200 - MADISON COUNTY, OHIO. "requiring the removal of dead animals from the corporation," and "to prevent the pollution of the streams of said village," "to prevent dogs with hydrophobia from running at large," "to regulate the streets and alleys in said village," "regulating public shows," "for the prevention and suppression of nuisances, etc. The following, copied from the minutes of the second meeting of the council, shows the method of procedure in those days, and a copy in, full of the second ordinance passed in this Tillage : "London, May 17, 1831. "The Common Council of the town of London met at P. McLene's office agreeable to an order from the .president. "The committee appointed to draught a bill for levying a tax on dogs reported that it is inexpedient to pass an ordinance on that subject at present. "On motion made, and seconded, the following ordinance was passed : "An Ordinance of the Common Council Regulating Groceries: “Be it ordained and enacted by the .common council of the town of London : "Sec. 1st. That the president of the common council of the town of London be, and he is hereby authorized, upon application for that purpose; to grant a license to any person for one year to keep a grocery and retail spirituous liquors in any part of the incorporation of said town on the payment of the sum .of ten dollars per annum ; which sum shall be paid into the treasury of the incorporation for the use of same and shall be subject to the order of the common council. "Sec. 2d. That all applications as aforesaid shall be made. by petition subscribed by at least twelve respectable householders of the incorporation. And before granting said license, the president shall be satisfied that said 'applicant or applicants has or have ten days' notice by posting advertisements of his or her intention to apply for such license specifying the time of application in the public places within the limits of such corporation. "Sec. 3d. That if any person or persons shall. keep a grocery and sell spirituous liquors to be drank where sold in. said incorporation, without first having obtained license agreeably to the provisions of these :ordinances, shall forfeit and pay not less than ten nor more' than thirty dollars to be recovered by an action for money had and received for the use of said corporation, before the president, and in case of inability, then before the recorder, at the suit of the treasurer ; and the treasurer id hereby authorized and required to bring and prosecute' said suit. Provided all suits instituted under the provisions of these ordinances shall be brought in the name of the common council. "Sec. 4th. That if any person or persons licensed agreeably to the provisions of these ordinances shall suffer or permit rioting, drunkenness or gambling in his or their grocery, he or they shall. forfeit and pay, for every such offense a sum not less, than one dollar or more than fifty dollars, to be recovered and paid over in the same manner and for the same purpose and use as it provided by the preceding . section of these ordinances. "Sec. 5th. That it is largely made the duty of the treasurer to inquire into and prosecute all suits for. the recovery of any forfeiture under the provisions of this act. "These ordinances to take effect and be in force from and after the 26th day of this inst. May 16, 1831. "Ordered by the common council the day and year above written that the above ordinances be published at. length on the door of the court house, in the town of London, ten days before taking effect of same. "P. SMITH, Recorder. P. MCLENE,. President." MADISON COUNTY, OHIO - 201 EXCELLENT LANGUAGE USED. These proceedings are given verbatim to show what excellent language was used by the men of those days, who had but meager opportunities for an education. The handwriting is beautiful, quaint and legible. Space will not permit taking up in detail the workings of the many councils of our town. It would be interesting if one of our newspapers would, from time to time, print some of the old ordinances and proceedings of council as are now sometimes printed "From our issue of 42 years ago." Many of the forefathers of the F. F.    of London took an active part in both making the local laws and in enforcing them. R. A. Harrison and H. W. Smith, two great lawyers, were members of the council. at the same. time. W. H. Chandler, Sr., was president of the council while George W. Wilson was clerk. Mr. Wilson was also clerk during the terms of M. L. Bryan and 0. P. Crabb as mayors. W. H. Squires, Henry Warner, Amos G. Thompson, Nathan Bond, B. Custer, S. Watson, John Jones, John Dungan, Wm. Farrar, E. J. Gould, Charles Gulcher, Philip Speasmaker, Dr. Poland Jones, George W. Lohr, Robert Rea, Valentine Bauer, Jeriah Sweetland, George Ronemus, E. R. Watts, A. Duncan, S. H. Cartzdafner, William A. Neil, J. C. Bridgman, James Ryan and Richard Peard are some of the members who have served in the council in years long past. In looking over the minutes of the proceedings of the council from the first down to the present, one must be impressed with the evident sincerity of purpose of those public servants. The councils seem to have been more precise in all their deliberations and business transactions in the early years of the village than are councils in later years. The people had not so many things to engage their time and attention then and life had not become so strenuous. One could hardly imagine the Hon. R. A. Harrison acting as village clerk in the last twenty years of his remarkably successful life. But as recorder of our village, performing his services gratuitously, his records show the same painstaking care as he afterwards used in drawing pleadings in important cases. INCENTIVE TO LOYALTY AND PATRIOTISM. The council is many times severely criticised and some members permitted to serve but a single term in this body because the dear people, especially the proletariat, have some real or fancied grievance for some sin of omission or commission. The electors should bear in mind that the councilmen perform thankless service; that, like the choir in the mining camp, they humbly ask the people not to shoot because they do the best they can. They would be thankful for helpful suggestions. Things are many times neglected that should have attention because the people do not notify council of their needs. All should feel more interest in the public business and assist council to come to correct decisions in important matters. This cannot be done by harsh criticism or meddlesome interference, but by taking time and pains to investigate matters and then as a result to offer helpful suggestions. If every citizen would do his full duty as a citizen, the labor of the council would be greatly simplified. Many times the work of the council and the expenses of the village are greatly increased by the act or neglect of a class of the citizens and resulting from such act or neglect, criticism does not always settle where it belongs, but frequently on the members of council. So that many times good men are greatly loath to accept a nomination for the office. If the citizens of the village would attend the meetings of council more frequently and observe the great amount of important business transacted there, they would have a higher appreciation of the arduous and responsible labors of this honorable body. Attendance at these meetings would bring about a more intelligent conception of the business of the council and the affairs of the municipality and would result 202 - MADISON COUNTY, OHIO in a greater loyalty and patriotism of the citizenship, a more generous and general commendation of the good things and less reason for criticism of the evil things. PRESENT CITY OFFICERS. Following is a list of present (1915) officers of the city of London: Mayor; M. M.L. Burnham; clerk, John W. Byers; treasurer, O, C. Burris ; solicitor, C. C. Crabbe; city engineer; J. H. Asher: Police Department—Chief, Edward Marshall; night. watch. Carl Becker and William Golden. Fire Department—Chief, John W. Byers; vice-chief, James Goldsberry; driver hose reel, John Gallagher; driver hook and ladder, Harry Turner. Health Department —Health officer, Dr. Kyle; sanitary police, John. Duffey. Board of Public Affairs—E. R. Schurr, E. B. Pancake, Edward P. Speasmaker. Park Commssioners —J. R. Atchison, Austin Hutson, George H. Van Wagener. Public Library Board—J. B. Van Wagener, president; Mrs. Gideon T. Clark, Sr., vice-president ; Mrs, Ida White. secretary; R. W. Boyd, treasurer; Chester E. Bryan, Mrs. Sale Robison. Street Commissioner and Sewer Inspector—Nathan Vanskoy Members of Council—Samuel Ballenger, George W. Carter, Reed Chrisman, H. V. Christopher, Ernest Green and M. B. Cannon. H. V. Christopher, president pro tern. Standing Committees, first named being chairman Seiver, Carter, Green, Cannon; Light, Ballenger, Christopher, Chrisman. Fire: Cannon, Ballenger, Green. Finance: Carter, Cannon, Green. Buildings and Grounds: Green. Christopher; Ballenger: Street: Cannon, Cart , Christopher. Bridge: Chrisman, Ballanger, Carter. Health: Christopher, Green, Chrisman. Police: Christopher, Chrisman, Carter. Law, and Order: Green, Chrisman, Ballenger." Water: Chrisman, Carter; Cannon Rules: Ballenger, Cannon, Christopher: LONDON'S PUBLIC The first effort toward a public library in London seems to have been made by a group of young men who organized on September 25, 1856, as the Young Men's Library Association, with the ' following Officers: R. A. Harrison; president; Dr. Toland Jones, vice-president; Warner, secretary; James McLain, treasurer. 