Centennial history of Cincinnati and representative citizens, Vol. I, Pt. 2, Part 38

Author: Greve, Charles Theodore, b. 1863. cn
Publication date: 1904
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1048

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THIE KISSANE CASE.

A remarkable trial of this period began De- cember oth. It is known as the Kissane case, and grew out of the burning of the steamboat "Martha Washington," which took place on the Lower Mississippi in January of the previous year. A number of passengers perished in the flames. Subsequently Sidney C. Burton, of Cleveland, charged William Kissane, L. L. Filley, the brothers Chapin and others with conspiring to burn the boat for the purpose of obtaining large amounts of money as insurance. It was claimed that no merchandise had been shipped on the boat more valuable than bricks, stones and rubbish. A number of prosecutions followed at Lebanon, Cincinnati, and at Helena, Arkansas, as a result of which Kissane escaped conviction of any crime in connection with the "Martha Washington." But to obtain money to carry on his defense, Kissane in the summer of 1854 committed a forgery upon the Chemical Na- tional Bank of New York, for which he served a term in Sing Sing. Burton was afterwards in- dicted for subornation of perjury in the "Martha

Washington" cases but died in December, 1855. His death was charged by many to poison. The matter, which was full of complications, is still a favorite subject for those who delight in mys- tery.

In 1853 was completed the new City Building between Eighth and Ninth streets, lying west of Plum. The ground cost $60,000 and the build- ing about $27,000. Fronting on Plum street was a park of little over an acre. A one-story struc- ture had been erected during the preceding year and had been first occupied in February, 1852. The second story was added after the building had been found to be too small for city purposes. The building completed in 1853 served the city for 35 years.

THIE YOUNG MEN'S GYMNASIUM ASSOCIATION

Was organized in the summer of 1853 by a nun- ber of young men who had been connected with. Barrett's Gymnasium on Third street. Rooms were first secured in the Apollo Building at Fifth and Walnut but by 1816 the gymnasium was moved to the so-called Commercial Building at Fourth and Race. After a time quarters were obtained in the Le Boutillier Building on Fourth between Vine and Race.

The distinguished visitor of this year was William Chambers, the Edinburgh publisher. He was particularly impressed with the condition of the educational institutions in Cincinnati. He stated that he had never seen a town of its size so well provided with publishers, libraries and reading rooms.

The paid fire department dates from April 1, 1853, having been organized under an ordinace of March 16, 1853.

An anti-Nebraska convention was held in Cin- cinnati on March 7, 1854, at which Judge Hall presided. Among the speakers were Charles Reemelin, Judge Timothy Walker and Bellamy Storer and the committee on resolutions included Bellamy Storer, E. D. Mansfield, Jolin W. Ellis, Patrick Mallon, Henry B. Blackwell, Charles E. Cist and Stanley Matthews. This meeting was participated in by citizens of all parties and an especially large number of Germans were present.

In May the new Superior Court, consisting of Judges Bellamy Storer, O. M. Spencer and W. Y. Gholson, began its sessions, which have con- tinned for 50 years. This court has always main- tained a very high reputation and upon its bench have sat some of the nation's greatest jurists.

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TILE ARRISON INFERNAL MACHINE.

While the record of the crimes committed in Cincinnati during the century of its existence is neither interesting nor profitable reading (de- spite the fact that Col. William De Beck pub- lished as a book "for the family" a history of the murders of the Queen City) there are a few instances of such peculiar character as call for mention. One of the most remarkable is the Arrison case, which occurred on an evening of June, 1854. About a week before this date, a fine looking stranger called upon Dr. A. H. Baker to make inquiries as to a medical student named Isaac H. Allison. After stating that he expected to see him in less than a week he took his departure. Baker spoke of the matter to Allison, who said that he supposed the man was a gambler who, because of a previous diffi- culty, maintained a grudge against him. Noth- ing more was seen of the man and the occurrence passed from the minds of both Baker and Alli- On June 26th, about nine o'clock in the son. evening, a man answering the description of the stranger stopped a couple of boys on Longworth street and employed them to carry a box to Mr. Allison, who was the steward of the Marine Hospital at the southwest corner of Western row and Longworth street. He cautioned them not to shake the box for fear of damaging the contents. The boys took the box and left it at a haberdasher's named Stockton, whose store was in the building of the Marine Hos- pital. The box was wrapped in brown paper and tied with a cord. Attached to it was a card, addressed to Mr. Allison, Marine Hospital, cor- ner of Western row and Longworth street, Cin- cinnati. The clerk who received the box car- ried it to Dr. John W. Baker, who was seated at the door of his office in the same building, with the request to hand it to Mr. Allison. Dr. Baker was busy for the moment and laid the box on the table. Dr. Cummins casually picked up the box and shook it. It was about a foot long, six inches wide and weighed from 10 to 15 pounds. As he shook the box, he heard a hard substance rattling inside. A moment later Dr. Baker started with the box up stairs. At the head of the stairs lie met Allison's wife, who was the matron of the hospital, and handed the box to her. She took it to her room and gave it to her linsband. Allison sat down upon a chair and after untying the strings and taking off the paper commenced pulling off the sliding top of the box and immediately a terrific explosion

