A history of Scioto County, Ohio, together with a pioneer record, Part 45

Author: Evans, Nelson W. (Nelson Wiley), 1842-1913
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Portsmouth, O. N. W. Evans
Number of Pages: 1612

USA > Ohio > Scioto County > A history of Scioto County, Ohio, together with a pioneer record > Part 45

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).

We have given a short statement of the elections returns of the County for the first fifty-seven years. For further particulars on this subject, we re- fer to the State publications, or to the bound volumes of newspapers published in the county.

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HISTORY OF SCIOTO COUNTY.

A law should be passed requiring the annual county elections to be re- corded and preserved in permanent form. All prior to 1876 have been destroy- ed by the County Officers.

Independence Days.

The first record we have of any celebration in the new County of Scioto was on the 4th of July, 1808. Isaac Bonser, who lived on Bonser's Run, gave a great celebration. He cut his wheat and took it to Maysville, and had it ground to make bread. At that time it took him two days to go to Maysville in a canoe. It is reported that he pushed the canoe back up the river in one day. By some means the notice of this celebration, became noised abroad, and people came from West Union, Maysville, Chillicothe, and Gallipolis. There were 300 pres- ent. They were mostly hunters, which means that they were persons intimate and well acquainted with Isaac Bonser, who was a great hunter himself. The parties at the celebration bored out a log and banded it with iron to make a cannon, but it bursted. Robert Lucas read "the Declaration" and made a speech. Fresh meat was baked over a pit of hickory coals. An old Virginia negro was cook. Some of the party remained several days. General Tupper of Marietta was present. Whiskey was plenty. John Campbell was the gunner of that day and when he touched the gun off he dodged behind a poplar tree, and it is said to have bursted at the sixth discharge.

July 4, 1825 was a great day in Union Township. There was a celebration there by Captain Peter Noel's Rifle Company. There was a free dinner and sixteen toasts were proposed and responded to. Among them were John Q. Adams, Henry Clay, The Ohio Canal and the State of Ohio.

July 4, 1827 was celebrated in Portsmouth, the first we have of any re- cord. A procession was formed in front of the Court House, then on Market street there were two companies of Militia in uniform, that marched to the Presbyterian meeting house on Second street, just east of Lynn's livery stable. The ceremonies opened with prayer. Edward Hamilton read the Declaration of Independence, and an oration was pronounced by Charles O. Tracy. The procession marched back and sat down to dinner on the river bank.

Thir- teen toasts were offered. Of the volunteer toasts, John Noel responded to "the Patriots of 1776." John H. Thornton, John R. Turner, Dr. N. W. An- drews and Samuel Dole all responded to toasts. The Light Infantry, Captain John McDowell, dined at Colonel McDonald's. That Company also had thir- teen regular toasts. Captain Kennedy Lodwick's Artillery Company also cele- brated the day at a public dinner at Peebles' tavern.

July 4, 1829, there was a proper celebration of the day in Portsmouth. The notice of the arrangements was published as early as June 6. At a meeting on June 13th, Samuel M. Tracy was chairman and M. B. Ross Secretary of the meeting. The Committee to take charge of the celebration was: Col. John McDonald, Dr. Andrews, Dr. Hempstead and Samuel M. Tracy.

Perhaps the greatest celebration ever in the history of Portsmouth was on July 4, 1831. The citizens assembled at the Court House at 11 o'clock A. M. Rev. E. Brainard opened with prayer. Francis Cleveland read the Declara- tion of Independence. Then there were salvos of Artillery, which were al- ways fired directly after the reading of "the Declaration," a defiance to old King George. Edward Hamilton delivered the oration. John H. Thornton and Henry Jeffords marshalled the procession, and they marched to a grove just south of the late residence of John P. Terry. Cornelius McCoy furnished the dinner. William Oldfield and Roswell Crain presided by turns. There were 120 at the table, among them were several Revolutionary Soldiers and some strangers. There was an amateur choir and ladies were present. There were thirteen regular toasts and 24 volunteer toasts. Among those who partici- pated in the dinner were, Azel Glover, James W. Davis, M. B. Ross, J. L. Mc- Vey, George Corwine, John Lawson, R. R. Peebles, brother of John G., Gen. Wm. Kendall, M. O. Reeves, E. Gunn, Robert Montgomery, Jacob Offnere Francis Cleveland, Henry Cooper, Elijah Glover, John R. Turner, James Young, Z. P. Flower, George McCague, who each and all responded to volunteer toasts. Five of these were in honor of Henry Clay. There were many refer- ences afterwards to this celebration, and future generations in Portsmouth, regarded it as the greatest celebration which had ever taken place.