'In the fall of 1857, this beeame a lyceum, and the meetings, from November 26, Were held with open doors and free for all. On January 7, 1868, another London library and reading-room was organized at the Presbyterian church with R. M. Hanson in the Chair and Otway Watson, secretary. The permanent officers chosen were R. A. Harrison, president; J. H. McCurd, vice-President ; Otway Watson. treasurer; M: M. Thomas, secretary; R. M. Hanson, corresponding secretary. Quarters were secured over the Davidson & Smith drug store, on Main street. The room was opened about the middle of March, of that year, and the first lecture of a course that was inaugurated was delivered at Toland hall, February 24, 1868. At that time the library contained about three. hundred voluthes, one hundred and three of which were donated by the Rev: C. W. Finley, and eighty-four by Hon. R. A. Harrison. On the 7th of February, 1874, the London Lyceum Club was organized with a membership of ten young men, with the following officers: W. H. McKinnon, president; E. J. Myers, vice-president; A. C. Watson, corresponding secretary; and H. Hubbard, treasurer. The executive committee consisted of A. C. Watson, L. Dungan and M. M. Thomas. The first 'lecture of the course was delivered by John B. Gough, in the Methodist church, March 13, 1874. A few years later another association was formed that was later converted' into the MADISON COUNTY, OHIO - 203 London Library Association. Just when this latter association was formed and just what its name was the historian has been unable to determine. It is, said to have been known as the Underwood Library Association, but this is evidently a mistake. It was a library association formed by the young men, and certain ladies of London, the funds of. which were provided principally by the. young men. In, the winter of 1877-87 a minstrel performance was given in London. This local company was known by the fanciful and somewhat significant title, of "The Symphonie Ace-High. Minstrels." Among those who took part were, Will Lohr, John McLaughlin, Dick Nickolson, Edward McCormack, Jose Kinglesmith, James Watson, Charles Lotspeich and Palmer Smith. The proceeds were turned over to the young men's gymnasium, then located in Toland hall. In time this sum was increased by means of an excursion to Dayton and a lawn festival: held on the public. school -grounds, both given under the auspices of this association. At the time of the minstrel performance several, ladies, including Mrs. Berthier Custer, Mrs. H. W. Smith, Mrs., Auburn Smith, Mrs. Hannah D. Underwood, and others solicited the young men to use apart of the above fund to establish a circulating library. In the end most of the money secured by the performance, and. increased by the gymnasium association,. if which. 'Ernest. McCormack was treasurer; and J. M. Warner, secretary, was so used. The ladies, with the co-operation of these young. men, decided to hold a meeting in the court house to consider the question of forming a, library association.. This meeting was held and the London- Library Association was formed and the following officers elected: Mrs. Hannah Underwood, president; James Warner, secretary, and Wyatt Minshall, treasurer. By subscriptions, over one hundred membership: tickets, were sold at one dollar each, entitling the holder to the use of books for the period of one year. The young men were energetic and the bank account soon grew to some three hundred dollars. Several efforts were made to divert ,this money into other channels, but all failed. At one time the fund was saved by the splendid effort of Hon. John F. Locke at a public mass meeting. LONDON LIBRARY ASSOCIATION. This association was merged, in January, 1880, into, the London Library Association. With this association began the history of ,real library work in London., Membership in this was also secured. by the method of selling subscription membership tickets for one dollar that gave the subscriber privileges of the library. As finally organized the association consisted of the following members: H. W. Smith, F. R. Bridgeman, Mrs. E. R. Florence, Mrs. A. A. Hume; George W. Wilson, John F: Locke, E. R. Florence, Mrs. 0: Mitchell, Mrs. James Hamilton, William A. Neil, Jennie Burnley, Anna Burnley, Sallie Minshall, Leonard Eastman, Mrs. John Dungan., G. A: James, Hannah Underwood, P. C. Smith, W. H. Link, A. W. Gardner, Charles Ronemus, A. P. King, James M. Warner, Ada Minshall, Charles Cover, C. F. Richmond, S. W. Durfinger, Wyatt Minshall, A. C. Watson, Robert Smith; W. H. H. Morgan, James, B. Sprague; Howard' Snyder, F. L. Creamer, Charles Cheseldine, Williard McNutt, S. D. Kumler, A. H. Underwood, Thomas Wood, Jacob Sifrit, M. L. Rea, Toland Jones, Robert Moore, R. G. Jordan, W. R. Park, Val Bauer, Thomas Turner, Charles Gulcher, Martin Dungan, W. H. McKinnon, Minnie J. Willis, Peyton H: Acton, John Van Wagener, George E. Ropp, J. C. Winchester, May Riddle, Helen Crabber, Lizzie Maxey, L. D. Smith, J. S. Crain, Mack McCloud, Sallie Riddle, E. F. Bethard, Edward E. Sparks, Pringle Lohr, Josie Lohr, R. Boyd, Stephen Watson, Mrs. Sweetland, W. H. Lohr, Philip Speasmaker,. Mattie L. Henry, A. A. Hume, J. F. Morgan, Maggie Hubbard; E. McCormack, I. Phelps; William Ronemus, H. R. Stuson, Mame Chamberlain, A. J. Blue, Mattie Frames, H: T.. Rankin, Libbie. Gains, Mrs. R. B. Cowling, Mary Warner, Julia Willis, Mrs. George Lincoln, Jennie Morgan, Mrs. E. R. Watts, J. M. Lohr, J. C. Bridgman, 204 - MADISON COUNTY, OHIO Irving F. Willis, F. J. Betts, J. L. Crain, G. Speasmaker, T. B. Betts, W. B. Blake, James Cushman, A. T. Wiseman, E. Richmond, Mary Frames, Clara Bauer, Guy Underwood, Lizzie Webb, Mrs. W. C. Ward, R. E. VanMeter, Anna MacCracken, Katie Biedenback, E. E. Mann, George Miller, Ed Lotspeich, Ormond Bryan, Mrs. Kate Hanson, Lincoln Farrar, Wood Finley, Dollie Davidson, J. W. Dixon, J. S. Chance, Thomas Bonner and Frank Baird. The first officers were: Lizzie Maxey, president; Jennie Burnley, vice-president; Mattie L. Henry, corresponding secretary ; Helen Crabbe, recording secretary ; Emma Richmond, assistant secretary; Minnie Willis, treasurer; Mary Warner, librarian, and Sarah Wood, assistant librarian. The library was opened in the Bluff Block on February 22, 1880, and has since been maintained. It was originally modeled after a very successful library that was being conducted at Xenia, Ohio. Anna McCracken, then a teacher in the London public schools, was the chief advisor, as she was familiar with the workings of the Xenia library. The officers in turn served as librarians, and the expense was reduced to the minimum. But even with the most pinching economy the supply of money for books, coal and rent was frequently exhausted, and the women of London would be called on to raise funds. My attractive schemes were worked out to raise money. One of the first public entertainments given was at the home of Miss Sallie Minshall, a musical and social affair, that netted some thirty-six dollars—a little sum, but very acceptable to the struggling institution. A "Dickens Party" followed in 1883, and the sum of sixty-seven dollars was realized. One of the most successful entertainments of a local nature ever given in London was a series of the two plays, "The Lady of Lyons," and "She Stoops to Conquer," staged under the personal supervision of Col. H. H. Prettyman, presented on May 23, 1894. Great crowds are said to have thronged the rink where the productions were given. The costumes and accessories were elaborate, and after meeting a naturally heavy expense bill the association was the richer by some four hundred dollars. Colonel and Mrs. Prettyman received the warm thanks of the library board and their efforts to help the library by means of a local entertainmnt have never been exceeded. A most successful progressive dinner was given on February 12, 1903, at the homes of Mrs. E. Richmond, Mrs. J. Watson, Mrs. S. W. Durfiinger and Mrs. Reed Watts, that was well patronized and the sum of one hundred and thirty-five dollars was added to the library fund. FREE CIRCULATING LIBRARY. In the course of time the library was moved to another room, now the directors room of the Exchange Bank, where a reading department was established and Robert Lotspeich was made librarian. Electric lights and tables were provided and the reading room soon became popular. During 1898 the library was changed from a circulating library on a subscription basis to a free circulating library, three-tenths of a mill being levied by the village council against all taxable property for its support. It was at that time that the association faced a grave crisis. It was without funds, as the money to be raised by taxation would not be available for a year, and