USA > Ohio > Delaware County > History of Delaware County and Ohio : containing a brief history of the state of Ohio biographical sketches etc. V. 1 > Part 42
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTI.
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY.
"The Morgan Academy or High School, was number one of the pioneer institutions. Its first name was derived from the name of its principal preceptor, and the second from its location in the upper story of the house it was in .. This was our old acquaint- ance, the Pioneer Tavern. near the Medicine Water. Soon after the war of 1812, this tavern gave up the ghost-as a tavern-and its spacious ballroom was used for a high school. It had in part also, the character of a boarding-school, for it is remembered that a family lived in the other part of the old tavern, who kept boarders, etc.
The Morgan High School was only of a few years' duration. It was conducted on the Solomonian principles, now so thoroughly obsolete that few un- derstand them. The record of its Alumni is lost.
" The Female Seminary, the next institution, was a pioneer of the O.W. F. C .- but was located on our Campus, in the old Haunted House-the old brick tannery. This was in charge of a lady principal for some two or three years, and we are inclined to the opinion that it was mainly for that reason that it was termed the ladies' seminary, for, according to the most reliable tradi- tions, it had about the usual admixture of the sexes. * * *
" Quitman's Academic Grove was an institution that received its name from the proprietor, presi- dent, preceptor, etc., all in the person of John A. Quitman, afterward Governor of Mississippi, Major General in the Mexican War, and also from its being in the actual grove, with its fallen log seats, its tree columns, festooned with their wild- grape hangings, and having the clear canopy of heaven above.
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* The exact location of Quitman's Academic Grove was on the promontory of high ground running off south of the present library building. Here was a cozy little opening in the dense woods around, with a little of sun and plenty of shade, as season required. It was here that young Quitman took his pupils, the sons of a queer, eccentric old gentleman, whenever they could stealthily get there, for they were closely housed in town by the old gentleman, and only got out for exercise, and when the old man went along, he and the tutor headed the column, marched off a mile or so down the dusty road, and then returned to their prison-like house."
As the Ohio Wesleyan University, a noble insti- tion of learning, is ably written up in the history of Delaware City, we shall not go into details of it in this chapter, but merely notice it in general
terms. It was chartered in 1842, the Preparatory Department opened in the following year, and the college regularly organized in the fall of 1845. The property, which had become quite noted as a watering-place, was purchased by the citizens of Delaware, and offered to the Methodist Episcopal Church as a site for a college, an offer that was at once accepted. The Legislature granted the institution a liberal charter, and a faculty was or- ganized, of which Rev. Edward Thompson was elected President, an office he filled until 1860, when he resigned. The institution has always en- joyed a high degree of prosperity, steadily grow- ing in numbers, endowment and facilities for learn- ing, and popular favor. Howe has the following in regard to its endowment: "This University re- ceived nothing from the Government, but originated in the liberality of the citizens of Delaware, em- bracing all denominations, who donated the build- ing and ten acres of land, valued at $10,000 ; five acres adjoining, including the President's house, at $5,000 ; a farm near Marion. at $10,000 ; other lands at $2,000, and notes, $45,000-all obtained by subscription, making a total amount of $72,000. These scholarship notes were obtained in various parts of the State, each $100 entitling the debtor to five years' tuition, the interest payable annually. Last year the receipts were : interest on notes, $2,500 ; rent of farm, $300 ; tuition, $1,000; total, $3,800. The expenses for professors' salaries were $3,350. A new and elegant chapel of limestone is now erecting, and will be finished in 1848. Its cost is to be defrayed from the proceeds of a small octavo volume of original sermons, forty-five in number, by the elder Methodist ministers. It has just issued from the press (June, 1847), and the first edition of 5,000 volumes sold in six weeks. This manifestation of spirit, connected with the fact that the first an- nual catalogue exhibits an array of 162 pupils, warrants the conclusion that the institution is destined to flourish remarkably. It must be so, as this is the only college in the State under the control of the Methodists, who, in the same bounds, number 150,000 communicants, just being. prop- erly awakened in the important cause of educa- tion." How well the prediction, thus ventured at an early period in its . history, has been fulfilled, the present prosperity of the institution affords the best of evidence. There are now four large and commodious buildings upon the grounds. The first one erected was built originally by Judge Thomas W. Powell for a hotel, and was known as
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY.
the Mansion House. The central, or chapel build- ing, was the next, then the library, or south build- ing, was put up, and lastly, in 1872, Merrick Hall was completed.
