USA > Ohio > Fayette County > History of Fayette County, Ohio : her people, industries and institutions > Part 12
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"In the meantime, Springfield capitalists determined to construct a nar- row gauge to Pomeroy, Ohio. Work was commenced and in 1875 the road was finished to Jackson. It was first known as the Springfield, Jackson & Pomeroy Railroad, but was sold under mortgage in 1879 to a Springfield syndicate, who changed it to a standard gauge, and changed the name to that of the Springfield Southern. This last company operated it until the spring of 1881. when the Indianapolis, Bloomington & Western Company purchased the franchise and changed the name to the Southern Ohio."
For near a half century the good citizens of Jefferson township worked for a steam railway through its territory. When the county took a vote to determine whether the taxpayers should aid in the building of the Cincin- nati, Wilmington & Zanesville railroad, Jefferson township liberally voted "Yes." The Dayton & Southeastern project was defeated, while the question of voting a certain amount in bonds to aid in the construction of the Spring- field, Jackson & Pomeroy railroad was decided in the affirmative; however, the bill authorizing the township to issue bonds was declared unconstitutional and for the time being the project was abandoned.
In the winter of 1874-75 the matter was again taken up by William Blessing and C. W. Gray. Meetings were called, speakers secured and thirty- five thousand dollars was quickly raised. The land owners came to the front most willingly. In the spring work was commenced on the proposed railroad, which road was finished in the autumn of 1877. This line did a fair business, but the following year the road went into receiver's hands, who sold to the Springfield Southern Company.
PRESENT RAILROADS.
In 1914 the railway lines of Fayette county were as follows: Baltimore & Ohio, with twenty-one miles; Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton, with twenty- three miles; Detroit, Toledo & Ironton, with twenty-eight miles; Pennsyl- vania (old Cincinnati & Muskingum Valley line), with seventeen miles; the old "Grasshopper" line, now a branch of the D., T. & I. road, with twelve miles. This gives, in main track in this county, a mileage of one hundred and one miles, in round figures.
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CHAPTER VIII.
EVOLUTION OF AGRICULTURE AND STOCK-RAISING.
Fayette county may properly be classed among the purely agricultural sub-divisions of the state of Ohio. Its wealth has come from the soil through its annual crops, either sold as harvested or fed to live stock, and of later years largely to swine. On account of the small per centage of loss by cholera, until recent years, and the higher prices which have obtained, it has been a profitable thing to raise swine in the county.
The soil, as has been shown in the chapter on geology, is far superior to that of many sections of the commonwealth. At an early day both fruits and grains were converted into various kinds of distilled and malted liquors, but for many years the farmer has not depended on this source of revenue- indeed has not been permitted to use his grain for this purpose. The days of distilleries have forever passed here. The great products of the soil are demanded in more legitimate and useful channels-that of feeding the nations of the earth.
The leading industry in all ages has been that of agriculture. The products of the ground, by proper tillage, have fed and will continue to feed the teeming millions of earth's inhabitants. Some countries are better suited for the profitable production of the great crops of wheat and corn than are others. Then the country where these grains are best grown must be the center of agriculture and wealth. The United States census a decade and more ago disclosed the fact that in this country seven out of every twelve persons were engaged in farming pursuits, directly or indirectly. This, of course, included stock raising, dairying and horticulture. The first thing, then, to make a profitable country in which to farm is to have the gift of good. lasting soil. The best of soil will wear out and not many decades since Ohio farmers paid but little attention to keeping the land provided with proper pro- ductive elements, by fertilizing. But the time came when it was found that the native soil would no longer produce well, and then it was that, from a self-protective standpoint, men began to husband the soil and take proper care of it. Fayette county has been fortunate in having an original good soil, and also in having intelligent farmers, who have kept the land in suitable
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condition. Hence we hear it spoken of as one of the banner counties in Ohio. In 1862, over a half century ago, this was listed with fourteen of the best counties in Ohio in the matter of corn production. Fayette was third in rank among these fifteen counties, and produced two million sixty-five thousand seven hundred and thirty-nine bushels of corn that year.
Corn and live stock, horses and cattle, have been, together with the im- mense droves of logs in more recent years, the source of this county's great wealth.
AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS.
