USA > Ohio > Hamilton County > Cincinnati > Cincinnati in 1826 > Part 5
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CLEANLINESS.
It is the duty of the Health officers, to examine the streets, ity alleys, and buildings of the city, and remove all nuisances, ir and objects injurious to health. This duty is generally ma well performed. It may be remarked, however, that there mo is not that attention paid to the cleanliness of those streets be which are paved, that comfort and health would require. In ric Upper and Lower Market streets, the filth collected on mar -- wi ket mornings, is suffered to remain for one, and sometimes and for two days, before it is removed. The practice too, of be. suffering the upper parts of the Quay to be occupied as a stand for horses and wagons, is objectionable. Whenever he this public work, so useful, as well as ornamental, to the ui city, shall cease to be used as a wagon-yard, and shall have fro been adorned with one or two rows of shade trees, running ter parallel to Front street, it will become a promenade not of less pleasant than beautiful.
PUBLIC HEALTH.
The general health of Cincinnati is good. For a city in the latitude of 39°, situate on the banks of a large river, it is remarkably good. We testify to this fact, after much obser- vation and enquiry. The desolating epidemics which have occasionally invaded most of the towns of the Mississippi and Ohio, from New-Orleans to Marietta, have never, from the concurrent testimony of our senior physicians, and old- est inhabitants, visited this place. Every summer and au- tumn, however, Cincinnati, in common with all the towns of the middle and southern states, is, to a certain extent, affected with cholera and bilious fever. The former, especially, attacks children, and not unfrequently proves fatal. Its reign is co-existent with the period of intense heat: Its fatal effects, we have observed, may be in a great degree obviated by a temporary retreat to the country. Bilious
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evers occur chiefly in early autumn; but are by no means a courge to the city, and do not, as far as we have seen, affect migrants more than native or acclimated citizens. Of hronic diseases, indigestion or dyspepsia, merits a special esignation. Consumption undoubtedly prevails to a much ess degree than in the north and north-east, but it is not an incommon disease among us.
The topographical circumstances of Cincinnati, are by no neans unfavourable to public health. The river beach, for hree miles, is rocky and narrow. The plain on which the ity is built, is elevated and sandy, and at a distance from the iver is not depressed into basins, giving rise to ponds and narshes, as is frequently the case in other places. The nouth of Mill-creek, nearly two miles to the north-west of he centre of the city, presents the only drowned lands in its vicinity. These, in general, are inundated but once or wice in the course of the year; no ponds are left behind, ind the direction in which they lie, causes the exhalation to e, in a great degree, wafted past the city on the north.
The city plat is not without its nuisances, notwithstanding he possession by the corporation of ample powers. These nuisances are created chiefly by the opening of new streets rom the upper to the lower plain, which dam up the wa- ers and filth, which otherwise would flow off. This period of transition is, however, obviously a short one; and when the intervening squares are filled up and built upon, Cincin- ati may challenge any other town on the western waters o a comparison of public causes of disease.
CITY PRISON.
The County Jail is at present the only place used for the confinement of prisoners within the city. It is the common receptacle of offenders of all descriptions, whether confined upon mesne or final process. This arrangement is incon- venient, in practice, and dangerous to morals. There is a gradation in crime, which ought to be imitated in its punish- ment : It is also contagious, and those who have not acquired inveterate habits, should not be exposed to its influence. In all large places, a Bridewell or House of Correction should be provided, to punish those whose offences are of inferior . magnitude, and reform those who are young. The Council have now the power to erect such a prison; and it is hoped, that it will soon be exercised, both for the general conve-
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CINCINNATI.
nience of the city, and the improvement of the morals of the unfortunate victims of crime and folly.
The following statement exhibits the number and char- acter of the convictions, within the county of Hamilton, during 1826:
Murder in the first degree, 1
Rape,
1 Burglary, 2 T
Perjury, 1 Uttering counterfeit money, 3 hem Horse stealing, 3 TY
Assault, with intent to com- mit murder, 1
Assault, with intent to com-
Petit larceny,
4
T
Total, 23
Of these offences, all are punishable by imprisonment in the Penitentiary, except murder, which is capital, and petit larceny, which is confinement in the County Jail.
FINANCES.
Since the commencement of the Ohio Canals, a new mode of taxation has been adopted, in order to equalize the bur- dens of government, and facilitate the progress of improve- ments. Every species of property,* not exempted by policy, has been valued by assessors, and that valuation, corrected by a Board of Equalization, was placed on what is called the Grand Levy. On this amount a certain per centage is annu- ally levied for each of the various objects of Revenue. The entire valuation of the city of Cincinnati, under this system was-$3,157,392 00. On this sum, there was levied in 1826, 9₺ mills, or, $29,995 22. Of the whole direct tax less than one third was appropriated to the use of the corporation .- The residue was applied to four different objects, in the fol- lowing proportion.
