The above, with the 236 lots of the Original Plat, make a grand aggregate of 3,935 lots. A few of the smaller additions are subdivisions of lots in the Original Plat and elsewhere, which would reduce the net figures by about half a dozen. The Altamont Addition, platted on the hill south of the city, was laid out with the expectation that the electric line over the summit to Mingo would induce a demand for lots in that section, but owing to the absence of
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water, gas and other facilities these expectations were not realized, and when the course of the line was changed a few years later the addition was practically abandoned. The Pleasant Heights and Poplar Springs Addition in 1890 marked the beginning of a definite movement of population towards the hilltops. Part of the project was a driving park. In 1856, and for a few years thereafter, a county fair was held on South Third Street, at the present site of the La Belle mill office, at which the exhibits were creditable and good races for that day. Previous to the erection of the original mill a fair had also been held on that site. But these enterprises did not pay, and they were abandoned. No further attempt was made in this direction until 1873, when a number of enterprising gentlemen secured what was known as the Dr. Scott farm of thirty-five acres, adjoining the Means place, where a good half-mile driving track was constructed. The first races were held here on July 12, and although the premiums were large and the exhibitions good, there was not sufficient interest manifested to keep the concern going, and after a few years' losing experiments the ground was purchased by H. G. Garrett, who, in turn, sold it to Joshua Manly, and it reverted to agricultural puiposes. The experience of the Pleasant Heights people was much the same. The track was one of the best in the country. There were fine races, driving and bicycle, one successful county fair and large crowds, but financially it was not encouraging, and the tract was acquired by Eli Castner. Buffalo Bill gave his first Steubenville performance on the Scott place, and other like exhibitions followed at Pleasant Heights. Adams Street leads directly into this addition, Grand View Avenue extending along the bluff, succeeded by Pine, Elm, Walnut, Cedar and Union. The cross streets are Park and Jefferson. On August 12, 1902, the Pleasant Heights Improvement Company placed 205 more lots on this hill, and now had street car communication downtown. The streets here parallel with Adams are State, Plum and Orchard, with those at right angles being Wilson, McKee, Henry, Maxwell, Lawson, Union and Cedar. At this time Pittsburgh parties purchased about 170 acres from the Means heirs and others, the tract extending from Market Street close to Franklin Avenue, on which was laid ,out the largest addition yet made to Steubenville. It is a city in itself, the streets paralleling with Market being Belleview, Euclid, Ridge, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Wellesley, Oak,. Grove and Arlington. They are crossed by Wilkins, Pittsburgh, Carnegie and Ohio. The Beall & Steele Addition is laid out on both sides of Ridge Avenue, the cross streets being Brady, Weldon and McDowell. These four hilltop additions contain an aggregate of 1,254 lots, over one-third of all within the corporation limits. They are building up rapidly and having the advantages of water, gas, sewerage and all the conveniences to be found in the valley are becoming a favorite residential section.
POSTAL SERVICE.
It was not to he expected that a community as enterprising as were the early Steubenvillians would long be without regular postal facilities. There does not seem to have been a postmaster, however, until 1802, when John Galbraith was the first appointee. He kept store at what was afterwards known as Odd Fellows block, on Market Street, the site now being occupied by Bristor & Mueller's store. Galbraith was a Federalist and opposed to the second war with Great Britain; in fact, this community was so nearly evenly divided between the two parties at that time that William Lowry, Republican, and J. G. Henning, Federalist, tied on an election for justice of the peace, and on a second election Lowry only won out by one majority. When the Americans won a victory he withheld the news, and when the British won it was otherwise. When the report of Perry's victory was received public indignation had become so strong
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against Galbraith that he resigned the office in favor of Henning. But before Henning's papers reached the postmaster general, who was then in New Jersey, he received a letter from Judge Tappan, recommending David Larimore for the place, and he received the appointment. He held the position for twenty years, and the whirligig of politics having brought him into opposition to Judge Tappan, at the latter's instigation he was removed. He conducted the office on the site of the present Imperial Hotel, but when William Cable was appointed in 1837 he moved the office to North Third Street, between Market and Washington. He served four years, and his successor, William Collins, moved the office to the Turnbull block, on Market Street. Whitaker O'Neal was the next, in 1845, who moved to a one-story building east of Alley A, the site since occupied by the United States Hotel saloon. Francis A. Wells succeeded him in 1849 and was, in turn, succeeded by Thomas Brasliear from 1853 to 1861, when George B. Filson became the eighth in succession and moved the office up street to present No. 331, where a moving picture show is conducted. James Reed was his successor, and on the completion of the new Odd. Fellows block, in 1873, the office was removed thither, where it remained ten years, and was then removed to its present location at the west end of the city building. F. O'Neil was succeeded by George Moore in 1886, James F. Sarratt in 1890, James Trotter in 1894, M. L. Miller in 1898, and Aexander Sweeney, the present incumbent, in April, 1906, he being the fifteenth to hold the office. The business of the office has grown rapidly during the last ten years. The ,weipts from the sale of stamps and postal cards for the year ending March 31, 1898, were $17,357.33, and for that ending March 31, 1909, were $48,771.62, or nearly treble. The money order department for the year ending June 30, 1909, showed 9,162 domestic orders paid and 419 foreign; 23,191 domestic orders issued and 2,468 foreign, by which it is seen that a great deal more money is sent away than is received. The business of the office amounts to about half a million dollars a year and is handled by the following office force, in addition to Postmaster Sweeney : Charles Irwin, assistant postmaster; William F. Schaefer, chief clerk; J. T. Brady, money order clerk ; Joseph P. Stephens, register clerk ; C. S. Flanegan, general deliver-; Gladys G Wyatt, assistant ; Chester W. Reed, general utility clerk ; Charles W. Strean, stamper; F. A. Engel, Joseph M. Huston, John S. H. Patton, night clerks ; J. C. Williams, James B. Allison, dispatchers; Frank McNally, substitute clerk ; Harry E. Fellows, Humphrey J. Goodman, Charles L. McLeish, John J. Helmes, William G. Herb. William Dargue, William II. Bair, :1 ohn J. Huston, Wesley L. Fleming. Joseph S. Feist, John A. Sc-norrenberg, John Ellis Welday, Robert L. Adams, Albert. M. Bird, Lawrence E. Patterson. carfiers ; Peter A. Ward, Paul Geisinger, Reuben Jones, substitutes ; George R. Sanders, rural delivery carrier No. 1, /for Knoxville Road and northwest; I. G. Bucey, No. 2, for Market Street road' west and south; John B. Swinehart, special delivery messenger ; D. F. Baldwin, mail messenger; Charles Fleming, assistant. This makes a force of thirty-six persons in quarters entirely too cramped for the business done. Efforts to get adequate accommodations have so far been fruitless, but it is hoped that a bill introduced into Congress by Hon. D. A. Hollingsworth, appropriating $100,000 towards this object, will meet with better fate than its predecessors. (The bill has since passed.)
In this connection it may. be noted that Jefferson County has twenty-one rural free delivery routes, those outside of Steubenville being : Adena, 2 ; Amsterdam, 2 ; Bergholz, 1; Bloomingdale, 2 ; Dillonvale, 2 ; Fernwood, 1; Hammondsville, 2 ; Irondale, 1; Mingo, 1; Rayland, 2 ; Toronto, 2 ; Unionport, 1.
PROGRESS IN WATER SUPPLY.
A reliable and constant supply of pure water is a prime necessity in every grow-
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ing community, and it was not long before it was realized that the public wells already mentioned were insufficient, even when supplemented by numerous private wells and springs, the latter being plentiful along the base of the hills. Accordingly, in 1810, a company was formed under an act of the Legislature, dated January 10, and styled The Steubenville Water Company. The incorporators comprised the following named gentlemen : Bezaleel Wells, John C. Bayless, John England, Brice Viers, Joseph Beatty, William Hamilton, David Larimore, Benjamin Tappan, Thomas McKean Thompson, David Hoge, Jacob, Fetches, John Galbraith, Thomas Scott, Sampson King Samuel Hunter, Hans Wilson, Thomas Henderson, James G. Henning, Zacheus Bigger, William R. Dickenson, James Larimore and Obediah Jennings.