means for the support of the library must be provided. Again the merchants and the citizens of the towns came to the rescue. Benefit sales were resorted to, which, with private donations, kept the library on its feet for the year. In 1899, the money appropriated by the village council carried the organization through that year, but the council failed to make a levy and funds again ran low in 1900. The ladies, however, not to be defeated in their efforts, borrowed sufficient funds for the library for that year, depending upon the council to make a levy year after year for its support. This it did, and the library has remained MADISON COUNTY, OHIO - 205 a fixture in London. As soon as it was made free the demand for books increased rapidly, and a new system of classification became necessary. Anne Watson, who had made a special study of library work, came from Chicago and established the Dewey decimal system, which made for a great improvement in the service. The librarians in order to the present time have been Robert Lotspeich, Hattie Smith, Anne Watson, Mrs. Elsie Minshall-Stahl, Mrs. Rilla Hornbeck, Hattie Smith, Ara March, Abigail Gabriel and the present librarian, Hattie Smith. At the time the initial public levy was made it was necessary to incorporate the library under the state law, and on March 7, 1898, the secretary of state issued articles of incorporation, the incorporators being Mrs. Anna E. Smith, Adeline Hamilton, Mary C. Finley, Elizabeth J. Watson, Mrs. J. R. Atchison and May Riddle. The purpose of the corporation, as defined in the above articles, is "to establish a free public library, to receive gifts, devises and trust funds for said library and library association and to acquire and maintain a library of books, periodicals, and other papers and documents for the encouragement of literature and science, learning and the culture of the members of the association, and to be free for the public generally." The movement to have the library supported by a tax levy was inaugurated by Mrs. Anna Smith, and she as much as any library worker in London. was responsible for that happy consummation when it was brought about. THE CARNEGIE LIBRARY. And then came Andrew Carnegie, prince of benevolence and builder of libraries. London finally crossed the range of his vision, and library lovers of that place received the glad tidings that he would erect a library building in London. This matter was first taken up at a regular meeting of the Woman's Club, on January 27, 1902, when Sallie Dooris proposed that the club "try to secure the gift of a library building from Mr. Andrew Carnegie, for London." By unanimous vote Miss Dooris was authorized to write to Mr. Carnegie asking for this gift. Others, notably Mrs. Mary Florence and Mrs. Jeannette Watson, urged him to compliance with this request, and at last his secretary entered into correspondence with Miss Dooris, and the announcement of the gift was made on February 10, 1902. The corporate council appointed a library board to have charge of the site, plans, and the erection of the building. That board consisted of Miss Dooris, Mrs.. George Lincoln, William M. Jones, M. S. Murray, Dr. A. J. Strain, J. B. Van Wagener and F. R. Bridgman. Under the new municipal code it was held .that women could not have a place on the board, much to the regret of library lovers, and J. W. Oartzdafner and Xerxes Farrar took the places of the deposed ladies. The present site at the corner of East First and South Union streets was purchased of Harford T. Rankin. In due season the work was begun, the handsome building finally being completed, and was formally opened on January 18, 1905. The exercises of the opening day were in charge of the ladies of the London Library Association, the faithful veterans of the preceding twenty-five years of library work, who graciously turned over their books to the new board appointed by the mayor. Mrs. Alice Armstrong, president of the Women's Library Board, presided at this reception and a committee of ladies gave a cordial welcome. In behalf of the board of trustees, Judge Durfiinger presented the building to the town, Mayor A. T. Cordray accepting the gift. Mrs. Hannah D. Underwood read an interesting history of the library, giving due credit to the several associations that had assisted in the work. About four hundred enjoyed the social affair. Old residents and friends were asked to donate a book, with the result that four hundred and seventeen books were added to the list, the literary clubs, lodges, social clubs and others responding generously. 206 - MADISON COUNTY. OHIO THE FLORENCE AND OTHER GIFTS. It is proper at this point to say something of the bequest of five hundred dollars left by Mrs. Mary Florence to the association. Always a lover of books; with the library interest ever dear to her, Mrs: Florence left something substantial to the cause that that should be an incentive to coming men and women. No finer monument could, be built to her than the alcove in the library containing the valuable reference works purchased with the funds provided by her bequest. To the following, not that they include by any means the full number of those whose time and resources have been given to association, but that they are perhaps, representative, tribute should be paid: Mesdames Anna Smith, Dixon; Neil Mitchell, Finley; Mary. Florence, Adeline Hamilton, Minnie Bonner, Robert Hanson, E. P. Fisher, R. H. McCloud,Thomas Gosslee, Carrie B. Kohn, J. R. Atchison, Jennette Watson, H. H. Prettyman, X. Farrar, Butler, Ira Porter; Robert Rea, Elizabeth Watson, William M. Jones, S. W. Durflinger, Job Clark, Den Winchester, George Lincoln, James Byers, J. C. Smith, Frank Bridgman, Reese, Reed Watts, Alice Armstrong, Thomas Wilson and Sallief Robison, and the Misses, Lizzie Maxey, Mary Warner, Mattie Henry, Mame Chamberlain, Sallie Minshall, Emma Richmond; Ella Lilly, Maria Cartzdafner, Ella Morgan and May Riddle. One interesting gift to the library that should be mentioned is a copy of a history of the United States, by Edwin Erle Sparks, a London "boy," formerly of the history faculty of Chicago University, but now president of Pennsylvania State College, at State College, Pennsylvania?. He had written an inscription on the fly-leaf that gives such a picture of the workings of a boy's Mind that it' is herewith produced: "‘As I write these lines there Reg before me a small note book; ragged Wand 'Worn; bearing on the fly leaf the inscription, Ed. Sparks, London High School, 1877. On its penciled pages I find many names of my schoolmates of those days, my grades at various examinations, diaries of excursions to Columbus, the Dayton soldiers home and Put-in-Bay, a list of selections rendered by Cushman's Cornet Band, and Rules of Conduct for a Young Man. Upon one page I find a list of books; which I have copied below so that my young friends of the future may see the reading which Miss Lizzie Maxey required in connection with the literature class, which she taught in the high school at that time This was the first serious reading I ever did and I regard the task as an important event in my life. This public inscription is but a small need of praise due to the noble teacher who strove daily for the inculcation of a liberal education in the minds of the pupils. "Here is the list: Moore—*Lalla Rookh. (boss), Fudge Family Swift—*Gulliver's Travel's (heap lie) ; Milton--*Paradise Lost (fair), Iconoclasts; Bunyan - *Pilgrim's Progress (tolerable) ; Dryden—*Alexander's Feast (N. G.) ; Pope--*Rape of the Lock (tolerable) ; Addison's Spectator, Magazine ; Thompson—The "Seasons; Grey—*Elegy in a Country Church Yard (tolerable) ; Gold Smith - *Vicar of Wakefield (snide), Traveler; Scott—*Ivanhoe (good) ; Bronte-*Jane Eyre (immense) ; Dickens—*David Copperfield (good) ; Washington Irving--*The Sketch Book (fair) ; Hawthorne-*The Scarlet Letter (fair) ; Holland- Katrina; Longfellow - Evangeline; -Biography of Hamilton, Webster, Clay (dry) ; Shakespeare-*Richard "III "(slow), *King Lear (slow), *As You Like It (slow). "The asterisks evidently indicate the books that I had, and the words at the side show the slangy comments of a boy." A WELL-EQUIPPED LIBRARY. The library is at present in a very prosperous condition. It has six thousand six hundred and sixty-two volumes on its shelves, with twenty-five magazines and periodi- MADSION COUNTY, OHIO - 267 cals in the reading room. It receives the Columbus dailies and the local county papers. It-has a yearly, circulation of about twelve thousand volumes and averages; about three hundred readers a Month. in the reading room. The building is very well equipped, consisting of a main floor and an unfinished basement. Entrance is made into a small vestibule that opens into the delivery, lobby, On the Pright; is the reading room with its magazines on the left is the refereme room, lined with its steel shelves, and their contents. To the rear of the reference room is a well equipped and well arranged children's room. Behind the delivery desk are found the stacks. The sshelving helving is of steel. This library very fortunate in its well-chosen book lists. The present library board Consists