USA > Ohio > Butler County > A history and biographical cyclopaedia of Butler County, Ohio, with illustrations and sketches of its representative men and pioneers. Vol. 1 > Part 42
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Captain Symmes's trading experience did not result in a pecuniary benefit to him; so, in 1819, he removed from St. Louis, and settled at Newport, Kentucky, where he resided till 1824, when he removed to his farm, a see- tion of land presented to him by his uncle and name- sake, which had been previously improved, near Ham- ilton, Ohio.
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While at St. Louis Captain Symmes promulgated his eccentric "Theory of Coneentrie Spheres, Polar Voids, and Open Poles." To these investigations relative to the figure of the earth he had devoted many years, and had wrought himself up to a firm and conscientious belief that he had made the great discovery of the age, viz. : "That the earth as well as all the celestial orbicular bodies existing in the universe, visible and invisible, which partake in any degree of a planetary nature, from the greatest to the smallest, from the sun down to the most minute blazing meteor or falling star, are all con- stituted, in a greater or less degree, of a collection of spheres, more or less solid, concentric with each other, and more or less open at the poles; each sphere being separated from its adjoining compcers by space replete with aerial fluids; that every portion of infinite space, except what is occupied by spheres, is filled with an aerial elastic fluid, more subtile than common atmo- spheric air, and constituted of innumerable small con- centric spheres, too minute to be visible to the organ of sight assisted by the most perfect microscope, and so elastic that they continually press on each other and change their relative situations as often as any piece of matter in space may change its position, thus causing a universal pressure, which is weakened hy the interven- tion of other bodies in proportion to the subtended angle of distance and dimension, necessarily eansing the body to move toward the points of decreased pressure." (Symmes's Theory of Concentrie Spheres, p. 25.)
In order to make his discoveries and purposes knowu,
[ he issned the following circular, which, like a lady's let- ter, is most important for its postseript :
No. 1.
. CIRCULAR.
Light gives light to light discover-ad infinitum.
ST. LOUIS ( MISSOURI TERRITORY), NORTH AMERICA, April 10, A. D. 1818. -
TO ALL THE WORLD, ---
I declare the earth is hollow and habitable within; con- taining a number of solid concentrick spheres, one within the other, and that it is open at the poles twelve or sixteen degrees. I pledge my life in support of this trath, and am ready to explore the hollow, if the world will support and aid me in the undertaking. JNO. CLEVES SYMMES, Of Ohio, late Captain of Infantry.
N. B .- I have ready for the press a Treatise on the Prin- ciples of Matter, wherein I show proofs of the above posi- tions, account for various phenomena, and disclose Dr. Darwin's "Golden Secret."
My terms are the patronage of THIS and the NEW WORLDS. I dedicate to my wife and her ten children.
I select Dr. S. L. Mitchill, Sir H. Davy, and Baron Alex- ander Von Humboldt as my protectors.
I ask one hundred brave companions, weil equipped, to start from Siberia, in the Fall season, with reindeer and sleighs, on the ice of the frozen sea; I engage we find a warm and rich land, stocked with thrifty vegetables and an- imals, if not men, on reaching one degree northward of lat- itude $2. We will return in the succeeding Spring.
J. C. S.
Captain Symmes addressed a copy of this circular to every learned institution and to every considerable town and village, as well as to numerous distinguished indi- viduals, throughout the United States, and sent copies to several of the learned societies of Europe.
Its reception by the publie can easily be imagined ; it was overwhelmed with ridicule as the production of a distempered imagination, or the result of partial insanity. It was for many years a fruitful source of jest with the newspapers.
The Academy of Science, of Paris, before which the circular was laid by Count Volney, decided that it was not worthy of consideration The seientifie papers of Europe generally treated it as a hoax, rather than believe that any sane man could issue such a circular or uphold such a theory.
Circulars and newspaper articles soon followed circular No. 1, and were kept up for years, despite of the ridicule which was poured on the unfortunate author from all , sides. In 1820 Captain Symmes commenced lecturing on his theory; first at Cincinnati, then at other large towns in the West. The novelty of the subject attracted large audiences ; but he failed to make converts who pos- sessed wealth or influence enough to seenre the means to test by exploration the truth of his theory. The West- ern Courier of November 27, 1822, indulges in a dream of what would happen two hundred and twenty-eight years from that thue :
.
