(RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE) 50 - HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY. shoulder, and Captain Builderback taken prisoner. As soon as the savages had secured the Captain, they ordered him, on pain of instant death, to call his wife, who had hid in some driftwood, at the first attack. "Here," to use her own words, "a struggle took place in my breast, which I cannot describe. Shall I go to him and become a prisoner, or shall I remain, return to our cabin and take care of our children?" He called for her a second time, telling her that her compliance with the demand of his captors might save his life. She hesitated no longer, but appeared and gave herself up. All this took place on the bank of the river„in plain sight of their cabin, where they had left their two children, a boy three years old, and an infant daughter. The Indians were not long, however, in leaving the spot, knowing that pursuit was sure, as soon as the news of the raid should reach the stockade at Wheeling. Mr. and Mrs. Builderback traveled together that day and the following night. The next morning the Indians separated into two parties, and continued to journey westward by different routes. Mrs. Builderback. never saw her husband again. Captain Charles Builderback had commanded a company at Crawford's defeat in the Sandusky country, and was both feared and hated by the savages. He was in the bloody Moravian Campaign, and shed the first blood by tomahawking and scalping the Moravian chief, Shebosh. When, therefore, he replied, "Charles Builderback," on being asked his name, it is no wonder that the keen eyes of these vindictive children of nature flashed with malice, and it is but fair to presume, from what is know of the Indian character, that his fate was sealed from that moment. In a few days from the time the fortunes of these brave pioneers met with such a terrible reverse, the party, having Mrs: Builderback in charge, camped on the Tuscarawas River, and were soon joined by the others ; but the, brave pale-face was not there. The anxious and suffering wife was told that he had been killed, and to convince her of the horrible fact, a scalp was thrown into her lap, which she was able to identify with absolute certainty as being that of her husband. She made no complaint, uttered no moan, and soon, overcome by excitement and fatigue, fell into a sound sleep, sitting on the ground with her back against a tree. When she awoke the scalp was gone and she never saw it again. As soon as the news reached Wheeling, a party of scouts set off on the trail of one of the bands, and finally came to the body of Charles Builderback. He had been tomahawked and scalped, and apparently suffered a lingering death. Mrs. Builderback was taken to the Indian town on the Little Miami, and remained in captivity about nine months, doing the drudgery of the squaws, but otherwise being subject to no ill treatment. At the end of that time she was ransomed and brought to Fort Washington, and soon after sent up the river to her lonely cabin and the embrace of her children, who had been provided for by the neighbors. Several years afterward she married John Grey, and together they came to Ohio, and settled three miles west of the present city of Lancaster, where she resided until her death, which occurred in 1842. Mr. Green died ten years previously. David Ewing narrowly escaped torture, if not death, at the hands of the Indians, while hunting in the woods three or four miles north of Lancaster, about the year 1806. He saw through the bushes what he sup HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY - 51 posed was a bear, at the opposite side of a small pond. He fired, and a squaw jumped up and fled, screaming from fright and the pain, caused by a wound in her arm. Ewing was well aware that a plea of "accidental shooting" would not "go ' with an Indian, and therefore fled for his life, knowing that the squaw was certainly within hearing distance of her people. In his flight he passed the cabin of Daniel Arnold, but did not stop. The Indians pressed him close, but supposing he had taken refuge at Arnold's, they broke in and would have murdered Mrs. Arnold, who was alone with her children, but for the interposition of the chief. Mrs. Elizabeth Sheric, of Lancaster, a daughter of Arnold, well remembers the visit of the Indians to her father's cabin that morning, and the terror occasioned thereby. Ewing kept away from home until the damaged arm of the squaw, and the mutilated honor of the Indian, had been repaired by money and "presents." He then returned in safety. In 1812 or 1813 the whole community for several miles around Lancaster was thrown into a frenzy of excitement and terror by the rumor that a large force of hostile Indians was marching upon the settlement. Active measures, offensive and defensive, were speedily commenced. Some of the best buildings in the settlement were converted into block houses, and to them the people fled for safety. Among the houses so used was that of Judge Burton, in Pleasant township, that of Nathaniel Wilson, in Hocking township, and one in Berne township, where James Driver now lives. Valuables were hid in the woods and fields, and all sorts of tools were collected, which could by any possibility be converted into weapons. At night the doors of the houses were securely barred, and persons, coming to a fort in the night, had to make themselves fully known, to secure admission. The men ran bullets, brightened their firelocks and repaired to, the Court House, at Lancaster, the recognized meeting-place, when anything affecting the welfare of the community was to be discussed. Mounted scouts were detailed to find out all that was possible concerning the enemy, and especially the direction, from which they might be expected, while the remainder of the force of armed men prepared to march and give battle. Before the line of march was taken up, however, the preparations for war came to a sud- den and definite conclusion. A. party of young men had been engaged in a hunt and had met with the poorest possible success, being unable to satisfy their own cravings for food, much less to obtain a quantity, with which to fill their gaping game bags. Spurred by appetites, furnished by vigorous exercise and superabundent vitality, they had so far forgotten even backwood's courtesy, as to enter a cabin in the absence of the owners, and appropriate all that was eatable about the place. Not being satisfied with this, and, perhaps, filled with chagrin at the ill-success of their hunt, they fired of their guns and gave utterance to several sayings excellent imitations of the much dreaded war-whoop of the Indian. This was the sole foundation for all the annoyance and alarm to which the settlers had been subjected. Many ludicrous stories are told of the and doings of the more timid, during the scare, which, it is should not be repeated. as some of the actors in the above farce, and many of their decendants are still living. Old Father Grabill was the best fox-hunter of his time, and was 52 - HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY. most enthusiastic, when in pursuit of the game. Nothing but an intervention of Providence could stop him or divert his attention when in the heat of the chase. On one occasion, Reynard, who had made terrible exertions to escape, and used all his wiles to throw the hunter and dogs off the trail, but unsuccessfully, dashed into the open church door, which presented the first opportunity for refuge, as he emerged from a thicket. The congregation were engrossed in the service, but the excited hounds were close upon the game. and had no notion of abandoning it, or regard for the proprieties of the occasion. They followed their prey into the meeting house, baying lustily, and creating the wildest confusion among the worshippers, to all of which they paid no heed, but dragged the fox out and killed it just as their scarcely less excited master entered the door—not to worship, but to "be in at the death." The crime secured, the old man shouldered his gun and marched off, proudly conscious of haying done his whole duty as he conceived it. and leaving the congregation to get over their excitement and think what they pleased. In the spring of 1798, several men came from Virginia to make a start in the wilderness, intending to bring their families as soon as they should have provided a foothold upon which to stand, while grappling with the giants of the forest. They selected the east side of Baldwin 's Run, within a few feet of the bridge, where the Salem pike crosses the stream. Within a few days William Green, one of their number, sickened and died, with only his companions in hardship to minister to his bodily and spiritual needs. He was buried in a hickory bark coffin, on the west side of the Run, and on the north side of the road. Colonel Robert Wilson, who had with a few others, settled in the Hocking a month previously, assisted in consigning the body of the unfortunate stranger, to its lonely grave. This spot was long remembered by the citizens of Fairfield. as the grave of the first white man ever buried in the county. For sixteen years after the organization of the village of Lancaster, there was no bank in the place, and the necessity for such a convenience was little felt. A small amount of money was in circulation, and this was rapidly changing hands. When a man came into the possession of an amount of coin, for which he had no immediate use, its protection from theft gave him little concern, and it was laid away in cupboard or till of chest, often without even an ordinary lock to secure it. The merchant crossed the mountains to purchase goods with the cash results of his year's trade, in a pair of ordinary saddle-bags. Almost his only precaution was to deliver the bags to the landlord, who furnished him lodging, for safe keeping while he slept. The hog drover purchased his stock on credit, and came back from eastern markets with saddle-bags loaded with silver, which belonged both .to his creditors and himself. The creditors thus ran a double risk—that of having a dishonest debtor. and also of losing their money by robbers ; but both chances were cheerfully and confidently taken. The only enemies dreaded at night were the Indians, and at the time mentioned they had about ceased to cause alarm. The only burglars. then in existence in this country, were content when their hunger was appeased. During the war of 1812, the money to pay the soldiers was brought from Cin- HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY - 53 cinnati. on horseback in saddle-bags. Mr. John Creed, who was after-,cards President of the old Lancaster, Ohio, Bank, once brought $10,000 from Cincinnati in this way, to pay off returned soldiers. A religious revival occurred in the M. E. Church, Lancaster, in the printer of 1841-2, which is without parallel in the history of the county. Rev. Wm. R. Anderson held the pastorate at the time, but he was not regarded as a powerful preacher, or a man of extraordinary ability. The meetings were held in the basement of the church, the auditorium not being completed, and lasted from December until March—in all, something over three months. The house was unable to contain those, who wished to attend, after the first two or three Meeks, and many were turned away nightly, after all available seating and standing room had been utiliied. The altar was crowded nightly with mourners, and when the meetings closed there were over two hundred accessions to the M. E. Church. Other denominations came in for a large share. The spontaneity of this season of religious fervor is not its least wonderful feature. for, as before stated, the pastor was not a man of marked ability in the clerical profession. The services often continued until midnight, and religious exercises were sometimes held after the attendants of the meetings had arrived at their homes. Many of the best citizens of the 'place were among the converts, and the attendance of members of other denominations throughout the meetings was unusually large. One young lady, nbile in the church, passed into a sort of trance, in which she remained for seven days. Her animation seemed suspended, and indeed, life would have been pronounced extinct but for the animal heat, which was perceptible. When she recovered, she declared she had been in heaven, named those whom she had met, and said that her earthly existence was a blank from the time she arrived at the church until her recovery. Hundreds of people visited her, including a number of medical men, and all were, completely mystified by the condition in which they found her. It is much to be regretted that Fairfield county never had a pioneer society, for no county in the State is richer in pioneer reminiscences. The first settlers of the county brought with them from the older States the superstitions and prejudices, and the ignorance of their day, as well as a native virtue and integrity. At the beginning of the present century, the belief in ghosts, witchcraft, and supernatural signs and omens these to pass a graveyard at night. But the antagonism of science to these and possessing the least physical fear, were not averse to company, if was almost universal. A matter of fact philosophy might often dispel the ghosts in day time, but even those most skeptical of the supernatural, and ancient cmmeras has resulted in permanently crippling them, and extirpation is a matter of but a few more years, at the present rate of mental progress. The incidents of the following '' ghost story," though true, did not occur in Fairfield county, but they illustrate the point in question most admirably. For two years the neighborhood had been annoyed and terrified at frequent intervals by the appearance of a “ghost." and no matter-of-fact solution of the mystery seemed quite to satisfy those who had seen the ghost." no odds what might be the scoffer’s claims on the public respect. Intelligent men jeered at the idea, which they said was a relic of barbarism ; but they were treated 54 - HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY. to a sight of the " ghost" in due time, and had nothing more to say. The " ghost " appeared in various localities, within a radius of two or three miles, and all who saw it agreed that it took the form of a human being, was clad in pure white, and had the field to itself—the last fact being incontrovertibly established. Its favorite places for materialization were a deserted cabin by the roadside, and the village graveyard. At last the mystery was made clear. Half a dozen young people, returning from a quilting and husking " bee," were passing the cabin just mentioned, when, by the merest chance, they saw three boys leave the back door, and run in the direction of the graveyard, one having under his arm a white roll. The purpose of the boys was immediately divined, and the quick-witted young people concluded to try " fighting fire with fire." I hey hurried along, and arrived at the graveyard first. The tallest young man in the party removed his coat and vest, and lay down near a grave, where he would not be easily discovered, while the rest concealed themselves near by and awaited developments. The mischief-loving trio soon arrived, and, supposing the corn-huskers still traveling towards the cemetery, unrolled the snowy sheet, with which they had created so much sport for themselves, and prepared for the scare. Suddenly, the tall young man arose, his white linen presenting quite a ghostly appearance, and thus harangued the youngsters : " Vain mortals, why do you come at this silent hour to disturb the peaceful slumbers of the grave? Go back to your beds and pray ; for you, too, will soon lie with us !" The apparition dropped from sight with a horrible groan, and the boys fled in genuine terror. It is certain that the " ghost " never again visited the neighborhood. Many of the ills, to which flesh is heir, now laid to common causes,' once caused accusation to fall on the heads of harmless old crones, and gained them enemies in every household. Witchcraft was a real, and not a fancied evil, for it ostracized from the society of the day any person, howe'er guileless, at whose door it might fall. No denial, or reminder of an exemplary past life, had any effect—for if no more serious results followed, the suspected one must henceforth live and die almost wholly without the pale of neighborly attention and mutual dependence. If a hog had the disease now known as kidney worm, and as such easily cured, it was bewitched. Hollow horn in cattle, chicken cholera, poll evil in horses, arid a host of commoner maladies, were pronounced the work of the witches, and generally laid at the door of some harmless and unprotected old woman, to whom the person afflicted fancied he had given offense—or his conscience, perhaps, really troubled him. But some of the deeds, charged to the witches, were really singular in themselves. Horses would be found in their stables in the morning, bearing every sign of having been violently exercised ; panting, sweating, and exhausted, and having spur marks in the flanks, and bleeding mouths, as from a violent reining up. Nor was this all. Even the human species, after passing a night of unrest, and broken by troubled dreams, would arise unrefreshed—nay, more ; stiff and sore, as from violent physical exercise. The theory on which this last really singular circumstance was accounted for, was that the witches had turned the subject of their wrath into a horse, and ridden him all night! Many persons of fair intelligence, really deemed themselves thus persecuted. HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY - 55 Mania, hysteria, epilepsy, and St. Vitus dance were charged to the witches. If the butter failed to appear after a reasonable amount of churning, the " witch in the churn " was burned out by dropping a hot smoothing iron into . the milk—when the butter came without further trouble, The evils of being persecuted by witches, was, of course, not without its pretended remedies. Lending an article to, or borrowing one from a person suspected of exercising the " black art," was considered a cure, as far