Biographical and historical memoirs of Muskingum County, Ohio. Embracing an authentic and comprehensive account of the chief events in the history of the county and a record of the lives of many of the most worthy families and individuals, Part 15

Author:
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Chicago, Goodspeed Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 642

USA > Ohio > Muskingum County > Biographical and historical memoirs of Muskingum County, Ohio. Embracing an authentic and comprehensive account of the chief events in the history of the county and a record of the lives of many of the most worthy families and individuals > Part 15

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den for $7,975. This jail gave way to the "For myself and on behalf of the com- present building, which stands further east, missioners I indulge the hope that all litigants and was erected under contract of Messrs. T. who shall bring their causes to this forum, B. Townsend and M. Clements-the former to shall be represented always by just and honor- construct all but the inside iron work and re- able counsel; that the chair of justice shall in ceive $16,527, the total cost of the structure the future, as in the past and present, be sup- being $25,027.

plied with worthy men; and that the fair Lots 5, 6, 7 and 8, in Square 12, plat of divinity, the blind goddess of Justice, who so Zanesville, recorded on page 28, Book A, are mysteriously presides at courts shall ever hold "appropriated to other public uses," by which her scales equal; that the court, desiring to be is meant county purposes, the county having just, shall preside with cool and impartial occupied them since the appropriation, except judginent; that counsel in their zeal for the a fraction of sixty feet square, being the north- interest of their clients shall never pass the west corner of said tract, which the city was domain of professional propriety, and that law permitted to erect buildings upon, and which shall be so administered as to i crease the the county rented of the city for some years; public faith and confidence in the administra- and when the county commissioners decided tion of justice. to take possession of the lots bounded on the

"In the name, then, and on behalf of our north by Fountain alley, south by Main street, commissioners, Mr. O'Neill, I now tender to west by Fourth street and east by Court alley, the bar and public, through you, as their repre- for a public square, the sum of $8,000 was given sentative, this structure and pray its accept- to the city to "quit claim its right, title and in- ance."

terest to all and singular the appurtences and

This was responded to by Hon. John buildings situated on said northwest corner of O'Neill, accepting the building on behalf of said tract." The record referred to does not the bar and public. He was followed by Hon. exhibit John McIntire's act of appropriation, Moses M. Granger, who read a long and ex- but it is so construed, since the plat containing haustive address entitled "Muskingum County: the lots above specified was recorded in Wash- Its Courts and Bar." To that address indebt- ington county, April 29, 1802, and the right of edness is acknowledged for much of the mater- the county to their possession has not been ial entering into this chapter. At the close of questioned. The county commissioners leased Judge Granger's address a recess was taken until to the Zanesville Athenaeum the land adjoining 7.30 in the evening. At the evening meeting the "Old 1809," on the east, for library purposes, Hon. Lucius P. Marsh delivered an address for the term of 1,000 years, and therefore, when on the "Efficiency of Courts and How Promot- their successors determined the site of the pres- ed." The address of Judge Marsh was followed ent court-house, it was found necessary to by singing by a quartette composed of Mrs. appropriate the rights of said lessee by pro- Geo. Harris, Miss Kate Cassel, Messrs. James ceedings in the probate court. A jury awarded A. Cox and William H. Wilmont, assisted by $6,575, which was duly paid to the Athenaeum Miss Clara Ayers, organist. After this, the by the county. On the jury sat Joseph Qualls, closing address was made by Hon. H. W. Ball. the first colored man ever drawn as a juror in His subject was "The Relation of the Bar to Muskingum county.

This brief sketch of the structures that have

the Court and Community." After General Ball's address, the doxology "Praise God from occupied this ground-beginning with the rude Whom All Blessings Flow" was sung by the mound enclosing the remains and weapons of quartette, and a benediction pronounced by an unknown race, who, once, as a people, pos-

HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

sessed the valley of the Mississippi and its of all my estate, both real and personal, to take tributaries, and ending with these evidences of effect after my death, do make this instrument our present wealth, taste and architectural skill, of writing as and for my last will and testa- indicates the changes wrought in three quarters ment, hereby revoking and disannuling all for- of a century. The thoughts and imaginations mer wills by me heretofore made. of the younger readers these pages, aided by "In the first place in lieu of my wife's full the memories of many who yet live as links dower at law, I give, devise and bequeath to between the past and the present, can easily her absolutely the one-half of all the personal fill up the picture of the successive generations property I may die possessed of, except my clock, that have in the interval lived and died, suf- which is not to be sold, but remain in my dwell- fered and enjoyed, failed or succeeded, within ing house as long as it will go. All my person- the immediate vicinity of this spot as these al property is first to be valued by three men years have passed away.