This company was authorized to purchase lands, lay pipes, erect pent stacks and to do whatever else was necessary to afford a sufficient water supply. The company first laid a line of wooden pipes from a spring, between Market and Washington Streets, above Seventh, and these becoming insufficient, an additional line was laid from the Doyle, afterwards known as "Spencer's Tan Yard." The remains of these wooden pipes are yet struck occasionally in making excavations. The logs were laid southeasterly around the Elliott tan yard to Market Street, and at the court house and other several points were stone cisterns to husband a reserve supply, especially for fire purposes. The logs were ten to twelve inches in diameter, with a two-inch hole bored through the center by Jacob Brickard. It is very likely the logs leaked more or less at the joints, but the system seems to have worked fairly well until about 1820, when it gave out, and a system was adopted of hauling water in large barrels, at 6% cents per barrel, from the river. This lasted until 1835, when the necessities of the town and losses by fire induced the calling of a public meeting, which authorized the town council to procure esti mates for the construction of a more complete and adequate water system. In the meantime, James Collins, mayor, had been requested to visit Pittsburgh and obtain information concerning the water system of that city. The mayor made an exhaustive report of his trip—the annual expenses incurred and the income derived from the system. Accordingly a loan of $35,000 was negotiated by. Humphrey H. Leavitt from Edward Coleman, of Philadelphia, and the money placed to the credit of the city of Steubenville in The Farmers and Mechanics Bank. Mr. Leavitt's total expenses for the trip and time employed in securing the loan were $59.65. The plant was erected at a total cost of $34,453.24, and put into operation in 1836. An effort was first made to have the pumping station located on the west side of Water Street and draw the water from a well, which it was thought would draw an unfailing supply from the river, but this plan was soon abandoned, on account of quicksand and the plant moved out to the river bank at the foot of Adams Street. It has never been, satisfactorily explained why the pumping station was located at the south end of town, below all the drainage from the city, instead of at the north end. The reservoir was located half way up the hill, at the head of Adams Street, 192 feet, perpendicular height, above the pumps, and three-fourths of a mile from the works. A forty-horsepower engine forced 200,000 gallons into the reservoir each ten hours, and the capacity of the reservoir was twice that amount, which was considered doing very well, as Pittsburgh then was using only 500,000 gallons per day. In 1854 an additional, reservoir was joined to the other on the west holding 600,000 gallons, thus giving a total storage capacity of 1,000,000 gallons. By 1864 it was evident that the works must be rebuilt, the old machinery, besides being worn out, was entirely too light for the work now needed. Accordingly the works were enlarged to double their former size, a twenty-inch main laid to the reservoir, new boilers and two 150-
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horsepower engines installed, one of them being made at the Means foundry, and new, up-to-date pumps, with a capacity of 2,480.000 gallons each twenty-four hours. This was far beyond the consumption at that time, which, in fact, did not reach half that amount until 1879, so that it was only necessary to keep one engine in operation, the other being kept in reserve. This work was completed in 1867, at a cost of $50,000. A few years after another reservoir was added, bringing the storage capacity to 1,700,000 gallons. A twenty-inch main was laid along Seventh Street, from which an eight-inch pipe led down Market Street, and six-inch pipes down the parallel streets to the river (now eight-inch on 'Washington), from which the laterals are connected.
It was estimated that the city was now provided with a water plant which would, it was supposed, answer every purpose for half a century to come, but early in the nineties the daily consumption was equal to the full capacity of the reservoirs, thus guaranteeing only a twenty-four hours' supply in case of accident. The machinery. was once more out of date and none the better for its thirty years' steady work. The adoption of sewers made the location of the pumping station undesirable, and the disastrous Lindsey-Falk fire on August 14, 1893, demonstrated that the water pressure was not sufficient to cope with a great conflagration in the large buildings which were occupying the downtown district. All this led to the conviction that not an improvement of the old water works was needed, but an entirely new plant in another location. The matter was taken up by Mr. Sinclair, then a member of the Board of Council, and it is chiefly to his energetic efforts that the city owes its present magnificent plant, conceded to be the best on the Ohio River. The old Alikanna Iron Works' property, just above the mouth qf Wills Creek, was purchased and in 1894 work of construction was begun. The river here makes a large curve, and a ledge of rock, exposed at low water, extends almost to the West Virginia shore, leaving a narrow and deep channel with swift current. Through this the supply pipe was laid, securely protected from ice floes and resting on a crib in the deep water, below any danger from passing boats and getting the purest water that is in the river. The large stone pumping station on the bank is an attractive feature of the landscape. Besides being surrounded by beautiful and well kept grounds, which give it the appearance of a summer, hotel, its site is directly opposite the celebrated and famous "Half-Moon" farm, comprising about 1.400 acres of as well located and parklike farming land as may be found at any point along the upper Ohio. Just above it on a hill top is located Stanton Park, from which an entrancing view of the surrounding country can be obtained for many miles.
The daily capacity of the pumping station is 6,000,000 gallons, from two E. P. Allis pumps, As the storage capacity is 7,200,000 gallons, and the consumption about 2,500,000, the city is always assured of a supply in case of emergency, and in addition consumers have full knowledge that the water has a chance to settle before being used for any purpose. The high pressure reservoir is located in a natural depression at the head of Franklin Avenue, 250 feet perpendicular height above the works. From this a twenty-inch main leads down Franklin and Seventh Streets to the original low pressure reservoirs, and from which a high pressure system of pipes covers the city for fire and special purposes, in addition to the low pressure for domestic use.
There are about forty miles of mains in use, ranging in size from twenty-four inches to four. These pipes are divided into two systems, one carrying a pressure of forty to seventy-five pounds, and the other, high, from one hundred to one hundred and thirty pounds. The city has some 300 fire hydrants. When the works were constructed provision was made for the installation of a 6,000,000 gallon pump
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when the same should be necessary, and an additional high pressure reservoir, with a capacity of 5,000,000 gallons, was also partly constructed. There is now talk of completing these improvements, together with another low pressure reservoir. When the works were constructed it was foreseen that the hilltops above the reservoirs would ultimately require a water supply, and it came sooner than was anticipated. To meet this demand a sixty-five-foot standpipe was erected on La Belle View, which is fed by an ingenious arrangement. Where the water pours into the low pressure reservoir has been placed a hydraulic ram, which receives the full force of the current. Its operation throws sufficient water to the standpipe, while the surplus flows into the basin below. This self-acting pumping station is operated practically without cost, and apparently contradicts the scientific diction that one cannot lift himself over a fence by pulling on his own bootstraps. The capacity and purpose of the high pressure system are such as to throw six heavy streams at one time over the top of the court house, and steam fire engines have been relegated to the realms of the "have beens." These works were completed in 1895, at a cost of $180,000. They would now cost double that amount. The contractors were Floto Brothers and A. W. McDonald, of Steubenville, and the work was done under the supervision of J. Sinclair, B. M. Brown, Charles L. Poreman, E. E. Blinn, Thomas Frith, Charles E. Moody, Frank Spearman, David McGowan and Winfield Scott.
The estimated value of the entire plant with mains, etc., on January 1, 1909, was $381,221.83, with outstanding bonds of $170,000 The receipts for 1908 were $38,729..11, and total expenditures $41,903.87. In the latter, however, are included $5,000 bonds redeemed, and $6,405.96 for pipe extension to outlying districts, which, of course, are a permanent addition to the plant. So the water works not only pay their own way but provide a sinking fund for the bonded debt, make their own extensions and furnish free water to all city buildings, schoolhouses, churches, fires (including construction of hydrants) and street sprinkling, public and private. The subject of public or private ownership of public utilities is a much debated one, but in Steubenville there is but one opinion so far as the water service is concerned. Nobody would be willing to turn it over to a private company.
G. V. Robinson, of Pittsburgh, became superintendent of the works in 1836, James Baron in 1839, B. J. Irwin in 1865, William Hunt in 1883, F. B. Ford in 1889, S. B. Curfman in 1896, George O'Neal, present incumbent, in 1907.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Closely connected with a city's water service and depending largely on it for efficiency is the fire department. The original method of fighting fires in Steubenville was by the "bucket brigade." Each family was required to keep in a convenient place at least two leather buckets, which were unbreakable. When the alarm of fire was given every man, woman and child was expected to respond with the leather buckets, especially for the purpose, and fall in line to pass the buckets of water from the river or the nearest cistern to the point of danger. The full buckets were passed up by the men, emptied by those fighting the fire and thrown to the other line of women and children, who rapidly passed them back for supply. This service was far from being inefficient, especially as most of the buildings at that time were small and the stream of water was almost as constant, if not as strong, as from an engine. In the year 1822 a meeting of citizens authorized the council to purchase a fire engine, and a small hand machine was procured in Philadelphia, and housed in a one-story building on Third Street, just north of the court house. This did not do away with the bucket brigade, whose enercries were now chiefly directed towards. keeping the machine supplied with water.
