Historical collections of Ohio in two volumes, an encyclopedia of the state, Volume I, Part 67

Author: Howe, Henry, 1816-1893
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Cincinnati : Published by the state of Ohio
Number of Pages: 1006

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The reader will, in this narrative, see nothing beyond a simple memorial of facts, which is all that the unassuming character requires. He was a plain, gen- tlemanly individual, of a very mild and even temper; a good husband and kind father, but rather indifferent to his own interest in money matters, by which he became seriously involved, lost his property and removed to Indiana in 1821, where he died in 1824, aged fifty-two years.

THE WOMEN'S TEMPERANCE CRUSADE.

In the winter of 1873-74 arose in Southern Ohio that strange phenomenon in the temperance cause known as the " Women's Crusade."

It began in Hillsboro on the last of December, and in the course of a few months extended into adjoining States. In the large cities it was not anywhere successful, but in the small villages the results were often surprising, the Crusaders in some cases closing every saloon and for the time entirely suppressing the liquor traffic. The manner of conducting their operations was in this form : the women daily assembled and marched in solemn procession two by two, sometimes to the number of 50 or 100. On coming to a saloon they halted in front and sent in word for permission to enter and hold religious exercises within. If this was denied they held them outside. They opened with singing two or three hymns, and then all kneeled on the pavement regardless of the condition of the weather and the streets; sometimes kneeling in the mud or snow. In every case the ladies plead with the saloon keeper, to induce him to sign the pledge; and in this way every saloon was visited. In the larger places the ladies organized in separate bands so as to simultaneously visit different saloons.

The excitement soon died away, and at the end of a few months the crusade had passed into history. While it was in progress the public prints were filled with anecdotes of the experiences of the Crusaders with the saloon keepers. Those of the New Vienna ladies in this county were peculiarly interesting with John Calvin Van Pelt, reputed to be the wickedest man in Ohio. He kept a saloon near the depot, known as the "Dead Fall." He was a tall, solidly-built man, with a red nose and the head of a prize fighter, and noted for his bull-dog pluck.

The ladies assembled and proceeded to Van Pelt's " Dead Fall," when he threat- ened to hang, draw and quarter them if they came to his saloon again, and the next day he decorated one of the windows of his saloon with flasks of whiskey. Across the other was an axe, covered with blood : over the door empty flasks were suspended, and near them a large jug branded "Brady's Family Bitters." Over all waved a black flag, while within Van Pelt was seen brandishing a club, threat- ening and defying the temperance band to enter at the risk of their lives. This had no effect, however, as about fifty ladies entered and, kneeling, one of them began praying, when he seized a bucket of dirty water and threw the contents

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against the ceiling, from which it came pouring down upon the kneeling suppli- cants ; at the same time he hurled the vilest invectives at them, but they heroically stood to their posts until thoroughly drenched with dirty slops and beer, when they retreated to the outside. Without were about two hundred men, husbands, fathers and brothers of the ladies, and it was only through the earnest entreaties of the women that they were prevented from mobbing Van Pelt. He was, how- ever, arrested and languished in jail several days before getting bail. In the meanwhile his brother officiated at the saloon, permitting the ladies to enter and carry on their devotional exercises.

Upon Van Pelt's release, he became more bitter and determined. He boldly attended the meetings of the ladies at the Friends' Meeting House, and publicly argued the question with them, and being a man of quick wit proved a formidable disputant.

DEFEL SUREXIS

THE CRUSADING WOMEN OF NEW VIENNA.

[The picture is from a tin-type taken at the time by a travelling artist. The women of the village are laying siege to the saloon of Van Pelt, " the wickedest man in Ohio." They finally conquered him, though it was a hard struggle.]

But at length he gave evidence of weakening by offering to sell out for five hundred dollars and eventually dropping to ninety-five dollars (the amount of his legal expenses), and agreeing to quit the town on the payment of this sum. Many were in favor of accepting this proposition, particularly the ladies, one of whom said that she had forgiven the insults heaped upon her and, although refusing to acknowledge any indebtedness, was willing to make him a present of the amount as an evidence of kindly feeling. But the men, more indignant, refused to compromise with Van Pelt on any basis, and held that " he might be thankful he got off with his life."

