150 - Early History of Elyria and Her People Mrs. Lilly. She was a widow. She and her deceased husband had been farmers in Dover. They had sold their possessions and moved to Elyria some years previous. He had passed away shortly before. She was residing in a few upper rooms, when she sent for the writer and told him what was in her heart. Said she had been thinking of starting an "Old Ladies' Home" in this building, that it was then empty and for rent, and she wanted to know what, I thought of her project. I assured her I knew nothing about such institutions, but suggested it would be a large undertaking for one of her years, and asked her how it was to be supported. She said, "some of the old ladies. MRS. LILLY Founder of the "Old Ladies' 'Home,'' out of which grew the ''Home for the Aged." She was a noble lady Early History of Elyria and Her People - 151 will have means of their own, but some little or nothing. I purpose to start it out of my own and support it so far as the inmates cannot help, and try and demonstrate the necessity of such an institution. If I can prove to the public of Elyria its worth, I shall expect they will put up a new building, and the people over the country will support it. I will then put in what I have, and become an inmate myself." She was as good as her word. It was opened, and she ran it without assistance in money. Parks Foster, on his way home one day, passing along the sidewalk on the north side of East Second Street, across the way from Mrs. Lilly's Old Ladies' Home, noticed she was sweeping the sidewalk in front of her institution. Until this time he had only a speaking acquaintance with her. He saluted her with the words, "Hello there, Mrs. Lilly, don't you want some money to help run your Home?" "No," she replied, not now." "Well that is strange, everybody else is glad to take all he can get." Her answer was so unexpected that he crossed over to see what manner of woman he had discovered. 'What do you mean by not wanting any help," he asked her. She replied, "If you, and enough people who have means, think I have demonstrated the necessity for such a place for old ladies, who are homeless, then I do need your money and theirs, to put up a suitable building for the purpose. In that event I will give what I have left and enter the same as an inmate after I have done my work." He was so impressed with her proposition, and what she had already done, that he said, "Mrs. Lilly, you come down to my house tonight and see Mother and we will talk it all over." She was there at the appointed hour. The conference ended in the Fosters telling her they would head a subscription for a new building in the sum of five thousand dollars. Other subscriptions of other people followed in much less amounts, ending in the erection of the large and suitable structure at the corner of Second Street and West Avenue, now occupied by physicians as a clinic. Until Mr. and Mrs. Foster passed away they helped support the Home, and ever took a deep interest in the same. She was a member of the board until her death. One morning Parks was sitting on the steps of his bank reading a Cleveland paper, waiting the time for opening the doors, when he read that corn was selling in Kansas for twelve cents per bushel in the ear, with few buyers. 152 - Early History of Elyria and Her People This was in the administration of President Grover Cleveland's second term. He told the bank force as they arrived that there was a chance to make some money, that he was going to Kansas on the first train, to buy corn, and a lot of it, as it would come up in a few days. He borrowed all the money he dared from his own hank and face the examiner when he showed up, and was soon on the Lake Shore Express, headed for the Sun Flower State. He purchased many thousand bushels, had the corn drawn to the stations and piled up out doors for shipment, and hired guards to oversee it by night and day, and came home. Within a few weeks the price went up to a point that gave him a handsome profit. He lived the alloted time of man, when he was gathered to his fathers and his pulseless form was laid by the side of his wife, whose life had been spent in hard work and noble deeds in the church and out, as she went about like Parks, doing good. She was expecially interested in the temperance cause and woman's right of franchise. The things for which they both stood for the common good have come to pass. So long as a being is alive who knew Parks Foster, so long will his memory be kept green. He seemed to have a grasp of things that few people possessed, and the courage to undertake enterprises without any guide as to their outcome, save his ability to see the end from the beginning. His integrity was never questioned and his courage never failed. They had three fine cultured daughters and one son. Two of the daughters have passed away. One, now deceased, was the wife of our well-known and highly respected citizen, William Masterton on Washington Avenue, connected with the Lorain Steel Plant. The youngest resides in the South, and the son is a business man in the Fast. CHAPTER XXV THE previous chapter ended with a brief account of the way in which the Old Ladies' Home, now merged into the "Home for the Aged," came about (which some years ago was taken over by the Methodist, starting with the founding of the same by Mrs. Lilly. The one on Second Street was opened by the founder and run by her for some years, when the inmates were removed to the new building on the corner of West: Avenue Early History of Elyria and Her People - 153 and Second Street. Here the Home remained, housing all the inmates till the Wick House on West Avenue was purchased some years later, after which the policy of the Home was changed so as to take in old men, as well. Not long thereafter, the Fly Mansion was purchased from Mr. and Mrs. Troxel, the finest and most costly residence in the county. The same has been remodeled to suit the work of the institution. This was named after Mr. and Mrs. Taft of Lorain, an aged and goodly couple, because of their large gifts of many thousands. It has had such demands for homes for the old that the present monumental structure is going up. Rev. G. A. Reeder and his noble wife are at the head of the same, it has been under their management that the new buildings have been secured. He graduated from Baldwin University. Was its president at the time it was merged with Wallace College. He has held pastorates in Cleveland churches and elsewhere, and for several years in the Elyria First Methodist Church, and was presiding elder at one time. His great experience and large circle of friends in Ohio have made him a fit person to turn the hearts of people over the country toward the Home, in supporting it by liberal gifts of not only money, but provisions. He has a board of directors made up of some of the most faithful men and women in Elyria. In previous Chapter Twelve, a brief account was given of a pioneer successful landlord, who hailed from New Hampshire in 1828, one hundred years ago, when he, as stated, purchased the "Eagle Tavern" as it was called, located on the corner now occupied by the Robinson & Hancock Clothing Store, in the conduct of which he prospered so well, that at the expiration of two years, he moved it away and erected a fine brick building, Colonial type called the "Mansion House," His name was Reuben Nichols. It was the finest hotel west of Buffalo. His long tenure of life in Elyria and Lorain County, and honorable career, and prominence of his family in the affairs of life, will be interesting. He was born in that mountainous, granite-hilled state in 1718, one hundred and ten years ago. On his arrival with his family in 1828, he purchased a farm in Eaton, on Butternut Ridge, of two hundred acres, when that territory was nearly 154 - Early History of Elyria and Her People solid woods. At the expiration of two years, lie concluded to turn landlord, when he bought the hotel named above. Many attempts have been made, by both tongue and pen, to define what is meant by the word "personality," but it is still like electricity, one of the unsolved mysteries. Webster, in his great unabridged dictionary, wise as lie was, has fallen down in endeavoring to define its meaning, as the only definition lie gives of the word is, "Personality, the state of being a person.'' How does this throw any light on the subject? Well, whatever it may mean, one thing is certain, any being having it, mysterious as it is, possesses what money or scholastic training will not bring. Reuben Nichols was born with the gift to a marked degree. He had no sooner taken possession of the Eagle Hotel, that had in other hands struggled to live, than patronage poured in from all directions. Once a person had been a guest at the Mansion House, and shaken the hand of the new proprietor, who knew how to greet all comers, as though they were long-lost friends, such an individual became a booster for the landlord, and his wonderful accommodations. So successful was he that at the expiration of two years, to take care of the public asking for accommodations, he was compelled to move the building away, and in its stead erect the fine Colonial structure described. Its opening was an event over a large teritory. Its appointments elegant, and service by liveried colored waiters. In short Cleveland then had nothing to equal it in attractiveness. His prices were not questioned, and people seemed happy in spending their last dollar to enjoy its meals and accommodations, and be counted as a friend of the landlord. Within eight years from the time he appeared in the role of landlord, he had accumulated, what was then regarded, as a fair fortune. He and his good wife, having one son and three daughters in their teens, and being very solicitious that they should be educated, sold the Mansion House, which ere long burned to the ground, and moved to Oberlin to have the benefit of the college. The institution had then been opened six years. While he was conducting the hotel, he was engaged by the Rev. John J. Shipherd of Elyria, the founder of the college, who was preaching for the Presbyterians, to drive him and two other gentlemen from Elyria through the woods and swales into Russia Town- Early History of Elyria and Her People - 155 ship on an inspection tour, to the spot now covered by the campus and business blocks, with the view of seeing whether it would be a suitable place to found a colony and college. The traveling was so bad, a two-horse wagon with four hors had to be used. The institution was the first ever founded, that. admitted the girls as well as the boys, and made no distinction because of color or race. One of the three daughters of Reuben Nichols   WEST FALLS Where the Great Cave is located, and present Stone Bridge 156 - Early History of Elyria and Her People was named Marv. While her father was running the Mansion House, she in company with several girls were visiting the West Falls, when suddenly they heard someone orating. They soon discovered, that it was a law student in the village by the name of William B. Lockwood, Unconscious of his invisible audience, he poured forth his impassioned eloquence in addressing the cataract, wholly unconscious of the presence of one, who later he was to convince by his persuasive powers and tender protestations of love and affection that lie was the only one on earth who could make her supremely happy. She was a student in the college for three years. During that time, the later noted woman suffrage lecturer, Antonette Blackwell, was teacher in the institution, of which she was also a graduate. Mary Nichols was one of her students, in whom the strong character took a deep interest. Such a lasting impression was made that she ever remained a strong advocate of woman's rights. While she did not live to see the nineteenth amendment written into the Constitution she prophesied, when in her eighty-sixth year, that it would surely come. At seventeen she became the wife of the young Lockwood mentioned, then an attorney at the Lorain County Bar. He was a gifted man, a born leader and strong advocate. He was a Connecticut Yankee, born in 1822, one hundred and six years ago. At eighteen lie came to live and work on a farm, for an uncle in Brownhelm Township, where he remained till his relative passed away. At twenty-one he entered the law office in Elyria of Bliss & Hamlin, then leading lawyers of northern Ohio. On admission to the bar he began practicing here, served as prosecuting attorney and later in Sandusky, from which place he moved to Omaha, Nebraska, in 1856, then a territory. The place was but a village on the farthest western frontier. He started the first newspaper ever published in the place, the "Omaha Nebraskan." He was an ardent. Republican. When Lincoln came to the Presidency in 1861, he appointed Lockwood one of the territorial judges. e served in this position till Nebraska was admitted into the Union. Andrew Johnson on coming into power appointed him to the Federal Bench of the new state, but the senate refused to confirm the appointment because Lockwood was his appointee and Johnson was on the outs with the Senate, and cane near being impeached for his adherence to the South. Early History of Elyria and Her People - 157 He then returned to Ohio and settled in Toledo, where he resumed practice till he was elected to the Common Pleas Bench, a position he filled for one term with great credit, and then retired and spent the remainder of his life cultivating a vineyard he owned at Put-in-Bay, where their home was ever one of hospitality. He was a cultured gentleman. He and his talented wife were given to books and the refining things of life. They were held