USA > Ohio > Hamilton County > Cincinnati > Centennial history of Cincinnati and representative citizens, Vol. I, Pt. 1 > Part 87
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502
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF CINCINNATI
trance is from Lawrence street. At the time the house was erected the grounds reached from Third to Fifth street. The property is in the pos- session of the Fosters, descendants of General Lytle.
William Barr who removed to Cincinnati in 1809 settled first on Main street where he re- mained until about 1815. At the sale of the es- tate of Israel Ludlow, Major Barr bouglit 60 acres of land lying between Fifth and Eighth streets and west of Western row, then occupied , by a solitary small brick house and principally covered with a dense original forest growth. In- cluded in this purchase was the large and beau- tiful mound, situated near what is now the cor- ner of Mound and Fifth streets, which has since been entirely removed. Major Barr proposed to convey this mound, then covered with trees, with a surrounding lot, to the corporation of Cincinnati, on condition that they should enclose with a permanent fence and preserve it. But the offer was not accepted and the mound has passed away, and nothing remains of it, but the small hieroglyphic stone found in its center, and some remains of human bones which are still pre- served.
In 1816 Major Barr commenced the erection of his mansion house afterwards known as No. 61 Mound street, which was a front adjoined to the house they previously occupied. This house was finished in 1817 and remained unchanged for a half century. ( Memoir of Mrs. Mary Barr, p. 5.)
A serious loss was suffered by the infant town in the death of William McMillan, to whom as inuch as to any one man it owes its existence. This occurred in 1804. Major Ziegler's death which came in 1811 was made the occasion of a military funeral. In 1813 came the drowning of the editor of Liberty Hall, Rev. John W. Browne.
An event of the year 1814 was the death of the pioneer, John Cleves Symmes, which occurred February 26th at Cincinnati .. A large number of citizens attended the funeral which occurred at the dwelling house of General Harrison on Front street. The procession moved to the land- ing of Joel Williams where the body was em- barked for North Bend.
THE MARKETS.
Dr. Drake has told its of the little market house in the cove in front of Yeatman's, which continued in nse well down into the first decade of the century. An advertisement in the Spy in
the year 1801 is to the effect that the building of a market house would be offered for sale at Yeatman's Tavern. The under story was to be of stone and lime and the upper story of wood. This structure is supposed to be the old market house on Lower Market ( Pearl) street between Main and Sycamore. In 1815 there were three market houses including the first one built in 1801 and another in what is now Government square .. The two were each supported by a double row of brick pillars. A third one with a triple row of brick pillars extended nearly the whole distance from Broadway to Sycamore on Lower Market (Pearl) street and was upwards of 300 feet in length. This structure was in process of erection at the time of the appearance of Dr. Drake's "Picture of Cincinnati" and was not yet attended. It was in fact completed in 1816 and the building erected at that time was used ( with many alterations) until recent years.
There were also certain other spaces left vacant for market purposes which appear upon the first map. These were however never used for the markets but their location can still be traced by the divergence of street lines. One embraced the front of Sycamore on both sides from a short distance north of Seventh to the corner of Wayne ( Ninth) street and the other ran from Elm to Plum just south of Fourth ( McFarland) street.
There were four market days in each week, two mornings at Lower Market and two after- noons at Upper Market. These markets werc regulated by a most elaborate series of ordinances which apparently were little observed. Still the markets were considered good. Dr. Drake's de- scription is quoted in the extracts from his book. Brackenridge visiting the town in 1805 found the market "equal in goodness to that of Phil- adelphia but. much cheaper. A turkey may be had for sixteen cents and if thoughit too high, a goose will be offered into the bargain."
An early Cincinnati Price Current, sometimes inaccurately called the first, gives the prices in May, 1804, as follows :
Bacon, per cwt .. $18.75
Beeswax, per lb. .18
Coffee .50
Cordage, per cwt.
1 2.00
Cotton, elcan
15.00
Corn, per bu. .50
.75
Cotton bagging, per yd.
Flour, per bbl. .. 10.00
Gunpowder, "K" per lb. .75
Gin, per gal. 1.75
-
Iron, per cwt. 10.00
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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
Lime, per bu. .75
Pork, per bbl .. 14.00
Potatoes, sweet, per bu .. .50
Rum, fourth proof, per gal.
2.00
Sugar, per cwt. 16.00
7.00
Whisky, per gal.
1.50
WINES.
Madeira, per gal 4.50
Amalga, per gal. 2.50
Red Port, per gal.