took place. The two Drs. Baker, hearing the re- port, at first supposed that it was thunder. They then heard the ceiling falling and the walls trem- ble and the screams from the Allisons' room. They immediately rushed in and found the room filled with dust of the falling plaster and pow- der smoke. The bed clothes were on fire and Mrs. Allison was ablaze. Dr. Baker tore the clothes from her body and soon succeeded in extinguishing the fire. Allison was then heard calling for help. The room was absolutely dark and a light was hastily procured. Then Allison was seen crawling along the floor on his hands and knees towards the window. His clothes

were burning and the whole front of his body torn out so that his entrails protruded from his abdomen. He was picked up and carried into an adjoining room and Mrs. Allison, who was seen to be badly injured, was carried to a room in the first story. It was learned at once that Allison could not live. To inquirers he stated that it was evident that the box contained a

torpedo and that he suspected a man named Ar- rison of the crime. There were found in his legs 22 balls, slug shots and, pieces of iron. His abdomen, hands and face were dreadfully burned and both his eyes burned out. After suffering intense pain for a little over an hour, he died in great agony at half-past twelve. Mrs. Allison was so wounded in one arm that it was found necessary to amputate it. Her other hand, as well as her face, shoulders and breast, were badly burned. Both Allison and his wife were young and attractive people of good family and were possessed of many friends. Mrs. Allison died the following day, after suffering great agony. The noise of the explosion was so great as to be heard all over that part of the city. A special police force was assigned to search for the murderer and a reward was offered for his apprehension. It developed at once that the box had been made about four days before by Me- Cullough & Hively on Fifth street. After it was finished, the person who had ordered it brought it back to have it made larger. A description of this person corresponded with that of the man who gave the box to the boys and also to that of the purchaser of some fuhninating pow- der at Saulsbury's drug store. This person

named Arrison was a fellow student of Allison in the college. During the temporary absence of Dr. Baker, he had been appointed assistant surgeon in the hospital at which time he had a shght controversy with the steward, Mr. Alli-

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CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF CINCINNATI

son. From this came a challenge which however was not accepted. A little later in a dispute about a book, the lie was given and as a result Allison knocked Arrison down. The latter had given out on the Saturday evening previous that he was about to go to his home in Iowa but was seen in the city on the following Mon- day. Apparently the murderer had little scruple about human life for he told the boys to whom he gave the box he carried to stay and see it opened and they would see the prettiest thing they had ever seen in their lives. The object of this was of course to prevent their appearing against him. Arrison had disappeared however and could not be found. An accident disclosed his whereabouts. He wrote to a friend in the city asking if the excitement had subsided and if the police were still on his track. This letter was by accident delivered to a person other than the one to whom it was addressed who turned it over to Marshal Ruffin. Ruffin and another officer at once started for Iowa where they found Arrison. At first he denied his identity and made an effort to get possession of a revolver but he was handcuffed and brought to Cincin- nati for trial. He was tried for the murder of Allison and for some strange reason escaped the death penalty, being sentenced to the peniten- tiary for 10 years. At the end of his term he had the assurance to return to the city. A move- ment was started to try him for the murder of Mrs. Allison and he prudently left the city and returned to Iowa.