of J. B. Vans Wagener, president; Mrs. Homer E. White, secretary ; Robert W. Boyd, treasurer ; Chester E. Bryan, Mrs. Sarah K. Robison and Mrs. Gideon T. Clark, Missy Hattie Smith, is the present librarian. LONDON PRODUCE COMPANY. Despite the fact that it might be distasteful to a few fastidious persons, a trip. through the London Produce and Cold Storage Company's, plant would be decidedly interesting and. instructive. Such a visit at this time (915) makes One's thoughts turn to the battlefields of Europe and involuntarily mental, comparison of the scenes there with the scene in the killing room of the packing house springs. before us, and as a big, fat porker, swinging on high amid the shower of his own blood squeals out his death song to the accompaniment of the terrified and defiant squeals of his imprisoned comrades soon to meet their fate one forgets one's surroundings and imagines oneself standing waist deep the bloody current of the Marne, while all about struggle comrades panic stricken by the horrible, din, and the sickening odor of warm blood. Enough! The reader will believe it's all unless the. chronicler gets down to the facts. The actual operations of a packing house are few, yet they are of are of to those whose walks of life do not bring them, into close contact with such a business. Perhaps a detailed account, of a swine's transmigration from "hog" to "pork" will be too sordid for some, yet for the instruction of the uninitiated it is here given. Starting in the stock pens, where the hogs are lodged pending the call from the killing room; they are driven in, small bunches into a basement pen and then, two or three at a time, up an inclined runway, to the killing room. Here as needed they are captured, one at a time by one who, for want of a better name, might be called the "matadore," who fastens one end of a chain about a hind leg of an animal and attaches the other end of the chain to a rope on, a windlass Kicking and squealing at this indignity the bog is raised, head down, several feet above the floor. Then the "matadore," armed with a gleaming, sharp knife, searches out, a vein in the and with a practiced thrust opens it and steps quickly out of range of the blood, which pours in a crimson stream on to the floor. When the hog has been bled he is hoisted to a table   one end of a steaming vat of lye water, the chain is unfastened and the . carcass immersed for several moments. The hot. The hot lye, softens the hair and hoofs and a moment later the animal is lifted to the cleaning table, where practiced hands soon strip him of his hair and hoofs, leaving his hide smooth and clean. He is again hoisted by his, hind legs and suspended on an overhead trolley, which conveys him to the butcher, who with neatness and dispatch relieves him, of his entrails this point the United States government steps in and quietly and thoroughly inspects, the animal for all signs of disease. The head glands, bronchial glands and mesenteries are inspected for tuberculosis and the body carefully gone over for signs of kidney worms and cholera symptoms. The successful contestants for the pork. prize are next sent to the chill room were they are left at a temperature of from twenty-eight to thirty degrees for thirty-six hours. Then they are placed in the refrigerator cars for shipment to the East. 208 - MADISON COUNTY, OHIO. MEASURES AGAINST INFECTION. It is stated that about twenty-five per cent of all hogs coming under government inspection in the United States are in some degree infected with tuberculosis. This statement, however, need cause no widespread alarm among pork eaters, for, so thorough is the government inspection that no infected meat ever reaches the consumer. There are various degrees of tubercular infection and some forms of the disease are not at all dangerous. For instance, if a form of tuberculosis is found in the head the body glands are at once carefully looked over. If no evidences of the disease are found there the head is removed and the body passed on, for the slight. infection of the head is in no wise dangerous. If, however, the least symptom shows in the body glands, the entire carcass goes to the "tank." This tank is a huge metal cylinder which holds the intestines of a two-days kill and the bodies of all rejected animals. Here also is placed the blood of all hogs that are killed. This refuse is left in the tank for six hours under a steam pressure of one hundred pounds, which leaves the entire mass a bone-dry powder. So powerful is this steam compression that bone left in it for six hours comes out mere dust. No germ can live in the tank for six hours. The product of this activity is known as tankage and forms one of the best known hog feeds. Traffic in tankage is profitable, for it sells at an average of forty dollars a ton.. The London Produce Company also deals in butter and eggs, and at times makes a killing of several hundred chickens for Eastern markets. Spring lambs and calves are delicacies which they permit themselves to handle occasionally. Such are the cold storage operations now going on. It is impossible to give the "local color" which forms such an important part in this business, for odors and sounds do not lend themselves easily to printed description. While speaking of the odor it might be well to mention that the greater part of the odor so objectionable in the vicinity of a packing house has been removed by the London company through the use of a deodorizer. The steam used in the compressing tank is passed through water, which removes most of the odor. The remainder is forced into the chimney of the steam furnace and is burned. Working at capacity speed, the London plant can kill about one hundred and seventy-five hogs a day. The daily yield of lard is about seven hundred and fifty pounds. All the dressed pork is shipped to New England and is delivered as practically fresh meat, the journey occupying but three days from London. The building which houses this flourishing company is one hundred and seventy-five by thirty-four feet, inside measurement, with a smokehouse twenty-four by twenty feet, and was built in 1909, when the company was organized. The plant is near the Pennsylvania railroad, from which a seven-hundred-foot spur has just been laid to the doors of the building, which greatly facilitates loading and shipping. The officers of the company are: Xerxes Farrar, president; P. A. Lanigan, vice-president and general Manager; Thomas J. Lanigan, secretary ; W. E. Farrar, treasurer. Dr. M. R. Jollie, of the Columbus station, is the federal inspector now located at the plant. LONDON CREAMERY COMPANY: Almost over night, in 1913, a red brick building, with a tall smokestack attached, sprang up on the old Morgan lot, at Oak and Fifth streets, and London people began at once to speak about the London Creamery Company. Its approach was made quietly but steadily, for the men behind it realized its opportunities and its possibilities, and they were of the quiet, unostentatious type of boosters. The company simply decided that it was to be, and in a short time it "was." In an agricultural community the word "creamery" is familiar—everyone knows what butter is and how it is made—yet, when MADISON COUNTY, OHIO - 209 it is stated that the London plant is a gathered-cream creamery, it probably arouses a question in the minds of many. A gathered-cream creamery simply means a plant where only separated cream is used. Very little sweet skimmed milk is used in such a creamery, and then only for a "starter." Delivery of cream is made by anyone who has cream to sell. Only cream is purchased by the London company, and when it is delivered at the plant it is subjected to the butter-fat test to determine its percentage of butter fat. The cream is then placed in a large vat to await the inoculation with the lactic acid germs from sweet milk. A portion of sweet milk is heated to one hundred and forty degrees Fahrenheit and held at that temperature for about thirty minutes. It is then cooled to fifty degrees and then gradually raised to seventy-five degrees, which is the growing temperature for the lactic acid germs. This warm milk is then innoculated with a germ culture made the day before, and allowed to stand over night, forming the clabber which is used as the starter for the cream. About two thousand pounds of cream are used for a churning. This cream is pasteurized or heated to one hundred and forty degrees and then held thirty minutes before being lowered to seventy-five degrees, when it is innoculated with the lactic acid germs formed the day before. The cream is then allowed to "ripen" for about four hours and afterward cooled to about forty-six degrees, which is the average churning temperature. The inoculating and ripening processes take place in large vats which hold about four hundred gallons each. Inside the vats are copper coils which are hollow and contain hot water or steam and cold brine or simply cold water, depending on the temperature of the season and whether the cream is to be heated or cooled. HOW BUTTER IS MADE. After the cream has ripened it is pumped into a large cylinder churn, which has a nine-hundred-gallon