Historical collections of Ohio in two volumes, an encyclopedia of the state, Volume I, Part 99

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

USA > Ohio > Historical collections of Ohio in two volumes, an encyclopedia of the state, Volume I > Part 99

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).

At a very early date Mr. Johnston, in New York State, did much to call the attention of the farmers to the value of tile draining, by his published writings,

626

FRANKLIN COUNTY.

and experiments on his own farm. He is frequently called "The Father of Tile Drainage in America."

Some time previous to Mr. Johnston's efforts Dr. N. S. Townshend, then a youth in his teens, who had seen during his boyhood days spent in England the benefits derived from drainage, succeeded in introducing it in Lorain county.

In 1832 horseshoe tile were made by hand at Avon, Lorain county, Ohio. In 1843 a machine for the manufacture of pipe tile was invented by John Read and exhibited by him at the county fair of Derbyshire, England.

About 1857 Mr. Canfield, who made the best horseshoe tile in Connecticut, removed to Milford Center, Union county, Ohio, and there manufactured horse- shoe tile until his decease about 1869. A Mr. Miner also operated a small tile factory at Columbus.

The only tile machines made at this date were those manufactured by A. La Tourette, of Waterloo, New York, and Mattice & Penfield, of Willoughby, Ohio, who also manufactured tile. These men did not meet with any great success financially, but they were the pioneers in educating the people.

At the close of the rebellion W. S. Postle, of Prairie, and S. J. Woolley, of Brown township, Franklin county, Ohio, were the first to establish tile factories, which have been run successfully ever since, and are now large establishments.

Since their establishment many others have been started in different parts of the State until at the present time there are over five hundred factories in success- ful operation in Ohio.

The first improvement over the horseshoe pattern was made by adding a bottom piece, called the sole tile, to the opening in the horseshoe. These im- proved tile were extensively used until superseded by the cylindrical pattern, which is the only kind of drain tile now manufactured. Improvements in machinery, kilns and manipulation have brought these to a high degree of perfection and at a very low cost.

The output of these five hundred factories per annum is six and a half million rods, worth at the present low prices about two million dollars.

In 1880 J. J. W. Billingsley, of Indianapolis, commenced the publication of the Drainage Journal, and distributed a large amount of literature on drainage, which has had a very great influence in extending the use of tile, educating the people on this important subject of drainage.

It is somewhat singular that with the material developments which have taken place within the last half century that the remarkable value of drainage from an economical as well as sanitary standpoint has not sooner attracted the attention of the people. Its first disciples met with opposition and ridicule, but they soon turned the laugh on their tormentors, as its value was so apparent in the results that the unbelievers hastened to benefit by the example. Nevertheless, although the developments of drainage within the past decade have been remarkable, it is but in its infancy as yet. Mr. J. M. Harrison, of Scio, Ohio, in an able article on this " Past, Present and Future of Tile Drainage in Ohio," read before the Ohio Tile and Drainage Association, and published in the Drainage Journal, says. " No accurate estimate of the number of tile used in Ohio has ever been made. We estimate that between two hundred and fifty and three hundred millions of tile have been used. This seems like a vast sum, yet it is only large enough to drain a little over three hundred thousand acres of land, or about one-eightieth of the entire State. It would seem then that tile drainage was only in its infancy, for these figures show that all the drainage that has been done would only be equal to about one county, leaving the other eighty-seven counties to be drained. Wc must bear in mind, however, that a considerable portion of our State is naturally underdrained. Then the woodland and other portions which it is safe to assume will never be drained reduce the above figures to about one-half. If we assume that one-fortieth of the draining is done and that we have been thirty years in doing it, the figures would indicate that we would be twelve hundred years in

627

FRANKLIN COUNTY.

completing the work in Ohio. The fact is, however, that nearly all the draining in the State has been done since 1880. The Drainage Journal estimates that there was as much draining in 1882 as had been done in all the years prior to 1880. The most reasonable conclusion is that there will be plenty of work for a few tile factories in every county in the State for the next fifty years.

