CHAPTER XI. THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. In all ages of the world, among civilized and uncivilized peoples, the medical profession has been in high esteem, whether it be the learned professor, who has studied the real science of medicine in all its branches, or the "great medicine man" of the untutored savages, who from actual experience has made discoveries of the healing powers of herbs and roots; honor has awaited them on every hand, while the life and death of every human has been virtually placed in their keeping. The weary patient lying upon a bed of pain, and the no less weary watcher, wait anxiously for the coming of the good doctor, who, upon his arrival, notes every physical indication or expression of countenance for a ray of hope. He administers what his knowledge of medicine tells him is best in the special case at hand. The work of the physician cannot be measured by dollars and cents, and the long years required in preparing himself are all necessary. As to the progress of medical science, let it be stated that the last fifty years have seen vast changes in the treatment of diseases, and nowhere is this advancement more noticeable than in America. Our numerous medical colleges have sent forth men of excellence, and today we have, as a general rule, first-class physicians and surgeons in every community. Our hospitals vie with any in the old world. Especially in dentistry and surgery is this change very striking. The doctor is a necessity, and he frequently has many bad accounts on his books, but if he be a true physician he slights not the poorest in the community in which he practices. Should the science progress in the next half century as in the last fifty years, a wonderful degree of excellence will certainly exist at that date. All men must die, but many need not go to premature graves if medical aid be rendered at the proper time. FIRST AND EARLY DOCTORS. Thomas McGara, a native of Pennsylvania, came to Fayette county in the autumn of 1812 and was the first to practice medicine in this county. His family consisted of wife and two children, Joseph and Jane. Doctor McGara was a great favorite with the pioneer settlers ; was elected to the FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO - 151 Legislature, serving in such capacity six years. He died at the age of eighty-eight years, his faculties holding out until almost his last hour. He was the uncle of Judge Daniel McLean, the latter being his sister's child. While singular in ways, he was a bright, deliberate and exceedingly popular man and doctor. The second physician in the county was Doctor Baldridge (some place him before McGara). He came here about 1811. He was both minister and doctor of medicine. He was a Presbyterian in his religious faith. He had a wife and one child. The third, or next, physician here was Dr. Benjamin Hinton, who was a man of rare ability. He came from Highland county in 1818. He married, in this county, Rachel Stimpson. He was an energetic and upright man, noted for his kindness. He was also a member of the Ohio Legislature from this district; also county treasurer (collector). In 1838 he moved to Peru, Indiana, where he died in the seventies. Other early physicians were Drs. L. and B. Rush, sons of pioneer William Rush, of Union township. OTHER PHYSICIANS. Drs. A. Worley and A. W. Brown, with office in the drug store of Brown & Worley, announced that they were "fully prepared to treat diseases cf all kinds, both chronic and acute, on either the botanic or mineral system." Dr. O A. Allen, druggist, was born in New Jersey, July 21. 1825. His parents and family moved to Ohio in 1831. The Doctor was a member of the Masonic order and of the Baptist church, He was clerk of the village of Washington C. H. at one time. He studied at Granville College, completing his course at the Cleveland Medical College in 1854, commencing his practice in the spring of that year. Dr. Henry F. Coffman, druggist and physician, was born in Brown county, Ohio, August 4, 1823. His father was a native of Kentucky and his mother of Pennsylvania. They came to Ohio about 1800 with a family of seven children, four sons and two daughters. The Doctor was a member of the Masonic fraternity and also of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He successfully practiced medicine for many years at Washington C. H. He was an extensive druggist. It is said that he was one of the most careful and best posted druggists in all Ohio. He graduated from Starling College of Medicine, Columbus, in 1850. He first practiced medicine at Good Hope, this county, without horse, saddle or bridle, beginning with but twenty-five 152 - FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. cents in his possession. He had accumulated over forty thousand doll by 1880, but in one deal had all taken from him ; however, he set about t retrieve his fortune and finally became well circumstanced, having one of t finest medical and drug practices of any in Fayette county. Dr. S. S. Salisbury, another physician of Washington C. H., was bornb in Georgetown, Ohio, in January, 1848, being one of nine in his father's family which came to Ohio in 1810. He was a member of the Masonic order and identified with the Odd Fellows. Both he and his estimable wife were members of the Presbyterian church. He obtained his education at Lebanon, Ohio, and at Peru, Illinois. He studied medicine with Dr. W. H. McGranaghan, of Maysville, Kentucky. He attended medical lectures in Philadelphia, at Hahnemann Medical College, from which institution he graduated in March, 1873. He began his practice at Washington C. H. in May, T873, continuing many years. Dr. C. M. Wilson, physician at Washington C. H., was a native Northampton, Pennsylvania, born in 1845. He enlisted in August, 1864., a Union soldier in Company A, One Hundred and Seventy-fifth Ohio Vol. unteer Infantry ; was wounded in his first engagement, at Franklin, Ten. nessee, and in November, 1864, had his second finger of his right hand shot off ; also received flesh wounds in his thigh. He was discharged in May, 1865. That fall he entered the South Salem Academy, where he remained until the fall of 1868, then commenced his medical studies under Doctor Looker, of Cincinnati, graduating from Miami Medical College in March, 1871. He began practice in Washington C. H. and followed the profession several years. Doctor Hazen came to Plymouth in 1846, but his sojourn was brief on account of his bad character, living as he was with a woman not his lawfu1, wife. The moral community would not tolerate him and he wisely removed. Between 1863 and 1865 Dr. A. J. Gaskin located at Plymouth, and remained until 1868. The next physician at Plymouth was Doctor Spangler, who came from Milledgeville in 1870, bought property and remained until 1881, then returned to Milledgeville. Doctor Cully was the first physician in Milledgeville, locating there in 1863, remained three years and moved to Plymouth. Dr. A. J. Gaskin, in 1865, opened an office at Milledgeville, but later removed to Plymouth, where he remained in practice until 1868. At Martinsburg, one of the pioneer doctors was J. S. Jones, who was at one time engaged in mercantile business at that place. FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO - 153 Dr. Abraham Baker was a native of Kentucky, where he spent his youthful days. He attended Augusta (Kentucky) College, and graduated at the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati. Soon afterward he began piacticing medicine at Dover, Kentucky ; next we find him practicing at Hillsborough, where he remained nine years, then removed to Winchester, Indiana, spent ten years there, thence