THE MCDERMOTT STONE CO. MILL NO. 1.

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INDEPENDENCE DAYS.

July 4, 1838, the 62nd anniversary of the Independence of the United States, was duly celebrated in Portsmouth. The people met at 10:30 at the Court House. This was the present Court House. Rev. Nairn prayed, Cap- tain Cleveland read the Declaration, and Benjamin Ramsey delivered the ora- tion. Colonel John Row marshaled the procession to Waller's Woods. The dinner was prepared by John Watson, and as usual there were thirteen regular toasts. The volunteer toasts were by William Oldfield, George Corwine, Wil- liam V. Peck, B. Kepner, C. O. Tracy, Edward Hamilton, Benjamin Ramsey, Thomas Sterne, Elijah Glover, R. H. Patillo, W. P. Camden and W. S. Belt, a son of Judge Levin Belt, a teller in the bank. Mr. Ramsey's oration was published in the Tribune of July 10th, by request.

July 4, 1839, the Sunday Schools celebrated Independence Day in Ports- mouth. Addresses were made by Rev. A. Brown, Rev. E. Burr and Rev. W. Simmons. Edward Hamilton read the Declaration of Independence. There was a basket dinner for the first time in Portsmouth John Kennedy Lodwick, John B. Davis and James McDowell, who were then lads, carried the banner in the procession.

July 4, 1840, there were two celebrations, one by "the Franklin Institute" at the Court House, where O. F. Moore delivered an oration; and the other by "the Mechanics." The latter formed a procession at the Market House un- der charge of Captain Samuel Huston, Marshal and Elihu Cook, assistant; and with the Portsmouth band went to Waller's Woods, where A. C. Davis read the Declaration and W. R. Holmes delivered the oration. Thomas Lloyd of the Exchange furnished the dinner.

July 4, 1842, the Sunday Schools again celebrated the day. They assem- bled at the Methodist Church and marched to the woods, where the Declaration was read by A. C. Davis, and William E. Williams delivered the oration. Wil- liam Newman presided and there were thirteen toasts as usual.

July 4, 1846, there was firing of guns all day. The Portsmouth Guards, Captain P. Kinney went to the woods in the forenoon, returned to the U. S. hotel and listened to an oration by Col. O. F. Moore; they also had a dinner prepared by Colonel Graham. At 6 P. M. they went to L. N. Robinson's, where the ladies of the town had an entertainment. There were speeches, rockets, fire balloons, etc. The Washington Guards, Captain Reiniger, drilled during the day and went to a ball in the evening at the National Hotel. The Washing- ton Dragoons, a horse company, paraded during the day. A Rifle Company from Lucasville under Captain Morgan was in town. There were 800 to 1,000 people in the town trom adjoining towns. One young man got drunk and was sent to what was called "the Cowhorn tavern," a substitute of that day, for the County jail.

July 4, 1849, the people of Portsmouth were holding their breath on ac- count of cholera, and there was no public celebration. The Washington Guards turned out and paraded and so did Captain Clark's Company of Horses. July 4, 1850, the Portsmouth Guards paraded and marched to Morgan's Grove, where the Declaration was read by Samuel Riggs. An address was made by Lieutenant O. F. Moore. A collation was spread and toasts were drank with lemonade. There was platoon firing, and the ladies were present. On returning the ladies were invited to march to town inside of a hollow square, formed by the Guards. The invitation was accepted by several and one lady carried a musket. Her name has not been preserved. In the atter- noon the Sunday Schools met at the Methodist Church where addresses were delivered and afterwards the children went to the Kentucky hills. The steam- ers "Whiteman" and "Resort," with a band on the former, brought down a party of Kentuckians, who took dinner at the Franklin House. Between 4 and 5 P. M. "the Raging Tads," a party of maskers arranged in fantastic style, pa- raded east of the U. S. Hotel. The roll of this organization, composed of aw- tur names, was called. They shouted "We eat all we kill," and pretended to be Cannibals. At this remote period, it will be proper to say that Squire Hall, then a youth, was the leading spirit in the organization.

