years during the summer seasons, and spending the winters with her husband in central Florida, shooting game and riding after the hounds. Having sold their former home at Nutley, N. J., they are now in Cambridge, Md., where they are erecting a new home on Hambrooks Bay, near the Great Choptauk river. They are planning to spend their summer fishing and boating over this beautiful river and the Chesapeake Bay—going occasionally to Florida or returning to Annie's former home in Darke county, Ohio, where is the resting place of her beloved little mother and the homes of her sisters, Mrs. Hulda Haines and Mrs. Emily Patterson. Henry Black. Henry Black was born in Harrison township, Preble county, Ohio, August 25, 1832, and was the son of Joseph and Sarah Black. On October 6, 1853, he married Catherine Weaver, of Lewisburg, Ohio, who died August 3, 1891. In 1880 Mr. Black came to Darke county and located on the Old Sam Cable farm in section six, Western Greenville township, along the township road. His education was very limited but he was of a practical turn of mind and used his meager schooling to good advantage. He early manifested a strong inclination toward mechanics and did much original experimenting which eventuated in various practical inventions. Probably his first patent was for a flax scutching machine which was registered June 5, 1866. One of his most useful inventions was a railroad switch which he patented February 25, 1873, and from which he received very little financial remuneration. It is said that the principle of this switch was seized upon by other mechanics, who by slight DARKE COUNTY - 353 adaptations made it one of the best ever produced, with the result that it was adopted by some of the large railways and part of it incorporated in the most successful switches now in use on nearly all railways. While living in Darke county, Mr. Black devoted much of his time to experimenting on a mower and binder that would cut the grain close to the ground with the result that he secured a patent for a low down binder in 1885. This invention attracted wide attention and promised to be a decided improvement on the ordinary binder. Mr. Black moved to Greenville where he equipped a machine shop in 1893 without outside financial aid. Although advanced in age he strove against large odds to introduce his promising invention, but met with much discouragement and the machine never reached a degree of perfection to justify its general adoption. However, the drive chain used extensively today was a part of this invention. Undaunted by age and great obstacles Henry Black continued his labors and was, experimenting with an improved electric and gasoline engine when called from the scene of his earthly labors on August 19, 1901. He was a man of tender heart, great patience and forbearance, and attained much of his success by following the homely old rule, "If at first you don't succeed, try, try, again." By unselfish devotion to his ideals he helped others with their inventions, left the world richer in useful mechanical appliances, and, no doubt, indirectly saved many lives by his improved switch. He left a son, Horace C., and three grandchildren, one of whom, Elsie, has for several years been a successful teacher in the Greenville public schools. Other Notables. These are the names of only a few of the residents of Darke county who have wrought out exceptional careers at home or attained wide fame for their accomplishments. The legal profession has furnished several men of note whose names and accomplishments are recorded in the chapter on the "Bench and Bar" in this volume. Others appear among the family biographical sketches in volume two, including John T. Lecklider, the poet; Jacob T. Martz, the educator; Frank Conklin, the financier; Harvey C. Garber, the politician; L. C. Anderson, the physician; Howard W. Swope, Frank and Carl Wilson, the musical composers; Judge James I. Allread, (23) the jurist; Orla Harrison and Clement Brumbaugh, the legislators; Guy C. Baker, the writer of short stories, besides Lohmann brothers, the telescope makers and Frances Katzenberger Ratliff, the author of "He Would Have Me Be Brave" and "The Three Verdicts." Besides all these might be mentioned a host of painters, readers, educators and musicians, who have helped to place Darke county in the front rank for native talent and worthy accomplishments. CHAPTER XV. POLITICS AND POLITICAL OFFICES. The people of Ohio have been noted for their genius for politics ever since their organization as a state in 1803. Probably the most stirring activity in early days was that caused by the “Tippecanoe and Tyler too" log cabin campaign in 1840, as previously noted. In earlier days the people of Darke county were isolated and mostly interested in clearing the land and laying the foundation for future prosperity. After the middle of the nineteenth century interest increased and politics became an important theme in public and private life. Political discussion often waxed warm in the taverns and public places and many brawls ensued. The "Darke County Boy" pictures the political condition at that period in the following vivid words: "I never hear of a Republican or a Democratic pole raising in Darke county any more. Those were great events in their day. The Republicans always raised ash poles, while the Democrats raised hickory poles. Noted speakers were had by both parties. The higher the pole, the greater the event. These poles were always spliced once or twice, and a flag and streamer were always hoisted to the top. While this was going on the band would play, the crowd would cheer, and everybody would feel good. "After the flag raising the speaker would talk about the `great fundamental principles' of the party to which he belonged, when there would be more yelling and handclapping, `to beat the band.' "There would sometimes be a fist fight or two before the day was over, but that was to be expected. Whiskey was good and cheap and plentiful, and consequently it always had its innings on such occasions. "If it was a Democratic pole raising, the old faithfuls of the party would drive into town good and early. As they drove in one would see David Edwards and his family, Wm. Jenkinson, William Marshall, David Thompson, John Town- 356 - DARKE COUNTY send, `Big' John Coppess, Joe Brush, Mike and Andy Zeek, George Dively, Sam Love, and Christian Schlechty, ,Uncle Jimmy' McCoy, Johnathan Matchette, Alfred Wolf, Wm. Lecklider, and hundreds of others, with their families. "I never saw a load of Democrats in my life that didn't look to have twice as many in the wagon as there actually were. They were so discouraging for Republicans to look at that it gave them the shivers—and sometimes worse. "On such occasions the speakers would be either Sam Medary, Frank McKinney, Frank Le Blond, C. L. Vallandingham, Geo. E. Pugh, Geo. H. Pendleton, Wm. Allen, Thomas Ewing, or local talent, such as D. L. Meeker, Evan Baker, Valentine Whitmore, John L. Winner, Thos. D. Stiles and Joseph McCord. These were before the war days. At night there would be speaking up town in front of the court house, where a bonfire as large as a logheap would make light enough to read a newspaper across the public square. "Whence came the fuel for the bonfire? Every merchant in town knew—for the next morning they would discover that all empty barrels and boxes had suddenly disappeared. Who `nipped' them? We boys, of course—sons of Democrats and sons of Republicans, and every one of us a `son of a gun,' according to the merchant's opinion of us. "Pole raising day for Republicans fetched into town the families of David Craig, John and Aaron Hiller, Lemuel Rush, Henry McEowen, J. J. Markwith, Sipio Myers, Joseph and Samuel Cole, A. L. Northrop, Wm. Leas, Harrod Mills, Wm. Bishop, Morris and Joe Bryson, James McCabe, David Putnam, Jacob Shiveley, Reuben Lowery, and 100 other stalwarts and their families. "After the pole raising, speeches would be made by either Thomas Corwin, Salmon P. Chase, Louis D. Campbell (then a Republican), Robt. Schenck, Samuel Galloway, Samuel Cary, William Gibson, James Hart, Samuel Craighead, Thos. M. Browne, or other distinguished non-residents, of the county. At night the local speakers would be one or more of the following: J. R. Knox, Dr. I. N. Gard, Charles Calkins, E. B. Putnam, A. R. Calderwood, E. B. Taylor, Joseph Frizell. The usual bonfire would be blazing as brightly as at any Democratic meeting. "But pole raising is no longer fashionable. Perhaps the scarcity of ash and hickory trees may be the fault of it." Feeling ran high during the Buchanan campaign and DARKE COUNTY - 357 throughout the Civil War, when the epithets of "Butternut" and "Copperhead" were contemptuously applied to those who sympathized with the south, while the Republicans in turn were called "Woolyheads." It was the delight of the Democrats to aggravate the Republicans by wearing "butternut" clothing similar to that worn in the Confederacy. Such conditions often resulted in severe fist fights. Vallandingham and Prugh, who were running on the state ticket, were stigmatized as "Vomit and Puke." Fire-eating and backbiting were the order of the day. Stump speakers and editors vied with each other in the use of caustic and vile adjectives, and the public mind was highly inflamed. At this period the office of the "Democrat" was raided, and the type thrown into the street. "The Dayton Rounders," a band of rowdies, participated in a Democratic meeting held in Greenville at the close of the war. Their presence inflamed the returned soldier boys, who drubbed several of them severely and drove them out of town after frightening them by the discharge of firearms. This escapade brought down on them the derision of their friends at home and broke up their organization. After the war a calmer and more sensible spirit prevailed and enthusiasm was expressed by barbecues, mass meetings and torchlight processions. This condition prevailed during the campaign of Hayes and Tilden, Garfield and Hancock. In recent years a calmer and more deliberate spirit has prevailed and more enlightened methods are used. To day the appeal is to the reason rather than the emotions. From 1836 to 1846, the congressional district was composed of Darke, Preble and Butler counties, with the result that Democrats were elected each term. In 1846 the district was changed to comprise Darke, Montgomery, Greene and Preble and continued so until 1852, during which time all the successful candidates were Whigs, including Hiram Bell of Greenville, elected in 1850. In 1852 the district was again changed to include Darke, Miami, Shelby, Auglaize, Allen and Mercer, with the result that a Democrat was elected in 1852; a bolter in 1854; a Republican in 1856; William Allen, of Greenville, a Democrat, in 1858 by 78 majority. In 1862 the district was composed of Darke, Warren, Shelby, Logan and Champaign and elected a Democrat that year, a Republican in 1864, 1866 and 1868; and a Democrat in 1870. In 1872 the district was composed of Darke, Preble, Greene and 358 - DARKE COUNTY Montgomery counties, and elected a Republican in that year; a Democrat in 1874 and 1876. In 1878 the district was composed of Darke, Shelby, Warren, Preble, Auglaize and Mercer and elected B. S. Lesser, of Sidney. State Senators. Before the separation of Darke county from Miami the senatorial district included Miami and Preble counties, and was known as Champaign District. David Purviance represented these counties from 1812 to 1815 inclusive; Thos. Furnas from 1816 to 1819; Wm. K. Henderson in 1820, and W. Buell in 1821. In 1822 Darke county was included in the Preble District with Mercer, Van Wert, Paulding and Williams. John Alexander represented this district at the special session in 1821. It seems that there was no representative at the regular sessions of 1822 and 1823. David F. Heaton was the representative in 1825; John G. Jamison in 1826 and 1827. Van Wert and Paulding counties were dropped from the district in 1828, and David F. Heaton again represented the district in 1828 to June, 1832, inclusive, and John M. W. McNutt in December, 1832. In 1833 the district comprised Allen, Miami, Darke, Shelby, Wood, Mercer, Williams, Lucas, Van Wert, Paulding, Putnam and Henry counties and was represented from 1833 to June, 1835, by Jas. Johnson; in the regular sessions of 1835 and 1836 by John E. Hunt, and in 1837 by Curtis Bates. In 1838 the district