to Frankfort, Ohio. He remained in practice there six years, then settled at Good Hope, where he continued in the practice. In his younger days he was a traveling preacher in the Methodist Episcopal church. Dr. James F. Wilson, who died in the seventies or early eighties, was an important factor at New Holland, this county, a part of which is within the borders of Pickaway county. He was born near Chillicothe, Ohio, in October, 1808, his early years having been spent on his father's farm. At the age of twenty-one years he was sent to Greenfield, Highland county, and there commenced the study of medicine under the direction of Dr. Daniel Robbins. He finally secured a diploma, and immediately settled at New Holland, of which town he was the first practicing physician. Later he entered Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati, graduating with a fine record. He then returned to New Holland, where he followed his profession the balance of his days. He had a large clientele and made friends on every hand. He succeeded in a financial way and was possessed of a handsome fortune. He had an enviable reputation as a fine, surgeon. For a time during the Civil War he was located at Camp Chase, Ohio, in the capacity of surgeon. He was not a church member, but practiced every-day Christianity and was a liberal giver to all good causes. He gave free of charge his medical services to every member of the two companies that enlisted from his neighborhood to enter. the Union cause. Their families he sacredly agreed to treat free while the men were at the front, and this he did. For a quarter of a century he was afflicted with heart trouble, and finally, on January 21, 1875, this malady caused his death. His son was Hon. John M. Wilson, so well known over Ohio as a brilliant lawyer and statesman. He was appointed by General Grant, while President, as consul to Bremen ; later serving at Hamburg. After this experience, he was sent to Panama to represent the United States. Concerning some of the physicians at Waterloo, let it be stated that Doctor Dilley was the first to practice in that place. He located there in 1842, but remained only a brief period. Following him came Doctor Freeman, of London, Madison county, who continued there about four years. Dr. Tobias Haskins came in about the same date of Doctor Dilley's de- 154 - FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. parture and remained until 186o, removing to Licking county. About this time Doctor Cleeve located at Waterloo, remained a number of years and then went to Illinois. Dr. V. H. Gaskill commenced practice in Waterloo about the close of the Civil War and was still in practice in the eighties. Other physicians of the past were Doctors Goldsberry, Harlow and Culy. Also Doctor Martin, the first to locate in Madison township, who was from New England. He opened his office at Yankeetown, remained file years, then removed to Bloomingburg, continuing until 1854, when he moved to McClain county, Illinois. Dr. J. N. Clark came from Harrisburg, Ohio, in the spring of 1873, locating at Buena Vista, Green township. A fter one year he opened his office at Madison Mills, where in the nineties he was enjoying an extension medical practice. In 1881 these physicians were practicing in the county : Drs. A. and J. L. Worley, C. A. Foster, H. L. Smith, C. M. Wilson, S. A. Salisbury and O. H. Saxton. Dr. Francis Marion Black, deceased, practiced in Washington C. from 1874 until within a few months of his death. He was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, studied medicine under Doctor Brown, of Circleville, and began the practice of medicine at a village in Pickaway county known as Darbyville, where he remained in constant practice for just twenty-five years, then moved to Washington C. H., where the remainder of his life was spent, dying January 22, 1902, aged about seventy-two years. For three years, while in Pickaway county, he had for a student and partner Doctor Boggs, now of Good Hope. Doctor Black was highly successful both as a physician and surgeon. He also had the gift of accumulating property. He was wise in that he invested in land and left an estate of some four hundred acres in Pick away county, the same still being held by his widow, whose maiden name was Mary J. Zimm, a native of Columbus, who married for her first husband Silas Ambrose in 1851. She married Doctor Black in 1853. Doctor Black and wife had no issue, and Mrs. Black, by her former marriage, was the mother of one daughter who died young. Doctor Black was well up in Masonry, belonging to the thirty-second degree of that most ancient and honorable fraternity. Politically, he was a stanch Republican. He served his country during the Civil War, having been a captain in Company A, Ninetieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He served one year and was honorably discharged upon his resignation. He served as acting colonel of his regiment at different times, in the absence of the regular colonel. Mrs. Black still re FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO - 155 sides in the old homestead on North street, where the Doctor first located upon removing to Washington C. H. in 1884. Dr. James Hinton, "the thumbless doctor," as he was known, for, besides his being a dwarf in stature and humped-backed, he had no thumb on either hand, was of the regular school of medicine and had good success here from an early clay on to later years. He it was who originally owned the old Doctor Wilson residence property, now owned and occupied by Doctor 11 ilson's daughter, Mrs. Jarred Millikan, at the corner of North and Court streets. He was married and reared seven children. His wife became insane and was kept in a small room in the residence just named and many queer stories are related of her strange actions. It was an unfortunate case, in Idlich the Doctor had the sympathy of the community, It was 1841 when he soil the property above mentioned, but he remained here several years after that he finally went West, and was lost sight of to Fayette county people. It is stated by Mrs. Mary Millikan that he was a good doctor and was frequently associated with her father, Dr. J. G. Wilson. From a former history published for this county, it is learned that this Doctor Hinton was the brother of Benjamin Hinton, probably Fayette county's third physician. Dr. James Hinton, it is stated, removed to McLean county, Illinois, where he was still practicing as late as 1881. He was a success financially and accumulated a handsome competency, at one time owning fourteen hundred acres of valuable land in Illinois. Dr. Felix H. Knott, physician and surgeon of Washington C. H., was born in this county, February 21, 1851, son of. Ananias Knott, who was from Pennsylvania, but emigrated to Ohio about 1845. Felix was married in 1871, to Samantha De Witt. He received his education in Cincinnati, at the Eclectic Medical College, from which he graduated in 1871. He had commenced the practice of medicine in 1869, at Monticello, Illinois, and there continued for about three years. After he settled in Washington C. H. he continued a regular practitioner. He really commenced the reading of medicine when twelve years of age, with his father, who was a prominent doctor of his day and generation, at Monticello, Illinois. He soon built up a large and respectable practice here and was widely known and very successful in his calling. Dr. W. E. Ireland, now the oldest practitioner in Washington C. H., came here in 1887. He was born near Bloomington, Illinois, in 1852. His parents removed to Fayette county when he was but a small lad. He was reared in Fayette and Ross counties. He obtained a good education