USA > Ohio > Hamilton County > Cincinnati > Centennial history of Cincinnati and representative citizens, Vol. I, Pt. 1 > Part 70
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The news from Pittsburg at this time was to the effect "that the emigrants to this country this fall surpasses that of any other season-and we are informed, that the banks of the Mononga- hela, from M'Kee's Port to Redstone, are lined with people intending for the settlement on the Ohio and Kentucky." (December 5.)
The lawyer T. Goudy announces for sale "that eligible situation adjoining to the town lotts of Cincinnati on which the Subscriber lives, on which there is erected a commodious Dwelling House with fire rooms, and one cold do there is an excellent well of water, with a small orchard, consisting of apple, peach, nectirine, English plumb, and cherry trees, adjacent to the said dwelling house, with about thirty two acres of excellent land all under good fence, thirty of which is under wheat and rye, and two acres un- der grass."
A curious notice is that of Jacob Reeder and Jedidiah Tingle to Israel Ludlow "to appear at his Dwelling House in Cincinnati, on the nine- teenth day of December in order to receive pay for a tract of land," etc.
Thomas Barroussel on December 12th an- nounces the opening of a "New French Store of Dry Goods and Groceries" in the front room of James Hill's house on Sycamore street.
Benjamin Griffith took occasion on December 19th to inform the public that he lives in the house lately occupied by Lawyer Dunn at the up- per landing in Cincinnati where he practices "Sur- veying, writing of Deeds, Conveyances, Mort- gages, Wills, Articles, Bonds, Bills, Notes" and other instruments of writing. He had a quantity of parchiment of the best quality manufactured in Philadelphia.
Judge Symmes advertises for a lost bay mare in the issue of December 5th.
Two items of interest are published December 26tl1, one to the effect that there were a consider-
able number of counterfeit $30 bank notes in cir- culation. Another is the announcement that the ball which was to be held at Dr. Allison's on the 25th inst., "being unavoidably postponed on ac- count of the badness of the weather-The attend- ance of the Ladies and Gentlemen (in possession of Tickets) is requested on Tuesday evening next."
The issue of January 2, 1796, introduces an ad- vertisement offering "Medicine at the Medical Store of Hatch. and Barns, A Universal assort- ment of Patent and other Medicines suited to the disorders incident to this climate, viz. Bateman's drops, Godfrey's cordial, essence of Pepermint, British oil, Doct. Steers Chymical Opodellock, Anderson's and Hooper's pills, oil of Penneroyal. Gum Camphire, Peruvian bark, Sal-nitre, salts and a variety of Gums Paints and Varnishes for Mechanical use, and many other articles too nu- merous to mention." With such an assortment to choose from many sufferers must have been able to find a remedy.
James Glenn offers for sale at a bargain "one- quarter of that eligable situation, the corner of Second and Sycamore streets, on which is a cab- bin and excellent stable."
A significant notice is that signed "A Ken- tuckian" in the issue of the following week: "A correspondent wishes the citizens of the North- Western Territory, to desist from the horrid practice of staining the Kentucky bank of the Ohio, with human gore, by dueling; as it is an open violation of the Commonwealth."
John Dunlop, surveyor, on January 14th gives notice to those who have engaged with Capt. Israel Ludlow and associates to make settlement in the town of Dayton, that he would attend on the 25th instant to lay off the in and out-lots.
Daniel Symmes, the sheriff, is again called upon to advertise. on January 23rd the jail deliv- ery by which five prisoners escaped.
The announcement is made on January 30th that notwithstanding the late frost of the past few nights the navigation of the Ohio had not been in the least intercepted.
There is evidently not to be a monopoly in medicines for Daniel Bryan announces on the 13th the receipt of an assortment of "MEDI- (INES" which he offers for sale at the house of Griffin Yeatman.
The number of February 20, 1796, contains a lengthy account of a meeting held at Columbia on January 25th for the purpose of examining the Ordinance of Congress of the government of
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the Northwest Territory. Judge Goforth was in the chair and was appointed with William Brown, Daniel Lambert, Joseph Reeder and Capt. Eph- raim Kibby as a committee for examining the Ordinance and inquiring into the grievances of the citizens. This committee reported on Feb- ruary Ist, at four P. M. at the house of William Stanley where Rev. John Smith, afterwards Sen- ator from Ohio, resided.