1. State Tax, 2 mills,
$6,314 78 4
2. County, 3 mills,
89,472 17 6
3 Township, 1 mill, $3,157 39 2
4. School, ৳ do.
$1,578 69 6 dir
In all 62 mills,
$20,523 04 8 ma and
ap pro
*Besides these, there is a road tax, or commutation in money, as- sessed upon all persons between 15 and 60, who have been three months residents in the state.
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Grand larceny, 4 cho
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Stabbing, with intent to kill, 1 Nac
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CINCINNATI.
The State Tax is assessed by the Legislature, and amounts a little more than one-fifth of the whole; a great portion of hich is applied to the ordinary purposes of government, ad not, as may be supposed, to the use of the canals.
The County Tax is assessed by the Commissioners, and laced at their disposal.
The Township. Tax is levied by the Trustees, and by em applied to the support of the poor.
The School Tax is levied for the support of common chools.
The Revenue of the Corporation is derived;
1. From a direct Tax assessed on the Grand Levy. 2. rom licences to Taverns, Porter-houses, Coffee-houses, lays, Exhibitions, &c. &c. 3. Wharfage. 4. Rent of [arket-stalls. 5. Tax on Animals. 6. Fines and other miscellaneous items. The amount obtained from each of ese sources will be very nearly exhibited in the following atement.
Direct Tax, 3 mills on the Grand Levy, $9,472 17 6
Licenses to Taverns, Coffee-houses, and Por- ter houses, 4,445 00 0
Wharfage, (about)
2,200 00 0
Rent of Market-stalls,
1,400 00 0
Tax on Animals,
975 05 9
Licenses for Plays, Exhibitions, &c. &c. (about) 500 00 0
Fines and Miscellaneous items (about) 800 00 0
$19,792 23 5
Balance in the Treasury, at the close of last year, 948 58 0
Borrowed of the O. Insurance Company 3,000 00 0
Total Revenue of the city in 1826. $23,742 81 5
From this statement it appears that not one half of the lirect revenue of the city, is derived from taxation; the re- nainder is drawn from rents of property, the public quay, ind from sources, which both good morals and sound policy approve.
'The principal items of expenditure are; 1. Public Im- provements. 2. Expenses of the City Court and Govern- ment. 3. Salaries of various Officers. 4. Fire Department.
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CINCINNATI.
5. Health Department. The exact amount of each of the above classes of expenditures, cannot be ascertained till the close of the financial year in March next. The largest por- tion of the city funds has, however, been appropriated to the construction of quays and wharfs, the paving of streets, and the construction of other works of public utilty. During the past year there have been 4,800 feet of street paved, at an expense to the city of $5,800. Besides this, a conside- rable quantity of work has been done in grading, paving gut- ters, and setting curb stones. In the Fire department $1,000 have been wisely expended in the construction of five public cisterns.
In the Health department, $1,200 were expended for vac- cinating, at the public expense, 2,300 persons, in consequence of an alarm, occasioned by the appearance of a few cases of fal the small pox in the city, and its prevalence on the river below.
The expense of the City Court and Government, together with the salaries of its officers, will not vary from $4,500, per annum. The Watch, will subject the city to the expen- diture of about $3,000 per annum.
The whole debt of the city at this time, is about $13,000; of which $6,000 is in corporation scrip: of the ability of the city to pay this sum, even without further taxation, within a short period, there can be no doubt. Further sums must doubtless be borrowed, hereafter, for the purpose of impro- ving the city, and increasing its convenience. To an increase of the public debt, or any further expenditure, some persons may perhaps object; but, what can be accomplished without it? If the beauty, comfort, or, health of the city, be objects worthy of public concern, they should be secured at a time when they are least expensive, and least difficult of attainment. It is a part of the experience of all munici- pal bodies, that what is expended in works of public conve- nience and utility reacts, with powerful influence, upon the value of property, and the prosperity of the present as well as future generations.
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CINCINNATI.
CHAPTER VII.
POPULATION IN DECEMBER, 1826.
First Ward.
Second Ward.
Third Ward.
Fourth Ward.
Total.
