Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio, Part 18

Author: Bert S. Bartlow, W. H. Todhunter, Stephen D. Cone, Joseph J. Pater, Frederick Schneider, and others
Publication date: 1905
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1149

USA > Ohio > Butler County > Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio > Part 18

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).

On Saturday. the 4th of June. 1859, the road was opened to Oxford. By the end of November the road was completed as far as College Corner, twenty miles from Ham- ilton, and a few months later was opened to Connersville and Indianapolis. This road now crosses the river at Hamilton over a handsome steel bridge constructed in 1894. The bridge, including the viaduct. embank- ments, culverts and approaches, is over two thousand feet in length. The viaduct at the west end is six hundred and sixty-five feet long. crosses three streets at the tops

of the houses and has seventeen arches built of Dayton stone. The engineering of this magnificent superstructure was done by John S. Earhart.

The Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis Railway, commonly known as the Big Four Railway, traverses the eastern portion of the county, going nearly north and south. Its original name here was the Cincinnati & Springfield Railway Company, and it was incorporated on September 9. 1870. The road was to extend through the counties of Clark, Montgomery. Greene, Warren. Butler and Hamilton. It was pro- jected to form, in connection with other roads already constructed, a trunk-line be- tween the eastern cities and Cincinnati. starting at Cincinnati. The road was con- structed from Ludlow Grove to Dayton, a distance of 48.80 miles, and the remainder of the original route had been already built.

The Cincinnati. Lebanon & Northern runs for about a mile through the southeast corner of Union township.

The Middletown & Cincinnati Railroad. extending from Middletown, Butler county, to the Pennsylvania road. with which it con- nects, near King's Mills in Warren county, passes through the eastern portion of Lemon township.

The Chicago. Cincinnati & Louisville Railroad crosses the southwestern corner of the county. It enters the state at Peoria and passes through Reily, Morgan and Ross townships. The road was built in 1903 and was originally known as the Cincinnati, Richmond & Muncie Railroad. It is now a part of the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton- Pere Marquette system, and is used chiefly for freight traffic.

The Cincinnati, Dayton & Toledo Elec-

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tric Traction Road passes through Butler county, touching Middletown, Trenton, Hamilton and Symmes' Corner in Butler county. It was built in 1897 and 1898, and affords rapid transit and frequent service for both passengers and express. The road has proven to be a great public convenience and is liberally patronized. The Millcreek Val- ley Traction Road terminates at Hamilton. It was constructed in 1902 and passes through the principal towns of the Millcreek valley.

RAILROAD CELEBRATIONS-C., H. & D).

A meeting of the citizens of Hamilton and Rossville and vicinities was held at the court house in Hamilton, on Saturday even- ing, August 16, 1851, to adopt measures to celebrate the day on which the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad Company should make the first trip over their road with passenger cars. Lewis D. Campbell was called to the chair, and Samuel Snively appointed secretary.

The chairman stated briefly the objects of the meeting and urged the propriety of distinguishing that day, which would be one of the most important in the history of Hamilton and of the surrounding country. He was followed by John Woods in a spirited and interesting speech of some length, in which he presented many facts, showing that the present railroad enterprise was the original cause which was about to secure to Hamilton and Rossville other rail- road connections, now in progress, with the North, the South, the East and the West.

Valentine Chase proposed the following resolution which was unanimously adopted :

Resolved, That the citizens of Hamilton and Rossville and of the surrounding country will cele-

brate in an appropriate manner the day on which the passenger train first passes on the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad, and that the chair- man appoint twenty-five persons to act as a gen- eral committee of arrangements to determine in what manner such demonstration shall be made, with power to appoint such committees as they may deem proper to carry into full effect the objects of this meeting. Said committee to report at some subsequent meeting.

The chairman announced the names of the following persons as said committee :

Valentine Chase, William Beckett, Wil- liam B. Van Hook, James Rossman, James McGuire, John H. Falconer, Job E. Owens, Thomas Millikin, Mark C. McMaken, Ste- phen E. Giffen, William Murray, Robert Beckett, Henry Traber, Aaron L. Schenck. Wilkison Beaty, J. R. Hubbell, John W. Erwin, J. M. Williamson, Jacob Hittel, S. Wurmser, S. K. Leiter, N. Reeder, Peter Black, Jacob T. Miller, Isaac Robertson.

