200 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. Another of these important institutes was held in the summer ot 1870, for one week, with an attendance of twenty-eight males and sixty-five females, which also proved of great interest. This was followed by a session in July, 1873, of one week, with an attendance of sixty-five, and one each in March and August of 1875. holding, also, one week, seventy-five teachers being present. In 1876 a five-days session was organized at which about 100 teachers attended. This was followed by similar sessions in 1S78, 1879, 1880 and 1881. The last and largest of all was the two-weeks session of 1882, when 150 teachers and students showed their appreciation of the value of these institutes by their close attendance from the open. ing to the close, Superintendent R. W. Stevenson, the Hon. T. W. Harvey and Professor Mendenhall conducting the work. STATISTICAL. The following educational statistics, taken from the State Commissioner's Report of Common Schools, for the school year ending Aug. 31, 1881, are interesting and instructive. They show in a succinct and clear form the progress that has been made in educational matters in Athens County: 204 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. ATHENS COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY The mineral interests of Athens County, while being rapidly developed of late, was not the pioneer business of the settlers. Vast as are the deposits of iron, coal, fire-clay, etc., the agricultural interests of the county are by no means small. The cereals, grasses and stock raised exceed the value of the mineral product as yet, and there are few, if any, counties in the State better adapted to stock-raising than those located in the Hocking Valley. It could be made a vital and important interest in the future growth of these counties. Agricultural and mechanical associations have, from an early day, been a strong incentive to intelligent farm labor. The rivalry which is excited is one to be commended, and to this spirit it may be said, has the rapid stride been made, which has placed the farm in the front rank of advanced material production and given employment to the inventive genius of man. This is, and always will be, the result of a well-organized and managed agricultural society, and they should be encouraged and fostered. Athens County holds a front rank in agricultural production and stock-raising in the State, but that position could be materially enhanced by enlarging their field of action, and by giving a full week to the exhibition of ALL the products of the county. HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 205 WHEN ORGANIZED. The first agricultural society of Athens County was organized May 19, 1828, under the name of the " Athens County Agricultural Society," and as was stated in the preamble, '' was for the purpose of raising a spirit of, emulation and improvement in the culture of the soil, and the domestic manufacture of its products." The organization formed a constitution and by-laws which covered the rules and regulations usual to such societies, and appointed committees to solicit subscriptions, etc. The committees were as follows: Athens.—S. B. Pruden, R. J. Davis, Charles Shipman. Alexander.—Ziba Lindley, Jr., Asa Stearns, Daniel Dudley. Ames.—Colonel A. Boyles, Geo. Walker, Jacob Boorman. Bern.—James Dickey, Wm. T. Brown, Robert Henry. Canaan.—Parker Carpenter, Martin Mansfield, Harry Henshow. Carthage.—Francis Caldwell, B. B. Lottridge, Milton Buckingham Dover.—Josiah True, Daniel Herrold, John Pugsley. Elk.—Thomas Johnson, James Bothwell, Edward Dodge. Homer.—R. S. Lovell, Selah Hart, Win. Hyde. Lee.—Jacob Lentner, Michael Canny, Wrn. Brown. Lodi.—Joseph Thomson, Rufus Cooley, Elam Frost. Rome.—Elijah Hatch, Daniel Stewart, John Thompson. Troy.—Charles Devol, Alfred Hobby, Wrn. Barrows. Trimble.—Wm. Bagley, Samuel B. Johnson, James Bosworth. Vinton.—Daniel H. Horton, Isaac Hawk, Samuel Zinn. Waterloo.—Joseph Hewitt, Nathan Robinett, Alexander Young. York.—James Knight, Joseph J. Robbins, Robert Terry. A meeting was held in July following which showed the work so far advanced as to arrange for a fair. This was accordingly done, and October was designated as the month to hold the first agricultural fair in Athens County, which was also the first held in Southern Ohio. The fair was primitive in many respects, but was considered a success for the times. At the annual meeting, which took place on the 16th of the following April (1829), an effort was made to enlarge the scope of the society and infuse a new spirit in the enterprise. This was in a measure successful, and the organization received a fresh impulse. The meeting adjourned after electing the following officers for the ensuing year: 206 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. President, Ziba Lindley, Jr., Vice-Presidents, Christopher Wolf, Athens; Samuel McKee, Alexander; Abel Glazier, Ames; James Dickey, Bern; Joshua Hoskinson, Canaan; Fr. Caldwell, Carthage: John B. Johnson, Dover; Justus Reynolds, Elk; H. Alderman, Homer; Jacob Lentner, Lee; J. Thompson, Lodi; Daniel Stewart, Rome; Wm. Barrows, Troy; Win. Bagley, Trimble; Geo. Utsler, Vinton;. Joseph Hewitt, Waterloo; James Knight, York; Treasurer, Thomas Brice; Secretary, A. G. Brown; Directors, Levi Booth, Colonel Absalom Boyles, Robert Linzee, Calvary Morris, S. B. Pruden, Isaac Baker. There was $75 appropriated at this meeting for premiums at the coming fair. This was not a large sum, but it was considered as about the amount that could be afforded. The largest was to be given for the best stallion, owned and kept by a member of the society, $4. The next largest for the best pair of working oxen and yoke, $3. For the best six merino ewes, $2. Best beef animal, $2. To the person producing evidence of having killed the greatest number of wolves, two young ones to be counted as one old one, $3. Best specimen of sewing silk $1 00 Best five yards fulled cloth, 3-4 wide 1 00 Best ten yards linen 1 50 Best straw