A few days later he proved indisputably his title of the " Wickedest Man in Ohio." When the ladies called at his saloon he told them they might come in and pray if he were allowed to make every other prayer, which condition was accepted, and after the opening prayer by them he commenced a long and blas- phemous harangue in the form of a prayer. He elassed women as brutes and asked the Lord to be merciful to them and teach them wisdom and understanding ; Women, he said, first caused sin and were in great need of prayer. The Lord operated the first distillery, or at least made the first wine, and he was following the Lord's example, etc.

Before the services ended three prayers of this description had been made. The women were amazed at such depravity, and disheartened at any prospect

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of his reformation ; but a week later he surrendered, took up the cause he had fought so desperately, and became one of its most ardent disciples.

About noon of the day of the surrender it got noised about that it was about to take place ; bells were rung, boys rushed through the streets with handbills, erying "Everybody meet at Van Pelt's at two o'clock and hear his decision." People rushed from all parts of the town, places of business were closed, and at two o'clock an immense multitude had gathered. After singing and prayer by the ladies, Van Pelt appeared and made a complete surrender of stock and fixtures. He said he yielded not to law or force, but to the labor of love of the women. One barrel of whiskey, another of cider and a keg of beer were then rolled out, and seizing an axe he said, "This is the same weapon with which I used to terrify the ladies ; I now use it to sacrifice that which I fear has ruined many souls !" Whereupon he stove in the heads of the barrels, and the liquor ran into the gutters. Prayer was then offered, a hymn sung, and he made a few more remarks, saying : " Ladies, I now promise you never to sell or drink another drop of whiskey as long as I live, and also promise to work with you in the cause with as much zeal as I have worked against you."

There was great rejoicing throughout the town, and in the evening a thanks- giving meeting was held in the Christian Church, at which Van Pelt spoke. He was a changed man, with his eyes fully opened to the evil of the liquor traffic, very repentant and humble, and zealous in his efforts to induce others to quit the business, and a week later entered the field as a temperance lecturer.

TRAVELLING NOTES.

March 5 .- Wilmington is the home of Mr. Addison P. Russell, one of Ohio's literary men, and I had a day with him ; a day with such a man cannot be called lost. Some sixty years ago he was born here, and remains as he started-single. His ancestors, Ohio pioneers, came originally from Virginia, and were of Revolutionary stock. In size and port he is about like Daniel Webster ; and, as did Daniel, fills out a big suit of clothes, topping off with a high, square collar, well laundried, and white cravat around a plump, full neck, like a gentleman of "ye olden time." Mr. Russell was bred a printer, then editor ; in 1855 was elected to the Legislature; in 1857 and 1859 was elected Secretary of State ; through the war period was financial agent for Ohio in New York, appointed suc- cessively by Govs. Todd, Brough, and Cox. Since then literature has absorbed him, and his books have the indorsement of the first critics. His first work was anonymous, pub- lished by Appleton & Co., in 1867, and en- titled, "Half Hints; Table-de-Hôte and Drawing-Room ; " it has been long out of print. In 1875 appeared the first edition of "+ Library Notes," Hurd, Houghton & Co., Boston ; this book has gained a wide reputa- tion. His last was "Thomas Corwin; a Sketch," Robert Clarke & Co. ; a labor of love, which gave its pages the right sort of flavor.

The Sage of Yamoyden .- Mr. Russell gave me an interesting item in regard to our mutual friend, the late Edward D. Mansfield, the "Sage of Yamoyden," so called from the name of his country home, high on a hill, overlooking the valley of the Little Miami.

Through the war period Mr. Mansfield con- tributed weekly letters to the New York Times, over the signature of "Veteran Ob- server," dating them from "The Beeches,"

and devoted entirely to comments upon pass- ing events. Few men were so well equipped for this sort of labor, for he had been edu- cated alike as a civilian and soldier ; gradu- ated at Princeton, West Point, and at Gould's famed law-school on Litchfield hill, and then from youth up had been in social contact with the first minds of the nation.

These letters, evidently written by a mili- tary man, were so full of intelligence, that they came with great sustaining force, and, more than the words of any other writer or any speaker, inspired multitudes with hope and encouragement in the dark and distress- ing periods.

Who was this unknown writer, evidently a Western man, was a matter of curious inquiry from leading characters who visited Mr. Rus- sell in his office-the Ohio office, 25 William street, New York. They often said that, in spite of themselves, when on the verge of de- spair, they were lifted out of their despondency and gloom by their cheery spirit, broad intel- ligence, and superabounding faith.

