Counties.	Number Acres.	Value.	Value of Town Property	Total in each County
Franklin Licking Muskingum Fairfield	337,410 418,360 404,293 320,256	$1,839,174 00 1,746,542 00 1,279,003 00 1,389,327 00	$1,255,969 00 459,520 00 799,040 00 487,727 00	$3,065,141 00 2,106,062 00 2,078,043 00 1,877,054 00

While partisan resentment and expectation of profit from the seat of government seem to have had much to do with the repeal of the act providing for the erection of a new statehouse, the repeal was doubtless due in a much larger degree to the monetary stress then prevailing. The problem of providing the means necessary for continuance of the work was a serious one to a state treasury already fearfully embarrassed. In another chapter the financial depression which prevailed during the last of the thirties and first of the forties has been described, and the tact and resolution by which the State was saved from the disgrace of repudiation have been referred to. The condition of the state and general finances in 1841 is thus portrayed in a private letter written by Colonel Noah H. Swayne to a correspondent in the East: I am greatly alarmed by what you say in regard to the prospect of raising means to pay our interest. Stocks dull at 75! The London Agents forbidden to make advances! The banks pressing for the payment of their temporary loans! Money tight beyond example, panic and paralysis universally prevalent, everything covered with gloom and despondency, and tending downward to the lowest point. It is a crisis calculated to quail the stoutest heart. That the construction of the new capitol should have been suspended at such a time is easy enough to account for aside from the complications of contemporary partisanship. That the repealing act went farther than merely to suspend the work is true, yet evidences are not wanting that a strong disposition to renew the work as soon as circumstances would permit still lingered in the General Assembly. On February 20, 1841, Mr. Probasco reported from the standing committee of the House on Public Buildings a bill to provide for the erection of a new statehouse. After rejecting a proposed substitute appropriating $1,500 to put a new roof on FIRST YEARS AS A CITY - 13 the old statehouse, the House passed this bill, March 10, by a vote of 34 to 25. On March 15 the Senate postponed it indefinitely by a vote of 20 to 15. Of the efforts to remove the seat of government from Columbus we hear nothing more until the legislative session of 1842-3, when the matter was brought up again by reference of a memorial praying for the removal to the Senate standing committee on Public Institutions. The memorial thus referred was that of a meeting of citizens of Licking County held at Newark, and was presented to the Senate by Mr. Parker, December 20, 1842. It was accompanied by proposals to erect public buildings without expense to the State provided Newark should be selected as the seat of government. The members of the committee to which the memorial was referred were Senators Nelson Franklin, of Pickaway and Fairfield; Samuel Lahm, of Stark; and James Parker, of Licking. A majority and a minority report were made from the committee, the former by Messrs. Franklin and Lahm, the latter by Mr. Parker. The majority report reviews the legislative proceedings germane to the location of the capital in 1812, and bases its argument almost exclusively upon such facts as support the theory that the location was intended to be permanent. "In the face of all this," concludes the report, Could the legislature make a removal without a manifest violation of the faith of the State, and a direct outrage upon the rights of the citizens of Columbus? A majority of the committee think not ; and believing, as they do, that the honor of the State is of more importance than the paltry sum in dollars and cents which it is believed by some could he saved by a removal, they here express their decided disapprobation of any legislation designed to accomplish that object. The minority report, like that presented in the House by Mr. Flood, of Licking, in 1840, lays great stress upon the limitation of time inserted into the locating act of 1812, but neither Mr. Parker's report nor that of the majority refers to the voluntary acceptance of that limitation by the original proprietors. In the course of his argument, Mr. Parker puts forth this appeal The time is not distant when the present dilapidated and inconvenient Statehouse must be replaced by one more commensurate with the wants of the legislature, and consistent with the rank and importance of the State. Indeed, so obvious was this a few years since, that the legislature commenced preparations for building a new capitol on a scale of princely magnificence which was only prevented from adding one or two millions to the burden of the State debt which now oppresses us, by the offer, on the part of some other town, to erect the public buildings at their own expense on condition of becoming the seat of government, and the increasing wants of an exhausted public treasury. The minority of your committee doubt whether at any time the erection of a palace, at the expense of millions to the people, is consistent with the genius of that people or the simplicity of our institutions. But he submits, that at a time like the present, with a people already borne down by taxation and debt, as our people must necessarily be for years to come, they will not be inclined to submit to an addition of a million er a million and a half to their already oppressive burdens, to beautify and adorn the city of Columbus, particularly when other places as conveniently situated for the interests of the State are willing and have offered to erect all the buildings necessary for the proper accommodation of the different departments of the government, free of expense to the State. The report concludes by recommending passage of the resolutions quoted in a preceding part of this chapter which were presented and recommended by the 14 - HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS. Joint Select Committee of 1840. On March 6, 1843, these resolutions were adopted by the Senate, yeas 18, nays 16.6 On March 7 they were taken up in the House and rejected, yeas 29, nays 36.̊ This decisively adverse vote of the House of Representatives gave to the capital removal project its final quietus. From that hour to this no such scheme has again been seriously broached. NOTES. 1. Jewett Letters. 2. History of Franklin County. 3. The Postoffice was at that time located in one of the Buckeye Exchange buildings, on West Broad Street, where it had been since its original establishment, and where it remained until it was removed to East State Street. 4. Ohio State Journal, February 2, 1836. 5. In the House the vote stood: Yeas.—Messrs. Bartley, Baskin, Blair, Downes, Dunn, Filson, Fisher, Flood, Henderson, Hite, Hubbard, Jenkins, Johnson of Jackson, King, Leedom, Lepper, McAnnelly, Mitchell, Moore of Hamilton, Morris, Purviance, Ravenscraft, Rea, Reed, Riblet, Rogers, Shideler, Shreve, Smith of Montgomery, Spalding, Warner, Way, Welch of Seneca, West, Whittlesey, Wilson of Perry, and Speaker-37. Nays.—Messrs. Ackley, Adams, Bliss, Carpenter, Casad, Comstock, Corwin, Davis, Dunham, Everhard, Ford, Harrison, Hoagland, Howe, Lake, Miller, Moore of Guernsey, Morse, Patterson, Pollock, Powers, Scott, Sellers, Smith of Stark, Waddle and Worth-26. Senate : Yeas.— Messrs. Allen, Bissell, Brady, Craighill, Aran, Holmes, Hough, Humphreys, Hunt, Ihrig, Mathews, Mitchell, Patterson, Shideler, Spangler, Stadden, Thompson and Utter—? 8. Nays.—Birch, Glover, Green, Harlan, Henderson, Hostetter, Lord, Nash, Perkins, Shannon, Smith, Thomas, Tod, Tracy, Vance and Speaker-16. 6. Senate, March 6, 1843. Vote on resolutions reported from the Standing Committee on Public Institutions: Yeas.—Messrs. Aten, Clark, Harris, Hazeltine, Johnston, Jones, Koch, Leuden, Miller, Mitchell, McAnelly, McConnell, McCutchen, Parker, Ritchey, Robbins, Wolcott and Speaker —18. Nays—Messrs. Barnett, Denny, Ford, Franklin, Fuller, Henderson, Jackson, Lahm, Latham, Newton, Nash, Ridgway, Stanton, Updegraff, Vanvorhes and Wade-16. 17. House March 7, 1843: Yeas.—Messrs. Baird, Brush, Brown, Dyington, Cahill, Clark, Douglass, Green, Gruver, Henderson, Humphreys, James, Kilgore, King, Larwell, Martin of Columbiana, Martin of Stark, Meredith, McConnell, McNulty, Okey, Pilcher, Rees, Reid, Spindler, Steedman, Warner, White and Wilferd-29. Nays.—Messrs. Ackley, Atherton, Baldwin, Bowen, Campbell, Chambers, Chenowith, Converse, Curry, Counts, Dike, Fisher, Fudge, Fuller, Gallagher, Hauseman, Johnson, Kelley of Cuyahoga, Kelley of Perry, Larsh, McClure, McFarland, Olds, Pardee, Probasco, Robinson, Ross, Seward, Schenck, Sharp, Smith, Tuttle, Wakefield, Webb, Woodbridge and Speaker-36, CHAPTER II. SECOND WAR EPISODE. Passing the events of the earlier forties which have been or will be treated in other chapters, we arrive at an epoch which for convenience may be termed the second war episode in the history of Columbus. On February 28, 1845, the Texas Annexation Resolutions were passed by Congress, and on March 1 they were signed by President Tyler. Three (lays later James K. Poll, was inaugurated as Mr. Tyler's successor, in the National Presidency. Texas was at this time an independent republic, claiming territory as far west as the Rio Grande. Mexico, also a republic, claimed as far east as the river Nueces. On June 18, 1845, the Texan Congress gave its unanimous assent to the terms of annexation proposed by the United States and summoned a convention to assemble July 4 to frame a constitution for the new State of Texas. By direction of the War Department, General Zachary Taylor, then commanding in the Southwest, sailed in July from New Orleans with fifteen hundred troops, and with this force landed early in August at Corpus Christi and took his position on the line of the Nueces. Here he was reinforced with twentyfive hundred men and remained unmolested during the ensuing autumn and winter. On March 8, 1846, he advanced by positive orders of the President into the disputed territory, crossed an arid, unpeopled region to the Rio Grande, and erected Fort Brown on the left bank of that river, opposite Matamoras. The Mexican General Ampudia, commanding on the right bank, addressed a note to Taylor demanding that he should return immediately beyond the Nueces and there remain until the pending question in relation to Texas" should be adjusted. Acquiescence in this demand being refused, General Arista, who had succeeded Ampudia, crossed from Mexico a few days later with a force six thousand strong and attacked Taylor May 8 at Palo Alto, a few miles east of Matamoras. The Mexicans were defeated, renewed the battle next day at Resaca de la Palma, were again defeated and were driven across the Rio Grande. On May 11 President Polk sent a message announcing these events to Congress, which responded two (lays later by the passage of an act calling for 50,000 volunteers and appropriating $10,000,000 for the prosecution of the struggle. The call for troops was enthusiastically responded to in the South, but not so ardently in the North, where the war was regarded with deep disfavor as an aggression for the aggrandizement of slavery. Besides, in Ohio, as generally in the [15] 16 - HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS. James Spurgeon, private. Daniel Shetler, private. Lemuel Northern States, military ardor had become almost extinct. Militia service was considered a nuisance, and its musters and parades were subjects of ridicule. An attempt to assemble the militia officers of the State in a general encampment at Columbus in 1842 encountered such hopeless indifference that, after much effort, it was abandoned. The finest company of citizen soldiers which had ever been organized at the capital prior to the outbreak of the Mexican War was that known as the Columbus Guards, which had been disbanded some four years earlier. The Cadets, another fine company, had also been disbanded. Almost the sole remaining military interest in the city was confined to its German born citizens, by whom two excellent artillery companies had been organized and kept in training. But notwithstanding the laxity of militia organization and the popular dislike of conquest for the extension of slaveholding, Ohio sent more troops to the field than any other northern state. Her enlistments for the volunteer service numbered 5,536, from which were organized four regiments and three independent companies. Besides these the State furnished 2,321 recruits, during the war, for the regular army. The first call to meet the militia requisitions of the President was Issued by Governor Mordecai Bartley May 20, 1846, as follows It has been declared by the Congress of the United States, and announced by the President, that war exists between the United States and the Republic of Mexico. Every day's mail brings intelligence that hostilities have commenced and are now in progress on our southwestern frontier. The blood of our countrymen has been shed, and hostile demonstrations are making by Mexico to prosecute the war. Patriotism and fidelity to our country call upon us to fly to the rescue. A requisition has been received from the President of the United States at this Department calling on Ohio for three regiments of infantry or riflemen to repair as speedily as possible to the theatre of war. Under these circumstances I now appeal to the gallant and spirited sons of Ohio to come forward in this emergency and promptly meet the expectations of the General Government. Let it not be said that when our country appeals to the courage and patriotism of the citizen soldiers of Ohio for aid that that aid was not properly rendered. Whatever may be the diversity of views, it is now sufficient for us to know that war exists on our borders, and that it is our duty to exert every effort to secure a speedy and honorable termination. This event in the history of Ohio will afford her sons an opportunity of devoting themselves to the cause of their country ; they are therefore confidently relied on to give a hearty and cheerful response to this call. General Order Number One, issued May 20, 1846, by Samuel R. Curtis, Adjutant-General of Ohio, contains the following passages : The number of volunteers should be carefully enrolled and the number forthwith reported by the brigade inspectors to this office. From these volunteers the requisite number will be detailed, and they will therefore be directed to hold themselves ready to march at a moment's warning.... A principal rendezvous will be selected at or near Cincinnati, and temporary depots will be established at Zanesville and Columbus for the purpose of organization and mustering in the service of the United States. The act of Congress providing for enlistment of the volunteers required there to serve for a period of not less than six months, at the discretion of the President; and to furnish their own clothes, " and if cavalry, their own horses and horse equipments." They were armed at public expense. While in actual service, they were placed on the same footing as to clothing and pay as the troops of similar corps in SECOND WAR EPISODE - 17 the regular army, and were entitled to receive in money a sum equal to the cost of the clothing of the soldiers in regular service. A general order issued by the Adjutant-General of Ohio May 25, 1846, stated that companies would be permitted to continue the use of whatever styles of uniform they had adopted, but prescribed a style for general use, and concluded with the following suggestions The cost of the articles must vary, and it is therefore impossible to determine at the present what allowance will be made for this clothing. A cheap, strong article of cloth for dress coats and jackets is best for the service, and for overcoats a coarse article of gray cloth would be best adapted to the occasion. Several of the articles, and especially a great coat, are not immediately required. The volunteers will consult their own convenience by dispensing with every unnecessary burthen. Recruiting began in Columbus immediately after the issue of the Governor's call. The Washington German Artillery declared its readiness for service, and the two old independent companies known as Guards and Cadets were reorganized, the first under the name of Montgomery Guards, Captain George E. Walcutt. Captain William A. Latham commanded the Cadets. Directly an entirely new company known as the Columbus Grays was announced. Its commissioned officers were Captain J. W. Mulligan, First Lieutenant J. G. Dryer, Second Lieutenant A. P. Stone. Recruiting was greatly stimulated by General Taylor's preliminary victories, of which announcement was made in the State Journal of May 26, as follows : The intelligence received last evening by the western mail of a conflict between General Taylor's forces and those of the Mexican General was issued from this office in an extra a little after ten o'clock. From 10:30 until between twelve and one o'clock our press was in motion issuing extras. We circulated near a thousand copies, and still hundreds left with out obtaining a copy. Our citizens who had generally retired were aroused from their slumbers by the ringing of bells, the firing of cannon, and shouts and singing prolonged far into the morning. Bonfires were kindled at various points, and all felt proud of our gallant little army which has borne itself so gallantly and threatens to end the war before aid is received. On May 27, a general rendezvous for the Ohio volunteers was established near Cincinnati, and called Camp Washington. General John L. Wool, of the regular army, was appointed to muster and organize the troops at that point. The two Columbus companies, Guards and Cadets, were nearly full by May 30, and the third company, Grays, was organized and ready if needed. The German Artillery had been ready since the issue of the call, and many of the men were willing to serve as infantry if not accepted for their favorite arm. In all the considerable towns of the State volunteers were making hasty preparations for marching orders, Aside from patriotic considerations the opportunity for making a voyage down the Mississippi, for visiting the Sunny South, and above all for marching to the “Halls of the Montezumas " under such a leader as 'Taylor, had a fascination for the