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"THE YEAR 2150 ANTICIPATED.
" Cincinnati, December 7, 2150 .- The marble monu- ment at Newport, which, in 1838, was erected by our ancestors to the memory of that great philanthropist and philosopher, John Cleves Symmes, fell to the ground on the 5th; its base having been undermined and destroyed by the late unprecedented flood of Licking River.
"Thus the records of fame, when committed solely to such perishable materials, live but a few transitory ages, and ultimately fall in with the general decay ; but the memory of Symmes shall be as unfading and lasting as time itself. We need no frail stones to remind us of his name, who first separated truth from error, and ban- ished ignorance from the world.
"Washington, December 11 .- Two members of Congress from the State of California arrived yesterday in this city by the inland route. They inform us that the other (twenty-one) members from that State had proceeded through the canal at the Isthmus of Darien, to Mexico, where it was their intention to join the Mexican mem- bers, and charter a vessel for their conveyance to this city.
" The meinbers from Chu-gun, in the interior regions, via the North Polar opening, arrived on the 9th inst. ; those from Pestchee-le, via the South Pole, reached the United States on the 30th ult.
" New York, December 2 .- By the late return of the marshal, it is ascertained that this city, which, for the last two centuries, has been termed mistress of the world, now contains two millions of inhabitants, exclusive of foreigners. Philadelphia, her only rival, is found to contain but one million, five hundred thousand."
In May, 1824, Mr. Symines explained his theory at Hamilton, to a large audience with such convincing effect that, after the lecture, they "Resolved, That we esteem Symmes's Theory of the Earth deserving of serious ex- amination, and worthy of the attention of the American people."
So much did the theory attract popular attention in the West, that the " Polar Expedition" was thought a · fit objeet for a benefit at the Cincinnati Theater, which was given on March 29, 1824. Mr. Collins then recited an address, written for the occasion by Moses Brooks, in whichi, after recounting the great discoveries to be made, he wound up with-
" Has not Columbia one aspiring son, By whom th' unfading lanrel may be won ?
Yes! History's pen may yet inseribe the name Of SYMMES, to grace her future scroll of fame."
In 1822 lie petitioned the Congress of the United States, setting forth his belief of the existence of a hab- itable and accessible concave to this globe, his desire to embark ou a voyage of discovery to one or other of the polar regions, his belief in the great profit and honor his country would derive from such discovery, and praying that Congress would equip and fit out for the expedition
two vessels of two hundred and fifty or three hundred tons burden, and grant. such other aid as government might deem necessary to promote the object. This peti- tion was presented in the Senate by Colonel Richard M. Jolinson, a member from Kentucky, on the seventh day of March, 1822, when, after a few remarks, it was laid on the table.
In December, 1823, he forwarded a similar petition to both houses of Congress, which met a similar fate.
In January, 1824, he petitioned the General Assem- bly of the State of Ohio, praying that body to pass a resolution approbatory of his theory, and to recommend him to Congress for an outfit suitable to the enterprise. This memorial was presented by Micajah T. Williams, and, on motion, the further consideration thereof was in- definitely postponed.
In 1825 he applied through the American minister at the court of St. Petersburg for permission to accom- pany the polar expedition then fitting out by the Rus- sian Government, which was readily granted by the chan- eellor, Count Romanzoff; but the want of means to pro- eure a proper ontfit hindered him from accepting the offer.
