LARUE CENTENNIAL 1851-1951

"LARUE IN REVIEW"

Mrs Ivan Cooper, Chairman

The LaRue Community Centennial

LaRue, Ohio

"THANK YOU"

The Committee of the LaRue Community Centennial takes this opportunity to thank all of the loyal workers and participants in this, the 100 year commemoration of the founding of LaRue and vicinity.

When a village the size of LaRue and its surrounding territory undertakes the task of re-creating the scenes of one hundred years gone by, it becomes a man-sized job requiring the co-operation and support of each and every citizen. Such support has been cheerfully and loyally given, and we realize that a mere "thank you" is the understatement of the year. However, because praise is so justly deserved, we wish to express our gratitude to the following, who have given so much of their time and thought, of their labor and imagination.

To our staff and committee members for their tireless efforts in the planning, organizing and promoting of this celebration.

To the subscribers who have so generously responded to our requests for advertising and other financial support.

To the business men and individuals for their property improvements, which has done so much toward beautifying our community.

To the American Legion, their Auxiliary, Churches, Clubs, and Oranges.

To the Queen Candidates and all of those who worked in their behalf.

To all of the individuals who worked with the committee and for their organizations.

And most of all, to the general public for their support in patronizing this celebration, and making it a success, we sincerely say

"THANK YOU''

The LaRue Community Centennial Committee

A. D. Ford, Chairman

Robert Jones, Co-Chairman

HISTORY OF LARUE

Before and When the White Men Came

Evidence of the occupation of this region before the appearance of the red man and white race, has been discovered in almost every part of the surrounding country. In removing the gravel bluffs, which are numerous and deep, for the construction of roads, etc., hundreds of human skeletons, with fine specimens of ancient pottery and other curious relics have been found. It seems quite clear that the first inhabitants of this territory, the "Mound-Builders", were somewhat advanced and superior to the red men who later destroyed and replaced them.

The oldest inhabitants recorded by modern history were the Erie Indians, also known as the Nation of the Cat". This name probably comes from the large number of wild cat species formerly found in this region and northward to the beaches of Lake Erie, known by the Indians as "the lake of the cat".

The Erie Indians must have been numerous along the Scioto and other streams south of Lake Erie, especially upon the rich alluvial bottom lands. They finally waged war with and fell before the powerful confederacy of Five Nations, or Iroquois about the year 1655. The whole Erie nation seems to have been exterminated or incorporated with their conquerors.

By 1700 the next inhabitants here, Wyandot Indians of the Huron Nation, migrated from the north and east, and were soon followed by the Ottawas and Delawares. All three tribes frequented this particular territory. The Wyandots were more numerous and powerful and were always attached to the region of the Scioto. They gave the name of the river, calling it in their native tongue "Sei-ou-to" (the stream with many legs). McDonald Creek was known to the Wyandots as "Muskrat Water", and Dudley Creek as "Turkey Run". Tymochtee Creek and Paw Paw Run, north of LaRue, still carry their original Indian names. Most of the present site of LaRue was bottom land with the exception of the elevation along River and Front Streets. The small area between the Scioto and the broad watershed of the Ohio River and Lake Erie, one mile north of LaRue, was known by the Wyandots as "Black Bear Swamp". The larger area still further north beyond the watershed was known as "Sandusky Plains", and on which great herds of buffalo had roamed.

Although many tribes and families of the Wyandot Indians lived along the banks of the Scioto, the headquarters of the Nation were maintained at Upper Sandusky. Their favorite camping spot in the vicinity of the present site of LaRue was on the south bank of the Scioto, west of State Route 37. It extended back as far as the Winnemac Pike, running north to and past the Banner Cemetery, covering the entire ridge in a half circle. This favorite abode of the Wyandots possessed magnificent forests, filled with game, and fine natural springs of cool, clear water. Even the river in those days contained crystal like water before it was disturbed and made muddy by the plows and ditches of the white men.

Extending through the camp was an old Indian Trail running to Upper Sandusky after fording the river. The trail followed the high ground eastward to a point on the William Myers farm where it turned north and passed through the present site of Marseilles.

There is a tradition that early settlers were told by old Indian Warriors how back in Revolutionary War days, A Wyandot war party danced all day and night on the south bank of the Scioto. This was their war dance of June 1782 before taking the trail toward Upper Sandusky to unite with other Wyandot and Delaware warriors allied with the British soldiers assembled to attack the American Army under Col. William Crawford. A battle was fought twenty-three miles north of the site of LaRue and west of the Sandusky River.

The American army was defeated and Colonel Crawford was captured and burned at the stake on Tymochtee Creek. His brother-in-law, Dr. John Knight was painted black with powder and put in charge of an Indian astutely to be taken to a Shawnee village forty miles distant. During the journey the Doctor outwitted, overpower red and escaped from his Indian guard, at a point on the north bank of the Scioto, a short distance up the river from the site of LaRue, in Dudley township, Hardin county.

After Crawford's defeat at the hands of the British and Indians, the Wyandots of this section returned to their village, but now that they had taken the war path against the Americans, they repeatedly sent forth their warriors and participated in the battles of General St. Clair's defeat in 1791, eighty miles-west of here, and General Wayne's victory of "Fallen Timbers" in 1794, seventy miles north of here. The Indians being defeated in this last battle, the confederated tribes signed a treaty by which they gave up their lands in central and southern Ohio. They were left in control of much of the northern part of which the 'Greenville Treaty Lined passed through what is now southern Marion county, leaving the present site of LaRue within the Indian Territory. Thus, the Wyandot Indian Village, south and west of the present site of LaRue, continued to exist on the banks of the Scioto, with the Indian wigwams dotting the margins of the forest.

Up to 1812 but few attempts were made to invade the country still reserved to the Indians, except as the restless hunters and traders sought the fine game reserves for meat or pelts. The Wyandot Chief, Leatherlips, had resided here For awhile and then departed down river about forty miles. There he was executed by members of his own tribe at the direction of Tecumseh and the Prophet because he refused to take part in Tecumseh's war against the Americans. A younger chief arose to prominence among his tribe and in the Indian council at Brownstown he rejected all overtures to join in the war against the Americans. This young chief, "Between the Logs" in company with his warriors allied himself with the Americans in their fight against Tecumseh and the British during the war of 1812-15.

Columbus had been made the capitol of the state the same year war was declared. As Columbus was only a small village, the headquarters of the American army of the west was for awhile at Urbana. On June 11th, 1812, Duncan MacArthur was sent from there to open a road north in advance of General Hull's army and build a stockade at the crossing of the Scioto, sixteen miles up river from here. General Hull passed through there later with his army, on the way to Detroit, which he later surrendered to the English. His trace is still known as Hull's Trail. A number of his defeated soldiers escaped and returned through the wilderness, to the stockade on the Scioto. The Stockade was strengthened and called Fort McArthur. For several months it remained the northern out-post of the American army, until the new general appointed in command, William Harrison, assembled fresh troops for another attack on Canada. The War of 1812 led to a large knowledge of this country, because of the several War roads" passing near at both east and west to the seat of war. One of these was up from Delaware through the present site of Marion to Fort Ferree at Upper Sandusky. Another was up the Scioto from Columbus to the present site of Green Camp. Here a Blockhouse was built and an army camp established. Between that point and Ft. McArthur the line of communication was by canoes up and down the Scioto. At that time, before the days of modern drainage, the river was deeper and more navigable than it is now. Messengers and scouts passed back and forth along side the present site of LaRue. How this brought about the first settlement here will be mentioned later.

