History of Fayette County : together with historic notes on the Northwest, and the State of Ohio, gleaned from early authors, old maps and manuscripts, private and official correspondence, and all other authentic sources, Part 48

Author: Dills, R. S
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Dayton, Ohio : Odell & Mayer
Number of Pages: 1070


USA > Ohio > Fayette County > History of Fayette County : together with historic notes on the Northwest, and the State of Ohio, gleaned from early authors, old maps and manuscripts, private and official correspondence, and all other authentic sources > Part 48


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).


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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.


The Genius of November 8th, glorifies over the result of the elec- tion returns; the prominent issue then pending being the re-chart- ering of the United States Bank, which was favored by the Whigs and opposed by the Democrats. The editor says: " The late elec- tions have spoken in a loud voice. The bank and its advocates can not but have heard that voice. It is to them a warning voice. The people have spoken. They have been true to themselves; and by their united efforts, they have rescued their country from the wide- extended jaws of a hydra-headed monster."


The Genius of November 15th, after indulging in further exulta- tion over the election returns, gives us an idea as to what was then the method of conducting a partisan newspaper. " And now," says the editor, "come on all the evils that are incident to printers. After battling for many months one party strikes a decisive stroke. That done, all is over * * * To gain so many and such tri- umphant victories are bad things for a party, but far worse for the printer. While the success of one party lulls them asleep the other is silenced by defeat ; so the printers have nothing to write about nor think about. *


* * O for an election every month ! (cries the editor in conclusion,) that the people might feel and know that they are still in existence !"


And so the meager mention-the almost total neglect, in fact- of matters local, may be accounted for in those days, politics being then the all-absorbing "stock in trade," especially of the village press. But journalism has changed since that time : The spirit of enterprise has long since crept into and taken control of its direc- tion and management. The "home newspaper " of to-day which does not give special notice to local affairs, is deemed unworthy the patronage and support of the community wherein it is published. The journalist who takes note of and chronicles, with encouraging word and well-timed encomium, our advancement in the march of progress and improvement is a benefactor ; for he thereby effectively aids in the accomplishment of beneficial results and achievement of mighty deeds.


The prurient newspaper conductor is but a cankerous incubus on journalism ; the slime and filth which he uproots and scatters, proves but pestilential and injurious to the well-being of society, and his noxious ebullitions should be summarily and effectually dis- countenanced. The journalist who, by decorous use of the pen, causes evil to vanish and righteousness prevail is a moral teacher,


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whose good works and wholesome endeavor should be fostered and cherished. The political writer, too, who falsifies in statement and perverts truth, is but a driveler whose frothings should be swept up and carted away as rubbish ; while he who manfully combats misrepresentation by clear citation of fact is to be commended for his candor, and rewarded for his uncompromising advocacy of and adherence to right.


We have been favored with a copy of the Genius of Liberty and Democrat Republican, (No. 33 of volume 1,) of date Saturday, May 16, 1835. Beneath its lengthy title, the Genius sports the motto : " Unawed by the influence of the rich, the great or the noble, the people must be heard, and their rights vindicated." The names of J. Jamison and W. Loofbourrow are given as its proprietors, and that of William Hill as its editor and printer. It was Democratie in tone.


Editorial mention is made of the issuance by Governor Robert Lucas of proclamation, convening the legislature in special session on Monday, June 8th, then next ensuing, for the purpose of set- tling difficulties between Ohio and the then territory of Michigan, relative to the locating of what was termed our northern boundary line. For a time affairs looked warlike, the governors of the state and territory (Lucas of Ohio and Morrow of Michigan) having each marshalled armed forces in support of their positions and views, as to the adjustment of the question pending-and Buckeye and Wolverene in hostile array confronted cach other. The case was peaceably settled, however, by congressional interference in favor of Ohio.


In a local and advertising way, the Genius announces that W. Loofbourrow, one of its proprietors, was appointed a delegate to the National Democratic Convention, which was to meet in the city of Baltimore on the 20th of May. James M. Baird notifies all persons who know themselves to be indebted to the former pro- prietors of the Washington. Herald, (he being one of said proprietors,) for advertising, subscription, etc., to call immediately and settle with him. Judging from the tenor of his notice, some other party or parties must have supposed themselves to be entitled to receive such funds. A conflict had evidently arisen as to who was justly entitled to receive the ducats. Joshua Holmes, landlord of the hotel known as Washington Hall, died on the 7th of May, of typhus fever, in the twenty-fifth year of his age.


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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.