In one of the copies of the book which was issued to defend his theory, Captain Symmes left notes on the margin, which give as good an account of his theory as we have seen:
"I hoped, ere this, to have been supported in my new theory of the earth by many pupils, but find that most of those who have written are inclined to oppose me. I would prefer having an advocate to state my views, because, in proportion to their extent, I may sub- ject myself to the imputation of extravagance or ostenta- tion, especially as, while I write, I naturally feel elated with my discovery. I am, perhaps, better fitted for thinking than writing. Reared at the plow, I seldom used a pen, except in a commonplace book, until I changed my plowshare for a sword, at the age of twenty- two, not wherewith to earn a fortune (having already an ample farm by the liberality of my revered uncle, after whom I am named), but to merit and obtain distinction, and accumulate knowledge, which I had seldom tasted but in borrowed books. With respect to the latter, the world is now to judge of my success; and in relation to the former, I at least may say I satisfied myself and fel- low-soldiers, if not my country, not only at Bridgewater ~ on our left and the sortie at Fort Erie in the van, but throughout my thirteen years' service, ending the war. I presume few have inquired more devotedly than my- self into the reason and origin of all that occurred to view. I remember when at the age of eleven. in Jersey, while reading a large edition of 'Cook's Voyages,' my father, though himself a lover of learning, reproved me for spending so much of my time from work. and said I was a book-worm. About the same age I used to ha- rangue my playmates in the street, and describe how
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the earth turned round ; but then, as now, however cor- rect my positions, I got few or. no advocates. I muse not, however, say I get no advocates ; for I have several. I particularly boast of two ladies of bright and well- informed minds, on the banks of the Missouri, who are able and earnest advocates and devoted pupils. To them is due the credit of being the first to adopt what the world is so tardy in admitting. But Colonel Dison, who has traded on Lake Winnepeg with the Indians, is. I presume, the most important pupil I have obtained; for he has long been actively engaged in the North-west Company and fur-trade, He declared, in our first inter_ views, that I was certainly correct, and stated to me many important, otherwise inexplicable circumstances oc- curring high in the north, that were completely solved by my principle. He is regarded by such as have long known him at St. Louis as a gentleman of a very strong and well-informed mind. In addition to the passive con- currence of several men of thinking minds, among them a venerable member of the American Philosophical Soci- ety, in this neighborhood, I have been honored with the offers of several more enterprising spirits to accompany me on the expedition I propose; but as the conditions with regard to my outfit by the world are not yet com- plied with, I have not positively accepted of their serv- ices. I still hold my life pledged, however, for the gen- cral truth of my position and devotion to the exploration. I calculate on the good offices of Great Britain and France; for they nurse and patronize the sciences with ardor. My wife boasts her descent from the latter, and I, through five ancestors since the first landing at Plym- outh, trace mine from the former. From the emperor of Russia, so well known as a patron of scientific euter- prise, I flatter myself with much support. I challenge any opposers of my doctrine to show as sound reasons why my theory is not correct as I can show it is. I refer those who seek for truth to Rees's Cyclopedia, and any other books wherein the quadrupeds, fish, and phe- nomena of high latitudes are treated of ; lik wise those books that treat of Venus, Mars, and Satuer, where they will find many tests that, if duly considered, must go to prove my position. In the Cyclopedia, ander the heads of ' Fishery,' . Arctic,' ' Herring,' . Seal,' and all other migrating fishes, it is shown that most, or all of them, retire annually beyond the ivy circle during the Winter, and return, increased in fat and numbers, in the Spring; and under the head . Reindeer' it is stated that this ani- mal passes annually near Hudson's Bay in columns of . eight or ten thousand, from north to south, in the mouths of March and April, and return north in October, as stated under the head of ' Hudson's Bay.' I propose to follow the route taken by the reindeer northward in Sibe- ria, where they dopart every Aufman from the river Lena (as Professor Adams, of St. Petersburg, state. ), he- cause it is probable these deer choose the best season and nearest route to fertile and habitable lands, and because
we can there obtain domestic reindeer and civilized guide .. or assistants. I propose returning either in the course of thirty or forty days, or when the deer return in the Spring. It is presamable that man can live where deer thrive. I do not think there are no dangers attendant ou such a trip, but believe the object will justify risk in all probable ones. In plate 17, Vol. XXXIII, Part II, of the Cyclopedia, the figure of Mars, with his equator toward us, exhibits his pole surrounded with single light circles, whose farther sides extend beyond the periphery of his disc. I hence conclude that his poles are open, and that the light reflected by the farther sides of the verges of the opening is refracted so as to appear ex- tended beyond his dise by means of its coming to nis through the atmosphere of the nearest verges. It is a well-known fact that refraction is greatest toward the poles of the earth, owing, probably to the dense atmio- sphere there. The apparent continuation of the margin of his true dise through these rings (if not an imaginary line dotted there), must be the farther verge of the see- onl sphere within rising by refraction, apparently, as far out of the true periphery of his disc. I contend that the "space within the circumference of the arctic icy circles, if not hollow or greatly concave, could scarcely afford spare or surface to maintain alive and in health all the fish known to come from thenee annually, in the Spring, even if, without resorting to feeding upon each other, this food was inexhaustible and the whole circle water. But floating trees being often found far north of where we see any grow is an impressive circumstance to show it can not be all water, and the fact that those trees are gener- ally such as abound in the tropics, together with several unknown species, shows that there is a hot climate be- yond ; and the migration of the reindeer, too, shows that n.osa or other vegetables abound there, and, consequently, land. Pinkerton states that the Dateh, who, at differ- ent times, got detained by the ice in high latitudes, could find but few fish to eat in the season of Winter, which proves that the migrating fish do not Winter amongst or on this side the ice. I also refer to Dr. Darwin's notes on winds in his 'Botanic Garden'-which I never rend until after I adopted my thevry-where that great, although often extravagant. philosopher declared his belief that there was a great secret, yet to be explained, at the poles, aud anticipated that the light of the present age would disclose it. The stone spheroid he found hollow, and somewhat disposed in concentric strata, and the con- centric iron nodules he describes deserve to be considered. He states that the seeds of several tropical plants are often found in the seas high north, in a state so recent as to vegetate. I recommend the perusal of Mayor's and Pinkerton's Voyages, Pennant and Goldsmith ou Animated Nature, and Hlvarag's and Mackenzie's Travels, wherein many tests of my position exist.