General Harrison organized three armies to combat the English and the hostile Indians which had gained control of all northern Ohio. The right column was commanded by General Harrison, with his supplies being forwarded through Marion County to his depot headquarters at Upper Sandusky. General Tupper commanded the center, Fort McArthur in Hardin county being his base, while

General Winchester marched from Fort Defiance down the Maumee. Many battles followed. By late 1813, General Harrison's army was at Sandwich, Canada, and General McArthur took possession of Detroit land the territory of Michigan. Then followed the battle of the Thames in which the English and the hostile Indians were defeated. Tecumseh was slain. The victory was decisive and practically closed the war in the northwest by 1814.

On September 29,1817, one of the most important Indian treaties ever negotiated was concluded and signed -at Fort Meigs by Generals Cass and McArthur and the chiefs of the Wyandot, Seneca, Delaware, Shawnee, Pottawatomie, Ottawa and Chippewa tribes, by which was ceded to the United States much of the land they claimed in Ohio, Indiana and Michigan. The Indian lands were soon offered for sale. Pioneers started coming into the territory from both the East and South. Among these was Major William LaRue who arrived in Marion County before it was organized.

HISTORY OF LARUE

Pioneer Life of Major LaRue

The village of LaRue was laid out June 3, 1851 by Major William LaRue, who owned 307 acres of land on the east bank of the Scioto River; most of this land he had taken up from the Government and had resided on it from 1825.

William LaRue was born in Washington County, Ohio, December 22, 1799. His father, Jacob LaRue was among the earliest pioneers of this state, having migrated from Virginia. He was later killed by the Indians. The LaRue family was of French origin, the original name De la Rue.

Major William LaRue grew into manhood while doing odd jobs about the Ohio River settlements in southeastern Ohio. At the age of 21 years he was a tall, strong and powerful young fellow, with an ambition to "stand on his own legs" He learned about the Indian Territory which was being opened up for settlement north of "The Greenville Treaty Line" in northwestern Ohio. He developed a desire to see and settle in this virgin territory where land was cheap and full of promise.

Major LaRue talked over his plans with a young lady, Miss. Cynthia Brine. They were married in 1820. They worked diligently and saved their money so that within three years they owned a good team of horses, a saddle pony, a cow, some crude, movable furniture and kitchen utensils, a new rifle, ammunition and other essential pioneer equipment. In the fall of 1823 the LaRues started their migration to a strange and wilderness land. Their sturdy horses were teamed to a "covered wagon! in which were packed their earthly possessions, excepting their pony and cow which were hitched behind, following obediently. A big watch dog circled all and was the guard at night.

They left Marietta and followed the old Muskingum River trace, cut through the forests to Zanesville. Their travel was slow and tedious Eventually they reached Columbus, the new Capital, and a thriving village of seventeen hundred inhabitants. Here they made inquiries about the land sales of Indian Territory, and then proceeded on their journey northward. They followed the badly worn War Road cut through by General Harrison's army ten years before. They reached Fort Morrow on the frontier and crossed the Greenville Treaty Line in what is now Waldo Township. From here on they traveled in Indian country and came to Marion. where they found a small settlement of a dozen families. Their trip had consumed about two weeks and they had subsisted mostly on wild game and corn cakes.

The LaRues were well received by the Marion settlers, a few of whom had arrived about 1820. Through these kindly and helpful folks the LaRues learned of a small clearing and an empty log cabin a few miles northwest of the settlement. They temporarily located there, wintered and raised a crop the following summer. The fall of 1824 was used by Major LaRue for exploration trips on his pony, while looking for a suitable location on which to permanently settle, clear and purchase. Most of the surrounding forest lands were impenetrable but could be explored by following the Indian Trails which were no more than old buffalo trails. These followed the high ground and forded the streams at the shallowest places.

Major LaRue at first explored the trails running north, but these only took him to the Indian reservations of the Delawares and Wyandots, beyond which were the Senecas. The trails east and south led to small white settlements with the land already under claim or purchase. One day when he was at Big Island making some inquiries, a man came along the trail leading up from the old Block House on the Scioto River near the present site of Green Camp. He was Daniel Markley, one of the oldest settlers in the region. He had made several trips up and down the Scioto between the Block House and Fort McArthur (near Kenton). He told the Major of a place midway between the two former army posts, which had been used as a rendezvous by army scouts in canoes, when the river was the easiest line of communication between the two military establishments.

After the war, Markley himself had erected a cabin upstream from the Block House, where he had lived a few years (he was Montgomery Township's first settler). He informed the Major that the rendezvous midway point mentioned was on a slight elevation about a mile downstream from the ford of the Winnemac Indian Trail running from Upper Sandusky to Zanesfield.

The trail had been named because of its use by the former Indian runner of that name. A few days later, Major LaRue on his pony, traveled west from Big Island, stopping at the present site of Meeker, to talk to Col. William Cochran (Montgomery Township's second permanent settler). The Major then proceeded west to the Winnemac Trail, which he followed south to a point on the hill west of the present site of the LaRue Cemetery. Here the trail turned west and followed the high ground of the State Divide, to a point on the river back of the present John McElheny farm. The trail crossed the river at a natural ford and then followed the high ground in the present Bowling Green+Township, passing the Bonner Cemetery and running south on or near the present Winnemac Pike.

The Major crossed the ford, and followed the trail west of the river a short distance. However, he knew no land could be purchased there at that time, as only that land in Marion County east and north of the river was being sold by the Government. The Major backtracked to the east bank of the river, following it downstream until he located the rendezvous point previously described by Daniel Markley. He explored the surrounding bottom lands which he considered promising for corn growing after it could be cleared of trees and brush. He determined to negotiate for a purchase of as much of this ground as his finances permitted, after his return to the settlement.

Later that fall the Major, with the help of Colonel~Cochran, drew up a crude map of the unsettled territory between the Colonel's home and the Major's planned new location. Their purpose was to estimate the quickest possible short cut diagonally through the woods, so that a road could be cleared for the use of the Major's team and wagon. The following spring the LaRues moved to the land now occupied by the village of LaRue. At first Major LaRue entered about seventy acres which quite exhausted his means. He erected a log cabin sixteen feet square. This was the first structure in the shape of a house on the site of the present village. It was close to the river on what is the east side of Front Street, just north of the railroad and west of the depot. Those days it was a real wilderness inhabited mostly by Indians with only one white family within six miles. Later he erected a house of hewn logs, next to the river, on the south side of what is now Market Street.

