HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY. - 471

CHAPTER XIII.

AGRICULTURE--ITS GROWTH AND PROGRESS-BUILDINGS, IMPLEMENTS, CROPS

AND STOCK OF THE EARLY SETTLERS-PIONEER FARMING-MADISON
COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY-THE MADISON COUNTY STOCK
IMPORTING COMPANY-MADISON COUNTY STOCK SALES.

BY reference to the topographical description of the county in another chapter, the reader will readily infer that, although covering a small area of territory compared with other counties, few possess finer agricultural advantages. In the earlier settlement of this section, ponds, marshes and swamps abounded where to-day are found fertile and well-cultivated fields. The low and flat places were avoided for the higher grounds, not only on account of the wetness, but for sanitary reasons. The proximity of a spring, also, had much to do with the location of a cabin; but in the selection of places for the erection of other buildings, convenience was the ordinary test. The corn-crib. made of rails or poles, and covered with prairie hay or clapboards, as convenience suggested, was as apt to be in close proximity to the " front door " as at the rear of the building, or near the stable. In the matter of stables and corn-cribs, very little improvement took place until long after material changes had been made in the dwellings, and we wonder, at this day, at the want of consideration shown, not only in the general arrangement of these outbuildings. but of many things connected with the household work, which now are considered of prime importance. Agricultural implements were, at the first necessarily rude, and the state of agriculture of a corresponding character. Even had such a matter been known, there was little need for "scientific" agriculture. The soil was new and productive, and it was a question simply of home supply, while for many years the markets within reasonable distance scarcely repaid the labor of hauling. The methods and implements employed fully answered the purposes for which they were intended.

The first substantial inclosures were constructed of rails in the form still used, called the worm fence-in a new country, with abundance of timber, the cheapest, most substantial and durable fence that may be built. After the sod was broken. the ground was mellow, and plowed with oxen. The plow in common use was a long wooden one, somewhat after the shape of the plow now in use, with an iron sole and point and an iron cutter. The immigrant usually brought his plow with him. but many did not own one until he made it, or had it made by some mechanic of the settlement. If the field was too full of stumps and roots, the mattock and hoe were required to do good service, and the field was planted in corn. The corn was dropped by hand-in which work the girls took part-and was covered and cultivated with the hand-hoe. Many farmers in the later days followed the same method, but the horse-hoe, or shovel-plow, soon began to be used, and gradually worked its way into general use to mark out the rows and cross-furrows for the "dropper," and to follow after to cover the seed. Finally the " double-shovel " plow drove the hand-hoe from the corn-field, while the horse, with the changes in implements, superseded the ox. In-

472 - HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY.

vention has kept pace with the demand for better improved machinery, but, after the lapse of more than three-quarters of a century, the science of corn raising is still far from perfect. Though great changes have been made in modes of planting and culture, as well as in the style of the implements used, it is questionable whether larger corn crops are raised than were produced fifty years ago. The future will probably show material changes in the use, rather than in the form of the machinery, and the past ten years have made great changes in both respects. To-day, save in the cutting, shocking and husking, the use of machinery enters into every process, while in Illinois a machine is now in use for cutting and shocking corn at the same time. Invention has come to the assistance of the farmer, as it has come to all other industries, and lifted from his life the drudgery of toil; yet it is a matter of surprise that none of the great labor-saving agricultural implements have been invented by farmers.

In the cultivation of wheat, greater changes have perhaps taken place than in the planting and gathering of corn. The land was plowed the same as for corn, and harrowed with a wooden-toothed harrow, or smoothed by dragging over the ground a heavy brush, weighted down, if necessary, with a stick of timber. It was then sown broadcast, by hand, at the rate of a bushel to a bushel and a half per acre, and " harrowed in " with the brush. Though corn meal was the main reliance for bread, and continued to be for many years, yet wheat was raised at an early day. Occasionally a field would be grown producing what was called " sick wheat," so named from its tendency to cause vomiting. Various devices were adopted to obviate this difficulty, but none of any avail; but this class of grain was usually converted into whisky. The cause of this poison in the wheat has never been definitely ascertained; whether it was on account of the malarial locality in which it was grown, the variety of wheat, or simply caused by the wheat getting wet and sprouting, is yet a matter of dispute. It has been described as differing little or none from the wheat now grown, except in the appearance of a red spot on the grain indicating a sprout; but whatever the cause, it has totally disappeared.