in the highest esteem by a large circle of friends, till time with them was no more. They were deeply interested in all the questions of the day that made for the common weal. He passed away at the age of seventy-nine, and she at eighty-five. Another one of the three daughters of Reuben Nichols was born in New Hampshire, one hundred and three years ago; married a bright young business man of Elyria. His name was Birt B. Chapman. He was in 1845 filled with the spirit of the pioneer. They moved to Nebraska territory soon thereafter, where he was very active in securing the admission of the same into the Union. He was soon sent to Congress as a territorial representative. He subsequently returned to Elyria and spent the remainder of his life here, and at Put-in-Bay. He was ever held in high regard by his countrymen and relatives. The third daughter became the wife of Hiram Brownell, one of the most energetic young business mien of his time. By the strictest economy, preserverance in whatever he undertook, dealing justly with his fellowmen, he accumulated by middle life, a large property. He built a brick residence on Washington Avenue on the spot now occupied by A. B. Taylor's home. It was among the first dwellings to go up on the street. He was a man of strong convictions, with the courage to assert them. His untimely death at fifty-four was mourned by a circle of fast and true friends. His wife passed away some years later in Cleveland. They left one child, a son, the well-known horseman in his day, in northern Ohio, for many years. If ever a human being loved the noble animal, and had a true friend, it was George Brownell. With a circle of listeners, gathered about him as auditors, lie would discourse on the many noted trotters and blooded horses he had seen and owned, by the hour, not only to his own great joy, but to the entertain- 158 - Early History of Elyria and Her People ment of the listeners as well. No person could long hear his eulogies over the animal without going away feeling that, after all, the horse is the noblest of animal creation. He was known the country over as "George Brownell of Elyria, the horseman." Nobody ever heard him tell a hard-luck story, or say a harsh thing about any person. He was kindness itself. If he had any troubles, he kept them to himself. I verily believe if he had lived in this day and generation, he would still be seen going up and down the earth behind a fine horse, declaring, "the horseless carriages might be alright for the rest of the world, but as for myself, give me ribbons, and you may take the wheel." He owned the noted stock horses, White Line and Star Hambletonian. His Florida Monarch was his most noted trotter. His wife was a cultured lady, Ellen E. Sterns, who survived him many years, and ultimately became the wife of our fellow townsman, Isaac Faxon. Her death brought sorrow to a large circle of friends. She possessed talent of high order, both in conversation and with her pen. Her sister, one of the best beloved ladies in Elyria, is the mother of Miss Cad Williams of the Central Bookstore. George Brownell, our well-known and high-class citizen, born and brought up here, is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Brownell. His wife is the cultured daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Dake of this city. George has marked talent as a musician. Surely blood will tell. What splendid citizens have come from those early pioneers that are now standing for the best in their day and generation. We now close with an account of the only son of Reuben Nichols, the well-known citizen in his time, George E. Nichols. He was born in New Hampshire in 1819, one hundred and nine years ago. He came to Elyria with his parents when nine years of age. In 1843 he married Angelina Elliott, the daughter of the Baptist minister, serving the Elyria Church. He formed a mercantile partnership with Seymour Knowles to conduct a drygoods store in Elyria which continued some years. In President Pierce's administration, he was made postmaster in Elyria. In 1855 he and his brothers-in-law, Lockwood and Chapman as mentioned, took the first printing press into Omaha, that printed the first paper. He held for some time a government position, with offices in the City of Washington, Early History of Elyria and Her People - 159 looking after the government lands in Nebraska, to which state he made many trips during his tenure of office. Ultimately he returned to Elyria where he spent his remaining years engaged largely in handling real estate. He was a great reader of the best books and a student of the Scriptures. He was of a literary turn of mind and wrote many poems of much merit. At his funeral two of his compositions, set to music, were sung. He passed away at the age of seventy-nine, a highly respected citizen. He and his noble wife left two cultured and charming daughters, one the widow of the late William Millspaugh, who followed mercantile pursuits. She now resides on West Avenue, in the homestead, holding the hearts of a host of friends as with hooks of steel, because of her sweet ways, tender regard for all humanity, and abilities, natural and acquired; in full possession of her faculties and powers of conversation that have ever made her welcome wherever she goes. The sister married Mr. Prentice, the son of one of the ablest attorneys at the Cleveland Bar in his day. He is a man of affairs. Mr. and Mrs. Millspaugh had a bright son, the solace of their declining years, whose untimely recent death left the widowed mother alone in the home. He was one of the most genial in disposition of all men who walked the streets. He was in the insurance business. Another son is in business in Philadelphia. Reuben Nichols, the ancestor, after moving back to Elyria from Oberlin, spent the remaining thirty years of his life here. He reached his eighty-fourth mile-stone when he was gathered to his fathers, highly respected by his neighbors and beloved by his four children and grandchildren whose delight was to pay him homage. CHAPTER XXVI THERE was born in the Green Mountain State of Vermont, in the year 1814, one hundred and fourteen years ago, a son of one of the judges of her supreme court, C. H. Doolittle, who married one of the daughters of the State of New Hampshire who was born eight years later. This goodly couple came to Elyria in the year 1850. Here they spent their lives during 160 - Early History of Elyria and Her People the slavery agitation, that tried men's souls. He was an attorney by profession. He was elected probate judge, a position he held with great credit. During his administration the noted "Oberlin-Wellington Rescue Case," involving the kidnaping of a Negro slave took place, in which he as judge, played such a conspicuous part. The story is one of the most interesting in the annals of American history. It held the stage the Nation over, from the fall of 1858 until July of the next year. It all came about in this wise: The "Fugitive Slave Law" was passed by Congress in 1850, that made it a criminal offense for any person to harbor a runaway slave, or in any way assist him in escaping to Canada, and compelled him or her to join in the chase if called upon, to catch the fleeing fugitive. Any infraction of the law was punished by heavy fine and imprisonment in the federal jail. The constitutionality of this law was upheld by the Supreme Court in the noted ''Drell Scott Decision.'' The Oberlin people, whether connected with the college or not, save a few, agreed they would never obey such an inhuman enactment, but on the contrary, would shelter every runaway slave and help him or her on to Canada. It is estimated that in the forty years preceding the war, as many as three thousand poor creatures on their way to liberty, found a haven for the time being in the homes of the classic city. One of the number was John Price, a black boy 18, who ran away from his master in Mason County, Kentucky. He had been residing in the village about two years, when his owner learned of his whereabouts, and thereupon sent three men after him. They learned there was a pro-slavery landlord in the village conducting a small hotel. To him they revealed their mission, when he told them of the attitude of the people toward men on such a mission and assured them it was useless to attempt kidnaping, but told them of a long headed farmer, who was of their faith on the "slavery question," residing several miles north, who might if they saw him, figure out some means of securing their prize. To the white man they told their troubles and made a money inducement for him to set his wits at work. After cogitating over the matter a little time, he called his thirteen-year old son to him, a precocious youth, and directed 'him to hitch up the horse and buggy and drive to Oberlin, see the runaway, Early History of Elyria and Her People - 161 and represent that his father wanted to hire him to dig potatoes. The unsuspecting African lad said he was too busy, but would take him to a colored man whom he could hire. The old schemer had told the three men to go with the son, and follow his directions, which were, that after the son had driven out of the village they could overpower Price and take him to Wellington where they could get the Big Four train for Cincinnati, when the balance would be easy. The plan worked. They overpowered the runaway, but on their journey to Wellington, met an Oberlin man, who, seeing the boy in the carriage suspected what was up, hurried to Oberlin and gave the alarm. If the whole village had been on fire, greater excitement could not have prevailed. Every horse was pressed into service. Those who could not get a ride went on foot for Wellington. On arriving they learned that he was hidden in the attic of the hotel, then standing on the spot now occupied by the Herrick Library, secreted by a pro-slavery landlord. There had been a fire that day in the village that called a crowd. The train from Cleveland came and went. Word was sent to Cleveland for the federal authorities to send troops, but no troops came. Guns were in evidence on both sides. The kidnapers were armed with revolvers. After hours of contention, just as the sun was setting, Oberlin students among them, succeeded in forcing the door of the attic, and at the point of their guns, rescued the slave from his captors, hurried him down into the street where a carriage was in waiting and drove him post haste to Oberlin, where he was for several days and nights secreted in the residence of Professor Fairchild, who later became president of the college, after which he was taken to Canada. When the three kidnapers saw they had been thwarted in their purpose, instead of returning to Kentucky, made their way to Cleveland to lay the matter before the United States District Attorney, whose name was Belden, and Federal Judge Wilson, both appointees of James Buchanan, then President, all of whom were pro-slavery advocates. The judge called a special Federal Grand Jury to consider the transaction, and, if the facts warranted, to have all who had a hand in the rescue indicted for a violation of the "Fugitive Slave Law." He was very careful to call to the jury box only pro-slavery men, among them the very man north of Oberlin who sent his son to entice 162 - Early History of Elyria and Her People the slave out of Oberlin. In charging the grand jury, the learned judge made use of the following language: "There are some who oppose the `Fugitive Slave Law' from a declared sense of conscientious duty. There is in fact a sentiment prevalent in the community, which arrogates to human conduct a standard of right above and independent of human laws, and it makes the conscience of each individual in society the test of his own accountability to the laws of the land. While those who cherish this dogma, claim and enjoy the protection of the law for their own life and property, they are unwilling that the law should be operated for the protection of the constitutional rights of others. It is a sentiment, semi-religious in its development, and it is almost invariably characterized by intolerance and bigotry. The leaders of those who acknowledge its obligations and advocate its sanctity, are like the subtile prelates of the dark ages. They are versed in all they consider useful and sanctified learning. Trained in certain schools in New England to manage words, they are equally successful in social circles to manage hearts, seldom superstitious themselves, yet skilled in practicing upon the superstition and credulity of others—false as it is natural a man should be, whose dogma imposes upon all, who are not saints according to his creed, the necessity of being hypocrites; selfish as it is natural a man should be, who claims for himself the benefits of the law and the right to violate it, thereby denying its protection to others. Gentlemen this sentiment should find no place or favor in the grand jury room. The `Fugitive Slave Law' may, and unquestionably does contain provisions repugnant to the moral sense of many good and conscientious people; nevertheless, it is the law of the United States, and as such should be recognized and executed by our courts and juries until abrogated, or otherwise changed by the legislative department of the government." Moved by this charge, the jury indicted twenty-four Oberlin citizens and thirteen Wellington men. Students, merchants and professional men were among the number. Writs were issued to the United States Marshal and his deputies for their arrest, and all were apprehended and taken to Cleveland on December 1, 1858. They pleaded not guilty, refused to give bail, and demanded an immediate trial which the court refused and set the date at the