USA > Ohio > Butler County > Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio > Part 31
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139 | Part 140
Digitized by Google
208
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF
at the fair, it was difficult to realize that a few weeks before it was a field of fine wav- ing corn.
The fair of 1877 was largely attended, ยท and the displays were unusually good. The old-time custom of having a plowing match was revived, and on Tuesday afternoon, Mr. F. D. Payne, of Symmes Center, was awarded an "Oliver Chilled plow" as a premium for his skill in handling the plow.
In May, 1878, a new addition to the floral hall was built at a cost of eight hun- dred and fifteen dollars and a new music hall, at five hundred dollars. The fair this years was up to the standard, the various departments being complete in their exhibits. The receipts from all sources were, in round numbers, nine thousand two hundred dol- lars, while the average of agricultural so- cieties throughout the state was but two thousand three hundred and twenty-seven dollars and seventy-seven cents.
The fair of 1879 was excellent in all de- partments and the racing was above the standard of that of previous years. This year the state board of agriculture offered a silver medal to the county furnishing the best agricultural report. On account of the death of Barton S. James, the secretary, Samuel S. Darling was secured by the But- ler. county board to prepare the report. which subsequently won the medal. The treasurer was made its custodian.
The fairs of 1880 and 1881 were fully up to the average. The exhibits of horses, mules, etc., exceeded any hitherto made.
The fair of 1883 was interfered with by the equinoctial storm and many thousands were kept away. Notwithstanding this fact the fair was in a large degree successful and the exhibits were greater in number and more varied than in former years.
The fairs of 1884, 1885 and 1886 were successful both in the character of the ex- hibits and in the attendance. In 1885 water- works extensions were made to the fair grounds from the Hamilton City Water Works and a fountain and hydrants erected at a cost of about two thousand four hun- dred dollars.
At the fair of 1887 the total number of entries made were three thousand three hun- dred and thirty-eight. The report to the state board of agriculture showed there were three thousand five hundred and sixty-six members of the society, and the estimated cash value of the grounds, with the im- provements and buildings thereon, at forty thousand dollars, while the buildings on leased ground, the property of the society, was placed at twenty thousand dollars. The indebtedness of the society was placed at two thousand and fifty-three dollars and ninety-four cents, while the total estimated wealth of the society over and above all in- debtedness was placed at fifty-seven thou- sand nine hundred and forty-six dollars and six cents. There was a fine display of swine this year (despite the terrible ravages of cholera), horses, cattle, sheep, poultry, fine arts, mechanical devices, all constituted drawing attractions. Five thousand dol- lars was paid in premiums.
In June, 1888, the Butler County Agri- cultural Society petitioned the county com- missioners for permission to encumber the grounds of the society to the extent of seven thousand dollars for the purpose of making permanent improvements, the board agree- ing to pay one thousand dollars of the debt. with interest annually, out of the earnings of the society until the debt is paid. The request was granted. The number of en- tries at the fair of 1888 were 4,117.
.
Digitized by Google
209
BUTLER COUNTY, OHIO.
In 1889 the fair proved to be the best
The fairs of 1894-95 were the banner one in the history of the society from a years of the society. The receipts from all financial standpoint. There were four thou- sand seven hundred and sixty-two entries. sources were phenomenal, and the expendi- tures were correspondingly large.
September 16, 1891, the county com- missioners transferred to the Butler County Agricultural Society twelve and sixty-one hundredths acres of the infirmary farm. In return the society deeded the county four acres on the west of the grounds. Subse- quently, on October 2, 1891, the county com- missioners sold the aforementioned second tract to Martin Mason, H. P. Deuscher, A. L. S. Campbell and Miles D. Lindley, in con- sideration of seventeen thousand dollars. On May 18, 1892, the county commissioners do- nated five thousand dollars of the above amount to the agricultural society. After the fair in October, 1893, the secretary of the agricultural society reported that it would require three thousand dollars over the receipts of the fair to pay the premiums and expenses of the same. On November 4th the board asked permission of the county commissioners to encumber the grounds to the extent of four thousand dollars in ad- dition to the Bradley incumbrance of two thousand dollars, for the purpose of paying the premium list and permanent improve- ments. The commissioners granted the re- quest.
On February 14, 1894, the board adopted the following resolution :
Resolved, That the Butler County Agricultural Society hereby declare its intention to issue twenty mortgage coupon bonds of five hundred dollars payable in ten years from the date thereof, with interest at the rate not to exceed five per cent. per annum, payable semi-annually; said bonds to be secured by mortgage on the real estate of said society in Fairfield township, Butler county, Ohio. Said mortgage to be executed and delivered to the Miami Valley National Bank, as trustee.