The Wesleyan Female College is of more recent origin. We make the following extract from the " County Atlas : " " The Ohio Wesleyan Female College was founded in the spring of 1853. It was opened for the admission of pupils on the 8th of September following, under the patronage and control of the North Ohio Annual Conference. The Central Ohio Conference has, by recent action, become an equal partner in the interests of the institution. Orin Faville was the first President ; William Richardson is the present incumbent of that position. The assets of the institution, in 1854, were $10,000; in 1867, they were $67,000, and are now over $100,000. An excellent library has been founded, and the Col- lege has grown steadily in patronage and useful- ness. Its buildings are located west of Delaware, in a fine grove some ten acres in extent. Near the grounds are two white sulphur and one chalyb. eate spring." This institution will be more fully written up in connection with the University.
While upon the subject of education, it is appropriate, perhaps, to say a few words of the Girls' Industrial Home, located in Concord Town- ship. This institution was established May 5, 1869, at the White Sulphur Fountain, on the Scioto River, about seven miles southwest of Dela- ware, and was opened for the reception of pupils on the 15th of October following. It was designed and originated by some of the public-spirited and benevolently disposed citizens, for the purpose of providing a "school of instruction, improvement and reformation (as expressed in the Legislative act), of exposed, helpless, evil-disposed and vicious girls," and where they might be taught the noble and more elevating principles of true womanhood. It was originally known as the "State Reform and Industrial School for Girls," but by an act of the Legislature, passed some three years after the establishment of the institution, its name and title were changed to the "Girls' Industrial Home." The manner and mode of conducting it is by a Board of Trustees, a President, Secretary, and a Superintendent. For several years, the latter office liad been held by the late Dr. Ralph Hills, a man of vast experience in the manage- ment of public institutions. In a notice of the death of Dr. Hills, which occurred in October last, Judge Powell, an old-time friend, thus alludes |
to his connection with the Home : * * " In 1877, he received the appointment of Superin- tendent of the Girls' Industrial Home at the White Sulphur Springs, in Delaware County. That place had been negligently kept, and then stood much in need of the care and attention of just such a person as Dr. Hills. He commenced a course of improvements there, which are making the springs one of the most interesting places in our land. The place will much miss him ; and it is a matter of great regret that he was not per- mitted by Providence to remain until his plans and improvements were completed. It is improb- able that any other person can now occupy his place and make it equally good." At the present writing, the Home contains 227 pupils, in charge of Rev. Dr. Smith, who has succeeded to the office of Superintendent since the death of Dr. Hills, The following are the officers and trustees of the institution : F. A. Thornhill, President; J. W. Watkins, Secretary, and T. D. West, H. R. Kel- ley and R. R. Henderson, Trustees.
The celebrated white sulphur springs, called by the Indians, the " Medicine Waters," are in the southern part of the city of Delaware, and embraced in the college campus. We copy the following from the Delaware Herald, as descriptive of these springs : " The first white man who visited this place and of whom we have any knowledge. found the spring existing here as formed by nature. It was even then, at that early day, a place of note among the red men who visited it in vast numbers and dwelt upon the grounds in its vicinity. And it is also stated by the oldest settlers of this place, that it is quite evident that buffalo, having been attracted here by the healthful qualities of the water, in large numbers, once roamed over the site of our now beautiful city, as their tracks and other indi- cations were quite visible at the time the first white. men visited this region of country. When Judge Powell came to this city, the spring was still as na- ture formed it, and the campus a naked barren. In the year 1828, Judge Henry Baldwin, of Pitts- burgh, and Moses Byxbe, one of the first settlers in this locality, and proprietors of land in what is now the. city of Delaware, donated four acres of land to the corporation of the village of Delaware, which included the spring and a part of the cam- pus. What is now the city park was donated at the same time, by Judge Baldwin, to the corpora- tion for a parade ground. In 1833, C. W. Kent came to Delaware, and, being of an enterprising turn of mind, made a proposition to the corporation
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY.
