A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume I, Part 38

Author: Orth, Samuel Peter, 1873-1922; Clarke, S.J., publishing company
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: Chicago-Cleveland : The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1262

USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume I > Part 38

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Sentiment joined with conviction, and every public meeting and every dis- play of the enforcement of the fugitive slave act increased the excitement.

In 1859 an event occurred which lent its outward show to this increasing feeling. In 1856 a number of slaves owned by one John G. Bacon, of Kentucky, escaped. Among them was one named John, who, Bacon was informed, was in hiding in Oberlin with one of the most zealous promoters of the "Under- ground." In 1858, he sent an agent named Anderson Jennings, to Oberlin to secure the fugitive and take him back. Jennings captured John and started south with him. But when he reached Wellington, on the 15th of September, a mob of about one thousand men surrounded him, relieved him of his charge, sent the negro north and the agent south, and quietly returned to their homes. In the December term of the United States District court, indictments were returned against twenty-seven of the members of the rescuing party, including distin- guished professors in Oberlin college, and business and professional men. On April 5, 1859, the indicted men were brought to Cleveland and one of this number, Simeon Bushnell, was placed on trial by District Attorney George W. Belden, before Judge H. V. Willson. Belden was assisted by George Bliss, and the prisoner found volunteer defenders among the leading lawyers at the Cleveland bar, Rufus P. Spalding, Franklin T. Backus, A. G. Riddle and Seneca O. Griswold. The trial lasted ten days. The jury returned a verdict of guilty, for the evidence was clear that the prisoner was guilty of "rescuing a fugitive from service." The sentence was a fine of six hundred dollars and sixty days' imprisonment in the county jail. The remaining offenders were variously dis- posed of, some by fine and imprisonment, some by nolle.2

The trial naturally attracted national attention; the distinguished prisoners, the noted lawyers for the defense, the peculiar circumstances surrounding the rescue, aroused public interest. But when the sentence was announced and the people realized that an act of liberation could be punished by imprisonment, their indignation was unbounded. In Cleveland there was almost a suspension of business during the trial. Crowds overflowed the courtroom and knots of men were seen everywhere discussing the details. In the midst of this excite- ment, on May 24, 1859, a huge mass meeting of the foes of the fugitive slave act was called. It was by far the largest and most important meeting of its nature yet held in Ohio. People came from many northern Ohio counties by trainload and wagonload. There were multitudes of bands and banners. 'A' vast parade formed and marched by the prison yard, cheering the martyrs. A delegation was sent to the prison to bring the good wishes of the throng, and to these the prisoners admonished moderation. On a large platform erected on the Square near the federal building, speeches were made by Joshua R. Giddings, Governor S. P. Chase, Judge Tilden, Judge Spalding and others. The crowds had gathered to denounce one law and not to break another. The special deputies of the sheriff guarding the jail were not needed.

2 See "History of the Oberlin-Wellington Rescue," by Jacob R. Shepherd, for complete narrative.

OHIO Union Presidential Ticket.

"Hally round the Flag, boys."

FOR PRESIDENT, ABRAHAM LINCOLN, OF ILLINOIS. FOR VICE PRESIDENT, ANDREW JOHNSON, OF TENNESSEE.

ELECTORS. JOHN M. CONNELL, {

JOHN P. BIEHN. At Large.

JOHN K. GREEN,

STANLEY MATTHEWS, LEWIS B. GUNCKEL,

STEPHEN JOHNSTON,

WILLIAM L. WALKER,

MILLS GARDNER HENRY W. SMITH, OZIAS BOWEN, JACOB SCROGGS WILLIAM SHEFFIELD, GEORGE A. WALLER, HENRY F. PAGE. JAMES R. STANBERY. JOHN H. MCCOMBS FREDERICK W. WOOD, LORENZO DANFORD, JOHN McCOOK, SETH MARSHALL, ABNER KELLOGG.

From the original. Courtesy Ilon. F. M. Chandler Face of this ticket, white; the reverse, blue. with word Union woven in intricate de- sign to enable easy identification.

