USA > Ohio > Clark County > Springfield > The centennial celebration of Springfield, Ohio, held August 4th to 10th, 1901 > Part 1
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GC 977.102 Sp84p 1648474
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M. L
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
EN
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02280 0095
T HE engraving on the following page was made from a drawing by an English gentleman who visited Mr. Jeremiah Warder, February 23, 1832. The view is from a point directly in front of what is now the Mitchell-Thomas Hospital, looking westward. The most prominent building in the center is the old Werden House, now Henry Block. On the right is the old Court House. The residence on the left was the first house occupied by Jeremiah Warder, now the home of the Misses Burrowes, East High St., opposite Christ's Episcopal Church. The view in the foreground was on the line of the National Road, then in process of construction.
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Springfield in 1832.
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016
https://archive.org/details/centennialcelebr00spri_0
THE
Centennial Celebration
OF
SPRINGFIELD,
OHIO,
Held August 4th to roth,
1901.
BENJAMIN F. PRINCE, EDITOR.
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1648474
ASA S. BUSHNELL, BENJ. F. PRINCE, R. S. THOMPSON,
PUBLISHING COMMITTEE.
UNIONE
A BEL
SPRINGFIELD PUBLISHING CO. SPRINGFIELD, OHIO.
47.135 2
JOHN FOOS
B.F. PRINCE SEc'y. JOHN M. RODGERS
E.M. MAGAN, Pres.
N. M. SCHAUS
E.L. BUCHWALTER
D.Q. FOX, Treas.
General Centennial Committee.
PREFACE.
A hundred years in the life of a community which has had a prosperous and successful growth, is worth reviewing. During that time there may have been some occurrences of more than ordinary character which will be interesting to those who read of them in narrative form; but the most forceful and productive of all agencies in advancing the condition of a people are the common, well-directed, every-day actions and employments which they have industriously pursued.
The best growth in the life of a nation, city or town arises from normal conditions; the abnormal, unusual, or spasmodic, rather retard advancement than further it. Great events are often useful in shaking off lethargy and arousing to new actions and enlarged views, but there must follow the steady and quiet pur- suit of the various occupations to bring lasting results.
The addresses and papers contained in this volume set forth the simple story of a city which has had great success, especially during the last fifty years. The reasons for its advance have been told by the writers in the narration of plain facts which show nothing unusual in the experience of the builders of Springfield, unless it be the steady and persistent efforts which have charac- terized them in the business or occupation to which they gave the energies of their life. The lesson to be learned from these rec- ords will be of great value to those who are to follow in the va- rious professions and employments that belong to our city, giv- ing inspiration and confidence in the work which each one has chosen.
The advance of Springfield has not only been noted in mate- rial lines, but its churches, schools of all grades, together with
the professions, have kept pace with the growing city. Its minis- ters, its lawyers, its physicians, and its teachers, are among the best of the land, and they have kept steadily in view progress in good morals, the administration of justice, the alleviation of suf- fering by the newest discoveries in medical science, and the train- ing of those who attend the various schools by the most approved methods recognized by the best educators of the world. With the vantage ground gained in many fields after a century of hard and persistent labor, and with the spirit that animates all our people always to put forth their best efforts, Springfield enters the second century of its history with cheering prospects for splendid achievements.
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CONTENTS.
I. INTRODUCTION. Founding of Springfield, - 17
II. PREPARATION FOR THE CENTENNIAL. The Committees. The Program, - 25
III. RELIGIOUS DAY. Origin of Churches and Other Religious Organizations in Springfield, Isaac Kay, M. D. -
- 35
IV. FORMAL OPENING DAY. Introductory Address, Judge F. M. Hagan.
A Century of Commercial Life, Hon. O. F. Hypes.
Incorporation of Springfield and City Government, D. Z. Gardner, Esq.
Our Manufacturing Interests, Hon. W. S. Thomas, - - 80
V. PIONEER DAY. Introductory Address, A. P. L. Coch- ran, Esq ..
Bench and Bar, Judge William M. Rockel.