The committee reported that having consid- ered the Ordinance they came to the conclusion that the inhabitants of the Territory were de- prived of the rights of free men in that they were governed by governors who were independ- ent of the people and by laws which they had no part in making and without the benefit of a high court of chancery so essentially necessary to the interests of the state of the Union "especially when it is considered that the first judge of the Supreme Court, is perhaps, the greatest land job- ber on the face of the earth, and must eventually either mediately, or immediately feel himself in- terested in many, if not most of the legal decisions respecting lands laying between the Miami rivers." They regarded themselves as entitled to statehood as soon as the population should reach thirty thousand even if Congress should divide the Territory into two districts. They complained of the practice of one judge sitting as the court when the Ordinance provided for two to form a court. The committee also found that by reason of the "frequent and long absence of the executive and high judicial officers of the Territory-by the infrequency of their sitting in their legislative capacities and the chasms in the proceedings of the Supreme or General Court- the people have languished for want of legisla- tion.'
The citizens had been made accountable to laws which had not been promulgated and to offi- cers whose commissions depended upon the will of the executive. The citizens had also been in- sulted and Governor St. Clair looked upon them in the same manner that the British commission- ers when they came to collect the duties upon tea looked upon the Americans.
In speaking of the citizens he avoided the ap- pellation of inhabitants or citizens and with great art and in a diminutive way made use of the term settlers. "Where in the name of all the old Whigs, does his Excellency expect to get the judicial officers from, does he wish to draft them from the British lines ?- Or does he mean to use
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his influence with Congress and have them im- ported from Scotland ?"
The report was adopted and it was resolved that the citizens should continue their usual re- spectful demeanor to the officers of govern- ment without troubling Congress as they con- ceived that it would be but a few months before they could choose their own Legislature and offi- cers.
Naturally this meeting raised a storm of dis- cussion and in the following number began the letters to the editor. The first one warned the Columbia cobblers to stick to their lasts and ridi- culed the gathering of priests, philosophers, bards and shoemakers who were vociferating against the Ordinance, Judge Symmes and the governors. This was followed in the subsequent number by a counter letter and so the war waged merrily.
On February 26th it is reported that the gaol of the county was set on fire; the incendiaries were supposed to be six debtors who were con- fined in the upper apartment and who conveyed fire to the roof. The wind was high and the building was in a few hours consumed in ashes as the town was not in possession of any fire engines "a machine so necessary in such calami- tous situations." Happily the wind abated and seasonable showers of rain fell which prevented the conflagration from spreading and doing any further damages to the town. During the bustle one of the prisoners escaped.
The announcement of the publication of two books of great rarity at present is contained in the issue of March 12th. "The Laws of the Ter- ritory" the first book published in the Territory . was offered to subscribers for the sum of 86 cents and a true copy of Judge Symmes' "Pamphlet" on the first settlement of this country is an- nounced as in press ; its price was one-fourth of a dollar.
John Prince, the auctioneer, announces the ad- dition of the drawing of legal documents to his business as well as the removal of his auction room to Sycamore street at the corner of Third street opposite the printing office.
On March 26th are reported the proceedings of the trials held before the General Court. One man was found guilty of stealing a horse from the Indians and sentenced to pay a fine of one dollar and to receive 39 lashes on the bare back, to be inflicted on the public streets of the town and to wear during the punishment a paper affixed to his hat with the words thereon "1 STOLE A
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HORSE FROM INDIANS." The latter part of the sentenee was inflicted the same day at twelve o'clock. The court also granted two divorees.
The publisher prints a very urgent demand for the payment of their accounts by advertisers, not more than one-half of whom paid upon hand- ing in their advertisements.
James Kavenagh, whose name has appeared so frequently, announces his intention of leaving the Territory and asks the payment of aeeounts due him and offers his new frame house situ- ated on Fourth street between Main and Syea- more streets for sale and warns the public against giving eredit to any part of his family.
On April 2nd the finding of an indietment against "Isaae Darneille late of this place, At- torney at Law for Malfeasance," and the issue of a eapias to the sheriff of St. Clair County are reported.
The postmaster requests those indebted to the post office to make immediate payment and those who expect newspapers by post are requested to eall and pay the postage.
John Holland offers for sale April 9th "a house and lot, in town of Cineinnati, bounded on the cast by the mouth of Deer ereek, on the south by the River Ohio, on the west by a lot formerly the property of Abner Dunn, esq on the north, by a lot belonging to Edward Day.