capacity, but which contains only three hundred gallons at a churning. The churn is revolved at high speed until the butter comes up in granules about the size of a grain of rice and floats on top of the buttermilk like popcorn freshly ,popped. The buttermilk is then drawn off and water is passed over the butter to clean it. Salt is added and the churn revolved again. This time, however, the workers inside the churn are set in motion and the butter is thoroughly beaten and worked and salted. It only remains now for the butter to be taken from the churn and packed for shipment. This is done in sixty-two-pound firkins for the Eastern markets, and in one-pound prints for state and local consumption. It is stored away in an eight-thousand pound refrigerator until ready to be shipped, but never does it stay at the plant more than five days, so great is the demand for the London creamery product. Shipments are made regularly to various commission houses in Columbus, Dayton, Springfield, Pittsburgh, and occasionally to New York and Boston. The Hartman farm, near Columbus, cannot make enough butter to supply its own demands, and has selected the London product as the one to satisfy its wants. Orders of one hundred pounds or more are sent each week to that place. Although not in actual operation until May, 1913, the company from the date of its opening until January, 1914, did over twenty thousand dollars' worth of business. During the year 1914 the company paid out over fifty thousand dollars for cream alone, and so far this year has exceeded that average per week. The business, in spite of the war and general financial depression, has been booming and there is every reason to believe that it will continue to do so. The directors of the company are: R. W. Boyd, president; Frank Kaufman; general manager; George Langen, secretary; John B. Van Wagener and T. H. Orcutt. (14) 210 - MADISON COUNTY, OHIO. LONDON GRAVE VAULT COMPANY. The London Grave Vault Company was not deterred by the knowledge that there were twelve other similar factories in the United States, nor did it bother the members of the company to know that nine of those factories were in the state of Ohio. With the firm conviction that they could furnish a grave vault better than the rest and could furnish it at a price decidedly favorable to all classes of trade, they faced the competition and began the fight. Now the London Graveyard Company fears no competitor. Metallic grave vaults are of somewhat recent origin. Mausoleums have been in use and certain types of metallic casket coverings have been Made in former Years, but the light, Strong, water and burglar proof metallic vault has but come into. its own. Its rapid rise in favor and the wonderful increased demand attest its value. The vaults made by the local company are indeed beautiful. But the decorative features are not the most important. Those who purchase vaults of this. type. seek above all the ones that are guaranteed water and air-tight and which are practically burglar-proof. These features are what make the London vaults the leaders with the wholesale and retail trade the. country over. The vaults are made of heavy annealed sheet steel, which is of the Standard United Stites government specification, such as is used for battleships. This steel is placed in an enormous press, exerting a pressure of over thirty tons. Here it was bent; forming one side and one-half of a vault top. The formed steel is then placed in another press, Which places protective flanges on its edges and also punches holes for rivets and handles. The pieces are then placed on a frame and the seams are subjected to the terrific heat of an oxy-acetylene welder, which generates two thousand seven hundred degrees of heat. Four of these welding plants are in operation constantly, and so strong is the glare of white-hot steel that the workmen are forced to wear dark goggles. This heat welds the seams in such a manner that the top is practically formed of one piece of steel wind is air-tight. One man now goes over each welded seam with a wire brush and removes all particles of melted steel and rust and leaves the surface smooth: Each vault, after the welding process, is tested for shape. Under such a high temperature the steel may be warped in spots; and before allowed to go farther the vaults are reshaped. Then they are sent on to the water test. A concrete tank of water is imbedded in the floor. The vault tops are placed on forms and lowered into the water, where they are left until it is determined whether there is any opportunity for water to enter. Those that leak are rewelded. THE FINISHING PROCESS. Next conies the painting and finishing rooms. Here the Vaults are painted with a preservative coating, not flat paint. Then they are placed in ovens and baked with a slow heat. Again they are painted, this time with a special metallic copper solution and once more baked. The luster coating is now applied and the vault is to all appearance made of burnished copper. In order to insure an even distribution of the copper finish, the latter is sprayed on by means of compressed air. The inside base of the vault is made of one-piece steel treated in the same manner as the tops. Or this are placed three massive bronze rests to hold up the casket. These rests can be ornamented to suit the taste of the customer. The rests are high enough to insure a free circulation of air around the casket, which dries and preserves the casket indefinitely. Then locks are placed on each base forming a part of the decoration. Cast iron tongues and heavy steel rods lock the top and base together permanently, or so desired the locks may be set so that the vault an be opened whenever removed from the grave. In no' case can it be opened while in the grave. Thus the vault can well be called air and water tight and burglar-proof. MADISON COUNTY, OHIO - 211 Vaults are made by the London company in five sizes. The smallest is fifty-two inches long, twenty-two inches wide and twenty inches high at the center, weighing two hundred and twenty-two pounds crated, while the measurements of the largest size are ninety-two, thirty-four and twenty-seven inches, respectively, and weighs five hundred and ten pounds. The small vault is finished in satin, silver or copper, as desired. Such is the product of the London factory. Their vault is not an experiment, as is proved by the fact that the company now operates branch warehouses in Columbus, Kansas City, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Peoria, Illinois, for the purpose of supplying trade in the thirty-two states in which the vaults are now sold. A warehouse on the Pacific coast and one on the Atlantic coast will be in operation in a few months. The factory is able to supply a demand of two hundred vaults a week when operating at full speed. At the present time the pay roll numbers about thirty, including salesmen, and the gross business averages six thousand dollars a month. When it is remembered that the plant has been in operation but two years, these figures call forth praise for the men who are handling the business, and London has every reason to be proud of this growing industry. The officers of the company are : F. H. Potts, president ; C. C. Green, vice-president ; E. P. Speasmaker, treasurer ; C. L. Sherwood, secretary and general manager. THE THOMAS & ARMSTRONG COMPANY. The origin of the present firm of Thomas & Armstrong dates back to Jones & Thomas, hardware dealers, who began business some thirty years ago. With the retirement of Mr. T. R. Jones, M. M. Thomas took in partnership, W. B. Cryder, known as Thomas & Cryder, and in 1892, Mr. M. B. Armstrong became associated with this firm, in charge of their sheet-metal and roofing department. After 1904 W. B. Cryder retired and M. M. Thomas continued to run the business alone. However, the sheet-metal department, under the excellent and progressive management of Mr. Armstrong, had grown to such an extent that in 1906 M. M. Thomas disposed of the hardware business and continued the sheet-metal shop, roofing, plumbing and heating under the name of Thomas & Armstrong Company. In 1910 The Thomas & Armstrong Company was incorporated, to meet the increased demands; the shop had steadily grown until it had become London's foremost manufacturing concern. The members of the company are: M. B. Armstrong, Clyde and Fred Thomas, Ed and Walter Converse, Robert Boyd and Harry Hames. Mr. Harry Hames has charge of the sheet-metal manufacturing department ; he has been associated with some of the largest sheet-metal manufacturing companies in the United States, including Berger Manufacturing Company, of Canton, Ohio ; F. O. Schoedinger, of Columbus, and understands the manufacturing of sheet-metal thoroughly. In 1911 one of the most modern sheet-metal manufacturing plants was built, and arrangements were completed to furnish the farmer with everything that he may need in the way of manufactured sheet-metal direct from the factory. This includes all kinds of sheet-metal, roofing, heating appliances, metal roofing, shingle-metal siding, etc. The ventilators manufactured by this company are being almost universally used