History of the Medical Profession of Clark County, Henry M. Seys, M. D.
Pioneer Meeting. Address, Mr. William M. Harris. .
Address, Mrs. George H. Frankenberg, - 134
VI. MILITARY DAY. Campfires and Military Maneuvers, General J. Warren Keifer.
Address, Governor George K. Nash.
Address, Colonel James Kilbourne.
Address, Governor A. S. Bushnell, - - 184
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VII. FRATERNAL DAY. Data Concerning Secret Societies, Mr. P. M. Cartmell. The Printing and Publishing Interests of Springfield, Mr. C. M. Nichols, - 211 Adjourned Pioneer Meeting.
VIII. AGRICULTURAL AND LABOR DAY. Past, Present and Future Interests of Agriculture in Clark County, Mr. Julius C. Williams.
History of the Labor Organizations in Springfield, Mr. T. J. Creager. - 227
IX WOMAN'S DAY .AND EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS. Intro- ductory Address, Mrs. F. M. Hagan.
The Work of the Women of Springfield in the Civil War, Mrs. C. M. Nichols.
Woman's Work for Love, Mrs. A. M. Winger.
History of the Women's Clubs of Springfield, Mrs. E. L. Buchwalter.
Temperance in Springfield, Mrs. George H. Frankenberg. A Resume of the Century's Educational Work in Spring- field, Professor W. H. Weir, - 251
X. THE LOG CABIN. Daughters of the American Revolu- tion, Miss Mary Cassilly.
Final Report of Executive Committee, - - 292
GEO. H. FULLERTON, CHR. COM. ON RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS.
J. WARREN KEIFER. CHR. COM. ON MILITARY.
R. S. THOMPSON, CHR. COM. ON THE PRESS.
H. H. SEYS. CHR. COM. ON THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.
R. L. HOLMAN CHR. COM. ON AGRICULTURE.
--
J. S. WEAVER. CHR. COM. ON EDUCATION.
P. M. CARTMELL. CHR. COM. FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS.
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A. P. L. COCHRAN.
. CHR. COM. ON THE BAR.
C. J. BOWLUS. CHR. COM. ON CITY GOVERNMENT.
I. WARD FREY. DIRECTOR GENERAL.
ASA S. BUSHNELL. CHR. COM. ON MANUFACTURES.
O. F. HYPES. CHA. COM. ON COMMERCIAL INTERESTS.
MRS. F. M. HAGAN. CHR. COM. ON WOMAN'S WORK AND ORGANI- ZATIONS.
T. J. CREAGER. CHR. COM. ON LABOR AND LABOR ORGANI- ZATIONS.
GEN. GEORGE ROGERS CLARK.
General George Rogers Clark was born in Albemarle County, Virginia in 1752. In 1776 he went to Kentucky to make his permanent home. He there became a leader in many military expeditions. In 1778 he conducted a small force against the British post, Kaskaskia, in what is now Illinois, and in the early part of 1779, against. Vincennes, in what is now Indiana. These places were seized, and this fact gave the claim, on the part of the Americans, to the North West Territory, which was afterwards secured to the United States by the treaty of 1783.
In 1780, General Clark led a force of about one thousand men against the Indians, located on Mad River. On the eighth of August, 1780, he defeated the Indians at Fort Piqua, a spot five miles west of Springfield. The battle was of much con- sequence to the settlers of Kentucky. In 1817 when our county was created, it was named in honor of General Clark, whose exploits were of so much conse- quence, not only to the West, but also to the Nation.
SPRINGFIELD, OHIO.
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I FOUNDING OF SPRINGFIELD.
