USA > Ohio > Guernsey County > History of Guernsey County, Ohio, Volume I > Part 25
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OLD WILLS CREEK BRIDGE.
Among the noted landmarks of Guernsey county is the old wooden, cov- ered, double wagon and foot-bridge, spanning the yellow waters of Wills creek at Cambridge. It must have been built upon honor, for it was con- structed in 1828, has been in constant use all of these eventful years, now numbering eighty-two. It is purely a wooden structure with a weatherboarded covering and roof. Two wide passage-ways make it one easy of crossing. The bridge, proper, is sustained by the same stone abutments which were made of solid masonry in that long ago time and have never had to be re- placed, or repaired. On the north end of this bridge and overhead, is the original inscription placed there in 1828 on a stone tablet and it reads as fol-
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lows: "$10 fine for driving on this bridge faster than a walk." On the south end-toward the country-is this inscription : "Built A. D., 1828-J. P. Shannon, Undertaker-L. V. Wernwag, Architect-J. Kinkead, Mason- Keep to the Right !"
Had this old covered bridge but the gift of a tongue, many a tale it could tell this generation of the noted men who in times long ago passed through its passage-ways en route the old pike. Its timbers are seemingly as good to- day as when placed there. It was made after the old style of building frames, morticed and braced in all directions, with here and there a wrought-iron stay brace and great forged bolts. In these modern times it has been lighted by a series of electric lights, and will no doubt stand many a year yet, barring some accident. Beneath its driveway has floated many a small craft on the creek, when water navigation was in vogue and steam railroads were yet unknown.
A CAMBRIDGE NEWSBOY.
(From the Jeffersonian, August, 1877.)
"George Broom three or four years ago began the sale of newspapers on the streets of Cambridge. He then carried but one paper, but added to his list until he sold for all the dailies which sent papers here. He was gentlemanly, and did the business in a strictly fair and honest way. His patrons were pleased with his manner, and the newspaper publishers en- couraged him in his trade. His business grew rapidly and largely. The great interest in the state campaigns and the great Presidential contest with the long continued excitement as to the result, largely increased the sales of news- papers, and correspondingly added to the profits. Young Broom in some weeks made a net profit of from fifteen to twenty dollars a week. The profits varied during the time he was in business from two dollars and seventy-five cents a week to the sums stated. The net earnings of Broom footed up about a thousand dollars, all earned as a street newsboy in Cambridge. By industry and perseverance he laid the foundation of a successful business life."
He finally married and reared a family. His health failed and he re- moved to Arizona and from there to one of the Southern states, where he died and was buried in the cemetery at his old home in Cambridge.
BOOM THE TOWN.
The subjoined original poem, from the pen of John H. Sarchet, and sung for the first time at Cambridge Chautauqua, in 1906, runs as follows :
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Of all the cities east or west,
Boom the town. Yes, boom the town! We love our thriving one the best.
Boom the town. Yes, boom the town! Our factories all are on the run, There's work for each and every one, No tramps are found beneath our sun,
Boom the town. Yes, boom the town!
We've gas and oil, beneath the soil.
Boom the town. Yes, boom the town! They wait to greet the sons of toil.
Boom the town. Yes, boom the town! Black diamonds glisten in the sun, And "blue core" wears till kingdom come; Our streets are paving one by one.
Boom the town. Yes, boom the town!
The lab'ring man now has the pull. Boom the town. Yes, boom the town! His dinner pail is brimming full.
Boom the town. Yes, boom the town! A "home, sweet home" he now enjoys, With pretty girls and bouncing boys ; A bank account with other joys. Boom the town. Yes, boom the town!
The trolley ride we now enjoy, Boom the town. Yes, boom the town! With summer cars for girl and boy,
Boom the town. Yes, boom the town! Chautauqua, too, has come to stay, With fine attractions every day. We pity those who stay away.
Boom the town. Yes, boom the town!
We number fifteen thousand now.
Boom the town. Yes, boom the town! To keep it up all make the vow.
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Boom the town. Yes, boom the town! Avoid the fakir on the street, Turn down the agents whom you meet, Our merchants can with them compete.
Boom the town. Yes, boom the town!
INDUSTRIAL CAMBRIDGE.
At the close of the Civil war the buildings of the town were mostly the old landmarks of early days, but a new and more progressive era was then ushered in and in 1882 there were more houses on Steubenville street than there were in the entire place when the war commenced. In 1880 the industries were confined chiefly to the foundry interests of C. P. Simons Brothers, established in 1855 and which was operated many years, both here and at Zanesville ; a steam flouring mill, two planing mills and two boot and shoe factories. In 1880 there was also established a bent wood factory.