in all new farm building work, as they provide a cheap means of perfect ventilation, which gives better health to all kinds of live stock. This plant is also manufacturing several special sheet-metal articles and doing a general line of sheet-metal stamping. "PUSH LONDON AND PROSPER." Prior to 1910 there had not been in London any organization of the business interests of the village. All cities and many villages of the size of London and some even smaller boasted their successful boards of trade. In the fall of 1910 a citizens' committee of twelve men was appointed by H. M. Chaney, 212 - MADISON COUNTY, OHIO. then mayor of the village, for the purpose of outlining a plan for establishment of a local business men's organization. This citizens' committee named a temporary organization, and a called meeting was held at the council chamber on Tuesday evening, October 25, 1910, of which M. E. Dwyer was temporary chairman and Roscoe G. Hornbeck temporary secretary. Rules and by-laws were adopted and two tickets for the officers of the organization were nominated. At the close of the meeting forty men signed the declaration to become members of the association to be known as the London Board of Trade, and paid their initial dues of five dollars each. As stated in the constitution, the object of this organization shall be to collect information relating to manufacurers and commerce as may promote the welfare of the village of London and to protect, foster and develop the industrial and mercantile interests of the village." The slogan of the London Board of Trade, "Push London and Prosper," was chosen in February, 1911, by a committee appointed for that purpose from a number submitted in competition. PROGRESS OF THE BOARD. The first president of the board was M. E. Dwyer; second, M. B. Armstrong; third, R. V. D. Coons. The secretaries have been Dr. H. M. Chaney and Judge R. G. Hornbeck. The present officers of the board are as follow: President, Chester E. Bryan; secretary, J. A. Gardner; treasurer. W. E. Farrar; first vice-president, M. L. Rea ; second vice-president, T. J. Dwyer; third vice-president, Rea Chenoweth. Directors, George H. Van Wagener, R. G. Hornbeck. R. V. D. Coons, Robert W. Boyd, Frank E. Noland, A. G. Cartzdafner. Work for the year 1914 was inaugurated at the annual banquet held at the Methodist church on Monday evening, March 23, 1914, with a membership of two hundred and three. The board had as its guests at this banquet a very distinguished company of men, including the governor and lieutenant-governor of the state of Ohio, members of the board of administration and penitentiary site commission, the warden of the Ohio penitentiary, the superintendent of the Mansfield reformatory, State Librarian John H. Newman, Hon. D. K. Watson and others of prominence. The annual banquets of the board have always been well appointed and a time of delightful social intercourse among its members. On Thursday evening, April 29, 1915, the annual banquet was graced by the presence of United States Senator Atlee Pomerene, Gen. D. K. Watson, Hon. John Henry Newman and Hon. Beriah Williamson. The first project of interest to London in which this organization interested itself was the proposal to issue bonds for the erection of a new high school building and the improvement of the old building. On November 22, 1910, the board at a special meeting adopted resolutions favoring this bond issue, and gave material assistance toward the successful determination of this proposition at the polls. The troublesome questions of the waterworks contract between the village and the company owning and controlling the plant and the matter of better telephone service in the village have received the consideration of the board. This organization is directly responsible for the location of the Bates canning factory, which concern came to London in the year 1912. The board purchased at a cost of eight hundred dollars the site on which this factory now stands and presented same to Mr. Bates as a bonus for locating in London. This concern has been of much value in providing employment to many people in London and enabling farmers about the village to sell the produce used by this factory at a very good profit. The West Manufacturing Company and the Ohio Metallic Specialty Company while tendered no financial assistance, were given moral aid and encouragement by the board in their organization. MADISON COUNTY, OHIO - 213 SECURED STATE REFORMATORY. When the Legislature passed the act appropriating two hundred and fifty thousand dollars for the purpose of a penitentiary site and creating a commission for that purpose, the London Board of Trade secured an expression from its members relative to the desirability of including the commission to purchase land for the reformatory and the state farm near London. It. was the sense of the majority of directors of the board that it would be of great business advantage if 'the institution were located in the vicinity of the county seat. A committee was appointed to call on the governor of the state and the penitentiary site commission, and to invite them to inspect the land which the commission thought would be suitable for their needs. This committee succeeded in convincing the commission that the land which they inspected near London was ideal for a site on which to erect the proposed state reformatory and to carry on the farm work, with the result that the state did purchase the Ellsworth and Hardin land at a price of two hundred and fifty-four thousand dollars. It is estimated that the state of Ohio will spend in cash in addition to the great amount of labor of all kinds which will be done by the inmates of the reformatory, the sum of four million dollars, the benefit of a part of which will surely inure to London. The board has been in communication at various times with individuals and companies desiring to establish factories and concerns of many kinds in London, and has held options on several sites with the purpose of locating one of these factories there. The local council has always received the hearty support of the board in its effort to improve and beautify the town, and has contributed in no slight degree toward bringing about the laying of cement sidewalks and the building of paved streets. One event in which the board takes great pride was the celebration of the Madison county home coming and centennial, held the week of July 4, 1911. A five-days celebration with events appropriate to the anniversary occasion was carried on in a highly satisfactory manner. The parade held on Wednesday, July 5, 1911, woman's day, was a beautiful spectacle, showing much originality and variety in the design of the floats and was enjoyed by the thousands who congregated on both sides of the line of march. Thursday, July 29, 1915. was signalized by the board by inaugurating London's first annual holiday. The project was received with unanimous enthusiasm by all business interests. All business houses, banks, offices, shops, factories and saloons were closed from six o'clock in the morning until six in the evening. The streets were entirely deserted and apparently everybody had left town. Various excursion parties were inaugurated, the largest being at Cedar Point, under the direct supervision of the board. A special train had been secured over the Big Four railroad and over four hundred Londoners spent the day on the breezy shores of Lake Erie. The Board of Trade's holiday is to become an annual event. Besides these concrete examples of the work of this organization it is constantly in touch with matters affecting the business future of London, and has an eye single to its success. Better than the tangible results, which may be noted from the efforts of the London Board of Trade, is the kindly trade spirit which it has fostered between the varied business interests of the village. London is remarkably free froth the petty jealousies and factional disturbances which at one time were evident here and which always deter the mercantile growth of municipalities. That London is now about to enter on an era of increased business opportunity is the opinion of those who are observant of local conditions and the London Board of Trade will in the future, as in the past, do its valiant part to prove the truth of its slogan that "to push London is to prosper." 