2.50
Teneriffe, per gal. 2.50
Sherry, per gal. 3.00
8.00
A number of items are marked "none in mar- ket." They include .beef, butter, candies, candles (molded and dipped), corn meal, cider, hemp, lard, Irish potatoes, rum (first, second and third proof ), and tobacco.
Schultz in 1807 found the market "well fur- nished both as to abundance and variety." Tim- othy Flint's description of the market 'in 1816 with its "exuberant supplies of every article for consumption in the finest order and of the best quality," has already been given. Birkbeck, too, in 1817 mentions the markets as spacious and busy and thronged by five o'clock in the morning. By this time, as indicated by the comments of John Palmer, the three market houses were in full use. Mr. Palmer gives the price of provisions at Cincinnati in July, 1817, as follows :
Dol. Cents.
Beef
.0
614 per pound
Pork
.0
614 ditto
Mutton
.0
5 ditto
Veal
.0
614 ditto
Hams
. 0
9 ditto
Fresh
Venison
.0
2 ditto
Butter
.0
1834 ditto
Cheese
0
121/2 ditto
Wheat, fine Flour
.3
0
per cwt
Corn Flour
I
0
ditto
Potatoes
0
311/4 ditto
Coals
.0
1212 ditto
Venison Hams
. 0
371/2
each
Turkeys and Geese
. O
80 per pair
Pullets
I
0
per dozen
Partridges
.0
25 ditto
Eggs
.0
9
ditto
Milk
.0
25 gallon
Honey
. 1
0 ditto
Whiskey
. 0
50 ditto
Peach Brandy
I
0 ditto
Porter, Mezd, and Spruce Beer .. ... 0 12% per quart
"A cord of wood, two dollars, fifty cents. Pre- served, or dried fruit, as apples, peaches, etc., about one dollar per bushel. Vegetables dear. French and port wine, sugar, tea and coffee, dearer than in England. Woollen, cotton and European goods very dear, Cherries, raspberries,
strawberries, peaches and apples, very reason- able. River fish of various sorts, plentiful and cheap. The general price of a barrel of flour (196 pounds) is three dollars and fifty cents or four dollars; it has never been dearer than when we were here." (Journal of Travels in the United States, p. 83.)
THE BRIDGES.
In December, 1808, a rise in the Ohio unmoored one of Jefferson's gun-boats which had been built at the mouth of Crawfish creek just above Ful- ton and was moored by a grape-vine cable. As the vessel went floating by the village, every canoe in town followed her and finally she was caught and towed into Mill creek and secured under White's bridge. The river continuing to rise however so backed up Mill creek as to cause the boat to shove the bridge from its moorings. The string pieces and all above gave way and the bridge was about to float away in detached parts. To prevent this, White stripped the planks from the bridge and these he was able to save ; the bridge itself went down the river. These planks are said to have formed the floor of the first warehouse built in Cincinnati. This bridge we are told by Judge Matson was not the original floating bridge of Francis White but a bridge built in 1806 of yellow poplar at a cost of about $700. A man named Parker was the architect and the money was raised by subscription. White was suspceted of having secured the boat under the bridge with a design of carrying it away so that he could make more money by his ferry.
In 1811 a new bridge was put up by Ethan Stone which remained for 11 years, to be carried away by the great freshet of 1822. This struc- ture was but 120 feet in length and shows how much narrower the ravine at Mill creek was at that time.
The date 1811 is that given by Judge Matson. It must be incorrect. Dr. Drake says in 1815 that "there was once a wooden bridge over Mill creek near its confluence with the Ohio but in consequence of a high flood in that river it was destroyed."
The toll-bridge authorized by the Legislature he thought would be commenced in the ensuing spring. The Directory of 1819 tells us that within two or three years a toll-bridge, one of the finest in the State, had been erected over the mouth of Mill creek by Ethan Stone. Drake speaks of the nced of a new bridge across Deer creek and we learn that a year or so later two bridges were built, one at the confluence of Deer creek with
50 per bushel
Salt
Salt, per bbl.
Claret (for gentlemen), per gal.
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF CINCINNATI
. the Ohio and the other a few squares north. The first bridge was 340 feet in length. As early as 1815 the subject of a bridge across the Ohio was mooted by enthusiasts and the want of a steam ferry boat commented upon. At this time and for some years later a Mr. Bliss conducted a horse ferry boat whose qualities of "safety, com- fort, dispatch and capacity for heavy burthen" commended themselves to the public.
THE WAR OF 1812.