In the year 1799 James Demint, a Kentuckian, found his way to the region now known as Springfield. He was pleased with the fertile soil. with the outcrop of limestone suitable for building purposes, with the streams near by well adapted .for power, and with the many fine springs which flowed from almost every hill side and projecting rock, a sight ever pleasing to the pioneer. He resolved to make his abode here. and chose as the place for his cabin a spot of ground which lies at the foot of the hill on which now stands the Northern School Building. Near by was a spring that furnished agreeable water, and in front of his lonely dwelling flowed the then clear stream, Buck Creek, while on every side were the huge forest trees which must be cleared away before anything could be done toward planting the seed for the much-needed harvest.
For almost two years Demint led a lonely life. There were few neighbors then. Robert Lowrey and Jonathan Donnell were located six or seven miles to the west, while Simon Kenton, the hero of many adventures among the Indians, and John Hum- phreys were several miles distant.
To the mind of Demint the place he had selected for his home was favorable for a town site. Nature had done much to make it suitable, and its distance from other villages which had hitherto been the basis of supplies for the few but necessary articles inci- dent to pioneer life, seemed to warrant the establishment of a new town here.
In March, 1801. Demint secured the services of John Daugh- erty, a surveyor, who made a plat reaching from the creek south- ward to a point where High street is now located, eastward a half square beyond Spring street, and westward to Fisher street. There were ninety-six lots in the plat. all offered. no doubt. on easy terms, to any who might chance to seek investments of that
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CENTENNIAL OF
kind. The center of the plat was the square now occupied by the Court House, County Buildings and the Soldiers' Monument.
In June, 1801, the first house was erected on the new town site by Griffith Foos, who had migrated from Kentucky. It was used for a number of years for a tavern, where hospitality usual for the times was dispensed to all travelers. It was not long until other houses were built ; families were continually added to the community, and the town soon began to assume an air of progress and dignity.
Springfield was planted near the border line fixed between the Indians and the white people. Though Wayne's treaty of 1795 had determined many points about which disputes had hith- erto arisen, the Indians were continually dissatisfied, and ex- pressed the same in various ways to the annoyance of the pio- neers. They roamed over the country, they were passionately fond of strong drink, quarrelsome, often appropriated the prop- erty of the farmers to their own use, and at times were disposed to take the life of some lonely traveler. Such an event occurred in the killing of one Myers, fifteen miles north of this place. In con- sequence of it feeling ran high. A council of Indians and whites was held in Springfield in 1807, at which the celebrated Tecumseh was present and made speeches, in which he denied that his peo- ple were the offenders, but that the murder was committed by a band of marauding Indians. Such alarms kept away from the new settlement many who desired to come. but who were unwill- ing to expose themselves and families to the murderous tomahawk and scalping knife of the cruel savage, and it also caused some who were already settlers to retrace their steps and locate in places more distant from the dividing line between the hostile nations.
From 1806 to 1812 the Indians continuously manifested a hostile disposition toward the pioneers. They were greatly of- fended to see the new settlements made upon the lands once domi- nated by their fathers. In 1813 Tecumseh and his brother, the prophet, prepared a plan by which all the settlements of South- western Ohio were to be laid in ruins, the people slain, and the territory to be reclaimed for the savages. The refusal of a few tribes to enter into the compact defeated the plan and. perhaps, saved from bloody destruction the little village of Springfield.
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SPRINGFIELD, OHIO.
At that time the inhabitants of this region were few, and many of the men were serving in the army in the Northwest, so that a sudden descent of the exasperated Indians could have done much harm. But that fate was happily averted.