instance of the district attorney for March 8. Then postponed Early History of Elyria and Her People - 163 the trials on motion of the district attorney till the 5th of the next month. Until that date, the prisoners were permitted to go on their own recognizances. The judge then called a special petit jury to try them. Every one summoned to serve was a pro-slavery man. With a pro-slavery judge, district attorney and jury, the work of conviction was easy. Word had come from President Buchanan, "Let no guilty man escape." At this date, two trials were had, Simeon Bushnell, a white citizen, and Charles H. Langston, a colored student, a very eloquent young man, were tried, convicted and sentenced. Bushnell to pay a fine of six hundred dollars and costs amounting to two thousand dollars and imprisonment for sixty days. The eloquence of Langston, so moved the court, that he was given but a hundred dollar fine and twenty days imprisonment and the costs. The remaining defendants regarded the rulings of the court so unjust they dismissed their counsel, and said they would no longer make defense but go to jail, if required. Thereupon they were committed. There they remained from April 15, 1859, till the 6th day of July, during the recess of court, when the trials were to commence again. The jail official was a kind man, and gave them the use of the prison yard. The prisoners being skilled in various occupations, set up business in the outdoor space, where each one who had a trade followed it. When it was made known to the public that things were necessary for each one to keel) busy, the appliances and material were furnished by friends over the country. Harness makers, shoemakers and printers got busy, as well as those who understood the tailors trade. There were two printers among them. They secured a hand press and ample type and published an anti-slavery paper, denouncing the "Fugitive Slave Law, calling on the people to overthrow the institution of slavery. The Sunday-school class of one of the Oberlin men made trips to Cleveland on Sunday mornings, to be taught by him in the jail yard, as the weather permitted. Friends by the hundreds who stood with them on the slavery question made them visits, many of them traveling long distances. During the vacation, a great "anti-slavery" mass meeting was called on the Public Square. Thousands of people were there to listen to the orators. Salmon P. Chase was then governor of Ohio. He came up from Columbus to make a speech, and did, encouraging the 164 - Early History of Elyria and Her People throngs who came. The great anti-slavery orator of Ohio, Joshua R. Giddings, who had led the way in the lower house of Congress, contending against slavery, was among the speakers. He denounced the nefarious law, and all who stood by it from the President down, calling them "man stealers," with seared consciences, having no regard for humanity. From the time of the rescue in Wellington, till the final outcome of the trials, the newspapers all over the United States were aflame in great headlines about the transaction. Some denouncing the prisoners, and some commending them. The whole country seemed for the time given over to the trials and what led up to them. The rescuers and all who sympathized with them, and claimed they were justified in their act, were characterized as anarchists, while others defended them, on the ground that as against any law so inhuman, people were justified in the sight of God and man to disregard it. The United States Court was not to open again for the fall term, till September. Public opinion in Elyria and Lorain County had reached the point when good men and women were asking each other, if there was not something our authorities could do, to assist their fellow citizens in getting out of the hands of their persecutors. They went to the prosecuting attorney, W. W. Boynton, who later sat on our Supreme Bench, for his advice. He began an investigation of the state criminal laws, and discovered a statute making it a penitentiary offense for one person to take another by force, out of the state, without first bringing him before a common pleas judge to see whether he had a right so to do. This the kidnapers had not done, and did ruot expect to do. They should have taken him before the court in Elyria. On discovering this bit of legislation, the prosecutor and sheriff had a conference to which they invited Probate Judge Doolittle, named. After going over the situation some of the friends of anti-slavery belief were consulted, among them Roswell Horr, then clerk of the Common Pleas Court, a brother of the prominent Wellington Horrs. The outcome of the conference was, the prosecutor sent for Common Pleas Judge Carpenter of Akron, then the judge of Summit, Medina and Lorain Counties, an anti-slavery man. He came and had a. conference with the prosecutor and the persons named, the result of which was that in as much as the federal judge had seen fit to call a special grand jury of pro- Early History of Elyria and Her People - 165 slavery men to indict their fellow citizens, and a special petit pro-slavery jury to try them, they were justified in following a like proceedure. Thereupon Judge Carpenter called a grand jury of friends to the slave. They were summoned by Sheriff Burr, an anti-slavery official whose home was in Columbia. The jury returned an indictment charging the three Kentucky kidnapers with the penitentiary offense. Writs for their arrest went out, and Burr brought them into court. They pleaded not guilty, and gave bail for their appearance when called for trial. During the recess of the Federal Court they had been spending some time at their respective homes. The arrests took place on their return to testify in the Cleveland court. Judge Carpenter then called a special petit anti-slavery jury to try them and set the day. It finally dawned on the attorneys for the kidnapers, that their clients were liable to go to the penitentiary, when they learned that every juror was an anti-slavery advocate. They then made known to the Kentuckyites their danger. In great alarm they sent for a noted lawyer in their own state. He came, and after canvassing the situation, agreed with the Cleveland counsel, and advised them there was but one possible hope left to escape a trip to the Columbus prison. CHAPTER XXVII THE previous chapter related to the nationally noted "Oberlin-Wellington Rescue Case" over a runaway slave, and the arrest and trials of Oberlin and Wellington people under the "Fugitive Slave Law." We will now give an account of the wind-up of the trials. As stated judge Carpenter of the Common Pleas Bench, had set the day for trial in Elyria of the kidnapers. With the Ohio Penitentiary staring them in the face, their counsel began to figure how they might save them, To face an anti-slavery jury in Lorain County, they saw, meant conviction. Their Kentucky lawyer said the way out was for the men to go with their bondsmen before Probate Judge Doolittle in Elyria, that such a judge under the law, was the only one who could at that time, act in accepting prisoners under bail to relieve the bondsmen. That after they were surrendered and gone to jail, he would get out a writ of habeus corpus from the 12 166 - Early History of Elyria and Her People United States Court in Cleveland, at the hands of the Federal Judge trying the Oberlin and Wellington people that would rob the Lorain County Common Pleas Court of any jurisdiction over them, and the judge would release them from any further prosecution in Lorain County. To carry out this plan, the kidnapers, with their attorneys, all drove to Elyria and went straight to the probate office in the old red-brick court house. The door was locked. They pounded but nothing answered, save the mocking echo of an empty room. It was still business hours, what was the trouble? Where was the judge, for without him, the kidnapers were powerless to get legally into jail, so as to give the United States Court jurisdiction. The company marched out of the empty building, as no one seemed to be around. They then ascertained that the residence of Judge Doolittle was not more than five minutes' walk away, it was in the brown-painted brick building, still standing on the north side of West Second Street, the second dwelling west of the Chronicle-Telegram . office. With quick step, they headed toward the residence of the only being on earth, clothed with authority to save them from the Ohio Penitentiary for unless they could get into jail, by surrendering themselves to him, then legally the writ of habeas corpus from the United States Court where the judge was ready to liberate them from their Lorain County enemies, would be of no avail. The door bell at the Doolittle home, brought the judge to answer the call when the spokesman made known the object of the visit. The judge reminded them the day was a legal holiday, a fact they had overlooked. That being such he could not transact any business in his office. They then informed him they would be back the next morning with their bondsmen who wanted to surrender them up, when they would have to go to jail. "Very well," said the judge, as they departed. The old abolitionist then seated himself before his cheery grate and talked the strangers' visit over with his good wife, both wondering what was back of it all. She was as deeply interested in the Abolition cause as her husband, and one of the wise ladies of her day and generation, given to good deeds, a friend of humanity. The family conference ended in her suggesting to the judge that he had better tell the prosecutor and sheriff what had taken place as she believed their great eagerness to get into jail was contrary Early History of Elyria and Her People - 167 to human conduct, that there must be some motive that did not then appear, as nobody wants to get into jail, but on the contrary, those in, are mighty anxious to get out. Her reasoning his so impressed her judicial consort, that he put on his pug hat and found the young Prosecutor Boynton, and Sheriff Burr, and Horr the clerk, and told them all that had happened. What could the move mean was the question. The conclusion was finally reached, that it was a trick to give the United States Court jurisdiction through a writ of habeas corpus. The next question was how to head it off. They had a right to surrender themselves through the Probate Court, and in that     MRS. C. H. DOOLITTLE, Reached ninety. Was for fifty years the leader in the temperance cause in Elyria 168 - Early History of Elyria and Her People event the sheriff was bound to receive them. Horr said, "Sup-pose there is no Probate Court, then what?" Others reasoned, "What is there to prevent the sheriff from receiving them without a Probate Judge?" There might be some danger but legally probably not. Just which one first suggested destroying the machinery of the court, is not known, but the conference ended in it being agreed that the judge and sheriff both needed vacations and to that end, they were to go at once, which they did. The judge started east to visit his brother, an attorney in Painesville, and the sheriff had important business in the west part of the county, that was to detain him for a couple of days. The next morning the kidnapers with their lawyers, and the bondsmen all showed up at the Probate Court, but found no judge. Why he had not come, the clerk did not know. Posthaste the disappointed men hurried to the residence. This time Mrs. Doolittle answered the bell. "Where is the judge? He is not at the office?" "He has not been feeling well lately and has gone on a visit among his friends somewhere east of Cleveland." "When will he be back?" "I cannot tell anything about it." With sad faces and whipped looks they returned to the probate office for further information, but came out no wiser for the inquiry. They then visited the sheriff's office, only to find he was not there, and the attendant could give no information as to the whereabouts or when he would return. They visited the jail, and tried to get behind the bars, but the wife said she had no papers to commit them. It now dawned on the persecutors of the Lorain County citizens, that they had been outgeneraled by the Lorain County "Abolitionists" and were sure to go to the penitentiary. With heavy steps and sad countenances, they returned to Cleveland, where a. conference was held with the United States Judge Wilson and District Attorney Belden, when they assured them they could not think of such a thing as going to the penitentiary, and to save themselves, were perfectly willing to have the authorities let all the Oberlin and Wellington prisoners go, including the two convicted ones, if necessary, to secure their own freedom. Within a day or two the kidnapers' attorneys came to Elyria, and made the proposition that all indictments on both sides be nolled, which was finally accepted, and thus ended the most noted case of its character ever staged in American history Early History of Elyria and Her People - 169 involving the violation of the nefarious and notorious "Fugitive Slave Law." When the release came of the prisoners in Cleveland, the bards played and a great reception was accorded them as they left the jail, and as they passed through Elyria there was a like demonstration, and at Oberlingreat rejoicingg. They were greeted by the whole village and a banquet was given them, called in the newspapers "The Felons' Feast." Speeches were made worthy of note, in which the wicked law was given its death blow so far as Oberlin and Lorain County were concerned. That fall John Brown's raid came off at Harper's Ferry within three months, and in less than eighteen months Fort Sumter was fired upon, and