The war with Great Britain of 1812 excited intense interest in Cincinnati as well as through- out the State. To the grievances felt by the country at large there were added the special complaints known only to those who remembered the long border wars with the Indians. In these wars the settlers had felt that at all times they had opposed to them not only the savages but the people of their own blood who were vio- lating the treaty of peace which had been ex- torted at the end of the War for Independence. The names of the Girtys, McKee, Elliott and others who had been most active in stirring up atrocities were household words .in the West and this locality had been a center of barbarity and cruelty. The particular subjects which brought about the war may not have interested them so seriously but the frame of mind. was present and nowhere was there a more patriotic support of the government. There seems to have been no real difference of opinion in the city. Every act of aggression on the part of Great Britain and every movement of the In- dians were carefully noted. The diplomatic fea- tures of the matter were discussed at great length in the press and at the fireside and in the tav- erns.
On May 19, 1812, "the Cincinnati Troop com- manded by Capt. James W. Sloan with a great concourse of people assembled at the stone meet- ing house and listened to an eloquent discourse by Rev. W. Burke from the text: 'Prepare for war; wake up the mighty men; let them come up: beat your ploughshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears; let the weak say, I am strong.'' "
The army had been increased by an addition of 25,000 men and of the new officers Ohio was allowed one lieutenant-colonel, one major, seven captains, seventy lieutenants, seven 2nd lieu- tenants, six ensigns and one surgeon. The President too was authorized to accept militia, not to exceed 50,000 in number. A requisition was made upon the State for 1,200 inen. To
stimulate recruiting, the recruits were offered a bounty of $16 with three months additional pay and 160 acres of land upon honorable discharge. A recruiting office was opened in Cincinnati and the pomp and panoply of war became once more a feature of the city's life. The two Cin- cinnati companies,-the Light Dragoons under Captain Sloan and the Light Gnards under Capt. John F. Mansfield,-drilled regularly. General Findlay accepted a major's commission to be with his own people.
Washington's birthday was celebrated with en- thusiasm and solemnity. At the banquet at the Wheat Sheaf Inn many patriotic sentiments were toasted and great enthusiasm prevailed. In the early part of April, Gen. John Stites Gano had been ordered by Governor Meigs to raise eight companies for service in the field. The rendez- vous for the State troops was fixed at a camp three miles above Dayton on Mad River. The first division of Ohio militia met at Hut- chinson's Tavern ( Jacob Hoffner's) on the Col- erain road near Ludlow's Station. Mr. Mans- field tells us that the division presented as motley an appearance as has ever been seen. Some of the men had rifles but the greater part only sticks and cornstalks while the uniforms includ- ed hunting shirts and butternut jackets.
In addition to the companies of Captain Sloan and Captain Mansfield, other companies under Captains Carpenter, McFarland and Hugh Glenn are said to have had Hamilton County men on their rolls. The entire regiment commanded by General Findlay was from the Miami coun- try.
Captain Carpenter was the publisher of the Western Spy and served throughout the cam- paign of 1813 and 1814, dying on his way from Fort Meigs to Urbana before he was discharged from the service. He was afterwards buried in Cincinnati with high military honors. .
On March 30th the Governor fixed the 15th of April as a day of fasting and prayer. The subject of the prayer was supposed to be the advisability of peace but it is doubtful if any prayers to that effect came from the heart.
Volunteers began to collect in the city about the 25th of March and went into camp on the outskirts of the town on the top of the bluff along Fourth street. Governor Meigs reviewed the troops and delivered a patriotic address. Shortly afterwards he was constrained to de- liver a proclamation as follows :
505
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
"A CALL ON THE PATRIOTISM OF CINCINNATI."
"The situation of our country has compelled the Government to resort to precautionary meas- ures of defence. In obedience to its call, 400 men have abandoned the comforts of domestic life and are here assembled in camp, at the dis- tance of some hundred miles from home, pre- pared to protect our frontier from the awful effects of savage and of civilized warfare. But the unprecedented celerity with which they have moved precluded the possibility of properly equipping them. Many, very many of them, are destitute of blankets, and without those indis- pensable articles it will be impossible for them to move to their point of destination. Citizens of Cincinnati ! This appeal is made to you. Let each family furnish one or more blankets, and the requisite number will be easily completed. It is not requested as a boon : the moment your blankets are delivered you shall receive the full value in money-they are not to be had at the stores. The season of the year is approaching when each family may, without inconvenience, part with one. Mothers ! Sisters ! Wives !- Recollect that the men in whose favor this ap- peal is made, have connections as near and dear as any which can bind you to life. These they have voluntarily abandoned, trusting that the integrity and patriotism of their fellow-citi- zens will supply every requisite for themselves and their families, and trusting that the same spirit which enabled their fathers to achieve their independence will enable their sons to defend it. To-morrow arrangements will be made for their reception, and the price paid.