"Pinkerton shows that beyond latitude 75° the north winds are often warm in Winter; that in midwinter
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there falls, for several weeks, almost continued rain; and that vegetables and game are more abundant at 80º thau at 76°. When my chain of reasoning, drawn from the nature of matter, first led me to the conclusion of hollow spheres and open poles, I merely intended broaching it as a question; but when I found the planets of the heavens and the phenomena and natural history of the polar regions afforded proofs incontestable, I then declared the fact without reserve, and have been considered by many as a madman for my pains. Were I, however, in any degree to feel disconcerted by the playful though ill-timed witticisms of others, I should comfort myself in the reflection that, as soon as I shall succeed in the es- tablishment of my theory, the more it has been decried the more I shall feel honored in the event. Innovations in science or art most commonly excite opposition. If additional reasons are required, I have an ample fund yet in store for the world."
Among his converts was a young lawyer, Mr. J. N. Reynolds, a graduate of Ohio University. With him Captain Symmes entered into an agreement for a lectur- ing tour through the Eastern States. They set out in September, 1825, accompanied by Anthony W. Lock- wood, a stepson of Captain Symmes, and lectured in va- rious towns in Ohio. In about a month Captain Symmes was forced to return home in consequence of ill-health. In January, 1826, he rejoined them at Pittsburg, and they proceeded eastward. Some difficulty soon cecurred, however; Reynolds became dissatisfied, and left them. Symmes, undaunted by this desertion, or the constant ridicule with which he was met, continued his tour to Philadelphia, New York, Boston, as far as Maine, and even into Canada, lecturing at the various towns through which he passed.
His health was by this time greatly impaired by his constant labors and excitement, and he was reluctantly obliged to give up lecturing. He retired for a time to his native place in New Jersey. where he remained the guest of an old friend of his father, until his health was sufficiently restored to enable him to travel homeward. When he reached Cincinnati, in February, 1829, he was so fecble that he had to be conveyed on a bed placed in a spring-wagon, to his home near Hamilton. He contin- ued gradually to sink, until released by death on the 29th of May 1829.
His remains were committed to the grave the next day, in the ofl burying-ground at Hamilton, with mili- tary honors. They were covered with a monument, erected by his son, Americus Syaimes, a solid structure of freestone, surmounted with a hollow globe, open at the poles, bearing the following inscriptions :
On the west side-" Captain .John C. Symmes, a na- tive of New Jersey, died in May, 1829, aged forty-nine years and six months."
On the north side-" Captain John Cleves Symmes was a philosopher, and the originator of 'Symmes' The-
ory of Concentric Spheres and Polar Voids.' He con- tended that the earth is hollow and habitable within."
On the sonth side-" Captain John Cleves Symmes entered the army of the United States, as an ensign, in the year 1802. He afterward arose to the rank of cap tain, and performed daring feats of bravery in the bat- tles of Lundy's Lane and sortie from Fort. Erie."
On the abandonment of the burying-ground this inon- mment was left standing, and is now the only one there. The globe has been broken off, and is now to be found in one of the neighboring door-yards.