the Civil War was on. The "Oberlin-Wellington Rescue Case" was the last attempt to enforce the "Fugitive Slave Law" in Ohio. Those who had a part in the transaction, have gone to that mysterious realm from which no mortal has yet returned. When the kidnapers and their attorneys visited Judge Doolittle's home, and found him gone, he had a daughter then about thirteen years old, who saw the men and heard her mother tell them her father was on a visit. She is still with us, one of the most highly respected, cultured ladies in the City of Elyria, the widow of the noted author of the greatest work ever written on civil engineering, William H. Searles. Her residence is at the old Doolittle Homestead on the south side of West Fifth Street. Ask any civil engineer what he has to say about the book entitled "Field Engineering," by William H. Searles, and you will get one answer, "We could not get along without it." Until he produced this book many years ago, much of the work of the engineer had to be done by the eye, and measuring and experimenting. Searles produced a set of formulas to guide the engineer, by which he knows he has accuracy. A more modest being never lived among men, than this great man. There were not twenty people in Elyria who knew he was the author of any book, till the golden wedding of himself and Mrs. Searles was celebrated by fitting ceremony at the Congregational Church. An Elyria lady was some years ago visiting in the East, where she was introduced to a noted civil engineer who asked her where she resided. On being told in Elyria, Ohio, he remarked in astonishment, "Elyria, Ohio, that is where the great Mr. Searles resides." She replied, "What 170 - Early History of Elyria and Her People great Mr. Searles?" He answered, "William H. Searles, the author of the most wonderful work on civil engineering ever written." This was the first time she knew he had written any book though she was well acquainted with him. The writer within two years past had a relative visiting him from Wisconsin, whose profession is that of a civil engineer. When asked if he ever saw or heard of a work on civil engineering by William H. Searles he replied, "That is my Bible in my work. I could not get along without it. It is used by all civil engineers. It still remains as it was in the days of Christ when he said, `A prophet is not without honor save in his own country, and among his own kindred.' " The eastern man was amazed that William H. Searles was not known by every inhabitant in Elyria. This book has been for these many years, and ever will be, a standard work among engineers, because of its perfect accuracy and invaluable formulas. For long service in the temperance cause, no person has been so faithful in Elyria as Mrs. Doolittle, who reached the great age of ninety-four years and six months, in full possession of her faculties, deeply interested in all the great questions of the day, and especially the advancement of temperance. She was a strong character, highly cultured, ever stood for the highest ideals and was an indefatigable worker in every good cause. Her daughter is surely a counterpart of her great mother, in the same fields of endeavor. Her faithfulness on the Board of the Old Ladies' Home, and later and now on the Home for the Aged, will ever remain a monument to her memory as well as her faithfulness in the cause of temperance. Though an octogenarian, her zeal is unabated in going about doing good. What a host of friends rise up to call her blessed. Great things have ever come out of the Doolittle and Searles home on Fifth Street. In 1835, ninety-three years ago, there landed in Elyria, then a small frontier village, a proverbial "Connecticut Yankee" from the "Nutmeg State," by the name of Seymour W. Baldwin, whose name was to become a "household word" for many years in this section of Ohio, and it still remains such in the homes of those who knew him. He was the youngest of seven children, was born and raised on a farm. His earliest {known ancestors came to the town of Milford, in the Colony of Connecticut, from Early History of Elyria and Her People - 171 SEYMOUR W. ALDWINN Was a highly successful pioneer merchant. Gave liberally to the needy and was a friend to the "Runaway Slave" England, in the year 1639, two hundred and eighty-nine years ago, only nineteen years after the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth. The year previous many of the discontented colonists in the Massachusetts Colony had commenced to pour into the new territory, founding towns, and soon they gave the world to understand that from that time henceforth they were going to run their own affairs. They were the most militant inhabitants of all the colonies toward his Majesty. Their disregard for the orders of their King's Governor resulted in his marching an army to the capitol building at Hartford demanding the surrender of their charter. It will be recalled that the colonial 172 - Early History of Elyria and Her People legislature was in session. The Charter was brought forth and laid on the table in the assembly room for discussion as to whether they should obey their sovereign. The arguments pro and con continued till darkness filled the room. Candles were called for. When lighted, lo and behold, the precious document was gone. The Governor raged, but the culprit was not found and never was known, till a friendly king came to the throne, when a patriot who was in the audience, a listener, came to the front with the parchment, which he had hidden in a great oak tree in the yard of the state house, where it rested for many years. It ever after was called the "Charter Oak," and held, till it went in a storm, in veneration by the whole country. All of Seymour W. Baldwin's American ancestors were not only colonists but patriots during the Revolution. This worthy decadent of noble sires was., born in 1807, one hundred and twenty-one years ago. He was but twenty-eight when he arrived in Elyria. He brought with him an estimable wife and their two small children, a stranger in a strange land. He had spent several years in his native state in mercantile business. On arriving he found the noted young merchant, H. K. Kendall, about his age, far in the lead of his competitors, selling goods with a name for fair dealing and low prices, that challenged his abilities to make a success. When he opened a general store on Broad Street many predicted the Connecticut Yankee would meet his Waterloo. CHAPTER XXVIII THE previous chapter ended with a partial account of the advent into Elyria, in 1835, of Seymour W. Baldwin, the young merchant, a Connecticut Yankee. He was as fine a specimen of physical manhood as ever passed up the street, being nearly six feet in height, with broad shoulders, and a mannerism that made friends rapidly. Then it was noticed, that he not only attended strictly to business but was generally the first merchant to open in the morning. No day seemed too long, or night too dark, in storm or sunshine, for him to be on hand for customers. The Baldwin store prospered from the beginning. His Early History of Elyria and Her People - 173 parents were ardent Methodists and abolitionists, in which faith he not only grew up, but lived in, both by precept and example, during his long tenure of life in Elyria, till at the age of eighty-four he passed away in his fine old manson, that then stood on the spot now occupied by the Endly Mock, at the northeast corner of the intersection of Middle Avenue and Third Street. He soon discovered that the dealer who had his goods for the spring, or fall trade, ready for customers first, was at a great advantage. No railroads in those days, or auto trucks, with pavements to roll over; just mud highways, ruts, fall and spring. From the spots where the canals ended in New York and Philadelphia, horse or ox teams had to bring them to Elyria. When navigation closed they had to come by way of Pittsburgh in wagons. Because of his great strength and powers of endurance, he was generally able to have his merchandise on hand first. Along with his mercantile pursuits he became interested in banking. For many years he was a stockholder and director in the banking firm of Wicks, Otis & Brownell, in Cleveland. He was one of the promoters and a director of the Elyria Junction Railway, that later became a part of the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern. These two young competing merchants, Kendall and Baldwin, because of their marked abilities in building up trade, caused Elyria to become a noted center for trade in Northern Ohio. For years it was the House of Baldwin against the House of Kendall. Later Mr. Baldwin formed a partnership, known for many years as Baldwin, Laundon and Nelson, with a branch store at Wellington. Small as Elyria was at that date, and the county with few inhabitants compared to the present time, yet the firm employed forty clerks. He never failed to meet his obligations or keep his word. He was ever ready to assist in helping runaway slaves to Canada. It was understood that any time his fine team was needed for that purpose, friends were at liberty to make use of it. His habits were always perfect. He gave the lot for the Methodist Church where the present structure stands, and contributed liberally toward the erection of the one preceding the present building, and took a deep interest in seeing it go up. Though he has been gone thirty-seven years, the name "Seymour W. Baldwin" lives on in the memory of those who knew him. 174 - Early History of Elyria and Her People His advice to young men to live within their means, and keep their characters clean, caused many a young fellow to right about face, after talking with him. The writer, many years ago, was told by a prominent business man of Elyria after Mr. Baldwin had gone to his reward, the following. Said he, "It was in the panic of 1873, when I owed Mr. Baldwin for back rent for a house I had occupied. I foolishly never dunned myself to him, as we met now and then, but let him do the reminding. I always pleaded poverty and paid him in promises. The last time he asked me I was nettled and said, 'I don't know as I shall ever pay it, you can't get it out of me, as I am worth nothing.' He turned on me searching, but kindly eyes, and said, 'What is that you said, William, what is that you said? Repeat it, maybe I did not understand you.' I repeated the words, when he replied, 'Oh, is that the way you look at life. Now, William, I shall never ask you for the rent again, nor shall I sue you, but unless you turn about face, and live up to your word, you will never succeed in life, but make a bad failure.' I felt the rebuke and went home. I told my wife all and said, 'I made a fool of myself.' She replied 'You surely have. Now here are two dollars, you go at once and give it to Mr. Baldwin and ask his forgiveness and tell him we will pay at least two dollars a month till it is paid.' I could hardly wait to find him, but when I did and made my apology as I handed him the money he said, 'Before this, \William, you were down there,' pointing to the ground, 'now you are up here, where you belong, stay there, my boy.' I have often thought perhaps he saved me from a complete failure in life." He was twice married and had a family of four sons, all of whom grew up in Elyria. They were Judge Charles C. Baldwin, of Cleveland, one of the circuit judges in his day of our circuit judicial district; John H. Baldwin, a manufacturer in New York City; Arthur R. Baldwin, a business man in Atlanta, Georgia, and the late Honorable David C. Baldwin of Elyria, who was a partner in the Baldwin store for many years, that became "Baldwin, Lersch & Co," which is now the John W. Lersch & Co. He was for two terms a member of the Ohio Legislature, was married in 1878 to Miss Josephine Staub, who was at the time of the marriage one of the successful teachers in our high school. She was the daughter of Rev. Henry Staub, a Methodist minister. Early History of Elyria and Her People - 175 Her husband passed away some years ago. He was one of the best citizens of the city, given to good works. He spent, as a pastime, many days and hours gathering stone implements and arrow heads of the Indians and gave his great collection to the Historical Society in Cleveland. He was one of its board of directors and helped incorporate the same. He built the beautiful brick mansion on Washington Avenue, where his widow, a highly esteemed and cultured lady, resides. It seems a tragedy for such families to disappear from the city they helped to build, until not one is left. Thus it was with the Seymour \V. Baldwin household. The •great father, his two noble wives, and four successful sons, all of whom walked our streets as citizens, have gone to that undiscovered country to which Seymour W. Baldwin, like Abraham of old, looked by faith, and died, believing he should live again. All hail to his memory. He left the world far better for his having been here. His kindnesses and tender solicitude toward, his second wife, who for many years was a helpless invalid, was a sure test of the real man. Pioneer days produced characters. The early inhabitants, especially on farms, were isolated. Few of them felt they could afford a newspaper, so scarce were dollars. The daily,among them, was unknown. Their libraries consisted generally of the "Old Family Bible" brought from the East, containing a record of the births, marriages, and deaths of the ancestors and family to date. This was kept on a stand in plain sight ready for family devotions, in the Christian families, and was read more than all other books or papers. Besides the Bible, there was generally found "Pilgrim's Progress." Annually they secured an