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In 1832 C. C. Wolcott purchased a small rotary engine on wheels, for use about his factory, but whose services were in demand whenever there was a fire. The city had in the meantime purchased another small hand engine, which it placed in a frame building on the lot now covered by the Herald building on North Fourth Street, immediately south of the Second Presbyterian Church lot. About the year 1846 the council purchased a larger hand engine, called the "Reliance," and erected for it a one-story brick building on the North Fourth Street lot, and shortly after the "Phoenix," which was housed in a frame structure on the site of the present Phoenix building south of the public square. This building was surmounted by a bell tower, ending in a spire, on which stood the tin figure of a man blowing a trumpet, which was irreverently dubbed Neddy Price, a well known character about town. The Phoenix engine had what was considered a marked advance, namely, a suction pipe, which enabled it to draw water from a cistern or other reservoir at the same time it was throwing a stream on the flames. The water mains being pretty well extended by this time, hose reels were added to the equipment of the company, and the bucket brigade went gradually out of service. These engines served the city for nearly twenty-five years, and as an athletic exercise could discount a modern gymnasium many times over. The water receptacle was a long box, similar to a wagon bed, from which a square superstructure rose in the center containing the force pump. Levers extended out in either direction, with a double set of cross bars at each, the upper ones being worked by several persons standing on a platform across the engine bed, and the lower ones by an equal number standing on the ground. The engines were drawn to fires by hand power, the companies being volunteers, and leading citizens taking a hand in pulling as well as operating the machines, responding energetically to the call of the captain : "Now, boys, now !" as the flames came spurting from a burning building. It is said that when President Lincoln called for volunteer soldiers for the Union army the ranks of the fire companies were almost depleted. These fire laddies being familiar with scenes of danger and used to discipline soon became thorough soldiers. The annual parade was a great day, the engines being gaily decked with flowers, and the procession greeted with flowers and cheers as it passed through the streets.
In 1852 the city council passed an ordinance which provided a number of new rules and regulations governing the volunteer fire department and the citizens in general at fires. By it firemen were exempt from labor on the highways and the citizens required to aid in extinguishing fires. A fire warden was appointed, annually, from each ward, whose duty it was to inspect buildings in the ward and see that all regulations were complied with. Three directors were also appointed, whose authority at a fire was absolute. In the absence of the first, second or third took his place, as the case might be. Four linemen were also appointed to form the people into lines.
Officers of this volunteer department were required to wear uniforms at a fire or pay a fine of five dollars. No matter where they happened to be, when the alarm sounded, officers must don the ,uniform and get to the front. This reminds one of the volunteer firemen who proposed during one of the evening sessions "that a committee be appointed to grease the cart just before each fire."
A fire in the Owesney block on South Fourth Street in the winter of 1869-70 having demonstrated the inefficiency of the old hand engines, the council, in the following spring, purchased a steam fire engine, together with hose, reel and 1,000 feet of hose from L. Button & Son, of Waterford, N. Y., for $5,270. This engine was placed in the Phoenix engine house, and Homer Permar elected first engineer, at a salary. of $200 per year. Very soon after its pur-
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chase it had a chance to demonstrate its efficiency in subduing a stubborn fire in the Mears bonded warehouse on lower Market Street. In the meantime a storm had partly demolished the old Phoenix engine house and a new brick structure was erected with mayor's office and council chamber above. The Reliance headquarters had also been moved from Fourth Street to a new building on North Street, west of Fourth, where they have since remained, a fine building, thoroughly equipped, having been erected in 1909, with quarters also for the hook and ladder wagon. About a year after the purchase of the Phoenix engine a steamer was purchased for the Reliance Company, with Samuel Martin, first engineer, and James Beans, second. The destructive United States Hotel fire on March 9, 1885, followed by two other large fires the same year, led to the organization of a paid department on January 5, 1886. The council appointed Edward Nicholson fire marshal, who was succeeded by W. B. Martin, the present incumbent. The other members are : Phoenix, James Gill, captain; Vincent Saunders and William Singer, drivers ; Charles Quimby and James Huffman, horsemen. Reliance, W. A. Shouse, captain; Edward Green and Chester Anderson, drivers ; Charles Moto, Frank Weaver, Howard McDonald and M. Kepler, horsemen. Hook :Ind Ladder, Chester Anderson and Howard McDonald. There is also a volunteer company of twenty-two, housed in fire two-story brick building on La Bela, View, Ross Thompson, captain, and a similar company on Pleasant Heights, R. Teaff, captain.
As previously stated, the introduction of the high pressure water system put the steamers out of use, the equipment now comprising hose wagons, chemical engines, hook and ladder wagon, etc. There are twenty-five alarm boxes, the system being practically rebuilt during 1908. The net cost of operating the department that year was $17,812.88, and the fire loss was $65,091, on which there was insurance of $61,- 084, making a net loss of $4,007; $49,500 6f the gross loss was caused by the burning of the Imperial glass plant.
Reference has been made to the death of Andrew Bickerstaff on March 9, 1885. On July 11, 1888, Patrick McKay, one of the bravest of the original members of the paid department, met his death at a small fire which occurred in Kleinman's notion store on the north side of Market Street, two doors west of Fourth Street. In order to get at the blaze the firemen were compelled to gain an entrance from the rear of the building. In jumping over a fence McKay alighted on an iron rod, which penetrated his abdomen, causing death five days later. Michael McGraw was fatally injured at the Sharp foundry fire, which occurred January 23, 1897, and died January 26, 1899.
By a state law in 1888, the firemen's pension fund was created, which provides that one-half of the tax collected from foreign fire insurance companies doing business in the county shall be placed to the credit of such funds. There is now $5,000 in this fund and one pensioner. A fireman receives $40 a month for permanent disability. Should he lose his life his widow receives $20 a month, and each of his children under sixteen years old $6 a month. For partial disability a member of the department receives not less than $20 a month from this fund, or more than $30 a month. After serving twenty-five years a fireman may retire on a pension of $30 a month or if he serves thirty years he may be granted a pension of $30 a month, which Is exempt from taxation or from execution or attachment.
A feature of discipline worthy of a passing notice in connection with the rapidity of the fire department's movements is that of the horses. It is a noticeable fact that a fter being in service a short time they can distinguish a fire alarm from any other signal that may be sent in. For instance, a signal is sent in at 2 o'clock each day, but they manifest no excitement when these taps are sounded further than taking their places at the apparatus. But let the gong
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sound for a fire, and something go wrong temporarily, which does not permit the door to open, and they will make a terrible fuss till released. Should an alarm come in while they are being exercised, it is almost impossible to hold them. They are, in fact, in many ways nearly human and need no urging while en route to a fire.
Some day they will be superseded by autos, as is the case in London, and this interesting feature eliminated.
BANKING AND FINANCE.
It is easily comprehended that a community as active as was Steubenville could not remain long without banking facilities. Accordingly, in 1809, Bezaleel Wells and William R. Dickenson opened the Bank of Steubenville, the former acting as president and the latter as cashier. Alexander McDowell was teller, and Benjamin Cunning janitor. The bank continued until 18:21, when it became involved to the extent of $150,000, and closed up its business. A few years after the unexpired charter was taken up by Samuel Stokely, James Teaff, A. Doyle, A. H. Dohrman, James Dougherty and M. M. Laughlin, with Stokely as president and 0. Ballard cashier, but three years' experience convinced them that the concern was not a paying institution, and it was wound up.
In the meantime, in 1816, " The Farmers and Mechanics' Bank" was organized, with John C. Wright, president, and Thomas Scott, cashier. It was started as a private bank, but in 1817, by a. special act of the Legislature, was chartered for a term of twenty years. When the charter expired a new organization was effected, under the title of "The Jefferson Branch of the State Bank of Ohio." This continued until 1865, when it became "The Jefferson National Bank." Its charter expiring in 1885, it .was again reorianized, under the title of "The Steubenville National Bank" until 1902, when its property and franchise were purchased by The National Exchange Bank. The old brick building, with its Grecian front, was long a landmark on upper Market Street, and its demolition was not regarded without regret. It maintained specie payments on its circulation through the panics of 1837 and 1857 uninterruptedly down to the passage of the legal tender act of 1862. Mr. Scott, the first cashier, held office only a year, and was succeeded by David Moody for thirty-three years, William Spencer, twenty-three years, and Charles Gallagher from April 1, 1874, until his death in October, 1901. Thomas Johnson, Jr., and George P. Harden acted temporarily until the bank was sold. The presidents were John C. Wright, Nathaniel Dike, Dr. John Andrews, Willihm Kilgore, 1852-76; James Gallagher, 1876-84; R. L. Brownlee, 18841902.
