USA > Ohio > Hamilton County > Cincinnati > Centennial history of Cincinnati and representative citizens, Vol. I, Pt. 1 > Part 82
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In the year following the meeting was at the First Presbyterian meeting house in charge of Marshal William Stanley. The reader was Josiah Meigs and the orator of the day, llon. Stanley Griswold. The dinner in the Court House yard was prepared by Andrew Burt, the son-in-law of General Gano. A year later we are told that the Tammanies met at the circus enclosure on the east side of Main below Fourth
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where afterwards was the Thespians' Shellbark Theatre. Chaplain Thomas Hersey was the orator and Thomas Henderson once more the reader of the day, while two revenue officers strangely enough bore aloft the cap of liberty. The dinner was in Cummins' orchard and pro- vided by Joel Williams.
In 1815 the day being Sunday was celebrated at the Baptist Church on Sixth street. The Cincinnati Light Infantry under Captain Mc- Farland, accompanied by Colonel Oliver and Dr. Allison bearing the cap of, liberty, headed the parade from the Cincinnati Hotel to this point. The services were in charge of Rev. A. Denis- on assisted by Rev. Joshua L. Wilson, while D. K. Este read the Declaration and J. C. Short
acted as orator. The dinner at which General Gano, General Findlay and Major Torrence presided was at the well known Republican Springs on the bank near the water works reser- voir. At this, Peyton S. Symmes read a poem in memory of Capt. J. F. Mansfield who had re- turned from the army to die from exposure. The Tammanies met at the wigwam of Joel Williams, and paraded to Gaston's fireworks enclosure at Fourth and Broadway where they listened to a long talk from Thomas Henderson. They then adjourned to Williams' Tavern for dinner. J. W. Gazlay and Rev. Ithiel Smead participated in the services. There were also dinners at New- town and Harrison. Goodwin's at the southeast corner of Fifth and Main streets was the place and David Wade, Dr. Drake, Stephen McFarland and Daniel Gano the leading spirits of one dining party in 1816. The Cincinnati Light Infantry paraded from the Cincinnati Hotel once more to the Sixth Street Baptist Church where the officials of the year before once more took charge. This party dined at the Springs. J. W. Gazlay delivered a long talk to the Tammanies at their wigwam and Thomas Henderson was the reader. The dinner was of course furnished hy Joel Williams. The day was saddened by the explosion of a gun at Newport as the result of which the gunner firing the salute lost his arm. At the celebration in Miami town in the following year ( 1817) General Harrison's volun- teer toast left little doubt as to hiis attitude on a point about which there was afterwards much discussion : "May the fertile banks of the Miami River never be disgraced by the cultiva- tion of a slave, or the revenue they afford go to enrich the coffers of a despot." (Address of John D. Caldwell, July 4, 1874; Cincinnati Pio- neer, No. IV, p. 7.)
TILE NEWSPAPERS OF THE TOWN.
The newspapers of this period have been re- ferred to in connection with Dr. Drake's book. Shortly after the publication of that work on December 11, 1815, the newly established Ciu- ciunati Gasette was consolidated with Liberty Hall and the title of the paper was Liberty Hall and Cincinnati Gasette, which was a semi- weekly paper published by Morgan, Lodge & Company who succeeded J. H. Looker and A. Wallace.
Journalism in those days consisted mainly in getting advertisements and publishing marriage and death notices with a few items of gen- eral and local interest interspersed. The editor at rare intervals expressed himself on subjects of common interest but he usually found it nec- cssary to have some other vocation. Rev. John W. Browne was also a publisher, preacher, town recorder, bookseller and dealer in patent medi- cines and was also called upon to show his prow- ess in other ways for in November, 1807, he was thrashed publicly by Judge Burnet for remarks which he had made. Looker & Wallace and Morgan, Lodge & Company were book publishers and printers.
The history of the first newspapers has been given with considerable length and enough has bech quoted from their columns to indicate their general character. The Centinel and its suc- cessor, Freeman's Journal, covered a period of about six years from 1794 to 1800. The West- ern Spy and Hamilton Gasette published by the distinguished soldier, Capt. Joseph Carpenter, began its existence in the spring of 1799 and con- tinued under the same name for about ten years at the end of which time it came into the hands of Carney & Morgan who changed its name in 1809 to The Whig. But 58 numbers of this pa- per appeared when it again changed hands and became known as The Advertiser. The life of this paper ended in November, 1811.