and taught school for seven years, and finally chose medicine as his profession. He studied 156 - FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. under Dr. A. Ogar, at Sedalia, Ohio, and graduated from Starling Medical College with the class of 1882 ; practiced five years at Leesburg, Highland county, Ohio, and moved to Washington C. H. in 1887, since which time he has ranked among the best, most careful and honorable members of the medical fraternity. He married, in 1882, Florence I. Carr, of Jeffersonville, Ohio, by whom two daughters and one son were born, all now married and settled in homes of their own. Politically, the doctor is a Democrat. He has held numerous non-paying offices, including member of the board of educa ..tion, a place he has ably filled for about ten years. He is a member of Grace Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is the present president of the board of stewards. In fraternal affairs, he is well up in Masonry, being a Knight Templar. In a financial way, the Doctor has succeeded and is the vice-president of the Fayette County Bank. He is placed in the list of best citizens and physicians in the county, where he has resided more than twenty-seven years. Dr. S. A. Ireland, a brother of the above, was born in 1848 in Ohio, and died in Washington C. H. in January, 1911, of pneumonia. He never married; was a most excellent physician and had a faculty of winning the confidence and esteem of all who knew him. His death was a great loss to the profession and the community. He taught school in young manhood twelve years and after graduating from Starling Medical College located at Martinsville, Ohio, then in Leesburg in 1887, coming to Washington C. H. in 1889, He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and the Masonic order. There was no night too dark and stormy to deter him from making his professional calls, and really this extreme exposure was what finally caused his death. He was a man of honor, modest, retiring and studious. He was a wonderful worker and never lost sight of advanced theories in medicine and gave his patients the best that his reading and practice afforded. From Dr. W. E. Ireland's memory, the following facts concerning me of whom he has had knowledge since his coming here in 1887, have bee gleaned: In 1887 Doctor Lowry was in practice at Washington C. H. He mar died a sister of Dr. S. S. Salisbury, moved. West and has been lost sight of. Doctor Ustick was also here in 1887, later sold his practice to Dr Rogers, of Greenfield, Ohio. Doctor Ustick went from here to Boise City, Idaho, where he still practices medicine. Doctor Rogers moved to Honolulu Hawaii. Doctor Moorehouse located here about 1887, remained a year or two an removed. FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO - 157 Dr. O. H. Saxton moved from here to Topeka, Kansas, in 1887, and died there a few years later. Doctor Teeters, father of Dr. Charles Teeters, located here in the eighties, and died here. Doctor Roberts came in prior to 1887 and practiced until his death. He was an excellent physician and an honored citizen of the city. Doctor Hall came here from Good Hope in the eighties, and died years later of consumption. Dr. Joseph Williams and his father practiced medicine in Washington C. H. many years, and were eminent in their profession. Dr. J. W. Hughey practiced in the city many years and died in 1912. Dr. J. Morton Howell practiced here in the city a few years, then moved to Dayton. When he had no real calls in the country, it is related of him that he frequently run his fast team over the rural roads as if he had urgent calls and had no time to waste, but ever drove on, thinking to create the opinion that he had a large practice. Dr. John G. Wilson was another physician and surgeon of earlier days in this county, who had a very large and successful practice. He was an excellent man and was loved and admired by legions within this county. He was a native of Ross county, born March 19, 1811, of parents who had emigrated from Pennsylvania. The forefathers were in the Revolutionary struggle, while his father was a soldier in the War of 1812. He studied medicine under Dr. James Robbins, of Greenfield, three years and in 1835 went to Dayton, where for more than five years he was associated with Dr. Henry Vantyne. He then spent. a part of a year in Lockport, Indiana, after which he located permanently in Washington C. H., where he continued his medical practice until about eighty years of age. The date of his settlement in Washington C. H. was August, 1841. He died September 22, 1896, at his home. He married, in 1839, Lucinda Mackerley, of New Jersey. She died in 1875 and was the mother of two children, Martha, who died in young womanhood, and Mary L., who became the wife of Jerred L. Millikan and is now the only survivor of the Wilson family living. She occupies the old homestead where Doctor Wilson, her father, resided so many years and in which house she was born. It is at the corner of North and Court streets. Doctor Wilson was physician for the county infirmary for twenty-one years. Politically, he was a stanch Republican, and formerly a Whig. In his church faith he was of the Presbyterian denomination. There are still many within the county who readily recall the good doctor, when he used to ride over the county either in his cart or on horseback. He was absorbed and interested 158 - FAYETTE COUNTY. OHIO. in his chosen profession even until the end of life came. During the Civil war days he had a large practice, and agreed with many a brave man who went forth in defense of the flag that he would look after the health of their families while they were absent. This he carried out to the letter ; some repaid him and others never did, but he felt he had performed a patriotic duty and thus cancelled the account. Dr. Harry M. Jenkins, a young and very successful physician, of but few years practice, was born in 188o, and was reared in this county and city. He studied medicine and attended and graduated from the Ohio Medical College. He was married in Sandusky, Ohio, in October, 1914, and two weeks after his marriage ended his life by taking a quantity of carbolic acid, while seated in his own office late in the evening. This act shocked the entire community for he was a bright, genial and exceptional promising young professional man, with seemingly many years of pleasure and usefulness before him. The motive for this terrible ending was made known by a note he penned the night of his death, in which he referred to the fact that, when twelve years of age, he met with an accident while crossing the Pennsylvania tracks in Washington C. H., by which his skull was crushed and his brain injured. A number of strips of metal were inserted at the time, and one of these seemed to him to have slipped and pressure was brought upon his brain, causing, at numerous times of late, a sudden mental aberration, or insanity, which he feared was fast becoming worse. He feared in his practice that he might administer dangerous drugs and take the lives of others, hence he took his own life. The accident mentioned was twenty-two years prior to his death. Doctor Jenkins was a favorite with very many in the county, and he held membership in several secret fraternities. His death caused a general sadness over this entire county. PHYSICIANS OF THE COUNTY IN 1914. In the early autumn of 1914 the following were practicing medicine in Fayette county : In Washington C. H.