almanac, that hung under the family clock. To this, they resorted for their weather reports, and for the kind of patent medicines advertised, that would best fit their infirmities. Its prophetic statements, as to what the weather would he for the coming year, were generally relied upon. Ghost stories were told the children, of strange things that were seen and noises heard, "away down East," before they came West, as they sat winter evenings around the smouldering embers of the great gaping fireplaces. The most lurid and ghastly ones caused the children to feel the roots of their 'hair creep, and too frightened to go to bed in the dark. 176 - Early History of Elyria and Her People The pioneers in those days, felling trees, and wresting a living for the family out of the stumpy fields, by the most primitive implements of husbandry, had but little time to confer with their neighbors on the questions of the day, or concerning the things of life, much less to read books. The result was they did a lot of thinking and reasoning, while alone in the woods and fields. If they were positive natures that developed them into characters, each having an individuality. Among these were found the leaders of the community in reforms, whether religious, political, or otherwise. What Mother Grundy had to say never concerned them. They were willing to face the world for their convictions. This class has largely passed away. People these days are being run in about the same mold. The distinctions so long existing between the town and country people have disappeared. Whether to our advantage or not, still remains to be seen. In dress and manners all are pretty much alike. The taunting remarks so often made, not many years ago, by city people about "Country Jakes" and "Hayseeds" have disappeared under the influence of the wonderful school privileges, magazines  and newspapers, and with the advent among us of the means of getting about and listening to the same marvelous messages in songs and addresses on every subject. One of the outstanding characters, the product of that early life in the woods, was the late James T. Robinson of Elyria, the father of our well-known townsman, T. T. Robinson, whose residence, for many years preceding his death, was on East Avenue across from the Gates Mansion. He was born in a log house in Ridgeville, nearly a hundred years ago. His father died in his young boyhood, leaving a widow and family, with him as the one to take his father's place, just as he was coming into his teens. There was a mortgage on the farm that had to be paid or the home would be lost. Though he reached several mile posts beyond the eighty mark, he could never recount the struggles of his mother, in lifting the debt, that he was not moved to tears. The writer heard him say many times, "I had the most wonderful mother that ever lived." Calling on him one day I asked him if he had a picture of her. He was then eighty. Rising from his feat, he said, "Come with me." I followed him into the dining room, where her Early History of Elyria and Her People - 177 JAMES T. ROBINSON Known in all the country round as "Uncle Jim." He spent a long life visiting the widows and orphans in their afflictions and educating young men for the ministry life-sized portrait hung. Standing before it with tears strea down his agitated face, he began telling me of her faithful to her family in those dark days, how she so managed the a of the farm that the mortgage was paid. Said she never to see that "us children were in the Sunday school and chu Said he, I like to have her picture where I can look on he while I am at my meals." He spent the most of his Ion on his farm, at Fields Corners, where he and his noble had a home from which none were turned away, given to hospitality. While there was a church across the was religious convictions in the interpretation of the Scriptures 178 - Early History of Elyria and Her People not wholly in accord with the people, so to carry them out he erected on his farm a church and Sunday-school building that still stands where he placed it. In this he had a Sunday school organized, of which he was superintendent for many years, until he moved to Elyria. Sunday school was not only conducted in the building, but preaching according to his belief was had many years. When the wherewith to meet the minister's salary was lacking, "Uncle Jim," as he was called in all the country around, made up the deficit. Under his roof the ministers ever found a welcome. He was, from his youth, a member and diligent worker in the Church of Christ, either at Eaton Center, Fields, or Elyria. "Uncle Jim" was a natural financier. He was a great lover of horses and had the faculty of taking those in the City of Cleveland, that had become footsore in drawing street cars or trucks, and healing them on his farm. For many years he wintered over for the rich of the city their driving teams, out of which he made a good profit. They had such confidence in his integrity and judgment of horses that he had no trouble in securing all he could accommodate. fut purchasing and selling tracts of real estate over the country, south and west, he had excellent judgment, out of which he was enabled to accumulate property, but contrary to the usual way of amen in hoarding it, he sought ways of giving it away for the unfortunate and to further the preaching of the Gospel. In spite of his efforts to not let it he known what his benevolences were, he paid out during his life for the purposes stated, as nearly as those who knew him best could approximate, at least fifty thousand dollars, which would according to the purchasing power of dollars these days, have been a hundred and fifty thousand. The number of poor boys and girls seeking educations, whose dollars of "Uncle Jim" made their stay in college possible, will never be known, till the books are opened in that undiscovered country. Widows will then rise to call him blessed, whose homes lue saved, and ministers whose education they owed to him. He poured thousands into the Christian Orphanage in Cleveland, for lo, many years. They have recently erected a new brick building on the right as we enter the city by the “Green Line." On one occasion he overheard his son, Thede, talking of Early History of Elyria and Her People - 179 putting up at auction, whatever suits of cutaway coats there were in the two clothing stores at Lorain and Elyria, as they had gone out of style. Finding he could get them very cheap and that there were about a hundred, he purchased the lot and told the clerks to put them up in three packages. He then gave orders that one bundle should bee sent to Hiram college; one to Bethany College, West Virginia and one to the Ashley Johnson College, Tennessee. All three institutions were founded to educate ministers to preach the Gospel. He then wrote three letters, telling the presidents to give them to the poor boys studying for the ministry. He remarked that while they might not be in style, the boys could preach just as well when they went out Sundays to fill vacant pulpits while taking their college courses. The Ashley Johnson College was started by Johnson himself, on the farm on which he was raised, to educate the poor white boys for the ministry. To make this college succeed the students had to run the farm and care for a fine dairy. Into this school "Uncle Jim" gave from time to time, enough to amount to seven or eight thousand dollars. Just before the Community Chest was organized, Frank Bates, of Elyria, a poor man in purse but rich in good works, was, as had been his habit, looking up the poor of the city, who were in sore need of assistance. On his way home after such a canvass "Uncle Jim" overtook him with his horse and buggy and invited him to ride. On taking his seat he remarked, "There are a lot of destitute families in Elyria." "Is that so," remarked Uncle Jim, "Where are they? \V i11 you take me to some of them?" "Yes," replied Frank. Thereupon he wheeled his horse around and soon they were calling on families where little children were barefooted and thinly clad, and the mothers wearing worn-out shoes, with little to stay the hunger of their broods. After calling at five or six such places "Uncle Jim" said, "Well, Bates, I have seen enough, let's go." That afternoon he had Frank carrying a great string of shopworn, out-of-style shoes for mothers and children on his back, going from house to house, fitting the destitute with footwear. He had purchased all the bargain sales in the shoe line on Broad Street. 180 - Early History of Elyria and Her People CHAPTER XXIX OUR previous chapter, closed with an account of how "Uncle Jim Robinson" started Frank Bates on a trip about the town, with a string of children's and women's shoes on his back, visiting the destitute families. Seeing an ad, that one of the Elyria stores was closing out at less than cost, its entire line of underwear for children, "Uncle Jim" made his way to the bargain counter and took the lot, then turned them over to Frank for distribution among the children. On securing the names and addresses of the homes where there was no food, coal or credit, "Uncle Jim" ordered groceries sent and told the coal dealer to fill the bins, and send the bills to him. It soon got noised about, that "Uncle Jim" was shouldering financially pretty much the business of caring for the needy. His idea of religion was that taught in the Good Book, "to visit the widow and fatherless in their afflictions," and not do it to be seen of men. The outcome of "Uncle Jim's" philanthropies was that others felt they should share in the giving. A meeting of all interested in caring for the destitute was called, in the Chamber of Commerce Room in the Masonic Temple, to consider the matter. About twenty-five responded, in the discussion it was ascertained that there were several small organizations or committees connected with churches and orders that had been running for some years, to look after such needy as might come for assistance. Through pride, many would not ask. Another thing was learned and that was, there being no working connection between them, they were not only duplicating in their benevolences, but there were quite a number of frauds, people asking for assistance from each organization, who were amply able to care for themselves. Before the meeting closed an affiliated board of charities was organized, and Frank Bates was employed to gather up clothing over the city, look into the individual cases, and distribute the same where he thought the needs demanded, and to also report to a finance committee in cases where more than garments were needed, so groceries and fuel could be supplied. Frank got in action at once with his push cart gathering garments. This order of things lasted several years, greatly to the advantage of all concerned, resulting in awakening the mree fortunate Early History of Elyria and Her People - 181 people to the fact, that they are "their brother's keeper." That the parable of the "Good Samaritan," given more than nineteen centuries ago, is as binding on this generation, as on those who heard it from the lips of the humble Nazarene, "who spake as man never spoke." Al. Out of this quickened conscience grew the "Community Chest," that is able to administer to the necessities of the unfortunate in a way that gives all an opportunity to contribute, placing the raising of funds, and distribution, on a business basis. It has now become as much a part of the civic life of Elyria as the schools and churches. Had it not been for such characters as "Uncle Jim" and Frank Bates, the world over, who believe they must answer for the deeds done in the body, if they are to receive the welcome into that everlasting Kingdom recorded in Holy Writ: "I was hungry, and you fed me, naked and you clothed me," there would have been no "Community Chest," or hospitals of any character, no Red Cross, no homes for the aged, no Salvation Army, no Young Men's Christian Association or Young Women's Christian Association. "Uncle Jim" was about five feet and ten inches in height, strong in body, with a countenance of great kindness, and eyes of such benevolence, that he was easily moved to tears when he saw distress. He was often called by executors and administrators, to fix the allowance for the widow and minor children. When objection was made that his figures were too high, he would reply, "We must remember the widow and fatherless in their afflictions. The grownups can look after themselves." The writer chanced to be with him some years before his decease, standing on Cleveland Street, Elyria, waiting for a street car from Cleveland, when two young ladies, about eighteen years of age, neatly dressed, strangers to us, employed in one of the factory offices, appeared to catch the same car. One consulted her watch, then looking east remarked, in a despairing tone of voice to her companion, "Oh, dear me, I do believe the car is P. minute behind time." The writer then said, "Young ladies, not many years ago, where this fine pavement is, along which in a few moments we will ride in great ease, there were stumps, and ruts, over which the pioneers had to make their way in ox carts, with small loads, requiring a whole day to go from Ridgeville to Elyria and return." I then asked them if they 13 182 - Early History of Elyria and Her People ever saw an ox cart, or a yoke of oxen. They assured me they never had. I remarked, "You are complaining because the warm, fine car in which you will ride is behind." They then looked at us thinking we must be very ancient beings. "Uncle Jim" then entered into the conversation, by saying, "Young ladies, when I was fourteen years of age, my mother a widow living in a log house on a farm in Ridgeville, sent me to Elyria along this very road, with just such an ox team and cart, as the gentleman has described, with a load of potatoes to sell. It took me all day to make the trip. Right along here one big wheel of the cart would go into a rut, and then the other one. I had on what was then regarded a big load, eighteen bushels. I stopped on Broad Street, about where the Lersch store is, and waited for customers. Soon a gentleman came along wearing a plug hat. Seeing my potatoes, he said. 