The wheat harvest ripened in the earlier part of July, and farmers expected to be pretty fairly in the field by the " Glorious Fourth." The implement used was either the sickle or cradle, and, not infrequently, both in the same field. The sickle was at first the only instrument; but soon the cradle came into common use, and finally superseded altogether the more primitive implement. The reaper followed in the course of time, and has now as well-nigh effectually displaced the cradle as the latter did the sickle. Life on the farm necessarily compels the husbandmen to be a "jack-of-all trades." and there were many farmers over the county who could not only make a tub or a barrel, but the frame work and fingers for the cradle. Sometimes an ingenious backwoodsman made it a business of repairing all classes of farm implements, and manufacturing new ones. When such a man lived in a neighborhood. he was usually well patronized.

There were few farmers who did not know how to swing the scythe and cradle, and there was no more pleasant picture on the farm than a gang of workmen in the harvest field, nor a more hilarious crowd. Three cradles would cut about ten acres a day, and one binder was expected to keep up with each cradler. Barns for the storage of the unthreshed grain are a comparatively modern invention, and, as soon as the shock was supposed to be sufficiently cured, it was hauled to some place on the farm convenient for threshing and feeding, and there stacked. Prior to the introduction of

HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY. - 473

threshing machines, the work was performed by flail, or tramping with horses, but generally the latter plan was adopted. The flail was used in stormy weather, on the sheltered floor, or when other farm work was not pressing, the threshing by tramping, commonly in clear weather, on a level and well-tramped clay floor, or, in later days, if the space was sufficiently large, on the barn floor. When sufficiently tramped, the refuse straw was thrown into a stack, and the wheat cleaned by a fanning-mill, or, prior to the use of these mills, by letting it fall from a height of several feet, subject to the action of the wind. Other modes were also in vogue, which the descendants of the pioneers are familiar with.

The next step was to get the wheat to market, but in the early days there was little surplus after the home demands were satisfied. This, however, did not continue many years, as each year added to the number of producers, and, as early as 1830 the hauling of wheat and other products to distant markets was the general practice. Chillicothe, Columbus, Sandusky, Springfield, Dayton and Cincinnati were all patronized from Madison County. The custom was for several farmers to go in company. The roads were heavy and full of marshy places, and the frontiersman's skill with the ax, and ingenuity in " fixing up " a " break-down," were always in requisition. When heavy loads were hauled, it was not unusual to take relays of horses, with provender for the trip, the exchange of horses being made at about the half-wan house on the road. Teamsters carried their own provisions, and camped out whenever nightfall came on. or, if corn and hay taken for the trip were consumed, to turn into the yard of one of the inns to be found along the line of all the great thoroughfares, " for man and beast." After the completion of the National road through this county, much of the hardest work on these trips disappeared, as the largest loads could be hauled with ease, without constant fear of breakages and long delays caused by the terrible state of the muddy roads.

Laborers were abundant, and the farmer had little or no difficulty in supplying himself with " hands," either for the season or for an emergency. Almost every one could swing tho scythe or cradle, or perform any other work on the farm. The rule was, not only with the hired laborer, but with the farmer and his boys, to be at work with the early light. A day's work on the farm was the labor that might be performed between " sun and sun," and this was understood and accepted on the part of the employer and employe, though it was usual to perform the " chores " after the return from the field. The price of labor was 50 cents a day, which was also the wages of a harvest hand. A good farm hand could be hired at from $8 to $10 per month. There was no fixed price for produce or stock. Old settlers tell us that they have sold wheat a; low as 25 cents per bushel, and stock at correspondingly low prices. In 1830, wheat hauled to Cincinnati brought 37 ½ cents per bushel; a cow and calf, $12; and a brood sow, $5. A load of flour, containing eight barrels, was exchanged at Cincinnati, in 1815, for two barrels of salt.