From Major LaRue's reminiscence of the early settlement as printed in an 1883 history of Marion County is a quote in part "I chopped off five acres of timber land that spring, trimmed and burned the brush, planted corn among the logs as they lay, and raised a crop of corn. There was no road sod to get here I had to cut one through the woods, for about four miles. Game was plenty in the Scioto bottoms. One night I shot five deer by candlelight and got back home by 11 o'clock. This was done from a canoe. Jerked venison was a very common food in those days. At another time, I stood in nettles as high as my head and shot eleven turkeys as fast as I could load and shoot. Coons were so plenty as to be a nuisance. They were very troublesome about our cornfields, and, of course, were fat. I caught and fried out enough, one season, to make twentyone gallons of oil, which I sold for 50 cents a gallon to Sears, in Big Island, and with part of the proceeds bought a tremendous pair of andirons--the first we had."

Rev. W. P. LaRue, a nephew of Major LaRue, in a public address at the celebration of the ninetieth anniversary of the village, stated,'(My Uncle, Najor LaRue, was a large, strong man, standing about six feet two inches and weighing a little better than two hundred pounds. At one time a hungry wolf, prowling about his premises at night stirred up some geese, whose outcry aroused the faithful watch dog who immediately joined issue with his majesty. The noise of the conflict aroused the Major, who disregarding the winter wind, ran out, grabbed an axe from the woodpile and followed the combatants as they grappled in fight, finally ending the battle with a well-directed blow with the axe across the wolf's back. Again, one day a bear came into his yard, picked up a good sized shoal and proceeded to carry it off in his arms. The shoal's squealing aroused Mrs. LaRue and she called the Major, who with his gun, followed bruin into the woods and shot him, but not till after he had made a meal of the pig.''

In course of time other pioneers settled in western Marion County on both sides of the,river. The territory east and north of the Scioto was Congress Lands; that west and south was Virginia Military Lands. Grand Township included Montgomery, Bowling Screen and a south-western portion of Wyandot County, with Marseilles the voting place. The nearest post office was at Cochranton (now Meeker). It had been established at the house of Col. Cochran and he had been appointed Postmaster. The mail was carried from Marion to Bellefontaine on horseback, the mail carrier following the half-beaten path of the Indians. He would stop at Cochranton to leave what mail he had for western Marion county settlers, and then proceed on his trip. The LaRue and neighboring settlers would dispatch their own mail by pony rider to Cochranton whereupon he would return with the in-coming mail. It had first reached Marion via stage coach operating between Lake Erie and the Ohio river, as long distance mail was transported via boats on one of these two water. ways. In 1832 Montgomery Township was organized and included Bowling Green. In 1838 Bowling Green was organized from that part of Montgomery, south of the river. Major LaRue by now was operating a river ferry, a tavern for travelers and a trading post for Indians, in addition to his farming activities. He was a Major of Militia which in those days was responsible for preventing trouble between the Indians and the pioneers. Major LaRue and other settlers on the river bottom lands quickly learned the greater value of oxen over horses in pulling loads upon soft and muddy grounds. Some of the pioneers used oxen exclusively for logging and transportation purposes.

NOTE: Cost of equipments for early pioneer farmers:

A yoke of oxen about............$70.00

Cow.......................................$15.00

Farming tools.........................$25.00

Ox Cart..................................$30.00

.............................................$140.00

A two room log house using hired labor $100.00 (most people built their own) It was not until 1843 that the last tribe of Indians left Ohio. The Government purchased their lands in Wyandot County the year before.

In the meantime many cornfields and pastures were appearing among the forests. Sometime before Major LaRue settled here a tornado had passed over what is now Bowling Green, from southwest to northeast and felled a wide strip of timber for a distance of several miles. Its course can still be traced by the road that runs southwest from the Wm. Guthery home on State Route 37 to the Winnemac road. A little later, whether by accident or on purpose, this windfall timber was set afire. (It was the custom of the Indians to burn the woods over in the autumn for convenience in hunting). There was such a mass of dry timber and brush that it resulted in the practical clearing of much of that land. It was called the"Wind Fall" and is known by that name to this day. At a later time three men went there and planted large fields of corn from which Major LaRue bought about 1600 bushels at 14 cents per bushel. With this he fattened hogs and drove them to Sandusky to market. He also bought cattle later and drove them to Detroit. This was before railroads.

Good water mills were far away. West Liberty was one of the places the settlers went to mill. The trip required three or four days and nights of camping out. A hand mill bought by Major LaRue was used by the entire community for several years, but hominy was one of the chief articles of food and wheat bread was considered a luxury. In 1835 Myers and Armstrong built a mill at the bend of the Scioto River. A dam was constructed, but it kept breaking away. This mill and others at various times were operated by Lewis Topliff, Joseph Sturges and others. One thing and another happened to the mills until the last one burned. After that the nearest one was at Marseilles. Major LaRue planned for a future day when a new and better mill might be built surrounded by stores and shops.

Competition was appearing close by. A town had been laid out in the center of Bowling Green Township by Thomas Parr. It boasted a tavern, a dry goods store, two groceries., a blacksmith shop, a wagon shop, a horse mill, and a post office. It was first called Holmesville and later Parr Town. Winnemac, another town in Bowling Green Township was situated at the four corners, one-half mile west of LaRue. It consisted of the Bonner home (now the Cooper home), the Banner School, a Presbyterian Church, store and three or four other houses. However, when LaRue was established in 1851, with a railroad stop the following year, the little towns in Bowling Green gradually disappeared.

The problems and achievements of the early settlers here were no different from those of all pioneers. They were a hardy people with indomitable courage. The log cabin homes which dotted the frontier served as the first churches. It was a common practice, when the children of school age numbered twelve, in a neighborhood, the log schoolhouse was built, with it s rough slab desks and wenches, to become the first community center. Here the scholars said their lessons, here the spelling bees and singing schools were held. It was in one of these schoolhouses where Elders Dudley and Hatch preached their first sermons in the settlement.

The former also read the first marriage ceremony when Almon Bryan, a brother-in-law of Major LaRue and Jane Cochran were married in 1832. The first death in the settlement area was that of W. Crandall who was buried on his own farm. The burial plot is now surrounded by a high board fence, and can be seen just east of the J Wayne Hoagland home.

In 1845 the first religious protracted meetings were held. The rafters in Major LaRue's barn echoed the songs of the Methodists, where the women sat on slab benches and the men and boys reclined on the hay. The Baptists walked a plank over the water' s edge to assemble in Topliff's Carding Mill. Out of these two revivals grew the organization of the two churches, and in 1850, the Baptists built the first church building within the present village, with Rev. George Baker, the pastor. That log house of worship, located among the markers of the village burial ground, was shared with the Methodists who held afternoon services, with Rev. Armstrong, the pastor.

Before 1843 the river had to be crossed by ferry, or through the fords, neither method being practical during high water. The first bridge across the Scioto, making trave easier between the LaRue settlement and Bowling Green, was an open structure about eight rods below the present west bridge. It was 100 feet long, with abutments made of logs and the piers of frame work. Major LaRue sawed the timber and not a dollar was paid out for work. Two such bridges washed away before the old wooden covered one was built, at a cost of $2200.00.