The 1910 census reports give the following figures on Fayette county, and may be relied upon as correct :
The total number of farms in the county was 1,846; farms operated by owners, 1,080: operated by tenants, 742 ; operated by managers, 24.
These farms were run as follows: 372 on share rent ; 80 on share cash rent ; 273 cash rent ; not specified, 17.
The classification of farms as to size was : 3 to 9 acres ; 112; 10 to 19 acres, IO1 ; 20 to 49 acres, 226; 50 to 99 acres, 410; 100 to 174 acres, 520; 175 to 259 acres, 275 ; 260 to 499 acres, 159; 500 to 999 acres, 39 ; 1000 acres and upwards, 4.
The total land area is 264,320; land in farms, 249,140: timber land, 12,464; per cent in farms, 94.3; average acreage, 135; average value of farms, $14.494; average value per acre, $84.93.
The number of farms free from debt was 718; number with mortgage debt, 354; number not reporting condition, 8.
The amount of fertilizer used in 1910 was $52,254.
The total of crops was: Corn, 3,841,506 bushels; wheat, 792,023 bushels : oats, 157,869 bushels ; rye, 8,015 bushels ; barley, 591 bushels.
Total cattle. 15.350, valued at $524,263 ; total horses, 11,639, valued at $1, 137,724 : total swine, 93,560, valued at $521,064 ; total of sheep, $24,025, valued at $105.299; total goats, 15, valued $45; total of poultry, 180.394, valued at $95,186.
In 1911 there were 226 acres of alfalfa grown and from it 540 tons produced.
DRAINAGE.
Many years prior to the settlement of the territory now including Fayette county it was a favorite hunting ground for roving bands of Indians, who occupied the country lying between the old town of Chillicothe, in Greene
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county, where they had their council house and headquarters, and the Ohio river, and who each year burnt off the grass, which, in some places, grew to a height of six feet. However, as the white settlers gradually came in and the Indians withdrew, the rank vegetation was permitted to grow unmolested, fall down and decay, year after year, until the deep accumulation of vege- table matter producing miasmatic infection to such an extent that the county, during the years from 1818 until 1824, was rendered almost uninhabitable and all who could possibly leave the county did so. On Lee's creek, or be- tween Lee's and Rattlesnake, in the early history of the county, a settlement was formed by the Yocums, Bursons and others which, on account of the extreme unhealthy condition of the same, was totally abandoned and the empty cabins were seen standing as late as 1820. These cabins, it is said, were superior in their structure to any in the county, having been hewn smooth on the outside and the corners neatly dovetailed and carried up straight and square. To such an extent did malaria exist that the county was in danger of total depopulation in some regions, especially north of Washington C. H., in Jasper, Jefferson, Paint, Madison, Marion and the northern part of Union townships, while those south of Washington C. H. were level, but the beds of the streams being deeper better under-drainage was provided.
The problem of drainage and tiling them came into prominence as a means to combat the unhealthy conditions and the failure of nature to pro- vide aid. The pioneers in this enterprise were Judge D. McLain and several others, who cut a few open ditches in the wettest lands, one of which, cut by McLain, emptying into Vandeman's run, was visited by people from a dis- tance as a great curiosity. In about 1840 the open ditches were improved by having wood placed within them and filled in with dirt. These, in turn, were replaced by the tile ditch.
The first effort in this direction was made by Judge McLain, who con- ceived the idea of placing brick on end, closed at the top, and apart at the bottom a distance of six inches. These, however, when the dirt was thrown in, sank into the ground and proved worthless. A kind of tube was then manufactured by hand, which, though a very slow process, was a great im- provement upon the open ditch, the wood-covered ditch or the brick.
As the feasibility of tiling was established and the great advantages per- ceived, the Judge erected a power tile machine, said to have been the first in the United States. In 1856 or 1857, J. W. Penfield procured a patent for a horse-power tile machine and exhibited the same at the state fair in Cin- cinnati. Judge MeLain saw the machine, finally bought it, set it up on his farm and burned a kiln of tile. Prior to the introduction of this invention
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tile were pressed by a large lever operated by hand. There was much prejudice against the tile, owing to the belief that water could not get through it. This had to be refuted by the actual experiment of placing a closed tile perpen- dicular in a bed of mortar and filling it with water and not until the water was seen oozing through and running away was prejudice disarmed and the true value of tile established.