adventurous which it was not easy to resist. The triumphant beginning of the war was auspicious of a speedy end. No Bull Run defeat obscured the prospect. The worst dangers to be feared by the northern recruit were those arising from changes of climate and mode of life. Disease was likely to slay more than the sword, and did, in fact, claim the largest share of the victims of the war. 2 * 18 - HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS. On June 8, announcement was made from the State Adjutant-General's office that more volunteer companies had been organized than would be necessary to fill the requisition of the War Department. Over a thousand men were at that time under drill at Camp Washington, and several companies had arrived at Columbus where they awaited orders to move on by canal or stage to Cincinnati. Arms and accouterments, it was stated, would be furnished to the Ohio troops from the Baton Rouge arsenal. Forty cartridges and two flints were to be supplied with each musket. On June 9, the following companies were ena route or under orders to march to Camp Washington : The Columbus companies, under Captains Walcutt and Latham; Captain George W. Morgan's Company, of' Mount Vernon ; a Zanesville company ; Captain Meredith's, of Coshocton ; Captain Stadden's, of Newark ; Captain Irvin's, of Lancaster; a Wooster company; Captain Allen's, of Massillon ; Captain Brunner's, of Circleville ; Captain Reynolds's, of Chillicothe ; Captain Patterson's, of St. Clairville ; Captain McLean's, of Athens; a Highland County company, and four Northern Ohio companies under Captain McLaughlin. In orders from the Adjutant-General's office it was stated that no other companies than those whose geographical position was east of a north-and-south line though Columbus would be accepted, excepting those already at Cincinnati. As to the companies west of the line mentioned, the Governor hoped that they would preserve their organization and discipline and await orders. Notwithstanding these orders, a Seneca County company marched into Columbus on the evening of June 10, with drums beating and flag flying. This company came entirely unheralded and was followed by a long train of wagons. As all the troops necessary to fill the requisition had already been accepted, the Governor and his staff were dismayed by this unexpected arrival, but finally arranged for the subsistence of the men until the disposition to be made of them could be considered. At this time a plan was seriously entertained for transferring the surplus Ohio volunteers to the states which had not yet filled their requisitions. For a time the organization of a regiment at Columbus was intended, but delay in the arrival of some of the companies expected to take part in the organization induced the Governor to order those already at the capital to proceed at once to Cincinnati. Accordingly the Columbus companies left by canal, June 9, for Camp Washington. The State authorities had found much difficulty in providing food and camp equipage for the troops sojourning at the capital, and were doubtless much relieved when these companies were transferred to the general rendezvous. On June 15 Governor Bartley and staff arrived at Camp Washington, where twentyeight hundred volunteers were then assembled. Two Portsmouth companies were denied admittance to the camp for the reason that it was already full, and a Cincinnati company, the Jefferson Grays, was also turned away. Three German companies were declined on the ground that they could not 11 speak and understand the English language." The discharged companies were furnished transportation home, and advised to preserve their organization, but accepted both the favor and the advice with very ill grace. SECOND WAR EPISODE -19 On June 22 three regiments were organized at Camp Washington, the field officers being chosen by the men, as follows: First Regiment. — Colonel, A. M. Mitchell, Cincinnati; Lieutenant-Colonel, John B. Weller, Butler County; Major, Thomas L. Hamer, Brown County. Second Regiment. -- Colonel, George W. Morgan, .Knox; Lieutenant-Colonel, William Irvin, Lancaster; Major, William Wall, Athens; Surgeon, William Trevitt, M. D., Columbus. Third Regiment. —Colonel, S. R. Curtis, Wooster; Lieutenant-Colonel, McCook, Steubenville; Major, J. S. Love, Morgan County. Of the colonels, Mitchell and Curtis were graduates of the West Point Academy; Colonel Morgan had also attended that institution for a time. Each regiment contained ten companies with a requisite muster roll of not less than sixty-four nor more than eighty privates each. The Columbus companies under Captains Walcutt and Latham were assigned to the Second Regiment. The First Regiment quitted Cincinnati for the seat of war July 2; the Second, about a week later Both regiments were transported to New Orleans "on steamboats provided for the occasion, on contract." During the ensuing November the Second was encamped at Camargo, Mexico. While the regiment was crossing the Rio Grande, Lieutenant John Arnold fell overboard from the steamer and was drowned. On December 4, 1846, Captain W. F. Sanderson, of Columbus, arrived at New Orleans by steamer Amaranth with Company B, United States Mounted Riflemen. This company had been largely recruited at the capital of Ohio, and was originally intended for service in Oregon. Its leader, Captain Sanderson, had been the commander of the Columbus Guards during most of the career of that noted company, and in 1841 had been appointed a brigadier-general in the Ohio Militia. Ile was an accomplished and very popular officer, with a natural taste for military life. During the winter of 1846-7 First-Lieutenant F. S. Munford, of the First United States Infantry, established a recruiting rendezvous at Columbus, under orders from the War Department. His advertisement contained these seductive phrases : A bounty of twelve dollars will be given, half down and half on joining the regiment to which the recruit may be attached ; also 100 acres of land given when be may be discharged. Board, clothing and medical attendance supplied by the United States. Pay from seven to seventeen dollars per month. Some items of personal mention which assist in fixing the historical sequence of events incident to the war may here be pertinent. On May 14, 1.846, Hon. Allen G. Thurman, then a member of Congress from Ohio, addressed the House of Representatives in support of the Mexican War appropriation bill. Mr. Thurman's speech was in the nature of a reply to attacks upon the general war policy made by Messrs. Giddings, Tilden [D. R.] and Delano. Hon. Thomas Corwin's famous speech condemning the war was delivered in the National Senate, February 11, 1847. A correspondent of the St. Louis Republican, writing on February 28, 1847, concerning the battle of Buena Vista thus referred to Lieutenant Irvin McDowell, 20 - HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS. of Columbus: "Lieutenant McDowell, aid of General Wool, deserves public notice for his untiring activity and unflinching courage in the most exposed points of the field, all day." The young officer thus spoken of afterwards became a leader of armies in the Civil War of 1861. Captain George E. Walcott, who had resigned on account of infirmity of health, returned to Columbus in the summer of 1846. On December 31 of that year the death of General Thomas L. Harper was announced in the Ohio Statesman. He had gone to the field as Major of the First Regiment, and on July 1, 1.846, had been commissioned as a brigadier-general. He was a popular and prominent member of Congress, and, as General Grant has since testified, a very able man. His death, which took place before Monterey after a brief illness, was deeply and universally regretted. On April 9, 1847, the War Department made requisition upon Ohio for ten additional infantry companies and one company of mounted riflemen. This started recruiting again, and during the ensuing five or six weeks two new companies were organized in Columbus. One of these, commanded by Captain Mitchell C. Lilley, was locally known as the Franklin Guards ; the other was a German company under Captain Otto Zirckel. Rosters of those companies, copied from original muster rolls, mostly much dilapidated, now in the Adjutant-General's office, are appended hereto. The departure of Captain Zirckel's command is thus referred to in the Ohio State Journal of May 27, 1847: For several days past troops have been passing from this place to Camp Washington as fast as they could be pressed into the public conveyances. On Tuesday afternoon the German company took its departure from this place. The leave taking extended nearly through the whole twenty four hours preceding their departure. This time was devoted by them to business arrangements, parting salutations, dancing and amusements. The parting scene extended from the rendezvous in the southern part of the city to half a mile west of Franklinton, and lasted from some time in the afternoon until twilight, when the volunteers took their seats in a number of coaches and moved off amid shouts and cheers. Scores of wives, sisters and sweethearts accompanied them to that extent on their way to Mexico. They were escorted out of town by Captain Lilley's Company, the Franklin Guards, who will follow them in a few days. The Licking Rangers, one hundred and twenty strong, Captain John It. Duncan, passed through Columbus about this time on their way to the seat of war. They were 11 escorted out of the city " by the Franklin Guards, Captain Lilley. As a parting testimonial Captain Lilley's friends made arrangements to present him with a fine sword, but he preferred to have them wait and see, when he returned, whether he deserved one. The Ohio Statesman of June 2, 1847, thus refers to the departure of his command This fine company of volunteers [Franklin Guards] under Captain M. C. Lilley, left this city for Cincinnati on last Monday evening [May 31] at six o'clock r. Al. They formed in front of General Gale's Hotel, and proceeded to the American Hotel, according to arrangements, where Second Lieutenant Robert Thompson was presented with a beautiful sword by T. J. Mathews on behalf of the young men and associates of Lieutenant Thompson. .. . After the presentation, Lieutenant Groom returned thanks to the citizens for the kindness SECOND WAR EPISODE - 21 shown them during the time of their recruiting, which was responded to with loud cheers. They then marched down to the bridge where they mounted the coaches prepared for them by the Ohio Stage Company, and were off amid the cheers of the people and the roar of artillery.. . . They were in full uniform of blue coats trimmed with buff and blue pants manufactured by William Burdell of this city, and looked remarkably neat and comfortable. They also had a grey fatigue suit, which is all right. Our gallant soldiers should be clothed, and so far as our companies are concerned this has been done. By this time many of the volunteers who had enlisted under the first call had completed a year's service, and were on their way to their homes. The Columbus companies of the Second Regiment were expected to arrive early in July, and arrangements were made to give theni a reception. General B. Gale was appointed Marshal of the Day, and Samuel Medary was requested to deliver an address. The day appointed for the reception was July 5, by which date a considerable number of the volunteers had arrived, in squads, by the western stages. A procession was formed, which moved down High Street to General Gale's Hotel, where open order was formed and the returning soldiers were saluted as they passed between the ranks. They were then welcomed by Mr. Medary. The organization of a new regiment to be known as the Fifth Ohio, to serve for the war, was undertaken a few days later by Colonel. William Irvin, of Lancaster, and an office for recruiting and reorganizing the Cadets for that regiment was opened at Columbus by Captain William H. Latham. Referring to this fact the State Journal of July 10 said : 11 Those who hunger and thirst for glory have now an opportunity to try their hand." Recruits were obtained rapidly and the new regiment was organized with William Irvin as Colonel, William H. Latham as Lieutenant-Colonel, and Captain Link, of Circleville, as Major. Lieutenant James Maryland was elected Captain of the Columbus Cadets vice Latham, promoted. On July 17, 1847, a report reached the city that General Scott had occupied the City of Mexico. This proved to be a canard. The actual conquest of the Mexican capital took place September 14, on which date the arrival of Scott's army before the city was first authentically announced in Columbus by telegraph. Particulars of the battles of Churubusco and Contreras were telegraphed on the same (late from Pittsburgh. An armistice followed Scott's victories, and on February 2, 1848, a final treaty of peace was concluded. In November, 1847, a public meeting was held for the purpose of starting a subscription for the purchase of a sword to be presented to Colonel George W. Morgan, of the Second Regiment. Byram Leonard was chairman of the meeting and D. A. Robertson secretary. The committeemen to solicit subscriptions were Samuel Medary, William Kelsey, Isaac Davis, E. Gale and Jacob Reinhard. Returning from Mexico, Colonel Morgan arrived in Columbus December 7, 1847, and on the tenth of that month was given a complimentary dinner at the American House. The invitation to Colonel Morgan bore the signatures of forty prominent citizens and members of the General Assembly. R. P. Spalding and J F. Williams were appointed to escort the guest of the evening to the table. Numerous toasts were proposed and responded to. The sword ordered for Colonel Morgan arrived and was displayed at the jewelry store of Mr. Savage, in February. 22 - HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS. It was described as “richly and brilliantly laid with gold," and was said to have cost five hundred dollars. The final return of the Ohio Volunteers from Mexico took place during the mid-summer of 1848. Coming up the Mississippi and Ohio rivers by steamers, they were welcomed at Cincinnati by the ringing, of bells, firing of cannon and other demonstrations of greeting. They were also formally escorted through the streets when that ceremony was practicable, but unfortunately it was in some instances not practicable. Speaking of the arrival of four companies of the Second Regiment in July, 1848, the Cincinnati Gazette said The firemen again turned out nobly, with their engines, &c., tastefully decorated, . . but there was no parade, no procession ; the wretched condition of the soldiers —many of them being destitute of shoes and [having] scarcely clothing enough to cover their nakedness [made them] refuse to leave the boat and march through the streets. In a later issue the Gazette stated that many of the returning soldiers when they arrived at the Cincinnati landing were destitute of hats, coats, shirts, shoes and even pantaloons, and that they had been fed during their voyage on 11 wormy bread and tainted meat." As their pay was reserved for final discharge, they were totally destitute of money. Most of the men belonging to the Columbus companies returned to the city, in detachments, during the month of July. On the twenty-seventh of that month a formal reception was given to them under the auspices of the Democratic Central Hickory Club. The returned volunteers, numbering about two hundred in all, were organized for the occasion into three companies, all under Lieutenant-Colonel William H. Latham, of the Fifth Regiment. They were bronzed and hirsute, sometimes wore articles of dress peculiar to the climate or customs of Mexico, and bore many curious mementoes of their campaigns. The President of the Day was Jacob Hare, and the orator Samuel Medary. Colonel Latham was assisted in the command by Captains M. C. Lilley and George E. Walcutt, and by his Lieutenants Hermann Jaeger, R. H. Thompson and Francis Royer. A procession comprising the volunteers, the escorting body and citizens was formed in front of General Gale's Union Hotel and moved by State, Third and Broad Street to High, from whence it proceeded down High Street to Jaeger's Orchard in the southern part of the city. The march is thus described by the Ohio Statesman: As the procession passed the Statehouse they [the volunteers] were met by a band of some sixty or seventy [actually fiftyfour] young girls dressed in white, supporting a vast wreath of oak and evergreen with which they encircled the volunteers, and thus marched with them to the place of reception. The large gateway of the orchard was formed into a triumphal arch; rare flowers were mingled with the evergreen and the oak, the whole surmounted and decorated with flags. On the left of the arch, and forming a part of it, was the American shield, on the right the American Eagle, and in the centre the words: Ehret die Braven--"Honor the brave." This arch was the work of our German friends. . . . The procession of young ladies which surrounded the volunteers and led them captive was the work of the German fair, and as the vast procession passed down High Street the beauty and appropriateness of the compliment made them the observed of all observers. As the procession reached the orchard, the German volunteers were received by two young ladies in the language of their "Faderland." SECOND WAR EPISODE - 23 The two little maidens here spoken of were Misses Silbernagel and Wendell. They were dressed in white, and welcomed the German volunteers in a poetical address in the German language, repeating the verses alternately. A bevy of young ladies strewed flowers in the path of the volunteers as they moved into the grove. Samuel Medary delivered an address of general welcome, to which Colonel W. A. Latham responded. In the evening the costly sword which had been purchased by citizens and friends for Colonel George W. Morgan was presented to him at the Democratic Hall, where a banquet was held. The presentation address was delivered by D. A. Robertson. Thus ended the second war episode of which the history has been blended with that of the capital of Ohio. NOTES. 1. Of these, eighteen were killed and thirtynine wounded. CAPTAIN WILLIAM A. LATHAM'S COMPANY COLUMBUS CADETS), SECOND REGIMENT OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. Mustered in July 1, 1846; mustered out July 1, 1847. 1