chosen by my executors; then my wife, Sally, is

June 30, 1838, the county commissioners to make her choice of the one-half, or should bought of Andrew R. Jackson* 100 acres of she not take the one-half, the residuc is to be land in Falls township, the east end of Jackson's sold, and she is to get the money arising from division, in Quarter Township No. 4, Township the sale. I also give, devise and bequeath to I, Range 8, for the purpose of a county poor her during her life my mansion house, barn farm, for $3,000. October 8, 1863, the second stable, and all my outhouses and improvements, 100 acres of the poor farm was purchased of within the present enclosure where I now live. Augustus C. Springer, for $7,000. The contract Secondly, so soon after my death as my execu- for building the first poor-house was let to tors, or a majority of them, may think proper, David McGinnis, May 15, 1839, for $7,409.57. I order, direct and empower them to sell and The building was partially burned in 1859, and convey in fee simple in such parcels and in was rebuilt and enlarged the following year, at such a manner and on such terms as they think an expense of $9,500. The contract for the proper, all and every part of my real estate in new building was let May 15, 1880. W. C. Haz- the county of Muskingum or elsewhere, except lett was the architect. The contractors: Ex- the real property which I own and which lies cavation, foundation and brick work, T. B. in the grant made by the United States to Townsend; cut stone, Eisle & Berkheimer; Ebenezer Zane, on the Muskingum river, which iron beams, Illinois Vernon Bridge Company; shall not be sold during the lifetime of my wife, carpenter work, galvanized iron work, slate and and out of the sales and proceeds of the above tile roofing, William Hall; painting, Henry lands, my executors are to pay off all my just Mechlin; plumbing, Rockel & Sons; total con- debts as soon as possible, after which debts are tract price, $44,000. The buildings have since paid, my executors are to pay to my wife Sally, been improved as occasion has demanded.

annually, and during her life, the one half of

Just previous to his death, John McIntire the rents, interest, issues and profits of all my was deeply interested in the promotion of a estate, both real and personal. The money scheme for the improving of the water power arising from the sales of my real estate and per- advantages at Zanesville, as well as making the sonal estate after the payment of my debts as Muskingum river a navigable stream from its aforesaid, is to be by my executors vested in mouth to this point, and he was engaged in stock in the Zanesville Canal and Manufactur- this great enterprise when the fell destroyer, ing Company, all excepting one hundred dollars, death, removed him from the scene of his which I allow them to purchase a horse, saddle, labors. He died July 29, 1815, but with his and bridle with for John Chapman, who now death the grand scheme for the betterment of lives with me; also one other hundred dollars his adopted city did not cease, as it was found which I allow them to purchase a horse, sad- that he had allied his entire property and estate dle and bridle with for Lucinda Green, who with its destinies, and, by his last will and testa- now lives with me. At the death of my wife, ment, made it through all coming time an im- Sally, I allow my executors to sell and convey portant factor in our city and the depository in fec simple in such a manner and on such of a fund dedicated to the noblest of purposes. terms as they think proper, all the rest, residue We herewith give the text of his last will and and remainder of my real estate then remaining testament in full.

unsold, the house and lot as above bequeathed " I, John McIntire, who am a citizen of the to my wife, with the clock as aforesaid ex- United States, and a resident of the town of cepted, and the money arising from such sale Zanesville, wishing to make a just disposition or sales to be vested in the Zanesville Canal and Manufacturing Company stock, as my

* A relative of T. J. ("Stonewall") Jackson.

HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

other money is ordered to be vested. Thirdly, will and every part thereof int) full effect, I allow my executors, if they think it prudent and I fully empower them, or a majority of and proper, to pay out of the aforesaid funds them, to sell and convey my real estate as annually to Negro Mess, who lived with me aforesaid described in fec simple, and as and now lives with me, fifty dollars, during his fully as I myself could was I living, and in lifetime.

