History of Belmont and Jefferson Counties, Ohio, and incidentially historical collection pertaining to border warfare and the early settlement of the adjacent portion of the Ohio Valley, Part 162

Author: Caldwell, J. A. (John Alexander) 1n; Newton, J. H., ed; Ohio Genealogical Society. 1n
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Wheeling, W. Va. : Historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 728

USA > Ohio > Jefferson County > History of Belmont and Jefferson Counties, Ohio, and incidentially historical collection pertaining to border warfare and the early settlement of the adjacent portion of the Ohio Valley > Part 162
USA > Ohio > Belmont County > History of Belmont and Jefferson Counties, Ohio, and incidentially historical collection pertaining to border warfare and the early settlement of the adjacent portion of the Ohio Valley > Part 162

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TWO MORE WARDS ARE ADDED.

But this was by no means the end of the growth of the new city, and she, with other similar enterprising communities, glor- ified over the passage of an act by the General Assembly, May 3, 1852, which so provided for the future organization of cities and incorporated villages, that it dispensed with the previous expense and formalities to secure a charter for organization, or get a privilege to extend. About 1868-9 she had again-"like a hen gathering her chickens under her wings"-to bring in considerable more territory, which she was not slow to do under the late act referred to. And then came the necessity for so re- adjusting the old wards as to take in the new territory, that two more wards, making in all six (as at present) had to be formed. This was accomplished in 1872.

THE CITY WARDS OF TO-DAY.

FIRST WARD-North, by Market street; south, by Wells' run ; east, by the Ohio river, and west by the alley running between Fourth and Fifth streets.

SECOND WARD-North, by Market street and Market street road to the city limits on the west; south, by Wells' run and Fourth street road to the city limits on the west ; east, by the alley running between Fourth and Fifth streets, and west, to city limits.

. THIRD WARD-North, by Ross street extended to the city limits west; south, by Market street and Market street road to city limits west ; east, by the alley running between Fourth and Fifth streets, and west, by the city limits.

FOURTH WARD-North, by Ross street, extended east to the river ; south, by Market street; east, by Ohio river, and west by the alley running between Fourth and Fifth streets.

FIFTH WARD-North, by the Ohio river and city limits ; south, by Ross street, extended east to the river, and west to the city limits.

SIXTH WARD-North, by Well's run and Fourth street road, from the Ohio river west to the city limits; south, by city lim- its; east, by Ohio river, and west by the city limits. .

A RETROSPECT OF GENERAL EVENTS FROM 1852 TO THE PRESENT.

The city being now under full headway, commercially, and having become familiar with its new mode of government, in- augurated the preceding year, next started a gas works, which soon proved itself a special boon, and the public mind further became exceedingly agitated on the subject of railroads. With that characteristic zeal and enterprise that has ever marked the good people of this city, they proved themselves fully equal to the task, and in the fall of 1853 the present Pan Handle track, from here to Unionsport was opened with fitting ceremonies .* This was very naturally looked upon as the crowning feature to Steubenville's future prospects, and gave a renewed impetus alike to trade and commerce. And, by the way, we should have mentioned the great flood-tide of April, 1852, which was only seventeen inches from that of 1832, while an extraordinary drought was experienced during the summer of 1854. In 1854-5 the present M. E. Church was built-St. Peter's Catholic church also being enlarged during the latter year, and the Union cem- etery opened. The starting of the Jefferson forge and nail works and opening of the C. & P. railroad; were prominent local features of 1856, as also the burning of Means's mill, De- cember 23d, and MeDevitt's woolen factory, July 8th, while on March 22d, the same year, the ice in the river broke up, after causing a suspension of navigation for seventy-four days-the longest period on record. In 1857, R. & T. Mears erected a flour mill and distillery, while it was in that year Engineer Hinckle was killed in a railroad accident at Cross creek bridge. Early in May, 1858, the paper mill was burned, being then under the proprietorship of Messrs. Hanna & Sons. The following year (1859), however, was a particularly dreary one, as, during the month of June, G. H. Orth & Bro. failed in business, and the 1st of October the Citizens' bank refused payment. June 5th there was a severe frost. It was during the same year that the United Presbyterians rebuilt their church. February 23, 1860, the Powell school house was burned; the river raised, on the 11th of April, within three feet of 1852, and the first high school class graduated. The following year (1861) W. Averick & Co, were successful in opening up the first deep coal shaft- mining having previously been conducted only by drifts-and the same year the first steam power press was introduced here for running off the Steubenville Daily Herald. Eighteen hun- dred and sixty-two witnessed the organization of the German Lutheran church in this city. and its members immediately erected a church building. The Steubenville Weekly Gazette (democratic) was started by Charles N. Allen in 1865, the same gentleman adding a daily in the fall of 1873, The same year (1865) the Mears' block on Market street was erected, and the old Washington Hall was torn down, to be replaced by the pres- ent very fine Cochran block, in which is Mosgrove's U. S. Hotel, while it also witnessed the organization of the Jefferson Insur- ance Company. In 1866, the McConville block was completed, and in 1867, Johnson's block, while in the latter year (1867) the