William A. Latham, captain. James Markland, first lieutenant. John Arnold, second lieutenant. John A. Harvey, first sergeant. W. H. Sanford, second sergeant. William Cloud, third sergeant. Victor Trevitt, fourth sergeant. Charles Johnson, first corporal. Lewis Hadley, second corporal. H. W. Johnes, third corporal. John Righter, fourth corporal. George Atwater, private. George Altin, private. James Bennet, private. Robert Benns, private. Moses Bedell, private. Joseph Bidwell, private. I. R. Brake, private Jacob Brown, private. A. Clarke, private. F. Coffman, private. Thomas Davies, private. Louis Evans, private. Elias Fink, private. J. S. Foley, private. William Forrester, private. William Greenly, private.	John Leonard, private. B. F. Lincoln, private. Robert Lucas, private. Augustus Marcy, private. John W. Marcy, private. Abed Moore, private. Franklin Moyer, private. Samuel Mutchler, private. T. Nadenbousch, private. Samuel Pierce, private. Samuel Reaver, private. Joseph Righter, private. Samuel Sabines, private. D. K. Seltz, private. Frederick Schilling, private. John Scott, private. Samuel J. Scott, private. Ralph J. Scott, private. Scribner, private. M. Simcox, private. R. J. Shannon, private. James Sheperd, private. Seth Shoemaker, private. James Thomas, private. Samuel Taylor, private. Daniel Townsend, private. Henry Tuttle, private.
24 - HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS,
William Greenwood, private. S. Handsucker, private. Samuel Hartsoc, private. W. Harbaugh, private, Nicholas Harrington, private. John Knoderer, private. Christian Karst, private. George Krome, private.	John Weaver, private. S. S. Weaver, private. Harvey Wheeler, private. Thomas Whiteford, private. Joel Williams, private. John H. Williams, private. Charles Yerk, private. Stephen Young, private.
'This company was originally mustered in by General Stockton, at Columbus, all its officers and men being from that city. Seventeen men whose names are not above given deserted from the company. The above list has been copied from a muster roll in the office of the Adjutant-General of Ohio. CAPTAIN J. T. MICKUM'S COMPANY (MONTGOMERY GUARDS), SECOND REGIMENT OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. Mustered in July 1, 1846; mustered out July 1, 1847. 1
J. T. Mickum, captain. W. I. Medary, first lieutenant. J. Neereamer, second lieutenant. E. R. Hile, first sergeant. J. W. Cowan, second sergeant. H. G. Hood, third sergeant. M. A. Boling, fourth sergeant. John Heston, first corporal. W. Parkerson, second corporal. John W. Ford, third corporal. Jacob Oyler, fourth corporal. J. B. Ingalls, musician. Alexander Butler, musician. Daniel Acre, private. R. O. Allison, private. William Borgstrep, private. Orange Barnhart, private. Henry Baughman, private. Harry Bowman, private. A. H. Barnes, private. J. R. Bowman, private. James A. Boggs, private. Adam Bidwell, private. John W. Copeland, private. Peter G. Catlin, private. Thomas Cook, private. Samuel Cain, private. Joseph Cower, private. John Donalson, private. Daniel Deatz, private. John Edgar, private. C. Fenstoneak, private.	C. Harbaugh, private. G. S. Hoover, private. Jacob Houtz, private. John Hanover, private. I. B. Hedges, private. A. I. Hinman, private. E. A. Hill, private. Harry Johnson, private. A. S. Jones, private. George Kroup, private. John Lash, private. John Moore, private. James McKelvey, private. Jacob Mosier, private. N. K. Miner, private. S. C. Mickum, private. C. Nagfster, private. J. Nagfster, private. J. W. Oyler, private. J. R. Osgood, private. H. Ogden, private. -- Peckham, private. James Pinney, private. J. Parret, private. D. C. Bowhan, private. S. Sparks, private. James Spurgeon, private. Daniel Shetler, private. Lemuel Swesey, private. D. H. Shaw, private. John Settson, private. William Shaw, private,
SECOND WAR EPISODE - 25
B. L. Friar, private. William Fisk, private. John Fay, private. N. Gilkison, private. James Gale, private. Jacob Gale, private. Norton Hessel, private. E. B. Harris, private. Samuel Herrman. private.	George Skidmore, private. John Wilkes, private. John Wetherhall, private. David Wilson, private. Wm. Wetherington, private. John C. Walton, private. Seneca Weathing, private. William Weeth, private
1 This company was originally commanded by Captain George E. Walcutt, who resigned by reason of impaired health. Its officers and men were, with one exception, all from Columbus. Two men whose names are not above given are borne on the roll as deserters. The above list has been copied by permission from a musterroll in the office of the Adjutant-General of Ohio. CAPTAIN OTTO ZIRCKEL'S COMPANY, FOURTH REGIMENT, OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. Mustered in May 27, 1847; mustered out July 18, 1848.