Over 21,
970
1591
739
833
4133
7990
Under 21,
983
1634
535
705
3857
Over 18,
935
1636
613
761
3945
7550
Under 18,
855
1583
501
666
3605
Blacks,
341
55
117
177
690
Total,
4084
6499
2505
3142 16230*
The average number of persons to a building, is six and a If. The actual density of habitation is much greater, om the fact, that a large portion of the buildings are occu- ed as stores, ware-houses, &c, &c.
There are within the city, at this time, about 28 CLERGY- .N, 34 ATTORNIES and COUNSELLORS AT LAW, and 35 PHY- CIANS. It is estimated, that 800 persons are employed in rade and Mercantile pursuits; 500 in Navigation; and out 3000 in Manufactures.
COMPARATIVE POPULATION.
The following table is submitted, that the progressive crease of Cincinnati may be fairly exhibited, and the eans furnished for comparing its advancement and pros-
* The number of inhabitants, as here stated, may appear to those 10 have not attentively marked the progress of Cincinnati, as too "at. The Authors, with a view to accuracy on this important topic, ide the enumeration in person. They feel confident, therefore, at the actual number in this city exceeds that given in the above ble.
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CINCINNATI.
pects with those of the most flourishing towns in the Unitedp States.
The first settlement of Cincinnati, was in 1788. Theatt population did not increase, however, with any rapidity, till 1805, when it had scarcely attained the importance of a large village. A considerable number of emigrants then came out from Baltimore, and other eastern places; and from that time to the present, its growth and consequent pros- perity have been remarkable, even in this astonishing age and country.
In 1810, the population was
2,320
In 1813,
4,000
In 1819, 10,283
In 1824, 12,016
In 1826,
16,230
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From this, it appears that the ratio of increase, from 1810sf to 1813, was 560 per annum, or 24 per cent .; from 1813 tor 1819, 1043 per annum, or 26 per cent .; from 1819 to 1824 trea 346 per annum, or 3¿ per cent .; from 1824 to 1826, 210p per annum, or 17 per cent. The ratio of increase decreasewit every where, as it respects population, with the actual ir crease; hence, though a new village may double in a singlese year, a large city, in its highest state of prosperity, scarcel epit attains an addition of 5 per cent. The operation of thitel principle being considered, the growth of this place, duringem the last two years, has been greater than that of any formendo period. b
The relative population of several towns nearest in siz ent to Cincinnati may be seen from the following table.
Providence.
Richmond.
In 1800, 7,614.
In 1800, 5,537.
1810, 10,071.
1810,
9,755.
1820,
11,767.
1820,
12,046.
1825,
16,000.
Pittsburgh and Liberties.
In 1791, 6,021.
In 1810, 4,768.
1810, 9,356.
1820,
7,243.
1820,
12,650.
1826,
11,226.
Louisville.
In 1820, 4,012.
1826, 7,200.
New Orleans.
In 1802, 10,000.
1810,
17,242.
1820, 27,176
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15,500.
Albany.
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CINCINNATI.
From the foregoing table it appears that the population of town in the United States, of the rank with Cincinnati, s, for the last sixteen years, increased in a corresponding tio with this city .
CHAPTER VIII.
MANUFACTURES.
The Artizans and Manufacturers of Cincinnati, who may said to constitute the bone and sinew of the community, d upon whom the permanent prosperity of our city so mate- ally depends, considered as a body, may be characterized frugal, ingenious, and enterprizing.
The number of our manufacturing establishments has eatly increased within the last two years, and the amount productive industry for 1826, as will appear from the fol- wing statements, although not so great as could be wished, by no means inconsiderable. The general prosperity of un ese establishments is beginning to attract the attention of pitalists, and is likely to augment their number. Indeed e Mechanics and Manufacturers of Cincinnati are decidedly rite most prosperous class of citizens; and were the enterprize d capital of some of our merchants, embarked in similar rsuits, they would profit by the exchange. In this depart- ent there is no danger, as in commercial pursuits, of running to excess. The region of country, which extended and ccessful manufacturing establishments will make tributary our city, like the amount of manufactured goods required its wants, is almost unbounded. Our Steam Boats may ready be found upon all the navigable streams of the Mis- sippi valley : and our Steam Engines, Castings, Cabinet irniture, Chairs, Hats, &c. &c. are sent to Kentucky, Ala- ma, Louisiana, Mississippi, Illinois, and Indiana, where they e sought after and admired, not less for their beauty, than eir more substantial qualities. The inducements and pecu- ir facilities for our becoming a manufacturing people in this y, will be more fully discussed in a subsequent chapter of is book.
