Fifty years and over of Akron and Summit County : embellished by nearly six hundred engravings--portraits of pioneer settlers, prominent citizens, business, official and professional--ancient and modern views, etc.; nine-tenth's of a century of solid local history--pioneer incidents, interesting events--industrial, commercial, financial and educational progress, biographies, etc., Part 118

Author: Lane, Samuel A. (Samuel Alanson), 1815-1905
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Akron, Ohio : Beacon Job Department
Number of Pages: 1228

USA > Ohio > Summit County > Akron > Fifty years and over of Akron and Summit County : embellished by nearly six hundred engravings--portraits of pioneer settlers, prominent citizens, business, official and professional--ancient and modern views, etc.; nine-tenth's of a century of solid local history--pioneer incidents, interesting events--industrial, commercial, financial and educational progress, biographies, etc. > Part 118

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

After the count had been declared, the banner was formally pre- sented, first by James W. Weld, Esq., on behalf of Richfield, to Hud- son, as having furnished the greatest number of teams, and then, by Dr. Charles R. Pierce, in behalf of Hudson, to Summit county, to be preserved among her most cherished relics, until some rival county should wrest it from her by a larger display of horseflesh than she had made. It was estimated that from 10,000 to 12,000 persons, men, women and children, participated in, and witnessed, the magnificent pageant, and the utmost harmony and good feel- ing prevailed throughout.

Summit's triumph, however, was of short duration. Medina's spirit -- if not dander-was decidedly aroused, and on the following Tuesday, March 18, 1856, she drove into Akron with one hundred and eighty-two four and six-horse teams, thus fairly winning the " flaunting rag" from Summit, which-notwithstanding the quite prevalent rumor that a number of her teams had been recruited from "just over the border"-was cheerfully yielded to her; the championship remaining with her to the present time, though by the time her procession began to wind its slow length through the streets of Akron, about noon on the 18th day of March, the sleigh- ing was in'a very liquefactious condition, indeed, while the home- ward journey had to be performed through a literal " sea of mud."

RICHFIELD'S GREAT RE-UNION .- Though Richfield has always been noted for its spirited public gatherings-agricultural, mili- tary, political, patriotic and otherwise-her crowning glory in that direction was her great pioneer re-union, on the 11th day of August, 1880. Invitations had been extended to all former res- idents then living, who had gone out from among them, to return to the home of their nativity, or early adoption, to renew old friendships, and to enjoy the hospitalities of their compeers and successors, and on the day named there was a gathering of which Richfield people should ever feel proud.

The meeting was in a beautiful grove, on the premises of Mr. John Kirby, one mile south of the West Center, and besides many old residents from abroad, there were large delegations from neigh- boring towns, while almost, if not quite, every man, woman and child of the township of Richfield was upon the grounds during the day. Governor S. B. Axtell presided, and delivered an elo- quent address of welcome, which was supplemented by an appro- priate poem, written by Richfield's poet laureate, Dr. A. E. Ewing. Responses were called for, and brief addresses were made by George Howlett, Esq., of Cleveland, and Mr. F. Wilcox, former sons of Richfield, Ex-County Treasurer Schuyler R. Oviatt, Sheriff S. A. Lane and General A. C. Voris, of Akron, Dr. Sumner Pixley, of Peninsula, Hon. Myron C. Hills, of Medina, Rev. J. A. McKin- stry, of Richfield, and others. Splendid music and a magnificent dinner, and genial good cheer, generally, rendered the occasion

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one of the brightest epochs in the history and memory of ever reli- able Old Richfield.

RICHFIELD'S MORAL STATUS .- Though not upon the line of the canal, yet upon her eastern border, contiguous to the crook- infested territory of eastern Bath and western Northampton and Boston, her people were more or less drawn within the pernicious influence of the gang. Indeed, one of her very earliest settlers, Henry Mallet, with his two brothers, John and Daniel, are believed to have been among the very first parties in the neighborhood to " tinker with the currency," establishing their mint, however, just over the line in the jungles of northwestern Northampton.