On August 17, 1896, the board adopted the following resolution :
Whereas, The board of directors of the Butler County Agricultural Society finds the association in debt in the sum of twenty thousand dollars, which it is wholly unable to pay, and
Whereas, it is now unable to borrow funds to meet its obligations and continue the fair and care for and maintain the property from waste, there- fore be it
Resolved, That the president and secretary be and are hereby authorized to employ counsel and petition the common pleas court of this county to appoint a receiver for this society, to manage its affairs according to law.
On August 18th, Robert M. Elliott was appointed receiver for the Butler County Agricultural Society. Subsequently, Mr. Elliott was granted permission by court to hold a fair in 1896.
The fair was a financial success. John R. Woods succeeded Mr. Elliott as receiver.
On March 24, 1897, the board rejected the resolution adopted on August 17. 1896. and adopted the following resolution :
Resolved, That said board of directors of But- ler County Agricultural Society, through J. A. Slade, their president, and J. P. Johns, secretary, be and they are hereby authorized and directed to employ counsel and take proper steps to vacate said appointment of receivership and restore the property of the Agricultural Society to the con-' trol and management of its board of directors, and to set aside all proceedings appointing such receiver, and to adjust and settle up all matters connected with said appointment of said receiver.
Resolved, That notice be given to John R. Woods, the receiver appointed in case No. 19, 177, and also to the attorneys representing said re- ceiver of the pasage of the above resolutions.
Subsequently, Millikin, Shotts & Milli- kin and W. C. Shepherd were engaged as attorneys.
16
Digitized by Google
210
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF
On March 26. 1897, a motion was made in the common pleas court to set aside the appointment of the receiver. The motion was heard on April 5th, and was sustained by the court, and all moneys, property, books. etc., were ordered turned over to the board of directors.
On July 9th the board asked permission from the county commissioners to mortgage its grounds to pay off indebtedness and conduct a fair the ensuing fall; said mort- gage for an amount not exceeding twelve thousand dollars and to be subject to the mortgages now on said real estate, amount- ing to ten thousand dollars.
The commissioners, on July 16th, re- fused to allow the society to encumber its real estate until the association organized under the general laws of Ohio. On the same day the society met and organized as required under the general laws of the state. and on July 19th the commissioners granted the society permission to encumber the estate to the amount of twelve thousand dollars.
On June 4. 1898, the question of issuing bonds to the amount of twenty thousand dol- lars for the relief of the society was sub- mitted to the qualified voters of Butler county. The proposition was defeated by twenty votes. On February 25, 1899. the bond question was again submitted to the people asking permission to issue bonds in the sum of twenty thousand dollars to pay the indebtedness of the society. The propo- sition was carried by three hundred and forty-one majority.
On June 3dl, the board as a committee of the whole. went before the county commis- sioners for the purpose of securing permis- sion to mortgage the fair grounds. As a result the following preamble and resolution was adopted :
Whereas, the Butler County Agricultural Soci- ety has certain lands for a fair site in Butler county, Ohio, in which said Butler county has an interest, therefore, be it
Resolved, by the board of commissioners of Butler county, Ohio, that permission be given said Butler County Agricultural Society to encumber said ground of said county, by mortgage of said society in the sum of not to exceed twenty thou- sand dollars, bearing interest not to exceed six per cent. per annum until paid.
Resolved, By the board of commissioners of Butler county, Ohio, that at the June session 1899 of said board, a tax be levied of not to exceed one- tenth of one mill upon all the taxable property in the county for the purpose of raising a sum of money not to exceed one thousand dollars, said tax being levied for the encouragement of an agricul- tural fair in Butler county, Ohio, under the provis- ions of section 370 2b, revised statutes of Ohio, and that said sum of money so raised by said tax be paid by the treasurer of Butler county, Ohio, to the treasurer of the Butler County Agricultural So- ciety.
First mortgage bonds to the amount of twenty thousand dollars were issued and sold and the fair of 1899 passed into his- tory as up to the standard.
The financial condition of the society of late years has assumed a more favorable aspect. and the fair of 1900 was not only excellent in all of its departments, but there were special attractions that drew immense crowds. Financially the fair was a success, there being a balance of three thousand five hundred and fifty-six dollars and eighty- three cents. after all premiums and expenses were paid. The fairs of 1901. 1902, 1903 and 1904 were record-breakers in point of attendance, and all proved to be profitable. New and popular features are added every year. and many permanent improvements have recently been made. among which may be mentioned a magnificent and commodious art hall. erected at a cost of several thou- sand dollars.