included Miami, Darke and Mercer counties. In 1840 Shelby was added and in 1844 Mercer was detached, making the district decidedly Whig. Wm. I. Thomas represented the district from 1838 to July, 1842, inclusive; Jos. S. Updegraff in 1842 and 1843; John O'Ferral in 1844 and 1845; Wm. W. Wilson in 1846 and 1847; Jacob S. Conklin in 1848 and 1849; Jas. H. Hart in 1850. The constitution of 1851 made the sessions biennial instead of annual. Darke county was then included in the Twelfth District with Miami and Shelby, and was represented by Rankin Walkup, in 1852; John McClure, in 1854; Wm. H. Lowder, in 1856; Isaac N. Gard, in 1858; Hardesty Walker, in 1860; Wm. B. McLung, in 1862; L. B. Gunckel, in 1864; J. E. Cummins, in 1866; John L. Winner, in 1868 and 1870; John W. Morris, in 1872; Jno. D. Morris, in 1874; Nathan P. Burress, in 1876; J. M. Carson, in 1878; Geo. W. DARKE COUNTY - 359 Moore, in 1880; Jennison Hall, in 1882; A. C. Cable, in 1884-1886; A. J. Robertson, in 1888-1890; Thos. A. Burns, in 1892; McPherson Brown, 1894-1896; Geo. S. Long, 1898-1900; Orla E. Harrison, H. L. Yount. Edward T. Wagner, represented Darke county in the Constitutional Convention of 1912, which drafted the new Constitution. Representatives. The members of the Ohio House of Representatives since 1820, have been: Jas. Mills, Jacob Miller, Jas. Riley, Joll Wood, Mark T. Mills, Justin Hamilton, P. G. Goode, Stacy Taylor. These persons represented the various districts of which Darke county was a part up to and including 1836. In 1837, Darke, Mercer and Miami were included in a district which was represented by Hiram Bell, Justin Hamilton, Jno. Briggs, Thos. Shidler, M. Purviance and I. N. Gard during the period from that time to 1841 inclusive. Darke alone was represented by Jacob Counts and John McClure in 1842, and by D. Alexander, Jas. Bryson and Jas. W. Riley in 1843; D. J. Hostetter, in 1844; Ezek. Thomas, in 1845; J. S. Purviance, in 1846; Jacob S. Conklin, in 1847; Luther Monfort, 1848; Geo. Ward, 1849; Jno. Lenox, 1850; Peter V. Banta, 1852; Evan Baker, 1854; J. C. Williamson, 1856; J. L. Winner, 1856-1860; Louis B. Lott, 1862-1864; Scipio Myers, 1866; Jacob Baker, 1868; E. M. Walker, 1870; Thos. D. Stiles, 1872; F. M. Walker, 1874; S. A. Hostetter, 1876-1878; Chas. Negley and W. Long, 1880; Chas. Negley, 1882; David Baker, 1884-1886. Harvey C. Garber was the representative in the sessions of 1890 and 1892; C. W. Hoeffer, in 1894; W. E. Ludwick, in 1896 and 1898; Clement L. Brumbaugh, in 19001902; A. H. Judy, Chris Appenzeller. The County Commissioners. are now elected for a term of three years, beginning September 15. They are three in number, one being elected each year, and their salary is $1,704.24 with an allowance of $3.00 per diem on ditches up to $500.00. The first Commissioners elected in 1817 were Archibald Bryson, Abraham Studabaker and Silas Atchison. Those who have served in this capacity since the above mentioned during the entire history of the county are Jacob Miller. Wm. Curry, John McNeill, Joshua Howell, Dennis Hart, James 360 - DARKE COUNTY Bryson, Robert Robeson, David Briggs, Jacob Harter, Solomon Riffle, John Swisher, Richard Lucas, Moses Woods, Wm. B. Ludd, George Ward, John McGriff, Jr., John Colville, Henry Lipp, Wm. Arnold, John Miller, Christian Harshey, Adam Baker, Samuel C. Baker, Isaac Reed, Daniel Riegel, David Studabaker, Abel Slonaker, Stephen A. Greer, Wm. Kerr, Michael Zeek, William Wright, Riley Gard, John Stoltz, George Ivester, Samuel Alexander, David Oliver, Jesse Woods, Jas. Auld, J. R. Holland, Elisha Berry, John Antonides, Geo. D. Miller, Wm. Archard, Samuel Wilson, John Frederick, Jno. G. Deubner, John H. Corwin, Wm. Archard, R. K. Beem, S. J. Stapleton, Chris Appenzeller, A. Kercher, Jacob Eberwine, P. J. Plessinger, John H. Noggle, Jacob Zacharias, Geo. E. Niswonger, Jos. Alexander, Thos. L. Brewer, N. D. Sipple, W. H. Townsend, D. F. Amspaugh, Oscar Moist, A. B. Craig, Reuben Hannah, John Coblentz and John Wondle. The following is the first report of the County Commissioners filed in 1818, for the year commencing on the first Monday in June, 1817, and ending on the first Monday in June, 1818: Expenditures. Cash for orders redeemed ------------------------$456.44 3/4 Paid the Treasurer's commission------------------18.24 $474.691 Receipts. In full of the county tax for the year 1817-----------$171.00 Store and tavern license and permits----------------76.57 On account sale of county lots----------------------177.00 Fines -------------------------------------------- 36.00 On roads not established--------------------------2.25 $462.82 Leaving a balance due the Treasurer on the first Monday in June, 1818, of $11.77. The first commissioners received a total of $40.50 for their services. The three Associate Judges drew $25.00 for their labor, and less than fifty dollars was paid for all the expenses of the court. DARKE COUNTY - 361 The grand jury was the most expensive item, drawing; $57.00. The cost of road improvement for that year was $20.00. It is intensely interesting to note that of the amount received $47.75 was for six of the lots comprising the original plat of the city of Greenville, out of the thirty-two, which had been conveyed to the County Commissioners by the proprietors of the plat for such public uses as might be deemed desirable. The lots were mostly 99 feet by 165 feet, and comprised the present very valuable sites of the Sellman and Hopkin homes on West Third street; the Dorman and Kin,, properties on West Main street; Spidel feed and sale barn on East Third street; the Opera House and saloon property adjoining on Third street; the Kipp corner on the public square, extending probably to Laurimore's restaurant on Broadway, and the Cole property on the southwest corner of East Main and Walnut streets. At that time a tax of thirty cents a head was levied on horses and ten cents a head on cattle. Tavern keepers paid a license of $8.00 and storekeepers $10.00. John Devor was the tax collector. The County Auditor transacts a large amount of important business, including the issuing of Commissioners' and other warrants on the County Treasurer, making out the tax duplicate, auditing the accounts of all the district and village and city schools, etc. He is now elected for a term of three years, beginning in October, and his salary is $3,135.00 per year. Those who have filled this important position since the establishment of the office in 1821, were Jas. Devor, H. D. Williams, John Craig, John Beers, David Cole, Hiram Bell, David Angel, C. C. Craig, Wm. M. Wilson, David Stamm, John S. Winner, A. R. Doty, A. L. Northrop, Geo. W. Coover, Joseph C. Shepherd, John E. Matchett, D. B. Clews, E. H. Wright, O. C. Perry, John D. Matchett, W. J. Kelly, John C. Turpen, Cyrus Minnich, L. C. Klipstine, George Sigafoos, J. W. Ditman, Ed. Culbertson, Frank Snyder and the present incumbent, John L. Morgan. The County Treasurer is elected for a period of three years beginning in September. His salary at present is $3,135.00. John Devor was the first 362 - DARKE COUNTY Treasurer, being appointed in 1818. Others who served since him were: David Briggs, Linus Bascom, John Beers, A. Scribner, Loring R. Brownell, Henry D. Williams, Jas. M. Dorsey, Daniel Irwin, James Devor, Chas. Hutchins, Jas. Irwin, Wm. Schmidt, Jas. McKhann, Geo. H. Martz, Thos. P. Turpen, Eli Helm, John Simon, Bickel. H. C. Helm, J. P. Meeker, T. F. Rogers, John C. Burns. John Suter is the present incumbent. The County Recorder is elected for a term of three years, beginning in September. His salary is now $2,130.00. Abraham Scribner was appointed the first County Recorder in 1817, and was succeeded by Easton Morris. Those serving since were: Joseph D. Farrar, Thomas Rush, John Wharry, Elias Brumminger, John S. Shepherd, S. C. Eddington, Daniel Stevenson, A. F. Medford, Benj. Beers, P. H. Maher, Richard Hunt, Daniel Snyder, James W. Martin, Wm. Townsend, Louis Gruber. The present incumbent is Alva Binkley. The County Surveyor or Engineer is elected for a period of three years, his term beginning in September. His salary is five dollars per working day. Those elected in recent years to this office, where accuracy of detail and mathematical precision are prime requisites'. were: Eli Armacost, W. D. Brumbaugh, German Warner, Jas. R. Marker, Chas. Slade. The present incumbent is Harry Miller, who assumed office this year. The first surveyor was probably John Devor, who made the original plat of Greenville in 1808. The Infirmary Superintendent has a difficult and responsible position in caring for the deficient, aged and infirm members of the county house, and in taking care of the large farm attached thereto. This officer was formerly appointed yearly by the Infirmary Directors, who in turn were appointed by the Commissioners. Recently they have been appointed by the Commissioners direct, thus eliminating a -superfluous office. DARKE COUNTY - 363 Court Officials. The Probate Judge is elected for a term of four years, which begins in February. His salary is $3,135.00 per year. The Prosecuting Attorney is elected for a period of two years, beginning in January. His salary is $2,370.00 per year. The Clerk of the Courts is elected for a term of three years beginning in August with a salary of $2,785.00 yearly. The Sheriff holds for a period of two years, beginning January 1, and receives a salary of $2,300.00 per year. In Chapter XXII, entitled "Bench and Bar," will be found a complete list of those serving in the above court offices since the organization of the county, with biographical sketches of all Probate and Common Pleas Judges. Darke county is now in the Fourth Congressional District, which includes also the counties of Allen, Auglaize, Shelby and Mercer. Since 1891, the following Democrats have represented this district at Washington: F. C. Layton (Auglaize), 1891-1896; Marshall (Shelby), 1897-1898; Robert Gordon (Auglaize), 1899-1902; Harvey C. Garber (Darke), 1903-1906; W. E. Touvelle (Mercer), 1907-1910; J. H. Goeke (Auglaize), 1911-. The county has uniformly gone Democratic on presidential elections for several years, except that it gave Theodore Roosevelt (Republican) a majority. CHAPTER XVI. PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. The County Infirmary. Probably no public institution better illustrates the progressive and philanthropic disposition of the people of Darke county than the beautiful new infirmary building, situated on a commanding hillside some two miles south of Greenville on the Eaton pike. Before the middle of the last century it was customary in Darke and other Ohio counties to place their weak, unfortunate and incompetent citizens in the homes of residents who hoped to profit by their keeping. It can readily be imagined that many abuses attended this pernicious custom and that the growing spirit of charity and humanity demanded a home maintained by a county tax where these poor people might have proper care and attention. Accordingly, on March 18, 1854, the County Commissioners purchased a farm of 248 acres located in townships 11 and 12 in. Greenville township on both sides of the Eaton pike for the sum of $6,000.00. The object of this purchase was to locate a home for the care of the infirm, sick and disabled poor of the county. The contract for an infirmary building was let on May 17, 1854, and the structure was completed in January, 1856, at a total cost of about $8,500.00. This structure was built of brick, three stories in height and was 40x84 feet in dimensions. The building was doubled in size by an addition built in 1875-76, when it contained seventy-two rooms; substantial separate buildings were also erected for a laundry and engine-house. The site chosen was on the slope of a hill overlooking Greenville and the valley of Bridge creek. This institution was opened for the reception of inmates March 1, 1856, and an average of eighteen inmates was maintained during that year. In March, 1880. the number of inmates was 106, including fourteen idiotic persons. By a law enacted in recent years most of the insane patients are sent to the district state hospital at Dayton, O., for treatment and confinement. It has been estimated that about ninety per cent, of all inmates confined in the infirmary are there as a result of intemperance, directly or indirectly. A 366 - DARKE COUNTY cursory glance convinces even the superficial observer that a large per cent, suffer