"See subsequent chapter on "Ancient and Modern Roads"-also, history of " Pan Han dle" railroad in the appendix.

+See, also, subsequent chapter on "Ancient and Modern Roads."

469

HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES.

Wells's woolen factory fell a prey to the devouring element, October 11th. About this period trade was good and prospeets for the future somewhat brightening. It was in 1868, however, that Orth & Wallace's factory was reduced to ashes, and Ark- wright's cotton mill was rebuilt.

The present Findley Chapel was erected and the St. Peter's Catholic schools were organized the same year. And this brings us down to 1869, during which the "Anchor" Oil Works were built, and a gloom was thrown over the community during the holiday season to learn of the death of Secretary E. M. Stanton, at Washington, December 24th. The Primitive Methodist Church was also organized in the latter year. From 1870 to 1879, ac- eording to our list of chronological happenings in every day life subsequently fell not only too thick for special reviewing, but were of the most diversied character, hence we propose to notice only a few in our general remarks. In 1870 the present ex- ceedingly fine oourt house was erected, as referred to at length in another chapter, the Second Presbyterian Church was opened and the Steubenville Furnace and Iron Company commenced operations. In 1872, a new savings bank was opened, the Hon. James Mears died July 1st, Pearces' furniture factory was burnt and an extraordinary era of incendiary fires was inagurated; Hon. Benjamin Butler paid us a visit; Mingo distillery was burnt and the epizootic seized the cattle while small pox afflicted humanity .* During 1873, the bolt works were started on Will's ereek, also the Alkana works, and the Steubenville Daily Gazette came out first as a daily; Odd Fellow's hall was erected; Col. J. Collier died February 2d; the first races were held on |Jefferson Driving Park, July 12th ; the Steubenville Greys were organized; Ed- ward McCook was assassinated in Dakota Territory, February 11th ; consolidation of the News and Herald; President Grant and family passed through the city, and the libel suit of Walden v. Allison was commenced. In 1874, Sherrard, Mooney & Co.'s fine bank block was erected on the corner of Market and Fourth streets; Mear's distillery was burnt ; the crusade move- ment against saloons was inaugurated and the prohibition ordinance enforced; Robert A. Sherrard, J. A. Dohrman, W. Wilson, Mrs. Elson, Lewis Cooper, Robert Spear, W. McLaugh- hin and Mrs. J. Parks, die. January 24th there was a railroad explosion at Holliday's Cove; March 9th, saloon praying was inaugurated, and a gymnasium was established among the Ger- mans; there was an explosion at Rush Run mines May 2d ; sev- eral buildings were burnt in the sixth ward June 11th, while John Gilbert was killed by a police officer July 14th. MeDon- ald and other counterfeiters were arrested July 27th ; Mrs. Kim- ball was killed by the cars September 24th; a county horticul- tural society was organized November 3d, and the Holmes House was burnt November 10th,