An incorporated bank was organized in 1832, under the title of "Mechanics' Fund Association," being managed principally by the treasurer, John Leetch, Thomas Johnson being president. It operated successfully for over twenty years, when it was bought out by Robert Sherrard and Thomas L. Jewett, who continued business on the northeast corner of Fourth and Market Streets, under the name of R. Sherrard & Co. In 1865 it was converted into the First National Bank, but this was wound up in 1868, and the assets sold to R. Sherrard, W. H. Mooney and James Gregg, operating under the name of the Commercial Bank of Sherrard, Mooney & Co. The new building on the northwest corner of Fourth and Market Streets was completed a few years after and occupied by the firm. Mr. Mooney retiring and Mr. Sherrard dying in 1895 the Commercial National Bank was organized with George A. Maxwell, president, and James Gregg, cashier, with a capital of $125,000. It has been very successful, the statement of June 23, 1909, showing resources of $1,049,398.19. The present board of directors consists of John W. Forney, president ; Andrew McDonald, vice president; A. S. Buckingham, cashier; Emmett E. Erskine, William Leech, W. S. Walker, William Stone, G. G. Gaston.
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J. J.. Gill, Thomas A. Hammond and others in 1873 opened a private banking house on North Fourth Street in the building adjoining Odd Fellows' Hall, under the title of the Exchange Bank, which, in the following year, was converted into a national bank and removed to the northeast corner of Market and Fourth streets, where it remained about fifteen years, when a twenty-year lease was secured in the McConville block, on the southeast corner of Fourth and Market, and a fine banking room fitted up. It had come to the front as one of the leading financial institutions of the city, when in 1902 it took a long step forward in the absorption of the Steubenville National Bank, whose resources were added to its already imposing list of assets: Increasing business demanded more commodious quarters, and it was determined to erect a modern banking and business house on the site of the old Steubenville National Bank, which was completed in 1904, at a cost of $175,000. It is one of the finest banking houses in the country, and easily takes the lead of any similar structure in eastern Ohio. Marble wainscotting, hardwood finish, bronze and plate glass screens, express elevator, all electric appliances and other features go to make an up to date building. The present capital stock is $250,000, but it sells for more than one hundred per cent premium, and is difficult to get. The board of directors is composed of W. H. McClinton, president; David McCullough, vice president ; D. M. Welday, Thomas Johnson, Winfield Scott, Charles J. McConnell, J. E. McGowan, Fletcher C. Chambers ; Thos. A. Hammond, cashier. Its resources on February 5, 1909, were $2,650,934.27.
The People's National Bank was organized in April, 1905, with a capital of $100,000, and although one of the youngest financial institutions of the city has progressed in a manner as to indicate the confidence of the people. It occupies commodious quarters at 331 Market Street, and its statement showed resources of $614,709.19. The directors are : W. F. Davidson, president ; E. E. Franey, vice president; A. M. Helms, John McClave, R. G. Richards, B. Frank Murphy, James T. Sarratt, S. J. Podlewski, H. S. Bristor, F. M. Work, S. R. Stark; L. L. Grimes, cashier.
Among the older financial institutions of the city ffs the Union Deposit Bank, at 106 South Third Street, which has occupied its present location since 1854. At that time H. G. Garrett organized the Union Savings Institute, of which he was treasurer, it occupying the rear end of his dry goods store. It was organized into the Union Deposit Bank in 1873, with Mr. Garrett as cashier, and occupying the whole apartment. Mr. Garrett retired in 1887, and 4 was succeeded by his nephew, Dohrman J. 9 Sinclair, who still remains at the head of the institution, with John M. Cook presi- I dent. A new building replaced the old structure in 1892, giving it one of the largest and best equipped apartments in the city, and the energy and high financial standing of its proprietors have long made it one of the most popular institutions of the city, Mr. Sinclair especially being recognized as the leader in Steubenville industrial prosperity. Plans have been drawn for a large bank and office building on the corner of Fourth and Market Streets, which is expected to materialize in the near future.
The Miners' & Mechanics' Bank of Savings was organized in 1872, with quarters on North Fourth Street, above present Odd Fellows' Block, and afterwards removed to Cookson Building, at present Fiest's Confectionery. From thence it was removed to its present quarters in Gallagher Block, 106 South Fourth Street. As its name indicates, it is a bank of savings, every depositor becoming a stockholder and sharing in the profits of the concern. Its investments are real estate mortgages and other approved securities. Since its organization it has paid out about three quarters of a million in dividends, the present deposits aggregating $1,500,000. The directors are: David Mc-
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Gowan, president ; A. M. Helms, W. S. Walker, Edward Nicholson, Geo. S. Hawkins, J. A. Kithcart, John Bentz, Thomas Barclay, Alfred Day, Winfield Scott. John Potter is secretary and treasurer, succeeding John W. Cookson and S. B. Campbell. .Closely 'allied to savings institutes are building and loan associations as instruments affording opportunity for small investments, and at the same time providing facilities for loans to those wishing to repay on easy terms, especially the great army of renters, who, by paying but little .above the average rental, are enabled, in the course of a few years, to secure a home. During the later sixties and early seventies there were two building and loan associations in the city, Steubenville and Jefferson, which did a fairly successful business, but the demand falling off, and the operations under -the then existing statutes not being satisfactory, they were wound up without loss to the stockholders. The present Steubenville Building & Loan Association was originated by William McD. Miller, and incorporated on March 28, 1888. The capital stock of $200,000 was subscribed in April of that year, and it became necessary to double the capital stock to meet the requests of subscribers. In two more years the capital was increased to $800,000, and then shortly afterwards to the present authorized capital of $2,000,000. The shares of stock are $200 each, payable by weekly payments of 25 cents a share. Since its organization the company has handled over $2,500,000 and made more than two thousand loans to home getters. The present board of directors is composed of S. A. Lanbheim, president; William McD. Miller, secretary ; Albert G. Lee, treasurer ; W. H. Helms, vice-president ; John Carlisle, James Brettell, W. M. Beall, James P. Parks, B. J. Morrison. The assets amount to $415,000. The Jefferson Building & Savings Company was organized in 1897, and since that time has worked its assets up from $53,455.31 to $393,332.43, a truly remarkable record, comparing favorably with the best organizations in the state. Its headquarters are in the southwest corner of the courthouse basement, and the directors are John W. Forney, president A. C. Blackburn, vice president; Hugh S. Coble, se,retary ; Dr. J. A. McCullough, Charles J. McConnell, John McClave, W. S. Walker.
Morelli Bros. conduct a private banking room at 112 North Sixth Street, dealing chiefly with foreign brokerage and steamship traffic.
The capital and resources comprised in the city's existing financial institutions noted above aggregate fully $8,000,000.
When James Collier and family came from California, about 1849, he and his sons shortly after organized a private banking company, under the name of Citizens' Bank, occupying a building erected for the purpose on the southeast corner of Market Square. The concern failed in 1859, with serious loss to stockholders and depositors. The building was afterwards purchased by the county and used as offices for the auditor and treasurer until the completion of the new courthouse, in 1874. It was then sold to the Jefferson Fire Insurance Company, a local organization, which carried on successful operations for a number of years and then occupied a room at 319 Market Street, afterwards the Herald printing office. This company tore down the old building and erected the present structure (since enlarged). This company quit business in 1882 and the property was purchased by the Jefferson Iron Works and uwd for its main office for several years, when it was sold to Edward Sprague and Joseph Carnahan and converted into a job printing establishment, now operated by the H. C. Cook Company.
In 1873 Capt. John F. Oliver opened a private bank on North Fourth Street, which lie conducted about a year, when it was discontinued and the room occupied by the Miners' & Mechanics' Bank. Many years ago there was a Steubenville Fire Insurance Company, which finally went out of business.