Otto Zirckel Eduard Proessler Frederic Schmidt Hermann Jaeger George Cullman John Kern John Rickenbacher Frederick Pruff G. A. Fuchs Charles Stephany Andrew Reinhard Peter Freudenberger Mathias Ruff Wilmer Simons Henry Snyder Henry Bieber Christian Brueck Jacob Breith John Battefeld Andrew Baumeister John Bergwitz William Dadt Paulus Dussel Frederic Becker John A. Eitel Pearce Freese William Fassig Henry Goebel Jacob F. Glauner Sebastian Gramlich Frederick Harris	Captain First Lieutenant Second Lieutenant Second Lieutenant First Lieutenant First Sergeant Second Sergeant Third Sergeant Fourth Sergeant First Corporal Second Corporal Third Corporal Fourth Corporal Musician Musician Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private	Columbus Columbus Columbus Columbus Columbus Columbus Columbus Lancaster Columbus Columbus Columbus Columbus Lancaster Bloomfield Lancaster Paulding County Columbus Newport. Columbus Columbus Delaware Columbus. Columbus Columbus Columbus Lancaster Columbus Columbus Lancaster Columbus Columbus.
26 - HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS
John Hauffman Jacob Heller Jacob Hittler Christian Kastner George Kohlepp Henry Kruse Gottlieb Link Henry Longhenry Peter Marx Joseph Meyer August Maertens George Nitbard Ulrich Prell John Pranft Adolph Proetger George Schmidt George Schaeffer George Fleinman John Schrott Henry Schreiner George Schatzman John Scheryer Jacob Schoenlaub Valentin Scheuerman Jacob Schmerz George Schott Anton Speck John Tobler Paulus Trott John G. Trapp John Trapp John Voeth L. Weenesdoerfer Henry Witzel Christian Woehrly John Watter John Wider	Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private	Columbus Lancaster Columbus Cincinnati Columbus. Mouth of Rio Grande. Columbus. Columbus Columbus Columbus Lancaster Marion. Columbus Columbus Columbus Columbus Columbus Columbus Columbus Columbus Cincinnati Columbus Marion. Columbus Columbus Chillicothe Columbus Cincinnati Columbus Columbus Columbus Columbus Columbus Columbus Columbus Columbus Columbus.
DIED
Henry Steinmetz Jacob Schenkel Jacob Noto Peter Oestrenger Gustav Hahn George Cullman	Private Private Private Private Private First Lieutenant	Columbus Columbus Columbus Columbus Columbus Columbus.
DISCHARGED
Edward Lilly John M. Hansel Adam Rickenbacher Charles Hantzsche	First Sergeant Private Private Private	Columbus Columbus Columbus Cincinnati.
SECOND WAR EPISODE - 27
Bernhard Steint William Kuehner Napoleon Meyer Anton Voeth	Private Private Private Private	Columbus Columbus Columbus Columbus.
TRANSFERRED.
Benedict Diesterweig Jacob Schneider William Schneider	Private Private First Sergeant	Cincinnati Columbus Columbus
Sixteen privates of this company, part of whose names are illegible on the original roll, deserted. Their names are not embraced in the above list. CAPTAIN M. C. LILLEY'S COMPANY, FRANKLIN GUARDS, FOURTH REGIMENT OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. Mustered in June 2, 1847; mustered out July 18, 1848. Copied from an original muster out roll in the possession of Captain Lilley.
Mitchell C Lilley John C. Gloom Robert H. Thompson Abel Moore John Adams A. B. Parmenter Jacob Taylor John T. Collins David W. Henderson Charles P. Cavis Joseph G. McCormick Oliver N. Durant Charles E. Bynner Francis G. Bowers Andrew J. Baker Abram Bechtel Joshua Brothers J. M. C. Bogan William Burdit Daniel Bill Norman H. Bucklee W. W. Clevinger Andrew Clark Charles Carpenter James Cowdell Peter Deffenbaugh Ira H. Dayton John H. Dugan George W. Everson John W. Fletcher Noah Green	Captain First Lieutenant Second Lieutenant Second Lieutenant First Sergeant Second Sergeant Third Sergeant Fourth Sergeant First Corporal Second Corporal Third Corporal Fourth Corporal Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private	Columbus Columbus Columbus Delaware Columbus Marysville Columbus Marion. Marysville Marysville Columbus Columbus Cincinnati Marion. Cincinnati Columbus Marysville Bellpoint. New Philadelphia. Columbus Columbus Watkins. Delaware Columbus Delaware Columbus Columbus Columbus Columbus Columbus Columbus
28 - HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS.
John Graham George W. Graham James B. Graham William Graham Samuel E. Bodwin Robert Geffs John Hughes Joseph G. Hawkins William Hopkins Alexander Houston Samuel Hill James P. Johnson Edward L. Johnson James Johnson William R. Johnson Abram Mathias William H. Morris Francis Miles Thomas McGraw Lewis Morrison German S. Merrick Farron Olmsted Thomas W. Pease John Price John Parker David Reed Alvan Rose Levi Richeldarfer. Hiram D. Robie Lemuel Rodarnel Frederick Smith Fletcher Shout Jacob Stickley Thomas Simmons Nelson Simmons John L. Smith James B. Tupper Ornon Tubbs Robert Thompson Owen Turney John White James F. Williams	Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private	Columbus Marysville Columbus Columbus Columbus Columbus Columbus Columbus Columbus Cincinnati Cincinnati Marysville Columbus Marysville Columbus Columbus Columbus Columbus Columbus Marysville Delaware Columbus Marysville Marysville Columbus Marysville Delaware Columbus Jefferson Columbus. Marysville. Marysville. Johnstown. Rareysport. Rareysport Columbus Columbus Columbus Columbus Columbus Columbus. Westchester.
DIED
Thomas Coulter Richard George—1st Robert Giles Joseph H. Groom John Harrington James T. Johnson Alexander G. Oliver William R. Simmons Horace Train	Private Private Private Sergeant Private Private Private Private Private	Columbus Columbus Delaware Columbus Newark Columbus Marysville Columbus Mount Vernon.
SECOND WAR EPISODE - 29
DISCHARGED
George W. Clutter Hiram Deptin Alfred Foreman Elisha M. Glick Samuel Groover Richard George-2d John Harrison Daniel Rodarnel Lorenzo Simms Hiram Trout Joseph Thomas Elias Walters	Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private Private	Columbus Delaware Columbus. Marysville. Columbus. Centerville. Marysville Columbus Columbus Delaware Columbus Columbus.

Fourteen privates of this company deserted. Their names are not above given.

CHAPTER III,

THE CALIFORNIA EXODUS.

The Mexican war had no sooner closed than a new and still more alluring opportunity for adventure was presented. On February 9, 1848, while three men were repairing the race at Captain John A. Sutter's sawmill on the American Fork in California, the overseer, James W. Marshall, noticed some shining particles in the sand at the bottom of the race, from which the water had been drawn. The metal thus detected was gold. Marshall suspected as much, and after gathering up a small pouch full of the yellow grains he rode full speed to Fort Sutter, where he called Captain Sutter into a private room, asked him to lock the door, and showed him his treasure. In great excitement Marshall broached his opinion as to what the metal was, and told the story of its discovery. Captain Sutter applied nitric acid to the particles, and by this test proved beyond doubt that they were gold. Such was the beginning of one of the most unique and memorable episodes in American history.

For a time the discovery at the mill was kept secret, but not long. Sutter made his workmen promise not to divulge what they knew but his precautions were thwarted. The garrulity of a bibulous teamster made the whole story known at the nearest trading post, and from thence the news spread like wildfire up and down the Pacific coast. Soon it flew, as it were,upon the wings of the wind across the Rocky Mountains, and filled the whole country with excitement. Directly an unparalleled tide of emigration began to pour into California from all parts of the Union, and from Mexico, Europe and China. Within four months from the time gold was found in Sutter's millrace, five thousand delvers were at work in the ravines, watercourses and caverns of the Sacramento Valley.

Speaking generally as to the effects of the gold excitement, one account says Lawyers, clergymen, physicians, hotelkeepers, merchants, mechanics, traders, farmers left their occupations and hurried with basket and spade to the land that glittered. Homes and houses were closed ; the grass threatened to grow over whole streets; deserted ships swung on their anchors in silent harbors. . . Within a period of five months the population of the territory had run up to one hundred thousand, having just quadrupled during that time. Of these, some fortyfive thousand arrived in the nine thousand wagons that traversed the overland route, and four thousand on muleback, while the remainder came via Panama and round Cape Horn. One third of this multitude was composed of farmers, another of tradesmen and mechanics, and the rest of merchants, professional men, adventurers and gamblers. The vast emigrant armies acted as pioneers on their various routes, hewing down

[30]

THE CALIFORNIA EXODUS - 31

trees, filling up chasms, leveling the grounds and bridging torrents. But the sufferings endured in these colossal caravans were terrible. Many perished on the route; many became insane, or wasted away through lack of food and water. The scourge of cholera also overtook the early emigrants before they were fairly embarked in the wilderness ; the frequent rains of the early spring, added to the hardships and exposure of their travel, prepared the way for its ravages, and the first four hundred miles of the trail were marked by graves to the number of four thousand. Bayard Taylor, in his narrative of what befell these pioneer emigrants, says that not only were they compelled to kill their horses and mules to keep themselves from starvation, but it was not unusual for a mess, by way of variety to the tough mule steaks, to kill a quantity of rattlesnakes with which the mountains abounded, and have a dish of them fried for supper.

The state of society which this sudden, miscellaneous influx produced, was of a most unique and amorphous character. A San Francisco letter of January 23, 1849, thus described it:

Crowds of men are flocking in from all quarters of the country, and among them are many persons of bad character and desperate fortunes. . . . The only tribunals which have attempted any jurisdiction in cases of murder and other atrocious crimes for some months past are those formed for the occasion as it arises; and offenders generally escape, or if they are taken, it is amidst the phrenzy of popular excitement, when the guilty and innocent may be victims together. Several executions have taken place in pursuance of this kind of law ; and it is supposed several others will be announced by the next mail from the south. In the meantime outrages are taking place in all pat is of the country and the public astonishment has scarcely subsided after one murder before another is committed more horrible than the first. Housebreaking, thefts and robberies are almost of hourly occurrence.

But the vast tide of goldseekers was not to be turned back by such reports as these. The prevailing phrenzy was inflamed by multiplied and astounding discoveries until it reached a fever beat. In duo time it reached Columbus. How many persons quitted the city for the gold fields, singly or in small parties, during the years 1848 and 1849 there are no means of ascertaining— probably a good many. The first attempts at organized emigration from the capital of Ohio to the new El Dorado seem to have been made during the month of January, 1849. On the twentyninth of that month a meeting was held at which thirty men signed a pledge to be ready to start together for the West at the opening of spring.1 At a meeting held January 31, twentyseven signatures were obtained, and a constitution was adopted. During the month of February the Franklin California Mining Company and the Columbus and California Industrial Association were organized. The articles of association of the Franklin company were as follows

This article of agreement made and entered into this eighth day of February, A. D. 1849, by and between the undersigned citizens of Columbus, Franklin County, in the State of Ohio, witnesseth:

That for the consideration hereinafter mentioned the undersigned do agree to become a company to be known as the Franklin California Mining Company of Columbus, Ohio, for the purpose of proceeding to California to procure gold, golddust, &c., and other metals, and all such other purposes of profit as shall be decided upon by a majority of said company on their arrival in said territory of California; said company and association to exist as such under these articles for the period of eighteen months from the first day of May next, by which time said company is to return to the United States and have a settlement of all its affairs in the city of Columbus, Ohio, and to be held liable to be called to an account and

32 - HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS.

settlement in the Court of Common Pleas of Franklin County, or in any other court in the United States, in Chancery, by any member of said company or his assigns or representatives, at any time after twenty months from the first day of May next.

 

The officers of said company are to consist of one captain, one lieutenant, one quartermaster, one treasurer, one secretary and one chief of every mess of the number of six, which officers are to be elected by ballot for three months, the first election to be held before leaving Columbus, Ohio, a majority of all the votes to be necessary to a choice. Said officers are liable to be removed at any time by a vote of twothirds of the surviving members of said company.

 

Each member of said company is to pay the sum of two hundred dollars to the Secretary of said company within thirty days from this date, in such instalments as the company shall designate, as his part of the expenses of outfit and travel to California. Each member of said company and the representatives of each member who shall die after leaving Columbus, to be liable to an equal share of the expenses of said company, and to be entitled to an equal share of the profits from said expedition, and if any member shall desert and abandon his company before the expiration of eighteen months from May 1, 1849, without the consent of twothirds of the survivors of said company, he is to forfeit all moneys invested by him in said association, and all share of the profits arising from said expedition.

 

Any member may be expelled by a vote of twothirds of the survivors of said company. The powers and duties of the officers of said company are to be defined in bylaws to be enacted by said company; said company to have power to pass any bylaws by a vote of a majority of the survivors not inconsistent with the provisions of these articles of association, which are not to be altered, amended or abrogated, and the right of each and all members, or their representatives, of the company to his or their shares of the profits of said company are not to be lost in any other manner than herein provided.

 

Witness our hands and seals the day and year above written.