Much of the draining is so poorly done that it will be necessary to do it over again in the future. It is evident from a study of the agricultural reports of this State that tile drainage has been in progress in a few counties for quite a number of years, and we also find in a great many counties tile drainage has only been very recently introduced, and that there are a few counties that have no tile factories at all."

While it is generally supposed that only wet and swampy lands are benefited by drainage it has been clearly demonstrated that the productiveness of almost all land is so increased as to more than pay within a few seasons for the cost. Land with a gravelly subsoil has more or less natural drainage and is not benefited to the same extent as land with a clayey subsoil.

The remarkable fertility of the soil of England, " the garden spot of the world," is largely due to the extensive system of drainage there in use.

Ditching is a primitive method of draining, which in its results falls far short of the efficiency of tile, and in itself prevents its extended use by preventing the cultivation of a considerable part of the land intended to be benefited ; therefore all reference to drainage in this article relates to the use of tiles.

Upon the invitation of its proprietor we visited the tile factory of S. J. Woolley near Hilliards, to learn something of the methods of manufacture. The material used is a slate-colored fire-clay, of which abundant quantities are found through- out the State of Ohio adapted to the manufacture of drain tile, although differing somewhat in quality. When taken from the bank it contains more or less moisture according to the location of the bank and the humidity of the season. The clay used at Mr. Woolley's factory when taken from the bank has about the consistency of putty and requires neither drying out nor moisture, excepting in very dry seasons, when it is sometimes necessary to make it sufficiently pliable for working. The clay is taken from the bank to the factory near by, and fed into the hoppers of the large tile machines, which are run by steam-power. From the hopper it passes into a large iron cylinder in which revolve a series of blades which cut and knead the clay, forcing it out at the base in the shape of a con- tinnous clay cylinder, varying in diameter according to the size of the die then in use in the machine. These dies range in size from three to eighteen inches. The cylinder of clay as it is forced from the machine comes out horizontally, and is cut off with a wire in lengths of from twelve to fifteen inches.

One of Mr. Woolley's tile machines, however, forces out the clay cylinder perpendicularly ; this is a recent improvement and prevents the collapsing of the soft clay tile as sometimes occurs with large sizes by reason of their own weight. After the tile come from the machine they are placed on a tram car and run into long wooden buildings ; here they are placed on a series of slatted shelves, which are so arranged as to allow a free circulation of air, as from one to two weeks drying out is necessary, depending upon the weather, before they can be burned in the kilns. The smaller cr three-inch tile are placed horizontally, but the larger sizes all stand on end.

When the tile have dried out sufficiently they are conveyed by tram car to the kiln preparatory to burning or, more properly, firing. These kilns are huge bee- hive-like structures, built of fire-brick and similar to those used in pottery establish- ments. Projecting from the base at regular intervals are four stubs, as they are called ; these stubs consist of & fire-place, grate and ash-pit, and are the furnaces from which the heat passes into the kiln. About five feet from the base of the kiln is an opening large enough for the easy entrance of a man, through which access is had to the interior of the kiln. The tram car loaded with the unbaked

628

FRANKLIN COUNTY.

tile is run uptothis entrance aud the tile passed in for packing. The floor of the interior is made of fire-brick and constructed like a grate, so that the flame, heat and smoke pass upward through the kiln. The tile are packed closely together, standing on end and nested ; that is, the small tile are placed within those of larger diameter. Layer after layer of tile are placed on top of each other until the kiln is filled, when the entrance is built up with brick and plaster and the fires started. The fires, which are fed with either wood or coal, are kept low and allowed to smoke and smoulder until such moisture as remains in the tile after the atmospheric drying has been driven out; when this has been accomplished they are freely plied with fuel, and when a white heat has been reached, usually in about forty-eight hours, and discernible by means of small apertures in the sides of the kiln, the firing is complete and the fires are allowed to burn out.

The smoke, flame and heat pass up through the kiln, come into direct contact with the tile, and are then conducted by means of flues down to the base and into a smoke stack some thirty or forty feet high and built a few feet apart from the kiln. This arrangement allows of a more perfect combustion of fuel and more equal distribution of heat. After the fires have died out several days elapse before the kiln is opened, that the contents may cool grad- ually, as a sudden cooling would crack the tile. When taken from the kiln the tile are a bright red in color, with a metallic ring when struck, and almost as durable as time itself, inasmuch as there has been no product of man which has stood the test of time as fire-baked clay.

