100 - FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. were chosen, who each selected an equal number of assistants. The pile was then divided equally, by placing a pole in the center. When all was ready "Black Betty" was passed around to get the proper spirit and work being in good earnest, the object being to see who could husk out on his side of the dividing line first. After many whiffs at the liquor the victorious party placed the bottle in the hands of the captain, and two stout men would seize him, one by each leg and, amid the shouts of "hoist the captain," lift him up and carry him over to the other party and, with swinging of hats and yells of victory, parade him along the lines of the vanquished huskers. The "Old Betty" was again passed from mouth to mouth until all felt gloriously happy. HUNTING. In the early times the rifle was found in every household, in the use of which our forefathers were very familiar and were very careful in keeping it in good working condition. Those who could afford it kept two rifles one for large game, carrying bullets about forty to the pound, and a smaller, or squirrel rifle, running over one hundred and twenty to the pound. The powder flask was made from the horn of an ox, boiled and scraped so thin as to transmit the rays of light ; a round block of wood fitted in the bottom and plug was inserted in the smaller end, with usually a buzzard's quill for a charger. The territory watered by Deer, Paint, Rattlesnake, Sugar and Compton creeks, now embraced in the limits of this county, when first settled abounded in all kinds of game and had been for many years the favorite hunting grounds of the Indians, and long after the white man's cabin was erected they built their camps and followed the old trails over the white man's fences, and through his tilled fields they stuck the trace in the woodlands. There was an old Indian fort on the banks of Sugar creek, where the red men would stop on their route from Fort Clark to Oldtown. Captain Burnett, a Virginian and settler of 181o, said that parties of them, during their yearly hunt, were in the habit of camping and resting awhile at the old site years after the white man came in. Among the first hunters of note in this county was Jacob Alloway, whose territory lay along the valleys of Paint and Compton creeks. Daniel Grubs, moving from Virginia to Kentucky, came thence to Fayette and dwelt on Glaze's run. The trees around bore marks for years of his presence. Edmond Blearage, John Arnold, George and Samuel Viniger, James Stewart, John Hase, David Baldwin, John Gest, and H. H. Harmer, were all men FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO - 101 who made a specialty of hunting and were noted marksmen. George Rupert claimed to have shot in one season one hundred and twenty deer, two bears, wolves, and many of other game. George Roughner, a hater of Indians, and a Virginian by birth, arrived in the Scioto valley in 1789. His father, while serving under Dunmore in 1774 as a spy, was killed by the Indians, so Roughner's revenge extended to every exposed Indian. His hunting grounds were on the Paint and Rattlesnake and he often met, at Cedar Pond and Cliffs, the hunters from the Hocking and Kentucky. Finally, as a volunteer under General Cass, he was slain by the Indians in 1813. The Nimrod of old-time hunters was Frederick Berly. The forest was his natural home. He loved solitude and lived a hermit. A camp frequently used by him was on Sugar creek. From his record, it appears that he had slain sixty bears, ninety-six panthers, one hundred and six wolves, one thousand elk and deer, eleven buffaloes and ninety-six Indians. His comrades in the chase were Boone, Kenton, Wetzel and others famous in history. At the age of one hundred and one, he died in his cabin on the banks of the Mohican, where a monument was erected to his memory. William Robinson, Fayette county's first settler, was surrounded by a multitude of game and in 1802 killed fifteen bears, three catamounts, fifteen elk and one hundred deer. He was, on one occasion, hunting upon the headwaters of the Rattlesnake, when a light noise behind him caught his ear. Wheeling, he saw at a little distance an enormous panther following his trail. It was the work of a moment to leap behind a large oak at hand, pick his flint and cock his rifle. A failure to inflict a mortal wound was a prelude to a terrible struggle and carefully the barrel of the gun was leveled as the beast came near. He fired and as the ball struck the center of its head, the panther fell lifeless to the ground. Its length was eleven feet and its height thirty inches. The number of deer slain in this county in the early days seems incredible. In the winter of 1815-16 there fell a snow of sixteen inches, followed by rain which froze and formed a crust. On this the boys and dogs could travel, but which broke through beneath the deer. Every one turned deer hunter and venison was sold in Washington C. H. at six cents a saddle, or two saddles for a pound of lead or quarter pound of powder. Wild turkeys abounded in the county till 1830. Their meat was wholesome and preferred to bear or deer. Some weighed twenty pounds. Wolves were dangerous only when famishing. They had here abundant food and were never known to make an attack. The last wolf was killed in 1848 on the waters of Sugar creek by Daniel Carmaen. Hogs ran at large and multi- 102 - FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. plied rapidly. Hordes of them infested the woods. They had long tushes, long and sharp head and nose and when aroused to anger were more to be dreaded than any beast of the forest. They were swift of foot and ran like hounds. Their favorite resorts were on the banks of Sugar creek, where their nests were made in the jungles. Snakes were numerous. Of these were rattlesnakes, black snakes, the garter, the spotted or "cabin" snake and the copperheads. EARLY MAILS. Postal facilities were not so good in the early days, chiefly because of the difficulty in transmitting the letters. The stamped envelope had not been invented. The letter page was simply folded together securely and the address written upon the back. Red sealing wax answered the purpose of mucilage. In order to send this letter anywhere it was necessary to pay the sum of twenty-five cents. Once every two weeks the blowing of a tin horn announced the arrival of a dilapidated horse and rider, with a small mail bag containing the semi-monthly news. PIGEON ROOSTS. Beginning at the mouth of Sugar creek and extending down both banks of Paint creek, about one and one-half miles, was a dense grove of cedar trees, known throughout the county as the "Cedar Hole." At these roosts the pigeons congregated to breed and in some cases a single tree would hold one hundred nests. The noise at night caused by the