Captain Symines was a man of great simplicity and earnestness of character-a high-minded, honorable, hon- est, and exemplary man in every walk of life, and was beloved, trusted, and respected by all who knew him.
So fixed in his mind was the belief of the truth of his theory that for ten years, although laboring under great pecuniary cinbarrassments and buffeted by the ridicule and sarcasm of an opposing world, he persevered in his endeavors to interest others in it, so as to enable him to test its truth by a polar expedition ; but without success.
It should now be remembered to his credit that many of the facts and fancies (as they then appeared) which he brought forward in proof of his theory of open polar voids have since been fully corroborated by the observa- tions of Drs. Kane and Hayes and Captain Hall, but applied by them to the more plausible theory of open polar seas.
Captain Symmes's widow survived him, and made her home most of the time with her oldest son, Ameri- cus, though she spent much of her time visiting other members of the family. She died August 5, 1864, at Mattoon, Illinois, while on a visit to her son, Dr. Wm. H. H. Symmes, who was at that time residing there.
They had five children : Louisiana, Ameriens, Wil- liam Henry Harrison, Elizabeth, and Jolm Cleves.
Americus Symmes is a strong believer in his father's theory, and has spent much time in elucidating it. A few years ago be published a book giving the additional facts which had been discovered since the death of his father.
PIERSON SAYRE.
The last of the soldiers of the Revolution who died in Butler County was Pierson Sayre. His lamp bad burned to the very last, and had finally gone out from mere ex- haustion. He was the son of Ezekiel Sayre, and was born at a place now known as Providence, New Jersey, on the 12th of September, 1761. He was too young to enter the service of his country at the beginning of her struggle with Great Britain, but before he had attained his growth as a man entered the army of heroes who had determined to defend their homes and Gresides. He was but seventeen when he joined Lord Sterling's division as a private sollier. In no State did the soldiers have more hardships to endure than in New Jersey, and of these Sayre had his part for two years and a half. He was in
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most of the battles fought during that time, aud in par- ticular was in the battle of Springfield. General Greene was his commander, and the troops bore themselves nobly. He frequently had an opportunity of seeing Washington, and half a century after the general's death loved to recount what he knew of him. Often he would paint from his recollection to those around him that ma- jestic figure, that serene countenance, that power of com- mand that seemed inseparable to him, and would describe his action under trying circumstances.
After Mr. Sayre left the army he went to New York City, where he learned the trade of a carpenter and joiner, as there was then a great demand in that city for persons of that calling. Four years before, the place had been set on fire by either British incendiaries or Ameri- can patriots, it was never clearly known which, and a third part of the town was burned. With the return of peace in 1783, New York became again a center of trade and speculation, and many new houses were built, giv- ing full employment to all. Of this Mr. Sayre had his part ; and in 1786, on the 29th of June, he married Miss Catherine Lewis, with whom he lived happily for fifty-two years, until her death in Hamilton on the 25th of De- cember, 1838, at the age of seventy-five. He remained in New York until 1790, when he removed to the west- ern part of Pennsylvania, and settled in Uniontown, Fayette County, where he remained until 1809, when he came to this State, He was an important man in that community, and was sheriff for three years. He also took an active interest in the militia, and was at differ- ent times commissioned as lieutenant, captain, and major. The date of issuing the last was August 2, 1800, and it was signed by Governor MeKean.
In 1809 Mr. Sayre, with his family, removed from Uniontown to Butler County, buying a farm and tavern- stand seven miles from Hamilton, on the road leading to Middletown. It was then known by the name of the "Cross Keys." It is worth remarking that nearly all the earliest places of entertainment hereabouts were in- dicated by emblematic signs, such as the Black Eagle, Blue Ball, Lamb and Shepherd, as they are even now made known in Europe and ia parts of Pennsylvania. The " Cross Keys" had fermerly had much customs, and was widely known. Many meetings of the pioneers bad been held here in the days when it had been kept by Andrew Christy. Mr. Sayre conducted this place for a few years, when he sold out to Abraham Miles, and re- moved to Cincinnati, where he kept a tavern near the corner of Walnut and Freut Streets, at the sign of the " Green Tree." Mr. Sayre's father had preceded him on his removal to the West, settling in Cincinnati, in 1790, but afterward removing to Reading.
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