"R. J. MEIGS, Governor of Ohio." "CINCINNATI, April 30, 1812."
The two Cincinnati companies under command of Mansfield and Sloan convened at the First Presbyterian Church on May. 14th to hear the distinguished minister, Joshua Lacy Wilson, de- liver a sermon entitled "War the Work of the Lord and the Coward Cursed." His text on this occasion was "cursed be he that doeth the work of the Lord deceitfully ; and cursed be he that keepeth back his sword from blood."
Another episode of the campaign was the pas- sage through the city of the Fourth Regiment of regulars. This regiment which had taken part in the battle of Tippecanoe arrived at New- port Barracks on June 1, 1812, and almost im- mediately crossed the Ohio for the frontiers. "While crossing, they were saluted with dis-
charges from an artillery company stationed on the river bank, which were acknowledged by the music of the regiment, and when they as- cended the bank, a general shout and three cheers expressed the sense entertained by our citizens of their soldierly behavior in that battle, when their cool collected conduct saved the body of the American troops, by giving them time to form in efficient order for defence, against the tremendous onset of their savage assailants. On Main street near 5th a triumphal arch had been erected, decorated with floral ornaments, and enscribed, 'To the heroes of Tippecanoe.' Here they were again saluted by artillery, and having marched about five miles out to encamp, they were supplied with bread, beef and whiskey, as a contribution from the citizens, and the next morning proceeded on their march to the lines."
The following address was delivered to Lieu- tenant-Colonel Miller, commanding the Fourth Regiment of the U. S. Army :
"Sir: The citizens of Cincinnati, impressed with a sense of the important service performed by the brave regiment ( under the command. of Col. Boyd at the battle of Tippecanoe) since their departure from us the last summer; sen- sible too of the great fatigues and privations which must have been experienced, most cor- dially salute you and cach of the officers and soldiers under your command, on your return with your regiment, covered with glory. We cannot suffer you to pass us without presenting this tribute of our respect to the BRAVE. Your memories will live so long as we live, and will never be effaced from the annals of the Western world.
"As you pass to the northward at the call of your country, we are confident it will be but to gather fresh laurels. Our sons! will be by your side, composing the Militia of this State, destined on that service, and now encamped at the general rendezvous. Teach them the art to conquer-we will vouch for their spirit. On your tried and brave troops, much reliance is placed, and we confidently expect to licar a good account of the expedition.
"Accept for yourself, and for the officers and soldiers under your command, this small tribute of respect, from the inhabitants of Cincinnati, and their warmest wishes for your personal wel- fare, as well as for that of every individual, of the heroes whom you lead.
"Cincinnati, June 3, 1812."
-(Cist's Miscellany, Vol. 1, p. 204. )
31
506
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF CINCINNATI
This demonstration had been prepared by a military, company of the older men under Gen. William Lytle calling themselves the Cincin- nati. The regiment was accompanied by the son of Captain Spencer who was but 12 years of age. The father had been killed at the battle of Tippecanoe while his boy was at his side. The commanding colonel became famous by his re- sponse at Lundy's Lane: "I will try Sir."
On May 25th the Ohio militia had been turned over to the command of General Hull. The sad story of his surrender need not be told here.
War was declared on June 18th but the news was not heard until the 29th in Cincinnati, where it was received with a hearty welcome. On the Fourth of July the Declaration of Independence and the Declaration of War were read to the assembled citizens by David Wade and an ora- tion delivered by William Hendricks. The cere- monies were enlivened by music and discharges of artillery. At these ceremonies which were "in an orchard on the south side of Columbia street" General Gano presided assisted by Gen. William Henry Harrison and Hon. John Cleves Symmes. One of the toasts proposed by General Harrison was as follows: "General Hull and his Army-They have passed that scene immortal- "ized by the victory of Wayne; the spirit of that hero will animate them to deeds like his, and teach them the lesson of victory or death." An- other toast was as follows: "The Northwestern Army: Our brethren and fellow-citizens now on the frontier-
Nor do they sigh ingloriously to return,
But breathe revenge, and for the battle burn, May they have pleasant paths and unclouded spirit."