In the beginning Judge McLain manufactured tile for his own use alone, but, in order to introduce the article and to persuade others to improve their lands, he made some for others, in small quantities, to test their value. In about 1850 he began tiling his wettest lands on a systematic basis. The tile was laid about three feet below the surface, so that water when reaching the tile would be completely filtered and all sediment removed.
This fortunate system of land drainage has reached a wonderful stage of development in Fayette county today. Hardly a farm is without tiling and systematic drainage of the crop land. A farmer now has little to do with stagnant pools in his land. The water sinks quickly after a heavy rain and is carried off in proportionate quantities. Crops are practically doubled on this account.
COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES.
Of agricultural societies there has been no end in Fayette county. They began to exist in an early day, comparatively speaking, and for a time were successful. Then the state fairs interfered with them, and the local societies began running largely to horse racing at the fairs and this soon displeased the better, more practical type of farmers and they did not bring in their exhibits as before, hence the county fairs went down. Then within a few years more enterprising men took hold of the matter and formed other county societies and held creditable annual exhibits again.
A new agricultural society was formed in Fayette county January II, 1901, and its officers and directors were as follows: Jacob Cockerill, vice- president and from Perry township; Samuel Zimmerman, Green township: S. L. Sollars, Concord township: James Ford, Jasper township; Howard Hagler, Jefferson township: J. M. Kleever, Paint township; John Salmon, Madison township: Charles Persinger, Marion township; Capt. T. F. Parrott, Wayne township; Benton Garinger, Union township: Dr. E. M. Boggess, Washington: H. S. Sanderson, president ; Solon Loofborrow, vice-president : Frank M. Kennedy, secretary ; H. Jones, treasurer.
The present society holds its annual fairs at Washington C. H., which
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are usually largely attended. The exhibits of the products of the soil, the array of fine blooded stock and the races draw large crowds. The present officers of the society are: R. G. Jefferson, president ; Mart L. McCoy, vice- president ; James Ford, treasurer; W. B. Rogers, secretary. By townships the directors are: M. L. McCoy, Union ; James Ford, Jasper ; B. L. Sollars, Concord: Howard Hagler, Jefferson; J. M. Klever, Paint; R. G. Jefferson, Madison ; H. Wilson, Marion : Oris Hagler, Wayne; E. E. Cockerill, Perry ; Jesse F. Cross, Green.
The fair grounds are located about a half mile from the court house, are well improved and furnished with all that makes a successful annual exhibit.
HOG CHOLERA EPIDEMICS.
During the last few years Fayette county has been scourged by hog cholera, perhaps as much as, if not indeed more than, any Ohio county. Tens of thousands of valuable swine were lost by this dread animal disease. In 1913 so alarming was this trouble in Ohio that the Legislature, prompted by petitions from farmers and stock men, appropriated twenty thousand dollars to experiment with certain suposed remedies, and Fayette county was selected as the location in which to make such tests. This is all under state super- vision and in this county, where cholera was the worst, the treatment is free. In three townships there were twenty-nine thousand hogs being treated with this specific, and the results the present season (1914) are very satisfactory, scarcely no hogs having died, and still the work goes on. The test com- menced in December, 1913, under state direction.
CORN SHOWS AND INSTITUTES.
Fayette county has long been noted for its excellent farmers' institutes and its annual corn shows, held in various parts of the county. The agricul- tural extension schools have accomplished a wonderful work in advancing the science of agriculture in these parts of Ohio. At the seventh annual corn show held at Jeffersonville in 1913, one hundred and fifty farmers received instructions. Enthusiasm was great and the corn contest was spirited. The best corn in the county was exhibited and was greater than ever before in the county's history. There were one hundred and seventy-seven entries of high grade corn. H. W. Bussert made many winnings, and carried off four "firsts" and won out on "sweepstakes." F. E. Eichelberger came in close behind with three "firsts" in the various classes of corn exhibits.
CHAPTER IX.
BANKS AND BANKING.
Banking is not among the pioneer institutions in any new country, at least such was not the case in the settlement of countries a half century and more ago. Barter was the rule, and it was a time when the per capita of money in this country was very low. Money, as a real true circulating medium, was indeed scarce. We had to depend upon Spain, with her Spanish- milled dollar, on England for her smaller silver coins, and on "red-dog," "wild-cat" and other cheap paper notes or scrip, put in circulation from vari- ous sections of the country, for what money we did possess. This all went for taxes and hence there was little use for banks or banking in Fayette in those years.