As an illustration of the rapid change in
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the first five years of the present century the value of factory products increased from $4,547,049, in 1900, to $12,369,677, in 1905, or 172 per cent, the greatest increase during this period of any city. having a population of 8,000 or over in the state. During the same period the capital invested in manufacturing industries increased from $2,302,563 to $12,627,048, or 448 per cent, an unprecedented record.
GRAVEYARDS AND CEMETERIES.
While the forefathers as a rule possessed rugged constitutions, yet they were subject to the ordinary ailments of mankind, and the private burying grounds of the first settlers were soon displaced by graveyards and cemeteries. There was an old Indian burying ground on the present site of the La Belle iron works, from which bones were dug up while making excavations for the mills. When the city was laid out Bezaleel Wells donated two lots at the corner of South and Fourth Streets for a public burying ground, but this soon becoming crowded several of the religious organizations secured tracts adjoining each other on South Fourth and Fifth Streets, extending from the junction of these two streets nearly to the present site of the Carnegie Library. This became known as the "old graveyard." The tracts were controlled by the different religious societies of the town, although everybody could be buried there without regard to religious proclivities. The M. P. Church had a graveyard at the upper end of the town, where the traction carbarn now stands, and the First and United Presbyterian and St. Peter's R. C. had graveyards around their respective churches. By 1853 the necessity of making further provision for interments was so apparent that in November of that year there was held a meeting of the official members of the different religious bodies, at which a committee was appointed to select a tract of ground outside the city limits for cemetery purposes. This committee was corn- posed of Dr. C. C. Beatty and Col. Geo. W. McCook, of the First Presbyterian Church ; Rezin Permar and Frederick Frye, First M. E. Dr. John Andrews and Alexander Beatty, St. Paul's ; William McDonald and David McGowan, United Presbyterian; Joshua Manly and Kinsey Swords, Methodist Protestant ; Ambrose Shaw and John McCracken, Hamline. A tract of fifty acres was selected on the Huscroft farm, on Market Street extension, and on February 25th a Union Cemetery Association was formed with a capital stock of $10,000, divided into 1,000 shares of $10 each. While the movement naturally emanated from the different church bodies, yet the organization was and is entirely secular, not under the control of any religious organization or organizations singly or collectively. The churches, however, were encouraged to become stockholders, as several of them did, and the original subscribers or their assigns had the first choice of lots up to the value of their stock, which thereafter ceased to be of any intrinsic value, as the entire income of the cemetery is devoted to the care of the grounds, with such enlargements and improvements as have been necessary. A general picnic was held on the grounds on July 4, 1854, and religious services were conducted by Rev. George Buchanan, of the U. P. Church. The first board of trustees was elected on July 15, 1854, composed of James Collier, president ; David McGowan, Kinsey Swords, C. C. Beatty, Joshua Manly, Geo. W. McCook, Sr., Dr. John Andrews ; D. L. Collier, clerk. A portion of the ground was platted by John D. Slack, an expert landscape gardener, and the foundation laid for probably the most beautiful rural cemetery in the country. The St. Paul's, M. P., U. P., Kramer and Presbyterian organizations each purchased an acre of ground for special use of their own members. The Presbyterians afterwards turned their tract over to the cemetery association, retaining a percentage on lots sold ; the others, however, still keep their tracts. The other graveyards
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in the city were now abandoned, the one at South and Fourth Streets being converted into a school site and the "Old Graveyard" divided into building lots. Some six hundred transfers were made to the Union Cemetery, but years after, during excavations for sand and building purposes, fragments of bones were exposed to view. A few years later the original area of the cemetery was more than doubled by securing a long ravine leading to Fourth Street extension, now Lincoln Avenue. Through this have been constructed beautiful walks and driveways, in fact, making a park which has always been free to the public, without any expense to the city. Other additions to the cemetery have brought up the total area to about 250 acres, and thousands of dollars have been spent in the construction of roadways and bridges, as well as as providing for sepulchral needs for many years to come. All this has been done out of the proceeds of the sale of lots and income from other sources, including a. donation of $10,000 from the late C. C. Beatty and gifts from J. B. Hawkins and David McGowan. The two main entrances are a mile and a quarter apart, with a neat lodge house at each.
On a mound near the Market Street entrance is the Jefferson County soldiers' and sailors' monument, completed in 1870, at a cost of $8,000. It is a beautiful Corinthian column of white marble, surmounted by a flying eagle, while at the base stand life-size statues of a soldier and sailor. Emblems of war and names of the fields upon which Jefferson County soldiers bled and died are found on the sides. It is a most artistic piece of work, and throughout the cemetery are other fine examples of the sculptor's art, as well as mausoleums, etc. Recent oil developments in the neighborhood have somewhat detracted from the scenic surroundings, but this will only he a temporary drawback. while the amount realized by the cemetery corporation will make a material addition to the endowment fund. The interments here to date aggregate 10,212, in addition to over 600 removals from the old cemeteries. The present directors are: Geo. W. McCook, president; Geo. P. McCracken, secretary; David McGowan, D. J. Sinclair, Sherman Walker, H. H. McFadden, John A. Kith-cart, Thomas Johnson, J. B. Doyle; superintendent, E. T. Jeuney.
As stated, a graveyard originally surrounded St. Peter's Church (then called St. Pius), but about the same time as the organization of the Union Cemetery a tract was purchased on Market Street extension, north side, which was used until 1880, when a tract was purchased west of Union Cemetery, which is now in use. This association has also benefited financially by the recent oil developments in that neighborhood.
SCHOOLS AND SCHOOLHOUSES.
We have seen that Steubenville's pioneers were above the average in culture and refinement, and settlers of this character were not likely to go longer than was necessary without educational facilities for their children. It is probable, however, that for the first few years after the laying out of the town the number of children of school age was very small, and while there were no doubt some previous efforts towards education, it is not until 1805-06 that we find an account of a. regular school within the town limits. Mrs. Polly Johnson, whose father, Augustine Bickerstaff, came to Steubenville from Fayette County, Pennsylvania, in 1798, tells of attending school in a log but in 1801, but it was a mile from their house, and they went only in the winter season, as they had to work hard the rest of the year. The school above referred to in the town was conducted by Mr. Black. It was located in a frame residence on Market Street, between Fifth Street and Bank alley, and lie seems to have been a man of ability and respect. The first structure erected for exclusive school purposes was built by Bezaleel Wells, on the site of the present electric plant on High Street, and, painting it red,
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it was ever after known as the Little Red Schoolhouse. The first teacher was James Thompson, who was succeeded by Thomas Fulton, and Fulton by Jacob Hull. Both Fulton and Hull had a fondness for intoxicants that today could not be reconciled with the high positions held by them. Their indulgence frequently led to napping, when they would awaken to find their slippers removed or hats decorated with quill-pen feathers thrust through the bands. It is handed down that on occasions they would go to sleep with their heads resting on the desk, and on awakening find a pile of books covering the seat of learning, but for the moment befuddled with liquor. The books used prior to 1812 were, as a rule, such as the schoolmaster could furnish himself, but after this period the English Reader, the United States Speller and the Introduction were introduced, and other schools followed the Little Red Schoolhouse. Miss Sheldon opened a school on High Street, the Misses Graham and Burgess on Fourth Street, and as early as 1816 an Irish schoolmaster named Baker opened a school at the head of Washington Street, which was well patronized, but his employment of the hickory gad as a factor of education was so decided that he was frequently a subject for discipline himself. He continued to teach for ten years, when his spirit took its flight and the body was followed to the tomb by a large concourse of people, in the fall of 1825. Mr. Fowler conducted a school on Fourth Street in 1817 and after. Boys and girls attended these schools together, the tuition being $2.50 per term of six months and upwards. A step forward was taken in 1818, when Bezaleel Wells started a fund for the erection of an academy on South High Street, adjoining the present electric plant. It was put in charge of Prof. J. P. Miller, a seceder minister, the building having been erected by John De Huff. It was well patronized for a number of years and was the home of St. Paul's congregation previous to the erection of its first house of worship. Rev. Iritrepid Morse purchased the property and converted it into a dwelling. With considerable alteration it still stands. Rev. Dr. George Buchanan, a native of the Cumberland valley, established the first classic school in the West, on Market Street, in Steubenville, in 1814, where the Hammond residence now stands. Here all the higher branches were taught for many years and the pupils became eminent in many of the states, giving testimony of the high character of the school, among the pupils being Edwin M. Stanton. Samuel Ackerly conducted a private school not far from the Buchanan academy in 1820, and afterward Dr. John Scott erected an academy on North Seventh Street and conducted a successful school up to about the year 1856, where many of the youth of the city received their education. Private schools by Delle Hunt, in 1828, and John Dudley, on Third Street, Henry Orr, Miss Rush, Miss Osborne, Miss Butler, Powell's School, on South Fifth Street, and others continued to flourish for many years. While the male portion of the youth were thus being cared for, not only in the primary but in the higher branches, there was as yet no provision for the education of the girls beyond the primary departments.