The swing of the early settlers, compared with the hogs of 1883, would present as wide a contrast as it is possible to conceive. Whatever the breed may have previously been called, running wild, as was customary, the special breed was soon lost in the mixed swine of the country. They were long and slim, long-snouted and long-legged, with an arched back, and bristles erect from the back of the head to the tail, slab-sided, active and healthy; the " sapling-splitter " and "razor-back," as he was called, was ever in the search of food, and quick to take alarm. He was capable of

474 - HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY.

making a heavy hog, but required two years or more to mature, and until a short time before butchering or marketing, was suffered to run at large. subsisting mainly as a forager. and in the fall, fattening on the " mast." Yet this was the hog for a new country, whose nearest and best markets were in Cincinnati and Baltimore, to which places they were driven on foot. Persons then, as now, engaged in the purchase and driving of swine or cattle as a special occupation, and, by means of trustworthy agents, visited distant sections to buy up large droves. It was not uncommon to see a drove of hogs driven to a certain place to be weighed ere starting them on their long journey. As each porker was caught, it was thrust into a kind of leather receptacle, which was suspended to steelyards. As soon as the hog was fairly in the contrivance, the whole was lifted from the ground, and thus, one by one the drove was weighed and a minute made of each, and with a pair of shears, a patch of bristles was cut from the hind-quarters, or some other mode of marking followed, as evidence of the fact that the hog had been weighed. Two or three days' drive made the hogs quiet enough to be driven along the highway without much trouble, moving forward at an average gait of from eight to ten miles a day. Whenever the animals were wilder than usual. they were enticed into a pen. there caught, and their eyelids " stitched, " or this was done during the weighing process. Thus blinded, the hogs seemed instinctively to keep the road, and, reaching their destination, a clip of the scissors or knife made all things right again.

Almost every farmer raised a few hogs for market, which were gathered up by drovers and dealers. The delivery of hogs began usually in September, and the business was carried on past the middle of winter. The price ranged at about $1.25 per 100 pounds, though at times running up to $3.25 or $3.50 with a fair margin after driving to Cincinnati or Baltimore. About 1840, the hog trade was brisk. and speculation ran high. Many men along about this time laid the foundation of subsequent fortunes. while doubtless others lost all in wild speculation. In no stock of the farm have greater changes been effected than in the hog. From the characteristics of this wild animal, long-legged, slab-sided, roach-backed, muscular, tall, long, active and fierce, it has been bred to be almost as square as a store-box, quiet as a sheep, taking on 250 pounds of flesh in ten months. They are now ranked into distinctive breeds, which, as far as Madison County is concerned, has mainly narrowed to the Berkshire and Poland-China, though other breeds are found here.

In horses, cattle and sheep, Madison for many years has claimed a high grade. The first sheep were brought into the county by Joshua Ewing, in 1800, and since that time their numbers have gradually increased. until to-day this county contains thousands of the finest sheep in the State. The breeding of thoroughbred horses began at a later day. Walter A. Dun and Maj. William A. Neil have done much toward the growth and development of thoroughbred horses in this portion of Ohio. It has not proven remunerative to these individuals, but nevertheless Madison County derived great benefit from their enterprise, as it raised the grade of her horses to a high standard. This county being the center of the blue grass region of Ohio. it necessarily follows that nature intended it for a great cattle mart, and as such it is recognized throughout the world of trade. The great monthly cattle sales held in London since 1856, as well as the thoroughbred Short-Horns imported from Europe at an earlier day, has made the name of " Old Madison " famous. There is no county of this great State where the buying and selling of stock has proven such a grand success as here in the

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY. - 477

little county of Madison. Her sale-days are the great events in the lives of stock men for miles in every direction.' Over her broad acres, covered with the succulent blue grass, roam vast herds of sleek, well-fed cattle, which are ever in demand at the highest market prices.

MADISON COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

In 1846, the Clark and Madison Agricultural Society was organized, which held fairs alternately at South Charleston and London. The last of these fairs was held in London, on the 6th, 7th and 8th of October 1852. On the 13th of November, 1852 the following agricultural notice appeared in the Madison Reveille: "We, the undersigned, citizens of Madison County, are in favor of calling a county convention, for the purpose of organizing a county agricultural society, within and for Madison County, separate and apart from Clark County; and recommend said convention to be held on Saturday, the 20th day of November, 1852. Paul Smith, Sebastian Roberts, Abraham Johnson, Thomas J. Stutson, J. McCullough, R. Acton, G. W. Lewis, G. B. Olney, N. H. S. Miller, Jennet Stutson, F. H. Olmstead, O. C. Standart, G. E. Hartwell, Nathan Burnham, E. S. Hancock, B. Crabb, N. E. Davis, Evans Pennington, Henry Alder, Carlton E. Gregg, John G. Dun, Caleb Morse, James Burnham, John T. Maxey, Robert Armstrong, William C. Minter, Dr. J. Stutson, A. Toland, A. J. Ryan, John Williams, William Morris, Washington Withrow, Jackson Brock, W. A. Koontz, Coleman Asbury, William Riddle, D. Haskell, P. R. Asbury." In response to this call, a large and enthusiastic meeting of the farmers. mechanics and business men took place in London on that date.