as the person so borrowing or lending was concerned, as long as the article remained away from the possession of the owner. " Witch doctors " there also were, who did all sorts of curious things in exorcizing the evil spirit. To draw an outline of the " witch " on a board or paper, and then fire a silver bullet into it, or one containing silver, would kill the witchery, if not the witch. Hair from the tail of a black cat, worn about the person of the " bewitched," was another " cure." Placing a snake in the road, with the head laid in the direction from which the sorceress was expected, horseshoes nailed over doors, greased broom handles, and many other practices of an equally unphilosophic nature, would drive off the spell. THE PIONEER HOME :—The real log house of the pioneer was not the artistic and picturesque structure that has sometimes been painted. It was one story high, and roofed with clap-boards, which were held in place by small logs; called weight-poles. The loft was laid with clapboards, and the floor with puncheons, split from the trunks of trees, and hewn level oil the upper side. Sometimes there was even no floor to these historical dwellings, and it was no uncommon thing for a family to pass one winter, though rarely more than one, with no floor but terra firma. Many cabins were built without an ounce of iron. The door-shutters were hung on wooden hinges, and closed with a wooden latch, the string always hanging outside. The chimney was topped out with split sticks, plastered inside with clay mortar. tempered with cut straw, when the straw could be had. A log was cut out generally opposite the door, and oiled paper mounted on sticks placed therein. This was the window—generally the only one in the building. The back wall of the fire-place, and also the hearth, were usually of stiff clay, that became very hard when thoroughly dry. The housewife often did her first cooking when the clay was so damp that the legs of her old-fashioned Dutch oven made deep marks therein. The pot-trammel was a dog-wood or other pole, built into the chimney, about even with the mantle-piece. On this were hung chains or iron hooks, if they could be had ; if not, wooden hooks were used, which had to be swung aside, when the pot was taken off, to keep them from burning. The furniture of the log cabin was in perfect accord with its surroundings. Bedsteads were easily made, if they were not artistic or handsome. Two inch holes were bored in a log, the proper distance from the floor, and a pole four feet long was inserted. The other end was supported by an upright post. This manner of making the head and foot of the couch was easily accomplished ; slats were then laid across the two, and the apparatus was ready for the bed clothing, Slat benches, with pole legs, had to do duty for chairs and sofas in many cases, till a nearer approach to the conveniences of civilization could be afforded or procured. A small looking glass hung against the wall, 56 - HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY. with a background of a square foot of wall paper, was an especial luxury, and might have been carried hundreds of miles, across the mountains, carefully shielded from harm. The old sale-bill phrase, “and many other articles too numerous to mention," never had its origin in an effort to enumerate the household utensils of a primitive pioneer home in the days when Fairfield county was first trodden by the foot of the white man. Every piece on the list of the pioneer woman's house-keeping utensils was in daily revisition, and sometimes one piece had to do several varieties of duty. The indispensables, (and few had more,) were : a skillet, round pot, one or two frying pans, and sometimes a ten or twelve gallon iron kettle—all brought over the mountains with infinite labor. These were afterwards supplemented by a wooden bucket, a few pieces of tinware, half a dozen bone-handled knives and forks, the same number of pewter spoons, and, lastly, the inevitable gourd. This was the full complement of the pioneer housewife's outfit. Access to the loft was gained by means of a rude ladder. Beds for children were usually provided in the loft ; but for the grown people the single room on the " first floor " served as kitchen, dining and drawing-room, and bed-chamber. Any one who might choose to call at sun down was invited to pass the night, albeit the guest was obliged , to content himself, in the event of an acceptance, with an utter absence of any thing like ceremony. But the hearty hospitality, so impartially bestowed, was calculated to allay the scruples of those, who had been unused to such fare, though this mode of living was rarely a novelty to such as had occasion to visit" the home of " the hardy pioneer." There are few women in the country to-day, who could reproduce the corn pone, johnnycake, dodger and ash cake of those days ; hut, as these condiments were then prepared; they were both palatable and digestible, though by no means dainty. Even the wedding trosseau of the pioneer's daughter was made up from the raw materials under the parental roof, including " the " dress of linen or flannel. Carding, spinning and weaving the wool, and pulling, watering and scutching the flax, was-then as much a part of the rural housewife's duty, as churning, baking or mending. Besides this multiplicity of duties, the women of the house often helped in performing the hardest work about the premises, such as felling trees and planting crops. They were even obliged to handle the rifle in the protection of the home, during the days of Indian hostility. The pioneer schools were kept in log pens, yclept school-houses, although, as the word is now understood, it were a decided misnomer to so dignify them. The oiled paper windows let in all the daylight to be had when the door was closed, here, as in dwellings. But one term was held in a year, and that only about three months in length. The session usually began in November, but occasionally not until Christmas. A custom prevailed of locking the teachers out by barring the door on the inside, on Christmas or New Year's. At such times, the larger pupils of the school banded together, and it was rare that they were circumvented by their teacher, who, to secure peaceable possession, had to agree to furnish a homely " treat " of apples and HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY - 57 cidar, or, sometimes, he granted a holiday, which it was not customary to observe. Sometimes the " master " gained access to the school- i e' when the programme was reversed, and the Object was to get kiln out. This was clone by placing a board over the chimney; sometimes by throwing sulphur into it, and like bits of strategy. When the teacher was " game, a good deal of amusement was sure to be obtained by both besiegers and besieged. The curriculum of these primitive institutions, was simple and short :—Dillworth and Webster's Spelling' Books, Pike's Arithmetic, the English Reader, Sequel to the English Reader, American Preceptor, Columbian Orator, 'Weem's Washington and Marion, and the Bible. The hickory switch was an important element in school government. The teacher's duty also required him to make and mend the goose-quill pens, and the courtesy of the time, to take part in the indoor and outdoor games of his pupils. When outdoor sports were possible, cat ball, bull pen, and town ball were the favorites ; and when the inclement weather drove them indoors, the sports of quilting " bee " and husking frolic were patronized, such as, " Sister Phoebe," " Marching to Quebec," " As Oats, Peas, Beans and Barley grows," and '' Philander, Let's be Marching." Signs and omens were held in great reverence. If a whippoorwill perched near the cabin, uttering his mournful cry, it forbade a death in the family ; if the house-dog sat upon his haunches, and crawled towards the tloor, or across the threshold, it was a mign that a coffin would shortly be carried out of the home ; domestic animals, born with malformations of any sort, were supposed to prophesy a death ; the sun-dog, in the margin of broken clouds, meant misfortune of some-kind ; the meteoric showers was long believed to be a prophecy of the judgment : the jack-o-lantern was an evil spirit ; comets were har- bingers of war—the comet of 0311, heralded the war of 1812, in the belief of many intelligent persons ; and that of 184.3, the Mexican war, declared in 1846. Dreams had their interpretations, mid itis noticeable that nearly all the recognized signs presaged some catastrophe—"good signs " being vastly in the minority. To dream of bees swarming, was a sign of sickness ; to dream that a swarm ran away, i. e., escaped hiving, was a sign of financial disaster ; to dream of fire,. forboded anger ; to dream of a snake, meant the existence of an enemy ; to dream of a wedding, presaged a funeral, and so on indefinitely. The Pioneers often suffered from a lack of bread-stuffs, especially in the latter part of the summer and early fall, when the little grist mills stopped for lack of water to turn them. Not unusually it became necessary to select a few of the hardest ears of corn from the ungathered crop to grate into meal before the family could break its fast. This was necessarily somewhat tedious, where the family was large which was generally the case in pioneer homes. Wild onions were gathered from the woods to eke out the meal. Spice twigs , and sassafras took the Place of Rio and Young Hyson as family beverages. When the stream, which furnished power, went dry very early, even grated meal was not to be had, and subsistence depended upon vegetables and game, but the lack of breadstuffs was sorely felt, though there was no danger of ,starvation. When the field corn became hard, the hominy block was brought into use, to the great relief of all. The hominy block was a 8 58 - HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY. section of a log, three feet long, or rather high. for it was stood on end, and a conical hole burned into it. This hole or mortar would con. tain two or three gallons. A pestle was made by fastening an iron wedge in the end of a stout stick or pole. The corn was pounded until the hull came off and the germ was somewhat broken. The finer part was for bread and the coarser was boiled—the latter dish being named "pounded hominy." Salt was brought from the Scioto and Muskingum Rivers at first, and a bushel (fifty pounds) cost five dollars. As late as 1815, it required twenty-five bushels of wheat to pay for one barrel of salt—this, too, when flour was worth sixteen dollars per barrel. Coffee was at one time a dollar and a half, and spices and pepper, one dollar per pound. Sometimes wheat was not saleable at any price, though the seller might be willing to take trade for all he had. A farmer, who had a surplus of wheat, went to Lancaster with a load, and could not dispose of it, even for trade, at a shilling per bushel. He was about to return home, greatly discouraged, when he was told that he could obtain a shilling per bushel in cash if he would pour his load into a certain hole in the middle of Main street, so that gentlemen could pass over dry shod. A man had the last payment on his land made up all but three dollars, which none of his neighbors could lend him. The money would be due in twenty-four hours, and all he had paid would be forfeited if he did not make up the full sum. That night his only cow died, and he hastily removed the hide and rode all night, arriving at Chillicothe in time to sell it for enough to make the payment in full. A gentleman, who came to Lancaster, in 1807, subsequently bougnt some land in Liberty township, near the present village of Basil. He lived in harmony with his neighbors for some time, but, suddenly, they began to let him severely alone, and'for a long time the cause of the coldness remained unexplained. Finally the truth came out. The Lancaster merchant had imported some window glass, and Mr. Heyl availed himself of the opportunity to dispense with the oiled paper windows he had been using. The two eight by ten glass windows caused his neighbors to say, that "the Heyl's had stuck themselves up with glass windows, when they were no better than other people." Verily, prejudice and old fogyism are not distinctive features of advanced civilization. A party of young people were promenading on the summit of Mount Pleasant many years ago, when one couple, who were very devoted; each to the other, became separated from the main party. The young lady, in leaning over the cliff after a flower, lost her balance and fell, but lodged in the top of a pine tree. Her companion leaped after her, excitement preventing him from seeing any other way of rescuing her, and fortunately lit on the same friendly tree. But they were in a ludicrous position, and unable to rescue themselves, though safe from immediate danger. Their companions came to their relief, and both escaped unharmed. They were married soon after, and have since enjoyed a large degree of public confidence and private friendship. TheY are now grand-parents, and possess the satisfactory consciousness of having lived useful and honorable lives. HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY - 59 The Methodists were the pioneers in the religious history of the county. Their first class was formed at Beal's Hill, in the fall-of 1799, but they were quickly followed by other denominations. Religious services were held in cabins and school houses till "meeting houses" (for they had no use for churches) could be built. In the summer they walked to "meeting” barefoot, for shoes were hard to obtain. Lads and lassies, who sustained the delightful relation of lovers, would pair off into the bushes just before they arrived at the house of worship and, seated on the same log. put on the shoes and stockings, which had been carried in the hand. Then. when church was out, the foot coverings were removed and the church goers plodded home as they had come. On one occasion the preacher, a magnificent specimen of physical manhood, was delivering-his discourse in his bare feet, one of which was placed on the split-bottomed chair, belonging to the pulpit—the only chair in the house. He became very earnest, and, finally, an emphatic stamp of his foot sent it through the bottom of the chair. The removal of the limb was not so easy and several of the pillars of the church came to his rescue, amid the subdued tittering of the giddy young people. The release being accomplished, the preacher cast the chair violently behind him with the muttered command: "Get thee behind me. Satan." Men went to meeting in hunting shirts and buckskin breeches, sometimes with their rifles on their shoulders, to guard against an attack by Indians but they were sincere. honest, and consistent in their profession. For humanity, good will. honesty and dauntless energy in temporal and spiritual matters, they are well worthy our example. The primitive Methodist camp-meeting deserves notice.' The first camp-meeting ever held in the county was about two miles north of the present West Rushville, on what has since been known as the Stevenson lands. The meetings were held here for many years, and though the ground has since been farmed, it is still sometimes called the "camp-ground.” The preachers' stand was built between two trees, and the preachers' tent was in the rear. Long rows of slab benches faced the static!, and were backed and flanked with wooden tents. Back of the wooden tents were the canvas tents, and still farther to the rear were the canvas-covered wagons. Earth-covered stands were placed in different parts of the grounds, and large fires built thereon, giving both light and heat. Religious exercises were held almost hour-1Y, and great unction was manifested in all the means of grace. The preaching was plain, forcible, and fearless—the clergy being, for the most part, practical, hard-headed men, and some preached solely for iahbeolrosve of doing good. receiving no remuneration for their spiritual their and working with their hands, like their hearers, to satisfy physical needs. Good fellowship and consistent Christianity Nrere the traits of the pioneer Methodist, and all that they did was with their whole might. The camp-ground assemblage was called together by a blast of the horn. Everybody, who came, was heartily welcomed to all the hospitalities of the occasion, both temporal and spiritual. The meetings were productive of much good, and aided these struggles in “patiently bearing the yoke, like good soldiers.” The only unpleasant memory, which clusters around the old-fashioned 60 - HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY. camp-meetings, is that of the rowdy element, which sometimes intruded. No public gathering broke up without more or less horse-swap ping. Very little money changed hands, and the chances for more or less rough-and-tumble fighting were excellent. The " bump" of combativeness was frequently aroused by the copper-distilled distilled whisker of the time, the sale of which caused numerous taverns to spring Up all along the public roads. The pioneer's copper-distilled whiskey is claimed to have been pure, but it nevertheless influenced men in doing some very singular things. A party of men were coming from a drinking bout at Rushville. in the early days, and each was try.. ing to out-do the rest in some odd pranks. At last the leader jumped from his horse and crawled through a muddy culvert, which ran under the road. There was barely room for his body, and he came out well plastered with mud. and soaked with muddy water. His example was followed by the half-dozen other members of the gang, and they then. separated for their homes, proudly conscious of being on a mutual footing in the performance of deeds of valor. The "Tent” is a historic spot in Fairfield county. Its locality is south of the Lancaster and Rushville turnpike, about two miles west of Rushville. The circumstances which gave rise to the " Tent" are substantially as follows : In 1803 some missionaries came from Kentucky, and began preaching for a few of their denomination ( Associate Reformed Presbyterians ), who lived in the neighborhood. There being no meeting house, a tent