Eventful as the past three or four years may appear to have been, we have yet innumerable developments to disclose from 1875 to 1878-three years of exceptional and varied incidents worthy of record and preservation for their local interest. Trade generally-at its zenith from 1833 to 1836 and 1861 to 1865 -.- had naturally felt something of the universal shock attending the panic of 1873, but was now beginning to pick up, and afterwards remained steady, and yet progressive. During 1875 -Louden Boreland died January 8th, and Mount Pleasant Seminary was burnt on the 16th ; there was a railroad accident at Mingo February 19th, and Taggarts and Floto's residences were burnt on the 27th; James Harkness was killed by the cars March 28th, and W. Young was killed at the water works April 14th ; Philip Young died April 17th ; two bodies were found on Rolling mill farm May 2d; Joseph Cochran was killed May 29th; Gen- eral Hayes was in the city August 14th ; Roswell Marsh diod Au- gust 16th, and W. H. Sherrard on the 18th; W. Allen addressed the people August 30th ; August Lipman was killed September 1st ; W. H. Chappal's residence burnt October 5th ; the Congre- gational church organized October 22d, and the Hon. T. L. Jew- ett died at New York, November 3d; James Robertson died No- vember 6th; Turnbull's block took fire November 24th, and P. B. Conn was sued by James McConville & Klages for $10,000. The Rev. T. Ragan died November 27th, and A. J. Beatty on the 28th ; Eph. Cable died December 4th ; Mrs. Olive died Decem-

"The opidemnie here, though costing sevoral of their lives, was comparativily mild, as stated by tho doctors, and during its prevalence Mr. W. Campbell, as mayor and James Doyle, as marshal, evidenced the utmost heroism in behalf of the sufferers-giving their time and attention with a patience and fortitude that will ever be hell in greatful remem- brance by those resident in this vicinity at that time.

+This was an enterprise gotten np by a number of gentlemen in the city, who secured some thirty-five acres of land on Mean's hill, just out from the heart of the city, and after spending abont $20,000 thereon, secured one of the first half mile tracks in the state. They heid two or three successful meetings and gave prizes as high as $1,000 for the all-comers race. But from local apathy towards such sports, it came to grief, and the ground was sold to Mr. H. G. Garrett, banker, who had most liberally supported the project throughout. He in turn, sold it to Mr. Joshua Manly, and the property, we believe, is now appropriated to agricultural cultivation.

ber 9th, and December 31st the Centennial year was ushered in by the ringing of bells, firing of cannons and a general jubilee. The past year local improvements were allowed to rest, and no material changes were effected in the local government. The nation's one hundredth birthday having arrived, of course that was enough to engross public attention for one twelve months, yet, as will be found, the accidents of time came around in due course, and were manifold-the principal of which we briefly note. January, 1876, opened (January 3d) with an explosion at Wallace's mill; Senator Sharon paid the city a visit on Febru- ary 23d, and Benwood nail mill burnt April 5th; W. W. Ran- dals fell from Pan-Handle bridge April 5th ; Mrs. T. Maxwell and James Foster died on the 26th, and A. J. Quidland on the 27th; the corner stone of the Presbyterian church was laid May 22d; Jacob Dohrman died June 22d, and a grand centen- nial celebration* was had on the 4th of July. This latter occa- sion, of which we append a brief account, proved one of the great events in Steubenville's history. A German newspaper was started this year, the Second M. E. Church was organized, as also St. John's German Lutheran church; William Suther- land was killed at Wallace's factory, and the present running little steamer "76," was first put upon Wells & Barret's ferry ; Alexander Conn died August 6th, and Dr. N. W. Cunningham on the 9th, while G. Dousy was killed by a locomotive on the 15th ; A. J. Fickes died September 9th, and V. Owesney on the 30th, while Carl Schurz favored a Steubenville audience with a sample of his able oratorial powers September 18th; the Steu- benville Furnace and Iron Company started up their furnace November 14th; John McKay was shot on the 9th; Bishop Roseeranz lectured at St. Paul's Catholic church November 22d ; a reunion of the 52d Ohio volunteer infantry, was had Decem- ber 28th, and an explosion was experienced at the gas works December 30th. Remarkable to say, it will thus be seen that the opening and closing incidents of this year (January 3d to December 30th) were both explosions, while it will be found that the first and last important events of the succeeding year (1877) are alike deaths of two of Steubenville's most worthy citizens.