The locality and character of this establishment becoming known, much indignation was excited against the concern, and by the concerted movement of the better class of the inhabitants of Richfield, Bath, Northampton and Boston, this "money-shop," as it was designated, was raided, and with its entire contents destroyed by fire.

This summary proceeding, however, by no means put a stop to the business. Other and less accessible quarters were secured, the infection spread, and the business grew and seemingly pros- pered for many years, though many of the operators were subse- quently brought to grief, Henry Mallet at length finding a pernia- nent home in the Ohio Penitentiary, where he finally died.

In 1838, when a concerted effort was made, as elsewhere detailed, to break up the gang, among the eighteen or twenty persons arrested, were several residents of Eastern Richfield, their apprehension being brought about through the efforts of their more respectable neighbors; a local Akron paper, under date of April 7th, 1838, in noticing the event, saying : "Much praise is due to the officers and principal citizens of Richfield, and adjoining towns, for their vigilance and aid in securing the experimenters on the currency."

From that time on, however, Richfield has been as free from that class of crookedness as the average of her sister townships on the Western Reserve, though a number of other damaging and exciting episodes have taken place within her borders, in the intervening half century.

THE LUNATIC HORSE-THIEF .- Late in the Winter of 1859, there came to the East Richfield hotel a well-dressed, gentlemanly- appearing man, about thirty years of age, giving his name as Myron B. Taylor. His luggage consisted of a grip-sack filled with personal clothing, and a small box containing an assortment of fine stationery, notions, etc., which he modestly offered for sale to the people of the village and the guests at the hotel. He was very reticent as to where he belonged, and though conversing coherently and intelligently, in what he did say, his talk and manner created the impression that he was a little "off " in his mind.

A week or so after the arrival of the stranger, a horse, which had been hitched under the shed attached to Weld & Farnam's store, one evening, was found to be missing, and on following the track some sixteen or eighteen miles in a westerly direction, the horse was overtaken, with the stranger mounted upon its back. The pursuing party immediately took him into custody and returned to Richfield, where, believing that the quasi-peddler was a horse- thief in disguise, and as a number of horses had been previously 'stolen in the neighborhood, an excitement ensued that in a less

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RICHFIELD'S CRIMINAL RECORD.

orderly community would have resulted seriously, if not fatally, to the offender.

Making no defense, or explanation, he was committed to jail, duly indicted and arraigned for trial at the March term of the Court of Common Pleas for 1860. To the question of Judge Carpenter : "Are you guilty or not guilty ?" the prisoner simply said : "I took the horse," and, declining to have counsel assigned to him, or to enter into any explanation of his conduct or antece- dents, he was accordingly sentenced to the penitentiary for three years. On arriving at the prison (the writer was then Sheriff ), after examining the papers and looking at the prisoner, the warden shook his head, with the remark: "There's something wrong about this business, for that man is not a criminal."

Some two months after his incarceration, an intelligent young lady, accompanied by a bright little boy about two years of age, arrived in Richfield, bearing with her papers and affidavits from prominent citizens and high officials in the State of Vermont, not only testifying to the good character of the supposed thief, but that he was subject to periodical attacks of mental aberration, in which he had several times wandered away from home and friends and engaged in some business to which he was wholly unaccus- tomed at home; on one occasion, in the State of New York, taking a school and teaching until his lunacy was detected and his friends and place of residence discovered.

These proofs, added to the appearance of the man himself, were so satisfactory to the people of Richfield that the committing magistrate accompanied the sorrowing wife and her child to Akron, and laid the matter before the authorities here. Judge Carpenter and Prosecuting Attorney Henry Mckinney, both addressed letters to Governor Dennison, expressing conviction of the lunacy of the prisoner, armed with which, and the papers brought from Vermont, the writer visited Columbus and submitted them to the governor. Governor Dennison immediately put on his hat and accompanied the writer to the penitentiary, and after a brief interview with the warden and the prisoner, he said : "Sheriff, you go home, and send this man's wife to Columbus, and I will waive the usual forms of advertising and petitioning for pardon, and deliver him into her custody."