In 1845 Major LaRue built a one and one-half story frame residence, near the site of the old log house, and at the same time built another sixteen by sixteen feet, adjoining. (This stood until 1882 when it was moved back to South Street, which, at that time, ran west of High. Later it was moved again to the west side of Section Line Road, south of South Street, and divided into three houses. The middle house is no longer standing. The other two~are-occupied by Ed Monk and Lawrence Gantt.

One of the older community frame buildings now standing in LaRue is the Bowdre Grocery Store.

The little settlement was growing and in 1845 the district school, a frame building on the northwest corner of South and High Streets was built. Peter Marsh started a Sunday School in the Bonner School house west of the river, where it was maintained during the summer for many years.

Illness was a desperate experience at best, but more so in those first bleak winters before Dr. Wilkins came in 1848.

Major William LaRue died August 18, 1880, his wife having preceded him in November 1857. Their only surviving child, Celinda, married J. F. Marsh in 1853. To this union were born William, Ella, and Arthur, all deceased. The oldest descendants of Major and Mrs. William LaRue, now living, are five great grand children, Mrs. Susie Anderson Jackson, Marsh Anderson, Mrs. Ella Marsh Geiger, Mrs. Doris Marsh Neally and Mrs. Gertrude Marsh Rhodes.

THE VILLAGE OF LARGE

1851--1951

A railroad, to run between Cleveland and Cincinnati via Columbus was talked of for several years. and when actual work had begun in 1845 Major LaRue was one of the county people interested in a westward connection being made to Gallon. He headed a subscription with $1,000, and gave the company right of way, with the provision that LaRue should always be a watering place, thereby causing all trains to stop here. (It remained the only water stop between Gallon and Bellefontaine for many years).

Then the Major began planning a town, and laid out the original plat of ninety lots, four of which he gave to the four religious groups, along with a donation of $100 to each. In the years following, other additions were made by Lewis Topliff, J. F. Marsh, Joseph Slanser, Hopkins and Leonard, and Wm. West.

The same year Henry Seigler opened the first store, on the river bank at the end of School Street, and Hiram Mills, seeing the need of his services, came to set up his undertaking establishment where the Memorial Hall now stands. Here he made and lined the caskets. He lived in the house now occupied by Dr. R. A. Dietrich.

Other business men were coming into the town to investigate its possibilities, and in the spring of 1852 Rogers, Patten and Gillespie opened the first hotel to accommodate them. This was the Union House at the southwest corner of High and Vine, later known as the National House, and then the DeLauder Hotel. That year the railroad reached Marion. On February 15, 1853 the Post Office was established, with George W. DeLong as Postmaster, and the following June the Bellefontaine and Indiana Railroad was completed through LaRue to Union City.

Those railroad tracks through the forest were a thrilling sight as they opened a whole new world and era. As the railroad approached, the hewing of railroad ties became a new industry, and yokes of oxen pulling them over rough logging roads, to the railroad, a new sightseeing experience.

One can imagine that the "old-timers" were soon bragging, ``You should have lived here when the only way to Marion was over a blazed trail " .

This year the Presbyterians had outgrown the Parr Town schoolhouse in which they organized in 1843, with Rev. Cephas Cook as pastor, and built the Winnemac Church.

When Celinda LaRue married James F. Marsh in 1853, Major LaRue built a house for her on Market Street, where Mrs. Charles Gillespie's residence now stands. (This house was moved, during World War 1, to the southwest corner of Vine and Section Line Road, and is now occupied by Mrs. Don D. Shira. Later Celinda built the house now occupied by Harry Armstrong---site of her father's log house. She also built for her daughter, Mary Ella, who married Ezra Anderson, the house now occupied by George Raub.

In 1857, at the death of Mrs. LaRue the Bonner Cemetery was opened. The LaRue Cemetery was not opened until 1885.

From the 1883 history of Marion County, a description of the ague is quoted in part... One of the obstacles to early settlement and prosperity was the ague, fever and ague or chills and fever, as it was variously termed. In the fall almost everybody was afflicted with it. It was no respecter of persons. Everybody looked pale and sallow, as though he were frost-bitten. It was not contagious, but derived from impure water and malaria. The impurities, combined with those which come from bad dietetics deranged the whole vital machinery. By and by the shock would come in the form of a shake, followed by a fever. When you had the chill you couldn't get warm, and when you had the fever you couldn't get cool. It was exceedingly awkward. nor would it stop for any sort of contingency. When the appointed time came around. everything else had to stop. It didn't, have even Sundays or holidays. You felt as though you had gone through some sort of collision, or threshing machine, or jarring machine and came out, not killed but you sometimes wish you had been. You felt weak, languid, stupid and sore, and down in the mouth and heel, and partially raveled out. Your back was out of fix, your head ached and your appetite was crazy. Your eyes had too much white in them; your ears, especially after taking quinine, had too much roar in them, and your whole body and soul were entirely woe-be-gone, disconsolate, sad, poor and good-for-nothing.

In 1861, the start of the Civil War found many LaRue men enlisting for military service. During the four years of conflict LaRue boys grew up and followed the same course. Finally, most all of the able bodied young men were absent frown the community. This condition slowed the progress of the struggling young village, but on May 7, 1863 the village was incorporated, and Maj or LaRue, who had been proprietor of the town, turned his powers over to Daniel Laufman, the first Mayor. John S. Peck was elected Recorder, T. S. Miller Treasurer, and the council members H. P. DeLong, A. P. Johnson, J. M. Little, A. Pickering, and T. S. Miller.

The Methodist began their first church, a frame one, but did not dedicate it until 1870.

In 1865 the districts were combined to form the Union School, and soon a T shape frame building was erected on the present school site.

Also in 1865 the council deemed it necessary to order plank sidewalks to be laid in front of all residences, and Jones and Manley opened the first drug store in 1866.

The early Catholic settlers met at one of the members' residence to attend the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. When they numbered twenty-five families in 1868, a frame edifice was erected, to be replaced with a brick church four years later.

In 1868 Christian Bechtold started the Wood Bending Works on the river bank where shafts, felloes, buggy bows, buggy poles, and other kinds of bent work were made.

The second hotel, the LaRue House, was built where Blazers now live.

And thus the people were looking forward again, forgetting slowly the trials of war. Fires had destroyed many of the old frame business buildings, and in 1870, J. F. Firstenburger, who owned a brick yard, built the first brick building. It was purchased by C. Gracely & Bros., and is now occupied by the Handy Hardware. The next year Hopkins. Leonard, J. Copeland, and M. L. Evans erected the three room, two story brick block, now occupied by the Playhouse, Seiler's Grocery, Dennis Pharmacy, and Krogers. In 1877 they added an adjoining room, now occupied by the Knotty Pine Restaurant.

The F. & A. M. Lodge completed the second story for a hall. In 1881 Mrs. Mary Henninger built a two story brick business house adjoining C. Gracely Bros., on the north and the next year W. L. Marsh built the brick building now occupied by Bailey's Hardware. The same year J. W. Knapp erected the two story brick, now Cook's Market. The nucleus of a permanent business district was begun.