Ohio Union Ticket.

FOR GOVERNOR, JACOB D. COX. FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR,

ANDREW G. MCBURNEY. FOR TREASURER OF STATE, SIDNEY S. WARNER. FOR SUPREME JUDGES, (FULL TERM,)

JACOB BRINKERHOFF. (TO KILL VACANCY,) JOHN WELCH. FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL, WILLIAM H. WEST. FOR SCHOOL COMMISSIONER, JOHN A. NORRIS FOR BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS, JAMES MOORF. FOR CLERK OE SUPREME COURT, RODNEY FOOS.

Union County Ticket.

FOR SENATOR,

SAMUEL WILLIAMSON, FOR REPRESENTATIVES, DAVID A. DANGLER, CHARLES B. LOCKWOOD, MORRIS E. GALLUP. FOR COUNTY TREASURER, JOSEPH TURNEY. FOR PROSECUTING ATTORNEY, MARSHALL S. CASTLE. FOR COUNTY COMMISSIONER, RANDALL CRAWFORD. FOR CORONER, JULIUS C. SCHENCK.

This ticket was printed in red ink, to make identification casy. Date, 1868.

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HISTORY OF CLEVELAND

In the fall of the same year occurred another, a vastly more far reaching event, to arouse the sentiment of the people. John Brown was hanged. On November 29, 1859, a meeting was held in the Euclid Avenue Wesleyan chapel, presided over by Judge Tilden, for the purpose of making preparations for a proper observation of December 2, the day of Brown's execution. It was recom- mended "that the bells of the churches in the city be tolled for half an hour from 2:00 p. m., Tuesday, December 2; that a general meeting be held at Melo- deon hall at 7:00 o'clock p. m. on that day to give expression to public sentiment, on the occasion of the sacrifice to the Moloch of Slavery by the killing of the body of John Brown by the commonwealth of Virginia."

On the day of the execution the "Herald" appeared bordered with black bands, flags were at half mast and from Dr. Kirtland's flagstaff floated an American flag bordered with black. A white banner bordered with black was stretched across Superior street from the Bennett House with the words: "I do not think I can better serve the cause I love so much than to die for it."

The Melodeon, where the meeting was held, was draped in black, and among the mottoes on the wall were these: "If I had interfered in behalf of the great, the wealthy and the wise, no one would have blamed me." "John Brown, the Hero of 1859." "His noble spirit makes despots quail and Freedom triumph." The hall was crowded. Judge Rufus Spalding suggested that there be no ap- plause. There were many speakers but the solemn and unusual circumstance of the evening was the reading, by Judge Spalding, of a letter received by Judge Tilden from John Brown, the previous Thursday. At the conclusion of the reading the letter was passed around, the people requesting an opportunity "to look at the last words from John Brown."3

The body of John Brown was brought to Hudson in Summit county. There was great excitement along the route and many Clevelanders went to Hudson to the interment. The services of an undertaker were not secured until the body reached New York. The excitement in Philadelphia and Baltimore was too great to risk any stop.

These events resulted in amalgamating, politically, the anti-slavery sentiment in the republican party and in the election of Lincoln in 1860.

One other important event occurred in Cleveland before the war. On Jan- uary 19, 1861, a posse of federal officers, under the guidance of Seth A. Abbey, a deputy United States marshal, forcibly entered the home of L. A. Benton on Prospect street and carried away a young mulatto girl, named Lucy, purport- ed to be a runaway slave, belonging to William S. Goshorn of Wheeling, Vir- ginia, and placed her in the county jail. The news was soon over the town and an immense crowd gathered around the courthouse threatening to liberate the girl. Judge Rufus P. Spalding, A. G. Riddle and C. W. Palmer at once vol- unteered to act as her counsel and applied for a writ of habeas corpus. On the morning of January 21, Judge Tilden ordered her release upon the ground that the sheriff, an officer of the county, had no right to hold her. The unfor- tunate girl was taken into the custody of the United States marshal immediately upon her release, and guarded by one hundred and fifty special deputies, she was taken from the courthouse to the federal building to be given a hearing before United States Commissioner White. The commissioner required the

' See "Herald" of that date for details.