Though in her very infancy, Fayette county, during the War of 1812, sent many supplies to the American army during its operations in the North- west. Especially was this true in live stock. A good deal of money was put into circulation as a direct result of this medium of exchange. In these transactions the government paid partly in specie, but mainly through the banks of Cincinnati, the Miami Exporting Company, Bank of Cincinnati and John H. Piatt's bank. Piatt was a heavy army contractor and his notes obtained an extensive circulation during that last war with Great Britain.
A peculiarity about the money put in use in the Miami and Scioto val- leys before and after the War of 1812 was what was termed "cut money." This kind of medium originated, it is believed, in Kentucky, the object being to keep silver in home circulation, where it was current at par in most trans- actions, though not receivable for public lands or merchandise outside of the county. The Spanish milled dollar, or quarter, was taken to the blacksmith, who, placing it on his anvil, with a cold chisel cut it into two, four, and some- times five pieces, keeping the fifth for toll and yet having four quarters left. Occasionally it was cut smaller and the names of the parts were quarters, bits and fips. Again one would then often hear the terms, eleven-penny bit and five-penny bit, hence eleven-pence, fip-and-a-bit-undoubtedly derived from the English custom and brought into this country from Pennsylvania. After 1812 this was prohibited.
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The name "Sharp-shins" arose from the sharp edges exposed after cut- ting on the anvil. Sharp-shins could not be well carried in the pocket, hence were carried in a leather bag or sack.
Shortly after the beginning of the War of 1812 state banks were estab- lished in Ohio and shin-plasters (paper money) became the general medium of exchange, all other kinds of circulating mediums soon disappearing.
FIRST BANKING IN THE COUNTY.
The first bank established in Fayette county, at Washington C. H., was known as the Fayette County Bank, with James Pursell as its cashier. Its books were opened for business in October, 1858-fifty-six years ago. It was located on the north side of Court street, near the western corner of Fayette street. It was housed in a small, one-story brick building, which stood on ground east of and adjoining that upon which the People's and Drovers' Bank of today stands. Later it was changed to the south side of Court street, in the second story of the brick building west of and adjoining what was then known as the Kirk House, now the Arlington Hotel block. There its business was transacted until 1867, it's assets then being transferred to the First National Bank, that concern having purchased all interests and holdings in the pioneer banking house.
THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK.
What was the First National Bank of Washington C. H. (now out of business as a corporation by that name) was organized by the election of a board of directors, as follows: Daniel McLean, Thomas B. Thornton, William McElwain, Anthony Allen. Curan Millikan, James Beatty and Charles Vanpelt. Afterward Daniel McLean was elected president and Thomas A. Claypoole was appointed cashier, he being the first really practical banker in the county. He had previously been connected with the old Fay- ette County Bank. The books of the First National Bank were opened for business in March, 1864, and hence it was one of the earliest in the country, as the act creating such banks was passed in January of that year.
At the date of its organization this bank carried a capital of $75,000. Its paid-up capital, however, was only $50,000. The following year, in January, the capital was increased to $100,000, and in July, 1871, the paid-up capital of the concern was $200,000. By consent of the stockholders, in November, 1875, the business of the Fayette County National Bank was
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transferred and consolidated with that of the First National Bank, making its combined capital $300,000. In April, 1878, the First National was changed to a private bank, and its charter surrendered to the government. The newly organized concern was then styled, as now, the People's and Drovers' Bank.
BANK OF FAYETTE.
The Bank of Fayette ( Pavey & Claypoole-Madison Pavey and Thomas A. Claypoole, special partners) commenced business February 1, 1867, in rooms located on the south side of Court street. Pavey purchased Claypoole's interest in this bank in February, 1870, and about one year later transferred the entire business to A. C. Johnson, who subsequently disposed of the same to the Fayette County National Bank.
THE MERCHANTS AND FARMERS BANK.