continual fluttering of birds and cracking of overloaded branches could be heard quite a distance and each morning, it is said, the ground was strewn with dead and wounded birds, so that the pioneers in the vicinity were bountifully supplied. Samuel, John and Frank Waddle, Henry Snyder, William Blair and sons, Frank McLaughlin, Jack Daugherty and all the neighbors for miles around visited the spot at night, arriving about sunset as the pigeons began to come in. It is said that the noise created by their arrival was almost equal to the roar of a cataract, continuing for two or three hours, until they became so far settled down as the breaking limbs would permit, when they knocked them off the trees, wrung off their heads and turned them over to the housewife, who cooked them in many styles. SICKNESS. In about the year 1817 a mill was built on the later site of the Milliken mill and a high dam erected, which, during the wet season of the year, backed FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO - 103 the water up and overflowed the adjacent lands, and when the rains ceased and the waters dried up, produced great miasma and consequent sickness. In time this grew to an alarming extent and threatened the depopulation of the town. Doctors Hilton and McGara were confident that the cause arose from the stagnant waters of the dam and the proprietors were requested to take it down during the season of low water, from June until September, which was accordingly done in about 1825 and the sickness almost wholly disappeared. It was taken down every year till about 1837, when, through carelessness, it remained up a year or two, and again the fever and ague manifested themselves. The loss of many valuable citizens, among whom was the owner of the mill, Jesse Milliken, rendered prompt action necessary, so the administrator, Curren Milliken, was requested to remove it, but refused; upon which action a number of citizens, among them Z. W. Heagler, Daniel McLain, John C. Eastman, Arthur McArthur, L. D. Willard, David McLain and Peter Wendell, proceeded to the spot with the necessary tools and determined to remove the dam. They were met by the owner, at the head of an equal number, equally as determined that it should remain. The forces met in the center and in the struggle L. D. Willard slid down the slippery bank into the mud and was nearly drowned. Curren Milliken finally proposed to take it down if the other party would leave, to which they responded that they came to tear it down and it should be done. After considerable parleying and high words, Milliken agreed to take it away if they would desist, which being complied with, the central portion was removed and the parties withdrew. Milliken immediately went before the grand jury and had them all indicted for riot. Whereupon the "criminals" brought an action against Milliken for keeping a public nuisance. The case was decided in their favor and the court decreed that the dam should be completely destroyed. Subsequently a race was constructed and a dam built farther north from the town. One of the greatest scourges to the early settlers of Fayette county was a disease known as milk-sick or trembles, which not only affected cattle, sheep, hogs, horses and dogs, but the human family as well. Human beings and stock would often be infected with- the disease without any symptoms manifested until brought into activity by certain conditions, when it would suddenly develop itself with rapid and fatal effects. Stock driven until heated would become sick of the disease if it had fastened upon them. Persons, therefore, who wished to purchase stock, either for trade, service or butchering, took means to heat them up previously. According to the symptoms it was given various names, such as sick stomach, swamp sickness, fires, slows, stiff joints, puking fever, river sickness, etc. Vomiting, purging, extreme 104 - FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. nervous agitation, constipation, low temperature of body, dry tongue and skin, were some of the symptoms. Many theories were advanced as to its origin. Some claimed that it was caused by lead held in solution by water some, that it was a weed, while others contended that it was a malarial epidemic. Among the first remembered cases of death was that of a Mr. Daw son, who died in 1816. His wife had been sick with it and finally died. After this Mr. Dawson prepared to return to his home in Virginia and on hi way stopped at Harrison's tavern in Washington C. H., where he sickened and died. As late as 1879 a case of death from this malady was reported. INCIDENTS. The early history of Fayette county is full of incidents of daring and endurance. Edward Smith, Sr., entered lands on the banks of Paint creek known as the East fork, in the year 1810. He found his entry covered with trees. A wigwam served as shelter by night. He made the accustomed opening for a borderer, clearing up enough land for the starting of a crop. The news of war declared caused him to lay aside the axe and take up his rifle. Peace came and he returned to his home. One night, returning from the county seat, he found the creek very high, but rode in fearlessly, was thrown from his horse and drowned. Thomas Moon, Sr., arrived in Green township, Fayette county, in 1810 from Virginia. He was accompanied by his family of nine children and settled on Rattlesnake creek, upon the dividing ridge. Finding a fine mill site, he erected there the first grist mill, saw mill and distillery in the county. Isaiah Pancoast, from Pennsylvania, removed to Fayette in 1810 and settled on the west bank of Deer creek. He built a large log house, which had all rooms in one. Opposite the house on the other bank of the stream was a camp of Indians. The squaws often came over with venison to exchange for meal. The Indians, having killed deer, threw the carcasses into the stream above their camp and the watchful squaws pulled them out when they had floated down. Pancoast passed the first season in a shelter made of wagon covers stretched on poles, while he gave his chief attention to the planting and raising of seven acres of corn. The daily fare was corn meal and game from the woods. Wolves ran in large bands and the sheep had to be penned at night for safety. Trading was done at Chillicothe. At this time there were no settlements between Waterloo and Washington. The Indians moved and left a pig behind. The animal came to Pancoast, who penned it and in time it grew into a large porker. One day an Indian of the party called at the house, was shown the pig, and told to do as he pleased with it. He killed and dressed it, cut it in halves, and left one to Pancoast. FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO - 105 A HERMIT. Wild and lonely as were the forest wilds, distant and inaccessible as were the various