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HISTORY OF CLEVELAND

taking of depositions in Virginia. On January 23, the hearing was had. Judge Spalding admitted that he had no evidence to warrant the release of the girl. He made a fervid plea, surrendering the girl "to that law, whose tender mercies are cruelties." "We are this day offering to the majesty of constitutional law an homage that takes with it the virtual surrender of the finest feelings of our nature; the vanquishing of many of our strictest resolutions; the mortification of a freeman's pride and I almost said the contravention of a Christian's duty to his God."

There was most intense excitement during this episode. Some of the deputies were men "who have often honored the records of the police court."5 An affray with some free colored men occurred, and as the marshal was leading the girl into the federal building several women tried to throw red pepper into his eyes. The offenders were promptly arrested. An attempt was made to rescue Lucy after she had been taken to the train and was on her way to Virginia, but owing to the alertness of the conductor the attempt failed.6

Within a few months the sound of the bugle and the drum was heard on the Public Square, calling many of the men who witnessed these scenes to the finai arbitrament of the great issue. To the lasting glory of Cleveland, it is recorded that the city passed through these years of agitation, excitement and passion without guilt of mob violence.

With the firing on Sumter, April 12, 1861, the long repressed feelings of the people were suddenly let loose. Excited crowds filled the streets and gathered in front of the newspaper offices. A great meeting was held in the Melodeon on April 15th. Military organizations were feverishly perfected. April 18th the Grays, the first Cleveland company to leave for the front, were escorted to the Union depot by an immense multitude. From time to time, as special occasion demanded, war meetings were held to urge ready enlistments and to cheer the government in its trying ordeal. The sentiment of the people followed their soldiery.

July 4, 1862, was a notable day. The Union army was before Rich- mond. The morning of the 4th was ushered in with the ringing of bells and the firing of the guns captured by Cleveland soldiers in the West Virginia cam- paign. "The old flag borne for six days in fire and blood with varying for- tunes, still waves on the James river," said the "Herald."

A historic meeeting in behalf of the enlistment was called July 22, 1862, in Brainard hall. But the crowd made the room inadequate and the meeting ad- journed to the Square, where Governor Dennison, Hon. H. J. Jewett, Colonel George McCook and Colonel J. C. Vaughan addressed the meeting. It was, "Re- solved that the governor be respectfully yet earnestly requested to convene the legislature in extraordinary session at the earliest day practicable, in order to pass such laws as will meet the present crisis and its demands. And it is hereby

5 "Herald," January 22, 1861.

6 An unusual circumstance is connected with the subsequent history of Lucy, who was the last person returned from Ohio under the Fugitive Slave Law. After the war she settled in Pittsburg and married one George Johnson. Later she came to Cleveland and at the meeting of the Early Settlers Association, September 10, 1904, she was escorted to the platform and introduced to the wondering audience. See "Annals Early Settlers Associa- tion," Vol. 5, p. 142.

- communicate to nun. Cleaveland, May 9, 1820. 30-3

Je for the ace. of in+ appears. 850 dol- ary , 245,- e. for the ! the last dollars .- uthosised ¿ the ten the following negro men, viz.

500 Dollars Reward. RAN AWAY, ROM the subscribers, in Clarksburg, Vir- ginia, on the 6th of the present month,

the importi the Messen! All kind: livered by Every at the subscri! ble for acci

Newburg

MARTIN & SAM.

MARTIN is a very handsome negro, about 5 feet 6 or 8 inches high, compactly built, of a light black complexion, his teeth usually yellow from the chewing of tobacco, not talk . ative, erect in his appearance, and about 20 years of age. Had on when he absconded, aj o'clock, A. new fur hat, black cloth coatee, white woolen pantaloons, &c.