Though the Indian was still a visitor among the white set- tlements after the war of 1812, he came with a different air. He had taken his chances and lost ; his leaders and his brothers were among the slain ; new boundaries marked the point of separation between him and his white neighbor, and he never sought again to reclaim the territory of Ohio for his own. The war being over, Springfield settled down to a new life, free from dangers from without, and ready to undertake the hard struggle but promising outcome which was the experience and expectation of all settlers in those days. The growth of the town was slow. After two dec- ades the census could find only a little more than five hun- dred people within its limits There was not much in those times that the town could afford which the surrounding country needed ; every man on his farm could supply his own wants from his la- bors in the field. The home was a factory for the production of implements of all kinds and the preparation of almost all the nec- essary supplies of clothing without the aid of the manufacturer or the shop-keeper. It was only when pursuits began to be diver- sified that the town began to grow. Then artisans found a place to ply their trade and the merchant found his field of usefulness and of gain increasing. Yet from the very beginning of its his- tory Springfield gave evidence of its future line of development. Flouring, woolen, and carding mills were early built, their owners taking advantage of the streams to furnish power for driving the machinery. This at once attracted attention to communities far and near, whose people came to secure the advantages these mills afforded. These visits were of great benefit also to the store- keeper, for it brought to him purchasers from distant as well as near-by settlements, who in turn still further spoke to their neigh- bors and friends of the opportunities that the town gave to all.
As the years passed by, new and varied interests were de- manded, and the citizens of Springfield were found ready to ex -. pand their facilities to meet the growing wants of society. Their spirit of enlargement and enterprise has always been ready and
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CENTENNIAL OF
willing, and by it there has been built up the great and varied manufacturing concerns that abound to-day. Without the oppor- tunities afforded by the location and these supported and enlarged by the spirit of the founders and their successors, our city would not have advanced to its present dimensions, but have remained a country town no larger than the country immediately around it would support.
With the planting of the town there sprang up the Church and the School, necessary aids to the moral and intellectual growth of any community. Private schools, academies, female seminaries and college have been established and received the support of the people. All these institutions have contributed much to the spirit, intelligence and prosperity of Springfield. Along with these has grown up the Public Library, which has be- come a source of great pleasure and profit to the people. and scarcely second to none of the features that exist for the benefit of all. But the best of all things we have is the spirit of enter- prise that characterizes our citizens. Without it no progress could be made in the many avenues that are opened up to us for trade, and for the arts of production. In importance it is far above all material or commercial interests and advantages. It helps to conquer difficulties, seeks out and enters new fields and. if such a thing be possible, brings success anywhere and every- where. For a hundred years that spirit has been fostered, and it will be with us. no doubt, for another century.
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SPRINGFIELD, OHIO. 21-22
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Old City Hall. Erected 1848.
SPRINGFIELD, OHIO.
23 - 24
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New City Building. Erected 1888-90.
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SPRINGFIELD, OHIO.
II PREPARATION FOR THE CENTENNIAL.
COMMITTEES, PROGRAM.
The proposition to hold a Centenniai in honor of the com- pletion of one hunderd years in the life and growth of Springfield was first made in the Clark County Historical Society, early in 1900. After due consideration the Society concluded that the movement should take a broad scope and be made an affair of the citizens of our city, and for that purpose a general meeting should be called to consider its feasibility and its importance.
To make such a call more impressive and urgent upon the people, it was sent forth over the following signatures :
B. F. PRINCE. President of the Clark County Historical So- ciety.
C. J. BOWLUs, Mayor of Springfield.
JOSEPH SPANGENBERGER, President of the City Council.
JOHN W. BURK, President of the Board of Trade.
W. H. SCHAUS. President of the Commercial Club.
This invitation brought together a goodly number of citi- zens in the Council Chamber on the evening of March 13, 1900. The object of the meeting being fully stated, there followed a free and full discussion of the advisability of observing the city's centennial in a manner becoming its importance and worthy of the character of a community which had achieved as much suc- cess as fell to the lot of Springfield.' The concluson was reached that it was eminently proper to observe the event with its appro- priate ceremonies. To carry out this view it was voted to ap- point a General Committee of Seven who should have charge of the celebration. fixing the time for holding it, appointing all sub- committees, and looking after all necessary details that would be connected with so important a project.
The committee appointed was composed of the following per- sons : Judge F. M. Hagan, Professor B. F. Prince. Dr. John H. Rodgers. Captain E. L. Buchwalter, Mr. John Foos, Mr. W. H.