 

Of the bylaws of the Franklin Company, the first article, in five sections, prescribes the duties of' officers. The second article, in two sections, makes it the duty of each member '~ to be industrious and faithful; to act justly, honestly and respectfully to the company; to obey the orders of the commanding officers and not absent himself without consent of the captain," and to "perform all duties required of him by law or the company. A refractory member is to be reported to the captain, and if he does not take action, the company may. Members are required to serve on guard in regular order, to protect the company's property, and to keep themselves and their arms clean. Each member must furnish his own personal outfit, which shall consist of a good and sufficient wardrobe and weapons of self defense, which weapons shall consist of one good rifle gun, one revolving pistol or a good pair of pistols, and a knife."

 

The third article, in three sections, provides that all appropriations shall be made by a majority of all the members present, when a quorum ; that grievances shall be investigated by a committee; that no member shall vote on a matter in which lie is personally interested ; that punishment shall be by reprimand, expulsion, or "in such other manner as the company may determine; " that all gambling and drinking of intoxicants as a beverage shall be forbidden ; that the company will, so far as practicable, refrain from work or travel on the Sabbath day; and

that no personal or individual trade or traffic shall be engaged in.

 

The fourth article requires regular meetings to be held monthly, authorizes special meetings by request, makes a quorum consist of a majority of all, and lays down some parliamentary rules to be observed in company meetings.

 

THE CALIFORNIA EXODUS - 33

 

The officers chosen by this association were as follows : Captain, Joseph Hunter; Lieutenant, John Coulter ; Secretary, J. H. Marple ;3 Treasurer, F. A. McCormick ; Quartermaster, 0. S. Hunter. The other members of the association were: Chester F. Colton,4 J. Robey, Joseph W. Booth, George Woodward, Samuel Price, Matthew Williams, Alexander Robertson, John Spaythe, V. R. Smith, John Uncles, Charles A. Robertson, John McCartney, K. J. Barr,'. R. J. Hunter, C. M. Shaw, C. H. Myers, Jacob Armitage', Samuel Myers, A. M. Hunter, Jonathan Bobo, Anderson Cornwall, J. W. Coulter, Nicholas Demorest, O. S. Walcutt', and E. Gaver 8.

The articles of the `1 Columbus California Industrial Association" began with the following significant "whereas ":

 

The undersigned parties have agreed to associate themselves together for the purpose of prosecuting and conducting mining operations and pr curing gold and other minerals in the territory of California and on and about the shores of the Pacific Ocean ; and whereas, an undertaking requiring our presence at a point so remote from our homes subjects us to many privations and hardships, and calls for cordial and united efforts for our mutual welfare; and whereas, we cannot hope for success in our undertaking without the blessing and guidance of an Allwise Creator, and a due observance of His laws, now therefore, etc.

 

A copy of the constitution and bylaws of this company was deposited with the County Recorder for safe keeping. These regulations so deposited were substantially the same as those of the Franklin Association. The officers of the company were: President, John Walton; Vice President, J. G. Canfield ;9 Secretary, Peter Decker ;10 Treasurer, C. G. McColm; Directors, S. J. Price, H. Moores, G. Walton and C. Breyfogle; 11 Physician, C. E Boyle. The nonofficial members were: D. Bryden, E. Barcus, Junior, E. E. Canfleld, 12 G. Chadwick, W. Cain, A. B. Crist, C. Dewitt, J. S. Domigan, T. Davis, L. A. Denig, C. M. Fisk, J. Krumm, J. C. Lunn, P. McCommon, H. Ranney, T. Rugg, D. Rugg, J. P. Stone, W. C. Stiles, C. D. Wood and L. Sherman. 13 The company had ten wagons, forty mules and a good supply of camp equipage, provisions and arms. It was subdivided into five mosses. Its intended route lay via Xenia to Cincinnati, thence by water to Independence, Missouri, and thence westward overland. The Franklin company proposed to follow the same line of travel. It provided itself with eight new, strong wagons, twentysix yoke of oxen, and provisions for eighteen months.

 

A small company of Columbus men set out for California by the overland route during the latter part of March. The names of these adventurers were H. L. Morgan, 14 L. Green, B. Johns, 15 S. F. Hoyt, H. C. Riordan, 16 J. Cowen and B. Carpenter. 17 The Ohio Statesman of April 2, 1849, thus describes the departure on that date, of the Columbus company, and its associate, the Franklin, above mentioned:

 

Our streets today presented an unusual appearance in consequence of the movements of the goldhunters toward California to " seek their fortunes," as the storybook says, and to gather the precious metals in the mines of California. Mule teams rattled through the streets, filled with the baggage and other fixins of the emigrants. The two companies from this city will rendezvous in Cincinnati during the latter part of the week ; from thence they

38

 

34 - HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS.

 

take steamers toIndependence, and then by the overland route by mule and oxteams for the promised land. . . The number [thirty in each company] embraces several of our most enterprising citizens — men in the prime of life and well armed against the dangers of the overland route.... In addition to the above, Messrs. McDowell & Purdy, of this city, and a couple of gentlemen from Lancaster, have fitted out another expedition. They have provided a wagon and will procure the necessary oxen in Missouri. Their intention is to aid in forming a caravan for mutual protection going out, and after arriving at the gold region to go it on their own hook.

 

The Ohio Statesman of April 6, 1849 — four days after the departure of the Columbus companies —said

 

The whole West is crowded with our fellow citizens passing towards California. Every stage, every steamer, every road leading to the Upper Missouri is thronged with the very choicest of our population on their way to the Pacific shores. The number is legion, and from a careful observation we do not think there can be less than twenty thousand from Ohio alone. Almost every village furnishes its company, and some two or three. Some go single, some in pairs, and others in companies varying from ten to thirty and even sixty. . . They go with provisions enough to last twelve months, and some longer ; they are equipped with every possible necessary, and besides, many singular and ingenious instruments for finding gold, either on the surface or deep in the soil. . .. Taking Ohio as data to estimate from, and at the lowest calculation, there will be one hundred thousand able and enterprising men leave Independence, St. Joseph, &e., on the Missouri for the Plains from the twentieth of March or first of April to the first of June next—two months. This will average over a thousand a day, and will line the road hundreds of miles.

 

These statements, though exaggerated, are useful as illustrating the impressions made upon he editor's mind by the movement then in progress.

 

On May 24, 1849, the Ohio Statesman announced that William S. McElvain, son of Colonel Andrew McElvain, formerly of Columbus, had died of cholera at Manitou, Missouri, while on his way to join his father in California. On May 23, Oliver S. Walcutt, of the Franklin company, wrote to his father from the Little Blue Grass River that while the company was encamped on the Big Sandy, during the night of the eighteenth, its cattle were stampeded, that they ran over and seriously injured some of' the members of the company, and that ten yoke of oxen were lost. The letter continues

 

Next morning, in talking over our misfortune, we agreed to separate and divide the money and the property. Those who go on will do so in small companies of six or eight men. The remainder will return home. For my own part, I am still bound for California. The mess to which I am attached will go on in a body. It consists of Messrs. Roby, Price, Woodward, Barr and myself. . . . Major Sanderson, with a body of the mounted riflemen's, passed us on the twentieth instant en route to Fort Laramie. Edward Gayer is with Marple, McCormick and Colton, who are determined to go ahead.

 

On August 21, 1849, Peter Decker, of the Industrial Association, wrote from Sacramento, California, to W. B. Thrall, of Columbus:

 

The main train with the wagons arrived in the "diggins" on the twelfth instant. Mess number two, of which I was a member, packed and were sent in advance of the company from the Cannon [canyon] in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and arrived in this city on the ninth, the former having been on the road one hundred and four days and the latter one hundred and one days from St. Joseph. We were fortunate in being among the foremost trains on the road this year, crowded to an excess that must result in much suffering to

 

THE CALIFORNIA EXODUS - 35

 

some of those behind on account of scarcity of grass, which, to emigrants, is second in importance to bread. From advices received on the road from packers who left St. Joseph after all the wagons had left, I suppose the number of wagons that started across the plains this season was from eight to nine thousand, and, on an average, at least three persons to a wagon. Our company came through as an association, but since have dissolved by unanimous vote. Nearly all companies formed in the states broke up on the road — even down to the number of two or three. This may appear mysterious to many, but those who have observed human nature as developed on the plains have no difficulty in solving this mystery. . . .

 

Some make money fast, while others do but little and yet labor hard, for mining is hard labor. An ounce a day is considered doing tolerably well... . Mechanics and laboring men get from $10 to $20 per day, and prices in other respects range as follows: Flour $8 a) $10 per hundred pounds ; ham 40 to 45c per pound; mess pork 35c per pound ; coffee from 12 to 20c, and brown sugar the same; tea from $1.00 to $1.50; molasses from $1.00 to $1.50 per gallon. Butter is almost out of the question here; some which in the States would only be used in place of lard sells at two dollars per pound. Saleratus is $3.00 @ $4.00 a pound. Watermelons sell at from four to six dollars apiece; cheese at one dollar a pound. Loaves of bread that sell in your city at five cents are fifty cents here. Boarding is eighteen to twenty-one dollars per week, with the privilege of selecting the smoothest ground you can find to sleep on outside of the "shanty," and then, too, you have a nightly serenade from the wolves. . . . The city from which I address you is about three months of age, and has a population of from four to five thousand inhabitants. The houses are mostly tents, though some good wooden houses are being built, for one of which I heard a gentleman offer $31,000 rent a year. . . . Lots sell from $1,000 to $30,000 apiece.

 

During the year 1850 numerous parties of' well equipped California bound emigrants passed through Columbus. To what extent the tide of goldseekers was recruited from the capital of Ohio during the fifties there is no record, but doubtless its full share of adventurers joined in the grand march over the plains and mountains. The extent of the general exodus to the Pacific Coast may be estimated from the fact that, within ton years from the date of the discovery at Sutter's Mill, California— admitted to the Union as a State in 1850—had increased her population from 30,000 to 600,000, and yielded a gold product of nearly six hundred million dollars.

 

NOTES.

 

1. John M. Kerr, son of John Kerr, one of the original proprietors of Columbus, organized a company of California emigrants in Cincinnati, where he was engaged in keeping a boardinghouse. Among the persons who signed his roll was an English nobleman then visiting the United States. When the time fixed for departure approached, most of Mr. Kerr's men found pretexts for refusing to go. Kerr was nevertheless determined to go himself and accordingly quitted Cincinnati for California on April 1, 1849, accompanied by James Way, of Boston, George Krauss and a third goldseeker named Kloppenberg. Mr. Kerr and his companions, after crossing the plains and mountains together, halted at the Feather River placers, in Butte County, where they extracted their full share of wealth from the diggings of that region. After mining awhile Kerr bought a camp inn, consisting of a long canvas booth, erected and sold to him by a brother of Mr. Powell, the artist who painted the picture of Perry's Victory, now in the rotunda of the Statehouse. While managing this business Mr. Kerr had in his employ a negro officeboy who had been brought out to California as a slave and was hired or let from his master. This boy was accustomed to claim as his perquisite the droppings of golddust which accumulated during each day's transactions in a crevice of the office counter,

 

36 - HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS.

 

Every evening the boy took from that crevice about three dollars worth of dust. Whisky was sold over the counter at twenty-five cents, or, in the absence of coin, a pitch of gold dust per drain. In larger transactions the golddust and grains with which payment was made were weighed in a pair of scales standing on the counter ; from these scales the dust fell which the officeboy secured in the manner just stated. While conducting his camp tavern, .Mr. Kerr was elected as the first treasurer of Butte County, which was then large enough territorially to constitute a good sized state. Failing in health, Kerr sold his inn on the Feather River and removed to San Francisco where he bought the City Hotel. The seabeach then skirted Montgomery Street, from which it is now nearly a mile distant, the dry land having since been extended that far seaward by filling. When the `` great fire " took place in San Francisco, Mr. Kerr's establishment was destroyed, and all that he had invested in it was lost. He remained on the Pacific Coast until the outbreak of the Civil War, when lie enlisted in the First California Infantry, with which lie served until the close of the war, mostly in New Mexico and Arizona. In 1865, he returned to Ohio, where he has since remained. Having lost his property in California, he found, upon his return, that most of his Columbus possessions, now worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, had also passed beyond his reach. Broken in health, he was reduced to penury and has never since been able to retrieve his fortunes. He is now over seventy years of age. In his earlier life he was not only wealthy but prominent. his clothes, purchased annually in New York, were of the latest style and set the fashions of the town. A friend and ardent admirer of Henry Clay, lie took an active part in the National campaign of 1840, and was accustomed to drive through the streets a pair of " clay-bank" mares, hitched tandem. He was a boon companion, generous to a fault, and enjoyed an extensive acquaintance. His life has been replete with strange adventures and vicissitudes, extending all the way from princely affluence to abject want. The author is indebted to him for the information contained in most of the remaining notes appended to this chapter.