from senility or some form of mental or physical weakness which incapacitates them for the arduous duties of the normal citizen. The original building was consumed by fire on the morning of June 2, 1897. At that time there were some seventy-five or eighty inmates confined in the building, all of whom escaped and found refuge in the large barn across the road. They were soon removed to the fair grounds until suitable temporary quarters had been erected just south of the site of the burned building. At this time the County Commissioners and Infirmary Directors took prompt action to secure the erection of a new building. The contract was soon let to Hosacoster, of Richmond, Indiana, at about $75,000, who pushed the work during the following winter and spring and had it ready for occupancy in the fall of 1898. John Studebaker, L. G. Turner and G. F. Trittschuh were the directors; John Noggle, Philip Plessinger and Chris Appenseller the commissioners; T. B. Miller, the superintendent, and Dr. W. A. Rush the visiting physician at the time of the fire, and to these officers must be given much credit for the efficient manner in which they met the critical situation. The new building is built of red pressed brick on a stone foundation, has a slate roof and is two stories above the basement. The front facade is ornamented with towers and dormers and presents a pleasing and homelike appearance. The front part of the building is built for the use of the superintendent and family, and contains an office, sitting room, bed room, reception room and pantry on the first floor, five bed rooms and a bath room upstairs and a kitchen in the basement. There is an offset in the building between the superintendent's department and that of the inmates a short distance to the rear. The main hall runs entirely through the building from east to west. On the south side of this hall downstairs is the male inmates' department, comprising a large sitting room, dormitory, with some eighteen beds, two separate bed room, three closets, three lavatories and a large bath room, besides three other bed rooms on the extreme east. Upstairs above these roms are a large hospital room, dormitory, three or four bed rooms with four beds each, bath and sanitary and three additional bed rooms as below. The female department is situated on the north side DARKE COUNTY - 367 of the building and is arranged in about the same manner as that of the males. A large dining room and two kitchens occupy the rear of the main building. There is a basement under the entire building containing furnace, coal and food storage rooms besides the superintendent's kitchen. A short distance east of the main building is located the annex built to house the incurable insane. It is of brick, two stories high, and contains eighteen cells, one large bath room and nine separate cells with sanitary closet attached on each floor. North of the annex is a brick laundry building equipped with modern machinery. Besides these there is a slaughter house, an ice house, a large bank barn capable of accommodating about forty head of cattle, ten horses, a silo with a capacity of probably seventy-five tons of ensilage, a crib, a wagon shed and a hog pen. A twenty-five horse power gas engine with a six-inch duplex pump draws the water from a wonderful natural spring located just below the edge of the hill on the west side of the pike some five hundred feet from the engine house. This spring has been enclosed by a wall sixteen feet square and the water stands about five feet deep throughout the year. It is seemingly inexhaustible as from five hundred to seven hundred barrels of water have been pumped from it in one day in the summer season to sprinkle the lawn, etc., without visibly diminishing the supply. The cost of the entire group of buildings is estimated at approximately one hundred thousand dollars and the land comprising the farm is now probably worth thirty thousand dollars. Shortly after the completion it was inspected by the Secretary of the State Board of Charities, who pronounced it the best arranged and most complete infirmary of its size in Ohio. Until recently this institution was conducted by a superintendent and three directors, appointed by the County Commissioners. By a new law the directors have been eliminated, and the Commissioners control it directly. Since its organization the following persons have served in the difficult and responsible position of superintendent: Jacob Shively, three years; David Thompson, six years; Wm. Thompson, five years; Crawford Eddington, seven years; J. N. Braden, three years; John Brandon, ten years; T. B. Miller, eleven years: I. F. St. John, three years; Wm. Smith, five years. 368 - DARKE COUNTY The present very efficient and popular incumbent is G. Frederick Trittschuh, who has served since 1910. The following extract from the report of the Board of County Visitors filed with the Probate Judge, December 14, 1913, shows the present condition of this very important county institution: "The Darke County Infirmary, situated about two miles south of Greenville on the Dayton & Northern Traction, comprises a farm of 241 acres, of which 140 acres is tillable, 25 acres is in timber, 55 acres in pasture, 10 acres in orchard, 5 acres in lawn and barnyard, and one acre in cemetery. The farm land is in good condition and is valued at $125 per acre. "This season the farm produced 457 bushels of wheat, 409 bushels of oats, 204 bushels of rye, 3,000 bushels of corn, 50 tons of hay, 75 tons of ensilage, 448 bushels of Irish potatoes, 69 bushels of sweet potatoes, 75 bushels of onions and an abundance of vegetables of all kinds. The cellar contains over a thousand cans of fruit and 85 gallons of apple butter. On the farm at the present time are the following: Forty-six cattle, seven horses, two hundred and twenty swine, one hundred and fifty chickens. The stock is in good condition, and the barn is well filled with feed for winter use. The total value of the products for the year was $6,766.72. The estimated net annual expense, beside products, was $12,618.06. Supt. G. F. Trittschuh and wife formerly received $1,200 per year, and now $1,400 per year. The management of the farm and institution requires the assistance of the following help: Two farm hands at $26.00 each per month; an engineer at $50.00 per month; six girls at $17.50 each per month. Dr. S. A. Hawes is employed as physician for the institution at $150.00 per year. The capacity of the infirmary is two hundred, and the population is eighty-six. Of this number one is an epileptic, six are blind, three are insane, and the majority of the remainder are disabled by old age. All the inmates who are able assist with the work of the institution. The women are employed with house work, quilt piecing, and sewing carpet rags while the men are engaged in care of the buildings and labor on the farm. The inmates seem contented and happy. The insane are quartered in separate rooms in the annex. DARKE COUNTY - 369 The sexes occupy separate wings of the building. Aged couples are also separated. There are no soldiers or soldiers' widows at the infirmary. The buildings are in excellent condition and are well kept. The basement of the main building looks clean and sanitary. with all the walls newly whitewashed. The buildings are all lighted by electricity and heated by steam. The rooms are- ventilated by raising and lowering the windows. The door yards are especially neat and clean in every part. The lawn, with its artistically arranged shrubs and and flowers, present an attractive appearance. Industry, care and thrift are in evidence throughout the institution. The water supply is obtained from a spring and a drivel well. Protection against fire is provided by chemical fire extinguishers and water furnished by the tower system. The inmates have access to daily and weekly paper.” The report of 1879 showed 114 inmates on August 31st that year : 193 persons admitted during the year ; total cost of maintenance $8,314.49. The farm itself is now worth about five times its original cost and the total value of ground and buildings approximates $130,000.00 The Children's Home The word home is one of the most sacred and suggestive in the English language, calling up ties and associations dear to the heart of humanity—ties that hind old and young around the common hearthstone—associations that cast a potent spell over the entire earthly life of normal man. To establish and maintain a home for the unfortunate children of a large county is a work worthy of sincere commendation. In early days such children were placed in the infirmaries with the idiotic, the delinquent, the aged and infirm and brought under the depressing influences of such an unsavory environment. Benevolent minded citizens early saw the revolting features of this custom and stirred tip sentiment against it. In response to this sentiment the county commissioners ordered that the proposition of establishing a children's home, and of issuing bonds in a sum not in excess of 825,000 to nay for the requisite site and erect suitable buildings thereon, be sub- (24) 370 - DARKE COUNTY mitted to the qualified electors of the county at a public election in April, 1882. The proposition was accordingly voted on and carried by a large majority. Taxes were levied for this purpose in 1882, 1883 and 1884. The commissioners then invited proffers of suitable tracts and after the consideration of various propositions from owners of farms in different parts of the county finally decided upon a tract of about fifty-two and one-half acres situated in adjoining corners of sections thirteen and fourteen, township twelve, range two east, on the Beamsville pike about two and three-fourths miles north of the county seat. This property was purchased from George W. Manix, Sr., November 27, 1883 for $7,357.63. This site is centrally located, is sufficiently remote from Greenville to insure quiet and home-like conditions, but not being situated on any railway or traction line necessitates the incurring of extra expense for the transportation of fuel and supplies. The Dorman farm, nicely situated on a rising knoll skirting the north bank of Greenville creek and facing the same pike, had been offered as a site. but considerable objection was raised on account of its proximity to the county seat, an objection which is not now considered sufficiently valid. On November 26, 1884, the commissioners appointed three trustees: S. A. Hostetter, to serve three years: John H. Martin, two years; and Thomas McCowen, to serve one year. Hy joint action of the commissioners and trustees it was decided to build a structure of ample proportions with all modern conveniences. The contract for the main building was let June 8, 1888, for $17,000. The boiler house cost about S2,000.00, the gas fitting, heaters and radiators about $4,000.00 and the grading of yard and making of roads and walks about $800.00 in addition to the above. The main building is two stories high above the basement, is built of red brick on a stone foundation, is one hundred and sixteen feet front length, ninety-one feet deep on the wings, about sixty feet above grade to square, has tower, steep pitched slate roof and dormers. The basement is cemented and contains a large kitchen, dining room, pantries, grocery, fireman's work room, besides fruit and coal rooms, and a large furnace. An eight-foot hall penetrates this floor for eighty feet. The first floor is intersected by halls running both ways, has a large sitting room, dining room and pantries, a commodious office with parlor and bed-room attached. DARKE COUNTY - 371 Girls and boys have separate large play rooms with attached wash, bath, sanitary closet and press room, besides two separate bed rooms and closets, contains a large room used for nursery and dormitory, a serving room, seven bed rooms, one large bath room, and boys' and girls' dormitories each with wash, toilet and bath room attached, and all connected by cross halls. A hospital room was furnished in the attic but has been condemned by the state inspector of public buildings. Besides the main building there is a two-story brick laundry building with slate roof, size twenty-four by forty feet, equipped with steam-washer, extracter and drying room; a brick slaughter house size fourteen by twenty-two feet; a two-story frame building, size eighteen by thirty-four feet, built for a manual training shop; a good