July 4, 1851, began the fashion of basket picnics in the Country on In- dependence Day, and many parties went out picnicing on that day. The Ports- mouth Guards paraded. They marched down town and took dinner at Hus- ton's Hotel. Lieutenant O. F. Moore and John R. Turner made addresses.

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HISTORY OF SCIOTO COUNTY.

The Washington Guards, a German Company, Captain C. F. Reiniger, Sr., paraded and drilled. In the afternoon the "Earthquakes" turned out in gro- tesque costumes. Preparatory to the celebration of the 4th of July, 1858, the soldiers of the Revolution were invited to unite in the 82nd anniversary on the 4th of July next. Whether this was intended as ironical or not, we do not know, as we are not aware of any who were living at that time.

July 4, 1858, came on Sunday, and Saturday was observed. There was a grand celebration. On Friday evening, July 2nd, a delegation came from Chillicothe with some of their firemen. Mayor Kerr welcomed them, and Col. W. E. Gilmore of Chillicothe responded. Saturday, the 3rd of July, was a beautiful day. It was ushered in by salvos of artillery. Fire Company No. 1 marched to Mr. Malcomb's in the morning and received a present of a flag from the ladies. Mrs. Stone presented the flag. W. S. Huston responded. The No. 2's went to P. C. Kinney's, Fourth and Court, where a banner was pre- sented to them. Mrs. P. C. Kinney presented it. James A. Farden respond- ed. A procession was formed on Market and Second streets, as follows:

1. The Mayor and Councilmen of Chillicothe and Portsmouth.

2. The Clergymen and the Press.

3. The Portsmouth Light Artillery.

4. Washington Guards, John A. Turley, Marshal and Staff.

5. Citizens and strangers.

6. The Chillicothe firemen.

7. The Portsmouth firemen, of four companies. John L. Ward, Chief Marshal.

The route of the march was from Market to Sixth, Sixth to Court, up Court to Seventh, un Seventh to Chillicothe, Chillicothe to Front, Front to Madison, Madison to Second, and from Second to "the Fair Grounds." There was an arch on Second street where there were thirteen Misses, representing the thirteen original states, and Miss Irene Huston representing the Goddess of Liberty. At "the Fair Grounds" there was prayer by Rev. E. P. Pratt. R. H. Shannon read the Declaration. The Light Artillery then fired 33 guns one for each state, then music, then an oration by George Turner, followed by music. An address was read to the Firemen, by John Locke. It was written by Henry Hope and was a poem. Then there was a public dinner. Jim Hannahs was the cook. Plates were set for 1,500. There were thirteen regu- lar toasts and four volunteer toasts, responded to by W. E. Gilmore, L. N. Robinson, W. C. Hood, and others. The Fire Companies and Councilmen footed the bill. Department, No. 1, $83.00; No. 2, $223; No. 3, $100.00; No. 4, $52.00; City Council, $400. Total, $858.

It was the greatest celebration of the day ever held in Portsmouth. 500 pounds of roast beef, 45 pounds of boiled ham, 10 roast pigs, 2 roast sheep, 200 pounds of baked fresh fish, 700 loaves of bread, 500 pies, 200 pounds of cheese, 50 pounds of cakes, and 2,000 sugar cakes were consumed. It is said that the uniforms of the firemen and the military men were perfectly dazzling. The girls of the day have not recovered from that celebration yet. It is now related that Jim Hannahs ate so much that day that he has not been lıungry since.

July 4, 1861, there was a grand military parade in the forenoon, under Brigadier-General Peter Kinney. "The Dragoons" were commanded by Cap- tain Joe Vern, the Artillery by Captain Martin Molster, the Kinney Light Guards by Captain Earl, the Third Ward Home Guards by Captain Sampson E. Varner, Steuben Guards by Captain C. F. Reiniger, the Independent Rifles by Captain Brunner, the Fourth Ward Home Guards by Captain Bentley, Hus- ton's Company, by Captain Bill Huston, the Portsmouth Zouaves by Lieu- tenant Goldrick, the Portsmouth Rifles by Captain Hope, the Junior Zouaves by Captain Huston and the Portsmouth Cadets by Captain Jack Lewis. They numbered abut 600 and paraded the streets, and then on Front street they en- gaged in firing. The day was clear and beautiful throughout.