case any of my executors as aforesaid men- " Fourthly, I give, devise and bequcath to tioned should refuse to act agreeable to my my daughter, Amelia MeIntire, otherwise request, as an executor of my estate, then, in called Amelia Messer, at the death of my wife, that case, I authorize and fully empower the my mansion house with the premises before other two executors to fix upon and appoint described in fee simple, provided she leaves some other person who will act as an executor, heirs of her body, or an heir, with the clock and after he is sworn according to law, as an aforesaid; also, I give, devise and bequeath to executor is sworn, I do absolutely and fully her and the heir or heirs of her body, and their vest him with all the powers which any of my heirs forever, all the rents, issues, interest and exectors are vested with, and all his acts as an profits of all my Zanesville Canal and Manu- executor are to be as binding as those of his facturing Company stock, which are to be paid co-executors. to her annually during her life, by the president " In testimony that this instrument of writ- and directors of said company, on her own per- ing is my last will and testament, I, John Mc- sonal application and not otherwise. She is Intire, who am now of sound mind and memory, not at liberty to sell, under the pain of forfeit- have hereto set my hand and seal, this eigh- ure, any part of said stock, nor is the same ever teenth day of March, eighteen hundred and to be liable for the payment of her debts which fifteen, at Zanesville, 1815." she may contract, or which her husband, should she marry, may contract. Should she leave an

JOHN MCINTIRE [SEAL. ] December 15, 1820, Miss Amelia McIntire heir, or heirs of her body, then at her death the died, thus making one half of this fund a per- house aforesaid to be vested in them in fee petual fund for the education of the poor of simple and all the stock aforesaid, to do with as our city, to be selected by the Zanesville Canal they may think proper. But should my daugh- and Manufacturing Company, the trustee under ter, Amelia McIntire, otherwise called Amelia the will.

Messer, die without an heir or heirs of her

Erecting a suitable school building, the body, then my house and lot with the premises Zanesville Canal and Manufacturing Company as before described are to be held in fee simple opened and maintained a free " poor school " by the company before described for the use in the city until the year 1856, when owing to and occupancy of the president of said com- the flourishing condition of the public schools, pany, with the clock aforesaid, he paying into and the repugnance of parents and children the fund aforesaid, for the use hereafter de- alike toward a distinctively "poor school," seribed, a reasonable rent, to be fixed by the the trustees placed the building under the directors for the same; and the president and control of the board of education, by whom directors of the said company arc annually for- schools were conducted therein, the same. ever to appropriate all the profits, rents and as in other wards chools, they (the trustees) issues of my stock as aforesaid, and all my es- paying all the expense of maintaining it. tate of whatever kind the same may be, for the The widow of John McIntire, who had mar - use and support of a poor school, which they ried the Rev. David Young, died in 1854, are to establish in the town of Zanesville for and the other half of the estate was thereby the use of the poor children in said town; the added to the fund. In 1865, the trustees as- children who are to be the objects of this insti- sumed the expense of maintaining another of tution are to be fixed upon by the president the ward schools of the city. It was at this and directors of said company. This request time, June, 1865, that a small band of noble- to be absolutely void in case my daughter, hearted ladies decided to organize an associa- Amelia, before described, should leave an heir tion "for the purpose of caring for the desolate or heirs of her body.

children in our city." The meeting was held " Lastly, I nominate, constitute and appoint in one of the small rooms of the Second Street my friends, Daniel Converse, Alexander Adair Methodist Episcopal Church, and was attended and Nathan C. Findlay, all of Zanesville, the by Mrs. Van Buren, Mrs. James, Mrs. Captain executors of this, my last will and testament, Hazlett, Mrs. Dr. Brown, Mrs. Louisa Brooks, with full and absolute power by me in them Mrs. General Leggett and Mrs. Jos. Black. or a majority of them vested, to carry this Committees were appointed for soliciting funds

HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

to promote the scheme. On July 24, 1865, county infirmary from time to time, and who another meeting was held at the same place were of suitable age for admission. and a permanent organization effected; the The new home building was begun in June, association adopting the title of the Muskin- 1879, and finished in August of the following gum County Children's Home Association. year, and was at once dedicated to its intend-