barn forty by eighty feet on the foundation, with basement, in which are kept horses and cattle; a hog house, and four large hen houses. Besides these buildings, a neat and commodious brick school house with tower and two rooms, size twenty-five by thirty-four and twenty-eight by forty, respectively, was built in 1895, some distance north of the main building. On December 18, 1913, there were sixty-three children in the home, thirty-five boys and twenty-eight girls, and eleven assistants were employed. Thomas Teal was the first superintendent of the home and served from April, 1889, to March, 1892. He was succeeded by Thomas Monger and wife, who served as superintendent and matron respectively until 1912, a period of twenty years, in a very efficient and satisfactory manner. Mr. Albert Wagner and wife served from March 5, 1912, to March, 1913, and were succeeded by Mr. Alvin Gilbert and wife who are the present incumbents. S. A. Hostetter served as trustee for seventeen years, and was succeeded by John Suter, who served eight years, who in turn was succeeded by Elmer Studebaker, who now occupies this office. John H. Martin served a short time, was succeeded by John C. Turpen, who served six or eight years, and was succeeded by J. C. Elliott, who served eight years, since whose term the office has been filled for brief periods by James W. Martin, and W. B. Hough, both deceased, and is now filled by Ed Culbertson who was recently appointed. Thomas McCowen was succeeded by Judge J. A. Jobes, who was appointed to fill his unexpired term. Jacob M. Brown 372 - DARKE COUNTY succeeded Jobes in 1892, served eleven years, and was in turn succeeded by W. D. Rush, who has served ever since. When the number of trustees was increased from three to four in order to make the board bi-partisan, Henry Bish was appointed to this position and served probably six years, being succeeded by John A. McEowen, who served about ten years. The latter resigned in 1912 and was succeeded by J. H. Dunham, the present incumbent. During the quarter of a century of the home's history over six hundred children have gone through its course of training and been placed with responsible families or in promising employment. The children are now kept in the home until they are eighteen years of age. The amount of service rendered to these unfortunate children, and through them to society, is incalculable and justifies, no doubt, all the care and expense invested in them. The following extract from the report of the Board of County Visitors filed December 14. 1913, with Probate Judge James B. Kolp furnishes some interesting data: Children's Home. The Children's Home is situated two and three-fourths miles northeast of Greenville on a farm of fifty-two and one-half acres. Thirty-five are tillable, eight acres are in timber, and the remainder in orchard, garden, barn-yard and lawn. The farm is valued at $125.00 per acre. The products this year were twelve tons of hay, one hundred and sixty-four bushels rye, a silo of ensilage, one hundred twenty-five bushels of potatoes, ten bushels of beets, ten bushels of onions, five bushels of sweet potatoes and the usual garden supplies. On the farm at the present time are the following: Eight cattle, four horses, twenty-two swine, seven turkeys and two hundred chickens. The value of the products from this farm were estimated at $1,100.00. The estimated net annual expense, besides products, was $11,873.29. The management of the home was changed in March, 1913, and Mr. and Mrs. A. Gilbert, who receive $1,000 per year salary, are now in charge. A physician is employed at a salary of $100.00 per year. While there are accommodations for one hundred chil- DARKE COUNTY - 373 dren, there are now only sixty-one children in the home. Of these there is one crippled and one feeble-minded. The boys, and girls occupy different parts of the same building and each department is in charge of a governess. The girls' dormitory is fitted up with white iron beds and the boys with wooden beds. These beds are equipped with sheets, pillows, blankets, comforts and spreads. A seamstress is employed to do the sewing for the inmates. The older children, when out of school, assist with the won: of the institution. Some of the girls, who are musically inclined, are given instrumental lessons. One teacher is employed to teach the home school. The children have access to a library, the Youth's Companion and Sunday school papers. The children attend Sunday school at a church near the home. The clothing of the children is good and plentiful. The brick building occupied by the superintendent and family, the helpers and the inmates, is lighted by electricity, heated by steam, and ventilated by windows. The trustees have improved the building this year by making a board floor in the children's dining room and the kitchen, and by building fire escapes to the boys' and girls' dormitories and children's dining room. They have repaired, roofed and repainted the barn. Carnegie Library. One of the most popular and useful institutions in the county is the Carnegie library, located on the northwest corner of Fifth and Sycamore streets, Greenville, Ohio, on grounds formerly comprising a portion of the West School play grounds. The beginning of this excellent library properly dates from the administration of Prof. F. Gillum Cromer as superintendent of the public schools. Professor Cromer became superintendent in 1888 and soon began to plan for a library for the use of the school children. Washington's birthday entertainments were given by the scholars of the public schools (which then comprised the East (high) school and West school) and the money thus earned was used to purchase books and maintain the library, which was then called the "Free School Library." As the library increased in size it was deemed desirable to equip a centrally located room and open tip the library to the general public. 374 - DARKE COUNTY Appreciating the benefit conferred upon a community by the possession of such an institution, Mr. Frank M. McWhinney, a public spirited citizen, donated the use of the lower floor of brick business room on West Fifth street, opposite the Christian Tabernacle, for the housing of the growing library. is room was nicely furnished by the board of education d in 1892 the books were moved into it. Mr. Henry St. Clair, a wholesale grocer and far-seeing citizen, added an ex excellent reference library, comprising dictionaries, atlases, cyclopedias, theological, historical and reference books generally and furnished a secluded alcove for the especial use of the ministers, professional men and literary club women. Miss Josie Ford was employed as the first librarian. She was succeeded by Miss Callie Biltemier. The library increased in size and usefulness and in the early spring of 1901, Mr. D. L. Gaskill, representing the board of education of the city of Greenville, wrote Andrew Carnegie asking whether, if the city of Greenville would pledge itself for the support of a library, he would not make a donation for a library for that city. Within three days an answer came back from Mr. Carnegie stating that if the city of Greenville would provide for its support in the sum of $1,500.00 per year, he would be glad to give $15,000.00 for the erection of a library. Immediate steps were taken by the board of education and the city council of Greenville to pledge that amount of support for the library and Mr. D. L. Gaskill, Mr. L. C. Anderson and Mr. A. H. Brandon went to Pittsburgh to get ideas on library construction. After looking over libraries in that city and consulting with Mr. Anderson, librarian of the libraries of Pittsburgh, the latter advised that Greenville should have a better library than $15,000.00 would build, and in reply to a question put to him by Mr. Gaskill, he stated he would be very glad to write a letter advising Mr. Carnegie to that effect. He gave the committee such a letter and upon their return Mr. Henry St. Clair gave the committee another letter stating he intended to maintain the reference library as he had been in the past. These letters were forwarded to Mr. Carnegie in New York, but owing to the fact that Mr. Carnegie had gone to Scotland, they were forwarded to Skibo Castle and in about two months an answer was received from Mr. Carnegie that if the city of Greenville would increase the amount which they pledged for its support to $2,500.00 he would be glad to give $25.000.00 for the library. DARKE COUNTY - 375 The board of education immediately altered the plans and called for bids on a library that could be built for $25,000.00. When the bids were received, however, it was found that it would require close to $30,000.00 to construct a library in accordance with the plans as made and Mr. W. S. Kaufman, who was the architect of the building, was instructed to modify the plans. A few days later Mr. Gaskill, when in conversation with Mr. St. Clair, stated that the plans had to be modified in order to reduce the cost and Mr. St. Clair, who was familiar with the plans, stated that it would be a great pity to alter the plans from what had been originally intended and that if the board of education would proceed to build it as originally planned, he would make up what money Mr. Carnegie lacked in building it. The architect was immediately notified not to change the plans and the work was undertaken on the original plans. Mr. D. L. Gaskill was chairman of the building committee, and took personal charge of the construction. The members of the school board at that time were: L. C. Anderson, D. L. Gaskill, George W. Mannix, Jr., H. C. Jacobi, A. F. Markwith and F. T. Conklin. There is no building in the city for beauty and excellence and benefit to the citizens that exceeds the Carnegie library. Mr. St. Clair contributed to its building and erection the sum of 53.610.50. Mr. Carnegie gave $25,000.00, and the board of education, from the library fund, contributed sufficient to make tip the remaining cost, which totaled $31.177.50. At the time the construction was made, building material and labor was low, and the same building to be constructed ten years later would have cost probably $45,000.00. This building is about ninety feet in length and seventy feet in width, and is two stories in height. The outside construction of the first, or basement story, is of Redford stone, while the second story is of buff pressed brick, trimmed in oolitic stone, and the roof is covered with red tile. The library is entered by wide steps tinder a portico. A doorway leads from the portico into a vestibule finished in marble. A rise of ten steps leads to the lobby, finished in quartered oak and encaustic Mosaic tile. The librarian's desk is placed midway in the lobby and is octagonal in form. The children's reading room, twenty-five by thirty feet, is situated on the right of the lobby; the adult's reading room, of the same size, on the left. The St. Clair reference room is in the rear of the adult's reading, room, and the stack room in 376 - DARKE COUNTY the rear of the children's reading room. In the rear of the lobby is the librarian's office. Large, plate-glass panels separate these rooms from the lobby, but give excellent vision from the librarian's desk over the whole of the library. Cases are arranged around the wall with alcoves in stack room. The St. Clair room is elegantly furnished in walnut, has a beautiful Shakespeare memorial window separating it from the adult's room, a stained memorial window of the donor, a beautiful marble statuette from Paris, besides heavy and costly furnishings and a tile floor. The whole interior is tastefully and appropriately frescoed, the librarian's office being done in quaint Egyptian design and colors, while the lobby shows portraits of distinguished literary men and appropriate mottoes. The first floor is occupied by the public museum, stack room for government reports, etc., heating plant and janitor's work room. Toilet rooms, finished in marble and tile are on both floors. The corner stone was laid with impressive Masonic exercises on October 30, 1901. and the new building was dedicated March 19, 1903, the hooks having been transferred from the McWhinney building by the school children. Miss Isabelle M. Rosser and Miss Lucy Gard Arnold served as librarians for several years. Miss Minnie I. Routzong has been librarian and Miss Minnie Bertram, assistant librarian, for some time. Besides the two