On October 21, 1825, Rev. Charles C. Beatty, of near Princeton, N. J., then in his twenty-sixth year, who had already attained a reputation for ability and scholarship, was installed as pastor of the First Presbyterian Church. His services in that connection are noticed elsewhere, but it was not long before he began to take an active part in public affairs generally. On November 6, 1827, he married Miss Hetty Elizabeth Davis, of Lexington, and afterwards of Maysville, Ky. She was born within the present limits of Pittsburgh, on October 31, 1802, her father's farm becoming what is now the Allegheny Cemetery. She was a studious girl, and was thoroughly educated not only in the ordinary English branches but in music, French and painting, as well as Latin— something quite exceptional for the daughters of the pio-
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neers. The newly married couple lived in the frame building on the west side of High Street, for many years after the home of Col. Alexander Doyle, and still standing, although remodeled. Here, on April 13, 1829, was opened the first seminary for young ladies in what had been known as the Northwest Territory. Without detracting an iota from Dr. Beatty's part in this enterprise, we think that the main credit for its inception as well as for much of its subsequent success was due to Mrs. Beatty. From an interesting biography by Rev. A. M. Reid we learn that she had previously wished to teach, but her relatives and friends would not agree to it. After marriage the desire continued, and to gratify her taste and wishes Dr. Beatty agreed to let her begin a school. When they decided to have a seminary Dr. and Mrs. Beatty visited the leading schools in the East to learn the best methods and types of a school for young ladies. Being Presbyterians, the religious atmosphere of the school was under the auspices of that denomination, but it was always a private institution, not under the control of any outside organization. Exactly how long the school remained in its first home is uncertain. Dr. Beatty had purchased from Alexander McDowell, on December 19, 1828, Lot No. 8, in the Original Plat of the City, on High Street, below Adams, for $200, where afterwards was erected the central building of his seminary, with main entrance ball and parlors.
No additional ground was acquired until November 23, 1833, when Lot No. 9, on the north, was purchased from Eliza Payne and others for $155. On July 21, 1835, he bought from James Ross Lot No. 1, on South Street, for $200, and on October 5, Lot No. 10, on Adams Street, with the house thereon, the present residence of Dr. A. M. Reid, for $2,250. Lot No. 6 was purchased from Robert Hanlon on July 24, 1837, and adjoining Lot 7 probably about the same time; Lot 4 from James Means, October 1, 1838, for $600, and 5 on December 10, 1840, from Jane and Francis Hyde, for $500. May 14, 1841, Lots 2 and 3, with the brick house thereon, were bought from Brickell for $4,000, the property now including the entire square bounded by Adams, High, South and Water Streets, the aggregate cost being $8,555. As the school grew in size and additional ground was procured the buildings were extended, the library, school hall and connecting music corridor being the last constructed. The grounds were enclosed by a high brick wall and planted with trees and shrubbery, forming a beautiful grove, with later a central fountain, while from the windows and veranda were the loveliest views imaginable up and down the Ohio River. The first graduates went out in 1833. the advance guard of nearly 5,000 who spread the name and fame of the Steubenville Seminary to every quarter of the globe. In 1856 Rev. A. M. Reid and his wife, Mrs. S. L. Reid, were associated with Dr. and Mrs. Beatty as assistants, Dr. Reid becoming principal and Dr. Beatty superintendent. The latter afterwards purchased the Frazer property on the opposite side of High Street, the present residence of Col. J. W. Beazell's family, where he made his home for a number of yearS. On May 15, 1866, the entire seminary property was conveyed to Mr. Reid for $25,000.
Dr. and Mrs. Reid brought to the now venerable institution to the highest degree of culture and refinement, which not only enhanced its character as an educational institution, but made it a. center for social gatherings, which brought it in touch with the best life of the community. The monthly receptions were a feature to be anticipated with pleasure as well as profit. In 1873 Dr. and Mrs. Reid held a reunion of the seminary pupils in honor of Dr. and Mrs. Beatty, which was probably the largest and most complete affair of the kind on this or any other continent. Seven hundred alumnae were present in the Second Presbyterian Church, to whom addresses of welcome were delivered by 1)r. Beatty and Dr. Reid, when a procession
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was formed and marched to Garrett's Hall, where a grand banquet was held, with speeches from home friends and visitors, and congratulatory letters from Bryant, Longfellow, Whitelaw Reid, Dr. Jacobus and others, for the seminary had been the natural home of every literary celebrity visiting the city. This was followed by a general reception at the seminary during the afternoon and evening. Mrs. Beatty-died on July 5, 1876, and Dr. Beatty was married for the third time on December 31, 1878, to Mrs. :Mary A. Crittenden, a former pupil, who survived him, he dying on Monday, October 30, 1882, full of years and honors. His first wife was Miss Lydia Moore, of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, to whom lie was married on June 30, 1824, who died May 28, 1825, three days after the birth of a daughter, who also died, six weeks later. It is estimated that between 1851 and his death, in 1882, Dr. Beatty's public benefactions amounted to about half a million dollars. His principal beneficiaries were the Allegheny Theological Seminary, $225,000, and Washington and Jefferson College, $100,000. He also built the Third Presbyterian Church in Steubenville and contributed liberally to the interests of his denomination here and elsewhere. His sagacity and ability as a financier were as generally acknowledged as his merits as an educator and preacher. Dr. and Mrs. Reid conducted the seminary until 1886, when, feeling the need of rest with their advancing years, they turned the active management of the institution over to Rev. J. W. Wightman, who carried it on for a couple of years, when they again temporarily took charge of it. Subsequently Rev. Dr. Davis took charge of the institution and was succeeded by Miss Northrup and Aliss Sheldon, and they by Miss Mary J. Stewart, who conducted the institution until 1898. By this time conditions had changed, and heavily endowed schools in other localities were gradually taking the place of private institutions. So it was deemed wise to close the school after an honored career of three quarters of a century, and the buildings were diverted to other uses. Mrs. Reid died on December 29, 1895, but her husband still occupies “The Poplars," the name given to the Adams Street residence.