'Bub, how much do you ask a bushel for your potatoes.' I replied, 'fourteen cents.' `It is too much.' Just as lie said that a man, by the name of Smith, a stranger to me, looked over my load, and remarked to the man with the plug hat, whom he seemed to know. `Buy the boy's potatoes, he does not ask too much, and help him out, his mother is a widow, I know where she lives.' Thereupon the big man took another look, and said, 'Well, I will take the load, drive over to my house and I will pay you.' " At this point in the conversation the car came, and we were soon being carried along the pavement fifty miles an hour, made possible through the early struggles of such pioneers as "Uncle Jim." On the way over I remarked, "At the rate you sold your potatoes, you received only two dollars and fifty-two cents." "Yes," he replied, "but my mother had to have the money to pay taxes, as they would not take potatoes at the court house. The than who helped me sell my load looked good to me every time I saw him after that. Years later I told him how much the helped me one time. He said he had no recollection of the' transaction." Said "Uncle Jim" to me, "It always pays to be kind to the young, they never forget it." He and his noble wife, "Aunt Mary," who survived hint some years, while their mortal bodies lie side by side in the little country cemetery, made sacred to them, as it is the spot in which the bodies of their ancestors have gone back to dust, their great unselfish souls go marching on, in the orphans they Early History of Elyria and Her People - 183 clothed and fed, the widows whose burdens they helped to bear, and the ministers and teachers they assisted to educations. They had but one child. To this generation it is unnecessary to comment on the successful business ventures and good deeds of T. T. Robinson, as his life has been f r these many years, an open book among us, ever contending for the common good, both by precept and example. The unsolicited, philanthropic deeds of himself and his good wife have already run into many thousands more than the world knows about. Suffice it to say, that, like his parents, he is carrying on the work they so unselfishly began. "Uncle Jim" often quoted this Biblical saying, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he gets old, he will not depart from it." William Bennington, whose funeral took place on the 24th of December, 1928, in the Elyria Methodist Church, of which he had been a member for more than seventy years, was another pioneer character of pronounced convictions, who came up through the adversities of early settlers, as he was but six years of age when he was brought by his parents into Grafton Woods, from England. The family was tossed about on the ocean in making the voyage, for ten weeks in a small sailing craft of that period, before making the port of Quebec, the ship's destination. That was eighty-six years ago, when pirate vessels still infested the high seas, manned by merciless robbers. Piracy, by the law of nations, is punishable by death on all oceanic waters save those of heathen nations. When the Benningtons were in mid-ocean, an incident occured that to a ]ad of six, eighty-five years tenure on the earth could not obliterate from memory. "Our ship was making good headway," said Mr. Bennington, 'with a spanking breeze filling every sail, when a ship in the distance flew a flag of distress. The international laws of navigation, then as now, in such a case required the hailed vessel to stop and give aid. The captain thereupon turned about in the direction of the supposed unfortunate craft. Soon as the strange boat came close enough to distinguish the character of the people on board, it was discovered there were about fifty, unshaven, desperate men, armed to the teeth, having villainous faces, bent on robbery. 'My God,' cried the captain, 'they are pirates.' Our passengers all fell to their knees praying to be saved, It takes something more than supplications to 184 - Early History of Elyria and Her People the Maker to deter such characters from their purpose. Before our captain could turn his vessel back on her course, the pirate ship coming under full sail, intending to sink our boat, struck her midship, such a blow that it crushed in the side, nearly to the water's edge. The impact was so severe that it tore away the front sails of the pirate ship, stove in her bow, causing her to rebound some distance, so badly injured that she could make no headway which enabled us to go on our way rejoicing. Every one of the passengers on board, had the desperadoes succeeded in robbing them, would have been slaughtered and sent to the bottom of the sea, as dead men tell no tales." "Uncle William's" father tried farming for about four years, then moved his family to Elyria. Later he went to Canada for employment, where he worked for some length of time, sending his wages home to support his family. He never returned. Whatever became of him will remain a mystery. The last message came from Buffalo, New York. The children were now not only fatherless, but without means, necessitating every member to be on the "ways and means committee," to raise the wherewith to keep the wolf from the door. William, at the age of fourteen, being the eldest son, was compelled to leave school forever, and assist in earning bread for the household. No more faithful son ever stood by a mother in her dark hours than William Bennington. He early made a profession of Christianity and became an active, faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church in this city, when it was a village of few inhabitants. From that time, for seventy-two years, and until, at the great age of ninety-one he went to his reward, he never wavered from his faith in the belief, that the Bible from Genesis to Revelations, is the revealed Word of God to mankind. Among the marvelous geysers in the "National Park," there is but one on which the tourist can depend to be on time. It is called "Old Faithful." All the others seem to get active only when they feel like it, in which trait most of us are exemplified in our lives. Whether at church or Sunday school, temperance meeting, or as a member of committees, "Uncle William," as he was called by his friends, was not only there, but on time, and always active in their deliberations. He outlived all ,those who began the race of life with him. He had no bad habits. He and "Uncle Jim" Robinson knew each either well all their Early History of Elyria and Her People - 185 lives. I first became acquainted with him fifty-two years ago. He was an enemy of everything that conduced to the destruction of body or soul, but a friend of all, and never said ill of any one. He was a patriot and, in the days of slavery, a friend to the downtrodden. He married in 1861 Delia Griffing, with whom he lived happily for forty years. At twenty-six he opened a grocery store in Elyria, which he conducted for eleven years, when he entered the employ of the Topliff and Ely Bow Socket Co., where he remained for sixteen years until the business ceased, then he became caretaker of the Power Block, in which employment he remained for eleven years when he retired spending all his time going about doing good. He never failed to live within his means, and to lay away a competence for old age. He was able to so invest his earnings that he had means to help financially, in all movements in the church and out, calculated to make the world better. For many years and until his death he was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Old Ladies' Home, now the "Home for the Aged," in which capacity he was serving when the summons came. One of the last acts of his life was in making a large contribution toward getting two old ladies that had become homeless into the institution. To do so, he went up and down the streets, though nearly blind, at the age of ninety, soliciting subscriptions, and as a final effort, made such pathetic appeal from the pulpit of the church, that the audience was greatly moved and responded in making up the deficit, which gave the unfortunates the home they now enjoy. "Uncle William" was a great student of the Scriptures, able to meet the arguments of those disposed to question their authenticity. He was a very efficient teacher in the Sunday school, gladly listened to by youth as well as the older ones. He held every office in the church with credit. On his ninetieth birthday he was accorded a reception in the church, that was largely attended by the numerous friends. The usual cake with its ninety candles was in evidence. His response to the many kind tributes paid him was by an address that would do credit to the gifted and learned, whose lives have been spent in the pulpit. He was no ordinary man, had he had the advantages of a college education, he would have made a strong preacher as his whole life was dominated by the Christian religion, living daily for eternity. 186 - Early History of Elyria and Her People CHAPTER XXX IN 1822, one hundred and seven years ago, there was born in Royalston, Massachusetts, of poor, but noble parents, a child named "Isaac Stevens Metcalf," whose diligent forty-two years of life spent in Elyria, preceding his death at seventy-six, have left their impress for great good, not only on this community, but the world at large. When he was nine, his father died, and the mother with her family moved to Milo, Maine, where he grew to manhood on a farm. It was in the days of long hours, severe toil, and little money, with the rigorous winters of that farthest-north state, buried in deep snow five months yearly, to contend against. Thirsting for an education, he resolved, that poverty should be no hindrance to its acquisition, if willing hands, and the strictest economy, with correct habits of life, would bring it. He knew that Bowdoin College, was located in Brunswick, his state. So. soon as he was able to teach winters, he followed that occupation, applying himself with great diligence to study. Summers, he labored on the farm. He graduated from the institution with credit in 1847. It chanced to be at a time when there was great activity in building railroads in the East and West. He secured on graduation a position with the Vermont and Massachusetts Railroad at surveying and engineering. Because of his college education he was promoted at once and given the job of locating a portion of the road. He also laid out the bridge, over the Connecticut River, crossed by its tracks. On the completion of the road, he was employed in a like capacity on the New Hampshire Central Railroad. He headed the survey for this across the same river, and made a printed report of the work. He was next engaged to make surveys for locating the Bangor and Waterville Railroad, and located the bridge for the same Early History of Elyria and Her People - 187 over the Kennebec River. Believing the march of empire was westward, he made his way by the various means of travel in vogue to the City of Chicago, in the year 1850, when twenty-eight. The place then had about thirty thousand inhabitants. The last lap of his journey was by a ferry steamer, from Michigan City across Lake Michigan t Chicago. On this craft, at the time was being carried the Fast locomotive engine that ran out of Chicago, and that, on istrap rail track, laid to Elgin. By "strap rail," is meant that the foundation rail was of wood, with a wrought-iron top fastened to the wood about one-half inch thick and of the width of two and one-half to three inches. The engines of course were very small. His real objective in going to Illinois, was to secure employment as civil engineer on the Illinois Central Railroad, then in process of construction, and to see the western country. From Chicago, he proceeded by canal to LaSalle, then down the river to Naples, then by strap railroad to Springfield, then by the old "four in hand stage," to Alton, and then on to St. Louis, where he took a steamer to Cairo, the place that was to be the terminal of the road. He found employment, and for months worked in the engineering department farther north. In the fall, he was assigned the duty of locating the road from Cairo, north toward Chicago. The following spring, because of climatic conditions, he returned to Maine for a time. He made the trip to Cincinnati on horseback, thence by rail through Cleveland, home. In the fall, he was called back to continue his work. He was ordered to erect a stone bridge over Muddy River, and build from there to the place now called Centralia, where lie was to erect a hotel and railroad shops for the company. He was four years in accomplishing his task, which was completed in 1855. While East he had married. In doing the work he handled and expended over a half million dollars, a large sum in that day. He was not only the engineer of the work, but the paymaster as well. Purchased the material, and employed the men. In short, such was the confidence reposed in him by the chief engineer and all in authority, not only as to his integrity, but ability to accomplish as well, that during the four years, he saw his chief only once a year. To get the money to meet bills, he had to go to St. Louis on horseback, after dark, and