librarians, a janitor and museum attendant are employed with a monthly pay roll of $145.00. The library and museum are under the control of the city board of education, being regarded as an adjunct to the city schools, and are maintained largely by a local tax levy. The librarian's report for the year ending December 31, 1913, shows a total of 13,731 volumes, of which 11.631 are for adults and 2,100 for children. Besides these booKs sixty-five current periodicals are received. Two thousand one hundred and twelve patrons have cards on file. A charge of one dollar per year is made for non-residents and twenty-one cards are held by country borrowers. The pupils in the public schools are the largest patrons and probably derive greatest benefit from this institution, although professional men, club women and the public generally constantly patronize it also. DARKE COUNTY - 377 The Public Museum. The building of the Carnegie library  the county seat suggested the propriety of establishing a public museum wherein might be gathered and properly exhibited the relics, of Indian occupancy, and the St. Clair and Wayne campaigns. pioneer implements, minerals, manuscripts and other material of an educational nature. For probably thirty years previous to this time, Messrs. G. Anthony and Charles Katzenberger had purchased and secured a large number of the most valuable stone and iron implements of early days, firearms, coins, and curios which they kept displayed in a room above their brick grocery on the public square where the new post-office building is now located. Upon the death of Anthony Katzenberger in 1894, the collection became the property of his brother Charles, who in response to public sentiment, agreed to transfer the same to the new library building upon its completion, where the public might have free access to same. The Greenville city board of education gladly accepted the generous offer of this public spirited citizen. and in the fall of 1901 appointed three trustees to take charge of this collection, solicit and receive other similar collections and objects and provide for their proper exhibition. These trustees organized in October, 1901, by electing Frazer E. Wilson, president; George A. Katzenberger, secretary, and A. C. Robeson, treasurer. These trustees petitioned and secured from the board appropriations for constructing and securing neat and substantial oak and glass wall cases, flat cases and tables from time to time in which the collections were neatly arranged according to kind and classification so that upon the dedication of the library in March, 1903, a fine exhibition was made of articles collected at that time. Since that time the museum has grown steadily. New collections have been added, new cases installed and the collections arranged and rearranged many times by the hand of the veteran collector, Mr. Charles Katzenberger, who has constantly donated his services for that purpose without charge. Among the rarest and most valuable collections added was that formerly belonging to John Slife, an old citizen of Mercer county, who lived a short distance out of Fort Recovery near the site of the encampment of the Kentucky Militia on November 3. 1791. This man had been an energetic and tireless collector for years and had assembled the largest and most valuable col- 378 - DARKE COUNTY lections of firearms and military relics of St. Clair and Wayne armies ever gotten together on the site of St. Clair's defeat. Upon the suggestion of Mr. Calvin Young and Mr. F. E. Wilson, Mrs. F. M. McWhinney generously agreed to donate $125.00 for the purchase of these relics which are now considered worth many times the price as they represent probably the most disastrous conflict that ever took place on Ohio soil. On Tuesday, January 10, 1905, Mr. George Katzenberger, Mr. Wilson and Mr. Allen Murphy drove to Fort Recovery and secured this priceless collection which comprises several flint lock muskets, separate locks, musket barrels, bayonets, knives, tomahawks, musket balls, small shot, cannon balls, military buttons, stirrups, a camp kettle, United States steel yard, besides many small but intensely interesting pieces. One of the most highly prized objects in this collection is a United States officer's sword, said to have been found in an old log in 1859, and having the name Arthur Butler scratched on the blade. Dr. George I. Gunckel, an oral surgeon in the United States army, formerly of Greenville, where he married Miss Rome Turner, a descendant of Dr. Gabriel Miesse, the veteran collector, has made valuable loans of local relics from time to time, besides a wonderful collection of implements and curios from the Philippine Islands, largely pertaining to the Spanish-American war. This is said to be one of the most valuable collections of the kind in the United States, and occupies some six or eight of the three by eight foot cases. In addition Dr. Gunckel has loaned a Revolutionary cannon and numerous relics of the Civil war, including the cannon from Mobile harbor, four large pointed shells fired at Fort Sumpter and a large mortar shell fired from Fort Pickens, the latter objects now being mounted and displayed on the library lawn. In the Katzenberger collections are included a very select case of rare polished stone implements, a case of iron implements and relics of the St. Clair and Wayne expeditions, a fine case of old and new firearms, a case of old books and manuscripts, a case of rare and old coins, besides mixed collections of rare and interesting objects. Portions of the remains of various mastodons discovered in recent years in various localities in the county and the tooth of a mammoth are shown, besides a large and representative assortment of pioneer implements, selected mineral specimens, collections of local insects, and bird nests, collections from Mexico and DARKS COUNTY - 379 the Holy Land, etc., etc. On the walls are exhibited various interesting pictures and prints including fine oil paintings of St. Clair, Wayne and Little Turtle, painted and donated to the Historical Society by Kitty Matchett Vaughan, a photograph of the original document of the treaty of Greenville, and a deed for the townsite of Greenville. The museum now occupies three of the largest rooms besides the wide hall in the basement of the library, and probably contains three or four thousand separate articles exhibited in some forty glass cases. It is probable that this is the finest local museum operated by any city of the size in Ohio or even in the United States. Its value to the students in the schools of the county and to the public generally as a stimulant to the study of local history and traditions is almost inestimable. For its educational and sentimental value it should continue to receive the hearty support and patronage of our citizens for many years. At this time Mr. Charles Katzenberger is still acting as Curator, in which capacity he exhibits decided talent and a fine enthusiasm. Prof. Frank M. White, for many years instructor in German and Latin in the high school, is acting as usher in the afternoons, and Messrs. George A. Katzenberger and F. F. Wilson are trustees. Henry St. Clair Memorial Hall. Through the kindness and public spirit of the late Henry St. Clair, the people of Greenville and the citizens of Darke county have reeeived one of their most valuable public institutions in the way of a fine modern building in which are housed the new departments of the public schools and in which is provided a large, finely constructed and equipped auditorium for all sorts of public gatherings. For some years prior to his decease, Mr. St. Clair had in mind the construction of just such a building as this, which he hoped to complete and present to the city of Greenville during his lifetime. His untimely death on October 7, 1908, however, interfered with these plans as far as his personal participation was concerned. When his will was read, among the many benefactions therein contained was the following: "I will and bequeath to the board of education of the city of Greenville. Ohio. and its successors in office perpetually, the sum of $100.000.00. to be used by said board of education 380 - DARKE COUNTY and its successors for the purpose of erecting a memorial hall for the use of large and small assemblies and for the use and betterment of the public schools in any manner in which said board may think most practicable and beneficial to the public." Acting upon this generous bequest the board of education, of which Mr. St. Clair had been a member, planned a building in conformity to his expressed wish, which, when completed, was one of the most beautiful and best equipped of its type in the state of Ohio. Before erection various sites were discussed and considered, and it was finally decided to place the building near the center of the West school grounds on account of its central location and proximity to the Carnegie library and the high school building, to which latter institution it was to be a valuable adjunct. In order to place it on this site it was necessary to move the three-story brick high school building which had stood partially on this spot since its erection in 1868 and originally contained over seven hundred thousand bricks. This building had originally cost $25,000.00, exclusive of the heating plant and gas fixtures, and had recently been remodeled at a cost of some $20,000. The gigantic task of successfully moving this building some distance to the southwest of its original site was accomplished by a Pittsburg contractor in the summer of 1909 at a cost of some $7,000.00, which sum was furnished by Mrs. St. Clair. The school board erected a new foundation on which to place the building and this with other improvements cost probably $10,000.00, making the cost of the high school building with its various improvements from time to time probably $75,000.00. In the spring of 1910 the work of excavation for the memorial hall was prosecuted and on Thursday, June 30, 1910, the corner stone was laid with impressive Masonic ceremonies. The day was intensely sultry and the services were performed under a canvass canopy in presence of a large throng. Charles J. Pretzman, right worshipful grand orator of the grand lodge of Ohio Free and Accepted Masons, was the orator of the day. Mrs. Clara Turpen Grimes, of Dayton, Ohio, was the soloist of the day and instrumental music was furnished by the National Military Home band, of Dayton, Ohio, under the leadership of Pearl Culbertson, both being descendants of pioneer Darke county families. Work on the building progressed slowly and it was not dedicated until Friday, May 3, 1912, on which occasion the principal DARKE COUNTY - 381 address was made by  George W. Manix, Jr., an orator of the Greenville bar, and vocal music was rendered by the well trained Girls' Chorus of the Greenville high school. The members of the board of education when the construction of the building was begun were: D. W. Bowman, president; W. T. Fitzgerald, clerk; John Mong, F. T. Conklin, Charles J. Herr and Harry Vance. James J. Martz was superintendent of the public schools. Mr. Bowman was given charge of the construction on behalf of Mrs. St. Clair and carefully watched the progress of the building and insisted that the work be carried out in detail. The original plans were altered, a fine stone coping displacing the metal trimmings and a beautiful green tile roof being substituted. Other improvements were made and a fine two manual organ with chime attachments installed at a cost of some seven thousand dollars, making the total expense of constructing and furnishing this building and moving the high school building approximate $135,000.00, the excess over the original estimate of $100.000.00 being furnished by Mrs. St. Clair. This beautiful building is constructed of Bedford stone and a superior quality of gray pressed brick. The vestibule and lobby are furnished with marble pillars, wainscoting and steps with mosaic tile floor, and are lighted by three large emblematic stained glass windows. On the east side of the basement is located the athletic room; on the west side are two rooms equipped for the manual training department of the schools. On the rear beneath the stage are the boiler room and one dressing room. The main auditorium, which occupies the central portion of the building, and is equipped with a large balcony and private boxes, seats some eight hundred