July 4, 1862, Portsmouth tried to have a celebration but failed. Lucas- ville had a great one at Dugan's Grove. There was an address by Lieut .- Colo- nel Moore and also by Henry Jeffords. There were bands of music, dancing, etc., and a number of Sunday Schools were present.

There is no account of any celebration on the 4th of July, 1863.

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INDEPENDENCE DAYS.

July 4, 1864, was celebrated by a dinner to the returned soldiers of the 56th O. V. I. at Massie Hall. This was a public dinner and reception. The returning veterans paraded the street. A great many people came down on the noon train, on the Marietta & Cincinnati Railroad. They assembled at the lower Market House. Cononel Kinney presided, and speeches were made by Hon. Eli Glover, Col. J. R. Hurd and Dan McFarland. Then they went to Massie Hall and had dinner, which was gotten up by John Vetter. There were two saloon fights on account of war feeling, while the dinner was going on. William Lloyd beat up a countryman named Slocum and Frank Wear struck Lieutenant H. Lantz of the 56th Ohio, with a sling shot. John L. Ward, acting marshal undertook to arrest them and he was struck with a stone. The poli- tical feeling was high. The 56th O. V. I. left the Massie Hall and put an end to the disorder. Captain Henry E. Jones made a speech at the 56th O. V. I. dinner.

July 4, 1871, cannon were fired at midnight. There was a band of music paraded the streets at 5 A. M., at which time the City firemen paraded. It rained most of the day and the firemen occupied Wilhelm's Hall or Opera House, all day for their pleasure.

July 4, 1876, was the hundredth anniversary of Independence Day and the Centennial Fourth was celebrated in Music Hall, a temporary structure on Chillicothe street. The following was the program: Music, prayer by Rev. E. P. Pratt, Patriotic Ode, Introductory Adress, N. W. Evans, Introductory Address in German by Prof. Carl Huber, Music, Reading of the Declaration, W. W. Monroe, Centennial Poem; J. W. Fulton, Oration, Hon. Wells A. Hutch- ins, Music, Historical Address, Rev. J. T. Franklin, Music, History of the County, Elijah Glover, Doxology, Benediction by Rev. C. W. Bethauser. The programme was carried out to the letter, but the attendance was not as it should have been for the hundredth anniversary. The people who ought to have been there were picnicing in the country, but those who were present were brimful and running over with patriotism, and those attending made up for those who were absent.

July 4, 1890, was formally celebrated in Portsmouth. At 5 P. M. gun firing began and 42 guns were fired at intervals of five minutes. There was a par- ade at 9 in the morning in seven divisions:

1. The City Police, Civic Band, River City Dragoons, with Creed Mil- stead, Grand Marshal.

2. The Soldiers of the Civil War under Captain Cole Gillilan.

3. The Sons of Veterans under Filmore Musser, Colonel.

4. The uniformed secret societies preceded by the Jackson band, A. L. Sanford, Colonel.

5. The Winchester band followed by non-uniformed secret societies, W. A. Connelley, Colonel.

6. Division, State troops under Col. A. C. Thompson.

7. This Division was commanded by Colonel Stanton, embracing the City and County officials, members of the Press, visitors and citizens.

The parade extended to the Fair Grounds on Robinson Avenue. On the Fair Grounds there were prize drills, potato race, chasing of greased pigs, sack race and wheelbarrow race. In the evening there were fire works, and a company of Zouaves from Cincinnati were present, also the Champion City Guards of Springfield and the Ohio State University Cadets.

July 4; 1892, the government building was dedicated in the City of Ports- mouth. At sunrise 44 guns were fired. At 9:30 in the morning there was a pro- cession from the lower Market space to the government building, military, labor and civil societies, fire department, city authorities, etc. At the govern- ment building there was a patriotic song, followed by prayer by the Rev. D. S. Tappan, D. D., an address of welcome by Mayor Henry Hall, an address by Hon. A. C. Thompson, music. Declaration of Independence read by Hon. J. W. Newman, music, address by Hon. Charles H. Grosvenor. The Grand Army of the Republic, the Sons of Veterans, Company H., were in the procession. There were fire works at night on the river front, not less than thirty pieces. In the afternoon there was a balloon ascension and fire works.