improvements, yet here, in the solemn silence of the wilderness upon the west bank of Compton creek, dwelt a bold and fearless hunter. In 1803 he came hither and built himself a cabin. He lined the interior with skins of elk, bear and deer and made his garments from dressed deerskins. He owned many horses and cattle and when crowded by settlers and stinted in game went westward for more room. He had seen service in Dunmore's campaign, had served in 1776, and, according to rumor, was killed in the Black Hawk war of 1832. This hermit's name was Nathan Hathaway. DISTILLERIES. In the early days it was thought that liquor was indispensable upon public occasions of any kind or any social gathering. Liquor was thought to be pure and harmless. The still of Solomon Sowards, started in 1824, eight miles northwest from the county seat, seemed a great convenience to the settlers. The customer brought his corn, had it ground, and exchanged the meal for whiskey, or had his own meal stilled in the copper still, on shares. On the occasion of an election for representative in 1823 parties were sent to Caylor's distillery for a barrel of whiskey, which was opened for general use in Washington C. H. ; tin cups were filled and emptied and by night there was a general drunk. Such scenes were not uncommon. In almost every settlement these copper stills were found, and corn, rye and peaches supplied material for strong drink. The last still was erected in 1855, in Washington C. H., on the later side of the woolen mill. The last copper still had been in operation for a number of years on the farm of Joseph Orr, and was finally sold as junk to J. W. Heagler, then a dealer in hardware and later recorder. Heagler sent it to Columbus in 1849 and so ended the manufacture of whisky in Fayette. In those early days whiskey was sold as they hand letters from a post-office. The bar was closed except a pigeon-hole, through which the customer received his stimulant. One would step to the hole and ask for a gill, half-pint or pint, these amounts being held by bottles behind the bar. The bottle was handed through and with a pitcher of water and glasses the liquor was consumed, the bottle returned, refilled, and ready for another. A gill cost six cents and a half-pint a shilling. CHAPTER V . COUNTY GOVERNMENT Counties, like states and nations, have a form of government peculiar to themselves. Counties have rights that the state does not presume to intrude upon; states have rights that the Constitution of the republic does not interfere with, providing such supposed rights, or legal enactments, do not conflict with the rights of other commonwealths. The voters of a county are supposed to dictate the policy of their section, under certain general forms and restrictions of the state, and thus it is up to the people of a county to govern themselves in a local sense. Some counties in our state have had excellent systems, others have been questionable. Fayette county has been as progressive, with the changes of time, as any county in the state. Her system of keeping accounts has varied with the decades, but at present is provided with a safe and correct method of bookkeeping. For the most part, the people have elected good men to official positions, and when another type have occasionally gotten into county office, they have been discarded as soon as possible. It will be the aim in this chapter to record some of the most important transactions in governmental affairs, such as the acts of the board of county commissioners, the various institutions, care for the poor, the building of court houses, jails, highways, etc. There will also be appended a list of county and state officials, showing who have been at the head of different departments here during the last century. It will be seen by the chapter on "Organization" how the machinery of county government was first set in motion and by what persons it was managed. Unfortunately, the first court house, with most of the records of the county for its first eighteen years, were totally destroyed by fire in 1828 hence much concerning the first acts of the first set of county official has forever been lost, save what is presented by tradition. ROBBERIES. The county has been unfortunate in having had three treasury robberies, one under J. S. Bereman, treasurer, at an early day, when five thousand dol- FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO - 107 lars was stolen by safe-breakers ; a second entry of the c0unty safe was under Treasurer Robert Stewart, when about the same amount was taken and never recovered. Again, under Treasurer A. E. Silcott, in February, 1864, the safe was entered by a false key and four thousand seven hundred and forty-three dollars stolen and this was never recovered. At the last robbery, it was discovered that in his hurry to get away the burglar left his false key in the lock of the safe, and it was shown by other circumstances that the robbery had probably been committed by parties connected with the former robbery, who had evidently preserved and used the same key to enter the safe with. Then the county authorities secured a modern combination lock, since which time there has been no money unlawfully taken from the safe of the treasurer. EARLY COUNTY BILLS. The county fathers nearly a hundred years ago were not spendthrifts, but cut bills where they could, and were satisfied with simply what was absolutely necessary to carry on the county government. As examples, the following is quoted from the records of James Henton, as published in the Herald of May, 1834, which runs as follows : Among the listed contingent items was that of Samuel Lydy, who was paid ninety-nine dollars for "publishing list of forfeited lands, expenditures. and notices, in 1833," and he was also paid fifty-seven dollars "for publishing delinquent lands in 1833, and notice to school clerks." Three dollars and sixty tents were paid 'or pasteboard, chair, etc., for use in the auditor's office. It will be seen that the amount of stationery and furniture required in the county offices then was not in excess of what it should have been. The account of Treasurer Benjamin Henton shows the total receipts for that year to have been $8,845.19, including a balance on hand at the previous June settlement, which was $1,368.72. The total disbursements for that year were $6,983.88, leaving a balance in the treasury of $1,861.30. Among the receipts was the item of $50 for tavern licenses in the county for 1833, and also $215 for horse hire. Jesse Millikan was clerk of the courts then and also served as postmaster in Washington, C. H. THE FIRST COURT HOUSE. Valentine, or "Felty," Coil, while but two years old, was captured by the Indians and taken to Canada. Coming to this county in its infancy, he found use for his knowledge in making brick for the first court house and