Hopkins and Leonard ran a dry goods, grocery, and clothing store, in which Mr. Leonard opened the first private bank in 1876.

George D. DeLauder established a carriage factory. on Vine at Chestnut in 1872, and Stephen New ran an ashery, on the river bank north of the railroad where soft and bar soap was made.

By now a few housewives were the proud possessors of a No. 1 Kerosene lamp. Prior to this they made their own candles, and used the old grease lamp.

July 1873 Ordinance: The Street Commissioner shall, between the 1st day of May and the 1st day of October in each year, order out all male residents of the corporation, between the ages of 21 and 55, not exempt by law, to work out a poll tax or other tax, upon the streets. (This constituted two days work at ten hours per day).

The village was growing, not only because of the industry coming into town, but the neighboring farmers were doing well too. The laborious task of clearing the fields of stumps had been making possible the planting of crops other than those first small patches of corn. In 1875 J. F. Marsh, associated with a Buffalo firm, bought and shipped $46,000 worth of cattle, all from within a ten mile radius of LaRue. In 1878 the first LaRue Elevator was established with John Bain, president. As early as 1866 a flour mill had been built on the lot west of the depot, by Ludlow and Elliott. This will be best remembered as the Allinger & Quigley Mill.

In 1876, the centennial of American Liberty, (George A. Fleming and John Tritt came to establish the LaRue News, and J. C. Bechtold (brother of Christian) began making carriages-and wagons on the river bank.

The Baptists built their brick church in 1877, and the third hotel, The Commercial House, was built on the southwest corner of High and South. As the village grew, so did the problems of the village fathers."

There were many cholera epidemics in the state, but only once, in 1854, did it effect Marion County. However, in July 1873 the Mayor issued the statement:

Cholera is headed northward, and the Marshall and Street Commissioner are instructed to put forth special effort to remove all filth, stagnant pools, etc...

Special notices were published, and a copy placed in every home.

More and better sidewalks were needed, and the new specifications were: " To be Constructed of good oak or pine plank, not less than four feet wide, and not less than one and one-half inches thick, substantially nailed with *20 spikes on four by six inch solid white or burr oak stringers."

High Street was "raveled from South to School, in 1875, to a width of eighteen feet, and the "old timers" were recalling the old corduroy roads made of logs, and of the gravel and dirt filling necessary to raise the street out of the marshy bottom land,

There was no town hall, and the council was meeting various places, including the village jail back of the DeLauder carriage factory. It was usually occur pied by a culprit or two. There is a tale about one, who tore down the chimney, brick by brick, and escaped through the hole in the roof. Another refused to pay his fine, and the corporation found it owned no tools with which he could work it out. A mattock and shovel were purchased.

The bucket brigade was no longer adequate fire protection, so a fire engine arrived in November 1877, and early the next spring the engine house was completed on the west side of High Street, on the present site of the north section of the Sager Implement Store.

That fire engine resembled an oversize child's express wagon. It was propelled through the streets by man power, and the pumps were worked by hand. Therefore the sixty-seven volunteer firemen were needed. W. E. Parker was the Fire Engineer, and the department was divided into two companies, the -Hook and Ladder, and the Hose Company. The first water supply was from four large cisterns and three hydrants which furnished water from the tank of the railroad.

In 1881 the Presbyterians moved their church from Winnemac to LaRue, being the last group to make use of their lot. The first class was graduated from the LaRue High School, and the following year, to accommodate the children of a growing population, the primary school was built on the southeast corner of the school grounds.

Clay Seffner remembers skating on the floor of the old frame school when the winter floods came.

George DeLauder built the Old "Opera Housed in 1883-84. This "civic center~became the scene of high school graduation, which had formerly been held in the Baptist Church. Political rallies, dances, lectures, dramas, and medicine shows were only a few of the activities which took place there. Many people will remember the Kinsey Comedy Company who played there often.

In 1885 a village Board of Health was established, comprised of: Dr. C. E. Sawyer, Dr. Wm. Shira, Dr. T. K. Scott, J. Quigley, J. W. Knapp, and T. W. Wasson.

The following year Bariah Miller was connected with the tile mill. "Bry" is remembered as the last man in the vicinity to use yokes of oxen.

About this time A. Amrine constructed an " Ice House. on the corner of Front and Vine Street. During the winters many helpers would be employed to cut ice from the frozen Scioto River. The ice was sawed in standard size chunks, and floated to shore in a water channel. Here they were loaded in bob-sleds to be transported and stored within the ice house. Much sawdust was used in packing the ice so that it was preserved in its frozen state throughout the summer months. The ice was used in the early home made refrigerators and provided the source and possibility of the "old fashioned" ice cream socials, picnic lemonades, cold drinks, etc., for community pleasure.

1887 found the villagers agog over the drilling of gas or oil wells. Three were drilled, one north of Vine somewhere near Chestnut, the second on the river bank at the end of School Street, and a third off of South High near the Commercial House. None produced enough to be of commercial value, but some homes used gas for awhile, and there were a few gas street lights.

This year, too, LaRue boasted it s first town band. Under the leadership of Henry Topp, they ventured to compete with 25 or 30 other bands on the Niagra Falls excursion and brought home the blue ribbon.

Sometime before this, veterans of the Civil War had formed the G.A.R., Owen Gray Post, an organization for their mutual benefit. In October 1887 the Women's Relief Corps, an auxiliary to the Grand Army of the

Republic, was organized with Mrs. Jane Allinger, president.

In 1888 W. J. Campbell opened a private bank in his drug store, the office of Street Commissioner and Marshall were combined, and the following year the first fire bell was installed on the engine house.

During this decade the first LaRue Library had been established by a group of interested citizens. This lasted only a few years.

1890 saw the ambitions of a community come true with the completion of the new brick school with an auditorium on the third floor. Jacoby's 1907 history states that this building was one of the finest in the smaller towns in the state. The council bought the small primary building and moved it in front of the engine house for a town hall.

In 1891 Dr. Charles E. Sawyer established the Sawyer's sanitarium on Vine Street. It consisted of 15 to 20 beds for patients. Nurses were trained and given diplomas, although it was not an authorized training school. When Warren G. Harding went to Washington in 1921, to assume the presidency, Dr. Sawyer accompanied him there as his physician. He was commissioned Brigadier General of the Medical Reserve Corps, U. S. Army, March 12 1921, and was officially called to duty as physician to the President. At the death of Harding he was appointed to serve President Coolidge in a similar capacity.

Gillmore's Band of New York City was nationally known. In 1892, the band's famous leader, Patrick Gillmore died during a western trip. While the train, carrying hi s body back to New York for burial, stopped at LaRue for water, the band played a funeral dirge on the platform. One of the cornetists was John Philip Sousa, who later was made leader. Then the band became the great Sousa's Band known for the playing of Sousa's March arrangements, which are so popular to this day.