In the meantime Captain Carpenter reestab- lished the Western Spy which at the time of Dr. Drake's account in 1815 had about twelve hundred subscribers and was edited by Messrs. Morgan and Williams. The subsequent history of the paper is brief. In 1819 it appears to have been called the Western Spy and Cincinnati General Advertiser. In 1823 we are told that its name was changed to the National Repub- lican and Ohio Political Register, which appears in 1826 to have been published semi-weekly.
A little later in 1829 two papers shared the name, the National Republican which appeared
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on Tuesdays and Fridays and the Cincinnati Ad- vertiser which appeared on Wednesdays and Saturdays. In 1831 Messrs. Looker and Rey- nolds were the publishers of the Daily National Republican which also had a tri-weekly and a weekly edition.
A paper which in some respects is entitled to be regarded as the one of the longest continued existence although under changed names ap- peared from the loft of a log cabin at the south- east corner of Third and Sycamore streets for the first time on December 9, 1804. ( Dr. Drake says December 4.) This was first known as Liberty Hall and Cincinnati Mercury. It was edited by Rev. Jolin W. Browne who as editor, publisher, preacher, bookseller, patent medicine vender and public official was one of the best known of the citizens of the day and achieved particular distinction by being the first editor flogged in the streets of Cincinnati. The second name was soon dropped although it was still so . styled by Dr. Drake in 1815 at which time edited by Messrs. Looker and A. Wallace it was of superroyal size and had upwards of fourteen hun- dred subscribers.
In July, 1814, a paper called the Spirit of the West appeared but its existence was limited to 4I numbers. (Drake, p. 41.)
A new name but one destined to be connected for many years with Cincinnati journalism ap- peared on July 15, 1815, at which time Thomas Palmer & Company published for the first time the Cincinnati Gasette which continued for a short time under an independent name. This was published on Main street near the clerk's office and the fourth door above Fifth street. It was a semi-weekly sheet with four columns to a page and sold for $2.50 a year if the subscrip- tion was paid in advance, $3.00 if paid within the year and $3.50 if not paid at all or at least if not paid within that time. On December II, 1815, it was consolidated with Liberty Hall and the new paper became known as Liberty Hall and Cincinnati Gasette. This paper bore a little more the appearance of a modern journal. It was published by Looker, Palmer & Reynolds. Its first New Year's address was written by Pey- ton S. Symmies and the carriers for the year were Wesley Smead and S. S. L'Hommedieu. In 1819 it appears to have been a semi-weekly.
NOTICES AND ADVERTISEMENTS.
The first number of Liberty Hall contained in the Public Library of Cincinnati is that of date January 7, 1813. It is printed with reversed
column rules in mourning for the death of its editor, Rev. John W. Browne, which had oc- curred on the previous Sunday. Rev. Mr. Browne was riding to Newtown where he ex- pected to preach but while crossing the Little Miami River was thrown by his horse by the breaking of the saddle girth and as a result of his plunge into the cold water lost his life. He was an Englishman, born in 1764, who came to America in 1795 and to Cincinnati in May, 1798. He was a member of the State convention in 1802, recorder of Hamilton County for seven years and commissioner for leasing school lands. He became the editor of Liberty Hall in 1812. We learn from the same paper at that time that papers and letters were delivered at the Post Office at eight o'clock P. M.
An advertisement of May 31, 1814, announces the arrival of James W. Gazlay with a view to follow the profession of the law. On July 20th D. K. Este states that he . occupies the office of Ethan Stone for the practice of the law and likewise for the sale and exchange of real estate.
It is noted that at the anniversary of the School of Literature and the Arts held November 23, 1814, two addresses were delivered, one by Samuel F. Hunt on "Commerce" and an anni- versary oration by the president. Peyton S. Symines delivered a recitation from Walter Scott.
An advertisement of August 23, 1814, an- nounces an election at the inn of Major McHenry for the purpose of electing a captain and lieuten- ,ant for the second company of the Cincinnati battalion and one at the inn of Mr. Hughes on Front street for the purpose of electing a captain of the third company and one at the inn of Gen- cral Wingate for the purpose of electing a cap- tain of the fourth company. This is signed by Major Torrence, commanding the Cincinnati battalion.