 

2. Coulter returned to Columbus and died in a state of utter destitution.

3. J. H. Marple became one of the functionaries of Butte County, California.

4. Was a clerk in the drugstore of Sumner Clark.

5. Brother to John Barr, recently deceased.

6. The same elsewhere mentioned in connection with the Jerry Finney kidnapping case. See Chapter XXXI.

7. Brother to General C. C. Walcutt.

8. Was John M. Kerr's mining partner. Settled in California. Obtained a position in the United States Mint at San Francisco.

9. Obtained a position in the San Francisco Customhouse. Became a judge of one of the California courts.

10. The same whose letter is quoted in a later part of the chapter. Established a trading post on the Yuba River and became wealthy. Organized a banking institution at Marysville, California.11

. Afterwards a member of the Columbus City Council.

12. Obtained a position in the San Francisco Customhouse.

13. A comb manufacturer on South High Street.

14. Was connected with Neil, Moore & Co's Stageoffice.

15. From Ridgway's Foundry.

16. Connected with the stove and tinware establishment of Ellis. Ayers & Co., where the Neil house now stands.

17.Among other Columbus men who went to California during the gold excitement was John Bigler, of the Ohio Statesman. Mr. Bigler acquired a fortune on the Pacific Coast, entered political life and became Governor of the State. He was a brother to Governor Bigler, of Pennsylvania.

 

THE CALIFORNIA EXODUS - 37

 

Charles H. Bryan, brother to John A. Bryan, Auditor of the State of Ohio, went to the Pacific Coast with the goldseekers and became one of the judges of the California Supreme Court.

 

Milton S. Latham, son of Bela Latham, one of the postmasters of Columbus, emigrated to Alabama, studied law in that state and went from thence to California during the gold-seeking excitement. John Bigler, who knew him and who had become wealthy, established him in a lucrative law practice at Sacramento. Latham acquired a fortune and was elected Governor of the State under an alleged private arrangement whereby he received the support of John B. Weller, also from Ohio, on condition that Weller should be United States Senator. Immediately after his inauguration as governor, Latham sought and obtained the senatorship for himself. He is said to have been an instigator of the duel between Judge Terry and United States Senator David S. Broderick, in which the latter was killed. Latham, after this affair, became unpopular, lost his property and returned to the East, where lie died.

 

18. Major W. F. Sanderson, previously of Columbus, had been ordered to establish a post on the California route near Fort Laramie, on the Upper Platte River. His command consisted of two companies of United States Mounted Riflemen, partly recruited at Columbus, and one company of the Sixth United States Infantry.

 

CHAPTER IV.

 

RECEPTION AND VISIT OF LOUIS KOSSUTH.

 

Freemen have a profound sympathy for freedom's cause throughout the civilized world. One of the most impressive illustrations of this which modern history has furnished was the reception given in this country to the Hungarian patriot Louis Kossuth.

 

During the summer of 1849 the efforts of Hungary, first to obtain an extension of natural rights under the Crown of Austria, and finally to establish an independent government, culminated in failure. They were overcome by the combined forces of Austria and Russia. Far outnumbered and in part betrayed, the armies of the revolt were vanquished, and Kossuth, the leader in the Hungarian cause, took refuge in Turkey. His extradition was demanded by the allied powers, but the Sultan, supported by France and England, refused to grant it. He was finally liberated and soon afterwards embarked on the steamship Mississippi, which was dispatched by resolution of the Senate, to convey him to the United States as a guest of the nation. On December 5, 1851, he arrived in New York, where his reception was in the nature of a triumph. The popular enthusiasm with which he was received is said to have surpassed even that with which Lafayette was welcomed in 1824. At Philadelphia he was received in Independence Hall, and at Baltimore was escorted to his hotel by a vast concourse of people. On December 30 lie reached Washington, and was officially welcomed by Senators Seward, Cass and Shields. He was immediately visited by Daniel Webster, Secretary of State, and on the following day a levee in his honor was given at the Executive Mansion. On January 6, he dined with President Fillmore, and on the seventh visited the Capitol by the invitation of Congress. During the ensuing evening the mernbers of the two Houses jointly honored him with a banquet, at which the Vice President of the United States, Hon. William R. King, presided. To the toast "Hungary," proposed by the Vice President, he responded in a strain of splendid eloquence.

 

From Washington Kossuth extended his journey through the South,West, and back again to the East. Cities, corporations and legislatures honored him with their attentions, and vast crowds of people everywhere rushed to give him welcome. To all these greetings he responded with the most fascinating and inspiring eloquence, such as modern oratory has rarely equaled. The inde-

 

[38]

 

RECEPTION AND VISIT OF LOUIS KOSSUTH - 39

 

pendence of Hungary, and the intervention of the United States in her behalf, constituted the burden of his appeal. He failed, of course, to realize his wishes in this regard ; however just his cause, our government could not, in its behalf, meddle in the polities of Europe; nevertheless the popular sympathy for him was everywhere unbounded.

 

In appearance Kossuth is described as a man slightly above medium stature, with broad forehead, large blue eyes, heavy mustache and a countenance indicating earnestness and refinement. Of the manner and matter of his speeches, of which lie delivered a great many, the following has been written :

 

In speaking, nothing could be more incomparably dignified and graceful than Kossuth's manner; gestures more admirable and effective and a play of countenance more magnetic and winning could not be conceived. He always stood quite erect, instead of frequently bending forward, as is the case with some orators, to give emphasis to a sentence. His posture and appearance in repose indicated greatness by their essential grace and dignity, and impressed the beholder with a sense of marked individuality and power. This sense of reserved power in the man — the certainty that lie was not making an effort and doing his utmost, but that behind all this strength of fascination there were other treasures of ability not brought into notice and perhaps never made use of-- constituted one of the great charms of his oratory. He spoke as if with little preparation, and with that peculiar freshness which belongs to extemporaneous speaking; every movement seemed perfectly easy, and he gesticulated a good deal, equally well with either arm. The universal remark concerning him in this respect was that he was the greatest of living orators.

 

On December 15, 1851, a public meeting was held at the City Hall, in Columbus, to make arrangements for Kossuth's reception at the capital. Robert Thompson presided at this meeting, which is described as very large and very enthusiastic. It was addressed by S. S. Cox, R. P. Spalding, Samuel Galloway, George E. Pugh, William Dennison and John Woods. The meeting adjourned to reassemble December 18, when a reception committee of one hundred and a finance committee were appointed. Of the Finance Committee Peter Ambos was chairman, W. F. Wheeler secretary, and Luther Donaldson treasurer. In January, 1852, resolutions were adopted by the General Assembly, welcoming Kossuth to Ohio, and on the fifteenth of the same month a third meeting of citizens to arrange for his reception was held. At this meeting, which is described as very large and enthusiastic, Samuel Galloway presided, an executive committee was appointed, and William Dennison, R. P. Spalding and L. V. Bierce were delegated to confer with the reception committees appointed by the General Assembly.

 

On the morning of February 4, 1852, Kossuth and his companions quitted Cleveland for Columbus. The party traveled on a special ear, and was accompanied by the legislative committees. At Berea, Grafton, Lagrange, Wellington, New London, Shelby, Cardington and Ashley the Hungarian leader was greeted by enthusiastic throngs of people, and was presented with their offerings to defray the expenses of a new effort to emancipate his country. Between Cleveland and Columbus he received for this purpose the total sum of $312.50. The contribution at Shelby, amounting to $57.50, was presented to him by Hon. Jacob Brinkerhoff. When he arrived at Delaware, lie was met by an immense crowd

 

40 - HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS.

 

and was escorted to a church filled with people, including the Hungarian Association of the town and the students of the University. Formally welcomed at the church, first by Mayor Buck and then by Doctor Edward Thomson, President of the University, he replied in a brief address, said to have been one of the most charming of all he had delivered in the English language.' Expressing his appreciation of the sympathy shown him, and hoping the people would be true to their friendship for Hungary, he said: 11 Then, indeed, it will be recorded in imperishable letters in the heart of my nation, that out of the Delaware Springs of American sympathy I have filled a tumbler of health for my people of Hungary." At the conclusion of his address, S. M. Little presented him $210.00 in behalf of the Hungarian Society, after which ceremony he was escorted to an omnibus by Governor Wood, and drove to his train amid defeating shouts.

 

 

At Columbus, the Hungarian party was met at the railway station by officers of State, members of the General Assembly, the military and fire companies and beneficial and industrial associations of the capital, and a vast throng of citizens, including many delegations from the country for fifty miles around. Crowds began to assemble, both at the station and in front of the Neil House, long before the time for the arrival of the train, the approach of which was announced at six P. M., by the boom of cannon and the ringing of bells. Under the direction of General T. Stockton, on escorting procession was formed at the station, and moved up High Street to the Neil House, amid the enthusiastic shouts of the people. The buildings along the street, and throughout the city, were profusely decorated with flags, including those of Hungary and other nations. At the Neil House, into which Kossuth made his way with difficulty, owing to the density of the crowd, he shortly appeared on the portico, in front of the main entrance and was presented to the people by Hon. David A. Cox, of the State Senate, but gracefully excused himself with a very few sentences, as he expected to speak at length on the next day following. After the reception was over, the fire companies paraded the streets with torchlights and banners. In the course of the evening, Kossuth was serenaded by one of the German bands of the city, and responded briefly in the German language.

 

The Ohio Statesman of the next day said, enthusiastically : "The reception of Kossuth at this place on last night was one of the most splendid and enthusiastic outbursts of popular feeling ever witnessed in this part of creation." In the procession, the Columbus Artillery (German), Captain Buhl; Captain Snyder's Grenadiers, and the fire companies bore the colors of the United States and Hungary. The fire companies also bore the Turkish flag, and carried torches. The City Butchers' Association, on horseback, wore regalia in the Hungarian colors. Kossuth's carriage was drawn by four white horses. The only ladies in the Hungarian party were Madame Kossuth and Madame Pulszky. Kossuth's children were in England.

 

On the evening of February 4 a meeting of workingmen was held at the City Hall to arrange for receiving an address from the Hungarian leader, and to aid him in the liberation of his country. Charles B. Flood was chairman, and Milton M. Powers secretary of this meeting, which packed the hall as full as it would

 

RECEPTION AND VISIT OF LOUIS KOSSUTH - 41

 

hold. A committee was appointed which waited upon Kossuth next day, and requested him to deliver the desired address, but owing to his weariness and the condition of his lungs he was obliged to decline.

 

February 5 was so clear and mild as to be quite favorable to an outdoor meeting. Directly in front of the Old Court House on High Street, a platform for speaking was erected, conducted to which, about eleven o'clock, by Governor Wood, Kossuth was presented by Hon. William Dennison to a dense mass of people, crowding the street, the windows, the awnings, and all available space within seeing or hearing distance. Prayer was offered by Rev. H. L. Hitchcock, after

which Hon. Samuel Galloway welcomed Kossuth in a glowing speech to the capi-

tal of Ohio. Kossuth then rose, and excusing himself for keeping his hat on spoke

as follows:

 

Sir, I most humbly thank you for the information of what I owe to Ohio for my liberation. I stood upon the ruins of vanquished greatness in Asia, where tidings from young America are so seldom heard that indeed I was not acquainted with the fact. Still, I loved Ohio with affection and with admiration before I knew what I had yet to hear. Now I will love her with the affection and tenderness of a child, knowing what part she took in my restoration to life —because to liberty.

 

Sir, permit me humbly to decline those praises which you have been pleased to bestow upon me personally. I know of no merit —I know only the word duty, and you are acquainted with the beautiful lines of the Irish poet:

 

Far dearer the grave or the prison,

Illumed by a patriot's name,

Than the glories of all who have risen

On liberty's ruins to fame.

 

I was glad to hear that you are familiar with the history of our struggles and of our achievements, and of our aims. This dispenses me from speaking much, and that is a great benefit to me, because, indeed, I have spoken very much.