first brick 108 - FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. building in the county. Early in 1813 excavations were made on the site of the present court house and the clay taken out was burned into brick by. Coil and used in the building, which was completed and occupied as early as March, 1814. The windows were composed of twenty-four lights, each ten by twelve inches. The cupola was similar to that of the second court house, although without a base. The location of the building was about twenty feet west of the alley and twenty feet back from Court street. While it seems that that building was in the main finished and occupied in 1814, yet it is stated that two men by the names of Life and Burnett finished the cupola in 1815. It cannot be ascertained who built the house, but it is known that Jacob Kelley and Silas Young, in addition to "Felty" Coil, were brick makers and brick layers and resided in Washington at that time. In about the year 1828 this building burned down, involving the loss of nearly all the county records. Court was then removed to a little brick office, occupied by Judge Wade Loofborrow, situated in the rear of the present office of Doctor Saulsberry in the Brownell grocery building. From here it was next removed to a house later owned by Mrs. R. A. Robison, Jr., where it was held until a new court house was built. THE SECOND COURT HOUSE. On the first day of February, 1828, the board of commissioners, then consisting of Jacob Jamison, Thomas Burnett and Matthew Jones, met for the purpose of entering into negotiations for the erection of a new court house. Together with other citizens, the brick walls of the old building, yet remaining, were examined and, after consulting mechanics and masons, the board decided that they were not worth repairing. On the following day the board agreed to build a new court house with fireproof offices attached for the clerk of the court, recorder and auditor. The clerk of the board, Norman Jones, was instructed to draft a plan for the new building and the auditor was ordered to give notice that the commissioners would meet on the 5th day of March; following, to receive bids. The auditor was also authorized to sell the brick in the old walls to the highest bidder. On February 23d the board met to select a location for the new house, which resulted in their choosing the southeast corner of the public square, the main building and offices fronting on Court and Main streets. It was ordered that a draft be made of the contemplated structure, the main building to be forty feet square, with a wing thirty feet long and fourteen feet wide attached, facing each street. On the day appointed, March 5th, the board met FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO - 109 to receive the bids and award the contract. Thomas Laughead, of Ross county, was the successful bidder, with a bid of one thousand three hundred eighty dollars and ninety cents. The carpenter work went to John Harbison, of Greene county, for one thousand three hundred seventy-two dollars and forty cents. On March 4, 1829, one year after the awarding of the above contracts, the house was ready for the inside work, the contract 'for which was awarded to John Harbison for six hundred eighty-nine dollars and sixty-seven cents. The floor of the lower story was laid of white or burr oak, one and a half inches thick and seven inches wide. The upper was of yellow poplar. A washboard of good seasoned walnut, one and a quarter inches thick and eight inches wide, surrounded the floor of the lower story. The fire-places were of brick, with hearth of same. A handsome chair-board of walnut extended around the lower wall. In the smallest office, on Court street, there were three plain fire boards in the lower floor: The contract for the plastering was given to Silas Young for three hundred and twenty-nine dollars and on December 8th, the same year, the work was completed, examined by the commissioners and accepted. On April to, 1830, the inside work was examined and accepted by the board and the balance paid. This was the date of the finishing of the court house, although it had been used previously. On June 9, 1836, Daniel McLean was ordered to purchase a bell for the court house, at any sum not to exceed one hundred dollars. At different times afterward repairs were made on the building and improvements added. In 1844 a county auditor's ,office, also a treasurer's, were built on the Court street side. William Harfor was the contractor. Extensive repairs were made in 1846, consisting of girders, flooring, plastering, and painting of the outside in Venetian red. In 1848 an addition was made on the northwest side also, twelve by thirty feet in size. THE PRESENT COURT HOUSE. The first mention made of attempting to prepare for the erection of the present magnificent temple of justice for Fayette county was an item found in the Herald, dated March, 1881, which spoke of the county commissioners having decided to put it to a vote of the people of the county, at an election to be held April 4th, that year. The propositions up were : "Shall we build a court house by tax, and shall we build a jail by tax ?" The county board then consisted of Joshua Mahan, R. S. Sutherland and W. J. Homey. 110 - FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. The records show that a contract was awarded, August 3, 1882, to J. North Bros. & Lichtenberger, under architects D. W. Gibbs & Company, of Toledo, Ohio, to construct a court house, the same being the present substantial and beautiful temple of justice. The, contract price was originally eighty-five thousand eight hundred and fifty dollars, and the structure was to be completed by September 1, 1884. To this were added changes and internal improvements, fixtures and furniture, etc., totaling about one hun tired and forty thousand dollars for the property, as it now stands. It is i own best monument and record, for doubtless unborn generations will yet use it to transact the business of Fayette county in. When erected, thirty-one years ago, it was looked upon as among the finest, modern court houses in Ohio. Age has told somewhat on it, yet it is in good condition today. Recently, it has had its outer walls thoroughly cleaned, making the stone work look as good as new. A town clock adorns and makes useful its splendid tower. It is a high three-story structure. A. hot-water heating plant was contracted for in 1903, and cost one thousand five hundred dollars; at the same date another contractor placed in the jail a similar one, costing two hundred and ninety-five dollars. COUNTY JAILS. It is recorded that an 'old dry well served as the first jail in Fayette county. The first jail built at Washington C. H. was located near the present one, about sixty feet from Main street and about thirty feet southeast of the