persons. To the left of the auditorium on the first floor are two rooms used by the domestic science department and so constructed that they canbee thrown together and be used for a small auditorium with a seating capacity of probably two hundred To the west of the auditorium are the kindergarten and board office rooms. On the east side of second floor are the domestic science kitchen, dining room and sewing room. On the west side of this floor are the music room and an assembly room constructed for the use of the ministerial association occupies the rear of the building which can he shut off from and the medical association. A well equipped modern stage the main auditorium by an expensive fireproof curtain. With the possible exception of the seating capacity of the main 382 - DARKE COUNTY auditorium this building carries out the generous designs of its donors and is a very useful and ornamental institution. Besides its utility as a supplementary institution of the Greenville school system it affords unusual facilities for the presentation of plays and musicals of a higher order than can be staged in many cities of the size of Greenville and can be used to good advantage for chautauquas, county institutes, political and religious conventions and large public gatherings generally. It also contributes much towards beautifying the city and the appropriation of ground from the school lot for its site could be largely compensated for by the purchase and removal of the Matchett house, which now obstructs the view from the business portion of the city, thus making a fine central park with possibilities of future beauty beyond the dreams of the unobservant. Howard & Merriam of Columbus, Ohio, were the architects of this magnificent building and E. E. Bope of the same city, the contractor. CHAPTER XVII. RAILWAYS. From a material standpoint three things have probably contributed more toward the making of Darke county than all other forces and institutions combined, viz.: drainage, roads and railways. We have previously noted the remarkable results accomplished by drainage operations and road building and will consider briefly the effects of railway building. The first means of transportation of supplies of food from the older settlements to Darke county was by means of pack horses over the military trails cut by St. Clair and Wayne. The difficulties and dangers encountered by these pack trains were typified in the sending back of a whole regiment by St. Clair to guard a train of supplies advancing from Fort Washington, October, 1791, and in the vicious attaek on Lieutenant Lowery and his men while bringing, supplies to Wayne's new camp at Greenville in October, 1793. It was a slow, tedious and hazardous process in those early days but the most efficient known. After the trails had been widened and improved, heavy wagons were used. No doubt many the early settlers came into the county from distant points large conestoga wagons drawn by from four to six horse; whose combined strength was often necessary to pull the cumbersome vehicles over the rough corduroy stretches an'! through the swampy places. As the roads were improved lighter vehicles were employed. The National road was finished from Cumberland Gap to the Ohio river in 1825 aid to the Indiana line in 1830, thus furnishing a valuable outlet for the produce raised within its reach. The Erie can: l was opened in 1825 and as a consequence grain soon increase! fifty per cent. in price. The first railway in Ohio was finished in 1838 and it is interesting to note that the first railway reached Darke county thirteen years later. The significance of this event, its far-reaching influence and the enthusiasm aroused can scarcely be conceived in these days of many railways. To give an adequate account of the building of this 384 - DARKS COUNTY road we herewith quote from Beer's History of Darke county published in 1880: "The pioneer road of this county was known as the Dayton and Union Railroad. The company was chartered February 26, 1846, as the `Greenville and Miami Railroad Company,' for the construction of a railroad from the town of Greenville to any point on the Dayton & Western railroad, or any point on the Miami or Miami Extension Canal, which the directors might determine. The incorporators were Daniel R. Davis, Hiram Bell, William M. Wilson, Rufus Kilpatrick, John Colville, George Ward, John McClure, Jr., John C. Potter, Erastus Putnam, Alfred Kitchen, James Hanaway, Henry Arnold, AST, B. Beall, I. N. Gard, Abraham Scribner, Russell Evans, John C. Shepherd, Adam Baker, Abraham Studabaker, Charles Hutchins, Joseph Ford and Solomon Riffle, of Darke county ; General H. Bell was the first president; Henry Arnold, Esq., first treasurer, and Hon. William M. Wilson, the first secretary. The capital stock of the company was $200,000, divided into shares of $50 each. At the expiration of a year, Dr. I. N. Gard was elected president, succeeded by David Studabaker. During 1848, the enterprise was first fully presented to the people of the county for their sup-pert. Among the most active in forwarding the undertaking not only to obtain a favorable vote, but to secure means to do the necessary preliminary work, were Dr. Gard, Judge Wilson, General Bell, Mr. Studabaker, Mr. Kitchen and Major Davis. There was then but little money in the county; the largest subscriptions that could be obtained were $500, and there were but eight or ten of these. On January 5, 1848, an act was passed by the legislature, authorizing the commissioners of Darke county to purchase stock in the G. & M.. R. R. Co., to any amount not to exceed $50,000, provided a majority of the voters of the county were in favor thereof. On the first Monday of April, the proposition to aid was carried by a majority of 637 votes, and on the 13th, the commissioners subscribed the maximum amount in aid of the road. August 21, the auditor was authorized to issue an order on the treasurer for $110.00, to pay for the survey of the road. February 2, 1849, the town council of Greenville was in like manner empowered to subscribe thereto any amount not exceeding $10,000. Judge Wilson continued secretary of the company from organization to about 1850. that is, during the preliminary work of the company. In DARKE COUNTY - 385 1850, a new organization was effected, with E. B. Taylor as president, and an act was passed authorizing the county and town to sell any or all stock to said company, or any other formed to extend the railroad from Greenville to the State line. Mr. Taylor went to New York, negotiated a loan of $150,000, bought iron and other necessaries to equipment. In July, 1850, the first locomotive intended to be used for laying- the track of the road from Dayton to Greenville, arrived at Dayton; it was brought from the establishment of Swinburn, Smith & Co., of Paterson, New Jersey, and weighed fourteen tons. The first installment of iron was shipped from New York for Dayton on the 26th of June. The residue of the iron was then on the way from Liverpool to New York. It was of the T pattern, and weighed about nineteen pounds to the square foot. The bridge across the Miami river at Day ton was completed and intended for use by three roads, the others being the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton and the Day ton & Western. The contract for laying the track was lei to A. DeGraff. The depot and other buildings were placed under contract, and all the work systematically pushed forward. Two additional locomotives weighing eighteen tons each, were contracted for delivery, one in August, the other in October. Two passenger cars were constructed at Dayton. in the establishment of Thresher, Packard & Co., The "burthen" cars were manufactured at the Greenville foundry and machine shops of Messrs. Edmondson & Evans, and Taylor Brothers. The grain crop of 1851 was unprecedentedly large, and the road was expected to highly benefit all interests. whether farming, mechanical, mercantile or commercial. It was stated at the time that this event "was an important epoch in Darke couny history," and such it has since proved to have been. It enhanced values and facilitated communication. It was noted that "the running time between Greenville and Dayton will be less than one hour and a half, and the distance may be performed with perfect safety in less than one hour." On February 19, 1851, DeGraff started out from Dayton with a train to be used for track laying. The train was platform cars with houses built on them—three for sleeping rooms, one for dining room and one for a kitchen. The job of laying the iron was in charge of John Horrien. On May 25th, the main track of the road was finished to the depot buildings, and a meeting was called to arrange for a celebration of the event. The event duly honored, was (25) 386 - DARKE COUNTY marked by a large crowd, and made memorable by an emeute at Greenville on part of the roughs. The board of directors, at a meeting held at Dayton, August 30, 1853, declared a ten per cent. dividend from the earnings of the road, from January 1st to September 1st. This dividend was declared after deducting expense of repairs, running interest and other expenses, and there remained a reserve fund of $5,000. The receipts for August were for passengers $6,261 ; transportation, $4,215; mail, $333; total, nearly $11,000. The cost of the road was about $550,000. Outstanding bonds, $341,000, and the liberal dividend to stockholders created an enthusiasm which greatly facilitated the induction and completion of the road to Union, and of other roads constructed through the county. Mr. Taylor continued to be president of the road until July, 1855, when he resigned. Meantime, the company had been authorized by the legislature to extend the railroad to the Indiana State line, by such route as the directors might select, within the county of Darke, "and the act had been accepted by resolution of the board o directors as an amendment to the charter of the company. The road was built through to Union City three years after its completion to Greenville, that is, in 1853. When President Taylor resigned. the road went into the hands of the bondholders, by whom it was operated. At length, suit was brought for foreclosure of mortgage August, 1861, but a plan of reorganization and capitalization of stock, and debt was agreed upon, and the road was sold October 30, 1862, to H. C. Stimson and S. T. Tilden for $1,000, subject to the mortgage of $150.000. In 1855, Judge Wilson, secretary, resigned, and the chief office was removed to Dayton. All control of the road passed from the citizens of the county that year." The opening of the G. & M. railway was the occasion of much rejoicing in the county seat which was manifested in various ways. The social leaders got up a dance for which the following invitation was issued: "RAILROAD SOIREE." The company of yourself and lady is solicited to attend a cotillion party to be given at Greenville, on Friday evening, June 11, 1852, in honor of the opening of the Greenville and Miami Railroad. Managers Greenville—E. B. Taylor, W. H. Daily, R. A. Knox, J. B. COUNTY - 387 Grover, J. D. Farrer, O. A. Lyman, J. G. Rees, T. K. Potter, J. R. Knox, W. R. Weston, D. Laurimore, W. C. Porterfield. Dayton—D. Z. Peirce, R. D. Harshman, C. B. Herrman, D. Beckel, J. S. Weston, J. O. Conklin, D. E. Mead, E. A. Parrott. Greenville, June 8, 1852. "In the summer of 1854, the road was completed from Dodson to Dayton, and the company continued to operate the entire line from Dayton to Union City until April, 1863, when, in accordance with an agreement on January 19th, previously, the joint use of the track of the Dayton & Western Railroad Company, from Dayton to Dodson (fifteen miles), was secured, between which points each company had a line of road running nearly parallel. By this agreement, the company was enabled to take tip and dispose of the iron between Dayton and Dodson. January 19, 1863, the company was reorganized, under the name of the Dayton & Union Railroad Company. When the road was opened for business, in 1850, land along its line might have been bought for $5.00 per acre; it has since been sold for $100 per acre. The country was wet, and water stood in the woods and clearings along the track for months at a time. This is now drained, arable and valuable. Then, about Arcanum, houses were to be seen at long intervals; now fine farm houses dot the landscape in all