return before light the following day to avoid danger, with twenty or 188 - Early History of Elyria and Her People thirty thousand dollars, which he turned over to his wife for safekeeping till pay day. When the road was completed, he made his way to Chicago to see the financial clerk of the road, who was none other personage than George B. McClellan, who later was placed by President Lincoln at the head of the army, in the Civil War as major general. He turned over to McClellan his books and vouchers, who gave him a letter to the president and directors of the road stating, that, he had "done the most work, for the least money, of any division engineer on the seven hundred miles of road." Speaking of General McClellan recalls the fact, that later, he was made vice-president and superintendent of the Illinois Central Railroad, with a special private car at his disposal which he allowed Senator Stephen A. Douglas, the Democrat, to use in getting about the state at the time he had his seven debates with Lincoln, on the slavery question, that attracted the attention of the nation, while Lincoln, the Republican, had to make his appointments in any old train, often in a caboose car, and was several times sidetracked by the orders of McClellan, to allow his private car carrying Douglas to pass. Lincoln would remark as he heard it whiz by, "There goes royalty, we have to get there the best way we can, for we are poor and unpopular." Notwithstanding McClellan's treatment of Lincoln, he later honored him, as stated, by placing on his shoulders the stripes of Major General of the Army of the Potomac. McClellan's flagrant insults toward the patient Lincoln, while holding the position remains one of the outrages in American history. After the President removed him for cowardice and insubordination, he ran for President on his party ticket against Lincoln, when up for his second term, on a platform made at a convention in Chicago in 1864, in which the War for the Union was declared a failure, cessation of hostilities demanded, and the immediate withdrawal of our troops from the field. While Mr. Metcalf was working for the Illinois Central Railroad he invested in lands, where he laid out the village of DuQuoin, now an important station on the road. He returned to his home in the East, remained about a year, then in I856 came, with his family at the age of thirty-four, to Elyria. By this time he had secured, by diligence and frugality, a fair competence, which by careful investment and safe business ventures, he figured it would enable him to support Early History of Elyria and Her People - 189 and educate his growing family. He owned and operated successfully for many years a grist mill, located on the south side of West Broad Street, about where the Elyria Block now stands. While he never sought office, he held more official positions, that had no money inducement„ all for the public good, than any citizen who has ever spent his life in this community. Let us recount the same, all of he filled with fidelity to his trust, exhibiting in the administration of the duties of each, his marked ability. He was made one of the infirmary directors, when the institution was first established; was township trustee during the Civil War, looking after the widows and orphans and families of the soldiers; was colonel of the local Volunteer Militia; justice of the peace many years, and nearly a life-long member of the board of education, in which capacity he was the acknowledged wise man and its president. Was cemetery trustee, county school examiner of teachers, secretary of the County Agricultural Society, and for lo, many years, clerk, secretary and treasurer of the First Congregational Church, and elected deacon for life. He was also a director of the Savings Deposit Bank from its organization. He was twice married. Of these marriages eighteen children were born, every one of which that lived to the years of accountability was reared a Christian, and an enemy of the saloon, and of all things calculated to destroy mankind. The home in which they grew up was located on the west side of West Avenue, adjoining the south side of Sixth Street extension, where he owned several acres. If ever children were trained up in the way they should go, it was in this home. While he was kindness itself, yet his word was law, commanding obedience. It was the largest family ever raised in Elyria. Its very size, naturally attracted attention, and excited comment. Many wondered how so many could come to manhood and womanhood, possessed of correct habits of life. They had exemplary Christian parents. Never did he, by precept or example, mislead them. He was their companion constantly. They were brought up in the church and Sunday school. Loafing about town was never tolerated. They were all taught to be industrious and saving. Their education was carefully looked after. Let us consider the results of such teaching. By his first wife he had twelve children. Three died in infancy. The remaining eight grew to be men and 190 - Early History of Elyria and Her People women. There was but one that did not graduate from college. Six did from Oberlin, and one from Wellesley. All of the eight children are alive. By his second wife he had six sons, all of whom grew to manhood, save one. The six are all graduates of Oberlin College. This makes twelve graduates in one family. Let us call the roll, naming them and the positions they hold and have, in the world's work, starting with the oldest. Wilder S. Metcalf of Lawrence, Kansas, is also a graduate of Kansas University as well, served in both the Spanish and World Wars. In the Spanish War, he rose to be brigadier general. He held the same position in the World War, is president of the Liberty Life Insurance Co., of Topeka, Kansas, and one of the head men in the Mortgage Loan Co., on farms in the States of Kansas and Oklahoma. Charles R. Metcalf is the only one who did not graduate. He is a prominent insurance man in Kansas, known over the state. Marion Metcalf, who graduated from Wellesley College, taught in the institution ten years, then in Hampton College, and is now secretary and visitor for the "United Congregational Church" at Oberlin. Annie M. Metcalf married the late lamented Professor Azariah S. Root, librarian of Oberlin College for many years, a nationally noted authority and lecturer on libraries. She has been an indefatigable worker in the foreign missionary cause, for many years. She now resides in New York City. Rev. John P. Metcalf, graduate also of Union Theological Seminary, was pastor of People's Tabernacle, St. Louis, Missouri, then professor of English Bible in Oberlin Theological Seminary three years. Spent three years in Europe studying Oriental languages. Then professor of theology in Talladega College, Alabama. Now engaged in literary work in New York City. Rev. Paul Harlan Metcalf graduated from the Chicago Theological Seminary. Was for several years a member of the Oberlin Glee Club, that gave concerts over the country, is now and has been for some years a successful pastor of a Congregational Church at Madison, Ohio. Dr. Henry M. Metcalf, graduate of University of Pennsylvania, now practicing medicine in Elyria. Antonette B. P. Metcalf is now reference librarian in Wellesley College. She graduated from Pratt Institute, the Library School at Brooklyn, New YorkJoseph5h Mayo Metcalf, of St. Louis, Missouri, is now the principal assistant civil engineer Early History of Elyria and Her People - 191 of the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad. He graduated in the engineering department at Harvard College. Also from the civil engineering department of Kansas University. Eliab W. Metcalf, of St. Louis, a civil engineer, is a graduate of Kansas University in civil engineering, and is now engineer on maintenance construction work r r the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad. Isaac S. Metcaff of Lakewood, Ohio, is one of the firm of The Morrison Financial Advertising Co., of Cleveland. Keyes DeWitt Metcalf of White Plains, New York, is head of the reference department in the New York Public Library. He is a graduate of the New York Library School. Thomas Nelson Metcalf, of Ames, Iowa, had a degree from the graduate work in Columbia University, now holds the position of "Head of Department of Physical Education in Iowa State College." I have given the names of the thirteen children of Isaac S. Metcalf, of his two noble wives, who grew to manhood and womanhood, all of whom are, as stated, save Charles, graduates of Oberlin College, and Marion, a graduate of Wellesley. All of these graduates also graduated later from some technical college or university, fitting himself and herself for life's work. We now come to the grandchildren of Isaac W. Metcalf. There are twenty-two of them, and so far as they have reached the age, nine already have graduated from collegiate institutions. There are five great-grandchildren, giving promise of reaching colleges when the years shall permit. The old adage, ''Three generations, from shirt sleeves to shirt sleeves," surely does not hold true in the Metcalf family. In the two generations, there are twenty-one graduates of colleges, every one making good, with not a black sheep among them. Here is a family, when considered from all points in judging families, as they come and go, for universal education, when we count numbers and moral worth, and believers in the Christian religion, having no bad habits, with no scandals beclouding their names, stands without an equal. If there is one, taking into account the size, let the challenger come forward and make it known. In the beginning there was the father and grandfather Metcalf, a Christian gentleman, a teacher in the City of Boston, whose wife was one of those heroic characters, who, when left a widow in her youth, with infant children, and but few dollars, reasoned out that the place to fight out her battle, 192 - Early History of Elyria and Her People and rear her brood, was on a farm, to which she went as stated in the State of Maine. One of the strong characters she gave to the world, was the father and grandfather of this great family. There came out of that humble home of the widow, another great man, the late E. W. Metcalf of Elyria, whose life will appear in the next chapter. Let us who seem wise above what is written, take heed, as we contemplate the Metcalf family. CHAPTER XXXI THIS chapter will largely relate to the late Eliab Wright Metcalf, of Elyria, known so many years to the public as "E. W. Metcalf." In giving him his rightful place in history, after an intimate acquaintance of ten years and weighing well my words, I count him as having been among the many great men of America. He never sought, or held, public office. He was not admitted to the bar, nor did he read with any attorney contemplating admission to practice. Nor ever sit in the classes of a law school, and yet, he was a great lawyer, endowed by nature, as few men are, to grasp the fundamentals underlying a set of facts, involving the rights of man, and reason on them logically, for the benefit of others in clear language and few words. He made no pretense to oratory, or public speaking, but he could put on paper, for the consideration of others, his propositions in a way, all his own, amounting to demonstrations. The ablest attorneys in Congress listened to his reasoning, before the committees of both branches, with astonishment. It is a great story I am about to narrate, showing a spirit of undaunted courage, and indefatigable industry, in Washington, where for twelve years he haunted Congress before he was accorded so much as a hearing before the Ways and Means Committee. In the beginning, he was told by one of the ablest lawyers in the United States Senate, Edmonds of Vermont, that he would spend his time to no avail for so much as a hearing, as there was no precedent for his claim, and the law was against him. He could find no attorneys in or out of that body, that agreed with his contention. Before we enter upon the achievements of this dauntless character, it is well- to see the background of his early life. He had a great mother, great in her Early History of Elyria and Her People - 193 determination to do her part without murmuring, putting her trust in the Ruler of the universe, resolved that her children should be reared firm believers in the Christian religion, wherever her lot might be cast. She was twice married. Her first husband's name was Mr. Rich; by whom she had two children. After his death she mart Isaac Metcalf, a school teacher, the father of our sketch, E. W. Metcalf, who was born in Royal- E. W. METCALF A noble philanthropic citizen, noted nationally for the twelve years' fight he made in Congress, though not a member, in securing by his great abilities, millions of compensation for those who had vessels destroyed in the Civil War by Southerners. He was one of the prime movers, with Howard H. Russell and others, in starting the first Anti-Saloon League. His fine family are all college graduates 194 - Early History of Elyria and Her People ston, Massachusetts, on the 18th day of April, 1827, one hundred and two years ago. The year of his birth the family moved to Boston, where the father opened a private school. His untimely death, when Mr. Metcalf was but three years of age, leaving no estate, caused the helpless widow to conclude she could best fight out her battle by rearing her family on a farm, at Milo, in the State of Maine, as stated in the previous chapter. Her oldest son, Charles Rich, had grown to manhood, capable of tilling the soil. Here, in the farthest-north state of the Union, the family grew up. All the privations