or grass bonnet 1 00 This fair was held, as was several others afterward, but the organization was kept up but a few years, when it gradually sank to rest. The General Assembly of the State passed an act Feb. 25, 1832, authorizing the establishment of such societies in the several counties of the State. This was the first general recognition of the farming interest by the State Legislature. Undoubtedly it did some good, but the main trouble was that the country was too young and too thinly settled to make fairs a success in many counties of the State. There was but little further action for a number of years, when the subject was again revived by legislative action. A NEW DEPARTURE. An act of the Legislature, passed in 1846, to encourage the formation of agricultural societies, provided that whenever a society might raise $50 as a fund for paying the premiums and other expenses of an exhibition, the State would contribute $50 addi- HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 207 tional. The subject of forming such a society in this county came up in 1850, and resulted in a call for a meeting to be held Jan. 13, 1851. At that date a number of the citizens of the county met at the court-house, and effected a temporary organization by calling Joseph Post, of Lee Township, to the chair, and appointing George Putnam, of York Township, Secretary. On motion of A. B. Walker it was resolved to proceed to form an agricultural society for Athens County. A committee of five—S. Rice, A. B. Walker, A. Love, Ezra Goodspeed and Hiram Stewart were selected to draft a constitution. They reported the following, which was adopted: "ARTICLE 1.—The officers of the society shall consist of a president, vice-president, recording secretary, corresponding secretary, treasurer, and five managers, who, together, shall constitute a board of directors for the general management of the affairs of the society ; they shall be elected annually by the members of the society, and bold their offices until their successors are appointed. ARTICLE 2.—Members of this society must be- residents of the County of Athens, and pay the sum of $1 annually to the treasurer. ARTICLE 3.—Competitors for premiums must be members of the society. ARTICLE 4.—A list of the articles for which premiums are to be awarded by the society must be published in a newspaper or in hand-bills six weeks previous to the day of exhibition. ARTICLE 5.—All articles offered for premiums must be owned by the persons offering the same, or by members of their families; and products of the soil, or manufactured articles, must be produced or manufactured within the county of Athens. ARTICLE 6.—Awarding committees of three persons each shall be annually appointed by the directors, for judging the different classes of articles offered in competition, and awarding premiums for the same. ARTICLE 7.—The awarding committees for the improvements of soils, tillage, crops, manures, implements, stock, articles of domestic industry, and such other articles, productions and improvements as they may deem proper, and calculated to promote the agricultural and manufacturing interests of the county, shall so regulate the premiums and the different grades of the same as that it shall be competent for small as well as large farmers to compete therefor in conformity to the second section of the law of Ohio for the encouragement of agriculture. 208 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY . ARTICLE 8.—Competitors for premiums on crops shall be required to have the ground and its produce accurately measured by two disinterested persons whose statements shall be verified by affidavit. ARTICLE 9.—Premiums on grain and grass crops shall not be awarded for less than one acre, and on root crops not less than one fourth of an acre, under the rules in relation to all crops and productions to be agreed on by the directors of the society. ARTICLE 10.—The annual exhibitions of this society shall be held at such place within the county as may be designated by the directors, on the third Wednesday of October, the premiums on crops, if necessary, to be awarded at a later period. The members who joined at this first meeting of the society were as follows: Joseph Post, Ziba Lindley, George Putnam, Hiram Stewart, John Ballard, A. Ryors, J. M. Dana, E. B. Talley, Eleazer Smith, A. J. Wilmarth, E. D. Harper, B. F. Johnson, A. J. Van Vorhes, James D. Johnson, John T. Glazier, E. F. Brown, George Walker, Jr., Alexander Love, N. 0. Warren, A. B. Walker, E. Mathews, Chandler Rosceter, H. B. Brawley, Samuel Gillett, N. P. Hoisington, Charles Dickey, James Dickey, John Elliott, John B. Brown, John Welch, Sabinus Rice, James W. Bayard, R. E. Constable, Joseph Herrold, 2d, Joseph Morrison, Ezra Goodspeed, Joseph Goodspeed, Peter W. Boyles, Hugh A. Poston, Alex. Stephenson, John Beabout, J. L. Currier, Daniel Nelson, P. M. Starr, L. Jewett, TT. Hay, 0. Gillett, N. Root, E. H. Moore. Win. Golden, W. P. Johnson and Bernard Howson. The following were chosen as officers: Sabinus Rice, President; Ziba Lindley, Vice-President; George Putnam, Recording Secretary; A. B. Walker, Corresponding Secretary; J. M. Dana, Treasurer; Henry Brawley of Ames, Eleazer Smith of Athens, Hiram Stewart of Rome, Peter W. Boyles of Lodi, and Charles Dickey, of Bern, Managers. The first fair was held at Athens, Oct. 15, 1851, and, all things considered, was a success. About a hundred premiums were awarded, and the exhibition of stock was satisfactory in most particulars. The productions of the dairy and domestic manufacture were well worthy of commendation. The specimens of grain were remarkably fine, and the quantity raised per acre was also respectable. Forty-five and a half bushels of wheat and 120 of corn to the acre, were reported. The second annual fair was a decided improvement over the HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 209 first. Two hundred premiums were offered and the fair lasted two days—Oct. 14 and 15, 1852, the weather favorable and the attendance good. The first