A curious notice is contained in the issue of July 17, 1815. It reads as follows : "Any gentle- man having a file of the two first newspapers printed in this place Wm. Maxwell and Samuel Freeman or possessing any information concern- ing the names, times of establishment or continu- ance of those Journals will confer a favor by communicating the same to the Editors."
The columns of the newspapers reflect so closely the life of the community that the tempta- tion is great to quote at length from the adver- tisements as well as the news of these publica- tions. Space however will not permit such quo- tations being extended beyond a few selections,
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some of which have been used in other parts of this chapter. In 1814, for example, much of the contents of the papers was devoted to the war against England as well as to the stirring events abroad. Matters of general national interest such as proclamations of the President and newly enacted laws of Congress occupied much space. Most of the local interest attaches to the advertisements which show quite an active busi- ness community. The Cincinnati Steam Mill, Baum, Sloo & Company, David Kilgour, Sam- uci Newell, Benjamin Corp, Leatman & An- derson, Adams & Piatt, Ross & Coleman, Israel Byers and William Lyons the tailors, Bald- win, Reed & Company, Z. Leavenworth & Company, the Cincinnati Union Cotton Factory and Samuel Lowry are but few of the many ad- vertisers whose notices to the public appear regu- larly. Among professional men the name of James W. Gazlay the attorney and the names of Drs. Barker and Fairchild are most fre- quent. A notice of June 28, 1814, of the re- moval of the Post Office which thereafter was to be kept on Main street two doors above Mr. Thompson's store, corner of Main and Colum- bia, is followed by one of the Bank of Cincinnati to the effect that all notes offered for discount must be lodged before two o'clock on Wednes- day of each week and the form of the note which must be used is printed in the advertisement. Immediately following is a notice that the Tam- many Society or Columbian Order would meet on the Fourth of July at their usual place and move in procession to the Hill market house and afterwards to "Coming's Orchard" at the west end of Front street where a dinner would be.pro- vided. In the event of bad weather the dinner was to be given at the house of brother Joel Williams.
Lost, strayed or stolen horses, apprentices, negroes and soldiers continued to be a frequent subject of attention.
The list of letters uncalled for are usually very long and run into many hundreds of names, many of which are of the most important citi- zens.
An interesting communication in Liberty Hall of July 26, 1814, is the defense written by Gen. William Ilnh which occupies a page of the pa- per. The same number contains an account of the capture by the British frigate "Phoebe" and sloop "Cherub" of the frigate "Essex" whose destruction ended the career of one of the most celebrated ships of war ever in the service of the United States. A little more cheerful news is
contained in the account of the capture of Fort Erie.
The character of the stores is indicated by the advertisement of Samuel Lowry who had his store on Main street next door to the Farmers' & Mechanics' Bank ; it offers a supply of foreign and domestic merchandise which given in detail seems to include everything found in a modern department store from clothes, groceries and hardware to musical instruments and liquors of all sorts. A celebrated name and a sad story of government injustice is recalled by the advertise- ment of John H. Piatt, contractor for the Eightlı Military District, who "wanted immediately a number of Pack Horses and Ox Teams delivered in Cincinnati."
The papers succeeding Independence Day con- tain columns of accounts of the celebrations of that day.
An advertisement of August 2, 1814, signed by Samuel W. Davies, president of the Select Council, calls attention to the fact that some weeks before a meeting of the electors had been . called for the purpose of voting a tax on dogs and hogs but that no attention had been paid to it. At the solicitation of a number of citizens and being desirous to ascertain whether the in- habitants would second the attempts made and intended to be made for their benefit, a meeting was called at General Wingate's. Whether it took place does not appear.
On August 1, 1814, is noted the opening of a school at the house next to Mr. Pancoast's on Main street for the teaching of the French lan- guage. A local. item of interest reports a meet- ing of citizens who had determined to support Othniel Looker for Governor and John McLean for Congress and appointed Solomon Langdon, D. C. Wallace and S. N. Leavenworth as the committee on correspondence.
The issue of August 30th contains a call signed by Governor Looker asking for volun- teers. in a campaign against the Indians to be commanded by Gen. Duncan McArthur.
The issues of September 6th and 13th con- tain the sad news of the capture of Washington by the British. With the latter issue begins the publication of the advertisement of John Mears, coppersmith, which with its rude cut of a still held its place in the papers for many months.