The bank of Chillicothe, (J. Woodbridge cashier,) gave notice that it would furnish sight checks on New York, Philadelphia and Baltimore, at premium of half per cent; and that notes of most of the banks in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky would be received in exchange, subject, of course to current discount charge. D. Mc- Lean advertises his wool-carding and fulling establishment for rent. Joseph Bell announces the purchase, by him, of the stock. of goods of S. F. Knight & Co., and that he would continue the general mercantile business at the old stand. Mrs. Robert Wilson was then engaged in the millinery business here. Having a supply of leghorns, she was "prepared to alter and do up bonnets after the latest fashion." She had on hand boys' silk and Circassian caps ; and would make girls' bonnets, etc., to order.


Matthew J. Ivy then conducted a shaving, hair-cutting and re- novating establishment here, in the room formerly occupied by J. L. Millikan as a store. In making the announcement, he says :


" In trimming hair it wanteth taste, To suit the person and the face ; And scraping chins, that tender part, To do with ease requireth art. With scissors sharp and razors keen, "Tis I can scrape your faces clean ; And last of all, to serve you well, I'll from your clothes the dust expel."


S. A. Smyth was then engaged in the tailoring business here, one door east of L. P. Reid's National House. The prospectus of the Phrenological Journal, the initial number of which was to have been issued on the 1st of August, 1835, at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., appears in the Genius of May 16th. Among the news gleanings, under the caption, " Gratifying news from France-favorable report on the American indemnity question," the New York Evening Post states that by packet-ship Sylvie de Grasse from Havre, French papers of March 30th and 31st had been received, which contained the highly gratifying intelligence that the committee of the cham- bers had reported in favor of an appropriation of 25,000,000 francs, being made to comply with the terms of the treaty of July 4, 1831, between the King of the French and the United States.


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POLITICAL HORNET.


In 1836, there was published here a campaign paper styled the Political Hornet, which advocated the claims of W. H. Harrison for president. The Hornet, we learn, had " numerous contributors," among them Robert Robinson and J. S. Bereman. M. V. Raw- lings, now a resident of Missouri, executed the mechanical work on the paper. Mr. Rawlings commenced the study of the printing business here in 1832, in the office of the People's Palladium, under A. Crihfield. We are informed that " the county, up to 1836 had been Democratic ; but that year, by the assertion of many truths and some lies, the Whigs elected the entire county ticket." We have not found a copy of the Hornet, but wish we could obtain one. It was, no doubt, a spicy political sheet.


THE CIRCULATOR.


Saturday, January 6, 1838, Elisha Williams Sexton issued here the first number of a journal styled the Circulator. It was printed in this place, and, as we learn by the third number, dated January 20, 1838, was "published simultaneously in Washington and Lon- don, in the legislative district composed of the counties of Fayette and Madison," being delivered in London, by private express, on the day of its issue. At that time, according to the published prospectus, there was no other paper " in course of publication within the limits of the district." In the prospectus, Mr. Sexton says : " It is not our intention to publish a strictly neutral journal, inasmuch as we hold the right of expressing our humble opinions too sacred to be dispensed with; yet we will endeavor to make it (the Circulator) so decorons and mild in its course that the most violent partisan may not take umbrage at it. Our sentiments, (says Mr. Sexton,) in the modern acceptation of the term, are decidedly Whig."


By the Circulator of the date last mentioned, we learn that the Mexicans were about to invade Texas; and Mr. Sexton, in alluding thereto, says: "Hurra for Texas !" The postmaster-general of Texas, it is stated, had appointed Mr. Samuel Ricker, jr., of New Orleans, agent for the post-office department of "that republic." Letters destined for "that country," post-paid to New Orleans and


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directed to his care, would be forwarded by the regular mails. The phrasings quoted, that republic and that country, sound strange now. The closing part of President Van Buren's proclamation relative to the Canadian difficulties then pending, (insurrectionary movements began there in 1837,) and which the Circulator, in pub- lishing, says is just what it anticipated, and as it should be, reads as follows: "Now, therefore, to the end that the authority of the laws may be maintained, and the faith of treaties observed, I, Mar- tin Van Buren, do most earnestly exhort all citizens of the United States, who have thus violated their duties, to return peaceably to their respective homes; and hereby warn them, that any person who shall compromit the neutrality of this government, by inter- fering in an unlawful manner with the neighboring British prov- inces, will render themselves liable to arrest and punishment under the laws of the United States, which will be vigorously enforced ; and, also, that they will receive no aid or countenance from the government, into whatever difficulties they may be thrown by the violation of the laws of their country, and of the territory of a neighboring and friendly. nation.". The proclamation bore date January 5, 1838.