was erected, and here the people worshipped for some time. A church has since been built, and it is now called the United Presbyterian Church. The old settlers still call this place of worship the "Tent." The " first " mills, churches, school-houses, still-houses, and other land-marks, are extinct, and only the pen of the historian canspreserve them from oblivion, with the lessons taught by them and by their founders, the " early pioneer." HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY - 61 CHAPTER X AGRICULTURE AND HORTICULTURE. The only organization having for its object the promotion of agricultural in Fairfield county, is that which had its inception during the and culminated in the formation of a regularly constituted systems for the holding of annual agricultural fairs, on the plan of awarding premiums for best specimens and samples of all products of the soil, including fruits of all varieties, stock of all varieties, mechanical arts, the line arts. agricultural implements and flowers. The subject had, however, been incubating more or less for several years. The first meeting of the society was held in October, 1851, with John Reeber as president, and John S. Brazee, as secretary. The time for holding the annual meetings was fixed by the constitution to be in October, viz : always beginning on the day succeeding the state election, on the second Tuesday of that month, and continuing four days. That ride has never been changed. During the thirty years of the society, the general interest has been uniformly on the increase. With the exception of three or four hills, when foul weather set in during fair week, the meetings have been largely attended, and in all respects a success has been attained, seldom equalled by any county in Ohio of equal or approximating population and general wealth. A large attendance and competition from abroad are annually present. The first fair, in October, 1851, was held on the grounds, belonging to John Reeber. situated on the west side of Columbus Street. at the north end, nearly opposite the reservoir, and within a temporary enclosure. This first fair was a flattering success—greater than its sanguine prime movers anticipated ; but as no regular system of book-keeping was begun for several years, no statistics are possible. In anticipation of the future and growing success of the Fairfield County Agricultural Society, John Reeber was commissioned by the board of trustees to purchase suitable and permanent fair grounds. In pursuance of that trust, in the early part of 1852 he purchased about fifteen acres of the old farm of Thomas Wright, situated at the base of Mount Pleasant, and on the west side. The purchase was made on very advantageous terms to the society, and the work of putting the grounds in order for the fall meeting was speedily pushed to an early completion, under the energetic and efficient management of Mr. Reeber, as president, and in ample time for the October fair. Subsequently, a small tract of land, lying immediately on the west of the fair grounds, and known as the Widner place, was purchased, together with two or three acres on the north side, from Mrs. Van Pearce, thus making the aggregate of twenty-two acres. During the fall - possibly summer - of 1880, fourteen additional and adjoining acres, on the west, 62 - HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY. were purchased from Henry Orman and the Weakly heirs, making in all about thirty-six acres, which constitutes the present fair grounds. The purchase price of the two last named lots, constituting the fourteen acres, was $7,972. Since this last purchase of ground, the society has expended, for fencing and grading the same, the sum of $1,588. An additional sum has also been expended, in filling and leveling up the " Orman pond," so called, and for the erection of a sheep barn. A trotting park was constructed on the old grounds, of about one-third of a mile in circumference. All of the buildings of the society are large and ample. and very substantially built. They consist of two very large amphitheatres. facing on the trotting park. and capable of seating about fifteen hundred persons, each ; an art and agricultural building, two stories, and about one hundred feet in length ; a music stand, judges' stand, floral hall. refreshment booths, sheds and platforms for exhibiting furniture, and boarding houses, and an unusually large number of animal stalls and pens. The grounds are amply supplied with wells of pure water, and of easy access. Since the addition of 1880, of the new grounds, a contract has been entered into for the construction of an extension to the trotting park, to the distance of a half-mile track, a part of which is to be raised ground, at a cost of $3,350. The total cost of erecting the art and agricultural hall, erected about seven years since, was $3,111.59. The two amphi-theatres, erected in the same year (1873)was $2,115.577. In 1874, the total receipts of the society, from all sources, were $10,631.15, showing a deficit of $262.00. There was due the society from all sources, $262.69, leaving a balance in the treasury of sixty-nine cents. Receipts for 1879, from all sources, $8,o98.84. Receipts for the year 1880, from all sources, $8,000.99.   The society pays, annually, liberal premiums, and at present carries a debt for the purchase of land. Thirteen years ago, a systemetic course of book-keeping was begun, from which extracts have been taken. Mr. J. Reeber, who was the first president, served in that capacity several years, and, after an interim, was re-elected. The names of other officers, before the beginning of the recorded series, cannot now be furnished. In 1868, when the regular records begin, John S. Brazee was president, and John G. Reeves, secretary. Since then the officers have-been : Presidents, John. Reeber, 1869-71 ; B. W. Carlisle, 1871-72 ; A. J. Musser, 1872-74 ; J. C. Kinkead. 1874-76; Thomas H. Busby, 1876-79 ; Isaac Claypool, 1876-80 ; A. B. Gillet, 1880-81. Secretaries, John G. Reeves, 1869-75 ; William Davidson, 1875-81. Treasurers, John C. Weaver, 1869-72 ; William Noble, 1872-1876; S. J. Wolfe, 1876--81. The subjoining agricultural statistics, of the county, for t878, will show not only the staple products, but the wealth of the farming population. This; year may be accepted as about an average agricultural one, of the twenty-eight proceeding years. excepting corn and wheat. which are both for this year in excess, something, of the average. The total number of bushels of wheat, as well as the average to the acre, HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY - 63 will be found to be a little above that of any year since 1874. Still the report makes manifest the status of Fairfield among the other counties in Ohio. The figures may vary a little from absolute correctness, they being the returns of the township assessors. WHEAT :—Crop for 1878, 40,849 acres ; 624,707 bushels. Buckwheat 49 acres ; 479 bushels. Rye, 634 acres, 8,056 bushels. Oats, 6,237 acres ; 158,368 bushels. Barley, 488 acres ; 18,471 bushels. Corn, 55,080 acres, 2,274,639 bushels. Timothy, 12,999 acres. Tons of hay, 18,410. Clover, 5,787 acres ; tons of hay, 5,657 ; bushels of seed, 7,454, Acres plowed under for manure, 261. Flax, 2 acres ; bushels of seed, 25. Potatoes, 1,426 acres ; bushels, 104,491. Sweet Potatoes, 95 acres ; 6,857 bushels. Tobacco, 8 acres, 1,604 pounds. Sorghum, 175 acres, 17,075 gallons of molasses. Maple Sugar 2,645 pounds of sugar, 4,217 gallons of molasses. Bees, 3,871 hives ; 45,394pounds6 of honey. Taxable land in Fairfield county, 133,331 acres ; pasture, 78,847 acres ; wood lands, 52,307 acres ; uncultivated waste lands, 5,712 acres. Total number of acres in the county, 270,197. Domestic animals,—Below is a statement of the number and value of horses, cattle and mules, in Fairfield county, in the year 1879, as shown by the assessors returns. Number of horses, 9,853: total value, $524,835. Number of cattle, 23,693 ; total value, $433,487. Number of mules, 168 ; total value, $9,595. Number and value of sheep, hogs and dogs in the county in 1879: Sheep,28,892 ; total value, $62,162. Hogs, 42,962 ; total value, $125,278. Dogs, 4,263 ; total value, $1,764. Wool product, sheep killed by dogs, and the amounts paid for them by the county in the year 1878: Total amount of wool shorn, 98,469 pounds. Number of sheep killed by dogs, 362 ; value paid, $1,138. Number or sheep injured by clogs, 279; damage paid, $349.00. Aggregate amount paid by the county for injury to sheep, including the killed, $1,487. Domestic animals died from disease in the county in 1878: Number of hogs, 4,143 ; total value, $12,475. Number of sheep, 548: total value, $1,432. Number of cattle died, 220 ; total value, $4,799. Number of horses died, 104 ; total value, $6,511 HORTICULTURAL.— Grape culture in this county, as a specialty, began in 1860, with great earnestness, amounting during several years to almost a furor. The chief excitement was within a radius of a few miles around Lancaster, and the vineyards were on the hill sides and high lands, generally. Charles Dunbar first planted a vineyard on a large scale, on his farm, three miles south of Lancaster, on the State Farm road. He was soon followed by others, including F. J. Boving, J. C. Kinkead, John S. Snyder, John A. Fetters, Mr. Moury, the State Farm, and many others on smaller scales, until the maximum of the excitement had been reached, when the grape average of The county exceeded three hundred acres. The principal varieties were the Isabell, Concord, Catawba and Ives Seedling. For a number of years the growers were very sanguine ; grapes were produced in large quantities, and found a ready market 64 - HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY. at remunerative prices. The idea of a wine company was projected, and matured. A wine house was erected, with two stories under ground, large preparations were made, and large quantities of wine manufac tuned under the supervision of John S. Snyder, The wine did not at first find a market to satisfy the majority of the stockholders, the enthusiasm began to decline, and many of the stockholders sold out, probably at sacrifices, until at last Mr. Snyder became the sole owner of the wine establishment, which he is still running with energy and probable success. Of all the varieties, the Catawba was most relied upon for wine. Next, the Ives Seedling. The Catawba was found at last to fail on account of the rot, some years amounting to very little. With its failure, the discouragement began, and increased until many abandoned the business, and changed their lands to other uses. The summer of 1881, the number of acres in grapes within the entire county does not perhaps exceed twenty. Mr. Snyder and the State farm are now the principal growers. Of all the varieties planted in the county, the Ives Seedling has proved the most invulnerable against the rot, and is at this time about the sole reliance. The Concord has done well, but it is chiefly valuable as a table grape. Mr. Boving, who has given the grape culture careful and practical I attention from the start, says that at the time of the greatest prosperity of the vineyards in the county, 2000 pounds to the acre was an average crop ; equal to 200 gallons of wine. Ile says, also, that the grape business, with reference to wine making, has been a failure in the county, as money enough has not been realized on sales to reimburse the planting and other incidental expenses of the business. It was with special reference to the culture of the vine, and the strawberry, that a Horticultural Society was organized in 1865, but since the partial failure of the grape, and the assured success of the strawberry, the society at first relaxed, and then ceased to meet, and may now be said to have no existence. THE STRAWBERRY.—The cultivation of the strawberry for the market began to receive special attention about co-equal with the grape, in this county, generally in the vicinity of Lancaster, and on the Reform Farm. John Gravit and a Mr. Hill were the first to appear in the market, with any considerable quantity. Their culture rapidly increased, and soon arrived at the point of shipping to outside markets. The Reform Farm alone, at one time, reached the capacity of more than a thousand bushels, largely shipped to distant markets. This was some years ago, and during the superintendency of George E. Howe, acting commissioner. It seems that they have given their culture less attention since. At this time the farm is said to contain not exceeding three acres of strawberry plants, in a less cultivated condition. The chief varieties of the strawberries planted in the county, as furnished to the compiler by John A. Fetters, are the Wilson, Albany, Kentucky, Green, Prolific and Forest Rose. Mr. Fetters, who is the proprietor of the latter, and who is sometimes spoken of as the strawberry king, says of it, "The Forest Rose has now about superceded all other kinds on' my plantation. I have furnished Forest Rose plants, that are now growing in every State and Territory in the Union, giving HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY - 65 general satisfaction. They have been sold by hundreds of thousands, so rapid has been the increase of the plant My sales of berries in the home market, have been about twenty-five bushels per day, besides shipping to Columbus, Cincinnati, Buffalo, New York and Boston. My average product to the acre has been about $300. worth. The history of the Forest Rose is a little remarkable. In 1871, Mr. Fetters discovered a stray plant among his grape vines, which he took to be a. Wilson Seedling, or perhaps an Albany or Russell. It was a vigorous plant, and he removed it to a bed and cultivated it, to see what it might be. As the runners of the plant developed, they were set in a bed of four rows, each row about four rods in length. During the past few years he has continued to draw runners for his plantation, and to pick fruit from the old bed, for the market, at the rate of a bushel each picking.. He chose a name for this new berry from the romance of "Forest Rose," written some thirty years ago, by Emerson Bennet, and because his plantation is within half a mile of Mount Pleasant, where the principal scene is laid. Professor E. B. Andrews, State Geologist, of Ohio, wrote as follows: "I visited the grounds of Mr. Fetters this year to see his Forest Rose strawberry. I never before saw vines loaded with such a wealth of berries ; and they eclipse those of several other varieties, such as the Wilson, Albany, Charles Downing, Russell, Colonel Cheney, grown in the same soil, side by side, receiving the same treatment. In brief, in flavor, size and firmness, in bountiful bearing, in vigor and hardiness of vines, Forest Rose promises to be a strawberry of great merit." Dr. A. Warden, President of the Ohio State Horticultural Society, makes use of the following language. in his report, concerning the Forest Rose : "This new berry promises indeed to be a great acquisition to our stock of varieties. Here we have elegance of form, brilliancy of color, greater size, and firmness to bear transportation, all combined with table qualities of a higher order, than in the Wilson or Albany, which it surpasses even in field culture. Mr. Fetters furnished the Forest Rose plants, that have contributed so largely the popularity of the establishment of the celebrated horticultural, berry and fruit gardens, of Leo Weitz, at Wilmington, Ohio. The acreage of the principal growers of the county, for the summer is ; Fetters, 6 ; Boving, 3 ; Stiller, 2 ; Clark, 4 ; Schory, 2 ; Snyder, 3 and State Farm, 3 acres, besides a great many of less ground. There is probably no county in Ohio that equals Fairfield in the production of strawberries, either in quantity or quality. Besides the home market, which is large, immense quantities are annually shipped away. Other berries are cultivated with an annually increasing attention, and are already liberally supplied in the markets, such as the different varieties of the raspberry, especially the black, which seems to be the at most hardy. The common blackberry seems also to be greatly improved by cultivation. Fairfield county is probably below the average of the old counties of 66 - HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY. the State for apples. It is below what it was forty years ago. The old orchards are failing, and the new ones are not doing as well as those of more northern .counties. It is probable that the apple culture has ceased to be a specialty. Peaches have received better attention, though a good crop once in five years, is about all that is realized. The largest proportion of the peach trees of the county are of the cultivated kind. There are also many seedling orchards, which seem to stand the frost better than the budded trees, and, on the average, perhaps, produce more frequently than the cultivated trees. Plums and quinces are ordinarily in good supply, and seldom fail, especially the Damson plum. Pears are neither very abundant in the county, nor of very good quality. Very little attention is given to their culture. HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.—A Horticultural Society was first organized in Lancaster, in 1865, whose members were distributed over the county. Its title was, "The Hocking Valley Horticultural Society." The object set forth in the preamble, was that of the promotion of gardening, floral and horticultural interest, upon improved systems. It constituent members were leading men in gardening and general agricultural pursuits, grape culture, &c. The call for the initial meeting, which was held on the 26th day of January. 1865, was signed by the following gentlemen: John A. Fetters, F. J. Boving, Charles Dunbar, John C. Rainey, J. C. Kinkead, Ambroge Bender, John D. Martin, John Gravit, H. V. Weakley, John S. Snyder, S. A. Griswold and John D. Clark. The officers of the first permanent organization were as follows : Joseph C. Kinhead, president ; R. J. Black and F. J. Boving, vice Presidents ; John D. Martin, Treasurer ; John C. Weaver, Librarian; John C. McCracken, Recording Secretary. MEMBERS.