B " virti court and to me { pose for sal day of Ma.

house of 1 Cleaveland 2 Boxe 50 pairs, gon, 1 or pairs Plo Glass, 2 I pounds, Beer.

Cleavela

FA IN the to' her for 60

HARD M. is, in tes- intry and le on the the late ed to that nt of the artments, congrese se distin- presenting ntry's ap- im as fol .

The above reward of five hundred dollars will be paid to any person, who will appre. hend and deliver said slaves to us, at Clarks- burg, or three hundred dollars will be given if they are secured in jail, co that we may get them again-or two hundred dollars will be given to any person who will particularly inform us, by letter or otherwise, where they are, so that we get them again ; which infor- mation shall by us be deemed confidential:

In the event of. but one of them being re. covered, one half of the above reward, upon the terms above mentioned. will be given. EDWARD B. JACKSON, JONATHAN JACKSON.

April 10th, 1820. 30-3₩

:h is very late war, side ; on frontiers, e. Hon-

R. WOOD, Attorney & Counsellor at Law, and Solicitan is Shown.

thirty-five which are quality can orchard, jus ty to filty b ises there i House, twi part finisher in eachı, an. is a framed with a sma' of the kitc cellar, 28 b the kitchen water. The conc ate) can be John Ruple to Mr. Samt

From the original in Western Reserve Historical Society

AN ADVERTISEMENT OF RUN AWAY SLAVES, "HERALD"-APRIL, 1820

imated at ;iency " of 198. dolls. able, dur- 71 cents, applied to 7.29, and , meet the or 1820;"> is amount ? The re- :eipts and " result of ¿,000 dol-

SAM is very black, 5 feet 9 or 10 inches bigh, about 30 years of age, stoops in walking, has large white eyes, free and easy to talk, and while talking, blows much, from a phthis- ical complaint, laughs readily, took a quantity of cloathing with bin, and wore a white fur bat, blue and white round-about and panta- loons. They have made their way into the state of Ohio, at the mouth of Fishing Creek, and perhaps will be found in the direction of Woodville, Barnsville, Mount Pleasant, St. Clairsville, Freeport, Cadiz and Cleaveland ; or they will turn through Cambridge, by Co. shocton, Mount Vernon, Upper Sandusky. by the way of Crogensville, to Canada ; or from Sandusky to Perrysville and Detroit, into Canada.

ark upon y recom . y in the th a res. e United a plan to ess, at its ng in the itures, as finances

297

HISTORY OF CLEVELAND

recommended that the members of the legislature receive no compensation for their attendance at said session."

The draft proceeded in Cleveland without trouble. The few "skedaddlers" who evaded by going to Canada were promptly arrested when they returned.

September 10, 1862, word was received that Cincinnati was in danger of being captured by the Confederates. Immediately the "Cleveland Squirrel Hunters" were organized and sent down to Kentucky. Their equipment was crude. The "Herald" advertised that headquarters were established at the Athenaeum, "where all men for the defense of Cincinnati will be received and sent forward. They must all be armed with muskets and rifles and have one blanket." W. B. Castle, chairman of the committee, asks in the same issue for "rifles, powder flasks, powder horns, haversacks, canteens, tin cups, cartouch boxes, bayonet scabbards and belts. Patriotic citizens are requested to fur- nish the above articles."

March 31, 1863, the Union League was organized at a mass meeting in Brainard's hall, amid the greatest enthusiasm. H. M. Chapin was chairman and E. E. Rouse, secretary. It was "Resolved that we will have no dissolution of the Union; that we will have no armistice; that we can and will fight as long as traitors and rebels can; that this war shall go on until the national flag shall float in triumph over every state now in rebellion and the national law is re- stored therein."

"Resolved that we tender to our brave and heroic soldiers in the field our warmest greetings and we assure them that while they are fighting the rebels in front, we pledge ourselves to protect them from traitors in the rear."