directions. Arrangements are now in progress to relay the old track, and annul the agreement for the joint use of the Dayton & Western rails." Since the above was written, land has been sold as high as $300 per acre. At first but a single train, which carried both passengers and freight, was run during the day time; now four passenger trains and one freight are run through each way daily. Mr. Dwight Irwin has been the efficient and accommodating agent at Greenville since 1898. The county records in 1912 show a total mileage of over twenty-six miles of main track and over three miles of siding in the county, with property listed for taxation at the county treasurer's office in 1912, at $491,830.00. The stations on this line are Gordon, Arcanum, Delisle, Jaysville, Greenville, Coletown, Hillgrove and Union City. 388 - DARKE COUNTY The C. C. C. & St. L., or "Big Four" Railway. The beginning of the Greenville and Miami railway inspired another enterprise and in 1848 the charter of the Bellefontaine and Indianapolis railway was granted by the legislatures of Ohio and Indiana. Mr. William M. Wilson then represented Darke county in the Ohio senate. The charter drafted for the proposed new road provided that certain places, as Sidney and Greenville, should be on the road "provided'' they were "practicable" points. It seems that Mr. Wilson's vote was secured for the charter with the definite understanding that the road would be constructed through Piqua and Greenville, his home town. The words "if practicable" proved to be a "sleeper" and the road was constructed on a "bee line" through Sidney and Versailles, leaving Piqua and Greenville several miles to the south. It is said that much laboring and lobbying was done on account of this road and Mr. George Ward, who represented both Darke and Shelby counties in the legislature, is credited with being largely instrumental in causing the more northern route to he adopted. Work on this road was soon commenced in Darke county, probably as early as the fall of 1848 or the spring of 1849, making it the first line started within this territory. The road was not completed until 1852 or 1853, however. This road crosses the county line about the center of the eastern boundary of Wayne township, runs directly to Versailles and then continues in almost a straight line, in a direction slightly south of west, to Union City, having as intermediate stations Dawn, Ansonia and Elroy. It was completed in the early fifties and has proven of immense value in developing Wayne, northern Richland, Brown and Jackson townships by providing a ready market for the large quantlties of grain, timber and manufactured timber products. This road is also an integral part of one of the great railway systems of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, forming a remarkable chain of connection between the commercial centers of these states. It has about twenty miles of finely graded main track within the county, listed for taxation in 1912 at $1,204,770.00. It does a large freight business and is known for the well appointed and fast through passenger and mail trains which it runs. The construction of this important trunk line to the north of the county seat aroused the citizens of Greenville to extend DARKE COUNTY - 389 the Greenville and Miami road to an intersecting point on the state line—thus giving Greenville another outlet for travel and traffic and laying the foundation for Union City, which has since developed into an important manufacturing and railway center. The Pennsylvania Railway. The P. C. C. & St. Louis railway now operates two lines which radiate from Bradford, the division point—the Logansport division extending in a straight line to Union City, a distance of about twenty and one-half miles, and the Indianapolis division, extending to Greenville and thence southwesterly toward Richmond, a distance of about twenty-six and one-third miles. The Logansport division passes through Adams, northern Greenville and Jackson townships in a direction somewhat north of west, with intermediate stations at Horatio. Stelvideo, Pikeville and Woodington. A second track has recently been finished on the right of way, the grading improved, several overhead crossings constructed, and vast improvements made making this probably the most improved and valuable stretch of railway in the county. As it connects New York. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh with Chieago an immense amount of business is transacted. Work on this division in Darke county was began in 1852 and continual about two years. when financial embarrassment overtook the enterprise. Work was resumed in 1858 and regular trains were running from Columbus to Union City by the last of April. 1859. The road at that time was known as the Columbus. Piqua and Indiana Railroad and was incorporated at $2,000,000 by Wm. Wilson and John C. Potter of Darke county, with others from Miami, Champaign, Madison and Franklin counties. The Indianapolis division of this road was built through Darke county during the years 1862 and 1863. It was organized in 1861 as the Richmond and Covington Railroad Company for the purpose of connecting the first division at Bradford with the Indiana Central Railroad at Richmond, Ind. Evan Baker, of Greenville, was president of the road at this time, and A. Price was the contractor. On account of the hills of gravel and excellent ballasting material along the right-of-way the cost of construction was reasonable, and the estimate for completing the road was seven thousand dollars per mile. Darke county was asked to subscribe $25,000.00 390 - DARKE COUNTY or about one-fourth of the amount needed to put the road through. E. Baker, the Careys, P. Pomeroy and Thos. Waring were largely instrumental in pushing the work to completion. Through lease, purchase, manipulation and re-organization both of these divisions finally became an integral part of the great Pennsylvania Railway Co., which is one of the greatest and most efficient railway systems in the world, connecting the seaboard at New York with St. Louis and Chicago, the gateways to the west and northwest. The value of this road to Greenville and Darke county is almost inestimable. The amount of business transacted by this road at Greenville alone is estimated at about $140,000.00 yearly. Fighteen heavy passenger and mail trains and sixteen scheduled freight trains pass this point daily. This division passes through Adams, southern Greenville, Neave, northwestern Butler and Harrison townships and has intermediate stations at Gettysburg. Greenville, Weaver's New Madison and Wiley's. The total main trackage of these two divisions in Darke county is over sixty-seven miles in length. The total value for taxation in 1912, as listed in the county treasurerer's office was $3,873,450.00. W. T. McCurdy has been the efficient agent of this company at Greenville since 1889. The Cincinnati Northern Railway. The main north and south railway operating in the county is the Cincinnati Northern, which crosses the northern boundary at Burkettsville, passes almost directly south through Allen, Brown and northern Greenville townships to the county seat, and then continues down the Mud creek prairie through Neave township and across the Maple swamp district of Butler township, leaving the county about one mile below Castine. The intermediate stations from the north downward are New Weston, Rossburg, Ansonia, Meeker. Greenville, Ft. Jefferson, Savona and Castine. This road has about thirty-one and a third miles of main track and over seven miles of siding in the county, and was valued for taxation in 1912 at $751,570.00. It has a unique history, illustrating in a striking manner the difficulties encountered in early railway construction. The construction of this line was first agitated in 1853, it then being the object to extend it from the straits of Mackinac to Cincinnati. Large and enthusias- DARKE COUNTY - 391 tic meetings were held in Van Wert, Greenville and other points in that year, and local organizations effected. Survey commenced in August and Moses Hart took stock subscriptions at his store in Greenville. By October 19, $200,000.00 had been subscribed. The estimated cost was less than $17,.00.00 per mile and the distance from Greenville to the northern line of the state was one hundred and eleven miles on the route proposed. From various causes the constructs n of the line was delayed, but the directors did not abandon hope of final success. Changes were proposed in the route between Celina and Greenville, a distance of thirty-two miles, and bids were received on this section at Greenville in 1858. On June 2, 1858, fifteen miles of road were placed under contract together with the trestle and culvert work of the entire distance between Celina and Greenville. The remaining seventeen miles were resurveyed with a view to alteration. After a large part of the grading had been done the enterprise was abandoned on account of the failure to dispose of bonds in the European market. The Civil War ensued with the financial depression which followed reconstruction and the revival of industry and the enterprise lay dormant until about 1880. Agitation was again revived and the road was built through Greenville in 1883 after much difficulty. J. L. Winner, J. W. Frizzel and Moses Hart took active part in the original enterprise and John Devor and L. L. Bell in the last. The road was finally completed from Jackson. Mich., to Germantown, with connections to Cincinnati, under the name of the Cincinnati, Jackson and Mackinaw Railway, and was popularly known as the "Mackinaw." Later it be came known as the Cincinnati Northern Railway, and has lately become an important part of the New York Central lines. Mr. Joe Hildebrand is the enterprising agent at Greenville and reports an annual business of about $125,000.00 at this station. On account of the road's direction and the rich territory which it travels it is destined to become an increasing, important line. The Peoria & Eastern Railway. The Peoria & Eastern division of the Big Four, formerly known as the I. B. & W. Railway, extends through the southern part of the county in an east and west direction. It crosses the eastern county line nin the northern part of 392 - DARKE COUNTY Monroe township and runs directly west through Monroe and Twin to the Greenville and New Madison pike in northwestern Butler township, then zigzags about in a northwesterly direction through northern Harrison and southern German townships reaching the state line near the southwest corner of the latter township. The stations along this line are Pittsburg, Arcanum, Savona, Clark's Station and Glenkarn. It was built in and affords an outlet to the southern part of the county similar to that provided by the other division of the `Big Four" in the northern part. It has over twenty-two miles of main track and about four and a third miles of siding in the county, and was listed for taxation in 1912 at $655,880.00. C. H. & D. Railway. The railway having the smallest mileage in the county is a branch of the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton system, formerly known as the "Narrow Gauge." It crosses the northern line of the county near the northwestern corner of Patterson township, runs almost due south through Patterson and Wayne townships to Versailles, and then curves in a southeasterly direction and crosses the eastern line of the county near the southwestern corner of Wayne township. The stations along this line are Osgood, Yorkshire and Versailles. It has a main trackage of twelve and one-fifth miles and about a mile and a half of siding in the county. It was constructed about 1881. Ohio Electric Railway. The practical application of electricity to the purposes of transportation developed about 1890. The next ten years witnessed a rapid improvement in knowledge, and methods of electrical control. By 1900 nearly every large city in the United States had displaced the old horse cars by electrically driven cars and electrical traction lines were being projected from these centers to the surrounding towns, especially in the eastern section of the country. Dayton was one of the most enterprising of the Ohio cities in this respect and soon had about ten lines projected, with the object of increasing local business. Among these, was one to Greenville and Union City. This was fostered and vigorously pushed to completion by Dr. J. E. Lowes of