Efficient as was the work done in the different private schools, it became apparent in the course of time that if the ideal of every child hiving at least an elementary education were to be carried out the work must be undertaken systematically by the community as a whole. Accordingly, in 1838, the first board of education, consisting of Dr. John Andrews, chairman; Rev. C. C. Beatty and James Means, was appointed by Adam J. Leslie, township superintendent of common schools, under an act of the legislature recently passed. The first meeting of the board was held on October 1, 1838, in Dr. Andrews' office, at which a resolution was adopted calling a meeting of the qualified voters of the district at the courthouse on November 3, to decide on raising "a tax to build a schoolhouse or schoolhouses in said district." Dr. Beatty was appointed a committee to prepare plans with estimates of cost. Judge Leavitt presided at the meeting and Dr. Andrews presented a preamble and resolution for the purchase of two suitable lots of ground, one north and the other south of Market Street, and for the erection of two good houses thereon, and that a tax of $6,000 be levied, to be collected in three equal sums on or before April, 1839, 1840 and 1841. The proposition carried, and, in accordance with Dr. Beatty's plans, two brick schoolhouses were built, at a cost of $2,000 each, exclusive of ground and furniture. One was located on the east side of South Fourth Street, just above Slack, and the other on North Fourth, just above Logan. Each was a square two-story brick, with no ornamentation to speak of, containing four rooms, and designed to accommodate 250 pupils. They were soon taxed to their full capacity, and a side addition was afterwards attached to the North School for the smaller scholars. William Thompson was the con-
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tractor, and on November 11, 1839, the schools were opened with ceremonies in the South building and an address by Hon. H. H. Leavitt. Following were the first teachers: North—John Taylor, Edward Wood, Miss Elizabeth Judkins, Miss Jane Dick. South—T. A. Plants, William C. Wilson, Miss E. McDonald, Miss Martha Judkins. The salaries ranged from $15 to $35 per month. On motion of Dr. Beatty, the Bible was introduced as a reading book. and the Eclectic series of readers and spellers and Kirkham's English Grammar were adopted. Market Street was made the dividing line between the schools. In 1840 a system of rules was adopted, and at a school meet- ing in September of that year Dr. John Andrews, on behalf of the board, made a very important report, saying, among other things :
"We presume it is not too much to say that whatever may be the present public opinion on the subject, until recently free schools have proved, among us, to be almost useless so far as any permanent useful result is concerned. In investigating the cause of this important fact, the circumstance which, among many others of minor importance, presents itself to our minds as the most operative, is the fact that every free school had carried with it the belief or apprehension that. it was regarded as a 'poor school,' a circumstance which, in a free country like ours. where all stand upon a just equality, and where wealth gives to its possessors no preeedenee in public estimation, strikes at the root of any institution designed for the moral and intellectual improvement of the community. Our first object, therefore, and, as we deemed it, our first duty, was to remove this unfounded and injurious view of the intention of free schools. We resolved, if the public would sustain us in the attempt to make the free schools of Steubenville equal to any other schools of similar design in the place; to place them on such a footing of character, respectability and usefulness that any one desirous of giving his children a common English education would be anxious to have them educated in these schools. At this time the district owned but one lot on which there was a very inconsiderable house. [This lot was afterwards sold for fifty dollars.] To us it seemed essential to the success of our plan to provide grounds and houses suited by their situation, size, comfort and general attractive appearance, for the accommodation of the schools; and we therefore resolved to submit the question to the qualified voters of the district, whether they should vote a sufficient tax to enable us to carry out our plans. The response was worthy of an enlightened and generous people. * * * Total average daily attendance in the schools, 459. The branehes taught in the various schools embrace the letters, spelling, reading, writing, grammar, arithmetic and geography. The Bible is used as a reading book, as well from a conviction of its value as perhaps the purest specimen of the Anglo-Saxon tongue, as also with a view to impress the minds of our youth with the only moral and religious principles which can make them useful citizens of an enlightened republic. No one can enter the rooms without being sensible of the order and quiet that are preserved, and that our free schools are no longer regarded as scenes of confusion, idleness and insubordination. It is not to be supposed that the schools are the best that the district can have, but that they are as good as can be expected under the circumstances in which the district is placed, and that they may be regarded as the commencement of a new era in our free schools.
" JOHN ANDREWS,
" JAMES MEANS."
This paper may be pronounced the Magna Charta of our local school system and the basis from which all subsequent development has proceeded.
For several years the schools were opened in April and continued six months. In the winter the rooms were rented for private schools at $1.50 to $2.25 per month. In 1843 Messrs. Taylor and Wilson were employed to teach evening schools. Annual elections for directors were held in September until 1850, and then changed to April, which remained until the abolishment of the spring elections, in 1904, since which time they have been held in November. Book agents were early prohibited from visiting the schools, and a resolution was passed that no series of textbooks should be discontinued until it had been used at least five years. The first county institute was held in October, 1851.
In 1853 Thomas F. McGrew was appointed "acting manager" of the schools, being in fact the first general superintendent, and three grades were established—primary, secondary and grammar. On August 4 of that year a public meeting was held in the North schoolhouse, with Rev. W. Dunlap chairman and L. A. Walker secretary, Hon. Thomas Means made an address on the origin, progress and present condition of Ohio common schools, for which he received a vote of thanks, and resolutions were passed recommending the erection of a new schoolhouse, and the organization of a Central High School. It was ordered by the board that "persons employed as teachers are requested to attend the Teachers' Institute at least two
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hours each week during the session of the schools." A separate school for colored children was organized this year, which found quarters in the basement of the African M. E. Church, at the corner of Third and South Streets. In July, 1854, Mr. McGrew was succeeded by Warren J. Sage as superintendent, with a salary of $700 per annum. He provided a system of grades, which, with modifications demanded by time and growth, has been in use ever since. He organized the high school in a room in the new Kilgore Hall Building, on Market Street. from which it was shortly removed to the brick dwelling lately owned by Rev. Joseph Buchanan, on Logan Street, east of Fourth, and took personal charge in November of that year. The next year Mr. Sage, at his request, was relieved of all care of the lower grades, and devoted himself to the high school. Jacob S. Desellem was elected assistant superintendent and afterwards superintendent. It was ordered that “to facilitate the more thorough classification of pupils, boys and girl, shall be assigned to the same rooms." This principle of coeducation has since been carried out in every department. Mr. McLain was permitted to teach vocal music in the schools, the pupils paying for the sante. At this time there were more applicants for admission to the schools than could he accommodated, and the number in grades below the high school was limited to 770, an average of 55 to each teacher. In 1857 a visiting committee of ladies and gentlemen was appointed each month, but have no record of their proceedings. By 1858 it was apparent that better school accommodations were needed. The North and South buildings erected twenty years previous were filled to overflowing, and rooms were rented in different sections of the city. Two storerooms were occupied under Kilgore, afterwards Garrett's 1 lull, two in basement of the old Second Presbyterian Church on North Fourth Street, two in the Snowden Building on Third Street. north of Washington. and one in basement of old Hamline Church, in addition to the high and colored schools. Besides quite a number of parents were sending their children to private institutions on account of the inadequate accommodations in the public schools. To meet this demand, at a meeting of citizens held on April 3, 1858, a proposition was submitted to build a new schoolhouse at a cost of $20,000, but the proposition was defeated. Fortunately at this time the Grove Academy Building, with spacious grounds on North Seventh Street. was in the market, and in June of that year the board, composed of James Turnbull, Dr. Thomas Johnson and William Cable purchased the property for $5,000. a remarkably low price even for those cheap times. A booklet published in 1906 descriptive of the new high school starts out with the glaring misstatement that "before 1S70 the Steubenville High School had no home. A rented room was used until the erection of the house now called the Grant Building." The fact is that on the purchase of the Grove Academy the entire upper floor of the south wing was fitted up for a high school or "No. 16," and there it flourished for twelve years. While the spacious grounds with their flowers. shrubbery and trees gave facilities for outdoor exercise now sadly missed. yet the building had the drawback of being remote from the center of population. Originally the only method of access to the upper stories was a narrow winding stairway in the center of the building, which, in case of fire, would have made a veritable holocaust. To obviate this danger wooden platforms were extended from the third story rooms to the hill immediately behind, affording a safe and speedy, if not artistic, method of escape. In March, 1858, Mr. Desellem was superseded by Eli T. Tappan as superintendent, who remained in office until June, 1859, when he was succeeded by Rev. Joseph Buchanan, now dead. _The first graduate of the high school was Miss Oella Patterson, in 1860. There were five the next year and six in 1865, when the pres-
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ent motto, "Essee Quam Videri," was adopted. Besides the high school this building contained one grammar and six primary rooms. By 1868 the accommodations were again outgrown, and the Wells heirs having given a quitclaim to the city for the graveyard lot on the corner of South Fourth Street, what is known as the Grant School, was built thereon, which was dedicated on April 1, 1870, the Board of Education then being composed of Robert Sherrard, Jr., Wm. B. Lindsay and D. McCurdy. Jacob Fickes did the brick work and C. Massey the carpenter. the cost being $59,822. The high school, with exceptionally spacious class rooms, occupied the entire upper story, furnishing an apartment which, it was thought would be available for commencement exercises as well as ordinary school work. But it was too large for the latter and the acoustic properties were not favorable to the former, so later it was divided and one end occupied by the South Grammar School, thus increasing the accommodations of the building from 670 to 800. with the reserve basement to be used later. The old South school building was sold at this time and converted into dwellings. As may be supposed, the citizens on the north side of Market Street were not disposed to rest satisfied with their antiquated buildings. The academy building was asserted to be dangerous, and there was enough doubt about the matter to warrant the board in tearing down about half of the house and erecting a temporary structure of four rooms on the premises. In 1871 the people, by a vote, authorized the Board of Education, then composed of E. F. Andrews, W. H. Wallace and D. McCurdy, to erect a house on. the old North school premises at a cost not exceeding $50,000. Additional ground was acquired and the present Stanton building, accommodating about 700 pupils, was finished in the spring of 1873, after which the academy property was sold for building purposes, and no vestige of the old building now remains. The colored school remained at the corner of Third and South Streets until shortly before the razing of the North school building, but the demolition of that structure soon compelled it to seek other quarters.