The farm of Mr. Woolley, on which his factory is situated, is a fine example of the efficacy of tile drainage. Originally a wooded swamp, upon a large part of which water stood the whole year round, it is now one of the most productive farms in Franklin county. When Mr. Woolley first purchased this farm his friends doubted his sanity, others pitied his folly, but now none doubt his wisdom, and the tile factory, originally built for his own private uses, sup- plies the country for miles around and has converted what was formerly looked upon as waste laud into about the most fertile in the county. "He who makes two blades of grass to grow where but one grew before is a benefactor to his race." How much more must one be " who makes two blades of grass to grow where none grew before."

That drainage is a benefit to low marshy lands is evident to the commonest understanding, but that it should be of any great value to land already surface dry is not very comprehensive to a very large proportion of our population.

The soil is the medium for the growth of plants, but does not in itself fur- nish all of the elements which develop their growth. Carbonic acid and am- monia, which are diffused in small quantities through the atmosphere, are brought down to the soil by rain. Upon undrained land these plant foods pass off with the surface water ; on drained and porous soils they are abosrbed. Drain the land and give these elements free access to the plants. When rain falls on elevated land it packs the surface of the soil, finds its way to its lowest level and, unless it can penetrate through the soil, runs off in streams and rivulets ; the sun comes out, dries, theu bakes and hardens the surface of the soil which the water has not penetrated because it could find no outlet beneath it.

To a certain degree we overcome this with the plowand harrow ; but, in rais- ing a crop on this land, the roots of the plants only penetrate to about the depth the plow has furrowed and only draw sustenance from that part of the soil. Let usdrain this land. Now the rain falls, percolates through the soil and finds an out- let through the drain, the soil becomes porous like sponge and like a sponge holds a large part of the moisture, the sun shines again and, when the surface moisture has been absorbed, a fresh supply is drawn from the porous soil by capillary attraction, so that, instead of baking the surface, the soil is kept moist, is lifted by the capillary forces set into action by the sun and becomes mellow and easily worked. Less water has flowed from this land during the rain since it was

Geo. L. Graham, Amateur Photo., Columbus.

HAYDEN FALLS.

[These Falls are some twelve miles northwest of Columbus, about a mile helow Dublin, on a little stream that empties into the Scioto. It is a wild, picturesque spot in the heart of the State, which is enhanced by contrast with the prairie-like country around it.]

631

FRANKLIN COUNTY.

drained than before; a larger part of it remains in the soil, which has now become a reservoir from which to draw as the plants require. That this is the effect of drainage has been proven in every case where drainage has been tried.

In a valuable article on the " Philosophy of Tile Drainage" read by Mr. W. J. Chamberlin before the Ohio Tile Convention held at Columbus, Feb. 8, 1881, he thus summarizes the benefits of tile drainage :

1. Tile drainage deepens the soil, and gives the roots more feeding ground.

2. It helps pulverize the ground and thus to unlock its fertility so that the minute roots may drink it in.

3. It prevents surface wash and consequent and often great waste of fertility.

4. It dispenses with open ditches, which are not so good and are a great hin- drance in cultivating and harvesting crops.

5. It lengthens the season of tillage and matures the crop before frost. It largely prevents winter-killing of wheat and the heaving of clover and other roots by frost.

6. It saves labor by making tillage and pulverization easier.

7. It supplies air to the roots and promotes the absorption of vapor and of fertilizing matters from the air and the rains and the snows.

8. It prevents the chilling effects from the thawing of ice and the evaporation of water, and in this and other ways warms the soil. Water warms rapidly when heat is applied from beneath, but very slowly when it is applied from above. Hence it is impossible for the sun from above to warm a saturated soil. (It has been ascertained by experiment in England that soil tile-drained is ten degrees warmer seven inches below the surface than the same kind of soil without drains.)

9. Drainage improves the quality as well as quantity of crops. Especially is this true of apples and of root crops like potatoes.