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CENTENNIAL OF
Schaus, and Mr. D. Q. Fox. The committee held its first meet- ing March 13, 1900, in the rooms of the Commercial Club, at which place, through the kindness of the members of that club, all but two of the numerous subsequent meetings were held. Judge F. M. Hagan was elected President, B. F. Prince Secretary and D. Q. Fox Treasurer.
After its organization the committee began to lay plans for the proper celebration of the anniversary, and which it greatly desired to make worthy of so great an occasion. It outlined and discussed various ways, but reached its final conclusion with great unanimity of sentiment.
On March 29th the General Committee decided on the fol- lowing subjects, each to be committed to the care of a special committee, afterwards named as follows :
CITY GOVERNMENT, WITH ITS DEPARTMENTS-C. J. Bowlus, Chairman : D. Z. Gardner, R. Q. King, A. R. Ludlow, J. S. El- liott, M. L. Milligan.
THE BAR-A. P. L. Cochran, Chairman ; J. F. McGrew, Os- car T. Martin, John L. Zimmerman, John L. Plummer.
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION-Dr. H. H. Seys, Chairman ; Dr. J. M. Miller, Dr. J. M. Buckingham, Dr. R. B. House, Dr. C. W. Russell.
RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS-George H. Fullerton, D. D., Chairman; Rev. Father W. H. Sidley, C. W. Barnes, D. D., Charles S. Kay, David H. Bauslin, D. D., Charles E. Folger, Chandler Robbins, Rev. N. H. Talbott.
THE PRESS-R. S. Thompson, Chairman ; Clifton M. Nich- ols, Harry E. Rice, James A. Linn, Walter Harrison, T. E: Har- wood, L. Weixelbaum.
EDUCATION-Prof. John S. Weaver, Chairman ; Prof. Carey Boggess. Prof. Charles G. Heckert, D. D., Prof. A. E. Taylor, Mrs. L. B. Earnest, Miss Alice M. Mower, Prof. R. J. Nelson, Prof. William H. Weir.
COMMERCIAL INTERESTS-O. F. Hypes, Chairman ; P. E. Bancroft. Edward Wren, E. B. Hopkins, S. B. Stiles, H. L. Saw- yer, Henry Wiseman, George K. Sharpe.
MANUFACTURES-Governor Asa S. Bushnell, Chairman ; O.
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SPRINGFIELD, OHIO.
S. Kelly, Frank R. Packham, Frank M. Bookwalter, W. S. Thom- as, P. E. Montanus, S. E. Baker.
LABOR AND LABOR ORGANIZATIONS-T. J. Creager, Chair- man ; George P. Oates, James S. Stimmel, D. C. Lawrance, Jacob Miller.
AGRICULTURE-R. L. Holman, Chairman ; J. C. Williams, Jolın H. Blose, James Hatfield, William Jenkins, Silas Printz, George Reid, Eli Hunter, Joseph Detrick: Colonel M. Cheney.
FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS-Pearl M. Cartmell, Chairman ; John Parsons, Zachary Taylor, L. M. Harris, H. L. Schaeffer.
THE MILITARY-General J. Warren Keifer, Chairman ; Colonel Charles Anthony, Captain Mark A. Smith, James A. Dicus, WV. R. Burnett.
WOMEN'S WORK AND ORGANIZATIONS-Mrs. F. M. Hagan. Chairman ; Miss Jessie Good, Miss Henrietta Moore, Mrs. W. F. Werheim, Miss Mae McCormick, Mrs. Harry Bean, Mrs. H. G. Marshal, Mrs. T. J. Kirkpatrick, Mrs. W. H. Grant, Mrs. E. N. Lupfer, Mrs. J. H. Rabbitts, Mrs. R. S. Thompson, Mrs. T. J. Casper, Mrs. H. S. Bradley, Miss Eva Carson.