A year or more passed, when one day who should enter the Ohio office but the " Veteran Observer" himself, Edward Deering Mans- field, right fresh from "The Beeches." No- body could have been more welcome than he : an old man rising of sixty, with long gray locks, who to the wisdom of the sage united the simplicity of youth. When he was told of the effect of his writings upon the mag- nates around the old gentleman was filled with surprise, and stammered and blushed like a girl. He had not even dreamed he had been doing such a work of beneficence while writ- ing under the shade of those magnificent "Beeches" that stood in glory along the hill- sides of Yamoyden, unscathed by war's alarms, untouched by the awful disasters that in those days appalled so many human hearts.

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Gen. James W. Denter, of Wilmington, is a very prominent citizen, from whom Den- ver, Col., received its name. He was born in Virginia in 1817, and in 1831 came with his father's family to this county, and labored for a while on his father's farm. He graduated at the Cincinnati Law School ; was a captain in the Mexican war in the Twelfth U. S. In- fantry, under Gen. Scott ; edited the Platte Argus, in Missouri ; emigrated to California, and in 1854 was sent from there to Congress ; later, was appointed by Buchanan Commis- sioner of Indian Affairs; from 1857 to 1859 was governor of Kansas ; returned to Cali- fornia, and served in the war of the Rebellion as brigadier-general of volunteers. In 1876 his name was mentioned as a Democratie ean- didate for President. His family resides here, but most of the time he is a resident of Washington City, where he is engaged in the practice of the law.

Among the residents of the town is Mrs. Rhoda Corwin Morris, a very aged lady, sis- ter of Hon. Thomas Corwin, and widow of Hon. Isaiah. Morris. She has scarcely a gray hair, perfect hearing and good sight, and takes an active interest in all the live issues of the time. On passing her eighty-seventh birthday, she laughingly exclaimed ; "Isn't it wonderful that a harp of a thousand strings should stay in tune so long ?"

Near the town is the nursery and fruit

farın of Mr. Leo Weltz, comprising about 300 acres, where he has a very large nursery stock, finding a market even so far West as the Indian Territory. Mr. Weltz was born in Prussia in 1825, the son of a professor in botany. He graduated from the Government Botanical Garden, at Berlin ; was for a time in the employ as a gardener of Alexander III., Czar of the Russias; fought as a lieutenant in the revolution of 1847 in Germany, and received four medals for gallantry in battle. Emigrating to this country, he laid out the grounds of Gov. Chase, Robert Buchanan, George H. Pendleton, and others near Cin- cinnati, and came to Wilmington in 1860. His prominence in connection with the agri- cultural and horticultural interests of Ohio renders further notice here unnecessary.

The Contemptuous Cobbler .- Mr. Russell, among other amusing matters, told me of an old Welsh cobbler. He was a native of the island of Guernsey ; was living there during the years of Victor Hugo's exile, whom he knew well, he said ; and the laughable thing about his knowledge was the view he pre- sented of the great author of "Les Miser- ables" from his (the cobbler's) standpoint. To a question from Mr. Russell, he replied : "Oh, yes ! I knew him well ! Victor Hugo ! He pass my shop every day !" and then, with a contemptuous toss of the head, he added, " Victor Hugo ! he nobody !"

THE ROMANTIC HISTORY OF JEREMIAH N. REYNOLDS.

"The story of Jeremiah N. Reynolds' life, as told in the "History of Clinton County," is a romantic story. He was born in Pennsylvania, and in 1808, when a lad of eight years, the family (that of his stepfather, Job Jeffries) moved into this county. They were poor, and he had but little schooling, and this little with board inclusive he paid for by working mornings and evenings and on Saturdays. Sometimes he went into the prairies of Clark county, and added to his funds by engaging in ditching. He was regarded as a bright boy by his schoolmate, the late Judge Abner Haines, of Eaton, who says he came to school clad in leather breeches and a linsey warmus, and then the judge told this story illustrative of his character :

Job's Oxen .- " He had a stepbrother by the name of Darlington Jeffries, a son of Job Jeffries, and the neighbors called them in fun Job's oxen, and often ran the joke to the chagrin of young Reynolds. On one occasion there was a log-rolling at Azariah Wall's, when the neighbors were pretty generally collected, and among them Darlington Jeffries and Jeremiah Reynolds. In the afternoon Reynolds was carrying the end of a handspike opposite to Peter Wrightman, a small, well- built man, and young Reynolds, though large of his age, was unable to move with the weight and broke down, which incident created much merriment among the hands, and one of them remarked that one of Job's oxen was a calf. This so offended Reynolds that he left the field, and, as he crossed the fence near by, he. set his feet on the outside lower rails, and in the most stately attitude thus ad- dressed them : 'Gentlemen, I have no father to guide and protect me through life, and you have had your fun with me to-day. Many of you are old enough to be ashamed of thus rallying a young and unprotected boy ; but, gentlemen, you know little about him of whom you are making fun, for I assure you the time is coming when you will feel proud that you ever rolled logs with Jeremiah N. Reynolds, and with this sentiment I bid you good-bye.'