10. It is a great help in the harvest of corn, and especially of root crops in a wet fall. Without tile drainage, indeed, it is almost impossible on clayey soil.

11. It improves the health of crops and even prevents potato rot, which may occur on undrained soil.

12. It greatly improves the health of man and beast in many localities.

13. It greatly increases the crops, other things being equal.

14. But it should not be forgotten that tile-drainage is not needed on lands that have a gravel or porons sub-soil, and that even on soils that do need it drainage is only the basis for good farming, and will not pay unless followed by good farming."

THE STATE INSTITUTIONS AT COLUMBUS.

Asylum for the Insane-Institution for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb-

Institution for the Education of the Blind-Institution for the Education of Feeble-Minded Youth-The Ohio Penitentiary.

By the Constitution of the State the Legislature is authorized to provide at the public expense for the entire support of these varied benevolent institutions, and does not take cognizance of the pecuniary position of any of the inmates who are alike supported by the Commonwealth. Herein the insane or blind millionaire and the insane or blind pauper are on the same footing. It is on the same princi- ple as with the Public Schools where education is universal and free to all alike, and because it tends to the moral and material progress of the whole body of the people.

The following historical and descriptive sketches were written for this work by Mr. CHARLES T. HOWE, after a visit to each institution for this object. They embody a large amount and variety of valnable information.

632

FRANKLIN COUNTY.

THE INSANE ASYLUM.

In response to a memorial adopted and sent to the Legislature by the State Medical Con- vention, held in Columbus, January, 1835, an act was passed the same year to establish a lunatic asylum for the State of Ohio.

The First Asylum .- In July, 1835, thirty acres of land in the northeastern part of Co- lumbus were purchased and foundations laid for a building to accommodate one hundred and twenty patients, which was completed in November, 1839. Then twenty-seven acres were added to the original tract of land and in 1845 about seven more, making a total of sixty-four acres. In 1845-46-47 respectively, three further additions were made to the orig- inal main building.

Destruction by Fire .- On the evening of November 18, 1868, the entire structure was destroyed by a fire, which originated in the east wing, presumably through the mischiev- ousness of one of the patients. Through the efficient efforts of the officers and employees all the patients were rescued excepting six females who perished from suffocation. The rescued patients were temporarily quartered in the deaf and dumb asylum and in the hospital, which escaped destruction, standing apart from the main building. The patients were eventually cared for in different asylums throughout the State.

The Present Asylum Built .- It was deter- mined not to rebuild on the old site, and that property was sold in May, 1870, and the present location decided upon for the erection of a new building. On July 4, 1870, the corner-stone of the present immense struc- ture was laid with Governor Hayes presiding, the officers of the Grand Lodge of Ohio and other Masonic bodies taking a prominent part.

Vast Size of the Structure .- The site se- lected lies some two miles west of the State house, and consists of three hundred acres of elevated land, commanding a fine view of the city. The grounds have been beautifully laid out with walks, drives, and shrubbery. In fact, so extensive and charming are the sur- roundings to this institution that it is but a short flight of fancy for the visitor to imagine himself in one of the grand old parks of the nobility of England. An idea of the enor- mous dimensions of the asylum can be formed when it is stated that the building was seven years in the course of erection, and at a cost of one and a half million dollars, and the dis- tance around the outside wall is a mile and a quarter. That this is the largest institution of its kind in the world is well known, but the beauty and grandeur of the building and its surroundings, its perfect system of man- agement and the work accomplished in be- half of this unforturote class can only be fully appreciated h the intelligent and ob- serving visitor.

Modern Met'ous of Treatment .- Many well- informed pe ,Le know comparatively little of the modern methods employed in the care and treatment of those bereft of reason and har- bor the groundless belief that hospitals for

the insane partake largely of the character of prisons, with raving maniacs confined in cells, the corridors resounding with cries and yells.

"Thoughtless he raves his sleeping hours away, In chains all night, in darkness all the day.'

These ideas, however, are the result of the treatment of the insane in times long past, and it is gratifying to be able to say that the management of the insane at the present time stands in happy contrast to that of the past, the result of great scientific discoveries and the accumulated experience of years.