William McKinley, while running for President of the United States, visited LaRue in 1896. He made a front porch speech at the home of Dr. Scott, now the Keith Ridgway home. This speech was followed by a reception at the J. H. Leonard home, now the Don Lingo Home.

The Methodists completed and dedicated their new brick church in 1895, and the following year the Presbyterians dedicated their modern frame church.

The fire department added a chemical wagon in 1895, and not long after that the forerunner of the twentieth century appeared. Long distance telephone lines opened another era. One long distance phone served LaRue and surrounding community. It was located in the Joel Kemper Candy and Tobacco Store. a small- building on the corner where the municipal hall now is. Clay Seffner recalls how, often a group of boys, waiting until the store was busiest? would turn on an alarm clock at the rear door for the fun of watching someone vainly answer the phone.

The tempo of living was increasing-too rapidly for the citizens--and an ordinance was passed, by the council, making a 5 mile per hour speed limit for vehicles within the corporation.

In 1898, the peace of the nation was broken again, but the Spanish-American War was of short duration. There were too few veterans to form a post here, and they joined a Marion veterans group.

The year 1900 saw the first R. F. D. Route, and the first rural carrier was David Clark. The canning factory on the east side of McCormack Street, at the railroad, was being operated by Swain, McCormack and West. The hame factory owned by Short and Knapp was on Chestnut. Bibb, Gottschalk and Patterson were operating the Bibb Hoop and Stave Factory on the west side of McCormack, at the railroad. This was a temporary business which moved on when the supply of timber was exhausted, but out of it grew the LaRue Telephone Company. Being interested in the telephone for their own business. Bibb and Gottschalk, with Wm. Kniffin, who became Manager, organized the company, and bought out the long distance lines. The number of subscribers began with fifty, but expansion was rapid and soon there were branch exchanges at Agosta, Meeker and Marseilles. Mrs. R. D. Heckle was the first day operator, who later became chief.

Shortly after this company began operation, a rival, the Independent Telephone Company opened an

exchange on the second floor of the Swallem building. Their "lockout" system gained them many subscribers When the operator dialed a number on a party line, a red signal appeared on all other phones on that line, and they were out of service for the duration of that connection It was soon discovered, however, that jarring would release the red light, breaking the lockout and a conversation was no longer necessarily private. Their talking point gone, the popularity of the local company gained rapidly, and the "Independent" ceased operation.

At the dedication of the G. A. R. Hall in 1902, the "Boys Fife and Drum Corps", under the leadership of Don Shira and sponsored by the veterans took an active part. They helped raise money for the hall. They were the "pets,` of the old soldiers. LaRue had a good "Brass Band ''but the veterans still craved the music of fife and drum to which they had marched and fought during four long years. The G.A.R. two story frame hall became a general civic center until replaced 46 years later by Memorial Hall, a modern cement structure. The old hall was headquarters for the LaRue Military Cadets, a youth organization equipped with U. S. Army surplus rifles and equipment.

Changes were now coming about rapidly. 'Newt' Davis' first automobile became the envy of the adventurous, and the horror of the horse and buggy owner. No longer was a trip behind "old dobbin,, a time for meditation. He didn't understand the new contraption and usually showed it.

In 1904 power for the electric street lights was being supplied by contract with J. A. Slauser. Again the "younger generation" was hearing about the "old days" when street lighting consisted of candles, protected by glass shades atop crude poles. They could remember the kerosene lamps and the Old Lamplighter". Scheduled to be turned on at dusk (depending upon the season and the weather) the electric service depended, too, upon the Scioto, for during high water the plant in the Lumber Company was flooded. In all cases the current was turned off at 12 midnight.

In 1922 this plant was abandoned and a public utility came to LaRue.

Homes evidently were using electricity before this, but the current was not available constantly. Ironing days are still remembered, as certain days of the week only.

By the end of 1906 an automobile fire engine had been purchased.

Then came February 21, 1907! Alas! Alack! or Oh, Happy Day! depending upon whether you were adult or child. Most kids dream of it, and the natives over 50 years old, can remember the day the school building burned. No lives were lost. many of the books were saved, and classes resumed in the Presbyterian Church, G.A.R. Hall, the town hall and other places. When the school was rebuilt the third floor was omitted.

In 1906 LaRue High School Inaugurated competitive athletics with neighboring towns. Football and baseball were played, with John Harris as coach. Town baseball had originated at the close of the Civil War when the veterans played and taught the game to others. During many years that

followed, LaRue had several famous town teams. When they played home games the band and whole country-side turned out. These ball games and the horse racing at the old track north of town were the chief sport attractions of the community during horse and buggy days. Do you remember the old LaRue Street Fairs, when the phonograph and lantern slide pictures made their first appearance to the astonishment of the crowds?

In 1908-09 William (Billy) Marsh organized the band named for him, and for a number of years they played for fun and for others. At Billy's funeral ' Nearer My God to Thee,' was followed by "Over There" as the sun was setting on the lowered casket. This at the request of 4Billy" who was a grandson of Major LaRue. It turned out that the Swan Songs of Billy's Band had been played. The grief stricken members dissolved and never played again as a group.

Prior to 1909 the council had employed legal services as needed, but that year a local attorney, Burle Hune, became the first village solicitor, The next year the Knights of Pythias built their brick building, including the'`New Opera House' and the following year High Street was paved from School to South Street.

A flood surpassing that of 1883 and 1904 swept over a wide expanse of territory in the western part of Marion County in March 1913. This flood was of wide scope, with other communities and cities throughout the state suffering loss of human lives in addition to great property damage . The rain began early Sunday morning and continued to downpour until by Tuesday morning 90 percent of the area of LaRue was inundated, and scores of homes flooded. The village had been in darkness since Monday night. Canoes and rafts, hurriedly constructed, evacuated families. Tuesday, during the high stage of the flood, a train from Bellefontaine brought eight boats with a crew of men. By actual count there were one hundred washouts on the railroad between LaRue and Agosta. Communication with the outside world was limited to telephone and telegraph services. No mail was received for more than n week. No human lives were lost, although there was a great destruction of property and live stock.

The next two years saw the rest of the brick streets laid.

By now the skies were, darkening in Europe and we were soon plunged into World Bar I, to leave another scar upon the community and the nation.

Twelve ladies organized the LaRue Red Cross Unit immediately, with Mrs. D. D. Clifton, President. Before the war ended forty women ' were meeting regularly to sew. They were also knitting helmets,' wristlets, socks, sweaters, etc.

Following this conflict the American Legion of LaRue was the first Post formed in Marion County, with Dr. J. C. Thuma, Commander. They were invited to share the G. A. R. Hall for their meetings. In memory of the first boy from this community to give his life in World Bar I, it was named Clarence Phillippi Post No. 101.

Other local boys to give their lives were: Charles Shuster, Fred Thornburg, Floyd Shirk, Lawrence Harris, Henry Chambers, and John Shuster.

The Auxiliary Unit to Clarence Phillippi Post was organized in 1921, with Hrs. Nina parker, President. Gold Star Mothers of this group were Mrs. Elmer Harris, Mrs. Matthew Thornburg, Mrs. Oliver Shirk, Mrs. John Phillippi, and Mrs. Seldon Shuster.