—M. A. Daugherty, H. V. Weakley, J. C. McCracken, James Scott, John Gravit, Thomas H. White, P. B. Ewing, J. A. Fetters, R. J. Black, S. A. Griswold, J. D. Martin, Robert Work, R. J. Peters, C. Pairan, C. Speelman, Thomas M. Young, Emanuel Fetters, B. F. Reinmond, Martin Lundis, D. Talmadge, J. W. Lewis, E. 0. Edwards, Robert Black, C. M. L. Wiseman, Daniel Ward, T. Broomfield, M. Effinger, J. C. Kinkead, Henry Borchers, C. F. Garaghty, F. J. Boving, John C. Rainey, John S. Snyder, John D. Clark, David Stalter, John Rhodes, J. C. Weaver, A. Dennis, E. E. Meason, J. R. Mumaugh, Kinnis Fritter, Samuel Barr, Salem Wolfe, John Artz, L. H. Olds, J. T. Busby, R. H. Hooker, George Kauffman, Chas. F. Schaeffer, Daniel Ream, Jacob Moyer, G. A. Mithoff, John B. M. Neill, William Van Hyde. During the first twelve years, ten of the original members died, viz., H. V. Weakley. John C. McCracken, Emanuel Fetters, E. V. Edwards, Henry Borchers, John C. Rainey, J. C. Weaver, E. B. Meason, Salem Wolfe and Daniel Ream. The special purposes for which the society was organized, having been materialy accomplished, their meetings were discontinued. PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY.—The Order of Patrons of Husbandry, or " Grangers," was instituted at Washington, D. C., in July, 1867, HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY - 67 with William Saunders, Master, and 0. H. Kelley, Secretary. The local organizations are called " Granges." The first grange organized in Ohio was in February, 1871, and the first in Fairfield county, in July, 1873• The growth of the order in Ohio was as follows : In 1871, one rang was established ; in. 1872, 7 ; in 1873, 315 ; in 1874, 779 ; in 1875, 128 ; in 1876, 63. The first officers were : Master, S. H. Ellis ; Secretary, W. S. Miller. The members of the executive committee were : J. Brigham, chairman ; J. P. Schenk, O. C. Cummings, A. R. Keller, N. H. Albraugh, H. McDowel, H. C. Ellis, and W. W. Miller. Nineteen granges were organized in Fairfield county, namely Rush Creek, No, 67, at Bremen, July, 1873 ; Bloom, No. 397 Plea ant, No. 675 ; Violet, No. 683 ; Greenfield, No. 725Hocking, No. 706 ; Union, No. 762 ; Cedar Hill, No. 763 ; Amanda, No. 815; Stoutsville, No. 917 ; Harvey. No. 930; Walnut, No. 931 ; Berne, NO. 959 ; Summit, No. 1038 ; Fairfield, No. 1148 ; Liberty, No. 929 ; New Salem, No. 971 ; Richland, No. 838 ; Clear Creek, No. 1011. Numbers 706 and 725 were afterwards consolidated ; likewise 838 and 1148. Pleasant, Greenfield, Cedar Hill, New Salem, and Fairfield granges either built or purchased suitable halls. The largest membership, attained by the order in Fairfield county, was 1200, and it began to decline in 1876. At present but few of the local granges hold regular meetings. Mr. A. R. Keller, of Fairfield, a member of the executive committee, said, in 1876: "The excitement of organization carried many into the order, who were influenced by purely selfish motives, and who expected to grow rich without effort. Some of this class have expressed dissatisfaction, and have been dropped from the rolls of their respective granges. But the order is in a much better condition than ever before, a majority of the most enterprising farmers having become identified with it." 68 - HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY. CHAPTER XI. PUBLIC HIGHWAYS. Two canals (Ohio and Hocking) pass through the central part of Fairfield county. The Ohio canal traverses its surface a distance of nearly thirty miles. It enters the county through Winchester, in the southwest corner of Violet township. through section thirty-two ; it then assumes a southeast course. passing the northern border of the village of Carroll, in Greenfield township. It then runs east, across the southeast corner of Liberty township, passing the villages Basil and more, entering Walnut township, turns north. and passes out of the county through section twenty-two. The Hocking canal opens into the Ohio canal at Carroll. From this point it runs southeast, entering Hocking Valley near Hocker's Station, four miles above Lancaster. Passing Lancaster on its western border, and entering. Berne township, continuing a southeast direction, it passes not of the county south of Sugar Grove, through section ten, Berne township, seventeen and one-half miles from Carroll. It then runs via Logan, Nelsonville, and Chauncey, to Athens, fifty-three miles from Carroll. Slack water navigation in Ohio, in the form of inland lock canals, was first mentioned in the Legislature of 1821, under a proposition, contemplating the connection of Lake Erie with the Ohio River, on the lock and darn principle. This was introduced with that of a proposed school law, and the changing of the mode of public taxation, to be more equitable, the measures all being popular with the public at large, were no sooner promulgated, than they began to receive the popular approval of the people. The Act, previously passed in regard to canals, had not taken effect. A few private individuals had been interested iu the matter, with a view of obtaining a charter, for a company to construct a canal. For the want of popular favor they failed in that scheme. In 1821, being introduced, as it was, with the school and taxation project, it at once became a dominant theme. M. C. Williams, of Cincinnati, was that year a member of the Lower House, of the General Assembly, from Hamilton county. After the meeting of the Legislature in December, Mr. Williams began the discussion of the subject of a canal, with various members, and presented his resolution on the sixth of that month. This provided for the appointment of a committee of five members, whose duty it was to discuss that part Of the Governor's message relating to the subject—canals. The resolution was approved and passed, the following gentlemen being appointed to act as a committee : Messrs. Williams, Howe, Worthington, Moore and Shelby. Immediately after the passing of this resolution, Caleb Atwater, of Pickaway county, presented a resolution, calling for the appointment of five, to report on schools and school lands. The resolution offered in HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY - 69 regard to taxation was next introduced so with the aid of these two the canal question was settled. Mr. Williams was the leading spirit of the committee; encountering many difficulties in the prosecution of their work, although adhering to it with prudence,. discretion, and perseverance. January 3, 1822, they presented their report to the house, in elaborate form. This embodied a recommendation for the passage of a law, authorizing an examination into the practicability of connecting Lake Erie with the Ohio River by canal, at the same time introducing a bill, embodying the recommendation of the report. The bill passed the House at its third reading, January 21, 1822, although bitterly opposed for a time. In the Senate it became a law on the 31st of January. The resolution for the appointment of seven school commissioners passed the Senate, and both messages were carried together to the House. Both originated in the House of Representatives December 5, 1821, and both became laws January 31, 1822. Soon after the enactment of the-canal law, commissioners were appointed to take charge of special duties ; first, the employment of an engineer to examine the location of the country lying between the two points, Lake Erie, on the north, and Ohio River on the south. Mr. James Geddes, of New York, was employed to ferret out the most eligible route, and report the same at an early day. lie first examined the route to Columbus, via Cuyahoga Summit, arriving in Columbus in June, 1822. During the summer and fall he traveled a distance of nine hundred miles. Samuel Forrer was one of the interested parties at home, traveling about eight hundred miles. All this preliminary examination was cwoamsprleecteeid.dveineight months, showing the energy with which this work The commissioners took active interest, spending a large share of their time in the service, taking notes of the different proposed routes, in the years 1823, '24, '25. At last it was decided to locate the starting point at the mouth of the Cuyahoga Riga River at Lake Erie, entering the Ohio at the mouth of the Scioto. The same year a canal was located between Cincinnati and Dayton. While the above work was in progress, a board of canal commissioners had been created by law, and a stock company organized. A sufficient amount of money, to carry on the work of excavating on the respective canals, for one year, was borrowed of New York capitalists. David S. Bates, of Rochester, New York, was appointed chief engineer of Ohio canals, with the necessary number of assistants. The following notice is from an old copy of the Lancaster Gazette : " CANAL CELEBRATION—WASHINGTON VOLUNTEERS, ATTEND. “YOU are hereby ordered to parade in front of Reed's Tavern,' at Monticello, on the Fourth of July, 1827, at nine o'clock, for the purpose By order of the Captain. " JACOB BOPE, O. S." 70 - HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY HOCKING CANAL.—The following response of Senator Carlisle the a toast, "The Hocking Canal," given on the occasion-of the anniversary of the Hocking Sentinel,' at Logan, April 26th, 1877, gives a complete history of the canal : "In response to the subject assigned us, we beg to be indulged, while we review in abstract, and briefly, the history and reminiscences, of the Hocking Canal. Its history, though brief, and to some probably monotonous and uninteresting, is fraught with facts, important, and will be remembered by the pioneers of the Hockhocking, We call Upon you friends, who have lived for, two and a half or three score years, in this beautiful valley of milk and honey, to return with us on the wings, Of memory and hear again the shouts of joy echo throughout the length and breadth of this valley, as we heard them in the earliest days of our settlement. "The first part of the Hocking Canal was built by the Lancaster Latteral Canal Company from there to Carroll, there forming a junction with the Ohio Canal. The Lancaster Latteral Canal was put under contract in 1832, by Samuel F. McCracken, Jacob Green, Elnathan Schofield, Benjamin Connell and others, with Frederick A. Foster as secretary. This piece of canal, known at that time as the Lancaster side cut, was completed, and the first boats towed into Lancaster on the Fourth of July, . 1836, amidst the booming of cannons, beating of drums, and the waving to the breeze of flags and banners, and being witnessed by some ten thousand of Fairtield's yeomanry, who were assembled at the Cold Spring Hill, near Lancaster, where there was -a roasted ox and a free (limier served, after which the Greens, Bill Furguson and others indulged in the popular exercise of fisticuffs. "Up to this period our farmers usually got from 25 to 40 cents fol their wheat ; but many of them became rich from prices received for their surplus products afterwards. Lancaster was then one of the large commercial cities of the country, getting all the grain from most parts of the county, as well as from parts of Perry, Hocking and Pickaway counties. There were nine dry goods stores, all doing a good business. "In March 1838, an act was passed by the Legislature of the State, authorizing the then Commissioners to purchase the side cut from its owners. April 6, 1838, a committee was appointed to confer with the LancaSter company and negotiate terms ; and December 22 1838, a contract was matured for the same, at a cost of $61,241.04. "The Hocking Canal was projected and put under contract by the board of public works in 1836, that board having just been made to substitute the canal commissioners of the State. Sixteen and one half miles, being from Lancaster to Bowner's lock, was put under contract in 1837, and to he completed in 1839 ; and that portion from Bovvner s lock to Nelsonville, being sixteen and one-half miles, was put untie; contract in 1837, to be completed in 1839, but was not completed until 1840. In September of this year, the first boats loaded with coal, came out of the Hocking Valley, and served as a curiosity to most of the upper valley citizens, who had never seen stone coal. In 1841 the canalwas completed to Monday Creek, being forty-four miles from Carroll, and from Monday Creek to Athens, completed, and boats running through in 1841. HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY - 71 "The Hocking Canal cost has 31 locks, 8 dams, 34 culverts, and one aqueduct of 80 feet span. “The total cost contruction of this canal, was $947,670.65. "To the opening of this canal, Lancaster, Logan, Nelsonville and Athens, owed their principal prosperity, in affording an opening for the importation of goods and the exportation of grain, pork, lumber, salt, and various minerals of the Hocking Valley. Hemmed in as you were by towering hills, your agricultural wealth undeveloped, your mineral wealth unknown, to the Hocking Canal you owe your introduction, to the world without. Through the medium of the canal, a market was brought near. The latent wealth of your hills was then developed, and the beautiful hills of Hockhocking became the hub of the mineral Wealth of Ohio. "By the introduction of this old water horse (the canal), the long hidden treasures of mineral wealth of this valley, were brought into notice, and general use ; manufactories built up in all the contiguous towns and territories ; this affording employment to a large and needy class of mechanics ; and the employment of an equal number of laborers, in penetrating the bowels of the earth for fuel, the employment of horses, boats, and men, to ship the fuel all along the lines of our canals, enriching many of the citizens of the valley. "Allow me to say in conclusion, that, although the iron horse moves majestically along the valley, bearing the greater share of your trade, yet the old boat-horse still lives, and possesses a large amount of vitality, and is therefore not as yet ready to be turned out to die, as some would have him. And if any animated object were capable of waking in the human breast, sentiments of gratitude and esteem, these the citizens of the Hocking valley owe to the canal." TURNPIKE ROADS.—Fairfield county has eight turnpike roads, all being gravel road beds with the exception of the Maysville and Zanesville roads, these two being originally made of broken lime stone, and completed between the years 1837-42. A joint stock road with toll gates was also made at this time. This road was made substantially, and during the forty-three years it has been in use, but little repairing has been reqiiired. It enters the county from the west, crossing the southof Amanda township, thence east through Hocking township, forming h itnh street of-Lancaster. From Lancaster east, it deflects a little to line of the Clear Creek township, and the southeast corner the The Lancaster crossing Berne, Pleasant, Richland, and Rushville townships ; it then enters Perry county. The Lancaster and New Salem road is twelve miles long, and con- sidered the best in the county. All the gravel roads were built under the Provision of legislative enactment, providing a pro-rata taxation on land, tying within two miles of the road bed, on both sides, the per cent diminishing as the distance of the land from the road increased. The cost of this road to commissioner Fink of Pleasant township as six hundred dollars. The act, however, provided that tax payers might at their option, form joint stock companies, and erect toll-gates. Some did so, while others made their road free. The Cedar Hill pike intersects the Maysville and Zanesville road, half a mile west of LancaSter, passes through Amanda township one 72 - HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY. mile south of Royalton, to Cedar Hill ; thence to the Pickaway county line ; it is smooth, substantial and free of toll-gates. The Baltimore and Kirkersville road, commencing at the northwest corner of Lancaster, continues in a northern direction through Dumontsville to Baltimore, eight miles ; thence northeast through Liberty and Walnut townships, into Licking county. A toll-road, at first, by a subsequent act of the Legislature, it was made free. The Amanda road, the shortest in the county, starts firom a point on the Maysville and Zanesville pike, nearly a mile east of Amanda, forming its Main street, and continues a distance of six miles, to the Pickaway county line. The Lancaster and Lithopolis pike commences at Main street, in Lancaster, and from Columbus street enters Greenfield township ; thence past Hooker Station, on through the villages of Greencastle and Lithopolis, in Bloom township ; thence to the Franklin county line. In 1881 this road was finished only to a point west of Lithopolis. The Lancaster and Carrol road connects with the Lithopolis road at the canal bridge, near Hooker's Station, and running parallel with the Hocking Canal, to Carroll, enters Bloom township, passing through Jefferson to Canal Winchester, there terminates. A free road is to be graded from Lancaster to the State Farm, a distance of six miles. Already two miles of that distance has been graded. Seven of the last roads mentioned, were constructed on the same legal and financial plan, in about three years' time, and have contributed largely to the convenience of the public. RAILROADS.