On December 3d the various committees were called to meet with the General Committee, at which time the general work of the Centennial was discussed and the special duties of each committee were outlined. It was desired that each committee should have an early meeting, form its plans of operation, and appoint some one to prepare a paper giving an account of the origin and develop- ment of the particular interests embraced within the title of the committee. At an adjourned meeting held December 18th most of the special committees reported, showing that now the real work in preparation for the celebration was in progress. At this meeting also a full discussion of what the celebration ought to be was had. It indicated that a number of persons were giving thought to the work and were desirous to make the event worthy of our city.
From this time forward the chairman of each special com- mittee was called to meet with the General Committee, which brought the various departments into close touch with the general management, and showed where pressure, if needed, should be applied.
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CENTENNIAL OF
The time of holding the celebration was orginally fixed for the first week in September, 1901, but owing to Labor Day, State Fair, and other interests occurring at that time, it became neces- sary to change the date, which was finally fixed from August 4th to Ioth, the first day to be Religious Day, at which time the paper on the religious organizations of the city would be read.
At the beginning of February the matter of meeting the ex- penses incurred in the matter of carrying forward the work came up for discussion. As a result Governor A. S. Bushnell, Mr. John Foos and Mr. D. Q. Fox were appointed to nominate a Fi- nance Committee, who should secure the funds necessary for the enterprise. They subsequently reported the following names : E. L. Buchwalter, Chairman :. W. H. Schaus, C. J. Bowlus, Charles H. Pierce, Robert Johnson. O. F. Hypes, Charles W. Constantine, Pearl M. Cartmell, Henry Wiseman, Theodore L. Troupe, Wil- liam Kleeman, W. F. Foos. John W. Burk, D. F. Snyder. J. S. Crowell, Herman Voges, Sr., H. J. Rober, James S. Stimmel, R. L. Holman, J. B. Cartmell, E. B. Hopkins.
The Nominating Committee also brought in a budget of ex- penses, which served well as a guide for the amount of money to be raised. The same committee, at a subsequent meeting, was made an Executive Committee, to whom all matters of contract and detail were referred. They proved themselves most efficient in the management of all that pertained to the celebration and were ready at all times to direct and give advice to those who de- sired it.
To further advance the practical work of the Centennial, a Director General, in the person of Mr. I. Ward Frey, was ap- pointed. Mr. Frey at once entered upon his duties, secured head- quarters, a clerk, and such appliances as were necessary to a vigor- ous and effective management. He was unremitting in his labors and the success of the celebration gave proof of his efficiency and wise judgment.
To make the Centennial more instructive and entertaining. it was decided to secure an old log cabin and move it to the grounds, or construct a new one after the fashion of those that were built a century ago. The latter project was alone found feasible, and a double log cabin was built, covered with clapboards,
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SPRINGFIELD, OHIO.
supplied with clay and stick chimneys, and in its furnishings made to appear as nearly as possible like those of olden times. Its care was given to the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, who gathered many relics of the past with which they adorned the cabin and made it attractive to the many thousands of visitors who entered its doors. The Daughters had various sou- venirs which were sought for by many to keep as a reminder of a happy event in their experience, made so largely by the open hospitality of the ladies who had the place in charge ..
The final program for Centennial Week was as follows :
SUNDAY, AUGUST 4. RELIGIOUS DAY.
Rev. George H. Fullerton, D. D., Chairman.
Exercises at 2:30 p. m., at the Fair Grounds.
Doxology-"Praise God, From Whom All Blessings Flow." Invocation By Rev. W. H. Sidley
Anthem. .By the Choir
Reading of Scriptures By S. F. Breckenridge, D. D. Prayer. . By Rev. C. M. Van Pelt Hymn -- "All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name" ..... By the Choir Historical Paper-"Origin of the Churches and Other Relig-
ious Organizations of the City and Clark County"
By Dr. Isaac Kay
Hymn-"My Country, 'Tis of Thee" By the Choir Benediction. By Rev. A. C. McCabe, D. D.
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