This was the answer given to the street talk and the newspaper items that discussed the possibility of the dissolution of the Union. It was in the heat of the notable Vallandigham campaign, when "copperheads" were a little bolder than usual. A meeting of southern sympathizers was held June 20, 1863, in a small hall in the fifth ward. The meeting seems to have been a disappointment to both its friends and enemies. A few days later, June 22, Judge Thurman spoke three hours in defense of Vallandingham in Brainard hall. Even so distinguished and patriotic a champion could arouse no love in Cleveland for the cause of the friends of compromise.

In July, 1863, when the fever of the "copperhead" discussion was at high heat, and when the news of the bloody riots in New York city caused uneasiness everywhere, the "Cleveland Minute Guards" were organized. The company was composed mostly of business men who were willing to serve as a posse comitatus, subject to the call of the city in case of riot or other need. W. P. Fogg was chosen captain and V. C. Taylor, first lieutenant. Regular drills were held and the mayor was notified of its willingness to serve in emergencies. Fortunately no riots occurred.

In November, 1863, there were rumors of a plot to release the Confederate prisoners from the federal prison on Johnson's island in Sandusky bay. A careful patrol of the shores was maintained and Buffalo, Erie and Cleveland were especially alert.

February 7, 1864, two Confederate officers, a major and a lieutenant, stopped at the New England hotel. They were in charge of a lieutenant who had been

298

HISTORY OF CLEVELAND

imprisoned at Johnson's island and were on their way to Fortress Monroe. Their presence in the city caused some excitement and a watch seems to have been kept over them, and those who called on them at the hotel were marked.

The drain made upon the resources of the country appealed to the patriotism of the citizens. A "Non-importation League" was organized in Brainard hall, May 19, 1864. Judge H. V. Willson presided. Colonel Charles Whittlesey, Judge Tilden and the eloquent McSweeney of Wooster addressed the meet- ing. Many of the most substantial citizens cooperated in the movement as the following committee on resolutions indicates : Colonel Charles Whittlesey, Amasa Stone, Jr., Samuel Williamson, M. B. Scott, J. G. McCurdy, D. R. Tilden, H. B. Payne, Mrs. Governor Brough, Mrs. A. B. Stone, Mrs. George A. Benedict, Mrs. A. G. Colwell, Mrs. William Mittleberger, Mrs. Samuel Williamson and Mrs. M. C. Younglove. This committee reported May 30 as follows : "As loyal men and women of the United States desirous of aiding the country in every possible manner, we hereby pledge ourselves during the present rebellion to practice rigid economy of living, especially in regard to articles not strictly necessary; and also, knowingly, not to purchase, for the use of ourselves or families, articles of foreign growth or manufacture mentioned below, usually called luxuries, to wit: Dress goods, which are all silk or all wool or all silk and wool (except merinoes and bombazines), shawls, embroidery and lace (ex- cept silk and cotton blonde), all expensive ribbons, feathers and flowers, all velvets, carpets, broadcloth, cassimeres, wines, liquors and cigars, diamonds, watches and all ornaments in the line of jewelry." This patriotic self-denial became popular for a time.

When the news came, September 3, 1864, that Sherman had reached Atlanta, there was a spontaneous outpouring of the people. The Square was illuminated, speeches were made, fireworks and cannon enlivened the night.

The Union Club, that was organized during this period of fervor, advertised "Headquarters Central Union Club, No. 19 Public Square, northeast corner, open every day and evening. A large supply of Union documents, both English and German, always on hand, both for city and county. New York papers on file." *

On November 6, 1864, the mayor received a dispatch from the mayor of Buffalo that the propellor "Georgian" was acting suspiciously and that it was reported that the ship would be "armed for piratical or predatory purposes on the lakes or frontier." The city authorities placed some twelve pounders and artillery men on duty, a company of the twenty-ninth regiment, national guards, patrolled the city, several tugs were stationed where quick action would result and several steamers and propellors in the harbor were made ready for giving chase if necessary. There was no need for this vigilance, however, the "Geor- gian" made us no further trouble.