—Within the limits of Fairfield county, there are seventy-eight miles of main track railway, and ten miles side track ; making a total of eighty-eight miles. The total valuation for taxation for the year 1880, was $824,704. In this summary three roads are comprised. First, the Cincinnati, Wilmington and Zanesville, being the first in the county. It was chartered by the Legislature on February 4th, 1851, soon after the work was put under contract west of Lancaster, and soon completed. The western termination of the road being its connection with the Little Miami road, at Morrowtown, in Warren county, and in 1853 cars were running into Lancaster from the west. Its eastern termination was at Zanesville, in Muskingum county. It had a mileage of twenty-eight and fifty-two one hundreth miles. Appraised at $411,280. In 1856 the road was completed, and regular trains running between Morrowtown and Zanesville, thus opening communication between Cincinnati and all eastern seaboards, by connecting at Zanesville with the original Central Ohio Railroad. To the capital stock of this road, the citizens of the county contributed liberally. The commissioners of the county, as provided for in the act of incorporation, subscribed $250,000, for the payment of which, bonds were issued bearing seven per cent. The company, negotiating them in the markets at favorable rates, similar rates were subjected to the market, and sold by all the counties through which the road passed. In this way sufficient funds were raised to complete the road, including bridges, tunnels, ties, and the principal part of the HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY - 73 iron. The road remained, however, to be completed, by the required stock having acquired a substantial value of first second and third mortgages; bonds were issued and sold, and with the help of an income, loans were secured with these for security. After three or four years of experience, the road found it had too a debt to contend with. The interest on the bonds, and the running expenses of the road, exceeded the earnings. The stock began to decline in the Market. An effort was made by the capitalists to save the road, by contracting the price of the shares from fifty to fifteen dollars, but the first mortgage bonds became due, a fore-closure took place, the road was sold, and the name changed to that of the Cincinnati and Muskingum Valley ; having since changed hands, it is now the Muskingum division of the Pittsburg, Cincinnat and St. Louis Railroad. The county bonds and interests, together with the entire amount of the individual stock, was a total loss. The stockholders' loss was equal to that of the county. The first mortgage bonds were probably liquidated by the sale of the road. The second, third, and income bonds were valueless. The route of the road through the county is as follows: Entering from the west, through section nineteen, of Clear Creek township ; passes through this township in a northeast direction, crossing the northwest corner. It passes near Amanda, in Amanda township, entering Hocking township, still pursuing a northeast direction to Lancaster ; from there east, through the northern part of Berne township, entering next, Rush Creek township ; after passing Bremen, its course is northeast, through section twelve, of Rush Creek township, here entering the adjoining county. THE HOCKING VALLEY RAILROAD has a mileage in Fairfield county of twenty-three and fifty-three one hundredth miles, main track, and five miles side track, making an aggregate of twenty-nine miles. It was placed on the county duplicate for taxation, in the year 1880, at a value of $205,364. This road was first chartered in 1864, under the title of "Mineral Point Railroad Company," and was to extend from Columbus to Athens, a distance of seventy-four miles. In June, 1867, the name of the road was changed by the court of common pleas, of Franklin county, to that of the Columbus and Hocking Valley R.R. its present title. The charter provided, that as soon as the company should reach the Point of a specified stock, and expended this amount in making the road-bed it should be authorized to issue one and one-half million dollars worth of bonds, secured by mortgage on the road, these to be sold in the market, and the proceeds to be applied to the further completion of the road. The required amount of stock was soon taken, and the bed of road constructed without delay ; whereupon the bonds were issued and sold on favorable terms to the company. Within one year from the commencement of this road, cars were running between Columbus and Lancaster. In 1868, four years after the granting of the charter, the road was completed, and daily trains run from Columbus to Athens. For the construction of the Hocking Valley road, the authorities of HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY - 75 Lancaster issued to the company of the road, twenty thousand dollars of seven per cent. bonds, to enable the purchase of the right of way the levy, but, at length, acquiescence was accorded, and the bonds and through the city. This, an act on the part of the city council, unauthorized by law, caused much dissatisfaction, at first, among .the tax- payers. Many declared their determination to resist the payment of interest paid.             . This road has proved to be one of the wealthiest in the State, chiefly on account of the extensive transportation of coal out of the lower valley. The stock of the road has always been above par, paying an annual dividend of eight per cent., at times exceeding that, as well as carrying a large surplus fund. Their bonds, a million and a half in number, are at a premium in the market. The transportation of coal, in prosperous times, has been twenty trains, each containing thirty loaded cars, these passing Lancaster every twenty-four hours. The Muskingum and Hocking Valley have a joint depot at the south terminus of Broadway. The tracks cross the canal within twenty feet of each other, one hundred and fifty yards west of the depot. The Hocking Valley enters the county from the northwest, at Winchester, through section twenty-nine, of Violet township, and bearing a little south of east to section thirty-six. takes a southeast course across the northeast corner of Bloom township, entering Greenfield township a short distance above the village of Carroll ; thence in the same direction to Lancaster, where it takes a southern course, following the Hocking Valley, passing into Hocking county through section ten, of Berne township, one mile south of Sugar Grove. The Hocking Valley has five stations in Fairfield county, viz. : Lockville, Carroll, Hooker's, Lancaster and Sugar Grove. The five stations on the Muskingum Valley are, Stoutsville, Amanda, Lancaster, Berne and Bremen. Both roads have six passenger trains daily, three each way. THE CENTRAL OHIO RAILROAD was originally projected from Toledo, on the Maumee, to Pomeroy on the Ohio, being designed for a mineral road to run into the coal fields of southern Ohio.   It was first chartered as the " Atlantic and Lake Erie." For nine years it struggled through difficulties, when funds were plenty, the work was continued with energy, until the ground work of the northern division was well advanced. During this time Gen. Thomas Ewing, of Lancaster, was president of the company. At last the road became so involved in debt that it had to be sold, but not until the company had endeavored to involve the stockholders, by bringing suit against them for more than the amount subscribed by them. Suit was entered Lt the court of common pleas, of Fairfield county, to enforced the payment of this, but the stockholders resisted, and, pending the suit, an accommodation sale of the road was effected, and the suit, was withdrawn. When the road passed into new hands, the name was changed to Central Ohio, and at once completed from Columbus to Corning, in 76 - HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY. the southern part of Perry county, a distance of sixty-five miles. In the early part of the summer of 1880, trains were run through. That part running into Columbus is a branch, leaving the main track at Bush's Station, in Walnut township. The southern terminus of the road, at present, is at Corning. with a branch extending to Shawnee, seven miles to the west. On the northern end of the main line, cars run through to Fostoria, (Hancock county,) in 1880, or beginning of the year 1881. The Central Ohio enters Fairfield county from the north; through section twenty-two, of Walnut township, and receives the Columbus branch at Bush's Station ; here the route turns southeast, to Pleasantville, in the northern part of Pleasant township, from here into Richland township, where its course changes to due south, to Rushville, passing between the two villages into Rush Creek township. At Bremen it runs on the track of the Cincinnati and Muskingum Valley road to New Lexington. The Columbus branch has six stations in Fairfield county, viz. : Pickering, Basil, Bush's, Pleasantville,Rushville and Bremen. The mileage of this road, in the county, is twenty-41, nine and six one hundredths ; the appraisement being $208,030, taxation. HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY - 77 CHAPTER XII. PUBLIC BUILDINGS. COURT HOUSES.—Fairfield county's first court house was built in 1806, and occupied in 1807. Four years had elapsed since the first court of common pleas had convened-in the county, during which the courts were held in log cabins. The new temple of justice was a two-sto- ry brick, and stood in the center of Broadway, on the north side of Main street. It was one of the first structures of the kind then complete in the state. The brick were made by Sosthenus McCabe—it is said at $2.50 per thousand. In the first story was the court room, the seats being arranged in amphitheatre form. In the second story were two jury rooms, reached by a flight of winding stairs. The roof was conical, and " hipped," and surmounted by a balcony and steeple. A fine hell hung in the balcony. The building was used for nearly sixty years, and was condemned by the county commissioners, in 1864, on account of its supposed dampness, the floor resting near the ground. Soon after the war, it was torn down, and the fears of dampness proved unfounded, by the remarkable dryness of the floor-lumbers. For the three years between the demolition of this venerable edifice, and the completion of its successor, the commissioners rented the basement of the German Reformed Church, on Chestnut street, for the sitting of the courts. At a very early day, a two-story brick was built .on the south side of Main street, and in the southeast part of the public square. This building contained four rooms, and was used by the county officers for several years. It was called, for political reasons, probably, the "Red Lodge," though the exact origin of this sobriquet is not now known. The post-office was kept in the lower story, for a time. After the removal of the county offices, and also a small book store, the Fairfield Telegraph newspaper was published in the upper story, for about three years, in connection with the telegraph office. After the removal of Judge Irwin to his farm, south of town, the county commissioners, purchased his large brick dwelling, on the north side of the square, and devoted it to county uses. This arrangement was in effect between 1843 and 1850. Soon after the purchase of the property, a stone vault was built on the premises, in conformity with a statute providing, for the safe custody of the books and funds of county treasurers. In this place the offices were continued until the completion of the new court house, in 1871. The Irwin house, known for more than twenty years, as the “county building,” was used as a high school, for some time after its vacation by the county officials, and finally sold by the county, for five thousand dollars. The new court house was completed in 1871, about four years from 78 - HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY. the time the ground was first broken for the foundation. Immediately after the condemnation of the old court house, the county commissioners began to move in the matter of erecting a suitable court house, large enough to contain all the county officers. The choice of a site was a matter of some difficulty, and, while pending, occasioned much discussion. The northeast corner of Main and High streets was finally decided to be the most eligible site, and the ground was purchased from John S. Brazee, for $5,000. An adjoining lot, on the east, was subsequently bought, of John Randolph, and added to the first purchase. The whole was inclosed with a strong stone wall, surmounted by an iron fence. A special act of the legislature was secured, which authorized a levy on the county duplicate for $ioo,000, for building the court house, and the funds were raised by the sale of county bonds. The plan was drawn by Jacob Carman, architect, of Lancaster, who directed the construction from the first. The corner-stone of the new court house was laid with appropriate ceremonies, and a large number of articles deposited therein. Among them were the names of county, state and national officials, religious and secular newspapers, religious pamphlets and books, several bottles of wine, and the names of the teachers and pupils of the Lancaster high school. When the house was finished, its cost was found to have exceeded the original appropriation by more than $5o,000, but this amount was levied and collected without trouble, the public being fully satisfied with the quality of the work. The Fairfield county court house is entirely of Waverly sand-stone, quarried in sight of the structure, and is three stories high. The basement story is occupied by the heating apparatus, rooms for storage. and the living apartments of the janitor. The main hall, on the second floor is paved with marble, and fronting it are the offices of the auditor, treasurer, surveyor, probate judge and recorder of the county. The common pleas court room is on the third floor of the south end. The jury rooms and the county clerk's office are on the right and left of the hall, at the north end. The inside work of the edifice, is all of hard wood. From the roof, a fine view of the city, the romantic country around it, and of a portion of Hocking valley, is obtained. JAILS.—The first jail was built of logs, and stood in the northwest corner of the present jail grounds. It was erected probably about 1802, though the exact date is unknown, there being no record on this subject. The jail had but one room, and was, at that time, considered very strong ; but prisoners sometimes escaped from it, notwithstanding. A man and woman, confined there once, escaped in a single night, by prying up the puncheon floor, and burrowing out under the logs. About 1816, a two-story brick jail was built on the south side of the jail grounds, fronting on, and close to the pavement of Chestnut street—nearly in front of the present jail. The west end was occupied by the family of the sheriff. There was a single prison-room below, where all prisoners were confined, besides a dungeon. for such as were condemned to solitary confinement on bread and water—a punishment more common than now. In the east end of the second story was the debtors' prison, as debtors were not kept with other offenders• A debtor might, by furnishing a bondsman, be allowed liberty with" HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY - 79 in prescribed bounds. The limit of this privilege was, sometimes, onir the narrow jail-yard, sometimes a mile square, and again the township. If he overstepped the line, inadvertently or otherwise, his bondsman became personally responsible for the debt. This jail was torn down in 1852. and replaced by the one now in use. The new structure is of sand-stone, two stories in height, and provided with strong cells, and large corridors for exercise. The female department is in the second story, and is sometimes used for confining the milder class of male prisoners, when not otherwise occupied. The sheriff's residence, in front, is a two-story brick, with all the appointments of a comfortable dwelling. The sheriff's office, a one-story brick, is at the east end. Communication with the jail is through the hall of the dwelling. A high, iron fence, which, in itself, is a very good prison, surrounds the Jail-yard. THE COUNTY INFIRMARY.—The necessity for a county infirmary was felt about 1827. Previous to that time, such persons as became county charges, were cared for in their respective townships, by officers called " overseers of the poor," who let out the contract for the keeping of each pauper, to the lowest bidder ; such contract running one year. The conditions were that the mendicant should receive adequate food, comfortable clothing, and competent medical attendance. The county infirmary is situated two and a half miles north of Lancaster, and the farm contains one hundred and seventy acres of land. The first buildings were erected in 1828, and were of frame. In 1840, these were removed, and a two-story brick building placed on the same site. The dimensions of the new poor-house" were then sufficient to accommodate the county poor, as well as provide a residence for the superintendent. From time to time thereafter, out-buildings were erected, the main building enlarged, and various accessories provided, the better to conduce to the welfare, and make the place more attractive to visitors. The present value of buildings and grounds, is about $17,000. The infirmary is under the control of three directors, whose tenure of office is three years, the term being so arranged that one new director is elected each year. The office of superintendent of the infirmary is filled by this board, no time being fixed. the incumbent retaining his place solely by pleasure of the board. He resides in the institution, and has immediate charge of the inmates, attendants, and all properties belong- The annual expense of the institution, at present, is about $12,000. This does not include outside support, nor outside medical attendance ; two items which, last year, amounted to about $1,000. A common school is maintained in the infirmary, in which the common English branches are taught by an inmate—the county incurring no expense therefor, other than that of the few books required. The number of inmates in the infirmary, February 1st, 1881, were : males, seventy ; females, fifty-four ; and of this number, there were twenty boys, and twelve girls. Of the whole number of inmates, there were thirty idiots, two blind, two epileptics, and fifty-eight infirm. Eight were above the age institution eighty; and sixteen were over seventy years. The expenses of the institution would be vastly increased but for the farming, stock raising, and fruit culture largely carried on by the inmates 80 - HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY THE CITY HALL, OF LANCASTER, is of brick, three stories high, and was built in 1859. It stands on the former site of the old Red Lodge before mentioned, south side of Main Street and on the southeast par; of the public square. The third story is the Hall of Charity Lodge No. 7, I. 0. 