David Ziegler announees a fresh supply of dry goods "among which are beautiful Vest Pat- terns, Pour de Roi, Pour Princes, & Pour Sieg- neur and for Republican Gentlemen; the latter are superior executed to the first." He also of- fers stationery "Books almost of every Religious Prineiple. Those who come first, will first be served, as none will remain after they are sold."
A notice in the issue of April 16, 1796, an- nounces the marriage on Sunday evening last of "Daniel Symmes, Esq to the most Amiable Miss ELIZABETH OLIVER, both of this Town."
John Holland was evidently provident in his ideas of advertising. On the 14th of May, 1796, he warns the public against his wife Katharine, wlio has left his bed and board without any just cause of complaint and proceeds further to state that any person desirons of having work done 111 "Stone, Masonry, Bricklaying or Plastering may depend upon their work being performed in a neat Workmanlike manner."
The number of May 21st reports the action of
the committee of elaims in the Federal House of Representatives allowing "William Sargent, Secretary of the North-west Territory" $875 compensation for his additional service as Gov- ernor. At the same time two petitions enclosed in a letter from the Governor of the Territory were presented by the Speaker as "that territory had at present no Representative in the house." One of the petitions referred to lots of land which the petitioners had promised and the other "prayed for permission to import slaves, into that country from other States, so as not to en- crease the number." The petitions were referred to different committees.
The issue of June 4th announces the arrival of the Secretary at Cineinnati.
"The Editor hopes that, those of his Subscrib- ers who have been punctual in paying up their Subscription, will excuse the size of this day's Paper-To those who have not, he would wish to observe, that it must be obvious to them, that it is impossible to lay in a Stock of Paper without money."
Freeman's Journal.
But few copies of Freeman's Journal are pre- served. It was a four-page journal, at first 9 by 15 inches and afterwards about 914 by 16 inches. Its motto was "free but not licentious." Its price remained the same as that of the Centinel, 250 cents, although a single issue was six and one- fourth eents.
In the issue of October 27, 1798, is announced the return of Governor St. Clair from the tour up the river where he had laid off a new county, to which he had given the name of Ross, of which Chillicothe was the county town. The other news items of local nature were the mar- riage of Isaac Vawse to Betsy Broadrick and the finding in the Ohio River of the body of Daniel Bunnel of Columbia. Mr. Bunnel was descending the river in a skiff in which he had some whiskey "of which, probably he drank too freely, and being alone fell a victim to his own indiscretion."
Among the advertisements is the announce- ment of the new work entitled "Cannibal's Progress; or the Dreadful Horrors of French Invasion, as displayed by Republican Officers and Soldiers, in their Perfidy, Rapacity, Ferocious- ness and Brutality, exercised towards the inno- cent inhabitants of Germany."
James Smith, sheriff, advertises for sale some seven lots, taken in execution in the suit
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of William, Maxwell, and divers horses, cows and other articies.
Joel Williams complains that Rufus Elliot had sold to him a note of John Ludlow for $80 but liad "clandestinely absented himself and fraud- ently carried off the said note."
Col. John S. Gano the commandant of the first battalion of militia gives notice to the of- ficers commanding the companies to march their respective companies to the public ground in Cincinnati, on Tuesday, the 30th inst., so as to form battalion for exercise, by eleven o'clock A. M .; a troop of horses was included. Gano also offers for sale a house and lot pleasantly situated on the bank of Deer creek, Cincinnati.
The issue of October 1, 1799, contains the speech of Governor St. Clair to the Legislative Council and the House of Representatives on September 25, 1799. The local news announces the arrival in Detroit of Mr. Sibley, member of the House of Representatives of this Territory. The editor, Edmund Freeman, notifies those who are indebted for subscriptions to make payment. "The following produce delivered at this office will be taken, viz: Wheet per bushel, five shil- lings, Buck-Wheet, three shillings sixpence, Rye two shillings sixpence, Corn two shillings, Oats one shilling tenpence, Potatoes one shilling ten- pence, Turnips ninepence, Flour Per Hundred wt. fifty. shillings, Cornfed Pork per hundred weight sixteen shillings." Those wishing to dis- continue their subscription, are told that cash is the only produce that will be received from them.