July 4, 1896, the day was fully observed. The fire department paraded at 8:30 in the morning. At 10 A. M. the grand parade started from Market

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HISTORY OF SCIOTO COUNTY.

street. One hundred wheelmen with decorated wheels headed the parade. This included the Portsmouth Cycling Club, the Scioto Club of ladies and vis- iting wheelmen. Then the Marshal walking and the City Police, the River City band, Company H., 14th O. V. I., Alcazar Temple, D. O. K. K. The Tenth Regiment Uniformed Knights of Pythias with a band of field officers, Knights of St. John, Junior order of Americans, Mechanics with a float, the Engineers, machinists, cigar makers, bricklayers and carpenters followed, with a band, the City Officials were in carriages, followed by citizens in carriages. After the parade Hon. James W. Newman delivered an address at the Gallia street plaza. In the afternoon there were games at the ball park and fair grounds, and band music at Tracy Park, Gallia street plaza and at the Market street esplanade. At 5 P. M. all the bands met at the Gallia street plaza and marched to the esplanade where they played Sousa's grand march. At 6:30 P. M. the firemen made a run to Second and Chillicothe street. At 7 P. M. there was a band concert on Market street, when the Uniformed Knights of Pythias gave their silent drill. At 8 P. M. there were fire works on the river front, "Welcome to Portsmouth," "The Bicycle Rider" and "Good Night" were given.

July 4, 1898, was ushered in by the ringing of bells, firing of cannons and by bonfires at York Place. "Little Mac" the cannon was kept going all day and seven kegs of powder were used up. Early in the morning the four Portsmouth bands played in different parts of the City, and at 9:30 in the morning they met at the lower Market space. At 10:30 there was a public meeting at Tracy Square. W. F. Genheimer read the Declaration of Independ- ence and Theodore F. Davidson delivered the oration. There were excursions frm adjacent towns: In the afternoon news was received of Admiral Samp- son's victory over the Spanish Admiral, Cervera and the town went wild. At 6:30 there was a procession of five bands, the police and the Uniformed Red Men in honor of Sampson's Victory. There were fireworks in the evening. One of the set pieces was a picture of Admiral Dewey, another the American Eagle, and the last was the bombardment of Manila.

Notable Trials.

The issue of the Portsmouth Times of April 25, 1850, gives an account of Samuel Morgan, of this county, who murdered his wife May 5, 1857. Mor- gan was a tough citizen who lived a mile or two above Franklin Furnace, up the branch. Morgan was forty-five, a brute and a bully. He was wretchedly poor and a great fighter. He liked to fight those who offended him. When the news of the murder was out, the body of his wife was found in an out house, with her head beaten to a jelly and covered with blood. He had come home, drunk, beaten his wife with a club, and after killing her, dragged her body with a log chain to a fire and tried to burn it and then left it in an out house and went away. Morgan was arrested and brought before Squire Samuel Gould, father of Orin B. Gould. At the next term, Morgan was indicted. Owing to the feeling against him it was difficult to obtain a jury. The jury was as- follows: 1. Garrett Newman. 2nd. Jesse Vulgamore. 3rd. Alex Oliver. 4th. Francis Henry. 5th. Jonathan Tracy. 6th. John Hazelbaker. 7th. Joab Free- man. 8th. William Holt. 9th. Robert H. Thompson. 10th. Nicholas Nail. 11th. Fred J. Griffith. 12th. John Basham. John Cook was sheriff and the jury was boarded at the Franklin House. Martin Crain was prosecutor, assisted by Colonel O. F. Moore. Edward W. Jordan, John W. Collings and Thomas McCauslen defended. Honorable W. V. Peck was judge. The court house was crowded and the ladies attended The trial was ably conducted on both sides. Ed. Jordan referred to the thirst for the prisoner's blood and said that this same feeling controlled by reason was responsible for the Sam Morgan's of society. The jury was out but a short time and returned with a verdict of guilty of murder in the first degree. A motion for a new trial was overruled. The judge sentenced him to be hung September 24, 1858, between nine A. M. and four P. M. The Portsmouth Artillery Company, Captain W. C. Appler guarded the jail. Morgan hung himself in jail. Squire Henry Hall and John J. Mc- Farlin took him down.