0. F. The lodge loaned money to the city, towards the erection of the building, conditionally that the city should provide the Odd Fellows with a suitable meeting place. For this the city receives a fixed rental. The second floor contains one room, which is called the City Hall, and is used for public meetings of various kinds. It has a stage and scenery. The hall has been a source of considerable revenue to the city. The front or north apartment of the lower story has been used as a post office, for twenty years. The middle division contains the Mayor's office and the city council chamber. The south part Is set apart for the tire engine and hose. When first erected, the third floor of the building was pronounced unsafe. The ceiling sank, and examination showed that the girders and roof timbers were not well secured to the walls. Iron girders were used, and ten iron pillars set in the audience chamber, which averted the danger. The old Market House, is situated on the west division of the public square, and was built in 1824. It is two stories high. The south room of the second story was used as city council chamber, until the erection of the City Hall, and for various other purposes. The north room was a Masonic Hall for many years, and is now used by a building association, for its weekly meetings. The lower rooms have always been used as a meat market, and the sheds and adjacent pavements, form the general market space. The regular markets have sometimes been suspended for a whole year, and the building has frequently been threatened with destruction, which, however, has not yet overtaken it. HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY - 81 CHAPTER XIII. COUNTY AND JUDICIAL OFFICERS—PUBLIC MEN. PROBATE JUDGES.—The probate court was first provided for by the new constitution, adopted June, 1851. Under the old constitution the functions of the probate court, were performed by the associate judges of the court of common pleas, and clerk of court. The following are the Probate Judges, for the county of Fairfield, in order of their succession : Joel Rudibaugh, was elected in the fall of 1852 ; before his term expired, he resigned, and Jesse Lockner was appointed to fill the vacancy. In 1854, Virgil E. Shaw was elected, serving three years. Succeeding him was Jesse Loehner, having been elected in 1857. He served three terms, in all 9 years. In 1866 Abraham Seifert was elected, and served until 1872, when William L. Rigby was elected, serving two terms. In 1878 he was succeeded by S. Theodore Shaeffer, who is at present filling the office. (1881.) CLERKS OF COURT.—At its first session, Hugh Boyl was appointed clerk of the court of common pleas, in 1803, and continued to serve in this capacity until 1833. when M. Z. Kreider was appointed in his place, serving until 1842, in all eight years. Jacob Rudibaugh was then appointed, and served until the adoption of the new constitution, in 1851. By provisions of the new constitution, the office of clerk of the court became elective, in place of appointing, as under the former constitution. Martin Cragy was the first to be elected, serving one term, of three years. He was then succeeded by John Rudibaugh, who also served three years. John C. Rainey, was the next elected and re-elected, serving in all six years. Jesse Vandemark succeeded him, serving, likewise, two terms. his successor was Charles F. Rainey, who served two terms. In October, 1875, George Graybill was elected, serving two terms, expiring with 1881. Hugh in Boyl continued to serve as clerk of the Supreme Court, until his death in 1841. SHERIFFS.—Previous to the year 1824, there appears no definite way of fixing the exact order of successions, of the early sheriff's of Fairfield county. Of those, who are known to have served previous to that date, are George Sanderson and William Crook, but the date and the length of term cannot be given. From 1824 to 1881, the following are the successions, inorder: Edward Thompson, 1824-28 ; George D. Seits, 1828-32 Nathan Wetherby 1832-34 ; Silas Tum, 1834-38 ; Thomas Edingfield, 1838-40; Samuel Ewing, 1840-44 ; Elias Perry, 1844-48 ; Oliver H. Perry, 1848-52; James Weaver, 1852-54; William Potter, 1854-56; Aaron Ebright, 11 82 - HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY. 1856-60; James Miller, 1860-64 ; Emanuel Shisler, 1864-68 ; John D. Jackson. 1868-72; William Bush, 1872-76; George Lee, 1876-80. In October, 1880, Hiram Shoemaker, was elected sheriff, and is now in office. (1881.) TREASURERS.—The office of coutlty treasurer was created in 1826. Previous to that time collectors of taxes were appointed by the county commissioners, from 1802-27. During that time, taxes were collected and paid over to treasurers, also appointed. They were, however, required to enter into bonds, with security. The names of the early treasurers cannot be given. Only those who have served since 1826. Adam Weaver, 1826 ; Jacob Beck, 1830; Ewel Jefries, 1837 ; Asa Spurgeon, 1841 ; Jephtha Newkirk, 1845 ; Francis Lilly, 1849; Edward Gray-bill, 1853 ; Peter C. Bennadum, 1857 ; 0. E. Davis, 1861 ; Bateman Beaty, 1863 ; Jacob Baker, 1867 ; Gilbert Schaeffer, 1871; Henry Martens, 1875 ; J. M. Hickel, 1879. COUNTY SURVEYORS.—Not until 1823, do the names of surveyors appear in regular order, which are from that date as follows : Samuel Carpenter, 1823-26 ; Solomon Shaw, 1826-42 ; J. Card, 1842-49 ; Gabriel Strunk, 1849-54 ; William Hamilton, 1854-56 ; Ezra S. Hannum, 1856-57: Frank H. Carpenter, 1857-69; Levi Hartzler, 1869-74 Ezra S. Hannum, 1874-76; Charles Boreland, Jr., 1876-80. He was then re-elected. The foregoing records of Probate Judges, Clerks of Court, Sheriffs, Treasurers, and County Surveyors, is complete to 1881. In compiling the succession of other county officers, there have been so many difficulties met with, that to complete the list is impossible. The files of the Ohio Eagle, between 1810-38, are wanting. From them the annual and biennial elections could have been shown. In the Gazette office the files are still more incomplete. The court house records are so voluminous and so miscellaneously disposed, as to well nigh defy re-search, back through the eighty years of the county's existence. County officers have however rendered important aid in facilitating the prosecution of the search. The files of the Eagle, from 1838, are complete, with the exception of one volume, and a few mutilations. The following lists are authentic : COUNTY AUDITORS.—Satiluel Carpenter, 1820-28 ; Thomas U. White, 1828-32 ; Henry C. Wilder, 1832-37 ; John C. Castle, 18371,k; Alfred McVeigh, 1844'48 ; William L. Jefries, 1848-54 ; James W. Towson, 1854-56 ; A. J. Dildine, 1856-60; William Robinson, 1860-64; William Shopp, 1864-68. Here a change in the law, extended the time of the incoming Auditor, from February to the following November. Lonis A. Blaire, the successor of Mr. Shopp, was elected to the two terms succeeding, and under the new law held the office four years and eight months, until November, 1873, when John C. Hite was elected, and served four years, until 1877. The new law now requires three years for a term. Ephriam K. Akers was elected, his first term expiring in 1880, being re-elected, his second term will end November, 1883. PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS.—William Irwin, 1838-44 ; Washington Van Ham, 1844-46 ; Emanuel Giesy, 1846-48 ; William R. Rankin, 1848-52 ; Virgil E. Shaw, 1852-54 ; Alfred Williams, 1854-56 ; James W. Stinchcomb, 1856-60; William T. Wise, 1860-62; Tallman Stough, HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY - 83 1862    ; William A. Schultz, 1866-70 ; John G. Reeves, 1870-76; Thomas H. Dolson, 1876-80; John McCormick, 188o,until his death in 1882" COUNTY RECORDERS.—William Gruber, 1830, succeeded by Henry Miers. At the expiration of his term. 1837, William L. King was elected, and served until 1848. Then John K. Baker, 1848-49 ; Abraham Seifert. 1849-52 ; E. C. Hannum, 1852-56 ; Abraham Seifert, 1856-64 ; Timothy Fishbaugh, 1864-81. OFFICERS IN 1881.—Probate Judge, S. Theodore Shaeffer ; Clerk of the Court, George Graybill ; Sheriff, Hiram Shumaker - Prosecuting Attorney, John McCormick ; Auditor, Ephraim K. Akers ; Treasurer, J. M. Hickle ; Recorder, Timothy Fishbaugh ; Surveyor, Charles Boreland, jr. ; Coroner, Thomas R. Tarpy ; Commissioners, W. McClenegan, William Fink, Henry Langle. COUNTY OFFICERS, 1882.—Prosecuting Attorney, Daniel T. Clover ; Auditor, Benjamin F. Dum ; Sheriff, H. H. Shoemaker ; Surveyor,. Charles F. Boreland ; Coroner, Simpson Sturgeon - Recorder, Charles W. Parido ; Treasurer, John W. Simpson ; Clerk, William H. Wolfe ; Probate Judge, S. F. Shaeffer. JUDGES OF COURT.—At the opening of the first Court of Common Pleas, for Fairfield county, on the second Tuesday of May, 1803, Judge Wylys Silliman was the presiding Judge. In April, 1805, Robert F. Slaughter was on the bench, and, in 1807, Hon. Leven Belt. In the journal proceedings, we find that William Wilson was Judge from 1809-19 ; John A. McDowell, 1820-23. In 1834, Gustavus Swan, who presided until 1839. The journal is signed variously by McDowell, Swan, Augustus, and Grimke. In 1839, Alexander H. Keith presided until. 1851, when Henry C. Whitman was elected, serving until 1861, at which time he resigned, and Philoman B. Ewing was appointed, to fill his unexpired term. In 1862, Philadelph Van Trump was elected, and continued on the bench until elected to Congress, in 1867. Silas H. Winfield Wright was then elected to the judgeship. In 1879, John S. Friesner, of Logan, was elected to this bench. COURT OF QUARTER SESSIONS.—The first judicial authority of Fairfield county was that of the Court of “Quarter Sessions,” first organized in January, 1801, with Emanuel Carpenter, senior, as presiding Justice, Nathaniel Wilson, senior, David Vanmeter, and Samuel Carpenter, associates. The session was first held in a log school-house. A sheriff, by the name of Samuel Kratzer, was appointed, and sworn by the bench. A jury was also impaneled and sworn, called a " jury of inquest," and composed of the following named persons : James Converse, Abraham Wather, Jeremiah Conaway, Arthur Teal, Conrad Fetter, Robert McMurty, Samuel Coats, Abraham Funk, Thomas Cissina, Amasa Delanoe, John McMullen, Edward Teal, David Reese, and Barnabus Golden; no indictments were found, and the jury were discharged. Twp attorneys were sworn, William Creighton and Alexander White. Three county commissioners were appointed. Nathaniel Wilson, jr., Jacob Vanmeter, and James Denny. In the proceedings of the Quarter Session the following record appears 84 - HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY " Ordered. That a road be surveyed from the town of Fairfield, to the head of the muddy prairie." Lancaster was probably meant by the town of Fairfield." The survey was made by Hugh boa The first mortgage, of which any record appears, was recorded by this Court of Quarter Sessions, for John Cleves Semmes, to Benjamin Murphy, for the purchase of one hundred acres of land, for which the payment was to be made in six years, with six per cent interest. This paper is dated August 19, 1801, and the sum contracted to be paid was two thousand dollars. The figures given are probably erroneous, as twenty dollars an acre was not likely paid for wild lands at that early clay. FIRST ELECTION.-October 12, 1802, two members of the Constitutional Convention were chosen by popular election, to frame a Constitution for the State of Ohio. This was the first election held in the county of Fairfield. The two chosen were Emanuel Carpenter, senior, and Henry Abrams, the former receiving two hundred and twenty eight, and the latter one hundred and eighty-one votes. COURT OF COMMON PLEAS.-The proceedings of the first Court of Common Pleas, in the count- of Fairfield. were entered in a small blank book, of two hundred and thirty-one pages, The paper is coarse, of a dull white color, and unruled. The first dates are in 1803. Some of the entries Nvould appear odd now. These records run through a period of six years, from 18o3-9. There are no dates given to the entries, other than they are a part of the proceedings of the March term, or the June term, etc., and called " Minutes of the proceedings" of the Court of Common Pleas " of Fairfield county." At the opening of the first term is written : " Before  ____ Silliman, Esquire, President." The first Grand Jury were : David Reese, Joseph Hunter, Henry Mesner, Jacob Lamb, John McMean, Thomas Cisne, Frederick Teather, Thomas McCall, Joseph Work, James Black, John Shepler, John Mills, and David Shellenbarger. A detailed statement of the proceedings of the court, through the first six years, would scarcely be interesting. Still, the docket presents a large number of civil cases, taking into consideration the population at that age of the country. Licenses were granted for keeping taverns, in several places, which contained a permit to sell intoxicating, or spirituous liquors. Several cases of assault and battery were tried, and either acquitted, or fined. A number of men were fined for selling intoxicating liquors without license. Estates of deceased persons, orphans. and guardianships, received attention. FREE WHITE MALE INHABITANTS.-During the early years of Ohio, the words. " Free white male inhabitants," entered into her legal forms,. as also the word " Redemptionists.” Redemptionists being a class of persons who, in emigrating. from foreign countries to the United States, who had not the means of paving their passage. were, upon arriving in this country, sold to the highest bidder, or to one who their passage, tier a specified a period of service. These persons were termed redemptionists, and could not claim citizenship. until the redemption price was paid, by the expiration of their term of service, at which time they became free. Hence, the form " free white male inhabitants,” HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY - 85 At an early day there were a few redemptionists in Fairfield county. These forms have long since been obsolete, in the United States, as.to the white race. In December, 1803, in establishing the basis of representation, the number of "free white male inhabitants" within the county of Fairfield, was found to be 1,050 above the age of twenty-one years, and in 1807, 2,166 of the same class of citizens. VOTES CAST FOR GOVERNOR.-The votes cast in Fairfield county, for Governor, from, and including, the years 1806-81, has a political as well as a numerical significance. They are as follows.: In 1806, for Edward Tiffin, without opposition, 327 votes ; in 1808 three candidates were in nomination, Samuel Huntington, 973, Thomas Worthington, 192, and Thomas Kirker, three votes ; in 181o, Return J. Meigs, 335, Thomas Worthington, 738 votes ; in 1812, Return J. Meigs, 241, Thomas Scott, 1,213 votes ; in 1814, Thomas Worthington, 945, 0. Looker, 176; in 1816, Thomas Worthington, 1,059, James Dunlap, 878 votes ; in 1818, Ethan H. Brown, 1,535, James Dunlap, 239; in 1820, Ethan H. Brown, 1,794, Jeremiah Morrow, 33, William Harrison, 35 votes ; in 1822, Jeremiah Morrow, 87, Allen Trimble, 32, 'William Irvin, 1,819; in 1824, Jeremiah Morrow, 1,369, Allen Trimble, 1,157 ; in 1826, Allen Trimble, 2,609, John Bigger, 5, A.lexander Campbell, 14, Benjamin Tannin, 2 ; in 1:28, Allen Trimble, 1,234, John W. Campbell, 2,076 ; in 1830, Duncan McArthur, 1,035, Robert Lucas, 1,819 ; in 1832, the Presidential vote was as follows : In 1832, Andrew Jackson, 2,648, Henry Clay, 1,274, Wirt, (Anti-mason), 2 votes. In 1834 for Governor : Robert Lucas, (Democrat) 2,024, James Finley, (Whig) 1,349. In 1836 for President, Martin Van Buren, (Dem.) 2,906, William H. Harrison, (Whig) 1,846 votes. In 1838, for Governor, Wilson Shannon, (Dem.) 2,717. Joseph Vance (Whig) 1,633 -votes. In 1840, Thomas Corwin, (Whig) 2,421. Wilson Shannon, (Dem.) 3,411 votes. In 1842, Wilson Shannon, (Dem.) 3,212, Thomas Corwin, (Whig) 2,037. In 1844, Mordecai Bartley. (Whig) 2,402. David Tod, (Dem.) 3,584 votes. In 1846, William Bebb, (Whig) 2,116, David Tod, (Dem. ) 2,931. In 1848, John B. Weller, (Dem.) 3,573, Seabury Ford, (Whig) 2,266. In 1850, Reuben Wood, (Dem.) 3,232, William Johnson, (Whig) 2,098 votes. In 1852, Reuben Wood,(Dem.) 2,042, Samuel F.Vinton, (Whig) 1..736, Samuel Lewis, (Abolitionist) 2 votes. In 1853, (New Constitution) William Medill, (Dem.) 2,803, Nelson Barrere, (Whig) 1,157 votes. In 1855, William Medill, (Dem) 2,614, Allen Trimble, (Knownothing) 52, Samon P. Chase, (Rep), 2,474. In 1856, (voted for "Attorney General," this year.) Christopher P. Wolcut, (Rep.) 1,631, Samuel Hart, (Dem) 3,095, John M. Bush, (Knownothing), 581. In 1857, for Governor, Salmon P. Chase, (Rep.) 1,281, Henry Payne, (Dem) 2,917, P. Van Trump, (Knownothing,) 357 votes. In 1859 William Dennison. (Rep.) 1,394, Rufus P. Ranney, (Dem.) 2,821 votes. In 1861, David Tod, (Rep.) 2,137, Hugh J. Jewett. (Dem.) 3,119 votes. In 1863, John Brought, (Rep.) 2,790, Clement L. Vallandigham, (Dem.) 3,478. In 1865, Jacob D. Cox, (Rep.) home vote, 2,328 86 - HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY. army vote, 23, total 2,351. George W. Morgan, (Dem.) home vote 3,393, army vote, 1, total 3,394. In 1867, R. B. Hayes, (Rep.) 2,056 , Allen G. Thurman, (Dem.) 3,940. In 1868, for President, U. S. Grant, (Rep.) 2,439, Horatio Seymour, (Dem.) 4,076. (Rep.) 2,933. Thomas Ewing, (Dem.) 4,883 votes, Gideon T. Stew- I In 1870 for Governor, R. 13. I1ayes, (Rep.) 2,144, G. H. Pendleton, (Dem.) 3,831 votes. In 1873 for Governor, Edward Noyes, (Rep.) 2,074, William Allen, (Dem.) 3,551. In 1877 R. M. Bishop, (Dem.) 4,154, W. H. West, (Rep.) 2,417. In 1879, Charles Foster, art if A. Sanders Piatt 1. In 1881, Chas. Foster 2,656, John W. Bookwalter, 4,348, Abraham R. Ludlow, 221, John Seitz, 4. . PUBLIC MEN OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY.—This county has furnished one United States Senator, Thomas Ewing, who was first elected in 1831, to fill the vacancy, caused by the resignation of Thomas Corwin, filling the vacancy until 1837. He was again senator from 1850 to 1851. CONGRESS REPRESENTATIVES.—The following are the names of men who have been elected to the house of representatives in congress, from Fairfield county, since the state of Ohio was admitted into the Union, 1802 to 1873. Since that time this district has been represented by men from other counties of the district to which Fairfield has from time to time been assigned. Philoman Beecher, from 1817-21, served his first term and hi. second from 1823-29. William Irvin, 1829-33. John Chaney, 1833-39. William Medill, 1839-43. Thomas V. Edwards, 1847-48. Charles D. Martin, 1839-81. Philadelph Van Trump, 1867-73. GOVERNORS.—Fairfield has furnished but one governor of Ohio. William Medill was elected lieutenant-governor in 1851, his term commencing January 1, 1852. During the later part of his term he acted in the capacity of governor, and in 1853 was elected governor, serving one term. JUDGES OF SUPREME COURT.—Three Fairfield county men have aspired to the supreme bench for the district of Ohio.. The first being William Irvin, and served during the early years of the county. Charles R. Sherman was elected in 1823, to fill the vacancy, made by the resignation, August ilth of that year. Mr. ,Sherman remained on the bench until the time of his death, at Lebanon, Cr:, in 1829. Hocking II. Hunter, was elected supreme judge in 1851, but resigned before taking his seat. OHIO LEGISLATURE.—The following have been the members of the Ohio Legislature from 1808 to 1882, complete with dates of election: REPRESENTATIVES, 1808—Justice Owens and Elijah B. Merwin. 1809—Thomas Swearingen and Thomas Ijams. 1810—the same. 1811—Thomas Ijams and Richard Hooker. 1812—Richard Hooker and Nathaniel Wilson, sr., and Ney, sr. 1813—Emanuel Carpenter and Benjamin Smith. 1814–Benj. Smith, Richard Hooker and John Leist. 1815—the same. 1816—John Leist, Jacob Claypool and Jacob Catherlin. HISTORY OF FAIR FIELD COUNTY - 87 1817—Daniel Smith, Robert F. Slaughter and John Leist. 1818—Daniel Smith, John Leist and Jacob Claypool. 1819—Robert F. Slaughter and John Leist. 1820—William Trimble and Valentide Reber. 182I—Robert F. Slaughter and George Sanderson. 1822—George Sanderson and Jacob Claypool. 1823—George Sanderson and Robert F. Slaughter. 1824—John Leist and Robert F. Slaughter. 1825—George Sanderson and William W. Irwin. 1826-27—Wm. W. Irvin and Samuel Spangler. 1828—Samuel Spangler and John Chaney. 1829—John Chaney and David Ewing. 1830—David Ewing and John Chaney. 1831—David Ewing and Samuel Spangler. 1832—David Ewing and M Z. Kreider. 1833—Joseph Stukey and John M. Creed. I835—William Medill and John M. Creed.. 1836-37—William Medill and John Grayhill. 1838—John Brough. 1839—Lewis Hite. 1840—Charles Brough. 1841—William McClung. 1842—John Chaney and William McClung. 1843—Jacob Green and Joseph Stukey. 1844-45—David H. Swartz and Andrew Foust. 1846-47—Salmon Shaw and David Lyle. 1848-49—Daniel Keller. 1850—Christian Baker. In 1851, the new constitution was adopted, providing for the election of members on the alternate years, the first election taking place in the fall of 1851, the legislature meeting the first Monday in January, of alternate years. 1852—Christian Baker. 1854—Samuel H. Porter. 1856—John Chaney and David Lyle. 1858—B. W. Carlisle and T. W. Bigomy. 1860– B. W. Carlisle. 1862—J. C. Jefries. 1864--Edson B. Olds. 1866-68—U. C. Butler. 1870—George S. Baker and Jesse Leohner. 1872 – Jesse Leohner. 1874—George S. Baker. 1876—A. Seifert. 1878– A. Seifert. 1880 — Robert Sharp. In the list of senators, which here follows, the names of citizens of Ii airfield county, only, appear. When this county has formed a part of a senatorial district, members have, sometimes, been chosen from other counties. SENATORS.-1808—Elnathan Schofield. 88 - HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY. 1809—Jacob Burton and Elnathan Schofield. 1810—William Trimble and Robert F. Slaughter. 1811—Robert F. Slaughter and William Trimble. 1812-17—William Trimble. 1818-19—Richard Hooker. 1820-21-22—Elnathan Schofield. 1823—John Creed. 1824-25—Jacob Claypool. 1826-31— Robert F. Slaughter. 1832-41—Samuel Spangler. 1844-45--John Chaney. 1848-49– H. C. Whitman. 1850—Andrew Foust. 1856—John T. Brazee. 1858-60—Newton Schleich. 1862—Alfred McVeigh. 1864—J. M. Connell. 1870-72—Michael A. Daugherty. 1878-80—B. W. Carlisle. In 1842-43, Nelson Franklin, of Pickaway county, was state senator, for the district of Fairfield and Pickaway. In 1846-47, Dr. Edward B. Olds, of Pickaway, was senator from th same district. After the adoption of the new constitution, in 1851, Fairfield was as sociated with Hocking and Athens counties, in the redistricting. In 1852-54, Lot L. Smith, of Athens, was chosen senator for the new district. In 1866-69, W. R. Golden, of Athens, was senator for the same disc.: trict. In 1874-76, Robert C. Reece, of Hocking, was the member from Fairfield, Hocking and Athens ; after which B. W. Carlisle, of Fairfield, was elected, serving from 1878 to 1881. HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY - 89 CHAPTER XIV. BENCH AND BAR. FROM an early date, Lancaster has justly been distinguished for the intelligence and respectability of its bar, ranking, at least, with the best in the state. In 1841, Thomas Ewing was at the summit of his legal career. Lancaster, at that time, was the home of other distinguished members of the bar, viz : John T. Brazee, Hocking H. Hunter, William Irvin Henry Stanberry, Charles Boreland, Jesse B. Hart, Wm. I. Reece, William Medill, Philadelph Van Trump, and William Slade, besides several younger members, who left before establishing a legal reputation. During the year 1840 William Irvin, one of the leading members, was stricken with paralysis, which, in time, terminated in death. Of the legal members mentioned above, hut one survives at writing (1881)—William I. Reece, still residing in Lancaster, in feeble health. William Slade, who went to Europe many years ago, is possibly living, although reported dead. Every member of the present bar of Lancaster, entered the profession since 1841, and all, with the exception of W. C. Gaston, studied law here. Henry C. Whitman came from Washington City, in the spring of 1841, and entered the office of William Medill as partner. At that time, Medill was a member of Congress. Mr. Whitman was, originally, from Maine. He was a man of more than average ability as a lawyer, and rapidly arose to distinction at the bar. In 1848-49, he was elected to a seat in the Ohio Senate, from Fairfield county district, under the old constitution, thus serving two terms. In 1852, under the new constitution, he was elected Common Pleas Judge, serving until 185o. whey he resigned, and P. B. Ewing was appointed to till out his unexpired term. Shortly after his resignation, he removed to Cincinnati, where he resumed the practice of law, and still resides. John S. Brazee studied law with his father, John T. Brazee, and has since risen to the distinction of an advocate of good ability. He was a member of a late board selected to modify the laws of Ohio, an arduous labor, requiring over three years for its completion. His law partner is H. C. Drinkle. John M. Connell has been a member ()idle bar for about thirty years. Ills great forte as an advocate lies in presenting the strong point of evidence to the jury. He is an industrious student, and thoroughly Acquainted with books and references. Michael A. Daugherty is a young man, just entering the profession. He studied law with his partner, John D. McCormick. General Thomas Ewing inherited his father's comprehension, forcible brain, and excels him in forensic ability. He has not, how- 12 90 - HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY. ever, attained his eminence at the bar, as he has directed his attention more to railroads, coal-fields, and the rostrum. during the last twenty Years. He is a lawyer of great ability, especially in a difficult suit. Kinnis Fritter is a lawyer of twenty years practice. He is industrious, and gives close and careful attention to his business. W. C. Gaston has few superiors as an advocate, having been in the profession over twenty years, but a member of the Lancaster bar only three years, coming from Steubenville to this place, having previously ptacticed a few years in the west. David Stalter, formerly a citizen of Perry county, but a resident of Fairfield county for more than twenty years, came irom the farm, entering the law profession in the middle of-life. Nevertheless, he has succeeded. The firm of Hite & Dolson was established three years ago. Mr. Dolson filled the position of prosecuting attorney, four years, with distinguished ability. Samuel H. Kistler commenced the practice of law in Lancaster in 1860. The firm of Martin & McNiell stands high in the profession. Chas. D. Martin, the senior partner, studied his profession in Lancaster, and has practiced many years. As a manager of complicated and intricate suits, he has few equals. John B. McNiell, the junior partner, is a son of Doctor Robert McNiell, one of the early physicians of Lancaster. John G. Reeves, a man of ten or fifteen years practice at the bar, giving his work earnest attention, was elected prosecuting attorney three times. serving from 1870-76. Virgil E. Shaw studied law, in Lancaster, thirty years ago. He was prosecuting attorney from 1852 to 18;4, and then elected probate judge, filling this office three years. His death occurred recently. William A. Shultz has been a member of the bar for years, serving as prosecuting attorney four years, being first elected in 1866, and reelected in 1868. Talman Slough was prosecuting attorney from 1862 to 1866. Before the court he is careful and concise in the management of his cases. George L. Seitz is among the oldest members of the Lancaster bar and one of its successful attorneys. He studied law in Lancaster, spent several years in Chicago, and has filled positions at Washington. Joseph S. Seitz, the son of a wealthy farmer of Fairfield county, studied law in Lancaster, and has., been practicing successfully for sis years. P. B. Ewing. the eldest son of Hon. Thomas Ewing, was, for a time, on the Common Pleas Bench. A large part of his time is devoted to banking, and other outside pursuits. E. P. Cartmell was formerly rector of St. John's Episcopal church; afterwards teacher in Lancaster, from which he entered the legal profession. George W. Alfred studied law in Lancaster. After his admission to the bar, he settled in Logan, where he practiced for fifteen or twenty years. In 188o, he again settled in Lancaster. David T. Clover, after teaching a school and educating himself in the profession, was admitted to the bar, and settled in Lancaster. HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY - 91 John G. Ewing, son of. Hon P. B. Ewing, was admitted to the bar, in 188o, and the spring of 1881 was elected city solicitor. Edward F. Hnnter is the eldest son of the late Hon. Hocking H. Hunter. He studied law with his father. After practicing twenty years in California, he returned to Lancaster and entered his father’s office as partner. John D. McCormick, served as city mayor two years. In the fall of 1886, he was elected prosecuting attorney for the county of Fairfield. He died suddenly in September, 1881. William Hackett, Wm. Davidson, A. R. Eversole, W. T. McClennigan, Charles W. McCleary, J. R. Shellenberger, are young lawyers. of Lancaster, who have been admitted to the bar within the last three or four years, In 1879, Mr. McCleary was elected Justice of the Peace for Lancaster township, which lie resigned after filling the office one year Charles F. Schaeffer, an old member of the Lancaster bar, commenced practicing thirty years ago. He has however given much of his time to other pursuits. The Lancaster bar, in 1841, was said to be unsurpassed in the State of Ohio: The members at that time, have since passed away, and younger ones now fill their places. Judge Wright, a native of Hocking county, was a lawyer of Logan, at the time 'of his election to the judgeship, in 1867. Judge Friesner, a native of Hocking county, but a resident of Logan, was practicing law there, when elected to the Common Pleas Bench, in 1879. George W. Graybill, clerk of the court, was born and raised within two miles of Lancaster, and is a son of Samuel Graybill, deceased. The present sheriff, Hiram Shoemaker, is a native of Berne township, this county. Hocking H. Hunter, was born near Lancaster; August, 1801and died at his residence in Lancaster, February 4, 1872, in his severity first year. He was a son of Joseph Hunter, the first white man that built a cabin in the Hocking Valley, where he located with his family, April, 1798. Mr. Hunter was in every respect a self made man. The son of a pioneer, in moderate circumstances, he had to contend with the privations and hardships inevitable to frontier life, in the wilderness. His early education was limited. He mastered all these hardships and difficulties, obtained a good education and taught such schools as the country then could afford. From a humble start and meager facilities, he worked his way to fortune and fame. In all the affairs of life he maintained  amed the reputation of a man of stern integrity of character, and scrupulously honest. He early choose the profession of law, in which he became eminent, not only in this county, but throughout the state. At one time he was elected to the Supreme Bench of Ohio, but resigned before taking his seat. At another time he declined being Governor. S̊ far as known, his life was unstained preferring the duties of his profession to the political honor bestowed upon him. His companion, Who survives him, is the daughter of Mr. Mattock. Of his family now living, three sons and three daughters, Edward F, Hunter, attorney, of Lancaster, is his oldest son. 92 - HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY. Philadelph Van Trump, familiarly known as Col. Van Trump, Nva born in Lancaster, in 180, or 1812. The advantages of the day Were limited. In his youth he received an ordinary pioneer log cabin school education. He was at one time connected with the Lancaster pres when a young man, after which he turned his attention to law, and attained a high position at the Lancaster bar, where for several years he was a partner of Henry Stanberry. In 1862, he was elected Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, filling this position until he was elected to Congress, in 1867. He served six years in Congress., In 1873, being in poor health, he declined the fourth term. In 1876 h died. Mr. Van Trump, was a law student of Philomon Beecher, also his son-in-law. marrying his youngest daughter, Louisa. Henry Stanberry was for more than thirty years a distinguished member of the Lancaster bar. Settling in Lancaster in 1832, he married Elizabeth Beecher, oldest daughter of Philomon Beecher. After her death, in 1845, he married a daughter of William K. Bond, of Chilli' cothe. Mr. Stanberry, as a lawyer, had few superiors. He practiced in the adjoining counties, and in the courts of the United States. He was the peer of Ewing, Hunter and Brazee. As a pleader, he vas eloquent and forcible. In politics he was a leading Whig of Fairfield county, until 185o, when he joined the Democrats. In 1866 he accepted the appointment of Attorney General for the United States, 'as a member Of President Johnson's cabinet. He was, previous- to this, for a number of years, Attorney General of Ohio. In 1864, he removed to Cincinnati and established a suburban house, on the Kentucky side of the river. His death occurred in New York, in June or July, 1881, at the age of eighty years. A good story is told of Mr. Stanberry, which is worth the telling. A man accused of horse stealing was arraigned before the court and had no council. Mr. Stanberry was assigned to defend the accused. There being no private room, he took his client, by permission, to the rear of the building, for consultation. He asked the man• if he had stolen the horse. The prisoner said he expected they'd prove it on him. Stanberry asked him how long it would take him to run to that. woods, some three hundred yard soft: He thought he could make it in about one minute. "Try it," Stanberry said. After the thief had been some time out of sight in the dense woods, Mr. Stanberry returned alone to the court room. "Where is your client?" queried the court. ''I have cleared him," council replied. John Garaghty, the oldest son of Michael Garaghty, former cashier of the old Lancaster, Ohio, Bank, was a lawyer of ability. and for many years a partner of H. H. Hunter. He was not a brilliant man, but a sound lawyer. He served as mayor of the town in 1848-49. Twenty years ago he removed to the vicinity of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he still resides. Wm. Slade, the son of Governor Slade of Vermont, settled in Lancaster, about 1834 or '5. He acquired a good practice in the law. In 1850, or near that time, lie removed to Cleveland. After taking a tour through Europe, he returned to Cleveland. Charles Boreland and Jesse B. Hart, were for a number of years HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY - 93 law partners in Lancaster, in 1835-50. Mr. Hart removed to California in 185o; Mr. Boreland retired from the practice. William W. Irvin. Washington Van Ham, Emanuel Giesy; William K. Rankin, Adison Shaw, Alfred Williams, James W. Stinchcomb, Alfred McVeigh, and William T. Wise, respectively, practiced law in the Fairfield County Court from 1838-60. Of this number, W. Van Ham, W. R. Rankin, Alfred Williams and Adison Shaw, only survive. (J881). Hon. William Medill, came from the state of Delaware, and opened a law office. in Lancaster, in 1832. He early acquired the confidence of the people, and rose to distinction. He was a Democrat, and an ambitious politician. He was three times elected to the Ohio legislature, (lower house.) In 1838-41, he was elected member of the lower house of the National Legislature, serving four years. lie occupied the position of Indian agent, at Washington ; and in 1860. held the like of first