About the year 1865 Miss Eliza McCracken opened a private school for girls in the second story of the old Reliance engine house, which had such marked prosperity that shortly after a two-story building capable of accommodating 160 pupils was erected on North Third Street, west side, just below dock. Here it flourished for several years, when the principal being offered a lucrative position elsewhere, it was discontinued. The Board of Education purchased the structure and there installed the colored school, still under charge of Mr. Bruce. The colored youth being small in numbers, a few years' experience demonstrated the impracticability of giving them the same educational facilities as the whites without a duplicate corps of teachers, some of whom would only have half a dozen pupils. There was one way to cut the Gordian knot, and the boa td, on motion of Charles IL. Spaulding, was sufficiently enlightened to do it. The colored school was abolished, the building sold and the children incorporated into the general schools, distributed solely with reference to their grade and residence. This was in 1883, and since then there has been no color line in the Steubenville schools. The results have been entirely satisfactory and some of the brightest graduates of the high school have been colored boys and girls. On the whole, the action has tended to eliminate race prejudice without any of the dire results predicted by the opponents of this method. It has certainly elevated the colored population of the city, and although our courts have been compelled to take cognizance of brutal crimes committed by negroes (as they have sometimes of whites), yet the offenders have almost invariably been strangers "blown in" from other communities where the opposite system prevails. It is not claimed that this system would work equally well everywhere. Doubtless
396 - HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY
it would not where the negro race constituted a large proportion of the population or was lower in scale of intelligence to start with. Only the facts are given as they exist in Steubenville.
satisfactory, and some of the brightest
After Miss McCracken, Miss Jane Brown conducted a school in the Reliance engine house. for several years.
Mr. Buchanan resigned the superintendency in 1870 and was succeeded by Martin R. Andrews, an educator of ability, who resigned in 1879, to accept a position in Marietta College, and was succeeded by Prof. Henry N. Mertz, of Wheeling.
The enlargement of the city in November, 1871, brought in several outside schoolhouses, including three one-room structures, one at the south end known as "rolling mill," afterwards Sixth Ward ; one on Wells' run, near Wilson's corner, and one on the western boundary of the city known as "Jacksonville." The last named was discontinued in 1884, and the pupils assigned to other rooms. The other buildings were soon enlarged, the "rolling mill" or Jefferson being converted into four rooms, holding 180 scholars, and the Wells run receiving another story, then having; a capacity for 120 scholars. The Fifth or Garfield School was erected in 1883, at a cost of $19,000. It is a modern two-story structure at Fifth and Madison Streets, and has eight rooms, with a capacity of four hundred pupils. The following year the Second Ward or Washington School was completed, with eight rooms, at a cost of $22,000, corner of Seventh and Adams Streets. in 1902 an annex was added, giving an additional room. The Wells Run schoolhouse was replaced by the Lincoln building of four rooms, in 1891, to which four more were added in 1905, the structure costing about $25,000. The location of the Jefferson building becoming unsatisfactory in 1901, a new brick structure of four rooms was built on Prospect Avenue. The opening of the new addition on La Belle View necessitated the building of a single-room structure at the corner of Maryland and Pittsburgh Streets, in 1904, to which another room has since been added. A. schoolhouse has also been built on Pleasant Heights.
Superintendent Mertz retired from office in 1901 to his farm near Bellaire and was succeeded by Arthur Powell, who remained two years, followed by Edward Van Cleve. The city was now growing rapidly, and there was a demand for a new building to accommodate the high and grammar schools and relieve the pressure on the primary departments. A proposition to issue bonds for this purpose was defeated by a vote of the people, but the board afterwards proceeded to the erection of a building. In 1903 a rot was purchased on the southwest corner of Fourth and North Streets for $15,000, in July, 1905, ground was broken, and fourteen months later a new three-story building 101 x 181 feet, probably the best equipped of the kind in the state, was completed, at a cost of $100,000. Webster & Peterson were the architects and Frank McFeely contractor. It was occupied September 4, 1906, and formally opened with appropriate exercises on November 16. Bedford stone facing and concrete foundations enclose the basement story and the exterior is of light red pressed brick with cut stone and terra cotta trimmings. The basement is fully utilized by separate lunch rooms for girls and boys, proper toilet rooms, steam-heated pipe in halls for drying wet feet and clothing, two rooms for work in domestic economy, cooking and sewing room, manual training and tool rooms, store rooms for janitor, completely equipped gymnasium 40 x 50 feet, with dressing rooms for boys and girls, apparatus for heating and ventilating, gas engine room and electric lighting plant, and sleeping room for engineer. The first floor contains offices for superintendent and the Board of Education, large grammar study room, which can be divided into two compartments by rolling partitions, and full series of class rooms 28 x 28 feet each. On this
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floor and extending to the roof is the auditorium, seating 700 people, equipped with stage scenery, which is used for commencements, public gatherings, etc. Above this is the high school proper, with its accompanying class rooms, complete laboratories for biological and other work, bookkeeping and typewriter rooms, lecture room, rest room, etc. In the attic are several apartments which can be used whenever needed. The building was most appropriately named after Bezaleel Wells, who practically inaugurated the first public school in the state at the "Little Red Schoolhouse" on South High Street.
The present high school curriculum is a four-year course, as follows : First year, composition, rhetoric, authors, Latin, algebra, physical geography, bookkeeping, ancient history; second, composition, rhetoric, literature, Latin, plane geometry, mediaeval and modern history, geography, botany, arithmetic; third, composition, literature, Latin*, German*, advanced algebra*, botany*, physics, geology*, stenography and typewriting*, solid geometry*, English*, zoology*, fourth, composition*,. literature*, Latin*, German*, advanced arithmetic*, American and foreign civics, chemistry*, pedagogy*, physiology, review of bookkeeping*, commercial law*. Those marked with * are elective studies, and to this class may be added music, drawing and French. It will be noticed that the course for the last two years is quite flexible, the design being to adapt it for all, whether the pupil expects to use it as a training for business or home life, a preparation for college or teachers' normal school. To this extent it is a sort of limited university.
Mr. Van Cleve resigned the superintendency in 1907 and was succeeded by the present incumbent, Robert L. Ervin, E. De Witt Erskine nominally serving during a troublesome interregnum of a few weeks.
The first enumeration of youth of school age was in 1840, the report showing 1,336 between four and twenty-one years of age. In 1860 there were 2,486 between five and twenty-one, and 3,237 in 1870. In 1875 there were 4,732 between six and twenty-one, part of this increase being due to the annexation of territory. The pupils enrolled were 653 in 1840, 700 in 1850, 1,394 in. 1860, 1,205 in 1870 and 2,181 in 1875. The average daily attendance was 459 in 1840, 400 in 1850, 736 in 1860, 760 in 1870 and 1,606 in 1875. Teachers—Eight in 1840, 19 in 1860, 24 in 1870 and 34 in 1875. From 1875 to 1900 the increase was very gradual, but from that year it has been very marked, and the new buildings have hardly kept pace with the increasing demands. The 1909 enumeration shows 6,072 youth in the city between the ages of six and twenty-one years, of which 3,134 are males and 2,938 females. In this connection it may be noted that there are in the county 16,802 persons of school age, of whom 8,677 are males and 8,125 females. They are divided as follows :
Townships—Brush Creek, 125; Cross Creek, 399 ; Island Creek, 199 ; Knox, 267 ; Mt. Pleasant, 410 ; Ross, 196 ; Steubenville, 63; Saline, 483 ; Springfield, 278 ; Salem, 293 ; Smithfield, 701; Wayne, 439 ; Warren, 455 ; Wells, 570.
School Districts—Adena, 291; Amsterdam, 358 ; Bloomfield, 59 ; Brilliant, 191; Bergholz, 285 ; Dillonvale, 679 ; Empire, 370 ; Grover, 200 ; Independent No. 2, 211; Independent No. 9, 165 ; Monroeville, 23 ; Mingo Junction, 1,002 Mt. Pleasant, 231; New Alexandria, 55; Richmond, 104; Smithfield, 286; Steubenville, 6,072; Toronto, 1,270; Warrenton, 72.
There are in the county, feeble-minded youth, 6; physically disabled, 40; blind, 4; deaf, 5 ; mute, 6.
The enrollment of pupils in the public schools of the city at the beginning of the September term, 1909, was as follows :