This was accordingly done on July 30, 1860, and being . now in his right mind, and feeling very sensitive about returning to Vermont, after having been in prison for horse-stealing, they went west, settling in a small town in Iowa, where as the grateful wife, in a feeling and pathetic letter, afterwards informed the writer they were living contented and happy, though they had had the misfortune to lose, by death, the bright little boy by whom she was accompanied when here.

THE HUNTER-GARGETT TRAGEDY .- The most exciting episode in the history of Richfield, and one of the most terrible tragedies ever enacted in Summit county, was the double murder of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Gargett, by the rejected lover of their daughter Chloe -John H. Hunter-in 1871, a full account of which, with the gush- ing correspondence between the lovers, and their pledges of eternal fidelity before having personally met each other, together with the particulars of the tragedy, the trial and execution, will be given in the next chapter.

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RICHFIELD'S PRESENT BUSINESS STATUS .- The advent of rail- roads, and the consequent change of business centers and methods, gradually worked a change in the business status of Richfield-the glory of her mercantile and manufacturing operations having, in a large measure, departed, though still superior to most of the township centers of the county. Besides her large stock, fruit and dairy interests, by means of her local and portable sawmills Richfield has, during the past few years, furnished a large amount of hardwood lumber for the Akron and Cleveland markets, though somewhat handicapped by lack of adequate transportation facilities, a disability which she fondly hopes will be removed by the construction of a railroad southward from Cleveland, through her borders, at an early day.

At the East Center, the old well-remembered general store on the northwest corner of the public square, occupied by the firni of Weld & Farnam, (William C. Weld and Everett Farnam), and on the dissolution of that firm, about 1875, by Mr. Weld alone, until, his death, in 1879, followed by Mr. I. M. Mather, and later by Loomis Brothers, was burned in 1886, and has never been rebuilt, Mr. George B. Clarke, now treasurer of the Jones Wholesale Grocery Company, of Akron, having operated as salesman for Messrs. Weld & Farnam, and Mr. Weld, individually, some fifteen years previous to going into business for himself at the West. Center, in 1880, where he remained eight years. The ancient hotel, the "Center House," in a good state of preservation and repair, is still doing duty as a hostelrie, with Mr. Fayette Viall as its popular proprietor and landlord. On the southeast corner of public square and the Peninsula road, Mr. Frank R. Brower, besides officiating as postmaster, keeps a fair-sized stock of general merchandise.

At the West Center, the old, well-known hotel, on the north- east corner of the square, having been destroyed by fire some two . or three years ago, the old Liberty Hall block, on the south side of the street, was removed thither, by Sykes Brothers (DeLancey and William B. Sykes), handsomely refitted and filled with a well- selected stock of general merchandise, dry goods, boots and shoes, groceries, provisions, etc., W. B. Sykes also officiating as post- master of West Richfield.

WEST RICHFIELD HOTEL .- This is a new and well-appointed hotel on the site of the store formerly occupied by Ex-Recorder Henry C. Searles, near the northwest corner of the public square, owned by Mr. Baxter H. Wood, of Medina, but kept by Richfield's veteran landlord, Lewis P. Ellas. RICHFIELD FLOURING AND SAW MILLS, near West Center, John Ault, proprietor, still in successful operation. HARNESS-MAKERS, and dealers in all kinds of horse furnishing goods-Peter L. Allen (established over a third of a century), and Seth Dustin. CABINET MAKING AND UNDERTAKING, T. E. Ellsworth ;- R. C. Ellsworth, manager. CHEESE FACTORY-in building formerly occupied by Henry W. Howe, Esq., in the man- ufacture of spokes, axe-helves, etc .- Andrew R. Cassidy, of Pen- insula, proprietor, Ed B. Reed, manager. ZEBULON R. TOWNSEND, manufacturer of wagon hubs, oak stave baskets, cider, apple- butter, jelly, etc. PAINTER, PAPERHANGER, DECORATOR, etc., Charles P. Townsend; BLACKSMTHS-Sheldon E. Phelps (and dealer in stoves, tinware, etc.); Henry Killifer, Michael Heltz: Rathburn & Greenleese (C. F. Rathburn and Henry Greenleese); Julius C.