Public interest has not waned in the But-
Digitized by Google
211
BUTLER COUNTY, OHIO.
ler county fair, and still it continues to be the "Greatest Fair on Earth." The present board of directors are: J. A. Slade, presi- dent: W. A. Beard, vice-president; L. M.
Larsh, secretary; W. B. Wallace, treas- urer; J. A. Kumler, C. R. Brown, William Innman, Charles McCreary, William C. Thomas and Mark A. Thomas.
THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF BUTLER COUNTY.
BY STEPHEN D. CONE.
PREAMBLE AND RESOLUTIONS PRESENTED TO THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
On April 15, 1902, Stephen D. Cone ap- peared before the board of county commis- sioners and presented the following pream- ble and resolution. He spoke earnestly in favor of a centennial :
Whereas, On March 24, 1903, Butler county will be one hundred years old and it is but fitting that the advent be observed by a celebration, there- fore be it
Resolved, By the board of county commis- sioners of Butler county, Ohio, that an executive committee of four be and is hereby appointed to make arrangements for said celebration.
Resolved, That said committee be empowered to appoint one additional member thereof and also sub-committees from the various townships and the different wards of Hamilton and Middle- town.
The resolution was laid over until the following Tuesday for the suggestion of names to constitute the committee.
On April 22. 1902, the board of county commissioners appointed the following cen- tennial committee : S. D). Cone, Joseph W. Culbertson. William C. Miller. Judge John F. Neilan and F. R. Vinnedge. An organiza- tion was perfected on May 31st as follows : John F. Neilan. president : F. R. Vinnedge, vice-president ; Stephen D. Cone, secretary ; William C. Miller, assistant secretary : Jo- seph W. Culbertson. treasurer. The execu- tive committee was as follows : Joseph W.
Culbertson, chairman; Stephen D. Cone, secretary ; Frank M. Hughes, Gaylord Over- peck, Hon. Bert S. Bartlow, Richard Brown, Dr. C. Markt, Ed. Rosencrans, F. R. Vinnedge, Jacob Jacoby, A. W. Marge- dant, Robert Durbin and J. H. Shollenbar- ger.
On June 14, 1902, the following sub- committees were appointed from Hamilton, Middletown and the various townships. The first named on the ward and township com- mittees is chairman, who was instructed to organize his committee on or before August 5th. The following constitute the sub-com- mittees :
Hamilton-First ward, J. E. Lohmann, Captain Philip Rothenbush, H. C. Gray, J. P. Smyers, C. M. Semler, W. F. Mason; second ward. Chris. Pabst, J. J. McMaken, Peter Schwab, C. E. Mason, J. C. Strate- gier, M. O. Burns; third ward, F. W. Whit- aker, Robert Allstatter, Ed. H. Frechtling. John Harlow, J. S. Kriegenhoefer; fourth ward, Isaac J. Graham, L. M. Larsh, Dr. C. Markt, J. J. Pater, Patrick Burns, P. E. Welsh; fifth ward, Captain J. W. Meyers. Judge E. A. Belden, William Rochelle, J. R. Woods. Joseph Long.
Middletown-First ward, A. B. Shetter. T. C. Simpson, R. B. Edson, Isaac Hale, Ben Harwitz: second ward, W. H. Todhun- ter. J. R. Allen, Vermont C. Hatfield, Jo- .
Digitized by Google
212
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF
seph Isaminger; third ward, John Auer, Jo- 'seph Naughton, Harry J. McCabe, W. B. Hedding, R. P. Sturgis; fourth ward, Frank Doty, Walter S. Harlan, Samuel Crane, F. L. Tanzey, John Blair, Jr.
Oxford-Norman L. Armstead, D. P. Beaton, George Burkhardt, D. O. Corcor- an, Tom Law.