Before the boys returned more landmarks had disappeared. Prohibition had closed some business places, of which there were several. The wagon and carriage factories had been replaced by garages some years before, and the last livery~stable closed it's doors in 1917. Again it was time for looking back. Gone were the days when the traveling salesman rented the sample wagon to peddle his wares over the countryside. Gone were the days when young swains hired a livery rig to take the best girl riding. Gone was the hang out for boys who loved the smell of horses and leather; or, who earned extra spending money pumping water for the horses, and the handy-men who washed the buggies. The need for the hitching posts and racks, and the horse watering troughs was passing.

The railroad, the name of which had been changed to the big Four", was doubled tracked in 1918, and a new interlocking tower built.

In 1922, Walter Lingo Started to assemble the Oorang Indians at their camp on the south bank of the Scioto, west of highway 37. They were real red-men from many tribes throughout America. The organization consisted of a dancing team and football team. They held a franchise with National Football League and played games and gave exhibitions in many large cities from the Atlantic to the Mississippi. The best remembered game was their 1922 win over the 1921 Champion Buffalo Bisons. Their leading star performer was Jim Thorpe, All American Half-back and winner of the Pentathlon and Decathlon in the International Olympic games of 1912 in Sweden. Recently (1951) Thorpe was awarded the honor and recognition of being the greatest athlete of the last half century and also the greatest football player by the Associated Press poll of sports writers and radio commentators. He was listed as half-back on the All Time American Football Squad.

With the completion of the new high school in 1925 consolidation took place which marked another milestone in school history. The last little red schoolhouse was abandoned, (at one time there had been ten in the district, with an enrollment of 285) and the LaRue District now included areas in Bowling Green, Montgomery and Grand Townships in Marion County and Dudley in Hardin County, covering a 40 mile square area. About 36` children were transported to school in five large motor trucks and five horse drawn vehicles.

Prosperity and expansion of business and agriculture in and around LaRue continued through the decade following World War I. Then the ugly "Depression" showed up with its financial ruin to many business establishments, banks, farms and homes. The unemployed searched for work at a dollar or less per 10 hour day. Conditions stayed bad but government aid and employment kept things going until World War II.

The '30s are remembered as a period of stagnation. It seems like a bad dream or nightmare when many heads of families desperately used every possible means in providing the bare necessities of food, shelter and clothing. Nothing of importance in village growth or expansion occurred at this time.

However, when a fire partly destroyed the brick K. of P. building, P. W. A. labor was furnished by the Government to help the community rebuild it into the present municipal hall. The Knights of Pythiss took a 99 year lease on the second floor. In 1936 the council established headquarters in the re-constructed building. They abandoned the old fire engine house and installed the equipment in its present location.

The same year the Henkle Memorial Library was opened. The council donated rooms in the municipal building, with heat and light. In 1937 the library was made a branch of the Carnegie Library at Marion The plans had originated in 1934 when the late Rae Henkle, a New York City publisher, wrote to his aunt, Mrs. R. D. Henkle, suggesting that the 20th Century Club sponsor the library in memory of his mother, a charter member. The offer was accepted, and through the tireless efforts of members and later supported by other clubs and associations the library was opened. Many interested persons contributed books, including Mr. Henkle and his daughter, Henrietta Buckmaster, both authors.

The Marion Rural Electric Co-operative was incorporated in March 1936 by a group of Marion County farmers who were desirous of obtaining electric service for their farms.

The system was energized February 12, 1938, and consisted of 210 miles of line serving 600 farms. It now serves 1500 farms and operates 410 miles of line.

Probably no other single thing has contributed to the raising of the living standard in the country as has the advent of electric service to every farm in this vicinity, providing power for the farm and the farm home.

Mechanical improvements and remote controls were making possible the handling of trains from greater distances. Fewer personnel were needed, and the interlocking plant had been closed in 1932...the last of three towers which had, at one time, stood between Marion and Ridgeway. Ten years later, just as coal had replaced wood for fuel, the diesel engine was beginning to replace the steam locomotive.

December 7, 1941 began as a peaceful Sunday, but before the day closed an appalling sadness had fallen over the country. Americans were experiencing the battle horrors of World War II. Here-at home total rationing was soon in effect, the Red Cross was providing work for idle hands, First Aid Classes were being held, Blood Donor Stations were busy, and the Civilian Defense Corps were doing extensive training For it's participation in numerous blackouts and mock bombings, the LaRue Corps received recognition as the leading rural organization in the State of Ohio. Not until the surrender of Germany in May and of Japan in August 1045 did the boys begin to return and a nation to think again of civilian progress.

During the war the American Legion had changed it's name to Phillippi Clement Post, to give the memory of James Clement the same honor which had been bestowed upon Clarence Phillippi. The ladies Auxiliary Unit honored three more Gold Star Mothers: Mrs. Emery Clement, Mrs. Nellie Tillman, and Mrs. William Carlisle. Other boys from LaRue Community who did not return were Raymond: Carlisle, James Tillman, Willis Kuba, and Frederick Cramer.

Planned before the close of the war the legion's new home, Memorial Hall, was completed in 1948~ In this the auxiliary was helpful, beyond the line of duty".

Much of the construction was done by volunteer labor, and a great full community helped finance the project. To make room for it, the old G.A.R. Hall was razed. A mason jar was found in the corner stone, containing this message from those heroes who had passed beyond:

"This hall was erected in memory of the soldiers who served in the war of rebellion. The following names were members of Owen Gray Post No.274, Grand Army of the Republic. The finder of this memento will be the owner of same and we hope he may cherish this small slip of paper as we the boys did the old flag and it's principles which we fought for, protected and honored at all times and places.

Now we can do no more and we trust and believe that the rising generation may enjoy the many blessings that are to be enjoyed under the shadow of the flag we hand to you. It represents liberty and equality to all mankind wherever it may be".

Bryon Kilbourne, William Withrow, George W. Wright,- Ira Williams, T. W. Thatcher, M. Leffler, Jacob Miller, Marshall Markey, Matthew O'Harrah, John Price, W E Parker, David Rizor, Basil Ridgway, T. T. Bell, R. E. Benson, A. Konkle, Alex Robinson, Dr. Scott, J. M. Shuster, LeRoy Scranton, Daniel Stoffer, J. W. Hague, G. M. Schreck, Wm. M. Stackhouse, Wm. Thomasson, Daniel Williams, A. Amrine, M. E. Burke, H. C. Birley, J. M. Bell, A. C. Brady, Wm. Bain, J. Chrystler, D. H. Clifton, W. J. Dall, Ellis, Daird Gatchell, Dad Harness, Peter Helwig, Wm. Hickman. J. Hanover, John Hinds, Jacob Henkle, and M. S. Knapp.

Other veterans joined the Post later. Among these was William Kinnamon, whose death on January 4, 1939 closed that chapter of LaRue history.