The meeting was organized by appointing J. Stutson, of Jefferson Township. Chairman, and William H. Creighton, Secretary. The Chair man, in a brief but appropriate address, explained the object of the meeting, which was to dissolve the connection which had heretofore existed with Clark County in an agricultural society, and to organize such society for Madison County alone. The necessity of such a course was obvious. The fairs were held in Clark County (except occasionally, by special favors, and by private individuals at London defraying certain expenses. The consequence was that a very large portion of the county was excluded from its benefits by being so remote from the point where the fairs were held. He urged that Madison County contained the elements within herself to produce the very best agricultural exhibitions of any county in the State. On motion of David Haskell. it was resolved to proceed to organize a Madison County Agricultural Society, and elect such officers as were necessary to conduct the affairs of such society. On motion of John Melvin, it was resolved that the officers of this society shall be a President. Vice President. Treasurer, Secretary and five Directors. The officers were then elected as follows: President, Richard Cowling: Vie President. Dr. J. Stutson; Treasurer. John Rouse; Secretary, W. H. Creighton: Directors, John H. Findlay, John T. Maxey, John G. Dun, Jesse Watson, Jonathan Farrar.

On motion, Messrs. Toland, Findlay and Stutson were appointed a committee to draft a constitution for this society, which was reported and unanimously adopted. On motion, it was resolved that a committee of one for each township in the county be appointed to solicit names for members of this society. whereon John Melvin was appointed the committee for Jefferson Township: John Williams. Stokes; Charles Phellis, Pike; Henry Alder. Canaan; John Smith. Darby; David Morris, Monroe; W. B. Davis,

478 - HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY.

Fairfield; John H. Kennedy, Somerford; James Q. Minshall, Range; James Robinson, Pleasant; R. B. Winchester, Union; John G. Dun. Deer Creek. On motion, it was resolved that 150 copies of the constitution of this society be printed for distribution through the county. On motion, it was resolved that John T. Maxey, Richard Cowling and Jonathan Farrar be a committee to wait on the Directors of the late Clark and Madison Agricultural Society, and obtain from them the portion of the money in the hands of the Treasurer of the said society that was contributed by and properly belongs to Madison County.

The first fair of the Madison County Agricultural Society was held in London. on the ground where Jeriah Swetland's residence now stands, September 28 and 29, 1853. The officers of the society, under whose auspices this fair was held, were elected June 4, 1853, and were as follows: John H. Findlay, President; James Foster, Vice President; John Rouse, Treasurer; J. F. Freeman, Secretary; Richard Cowling, Charles Phellis, James Burnham, William Harrold and John F. Chenoweth, Directors. The day prior to the opening of the fair, the sale of the imported thoroughbred stock, brought from Europe a short time before, took place, and gave the new enterprise of the agricultural society an impetus it could have received in no other way. Hundreds of leading stock men attended this sale, and remained for the fair, which proved a grand success. In September, 1854, the society purchased eight acres and eighty perches of land, in Survey 5,670, from John T. Maxey, paying for the same $425. It is located in the northeast part of London, and the fairs were held there for fourteen years. with varying success. The last exhibition was held September 18, 19 and 20, 1867. and the following were the officers at that time: J. Swetland. President; Robert Reed, Vice President ; S. W. Durflinger, Secretary: Preston Adair, Treasurer; Directors, David Haskell, William Curtain. Robert G. Dun, Joseph Rea, William H. Summers, Joseph Williams, John Pancake, Henry Tyler, James Converse, Charles Phellis, John Mitchel, L. Mount. Daniel Boyd, Robert Deyo, Adam Young; Committee of Arrangements. J. Swetland, L. Mount,' Preston Adair. Henry Tyler: Marshals. William Summers, J. C. Bridgeman.