Robert Russell, a Scotchman particularly inter- ested in the agricultural development of the coun- try, visited the city in October, 1854. He tells us that "the streets are wide, with rows of trees along the sidewalks, and many of the private dwellings, shops and hotels are built in a style of great magnificence. The streets however have long been noted for their filthiness, and are still overrun with hungry pigs that feed upon the offal that is thrown out of doors. These brutes act the part of scavengers, and belonging to no one, those who choose may catch and kill. The most of them however are lean and hungry look- ing, and do not tempt even the Irishmen who abound in the city to reduce their numbers." The beauty and magnificence of the country as seen from the brow of Mount Adams surpassed anything he had seen in the country. He vis- ited Mr. Longworth's wine vaults, drank of the sparkling Catawba and was duly impressed. Mr. Buchanan's residence especially pleased him. While in the city there was a run for gold on

several of the banks and several had suspended payment. The others followed suit shortly after his departure. (North America, p. 83.)

. THIE KNOW NOTHING RIOTS.

The municipal election held April 2, 1855, was bitterly contested and resulted in a riot "Over the Rhine" between the Germans and the Know Nothings. In this contest J. J. Faran was the candidate of the Democratic party for mayor. He was opposed by J. D. Taylor representing the American or Know Nothing party. During the day the story got about that in the German wards over the canal those designing to vote for the so-called American party were not to be per- mitted to exercise the franchise and at some of the voting places there were possibly some ir- regularities. This story was much exaggerated and finally a number of young men gathered in the lower part of the city and marched towards the Vine street bridge. The contest arose over a cannon which had been placed by the Germans in such a position as to sweep the bridge. For- tunately the intervention of more peaceful citi- zens stopped the violence for a time. In the evening a meeting was held at the Fifth street market place, as a result of which a sqnad of half grown men and boys with fife, drum and flag marched up Vine street and over the bridge. Here the Germans were gathered in considerable force and fired upon the attacking crowd from the windows of their houses wound- ing several. The "patriotic" Americans were swept back for a time. The German residents . thereupon prepared a breastwork across Vine street near Freeman's Hall. Drays, wagons and carts were placed in great numbers along the sidewalks and across the street interlocked with each other and behind this invention were per- haps 5,000 people armed with "stones, sticks, bludgeons, revolvers, muskets, carbines, rifles, slingshots and all the various instruments of of- fensive and defensive warfare." In the crowd were the Sarsfield Guards and several German military companies as well as a large number of Irish citizens. Patrols were parading about the streets preparing to give the alarm and the for- eign citizens remained encamped for a day or so until all danger of the attack was over.

In the contest on election day the foreman of one of the breweries was killed by a Know Noth- ing and this, according to some accounts, pre- cipitated the fight. Mr. Roe in his history of the police force quotes the account of the New York Tribune of April 7, 1855, to the effect that the

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Americans took possession of the ballot boxes and destroyed the tickets and that they turned out en masse and taking a cannon from the Dutch and Irish turned it upon them and fired, as a re- sult of which 10 or 12 persons were thought to be killed and many wounded. Another account told of a party of rowdies going to a German drink- ing house where they demanded beer. After receiving it, they broke up everything in the house, knocked the proprietor senseless and as- saulted his wife and children. After this, they left the premises and meeting four Germans on . the sidewalk knocked down three and fatally stabbed the fourth. Naturally the Germans armed themselves in self defense. In the work already cited the statement is made of the the- ory that this riot was caused by professional gamblers who had staked large sums of money on the election. These men had obtained admis- sion to the Know Nothing society and gained possession of its signs and passwords and when they saw that the election bade fair to go against them they called the members of the party to- gether with the purpose of destroying the ballot box in the strongest German ward in the city, hoping to gain the election by that means. The story of this riot is clouded in much obscurity and a careful reading of the local papers of the time gives little assistance in obtaining the real facts. Party passions ran so high that any and all stories were believed and at this late date it is impossible to determine the merits of the uprising.

On the evening of the day after election, a Newport citizen named Morgan was shot on Vine street from an upper window. Over 10,000 Americans wearing the small white soft hat known as the Know Nothing hat took part in his funeral.

MEETING OF LINCOLN AND STANTON.