Through the severe strain of the war, the city passed without mob violence. The death of Lincoln stirred the people's hearts to their profoundest depths. The news was received here in silence. Two southern sympathizers were incautious enough to express pleasure over the assassination. One of them barely eluded a mob by being locked in the jail. The fury of the people would have made short work of the traitor. The other indiscreet sympathizer was J. J. Husband,

* "Herald," October 22, 1864.

ERECTED A.D. LOSE

MPISMITH

ALEVERE IT

CONTRA , RE

S. PAUNECA

WY FICHARDE

RAMMEBIPNERE

THE CORNER STONE OF THE "OLD COURT HOUSE" Showing the name of the archiect, J. J. Husband chiseled out. This was done by citizens soon after Husband had made derogatory remarks about President Lincoln the day after his assassination.

299

HISTORY OF CLEVELAND

the architect of the old courthouse. The writer has the story from an eye wit- ness, Julius Swain, who was then employed as a civil engineer on the Atlantic & Great Western railway. Mr. Swain had been out of the city on business and re- turned early on Saturday morning of April 15th. He had heard rumors on the train that Lincoln had been killed and on arriving at the depot he saw these rumors confirmed in the extra editions of the "Herald" and "Leader." As he walked to the Weddell House, where the officers of the road construction had their headquarters, he was joined by a stranger. Swain said, "Isn't this fright- ful news?" The stranger replied, "O, I don't know, it served him right to be shot." Too shocked to reply, Swain went into the dining room for his break- fast. There he related the unnatural comment of the stranger. The men at the table listened in silence. 'After breakfast he was asked to describe the man, and looking out of the hotel window he saw him standing across the street and pointed him out. "Why that is Husband, the architect," one of the men said, and slipped out to the "Herald" office. "Within three or four minutes," Mr. Swain relates, "a mob had gathered. The people seemed to come out of the earth and they were furious. The object of their wrath fled to his office on the top floor of a Superior street building. But he was pursued and made his escape through the skylight. He was compelled finally to ask the sheriff to lock him up in the courthouse, and subsequently sneaked out of town."

His name was chipped out of the corner stone of the courthouse the same day. This was the only mob violence suffered by Cleveland during these excit- ing years. And who shall say that it was unjustified?

HON. STEPHEN A D OUGLAS

HONHERSCHEL V. JOHNSON

OF ILLINOIS, FOR

OF GEORGIA, FOR

PRESIDENT.

EVICE PRESIDENT.

WIE MAGSAUS NEW YORK

PUBLISHED BY CURRIERDIVES, >> > >

NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC BANNED.

1460.

From a Hhograph In the collection of the author

POLITICAL POSTER. 1860

DIVISION V.

MILITARY.

This entire division was prepared by Colonel J. F. Herrick. It was his last public work; for soon after the completion of the manuscript, he answered the last roll call. Colonel Herrick, after graduating from Oberlin college in 1862, raised the Eighty-seventh Ohio infantry, was elected captain, was captured by the Confederates at Harper's Ferry, was paroled, came to Cleveland and raised a company for the Twelfth Ohio cavalry and was commissioned as major. He served with the Twelfth cavalry as a part of the Sixth Division of the Twenty- seventh army corps, until the close of the war. At Marion, Virginia, he led the cavalry charge, which won for him the commendation of his superiors, and distinction as a gallant officer.

In civil life, Colonel Herrick was no less earnest in his public duties. He practiced law with success, was state senator, and active in numerous benevolent and fraternal societies.

Courtesy "Waechter und Anzeiger"

THE PERRY MONUMENT, PUBLIC SQUARE

From a "photograph made on the night of March 14, 1882, by the Brush Electric Light Mast System"

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A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume I, Part 38

Author: Orth, Samuel Peter, 1873-1922; Clarke, S.J., publishing company Publication date: 1910 Publisher: Chicago-Cleveland : The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 1262

Author: Orth, Samuel Peter, 1873-1922; Clarke, S.J., publishing company
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: Chicago-Cleveland : The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1262