alley running along the northwest side of the old public square. The jail consisted of two square pens, one inside the other, the intervening space of perhaps one foot between the walls being filled in with stone, the outer wall being about twenty-four feet square. It was built of hewed logs, was two stories high, and was erected about 1811 or 1812. At the east corner a door opened' into a hallway six feet wide that extended along the northeast side of the building to the north corner. About five or six feet from the entrance to this hall a stairway led to the "debtor's room" above. The room below was about twelve by eighteen feet and was called the criminal cell, or dungeon. This jail was burned in 1823 by an incendiary, and the sheriff's dwelling, a small frame structure contiguous to the jail, was also destroyed at the sametime, with all the household goods of Sheriff Robinson, save a deer-hide trunk, containing some of the clothing belonging to his deceased wife. In 1825 a new jail was built on the same square, a little nearer the alley FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO - 111  and also closer to Main street. This was a two-story brick building, twenty-five feet square, and was arranged inside similar to the old log jail. The walls of this jail were only thirteen inches thick and several prisoners escaped while it was in use. On December 9, 1835, the auditor was ordered to offer the old jail for sale on the 15th of the following June, except such material as the board might reserve. On January 15, 1836, at a meeting of the board, it was decided that, for lack of funds, the old jail should be repaired instead of building a new one. New walls of bricks were to be built, the same height as the old ones, also one dungeon and one prison room, and the whole building to undergo repairs, the contract for which was let to Benjamin A. Crone for three hundred and fifty dollars. On the 27th of the following August the work was reported completed. This jail was used until September 16, 1839, when public notice was given that a new jail was to be constructed, located on the public square, forty-four feet front, thirty-five feet back, and two stories high, with all the necessary cells and other fixtures for the confinement and accommodation of prisoners, all of which work was to be done by Edward Lamme for forty-seven hundred dollars, who entered into bond for the faithful performance of the same. After the walls were up the carpenter work was begun by Benjamin A. Crone, who was to complete the same for one thousand dollars. On August 25, 1841, the commissioners accepted the jail, after a careful examination of the work. The present jail and sheriff's residence was erected by the same contractors who constructed the present court house. It was built in 1882-3, at a cost of twenty thousand dollars for the structure, to which were added interior expenses from time to time. It is an excellent building, standing on the corner of the public square, near the court house. PUBLIC DRINKING FOUNTAIN. On the corner of the court house square is situated a handsome public drinking fountain, constructed of gray granite at much expense. It was placed there, handy to the passer-by, in 1896, by Mrs. Morris Sharp. It bears the inscription upon its large square metal tablet, facing the court house, the words : "Presented to the City of Washington Court House and Fayette County, by Madeline Baker Sharp, in Memory of Her Husband, Morris Sharp, who Died February I I, 1905. Erected 1906." Tens of thousands of passers-by have already slaked their thirst from 112 - FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. the waters of this artistic fountain, and it will doubtless stand many years as perpetual reminder of, and as a truly befitting memorial to, one of the honored sons of Fayette county. Mr. Sharp, for whom this was erected as a memorial, was a prominent business man and a banker. THE FIRST COUNTY "SAFE." Odd as it may seem to the reader of today; when time locks and fire proof, burglar-proof safes are found in every county in the country, at the time when County Treasurer Heagler took the office in 1838, the county safe consisted of a tin box, six inches in depth, by four inches wide and a foot along. It was fastened with a tin clasp and brass pad-lock. This "safe” held the paper money, while the coin, amounting to about two hundred dollars, was placed in a shot bag. The "office" consisted of a mere room. The official old papers were kept in a sealed half-bushel measure. The books were three in number and had thin paste-board covers. The room had no desk, table or stationery. In fact, the treasurer did his county business largely at his private residence. He received four hundred and fifty dollars per year salary. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COUNTY INFIRMARY. The early residents of this state were in the habit of providing for the wants of the poor and destitute in the following manner. When application for the keeping of a person in poor circumstances was made to the township trustees, they bound him for a certain term to the lowest bidder, who was required to give bond for the faithful discharge of his duty, feeding, clothing and properly caring for his charge. Thus were the poor well cared for in the early days. Later an act was passed by the Legislature of Ohio, providing for the establishment of county poor houses." Any county having within her limits a sufficient number of paupers was empowered to purchase grounds and erect suitable buildings thereon, to which all the infirm and needy were to be admitted. For the period of nearly fifty years after its organization Fayette county had no public institution in which she could care for her infirm, but provided for them through her township trustees. In about 1850 philanthropic citizens agitated the erection of buildings for this purpose and in 1853 the board of county commissioners were induced to take the matter under advisement. On June 7, 1853, they resolved to erect an institution of FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO - 113 this character and purchase a tract of land for the same. On the same day Hopkins Shivers, in consideration of three thousand five hundred eighty-seven dollars and fifty cents, deeded to Jacob A. Rankin, Robert Eyre and Micajah Draper, commissioners, for the purpose of a poor house, a tract of land. It is not certain whether steps were immediately taken to construct buildings on the deeded land. On Christmas day, 1854, the board examined the woodwork of the building being erected and were satisfied. On May 16, 1855, the plastering was looked over in the same manner. A report for the year ending June 1, 1855, showed the institution in operation, with seven inmates. THE FAYETTE COUNTY CHILDREN'S HOME. This institution was founded, under