Comptroller of the Treasury. In the fall of 1852, he was elected Lieutenant Governor, of Ohio, and acted as Governor, the latter part of the term. In 1854 he was chosen Governor of Ohio, by the popular vote, and served two years. He was unmarried, and at his death in 1865, left a large estate, which he disposed of by will. William I. Reese, settled in Lancaster at an early day, and was for a number of Years. an efficient and popular member of Lancaster bar. He filled municipal positions in the affairs of the city, besides devoting a portion of his time to merchandising. He married the oldest sister of General and Secretary Sherman. Several years since, Mr. Reese became partially paralyzed, wholly unfitting him for active life: He is feeble and aged. William Irvin was one. of Lancaster's first lawyers. For a short time he was Judge of the Court. He continued to practice law until 1840. From 1829-33 he was a member of Congress. In 1839 or '4o he was stricken with paralysis, and died in 1843, at his home, one mile south of town. Robert F. Slaughter, among the first settlers of Lancaster. practiced law in the first courts of the county. In 1805-6. he was Judge of the Common Pleas Bench. After retiring from the judgeship, he was a member of the lower house of the General Assembly of Ohio. in 1817- 19-21-23-24. October, 1846, he died, at the age of seventy-seven Philoman Beecher, one of Lancaster's early attorneys, was in Congress ten years. First elected in 1817, his last term expiring in 1829. His death occurred in 1839. John M. Creed began the practice of law in 1831. He was an able orator, and a success at the bar. Three times he was elected to the Legislature, 1833-35. The last term he was Speaker of the House. He died in 1847 or ‘48. William Pitt Creed. was a brother of John M. Creed. He began the practice of law in 1835. As a speaker, he possessed extraordinary power. His death occurred about the close of the southern war, 1865. Judge Charles Sherman was born in Norwalk, Connecticut, May 26, 1788. In 1810 he was admitted to the bar, the same year marrying 94 - HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY. Mary Hoyt, of Norwalk. In the following year he came to Lancaster with his wife and infant child, and commenced the practice of law. Their journey from their New England home was weary and beset with hardships, exposure and danger, being obliged to journey the greater part of the distance on horse back, carrying the baby on a pillow before them. The little boy carried thus was the late Hon. Charles Taylor Sherman, United States district judge, of the northern district of Ohio. Charles Sherman was elected by the legislature to the bench of the Supreme Court, in 1823 ; here he remained over six years, when death called him to a higher work. His death occurring at Lebanon, Ohio, while attending court, June 24, 1829. He was but forty-one years of age. Mary Hoyt Sherman, survived him many years. Their tombs are in the cemetery, east of Lancaster. Judge Sherman was the father of Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman, and Hon. John Sherman, now of the United States Senate(1881,) also, Mrs. W. J. Reece, of Lancaster, as well as other sons and daughters, not here mentioned. John Trafford Brazee was born in the State of New York, the place of his birth being Hinsdale, Columbiana county, December 24, 1800. Regarding the humble origin of his early life, his career has been attended with unbounded success. When a mere child he was left an orphan ; he had one brother older than himself, and a sister, younger ; for a time he and his sister were taken care of by their grandmother. He acquired his education in the Ohio University at Athens, and studied law with Joseph Dana, one of the professors in the university; After his admission to the bar, he opened an office and commenced practice in the town of Gallipolis. During his course at the university, he accepted a proposition, (the solicitation of Thomas Ewing,) to teach a six months' term of school in Lancaster, at $2oo.00 for the term. During his stay in this place, he formed the acquaintance" of Mary Jane Schofield, daughter of Judge Schofield, to whom he was married in November, 1829. He practiced his profession in Gallipolis until 1833, when he removed to Lancaster. For a period of nearly thirty years he was a member of the Lancaster bar, practicing also in other counties. In 1855, he was elected to the Senate of Ohio, and, during the session of 1856 and 1857, took active part in the perfecting of an act, providing for the establishment of the " Bank of Ohio." He possessed a taste for agricultural pursuits, to which he gradually directed his attention. During the last years of his life, he withdrew from the law business and gave his time to the management of his farm. In 1878, under his dictation, a sketch of his life was written, and published in the Lancaster Gazdte, shortly after his death, October 27, 1880. From its paragraphs We find the following accounts, which we quote for our readers : “In his tenth year he was left under the care of a man by the name of Lane, who, to use Mr. Brazee's terms, " was an ignorant, high-tempered, profane, stupid man. and his wife no better." HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY - 95 “At the end of two years of hard work, scanty provisions and clothing, he was taken away by his grandfather. From that time he lived at different places, earning small stuns of money at anything he could get to do. At one time, working for a blacksmith ; another time, selling ginger bread ; then a clerk in a small establishment ; at length he saved a small sum of money, and, at the age of fifteen, he went to Hudson in search of employment. After clerking six months in Canandugua, he concluded to come to Ohio, and, with the assistance of two of his employers, who gave him $25.00 each, he started on his journey, in company with a tailor and tin peddler ; they came by water to Wheeling, and from there to Cincinnati ; remaining there but a single day, he started on foot for Williamsburg ; here he obtained employment, as assistant to the clerk of the court, for fifteen dollars a month ; obtaining board for five dollars a month. While filling this position, he was inspired with the idea of becoming a lawyer. lie was recommended to go to Athens ; this he did at once, walking most of the way. Here he entered the school, earning his way by teaching and assisting the clerk of the court." Hon. Thomas Ewing was born December 28, 1789, near West Liberty, Ohio county, West Virginia. His father, George Ewing, was reduced in pecuniary circumstances, from selling his property in Cumberland county, New Jersey, for which lie received, in payment, continental script, then at par, hot shortly alter, worthless. Alter this misfortune he moved west, and settled on a small farm near West Liberty. In April, 1792, the family removed, and settled at the mouth of Ohio Creek, on the Muskingum. They moved soon again, and settled in what is now Athens county. In the meantime Thomas was taken back to West Liberty, for the purpose of attending school, lie then being eight years old ; here he remained seven months. He had previously been . taught to read by his sister, while the family were staying at the block-house, at "Olive Green," a refuge from hostile Indians. The Bible . being about the only book the block-house could afford, he read much in it, causing him to be named " The Bishop." His home on Federal Creek, Athens county, was in a wilderness, seventeen miles west of the frontier. here, for three years, the family was deprived of all intercourse with human beings. During this time, Mr. Ewing's library consisted of " The Vicar of Wakefield," " The Fool of Quality," and the Bible. In 1800, several other families having settled in the vicinity of the Ewings,, a school was opened, in which Thomas studied the rudiments of English grammar under Charles Cutler and Moses Everett, two graduates of Cambridge College In a published letter of Mr. Ewing’s, found in Walker’s History of Athens County, he gives the following: “My father settled in what is now Ames township, Athens county, early in 1798. There were a few families settled on or near the present city of Athens ; but no roads, or even pathways, led to them ; the distance was about twelve miles. There was also an old pioneer settler, encamped at the mouth' of Federal Creek, ten miles away. This, as far as know, comprised the population statistics, of what is now 96 - HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY. Athens county. I do not know the date of what is called No. 5, in Cooley's settlement, but it was early. " At this time of my father's removal, I was with my aunt, Mrs, Morgan, near West Liberty, Virginia, going to school, then near nine years old. In May, 1798, my uncle brought me home. We descended the Ohio River, in a flat boat, to Little Hocking, then came along a dim foot-path, some ten or fifteen miles, stopping over night at Dailey's camp. I was tired, and slept well on a bear skin bed which the rough old dame spread for me. In the morning my uncle engaged the son of our host, a boy about eighteen, to pilot us. " I was now at my home, and fairly an inceptive citizen of the future Athens county. The young savage, (our pilot,) was much impressed with some of the rude implements of civilization, which he saw my brother using, and expressed the opinion that with an axe and augur a man could make everything he wanted, except a gun and bullet moulds. My brother was engaged in making some bedsteads. He had also finished a table, in the manufacture of which, he had also used an adze to smooth the plank, which he split in good width, from straight grained trees. " Transportation was exceedingly difficult, and our furniture, of the rudest kind, composed of articles of the first necessity. Our kitchen utensils were the big kettle, little kettle, bakeoven, frying pan and pot. The latter had a small hole in the bottom, which was mended with a button, keyed with a nail through the eye, on the outside of the pot. We had no table furniture that would break, little of any kind. Our meat consisted of bear or raccoon, with venison and wild turkey cooked together, and seasoned to the taste, then cut up in morsels and placed in the center of the table. Whilst the younger members of the family, armed with sharpened sticks, helped themselves about as well as with four tined forks, great care was taken in selecting wholesome sticks, as sassafras, spice bush, hazel and hickory ; sometimes the children were allowed to cut with the butcher knife, their slices from the fresh bear's meat, and venison, and stick them alternately on a sharpened spit, and roast before a fire. This made a royal dish. Bears, deer and raccoon remained in abundance until replaced by herds of swine. The great west would have settled slowly without corn and hogs. We had wild fruit of several varieties very abundant: There was a sharp ridge quite near my father's home, on which I had selected four or five service, or Juniper bushes, that I could easily, climb, and kept watch of them, until they should get fully ripe. At a proper time, I went with my sister to gather them ; but a bear had been in advance of me. The limbs of the bushes were brought down to the trunk, like folded umbrella, and the berries all gone. The first year I was a lonely boy. My brother was eleven years older than myself, and my sister could not always be with me in the woods among the rocks and caves. A small spaniel dog was my daily companion. I was the reader of the family, but we had but few books, one besides "Watt's Psalms and Hymns,' that beifig, "the vicar of Wakefield," which was by me al most committed to memory. HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY - 97 Space will not permit to follow Mr. Ewing's career throughout, as he gives it. His father was never able, to give him more than a fair common school education, but Thomas, by his diligence, in earning small sums of money in various ways, at length entered the University at Athens, where he graduated; chose the profession of law ; came to Lancaster in 1815, and entered the office of Philoman Beecher, as a law student. Two brief anecdotes of his life may here be permitted. At one time, when he was chopping wood in the forest, a pioneer Methodist preacher came along. By a recent rain the stream to be crossed was swollen. The missionary was afraid to attempt to ford it. Mr. Ewing, being a young man, strong and tall, took the preacher on his shoulders, the horse by the bridle, and landed them safely on the other side of the stream, and then returned to his ax. After being admitted to the bar, he began to cast about for a place to locate. Hearing a favorable report of Urbana, he visited the town on horseback. Two or three lawyers had already settled there. Mr. Ewing, after making his business known, and receiving little encouragement, mounted his horse, and returned to Lancaster. As he rode away, the idle group of loungers about the tavern door, learning something of his history, expressed the opinion that the best thing he could do would be to go home, and go to chopping wood. In physical strength, Mr. Ewing had few equals. At one time as he was passing the court house, a number of stoat men were trying to throw a chopping ax over the building, they had all tried their muscle, but not with success. Mr. Ewing halted just long enough to take the ax-handle in his hand and send it sailing five feet or more above the steeple and then walked on down the street. In oratory he was not eloquent, but he could say more in fewer words than any one, and in that lay his great success. By some he was considered unsocial, as he seemed, when his mind was at work, but when once reached, his social qualities were warm, cordial and sincere ; his mind worked on an elevated plan, leaving the impression, that he knew little of the small affairs of life, but at the same time he could often tell a farmer more about plows than he could tell himself. During the latter part of his professional life his business was chiefly in the higher courts, mostly at Washington City. He first entered political life in 1830, when he was elected to the United States Senate, serving there two terms, and two in the cabinet. Upon the death of President Harrison, (April 4th, 1841) Vice President Tyler invited the cabinet in a body, of which Mr. Ewing was at that time a member, to remain. Ile was originally intended for the Postoffice—but was finally assigned to the Treasury Department, which he accepted, but upon the meeting of the extra session of Congress, feeling confident in his mind that Mr. Tyler would betray the trusts and disappoint the hopes of the party that elevated him to power, Mr. Ewing indignantly resigned his place in the cabinet. On the lid of his burial casket was engraved the following : THOMAS EWING. Born December 28th, 1789, Died October 26th, 1871. 98 - HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY. The following members of his family still survive him : Mrs. Gen, W. T. Sherman, Hon. P. B. Ewing, Hugh Boyle Ewing, Gen. Thos; Ewing, Mrs. Col. Steele and Gen. Chas. Ewing. Mrs. Mariah Ewing, wife of Hon. Thomas Ewing, was born in Lancaster. She was the oldest daughter of Hugh Boyle, and was married January 1820, to Mr. Ewing, her death occurring in 1864. Both are entombed in the Catholic cemetery on the east border of Lan, caster. HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 99 CHAPTER XV OHIO REFORM SCHOOL. The first action looking towards the establishment in Ohio of a reform school for boys, took place in session of the legislature for 1857. James Monroe, member from Oberlin, introduced a bill providing for an appropriation of $1,000 to defray the expenses of commissioners, to inquire into and examine existing institutions. The bill was not passed. The suggestions made by Charles Remelin of Cincinnati, upon his return from Europe, where he spent some time in the examination of reformatory institutions for youth, gave the first effective impetus to the project in Ohio. In 1858 an appropriation was voted, commissioners appointed, and a site purchased. Cheap log buildings were forthwith erected and fitted for occupancy, and on the 30th day of January, 1858 ten boys were brought from the House of Refuge of Cincinnati, and placed there. The general management of the Reform Farm was. by law, vested in three commissioners, one of whom, Geo. E. Howe, was constituted acting commissioner, who with his family, resided on the farm. In the acting commissioner was lodged the duties of general superintendent, purchasing agent, disbursing agent, stewart, and bookkeeper. Hedi also had the power of appointing and discharging all subordinates, subject to the concurrence of his associates. The law also provided for an assistant superintendent ; and James G. Randall was appointed. Mrs. Howe, wife of the acting commissioner, was appointed matron, and Mrs. Sarah Randall, wife of assistant superintendent, assistant matron. Mr. Howe held the position of acting commissioner from the beginning until the spring of 1878, in all, nine years. Mrs. Howe was matron during the time. Mr. and Mrs. Randall have also held their positions from their first appointment, and are still acting. During the session of the Legislature of the winter of 1878, a new Act was passed, reorganizing the benevolent institutions of the State. The Act provided for the appointment, by the Governor, of five trustees, to take the place of the three commissioners. These trustees were vested with the duty of electing one superintendent and matron, outside of the board of trustees ; also, an assistant superintendent and matron. At the first meeting of the board of trustees, John C. Hite, of Lancaster, was elected superintendent, and Mrs. Hite, matron. Mr. and Mrs. Randall were, at the same time, elected assistants. At the end of one year, viz : in the spring of 1879, Col. G. S. Innis, of Columbus, was elected superintendent, vice J. C. Hite, and Mrs. Innis, matron. In the spring of 1880, Charles Douglass, of Toledo, and was elected superintendent, and Mrs. Douglass, matron, Mr. And Mrs. Randall being annually continued.