The first home was opened on Market ed use with appropriate religious ceremonies. street, east of Blocksom alley, but in the spring In August, 1885, by mutual consent, the of 1866 these rooms were found to be insuf- contract with the county was rescinded ficient for the accommodation of the children, and the $6,000.00 repaid into the county and the board of control contracted with treasury. The structure is one of the most Stephen Harper for five acres of land situated beautiful in this vicinity, and will compare, on the old Wheeling road, one mile east of the favorably with any similiar institution in the court house, for which they agreed to pay the state. The main building is a fine brick with sum of $2,150.00. The importance of such an stone trimmings, 90x125 feet in dimensions. institution as the Children's Homc having been The basement is built of limestone with range demonstrated in fulfilling desires akin to work about the windows; the east and west those expressed in the will of John McIntire, wings are two stories high, while the central the trustee.of his estate on October 1, 1866, portion is three stories, with Mansard roof. It agreed to contribute $400 a year for the school fronts the south and contains thirty-five rooms in the home. On May 30, 1868, the trustee and is well arranged in case of fire, having under the will, agreed to contribute each year many exits. It is heated throughout by steam $2,000, the name to be changed to "The McIn- and lighted by gas from the city mains. The tire Children's Home," and a majority of the laundry, which is located in the rear, is a sub- managers of the home were to be always stantial building thirty-two feet square, and is chosen from the directors of the Zanesville supplied with all necessary appliances. The Canal and Manufacturing Company. Said school house is located seventy-five yards to trustee also purchased the mortgage on the the east of the main building, and is a hand- real estate of the home.

some two-roomed structurc. The home has

In this manner, the Children's Home was capacity for 100 children, and is thoroughly conducted for eleven years, when the trustees equipped in every respect.

became satisfied that a building should be con- The home farm comprises 104 acres of land, structed, especially adapted for such purpose, and produces all that is needed for the homc. and, after duc deliberation, the present site was There are several buildings upon it for the rcs- selected. It embraces cight acres of land and idence of the employcs of the institution. lies one and a fourth milcs northwest of the Situated as it is, upon a commanding cmi- court house, and just within the city limits. nence, beautifully shaded by trees, and sur- The trustees next made a contract with the rounded by handsome lawns and well-kept county commissioners, through a joint com- grounds, it is a model institution, and the mission, whereby the country contributed inmates of the John McIntirc Children's Home $6,000.00 toward the erection of a new home, may well be happy and contented, living to and further agreed to pay a pro rata share of bless the memory of the man who has thus left expenses of the home in consideration of the an everlasting testimonial of his sympathy for executors admitting to the benefits of the in- the poor and unfortunate of this county. stitution such children as might be sent to the

HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

Chapter VII.

RIVER IMPROVEMENT AND NAVIGATION .*

B EFORE the inauguration of slack water ly waving from the bank, unless it happened navigation on the Muskingum river, steam- that the rival steamboat seemed to be getting boating, which could only be carried on the Best of it when stopping for freight or when the water was considerably a bove its aver- travellers served as an admirable excuse for age level, was in its infancy. Traffic between not winning the race. Considering the fact Zanesville and points down the river was carried that desperate racing was the rule, it is remark- on by means of flat boats, which were broken up able that no accidents occurred, indeed there and sold for lumber upon reaching their destina- have never been any disasters of great magni- tion, and keel boats and pirogues, which were tude, under any conditions, in the history of slowly and laboriously poled up stream after Muskingum steamboating, the worst being the leisurely drifting down. The principal landings explosion of the " Buckeye Belle" in the Bev- were at the Dillon wharf, at the foot of erly locks. The only other explosion on the Fourth street, the Buckingham warehouse near river was that of the "McCormick," some the Putnam end of the Sixth street bridge and fifteen years ago. In those days there were no at the foot of Fifth street, Zanesville. How- lines of steamers on western rivers; every boat ever about 1844, when the state locks and dams was an independent venture that made or lost were completed, the steamboat business came money according to the ability of her officers immediately to the front, and rapidly grew to to please the public. Few, however, were the large proportions. Daily packets ran to Dres- boats that did not prove profitable investments den and Marietta, and large boats made week- to their owners. The cargoes carried were ly trips to Pittsburg. Besides these there were enormous and the freight rates high. As an a number of boats running frequently to New example may be cited the "Helen Mar," the Orleans, Cincinnati and at long intervals to toll upon whose cargo through the locks of upper Mississippi points-Davenport, Rock the Muskingum was $500 for one trip alone. Island and St. Paul. The " Cheviot," another boat of the same class,

The Dresden boats, among the first of a few years later, twice carried cargoes of which were the " Relief," the " Tuscarawas," 2,500 barrels of flour from Worstall's mill at "Walhonding" and the "McIntire," carried Beverly. Tradition says the " Cheviot " was the numerous excursions up the river.