Some statistics of Fayette County, as compiled from the report of the auditor of state for 1837, are published in the third issue of the Circulator. The number of acres of land in the county is given as 236,265 acres ; value of same, including houses, $356,212; value of town lots, including buildings, $33,258; number of horses, 3,565; value of same, $142,600; number of cattle, 5,753; value of same, $46,024; merchants' capital and money at interest, $35,727; num- ber of pleasure. carriages, 27; value of same, $1,779 ; tax on phy- sicians and lawyers, $24; total amount of taxable property, $615,580; amount of tax paid into state treasury, $7,397.


Other items of interest, of like character, contained in the re- port, are also published. The greatest amount of tax paid by a single county, during 1837, was by Hamilton, $156,437; the least by Henry, $1,056; greatest number of acres of land in one county was in Trumbull, 556,296 ; least in Wood, 2,956; most horses in Richland, 9,141; least in Henry, 180; greatest number of cattle in Trumbull, 24,107 ; least in Henry, 510.


George Mantle, Samuel Sollars, and James Kirkpatrick, surplus revenue Fund Commissioners of Fayette County, publish a state- ment, dated January 6, 1838, relative to the condition of said funds,


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as used in this county. The total amount thereof received from the state was $14,485.92, and it was loaned to individuals at the rate of 7 per cent. per annum, on personal security. The amount loaned in each township was: Union, $4,350; Paint, $4,650; Jef- ferson, $2,350; Madison, $1,000; Concord, $500; Wayne, $1,400; Green, $250. The amount due and not in suit was $300. Of the annual income of the fund ($1014.01.4) $724,29.6 was appropriated for school purposes, $126.21.8 for county purposes, and $163.50 to defray expenses of management.


In 1835 the United States was out of debt! An occurrence which has but once (at that time only) transpired in our national history ; nor is it likely ever to occur-again. The funds in the national treasury then increased and rapidly accumulated in excess of the expenditures.


S. F. Yeoman, in a communication to the Circulator of January 20, 1838, defines his position on the question, "Would a well-regu- lated national bank advance the prosperity of the United States ?" Mr. Yeoman took position on the affirmative side of the question. In closing, he says : "I have only to say in conclusion, that 'men change, but principles never.' And I most unequivocally declare that I hold the same principles now that I did prior to the election of General Jackson. I then thoughit the administration was cor- rupt, and believed the public good required a change; and I now think the administration equally corrupt, and most conscientiously believe that the policy recommended by Mr. Van Buren will, if carried into operation, produce a state of unexampled embarrass- ment in public business, and of general distress to the community."


As to what the mail facilities of Washington then (January, 1838) were, may be inferred from the following published " mail arrangements ": Eastern mail arrives every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings, and closes at 9 o'clock P. M .; Western mail arrives every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday night; Chillicothe mail leaves every Tuesday and Friday at 12 M., and arrives Wednesdays and Saturdays at 3 P. M. The mail from Washington to Decatur, via Hillsboro, leaves every Friday at 12 M., and returns every Monday at 12 M .; Columbus mail departs every Tuesday at 5 A. M., returns every Thursday at 8 P. M .; Centerville mail arrives every Wednesday at 10 A. M., and departs same day at 1 P. M. S. A. Smyth was then postmaster, and L. J. Wood was coroner of the county.


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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.


From the Circular of April 14, 1838, we obtain some information of a general and local character. By it we learn that eighty thou- sand copies of a speech delivered by Mr. Webster, on the sub- treasury bill, had been printed. Also, that Whig meetings were being held in all quarters of the state, and that it was thought the then ensuing 31st of May convention would be a very large one. Foreign wheat, it is stated, was then " again pouring into the coun- try." The Baltimore American, at that time, stated that one vessel, the Prussian brig Frederick, had just brought a cargo of 17,000 bushels from Wolgast. Four or five other cargoes, then afloat, had also arrived ; and that some parcels previously received had gone into store. Wheat was then sold in Baltimore at $1.60 to to $1.67 per bushel.


Wade Loof bourrow, William Edwards, and David Creamer, were then county school examiners, having been so appointed un- der the then new law, by the court of common pleas. At that time, it is stated, there were twelve hundred newspapers in the United States. The Circular says : " Printers are so scarce in In- diana that some of the editors are learning their little girls to set type. We have had a female apprentice in our office for some time."