During 1877, William Kilgore died January 1st, and H. Dohrman, January 12; J. Sheldon's, son burnt to death, January 16; Murphy visited Steubenville, March 9; Floto's house, on Fourth street, burnt, March 25; Nicholas Blake, died April 11, and Johm Hanna on the 23, while George Kotman was killed on the railroad, on the 28th. The Wool Grower's exchange was opened May 15; Joseph Spencer died May 18, and William Frazier on the 21 ; Edwards' and Averick's dwell- ings were burnt May 22; there was a very severe storm ex- perieneed July 1, and an explosion at the gas works July 26 ; George Elliott was found dead August 9; the Cleveland and Pittsburgh ticket office was burglarized August 21st, and Rich- ard McCarty died September 9th. There was a general strike of miner, September 10th, and Henry Sutcliffe was killed by the cars September 11th ; M. L. Gorsett's house was burnt October 7th ; John Crist, killed October 9th ; the new furnace blown in at Jefferson Iron Works, October 25th ; Pittsburgh, Wheeling and Kentuckey' track laid to Wellsburg, November 7th . Col. W. R. Lloyd died November 9th and James Dunn, December 20th. Andrew Kern fell from the "Pan Handle" bridge, December 9th; F. H. Hull died on the 16th ; the Rev. T. V. Milligan preached his farewell sermon December 16th, and Col, George W. McCook, died at New York, December 28th. We now come to a review of last year, 1878, and a severe one, indeed, it proves upon our old and most venerated citizens, while it brought around the sad Mingo railroad accident, }

#Though the festivities indulged in at Steubenville on the nation's fiftieth birthday, were looked upon as having no paratfel in those days, yet on the one hundredth anniversary of Independence the celebration observed almost doubly discounted ah former efforts. A grand triumphal areh was erected, the town was hterally smothered in banners, flowers, evergreens and other decorations, while a gathering of over thirty thousand persons, despite the wet weather, participated in the leviathan "hurrah !" A most imposing procession was gotten up representing all trades and businesses ; the military was out, and distinguished visitors arrived from all parts. Cannons belched forth a thundering applause from rise set to sun down, when fireworks took up the general boom. Col. W. R. Lloyd read the Declaration of Independence, and speeches were delivered by Trainer, Gaston, Hays, Daton, Conlter, and others, while the Rev. Milligan gave an interesting historical sketch of JJefferson county, and a poem was read by the Rev. S. P. Stewart, pastor of the U. P. Church Religious thanksgiving services were held in several of the places of publie worship through the day- tho entire eity was ablaze with illuminations at night, and take the occasion, for its all in all, the likes will rarely re-occur.

#This memorable occasion will long be remembered in Steubenville, the catastrophe be- ing about the worst in the history of the line upon which it occurred. No. 6 express left Steubenville, as usual, very early in the morning and coming to a high dump, near the Tarm of a Mr. Henry Adams, a Hitle below Mingo junction it met a freight train when they collided with a terrible erash. The immediate cause of the accident was the fact that Con- ductor Sterling's watch had stopped when he ordered his train to leave Alexander Road, and he presumed that he had ample time to run on. The two engines were utterly demol- ished, as also one postal car, while the baggage car and an emigrant cir were shockingly shattered and the remainder of the express train terribly demoralized. No fewer than four- toen persons were killed outright; three died afterwards, from their injuries, and in all. probably thirty to forty were more or less injured. Nothing could excel the promptitude, consideration and liberality of the railroad authorities, and everything within human ageney was brought to the relief of the sufferers, while the ordinary trathe of the road was resumed within an almost inerediblo short space of time.