Many causes led to the abandonment of these fairs. In the fall of 1868, a Union Agricultural Society was organized at Mechanicsburg, which had for its promoters some of the leading citizens of the northwestern portion of Madison County. These men had previously belonged to the Madison County Society. and their withdrawal from it, together with the starting of a new association so close o the north part of this county, naturally had a dampening effect upon the old organization. A second cause was the absence of a track where horsemen could exhibit their animals. The grounds were small, and races were not a part of the programme at these fairs: hence one of the principal attractions was missing. Efforts were made at different times o purchase additional ground, with the object of constructing a good track thereon, but nothing was ever accomplished in that direction. The principal cause, however, why the holding of fairs in London was abandoned. was on account of the rapid growth of the Madison County stock sales. the glory and pride of this portion of Ohio. This county needs no annual fair, for it holds one every month. The Madison County Agricultural Society, however, still lives, its organization is intact and its financial condition healthy. Its present officers are: Stephen Watson, President; Jeriah Swetland, Vice President; J. C. Bridgeman, Treasurer: and Erwin Phifer, Secretary ; Preston Adair, Joseph Williams, Stephen Wat-

HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY. - 479

son, James Millikin, John Pancake, Charles Phellis, Jr., R. G. Dun, Philip Durflinger, J. C. Bridgeman, W. H. Summers, Daniel Boyd, Jeriah Swetland, Adam Young, Robert Boyd and Erwin Phifer, Directors.

THE MADISON COUNTY STOCK IMPORTING COMPANY.

The Scioto Valley being settled by many Kentucky and Virginia families, cattle-growing became the leading form of agriculture; hence we find, as early as 1832, that there was formed the Scioto Stock Importing Company, and which imported some of the best strains of Short-Horn cattle to be found in the valley at the present day. In the fall of 1852, a meeting was held in London by some leading stock men, to consider the project of importing thoroughbred stock from Europe. An organization was effected January 1, 1853, and the association was named the Madison County Stock Importing Company. A constitution for the government of the company was adopted, and the following officers elected : Jesse Watson, President; Maj. Richard Cowling, Vice President; Jacob Chrisman, Treasurer; J. T. Lacy, Secretary; James Fullington, Joseph Chrisman, William H. Creighton and Robert Reed, Directors.

The company was organized in shares of $100; about $10,000 was the capital stock. Messrs. Jonathan Farrar and Charles Phellis, of Madison County, and Benjamin Browning, of Clark, were appointed as the Purchase Committee, and sailed for England in the spring of 1853. The stock came in a sailing vessel, and arrived in very fine condition. The whole lot was kept for some time at the Brown farm, east of London, and sold September 27, 1853, which was the day preceding the opening of the first fair held by the Madison County Agricultural Society. The following is an exact copy of the report of that sale:

BULLS.

Thornberry-F. W. & H. Renick. Pickaway County. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 875

Sheffelder-J. W. Robinson, Madison County . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,800

Mario-Robert Reed, Madison County. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,550

Marquis-James Fullington, Union County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,000

Starlight-Charles Phellis, Madison County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 3,000

Beau Clerc-D. M. Creighton, Madison County. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 750

Symmetry-W. A. Dun, Madison County. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,150

Partner's Boy-Joseph Rayburn, Madison County. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . 925

Prince Albert-J. F. Chenoweth. Madison County. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300

Colonel-W. A. Dun, Madison County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..1,350

Sportsman-James Foster, Madison County. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . 700

Prince Edward-M. B. Wright, Fayette County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 475

Rocket-David Watson, Union County. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 425

Splendor-F. A. Yocum, Madison County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . .. 500

Duke of Liverpool-George G. McDonald, Madison County..... . . . . . . . . . . . . . 555

$17,355

COWS.

Victoria-J. Q. Minshall. Madison County. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 600

Picotee-Jesse Watson, Madison County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,275

Stapleton Lass-Jessie Watson. Madison County . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,350

Princess and Calf-William Watson. Clark County .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 690

Miss Hilton-David Watson, Union County . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 875

Alexandrina-David Watson, Union County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 560

Blossom-David Watson, Union County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 650

Yorkshire Dairy Cow-Joseph Negley. Clark County. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 425

Monson-Joseph Rayburn, Madison County. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295

$ 6,720

480 - HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY.

HOGS.

No. 1.-Levi Oldham, Fayette County- . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 200

No. 2.-Michael Sullivant, Franklin County. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

No. 3.-J. T. McKey, Franklin County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

No. 4.-J. T. McKey, Franklin County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

No. 5.-J. G. Gest, Greene County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

No. 6.-John Hadley, Clinton County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

No. 7.--John Hadley, Clinton County. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 26

No. 8.-Henry Rule. Clinton County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 16

No. 9.-W. A. Dun, Madison County. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

No. 10.-Jesse Hegler. Fayette County. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

No. 11.-John Hadley. Clinton County. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200

No. 12.-J. Q. Minshall, Madison County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .120

$ 916

SHEEP.