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PRESENT TOWNSHIP OFFICERS.

Chapman. WAGON-MAKER-Percy Dustin. JOHN HOLFELDER, manufacturer and dealer in boots and shoes. MISS A. M. CLARK, fashionable milliner, and dealer in millinery, fancy and stamped goods. ASA P. CARR, carriage, house and general painter. GEORGE L. DUSTIN, carriage trimmer and dealer in carts, carriages, wagons, etc. SAMUEL FAUBLE, stonemason and general contractor and job- ber. Arthur C. Hart, veterinary surgeon. C. N. Damon, barber, and dealer in confectionery, cigars, etc. J. M. Thorp, surgeon dentist; the venerable Dr. Ewing having pretty much given up prac- tice, Dr. Graham now bearing the medical honors of the township.

RICHFIELD'S PRESENT OFFICIAL STATUS (1891).

TRUSTEES-William R. Townsend, Levi Halliwell, Ransom C. Ellsworth; clerk, Harvey M. Welton; treasurer, Cyrus P. Brooks; assessor, Fayette Viall; justices of the peace, Willianı N. Weld and George Townsend; constables, Fayette Viall and Asa P. Carr. The oldest living native of Richfield is its long-time very efficient township clerk, Harvey M. Welton, Esq.

CHAPTER XLVI.

THE HUNTER-GARGETT TRAGEDY-LOVE-MAKING BY PROXY AND LETTER- MARRIAGE ENGAGEMENT-FIRST MEETING OF THE BETROTHED-PLEDGE OF ETERNAL FIDELITY-INTERFERENCE OF FRIENDS-ENGAGEMENT BROKEN OFF-ANGER OF REJECTED SUITOR-VISIT TO FAMILY HOMESTEAD OF HIS SWEETHEART-MURDER OF THE FATHER AND MOTHER-ATTEMPT ON LIFE OF BROTHER-NARROW ESCAPE OF YOUNG LADY-ARREST OF MURDERER- TERRIBLE EXCITEMENT AMONG THE PEOPLE-THE "CRAZY DODGE"-TRIAL, CONVICTION AND SENTENCE-DESPERATE ATTEMPT AT SUICIDE-EXECU- TION IN SUMMIT COUNTY JAIL-CRAVEN COWARDICE OF THE DOOMED MAN -INSTANTANEOUS AND EASY DEATH-RIVALRY OF CLEVELAND AND AKRON DOCTORS FOR THE BODY-SUBSEQUENT HISTORY OF FAMILY, ETC.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

ROBERT GARGETT was born in Yorkshire, England, in the year 1800, coming to America at the age of eighteen years, and two years later, April 18, 1820, was married to Miss Elizabeth Perkins, at Champlain, Clinton county, N. Y., his bride being about five years his junior. After several years' residence in Champlain, and in Canada, Mr. and Mrs. Gargett removed to Ohio, in 1834, settling on a farm a short distance southwest of the Center of Richfield, in this county.

Here, by indomitable industry, and the strictest frugality, they surrounded themselves and their family with all the comforts and conveniences of a prosperous farmer's home, and at the date of their tragic death, in May, 1871, as hereinafter detailed, were in the enjoyment of both substantial wealth, and the very highest regard of all who knew them. Of their eight children, James Gargett, Mrs. Mary Stiles and Mrs. Orpha Gee, at that time were residing at, or near, Elm Hall, in the State of Michigan, while the youngest son, Rodney, then twenty-two years of age, and just married, was living in a separate house upon the home farm; the youngest daughter, only, Chloe E., aged 24, remaining with her parents in the old homestead.