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CINCINNATI,
The following items in regard to the manufactures of Cincinnati for 1826, have been collected with no small degree of labour, and with an earnest desire of having them as con- formable to correctness as the nature of the case will permit. The following brief notices of some of the more prominent manufacturing establishments, will, it is hoped, not be deem- ed unimportant.
THE CINCINNATI STEAM MILL, stands on Front between Ludlow street and Broadway. It is a substantial stone buil ding, based upon the limestone rocks of the river, 62 by 873 feet, eight stories high, on the end next to the river, and measuring 110 feet from the base to the top of the roof. It has 24 doors and 90 windows. It required in its construction 6,620 perches of stone; 90,000 bricks; 14,000 bushels of lime; and 81,200 cubic feet of timber. With the exception of the walls, this immense building was entirely consumed by fire in 1823. It has since been rebuilt, and is now in ope- ration. It contains a manufactory of flour, a distillery, ful- ling mill, &c. The machinery is driven by a steam engine of 70 horse power. The establishment is capable of man- ufacturing 20,000 barrels of flour, 500 barrels of whiskey.l and of fulling 1,000 pieces of cloth, annually.
STEAM MILL FOR SAWING STONE. This establishment has just been made in the western part of the city, between Front and Columbia streets, and is owned by Mr. Alvinh Washburn. The main building is 32 by 50 feet, 3 stories high, with one wing 20 by 40 feet, and is built of wood. It has a steam engine of 18 horse power. The first story ist occupied with the machinery for sawing free stone. From the experiments already made, the proprietor feels confiden! of being enabled to saw 120,000 feet of stone per annum and upon such terms as to make a signal reduction in the B price of that important and beautiful material for building.
The second story contains machinery, driven by the same mi power, ingeniously contrived for the manufacture of tubs. 31 buckets, and kegs, out of solid logs. About 30,000 of these will be produced annually.
In the third story the manufacture of shoe trees is carried on, the machinery for which, is also propelled by the same a power. About 50 lasts per day can be made, requiring the labour of but four hands.
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CINCINNATI.
THE PHOENIX FOUNDRY, owned and carried on by C. atem & Sons, is situated west of Walnut street, between Third and Fourth. It gives employment to 18 hands; and bout 175 tons of Pig Iron are annually manufactured into arious kinds of Machinery, such as Steam Engines, Mill lastings, &c. &c. The establishment consumes annually bout 7,000 bushels of stone coal.
THE FRANKLIN FOUNDRY, is situated at the corner of 'ifth street and Broadway. It employs 10 hands, and manu- actures annually, into the various kinds of Castings, about 00 tons of Pig Iron. It is owned by the Messrs. McCormicks.
THE EAGLE FOUNDRY, owned by Josiah Hawkins, is situa- ed on the south side of Fourth street, between Main and Valnut. It employs 14 hands, and uses 150 tons of Pig ron per annum; besides about 5 tons of Bar Iron, a conside- able portion of which is manufactured into Ploughs. The stablishment consumes annually about 4,000 bushels of tone coal.
TIFT'S STEAM ENGINE AND FINISHING ESTABLISHMENT, em- loys between 30 and 40 hands. The business is carried on n a new frame building, of large .dimensions, situated on Columbia street, east of Broadway. The upper apartments f the building are intended for the reception of an exten- ive cotton spinning establishment, which Mr. Tift, with his characteristic enterprize, is now forming.
R. C. GREEN'S STEAM ENGINE ESTABLISHMENT, which is imilar to that of Mr. Tift's, is situated on Front street, just below Deer-creek Bridge,
GOODLOE AND HARKNESS' COPPER FOUNDRY, COTTON SPIN- NING, AND STEAM ENGINE FACTORY, stands at the corner of Broadway and Congress street. It employs about 50 hands. The cotton spinning department contains about 336 spindles, which produce about 600 lbs. of cotton yarn per week, or 31,000 pounds per annum.
THE ETNA FOUNDRY, owned by Street and White, is situ- ated on Front street, below Deer-creek Bridge. It employs about 12 hands, and manufactures 220 tons of castings per annum.
KIRK'S STEAM ENGINE AND FINISHING ESTABLISHMENT, is situated on Columbia street, east of Broadway. It employs about 15 hands.
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CINCINNATI.
SHIELDS' ENGINE FINISHING ESTABLISHMENT, is situated in a stone building on Sycamore, between Front and Columbia streets. It employs about 30 hands.