Pursuant to above notice, the great rail- road celebration took place on Thursday, September 23, 1851. This was a great day in the Miami valley. At every point along the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad great crowds of people were assembled to witness the passage of the first passenger trains along this road. Some two thousand people from the surrounding country visited Hamilton, and it is said that about four or five thousand strangers congregated at Day- ton to witness the arrival of the different trains. Everything passed off pleasantly without any serious accident.

When the train was going at full speed, and when near the Old River bridge, John Carr jumped off the train to secure his hat that had blown off. The train was stopped and run back to the place where Mr. Carr jumped, but strange to say he was un- injured.

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BUTLER COUNTY INFIRMARY.

MERCY HOSPITAL. HAMILTON.

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BUTLER COUNTY, OHIO.

Fifteen cars passed up the line in the forenoon, and returned in the evening. All were heavily loaded with passengers, com- posed mostly of the oldest citizens residing in the valley. They returned to this place at the rate of at least thirty miles per hour, and after tarrying at Hamilton a while passed down to the city. It was said by those who accompanied the celebrating ex- cursion party, that they had a most delight- ful time of it. The far-famed company of Red Artillerymen from Cincinnati, under the command of General J. W. S. Browne. and several bands of music accompanied the trains along the road.

An old pioneer of the West, who thirty- nine years before traveled the road from Hamilton to Dayton on foot, and who went on this excursion as an invited guest, alluded to the vast change in the appearance of the country. Said he, "Then we had nothing but a blazed road to follow, and it was but imperfect. There were no settlements scarcely in the whole region traversed. Our rifles were our dependence and our com- panions. Venison, wild turkeys and wild grapes were our food, and the open heavens our lodgings. Now," said he, "see the contrast. Large fields are in the finest state of cultivation and the prettiest country in the world, finely improved, greets the eye of the traveler. Fine turnpikes, canals and railroads chequer this delightful valley, and ease, comfort and convenience are the re- wards of the thousands of busy, thriving beings who know nothing of the trials and hardships of those who penetrated the wilds of the West, fearless of the tomahawk and scalping knife, but who still live to see this then dense and savage forest, inhabited only by the cruel Indians and wild beasts, now blooming and blossoming like as the rose." 9

OPENING OF THE JUNCTION RAILROAD.

On Saturday, June 4, 1859, this road was opened to Oxford, and two trains of twenty cars started at half past ten o'clock with one thousand passengers to visit the terminus of the road. Upon arriving at the Oxford depot they were met by the dele- gation of citizens of that town, headed by Marshal Philip D. Matson and the Oxford band, when a procession was formed which marched down to the college campus, where a collation was served. The immense gathering was addressed by Dr. Hall. presi- dent of Miami University, in an appropriate and pleasant manner. He was followed by William H. Miller. of Hamilton, the energetic president of the Junction Railroad Company. Taken all in all, it was a grand day and one long to be remembered by those who participated in the celebration, the event signalizing, as it did, the advent of a new and stimulating influence on the com- munity's progress.

We can not forbear mentioning an in- cident which relieved the regular program somewhat : Just before the train returned to Hamilton, a large crowd collected around an old bald-headed negro who lived in Ox- ford, with the intention of having some sport with the old fellow. He was caused to mount a stump near the depot, and a Kentuckian proceeded to sell him at auction. after the most approved Southern style. Bidding was active, as he was said to be a "likely lad," and he was finally "knocked off"-not the stump, but to a bidder-at six hundred and seventy-five dollars. The mock auctioneer immediately, taking the old negro's wool hat, passed through the crowd, collecting some ten dollars, which was grate- fully received.

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GREAT POLITICAL GATHERINGS.

In Butler county have been held many of the people to see and converse with Mr. great political demonstrations - notably Clay, that it was difficult that access could be had to him. He was cordially greeted by gentlemen of both political parties. great because of the large crowds of citi- zens-men and women-who assembled to lend enthusiasm to the occasion. These In accordance with the desire which Mr. Clay repeatedly expressed. everything like parade and ceremony was avoided as much as possible. The committee had requested Mr. Blair to prepare a plain repast for those who might wish to partake of it with Mr. gatherings have usually been held in Han- ilton, the county seat, at which some of the nation's greatest and most illustrious public characters have spoken. True, the glory of some has perished with them. Others will forever have their names in- Clay. scribed in the "Hall of Fame."