Employments of the Insane .- Mechanical restraint beyond occasional confinement of violent patients in the strong room is now entirely dispensed with. In addition to med- ical treatment various plans are adopted to divert the mind and lead it as far as possible away from self, and especially from the crush- ing forebodings common to the insane. Every effort is made to promote the happiness of the patients ; a high moral discipline is ex- ercised with pure beneficial influences, that seldom fail to tranquilize and lighten the burden of their affliction. In addition to providing for their comfort a systematic effort is made to furnish bodily and mental recrea- tion. To accomplish this there is maintained a system of daily outdoor exercises, such as walking, riding, playing, and marching when the weather permits. Carriage riding for the feeble has been a leading feature and is prac- ticed daily. A large number have been en- couraged to perform different kinds of manual labor. Men are employed on the farm, gar- den, barn, boiler-room. They are not coerced, but left free to do so or not ; and it being a matter of choice their work is done cheerfully and to their profit.

Benefit of Labor .- While on a visit to this Central Insane Asylum we were shown a patient in the clothes drying-room who was busily engaged hanging wet sheets on a clothes horse. He took great pride and pleasure in his work and would brook no ad- vice or interference. The official who con- ducted us through the institution informed us that he silently and faithfully performed his daily task and would not hesitate to do bodily injury to any one who dared to assist or interfere with him. Each person en- ployed works on an average abont four hours a day. The benefit of daily labor as a cura- tive agent has long been acknowledged by the best experts. Being employed in light labor the mind is occupied, which with the fresh air and healthful exercise do much to pro- mote happiness, good temper, and content- ment.

Their Liberties .- Those persons who are under the impression that in the worst cases of insanity the patients are in constant confinement and are dangerous to them- selves and those around them would find their ideas on the subject greatly exaggerated

Draum by Henry Howe. THE PRISONERS MARCHING IN THE OHIO PENITENTIARY, 1846.

ASYLUM FOR THE DEAF AND DUMB, 1846.

ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE, 1846.

夏

ASYLUM FOR THE BLIND, 1846.

THE ASYLUM FOE THE INSANE, 1888.

ASYLUM FOR THE DEAF AND DUMB, 1888.

ASYLUM FOR THE FEEBLE-MINDED YOUTH, 1888.

ASYLUM FOR THE BLIND, 1888.

635

FRANKLIN COUNTY.

if they could have accompanied us through the wards occupied by this class of patients. We found them promenading up and down engaged in conversation with each other and occupied in various ways. Many of them seemed quite happy and contented. When their periodical fits of violence come on it becomes necessary to confine them in the strong room until the fit wears off, usually in a short time: They are liberated as soon as their condition permits and allowed to mingle with the others in their ward ; and every effort consistent with safety is made to have them feel that they are under no restraint. This, combined with kind treatment, the best medical skill and attention to comfort, health and happiness, improves the condition of all and in many cases results in an entire cure.

Interesting Anecdotes .- The prejudices and notions that take root in a diseased brain are manifested in many ways. While we were being conducted through one of the wards one of the inmates, a short stout man about fifty years of age with slightly stooping shoulders, long gray beard, a large hooked nose and most repulsive cast of countenance, followed close behind the official who accom- panied us, imitating our gait, muttering in a low tone of voice, and steadfastly gazing at our attendant with expression so threatening and sinister as to fill a timid person with terror. Whenever we stopped he did like- wise, always keeping the same distance from us, and we were not rid of his unwelcome presence until the outer door of his ward was shut and locked between us. Our attendant said that the man imagined him an enemy and invariably went through the same pro- gramme whenever the official had occasion to enter his ward. The man is waiting for a favorable opportunity to attack his supposed enemy, but the official told us he was not at all alarmed for his safety, for when attacked it is only necessary to place the hand over the mouth and nose of the patient when suffoca- tion ensues and subdues them. In resisting the most violent patients it is never necessary to resort to blows. So skillful do the attend- ants become in the management of the vio- iently insane that two attendants can easily manage an insane person when four inexpe- rie.iced persons would find it a difficult task.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Historical collections of Ohio in two volumes, an encyclopedia of the state, Volume I, Part 99

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