Townships-Fairfield, D. M. Sheely. W. A. Shafor, J. A. Slade, J. Wesley Morris. John Shurtz, Dr. W. S. C. Reed : Hanover. J. R. Fulkerson, R. H. Gillespie, Luther Beal, A. C. Kumler, Joseph Heitsman ; Lemon, W. A. Eudaly, Ira Currier. Charles McCreary, William Coddington, Dr. J. A. Macready ; Liberty, Ed. Rosencrans, D. B. Gorsuch, Frank M. Hughes, Robert Dur- bin, John W. Kyle; Milford, J. H. Shollen- barger, J. F. Mee, George D. Orin, James Harris, R. L. Scott; Madison, F. V. Weav- er, W. S. Long, Dr. J. A. Graft, David Smith, Charles Early; Morgan, Michael Jones, W. A. Baird, John Moorehead, H. C. Brown, Q. V. Butterfield ; Oxford, Al. Fore- man, Dunham Davis, L. N. Bonham. Oscar Stout, Waldo F. Brown: Reily. William Wynkoop, S. E. Fye, Dr. H. H. Smith. J. F. Gillespie, J. M. Trembly ; Ross, William Minton, Clark Brown, Dr. W. D. Hancock, Dr. M. O. Butterfield, J. W. Timberman : St. Clair, James W. Walker, Richard Brown, Gaylord Overpeck, John H. Augs- purger, C. F. Elliott ; Union, A. J. Van Hise, John Jones, Thomas McCleary, J. P. Miller, S. C. Patchell; Wayne, Jacob Jacoby, W. B. Smith, Dr. J. B. Owsley, Joseph Baird, C. S. Hunter.
THE FIRST DAY
The Butler county centennial celebration. in commemoration of the one hundredth an- niversary of the organization of the county, -
opened under the brightest of auspices Thursday, May 28, 1903, and all indications pointed to a grand success. After the rough and stormy weather of the previous day, the morning broke cool, clear and pleasant and smiling skies succeeded the frowning clouds, making the weather most ideal and propitious.
At six o'clock in the morning the cele- bration was ushered in by the firing of a salute of one hundred guns from the southwestern hills by Captain Moses Klein and his gun squad and by the ringing of bells and blowing of whistles, making a most fitting inauguration of the elaborate two-days program. Residences, business houses and public buildings were profusely decorated and everywhere were flags and festoons of the national colors.
As the hour for the beginning of the ex- ercises from the grand stand in front of the court house approached, thousands of peo- ple thronged the streets in honor of the his- toric and patriotic occasion. The cannon continued to thunder, sending their deep- toned reverberations far along the Miami valley, the reports of small arms and ex- plosives joined in the chorus and the in- itiation of the centennial event was all that could have been desired.
OPENING CONCERT.
The first number on the program was a patriotic concert with a grand chorus of six- teen hundred voices of children from the third and fourth grades of the Hamilton public schools, accompanied by a military band of forty-five musicians and under the direction of Professor Will H. Lebo. The program of the concert was as follows:
1. Hail Columbia March. . Chambers 2. (a) My Native Land. . Methfessel
Digitized by Google
7
-
213
BUTLER COUNTY, OHIO.
(b) Song of Freedom. . Brockhoven
3. Fort Hamilton March. . Lebo
Dedicated to the Class of 1901, Hamilton High School.
4. (a) The Maybells and the Flowers. Mendelssohn
(b) The Bees Abt
5. Medley of War Songs. Laurendean
6. (a) The Soldier Hauff
(b) The Sailor .Boyce
7. Overture Laurendean
8. (a) Boat Song Silcher
(b) Hunter's Chorus . Weber
9. Bugle Call-Characteristic Sketch Lewis
10. (a) The Star Spangled Banner . Arnold
(b) America (new) Froehlich
The scene was an inspiring one. The immense stage was a picture of exquisite beauty and as the sweet voices of the chil- dren swelled and rose in unison and har- mony with the splendid strains of the mu- sic, the air was filled with a mighty melody that had but to be heard never to be for- gotten.
THE SPEAKING PROGRAM.
The speaking was scheduled to begin at ten o'clock, but it was somewhat later than that hour before it commenced. Judge John F. Neilan presided over the meeting and Rev. Dr. W. A. Waldo, of the First Baptist church, pronounced the invocation. Judge Neilan spoke briefly but eloquently as follows :
One hundred years ago, on March 24th, was born into life this county of Butler, whose hun- dredth anniversary we are assembled today to celebrate. This county came into existence the same year the state of Ohio was born. It was named after General Butler, one of the bravest men and most gallant soldiers, and who lost his life in St. Clair's disastrous defeat in 1791.
The great part of Ohio was then compar- atively an unknown wilderness; a few isolated parts were inhabited, but much of it was as un- known as is much of the unexplored part of
Africa today, but the men and women who risked their lives in its fertile valleys and wooded glens and who subdued this wilderness and made it to blossom as the rose, were among the bravest and greatest pioneers the world ever saw, and their descendants are here today, as last week at Chil- licothe, to commemorate and honor their memory.