VISIT OF HENRY CLAY.

One of the first great gatherings was upon the occasion of the visit of Henry Clay. the "Great Commoner." in 1830. His visit to Hamilton was in response to an in- vitation from a committee of citizens who met him at Columbus, and presented the in- vitation. Upon receiving notice of his ac- ceptance, a meeting of Hamilton and Ross- ville citizens was called. Blair's Hotel was the headquarters. An organization was perfected at once. John Woods was chosen chairman, John M. Millikin was appointed secretary. The following committee was selected to complete the arrangements : John Reily. John Sutherland, Silas Smith, Ste- phen Ingersoll, John Woods, John M. Mil- likin. James McBride, James Rossman.

The reception which Mr. Clay received was highly gratifying to his friends. He arrived on Thursday. July 29. 1830, and was immediately visited by a great number of our citizens. On Friday morning, a large concourse assembled at Blair's Hotel. to pay their respects to him. The crowd soon became so great. and such was the anxiety

At 2 o'clock. Friday, July 30, two hun- dred and twelve gentlemen sat down under a bower, erected for the purpose. to an ele- gant repast, which Mr. Blair had prepared, with a taste and liberality highly creditable to him. At the head of the table where Mr. Clay sat was a large and elegant pound cake. upon which was tastefully displayed. in beautiful colors, the words, "The Amer- ican System."

John Bigger. Esq., officiated as presi- dent. assisted by Messrs. John Reily. Joseph C. Hawkin. C. Eggleston, Judge Burnside and Joel Collins, as vice-presidents. The toasts were drunk. the principal ones being : "National Rights and State Rights-may they never be brought into collision, but each be preserved inviolate:" "Our great Henry Clay-his patriotism, his able and efficient efforts to establish universal liberty. and his untiring zeal in the cause of internal im- provement and domestic manufactures, are equaled only by his unbounded philanthro- py and ingenuous urbanity of deportment -his name is proudly identified with the in- dependence and glory of his country :" "The Valley of the Miami-her fertile soil, and abundant water power. under the protection

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of the 'American system' point it out as the great manufacturing work-shop of the west ;" "Our country-first and last, right or wrong, no matter who's in office, or who is out, still our country, with all her faults. our, country still."

After the tenth toast had been drunk with warm and hearty cheering, Mr. Clay arose and expressed his gratification with the manner in which he had been received by the people of the Miami valley. He ad- dressed the company for about an hour, and was frequently interrupted by loud bursts of applause. Mr. Clay concluded his ad- dress by offering the following sentiment : "The Union-any just sacrifice to streng- then and preserve it-no concession to im- potent threats to dissolve it."

A large assemblage of ladies and gentle- men occupied the courthouse. near the door of which Mr. Clay stood. while delivering his speech.

DANIEi. WEBSTER'S VISIT.

Thursday. June 13. 1833. Daniel Web- ster spoke in Hamilton and stopped at the Blair Hotel. This was shortly after Mr. Webster delivered his famous speech in the Senate of the United States in reply to Hayne, of South Carolina. Before speak- ing. Mr. Webster entered a baronche with Hon. John Wood. Lemuel Epps. a mulatto barber residing in Rossville. was driver, who at that time was the only colored man al- lowed to live there. The barouche crossed the old wooden bridge into Rossville. and men, women and children lined the sidewalk to see the great Whig who had defended the proclamation of Andrew Jackson against nullification.

POLITICAL CAMPAIGN OF 1840.

The national campaign of this year, be- tween William Henry Harrison and Martin Van Buren, has passed into history as the most noted one in the annals of the country. The Union was agitated from one end to the other during its continuance. The political giants of the two great parties were arrayed against each other in regal battle and oc- cupied the time and attention of the people a greater part of the campaign.

THE RICHARD M. JOHNSON MEETING.

On August 24. 1840, a large meeting of Democrats took place in Hamilton, at which Colonel Richard M. Johnson, of Ken- tucky, Senator William Allen, of Chillicothe, and Governor Wilson Shannon were pres- ent. The meeting was organized in front of the court house at 10 o'clock, but the situation proving unfavorable the company adjourned to the sycamore grove, south of town.