 

Sir, entering the young State of Ohio— that giant in its very youth — though my mind be constantly filled with homeward thoughts and homeward sorrows, still so wonderful is what I see, looking at it through the glass of your short history, that even my sorrows relax for a moment in their torturing pangs while I look around me in astonishment and rub my eyes to ascertain that it is not the magic of a dream which makes your bold, mighty and flourishing commonwealth rich with all.the marks of civilization and of life here, where almost yesterday was yet nothing but a vast wilderness, silent and dumb like the elements of the world on creation's eye. And here I stand in Columbus, which, though ten years younger than I am, is still the capital of that mighty commonwealth which again, in its turn, ten years before I was born, nursed but three thousand daring men, scattered over the vast wilderness, fighting for their lives with scalping Indians, and now numbers two millions of free, happy men, who, generous because free, are conscious of their power, and weigh heavily in the scale of mankind's destiny.

 

How wonderful that the exiled chief of .a distant European nation of Asiatic origin, which, amidst the raging waves of centuries sweeping away empires by its flood, stood for a thousand years like a rock and protected Christendom, and was the bulwark for civilization against barbarism —how wonderful that the exiled chief of that nation has to come to this land, where a mighty nation grows up as it were over night out of the very earth, and found this nation protecting the rights of humanity when offered in his own humble self, and found that useful nation ready to stretch its powerful gigantic arm over the Atlantic to protect all Hungary against oppression, and found her pouring the balm of her sympathy

 

42 - HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS.

 

into the bleeding wounds of Hungary, that, regenerated by the faithful spirit of America, it may yet rise once, more independent and free, a breakwater to the flood of Russian ambition, oppressing Europe and threatening the world.

 

Citizens of Columbus, the namesake of your city, when he discovered America little thought that he would liberate, by his discovery, the Old World [cheers]; and those exiles of the Old World who, sixtyfour years ago, first settled within the limits of Ohio at Marietta, little thought that the first generation which would leap into their steps would make despots tremble and oppressed nations rise. [Great cheering] And yet thus it will be. The mighty outburst of popular feeling which it is my lot to witness is a revelation of that future too clear not to be understood. The Eagle of America beats its mighty wings; the Stars of America illumine Europe's night ; and the Starspangled Banner, taking under its protection the Hungarian flag, fluttering loftily and proudly in an imposing attitude, tells the tyrants of the world that the right of freedom must sway, and not the whim of despots but the law of nations rule. [Cheers.]

 

Go on, go on, young Eagle of America! Thy place is not more upon the top of the low hills where thou restest till now, growing in proud security. Thy place is above the mountains —above the hills. Thy place is high up near the sun, that with the powerful sweep of thy mighty wings thou mayest dispel the clouds of despotism which prevent the sun of freedom over all Europe to rise. [Cheers.] There is thy glorious place. Thither calls thee the thundering voice of thy people ; thither calls thee Ohio, that wonderful jewel of the wonderful West. [Cheers.] Oh! I will not, indeed, speak longer. [Cries of " go on, go on."] Yes, gentlemen, I thank you very much. Give me your breath and then I will go on. [Great daughter.]

 

Citizens, your young and thriving city is conspicuous by its character of benevolence. There is scarcely a natural human affliction for which your young city has not an asylum of benevolence. Today you have risen in that benevolence from the ground of alleviating private affliction to the high level of consoling oppressed nations. Be blessed for it. I came to the shores of your country pleading the restoration of the law of nations to its due sway, cruelly violated in my downtrodden fatherland ; and as I went on pleading I met flowers of sympathy. Since I am in Ohio I meet fruits [great cheering]; and as I go on thankfully gathering the fruits new flowers arise still promising more and more beautiful fruits. [Renewed cheering.] That is the character of Ohio, and you are the capital of Ohio.

 

If I am not mistaken the birth of your city was the year of the trial of war by which your nation proved to the world that there is no power on earth that can dare more to touch that lofty building of independence which, by a glorious struggle, was achieved when this vast region was yet a desert unexplored and unknown. Ohio is a youthful son of this independence, grown up to a giant in a short time. What I saw yesterday and what I see today proves that you are conscious of owing something— of owing your national existence to that word "independence." The glory of your eastern sister states is to have conquered that independence to you. Let it be your glory to have put your mighty weight into the scale, that the law of nations, guarded and protected by you, may afford to every oppressed nation that fair play which America had when it struggled for independence. [Cheers.]

 

Sir, rememberance of received benefit is congenial to high minded men ; and that " Golden Rule " to which you so eloquently alluded is the source of great benefit to mankind when practiced by a nation powerful like you. But I am not surprised to hear invoked that Golden Rule here. It is Franklin County to which Columbus belongs [laughter and cheers], and it is Franklin who brought not only mere support but material aid from Europe when America rose to assert its

 

RECEPTION AND VISIT OF LOUIS KOSSUTH - 43

 

natural right to a national independence on earth. [Cheers.] The very name of your county is a pledge of success to me. [Cheers.] There is a touching advice in it—" .Do to others as you would that others should do to you." The acknowledgment of that eternal justice — of that principle of Christian brotherly love — I have seen it in the generous reception you honor me with, equally conspicuous by its spontaneity and its warmth, as also powerful in its character. I have seen it in the generous welcome which the eloquent interpreter of the sentiments of the people of Ohio proclaimed to my consolation, to my country's hope. I thank you most kindly for it.

 

Last night, having laid down my head upon the pillow of your hospitalities, I dreamed of what Franklin had brought from Europe to struggling America, and I have seen enough of your public spirit to be quite sure that now, when I wake, I will find that the citizens of Franklin County will prove to be those who claim what once Franklin claimed; that in the city of Columbus reality is more delightful than even the most delightful historical dream.

 

Gentlemen, I am tired out. You must generously excuse me when I conclude by humbly recommending my poor country's future to your generosity. [Great cheering.]

 

In the course of his tour Kossuth had, up to this time, delivered over two hundred speeches; the weariness and physical exhaustion for which he apologized were therefore quite to be expected. After the meeting, which concluded with a short address by Hon. William Dennison, he withdrew to his apartments and there received various deputations, one of which, from Mount Gilead, presented him a contribution of fifty dollars. A Kossuth ball took place the following evening at the American House.

 

During the same evening—February 5—a large meeting was held at the City Hall, at which both a State and a Franklin County Hungarian Association were organized. Judge William R. Rankin presided at this meeting. For the State Association a constitution was adopted and the following officers were elected President, Governor Reuben Wood ; Vice Presidents, Lieutenant-Governor William Medill, Samuel Galloway, William Corry, of Hamilton County ; Peter Ambos, of Columbus; and John Woods, of Butler County ; Treasurer, William, Dennison ; Secretaries, H. B. Carrington and Joseph H. Smith ; Central Committee, Doctor Robert Thompson, Samuel Medary, Doctor William Ide, Charles B. Flood, C. T. Solis; Finance Committee, William Dennison, Peter Ambos, L. Donaldson, M. P. Howlett, Edward Lilly, William F. Wheeler, L. Roster, H. B, Carrington ; and an Executive Committee of thirtyfive members.

 

The officers chosen by the Franklin County Association were: President, Judge William R. Rankin ; Vice President, G. Lewis ; Treasurer, L. Donaldson , Secretary, Milton M. Powers; Executive Committee, L. Roster, C. F. Schenck, James Lennox, Charles Klie and William F. Wheeler.

 

On Saturday, February 7, Kossuth was received by the two houses of the General Assembly jointly convened in the chamber of' the House of Representatives in the Odeon Building. At precisely eleven o'clock A. M. the great Hungarian, attended by his suite and conducted by Governor Wood, entered the hall and was presented by Senator Ransom A. Gillet, of' the Reception Committee. Lieutenant-Governor Medill then addressed him, first reading the resolutions welcoming him in eulogistic terms to the capital of' Ohio, denouncing Russian inter-

 

44 - HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS.

 

vention in Hungarian affairs, and tendering him a public reception by the General Assembly in behalf of the people of Ohio. Governor Medill's welcome was expressed in eloquent words. Standing in the aisle facing the Speaker's desk Kossuth read the following reply: 3

 

The spirit of our age is democracy ; all for the people, and all by the people nothing about the people without the people. That is democracy, and that is the ruling tendency of the spirit of our age. To this spirit is opposed the principle of despotism claiming sovereignty over mankind and degrading nations from a position of self-conscious, self-consistent aim, to the condition of tools subservient to the authority of ambition.

 

One of these principles will and must prevail, so far as our civilization prevails. The destiny of mankind is linked to a common source of principles and within the boundaries of a common civilization community of destinies exists. Hence the warm interest which the condition of distant nations awakes nowadays in a manner not yet recorded in history, because humanity never was yet aware of that common tie as it now is. With this consciousness thus developed, two opposite principles cannot rule within the same boundaries— democracy or despotism there is no transaction between Heaven and Hell. [Applause.]

 

In the conflict of these two hostile principles, until now it was not justice but only success which was met with applause. Unsuccessful patriotism was stigmatized as crime. Revolution not crowned by success was styled anarchy and revolt, and the vanquished patriot, being dragged to the gallows by victorious despotism, it was not the consideration why a man died upon the gallows but the fact itself that there he died which imparted a stain to his name. And although impartial history now and then casts the halo of a martyr over an unsuccessful patriot's grave, yet even that was not always sure. Tyrants often perverted history sullied by adulation or by fear; but whatever the late verdict might have been for him who dared to struggle against despotism, when he struggled in vain there was no honor on earth ; victorious tyranny marked the front of virtue with the brand of a criminal. . .

 

The view has changed. A bright lustre is spreading over the dark sky of humanity. The glorious galaxy of the United States rises with imposing bright ness over the horizon of oppressed nations and the bloody star of despotism, by your declaration fading in its flame, will soon vanish in the sky like a meteor. [Applausc.]

 

 

Legislators of Ohio, it may be flattering to ambitious vanity to act the part of an execrated conqueror, but it is a glory unparalleled in history to protect right and freedom on earth. The time draws near when, by virtue of such a declaration like yours, shared by your sister States, Europe's liberated nations will unite in a mighty choir of hallelujahs thanking God that His paternal cares have raised the United States to the glorious position of a first born son of freedom on earth. [Applause.]

 

Washington prophesied that within twenty years the Republic of' the United States would be strong enough to defy any power on earth in a just cause. The State of Ohio was not vet born when the wisest of men and purest of patriots told that prophesy, and God Almighty has made the prophesy true by annexing in a prodigiously short period more stars to the proud constellation of your Republic, amid increasing the lustre of every star more powerfully than Washington could

have anticipated in the brightest moments of his patriotic hopes. [Applause] ] . . .

 

The State of Ohio and myself are the same age. The very year your constitution was framed I was born. [Applause.] My breast has always heaved with intense interest at the name of Ohio. It was like as if something of supreme importance lay hidden for me in that name to which my future was bound by the

 

RECEPTION AND ViSIT OF LOUIS KOSSUTH -45

 

very year of my nativity. This day my anticipations are realized, and the second coincidence is that the tidings of the present day will just reach Washington City when the Senators of the United States sit down in judgment upon the question of international law, and pronounce upon your country's foreign policy. Ohio has given its vote by the resolutions I had the honor to hear, and Ohio is one of the brightest stars in the Union. Ohio's vote is the vote of two millions, and it wi 11 have its constitutional weight in the councils where the delegates of the people's sovereignty find their glory in doing the people's will. [Applause.]

 

Sir, it will be a day of consolation and ,joy in Hungary when my bleeding nation reads these resolutions which I will send to her. [Applause.] They will spread like lightning over the gloomy land and my nation, unbroken in courage, steady in resolution, firm in confidence, will draw still more courage, more resolution from them, because it is well aware that the Legislature of' Ohio would never pledge a word of which it were not sure that the people of Ohio will be, in case of need, as good as that word. [Applause.]

 

Sir, I regret that my sickness disabled me to express my firmest thanks in a manner more becoming to this assembly of dignity. I beg to be excused for it, and humbly beg you to believe that my nation forever, and I for all my life, cherish the memory of this benefit with everlasting gratitude. [Tremendous applause.]