The office of publication of Freeman's Journal was removed from Cincinnati to Chillicothe about the beginning of the year 1800 where Freeman established the Chillicothe Gasette.
The Western Spy and Hamilton Gazette
Began publication in the spring of 1799. It was edited by Joseph Carpenter who came to Cin- cinnati from Massachusetts. He became a prom- inent citizen and an active soldier, serving in the War of 1812 under the immediate command of General Harrison. He died in the service as a result of exposure and was buried in Cincinnati with military lionors being followed to his grave by a great gathering of citizens.
The Spy was the last of the papers published in Cincinnati prior to its incorporation as a village.
An early announcement of May 17, 1799, of one of the most prominent of the early citizens,
Griffin Yeatman, from whom the Cove was named and who kept the tavern, is as follows : "Observe this notice. I have experienced the many expenses attending my pump, and any FAMILY wishing to receive the benefits thereof for the future, may get the same by sending me twenty-five cents each Monday morning." This records the establishment of the first permanent water works in Cincinnati.
The same issue contains a notice of the es- tablishment of the post office at "Chelicotha."
The isstie of May 13, 1799, publishes a bat- talion order of Daniel Symmes, lieutenant-adju- tant of militia, exhorting the officers to exercise and teach the men the necessary manoeuvres. "And it is hoped that the delay of the battalion muster may produce a good effect ; that is, that the industrious farmers may have time to put in their summer crops, and the industrious officers, at their company parades, may improve their men in exercising them, so that they may be dis- tinguished when the battalion is formed, which will be on the Fourth of July next."
At a little later time comes the announcement that the battalion paraded accordingly. "Two or three companies on foot were in uniform, and a troop of horse, about thirty in number, mostly so also; the whole being reviewed by his Ex- cellency William Henry Harrison, Governor of the Territory (pro tempore)."
Mr. Cist refers to the advertisement of Robert Park who offers hats for cash or country produce and who wants to buy furs, at the corner of Main and Second, as that of the first hatter. This statement is an error as will be seen by the advertisement six years before of Joseph Prince who offered "genuine good hats."
Another record in temperature is recorded on June 25th : "We have, within these few days, experienced a greater degree of heat than was ever known in the country. On Thursday, the 20th, the mercury rose to 103 in the shade, four degrees higher than was ever known before ; Friday, 2Ist, 100; Saturday, 22nd, 96; Sunday, 23rd, 100; Monday, 24th, 101."
An item of July 23rd shows the privations to which the early settlers were subjected: "Cap- lain E. Kibby who sometime since undertook to cut a road from Post Vincennes to this place, returned on Monday reduced to a perfect skele- ton-he had cut the road 70 miles, when by some means he was separated from his men; after hunting several days for them without success, lic steered his course this way. He has nnder-
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gone great hardships, and was obliged to subsist on roots, &c., which he picked up in the woods. Thus far report."
The same paper contains a curious advertise- ment of a character not altogether unusual at that time :
"Finding that the Impeachment I have laid in against Benjamin Walker cannot be substan- tiated with sufficient proof, I do for the future clear and acquit him therefrom; and likewise in the case of Slander, I do consider him clear of either murder or felony in any sense or meaning whatever.
"EPHRAIM MORRISON."
"Nov. 28, 1798."
A week later appears the obituary of Rev. Peter Wilson. In recording this, Mr. Cist is again in error .as he calls Rev. Mr. Wilson the first clergyman who had settled here, entirely overlooking Rev. James Kemper who arrived in Cincinnati, October 17, 1791, and remained here until October 7, 1796.
An interesting recipe for making beer is con- tained in the same number. It is here given in full in order that any person desirous of ex- perimenting with it may have the opportunity : "A Recipe to make beer from the shells of green peas. Pour six gallons of water on a bushel of peashells, and boil the whole until the shells are insipid to the taste. Pour off the water, which will be very sweet, into a clean tub or keg, and add a pint yeast and two ounces ground ginger. Fermentation will soon take place and the beer be fit for use.
"Beer obtained in this manner is very clear, has a fine amber color, is pungent to the taste and bears a fine bead when poured into a tum- bler : is superior to molasses beer and not inferior to mead.
"One bushel of the shells will make several dozen bottles of beer. The beer should be put in strong bottles and the corks secured by wire. If the cellar is not cool the bottles will burst with an explosion, as the author of this com- munication has experienced.