ALLEN & CO's. CHEMICAL LABORATORY, which has recently been commenced, is situated just above Deer-creek Bridge. It embraces the manufacture of Alum, Blue Vitriol, Cop- peras, Nitric and Sulphuric Acid, and other Chemical prep- arations. It will make from one to two tons of Alum per week. The Alum-earth is obtained from the hills of the Ohio river, near the mouth of the Scioto, where there are vast beds of it.
POWDER MILL. An extensive and well planned establish- ment for the manufacture of Powder, has been made within the present year, by some gentlemen of this city, immedi- ately below the mouth of Mill-creek. The machinery is driven by a Steam Engine, so arranged as to prevent any danger from fire. This is the only establishment of the P kind within the state, and from the facilities of obtaining at this place, the raw materials, used in the manufacture of powder, it will no doubt be found a profitable business.
THE PHOENIX PAPER MILL. During the past summer, a fine establishment for the manufacture of paper was erected under the superintendence of the Messrs. Grahams, on the river bank, in the western part of the city. When about to go into operation, in the month of December, it was entirely consumed by fire. The owners of it, are now erecting upon its ruins another, to be called the Phoenix Paper Mill, which is 132 by 36 feet, exclusive of the wings. Its machinery will be worked by a substantial steam engine, and probably go into operation by the first of June.
THE CINCINNATI STEAM PAPER MILL, owned by Messrs. Phillips and Spear, is on the bank of the river, in the western part of the city. The building is 140 by 34 feet. The machinery is driven by a steam engine. The establish- ment employs about 40 hands, and produces annually al large quantity of excellent paper.
THE WOOLLEN FACTORY, erected several years since, by the Cincinnati Manufacturing Company, stands on the river bank, above the mouth of Deer-creek. The main building is 150 feet long, and between 20 and 37 feet wide. It is cal- culated for the manufacture of woollen goods, white and red
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CINCINNATI.
lead, linseed oil, &c. The operations of this establishment are, for the present, suspended.
THE SUGAR REFINERY, is a large brick building, erected for the purpose, situated north of Third, and between Lud- low street and Broadway. When in full operation, it is capa- ble of refining about 180,000 pounds per annum. There has been but a small amount of sugar refined in it during the present year.
THE WHITE LEAD FACTORY, owned by T. Clayland & Co. and the only one in the city, is situated at the east end of Fifth street. It employs three hands, and will hereafter manufacture about 1,500 kegs of white lead per annum. The principal supply, however, of this article is drawn from Pittsburgh,-a fact worth the attention of capitalists. The metal from which this article is produced, is carried past our city, and against the current of the stream, 460 miles to Pittsburgh; and over land, 84 miles to Lexington: at these places it is converted into white lead, and returned to Cin- cinnati, In either case, the necessary expenses of transpor- tation, would be a handsome profit for the manufacturer in this city.
The Messrs. WELLS' TYPE FOUNDRY AND PRINTERS" WAREHOUSE, is situated on Walnut street, between Third and Fourth, where they manufacture, in a superior manner, all kinds of type, presses, chases, composing sticks, proof gallies, brass rule, &c. &c., at the eastern prices. They em- ploy about 23 hands. This valuable establishment has entirely superseded the importation of type and other print- ing materials, from the eastern states.
There are in the city, three permanent BOAT YARDS for the construction of steam-boats, besides one or two others, in which they are occasionally built. The regular establish- ments are owned by Gordon, Parsons, and the Messrs. Weeks. During 1826, there were about 200 hands employed in this business. The reputation of these Yards, is superior to that of any on the western waters.
The manufacture of HATS in this city, is carried on to a very considerable extent, many of which are exported. Our Hatters not only select the best furs that are offered in the west, but also make importations from the eastern states. Some of the most substantial, and elegantly finished hats
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CINCINNATI.
that we have ever seen, were from the Messrs. J. Coombs' and A. W. Patterson's establishments in this city.
The CABINET FURNITURE and CHAIRS, manufactured in Cincinnati, are of the most beautiful kind, and will compare with those produced in any part of the Union. Considera- ble quantities of these articles are exported to the states west and south of Cincinnati.
There are nine PRINTING ESTABLISHMENTS in this city, which print about 7,200 newspapers per week, or 175,000 per annum. There have been printed at these offices, with- in the year 1826,-
61,000 Almanacs, 55,000 Spelling Books,
30,000 Primers,
3,000 Bible News,
3,000 American Preceptors,
3,000 American Readers,
3,000 Introduction to the English Reader, 500 Hammond's Ohio Reports, 500 Symmes' Theory,
3,000 Kirkham's Grammar,
1,000 Vine-Dressers' Guide,
14,000 Pamphlets,
5,000 Table Arithmetics,
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