The introduction of natural gas and the development of the nearby coal fields has brought many factories and large plants in iron working, etc., to Cambridge. Among the more valuable factories of the present city are the following :
The American Sheet and Tin-Plate Company operates a very extensive - mill in Cambridge. It was established here in 1889, and is connected with the great Pittsburg works, in a way. The raw material comes from the Carnegie Steel Company. It employs more than eight hundred and fifty workmen. The plant is well situated in the northwest part of the city on North Second street. The local superintendent is C. R. McIlyar. This plant produces immense amounts of sheet and tin-plate iron, which finds its way to various parts of the world. Cheap fuel and cheaper rents and other ad- vantages caused the works to be located in this city.
This same company operates another branch mill here, established about 1894 on foreign capital. This is also a sheet and tin-plate mill and it now employs five hundred workmen. Its present superintendent is J. E. Thomp- son. The works are located just outside the corporate limits of the city, in South Cambridge. These twin establishments are leaders in the numerous industries of the city. They are both the property of the American Sheet and Tin-Plate Company.
The W. A. Hunt Planing Mill was established in January, 1910, by local capital. Lumber is shipped in from the South and Northwest, while certain materials come from Ohio timber lands. Seven men are employed. This
(18)
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factory is situated on Woodlawn avenue. It is the property of W. A. Hunt, who conducts a good business.
A local industry of which the city is justly proud is the Guernsey Earth- enware Company, who make brown, white-lined and enameled cooking uten- sils in vest quantities. It is said that fifteen million consumers see the "Guernsey" trade mark each month. This factory is located on Woodlawn avenue and was established in 1900, as a purely local concern. From one hundred and fifty to one hundred and sixty persons find constant employment in these extensive works. The company was incorporated under the laws of Ohio, Charles L. Casey being the president and manager and also the owner of the property. The principal body of the earthenware here produced comes from the earth near the factory and is among Guernsey county's minerals of much value. From this material is fashioned the most beautiful cooking and serving dishes, heating table supplies, vegetable crocks, coffee cylinders, and many special designed dishes made to order for special customers.
The "Near-cut" Glass Works is another industry of which too much cannot well be said in this chapter on the modern industries of Cambridge. This was established in 1902 by purely local capital. The name of this su- perior glassware, "Near-cut," comes from the fact that the clearness and sharpness of the finish closely resembles the higher priced real "cut" glass- ware. The sand from which this glassware is produced comes from the Han- cock district of Pennsylvania. The works are situated in East Cambridge and employ about four hundred and fifty workmen in the various depart- ments. The present officers of this company are: A. J. Bennett, presi- dent; W. C. McCartney, secretary, and G. Royal Boyd, treasurer. The product of this plant goes out to all parts of the United States and is one of Cambridge's permanent institutions of business enterprises.
The Interstate Iron and Steel Company, another modern iron working plant of Cambridge, was established and first operated January 8, 1907. It is conducted on outside capital, being a foreign institution, which gives employ- ment to almost three hundred workmen. This is located in the manufacturing district in the northwest part of the city. The raw material used in these ex- tensive works comes from abroad, but it is of great commercial importance to the business interests of Cambridge. The officers are: S. J. Llewellyn, president; G. F. David, vice-president ; George R. Stewart, secretary. The same company has works at Chicago and East Chicago, Indiana.
The Pennsylvania railroad shops also furnish employment to about one hundred workmen at this point. The shops are located in Southeast Cam- bridge and are situated on grounds leased from the trustees of Cambridge
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township, the same being dated March 9, 1881, to continue in force at the option of the railroad company for a term of ninety-nine years, for shop purposes. The company pays all taxes and is bound to keep the property fully insured. The present superintendent is J. C. Mccullough.
W. H. Hartley & Sons Sheet Metal and Slate Roofing Works are located at No. 616 Wheeling avenue. This plant was established at Quaker City in 1870 and removed to Cambridge in 1892. It is an independent plant and now has in its employ an average of fourteen men. It manufactures all 'kinds of sheet metal goods, slate roofing and furnace work. The gentlemen connected with it are W. H. Hartley, M. C. Hartley and the M. C. Hartley estate.