470

HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES.

which will hardly ever be forgotten in this section. Added to these features may be specially referred to, the failure of Mingo Iron Works, and the opening of the Wheeling Division of the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and St. Louis railway-better known as the "P. W. & Ky. road" -a full report of which will be found in another chapter under the head of "Ancient and Modern Roads ; Steubenville's Communications with the Outside World." Jan- uary 14th, 1878, memorial exercises were held to the memory of Cols. Lloyd and McCook, and January 19th J. Martin's house was destroyed by fire. "Chandler" Lodge, K. H., was organized, January 22nd and Capt. O'Neil died February 11th. Jefferson Machine Shops were closed during this year ; Dunbar's block was erected, and February 28th the "P. W. & Ky." railroad was opened, The "Red Ribbon" movement was organized March 2d, John Girch was killed on the 16th ; R. J. Thompson's house was burnt on the 12th, and Wallace's factory was burnt on the 21st. Robert Hull died March 23d; John Kendall was killed March 23d ; the Phoenix fire engine company organized April 11th ; Mrs. Sarah Mairs died April 14th and Frank Maxwell was shot April 15th ; Mrs. Workman,and N. Kershaw died on the 16th and 17th respectively; A. S. Doyle died on the 2d of May; Charles Wallace on the 5th and Miss Turnbull on the 6th May 10, the Wills Creek Test Company was reorganized; Joseph Averick died on June 25th; Mingo Iron Works failed July 2d, and William Andrews was drowned July 3d; W. A. Hamlin died July 9th ; Joseph Slaugherty was killed on the 10th and Thomas Dargue on the 27th; Lafayette Devinney died August 2d; the memorable Mingo railroad accident occurred on the 7th ; S. Wilcoxson and Mrs. Haley died on the 9th ; there was an explosion at Jones & Wallace's mill on the 13th, and on the 21st Cyrus Howard died; there was a tremendous rain storm September 12th when Barnum's famous hippodrome was flood bound in Steubenville ; D. McConville died September 27th and Ephraim Johnson on October 21st; Mrs. McLane died Novem- ber 8th and James Long November 10th; the Mingo Furnace was sold November 20th and and another train of deaths follow; Miss Eliza Boggs died December 15th. James Cochran on the 16th and John Rickey ou the 18th; Ed. Cleary was killed by the cars December 20th; there was a terrific explosion on an oil barge December 26th; Daniel Fitzpatrick died the same day, and Mrs. Rasher on the 29th ; and this brings us down to the happenings for the present year -- 1879. Though the year has two-thirds run out; at the present writing, but little of impor- tance remains for us to add. The most notable death has been that of the late Dr. Johnson, a highly influential and very old settler here, while in public matters the loan exhibition* and soldiers's monster reunion may be said to be all that is worthy of chronicling. Extended reference to the latter event will be found elsewhere in this work, associated with our records of soldiers from this county and other military matters

STEUBENVILLE'S PRESENT CITY GOVERNMENT.

ITS FINANCIAL STANDING-SANITARY CONDITION-STREETS AND AVENUES -FIRE DEPARTMENT-WATER WORKS -OFFICIALS FOR 1879.

There are few cities in the United States, under the above caption, capable of submitting a more flattering exhibit than Steubenville-a fact mainly attributable to the excellency of the men entrusted, from year to year, to manage its municipal affairs. As regards