fastest boat on the river between 1850 and

The Marietta boats carried rather more 1860. She was built by William McIntosh and freight and less frivolity; but, running in any captained by him for a short time, and after trade, steamboating during its flush times, from that by Capt. D. T. Brown, of Beverly. One 1845 to 1855, offered a most attractive life as of her trips was from Zanesville to St. Paul, well as a most lucrative field to young men St. Paul and thence back to Pittsburg, the en- living near the river; and there are few of the tire distance and a number of changes of older families that have not had more than freight accomplished in an even thirty days. one representative " on the river." The excite- The ill-fated Belle Zane was also considered a ment of racing was a prominent feature of speedy craft for a stern-wheeler. Despite the steamboating in those days. Every captain narrowness of the locks there have been half believed that if his craft had anything like a a dozen side-wheel boats, with recessed wheels, fair chance she could show a clean pair of built for this river. One of them, the " Enter- heels to any boat of her class that ever turned prise," a Cincinnati and New Orleans packet a wheel; and, with a view of demonstrating built at Zanesville by Bishop and others, had this superior speed, would race with anything afloat at every possible opportunity-going *Indebtedness is acknowledged to a series of papers published in the Zanesville Daily Signal, written by Mr. C. Frame, and used here by permission. scudding by passengers and shippers frantical-

HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

the largest hull ever on the river, and was Wheeling to Baltimore, and from Pittsburg to just able to go through the locks.

Philadelphia. They were there loaded with Canoes, pirogues, flat boats and keelboats different kinds of merchandise for the Ohio were used from the time of the first settlements trade, floating down the Ohio river to Marietta; on the Muskingum river until the opening of then the socket poles were used, the steersman the improved navigation on the river by the calling "head to," "up behind" and "all to- locks and dams in 1842. The canoe was made gether" to his crew on either side of the boat, by digging a trough-like space in a large pop- the men bending, with their iron socket hickory lar tree. They were propelled by a man, or poles, with button-shaped ends, to their should- men standing in the canoe, using a pole to push ers, forcing the heavily-loaded craft up stream. the craft. They were easily overturned, and it In many places horses or oxen were used to required an experienced hand to navigate help over the riffle, or a long rope was fas- safely and rapidly. Many of the pirogues were tened to a tree on shore, the other end wound made of a very large tree, with a keel and a around the capstan, and the boat would "be running board on the sides for men who used warped over the riffle."

the propelling poles. The flat boats were like the boats used until lately in carrying coal on keel-boatmen: the river, the whole boat uncovered, except a

The following persons were all prominent

John Carpenter had the keelboal, "Retuna," covered space near the stern for the pilot of afterward named the "Little Toin." His trade the boat. They floated with the current down was from Zanesville to Pittsburg, also he was the stream, but they had to be pushed by the owner of other boats in the Cincinnati and strong men when ascending the river. The Kanawha trade. He was in the trade in 1820 keel boat was the most aristocratic of all the and 1825. Victor Stull and his brother Harry, boats on the river. It was a regular ribbed the father and uncle of Captain Stull, of boat, planked on the bottom, its sides well cov- Beverly; Lemuel Swift, afterward a prominent ered with plank, to turn rain and keep the steamboat pilot; Captain Birch, of Marietta, freight dry. These boats carried produce to who was on the river piloting steamboats until the different trading towns, Pittsburgh, Cincin- he was nearly eighty years old, and old Billy nati, Wheeling and other places. Some of them Scales, who was one of the best rifle-shots in went as far as Nashville, Tenn., with their car- the Western states. Mike Fink, one of Car- goes, returning with different kinds of mer- penter's men, was another good shot with a chandise for the Zanesville trade. The large rifle. An amusement for him and Carpenter, flat boats for carrying flour and other kinds of was to place a tin- cup of whisky oneach other's produce for the down river trade, were only head, and then shoot at it. Mike shot Car- used for the trip down the river. When their penter in the head. Yankee, one of the trio as cargo was unloaded, they were sold for differ- soon as he saw Carpenter was dead, immedi- ent uses. Only the value of lumber could be ately shot Fink, then he jumped into a canoe obtained, and sometimes they were disposed and escaped down the river. The boat cap- of for a very small consideration.

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Biographical and historical memoirs of Muskingum County, Ohio. Embracing an authentic and comprehensive account of the chief events in the history of the county and a record of the lives of many of the most worthy families and individuals, Part 15

Author: Publication date: 1892 Publisher: Chicago, Goodspeed Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 642

Author:
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Chicago, Goodspeed Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 642