In 1929 the Legion had obtained a shaft from the Harding Memorial, which was erected in the LaRue Cemetery as a monument to departed soldiers of all wars. Outstanding are the services held each Memorial Day in several cemeteries, honoring all veterans.

In 1945 a new fire engine had been purchased, replacing the old 1922 Garford, and the chemical cart.

In 1948 the street markers were installed.

The new high school athletic field was lighted in 1950, and the LaRue Waterworks completed.

As this history is written an annex to the Methodist Church is being finished to be used as an educational unit. A village floral park, on the Lingo, lot where Major LaRue built his first log cabin is being planted by several organizations.

Population: 1880--614; 1890--913; 1900--997; 1910--772; 1920--795 1930--698; 1940--714; 1950 unofficial, 790.

In addition to the war veteran organizations mentioned in our history, there are a number of worth while fraternal, service, cultural, social, and youth groups which have contributed much to the good of LaRue and Community. Some have come and gone. Those now active are listed below in chronological order:

F. & A. M. Lodge No. 463

1872 Fraternal

Walter Scott Lodge No. 214 K of P

1886 Fraternal

Mary Lenox O E. S.

1898 Fraternal

Zenith Temple Pythian Sisters

1899 Fraternal

20th Century Club

1900 Study Group

Embroidery Club

1906 Social

W. S. J. Club

1911 Social

Tymochtee Grange

1919 Fraternal

Happy Tyme Club

1920 Social

Bowling Green Grange

1921 Fraternal

Montgomery Grange

1921 Fraternal

Business Men's Luncheon Club

1923 Village Improvements

Good Friends Club

1924 Social

Town and Country Garden Club

1939 Gardens

Business Women's Association

1940 Civic Betterment & Social Advancement

S. S. H. Club

1947 Social

Home Maker's Club

1947 Home Making

J. A, M. Club

1948 Social

Young Mothers

1949 Child Conservation

Lions Club

1950 Community Welfare

Youth Groups

4-H, Future Farmers, Future Homemakers, Juvenile Granges, Rural Youth Group, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts and Brownies.

Excerpts from an article written for the LaRue News in 1928, by the late Ralph Parlette, Lecturer, Humorist, and Author, about life in LaRue in the year 1888:

''The LaRue of today is far different with its autos, radios and prohibition. I don't believe the youngsters of today can have any more fun than we kids had back there in the throes of whooping cough and puppy love. We had our kissing parties, our libraries, our spelling schools, our taffy-pulls and our oyster suppers. We boated, and skated on the stormy Scioto. We would fill a bobsled full of boys and their girls and chase out into the country to Lillie and Susie Raub's home, or to Newman Sifritt's home, or out to Joe Johnson's in Montgomery, or to forty other places. Our thriller was to turn the corner too fast and upset the bobsled, hurling the screaming girls into a snowbank. We played postoffice , pick cherries , skip-come-a-loo , and occasionally there was a progressive euchre party, that got horribly roasted if a church member heard about it. Really, the young folks then were going to destruction just like they are now! My finest suit then, that I graduated in, cost about $8, and I wore a paper collar on special occasions, none in between times. The girls wore cloaks of cloth that cost around $10 to $15, and comforters around their necks, with long skirts, woolen stockings (I am told) and high cowhide shoes whose tops disappeared up under their skirts.................You could clothe a whole bobsled load for what one gown costs today. Face powder and lipstick weren't dreamed of, and yet we fell in love just as violently. We pressed the creases out of our boughten pants just as the boys today press the creases into them.

I graduated in the class of 1887 in DeLauder's Opera House...... A young man from Marion came and gave the class address, Warren G. Harding. Or, maybe it was that handy-man for funerals and picnics Rev. J. A. Sutton, and the great printer-editor came for another, school doings. I can't remember ma commencement speech, couldn't that night! It was something about ho-; Greece and Rome fell and LaRue was falling, but the class of '87 would save it......

Main street was populated by giants in those days. Doc Campbell ran the drugstore and first bank I ever saw. Milt Virden had a drugstore right beside him. Seffner's dry goods and clothing store was on the south and then Jim Leonard's clothing store. Across the street was Matthew Knapp's Banner Grocery - Matthew, the smiling war veteran. L. H. Lingo had the corner dry goods store, and Billy Gaston ran the imposing National House. Oney Kane was Postmaster, followed by Billy Marsh. A. Amrine was meat-market man and mayor, and George DeLauder ran the grand opera house and shoe store for horses. A. C. Smith was harness maker and choral director.

Homer Mills and his father were undertakers............McCrary and Sharp, Holliday and Henkle, and genial Sam Riley were also grocers. Maggie Knapp had the millinery Shoppers of that day. Crowley and Wehrley and Jim Kane ran two of the refreshment houses that Volstead tabooed. Besides Dr. Mouser, I recall Dr. Scott, who wore pointed toed boots (Isn't it strange what a kid will remember and what he'll forget?) Dr. Copeland and Dr. Banning. John Van Orsdall and Sard Simpson were shoemakers. Scott ran the livery barn Oh, Yes, Dr. C. E. Sawyer had his beginnings there before going on to Marion and Washington. And Gustave Trapp was furniture merchant. Orren Prettyman was captain of the dray......

The institution I venerated was the LaRue Band when Dave Miller played the E-flat, Johnny Seitz played the B-flat, Henry Topp played Clarinet, Sherd Koons played alto, Len Corey played tuba, Billy Marsh, baritone. Harvey Johnson and Ebb Thomas the "umpah horns" and I played at corneting when they'd let me come along. I was crazy about brass horns. That little band could play, as they discovered at the Crestline tournament when it walked away with the prize over bands thrice as big.

I began teaching after getting out of high school. My first school was out the Winnemac Pike.....I never

was a teacher (I always had pupils that knew more than I did!)

The first lecture I ever heard was Belva Lockwood* in DeLauder's Opera House. Ten years later, by some strange accident I found myself out on the lecture platform........honored by LaRue to come back and lecture at the Methodist Church veigled into buying a ticket to paint the parsonage or something. The brethren welcomed me royally and gave me a most elaborate dinner. I visited around clear up to lecture time. I never once thought of the lecture so dazzled was I with my own glory. I was introduced as the boy orator of the surging Scioto, got up and looked at that crowd, opened my mouth, but nothing came out.........there I was looking down into the faces of my old classmates, creditors, and neighbors and I couldn't think of one blessed thing to say! I was full of pie instead of prophecy. The evening was a flop; and I carried the remorse of it for years..........All these years I have refused to visit before speaking. I'll play and look at albums afterwards, but not just before.

*As I have traveled over North America these forty years, I have met many from the old homeland and invariably they are giving good accounts of themselves............I wouldn't trade a day of now for a year of boyhood, So, to the youngsters of LaRue today, I have one sincere thing to say............You have greater opportunities today. But, as your receptivity grows you will find life getting better through the years.......May LaRue live and reap her share of the good things of life.

*Belva Lockwood: American Lawyer and Reformer, First woman permitted to practice before U. S. Supreme Court; nominated for President of U. S. 1884 and 1888 by Equal Rights Party

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