to improve the spring and build a hotel. The four acres were accordingly leased to Mr. Kent for ninety-nine years, renewable forever. But, not having sufficient means to carry out his project, Mr. Kent desired a partner, and finally prevailed upon Judge Powell to unite with him and assist him in perfecting his plans of building a liotel. There being no architect nearer than Columbus, Judge Powell drew the plans. and superintended the construction of what was called the 'Mansion House,' and is now the north college building. It was finished in 1834." To briefly give the fur- ther facts : " Kent went to New York, where, upon the representation of being the owner and proprie- tor of the springs, he succeeded in buying some $10,000 worth of goods for the purpose of furnish- ing the hotel. But returning through Columbus, the goods were seized by his creditors, and never reached the springs. The building stood idle from this time until 1836, when it was leased by Powell, to a man named Calvert, who did a large business. Many came to seek their health in the sulphur- spring baths which had been erected in connection with the hotel. It was carried on with varying success until 1840, when Powell sold it to the Methodist Church. Whenever the times permit- ted, a large number of people gathered here from all parts of the country, on account of the health- fulness of the climate and the advantages to be de- rived from the medicinal properties of the sulphur water. " In three or four years after Judge Pow- ell transferred his claims to the Methodist Church, the college was established, and additions in ground and improvements, in spring and buildings, have been made from time to time, until it has finally reached its present attractive appearance, all of which is to be accredited to the efforts of the church, and the benevolence of the friends of the university."
Such is a brief sketch of one of the most noted and valuable springs in the world. The result of an analysis of its water, made by Dr. Mitchell in 1848, is given for the benefit of our readers. and is as follows : "Of gaseous products, I find that one wine pint of water taken immediately from the spring, contains of sulphuretted hydrogen gas, twelve cubic inches; of carbonic acid gas, three inches. One hundred grains of the deposit which resulted from evaporating several gallons of water, yielded on analysis, of muriate of soda, 48 grains ; of lime, 20 grains: sulphate of magnesia, 16 grains; sulphate lime, 8 grains ; carbonate of soda, 5 grains; total of the above, 97 grains. The above result
shows that these waters approach as nearly to the well-known waters of Aix-la-Chapelle and Harrow- gate, as those do respectively to each other. They are decidedly deobstruent, and calculated to remove glandular enlargements of the liver, as well as of the other viscera. In cases of slow fever, disturbed state of the functions of digestion or more confirmed dys- pepsia, morbid secretion from the kidneys or blad- der, gravel, or chronic eruptions of the skin, I can strongly recommend their use; and, though last, not least, their power of subduing general constitu- tional irritations, and quieting and restoring tone to the system when it has been necessary to have re- course to the frequent and long-continued action of calomel or other mercurial preparations, is. I am persuaded, of the greatest efficacy."
The White Sulphur Fountain, now the seat of the Girls' Industrial Home, is at the rapids of the Scioto River, about seven miles southwest of Dela- ware. These springs, which are more fully described in the township history of Concord, were also at one time quite famous as a place of resort, but, owing to bad management, misfortune, or from some other cause, did not prove very profitable, and so were sold to the State, and became the loca- tion of the Girls' Industrial Home. We quote the following description :* "The fountain is a most remarkable curiosity, and rises from the bed of the Scioto through solid rock. It was first dis- covered in 1820, while boring for salt water, a hole of about two and a half inches in diameter. The operators had pierced through about ninety feet of solid rock, when the auger suddenly fell two feet, and up gushed with great force a stream of strong white sulphur water, which has continued to rise with its original force and violence to the present time. Experiments have shown some curious results ; among which was that of placing an air- tight tube in an upright position, one end being inserted into the hole, when the water shot out of its top with as much force as when issuing from the rock beneath. The water, which is pure, is supposed to be driven by its own gas. Its tem- perature is 50°, and it leaves on the ground around a very heavy white deposit. On the grounds of the establishment is a beautiful chalyb- eate spring, having a temperature of 47 degrees. This place has every natural advantage that can be desired for making it one of the greatest places of resort for health and recreation, west of the mount- ains. From present indications, it is evidently
* Henry Howe, in 1848.
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY.
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destined to become so, as soon as preparations can be made to accommodate the public to a suf- fizient extent, which will soon be done, as improve- ments are making rapid progress."
It has been said that the newspaper is the true chronicle of a country's greatness, and the per- jetuator of its history. Especially is this true of the local press. The county paper, in itself, is the county's history ; the very advertisements eventu- ally become historical facts.