This little speech produced quite a sensation among the hands; some said it was an outburst of chagrin and spite, but others looked upon it as the outcropping of his coming manhood. But, be this as it may, I myself have heard several of

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these men in after life refer to this incident in the very light in which young Reynolds expressed it from the fence."

A Convert to Symmes' Theory .- By teaching a common and then a writing-school, he gathered funds to enable him to obtain three years of instruction in the Ohio University at Athens. After this he edited a paper, the Spectator, at Wilmington, which he sold out about 1823. He became a convert to the theory of Capt. Symmes that the earth is hollow and inhabited within, called the system of " Con- centric Spheres." His theory was, that the earth was composed of several spheres one within another, and all widely open at the poles. Mr. Reynolds united with Capt. Symmes, and the two travelled and lectured together, when Symmes was taken sick and died. Reynolds persevered, and lectured in all the principal Eastern cities, always to full houses, and charged fifty cents admission, making many converts. He thus acquired a large fund; this, with the influence and co-operation of Messrs. Rush and Southard, members of President John Quincy Adams' cabinet, enabled him to fit out a national ship, to explore the ocean to- ward the South Pole, to test the truth of the theory, but before he could sail Andrew Jackson came to the Presidency, and stopped the project.

Reynolds soon found a congenial spirit in Dr. Watson, of New York. Watson being a man of wealth, he and Reynolds united their means, and fitted out a ship and two small tenders for southern explorations, which were manned with officers and men and provisioned for twelve months.

Sails for the South Pole .- Their vessel, the " Annawan," N. B. Palmer, captain, sailed from New York harbor in October, 1829, expecting to have the pleasure of entering into the South Pole. "They at length arrived in sight of land, which they afterward discovered to be a southern continent, which seemed completely blockaded with islands of ice. A landing was determined on. The long-boat was launched, with a crew of twenty men. In attempting to reach the shore in a storm, while the waves were rolling mountain-high, they were obliged to pass along between the shelving rocks of the shore and the heaving masses of floating ice for a considerable distance, every moment liable to be crushed to atoms. They, however, arrived at a landing-place, and immediately with joy drew their boat upon shore, which proved to be a solid rock. On careful observation they found they were on an extensive continent, covered completely with solid ice, and no vegetable growth to be seen. Now that they were landed no provisions were to be obtained, and starvation seemed to stare them in the face. But, behold ! Providence seemed to provide the means of support in the sea-lion. He exhibited himself at the mouth of a cave, and ten men, in two squads, were sent out to bring him in. They soon returned with his carcass, which weighed 1,700 pounds. His flesh was excellent eating. By an accurate astronomical observation they found their latitude to be eighty-two degrees south, exactly eight degrees from the South Pole. After some ten days of anxious delay on land, the sea becoming calm, they put out to sea in their long-boat, to endeavor to discover the ships they had left. They sailed on for nearly forty hours. At length, being very weary, late in the night they drew their boat upon an inclined rock. All in a few minutes were sound asleep except Reynolds and Watson. They stood sentinels over the boat's crew, too anxious to sleep. About two or three o'clock in the morning they saw a light far distant at sea. The crew was soon wakened, and all embarked in their boat, and rowing with might and main for the ships. They soon arrived, and the meeting of the two parties was full of enthusiastic joy. They were convinced that they could not enter the South Pole, as it was blocked up with an icy con- tinent, hence they were willing to turn their faces homeward. They soon arrived at Valparaiso, Chili. Here the seamen mutinied against the authority of the ship, set Reynolds and Watson on shore, and launched out to sea as a pirate- ship."

Reynolds now travelled by land through the Republic of Chili and the Araucanian and Indian territories to the south. It is said that while among the Araucanians he was engaged as a colonel of a regiment at war with a neighboring tribe, and while marching through a deep and narrow gorge was thrown from his horse and severely hurt. He was at Valparaiso in October, 1832, when the United States frigate " Potomac," under Commodore John Downes, arrived there. . This vessel in August, 1831, had been sent to the coast of Sumatra, to aveng the

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wrongs done the United States ship " Friendship," of Salem, at Quallah-Battoo, on that coast.