In 1855 a meeting took place in Cincinnati between two men who were afterwards associ- ated during the most critical times of the nation's history,-Edwin M. Stanton and Abraham Lin- coln. In view of the fact that the latter subse- quently in the darkest days of the war turned to Stanton for aid in saving the Union in spite of the fact that there was supposed. to be a per- sonal hostility between the two as a result of the Cincinnati association, some account of their meeting properly belongs in the history of the city where it took place. The occasion of the meeting was the suit of McCormick against Manny. McCormick was represented by the cel-

ebrated patent lawyer E. N. Dickerson and Rev- erdy Johnson. Manny had employed P. II. Wat- son to take control of the case for him. He as- sociated with him George Harding, another cele- brated patent lawyer. In those days in patent cases it was regarded as essential to employ as- sociate counsel of high standing and of recog- nized ability in the general practice of law, who although not especially familiar with mechanical questions could discuss the general features of the case. Reverdy Johnson had been selected by Mr. McCormick for this part of his case. At the suggestion of Mr. Manny, Mr. Watson wrote to Mr. Lincoln sending him a retainer of $500 and asking him to read the testimony as it was taken so that he might be prepared to argue the case if called upon. Mr. Ilarding, however, had desired that Mr. Stanton who then lived at Pittsburg should act in this capacity for Mr. Manny. The case was a very important one, involving the monopoly of the reaping machines and a special claim of $400,000 damages. For this reason Mr. Watson visited Mr. Lincoln at Springfield and Mr. Stanton at Pittsburg. Ile finally engaged the latter and told him that he was to make the closing argument in the case. This conchision was not learned by Mr. Lincoln until all the parties met at Cincinnati for the trial. Lincoln had written out his arguments in full and was very anxious to meet Reverdy John- son in the contest. He was very much disap- pointed at Mr. Watson's decision, especially as the opposing counsel offered to permit all three defendant lawyers to speak, provided that Mr. Dickerson be permitted to make two arguments. Mr. Dickerson's well known ability, for he was at that time the leading patent lawyer in the coun- try, precluded the defense from accepting this offer and it was decided that Mr. Lincoln should not speak. He attended the hearing however and submitted his brief to Mr. Harding, but would not consent that it should be shown to Mr. Stan- ton. He thought the latter should have insisted upon all the counsel participating in the argu- ment, although Stanton was simply carrying ont the positive directions of his client. As a result of this meeting Mr. Lincoln and Mr. Stanton never came into close personal relations until after the latter's appointment to Lincoln's cabi- net. It is probable that this disappointment was the principal cause of Lincoln's unquestioned bit- ter feeling towards Stanton. ( Mr. Harding's statement in Tarbell's Lincoln, Vol. 1, p. 260.)

The story that Stanton, who at that time simply saw in Lincoln his gaunt and rugged

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features, his awkward dress and carriage and heard only his rural jokes, was so discourteous as to ridicule within his hearing his personal ap- pearance and call him a baboon is probably un- true. Lamon puts in Stanton's mouth the dec- laration that he would not "associate with such damned gawky, long armed ape as that" and that "if he could not have a man who was a gentle- man in appearance with him in the case he would abandon it." Lamon's account however is so in- accurate in all its details and his love of gossip so pronounced that his authority as well as that of Herndon is not of great value. (Lamon's Recollections of Lincoln, p. 231.)

The statement of Ralph Emerson of Rock- ford, Illinois, who was with Lincoln in the United States Court room during the trial gives an interesting view, not only of Lincoln's feel- ing at this time but the impression made upon him by the Ohio bar in which Mr. Stanton was a member although then living at Pittsburg. Mr. Emerson says that Lincoln was so disappointed that it was with difficulty that he was persuaded to remain during the hearing. After the case progressed two days however, he expressed satis- faction that he was not to take part in the argu- ment as he had become convinced that he was not sufficiently prepared to cope with such giants in the law. The court room was crowded during the first few days but afterwards thinned out. Mr. Lincoln's interest in the case increased until he appeared to forget himself and he would walk to and fro in the court room and express such interest and delight in his countenance and action as the various points were unfolded as to make a marked impression upon all who were present, including the judges. Mr. Stanton's final summing up, to which he had devoted many weeks in preparation, occupied but three hours. It was very able and closed with a flight of im- passioned eloquence. Lincoln listened with rapt attention and after the court adjourned walked away with Emerson 'apparently deeply dejected. Finally he said to Emerson that he was going home to study law. Emerson remonstrated stat- ing that he stood at the head of the Illinois bar already. Lincoln's answer was: "I do occupy a good position there and I think I can get along with the way things are done there now. But these college trained men who have devoted their whole' lives to study are coming West, don't you see, and they study their cases as we never do. They have got as far as Cincinnati now. They will soon be in Illinois. I am going home to study law. I am as good as any of

them and when they get out to Illinois I will be ready for them." (Tarbell's Lincoln, Vol. I, p. 266.)