The proceedings of a Whig meeting, held in the court house here, April 7, 1838, by " citizens opposed to the (then) present ad- ministration, for the purpose of appointing delegates to the state convention," to meet at Columbus ou the 31st of May following, appear in the Circulator of April 14th. Colonel Samuel Myers was chairman, and E. W. Sexton secretary of the meeting. A commit- tee of one from each township was appointed to nominate suitable persons as delegates to the state convention, which committee was composed as follows : From Paint Township, J. L. Myers ; Madison, Major J. Leavel; Union, R. Robinson; Wayne, Benjamin Rodgers; Green, John King; Jefferson, D. Creamer; Concord, R. Burnett. Delegates to the state convention were named and appointed as follows: For Wayne Township, Jackson Rodgers, William Gorm- ley, and William Edwards; Paint Township, John Hays, Thomas Green, and Samuel Myers; Jefferson, Membrance Blue, John Par- rett, and David Creamer; Concord, Peter Brown, Henry Burnett, and Charles Williams; Green, Robert Eyre, Jacob Todhunter, and John King; Madison, Batteal Harrison, William Pinkerton, and Shreve Pancoast; Union, Joseph Bloomer, John Rankin, and Wil-


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liam Rush; Town of Washington, J. S. Bereman; Bloomingburg, Dr. E. Martin.


The delegates, in the discharge of their duties, were instructed to use all honorable means to promote the nomination of General W. H. Harrison for president; but that they should at the same time assure their associates in the convention that their constituents would "give their undivided support to Mr. Clay, or any other nominee." The delegates were also instructed to use their exer- tion to secure the nomination of General Vance for governor. By resolutions, "the work of political reform so earnestly begun in other portions of the United States," was commended, and the dis- organized state of the country at that time deprecated-our country's " paralyzed commerce, and her depreciated currency, were brought about by a malignant and unwise course of public policy, pursued by those who administer the affairs of our national government. Instead of giving us a golden currency, wherewith every 'substan- tial farmer' would have an abundance, we have a currency the most worthless in the world."


The " act to abolish imprisonment for debt" in the State of Ohio is published in the Circulator of April 14, 1838. In business line ยท here then, we notice that Olds & Yeoman were engaged in mercan- tile pursuit, Benjamin Bowers in chair-making, and C. Parvin in tailoring; and Sanders & Millikan published notice of business dissolution. Daniel McLean, as executor, advertised that he would sell on the 21st of April, 1838, the effects, real and personal of N. F. Jones, deceased, including two hundred and forty acres of land, at late residence of deceased, in Jefferson Township. Nicholas Hay, as administrator, notified those indebted to, and having claims against estate of Christopher Miller, deceased, to call and settle.


In the Circulator of October 6, 1838, W. H. Creighton and Wil- liam Palmer, rival candidates for the State Legislature, in district composed of the counties of Fayette and Greene; having been questioned in reference thereto, defined their position as to the civil rights of colored persons, at that time, in Ohio-the colored man's status, as they understood it to be fixed by law, state and national.


What a grand glorious work was consummated, and triumph achieved when we forever wiped out the foul blot of slavery from our national escutcheon! Truly, an all-seeing eye, an overruling providence must have guided and controlled our destiny, when and


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while the terrible conflict was being waged. Ah! in that gigantic struggle, vice and error on the one side did menacingly stand, while truth and right did boldly confront, and in battle's dread gauge were victor.


Says the Circulator of above date: "No man can, henceforth, be heard through our columns unless he be a yearly subscriber. Some. of these times we shall publish a communication precisely as it is sent to us." That policy adhered to, a mighty host of would-be- great ones, would speedily be extinguished. Micajah Draper 'was appointed, October 1, 1838, assistant treasurer of the Goshen, Wil- mington and Columbus Turnpike Company, the stock subscription books for construction of which thoroughfare were then open. Eight death notices were in the Circulator of October 6, 1838 : Catherine Millikan, consort of Curran Millikan, on the 1st of that month; same day, in Paint Township, John Wilson, sr .; Arseneth, youngest daughter of S. F. Yeoman, on the 2d ; George Rodgers on the 3d ; same day, near this place, Mrs. Carr, consort of Jehu Carr ; a few days before, Mary Elizabeth, eldest daughter of the late S. A. Smyth; and Miss - Crothers, daughter of Judge Crothers, of this county ; also, Obediah Edge, an old inhabitant of this vicinity.