On September 20th is noted the passage through the town of a thousand Kentuckians on their way to the rendezvous at Urbana.
A serions situation is indicated by an adver- tisement of Davis Embree that the Cincinnati
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Brewery for want of store room could not receive any more barley. Another advertisement of Sep- tember 27th is published by the owners of the papers themselves and is to the effect that an editor was wanted, in other words, that the whole establishment was for sale.
An extra of October Ist contains the Presi- dent's message to Congress on the state of war as well as the news of McDonough's victory on Lake Champlain which had occurred on Septem- ber IIth.
The approaching election naturally attracted attention and the paper contains numerous com- munieations with regard to it. An interesting one appeared on October 4th with reference to the candidacy for the State Legislature of Jacob Burnet, who had been opposed by some Jeffer- sonians by reason of his federalistic sympathies. The writer felt called upon to state that he had positive assurances that Mr. Burnet if elected would support the prosecution of the war.
On October 10, 1814, appears. a notice of the meeting of the Cincinnati Harmonical Society at Mr. Burt's tavern at which it was unanimously resolved that the society should meet on Satur- day evening of each succeeding week.
On October 18th the information is given that "the Reverend William Gray of Lebanon will preach in the court room this evening at early candle light." The same issue contains an abstract of the election held in Hamilton County. The highest number of votes cast seems to have been for E. Brown for Representative. He re- ceived 1,358 votes. Peter Bell received 1,337 for the same office. Jacob Burnet ran far behind, receiving but 562 which however was enough to elect him as well as Brown and Bell. John McLean for Congress received 1,355 votes which seem to have been all cast for this office. John Jones was elected Senator, C. Webb, commis- sioner, Daniel Cosbrook, sheriff and 1. Spinning, coroner. The vote for Governor was pretty well divided, Othniel . Looker receiving 727 and Thomas Worthington 607 votes.
On October 25th, the editors notified the sub- scribers that "we must have money." This an- nouncement does not seem unwarranted in view of the further statement that many of the sub- scribers were in arrears for five years or more. Anxious inquirers were notified that Dr. Drake's "Picture of Cincinnati" was in press. An ad- vertisement offers wood cutters 75 cents a day. On November 8th appears the notice that the steamboat "Enterprise" would depart on Mon- day, the 14th instant, for Pittsburg. A new and
afterwards well known store is announced in the advertisement of Jeremiah Neave & Son. Another firm, West, Stanley & Grant, who oc- cupied the "Yellow House" on the corner of Main and Front streets well known by the name of "Stanley's Store," notified all persons "who had but little of the ready which they may wish to dispose of to advantage" that they were suffering from a case of conscience which they found greatly at variance with their interest and which they were resolved to put at rest by offering their goods at prices for -which they can afford them. Another new advertising firm is that of Sayre, Avery & Sayre on Main street who include in their stock dry goods, groceries, hardware and queensware. On November 15th appears the in- formation that the French evening school had been removed to the house of Samuel Best at the corner of Front and Cider streets, where also an afternoon school for young ladies was an- nounced.
The recurring plea of the editors that they must have money was varied on the 22nd with the statement that wheat would be recived for subscriptions. On December 20th the Cincin- nati Steam Mill through William Greene acting agent offers 75 cents a bushel for wheat. The wheat must be full 60 pounds to the bushel and clean. Farmers are informed that if they will bring the wheat they intend to plant it will be cleaned in the best manner gratis. "The life of farming is to sow clean seed." The same num- ber contains the advertisements of James Rey- nolds & Company on Main street on the Hill ; Ruffin & Oliver on Main street, fourth door north of Columbian Inn, at the frame house late- ly occupied by William Burke, Esq. for the Post Office ; Alexander McCaine's book and stationery store in the house lately occupied by Dr. Cris- sey on Main street where also was kept a gen- eral assortment of dry goods; Samuel Newell, D. Drake & Company, druggists (to the effect that they returned to their old and improved stand on the west side of Main street nearly op- posite the Lower Market house) ; J. W. Sturm, jeweler, in Columbia street next door cast of Ma- jor Halley's; Alexander Gibson, brush manu- factory ; the Cincinnati Manufacturing Company and A. Dunseth. Other advertisements are those of the Nova Caesarea Harmony Lodge No. 2, as to an anniversary meeting of St. John the Evangelist and of the Cincinnati Miami Bible Society.