—Drs. W. E. Ireland, L. L. Brock, G. W. Blakely, E. F. Todhunter, C. A. Teeters, George S. Hodson, Lucy W. Pine, D. H. Rowe, Paul Hilderbrant, C. A. Harlow, Howard Stitt, A. A. Hyer, L. M. McFadden, Roy Brown, P. E. Decatur, R. M. Hughey, Florence Rankin, C. A Hazzard, L. P. Howell. These are all of the regular school of medicine except Doctors Hazzard and Rankin, osteopaths ; Doctors Hodson and Hilderbrant, homeopathic, and Doctor Decatur, eclectic. FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO - 159 At Milledgeburg—Drs. J. A. Adams, A. N. Vandeman, Grant Marchant. At Bloomingburg—Drs. E. H. McDowell and G. W. Holdren, and, until recently, Doctor Hyer, who is now on his farm. At Jeffersonville—Drs. F. E. Wilson, J. H. French and H. V. Lusher. At Good Hope—Doctors Boggs and Stemler. At Buena Vista--Doctor Hooks. FAYETTE COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY. There have been several medical societies in this county with the passing years, but the present one is all that will here be mentioned on account of there being no data from which to draw, earlier than that of the present organization. The Fayette County Medical Society was organized in May, 1903, and contained twenty-one charter members. There have been more and less at various times, the present membership being sixteen. The original officers were Dr. G. W. Blakely, president ; S. A. Ireland, vice-president; A. O. Erwin, secretary and treasurer. Those serving at present are: Dr. E. F. Todhunter, president ; H. F. Kaler, vice-president ; Lucy W. Pine, secretary and treasurer. Meetings are supposed to be held once a month, but really are not attended nearly so frequently. Physicians belonging to the county society may become members in the state and national society and association, but not otherwise. Hence the importance of these local societies. CITY HOSPITALS. The first regular hospital at Washington C. H. was organized and duly incorporated under the state laws, by local people, in the month of November, 1907. The by-laws specified that there be nine directors and the first were as follows: Mrs. Madeline Sharp, Dr. W. E. Ireland, Dr. R. M. Hughey, Col. B. H. Millikan, F. M. Fullerton, Mrs. Aus Hopkins, C. A. Reid, Mrs. F. L. Stutson and J. H. Dahl. For president, Doctor Hughey was elected; for first vice-president, S. A. Ireland ; for second vice-president, Dr. Lucy Pine; for treasurer, Colonel Millikan. The name was given in the articles of incorporation as the Fayette County Hospital Association. It is now conducted solely by Dr. L. M. McFadden. The next hospital was the one still in operation, in the city's very center, the Hodson Hospital, established in 1911 by Dr. George S. Hodson, in memory of his deceased son. This is a well appointed, finely equipped hospital which usually has all the patients it can care for. CHAPTER X I I. THE BENCH AND BAR. THE JUDICIARY. On April 15, 1803, the General Assembly of Ohio passed an act establishing the judiciary system of that time. It determined that the supreme court of the state should consist of three judges, chosen in the manner directed in the constitution, that is, they were to be appointed by a joint ballot of both houses of the General Assembly, and they were to hold office for the term of seven years. This court was declared to have original jurisdiction in all civil cases, both in law and equity, where the title of land was in question or where the sum in dispute exceeded the value of one thousand dollars. It had exclusive cognizance of all criminal causes where the punishment was capital, and of all other crimes and offenses not cognizant by a single justice of the peace ; it had cognizance concurrent with the court of common pleas. By this act also the state was divided into circuits. A president of the court of common pleas was to be appointed in each circuit in the same manner that the supreme judges received their appointment. The president, together with three associate judges, appointed in a similar way, for each county in the state, constituted the court of common pleas for such county. It has been recorded that the first court in Fayette county was held in the log cabin belonging to John Devault, a little north of the present site of Bloomingburg, and was presided over by Judge John Thomson. It appears that chairs were scarce articles and Mrs. Devault's bed was pressed into service by the Judge, for which he received a severe lecture by the lady. Sometimes a stable, and again the adjoining hazel thicket, accommodated the grand jury in its sittings. Judge Thomson was known as a man of puritanical morality and distinguished himself by the long and tedious moral lectures he invariably delivered in court to the prisoners. According to the best authorities, the year 1811 was the date of the holding of the first court in the town of Washington C. H. A double round- FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO - 161 log cabin was standing on the corner of Court and Main streets, fronting on Court, consisting of two independent rooms, probably ten or twelve feet apart, with the roof meeting in the center and covering the space between. In the room nearest Main street the first court in Washington C. H. was held. The jury retired to the hazel brush nearby to hold their deliberations and whenever the presence of the sheriff or prosecuting attorney was needed their names were loudly proclaimed from the thicket. It is stated that while justice was solemnly dispensed in one room, whiskey was as hilariously sold by the owner of the cabin, Valentine Coil, in the adjoining room. It is not certain just how many terms of court were held in this cabin, but it appears that the court house was ready for occupancy at least as early as the spring of 1814; also that court was held in the cabin during the latter part of the year 1812, and by good authority it is stated that court was held in the Coil cabin a much longer period than elsewhere. It is surmised that the cabin served as a court house from 1811 until the latter part of 1813, then was removed to the Melvin, afterward Vandeman, corner, and from there to the first court house. FAYETTE COUNTY LAWYERS. The attorneys practicing here in 1836 (three in the entire county) were Wade Loofborrow, Robert Robinson and Samuel Kerr, all long since deceased and their names forgotten, save by the families they represented and a few of the older citizens of the county. They were all excellent men and good lawyers for those days. Robert Robinson died in the fifties. Another whose name should not be omitted is Robert M. Briggs, who died in 1869, aged less than forty years of age. He was a splendid type of American manhood ; was unusually eloquent and had a promising future before him. He was judge at one time and had a state-wide reputation. The attorneys practicing in the county in 1861 included these : Madison Pavey, Horatio Maynard, George B. Gardner, M. J. Williams, Nelson Rush and Mills Gardner. In 1880 these were found in active practice here : R. C. Miller, O. T. Gunning, Mr. Barclay, T. N. Craig, M. Willard, J. B. Koontz, Thomas D. Twain, Gregg & Chambers, W. F. Tanzey and Maynard & Hadley. Another attorney was Col. S. F. Kerr, of a pioneer family, who was born in Kentucky October 5, 1805, came with his parents to Ohio in 1809, settled in Ross county, where he remained until 1811, then removed to Jeffersonville, Fayette county. He studied law under Attorney Phelps. (11) 162 - FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. was admitted to the bar in 1835 and continued in active practice in this county until his death, in the early eighties. He was a public-spirited man held the office of state representative and was probate judge. All but five of the above 188o lawyers are deceased now, some for many years, others more recently. Of Samuel Buck, the second attorney in the county, C. A. Palmer. A native of the county, later