"The beer distilled yields a spirit of the taste and color of whiskey."
This paper as well as its predecessors contains inany advertisements asking debtors to settle. There is not much variety in these notices but one of C. Avery, concluding a series of requests, is published on September 27, 1799, in little dif- ferent terms as it offers a special inducement to debtors : "My generous friends,-It may seem
like an absurdity to give you another call, to as- sist me to perform my journey to the Atlantic States. One moment's reflection to men of sense as I know you all are, will be sufficient to shew you that it is out of my power to bring out my family to this place without a considerable sun of MONEY, &e.
"GENTLEMEN, you are to say whether I shall go to the Atlantic States or not. I flatter myself that there is not one man among you but what will erert every nerve to accomplish my wishes this time. Your distressed friend and very humble servant."
In the Spy of September 17, 1799, "Murray Cockran begs leave to inform the public, that he has opened genteel Private Lodgings at the house of Major Doyle, at the foot of the second bank on Main street in Cincinnati, leading from Col. Gibson's to Col. Gano's ; the house is com- fortable, and pleasantly situate, and will be kept in the most decent and reasonable manner."
Another dun of unusual character is sent out from Hamilton County Prison, October 29, 1799, in the following language: "Those indebted to Dr. Homes are desired to remit him the sums due-he being confined to jail deprives him of the pleasure of calling personally on his friends -- they will therefore particularly oblige their un- fortunate friend, by complying with this request without loss of time."
On September ioth of this year appears a name that became well known in carly Cincin- nati history. "Francis Menessier begs leave to inform the public that he has opened a coffee- house at Cincinnati, at the foot of the hill on Main street, where he proposes to retail differ- ent kinds of liquors, and all kinds of pastry, &c. He will punctually attend the coffee-house, which will be open from 2 o'clock until 9 P. M. His sign is PEGASUS the bad poet, fallen to the ground. Also teaches the French language. School to begin on Monday the 23d inst., at his house ; teaching every evening, Saturdays and Sundays excepted."
Samuel Stitt in his "Recollections" tells us that this property at the foot of the hill is the lot on the southwest corner of Main and Third streets and 100 feet on Main and 200 on Third street where the trust company's bank afterwards stood. It was bought in 1796 by Menessier, who came from Gallipolis, for an old saddle worth ten or fifteen dollars. (Cincinnati in 1859, p. 147.)
The comment of Mr. Cist upon this sale as well as upon the purchase by Hezekiah Flint at
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about the same time of a lot of similar dimen- sions on Walnut below Fourth for $150 is inter- esting as showing the topography of the early days of the city. He speaks of the Main street property in 1796 as "overhung by the abrupt front of the hill, which injured present improve- ment in that region of the city, and induced the population to spread over the second table, even at a greater distance from the Public Landing and business streets of the city." (Cincinnati in 1841, p. 165.)
On October 21, 1799, James White advertises a day and night school. Evening school, two dollars per quarter, the scholars finding fire-wood and candles.
A little later Menessier's coffee-house evi- dently took fire, for on November 18, 1799, we find that he publishes a card of thanks referring to "the fact that none but republicans and Amer- icans could have done so much to save his prop- crty : and, to testify his gratitude, stands ready, at any future period, to sacrifice his time, his fortune, and his life, in the cause of humanity."
Some of the advertisements are embellished with rude cuts which can be only understood by reference to the text. In the issue of December 9, 1799, Peyton Short and William H. Harrison advertise for an experienced superintendent and laborers to cultivate the open lands at the mouth of the Big Miami. "It will be a matter of no consideration whether the aforesaid Superin- tendant has a family or not, but the laboring hands must come unincumbered with their fam- ilies if any they should have."
Another advertisement tells that "Doctors Sell- man & Hall Inform the public that they have entered into partnership, in the line of their pro- fession," and ask their debtors to make payment. "Corn, Rye, Oats or cornfed Pork, will be re- ceived in payment at market price."
R. Haughton "having taught with great repu- tation in different parts of Pennsylvania and Vir- ginia, last winter and spring, and whose letters of introduction to this place and Lexington, are most respectable, begs leave to inform the Ladies and Gentlemen of CINCINNATI and its vicin- ity, that if honored with their patronage, he in- tends opening a school here as soon as a suf- ficient number (sixteen or more scholars) shall subscribe.
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