Dayton. It was completed DARKE COUNTY - 393 to Greenville in 1901 and to Union City in 1904, and has proven a great boon to travelers, especially on account of the many rural stops, and hourly car service. It was also instrumental in quickening the service on the D. & U. Railway, which it practically parallels. It had about thirty-one miles of main track and about one mile of siding in the county, when it was listed for taxation in 1912, at $639,820.00 Thus it will be seen that Darke county has seven railways and one traction line crossing it in various directions with a total mileage of about two hundred and ten miles, exclusive of sidings, and a total valuation for taxation of about $8,000,000.00. It will be further noted that these railways enter every township of the twenty composing the county, except Mississinawa, Wabash, York and Franklin; that the county seat is crossed by three steam lines and one electric, and that each one of the larger towns in the county has at least two lines. CHAPTER XVIII THE PRESS. It used to be a common saying that the three greatest institutions of society were the home, the church and the school. In recent years another important institution has arisen which exerts a formative influence on public morals and public opinion scarcely less potent than these. I refer to the public press. If a man have but the rudiments of an education and will thoughtfully and habitually peruse the daily newspaper he may eventually attain a fair education and a comprehensive grasp of public affairs. The railway, telegraph and telephone have stimulated intercourse and contributed immeasurably toward the unification of society wherever they have been installed. The newspaper has been quick to utilize these important factors in collecting and distributing the news of the world for the benefit of the masses of civilized men. The growth of the newspaper industry is a fair gauge of the development of popular education, and the fact that there were but thirty-seven newspapers in the United States in 1775, while there are more than a dozen in Darke county today is significant of the wonderful change that has taken place in the short history of our country. As before noted the agricultural and general development of Darke county was comparatively slow and gave little encouragement to the establishment of enterprises having a promise of profit. The pioneers represented the average Americans of their class in those days when illiteracy was much more prevalent than it is today. Many families did not take any paper and the more prosperous ones subscribed for the papers published at Dayton, Piqua, Eaton and the older established towns. The Journal. However, a printer by the name of E. Donnellan, had the temerity to start a weekly sheet entitled the "Western Statesman and Greenville Courier" on June 25, 1832. The subscription price was $2.00 per year if paid in advance, $2.50 if paid within the year, or $3.00 if payment was deferred. News items of general interest were extracted from such publica- 396 - DARKE COUNTY tions as the Detroit Journal, New Hampshire Gazette, National Intelligencer and the Boston Patriot, while the local items and advertisements, no doubt, figured inconspicuously. This paper seems to have been continued under various names and proprietors and survives today as the journal. About March 1, 1844, Edward B. Taylor, whose biography appears elsewhere in this volume, took over this paper with a list of 150 subscribers. In April, 1850, J. G. Reece was associated with Taylor. The latter retired for a while on June 1, 1851. On April 29, 1852, M. B. Reece became a co-partner with J. G. Reece as editor and proprietor. Later the paper again passed into the hands of Taylor. who published it until early in 1860, when it passed into the hands of Messrs. E. W. Otwell and James Craig. The latter retired in 1869. In 1873 this paper was enlarged from a seven column to a nine column folio making it the largest paper published in the county at that time. In 1879 E. W. Otwell turned over the publication to his son Curtis, who continues its publication at this time—over eighty years after its establishment. In 1846 the paper appeared under the title "The Greenville Patriot." was published every Wednesday at original subscription prices. It contained the announcement that country produce would be received on subscription at cash prices. In the issue of June 10, 1846, the advertisements were set in nonpareil type with small headlines and were only one column in width. News from Europe then came to Greenville in from four to eight weeks late. Among the names attached to advertisements, legal and otherwise, were Win. Wilson, R. R. Sherwood, T. J. McDowell, D. R. Davis, Thos. Vantilburgh, W. J. Birely, S. S. Arnold, D. K. Swisher, David Beers. Jacob Wood, Chas. Morris, Taylor & Schlenker, John Hufnagle. Henry Drinkwater, Wm. Arnold, Leah Vananker. David Stamm, A. Scribner, J. Vanmater, H. Arnold, Sawyer & Davis, Aaron Fleming, I. N. Beedle, James Boyd. W. B. Beall. F. Waring, Elisha Dawes, Wm. C. Deem. R. Gilpatrick, C. Jaqua, Sarah E. Osborn, Carey & Tomlinson. Wm. R. Crozier, L. R. Sample, B. Powell, R. Evans, J. B. Underwood, Haines & Monfort, M. L. Harter, M. Spayd, A. C. Brown, Wm. Vantilburgh, L. A. LaMott & Co. In politics the Patriot strongly advocated the Whig policies and struck a strong patriotic note. In those days the Whigs and the Democrats divided the vote of some three thousand nearly equally between them. Much space was de- DARKE COUNTY - 397 voted to the currency and slavery questions and a strong current of feeling was manifested in the columns. After the formation of the Republican party the Journal became a staunch party organ advocating the candidacy of Lincoln. It continued steadfast in the advocacy of Republican principles throughout the trying times of the Civil War and is today aligned with those principles. The Democrat. The Democrat is the second oldest newspaper in Darke county with practically a continuous history. The demand for a local paper advocating Democratic principles caused the launching of the "Democratic Herald" in April, 1847. This paper was published by Mehaffey and Adams, and advocated popular sovereignty, state rights and a simple government. Mehaffey soon sold his interest to Wm. Allen, then county prosecuting attorney, who with Thomas Adams, both well known and highly esteemed Democrats, continued the paper tinder the title of '`The Greenville Telegraph." Dr. J. L. Sorber bought out Adam's interest in June, 1851, and conducted the paper until the fall of 1852, when Rufus Putnam became the proprietor. The name was soon changed to "Mad Anthony." and it appeared as an independent newspaper edited and published by R. and J. H. Putnam, with an office over Beedle & Devor's tin shop. In the summer of 1854, the press was removed to Union City to start a paper in the interest of the "American Party." Nothing daunted a few active Democrats raised a small fund in the fall of 1854, purchased a new press and type, and made Thomas Perry publisher of a new paper tinder the title of the "Greenville Eagle." After a few months Perry became tired of the unpleasant treatment accorded him by the "Know-Nothings," who were quite active and persistent at that period, and the paper was again discontinued for a short time. In the spring of 1855 the "Darke County Democrat" was launched by A. G. Clark, of Hamilton, Ohio, who sold it in July, 1856, to Henry Muller. The office was then located over Weston & Ullery's hardware store on the southeast corner of Broadway and Third streets, and Muller continued to edit and publish the paper in a very satisfactory manner until March 20, 1851, when he was succeeded by J. B. Price and George D. Farrar. The political upheaval just prior to the Civil War threw 398 - DARKE COUNTY Darke county from the Whig to the Democratic column and in 1857, the entire county ticket was elected, giving the party organ increased prestige. in the winter of 1863-64 the office was sacked by a party of soldiers at home on a furlough and the type was thrown into the street. The proprietorship of the paper changed twice in the next two years until in 1866, Mr. Chas. Roland removed from Lancaster, Ohio, and took over the property. From that time until 1910 the Democrat was retained by the Roland family, being ably edited by Chas. Roland, Jr., and Edward until July 11, 1910, when the property was purchased by Martin B. Trainor, a prominent attorney and real estate man of Greenville, who is the able and progressive editor and publisher today. The Democrat prospered and became highly influential among the members of that party, being the sole official organ of said party, fearlessly, ably and entirely advocating its principles until the establishment of the "Advocate" in 1883, since which time the patronage has been divided. Mr. Roland proved himself to be a trenchant writer and a successful proprietor, and the present editor and proprietor is establishing for himself a large reputation for virile editorials, broad news treatment, and aggressive policies. At first the Democrat appeared as a four page publication in blanket sheet size, but under the proprietorship of the Roland Bros. was changed to a paper of twelve pages 15x22 inches in size. A daily eight page morning paper known as the `Morning News" was started by the Roland Brothers in 1908, and published in a very creditable manner, but proved unsuccessful from a financial standpoint and was discontinued May 25. 1910. The office was located in the Roland building on the west side of Broadway between Third and Fourth streets from the time of its erection until March, 1914, when it was moved to the new Trainor building on South Broadway, just north of Fifth street. Under its present management it promises to grow in power and influence and increase in prestige as the years go by. The Courier. The Courier was started May 22, 1875, by George W. Calderwood under the title of the "Greenville Sunday Courier." On December 10, 1876, the ownership was transferred to Calderwood and Studabaker with A. R. Calderwood as edi- DARKE COUNTY - 399 tor. Later it passed to the proprietorship of his son, John Calderwood, who publishes it at this time. Mr. Calderwood, besides continually giving much space to the discussion party measures and party principles, has published an exceptionally large amount of local historical material, including probably two thousand columns of personal reminiscenes and interesting letters from the "Darke County Boy," copious extracts from which appear in this volume. Besides this, Mr. Calderwood has been a fearless and persistent advocate of temperance and prohibitory legislation, following the motto of his paper—"Hew true to the line, let the chips fall where they may." Regardless of patronage he has continued this policy throughout many years and has become a clear, strong and convincing writer on these topics. From 1880 to 1883 the Courier was published in the new Wilson and Hart block on Broadway just south of Third street. For several years it was located in the Huddle block on West Fourth street, and is now in the Westerfield building on South Broadway.   The Daily Tribune.   The first daily newspaper started in Darke county was "The Greenville Daily Graphic," published in 1879 by Edward Hamilton, now city editor of the Daily Advocate, and William Collins, late dramatic editor on the Sacramento Daily Bee. Shortly after the starting of this daily venture Mr. Collins moved with his father's family to Chico, Cal., and after some six months publication, the paper was discontinued. George W. Calderwood published a daily paper during the exciting times of the Roberson trial and execution in the summer of 1880. This was a short lived venture as was also the "Daily News" published by Wm. Linn about 1886, and the "Morning Sun'' published by Dow Bell during the exciting school board contest of 1892.   The Daily Tribune was started by Samuel R. Kemble in 1890, and is the oldest daily having a continuous history since its establishment. Mr. Kemble came to Greenville from Arcanum, where he had published the Weekly Tribune since 1880 and opened up an office in the Huddle block where the Daily Tribune made its debut in 1890. Later he purchased a room on West Fourth street adjoining the Huddle block and established his office there where he issued the paper until 1913, when it was removed to its present loca-