of Indianapolis, relates the following: "Samuel Buck was later a resident of Greene county, where he resided on his farm. He was a man five feet and six inches tall; was stocky built and very stout. At the time he began his practice in Washington C. H., Peter and Jesse Funk (of the famous Funk family) were known as the bullies of this county. They were probably not bad men, but the times and customs with environments, made them what they were, dangerous and undesirable characters in the community. It was the custom then to meet in town on general muster day of the. militia, and fight just to see which was the best man. At this the Funks were counted the 'cocks of the walk.' This seemed to render them immune from prosecution for crimes of which they were suspected. Samuel Buck announced himself a candidate for the office of prosecuting attorney, and in this he promised, if elected, to prosecute the Funks and thus break up: their terrorism. "A short time afterward Peter Funk—at least one of the boys, the worst one--came into town and, hearing of Mr. Buck's proposition, announced that he would whip him on sight. They met between the present Arlington hotel and the Trust building, and immediately the fight was on! The result was the little lawyer whipped the big bully to a frazzle. This resulted in the election of Buck, who at once proceeded to cause the arrest of the Funks. One of the two brothers, fearing the outcome, went away from the county, while the other remained and barricaded himself in his cabin home and resisted the sheriff and his posse. During the night he made his escape, left the county and state and never came back. There was no attempt to capture them and all were too glad to be without such citizens. This cabin of Funk's was what gave rise to the phrase 'Battle of Funk's Cabin,' so much heard about in this county. The log house stood in the present Klever-Tway settlement." MISCELLANEOUS LIST OF ATTORNEYS. Through the kindness of Hon. H. L. Hadley, we are permitted to giv list of lawyers, as remembered by him, as having practiced in the county FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO - 163 one date or another. Some of these have already been given, while many more have not, for lack of sufficient data. Mr. Hadley's list is as follows : S. F. Kerr, Judge H. B. Maynard, Judge M. J. Williams, Hon. Mills Gardner, Hon. Madison Pavey, Judge T. M. Gray, J. B. Priddy (probate judge), C. A. Palmer, T. D. McElwain (probate judge), Manford Willard (probate judge), Humphrey Jones (arrived here in April, 1870), Judge Ace Gregg, Hon. A. R. Creamer, H. L. Hadley (who came in 1874 to practice), C. M. Jones, Willis M. Pine, Nye Gregg, Pope Gregg, C. Thompson, W. A. Paxon. M. S. Creamer, Mr. Mudd, Mr. Hixon, J. N. VanDeman, C. A. Reid, C. W. Russell, J. D. Post, T. N. Craig, J. H. Patton, Judge Carpenter, H. H. Sanderson, John Logan, Mr. Kimball, C. E. Baughn, Lee Rankin, H. Rankin, Judge Joseph Hidy, E. L. Bush, F. A. Chaffin, J. L. Zimmerman, Rell G. Allen, D. L. Thompson, Fred B. Creamer, C. W. Spangler (deceased), George Hitchcock, Nathan Creamer, Thomas S. Maddox, W. B. Rodgers, P. E. Dempry. Some of these lawyers never practiced long and did not make much of a record, but have been members of the Fayette county bar. Others have moved to other parts of the country, while very many have died with the passing years. Many of these have brief sketches in this work, while others have none. The list of names, at least, should here appear as a tribute to their memory, and some as connecting links between the long-ago years and the active practice of the present day. Ace Gregg, former judge of the court common pleas, was born in Washington C. H., Jefferson township, this county, the son of John F. Gregg and wife. He was married in 1871 to Amelia J. Jones, of Bloomingburg. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Royal Arcanum societies. He read law at Washington C. H. under Hon. M. J. Williams, took a law course at the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and commenced law practice in 1870, under the firm name of Gregg & Cochran, continuing until 1880. During his practice he was prosecuting attorney for six years. In the autumn of 1880 he was elected judge of the common pleas court. Mr. Gregg died in about 1893. Hon. Horace L. Hadley, now retired from the legal practice, was born in Sandwich, New Hampshire (see biographical sketch). He married S. Lizzie Emerson, of Massachusetts. He enlisted in 1861 as a soldier in the Union cause in the Civil War, having commenced the study of law before that date, and resumed the same after the close of the war. He read law with Hon. Sidney C. Bancroft before he entered the army, and finished his 164 - FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. studies at Salem, Massachusetts, with Perry & Endicott, both celebrated Lawyers and authors. Mr. Hadley was admitted to the bar in September, 1863, and first located that year at Danfers, Massachusetts. He remained their until April, 1870, then came to Ohio, and since 1874 has been engaged in the practice of law at Washington C. H. He was of the firm of Maynard & Hadley, and in 1881 was elected to a seat in the House of Representative from Fayette county. He has accumulated a good property and in his advanced years is leading a retired life, enjoying the hard work of former years. He was one of the substantial members of the Fayette bar many years and now is beloved and highly esteemed by everyone in his district, county and city. Joseph Hidy, another Fayette county attorney of considerable prominence, was born in this county in 1854, son of Urban and Mary A. Hidy. Mr. Hidy was a member of the Jefferson Masonic Lodge. He received his education at the common schools, after which he took a philosophical course, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy at Buchtel College, Akron, Ohio. He then went to Ann Arbor, Michigan, took a collegiate course in the University of Michigan, graduating in the spring of 1878, and was admitted to the bar that spring, and commenced practice the following Ma). under the firm name of Savage & Hidy. He has been in the law practice al Cleveland many years and is now just retiring. He was judge a number of years, filling the position with credit. Horatio B. Maynard, Washington C. H., was born in Holden, Massachusetts, October 12, 1816, the son of John P. Maynard and wife. He was married in 1856 to Kesiah Blakemore. He entered the One Hundred and Fourteenth Ohio Regiment in August, 1862, and resigned February, 1863. He was prosecuting attorney of Fayette county for 1868-69, and was late a member of the well-known and strong firm of Maynard & Hadley. His early education was obtained at Ludlow, Vermont, but he passed his youth in New Hampshire. He was for two years assistant superintendent of the Black River Academy, of Vermont. He died in 1908, greatly mourned by the bar and the community in which he had lived so long and been so true to good citizenship. Thomas McElwain, lawyer at Washington C. H. was for many years, was a native of this city, but of parents who emigrated from Kentucky to this county. He attended school here until the breaking out of the Civil War, when he enlisted as a private soldier in Company A, First Ohio Cavalry, will, which he served three years and was honorably discharged. He returned FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO - 165 home and in 1867 took up the law practice. He died at the State Soldiers' home in 1912. R. C. Miller, a native of Fayette county, Ohio, was born in 1853, the only son of Robert and Marie Miller. In 1881 he married Eva J. Parrett, of the pioneer family of this county. He received