Out of this wilderness has emerged one of the greatest commonwealths of this mighty na- tion. From a population of less than forty-five thousand it has grown to over four million five hundred thousand of the most enterprising, thrifty, industrious and virtuous people on the globe; it is an honor to be a citizen of such a state and of such a county; may this record forever continue.
It is safe to say that the hundred years just closed are the most wonderful in the history of the whole human race. During that period the greatest inventions that minister to the wants of man, that embellish civilization as we under- stand it, have been discovered or perfected. Printing, the art preservative of all arts, has reached the highest degree of perfection, so that editions of books and magazines which at the be- ginning of the century could not be printed at all, or which would require months and years for their production, are now turned out. printed, bound complete and numbered in a few days or weeks at most. Steam, the slave of man, has been applied to all its varied uses during that period. The magnetic telegraph, which has almost annihilated time and distance, without which our great transportation problems could not be solved and which has brought us face to face with the whole world, and has made the whole human race neighbors, is the product of this period. By its use, the use of its twin brother, the tele- phone, and the printing press, the events of the world are laid before the reader, alongside his breakfast plate the next morning after their oc- currence.
Butler county has kept step with all this march of development and material improve- ment. Her churches, schools and charitable in- stitutions and the intelligence and virtue of her people are second to none in this great com- monwealth or elsewhere.
Her fertile and salubrious climate are con- ducive to progress, enlightenment and great men- tal activity. Is it any wonder that her sons have distinguished themselves in every honorable walk
-
Digitized by Google
214
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF
of life and that her daughters are noted for their virtue, beauty and refinement? Some of her dis- tinguished sons are here today, statesmen, educa- tors, literati, orators whom you will have the pleasure to hear. To me has been assigned the pleasing duty of presiding over this intellectual feast and introducing the various speakers to you.
ADDRESS OF WELCOME.
Judge E. A. Belden delivered the ad- dress of welcome, speaking as follows :
Mr. Chairman and Friends, it is with glad hearts that we hail this day, which marks the hundredth year of the existence of Butler county.
We rejoice in the evidence of prosperity which surrounds us; in the wonderful progress made during the past century in those things which tend to promote the welfare and enhance the happiness of the people who live in our fair valley. We are proud of the past,-confident of the present,-hopeful for the future.
We take pleasure in the presence on this oc- casion of many of our friends from other counties and other states.
In former years the traveler over the turn- pikes of our county would every few miles be confronted with a toll-gate, and a demand would be made upon him for toll before he was allowed to proceed. But this has all been changed, and now the highways of old Butler are free from all such obstructions. We assure you that today there are no toll-gates to the avenues of our hearts, and that by your loyalty to our county you have touched and won them as your own.
We welcome you,-not as strangers,-but as friends. And there are some here today to whom we extend an especially cordial welcome. There are the sons and daughters of old Butler, who years since left the homes of their fathers, but have cherished thoughts of those homes as most precious memories, and have returned this joy- ous day to mingle your voices with ours in praise of the county of your birth.
Many of you have won honorable distinction in professional. educational and financial circles.
The flags that float in the breeze this May morning wave you welcome, the voices of our chil- dren upraised in song, the cordial word, the warm pressure of the hand, all bespeak that wel- come which is yours. Our homes, our city, our county, are yours; use them as you will.
DR. W. O. THOMPSON'S ADDRESS.
At the close of this address Chairman Neilan introduced Dr. W. O. Thompson, president of the Ohio State University, of Columbus, who spoke on "The Local Path- finders of the Old Northwest Territory." He said :
The Northwest territory for a variety of rea- sons has attracted to itself a large interest. The generous act of the Old Dominion in releasing her claim to the territory northwest of the river Ohio and the far-sighted wisdom that puts a portion of the public lands at the service of public education have made possible the most important elements in our progress. We owe a gratitude to Virginia for her liberal policy.
The Ordinance of 1787, enacted July 13th of that year, has commanded alike the admiration of foreign statesmen and the praise from our own historians. For our purpose today it is well to remember that the provisions of that splendid document opened the way for a high class of citizens to come within this territory in the as- surance of the enjoyment of the liberties for which the fathers had struggled. The constitu- tional convention was in session and a little more than two months later proposed to the state's adoption the results in the form of a constitution that has stood the tests of more than a century of debate and conflict.
It is more remarkable that prior to the pub- lication of the constitution there should have been passed by the congress an ordinance of so liberal and general character. No act of congress before or since has called for the more eloquent applause or has commanded more universal re- spect.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.