William B. Van Hook, president of the meeting, introduced Colonel Johnson, and said: "I will introduce to you the genuine hero of the Thames," and at the same time propounded the following questions for him to answer :

"What is your opinion of the ability of General Harrison at the battle of Tippe- canoe? What is your opinion of the ma- neuver at the River Raisin? How was the battle of the Thames conducted ?"

Colonel Johnson then came to the front of the stand, amidst the shouts of thousands. and said in brief :

It gives me great pleasure to meet such a vast array of people here today. I am fully of

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the belief that nothing but a realizing sense of the present unfair play, in this great political struggle, and an ardent desire for the truth, in regard to the real state of the Democracy, could have caused you to have left your homes, your work-shops and your farms, and come together here today at this busy season of the year.

In regard to the questions asked me by your chairman, I must be allowed to decline answering. I did not come here to form public opinion. I can not form public opinion. It has long since passed upon those questions.

I will give you a brief outline picture of the battle of the Thames. It fell to my lot, as well as a number of my relatives, I believe to the num- ber of twenty, to be in that battle. My regiment consisted of one thousand Kentuckians, when we joined the main army at Detroit. My men knew their duty-they knew the business that was to be done, and were willing that it should be handed over for them to do. I had drilled them thor- oughly in a method of charging, by alternate col- umns suited to a desperate fight, and they under- stood it, having practiced for five or six months. When we started in pursuit of Proctor and Te- cumseh, my regiment, being mounted, went ahead. When we first discovered the enemy, he was in battle array. General Harrison soon came in ask- ing "what was to be done?" I told him I wanted the privilege of fighting the enemy in the way I had taught my men to fight them. He hesitated for a time, but finally consented, and ordered me to "charge them!" The British were stationed on the bank of the River Thames, on a strip of land half a mile wide, and parallel to the river. On the other side was a long, narrow swamp; in and around this swamp were skulked the savages in the form of a crescent. I divided my battalion, by giving one-half in charge of my brother James for him to attack the British, while I with the other half was to cross the swamp and take for the Indians. I now placed twenty men in front of my battalion, called "the forlorn hope." The trum- pet now sounded and we moved to the charge, but at the first volley of the Indians, eighteen of the twenty were either killed, wounded or thrown from their saddles. I then ordered my men to dismount and fight the savage in their own way- knee to knee, tomahawk to tomahawk, butcher knife to butcher knife and thus we grappled, steel to steel, with the savages until Tecumseh fell and his warriors fled.

When my men were grappling with the sav-

ages, I discovered behind the root of a large tree, recently blown down, a tall, athletic Indian tak- ing an aim at me. I immediately made toward him when he fired, the ball striking at the knuckle bone of the index finger of my left hand, coming out at the elbow. I then slipped the arm through the rein to the elbow, and guided my horse toward the Indian, who was making for me. We met near the middle of the tree, when the Indian raised his tomahawk, strained back his body in the act of throwing it, when I fired the contents of my pis- tol, a ball and three buck-shot, the whole charge entering his breast, and he fell and died instantly.

General Harrison came to me, and leaning down said, "Tecumseh is killed and Proctor is defeated." I saw no cowardice in General Harri- son in that battle. Before it commenced we stood and talked in the presence of the enemy. 'Tis true my brother James took the British, or they surren- dered to him without the loss of a man on our side; and he took them all, too, except Proctor and a few other renegades, who slipped through the bush and got away.

In the afternoon Governor Wilson Shan- non spoke for two hours; Senator William Allen then occupied the time until 4 o'clock, when the vast assemblage was dismissed.

THE HARRISON RALLY.

On September 29, 1840, the Whigs held a grand rally in the sycamore grove; Gen- eral William Henry Harrison was the prin- cipal attraction on this occasion. He spoke in part as follows :

I am sensible, fellow citizens, of the proud eminence on which your friend has placed me. I feel indebted to him for his flattering recommen- dation; having been upon hard duty for the last few days, and not having slept any last night, am extremely fatigued. I hope, therefore, if I shall disappoint the expectations of some of my friends, that they will attribute it to this cause. Fellow citizens, it is said by philosophers that all the pains, enjoyments and pleasures of this life de- pend upon contrast, and what can be greater con- trast than that which is presented to you on this occasion, in the person of the humble individual, your speaker, considering me now as the people's