his education in Washington C. H., studied law under Gregg & Creamer, and was admitted to the bar December 7, 1880. He began law practice in April, 1881. Politically, he was a Republican. He spent a few years in the West, variously engaged, but finally settled down as an attorney in this county. He served as prosecuting attorney at one time here. He died several years ago. J. H. Patton, attorney at Washington C. H., was born in this county in 1849, a son of Mr. and Mrs. James Patton. He was united in marriage December 3, .1870, to S. E. Durnell. He received his education at Lebanon, at South Salem Academy, and commenced the- study of law with Hon. M. J. Williams, of Washington C. H., and in 1869, when only twenty years old, commenced the practice of law. He passed from earth's shining circle in 1893. John N. VanDeman, formerly of the firm of VanDeman & Russell, at Washington C. H., was born in that city in 1845, the son of John L. Van Deman and wife. He lived there, attended the village school, until February, 1858, then moved with the family to Frankfort, Ross county, Ohio. His father was a merchant and when the son was twelve years of age he commenced clerking in the store, where he soon acquired a liking for the affairs of commerce and trade. When seventeen years old he attended Duff's Commercial College, at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, then went to Miami University, remaining there until twenty years of age. His father then gave him a one-third interest in his large mercantile business. On March 1, 1865, he began business for himself and bought the stocks of merchandise. A wholesale department was soon added to the business, and the former twenty-five thousand dollar sales increased to eighty-five thousand dollars per annum. In 1872, however, he turned to the study of law at leisure hours, not thinking he might ever practice, but for the general information he might thus obtain. He had also taken a commercial law course while at Pittsburgh. By 1876 he had become infatuated with the law and decided to enter into the real profession and quit the dry goods trade, which he did. Three months later he was admitted to the bar by the supreme court and immediately opened a law office at Washington C. H., where he soon acquired a large, paving practice at the Fayette county bar. Mr. Van Deman is a Republican. a member of the Presbyterian church, and identified with the Odd Fel- 166 - FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. lows order. He is now practicing law at Dayton, Ohio, and is very successful at the bar. Gen. Stephen B. Yeoman was born in Fayette county, Ohio, December 1, 1836, the son of Alvah and Elizabeth Yeoman. The father came to Ohio in 1806 and the mother in 1815. When fifteen years old young Yeoman shipped as a sailor, visiting New Zealand and points in South America, Asia and Africa. After much experience, observation and adventure abroad, he returned to his native land. His great-grandfather served with much credit in the Revolutionary struggle, while his grandfather served in the War of 1812-14. When the civil conflict broke out in 1861, he immediately volunteered; was under General Rosencrans, with whom he continued as a private in the Twenty-second Ohio Regiment, Company F. He served his first term, returned home and raised Company A of the Fifty-fourth Regiment. He was ordered by General Sherman to take ten picked men and penetrate the rebel lines to learn their strength, if possible. While in service he received the following wounds : Slight wounds at Shiloh; battle of Russell House, shot in the leg, arm and abdomen; again wounded in 1863 in his right arm, entirely severing the member below the elbow. For gallant bravery he was promoted to major of his regiment. Being one handed, he concluded to resign, which he did. In May, 1864, President Lincoln appointed him colonel of this regiment, and he was detailed by the department to Camp Caley, Virginia, a recruiting station. In November, 1864, he took active command of his regiment and was in all the actions of the same. He was finally breveted brigadier-general of volunteers. In 1866 he was elected probate judge of Fayette county and later took up the law practice. He was not a highly equipped, or even a natural, lawyer, hut did some business, from time to time, aided by other members of the bar. He is now deceased. Hon. Marshall J. Williams, son of Dr. Charles Williams, was born February 11, 1836. He was ever a close student and at the age of nineteen graduated from Wesleyan University, soon afterward beginning his legal studies at Washington C. H., with Nelson Rush. He finished when twenty-one years of age and opened an office at Sigourney, Iowa, remained one year, then returned to Fayette county and at once entered his active law career. He was elected to the Ohio Legislature in 1870 and was re-elected in 1872, serving through both sessions with credit and honor. He still kept his law practice, in which he was highly successful and accumulated a handsome fortune. He was elevated to the supreme bench and was its chief justice a number of years. Few men in Ohio stood higher in his profession, or as a FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO - 167 man, than did Judge Williams. In fact, he is said by many to have been “a famous lawyer." Hon. Mills Gardner was born at Russellville, Brown county, Ohio, in 1830. He was married in 1851 to Margaret A. Morrow. He came to Fayette county in 1854. He received a common school education, studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1855 and followed his profession ever afterward. He was prosecuting attorney for Fayette county four years ; was an honored member of the State Senate in 186a-64; presidential elector on the Lincoln ticket, in 1864; was a member of the Ohio House of Representatives, 1866-68; member of the state constitutional convention, 1873; was elected to a seat in the fifty-fourth Congress of the United States, as a Republican member. He died in 1910, at Washington C. H. Col. S. F. Kerr, another bright light in the legal profession of Fayette county, was born in Pendleton county, Virginia, October 21, 1805, and in 1811removed with his parents to Fayette county, Ohio. Here, midst the rural and romantic scenes of farm life near the village of Jeffersonville, his youth was spent. He wanted to possess knowledge and worked hard to secure a suitable education. He finally succeeded and became not only a scholar, but a scientist as well. As an astronomer, he was proficient ; also in chemistry and philosophy did he excel. Having a military spirit, he took much interest in militia and training days. At the age of twenty he was elected captain of a company of militia and later rose to the rank of colonel, from which he obtained the title he ever afterward went by. In 1848 he was elected and commissioned brigadier-general of the Fourth Brigade, Tenth Division of the Ohio militia. Having chosen law as his profession, he studied hard and was admitted to the bar in 1835, the same year being elected prosecuting attorney, which office he held a number of terms. By. one well acquainted with his career, both as citizen and attorney, the following was written of him : "He had the highest sense of professional dignity and honor. His compeers were the old lawyers of renown of southern Ohio. Among these were Thomas Ewing, Hunter, Allen G. Thurman, Bond, Dickey, Douglas, Nelson, Barrere, Robert Robinson and their contemporaries. With such associates he learned the law, and from them the duties and amenities of the lawyer. He was eminent in the profession, particularly in land law and land litigation. In this department of the law he was a mine of