No. 1.-Richard Cowling. Madison County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 110

No. 2.-W. H. Creighton. Madison County. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

No. 3.-Chandler Mitchell. Madison County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

No. 4.-Jesse Watson. Madison County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

No. 5.-Cyrus Larkin, Fayette County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

No. 6.-Robert Reed. Madison County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

No. 7.-T. Mathews, Licking County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

No. 8.-T. Mathews, Licking County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

No. 9.-C. Fullington, Union County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

No. 10.-John Hadley, Clinton County . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

No. 11.-G. Howard. Champaign County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

No. 12.-D. M. Creighton. Madison County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

No. 13.-E. P. O'Neil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

No. 14.-Richard Cowling , Madison County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

No. 15.-John Hadley, Clinton County. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

No. 16.-C. Fullington, Union County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

No. 17.-Levi Lapham. Union County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 35

No. 18.-D. M. Creighton. Madison County. . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . 115

No. 19.-C. Fullington. Union County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . 55

No. 20.-C. Fullington, Union County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

Sheep . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . .$ 1,266

Hogs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . 916

Cows. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,720

Bulls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . 17,355

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $26,257

Jacob Chrisman was the Cashier of the company. and, after paying all expenses of importing. keeping, sale, etc., disbursed to the shareholders something over $240 for each $100 originally put in. The selling was done by Benjamin Porter, the first auctioneer of the monthly stock sales, for which he received the insignificant sum of $50. Other companies and individuals of the Scioto Valley besides those mentioned have made importations from Europe of the choicest strains of thoroughbred stock, the descendants of which are to be found not only in this valley, but distributed throughout the entire West. as well as other portions of the United States.

Among the breeders and dealers in thoroughbred stock. David Selsor and the Dun brothers deserve special mention. The former possessed the finest herd of Short-Horns in Ohio. and one of the finest on the continent. His animals always won the blue ribbon at the leading fairs of the country, and the fame of David Selsor, the cattle king, has spread wherever the breeding of fine stock was made a specialty. The biggest prices were paid for his animals, and the stock man who was fortunate enough to obtain a descendant of this choice herd was indeed lucky. Mr. Selsor spared no pains nor expense to keep his herd in the front rank with the finest in the

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world. Truly, Madison County should honor the memory of this man, who, during a long life of business activity, did so much toward establishing and maintaining her reputation as the great stock-mart of Ohio. Mr. Selsor died January 12, 1882. and his valuable herd was subsequently sold and scattered all over this land.

Robert G. and John G. Dun held their first annual sale of Short-Horns May 6, 1868, and sold thirty-two animals, nearly all one and two years old. We find that nine bulls and five heifers were bought by Madison County men. The purchasers were Robert Boyd. W. A. Dun, F. M. Chenoweth, Benjamin Linson, Harford Toland. J. A. Pringle. James Rankin, William A. Neil, Jr., Addison Watson, William Cryder, Benjamin Custer, Robert G. Dun, R. B. Cowling and Bell Bros. Of the remaining eighteen, seven went to Clark County, four to Union. two to Champaign, two to Pickaway, one to Delaware and one to Fairfield County. The average price all round was $178.44; the lowest price, $75: and the highest, $365. On the 4th of May, 1869, Robert G. Dun held his second sale, his brother, John G., having previously disposed of his surplus at private sale. Twenty-three animals, mostly one-year-olds, were sold at public auction, nine of which were retained in Madison County. The purchasers were William B. Franklin. William Hall, Jerry Rea. Alfred Pringle, William A. Neil. Jr., George Linson and A. W. Thurman. The remaining fourteen head were distributed as follows: Four to Greene County, one to Licking, one to Hardin, one to Columbiana and one to Franklin County, Ohio; three to Parke County, Ind., and two to Syracuse, N. Y. The lowest price paid was $135, and the highest $405, making an average all round of nearly $221. These sales were followed by others, which attracted a large number of stock men from every portion of Ohio, and quite a respectable attendance from other States. Becoming familiar with the tine stock breeders of this county, they soon began to draw regular installments from the splendid herds of "Old Madison," with which to improve and cross upon other herds, and as a nucleus of future herds in other sections. Thus does Madison occupy a proud position in the galaxy of counties, the first in quality and second to few in numbers.