February 12, 1862, William P. Martin replevined a cat of Giles Gilbert. The case was tried before the mayor and a jury; C. C. Hyatt, John Neill, Wash-

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BIBLE SOCIETY.

ington Kinney, William Newman and Philip Kelley. Henry A. Towne for Plaintiff. John W. Collings for Defendant. The cat was brought into court. The witnesses for plaintiff were Lewis C. Barber, John Reider, John Sullivan, and William Stewart. All testified the cat belonged to Martin. Giles Gilbert, Jr., William Gilbert, John P. Terry, William McFarland, C. E. Rase, John Suter, John McFarlin, J. C. Gilbert witnesses for defendant were all sure the cat belonged to Gilbert. The cat was appraised at ten dollars. The costs were thirty-four dollars and twenty-five cents. February 19, 1862, the Tri- bune gave an account of the Cat Case: The Cat really belonged to Gilbert. Martin's cat had "absquatulated." John T. Miller was a clerk for Martin and occupied a column in the Times about the case. McFarland came back with the cat in the Tribune of February 26th. The case is said to have cost Wil- liam P. Martin $97.00. Giles Gilbert stated that the cat was worth ten dol- lars and the jury awarded that sum. Gilbert did not intend to defend the suit, but on persuasion from John W. Collings, did so. After the trial the cat came back to Gilbert's and remained. Martin did not try to reclaim it. He remained on good terms with Gilbert after the suit. An account of the trial was published in the London Times. Gilbert raised the cat. Martin's cat had been gone six months before the suit. The Times in its article about the case was very funny and closed its piece with the word-"Scat!"

April 2, 1862-State vs. W. S. McLean, murder in the first degree. Those on the jury were: James M. Oliver, Peter H. Brown, M. G. Nichols, Jo- seph Throckmorton, Thomas Brown, Matthew Burris, Joseph Pearce, Debo V. Larkin, Joseph Tracy, James J. Densmore, Aaron Noel, John Thomas. A. J. Enslow, Nathaniel Rice, Dr. C. M. Finch, Mary Cooper, W. D. Wilcox, J. D. Merrill, Susan McNeal, Sidney Patton, John H. Lee, Andy Henler, John Wolf, Uriah White and George Sturdy were among the witnesses for the State. Those for the defense were: Doctor Tyrrel, Judge Cranston, Eli McLean, Anna McLean and Henry McLean. The jury returned a verdict of "not guilty." The accused was about twenty-four years old. Silas D. Powell and two children were blown up and killed.

tice. March 11, 1874-Daniel Pursell vs Doctor William J. McDowell. Malprac- $5,000.00 damages for not setting the plaintiff's shoulder properly. The plaintiff's shoulder properly. The plaintiff claimed he was treated for a frac- tured arm when it was dislocation of the shoulder. The defendant claimed that the result was due to the plaintiff's disregard of directions while the heal- ing process was going on. The verdict was $5.00 for the plaintiff. This is remarkable as the verdict should have been for some considerable sum or for the defendant. July 1, 1874, Doctor McDowell moved for a new trial. It was refused. He then took a second trial under the statute and it was had at June 1, 1874, and resulted in a verdict for $359.00 which he paid. Doctor Mc- Dowell claimed he was Doctor Finch's patient and Doctor Finch denied it. Doctor McDowell also claimed that at the time Pursell came to him, it was impossible to determine the injury and the treatment and that Pursell dis- obeyed directions and brought about the result.

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A history of Scioto County, Ohio, together with a pioneer record, Part 45

Author: Evans, Nelson W. (Nelson Wiley), 1842-1913 Publication date: 1903 Publisher: Portsmouth, O. N. W. Evans Number of Pages: 1612

Author: Evans, Nelson W. (Nelson Wiley), 1842-1913
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Portsmouth, O. N. W. Evans
Number of Pages: 1612