*This exhibition was one of the graudest. suceesses ever accomplished in the state, and took place on the 15th of May. The project had its inception at a meeting of soldiers while devising means to defray the expenses of a tri-state soldiers reunion, to be held on the 28th of the sueeeeding August, and the success attending loan exhibitions elsewhere, inspired the selection of that class of entertainment. Dr. E. Pearee was made president ; Mrs. J. W. Holliday, vice president ; W. H. Hunter, secretary and Robert MeGown, treasurer, besides the following being elected a general committee : Dr. E Peirce, W. H. Hunter, R. Me- Gowan, John H. Lindsay, W A. Long, J. W. Evans, H. D. Worthington, James McCon- ville, Charles Gallagher, Robert Sherrard, Samuel Johnson, M. L. Miller, R. C. Hawkins, R. Gardner, George Maxwell, W. II. Wallace, lones Munker, Joseph B. Doyle, M. R. An- drews, 1) W. Matlack, James F. Sarratt, Thomas M. Simpson, Mrs. J. W. Holliday, Mrs. W. D. McGregor, Mrs. W. K. Peters, Mrs. W. Grimes, Mrs R. L. Brownlee, Mis K. Crum- rine, Mrs. E. Pearce, Mrs T. B. Coulter, Mrs. W. H. Harden, Mrs. George Sharpe, Mrs. Joseph Means, Mrs. C Tolle, Miss Eoline Spaulding, Miss Hannah Gill, Miss Julia Gallo- way, Miss Virginia Means and Miss Rickey. The exhibition was held in the court house building, and thecountless thousands of costly, beautiful and unique artieles gathered to- gether from New York, Washington, San Francisco, Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, Pitts- burgh, Cleveland, and in faet every part of the Union, presented a scene of unsun passed splendor. There were nine departments, each filled to repletion, and for several days and evenings the ball was kept perfectly filled with astonishel and delighted visitors, the re- ceipts from whom amounted to $4,500, the net profits being $2,200 Never before had there been so much enthusias'n displayed in the city, and to the credit. and honor of those en- trusted with the management of the undertaking, the many interesting associations with the occasion will stand for many years as worthy remembrances-eclipsed only by the stu- pendous success of which it was the precursor-"The graud tri-state reunion."

ITS FINANCIAL STANDING,

The city's present indebtedness does not exceed $35,888.15, and of this amount the bonds falling due in 1880 are already pro- vided for by the tax levy of the present year, having less than $31,000 to be provided for by additional taxation. All of her railroad bonds bear interest at six per cent. and the waterworks bonds at eight, such being the demand for Steubenville city bonds, that they have for years been at a premium. The debt is, in fact, lower now than it has been for twenty years, and we are ereditably informed that "the assets of the municipality, as such, would far more than pay off the debt to day." The rate of taxation last year for state, county, township, school and city purposes was only 17.6 mills on the dollar valuation ; probably less than any other city of the size in the state, though this year it is only 16.6 mills on the dollar, and a still further reduction is evident in the near future. As to the total disbursements of the city in the different departments for the year ending March 1, 1879, we extract the following statement from a work reeently issued by authority of the council :

Total paid out

Balance Mareh

1, 1879.

Railroad bonds and interest.

$ 1,800 00

$1,511 29

Fire department.

3,228 00

1,610 79

General and incidental expenses.

3,069 22

3,060 95

Hay scales

183 94

379 43

Market House.

315 51

298 51*

Marshal and Police

7,811 87

1,540 38

Public Lamps

4,603 67

2,624 95

Mears relief fund

784 56

269 46

Streets and alleys

11.156 44

4,672 04

Sinking Fund.

4,000 00

4,377 94

Fourth Street Improvement

Bridges.

493 34

417 78

Wharfage

332 01

239 51

Water Works Bonds

1,111 05

1,191 94

Improvement Water Main.

5,155 61

1,282 78

Total

.$44,045 70

$22,877 73

" Deducting the amount for improvement of water main and reduction of debt we have $31,979 as the amount of all ordinary expenditures, including street improvements, &c., which were unusually heavy last year. The Mears Fund is not raised by taxation, but is the interest on a legacy left by a deceased citi- zen, which is expended to aid the worthy poor."

THE SANITARY CONDITION OF THE TOWN

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History of Belmont and Jefferson Counties, Ohio, and incidentially historical collection pertaining to border warfare and the early settlement of the adjacent portion of the Ohio Valley, Part 162

Author: Caldwell, J. A. (John Alexander) 1n; Newton, J. H., ed; Ohio Genealogical Society. 1n Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Wheeling, W. Va. : Historical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 728

Author: Caldwell, J. A. (John Alexander) 1n; Newton, J. H., ed; Ohio Genealogical Society. 1n
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Wheeling, W. Va. : Historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 728