On February 16, 1855, a grand amateur dra- matic performance for the benefit of charity was given at the National Theatre. The performance was opened by a reading from "Mazeppa" by Judge Timothy Walker, which was followed by a comic song written for the occasion by Judge Carter and sung by Master Carter. The song was filled with allusions to the performance and was a great success. The third act of "Hamlet" was the next feature. In this Charles Ander- son took part of the "melancholy Dane," Will- iam H. Lytle was "the ghost" and Mrs. Glad- stone, "Ophelia" and Mrs. Nourse, "Queen Ger- trude." Other performers were Attorney Frank T. Chambers, T. A. O'Conner, Augustus Brad- ley, M. B. Coombs and William B. Cassilly. Mr. Anderson's performance was a great success and as is usual on all such occasions the audience concluded that as a lawyer he had mistaken his vocation. His make-up with black hair and beard was particularly successful, as he was com- monly known as "White Headed Charlie." After this came some songs. These were followed by the third act of the "Merchant of Venice" in which M. B. Coombs took the part of "Shylock" and other parts were taken by George J. Guil- ford, Leonard Woodruff and A. B. Merriman. A scene from Coleman's "Iron Chest" was given by Charles M. Barras, AV. Young and J. R. Johnson. The success of Barras was so great that he was called before the curtain where he made a highly humorous speech. Col. James Taylor of Newport followed with a recitation from "Manfred." Mr. Barras made another hit in a character scene in which he gave a Dutch song with hurdy gurdy accompaniment. The performance concluded with "Bombastes Furi- oso" in which William B Cassilly, Will- iam J. Flagg, Henry Reed (the editor of the Commercial), Leonard Woodruff, Judge Flinn, . John L. Stettinins, James McMasters, W. M. Owen and J. J. McDowell and Mrs. Chapman took part. Mr. Stettinius. took the part of the fat boy. The performance was very success- ful financially as well as artistically.

A well known theatre of the time before the war, located at the southeast corner of Sixth and Vine, and known as the People's Theatre, was burned June 13. 1856. Not long afterwards on this site was erected the theatre so dear to the memory of many now living,-Wood's Theatre. Here for a time appeared some of the best

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known actors of the country. It was finally de- molished 'to make way for the Hulbert Building, erected for the Cincinnati Gasette.

On June 6, 1855, a serious accident happened at the Dayton Short Line tunnel on Walnut Hills. A party of men were engaged in excavat- ing the tunnel at a point about 400 feet from the northern entrance and while thus employed the tunnel caved in, killing five of the workmen. .

THE FILIBUSTERS CASE.

An interesting case that occupied the atten- tion of the public in the early part of 1856 was the so-called Filibusters case in which the United States, represented by Thomas Corwin, George R. Sage and John Probasco, prosecuted Edward Kennifeck, Joseph W. Burke, and others, rep- resented by William S. Groesbeck, Patrick Mal- lon and Donn Piatt under the neutrality act. The charge was that the defendants, members of the Robert Emmet branch of the Emigrant Aid Society in the State of Ohio were attempt- ing an expedition against the territory of En- gland with whom the United States was at peace. This proceeding was heard before Judge Leavitt and was remarkable not only for the ability of the counsel engaged but also for the intensity of feelings aroused among the public, particularly the Irish citizens who attended the hearings in very large numbers. The examina- tion was full of dramatic incidents, some of which partook of a nature of an anti-climax. The streets were so obstructed by the crowds that the marshal of the court was obliged to take special steps to prevent the gathering of people in front of the Government Building. The case lasted for almost a month but in the end the de- fendants were discharged.

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Centennial history of Cincinnati and representative citizens, Vol. I, Pt. 2, Part 38

Author: Greve, Charles Theodore, b. 1863. cn Publication date: 1904 Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1048

Author: Greve, Charles Theodore, b. 1863. cn
Publication date: 1904
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1048