day was devoted exclusively to the exhibition of stock, which was of a much better grade than the first year. At this fair there were entered for exhibition seventy-two horses, sixty-three head of cattle, thirty-two of sheep, and twenty-one hogs. An address was delivered by Hon. John Welch, and short speeches were made by others. The third fair occupied two days, Oct. 6 and 7, 1853, and the fourth was held on the 5th and 6th days of October, 1854. This was on a larger scale, there being sixteen classes of articles, with a separate committee of judges for each. The admission fee charged was 10 cents. A riding match was held, in which the equestriennes competed for a gold locket, a gold breast-pin and a gold pen. These first fairs, though mere experiments, drew a good number of visitors from all parts of the county, and quite a number from surrounding counties. The fairs continued to be held annually, and the interest in them increased until the eighth annual fair showed a membership of 500 and the receipts over $1,000. The ninth fair proved the most successful of the series, being held three clays under the name of the "Athens County Agricultural and Mechanical Association," and came off Oct. 11, 12 and 13, 1859, with some new features not before given. The attendance was estimated at froth 10,000 to 12,000, although Vinton, flocking, Washington and Ross counties held their fairs at the same time. The membership ran up to about 650. There were 669 entries of articles, and $427 in premiums were awarded. The receipts were $1,500, which placed the society on a sound financial footing. As before, the show of live stock was the best feature, although many were attracted by the trotting races held this year for the first time. Five entries were made. Sorrel gelding "Jake," raised in Athens County, but owned by Dickey & Seamon, of Morgan County, won first money, $'20.00. Time, 3: 01 and 2: 58. Brown mare " Kate " took second money, $10.00. Time, 3: 05 and 3:07. From this time on for some fifteen years annual fairs were held with the exception of 1862. There were little changes to note, with the exception that pleasant weather insured a much more sue_ cessful fair than wet or bad weather. The sixteenth fair, in 1866, was the best held up to that time, and the only one whose receipts equaled the fair of 1859. The next was the twenty-first, - 14 - 210 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. held in 1871, the receipts of which were reported at the same tires as given twelve years previous. From the twenty-first to tin twenty-seventh fair, inclusive, the success was but moderate. Tin twenty-eighth fair showed receipts aggregating $1,700, and that o the twenty-ninth, over $2,000, they being held respectively in 187 and 1879. The thirtieth annual fair held on Oct. 6, 7 and 8, 18S0, was the most successful, for many years, of the series held. The races this year were also very fine: The gate receipt were over $2,000. The thirty-first annual fair was held Oct: -5, 6 and 7, 1881. The season had been a very unfavorable one for the farmers, and cot sequently the number and quality of exhibits showed a considerable falling otf. The gate receipts were $1,900, of which $1,250 wer paid out in premiums. The thirty-second annual fair, held Oct. 4, 5 and 6, 1882, was great success in every respect. The season had been a good one agriculturally, and the farmers came forward with a goodly num ber of live stock and farm products. The gross receipts wer S2,556.94. The premium list was quite a liberal one, aggregating $1,750. The society is now in a flourishing condition, and is destined t( be a most successful organization for the agricultural and stock interests of Athens County. ATHENS COUNTY PIONEER ASSOCIATION. The advantages of organizing pioneer societies to keep alive the memory of early days, to record in permanent shape (Air early history, and to promote a fraternal feeling among surviving pioneers have been felt and acted upon in most localities. Nearly every county has its organization, and holds reunions at stated periods. Athens County was rather slow to take the necessary steps; but interest was finally awakened, and in pursuance of a call, by a committee previously appointed, a number of citizens of the county met at the court-house in Athens, Dec. 26, 1868. The meeting was called to order by lion. Calvary Morris, Chair man, with appropriate remarks. A. B. Walker was chosen Secretary, pro-tem., and the committee appointed for the purpose reported a constitution and by-laws, through Dr. William Blackstone. The following extracts are made : HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 211 "The object of' this association shall be to gather together and preserve reminiscences, statistics or other information connected with the settlements and history of our town, county and the southern part of Ohio previous to the year 1820. " Any person may become a member of this association by paying into the treasury thereof the sum of $1 and signing the constitution, provided that he or she has lived in the State of Ohio on or before the 4th of July, 1830. "The annual meeting for the election of officers shall take place on Saturday succeeding Dec. 25 of each year, and the semi-annual meetings on the fourth Saturday in July, at Athens. "In case of the death of any member, an attendance upon the funeral, on the part of the members of the association, in a body, shall be observed as far as practicable." The following persons signed the constitution at this meeting and became members: Isaac Barker, General John Brown, Nathan Kinney, Calvary Morris, Archibald G. Brown, William Blackstone, John Perkins, Francis Beardsley, John N. Dean, Oliver Childs, Jacob Swett, John Brown, Oscar W. Brown, George Putnam, Gilbert M. McDougal, Archibald B. Walker, Daniel B. Stewart, Joseph Tippie, Henry B. Brawley, Peter Stalder, Samuel Pickering, Ephraim C. Brown and William Golden. Also, Matthew A. Patrick, John Ackley and Benjamin T. Randall were elected corresponding members. The members present then proceeded to the election of permanent officers for the ensuing year, which resulted as follows: President, Isaac Barker; Vice-President, General John Brown; Corresponding Secretary, Archibald G. Brown; Recording Secretary, Archibald B. Walker; Treasurer, John Brown; Executive Committee, Calvary Morris, Elmer Rowell, William Blackstone, William Golden and George Putnam. After the transaction of some further business the meeting adjourned. The next meeting was held April 7, 1869, at the court-house. and several papers of great interest relating to pioneer life and border warfare were read. Brief addresses were also delivered by several of the members. A very profitable meeting of the association was held Sept. 30, 1869, at New England, in this county. Vice-President General John Brown presided, Judge Barker, then in his ninety-first year, being unable to attend. At this meeting the constitution was amended so as to admit to full membership all females of the families of members who have been in the State the requisite time, with- 212 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. out any initiation fee; and the third article was so amended that persons resident of Ohio previous to 1840 (instead of 1830) were eligible to membership. It was also directed that in future the annual meetings be held on the 7th of April (the anniversary of the landing of the first settlers at Marietta), and the semi-annual meetings on the 7th of October, when either or both of said days happen on Sunday, the day following to be substituted instead. T. L. Dewess, Jacob Tedrow, B. F. Johnson, Andrew Dodds and Orange Barrows were added to the list of members, and under the amendment eighteen ladies were received on the list of members. The secretary announced at this meeting the death of several pioneer women of the county, viz.: Mrs. Betsey Parker, Mrs. Apphia Hamilton, Mrs. Maria Dean and Mrs. Lydia Nye. Mrs. Parker was a daughter of Joshua Wyatt, who settled in Ames Township in 1801. Her marriage, May 13, .1803, to William Parker, was the first in that township and the second in the county. She died in Athens, Aug. S, 1869, in the eighty-fourth year of her age. The following brief sketch of a pioneer was read and entered on the minutes: " Henry Bartlett, a native of Beverly, Mass., came to Marietta in the year 1796, and settled in this county time following year with his Young family, living in the town of Athens till his decease, Sept. 9, 1850, in the eightieth year of his age. Mr. Bartlett was on many accounts distinguished among the early pioneers of our county Having enjoyed good opportunities in early life, fitting him for public business, lie was appointed by the County Commissioners, Clerk of the board; and of the County Courts in 1805, the year of the organization of the county. He held the position of Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for more than thirty years, and for a still longer period several other offices, including those of Secretary and Auditor of the Ohio University. His superior penmanship was noticeable among the best writers of the day, and his numerous friends were justly proud of his distinction in that line." Judge Morris, in a short address. remarked that there were older members present than himself, but that he had lived to see great and important changes in the county, especially in the way of public improvements. In 1828 lie rode on the first ten miles of railroad constructed in the United States for the conveyance of passengers, from Baltimore to Ellicott's Mills. The car was made like the body of an omnibus, with seats along the side, and drawn by a single horse, and he thought it a great treat thus to ride ou a railroad. In 1842 lie witnessed the first public experiment of Pro- HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 213 fessor Morse's telegraph, when the communication extended only from one room of the capitol to another. The Judge then closed with a few remarks upon the rapid growth and extension of improvements generally since that period. The annual meeting, held April 7, 1870, at the court-house, was replete with interest. Judge Barker, then in his ninety second year, presided at the opening, but soon called Judge Morris to the chair. Among the interesting features of this meeting was the presentation to the society, by General John Brown, of a tax duplicate dated June 27, 1807. The following were elected officers: President, General John Brown; Vice-President, Hon. C. Morris; Corresponding Secretary, Hon. A. G. Brown; Recording Secretary, A. B. Walker; Treasurer, John Brown; Executive Committee, H. B. Brawley, William Blackstone, William Golden and G. M. McDougal. The semi-annual meeting of Oct. 7 following was presided over by Hon. Calvary Morris, the Vice-President, although the President, General John Brown, was present. The principal object of discussion at this meeting was the first public library northwest of the Ohio, the claims of Ames Township (since substantiated beyond dispute) to priority on behalf of the " Western Library Association " having been disputed by Cincinnati. A committee was appointed to investigate the subject and have the question forever settled. General C. H. Grosvenor, Rev. John Stewart, Rev. John Fletcher Stewart, General T. F. Wilder and Charles E. M. Jennings joined the association at this meeting. The next meeting was the annual one of April 7, 1871, presided over by Vice-President Calvary Morris. The committee appointed to investigate the matter of the first public library in the Northwest made a lengthy report, which was placed on the records, presenting the respective claims of Ames and Cincinnati, and proving that the honor belongs to Ames. A number of interesting and valuable documents were presented to the association. Elmer Armstrong, Leonard Brown, John Ballard, Ziba Hoskison, Dr. S. Howard, Colonel William S. Wilson, Enoch Cabeen, Alfred Morrison and Frederick P. Kassler joined the association. The following officers were chosen: John Perkins, President; H. B. Brawley, Vice-President; A. G. Brown, Corresponding Secretary; A. B. Walker, Recording Secretary; and John Brown, Treasurer. This session was well attended. A meeting of the association was held at Amestown, July 4, in conjunction with a celebration by the citizens of that vicinity. 214 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. General Thomas Ewing was present at this meeting. His father, Hon. Thomas Ewing, had been expected, but could not come on account of failing health. He died soon after. The following is the letter of regret written by him and read by General C. H. Grosvenor: LANCASTER, July 3, 1871. Gentlemen: I find it will not be in my power to attend the Amesville pioneer celebration on the 4th. Though my health is tolerable, I cannot endure even a small amount of fatigue; and on consulting my physician, he advises me not to venture. I would be very glad to meet you all, the living friends and associates of my boyhood and early youth, and the descendants of those that are gone; but as I cannot, I send my third son, General Thomas Ewing, Jr., whom I trust you will find a creditable representative of the first pioneers. I visited Amesville a few weeks since, after an absence of fifty-five years, and found my memory fresh as to places and persons. The streams appeared small, and the valleys narrow, but rich and beautiful as when I last knew them. To me, while I lived in it, and until I left it, it was a happy valley; there was little material wealth in it, but one could see a verification of the assertion of the poet. that a people "though very poor may still be very blest." There can grow up no inordinate wealth here to disturb the quiet tenor of life. While it is abundantly prosperous, its tranquillity is not in danger of being destroyed by those terrible commotions which distract the greater world. Mr. Walker's History of Athens County marks well the calm and steady progress of this happy valley in population and in mental culture, much of which is due to our early library association; and I am strongly impressed with the opinion that it is entitled to one year's earlier date than his record gives it. In the spring of 1803 my father removed his family to a small farm seven miles southeast, on the Marietta road. In this I am not mistaken, as I made record of the date on the bark of a beech tree which I have seen often since. I remained on the Amestown farm to go to school, and helped my brother take care of the stock. Judge Walker came in November of that year and occupied the principal cabin, and such of our family as remained, a smaller one on the other side of the little run. I was reading a library book —" The Children of the Abbey "—and had got together a good HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 215 supply of hickory bark to make me a light, and I rose an hour or two before day and sat on a stool by the fire reading. Henry Bartlett, Esq., who happened to be with us that night, came and sat also and asked to look at my book. I handed it to him, and, as he returned it, it fell open on the fire and scorched and spotted several of the leaves. By the rules of the library there was a fine for every spot; and in counting up the injury in fips and levies, I found myself a bankrupt boy. However, I took the book to the next library meeting, explained the misfortune, and the board very kindly remitted the fines. If the volume (I think it was the second) be still in existence, it must bear the marks of the adventure. This antedates Mr. Walker's record several months. I think the money was raised and the books bought and on hand before that record was made out, and that it is but an official recognition of a past fact. As to Morse's Geography, I studied it as early as 1800; but it was no doubt a hook on hand, afterward turned in by Mr. Cutler and my father as part of their contribution to the library. I remember a rural scene of the summer of 1800, simple and childish, but illustrative of a fact in history. Mrs. Brown had a handsome little tomato plant of the small round kind, which was then called love-apple. It was not known among us as an article of food until several years after the French inhabitants of St. Domingo had been driven from the island and had taken refuge on our shores, and then its use extended slowly. On the day named, children of the two families were at play in Mrs. Brown's garden, when suddenly the alarm was raised and ran through the little group that Apphia Brown had eaten a love-apple! We sped with the fearful intelligence to the grown up people, who did not partake of our alarm, and it passed of without a catastrophe. It was many years later when I first saw the tomato used on our tables as an esculent. For many years we had no postoffice nearer than Athens, but my father's little farm on the Marietta road was passed once a week by a mail carried on horseback between Clarksburg, Va., and Chillicothe, one week east, the next week west. I always took care to be on hand when the mail passed. It was carried by a boy of sixteen or seventeen, John Davis, who became my intimate friend, and I fed his horse and mother gave him supper and a bed with me by the fire, as a reward for the news he brought us. I have often sat up till ten o'clock listening for his horn; he was very 216 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. punctual with his sachel of " news from all nations lmnbering at his back." I am indulging in trifles, but " these little things are great to little men," and I write as I would talk with you, if present. I wish all our assembled friends many happy returns of this glorious day. I am very  Respectfully Yours, THOMAS EWING. The semi-annual meeting of October, 1871, was held in Athens, when several reminiscences were presented and the usual routine business transacted. The annual meeting of April 6, 1872, was held at the courthouse and presided over by John Perkins. John Welch, J. M. Dana, Rev. Justice Reynolds, Dr. Eber G. Carpenter, William Courtney, George Linscott and David Goodspeed were received as members. Hon. John Welch was chosen President; H. B. Brawley, Vice-President; John Brown, Treasurer; A. B. Walker. Corresponding and Recording Secretary; D. B. Stewart, George Putnam, Leonard Brown, Charles H. Grosvenor and T. F. Wildes, Executive Committee. The meeting was well attended. The semi-annual meeting of Oct. 7, following, was presided over by Hon. John Welch. Joseph Herrold, James G. Owens and William H. H. Mintern were received as members. The most important feature of this meeting was the reading of memorials in regard to a number of pioneers who had recently passed away, among them Mrs. Phoebe Sprague, Mrs. Joseph Post, Mrs. Betsey P. Walker, Mr. Samuel Brown and Dr. Chauncey F. Perkins. The annual meeting in April, 1873, was presided over by Vice-President H. B. Brawley. The election of officers resulted in the choice of J01111 Ballard as President; H. B. Brawley, as Vice-President; A. B. Walker, Secretary; John Brown, Treasurer; J. H. Glazier, Leonard Brown, I). B. Stewart, C. H. Grosvenor and George Putnam, Executive Committee. A picnic and meeting of the society was held Sept. 6, following, at Millfield, Dover Township, which was largely attended, and enjoyed by all. John Wyatt, J. P. Weethee, James Henry, A. W. Glazier, John M. Hibbard, J. H. Harris and Ebenezer Pratt were received as members. The deaths of Dr. Solomon Howard, Jacob Tedrow, John Frame, Alexander Caldwell, Isaac Coe, Mrs. Nancy H. Perkins, Mrs. John Haldren and Captain Jasper N. Watkins were HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 217 announced. A number of interesting communications and donations were received. The annual meeting, April 7, 1874, presided over by John Ballard, was held at the Presbyterian church in Athens. After an interesting meeting, the following officers were chosen for the ensuing year: President, Hon. N. H. Van Vorhes; Vice-Presid George Putnam; Secretary, A. B. Walker; Treasurer, John Brown; Executive Committee, Leonard Brown, H. B. Brawley, D. B. Stewart, J. H. Glazier and S. W. Pickering. The annual meeting of April 7, 1875, was held in the M. E. church at Athens, and was presided over by Hon. N. H. Van Vorhes. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: President, N. H. Van Vorhes; Vice-President, Dr. Wrn. Blackstone ; Secretary, A. B. Walker ; Treasurer, Hon. E. H. Moore; Executive Committee, Judge Leonidas Jewett, Dr. E. G. Carpenter, George Putnam and Joseph Herrold. The Secretary reported the death of John N. Dean, June 23, 1874, in the eightieth year of his age; of Nathan Kinney, Aug. 26, 1874, in his ninety-third year; Oliver Childs, Feb. 3, 1875, in his seventy-eighth year; and Nelson McCune, Hon. Jacob C. Frost, Judge L. Jewett, `'Vrn. Mason and Hull Foster were elected members. The next meeting of interest was held April. 7, 1877, at the new city hall in Athens, Hon. N. H. Van Vorhes presiding. Judge John Welch delivered an instructive address in the afternoon. • The following officers were chosen: President, Hon. N. H. Van Vorhes; Vice-President, G. M. McDougal; Secretary, A. B. Walker; Treasurer, E. H. Moore; Executive Committee, H. B. Brawley, M. A. Patrick, D. B. Stewart and Elmer Armstrong. The annual meeting of April 8, 1878, the tenth since the organization of the society, was held at its room in the court-house, which was tastefully decorated for the occasion with flowers and house-plants, contributed by the ladies. Vice-President Gilbert M. McDougal presided. A large nu tuber of contributions of books, papers and reminiscences were received through the Secretary, A. B. Walker. For the ensuing year Gilbert M. McDougal was chosen President; Elmer Armstrong, Vice-President; A. B. Walker, Secretary; E. H. Moore, Treasurer; Executive Committee, Dr. E. G. Carpenter, Hon. John Welch, B. F. Johnson, H. B. Brawley and D. B. Stewart. The deaths of Elmer Rowell, Oct. 26, 1877; John Wyatt, Oct. 31, 1877; and Jacob C. Frost, March 24, 1878, were reported. 218 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. The annual meeting for 1879 was held May 7, at the city hall, and was presided over by President Gilbert M. McDougal. The deaths of Dr. William Blackstone, March 18, 1879; Bishop E. R. Ames, April 25, 1879; and George Linscott, April 19, 1879, were announced. A number of contributions were received, and the following officers were elected: President, G. M. McDougal; Vice-President, Samuel Pickering; Secretary, A. B. Walker; Treasurer, Hon. E. H. Moore; Executive Committee, Dr. E. G. Carpenter, Hon. John Welch, B. F. Johnson, D. B. Stewart and H. B. Brawley. July 4, 1879, an interesting meeting was held at the " grove " near Amesville, the principal features of which were speeches by lion. Charles Townsend and Judge A. G. Brown. A goodly number of members were received at this time. Their names are as follows: Daniel Fleming, A. W. McLead, Alfred Matteson, George S. Anderson; J. N. Pitcher, George Ed. Henry, S. J. Wel Jr., Fred Stalder, John Patterson, Solomon Hill, J. H. Blundell, W. M. Henry, Elizabeth Whaley, Lucy Fleming, Rebecca Smith, Annie L. Brown, Mary MeLead, Sarah E. Patterson, Sarah E. Matteson, Jane Wells, Lydia A. Blundell and Lavina Henry. Sept. 1, 1879, a petition praying for the assignment of a room in the court-house for the use of the association, and signed by twenty-five members, was presented to the Board of County Commissioners. This board, then consisting of Messrs. F. Finsterwald, Elza Armstrong and W. H. Curfman, unanimously granted the society the use of the southeast room of the basement. The next meeting was held April 7, 1880, at the city hall, the room in the court-house not being yet prepared, and was presided over by D. B. Stewart, of Athens. The death 0 John Perkins, of Athens, one of the oldest merchants in the Hocking Valley, was announced, and a biographical notice prepared by President Scott was read by the Secretary. By a unanimous vote it was decided to hold the annual meetings thereafter on the fourth Wednesday in May. William Nelson, Cephas Carpenter, and William H. H. Mintern presented themselves for membership and were admitted. The election of officers resulted in the choice of the following: President, D. B. Stewart; Vice-President, Eli F. Brown; Secretary, A. B. Walker; Treasurer, Joseph H. Norton; Executive Committee, Dr. E. G. Carpenter, B. F. Johnson, W. H. H. Mintern, Samuel Pickering and Cephas Carpenter. The annual meeting of 1881 was held May 25, and was the firs held at the room in the new court-house. D. B. Stewart preside HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 219 The deaths were reported of Ce phas Carpenter, John Ballard, Robert Henry and Judge Leonidas Jewett, members of the association, and of Edwin Corner, Ann C. Grosvenor and Sarah Damns, well-known pioneers, were announced at this meeting. New members were received as follows: Louis C. Butler, Levi Pickering, John Cornwell and A. J. Wilmarth. The association was then photographed, sitting on the steps of the court-house, by Mr. Graham, of Athens. At this meeting Mr. A. B. Walker gave up the offrce of Secretary, after serving in that capacity for twelve years and over. Mr. L. C. Butler is the present Secretary. A meeting was held Aug. 13, 1881, to discuss the subject of a "Library Monument," and it was resolved to erect a granite monument at Amesville. A committee was appointed to solicit subscriptions for this purpose. It has since been decided not to erect any monument of stone; In lieu thereof the society in 1882 authorized the publication of a memorial pamphlet, which was prepared by Judge John Welch, and is now being circulated throughout the county. It has received many favorable notices. The Pioneer Association of Athens County has been a most useful organization, and contains many noble pioneers yet. May they live long to enjoy the annual reunions of the association. THE NEW COURT-HOUSE. Athens County has had during her existence three court-houses; besides renting a room for the first two years of her organization. The first court-house that claimed the name was a log building, with a brick chimney. It was not, as can well be imagined, an expensive building, neither was one of that kind necessary. The county revenue was but $157.60 the first year, and the remaining eleven of its existence were not years of heavy taxation. The twelfth year was the one that inaugurated the second temple of justice and general convenience, which was in 1817 or '18. This last was a more expensive affair, and for the times a fair specimen of the average court-houses throughout the State. The people of the county thought so much of it that had not " Old Father Time" shook his hoary locks at it until it trembled to its very foundation, it would have undoubtedly been. there to this day, notwithstanding the refinement of its surroundings and the pride of truly an esthetic people. 220 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. The first proposition to build the present court-house was early in 1874, by petition to the County Court to submit the voting of a two-mill tax for four years, for the purpose of building a courthouse not to exceed the cost of $60,000. This proposition was submitted to the voters of the county on April 6, 1874, being the day for the spring election. The proposition was lost by a majority of 2,211. The vote by townships is here given: This was such an overwhelming defeat that those who favored the project let it rest for a couple of years. The question was again brought before the people for their action at the spring election of 1876 (April 3), but was defeated by a much less majority in an increased vote of 106, the total vote in 1876 being 3,463, against 3,357 in 1874. The following is the vote again given by townships: While this was not very satisfactory, it was somewhat encouraging. The opposition had been reduced over 600 votes, while that in its favor had considerably more than doubled. Again, the friends of the enterprise rested for a couple of years, until June 1, 1878, when the proposition was carried by a vote of 1,213 in its favor, to 503 against it, the total vote being only 1,716, or a trifle less than half of the number polled two years before. In fact, the old court-house had given such evidences of decay that the people saw a new building was demanded, and left it to its friends to do the voting. This was as follows: HISTORY OF HOOKING VALLEY - 221 Bids were at once advertised for, and Oct. 10, 1878, awards were made as follows: Excavating and grading, D. F. Minihan, $315; stone-work complete, W. W. .McCoy, $10,250; steam heating and plumbing. Brown & Robb, $4,230; wrought and cast-iron work, O'Blenness, $10,700; galvanized iron, tin and slating, H. O'Blenness; brick-work, concrete and centers, W. W. McCoy, $7,737; painting, glazing and frescoing, W. W. McCoy, $1,635; plastering and stucco work, George H. May and C. W. Mellinish, $1,396; carpenter-work, George Towsley, $5,942. The total of these awards was $44,705. There were over sixty bids. The work was at once begun, and pushed as rapidly as prudent. The cornerstone was laid without formal ceremonies May 22, 1879. In the stone is a copper box containing copies of the Cincinnati Enquirer, Commercial and Gazette, and the Athens Messenger and Journal;\ a copy of $500 county court-house bond with coupons attached (on the back of the bond is printed a copy of the act under which the court-house was built); a list of the Presidents of the United States, of the Governors of Ohio, and of the present county and township officers; also the business cards of the several attorneys practicing at the Athens County bar, and cards containing the names of prominent citizens; checks on each of the Athens banks, greenback and State of Ohio dollar bills and specimens of our silver and copper coin. The court-house as it stands was duly completed in the summer of 1880, and was formally dedicated Sept. 10, with pleasing ceremonies. The building was brilliantly illuminated with gaslight, and the courtroom, where the exercises were held, was filled to overflowing with visitors. Entertaining speeches were made during the evening by Hon. A. G. Brown, General Grosvenor, Judge Welch, Homer C. Jones, Esq., of McArthur, and others. Mr. A. B. Walker also read a very elaborate historical sketch appropriate to the occasion. The Second Regiment Band discoursed some of their finest music from the upper balcony. Athens County now possesses in this, one of the finest county 222 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. buildings in the State. It is an ornament to the county and town, and is, moreover, built on a scale of substantialness that will conclusively prove its durability and worth. JAIL. The first jail of Athens County was built, during the first year of the county's existence, 1805, of logs and was about on a par with the other public buildings of that day. It soon was replaced by a new and better structure, but still not a sufficiently good one to safely confine desperate characters. The number of jail escapes in the history of Athens County is unpleasantly large. The present jail is a great improvement on former ones. It was built in the latter half of the year 1876, by Henry O'Blenness. The contract price was $9,238, but much more than this was required to fit the building for use. The jail is of cut stone, and is adjoining the court-house, in the rear of the sheriff's residence, with which it is connected by a brick office, two stories in height. It is 30 x 47 feet in size and twenty-one feet in height. It contains twelve iron cells, four feet eight inches by six feet eight inches, and seven feet in height. ATHENS COUNTY CHILDREN'S HOME. This benevolent institution is a result of the efforts of Mr. John S. Fowler, a Quaker gentleman, living in Washington County. He spent the greater part of the four years prior to 1880 in traveling over the county soliciting private subscriptions for the above institution. In 1880, by an act of the State Legislature, the subscription list, which had been raised to about $12,000, was placed in the hands of the county commissioners. In the same year the commissioners purchased a farm of 125 acres pleasantly situated about one mile east of Athens, lying partly in the river valley and partly on adjoining upland, at a cost of $6,600. In the following year, 1881, the farm and buildings began to be properly improved, and were made ready for occupation in the fall, the farm-house having been thoroughly remodeled and greatly enlarged so as to accommodate sixty inmates, although this number has been overrun most of the time. The subscription list was placed in the hands of the county auditor, who, up to the present time, has received about $9,500. The Home is controlled by a Board of Trustees who are chosen by the commissioners of the county. The first Board, chosen in 1881, consisted of the following men: A. HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 223 Norton, John Boden and A. W. S. Minear, Mr. Norton being Secretary. The present Board contains: J. W. Johnson, of Rome Township; Charles Henry, of Athens Township; and A. W. S. Minear, of Athens. The first Superintendent and Matron were: Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Nourse who served until Jan. 1, 1883. They were followed -by Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Thomas, who served three months, and were followed by the present Superintendent and Matron, Mr. and Mrs. Elza Armstrong. There have been received into the Home since it was opened, 117 children. Of this number fifteen have been found good homes in private families, while several have been taken back by their parents or relatives, leaving sixty-four inmates at the present time. A teacher is employed regularly by the Home, and the children are taught in a school-room fitted for that purpose on the farm. The teacher at present is Miss Ella Constable. INFIRMARY. This farm, containing 129 acres and located in Dover Township was purchased in 1857. The farm was put in repair, and an addi tion made to the building to accommodate 100 persons. The management, both of the farm and the inmates, has been improved. The inmates have numbered as high as 175 in one year. The average for 1882 was eighty-six. The first admission was James Tinkum, May 6, 1857. The farm is now in good order and a productive one. The expenses of the Infirmary for the year 1882, being a fair average, is here given: This shows an expense, per capita of 24 cents per ,day, which would seem to he about as economically as such an institution ought to be managed. 224 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. OFFICERS. The officers of the institution are composed of a Board of Directors, elected by the people, a county superintendent, matron and one general farm hand. The officials for 1883 are as follows: BOARD OF DIRECTORS. F. L. Junod, President; T. J. Allison, Secretary; Charles Henry, the three composing the Board ; Superintendent, A. Martin; Matron, Mrs. A. Martin; Farm Hand, 0. Berge. DEFALCATION AND FORGERIES. A. J. Reynolds was elected to the office of Sheriff of Athens County in October, 1871. He continued in office until the night of March 25, 1873, when he left for parts unknown. On examination it was found he was a defaulter to the amount of between $6,000 and $7,000. It was also discovered that he had put out something between $3,000 and $4,000 of forged paper at Athens and McConnelsville. The same summer he was traced to Memphis, Tenn., and there captured by Sheriff Warren, and brought back to the scene of his rascalities. He soon after stood his trial in the Common Pleas Court, found guilty and sentenced to the penitentiary for five years and served his time. His sureties on his official bonds were Joseph Herrold and J. L. Baker, who came forward and paid the amount of the defalcation. The county therefore did not come out a loser, but his sureties did. This was the only defalcation of note which transpired in the county, and the outcome of this was not of a character to make defalcations and forgeries popular among those who served the people in the character of public servants.