By the advertising columns of the Circulator, above date, we learn that Webster, Melvin & Co. succeeded the firm of Plumb & Webster in general merchandizing here; Daniel McLean was deal- ing in produce, provisions, and patent medicines ; E. H. Crow was tailoring opposite the court house, in the room formerly occupied by M. Blue as a tavern; Mrs. Susan Henkle was conducting busi- ness as seamstress; Robert Wilson was engaged in the saddlery business ; and J. L. Millikan was running a tan-yard adjoining Wade Loofbourrow's premises, immediately south of the court house. While Richard Millikan was " off on the high seas rolling," he was legally notified (in the Circulator) to " plead, answer, or de- mur," within sixty days after August 25, 1838, to a petition in court here, he being an interested party in partition disposition of cer- tain real estate in notice of partition referred to, and of which Jesse Millikan was stated to have died seized. Dr. A. A. Morri- son then tendered his professional services to the public, and an- nounced that he would adhere, in practice, to the "principles taught at Worthington College, prohibiting the use of mercury and all its preparations; antimony, arsenic, and all minerals of a poisonous


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and corrosive nature." Office at Cissna's hotel. Dr. F. H. Jen- nings, at the same time, announced that he would leave Washing- ton, and advised those indebted to him that they would confer. a lasting favor by settling their accounts. Eneas F. Yeoman then appealed to his fellow-citizens to elect him county assessor, having been, early in the spring, afflicted with white-swelling in one of his legs, which incapacitated him for active work, and rendered him a cripple for life. Wade Loofbourrow was postmaster here then, and John B. Webster county treasurer.


The Circulator of March 10, 1838, contains an obituary notice of the death of Norman Fennel Jones, who died here March 1, 1838. He had served as county auditor, and had been elected justice of the peace for many successive terms. He was born in Pittsfield, Vermont, August 28, 1796. His mother died when he was in his fifth, and his father when he was in the sixteenth year of his age. Shortly after his father's death he went to the State of New York, and while there learned the saddlery business. After residing in that state about seven years, he came to this place, and subsequent- ly acquired considerable property. Soon after he came here he united with the Presbyterian Church. In May, 1819, he married Mary McLean, sister of Judge D. McLean. He is spoken of by his biographer as having been a kind and affectionate husband and father-one who, as a neighbor, was beloved by all, and as a public servant commanded general respect.


The Cirulator above alluded to mentions having learned, the evening previous to the date of its publication, through the Ohio Statesman, of Columbus, that J. S. Bereman had been appointed associate judge for this county.


The following ticket is published in the Circulator of October 6, 1838:


For Governor-General Joseph Vance.


For Congress, to represent seventh district, composed of the counties of Ross, Scioto, Jackson, and Fayette-Colonel W. K. Bond, Allen Latham.


For Representative (counties of Fayette and Madison)-William H. Creighton; (nominated by a district convention), William Palmer.


For Sheriff-Arthur McArthur, L. P. Reid, Curran Millikan, John McLain, jr., William S.' Williams, Seth Hukill, Joseph Bell, John Jackson, Samuel Dunkle, Stephen Yeoman, Solomon Carr, Benjamin F. Dewitt.


39


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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.


For Recorder-Samuel Loofbourrow, S. F. Kerr, C. B. Wood- ruff, Thomas Holland.


For Auditor-Samuel Millikan, James Henton, Charles M: Wil- liams, Jared Plumb.


For Coroner-Layton J. Wood, Z. W. Heagler.


For Commissioner-Merrit Jamison, George Mantle, William Limes, Benjamin A. Crone.


For Assessor-John L. Chorn, Samuel Hamilton, J. W. Williams, Eneas F. Yeoman, Jacob Wood.


The omnibus was well filled inside, somewhat crowded outside, and " somebody got left."


The Cincinnati Chronicle gave the aggregate value of three sta- ple articles of produce in this country, during 1839, as $100,500,000 (cotton, $81,000,000; tobacco, $15,000,000; rice, $4,500,000); while the value of breadstuffs was $275,000,000.


FAYETTE REPUBLICAN.


A copy of the Fayette Republican (No. 4, Vol. 1; R. R. Lindsey, publisher) ; dated Washington, January 11, 1840, has been handed to us. It was printed in Wilmington, Clinton County. The num- ber before us contains nothing of special local interest to readers in this county; even the advertisements (that of C. Parvin and F. H. Tomlinson, tailors, excepted), are those of Wilmington business houses, etc. By it we learn that R. S. Beeson (now engaged in the hardware business here) was then engaged in general merchandis- ing in Wilmington, on South Street, opposite the court house. The surplus revenue fund commissioners of Clinton County, at that time (William Walker, Ezekiel Haworth, and David F. Walker), publish a statement relative to said fund, by which it appears that Clinton County received from the state treasury, of that fund, $19,926.55.




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