 

At the conclusion of this address a recess was taken and Governor Medill presented to Kossuth the sum of $211 as the contribution of the officers and members of the Senate to the cause of' Hungary. In the evening of' the same day — February 7— the first regular meeting of the "Ohio State Association of the Friends of Hungary " was held at the City Hall, which was crowded to its utmost capacity. Kossuth was conducted to the Hall by Governor Reuben Wood and Doctor Robert Thompson. Governor Wood presided, and on taking the chair made a brief address, in the course of which lie said:

 

Louis Napoleon never would have taken the step lie has taken if' he did not believe that he would be backed by the power of Russia, Austria, Prussia and other monarchies. Thus it appears that there is a combined effort in Continental Europe to overthrow all free and liberal institutions. This accomplished, what next? The efforts of tyrants will be directed to our institutions. It will be their aim to break us down. Must we not prevent this event, peaceably if we can, forcibly if we must? [Applause.] No power will prevail with tyrants and usurpers but the power of gunpowder and steel.

 

Kossuth was then introduced, and delivered an address of considerable length, going into the merits of the Hungarian cause. The following extracts, explaining what the speaker expected of the United States and disparaging the counsels of Washington as to our foreignpolicy, is important:

 

But I am told, “suppose the word of America shall not be respected, then America has to go to war." I have very often answered that question, but now I will give another answer to it. Well, if the people of America fear war, let them pronounce in such a way for the maintenance of' the great principle of international law, and let them add such a sanctien to it as will in itself secure to America that it will have no war. [Applause.] You have an act of' Congress, passed in 1818, by which the people of the United States are forbidden by law to take any hostile steps against a power with which. the United States are in amity. Well, suppose that Congress pronounces such a resolution, that in respect to any power which violates the laws of nations we recall the neutrality of the law and give full liberty to the people to follow its will. [Applause.]

 

But again and again meeting the doubt that your protest, even with such a

 

46 - HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS.

 

sanction, will not be respected, I again answer in respect to the doubt of success, lot me entreat you to try. It costs nothing. You are not bound to go further than your will; try ; perhaps it will be respected, and if it be, humanity is rescued and freedom on earth reigns where now despotism rules. It is worth the trial. My humble prayer in that respect is often answered by the traditional policy of the father of your country, the great Washington. I have already had the opportunity to explain what I have found in the documents of America--that such was never a principle of Washington's. If it was anything, it was a recommendation of policy for twenty years. Here, I that consideration particularly repeat. Why? Because Ohio did not yet exist when Washington pronounced that policy. [Laughter and great applause.] And I am sure that Washington was too wise a man to frame laws for those who did not exist. [Great laughter.] This country is now in quite a different condition. A world of power rises up. States which did not exist among the old thirteen who achieved your republican existence are now added.

 

But, sir, certain newspapers charge me with impertinence in having come to this country, a stranger, with the arrogant intention to teach here the true sense of the Farewell Address of Washington. Now, indeed, if ever came a man unpretendingly to America I may say I came so. But I believe the people of America have not written its history for being shut up in a trunk, but for giving and imparting instruction by it to humanity. I have not written the documents; I have road them, and perhaps it is no arrogance to take that construction out of your history which I found there ready expressed, and so taking that ground, I today say that very soon (arid I believe this riot upon my own authority, but upon the authority of one of your very distinguished fellow citizens, an American in a high position), you will have to read a historical work from a classical American author, where you will find the truth stated that the principle of not entangling America in European alliances, even as I have interpreted it out of American documents, was not the will of Washington; it was forced upon him by peculiar circumstances—by peculiar considerations. It was a principle of General Hamilton. Washington resisted all suggestions for a very long time, and only when he saw what the French nation had executed, who sent help to America in your War of Independence and banished that Lafayette who fought for your independence—only then did Washington, by that impulse congenial to such a man as he, declare that with a nation which had so acted towards the benefactors of his country, he would not mix in entangling alliances. That is a historical fact. You will see it proved very soon by an American historian.

 

Kossuth concluded his address with the following apologetic words:

 

Ladies and gentlemen, I can speak no more; you will kindly excuse me. I am entirely exhausted, so much so that every word I speak is like a dagger into my wounded breast. I humbly recommend, not to your sympathy—that you have [given] — but to your energy the cause I plead, and I take leave of you by humbly entreating you [to] think not less favorably of me because you have seen today a sick man, and have heard a very bad speech."

 

On motion by Mr. Smith, of the Ohio Statesman, Kossuth's speech was adopted as the position of the Association." Thanks for the address were voted on motion of Judge Spalding, and the preparation of an address to the people was ordered on motion of H. B. Carrington. After Judge Spalding, who was called for, had made a few remarks, Kossuth spoke briefly in German. As he quitted the hall lie was loudly cheered. He was much depressed in spirits, as well as exhausted physically, during his sojourn in Columbus, but favorably impressed

 

RECEPTION AND VISIT OF LOUIS KOSSUTH - 47

 

everyone by his simple and ingenuous manner. The Ohio State Journal of February 9 contained the following:

 

An affecting and lovely scene took place on Saturday at the room of Governor Kossuth immediately after the ceremonies in the legislature. A committee of boys, on the part of their association, waited on the Governor to present him with their mite, when Master M. H. Lewis in presenting it remarked : “Mr. Kossuth, I am requested by the boys of Columbus to present you our little subscription to the Hungarian cause, which is thirty-five dollars. I cannot give you a set speech, but must say what first comes into my mind." Here, apparently overcome by the feelings inspired by the occasion, he parsed, the tears gathering in his eyes, and with considerable effort he added : "Heaven bless you, Mr. Kossuth, and Heaven bless your cause which we love as well, and may you be happy in its success." Tears choked his utterance, and Kossuth, scarcely less affected, the tears rolling down his cheeks, replied : 1, My boy, there is more eloquence in this than in words." Here Kossuth gently reached his arm around the boy, drew him to his side and added: "May Heaven bless you, in turn. Be a truehearted boy and a noble man. Love freedom, love your country, and love them that suffer everywhere; love God." Kossuth then withdrew his arm and shook him by the hand, as well as the other member of the committee, speaking in the meanwhile in such language of counsel and tenderness as from his great heart flowed so purely. The room was nearly filled with ladies and gentlemen, from whom sobs and tears came freely, and from those least expected.

 

Attempts were not wanting to turn the popularity of' Kossuth, and the prevailing sympathy for his cause, to partisan account. Manifestations of this fact have probably been observed in the significance of various circumstances and the complexion of various events narrated in the course of this chapter. The City Council, probably influenced by political considerations, refused to take any part, as a body, in the reception ceremonies, and thereby aroused so much feeling that a public meeting denunciatory of' this action was held. At this meeting, which took place in the City Hall, February 3, Samuel Medary presided and Judge Rankin and Doctor Johnson delivered addresses. The Ohio Statesman said of it: “The meeting was terrific, crowded to suffocation . . . the most extraordinary outburst of feeling we ever witnessed anywhere." Resolutions were adopted fiercely denouncing the action of the Council, condemning the members by whose votes that action was taken, and applauding those who opposed. The members commended were Benjamin Blake, John Miller, Louis Hoster, James H. Armstrong and William Miner; those criticized were, Robert McCoy, Robert Cutler, Theodore Comstock, J. William Baldwin, Robert Riordan, William Roedter and John Butler.

 

During Kossuth's sojourn in Columbus, great preparations were made for his reception in Cincinnati. Advised of this, he wrote to the committee of arrangements declining all banquets, processions or illuminations in his honor, deprecating any escort from Columbus, and concluding : " Let me enter the city privately and unnoticed, and let me express my views and feelings in a private interview immediately after my arrival." Kossuth quitted Columbus on the morning of May 9, and journeyed to Cincinnati via Xenia, Springfield and Dayton. As his train moved away he was honored with a parting artillery salute. He was accompanied by Governor Wood, Lieutenant-Governor Medill and numerous invited

 

48 - HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS.

 

guests. At Xenia he was met by an " immense concourse," was addressed by Doctor J. A. Coburn, and replied briefly. At Springfield he was introduced by General Charles Anthony and spoke about ten minutes. His reception at Dayton, was very enthusiastic, but the condition of his voice was such that he could utter but a few words of appreciation. At Hamilton a great crowd met him, but the crowning reception awaited him at Cincinnati. A contemporary account thus describes it:

From Mill Creek to the depot the railway was lined with people, who gave cheer upon cheer in such a manner that there seemed to be one prolonged shout. The arrival was announced by the booming of cannon and the ringing of bells. It is estimated that one hundred thousand people assembled to welcome the great Magyar. It was the greatest display ever witnessed in the West. The arrangements were complete and Kossuth was conducted to his splendid suite of apartments at the Burnett House, the great Hotel of the West, in a manner doing the highest honor to the cause in which he is engaged. 3

 

With Kossuth's departure for Cincinnati terminated one of the most unique and memorable events in the history of Columbus. The city has since that time given great receptions to distinguished men, but to no other foreigner than Kossuth has it ever extended such a splendid welcome. The reason is not far to seek. The eloquent Hungarian represented principles which every American holds dear. As one touch of Nature makes the whole world kin, so do Freedom and Freedom's cause, make brothers of us all, no matter what language we speak or in what clime we were born.

 

The amount of the Columbus contributions to the Hungarian cause was about two thousand dollars ; the whole amount of the Ohio contributions about sixteen thousand. Meetings of the associations, including one of German ladies, organized in behalf of Hungarian independence, continued to be held for a time, but after some weeks were discontinued. On July 14, 1852, Kossuth sailed for England. 5

 

NOTES.

 

1. Kossuth was sufficiently master of French. German English and Italian to be able to speak fluently in all those languages.

2. The City Council refused to participate, as a body, either in the reception or the parade.

3. By order of the General Assembly the manuscripts of Governor Medill's speech and Kossuth's reply were handsomely bound and deposited in the State Library.

4. Ohio State Journal.

5. During his sojourn of about six months in the United States, Kossuth delivered about three hundred speeches. The changes which meanwhile took place in European politics having destroyed nearly all hope of Hungarian independence, the contributions to that cause were comparatively insignificant.

 

CHAPTER V.

 

BALLOON ASCENSIONS.

 

Fifty years ago aerial navigation was much more of a novelty, as well as more hazardously executed than it is now. Its most notable instance, down to 1859, was that of John Wise and John La Mountain, who, in July of that year, sailed through the air from St. Louis to Henderson, New York, a distance of 1,150 miles, at the rate of nearly a mile per minute. The first balloon ascension at Columbus was made by Richard Clayton from the Capitol Square on July 4, 1842. In advertising this performance it was stated that Mr. Clayton was one of the "most daring aeronauts in the world," and that on this occasion he would make his thirtieth ascension. "He will take his departure," the announcement pursued, " from a spacious amphitheatre erected for that purpose, at five o'clock P. M. To generate all the necessary quantity of hydrogen gas for the inflation of this stupendous vessel, 2,800 pounds of oil of vitriol, 3,000 pounds of iron, and 15,000 pounds of water have to be used."

 

Clayton's ascension, we are told, was a beautiful one, and was witnessed by "a vast concourse of people," occupying streets, windows and tops of buildings. "The balloon," the account continues, " rose gracefully from the amphitheater where the process of inflation took place, and the intrepid aeronaut waived an adieu to the congregated thousands as long as he could be distinguished.'" On July 7, Mr. Clayton published the following account of his voyage :

 

Precisely at the time proposed in my advertisement, I took my departure from the earth. The weather was calm, but the atmosphere was extremely hazy. The enclosure from which the ascension was made contained the most respectable and influential citizens of Columbus and its vicinity. As I arose, hats and handkerchiefs were waved, the military gave a salute, and an approving smile beamed from a thousand lovely countenances, giving buoyancy to one's feelings and adding enchantment to the scene. The movement of the balloon was so steady that no sensation of motion was experienced ; the earth appeared to gradually fall from my feet and the spectators to dwindle into dwarfs and blend, at last, into masses. A gentle breeze wafted me nearly in a north direction, a little to the right of the Delaware Road.. A number of persons on horseback endeavored to keep up with me, who, together with their horses, resembled the toys of children moving with snaillike velocity. On attaining the altitude of half a mile and a distance of five or six miles from the city, I caught a different current of air which bore me in an eastern direction. . . .

 

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