the laws of Ohio, in June, 1885, on a hundred-acre tract of land bequeathed by Peter Carder. The administration building was completed in October, 1886. In 1900 thirty-four acres more land were added, and the donation of ten thousand dollars by a wealthy farmer named Jesse Johnson, from the east part of the county, materially aided in making the excellent improvements there found today. This donation was provided for in Mr. Johnson's will in 1896. Fifty-three acres were then added, making a total of one hundred and eighty acres in the place. It is all valuable land. CARDER INFIRMARY. Peter Carder, an old resident of this county and owner of an immense old estate, upon being informed of the necessity of a new poor farm, conceived the idea of donating a portion of his estate to the county for infirmary purposes. In the year 1863, shortly before his death, he bequeathed to the county five hundred and seven acres of his estate, as a home for the poor. After his death, his widow objected to the provisions of the will, and several years passed before the matter was compromised. The county, in 1867, by its agents, William Clark, William Jones and Allen Heagler, began the erection of the new building. The foundations were laid in the summer of the same year and by 1869, the work was fully completed. On July 7, 1669, the inmates of the old building, forty-seven in number, were admitted to the new infirmary. This institution was located on the Columbus pike, two miles northeast from Washington C. H. It is a four-storied structure, including basement and attic, and contains many modern conveniences. The government of the institution is vested in a board of directors and a superintendent appointed by them. (8) 114 - FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. The last report of the condition of the county infirmary, made by the auditor of Fayette county, in September, 1914, shows the following: The total cost of maintaining the unfortunate poor during the year ending September 1st, was seven thousand five hundred seventeen dollars and fifty-seven cents, but this did not take into account the amount of produce raised on the county farm, as the harvest was not yet gathered and its value obtainable at that date. Then there is the additional expense of keeping certain persons, or partly maintaining them, outside the infirmary, which was amounted to two thousand four hundred twenty-six dollars and eighty-six cents, making a grand total of nine thousand nine hundred forty-four dollars and forty-three cents, less the amount raised on the county farm. On September 1, 1914, there were forty persons, twenty-six men and fourteen women inmates. There were fourteen admitted during the last fiscal year. Total number supported during the year, fifty-four, thirty-six male and eighteen females. Five died during the last year and eight were discharged making the present number of inmates forty-one, thirty of whom are men. The average cost of keeping the inmates of the Children's Home was one hundred sixty-six dollars and one cent each, and the average number in the home was thirty-six. During the year ending, September I, 1914, five hundred and twenty-nine dollars was paid to old soldiers, sailors and marines, and three thousand three hundred and sixty-seven dollars to wives and widows, making a total of three thousand eight hundred and ninety-six dollars. COUNTY ROADS-THE PIKE SYSTEM. In the matter of highways, Fayette county has for many years been in the forefront in its improvements of the public roads. Its citizens long years ago decided that good road-making was the wisest policy to pursue. These highways have cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, but the money was well expended. These roads have been the means of increasing the general value of farming lands throughout the county, and have been a pleasure to the tax-payer, as he has traveled from one township to another. In August, 1900, the records of the county disclose the fact that there were then two hundred and seventy-eight miles of pike roads in Fayette county divided in the various townships as follows : Union township, forty-nine miles ; Jefferson township, forty-seven miles ; Perry township, eighteen miles; Madison township, twenty-eight miles ; Marion township, eighteen miles; Jasper township, thirty miles ; Paint township, thirty-seven miles; Green town- FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO - 115 ship, fifteen miles ; Concord township, nineteen miles, and Wayne township, seventeen miles. At present it is believed that there are upwards of four hundred miles of pike (or its equivalent) in Fayette county, and more is being annually contracted for. COUNTY FINANCES. An up-to-date county history should make some mention of the financial condition of the county in question, and we know of no better method than to give some account of early-day finances and values and then, in contrast, give the present showing as found in the county records and reports of 1914, which will here follow : In 1837, or seventy-seven years ago, the record shows that the number of acres of land in the county was 236,265 ; value of same, including houses, $356,212: value of town lots, including buildings, $33,258; number of horses, 3,565, valued at $142,600; number of cattle, 5,753, valued at $46,024; merchants' capital and money at interest, $35,737; number of pleasure carriages, 27, valued at $1,779 (price of a modern automobile). The tax on physicians and lawyers was $24; total amount of taxables, $615,580; amount of tax paid into the state treasury, $7,397. In 1838 George Mantle, Samuel Sollars and James Kirkpatrick, surplus revenue fund commissioners, published a statement in the local newspapers, relative to the funds as used by the county. The total amount received thereof from the state was $14,485, and it was loaned to individuals at the rate of seven per cent. on personal security. It is an historic fact that in 1835 the United States was out of debt, a thing that has only occurred once in her history as a republic. The funds in the national treasury then increased and rapidly accumulated in excess of the expenditures. The subjoined is a brief summary of the present standing of finances in and for Fayette county as per auditor's report for the fiscal year 1913 : The county has but a small outstanding warrant debt, and had on hand August 31, 1913, cash to the amount of $74,748.79. The total receipts of the county for the year was $222,123-.37. Among the expenditures and disbursements were the following items : State expenses, $16,481.14; local school districts, $112,395.91 ; Children's Home school, $55.39; townships, $43,041.91; cities and villages (schools), $49,719.54; examination of municipalities, $133.87; examination of district 116 - FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. schools, $66.30; examination