Mrs. Lee's Female Academy on Main street, Cincinnati, next door to the Farmers' & Mechan-
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ics' Bank announces, on January 11th, the com- mencement of its second session. In addition to the usual branches Mrs. Lee taught needle work including "Filigree Print Work, Ribbon (o. and Embroidery in sheneals."
A new lumber yard (of J. Wood and W. Lambdin) was announced at the southeast cor- ner of Fourth and Broadway.
The issues of the papers which contain various reports of the success of General Jackson at New Orleans contain also a reference to a report that several citizens of the place had been detected in supplying the enemy near New Orleans with pro- visions for which they had been confined by or- der of General Jackson.
In the issue of February 25th, which by the politeness of Mr. Baum and General Gano who had favored the editor with Eastern newspapers was able to make the announcement of PEACE, the editor states that these calumnies were totally unfounded. A more complete statement appears in the issue of Tuesday, March the 7th, where it is stated that the reports referred to David C. Wallace. Mr. Wallace on his arrival at New Orleans had raised a company of volunteer boat- men of which he was placed in command by General Jackson. He was afterwards placed in command at the fort in New Orleans in which were a number of British prisoners. A fellow officer who had been ordered to convey the pris- oners to Natchez and who was an enemy to Wal- lace made some charges of misconduct which resulted in the arrest of Wallace to await trial. No charge of treason to his own country was made. Wallace was subsequently acquitted and eventually his accuser gave him a written re- traction.
On January 5, 1815, announcement is made in the head of fine arts that "the naval Panorama and American Museum of wax figures is still exhibiting at Gen. Wingate's. This collection contains likenesses of a number of our Naval Heroes who have nobly distinguished themselves in the present contest with G. Britain. Also a representation of the five Naval Victories achieved by the gallant Hull, Jones, Decatur, Bainbridge and Lawrence in five large transpar- cnt scenes each containing ninety feet square."
On January 11, 1815, announcement is made of the arrival of Major-General Gaines, the liero of Fort Erie, who was on his way to New Or- leans. A public dinner was tendered to him by the citizens but the invitation was declined on account of the critical condition of affairs at New Orleans whither he was to proceed with all
possible despatch. The same paper contains a number of orders with regard to the de- fense of New Orleans. Victory had how- ever been achieved although the news of it had not yet been received. A most ex- traordinary advertisement, a column and a half in length, is contained in this issue,-that of "Father Smith's Pulvis Excitaria or Life In- vigorating Powder," a remedy for almost every possible ailment. The advertisement is signed by Peter Smith of the Gospel and concludes with a certificate of William Burke to the effect that his hoarseness had been relieved by the use of this drug and that he hoped by the blessing of God to be entirely restored. The drug was put up in "small square papers signed on one square with my name corresponding to the like assign- ment on the bill attending it, without which the medicine is not to be esteemed genuine." To use it the powder must be dissolved in vinegar and of the mixture a teaspoonful was put in a half glass of sage tea which could be sweetened. The dose was to be repeated in double quantity every ten minutes "until the stomach becomes full warin and easy." Then the patient must drink a cup of hot toddy with hot toast crumbled into it and finally he must drink plentifully of some herb or root tea such as herb-balm, pennyroyal, horse- radish root, square stock root or blueberry root, any of them alone or all mixed together. After this final dose the patient is supposed to cat and drink and sleep freely. In two hours the patient if still alive "will likely know if the point aimed at will succeed." This advertisement is accom- panied by an elaborate system of notes and a se- ries of observations together with references to the author's medical book called the "Indian Doc- tor's Dispensatory." Despite the use of this ex- traordinary remedy. Father Burke's hoarseness continued until the day of his death. Dr. Smith was not to have a monopoly for the following issue contains a notice of Dr. Thomas Hill from Boston to the effect that he had taken a house on Walnut street near the Academy where he in- tended to practice physics and surgery. The fact that he had practiced 13 years in a warm climate where the discases were similar to this place was urged as of special importance.
The glorious victory of New Orleans was not announced in Cincinnati until Saturday. Febru- ary 4, 4815, at which time a full account of the proceedings of the historic January 8th was pub- lished. Even the doctors seem to have been troubled in collecting their accounts. Dr. J. Farrington in this issue threatens to place his
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