incident to poverty of that period of pioneer life, were endured, but the widow in spite of her struggles never lost her faith, or courage, or neglected the higher things that were calculated to build up Christian characters in her children. Mr. Metcalf was her youngest. He had no advantages or education by instructors, save what he was given by his mother and the older ones of the family, and one term in "Fox Craft Academy." When nine years of age he became a member of the Congregational Church at Milo. He was a diligent student of the few books to be had, and at seventeen taught school two winters. Having ambition to be more than a "hewer of wood, and drawer of water," at eighteen he bade adieu to the family and turned his face toward the City of Bangor, Maine, bent on becoming a man of affairs in the industrial world. He entered the city on foot, thirty miles away, a total stranger with a little change in his pocket, and found a position as clerk in a general store and lumber emporium, where by diligence he so impressed his employers, that he was soon made bookkeeper. At twenty-four he had, by the strictest economy and adherence to right principles, become able to enter business of his own, a chandler and ship builder. During the fourteen years he was in the conduct of his own business in Bangor, he built one or more ocean vessels each year. Among the number was one that took the water in 1864, in which he owned an interest. She was a merchant craft of nearly eight hundred tons burden, worth about ninety-two thousand dollars. She was launched, as the d to shows, during the Civil War. She was christened theme " Delphine." Her point of destination on her maiden trip was Melbourne, Australia, laden with freight. The Civil War was in progress. Early History of Elyria and Her People - 195 Just before she reached the shores of that country, she was burned to her water's edge by a pirate ship known as the "Sea King," then called the "Shenandoah." Out of this depredation arose the facts, the foundation of probably the most noted legal battle ever waged in Congress, involving the appropriation of money, covering a period of twelve years, and was fought single handed by Mr. Metcalf, a layman to the profession of law, and won against the most eminent national, and international, lawyer of his day and generation, Wm. M. Everetts of the New York bar. There was no war insurance on the "Delphine," hence a total loss to her owners. The captain of the destroyed ship, with his wife and child, were left destitute in Australia. The pirate ship was built in England. To make the narrative clear, it will be necessary to recur to the beginning of the "War of the Rebellion." When the Southern Confederacy was formed out of the seceding states, with Jefferson Davis as its president, it was the intention of the rebels, to capture at once the gunboats of the United States Navy, then at anchor in the harbors of the Southland, to use in making war on the hundreds of northern merchant vessels sailing the high seas, but Uncle Sam was too swift for the Union destroyers, and ere the rebels manning that portion of our navy could get in action, every southern port was blockaded. This then left all the northern portion of our navy at liberty to make such use of armed vessels, as the government saw fit. Jeff Davis and his Confederate cabinet then appealed to England, a supposed neutral nation, to acknowledge the "Southern Confederacy," as an independent government. Queen Victoria was on the throne. The English cotton mills looked largely to the southern states for their supply to keep the factories running. The blockade had made it impossible for any merchant ocean-going vessels to leave or enter the southern harbors. England had never gotten over the loss of her American colonies, that had become a Union, forming a mighty people, causing the mother nation to look with jealous eyes toward her growing competitor. Seeing the Union divided and engaged in mortal combat over the slavery question, the Queen listened to the siren voices of some of her poor advisors, and the importunings of representatives sent by the rebellious government to England, who assured her Majesty that the 196 - Early History of Elyria and Her People opportunity had arrived to rob the United States of her power and prestige by allowing the friends of the Confederacy to build, equip, and send out on the high seas, from the English ports, armed vessels to destroy the merchant ships going and coming from our northern ports. While the English, Parliament did not go on record, sanctioning the recognition of the Confederacy as an independent government, the Queen did accord the right to the would-be destroyers of the Union, to build ships in her ports, knowing in her own heart the purpose to which they were to be put. It will be remembered that for a time, in the darkest days of the rebellion, the English government was being importuned by the workers in the closed cotton mills, closed for the lack of material caused by the southern blockade, and also by thousands of others, whose dollars were being affected by the same cause, to openly recognize the rebels, so-called Confederacy as an independent government, which would, had it been accomplished, caused a severe blow to the North, as then all the international law rights between acknowledged governments would have to be lived up to or we should be at war with England. At this critical moment, Henry Ward Beecher, pastor of "Plymouth Church," Brooklyn, New York, the ablest impassioned orator in America, visited Mr. Lincoln in the White House, and tendered his services, gratis to the government, to go to England on a speaking tour to see if he could not stem the rising tide sweeping the British Isles for recognition of the Confederacy. The great and distracted President gladly accepted the offer. Mr. Beecher sailed at once. His fame as a great orator had long before preceded him. As he arose to deliver his first speech in the City of Liverpool, he faced not only a great throng, a majority of whom had not only come to see how he looked but had firmly resolved they would heckle him so severely that he could not go on, and if that did not work, mob rule would he resorted to. His government had by the blockade closed their mills and thrown them out of work. He was no friend of theirs. He had no sooner begun to speak, than the questions poured in from all quarters. It was an open air meeting. Seeing they were determined to not hear him, he stopped. Thenept his marvelous eyes over the turbulent audience and said:"Evidentlyy you do not want to hear me, for my cause, how would a good story Early History of Elyria and Her People - 197 go?" "Story, story," came from all quarters. The master of assemblies rose to the occasion with a story that made the maddened men forget whati they had come for, as they broke out into a laugh, so contagious that the audience went wild in a delirium of delight. Story followed story, ending with paying tribute to them and t it government in the abolition of slavery under theBritish' flag. He described how the downtroden black race of America was being held in cruel bondage, by the very people now asking them to be a party to their iniquitous treatment of the poor slave, selling him from his wife and children, and driving him under the lash of the taskmaster, that they might live in great mansions on unpaid toil. Raising himself to his full height with flashing eyes, in that voice that only Beecher possessed, he said, "The only refuge these suffering bondmen have, from their tormentors is under the British flag. Are you going to deny to these millions in chains the liberty you possess, by assisting those responsible for their misery? Is that the blood of an Englishman?" "No, No," cried the multitude. Beecher had mastered them. Multitudes followed him wherever he went, not to mob, but to sit under the spell of the orator, as he pictured the wrongs of the black man. Recognition of the Confederacy, organized by men sworn to defend the Union, who were then trampling our flag in the dust, and shooting it from the mast heads, utterly failed from that time henceforth. After Mr. Beecher had mastered the situation, in one of his addresses, a newcomer in the audience said, "Mr. Beecher, may I ask you a question?" "Certainly," replied he, "what is it?" "Did not you Northerners tell us Englishmen when the war first commenced, that if we would keep our hands off for ninety days you would whip the rebels back into line, and here it has been two years and you haven't done it, why haven't. you?'' "Shall I answer the gentleman," asked Mr. Beecher. "Answer it," came from a thousand voices. "Very well. Yes," replied he, "we did so promise, and two years have passed and we have not done it. The only reason why is those rebels are Americans and not Englishmen." Only this master of men could have made that answer. The wit of the reply, and the manner of putting it, so captivated the crowd that they cried, "Hurrah for the great American." I have given some space to the Rebellion, to more clearly give 14 198 - Early History of Elyria and Her People the situation of affairs when Mr. Metcalf's ship was sent up in flame, as will more fully appear. It was because of the assurance on the part of the Queen, that she would not disturb any person who might see fit to build merchant ships on her territory for the Southerners to use in carrying on their trade with her, so long as they could not leave their own ports with vessel, built there. Along with this assurance went the further unwritten understanding, that her government would not keep too vigilant an eye on the character of craft being built if they could keep their mouths shut. This encouragement at once caused the Confederacy to commence ship-building of vessels made to destroy our merchant ships on the high seas. Havoc soon commenced. The one that wrought the greatest destruction, was called the "Alabama," before she was finally sent to the bottom in a fight with our gunboat.. She had sunken or burned sixty-three merchant vessels, of the value of many millions. All told several hundred ships were destroyed by these pirate vessels, winked at by the English, totalling a loss of approximately fifty millions. As these outrages occurred from time to time our government protested to England and demanded reparation, but to all our entreaties and demands the Queen turned a deaf ear, claiming ignorance, without lifting a hand to stay the injustice. But thanks to the Creator of all good, the Confederacy utterly failed and the Union was preserved, to save the world, and Mother England was called upon by Uncle Sam to make reparation, in dollars for her iniquity. The outcome was an agreement between the two nations by the terms of which it was mutually agreed that their dispute should be left to five arbitrators, one to be chosen by the Queen, one by the King of Italy, one by the President of the Swiss Confederation, one by the Emperor of Brazil, and one by the President of the United States (who was General Grant'. They were to meet at Geneva, Switzerland, on a certain date, to hear the evidence of all claimants, who lost shipping by the pirates, or claimed they were losers in some way, by their depredations. A majority vote was to determine the validity of any claim. Mr. Metcalf's claim was among the estt. Anticipating the future, Mr. Metcalf had gone up and ownn the New England coast and secured the collection of a large number of like claims Early History of Elyria and Her People - 199 from people who had interest in the destroyed vessels, by which he was to have a certain percent of all he might secure for them, he to hold them exempt from any expense in the prosecution of the same in Congress or the courts as the case might be. By the terms of tie agreement the arbitrators were in no way to determinethe sightss of the claimants, as between themselves or the amour /each might be entitled to out of the award should one be made, such matters were left to the United States Government to decide. They were to fix a lump sum, England was to pay if they found against her, to be paid into the treasury of our government, in gold, which was to be in full of all demands of any citizen of the United, States, so that whether they found in favor of a claimant or not, did not matter, he would have to look to the award fund for satisfaction if he received any. The arbitrators awarded our government fifteen and one-half millions, which England paid. This fund is known in history as the "Geneva Award of the Alabama Claims," because the Alabama destroyed so many more ships than any other destroyer. With the award paid the battle of claimants began to get compensation out of the same. Here Mr. Metcalf's fight began, not only for his one claim, but for all he represented. There was not enough into many millions to pay all claims, if the insurance companies who insured the vessels that went down, were to he reimbursed. I-fence the real battle was between the insurance companies, represented by the attorney, William M. Everetts, mentioned, and Mr. Metcalf, as he led the way followed by those who represented other vessel owners. CHAPTER XXXII IN THE career of E. W. Metcalf we now come to the history of his intellectual contest in Washington, lasting for twelve years, as stated in the previous chapter. Before entering upon the subject, the most important event of his life came to pass in his marriage at twenty-six to Eliza Maria Ely, one year his senior. She was the daughter of Rev. William Ely, of Massachusetts, and was a highly educated lady, then teaching in Williston Seminary at Easthampton, that state. It came about in this way. Feeling the sore need of more