of townships, $44.6o; total expenditures, $222,063.26. Among the detailed items of county expenses are found these, for charitable purposes and support of the poor, a total of $22,680.37. Of this total amount there were items as follows : For Children's Home, $5,264.95; relief for indigent blind persons within the county, $3,049.50; for care, treatment and burial of tuberculosis cases, $300.94. For court of common pleas expenses, $4,443.16. Total cost of criminals to county, $1,715.05. Total expended in the locating and construction of ditches, $13,697.27. It will be seen that much of the tax money goes, as it should, for education. Next comes the expenses connected with the great drainage ditches of the county, by which lands once of but slight value for agriculture have become the most fertile and valuable of any in the county, now so well known as one of Ohio's banner agricultural counties. CHAPTER VI. COUNTY, STATE AND NATIONAL REPRESENTATION. There is, perhaps, no better way to indicate the political complexion of Fayette county than to show who was elected here for the various offices, county, state and national, from the early days in the county to the present date, as nearly as can be found by a careful search of the records. In this will be found a list of the governors, Presidents (with vote where it has been preserved), the county officers, etc., including the judges and justices of the peace of today. PRESIDENTIAL VOTE IN FAYETTE COUNTY. In recent years the presidential vote in Fayette county has been as follows: 1880—James A. Garfield had a majority over General Hancock of 719. 1884—James G. Blaine had 3,171 votes; Cleveland had 2,111 . 1888—Benjamin Harrison had 2,313 votes and Cleveland had 2, 191. 1892—Benjamin Harrison had 2,838 and Cleveland had 1,989. 1896—William McKinley had 3,559 votes and W. J. Bryan had 2,739. 1900—William McKinley had 3,380 votes and W. J. Bryan had 2,438. 1904—Theodore Roosevelt had 3,331 and Judge Alton G. Parker, 1,880. 1908—William H. Taft, 3343 ; W. J. Bryan, 2,451. 1912—William H. Taft, 2,193; Theodore Roosevelt, 837; Woodrow Wilson, 2,287. POLITICS OF THE COUNTY. In 1824 the Whigs and Democrats appointed meetings at Washington C. H. the same day and evening. One was to be held at Hamilton's corner and the other at the court house corner, and both political parties had secured all the anvils in the villages with which to fire salutes. A party with an oxcart loaded up all these anvils and hauled them to the bank of Paint creek and dumped them over into the stream, near the present iron bridge. This general disarmament prevented them from having the occasion enlivened by "cannon," as these anvils when fired much reminded the old soldier and 118 - FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. militiamen of real cannon. But instead came the curses long and loud of both parties. Later the blacksmiths had to fish up their anvils, while others looked on and smiled. Then Fayette county was about half Democratic, and continued so till 1840, after which the Whig and Republicans held, and have ever since held, the balance of power. STATE SENATORS. The following served as state senators, representing Fayette and other counties which have been in the same senatorial district, since 1810: 1811—James Dunlap. —Duncan McArthur. 1812-G. W. Barrere. 1813—G. W. Barrere. 1814—G. W. Barrere. 1815—Sam Evans. 1816—Sam Evans. 1817—Allen Trimble. 1818—Allen Trimble. 1819—Allen Trimble. 1820—Allen Trimble. 1821—Allen Trimble. 1822—Allen Trimble. 1823—Allen Trimble. 1824—Allen Trimble. 1825---Allen Trimble. 1826—John Jones. 1827—John Jones. 1828—John Jones. 1829—M. Crothers. 1830—M. Crothers. 1831—M. Crothers. 1832—M. Crothers. 1833—J. J. McDowell. 1834—J. J. McDowell. 1835—J. J. McDowell. 1836—Jacob Kirby. —J. Arbuckle. 1837—J. Arbuckle. 1838—Aaron Harlan. 1839—Aaron Harlan. 1840—No record. 1841—W. Robbins. 1842—W. Robbins. 1843—J. M. Barrere. 1844—J. M. Barrere. 1845--B. Martin. 1846—B. Martin. 1847—Franklin Corwin. 1848—Franklin Corwin. 1849—Ruel Beeson. 1850—Ruel Beeson. 1852—John Fudge. 1854—Isaac S. Wright. 1856—Nelson Rush. 1858—J. J. Winans. 1860—John Q. Smith. 1862—Mills Gardner. 1864—John F. Patton. 1866—A. W. Doan. 1868—S. N. Yoeman. 1870—M. D. Gatch. 1860—John Q. Smith. 1874—S. N. Yoeman. 1876--A. Spangler. 1878--Thomas S. Jackson. FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO - 119 1880 – A. R. Creamer. 1882--Coats Kinney. 1884--Jesse N. Oren. 1886—Madison Pavey. 1888— Isaac S. Barrett. 1890 —John N. Oren. 1892 -- F. G. Carpenter. 1894—John M. Hughesy. 1896 — Charles F. Howard. 1898—Byron Lutz. 1900—Arthur W. Madden. 1902—Thomas M. Watts. 1904—James G. Carson. 1906—F. C. Arbenz. 1908—Doctor Holdren. 1910—C. L. Doster. 1911—M. A. Broadstone. STATE REPRESENTATIVES. 1812—Joseph Hopkins. 1813—Samuel Myers. 1814—James Crothers. 1815—Thomas McDonald. 1816—James Crothers. 1817—James Crothers. 1818—Samuel Myers. 1819—James Crothers. 1820—Benjamin Hinton. 1821—James Crothers. 1822—Robert Robinson. 1823—Robert Robinson. 1824—Batteal Harrison. 1825—Thomas McGarraugh. 1826—Thomas McGarraugh. 1827—Thomas McGarraugh. 1828—Batteal Harrison. 1829—Thomas McGarraugh. 1830—William Palmer. 1831—T. McGarraugh. 1832—J. J. McDowell. 1833—S. F. Yoeman. 1834—Jacob Kirby. 1835—David Reese. 1836—B. Harrison. 1837—B. Harrison. 1838—W. H. Creighton. 1839—Batteal Harrison. 1840—Reese, Carothers and Smith. 1841—Reese, Carothers and Smith. 1842—Robert Robinson. 1843—Means and Martin. 1844—Robert Dobbins. 1845—Stephen Evans. 1846—F. Corwin. 1847—James Carothers. 1848—Hugh Smart. 1849—Jacob T. Pugsley. 1850—Otto Williams. 1852—Nelson Rush. 1854—J. J. Worthington. 1856—W. H. Latham. 1858—R. M. Briggs. 1860—Sam F. Kerr. 1862—James Purcell. 1864—James Purcell. 1866--Mills Gardner. 1868—S. F. Kerr. 1870--M. J. Williams. 1872—M. J. Williams. 1874—J. L. Myers. 1876—William Millikan. 1878—M. S. Creamer. 1880—William Millikan. 120 - FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 1882-86-- H. L. Hadley. 1886-90—David I. Worthington. 1890-94—H. M. Daugherty. 1894-98—Charles W. Gray. 1898-02—Reuben Rankin. 1902-06—J. Madison Willis 1906-08—Dr. L. M. McFadden 1908-10—Dr. L. M. McFadden 1910-12—C. A. Reid. 1912-14—C. A. Reid. PRESIDING JUDGES. Before the constitution of 1851 the Ohio judicial system provided for a presiding judge and associate judges, who later, after the adoption of the new constitution, were called common pleas judges. The follow served in as presiding judges : 1810—John Thompson. 1818—Orris Parish. 1816-23—John Thompson. 1824-28—Gustavus Swan. 1829-33—Frederick Grinkle 1834-42—J. W. Price. 1843-47-O. T. Fishback. 1848-50--S. F. Norris. ASSOCIATE JUDGES. 1810-16—Henry Snyder, William Blackmore and James Mooney 1817-18—Thomas McGarraugh, Batteal Harrison and James Mooney 1819-23—Batteal Harrison, James Mooney and Thomas McGarraugh 1824-27—Thomas McGarraugh, Wade Loofborrow and Joseph L. Gillespie. 