MADISON COUNTY STOCK SALES.

The production of corn, wheat, cotton and other staple crops may add most to the wealth of a nation in the aggregate, but, as a rule, the stock interests of every country, in all times, have brought most wealth to the individual farmer. Men who devote part of the resources of their farms to the raising of stock are invariably found to be among the wealthiest in every agricultural community. possessing the most comfortable homes, and able to give their families a better education and more of the comforts of life than any other class of agriculturists. This is particularly true of Madison County. and the only drawback to the increase of her population and rapid development of her resources is that many of her citizens own large tracts of land upon which the tenant system prevails, and it is therefore difficult for a man of limited means to acquire landed property. The prevalence of log cabins in this age of frame and brick structures, and the large number of poor people occupying these cabins, is an invincible argument against the policy of large farms. Freedom and enlightenment go hand in hand with the ownership of land, and wherever its acquirement is made difficult or impossible, it indicates the absence of a sound political economy in that country.

The historical facts connected with the founding of the Madison Coun-

482 -HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY.

ty stock sales may be briefly told. The sale of imported stock, September 27, 1853, gave the main impetus to the already growing interest in fine stock, which has contributed so largely to the business success of the county. Other sales followed in due time, and the project for regular sales in London began to be mooted. In 1855, William G. Jones, proprietor of the Phifer House, called a meeting at his hotel to consider the feasibility of inaugurating monthly stock sales. Besides Mr. Jones, there were present at this meeting William H. Creighton. David Selsor, Jesse Rea, Mathew Rea, John G. Dun. James J. Jones, Peter Slaughter, and other wealthy farmers and stock men. There was no regular association organized, but the originators, having confidence that the project would succeed, got out hand-bills advertising a sale to be held in London 'March 5, 1856. On that day was inaugurated the institution that has made Madison County famous. These sales are held the first Tuesday in each month, and, from the beginning to the present time. have proven a grand success.

Benjamin Porter, a native of Virginia. was the pioneer salesman of this vicinity. He lived at Catawba. Clark Co., Ohio; was a large, portly man, of fine physique and strong common sense. His tact as an auctioneer was only equaled by the extraordinary strength of his lungs, but the love for strong drink conquered " poor Ben " at last. He possessed splendid judgment, and a man whom every one considered an adept in his business.

In 1856, J. C. Bridgeman began his career as a stock salesman, and, in 1860. formed a partnership with Porter. which lasted until the death of the latter. From that time up to the present. " Jack " Bridgeman has been the leading stock auctioneer of 'Madison County, and has missed but two sales since 1860. He possesses all the shrewdness of the Yankee, combined with that freedom from ceremony and whole-souled manner characteristic of the Western people. To know "Jack" is to be his friend, for he is always ready and willing to do a favor, and few men will go further than he to perform a kind action. " Jack's" abilities have made him wealthy-a Director of a National Bank, a model of propriety, and a representative citizen. For nearly thirty years he has been engaged in his present business. and it will not be an exaggeration to say that there is not a better judge of stock in Madison County than this go-ahead successful auctioneer. None have excelled him in his business in the past, few equal him today is the verdict of all with whom we have spoken as to "Jack's" abilities.

Charles Jones, of Jefferson. has been selling at these sales since their inception, and is considered a good salesman. Giles James. of London. has been engaged in the business for about twelve years, while John Kilgore and William Douglass have been auctioneers at these sales for about six years. Others from adjoining counties take part whenever called upon, and there can be little doubt that to this class of men is due much of the success which has attended the growth and progress of the London sales from the beginning.

It will not be inappropriate to give a list of the men who have fostered and encouraged these sales, the reader bearing in mind, however, that others, perhaps. whose names do not appear, have done something toward building up this wonderful institution. The present prosperity of the Madison County stock sales is unquestionably due to a certain class of her citizens, among whom the following well-known names deserve mention: William G. Jones, William H. Creighton, David Selsor, Jesse Rea, Robert Boyd, Mathew Rea, John G. Dun. James J. Jones. Peter Slaughter. Peter Buffenburgh, William D. Wilson. J. Q. Minthall. James Wilson, Thomas

HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY - 483

Wilson, Alexander Wilson, Valentine Wilson, Jerry Rea, Robert Rea, John Pancake, Charles Phellis, Charles Phellis, Jr., Tip Guy, James Carter, the Weaver brothers. Chandler Mitchell, Newman Mitchell, Charles Mitchell, Thomas Bales, James A. Dun, Augustus Bonner, Walter Dun, Jr., Washington Withrow, Robert Reed, Eli Gwynne, Baldwin Gwynne, William Franklin, John Thompson, W. Morrow Beach, John McCoy, John Heath, Thomas Farrar, Marion Chenoweth, John F. Chenoweth, Frank and Joel Hicks, James Abernathy, Elijah Bragg, Otho Luffboro, William Johnson, Elijah O'Day, Manly Bozarth, William A. Neil, John Lucas, the Bidwells, J. B. Morgridge, John Price, William D. Wilson, Jr.. James Rankin, Abner Bateman, Adolphus Dunkin, William H. Summers, J. C. Smith, H. W. Smith, John Wilson, John McDonald, Henry. John and Darius Burnham, James Guy, Joseph Williams. Luther Johnson, William Minter, Hiram and Charles Richman. Charles H. Beale, William and John O'Day, George Kious, William and David Heath, William Junk, Linson Bros., Jesse and David Watson, Thomas J. Stutson, Clement Shockley. Smith Bros., P. R. Asbury, Benjamin and Batteal Harrison, John T. Maxey, Daniel Boyd. Marcus Yates, Levi Counts, Fulton Armstrong, Edward Fitzgerald, Edward Roberts, Richard Johnson, James Converse. James Davis, Robert Deyo, John Stroup, James Robinson. Joseph Rea, W. H. Morgan, J. W. Byers, and doubtless a few others whose names have not been given us.

From all of the adjoining counties as well as many of these at a distance, come leading stock men to buy and sell. Dealers residing in Cincinnati and Chicago ship stock from these cities to the little town of London, where they know the highest prices in the Union are always paid for good cattle. Not only does Ohio pay tribute to the Madison County stock sales, but also the great States of New York. Indiana. Kentucky. Tennessee, Michigan. Illinois. Missouri, Iowa and Kansas. On the 2d of March, 1869, the Ohio Legislature. with Gov. Hayes and other State officers. including many representatives of the press of Ohio, paid London a visit for the purpose of seeing how cattle sales were managed. and to examine this county as a location for the State Agricultural and Mechanical College. At the same time, the Agricultural Convention of the Scioto and Miami Valleys met here in annual council. It was one of the most noted clays in the history of the county. Some three hundred legislative, agricultural and other invited guests were entertained with a banquet at Toland Hall. and all honor was given to " Old Madison," the only county in Ohio or the West sustaining a stock sale. On this day, Daniel Boyd sold to David Selsor a mammoth steer, weighing 3,030 pounds. for which the " cattle king " paid $540.

During the first thirteen years and a half that these sales existed. but four were missed, viz.: The fall of Vicksburg, in July, 1863; the State election, in October, 1863, the Fourth of July, 1865; and the cattle plague in September, 1868. being the causes why no sales were held in those months. The average sales per year for that period amounted to $122,550, or more than $10,000 each month, but for the last five years of that time the average was often double that figure. The sales continued to increase in size and importance. so that for the last thirteen years and a half of the twenty-seven which they have been running, the yearly average has been about $300,000, or $25,000 per month. Not one sale has been missed during this second period of their history. but every month, " rain or shine," they have taken place, " as regular as the clock." The lowest estimate we can make will thus place the aggregate value of the Madison County stock sales, since their inception to the close of 1882, at the enormous figure of

484 - HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY.

$5,500,000. Surely this showing entitles Madison County to that proud position which she has so long maintained as the " Queen of Cattledom."

The custom, for such it is, has become rooted and grounded in its establishment. Without organization or officers; in the interests of no ring or clique; with but one other worthy of the name, viz.: the sale held at Paris, Ky., it stands to-day unrivaled in the history of the nation. Good stock cattle have brought better prices at the Madison County stock sales than at any other market on this continent. We challenge comparison. Madison County pays a higher valuation on her horned stock than any other county in Ohio, and, doubtless, in the United States. During the latter years of David Selsor's life, he annually shipped to New York the premium beef of the metropolis; and it is a well known fact that this beef, fed upon the blue grass and corn of Madison County, brought the highest prices in that market of epicures. It is said that this republic is the greatest nation in the world, and that Ohio is the greatest State in the Union. The citizens of Madison County claim to possess the leading stock county in the State, so that her position is one of proud superiority.