information and knowledge. "Upon the adoption of the constitution in 1851, he was elected the first probate judge. Later he was elected to the Legislature twice to fill terms, 168 - FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. and once to fill a vacancy. The code that followed the adoption of the 1851 constitution retired from the active practice many of the older attorneys Colonel Kerr, however, left the practice for a place on the bench, and then was sent to the State Legislature. In his day in court, and this, too, in the days of Loofborrow, Willard, Dickey and Robinson, he was the acknowledged leader of the bar." Another associate of his said upon one occasion: "Sometimes, as usual with attorneys, I have for the moment felt that he was harsh in his rulings; yet, after mature reflection and more careful inquiry into his motives and reasons for his decrees, I have always found, as I do now, in looking back over his life, a golden cord of integrity and honesty of purpose encircling all his official acts and decisions, which, in my memory of him, will always be bright. I have represented the cause of the rich and the poor in his courts, and I have always found that the poor oppressed who appealed to him for redress of wrongs, or supposed grievances, sufferer at the hands of the more independent oppressors, found in him a tender and sympathetic regard for their causes ; and if the scales of justice, as they stood poised in his hands, were swerved one hair from the stern rule of the law and right, it was always on the side of mercy." FAYETTE COUNTY BAR. In the autumn of 1914 the following were the attorneys of this county and entitled to practice in the courts. All resided in Washington C. H. with the single exception of U. G. Creamer, who resided and had his office at Jeffersonville : J. F. Adams, Frank M. Allen, Rell G. Allen, T. L. Barger, Carey E. Baughn, E. L. Bush, Frank G. Carpenter, Frank A. Chaffin, A. R Creamer, U. G. Creamer ( Jeffersonville), F. B. Creamer, Nye Gregg, Pope Gregg, H. L. Hadley, Joseph H. Harper, G. H. Hitchcock, Humphrey Jones, A. J. Kearney, J. B. Koontz, John Logan, T. S. Maddox, Thomas W. Merchant, A. C. Patton, J. D. Post, Harry . Rankin, Lee Rankin, Charles Reid, W. B. Rogers, H. H. Sanderson, W. C. Tranzey, D. L. Thompson. JUDGES COURT OF APPEALS. Hon. James I. Allread, Greenville ; Hon. H. L. Ferneding, Dayton; Hon. Albert H. Kunkel, Springfield. FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO - 169 JUDGES COURT OF COMMON PLEAS. Hon. Cyrus Newby, Hillsboro ; Hon. Frank G. Carpenter, Washington C. H.; Hon. James F. Goldsberry, Chillicothe ; Hon. Clarence Curtain, Circleville. OTHER COURT OFFICERS. E. W. Durflinger, clerk ; Oliver S. Nelson, sheriff; Stella D. Hendricks, court stenographer ; James Clark, court constable ; T. S. Maddox, prosecuting attorney; Rell G. Allen, probate judge. HON. H. B. MAYNARD. Judge H. B. Maynard, who located in Fayette county in 1854, died at the ripe old age of eighty-one years, in September, 1907. He was born in Holdren, Massachusetts, October 12, 1826, and commenced the study of law and was admitted to the bar in Massachusetts. When about twenty-eight years old he came West, that being in the autumn of 1854. He finally decided to locate permanently in Washington C. H. Soon after his arrival he was engaged to teach the school on the corner of Market and Hinde street. Two years later he formed a law partnership with Judge Briggs, which business relation continued until the death of Mr. Briggs. After the Civil War came on, Mr. Maynard volunteered as a member of the One Hundred and Fourteenth Ohio Regiment and soon rose to be lieutenant-colonel of his regiment, serving with marked distinction. During the famous Morgan raid through Ohio, he re-enlisted as colonel of the regiment raised for home defense against the rebel raider. After the war had dosed he resumed his legal pursuits, and was elected as proscuting attorney, which position he held until 1869. About that date he formed a partnership in law with Hon. H. L. Hadley, and the firm took a conspicuous part in the many cases brought about by the great 1873 panic. In 1894, upon the death of Judge Ace Gregg, Governor William McKinley appointed him to fill the vacancy on the bench. At the next election he won out for the judgeship by a majority of two thousand four hundred. He was president of the board of education a number of years and was the gentleman who named Sunny-side school building. He was also a member of the board of trustees for the County Children's Home. 170 - FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. HON. JOHN JAMES HARPER. Judge J. J. Harper, ex-judge and eminent lawyer of southern Ohio, was a man of more than ordinary ability and prominence in the county and state in which he spent his life. He passed to higher realms October 21, 1906 aged seventy-two years. He was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, July 6, 1834, and was educated in the common schools and saw many early hardships in securing his coveted education, but finally obtained an excellent English education in all branches. Before he had reached man's estate he taught several terms of district school in both Pickaway and Fairfield counties. In 1858 he located at Portsmouth, Ohio, as a law student under Hutchins & Gabby and was admitted to the bar April 25, 1860. In 1856 he was united in marriage to Emily Jones, of Portsmouth, Ohio, by whom four sons were born : John Ellis, who practiced law in Denver, Colorado; William A.; Samuel G., of Portsmouth, Ohio ; John H., of Washington C. H. a partner with his father in the law firm of Harper & Harper. The wife and mother died in 1874, and in 1875 Mr. Harper married Anna Eliza Robinson, of Washington C. H., Ohio. She died the same week of the Judge's death, and before him. On being admitted to the bar, Mr. Harper began his practice in Portsmouth. In 1863 he was elected prosecuting attorney for Scioto county, Ohio, and was re-elected in 1865. In May, 1864, he enlisted as a member of Company G, One Hundred and Forty-first Ohio Infantry Regiment, and served during the balance of the Civil War. In 1868 he was presidential elector and cast his vote for U. S. Grant. In 1871 he was elevated to the bench of the court of common pleas in the second sub-division of the seventh judicial district of Ohio. He was re-elected in 1876, serving in all ten years, retiring in 1882. He was an able, industrious and very popular judge. After his retirement from the bench he formed a law partnership with Hon. John K. Richards, and subsequently was associated with John C. Milner and also J. C. Searl, continuing till 1891. He moved to Washington C. H. in 1886 and there spent the remainder of his days, practicing law. During that time, for three years he was a law partner of T. W. Marchant, but in 1892 his son was admitted to a firm known as Harper & Harper. The Judge was a strenuous worker, a great student, a clear thinker and a profound lawyer. He had no other business, his whole time being directed to his chosen profession. He thoroughly prepared his papers and was never taken by surprise by opposing lawyers, for he knew both sides of his cases FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO - 171 He also had a high sense of professional honor and was a man of much integrity. He always honored his profession as a lawyer of dignity and character. As a citizen, he was a model American and a true gentleman. His funeral was largely attended by members of the southern Ohio bar, and also by his comrades, members of the Grand Army of the Republic. Hon. Mills Gardner read a befitting memorial at his funeral, and to this we are indebted for much in this