This institution was organized in January, 1872, by the election of directors as follows: M. Pavey, E. L. Ford, A. M. Stimson, J. W. Sayre, Henry Kirk, James Willis and George Dahl. M. Pavey was soon elected president, and Morris Sharp appointed cashier. This bank commenced busi- ness in April, 1872, on the north side of Court street, in the west room of what was known as the Wilson House.
THE FAYETTE COUNTY BANK.
This institution was established September 2, 1899, by William Worth- ington, with an original capital of $12,500, which has been increased to $100,000. The first officers were A. R. Creamer, president; W. E. Ire- land, vice-president ; William Worthington, cashier. The present officers are: William Worthington, president; Dr. W. E. Ireland, vice-president ; Robert Howatt, cashier; Fred O. Cline, assistant cashier. This bank does business in a leased building. It is an unincorporated bank and has been very successful in its transactions. It has an individual responsibility of $2,000,000. Having the confidence of the people, it has grown from its first inception, and is looked upon as one of the county's safest and strongest banking houses.
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THE WASHINGTON SAVINGS BANK AND TRUST COMPANY.
This financial institution was established in April, 1907, by Charles U. Armstrong, with a capital of $25,000, which has been increased to $50,000. The date of its charter was April 10, 1907, and was the first regular savings bank in Fayette county. It does business in a leased building. The first officers, as well as the present ones, are: George Jackson, president ; Jesse F. Cross and Reuben Rankin, vice-presidents; Frank A. Chafin, counsel; Charles U. Armstrong, secretary and treasurer. One of its last statements (September, 1914) shows their resources and responsibilities to be $463,- 385.01. Of this amount there is $370,236 in loans and discounts; cash and due from other banks, $90,037. The earned surplus is $32,000, undivided profits, $3.420, and deposits, $377,889.01.
THE COMMERCIAL BANK.
This bank was established in 1883 and now has a capital of $50,000. A. S. Ballard was, until his death. October 13, 1914, its president. Its vice- presidents are H. B. Dahl and W. B. Sharp: its cashier is W. P. Barnes.
This institution is one of the county's solid financial houses, having in 1914 deposits amounting to over $500,000. Its surplus and undivided profits amount to $100,000, while its loans run high as $500,000.
THE PEOPLES AND DROVERS BANK.
Another of the pioneer institutions in Washington C. H. is the Drovers Bank, which was established as the successor to the old First National Bank, established in 1864. The Peoples and Drovers Bank dates its own history from 1878. The early history of its predecessor, the First National Bank, has already been given in this chapter. So it may truthfully be stated that the Peoples and Drovers Bank is the oldest banking house now doing busi- ness in the city or county. It is an unincorporated concern, but under the state laws is subject to inspection and regulation by the banking department of the state. No bank stands higher in this section of the commonwealth than does this pioneer institution. It is ably managed by safe, conservative busi- ness men who most thoroughly understand modern banking methods. Its stockholders are individually responsible in the aggregate of more than a million dollars. They now have a paid-up capital of $100.000 and a surplus of $30,000. One of the directors and stockholders, Frank Johnson, has
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been connected longer than any man in the county with banking, beginning in this bank in 1873, and has never been absent for any length of time during all of these years.
The present directors are Humphrey Jones, Frank Johnson, E. O. Mc- Cormick, William H. Thornton, Norman McLean. The officers are: Hum- phrey Jones, president ; William H. Thornton, vice-president ; Roy T. Mc- Clure, cashier. The bank had for its home until 1867 the center of lot No. 18, facing Court (now Main) street, old National Bank site, and then moved to its present site, at the west quarter of lot No. 5, Court street.
THIE MIDLAND NATIONAL BANK.
The Midland National Bank, at Washington C. H., is now the only national bank in Fayette county. It was organized in June, 1892, and has a capital of $50,000, with surplus and profits amounting to $56,662.67. It is the depository for Fayette county and the city of Washington C. H. Their statement for September 12, 1914, shows resources and liabilities to the amount of $709,098.39. There were then deposits amounting to $552,435; circulation of $50,000; cash on hand, $36,715.65.
The present officers are S. W. Cissna, president ; Josiah Hopkins, vice- president ; M. S. Daugherty, cashier ; Scott Hopkins, assistant cashier. The directors were S. W. Cissna, Scott Hopkins, Josiah Hopkins, Viola Stuckey and M. S. Daugherty. This is classed among the best institutions doing a banking business within Fayette county today.
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