The Gurette is the oldest paper in Delaware County, and one of the oldest in Ohio, having tarn originally established about 1819 -- 20. The enterprise was inaugurated by Messrs. Drake & Hughes, the first a Baptist, and the latter a I'ne-byterian, minister. Of the early history of this paper not much is now remembered, as a wimplate file of it is not in existence. From a single copy, however, which has fallen into our hands, dated May 30, 1821, we find it marked " Volume I., Number 52," showing that it was theo about a year old. From it we make the fol- lowing extract : " We have arrived at the end of our first year's labor. Commencing as we did under the most unfavorable circumstances, we have re- ceived a support and encouragement far beyond our most sanguine anticipations. Entirely unac- quainted as we were with the editorial department of a public journal, it was with diffidence we were induced to assume the responsibility of such an undertaking." This paper was finally suspended, or became the property of Ezra Griswold, and was merged into a paper he established at Worthing- ton, on the 7th of January, 1820, called the Columbian Advocate and Franklin Chronicle. October 1, 1821. Griswold moved his paper from Worthington to Delaware, and changed its name to Delaware Patron and Franklin Chronicle, with " Griswold and Howard as publishers and proprie- tors." To the latter part of March, 1923 (to which period we have a complete file), it was con- ducted separate and distinct from the Delaware Gazette, as we notice frequent allusions to the latter paper, and an occasional indulging of " pet names " toward it, as is still customary in the newspaper business. So it must have been subsequent to that date that the two papers became one.
This old newspaper file, sixty years old, is quite a literary curiosity, and presents a striking contrast to its flourishing successor, and to the live news- paper of the present day. The first issue announ- ces that the " following articles will be received in exchange for this paper, viz., corn-fed pork, beef,
bacon (hams), butter, cheese, chickens, eggs, wheat, rye, oats, corn, corn-meal, flour, lard, tal- low, beeswax, honey, sugar, fire-wood, dried fruit, country linen, flax, wool, deerskins (dressed ), whiskey, and a little persuasion might induce us to receive good BANK PAPER OR EVEN SPECIE ! AT THEIR MARKET PRICES." The following notice appears in the first number issued from Delaware : " Country produce will be received in payment of .. subscriptions to this paper, at the prices annexed. Those articles printed in italics are such as we stand in pressing need of: Good sweet butter, 10 cents per pound ; bacon hams, 8 cents ; sugar, 8 cents ; beeswax, 25 cents ; tallow, 13 cents ; lard, 8 cents ; feathers, 50 cents; good cheese, 9 cents ; hops, 44 cents ; dried sage, 37 cents ; wool, 50 to 75 cents; flax, 12 cents; country linen, 25 to 50 cents; wheat flour, $2.00 per cwt ; pork, 82.50 ; beef, $3.00; wheat, 62 cents per bushel ; rye, 44 cents ; oats, 20 cents ; corn, 25 cents; barley, 62 cents ; beets, 50 cents ; hickory nuts ; apples (green), 50 cents ; dried apples, $2.00 ; cucumber pickles, $4.00 bbl. ; cider, $4.50; chickens, $1.50 per dozen ; eggs, 8 cents ; molasses, 62 cents per gall. ; honey, 62 cents; whiskey, 37} to 44 cents ; wood, $1.00 per cord ; venison hams 25 cents each ; hay $6.00 per ton ; dressed deerskins, 50 cents to $1.50 each ; rags, two cents a pound cash, three cents a pound in writing paper, or three and a half cents when received on newspaper arrears." The same issue from which the above is taken, con- tains the following list of letters remaining un- called for in the post office : " Ezekiel Brown, Alse Benedict, Joseph Bartley, Alex. Berry, Ben- jamin Chidlaw, John Cadwallader, Jos. Crunkle- ton, Arch Campbell, John Case, Jeremiah Clark. D. Cadawallader, John G. Dewett, Mary Fay, Elizabeth Finley, Wm. Gallant, Hezekiah Gor- ton, John Gilson, Evan Jenkins, Thos. Jones, Henry Jackson, John Jones, Jacob Kensil, John- athan Kelley, S. W. Knapp, S. Longwell, John Mann, Jr., Wm. Morgan, Robt. McBratney, Isaac Morse, John McKinnie, Jr., Evan Markel. John Minter, Jas. Osborne, Ezra Payne. Peter Ros, Jos. F. Randolph, John Rolands, George Reed, Alden Sherman, Scioto Ep Co., Martin Shaub, Henry Smith, Wm. D. Sherwood, Edward Tyler, John Thatcher, Henry Vincill, T. H. Valentine, Amos Wilson, Jonathan Wright, Nathan Weld- man, T. D. White and George Wright," to which is signed the name of " Solomon Smith, Postmaster."