JOHN HENRY HUNTER was born in the city of Manchester, England, July 1, 1839, and came to America when fifteen years of age. Here he seems to have led rather a roving life, living for longer or shorter periods of time at Quebec, Toronto, London, Berry, Colling- wood, Guelph, and St. Marys, in Canada, and at Detroit, Pontiac, the Christian Islands, Elm Hall and Carson City, in the state of Michigan, and at Hudson, Peninsula, Berea and Grafton, in the state of Ohio, and following the varied callings of clerk in store, book-keeper, postoffice clerk, carpenter, lumberman, teacher of writing and photography, hotel clerk, printer, laborer, oil well digger, painter, etc.

THE ROMANCE OF LOVE .- During the Summer of 1870, Hunter formed the acquaintance of Mrs. Mary Stiles, at Elm Hall, Michigan, where he was then working, and while at her house was shown the picture of her sister, Chloe, then living at the home of her

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GUSHING LOVE CORRESPONDENCE.

parents in Richfield. The picture pleased him, and expressing a wish to become acquainted with the original, at his request Mrs. Stiles gave him a letter of introduction to her sister. On the strength of this letter Hunter wrote to Miss Gargett, soliciting correspond- ence, which was granted, the correspondence continuing from March until October, 1870; a marriage engagement, having in the meantime been entered into, before having personally seen each other, and the most endearing expressions of undying affection having been indulged in on both sides, in their respective letters. A portion of this correspendence, only, is now accessible to the writer, from which, as showing the tenor thereof, the following brief extracts are here given :

THE CORRESPONDENCE .- In his introductory letter to Miss Gargett, dated March 30, 1870, Hunter writes :

"MY DEAR MISS :- Through the influence of your sister, Mrs. E. F. Stiles, by my request, you have granted me the privilege of writing you a letter of introduction, which was, indeed very friendly, accepted from a stranger. I am a young man, twenty-five years of age; 5 feet 11 inches in height; light brown hair ; blue eyes, and weigh 150 pounds ; occupation, a carpenter, but can take hold of anything to make a living * * I am a very healthy, robust man in general. I am not addicted to drinking or keeping bad company, for I detest all such. * * * I am not a two-faced man, nor two- sided, neither do I want to keep company with such, for its not my character. * * * Your sister Mary is one of the best friends I have ever met in this * country. She has acted as a mother to me in a time of need, which I will never forget. Your sister Orpha, also, has been the same. * * * If you ' were just such a woman as Mary I really would venture my life to gain your affection. * * * You will not, I hope, keep me in suspense, waiting for an answer to this letter. I remain yours, with respect.

JOHN H. HUNTER."

Miss Gargett's reply to this letter is not at hand, but the next from Hunter to her, dated April 8th, shows the promptness with which she responded to his request for correspondence and the general tenor of her initial letter :

" MISS ELIZABETH :- I have received your welcome letter, and must say that there is an air of straight-forward sincerity about it that I like. * * * I did not request you to send me, or tell me, of your looks-for deeds and actions are much preferable, although good-looking ladies in general are very attractive, indeed. * * * I am always J. H. Hunter, every day alike; can do business with any man ; have not a great deal to say in general, only when necessary, and too bashful to keep company with the ladies in public. * * * There is not a man or woman can say anything against my character, therefore I can keep respectable company. Now, Miss Gargett, I do not wish to correspond with you for mere pastime, for I have come to that time of day to leave such foolishness aside. I do not know whether you want to get a companion for your future prospect or not. But I know it is the case with me. And there is one more thing I have to say ; if you want a man with plenty of property, you won't fancy me. I want some person to save for me, and then I can have a home. *

* * I really would like to see you. I am sure we would have a good long talk. * *