214 - MADISON COUNTY, OHIO. LONDON'S BUSINESS INTERESTS. Following is a list of the business and professional interests of Madison county's thriving county seat: Abstractors—J. W. Millholland, Robert Woodhouse. Agricultural Implements—Dwyer Brothers, Anderson & Hume, P. Speasmaker & Sons, Hamilton & McDonald. Agents, Railroad—O. C. Traylor, R. S. Piatt, Claude Snyder. Blacksmith Shops—Will Flynn, Horace Rightsell, John Smouse, Jones & Bell, Sam Fast, Charles Weese, C. T. & W. A. Jones, Michael Charters. Barbers—Thomas Flynn, Leo Bardon, John Cain, Edward Cain, Add McNeal, John Coberly, Pete Eglehoff, J. H. Hargo. Banks—London Exchange, Central National, Madison National, Peoples' Commercial & Savings. Cigar Stores—Max Cannon. Creamery—London Creamery Company. Clothing—Foster Beery & Sons, J. C. Winchester, J. R. Sifrit, Polster & Gallagher, Flynn & Stahl, A. W. Gardner. Confectionery—M. E. Fricker, London Candy Kitchen, George Bartlett & Son, James McLaughlin. Dentists—Chaney & Noland, Dr. W. E. Hoffines, J. S. Recob. Dry Goods—J. P. Skinner & Company, Foster & Green, Johnstin & West. Drug Stores—J. R. Atchison, H. H. Hord, George Hartman. Elevator—Rea Chenoweth, Farrar & Watts, F. J. Wood & Sons, John Van Wagener, A. Tanner & Son, J. A. Long. Flour Mills—London Mill Company. Feed Stores—Hamilton & McDonald. Factories—West Manufacturing Company, London Grave Vault Company, Thomas & Armstrong, Madison Tile Factory, London Canning Factory, London Ice Plant. Garage—London Auto Inn, Madison County Auto Company, E. P. Chenoweth, R. K. Loofborrow. Furniture—Anderson & Hume, P. Speasmaker & Sons, Dwyer Brothers. Grocery Stores—E. L. Brennan, J. A. Morrissey, H. Barker & Sons, Frank Fraher, H. C. Plimell, P. A. Lanigan, M. M. Creath, M. J. Busic, Volka & Woosley, Thomas. Egleton. Hotels—Hotel London, Grand Central Hotel. Hardware Stores—Anderson & Hume, P. Speasmaker Sons, Dwyer Brothers. Jewelry—H. B. Judd, A, L. Webb, O. L. Boisel. Lawyers—Crabbe & Johnson, R. H. McCloud, A. T. Cordray, C. R. & R. G. Hornbeck, Murray & Emery, John Tanner, Leo Holland, James F. Bell, B. P. Jones, Cary Jones, John F. Locke. Livery Barn—Thomas Largey, Ed. Largey, Watkins & Minshall, Will Sanderson, Guy Neer. Live Stock Dealers—Green & Traphagen, Charles Shough, E. E. Boatright, Al. Benjamin. Meat Market—M. J. Busic, P. A. Lanigan, Green & Traphagen. Millinery—Irene Martin, Mrs. J. A. Bonner, Vance & Lutz, Mrs. James Sifrit. Monuments—Burke & Company, George F. Dodds. Mills—London Mill Company, Irwin Saw-mill, Clark Saw-mill. Notary Public—I. T. Green, James Bell, A. T. Cordray, H. S. Mitchell. Osteopath—Dr. Effie Koontz. MADISON COUNTY, OHIO - 215 Printers—London Enterprise, Madison County Democrat,. London Times, Model Print Shop.. Picture Shows—Garden. Theater, Majestic Theater. Pool Rooms—John Coberly, John Welsh, Gusta Byerley. Poultry Dealers—M. M. Creath, Thomas Brennan, M. J. Busic. Pressing—A. E. Downard, Bernard Flynn. Restaurants—Dale Silvers, Charles Williams, Gulcher, Sanderson, Burr Smith. Real Estate—H. S. Mitchell, J. J. Yerian, H. F. Fauver, I. T. Green, R. L. Farrer, H. L. Hires. Shoeshop--Rowlen & 'Robison, P. J. Kirwin, E. R. Ebner & Son, A. Beardsley. J. C. Winchester, J. R. Sifrit, T. N. Holland, A. W. Gardner. Saloons—Tom Lanigan, Conway & O'Connell, Emery Jenkins, Charles Tumblison, Clem Fossett, Lewis Kleder, Thomas Egleton. Transfers George Killeen, John Gamlin, M. A. Horen. Tailors—Giehl & Son. Veterinary Surgeons—J. C. Hunt, A. M. Workman, Kilby Farrar. Sporting Goods—Stanley Reed. Undertakers—W. E. Lukens, W. H. Carl, H. W. Robison, T. A. Connor. THE LONDON WATERWORKS. The first reference found to a waterworks plant in London is when the London Waterworks Company submitted to the village council a contract, for a franchise to lay water mains in the streets of the. village. The council referred the contract to a committee composed of C. D. Rayburn, Edward Armstrong and William. Neil,. and later voted to submit the proposition to the voters of the village far .their decision, which was done on August 23, 1884, with the result that three hundred and. sixty-three votes' were cast against the proposition and one hundred and eighty-one for it. The waterworks proposition then lay dormant for about five years, when, after much agitation and public discussion, the council, on July 26, 1889, passed "An ordinance to submit to the qualified voters of the incorporated village of London the question of ratifying the contract between John P. Martin and assigns and the incorporated village of London for supplying water to London and its inhabitants for fire and other purposes, dated the 26th day of July, A. D. 1889, as therein set forth, and contingently upon the satisfactory. ratification of said contract, granting to the said John P. Martin and assigns the right to lay, relay and maintain in and under the streets, lanes and alleys and public grounds of said: village, water mains for the purpose of conveying water to said corporation and the citizens thereof." The contract to be voted upon called upon John P. Martin and his assigns "to supply the corporation for fire purposes, cisterns, streets, squares and public buildings, citizens for private use; the system to be of a. combination of the standpipe and pumping, capable of being operated as either; mains to embrace eleven miles of from four to fourteen-inch pipe; to erect and maintain one hundred double-delivery, frost-proof fire hydrants, two duplicate steam pumps with a daily capacity of one million five hundred thousand gallons; two steam boilers, building for a pump house and boiler-room, a standpipe one hundred and twenty-five feet high and inside diameter of twenty feet." This, proposal was voted on by the voters of the town on August 26, 1889, and was ratified by a vote of four hundred and sixty-nine to two hundred and thirty-nine. Before the ratification vote had taken place, Martin, on August 13, had obtained a sixty-day option on the famous Lohr artesian wells. However, some trouble arose, and the Lohr wells were not used. A well that was intended to be used was drilled on the bottom land of J. C. Bridgman, but this well proved unsatisfactory and the well 216 - MADISON COUNTY, OHIO. was sold to Mr. Bridgman. It was several months before the wells were finally located. Work began on the waterworks plant immediately, and in the early part of August, 1889, Councilman Lenhart was the first to break the ground, and Councilman Bridgman the first to use the shovel in the trenches at the station below Placier's mill. CONSTRUCTION OF THE PLANT. The water-plant is located on a ten-and-one-half-acre tract, three squares west of the court house on West High street, facing the Big Four railroad tracks. The most noticeable feature of the plant is the mammoth standpipe, which towers upward one hundred and twenty-five feet. The first ground broken was for the foundation of this -pipe, which is eight feet thick and, thirty-eight feet in. diameter. In the foundation were placed eight hundred barrels of cement to solidify the broken stone into a monster stone of two hundred and fifty cubic yards. The 'base. is above the high-water mark. The standpipe is made of rolled steel, the lower plates being five-eighths of an inch and the upper three-eighths of an inch in thickness. It has a diameter of twenty feet, with a capacity of two hundred and ninety-five thousand gallons, and its height gives a pressure through the mains of fifty-five pounds to the square inch. The water-mains running from the plant, embrace about eleven miles of the best cast-iron pipe of five to eleven inches in diameter. To these were attached one hundred and one double-delivery, frost-proof fire hydrants; so distributed by order of the council as to protect every dwelling house in London with the aid of two hundred feet of hose. The pipes were laid by R: B. Carothers; of Newport,. Kentucky, and were furnished by the Addystone Pipe and Steel Company, of Cincinnati. There were three wells driven. Well No. 1, from which the temporary supply of water for testing the mains and standpipe was taken, is seventy feet deep and flows within three feet of the surface. This well was tested to the capacity of eight hundred thousand gallons daily with no apparent decrease in the volume of flow. Well No 2 was the startling wonder, spouting water in a large stream twenty-seven feet' above the surface. It is one hundred and fifty-six feet deep, and is supplied with a sixteen-foot screen to prevent sand from mixing with its flow. Around it is built a stone reservoir, with cemented bottom, thirty-one feet in diameter and sixteen feet deep; with a capacity of one hundred thousand gallons of water. Over this was placed a twelve sided building with a pagoda roof. Windows. give a good view Of 'the flowing well and cistern. Well No. 3 flowed six hundred thousand gallons of fine water daily when tested; Its depth is one hundred and sixty-five feet, and flows a five-and-one-half-inch stream twelve feet above the surface of the ground. A mammoth cistern forty-three feet in diameter wand twenty feet deep, with a capacity of two hundred thousand gallons, stores the water. This cistern was covered with, a water-tight floor; except in an eighteen-foot building supported on iron pillars. On the inside of this structure was placed a three-foOt walkway supplied with railing and balcony; from which visitors can see the wonderful and capacious cistern. The pumping station is a neat, brick building built on a ten-foot stone foundation, forty feet square, with an ornamental slate roof and practically fireproof. The smokestack is sixty-five feet high, built of octagon pressed brick. The power is supplied by one complex-compound pumping engine of one million two hundred thousand gallons daily capacity and one duplex engine of eight hundred gallons daily capacity. These pumps are of the Gordon make (Hamilton; Ohio), and were furnished by the Boughen Engine Company, of Cincinnati. The boiler room has two fifty-four-inch, twelve-foot