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candidate, not only for the highest office in their power to give, but for the greatest office in the whole world, surrounded by so many of my friends, and by the thousands of true Republicans, consider me as thus in comparison to what I for- merly was. Fellow citizens, it was forty-seven years ago (some gentleman on the platform here corrected the General, and said it was forty-nine years ago,) well forty-nine years ago, fellow citi- zens, wanting a few weeks, the individual now ad- dressing you was an humble ensign, passing, per- haps, on a track through this very spot when on duty, under the great Wayne; consider this con- trast an humble ensign in the United States serv- ice, compared with my present situation as a can- didate for the greatest office in the world; aided and helped by the unanimous voice of the republic. Nothing can equal my pleasure to think that I, who have protected you in war, and lived for your liberties, should be brought before you to have the power given to me of promoting as far as possible, the interest and happiness of this great nation. It is important that we should enquire into the differences of opinion between the po- litical parties of the day. Fellow citizens, each of the people that comprise the political parties in the United States, each claim to be the Democ- racy of the country. The question is, which of these two parties is entitled to this enviable dis- tinction; to which party does the term strictly ap- ply. Who are the Democracy? Is it possi- ble that there is a man, that will carefully examine this question in this country, who can be- lieve that this party are the real Democracy who have been using all their energies to work out ob- jects, the very reverse to Republicanism. What is the difference between us? I am an old man as you will see, and my head is bleached with age. But I have at heart my country, which makes the difference; and there is also a difference here: In the days of Patrick Henry, the eyes of the fa- thers of our country were at all times directed to the halls of legislation. But now they are di- rected to the White House; and that, too, with a devotion not exceeded by the followers of Ma- homet. This is a state of things sufficient to cause the greatest alarm. How would the great men who formed our constitution blush, if they were here to see how it has been disgraced.

It has been said of me, that I have re- fused to give my opinions on the political questions of the day, and on that account I have been called General Mum [laughter] but I have never in a single instance refused to give my opin-

ions on any subject that has been submitted to me, and I am now ready to do so. In relation also to the United States Bank, I have publicly de- clared my opinions.

My opinions are known upon every sub- ject: upon the tariff-upon the abolition question, or any other. But it is not by pledges and prom- ises I wish to be judged; I would rather it should be by some surer criterion. I would have you consider my past conduct, and if I have ever been a defaulter, (I mean in principle)-if I have not been faithful to every trust which has been re- posed in me-if I have not carried out the Demo- cratic doctrines that I profess-then you can say that you have an evidence that I am totally un- worthy of your suffrages, if on one occasion I have ever talked of the press falsely; and if from my youth I have not been interested in your welfare and mindful of my duty, then I am unworthy of your support. I believe, and say it in true Demo- cratic feeling that all the measures of the govern- ment are directed to the purpose of making the rich richer and the poor poorer. These are their principles, and you ought to reject them. I do not ask you to receive my statements without au- thority, and I refer you to the records-records which the present government are trying to ex- punge. To these records I appeal for a witness of my conduct, and let them speak. Look at them; they were written at a time when it was little thought I should ever become a candidate for the Presidency. Judge me by these records.

In regard to the battle of the Thames, it has been said the merit of the victory belongs to Colonel Johnson. I do not believe there is a more sincere patriot in the United States; and why I think so is, because in the time of the war, when he was a member of congress, he would go to con- gress as often as required; but as soon as he could leave, he would return again to me. He first served me when he had the command of a com- pany, and subsequently of a battalion; but I tell you plainly Colonel Johnson is no general. I do not say but what if he had had the experience I have had in military tactics, he might have been a superior general to me; but as I had served so many years under General Wayne, and studied his manner of regulating military affairs, of course I was more capable than Colonel Johnson, who had had but the experience of a few months; and I must say I believe there was not a man in the field of battle besides myself that was capable of draw- ing up the men in the manner I did; and the idea which you are led to believe, that I was two miles,

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Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio, Part 18

Author: Bert S. Bartlow, W. H. Todhunter, Stephen D. Cone, Joseph J. Pater, Frederick Schneider, and others Publication date: 1905 Publisher: Number of Pages: 1149

Author: Bert S. Bartlow, W. H. Todhunter, Stephen D. Cone, Joseph J. Pater, Frederick Schneider, and others
Publication date: 1905
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1149