1828-30—Joseph L. Gillespie, James Carothers and James B. Wehster 1831-33—James Carothers, James B. Webster and Jacob Jamison 1834-42—Jacob Jamison, James Carothers and James Sharp. 1843—Joel S. Bereman, Jacob Jamison and James Carothers. 1844-46—James Carothers, Jacob Jamison and Daniel McLean. 1847—James Carothers, Daniel McLean and James Manery. 1848-50—Samuel F. Yoeman, Daniel McLean and James Manery 1851—James Manery, Daniel McLean and James Beatty. COMMON PLEAS JUDGES. 1852-54—James S. Bates, Shepard F. Norris and John L. Green 1855-56--James L. Bates. 1857—James Sloane. 1858—A. S. Dickey and Shepard F. Norris. FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO - 121 1859-60—Robert M. Briggs and James L. Bates. 1861—A. S. Dickey, James L. Bates and T. Q. Ashburn. 1862-64—Robert M. Briggs and Alfred S. Dickey. 1865-68—Alfred S. Dickey. 1869-71—W. H. Stafford and A. S. Dickey. 1872—S. F. Steele and W. H. Stafford. 1873—Joseph Olds and S. F. Steele. 1874—T. M. Gray and S. F. Steele. 1875—T. M. Gray and S. W. Courtright. 1876-77—John Vanmeter and Thadeus R. Minshall. 1878-79—S. F. Steele and T. R. Minshall. 1880-81—S. F. Steele and Asa Gregg. 1884—T. A. Minchall, H. H. Huggins and Ace Gregg. 1886—W. E. Evans, H. H. Huggins and Ace Gregg. 1887—H. H. Huggins, W. E. Evans. 1890—William E. Evans, H. H. Huggins. 1891---H. H. Huggins, C. Newby and William E. Evans. 1893—C. Newby. 1895—H. B. Maynard. 1896—H. B. Maynard. 1900—F. Walters. 1903--S. W. Durflinger, W. H. Wiggins. 1904—Charles Dershbach. 1906--Cyrus Newby, 0. H. Sams. 1908---J. W. Goldsberry, F. G. Carpenter. 1910—C. Curtin, Charles Dresbach. 1912--H. F. Morrow, Cyrus Newby. COUNTY AUDITORS. 1824—Norman F. Jones. 1828-33—Norman F. Jones. 1833-41—James Hinton. 1841-42—Jared Plumb. 1842-50—James Pursell. 1850-58—Henry Robinson. 1858-61—John Sanders. 1861-70—James P. Robinson. 1870-73—Abel McCandles. 1873-77—James P. Robinson. 1877-80--Thomas J. Lindsey. 1880-86—James P. Robinson. 1886-1900—T. J. Lindsey. 1900-04—John Craig. 1904-08--H. D. Chafin. 1908-12--A. E. Henkle. 122 - FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. COUNTY RECORDERS. 1810-31—Jesse Milliken. 1831-33—Robert Robinson. 1833-35--Samuel Millikan. 1835-37—Samuel Loofborrow. 1837-38—Samuel F. Kerr. 1838-39—S. F. Loofborrow. 1839-43—Samuel Millikan. 1843-53—Nelson Rush. 1853-61—John Douglass. 1861-64—N. B. Coons. 1864-66—Joseph C. Plumb. 1866-81—Z. W. Heagler. 1882-92—J. R. Sutherland. 1892-96—H. V. Rodgers. 1896-02—J. A. Dick. 1902-10— J. M. Sturgeon. 1910-14—T. E. B. Brown. COUNTY TREASURERS. 1828-36—Benjamin Hinton. 1836-39—James Webster. 1839-50--Z. W. Heagler. 1850-54—W. McElwain. 1854-57--Jesse Burnett. 1857-59—Robert Stewart. 1859-60—William McElwain. 1860-61—Richard Tarokes. 1861-62--J. S. Bereman. 1862-66—A. T. Silcott. 1866-70—A. C. Johnson. 1870-72—J. W. Sayre. 1872-76—Eli Craig. 1876-78—C. Garis. 1878-82—Eli Craig. 1882-86—L. W. Rowe. 1886-90—James F. Cook. 1890-94—E. W. Welsheimer. 1894-98—G. W. Patton. 1898-02—Samuel Cockerill. 1902-06—John Anders. 1906-11—P. E. Rothrock. 1911-14----R. S. Quinn. CLERKS OF THE COURT. 1810-35— Jesse Millikan. 1835-42—Joseph Bell. 1842-44—Elam Hinton. 1844-50—Samuel Millikan. 1850-54—J. S. Bereman. 1854-67—Richard Millikan. 1867-75—Mason Blanchard. 1875-76—Joseph C. Plumb. 1876-87—Elmer W. Welsheimer. 1887-96—Frank M. Allen. 1896-02-0. D. Smith. 1902-08—E. J. Light. 1908-12—G. H. Hitchcock. 1912-14—E. W. Durflinger. FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO - 123 SHERIFFS. 1810-12-Mr. Clark. 1812-22—Robert Robinson, N. F. Jones. 1822-28—Aaron Johnson. 1828-32—Joseph Bloomer. 1832-34—W. S. Williams. 1834-43—Joseph Bloomer. 1843-44—Robert Cissna. 1844-48--Joel S. Bereman. 1848-51—James Vance. 1851-55—John C. Jones. 1855-56—William H. Blakemore. 1856-61—William Burnett. 1861-65—William Smith. 1865-69—James Starley. 1869-73—Conrad Garis. 1873-77—John Millikan. 1877-81-Oswell Smith. 1881-84—James Cook. 1884-88—A. B. Rankin. 1888-94—George W. Patton. 1894-96—Solomon Loofborrow. 1896-1900—S. O. Wilson. 1900-04—S. C. Phillips. 1904-08—John A. McLain, 1908-12—Samuel Nelson. 1912-14-0. S. Nelson. PROBATE JUDGES 1852-56—S. F. Kerr. 1856-65—L. D. Williard. 1865-68—Man fred Williard. 1868-71—S. B. Yoeman. 1871-82—J. B. Priddy. 1882-88—Thomas N. Craig. 1888-96—T. D. McElwain. 1896-02—H. M. Blessing. 1902-08—J. L. Zimmerman. 1908-12-A. C. Patton. 1912-14—Rell G. Allen. PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS. 18l0-18—Wade Loofborrow. 1818-19—Samuel Buck. 1819-22—Wade Loofborrow. 1822-23—Benjamin G. Leonard. 1823-24—Wade Loofborrow. 1824-27—Benjamin G. Leonard. 1827-31—Wade Loofborrow. 1831-33—H. Phelps. 1833-34—Wade Loofborrow. 1834-35—Robert Robinson. 1835-42—Col. S. F. Kerr. 1843-47—Bereman Martin. 1847-52—Nelson Rush. 1852-54—David M. Jones. 1854-56—Robert M. Briggs. 1856-60—Mills Gardner. 1860-62—M. Williams. 1862-64—M. Pavey. 1866-68—M. Williams. 1868-70—J. B. Priddy. 1870-72—H. B. Maynard. 1872-74—M. Pavey. 124 - FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 1874-80—A. R. Creamer. 1880-82—Ace Gregg. 1882-84—Frank Carpenter. 1884-92—Robert C. Miller. 1892-96—Nye Gregg. 1896-02—Charles A. Reed. 1902-08—E. L. Bush. 1908-10—P. Gregg. 1910-12—Thomas S. Maddox CORONERS. Since 1880 the county coroners have successively been Samuel Hocker, T. H. Knott, S. C. Roberts, L. F. House, J. M. Edwards, E. M. Burgess, T. J. Grove, S. E. Boggs and L. P. Howell. COUNTY SURVEYORS. Since 1880—T. M. Perdue, F. M. Kennedy, D. R. Jacobs and Thomas J. Groves. COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS. This office was created by the Ohio Legislature in 1913 and Frank M. Allen was the first to hold such office in Fayette county, having been elected in 1914. DISTRICT ASSESSOR. This is another new office created in Ohio in 1913, and J. C. Dunn was the first to hold the office. His headquarters are in the basement of the court house. He has charge of the fourteen deputy assessors in the county. The office is one of much importance to taxpayers. Already this officer has discovered much more property that has not been taxed for a third of a country, the taxes on which is enough to pay his salary a long time. In the state there will be millions of dollars of taxes brought to light and paid through this new system. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. This office was created by act of the General Assembly of Ohio, February 14. 1804, and stands substantially as it was first made. 1810—Jacob Jamison, James Brooks and John Harrold. (Owing to loss of records those down to 1828 cannot be given.) 1828—Thomas Burnett, Jacob Jamison and Mathew Jones. 1829—Jacob Jamison, Mathew Jones and James Woods. 1830—Jacob Jamison, David Creamer and Joseph Parrott.