* I never was married, nor promised to be married, for it is only of late that I took the notion, as I was afraid of getting on the bachelor's list. * *

* Yours, unchangeable,

J. H. HUNTER."

To this letter, under date of April 13, 1870, Miss Gargett responded as follows :

"MR. J. H. HUNTER :- How happy I was to-night to receive your ever- welcome letter-it came very unexpected, for I was not looking for one until Saturday, although I was thinking of you and wishing it was Saturday. How I wish you were here by my side, for I think you know we would have

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a good visit. * * You remarked that you did not know whether I wanted a companion or not. If I could feel sure that he loved me, and one in whom I could have confidence to go for advice and reason, I should be most happy to win the hand and heart of such a man; and believe me, John, you have a Chloe who you can trust. * * * Think of me that thinks of thee.

Yours truly, C. E. GARGETT."

Hunter's letter dated April 25, was mainly in reference to his intended visit to Chloe, saying, in conclusion, that if they could never get married they would always be friends, etc. A letter from Miss Gargett, dated May 28th, commencing. "My Dearest Good Friend," expressed great affection for him and said that she had never found one in whom she could place such perfect confidence ; that her love for him increased at every letter received from him; that she loved him; that he had her whole heart, etc .; that she would stand by him in prosperity and in adversity ; expressed the hope that they should soon be united ; was sure that they would agree, and closed by hoping that he would "accept these few lines from one who trusted only in him." On June 8th Miss Gargett wrote to Hunter that she had been thinking of him and wished to see him forty times a day ; that she would never be happy without him, and longed for the time when she could call him hers, and closed with "I remain yours in love and sweet affection."

It will be impossible to give anything like the full text of even such of the letters which passed between this romantic couple as are at the command of the writer, but as it appears that the gossip and interference of relatives and friends in their love affairs, had a direct tendency to bring about the estrangement that led to the tragedy to be here recorded, it is deemed advisable to give liberal extracts from two or three of those gushing missives. June 11, 1870, Miss Gargett wrote as follows :

"DEAREST LOVED FRIEND :- I have just finished reading your dearest and loving letter, which found mne in good health and as happy as one could be, when away from the one that is dearer to me than any one else in the world. My Dearest John, I do not think you can be any more anxious to see me than I am to see you ; it seems sometimes, when I get to thinking about you, and of your coming to see me, as though I could not wait another minute; but I know that I must use some judgment about it, and that you will come as soon as convenient. John, perhaps it is all for the best that we have not as yet seen each other, for I think our love is increasing very much for one another every day ; at any rate I know my love for you increases daily, yes, hourly. ** * * My Dearest John, your affectionate letter to-night caused me to shed tears of both joy and sorrow. I wept for joy to think I had at last found one who I believed loved ine for myself alone. * * * You

. may wonder why I shed tears of sorrow over your dear letter. It was on account of what Orpha said. Oh, dear John, how could she be so cruel? But it will make no difference with mne whether she thinks I could do better or not. Perhaps I could marry a richer man, but if I did not love him what comfort would my husband or his money be to me? Not any ; and I do not care what Orpha or any one else says, in regard to your wealth, for I know I shall never find a better man than you are. Those may marry for property *

that wish to. * * John, I am crying when I think of Orpha's remarks. I think she did not do right, for, Dear John, you are just as deserving of a loving companion as though you was rich, and you shall have one, too, if my life is spared, if you will accept of my humble self; and John, if you think best, perhaps you had better wait till Fall before you come down to see me. I have been thinking I would like to have you attend the Richfield Fair, this Fall ; it will come off sometime the last part of September. * * I do not think you will ever bless the day that you and Mary became *

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Author: Lane, Samuel A. (Samuel Alanson), 1815-1905 Publication date: 1892 Publisher: Akron, Ohio : Beacon Job Department Number of Pages: 1228

Author: Lane, Samuel A. (Samuel Alanson), 1815-1905
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Akron, Ohio : Beacon Job Department
Number of Pages: 1228