steel boilers, filled by a strong pump of the same manufacture as the others. Armstrong Brothers furnished the boilers. The pumps are so arranged that one or both can be used; likewise the boilers. Ordinary service pressure is generated by the stand- MADISON COUNTY, OHIO - 217 pipe. In Cage of. fire., the pressure can he increased to two hundred pounds per, square inch by means of the steam. pumps if necessary: FAILURE OF MUNICIPALIZATION PLAN. The waterworks plant was opened on Thursday, December 12, 1890, by a big celebration, consisting of a long parade, showing the various industries of the. town. The board of trade presented. John, P. Martin, the builder of the plant, with .an elegant gold-headed. ebony cane. At an adjourned meeting of the council on the night of Tuesday, December 16, 18909: a proposition was presented to that body and an ordinance passed looking toward the purchase from John P. Martin of the water-plant just completed, with all its appurtenances for the sum of one hundred and forty thousand dollars, subject to the approval of the voters at a special election called for Monday, January 12, 1891. If the proposition was approved by the people, the clerk and mayor were to issue one hundred and forty bonds of one thousand dollars each, payable in thirty years from date, with five per cent interest, and redeemable in. ten years in blocks of twenty thousand on, six months' notice. The rules were suspended and this ordinance was read three times and passed, every member of the council but one voting for it. At once a great popular "howl" arose, and a mass, or indignation, meeting was called for the following Wednesday evening in Toland hall, at, which meeting S, W. Durflinger presided as chairman. The members of the council met the same evening: and made a move toward undoing their action of the night before. A. resolution was introduced repealing the ordinance calling for a special election. It was given one reading and adjournment was taken until Thursday night, at which adjourned session, the ordinance. given a second reading and was laid over until nine o'clock, Friday morning, January 19, 1891, at which time it was repealed. The waterworks people took steps to force the mayor and council to call the special election,. but their application for a writ of mandamus was overruled by the court. Another artesian well was driven in September, 1894, by John Calkins, of Newton Falls, Ohio, to the depth of one hundred and seventy-five feet, of eight-inch pipe. It tested eighty-five .thousand gallons capacity for twenty-four hours.. In June, 1895, another well eras down. About 1897 a fire broke out in the Gould planing mill that theatened to wipe out the whole village. The firemen claimed they were almost powerless to resist the flames, because of the very low pressure in the water Mains. At its next meeting following the village council notified the water company and later refused to use the water from the fire plugs or pay the water bills. In 1900 the water company sued the corporation. for water rent and damages. After a hard-fought period of litigation the case was compromised with a judgment against the village in favor of the water company. On August 23, 1901, an ordinance was introduced before the council to sell seven seven-thousand dollar bonds to pay the Claim. This ordinance was passed and the bonds were sold on October 18, 1901, to M. H. White, of Shepherd, Michigan, at a premium of six hundred and ninety-seven dollars. Other bonds were issued later to cover the remainder and the judgment was paid off. In 1899 C. P. Fisher was made the superintendent of the London waterworks. In April, 1905, the waterworks at Washington C. H., owned by the same company, was also placed under his charge, and Mr. Fisher is at present superintendent of both of these plants. LONDON'S ELECTRIC-LIGHT PLANT. The beginning, of London's electric-light plant is found in a. resolution passed by I be village council of London, February 6, 1885, as follows: "As the time is nearly 218 - MADISON COUNTY, OHIO. approaching when it will be necessary to make provision for the lighting of the village of London by some artificial means, and as the present, rate .of .,gas is exorbitant in price, therefore be it "Resolved, That a delegation of this Council, including the mayor, be appointed to visit Circleville, Pickaway county, and examine the improved incandescent Edison light and determine as to its cost and practical utility. On March 20, 1885, an ordinance was introduced before the council and read once, providing for the lighting of the streets by the Thompson-Houston Electric Light Company. However, it was voted to renew the contract with the Gas Company for gas lighting and the contract was approved on. August 14, 1885. This settled the question of street lighting for five years and the electric-light agitation remained quiet until June 14, 1899, when the council gave a ten-year contract and franchise to J. C.. Winchester, of the London Electric Light and Power Company, at an annual cost of three thousand four hundred and forty-five dollars for sixty-five posts. On December 13, 1889; another contract. With the same Winchester was rushed through the council, calling for forty lights at eighty dollars per light or totalling thirty-two hundred dollars, and repealing the. old contract with the same party". Members of the old. gas company incorporated as the London Light and Power Company and hoped toe claim the contract and franchise made by the council, and a long legal battle followed. On January 17, 1890, Winchester contracted with the Thompson-Houston Electric Light Company, of Boston; for the pitting in of an electric-light plant Within sixty 'days. The plant was to consist of two dynamos--a fifty and an eighty—and one one-hundred horse power engine. Winchester proceeded to erect his poles and was stopped. by an injunction issued by Ridge David. D F. Pugh, of Columbus, Ohio, applied for by “The London Gas Light Company," plaintiff, against John C. Winchester and his associates under the name of and style of “The London Electric Light and Power Company, of London, Ohio." On Inch the council by its attorneys, Badger & Murray, and Winchester, through his attorney, G. W. Wilson, filed an answer to the injunction. In the latter; part of May 1890, another light company was formed in London organized by J. R. Atchison, Ed. Armstrong, Will Cartzdafner sand D. C. Badger, which claimed to be connected with neither of the two contending firms and hoped to be able to receive the contract and franchise. On May 30, the council considered an ordinance providing for the people of London to vote: on the electric-light question and repealing, all other ordinances previously Passed. The section calling for an election was dropped and the ordinance as finally passed, on August 1, simply repealed the contract made with Winchester. At the same meeting at, which this step was taken the contract with the London Gas Light Company was renewed for the period of one year,_ at eighteen dollars per light, yearly--- moonlight schedule and one dollar and fifty cents per thousand feet for private consumption. The officers of the gas company at that time were: William Jones, president G.. G.. Green, Woodbury, New Jersey, secretary George Van Wagener, acting, secretary.; directors, E. R. Florence, S. W. Durflinger, and Poland Jones, not more than ten shares being owned in London. On October 31, 1890, an ordinance was read by the clerk giving, the gas company a ten-year franchise. and, contract at one dollar and twenty-five cents per thousand cubic feet.. This ten-year contract was voted down on December 6, 1890. An ordinance providing for the lighting of the village of London by artificial gas for the period of five years from August 18, 1861, was presented on October 2, 1891. The ordinance called for the lightingof .the. street at eighteen dollars. per year per post, with a rate for public and private buildings of one dollar and twenty-five cents per thousand cubic feet. The contract was to hold for a term of five years and gave the MADISON COUNTY; OHIO - 219 corporation the privilege of purchasing as plant at a reasonable price set by five assessors. This ordinance evidently was passed. A number of London citizens, in April, 1893, organized the Madison Electric Light and Power- Company, with a capital stock of ten thousand dollars for furnishing light and power for private and public consumption. This was the result, of steps taken by the waterworks company to ask the council for a franchise to erect poles and supply private houses with electric power. The waterworks company's request was tabled. MUNICIPAL LIGHTING PLANT. City Solicitor Bruce P. Jones, on February 15, 1895, submitted a report on the necessary steps to be taken toward a municipal lighting plant. A resolution to issue and sell twenty-five thousand-dollar bonds for the purpose of erecting an electric light plant and submitting as question of issuing and selling the same to the voters f the town at the following spring election was introduced and read. This was passed on March 1, 1895, and the result of the election was as follows: