1500 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY were taken for a merger, and the Home Company was taken over by the Ohio Bell, under its new corporate name. In 1926 the Ohio Bell Company occupied their fine new telephone building on Huron Street between Jefferson Avenue and Monroe. In 1929 four stories were added to the eight story structure which represents a total investment of a million and a half dollars. Many local telephone plants in Northwestern Ohio have been taken over from time to time and the Ohio Bell network spreads to all corners of the continent. CHAPTER LXX TOLEDO RAILROAD FACILITIES IMPROVEMENTS AND DEVELOPMENT-IMPORTANCE TO THE CITY-FIRST RAILROAD-ERA OF RAILROAD BUILDING-HISTORY OF THE VARIOUS LINES-ELECTRIC AND BUS TRANSPORTATION-TOLEDO AIRPORT. Toledo is one of the greatest railroad centers in America. The city is an important operating division point and a natural terminus for twenty-four steam and electric railroads which enter its commercial and industrial gates. It is on the direct east and west route of the New York Central Lines—the main artery for both passenger and freight of this system. "In addition to the vast stream of railroad traffic flowing in bewildering maze through and around Toledo,'? a volume of freight amounting to some 7,000,000 tons annually, originates in the city itself, the prompt handling of which is of vital concern to its welfare- Immense constructional improvements now in progress and revisions and changes in operating methods under way, show the confidence of railroad builders and operators, in Toledo's growth and its importance commercially and industrially. It is already the third transportation center in the United States. As the Transportation Department of the Chamber of Commerce notes, aside from providing unusual advantages in transportation service, Toledo's railroads contribute very materially to the economic welfare of the city by reason of their large payroll, number of men employed and taxes paid to city and county. At the present time the total amount of salaries and wages paid to railroad employees working and living in Toledo and its immediate territory is approximately $19,000,000 annually. Between twelve and thirteen thousand men are, maintained in exceptionally steady employment, and the revenue in taxes to city and county amount to over $600,000 annually. The total value of property belonging to the steam railroads in Lucas County alone is near $30,000,000 which is one-half of the valuation of all public utilities in the county- In addition, railroad supplies in considerable quantities are - 1501 - 1502 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY purchased in Toledo. It is probably a conservative estimate, that 75,000 individuals, including members of families, or about 21 per cent of the entire population, depend for a livelihood upon the steam railroads that enter Toledo. The Toledo Terminal Railroad is a complete double track belt line, twenty-eight and one-half miles long, entirely encircling the City of Toledo and connecting with every steam road and every electric interurban line entering the city, except the Lake Shore Electric Railway, Lima & Toledo Railroad, and the Toledo, Fostoria & Findlay Railway. This railroad furnishes a convenient and expeditious route for the interchange of cars between all Toledo railroads. By reason of its close working relationship with all connecting lines it is enabled to render excellent service in car supply and car movement to and from its numerous industries and public team tracks, and through its location, skirting the edge of the city, presents practically unlimited opportunities for industrial development. Due to absorption of switching charges by connecting carrier lines on carload shipments destined to or originating at points outside the Toledo Switching District the switching service of the Terminal is performed without additional expense to the shipper or consignee. The steam railroads entering Toledo are : Ann Arbor; Baltimore & Ohio (C. H. & D.) ; Bay Terminal; Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis; Detroit & Toledo Shore Line; Detroit, Toledo & Ironton; Hocking Valley; Michigan Central; New York Central; New York Central R. R. O. C. Lines; New York, Chicago & St. Louis R. R. (Clover Leaf) Nickel Plate System; Pennsylvania; Pere Marquette; Toledo, Angola & Western; Wabash; Wheeling & Lake Erie. Electric Railroads : Detroit, Monroe & Toledo Short Line; Ohio Public Service Company; Toledo & Indiana; Toledo & Western ; Toledo Bowling Green & Southern Traction Co. The electric lines which have no railroad connection with steam railroads but handle L. C. L. Freight are : Lima, Toledo Railroad; Toledo, Fostoria, Findlay Railroad; Lake Shore Electric Railroad. EARLY RAILROAD HISTORY The first railroad in the United States, built in 1825, was three miles in length and ran from the granite quarries of Quincy, Massachusetts to tide water. It was constructed for the purpose of transporting stone for the Bunker Hill Monument, from the 1504 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY quarries to barges, which carried the material to Boston- The road with strap-iron on wooden rails, was operated by horsepower. Operation of other short lines followed and on July 4, 1828, the first earth was moved which established the Baltimore & Ohio system. It was eight years after the "Bunker Hill Road" was constructed that the first railroad west of the Alleghanies was put in operation. This was the Erie & Kalamazoo line, built from Toledo to Adrian, Michigan, and told about in earlier pages. Many stories have appeared concerning this venture, among which is one related by "Mayor" Brigham, who was at the time what might be termed "track walker, engineer of maintenance of way, section boss, section hand and repair agent, of the road." This is his experience : "In December, 1841, one Saturday, the train left Toledo on time for Adrian- I was then at Palmyra, Michigan intending to take the train for Adrian and return to Toledo that evening. Owing to a severe storm of rain, freezing as it fell, the track became covered with ice. The train reached Palmyra about 4 P. M. I entered the middle compartment of the car, and met in the car J. Baron Davis and wife, of Toledo, sitting in the forward seat. Being acquainted with them I thought I would take a seat with them, but seeing the cushion on the seat out of place, I took the rear seat, facing the one I had rejected. "We had not gone more than half a mile from Palmyra when a 'snake-head,' as they were called—that is, the end of an iron bar that had worked loose from the wooden rail—came crashing through the floor of the car, passing diagonally through the seat I had left vacant, the end of the bar striking me in my neck under the chin and pushing me backward with such force as to break the panel work partition which divides the compartments of the car. Just at this moment the other end of the bar was torn loose from the track and carried along with the car. Recovering my consciousness a little, I found myself with head and shoulders protruding through the broken partition, while I held the assaulting 'snake-head' firmly grasped in both my hands. Being a stormy day I had an extra amount of clothing about my neck which the bar did not penetrate, so that my injuries were not serious. The train was stopped and Frederick Bissell, the conductor, was much frightened. Before leaving the spot the guilty `snake-head' was once more spiked down and we moved on, reaching Adrian at 6 P. M., having made the run of thirty-three miles in ten hours. "The train left Adrian for Toledo at 7 P. M. and worked its 1506 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY way along over the ice-covered track until we got out of wood and water, when we picked up sticks in the woods and replenished the fire, and with pails dipped up water from the ditches and fed the boiler, and made another run towards Toledo. Passing Sylvania, we got the train to a point about four miles from Toledo, when being again out of steam, wood and water, we came to the conclusion that it would be easier to foot it the rest of the way, than to try to get the train along any farther- So we left the locomotive and cars standing upon the track and walked into the city, reaching there about 2 :30 A. M. I was rather lame and sore from contact with the 'snake-head', but gratified that we were enjoying the 'modern improvement.' " New York Central Lines.—So far as Toledo and this valley is concerned, railroad building on a larger scale commenced in 1849, which was the beginning in this territory of the New York Central System. In 1835 a railroad known as the Buffalo & Mississippi was projected, to run between Buffalo, New York and some point on the Mississippi River. The company was kept alive until 1849, when the control passed into the hands of the Michigan Southern Company, the "Northern Indiana Railroad," was then built from the Michigan state line to Chicago and on May 22, 1852, the first train ran from Toledo to Chicago. The Michigan Southern had also acquired possession of the Erie & Kalamazoo in 1849. This was the beginning of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern system. In 1869 this system absorbed the Cleveland; Toledo, which was incorporated in 1850 and completed in 1852; the Cleveland, Painesville & Ashtabula, and the Buffalo & Erie railroads, the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern lines are now the New York Central. The Wabash-—The Toledo, Wabash & Western Railroad Company was organized July 11, 1847. However, it was not until June 22, 1852, that a meeting was held at Logansport, Indiana and definite steps taken for the construction of the project. Toledo was represented in that meeting by James M. Ashley, Sanford L. Collins, Charles M- Darr, Simeon Fitch, H. L. Hosmer, Matthew Johnson, C. G. Keeler, J. W. Kelsey, V. H. Ketcham, Frank J. King, L. B. Lathrop, George W. Scott, Jessup W. Scott, Samuel B. Scott, Lyman T. Thayer and Morrison R. Waite. It was decided to build two roads east from Fort Wayne, one to Sandusky and the other to Toledo. The Sandusky division was never built, but the first train ran from Toledo to Fort Wayne in July, 1855. TOLEDO AND THE SANDUSKY REGION - 1507 Prior to this time two companies had been formed—the Toledo & Wabash, to build from Toledo to the Indiana state line, and the Wabash & Western, to build the road across the State of Indiana. Financial difficulties arose and the property was sold by order of the court. It was purchased by Azariah Boody (for whom the Boody House in Toledo was named) and the two companies were consolidated as the Toledo, Wabash & Western- From the western boundary of Indiana a company known as the Great Western Railroad Company completed the line to St. Louis. The work of building the Ohio section was speeded up by shipping a locomotive and rails from Toledo to Defiance by the Miami & Erie Canal. When the road was completed it became a strong factor in causing the decline of the canal. For many years it has been operated under the name of the Wabash Railway and it has been one of the largest contributing agencies to Toledo's growth and prosperity. In 1901 a branch was built between Toledo and Montpelier, where it connects with the Detroit and Chicago divisions. Cleveland and Toledo Railway-—The story of the present New York Central Lines east of Toledo is this : Two railroad companies were organized in 1850 to build lines westward from Cleveland. The Junction Railroad was projected to run via Elyria, Sandusky, Port Clinton, Perrysburg and Maumee City and connect with the Michigan Southern & Northern Indiana road in Swanton township, Lucas County. In September the Toledo, Norwalk & Cleveland Railroad Company was formed and immediately began work on a road connecting Toledo and Cleveland via Fremont, Norwalk and Oberlin. The first train over this road arrived at Toledo on December 20, 1852. The Junction. Railroad was constructed as rapidly as means could be obtained until 1853, when it was consolidated with its rival—the Toledo, Norwalk & Cleveland—under the name of the Cleveland. & Toledo Railway. As stated, this road passed into the hands of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern in 1869, and is a part of the New York Central System. Baltimore & Ohio-—The Dayton & Michigan Railroad running from Toledo to Dayton was built under a charter granted by the Ohio legislature, March 5, 1851. At Dayton the line connected with the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton for Cincinnati. By a majority vote, Toledo subscribed for a block of the stock with other municipalities, but as many of the subscribers were slow in meeting their subscriptions, it was not until August 18, 1859, 1508 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY that the first passenger train arrived at Toledo, over the line. A freight train had on July 28 previous, brought to Toledo among other consignments, ten car loads of staves for P. H. Birckhead & Company. The first passenger train event was in the form of an excursion and celebration ; there are a number of people yet living who were passengers. Besides the officials of the road, there came from Cincinnati, Stanley Mathews, later a U. S. Supreme Court justice, the celebrated Clement L. Vallandigham, and the president and superintendent of the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton road. A banquet was held at the old Oliver House and Toledo celebrated in grand style. In early railroad days, the locomotive fuel was wood, and the right-of-way along the railroads would be lined with thousands of cords of wood. Stops would be made between stations to "wood up" and the engine "tender" would be piled high with "cordwood." The passenger coaches were heated with wood-burning stoves, and on occasions in cold weather to keep from freezing, passengers would warm themselves by assisting the crew in wooding up. It was quite a task for a producer to keep track of his own cordwood and there were cases of prosecution where culprits reported the delivery of wood that was cut and delivered by other parties. The 141 miles of the Dayton. & Michigan line was taken over through a perpetual lease by the C. H. & D. and in 1917 the entire C. H. & D. holdings were taken over by the Baltimore & Ohio interests. Hocking Valley-—The Toledo, Columbus & Hocking Valley Railroad, now controlled by the Van Sweringen interests, as related in the Chamber of Commerce story, has under construcfion at Presque Isle, immense dockage facilities and terminals. The first project for direct railway connection between Toledo and Columbus was made in June, 1867, when a meeting was held at the state capital to discuss the subject. A second meeting was held at Toledo on July 18, 1867, Charles A. King acting as chairman and David R. Locke, secretary. As the principal objecf of the meeting was to select a committee to prepare articles of incorporation, provided for at the first meeting, the following were chosen : Perry Crabbs, J. C. Hall, Charles Kent, Charles A. King, E. V. McMaken, J. R. Osborn, A. D. Pelton, M. A. Scott and H. S. Walbridge, of Toledo; W. B. Brooks, Theo. Comstock, D. W. H. Day, William Dennison, Samuel Galloway, W. E. Ide and William A. Platt, of Columbus. TOLEDO AND THE SANDUSKY REGION - 1509 C. C. Waite, afterward vice president and general manager of the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton and a son of the late Chief Justice Morrison R. Waite, made the first survey. That survey was rejected and some time was spent in the selection of a route. Finally it was decided to build the road via Fostoria, Carey, Upper Sandusky, Marion and Delaware- The selection of this route was left to the City of Toledo, in consideration of its citizens having voted $200,000 to aid in the construction of the road. The first train passed over the road on December 5, 1876, and regular traffic commenced on January 10, 1877. Toledo & Ohio Central Division New York Central Lines.—The first move which resulted in the building of the Ohio Central Railroad was in June, 1869, when a company called the Atlantic & Lake Erie was organized to construct and operate a railroad between Pomeroy, Ohio, and Toledo, a distance of 235 miles, via Athens, New Lexington, Central City, Mount Gilead, Bucyrus and Fostoria. During the next ten years a little construction work was done and in December, 1879, the property was sold to satisfy creditors. The purchasers reorganized under the name of the Ohio Central Railroad Company. Soon after this a consolidation was effected with the Sunday Creek Valley Railroad Company and a branch from Corning to Shawnee was projected. On January 1, 1881, there were 148 miles in operation on this eastern division between Toledo and Bush Station and 65 miles between Corning and Columbus. On September 29, 1883, the road passed into the hands of a receiver and on April 15, 1885, it was sold by order of court, purchased by a company acting for the bondholders, and reorganized as the Toledo & Ohio Central Railway Company. It was not long after this that Charles T. Lewis of the law firm of Doyle & Lewis, Toledo, became actively identified with the road. The western or Columbus division was projected in 1881, as the Toledo & Indianapolis Railroad, with Findlay one of the principal points on the route. The projector was the late T. P. Brown of Toledo, and his financing of the construction to Findlay, was one of the greatest accomplishments in railroad building. The road was completed to Findlay in May, 1883. In 1885 it was reorganized as The Toledo, Columbus & Southern and the route changed from Indianapolis to Columbus. November 1, 1892, the Columbus division was purchased, giving another connection between Toledo and Columbus, after which the road was known as the western or Columbus division of the Toledo & Ohio Central 1510 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY Lines, until taken over by the New York Central with the eastern division. The Pennsylvania-—In 1865, at the close of the Civil war, Toledo had only one railroad connection with the east—the Lake Shore- It was then that the Toledo & Woodville Railroad Company was organized- Upon authority granted by the state legislature a proposition to bond Toledo for $450,000 to build the railroad between Toledo and Woodville, a distance of twenty-two and one-half miles, was carried by a vote of 3,368 for the project to 56 against it. To carry on the construction, Judge John Fitch of the Common Pleas Court, as required by the act, appointed Josiah D. Cook, Charles F. Curtis, Charles A. King, William Kraus and Horace S. Walbridge. These trustees employed J. H. Sargent to survey the route, and on April 10, 1870, the contract for construction was let to J. E. Conant. On account of financial difficulties, Conant surrendered the contract the same year and the trustees made a contract with the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad and other parties to build the road and a bridge over the Maumee River at Toledo. The contract price was $425,000. The contracting parties then entered into an agreement with the Pennsylvania Railroad Company to iron the road, build depots, shops, etc. The grading of the road was commenced, but proceeded so slowly that in June, 1872, the trustees canceled the contract and made a new one with the Pennsylvania Company, which company guaranteed to complete the road within a given time, Under this contract the road was opened to traffic on May 1, 1873, between Woodville and the northern boundary of the state- In the contract of June 11, 1872, the Pennsylvania Company was given a lease for 999 years, but later purchased the road outright from the city for $225,000. Thus the Toledo & Woodville Railroad was merged into the great system known as the "Pennsylvania Lines West of Pittsburgh," by building about twenty miles of its own track just south of Detroit and through an operating agreement with the Ann Arbor and the Pere Marquette, the Pennsylvania established an independent line into Detroit. The Pere Marquette.—The Michigan legislature, in 1857, granted a charter to a company to build a railroad from Flint to Ludington, on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, a distance of 170 miles. Numerous delays occurred and the road was not completed until 1873. As the western terminus was near the mouth of the Marquette River, the road took the name of the "Pere Marquette." TOLEDO AND THE SANDUSKY REGION - 1511 Meantime the Flint & Holly Railroad (about thirty miles long) had been built and a short time before the completion of the Pere Marquette it had been extended southward to Monroe. These two roads were consolidated under the name of the Flint & Pere Marquette, though it was not long until the word "Flint" was dropped. From Monroe to Toledo the Pere Marquette used the tracks of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern for about twenty years, when the arrangement was discontinued. The Pere Marquette did not want to give up its Toledo connections and at once opened negotiations for the purchase of the Toledo & South Haven Railroad, which had been incorporated on September 11, 1886. The deal was consummated on May 23, 1894, and the road thus became a part of the Pere Marquette system. An arrangement was then made with the Ann Arbor Railroad Company, by which the Pere Marquette regained its valuable Toledo terminal privileges. Ann Arbor Railroad-—It was after a long career in public life that the Hon. James M. Ashley in 1869, with his sons, including James M., Jr., took up the project of building a railroad from Toledo northwest through Michigan. Governor Ashley interested eastern capitalists in the enterprise and secured valuable terminal facilities from the Pennsylvania Company at Toledo. The line known as the Toledo, Ann Arbor & Northern Michigan Railroad was constructed, and in connection they built and operated a fleet of train-carrying ferry boats between the terminal at Lake Michigan across the lake to Gladstone up the Upper Peninsula. The original charter provided for the construction of a railroad from the Ohio-Michigan line to some point on the shore of Lake Michigan. At the state line it was to connect with the Toledo & State Line Railroad, the northern extension of the Toledo & Woodville Railroad, when completed. Work on the Ann Arbor project began in 1874 but on account of financial difficulties the road was sold and during the next ten years several changes took place. In 1878 the Toledo, Ann Arbor & Northeastern Railroad Company was organized to build a road from Ann Arbor to Pontiac- Two years later this project was consolidated with the original company, under the name of the Toledo, Ann Arbor & Grand Trunk Railway Company. In 1884 the Toledo, Ann Arbor & North Michigan Railroad Company took over the property and the road commonly called the "Ann Arbor," was completed to Frankfort, Michigan, on the shore of Lake Michigan, thus carrying out the original plan. It is now a part of the Wabash system. 1512 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY Wheeling & Lake Erie.—About 1870, a movement was set on foot to give Toledo a shorter route to the seaboard, by way of Wheeling, and provide an outlet for the coal of West Virginia and Eastern Ohio. In consequence, a charter was granted to a company in April, 1871, to build a line of railroad between Toledo and Wheeling, West Virginia. Work was not commenced until the Spring of 1874 and after many delays the road was completed between Massillon and Huron (eighty-six miles) on January 9, 1882. In March following the bridge over the Maumee was ready for use and on August 15, 1882, the road began running regular trains between Toledo and Valley Junction, a distance of 157 miles. On July 1, 1886, the property passed into the hands of a new company known as the Wheeling & Lake Erie, which had been incorporated for the purpose. That section of the Toledo Belt Railroad between the. Wheeling & Lake Erie right-of-way in Ironville and the old Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton tracks was built by this company. Michigan Central-—About 1866, two railroads were projected, having for their object a more direct connection between Toledo and Detroit. The Michigan end of the project was known as the Detroit & State Line Railroad, and the Ohio end was called the Junction Railroad Company of Ohio- On February 21, 1872, the two companies were consolidated under the name of the Toledo, Canada Southern & Detroit Railway Company. The road, fifty-eight miles in length, had been completed before the consolidation, but was in poor condition. After the consolidation the road became a part of the Canada Southern system and was greatly improved. It was operated by the Canada Southern until January 1, 1883, when that road passed under the control of the Michigan Central, which company thus gained a way into Toledo. The road is now a part of the New York Central System. New York, Chicago & St. Louis—Clover Leaf.—This line now a part of the Nickle Plate system or Van Sweringen interests, has had a romantic career financially. The road is the outgrowth of the Toledo, Delphos & Indianapolis ; the Toledo & Maumee Narrow Gauge, both incorporated in 1872; and the Delphos & Kokomo Railroad Company, incorporated in 1877. On June 19, 1886, the consolidation took place and the Toledo, St. Louis & Kansas City Railroad Company was born. As at first constructed the road was a narrow gauge. On May 19, 1893, the property was placed in the hands of a receiver and it is only necessary to say that the road was raised to standard gauge, and the name was changed TOLEDO AND THE SANDUSKY REGION - 1513 to the Toledo, St. Louis & Western Railroad Company. The line extends from Toledo to St- Louis, with 450-58 miles of main line. After the reorganization the new company selected as an emblem a trefoil or three-lobed leaf, from which the road took the name of the "Clover Leaf-" With the Grand Trunk it divides equally the stock of The Detroit and Toledo Shore Line, and thus enjoys terminal facilities at Detroit. In 1922 with its physical equipment in good condition and its financial condition on a solid basis, it was under Van Sweringen control. Toledo Terminal-—The Toledo Terminal or Belt Line is of great value to the shipping interests of Toledo. Its construction started with the connection referred to, built between the Wheeling & Lake Erie and the old C. H. & D. Then there was organized the Toledo Railway & Terminal Company, which by September, 1903, completed a railroad around the city, connecting with every railroad entering Toledo. The length of this road is 28-59 miles. At the time of the Belt completion, the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton was using the passenger terminal of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern, known as the Union Depot, and the Pere Marquette was using the Ann Arbor terminal on Cherry Street. For the improvement of the Belt Railroad and the terminal facilities, these two companies joined in a proposition to guarantee an issue of $3,500,000 bonds of the Toledo Railway & Terminal Company, bearing 4 1/2 per cent interest. Each agreed to guarantee 20 per cent of the issue and the Michigan Central, Pennsylvania, Clover Leaf and other roads centering at Toledo guaranteed the remaining 60 per cent. Under this arrangement the company was reorganized as the Toledo Terminal Railway Company, which has since operated the Belt Railroad. Through the reorganization the Pere Marquette acquired its own tracks and a ninety-nine year lease on the yards of the Ann Arbor Railroad Company, and the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton (B. & O.) acquired permanent terminal privileges. The Detroit, Toledo & Ironton-—This line known as "Ford's road," was projected when the Detroit, Toledo & Ironton Railroad Company was incorporated under the railroad laws of Michigan, in 1898. The main line starts at Detroit, crosses the northern boundary of Ohio about thirty miles west of Toledo, and runs southward through Wauseon, Napoleon, Lima, Springfield, Washington C. H., and Hillsboro to Ironton, Ohio, on the Ohio River. A branch leaves the main line at Dundee, Michigan, and runs to Toledo. After many financial ups and downs, the road 1514 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY was purchased in 1920 by Henry Ford, the automobile manufacturer of Detroit, who spent large sums on improvements and equipment. The route has been shortened and among other things, a new bridge constructed across the Maumee River below Napoleon. In the summer of 1929, Mr. Ford surprisingly sold the road which came under the control of the Pennsylvania system. On July 11, 1902, the Toledo, Angola & Western Railroad Company was incorporated for the purpose of building a railroad that would aid in the development of the glass sand deposits in Sylvania township, Lucas County. The road, nine miles in length, was completed the following year. It connects with the New York Central at Vulcan. Bay Terminal-—The Detroit & Toledo Shore Line Railroad Company was incorporated under the general railroad laws of Michigan on March 29, 1898. It was at first known as the Pleasant Bay Railroad. On April 14, 1899, the name was changed to the Detroit & Toledo Shore Line and the road was opened for freight traffic on September 8, 1903. The stock of this road is owned in equal shares by the Grand Trunk and the Toledo, St- Louis and Western. The Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis Railway several years ago, entered into an arrangement with the Toledo & Ohio Central Company, whereby the Big Four has an entrance to Toledo and which places shippers and travelers in direct connection with all sections reached by its lines. With the readjustments and regroupings of many of the railroad interests reaching Toledo by the Van Sweringens, greaf benefits will result to the city, and the future never looked brighter than in 1929. The Interurban Electric Lines already mentioned have a larg passenger carriage to Toledo, and their freight service is systematized to a high degree. When the Maumee Valley Railways Light Company adopted the bus plan of service, making the cm cuit both ways from Toledo through Rossford, Perrysburg, an Maumee, they made a step forward in the passenger transportation service, and other lines may adopt the double system of electric and bus service. In the rapid changes in large affairs, the merger of great rai roads, and the changes of electric traffic, there are many readju ments in progress as this story is written which may materi effect the .situation when this work is off the press. TOLEDO AND THE SANDUSKY REGION - 1515 TOLEDO AIR PORT The organization of the Transcontinental Airport of Toledo, Inc., sponsored by the Toledo Chamber of Commerce was an important addition to the many modern facilities of the city in various lines. The site of approximately 459 acres is situated in section 16 Lake township, Wood County, seven miles south of Cherry and Summit streets and three miles beyond the city line. The field is thoroughly drained and there are no nearby obstructions. It is surrounded by emergency landing fields, is within eighteen minutes' drive of the center of the business district of Toledo and twenty-two minutes from the post office. It is one of the main stops on the direct transcontinental line, and besides, provides Toledo with airport facilities adequate and proper for any and all aviation activities. The situation in relation to surface transportation is ideal. It not only has met the demand of the National Air Transport service but that of the Department of Commerce and the Post Office Department. The mail service has been well organized and the distribution is rapid to all sections of the United States. As an example, mail deposited in Toledo at 9 :50 P. M. for New York City arrives at its destination at 6:43 the following morning; mail deposited at the same time for Washington, reaches its destination at 7 o'clock the following morning; for Portland, Maine, the arrival is 4:05 P. M. the following day. Mail on the west bound route closing at 4:20 P. M., reaches Dallas, Texas, next morning at 8 o'clock; Houston at 10 :50; Los Angeles at 5 :25 P. M. next day; San Francisco at 4:30 P. M. the following day; Minneapolis, 7:20 A. M. the day following; Milwaukee, 10:45 P. M. same day mailed. In other words letters mailed up to 9 P. M. will make first morning delivery in New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Hartford and other Atlantic Seaboard cities in that vicinity. Letters mailed before 4:30 P. M. will be delivered in Dallas, Tex., and Denver, Colo., early the next morning and before noon as far away as Houston, Galveston and Salt Lake. They will reach San Francisco and Los Angeles at 4 :30 that same afternoon, or 24 hours after leaving Toledo, and will be delivered that evening if sent special delivery- The same speedy delivery will, of course, accrue to incoming mail and express. Any mailable matter except perishable matter liable to damage by freezing, may be sent by air mail. Packages must not exceed 50 pounds in weight or 84 inches in length and girth combined. 1516 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY Shipments by air express include almost any kind; single pieces of not over 200 pounds limited in bulk; shipments up to $5,000 in value, including money and jewelry and goods of many characters. Work has been started at the Transcontinental Airport on a hangar for the exclusive use of the Curtiss Flying Service, Inc., thus assuring for Toledo a prominent part in the nation-wide system of flying schools and airplane taxi service to be established and operated by the company. A twenty-year lease for a part of the Transcontinental field by the Curtiss company, was approved early in April (1929) and it is expected that the hangar will be ready for service early in the summer. Gabriel C. Harman, formerly manager of the Transcontinental Airport, is manager of the Toledo unit of the Curtiss company and has opened offices in the Richardson Building. CHAPTER LXXI TOLEDO'S BANKING INSTITUTIONS FIRST BANKS-"WILD CAT" MONEY-EARLY BANKING LAWS-PRESENT BANKS AND THEIR HISTORY-FINE FINANCIAL RECORDS. The banks of a community or a city, the present day highly developed system of banking, furnish the financial energy, the monetary dynamic force, which turn the wheels of industries, keep open the roads of commerce, stabilize mercantile institutions, and more, aid in home building for the rapidly increasing populace. The banking interests are a vital force in national, state and civic development, and an aid to individual progress and success. There was a time in earliest Toledo, however, when this was not true of banking institutions. It was in the days of "wild cat" money and land speculation when "paper cities" were exploited and banks were started for speculative purposes. It is not proper here to discuss the early banking laws. But several states permitted banks to issue paper money without being backed by sufficient security. This was especially true of Michigan, and her intimate relations with Toledo gives the situation local color. Originally the Michigan law required banks to carry a certain specie reserve for the redemption of their currency, but a later acf permitted the stockholders to deposit bonds secured by real estate instead of specie. Under this law wild and inaccessible lands, given an outrageously inflated valuation, became the security for Michigan bank currency—wild cat money. As an example of the situation the following story of the City Bank of Brest is reprinted : "Brest was a magnificent city (on paper), situated at the mouth of a little creek, about seven miles from Monroe. An excellent lithographed and beautifully colored map of the city represented it with broad avenues, lined with palatial residences and handsome grounds. The extended river front of the city had a continuous line of docks, above which towered lofty warehouses, filled with the merchandise of the world. The largest steamers - 1517 - 1518 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY were represented as sailing up past the city, whose docks were crowded with vessels of all descriptions, while the streets were thronged with busy life." The ruins of Nineveh or Baalbec are not more desolate now than are the ruins of Brest, and it is little less than a wilderness today than it was seventy-odd years ago. But Brest had a bank with a capital of $100,000. It was a fair sample of a wild-cat bank and an illustration of how those affairs were managed. The law compelled the bank commissioners to make an investigation into the affairs of the banks. Spies dogged the footsteps of the commissioners and it was generally found out when they were to visit a bank for inspection, whereupon the business of that particular bank was put in favorable shape for examination. On August 2, 1837, the commissioners examined the Bank of Brest. They found the principal resources to consist of loans on bonds, $16,000 ; back stock, $10,000; specie, $12,900, which was eminently satisfactory. It appears that $10,500 of the specie belonged to Lewis Godard (of Toledo) and had been loaned to the bank the day before the examination and drawn out the day after. "A day or two later the commissioners examined the Bank of Clinton and found specie on hand to the amount of $11,029.35. The day following this examination the same $10,500 of specie was returned to Lewis Godard, having performed the same function it had in connection with the Bank of Brest. Something in the appearance of this specie aroused the suspicions of one of the commissioners and, unannounced, they returned to Brest for another investigation. This time they found the actual specie on hand amounted to $138.90, while the circulation of the bank was $84,241." In connection with the boundary question between Michigan and Ohio it is interesting to note that the first bank in the territory now Toledo was "The Bank of Manhattan," organized under a special charter granted by the "Michigan State Legislature," March 25, 1836. The Supreme Court of Ohio decided that this bank never had any legal existence because, first, the charter was obtained from a body calling itself "The Legislature of the State of Michigan," whereas there was no state of Michigan until January, 1837; and second, Manhattan never was under the jurisdiction of Michigan. But the bank did business for some years and in 1840 its balance sheet showed total assets, $122,052.71; liabilities—capital stock paid in, $50,000; circulation, $57,381; interest $951.41; deposits, $13,034. By the 1st of January, 1838, "Michigan money" had come to TOLEDO AND THE SANDUSKY REGION - 1519 be a matter of serious concern, and of no little discussion in the Toledo section, says Waggoner. The banks had substantially all suspended payment, without the possession by the public of any proper information as to when or whether they would resume. For a time, this question seriously disturbed business circles. The dealers of Toledo had divided as to the course to be pursued in this matter- December 16, 1837, a meeting of citizens of Tremainesville and vicinity was held for the "consideration of the depreciation of Michigan money," with Horace Thacher in the chair, and Cyrus Fisher as secretary. After providing for an adjourned meeting with delegates from Sylvania, Bedford and Erie, adjournment to December 22, at the house of P. I. Phillips, Tremainesville, took place. At the adjourned meeting after discussion, it was resolved to stand by the Michigan Banks and receive such of their notes as circulated at home. The "Toledo merchants and dealers" who were discounting such bills at 121/2 per cent, were strongly censured for so doing, since such policy was likely to "injure the farmers and mechanics," turn "trade into other channels," and "drive the only currency they had out of the country." They would "ask no discount on such money," nor would they "deal, if within their power to avoid it, with any man who demanded it"—an instance of "boycotting," practiced many years before Mr. Boycott, the Irish landlord, was subjected to the same means for coercion. The committee reporting the resolutions consisted of Dr. Cyrus Fisher, John W. Collins, J. Porter Whitney, Thomas Wing, Coleman I. Keeler, M. W. West and M. L. Whitney. To what extent local jealousy may have operated to array the Tremainesville business men so actively against the policy adopted by their young and rising competitor cannot now be definitely stated. The people of Maumee City, also, shared in this currency trouble. A meeting of merchants and other citizens was held in August, 1837, to take measures to prevent injury from the circulation of uncurrent bank notes. Hiram Steele was the chairman, and B. D. Coffin the secretary. F. E. Kirtland, Dr. Oscar White, Timothy Griffith, Owen Williams and James Howe, as a committee, reported resolutions deprecating the embarrassment under which trade was conducted, and specifying the bank notes which they would receive and the rates to be allowed for the same. They proposed, that "for the purpose of restoring the currency o something like a par standard, they would charge and exact he following rates of discount on Michigan bank notes : The 1520 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY banks in Detroit and the River Raisin Bank, not bankable in Ohio, five per cent-; Erie and Kalamazoo Railroad Bank notes, eight per cent. ; Washtenaw and Monroe no sale; Clinton and Macomb County banks, 25 per cent. ; and other Michigan notes, 10 per cent." It was provided, that White & Kirtland, Morehouse & Brownlee, and S. A. & J. H. Sargent be a committee to report weekly through the Maumee City Express, "the standard value of Michigan bank notes." It is safe to say, that these firms constituted the first recognized authority on the Maumee River for fixing the value of bank currency. The first banking house within the original limits of Toledo, was that of Prentiss & Dow, corner of Monroe and Summit streets, opened in 1843. Subsequently H. P. Esty succeeded Dow, the firm then being H. P. Esty & Co. Robert W. Titus was connected with the house. This was a Broker's and Exchange Bank. Until 1845, there had been no chartered bank in Toledo. At that time two institutions—the Commercial Bank and the Bank of Toledo—were established. The certificate for the Commercial Bank of Toledo, was filed in the county recorder's office, October 8, 1845, under the act incorporating the State Bank of Ohio and other banking companies, passed February 24, 1845. The capital stock was fixed at $100,000. The certificate for the Bank of Toledo, also a branch of the State bank, was filed October 8, 1845. Its capital stock was $100,000. In October, 1845, Chas. R. Miller & Co., exchange brokers, opened an office in Toledo, which was in operation some years. Mr. Miller subsequently with James Myers as partner, started and for some time edited the Commercial Republican (afterwards known as the Toledo Commercial)- In December, 1846, Kraus & Co., money brokers, opened an office at the corner of Summit and Monroe streets. From there they removed to the corner of Summit and Jefferson, and into a building built by them. Subsequently Mr. Kraus, with Wm. H. Smith, succeeded Wm. G. Powers & Co., as owners of the City Bank, of which Geo. C. Hertzler for some time was cashier. The firm of Kraus & Smith continued in business until the fall of 1873. The banks and bankers of Toledo in September, 1854, consisted of the Commercial Bank of Toledo, Bliss & Hubbard, A. Parker, and the City Bank (Geo. C. Hertzler, cashier). At a meeting of representatives of these institutions, September 29th, it was resolved to receive on deposit at par only the following bank TOLEDO AND THE SANDUSKY REGION - 1521 notes, viz. : Detroit, Chicago, Wheeling (payable at Wheeling), notes at par in Pittsburgh, notes of New York State, New England and New Jersey, and $10 and upwards of Pennsylvania, Virginia, Indiana and Kentucky. Other foreign currency previously received, would be taken at 1 per cent. discount. In December, 1855, Berry & Day (L. G. Berry and M. W. Day), from Adrian, opened what was known as the Mechanics' Bank in Toledo, which continued in business for several years. With better national and state banking laws, revised and improved as the country progressed and developed, banks obtained their proper status in the financial world, and the truth of the assertion in the opening paragraph of this chapter need not be repeated. First National Bank-—The First National Bank located at 312-314 Summit Street was organized on September 1, 1863, and is therefore the "oldest bank in Toledo." In 1851, John Poag and Valentine H. Ketcham opened a banking business in Toledo under the firm name of Poag & Ketcham ; in 1852 the firm name became V. H. Ketcham & Company, and in 1860, Ketcham, Berdan & Company. The latter institution was practically merged into the First National when that bank opened for business with the following directors: V. H. Ketcham, John Berdan, S. S. Hubbard, Joseph K. Secor, Lyman Wheeler, Theodore B. Casey and Horace Holcomb. The president was V. H. Ketcham; vice president, J. K. Secor; cashier, John Berdan. Mr. Ketcham continued as president until his death in 1887. Mars Nearing succeeded Mr. Ketcham as president and served until his death in October, 1893. He in turn was succeeded as president by Sheldon C. Reynolds who was elected to the position in January, 1896, and who upon his resignation in July, 1897, served as chairman of the board of directors until his death November 22, 1912. S. C. Schenck succeeded S. C. Reynolds as president in January, 1898, and when he resigned, Frederick J. Reynolds was made head of the bank in January, 1910, and served as president until 1923. Harold S. Reynolds, now president of the First National succeeded Frederick J. Reynolds who is now chairman of the board directors. The other officers in 1929 are : vice presidents, Rathun Fuller, George R. Ford, John N. Willys; vice president and trust officer, Forrest Jeffries; assistant trust officer, W. Roscoe Tonkin; cashier, J. G. Burnap ; assistant cashiers, Elmer E. Englehardt, Louis Mallendick, William E. Watson ; comptroler, Paul Boardman; auditor, W. F. Horton ; manager safe deposit department, C. P. Sprague. 1522 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY The first banking rooms were on the site of the present Waldorf Hotel, Summit Street. In 1869, a new building was put up on the present location, which was replaced by the present solid structure in 1905, and which was the first strictly bank building in Toledo. The late J. M. Spencer entered the service of the institution in November, 1868, was elected cashier March 5, 1878, and was an official of the bank until his death. The capital of the hank is $500,000 with a surplus of $1,500,000, and undivided profits in October, 1929, of $700,000. The Toledo Trust Company-—The Toledo Trust Company is the outgrowth and development of several other strong financial banking institutions and therefore should date its beginning in 1864. It began business October 1, 1924, through the merger of the Second National Bank, Northern National Bank, Toledo Savings Bank & Trust Company and the Summit Trust Company. It has a capital stock of $5,000,000 and March 29, 1929, a surplus and undivided profits of $3,876,775.37. Its slogan is "The Strongest Bank in Northwestern Ohio." Its 1929 officers were: chairman of the board, Morrison W. Young; vice chairman of the board, Charles L. Reynolds; president, Henry L. Thompson; vice presidents, Henry C. Truesdall, John T. Rohr, D. L. Reynolds, C. A. Russell ; vice president, secretary and trust officer, Benj. T. Batsch; treasurer, E. J. Burman ; assistant trust officer and assistant secretary, James P. Schrider; assistant secretaries, Howard Aumend and Stephen J. Balog ; assistant treasurers, C. A. Baldwin, R. J. Comstock, H. E. Gail, G. L. Irons, F. H. Greene, O. F. Holtgrieve, W. K. Corson, I. Meyers and W. J. Pankhurst. The Second National Bank was organized on January 18, 1864, when Toledo had a population of 20,000; George W. Davis was its president and Nehemiah Waterman its first cashier. John Cummings was inspector at the election of the first directorate and Frederick B. Dodge the first notary public for the bank, which opened for business May 2, 1864. The first quarters for the institution were on the site of the old Alhambra Theater on Summit Street, but soon a location was secured in the King Block, corner of Summit and Madison, and opposite the present, yet known Second National Bank twenty-two-story structure. In 1870, it moved to the old Chamber of Commerce Building south, east corner Summit and Madison, and after that building burned located on Madison Avenue between Summit and St. Clair streets. In 1860 E. Parmalee opened the Marine Bank of Toledo, which in 1861 was reorganized as a branch of the State Bank 1524 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY of Ohio, and of which George W. Davis became president. On December 7, 1864, the Marine Bank was merged into or taken over by the Second National. George W. Davis was president of the Second National until his death, June 2, 1904. C. F. Adams entered the bank as teller in August, 1865, was cashier from January 14, 1873, which position he held thirty-two years. He was elected president June 7, 1904, and retired in 1907. May 1, 1907, the Second National and the Merchants National Bank were consolidated and when the new bank and office building was completed corner Summit and Madison, the Second National took up there its permanent quarters. W. C. Carr entered the bank as messenger in 1892, and was vice president when he severed his connection with that institution in 1927. The old Merchants National Bank, began operations in December, 1871, with Wilson Griffith, president, George Milmine, vice president, and Charles C. Doolittle, cashier. The Northern National Bank was organized November 30, 1864. The first president was Matthew Shoemaker ; John T. Newton, secretary and attorney, who was also elected the first cashier. The bank opened for business in March, 1865, on Summit Street, and when the Produce Exchange Building was completed, 1878, took up quarters there until their fine bank building, corner Madison Avenue and Superior Street was constructed, which they occupied in May, 1916. I. E. Knisely was chosen president of the bank in January, 1892, which position he held until his death. A. F. Mitchell became identified with the institution as a clerk in June, 1887, was chosen cashier in January, 1901, and vice president in 1914, which position he held until his association with the Ohio Savings Bank & Trust Company. Mr. H. M. Bash took the position of cashier of the Northern National in 1914, and became identified with the bank in 1890. The Toledo Savings Bank & Trust Company, the first savings bank in Toledo, was incorporated May 8, 1868, by James C. Hall, H. S. Walbridge, Richard Mott, John J. Baker, Valentine Braun and Albert E. Macomber. At this writing (1929) Mr. Macomber is yet an active citizen of Toledo. The first officers were Richard Mott, president; A. E. Macomber, secretary and treasurer. The institution opened for business in the Fort Industry block site of old Fort Industry, corner of Monroe and Summit streets. In 1906 the bank moved to the corner of Jefferson and Summit on the "wholesale side." The Ohio Savings Bank & Trust Company-—The Ohio Sav- TOLEDO AND THE SANDUSKY REGION - 1525 ings Bank & Trust Company, located in the Ohio Building, corner of Madison Avenue and Superior Street, was incorporated December 5, 1896, and will occupy, when completed, fine new quarfers in the most imposing office and bank building in Toledo, being constructed on the old Boody House site, Madison Avenue and St- Clair Street. The institution opened for business March 1, 1897, in the Chamber of Commerce Building, southeast corner of OHIO SAVINGS BANK & TRUST COMPANY, TOLEDO Under Construction. Mills, Rhines, Bellman & Nordhoff, Architects Summit Street and Madison Avenue. The original officers were : David Robison, Jr., president; George E. Pomeroy and Dennis Coghlin, vice presidents; James J. Robison, secretary-treasurer. Some time before the death of David Robison, Jr., in April, 1906, he retired from the presidency and was made chairman of the board of directors, James J. Robison, succeeding him as president. Upon the death of James J. Robison in June, 1914, he was succeeded as president by William Hardee, who in turn was suc- 1526 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY ceeded by George M. Jones, the present head of the institution. The officers of 1929 were : George M. Jones, president; vice presidents, Edward Kirschner, Seymour H. Hoff, Ammi F. Mitchell, Ira W. Gotshall; vice president and trust officer, Robert C. Dunn; vice president and secretary, Claude A. Campbell; vice president and treasurer, Charles A. Frese ; assistant secretaries, John Landgraf and Wade W. Fenton ; assistant secretaries and trust officers, Randolph P. Whitehead, Arthur W. Weber and Lewis G. Christman; assistant treasurers, James W. Eikenrode, Lester S. Fought, J. Raymond Murphy; assistant secretary and comptroller, Ferdinand G. Meier. This institution has seventeen branch banks and its slogan is "The bank of the people." The Ohio Savings Bank & Trust Company took over the Dollar Savings Bank & Trust Company, June 15, 1910, also absorbed the Continental Trust. & Savings Bank December 1, 1918, and the Market Savings Bank, December 15, 1918. One of the most important moves was the absorption of the Dime Savings Bank & Trust Company, October 11, 1928. This latter institution started in a small way as a private depositary, in the rear of the then Hood furniture establishment, 315-317 Superior Street, between Madison and Adams. It was incorporated July 19, 1900, and opened for business November 1, 1900. Homer Hood was the initial president; Elisha B. Southard, first vice president; John S. Hallaran, second vice president, and Aaron B. Hood, cashier. The executive committee consisted of George E. Lorenz, Dr. William Watts, John S. Hallaran, W. H. H. Reeder and Louis H. Rohr. In the spring of 1902 the bank secured rooms in the Smith & Baker Building, southwest corner of Adams and Superior streets—the site of the old Masonic Temple, which had been destroyed by fire. W. H. R. Reeder as president, elected in 1901 and R. V. Hodge, cashier, became active in the management of the institution and branches were established on South Broadway and on Dorr Street. The property northwest corner of Adams and Superior was purchased in 1907 and on June 15, 1915, the Dime Savings occupied its fine new building. The capital of the Ohio Savings Bank. & Trust Company is $3,000,000; surplus, March 27, 1929, $4,500,000; undivided profits, $829,194-55. The Commerce-Guardian Trust & Savings Bank.—The Commerce-Guardian Trust & Savings Bank, located in its own spacious quarters, corner of Madison Avenue and St. Clair Street, in what were earlier known as the Drummond and St. Clair buildings, has a capital stock of $1,400,000 and surplus and undivided TOLEDO AND THE SANDUSKY REGION - 1527 profits in March, 1929, of $1,697,342.30. The officers during the year mentioned were : Chairman of the board of directors, R. B. Crane; president, Edward H. Cady; first vice president, G. W. Walbridge; vice presidents, E. G. Kirby, E. C. Edwards, W. L. Ross, H. P. Caves, G. L. Mills; vice president and treasurer, W. L. Lamb; vice president and trust officer, B. E. Emery; assistant trust officers, W. H. Brackney, R. T. Sewell ; secretary, L. C. Ruth; assistant secretaries, Leo Mominee, J. D. Earhart, L. W. Mara; assistant treasurers, R. B. Orvis, H. C. Dennison, F. A. Fleischmann, C. H. Strayer; comptroller, G. K. Lombard ; credit manager, C. B. Helburn ; auditor, E. A. Long; manager, foreign department, James Kiroff. The history of the institutions which now form the Commerce-Guardian is as follows : In 1885 John B. Ketcham established a private bank. With this institution as a nucleus the Ketcham National Bank was organized June 1, 1888, with John B. Ketcham, president; John Berdan, vice president; W. O. Parker, vice president; S. H. Warring, cashier; E. D. Rose, assistant cashier. On January 1, 1890, E. L. Barber was chosen vice president in place of John Berdan. October 4, 1892, S. D. Carr was elected second vice president and then first vice president January 1, 1893, with E. L. Barber second vice president. March 6, 1894, J. B. Ketcham resigned as president, E. L. Barber taking that position and S. D. Carr retaining the first vice presidency. September 7, 1898, G. W. Walbridge was elected assistant cashier and in January, 1899, E. L. Barber resigned as president and S. D. Carr was chosen for that position. In February, 1899, the name of the bank was changed to the National Bank of Commerce and G. W. Walbridge, elected cashier. July 1, 1907, the bank absorbed the National Bank of Toledo, with S. D. Carr, president; W. W. Edwards, first vice president; R. B. Crane, second vice president; G. W. Walbridge, cashier, and A. R. Truax assistant cashier. W. W. Edwards died in May, 1913, and was succeeded by E. C. Edwards in that position in July of that year with some other changes. On January 1, 1921, the National Bank of Commerce and the Guardian Trust & Savings Bank were consolidated under the present name and with the present business departments. The Commerce Trust Company was organized April 1, 1913, with S. D. Carr, president; W. W. Edwards, vice president; R. B. Crane, vice president; A. H. Peiter, secretary-treasurer; Richard W. Kirkley, trust officer. The business was reorganized as the Guardian Trust & Savings Bank of Toledo, March 17, 1914. 15-VOL. 2 1528 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY Edward H. Cady became president and Walter L. Ross one of the vice presidents. The Guardian was one of the first Toledo banking institutions to inaugurate front window publicity. The old Toledo National Bank which was absorbed by the National Bank of Commerce, was at first known as the State Bank of Ohio, organized in 1845, and in 1855 was purchased by Amasa Stone, Jr., and other Cleveland interests, together with Samuel M. Young and Morrison R. Waite of Toledo. November 19, 1864, the institution was reorganized as the Toledo National Bank with S. M. Young president and Paul Jones, cashier, who was followed by E. H. Van Hoesen. Mr. Young's service as a bank president, seemingly was a record for continual service in that position in Toledo. The Security Savings Bank & Trust Company-—The Securify Savings Bank & Trust Company, which acquired the Nasby Building and adjoining property on Madison Avenue, occupied their fine new banking rooms September 19, 1927. This banking institution has a capital stock of $800,000 with surplus and undivided profits, March, 1929, of $1,415,147.76. The officers of this date were : chairman of the board of directors, Frank C. Hoehler; president, Stacey L. McNary; vice presidents, E. Louis Schomburg and William H. Gunckel; vice president and trust officer, James W. Harbaugh ; assistant trust officer, James W. Wilson ; secretary, Lester B. Martin; treasurer, Ladd H. Morse; assistant secretaries, A. J. Holewinski, Elmer J. Welling, Negley J. Hires, M. A. Sullivan ; assistant treasurers, Theo. R. Klinksick Waldo A. Rogers, Vernon C. Little. The institution has seven well located branches. The Security Savings Bank and Trust Company, formerly located at 315-317 Superior Street, is the oldest trust company in Lucas County, being organized as the Security Trust Company June 14, 1898. The Security Trust Company was located at 224 St. Clair Street, and after about six months removed to the corner of Madison Avenue and Huron Street in the Spitzer Building. In 1903 they again removed to Superior Street. Its first officers were : F. B. Shoemaker, president; N. H. Swayne, vice president; John J. Barker, vice president; C. F. M. Niles, secretary and treasurer; H. W. Cummings, assistant secretary and treasurer. Organized purely as a trust company, and not to engage in any way in the banking business, its officers, directors, and stockholders were made up very largely of officials and stockholders of other banks. In fact, its first board of directors and trust com- 1530 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY mittee included in its membership five bank presidents, four vice presidents, and two bank cashiers. Two years later, the State Savings Bank Company was organized, and had among its stockholders and directors many of the stockholders of the Security Trust Company. Later, the Security Trust Company to enlarge its operations and engage in the general banking business, in addition to carrying on its trust business, effected a merger with the State Savings Bank Company, and the two were consolidated under the present name. An important move was the absorption about 1926, of the Merchants & Clerks Savings Bank, which was organized by Oliver S. Bond of the date of February 10, 1871. In a rear room of the Northern National Bank, located at 99 Summit Street, this bank had its first office with the following list of officers: Mathew Shoemaker, president; C. L- Luce, vice president; Oliver S. Bond, secretary and treasurer. Toledo at that time was a growing little city with a population of about 30,000. The bank outgrew its small quarters and finally moved to a building of their own at 78 Summit Street. Their later location 338 Summit Street was remodeled February, 1911, and at that time was the only building owned and occupied exclusively for banking purposes by any Savings Bank in Toledo. Oliver S. Bond, who had been treasurer and secretary since the bank's foundation, was in 1888, elected president. He had the distinction of acting as an executive officer for a longer period than any other bank official in Toledo. E. Louis Schomburg entered the service of the Bank October 1, 1872, as messenger and worked his way up through the different positions. A further important transaction of the Security was the taking over in June, 1929, of The Bankers Trust Company, capifal stock $400,000 and in March, 1929, with deposits of $4,969,361.95 and a surplus and undivided profits of $101,074.57. The Bankers Trust Company with offices in the Gardner Building, opened for business April 2, 1927. The first officers were : president, Sidney Spitzer; vice presidents, H. E. Scott, R. V. Hodge; vice president and trust officer, Harry A. Dunn; secretary and treasurer, J. R. Newell. This latter institution had also taken over The Peoples State Savings Bank located at 924 Starr Avenue, East Side, with its important branches. The Peoples was opened for business May 1, 1909, with W. H. Tucker, president; V. O. Moore, vice president; W. J. Von Ewegen, vice president; O. D. Tiffany, cashier. The Commercial Savings Bank & Trust Company.—The Com- TOLEDO AND THE SANDUSKY REGION - 1531 mercial Savings Bank & Trust Company organized as the Commercial Savings Bank, opened for business on Main Street, Toledo, East Side, January 1, 1900. The first officers selected February 20, 1899, were: Peter McCrory, president; vice presidents, A. M. Chesebrough and J. K. Secor; cashier, Carey B. Close. At the election of officers in January, 1900, M. B. Wolf was made president, David Harpster, vice president, and C. B. Close, cashier. The bank continued under its original name until about 1907, when it began operations as The Commercial Savings Bank & Trust Company. A short time before that it established its main banking rooms at 412 Adams Street, operating two offices. On January 15, 1923, it established itself in its fine new banking house and office building, 235-237 Superior Street, near Adams. On February 21, 1928, the Commercial Company took over the City Savings Bank organized by George E. Wise in 1923. The capital stock of The Commercial Savings Bank & Trust Company is $700,000 with surplus and undivided profits in March, 1929, of $609,231.13. The officers in 1929, were : president, W. H. Yeasting; vice president and secretary, F. E. Stewart; vice president, George E. Wise; treasurer, C. W- Wick; assistant secretaries-treasurers, J. H. Streicher, G. C. Beier; trust officer, Frazier Reams; assistant trust officer and assistant secretary, Leo V. Hamden; assistant trust officer, Frank M. Votaw; auditor, S. D. Spohn; manager foreign exchange department, Arthur Boocheroff; manager investment and bonds, Calvin Yeasting. The institution has eleven well located branch banks. The Home Bank & Trust Company-—The Home Bank & Trust Company was incorporated November 10, 1892, and began business in the Gardner Building corner of Madison and Superior streets, (N. W.) December 3, 1893. Its first officers were : Herbert Baker, president; C. F. Braun, vice president; D. V. R. Manley, cashier. With the trust department added and organized as The Home Bank & Trust Company, the institution is now capitalized at $1,000,000 with surplus and undivided profits in March, 1929, of $643,402.90. The present fine quarters in the Home office and bank building, southeast corner of Madison and Huron streets, were occupied in November, 1924. The 1929 officers were : president, Marion N. Miller; vice presidents, William A. Brigham, Rufus H. Baker, Raleigh D. Mills; treasurer, K. E. Naugle; secretary F. R. Merriam; assistant treasurer, F. M. Streicher; trust officer, F. J. Klauser; manager safe deposit department, S. R. Dority; auditor, A. J. Peterman. The Citizens 1532 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY Safe-Deposit & Trust Company which was consolidated with the newer, Home organization, was established in April, 1893, as The Home Safe-Deposit & Trust Company. The incorporators were Charles F- Adams, Mars Nearing, M. I. Wilcox, S. D. Carr and Horace Holcomb. The corporate name was changed to The Citizens Safe-Deposit & Trust Company about 1908, and had its offices in the Gardner Building. The West Toledo National Bank.—The West Toledo National Bank of Toledo was chartered November 27, 1928, with a capital stock of $200,000 and a paid in surplus of $100,000. It is located in its fine new building at 1033 Sylvania Avenue and was opened for business March 23, 1929. It was organized by West Toledo business interests and its slogan is "A West Toledo bank for West Toledo people." The officers are : president, Joseph A. Yager; 1st vice president, George U. Roulet; 2nd vice president, Roy C. Start; 3rd vice president, Roy W. Babcock; cashier, J. D. St. John ; secretary, Herman H. Giese. Its deposits March 27, 1929, four days after its opening, were $295,000. The Spitzer-Rorick Trust & Savings Bank.—This bank was organized and opened for business November 1, 1911, with the following officials : C. M. Spitzer, president; A. L. Spitzer, vice president; H. C. Rorick, vice president; Geo. A. Weber, cashier; C. W. Cummings, assistant cashier; C. H. Vischer, assistant cashier. This bank is incorporated under the banking laws of the State of Ohio, is authorized to exercise the powers of a savings bank and administer trusts committed to its care and in addition to its savings department and the trust powers that it undertakes it does a general banking and exchange business. The banking rooms are located in the Nicholas Building. The officers in 1929 were: president, Horton C. Rorick; vice presidents, Albert V. Foster, James R. Easton, Marmon H. Rorick; cashier-secretary-treasurer, Carl A. Mathias; assistant cashier and assistant treasurer, John Houk; assistant secretary-trust officer, Celian H. Rorick; assitant cashier, Murom B. Badger. The capital stock is $600,000 an surplus and undivided profits March, 1929, $395,798.90. The Union Trust & Savings Bank-—The Union Trust & Savings Bank at 233 Summit Street was established in 1888 as Union Savings Bank and held its first meeting of directors Mar 5, that year in the old Toledo Blade office, corner of Jefferson enue and Superior Street. The first officers were: presid James Secor; vice president, William H. Maher; cashier, Lean Burdick. The bank opened for business June 18, 1888, and has TOLEDO AND THE SANDUSKY REGION - 1533 continued in the same location ever since that date. The capital stock is $250,000; surplus and undivided profits March 27, 1929, $409,537.20. Officers: Henry C. Truesdall, president; Herman H. Brand, vice president; W. F. Hergert, cashier; L. W. Coy, assistant cashier. The Union Safe Deposit and Trust Company was organized in 1888 and when merged with the Union Savings Bank in 1924, took the present name of the Union Trust & Savings Bank. The American Bank-—The American Bank, opened for business at Jefferson Avenue and Huron Street July 6, 1925, with the following officers: president, William P. Clarke; vice president, Sam J. Logan ; secretary-treasurer, D. A. Gilmore; assistant secretary-treasurer, W. C. Robb. There was no change in management except the secretary-treasurership up to 1929, Mr. L. F. Wernert then holding that position. The capital stock is $200,000; with surplus and undivided profits March 27, 1929, of $64,237.96; resources $2,009,393.66, which shows a fine growth in business. The Industrial Bank of Toledo-—The Industrial Bank of Toledo is a state bank located at 210-212 Huron Street, was organized December 8, 1928, with a capital of $150,000 and surplus of $15,000. The capital already in June, 1929, had been increased to $200,000 with a surplus of $22,500. The officers are : president, C. A. Mauk ; vice president and treasurer, C. V. Wolfe; secretary and assistant treasurer, Wayne M. Lindecker; assistant secretary, Ellis W. Kelly, Jr. The board of directors is made up of well known, responsible business men, With bank deposits of nearly $200,000,000 in May, 1929, and ample resources to care for the financial interests of Toledo, and with a commendable list of sound and progressive savings and building associations, Toledo, in this feature of her development is to be heartily congratulated. CHAPTER LXXII PUBLIC BUILDINGS FIRST COURT HOUSE-MEMORIAL HALL-CITY HALL-POST OFFICES -TOLEDO HOTELS- The evolution of Lucas County's seat of justice has been related in the history of the development of Toledo. Toledo, and then Maumee, and then Toledo again, has been the county seat. The first courthouse in Toledo was occupied in 1853. The taxpayers were slow in awakening to the necessity of a modern building adequate to the growth of the city and county, and it was not unfil the election of November, 1892, that the people of the county voted favorably upon the question of a new courthouse. L. S. Baumgardner, John Craig, J. H. Puck, F. D. Suydam and A. M. Woolson had been a committee appointed by the Manufacturers Association to awaken favorable public sentiment. A bond issue of $500,000 was finally authorized and David L. Stine chosen as architect. The building was modeled on the lines of the courthouse at Buffalo, New York. The cornerstone was laid September 3, 1893, and an historical address was delivered by Judge Emery D. Potter, Sr., then eighty-nine years of age. The building was occupied January 1, 1897, and is already inadequate for the county demands. MEMORIAL HALL at the corner of Ontario and Adams streets, facing courthouse square, contains a hall for public meetings, a room for the post meetings of the Grand Army of the Republic, parlors for the Woman's Relief Corps and other Grand Army auxiliaries. The building was projected under the act of the Ohio legislature of March 3, 1865, authorizing the incorporation of Soldiers' Memorial Associations for the erection of monuments, memorial buildings, etc-, commemorative of the Union soldiers and sailors of the Civil war. Under this provision the Toledo Soldiers Memorial Association was organized July 23, 1879. A board of fourteen trustees was chosen August 16, 1879, as follows: Mayor Jacob Romeis, S. F. Forbes, Frank J. King, John R. - 1534 - 1536 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY Osborn and W. T. Walker, representing the City of Toledo; C. W. Everett, H. G. Neubert, E. H. Norton and Charles L. Young representing Forsyth Post, Grand Army of the Republic; the Ladies' Aid Society being represented by Mrs. S. H. Bergen, Mrs. E. R. Collins, Mrs. D. R. Locke, Mrs. Kate B. Sherwood and Mrs. Milton Taylor. Mr. Osborn was elected president; Mr,. Walker and Mrs. Sherwood, vice presidents; and Dr. W. W. Jones was selected as treasurer. The site for the building is on the old canal bed and was donated by the city. Funds for the structure were raised by the various posts and from other sources to the amount of $20,000 and the cornerstone was laid July 4, 1883, by C. C. Keefer, grand master of the Masonic Grand Lodge of Ohio. A building costing $60,000 was planned and as funds were not forthcoming for its completion, after a delay the property was turned over to the city on a ninety-nine year lease. Bonds in the sum of $30,000 were issued to finish the structure and its was dedicated February 22, 1886. CITY HALL-—Strictly speaking, Toledo has no city hall, although the fine Safety Building, one of the first units of the "Civic Center" is now used for such a purpose. On April 21, 1841, a committee was appointed by the council "to report a plan for and an estimate of the cost of a city hall." Nothing further was done for about five years. In the fall of 1846, while Richard Mott was mayor of the city, the subject again came before the council. Councilmen John P. Freeman and Daniel Segur and City Engineer Robert Jeffrey were appointed a committee to consider plans for a city building, etc. Early in 1847 the committee reported in favor of a city hall, but left the question of ways and means to the council. The city purchased a lot on fhe south side of Adams Street, between St. Clair and Summit streets, from Herman DeGraff, of Detroit, the consideration being $300. A change in the city administration, and evidently a lack of funds, delayed the erection of a building for three or four years. Then a two-story brick building was erected on the lof, with quarters for one of the fire companies on the ground floor and a council chamber above. This was Toledo's first and only city hall. At the close of the Civil war in 1865, the fire station still occupied the main floor, with the council chamber and city clerk's office upstairs. The mayor's office was then on Monroe Street, near St. Clair Street, where he also held the sessions of the police court. After a police judge was provided for, the mayor's office was in the Adams Street building until 1881. 1538 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY Toledo had at this time grown to a city of more than fifty thousand and the building on Adams Street was entirely too small for municipal requirements. On February 4, 1881, the city leased rooms in the old Masonic Temple, on the corner of Adams and Superior streets, for $1,675 a year. A little later there was some talk of a joint city and county building, but the county officials opposed the project. In 1889 the Adams Street building was sold at auction by the city for $14,505, Frederic Borck being the purchaser. Most of the city offices remained in the Masonic Temple building until August 8, 1894, when the council approved a lease of quarters in the Valentine Building- Here the city officials held forth until the new Safety Building was occupied. The plan for a Civic Center with a new city hall and other buildings is referred to elsewhere. Land north of the Courthouse square and bounded by Erie, Jackson and Beech streets has been purchased and the time is not far distant when Toledo will have a beautiful Civic Center, outlined on a magnificent scale- FEDERAL AND POST OFFICE BUILDINGS-—The first post office in the Toledo neighborhood was at Tremainesville and Benjamin F. Stickney carried the mail to Vistula and Port Lawrence until 1833, when a post office was established at Toledo. As told in chapter sixty-four by Richard Mott, it was a two story brick building about 150 feet north of now Adams Street near present Summit. It "had been put up by Edward Bissell for the purpose for which it was then used, to be about midway between the settled portions of the rival villages of Port Lawrence and Vistula," Later, the office was located in a building on Summit Street next to White's Hall where the Neuhausel Building was afterwards constructed. Next the office was moved to the old Blade Building near the corner of Summit and Madison where it remained unfil the construction of the first government building corner of Madison and St. Clair streets, in 1853. As the city grew and Toledo was also made the center for the western sub-division of the Northern Judicial District of Ohio, a new Federal Building was demanded. Consequently the old post office was razed and the present Federal Building constructed on its site. In the mean time the post office occupied rooms in the old Masonic Temple, corner of Adams and Superior streets. The present Federal Building costing $422,000 was complefed in 1888 and housed the main Toledo post office until the new post office building occupying the block bounded by Thirteenth and Fourteenth streets, and Jefferson and Madison avenues, was com- TOLEDO AND THE SANDUSKY REGION - 1539 pleted and occupied in 1911- Its cost was approximately one million dollars. The old post office is called the Central Station. In addition to the two main post office buildings there are eight branches, located at 502 Main Street, East Toledo; 3031 Monroe Street, Auburndale; 1621 Dorr Street, on the South Side; 2913 Lagrange Street; 1438 Broadway; 509 West Delaware Avenue; 502 Galena Street; and 1015 Sylvania Avenue, West Toledo. Altogether about 450 people are employed by the Toledo post office, including rural carriers who deliver mail to the people in a large section of Lucas County. POSTMASTERS-—Following is a list of the Toledo postmasters, counting Tremainesville, since the office was established in 1833, with the year in which each entered upon the duties of the position: Stephen B. Comstock, 1833; Emery D. Potter, 1836; Joseph B. Gardner, 1839 ; Andrew Palmer, 1841; Truman C. Everts, 1845; Hezekiah D. Mason, 1849 ; John E. Hunt, 1853; George Walbridge, 1861 (died a few weeks after he was appointed) ; Edward P. Bassett, 1861; Dennison Steele, 1865; Albert G. Clark, 1866 (not confirmed by the United States Senate) ; Alexander Reed, 1866; Ezekiel V. McMaken, 1870; Patrick H. Dowling, 1874; Charles E. Eddy, 1878; Patrick H. Dowling, 1882; George E. Lorenz, 1887; James M. Brown, 1891; C. Rudolph Brand, 1895; William H. Tucker, 1899 ; George F. Parrish, March, 1914 ; George W. Lathrop, July 1, 1920; W. T. Huntsman the postmaster in 1929. TOLEDO HOTELS Toledo is well provided with first class hotels. The old warehouse, built in 1817 on the present site of the Bostwick-Braun Block, foot of Monroe Street, might be termed Toledo's first public house, tavern, or hotel; for it was used for the earliest public gatherings and social events, and to give shelter to prospectors and incoming settlers. In 1828, John Baldwin, son of Marquis Baldwin, put up the sign, "Tavern by John Baldwin." In the Vistula section, John Fassett built a pretentious house on the west side of Summit near Locust Street, in the fall of 1832, and opened it as a hotel. In 1835 the building was enlarged and given the name of the Mansion House, with J. Baron Davis, landlord. It was the "headquarters" during the Ohio-Michigan boundary dispute, and was the place where the Monroe constable was stabbed by Two Stickney in an affray of the "war." The Mansion House was later known as the Franklin House. 1540 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY The Eagle Tavern opened by Ira C. Smith in the spring of 1834, located east of Summit Street, next to the river, and between Elm and Lagrange streets, might be termed Toledo's third hotel. In the fall of 1837 J. H. Booth became the proprietor. In 1835 the Port Lawrence proprietors set apart lots 109, 110, 111, 119, 120, 121, 162, 163 and 215 for a hotel, and in 1836, at a meeting of the proprietors, Edward Bissell and Isaac S. Smith, a committee appointed for that purpose, reported a plan for the hotel which was approved. This property was on the corner of Adams and Summit streets and extended to the river. They include the buildings where the Rainie-Barbour store now is, Water Street not then being made. The hotel was never built. When the Erie & Kalamazoo railroad was completed in 1836 it gave an impetus to Toledo's growth and also new hotel projects. The Toledo House corner of Perry and Summit built prior to that year, was opened by Blin & Coy who conducted it for about six years. In 1842, with the canal era coming on, the house was enlarged and a broad two story porch added facing the river. The name was changed to the Indiana House with Robert N. Lawton, the proprietor for several years. Contemporary with the Toledo or Indiana House was the American Hotel, located on the northwest corner of Elm and Summit streets. It was opened in the fall of 1836 by James Brown, who conducted the house but a short time, when he was succeeded by Daniel Segur. In 1842 or 1843 John McKenster became the landlord. Lyman T. Thayer took charge in 1851 and conducted the hotel for about two years, when he leased it to Mahlon Kingman. He resumed the management in 1857 and continued in charge until the building was destroyed by fire in January, 1861, Before becoming the proprietor of this hotel, Mr. Thayer had fitted up a hotel known as Thayer's Exchange on the corner of St. Clair Street and Jefferson Avenue. It was opened in 1847 and soon became a popular hotel. When he took charge of the American the name of the Exchange was changed to the Collins House It was burned in 1860. Upon the completion of the Toledo, Norwalk & Cleveland (now the New York Central) railroad in December, 1852, the company announced the intention of locating its depot on what was known as the "Middle Ground"—the point of land between Swan Creek and the Maumee River. There was then but one hotel above Swan Creek. It was a small house called the Broadway Hotel which was opened by A. F. Hull about 1850. The Island House, TOLEDO AND THE SANDUSKY REGION - 1541 as the hotel was called, in connection with the passenger station, was opened in the early part of 1855, with Roswell P. Aingerformerly of the Ainger House of Cleveland as manager. H. B. Sherman became manager of the hotel upon the death of Mr. Ainger in 1864. He was succeeded after a few years by the Terry brothers, who in turn were succeeded by James Gerrans about 1879 or 1880. Mr. Gerrans conducted the Island House until the railroad company removed the passenger terminal to the Union Depot in 1886. The hotel was then converted into freight offices, etc., and used as such until 1906. The building was then torn down and the New York Central freight house was built on the site. A popular hotel which came into existence in 1859 was the Oliver House, Ottawa Street and Broadway, with 170 rooms. It was projected in 1853 by Maj. William Oliver, who died shortly after the work of building was commenced. His death caused a suspension of operations, but the hotel was finally finished by Major Oliver's son-in-law, James C. Hall. In its issue of June 28, 1859, the Ohio State Journal, published at Columbus, said : "Some of the principal property holders in the flourishing City of Toledo have built a hotel at the upper town on a beautiful spot overlooking the extensive depot grounds and river and looking out upon the lake. The hotel is magnificent in proportions and has been built and fitted up with but little regard to cost. It is to be opened tomorrow and a grand festival is to come off in the evening. Invitations have been widely extended and it promises a refreshing season. We wish the proprietors the success which their enterprise merits." The hotel was opened with DeWitt C. Baker as lessee and George Colburn as manager. In 1860 it passed into the hands of John McKenster, a veteran hotel man, and for many years it was considered as the leading hotel of Toledo. In 1860 the Toledo Directory gave a list of eleven hotels. The leading houses were the American, Island and Oliver. Next in importance were the Jacobs, Kingsbury, Merchants and Western hotels. The Jacobs was a small house on the corner of Madison Avenue and St. Clair Street and was conducted by T. W. Jacobs. The Kingsbury Hotel was located on Summit Street, near Walnut, and was opened as the Ohio House in 1847, with David Johnson as the proprietor. In 1852 Mr. Johnson sold out to Henry D. and William Kingsbury, who changed the name of the hotel. William Kingsbury had previously been the landlord of the 1542 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY Jefferson House at Maumee. About 1857 Henry D. Kingsbury became the sole proprietor and conducted the hotel until he entered the army as captain of Company A, Fourteenth Ohio Infantry, in August, 1861. D. B. Dunham was the landlord of the Merchants Hotel in 1860. This house was located on the corner of Jefferson Avenue and St. Clair Street, where the Jefferson Hotel was afterward built. The Western Hotel was opened about 1843 and was kept for some time by David Johnson, before the Ohio House was opened. It was located on Perry Street, on or near the site later occupied by the Burnett House, which was one of Toledo's leading hotels up to about 1890. It remained for the old Boody House, razed in 1929, to surpass the record of the early Toledo hotels in point of fame and service. Many stories are told in this history of important happenings which took place at the Boody. In the early seventies, it was apparent that a new "up town" hotel was needed. A stock company was formed with Frank J. King, president; Joel M. Gloyd, secretary; Cyrus H. Coy, treasurer; Robert H. Bell, Wilson W. Griffith, Truman H. Hoag, Horace S. Walbridge and Samuel M. Young, directors. A site on the northwest corner of Madison Avenue and St. Clair Street was purchased and work was commenced. The hotel was named the Boody House, as a tribute to Azariah Boody in recognition of the important benefits conferred on Toledo through his work in the completion of the Wabash Railroad. The tower on the corner of the building, in its life, bore the date "1878," which indicated when the hotel was completed. Other hotels built about the same time as the Boody, or a few years lafer, were the St. Charles, on the corner of Madison Avenue and Superior Street, and the Madison, on the corner of Madison Avenue and Ontario Street. The latter was built by Frank J. Scott. It may be said that the new era in hotels for Toledo started with the opening of the fine Hotel Secor, southeast corner of Jefferson Avenue and Superior streets, August 1, 1908. This was followed by the opening of the Hotel Waldorf, east side of Summit and north of Madison, in October, 1916, and later greatly enlarged. Then came the Hotel Lorraine out Jefferson Avenue, and the Fort Meigs Hotel on St. Clair Street between Jefferson and Madison avenues. The last great Toledo hotel consummation was the opening of the Commodore Perry Hotel, southwest corner of Jefferson Av- 1544 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY enue and Superior Street. It is sixteen stories with basement. In its tower is located Toledo's "Speeding" Radio Station (WSPD). Altogether Toledo has over seventy hotels and many fine family and apartment hotels. THE COMMODORE PERRY HOTEL, TOLEDO Mills, Rhines, Bellman & Nordhoff, Architects. CHAPTER LXXIII TOLEDO NEWSPAPERS EARLY PUBLICATIONS-THE TOLEDO BLADE-TOLEDO NEWS-BEETOLEDO TIMES-OTHER PROMINENT PUBLICATIONS AND PERIODICALS-PROGRESSIVE AND EFFICIENT The circulation of the daily newspapers of Toledo extends to a wide area. The system of rapid and regular carriage to the outlying districts has been developed to the highest degree of efficiency. Not to speak of the service to the villages and smaller cities within a radius of fifty miles, even many of the farmers and individual country subscribers for an incredible distance away, receive the daily paper at their door regularly within the hour that it comes from the press. No other line in the development of business affairs has shown greater strides of advancement than the process of gathering the world's news and its distribution to the public- In the first days of the newspaper, it might be days and even weeks before the most important event found its way into print and the old form of periodical and then the weekly paper was a rarity outside of a few homes. The following story told by the late Edward A. Calkins, as to the manner in which the Milwaukee (Wisconsin) Courier even as late as 1846, obtained a "scoop" over its competitors is an illustration in point. He said: "All hands at the Courier office had sat up two nights in the middle of December, 1846, waiting for the President's message. On the third night I was standing by the exchange table and picked up a newspaper in a wrapper, which had been there for forty-eight hours. I pulled it open and it happened to be a copy of the Toledo Blade containing the message. The publishers of that paper had got hold of a New York paper that came west partly by rail and partly by stage, and had printed the message in time to get it to the western stage for Chicago. The copy had got into the Milwaukee mail and had so come through ahead of time. We all got busy and printed the Courier with the message long ahead of the other papers, and their editors wondered where we had procured the copy. But it might have been put on the street a couple - 1545 - 1546 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY of days earlier if the wrapper had been torn from all the exchanges on the table." As has been related, the first paper in Northwestern Ohio was The Miami of the Lake founded at Perrysburg, Ohio, by Jessup W. Scott and his brother-in-law Henry Darling. The first number appeared December 11, 1833. It was intended, as the name indicates, to represent the entire Maumee Valley and the region below Lake Erie, but a change in ownership and editors in 1835, made it local in the interests of Perrysburg and vicinity. The paper was printed of course on a hand press, and with an outfit of type which Mr. Darling brought from New York. The name was later changed to The Ohio Whig and the Perrysburg Journal is the descendant of this early effort. Regarding Toledo's first newspaper Clark Waggoner wrote this : "In May, 1834, James Irvine Browne came from Easton, Pennsylvania. He was then about twenty-eight years of age, a gentleman of education and refinement, and withal, quite a poet. He came under an arrangement with Edward Bissell and others (Andrew Palmer), for the purpose of starting and conducting a newspaper and it was expected that the printing press and materials would soon follow. Delays were caused in different ways. In the first place there was no building which could be occupied for such purpose and it was necessary to await the construction of the building which was to become Toledo's first printing office. It was located on the south side of Lagrange Street, about halfway between Summit and Water, on the second floor of a two-story frame building and over a grocery and provision store kept by Daniel Washburn. Then a contest arose between 'Upper' and `Lower Towns' for the location of the new paper. Finally, about the 1st of August, the materials arrived, a compromise between the 'Towns' was effected and operations commenced. Mr. Browne set up his own type and worked his own press, having neither `Jour-' nor 'Devil' to assist him. About the 15th of August, 1834, appeared the first number of the Toledo Herald, the first newspaper issued within the present limits of Lucas County. It was a very creditable sheet, in both contents and appearance. But three or four numbers were issued, when Mr. Browne was taken sick, necessarily suspending the paper." Another account says the first number of the paper was called The Port Lawrence Herald, and the facts may be that the paper was simply named The Herald and that the different writers added the prefix in speaking of it. Again as Andrew Palmer was largely interested in the purchase of the material for the paper, TOLEDO AND THE SANDUSKY REGION - 1547 and was also interested in Port Lawrence property, the first issue may have possessed that name- Anyway it was Toledo's first paper and when Mr. Browne recovered from his illness he again took charge of the publication and changed the name to the Toledo Gazette. The Toledo Blade-—The dominating figure who put the Toledo Blade early on the map was D. R. Locke and the wide distribution of the Weekly Blade through the appearance of the "Nasby Letters" was a great factor in making Toledo known during the later sixties. A detailed story of the various changes and early NEW TOLEDO BLADE BUILDING history of this publication would make a volume in itself- Here are some of the high spots- The Blade was started in 1836, evidently by George B. Way, Abel W. Fairbanks and L. L. Willard, were connected with the paper in 1837, the latter but a few months when Mr. Fairbanks became sole publisher, which honor he held about thirteen years. Andrew Palmer formerly a Democrat, but an active supporter of Harrison for the presidency, was editor of the paper during that memorable campaign and made the forests echo with the slogan "Tippecanoe, and Tyler too-" Then appear as editors, proprietors and publishers through the early struggles of the paper, the names of S. S. Blanchard, Edward A. Graves, Daniel McBain and down until 1844, when Jessup W. Scott, became editor, but stepped out 1548 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY of the job for some reason in less than a year. In May, 1846, appeared the Tri-Weekly Blade, H. L. Hosmer was a partner at this time and Mr. Fairbanks after being out and in at times evidently gathered enough wind or cash to take hold of the game again with a Dr. Graham, editor. Hosmer, a lawyer, when with the Perrysburg Journal, wrote a glowing account of the Harrison celebration at Fort Meigs, June 11, 1840, which was copied throughout the country. The first issue of the Daily Blade was April 17, 1848. In January, 1850, Stephen T. and H. L. Hosmer became owners with the latter as editor. Then came Peter E. Latimer, Samuel Andrews and Joseph R. Williams with their names spiked to the mast-head, and in September, 1856, the plant, newspaper, job and book-printing, was purchased by Clark Waggoner and Gideon T. Stewart, of Norwalk, the latter a great champion of Prohibition and at one time a candidate for president on that ticket. Waggoner withdrew in 1865, and David Ross Locke came to the paper as editor, and A. D. Pelton sole proprietor in that year. In 1867, Mr. Locke and John Paul Jones became partners in the firm—A. D. Pelton Co. Many further changes of minor importance followed with the names of Dr. A. P. Miller and T. P. Brown appearing with E. A. Higgins editor for a time. In August, 1876, The Toledo Blade Company was organized with A. P. Miller, president and editor; T. P. Brown, vice president; and Frank T. Lane, secretary, which position Mr. Lane held until his death in the fall of 1912. During 1876 Mr. D. R. Locke obtained entire control of the company, and was its president with A. W. Gleason, vice president. For a short time the daily and weekly were published by Alexander Reed and Herman D. Walbridge, but in 1878, the Blade Company again assumed control of everything. Mr. Locke the dominant factor in placing the Blade in the ranks of newspapers of national importance was editor and owned the controlling interest in the paper until his death when his son Robinson Locke took the chief editorship, which place he held, with the presidency of the company for nearly a quarter of a century. Florence E. Cottrell still with the Blade—and with which he has been identified for some forty years—was vice president and treasurer. John McElroy of fhe National Tribune was managing editor for a time followed by S. S. Knabenshue who came to the paper shortly before the death of D. R. Locke and who held that position until appointed consul in England in 1907. Then came F. L. Dustman and Blacque Wilson and Grove Patterson (now editor) as managing editor of the TOLEDO AND THE SANDUSKY REGION - 1549 daily, with Frank M. Warwick editor of the weekly after Knabenshue's time. The publication of the Weekly Blade was finally discontinued and at one time was published Locke's Monthly and the American Farm Journal. It was August 1, 1902, that the Blade took up its quarters at Jefferson Avenue and Superior Street. After the death of Robinson Locke, Barton Smith was president of the company; F. E. Cottrell, vice president and treasurer; Maurice Allen, secretary. For some years the paper was successfully operated under lease from the Locke estate by different interests, on September 1, 1926 was purchased by Paul Block and May 2, 1927, the first paper was issued from their fine new building and plant, one of the most modern and best equipped in the country. The present organization of The Toledo Blade Company, Superior, Beech and Huron streets is : Paul Block, president and publisher; Grove Patterson, editor; F. E. Cottrell, vice president and treasurer; S. C. Speer, business manager; Charles R. Corbin, managing editor; Lucas J. Beecher, Frank M. Warwick, associate editors. Their slogan is, "The Blade, First in Toledo." The Toledo News-Bee.—The Toledo News-Bee is a Scripps-Howard newspaper, with Harold C. Place, editor, James F. Pollock, business manager, and occupies its own building at the corner of Huron Street and Jackson Avenue. The Toledo Evening Bee was started by H. S. Chapin in April, 1876, and was one of the pioneer low priced papers of the country. The property was soon after transferred to The Toledo Bee Company which under the former name of The Toledo Printing & Publishing Company had been in the job printing business. H. S. Chapin was editor, and one of the proprietors until December, 1883, when he disposed of his interest and was succeeded as editor by John Paul Jones who was in turn succeeded by R. W. Harris and Elmer White. Mr. Chapin who had in 1884, with R. M. Brinkerhoff and others started The Toledo Evening Post, on the latter paper being absorbed by the Bee in 1886, returned to the Bee as one of the editors and held a position there until he went wifh S. G. McCullough to Columbus, where he was editor of the Columbus Post, a new daily they established there. Elmer White was editor and part owner of the Bee at this period with Frank P. Chapin the principal owner and business manager. It was under this regime that a new building was put up at 328 North St. Clair Street and the paper moved from their old quarters on. St. Clair between Jefferson and Monroe streets. After this manage-