sketch of his life. Rev. D. H. Jones, of the Presbyterian church, and Rev. J. C. Arbuckle, of Grace Methodist Episcopal Church, had charge of the services. CHAPTER XIII. MILITARY HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. War has always been a dreadful thing for any country or any people, yet this has always been the means of settling great national difficulties, and not until after the close of the Civil War in the United States of America did it receive its logical name, when Ohio's honored military chieftain, Gen. W. T. Sherman, said "War is hell." And still the world is at war, for at this very hour (September, 1914) Europe is aflame with the conflict of great contending armies which threaten the destruction of a once great and happy people. Even America looks on with a shudder, fearing that in some manner she may be drawn into this bitter European conflict. Fayette county was organized too late ( 1810) to have had a very important part in the last war this country had with England—that of 1812, She furnished a considerable amount of provision for the American cause, and, in proportion to population, probably had as many enlisted men in the military service as any county in the state to do battle for the flag she had learned to love so well. Before passing from this subject, it should be related as a matter touching locally on Fayette county, that in the month of December, 1813, while the War of 1812 was still going on, Major Samuel Myers, of Fayette county, was employed by the army contractors to superim tend the transportation of about eight hundred hogs from Urbana, Ohio, to Fort Wayne, Indiana. These hogs had been bought in Madison and Fayette counties, the Funk families furnishing the majority of them, hence the swine were raised in Fayette county. John Funk was to accompany, Major Myers with the hogs. In the latter part of December, under guard of twelve soldiers, under Ensign Gilmore, a number of cattle and about forty pack horses and a few assistants, the party set out on their march from Urbana, through the thick forests to Fort Wayne. Although Indians were plenty, they passed on quietly, occasionally stopping to allow the hogs to feed on the nuts and acorns in the heavy timber. The St. Mary's river and Shane's prairie were covered with ice, upon which the men and hogs crossed in part, but not altogether. The day before reaching their destination, being bright and sunshiny, the pack-horses were FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO - 173 allowed to crop the tall bear grass that stuck up above the ice, while Myers and the soldiers, with Funk, of this county, remained, and the hands drove on the hogs. They had not gone .far before they discovered a band of about fifty Indians—painted warriors,—not over a hundred yards distant. The Indians took in the situation and went back for supposed report to the other braves, while the frightened swine drivers hastily retreated to where Major livers was and reported to him. The soldiers wanted to flee for the fort, fifteen miles away, but Myers ordered them to obey him and remain until attacked. They then moved a short distance and cooked supper and put out a heavy guard, having their horses' heads near them. There they remained all night, but not to sleep. At about ten o'clock there arose a fearful snow storm and this Myers believed would deter the Indian band from making an attack, which proved to be the case. In the morning the Major rode swiftly to the fort and secured a heavy guard to aid in getting the hogs and other supplies into safe quarters. Thus ended what might have been a disastrous trip for men and stock. MEXICAN WAR IN 1846. The War with Mexico was fought between 1846 and 1848, and it did not require a very large army of men to quell the disturbance, hence no one state had to furnish a large number of soldiers. Ohio sent forth her full quota and did so willingly. Some of her brave sons lost their lives and are now resting beneath Mexican skies. Fayette county furnished a few men in that war, but not many. This county has taken part in two great wars since the War with Mexico —the Civil War of 1861-65 and the lesser conflict of the Spanish-American War in 1898, but before going into the details of the support the county gave o these wars, it may be of interest to the present reader, as well as to those f the future who shall look upon these pages, to note something concerning e preparations made in this county for war when it might come, by the .lining and drilling of her able-bodied male citizens. MILITIA MUSTER DAYS. In early times, throughout this country, there was no national guard system, but nevertheless all males between the ages of sixteen and fifty years were subject to military training and had to drill at "general training days." The law in Ohio establishing a militia of this type was dated at Marietta July 174 - FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 25, 1788, and was approved by Governor St. Clair. It provided that all within the above named ages (if able bodied) should perform military duty, be armed with a musket and bayonet, cartridge box and pouch, or powder-horn and bullet-pouch, one pound of powder and four of lead, priming wire, brush and flint, six in number. They were supposed to meet at ten o'clock on the first day of each week, armed and equipped, adjacent to the place of public worship, and at all other times and places as the commander-in-chief should direct. For failing to appear on the first day of the week, they were fined twenty-five cents, and for failure on the days designated by the commander, fifty cents; for refusing to do guard duty, one dollar, and for refusing to serve in case of an invasion, they were considered guilty of desertion and court martialed. By the amended law of 1791, all commandants of companies were to drill their men two hours on the last day of the week, and inspect their arms, ammunition. etc. All who attended the drill on Saturday were excused from church or drill on Sunday. Also if they attended church armed and equipped, they were not required to drill on Saturday. This law was in force until the close of 1799, when the whole was revised by the Territorial Legislature, which fixed the ages at eighteen and forty-five; men were to he armed and equipped in six months, officers to have a sword or hanger, with spontoon or spike arms, except for execution. Companies had to muster once in two months, except December, January, February and March. This law was amended or superseded by statutory provisions when the state was organized in 1803, so that Quakers, Mennonites and Tunkers were exempt from military duty on payment of three dollars each year. In 1809 all previous laws concerning the militia were repealed. Only two company musters a year were required—April and September. They were commissioned to meet in August each year for two days' exercise according to Steuben's tactics. Many were the changes down to 1844, when it was decided that public drill of militia was a failure and did not promote patriotism or good morals, and should not be required further. On the prairie north of Oldtown, and also at Washington C. H., were favorite places for drilling in Fayette county. This event was looked forward to with delight by both old and young. While "stand at ease" was the order of the commander, the sergeants passed along the lines with a pail fullof whisky, tin cup in hand, to which every one helped himself. "At officer muster," says one writer who had many times witnessed the scene, "the men swelled out with war-like pride and set the teeth and stretched the nostrils wide,' and 'gave the eye a terrible aspect' and as sable—save the blue coats