At Valparaiso he joined the "Potomac " in the capacity of private secretary to the commodore, and was with her until her long cruise of several years' duration was completed, the entire history of which he wrote for the United States gov- ernment.

Then he studied law in New York, and became a successful advocate. In 1848 he organized in New York a stock company for mining in New Mexico, which was successful. His health, however, broke down under his persistent labors, and he died in New York in 1858, aged tifty-nine years.

To this foregoing sketch we add a few lines of personal recollection. Mr. Reynolds in his politics was a Henry Clay Whig, and during the political cam- paigns of that era delivered free lectures in behalf of protection. At one of these we were present. According to our memory he was a firmly built man, of medium stature, with a short nose, and a somewhat broad face. His delivery was monoto- nons, but what he said was solid, and his air in a high degree respectful and earnest and withal very sad, as though some great sorrow lay upon his heart, which won our sympathy, and this without knowing anything of his history.

In the county history, giving the military history of Greene township in the war of the Rebellion, is this poetic lament for the dead from the pen of Miss Morley Amberg, which is both an historical and literary curiosity.

A LAMENT FOR THE DEAD.

The rolling deep, whose azure wave Sweeps o'er our darling lost one's grave, Doth many friends now make to weep For those lost in the briny deep.

Some died from sickness far away, In misty twilight dim and gray ; Or at eventide, so calm and still, They bowed to God's own holy will.

Upon this list was one brave boy, Gone home to share eternal joy 1 John Dixon's friends did sadly mourn, When he from their embrace was torn.

Upon the bloody battle-ground Our brave men, pierced with many a wound, Have fallen here to rise no more, Covered with wet and reeking gore.

In the second battle of Bull Run, Beneath the hot and burning sun, Carey Johnson was killed in fight, While battling for his country's rights.

And then another from this cause, While struggling for our own free laws. Colonel Townsend fell amidst the fray Upon this sad and fatal day.

While suffering much from bitter pain, Have our poor boys so often lain, With not a gentle mother's hand To smooth the brow where cold drops stand

No sister's winning smile to cheer, Nor father's well-known voice to hear, They thus have sunk into the grave, The noble and true-hearted brave.

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Carl Huff and Cyrus Ifodson, too, They thus passed home to heaven to view The splendors of that beauteous land, Where all is lovely, rich and grand.

They there have met the brave George West In heaven's attire so richly dressed !

How joyous will that meeting be When they, their friends-each-gladly see i

Austin Hildebrant lingered long, Then went to join the happy throng. Surely for him hot tears were shed When gathered around his dying bed.

The noble Burley from us torn, Left his dear wife and son to mourn, When he his fame and kindred left .

Of him have we all been bereft.

Another, parted from his wife, Whom he had chosen for his life ; He, too, rests in the silent grave, Yes, Adams was among the brave !

In loathsome prisons some have died, How bitterly for them we've sighed ! O sad indeed is such a death, Where is not e'en felt one pure breath )

In gloomy "Libby Prison " died These two brave boys each side by side John Ryan was the hallowed name That died in such a place of shame.

Matthew Ryan, while fighting well,

At battle of Stone river fell ;

Amidst the booming cannons' roar This brave boy fell to rise no more.

Captain John Drake with his brave men, Whom he had led through marsh and fen.

Was shot upon the battle-ground And here his last remains were found.

Another that hoped soon to see His cherished wife and family, To us no more-was stricken down, Elijah Hussey, from this. our town.

SABINA, 66 miles northeast of Cincinnati, on the C. & M. V. and C. & C. M. Railroads. Newspaper : Weekly News, Independent, Griffith & Gaskins, editors and publishers. Five churches. Banks : Sabina, Isaac Lewis, president, E. A. Lewis, cashier ; Dun & Co., Alfred Dun, president, J. T. Rulon, cashier. Popu- lation in 1880, 757. School census in' 1886, 313.

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Historical collections of Ohio in two volumes, an encyclopedia of the state, Volume I, Part 67

Author: Howe, Henry, 1816-1893 Publication date: 1907 Publisher: Cincinnati : Published by the state of Ohio Number of Pages: 1006

Author: Howe, Henry, 1816-1893
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Cincinnati : Published by the state of Ohio
Number of Pages: 1006