Strangely enough there seems to be no record of the War of 1812, which makes it impossible to give any complete account of the part taken in it by Cincinnati and her sons. The history of the war itself is a part of the history of the country. Among its victims was Captain Mans- field who has been so frequently spoken of. Prominent in the service were of course Gen- eral Harrison, a citizen of Cincinnati, Col. W. S. Hatch, Stephen McFarland, Thomas Hecke- welder and James Chambers.
In an address delivered at the 45th anniversary of the settlement on December 26, 1833, Gen- eral Harrison refers to some of the exploits of Cincinnatians during the war. The young orator of that occasion was the lawyer Joseph Long- worth and his mention of Cincinnati's soldiers called forth comment from Harrison. He de- scribed an episode at the siege of Fort Meigs in which Major Gwynne distinguished himself. Another citizen whose praises he sounded was Major Oliver. Of course Gen. John S. Gano and General Findlay too were mentioned. As to the latter, Harrison says that if his advice had been adopted the campaign would have had a different result and the honor of our armies would not have been tarnished by an inglorious surrender.
The jollifications after the victory at New Or- leans and after the news of peace are described elsewhere.
.
CHAPTER XXIX.
THE CITY TO THE SEMI-CENTENNIAL-I.
CIVIL GOVERNMENT.
THE CITY CHARTER OF 1819-THE FIRST CITY MAYOR-THE CITY CHARTER OF 1827-THE CITY CHARTER OF 1834-THE COURTS-THE "OLD COURT HOUSE "-THE FIRE DEPARTMENT-THE POLICE-THE WATER SUPPLY-THE POST OFFICE.
THE CITY CHARTER OF 1819.
With the year of 1819 begins Cincinnati's life as a city. The act of the General Assembly of 1819 incorporating the city, vested the legisla- tive power in a Council, composed of a presi- dent, recorder and nine trustees. To the Council was given the power to make such ordinances and laws as they should think proper for the health, safety, cleanliness, convenience and good government of the city and to impose and col- lect reasonable fines for breaches of the ordi-
nances. They were empowered particularly to secure the city against injuries from fire, to es- tablish a night watch, to purchase fire engines, establish fire companies, keep the streets and com- mons open and in repair and free from nuisances. To them also was given power specifically to es- tablish and regulate markets, to fix the assize of bread, to establish wharves, to regu- iate the landing of rafts and other water craft and to prevent every description of ani- mals from running at large. They had the power to license and regulate taverns and public houses and on proper cause shown to suspend such licenses ; to regulate and prohibit all puppet shows and all other exhibitions in the city; and to levy taxes on hogs and dogs. The tax on real property was limited to one per cent of its value, unless the voters should author-
ize them to lay a larger tax, and could be levied for street improvements only.
The judicial power was vested in a City Court which, consisting of the mayor and three alder- men, was appointed by the Council from among the citizens. This court hekdl sessions once in every two months and had original jurisdiction over all crimes and misdemeanors committed within the city, the punishment of which did not involve confinement in the penitentiary, as well as appellate jurisdiction from the decisions of the mayor (who was ex officio a justice of the peace) and concurrent jurisdiction with the Court of Common Pleas in all civil causes where the defendant resided within the corporation and the title to real property was not involved.
Appeals lay from this court direct to the Su- preme Court of the county of Hamilton. The marshal was the ministerial officer of the court, which also was empowered to appoint a clerk and prosecutor. The mayor was forbidden from exercising any legislative functions and the re- corder from exercising any judicial functions. In other respects the act with proper substitu- tions repeated the terms of the act of 1815. It provided for the same boundaries as those of the town and gave to the settlement the name of "The City of Cincinnati."
This act was passed February 5, 1819, and by virtue of a curative act passed three days later
"
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF CINCINNATI
took effect on March I, of the same year. (17 O. L. L. 175-202.)
This the original charter of the city continued in force until March 1, 1827. During that time the city had but one mayor, Isaac G. Burnet. The first aldermen were David E. Wade, William Burke and Francis Carr and the City Council consisted of Samuel W. Davies, Jacob Wheeler and David Wade from the First Ward; Oliver Lovell, John Tuttle and Richard L. Coleman from the Second Ward; John Armstrong, Nich- olas Longworth and Jesse Hunt from the Third Ward, and Peter A. Sprigman, William Oliver and Isaac Hough from the Fourth Ward. Of these, Hunt was president; Oliver, recorder ; Wheeler, treasurer and Coleman, clerk.
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