The paper was originally established as a folio. with four columns to a page. On the 19th of
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY.
November, 1821, a few weeks after its removal to Delaware, it is enlarged to five columns. Noticing the improvement in his paper and administering a little dun to his patrons, the editor adds : " We have made arrangements with the several post- riders to distribute our paper on their several routes, at our expense, thereby relieving them from the tax of postage, for which nothing but specie would have answered." In another column of the same issue, is the notice : " Webster's spelling-books for sale at this office for cash, or rags at cash price."
As we have stated, the first number of this paper was issued in the beginning of January, 1820, just sixty years ago. In his salutatory, the editor promulgates his lofty doctrine : " The pol- itics of the subscriber are already known. He has been uniformly a Republican, from the com- mencement of his course in early life, and will continue to cherish such principles as every worthy American citizen should be proud to own. The sentiments which guided the immortal Washing- ton and his patriotic compeers in the arduous struggle for national liberty, will have a predomi- nating influence over all our political conduct ; and, in obedience to an impulse of national feeling, we shall indignantly frown upon the first dawning of every attempt to alienate any portion of our country from the rest, or to enfeeble the sacred ties which now link together the various parts ! A lively sense of the decided superiority of our own happy form of government over all others, will incite our best exertions to preserve inviolate its free republican institutions and to perpetuate its blessings."
Nearly a half of the first two pages of the first issue is missing. Of the remainder of the paper, the following are the contents: After the pros- pectus and salutatory, we have the message of President Monroe to the Sixteenth Congress. This, with prospectus, takes up all of first and second pages that is still left. The third page contains a request to " printers who receive this number, to please send us their paper in exchange ; " an apol- ogy for the delay in starting : an article on "Affairs with Spain ; " " Baltimore Items." The following advertisements are on the third page : " Public Entertainment, by G. H. Griswold; " notice of articles that will be received in payment for sub- scriptions ; list of unclaimed letters; circular of " Grand Royal Arch Chapter :" "Ohio Register ;" " Notice of D. Upson ;" "Great Bargains in Land ; " " Estray Notice ; " " Printing Office."
Fourth Page: Poetry-" The Creation, by Miss Lydia Huntley ; " " The Burial ; " "Spanish Af- fairs-a letter by an American at Gibraltar ; " "Rye Coffee." The following are a few of the adver- tisements appearing from time to time, during the first year or two :
LOST .- On the road between John Smith, Esq.'s in Clinton Township, and Matthew's Mills, a good SADDLE BLANKET. The finder will please send word where it may be had, and receive my thanks.
SAMUEL WILSON.
MASONIC NOTICE .- Mt. Vernon Encampment of Knights Templar and the appendant orders : The an- nual assembly of Mt. Vernon Encampment will be holden at their asylum on the 22d inst., at one o'clock, P. M .. at which time an election of officers will take place. The members thereof are hereby required to take notice and give their punctual attendance accord- ingly.
Feb. 4, 5820. JOHN SNOW, Gr. Commander.
FOR SALE .- Blank Account Books; also a quantity of letter, writing and wrapping paper, cheap for cash. R. W. COWLES.
$500 REWARD ! Ran away from the subscribers, at Clarksburg, Va., two negro men, named Martin and Sam. The above reward, etc., etc.
EDWARD B. & JONATHAN JACKSON.
TAILORING BUSINESS .-- At Reduced Prices .- J. & C. Wyley, Tailors, will in future execute work in their line at the following reduced prices, viz., Long Coats, Sur- touts and Great Coats, each, $4.50. Pantaloons, $1.50. Good merchantable whisky and various other articles of country produce will be received in payment at cash prices.
MRS. C. WEAVER .- Respectfully informs the ladies of Delaware and its vicinity, that she will cut and make. in the best and newest fashion, ladies' dresses, capes for ladies and children, cut and make ladies' great coats, etc., on the most reasonable terms.
MARRIED .- In Berkshire Township, on Lord's Day. 12th inst., by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Chase, Joseph Prince, Esq., to the amiable and accomplished Miss Nabby Shel- ton, daughter of Mr. Selah Shelton. Bachelors, go thou and do likewise.
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