The American Bread and Pastry Board Company was established in 1898, as a local industry. They now employ three workmen. Their plant is between Third and Fourth streets and Steubenville and Gomber. William Harris is proprietor.
The firm of Stewart, Wylie & Ault, proprietors of the flouring mills at Cambridge, was established a number of years ago. They consume much grain from the fields of Guernsey county and several thousand bushels an- nually from the West. Five men are here employed in the business. The proprietors are W. L. Stewart, C. W. Wiley and A. Ault. This mill is situ- ated on the corner of Fifth and Turner streets. An excellent grade of flour is made at these mills.
The Forney Lumber and Planing Mill, a live industry of Cambridge, was established in 1889 and now employs eight workmen. The mill is located on Dewey avenue, near the old covered bridge. Charles W. Forney is the proprietor. An extensive business is here carried on in both lumber and planing mill work.
The Hoyle & Scott Planing Mills were established in 1886, but an older firm began there many years prior to that date. Their lumber comes largely from West Virginia and the Southern states. Fifteen men find constant em- ployment at these mills, which are located on Third street and Wheeling avenue, while the lumber yards are on Steubenville avenue. The present pro- prietors are William Hoyle and J. W. Scott.
Another and leading industry of modern Cambridge is the chair factory of Suitt Brothers, established in 1906 (under the present company), located on Third and Gomber street. Chairs, and especially high grade rockers, are here manufactured from wood coming from Massachusetts, North Carolina and Tennessee. From fifty to sixty men are constantly employed and the finest of modern machinery is used in the production of first class goods.
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The president of this company is W. C. Suitt; the present secretary and treasurer is Jay W. Campbell.
The Cambridge Roofing Company was established in 1882, as an inde- pendent local company. It now employs sixty-eight men. The works are located on West Wheeling avenue and the officers are W. H. Taylor, presi- dent; H. C. Hanbrook, vice-president; J. R. McBurney, secretary. This same company also manufacture gloves and overalls from goods made in New England and South Carolina. Each of these industries represents a separate department of the same company of manufacturers.
A CAMBRIDGE FIRE.
On Saturday, November 21, 1891, at two-thirty P. M., the alarm of fire resounded through the city of Cambridge. Promptly responding to the sum- mons, the firemen discovered that the block that occupied the square on Wheeling avenue, between Sixth street and the alley east toward Seventh, was the scene of a devastating fire. It was found that the flames were making headway in the attic over the C. & M. general offices and in the furniture store of McDonald & McCollum.
Every effort was made to prevent the fire from spreading, but despite the gallant service of the firemen and the bucket brigades, it was not checked until thousands of dollars' worth of property had been consumed. The fol- lowing is an accurate report of the losses :
J. H. Mckinney, lost about two-thirds of his stock of groceries, valued at $2,000 ; insurance, $1,000.
Campbell & Carlisle had oils stored in Mckinney's cellar valued at $1,000; insurance, $500.
J. M. Nelson's candy store was not damaged at all, and everybody con- gratulated the energetic young man.
C. Ayre & Company's stock of dry goods, carpets, etc., valued at $30,000, insured for $15,000. But a small amount of goods saved, and they in dam- aged condition.
H. C. Hornbrook's stock of boots and shoes, valued at $8,000, saved a part of his best goods ; insurance, $2,000.
McDonald & McCollum, the furniture dealers, piled their rear ware- rooms full of goods, and removed all from the rear rooms to places of safety, but lost all in the front main room. This rear wareroom was sided and roofed with iron, and they fastened up all doors and windows with iron sheeting, and this building, crowded with goods, was saved. Their loss was $1,650, in-
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sured for $750. The loss of Colonel Taylor, owner of the buildings, among which was the Berwick Hotel, was found to be approximately $60,000, with insurance of $38,000. The total loss of buildings and goods was estimated at $100,000.
A MIDNIGHT FIRE.
The town was visited by a fire that promised for a little while to be very destructive, on Wednesday night, December 26, 1888. Fire was dis- covered shortly after ten o'clock in the butcher shop of Robert W. Nichol- son, attached to the new two-story frame building recently erected by Hon. E. W. Mathewson, Seventh street, just north of Broom's grocery and Kyle's marble shop, and before the department was summoned the shop was wrapped in flames.
The department responded promptly, but the same plug in the boiler sheet of the fire engine which blew out in the Arcade fire in October, 1887, blew out before a stream of water was thrown; and the engine and hose companies were consequently disabled. The hook and ladder company went to work at once, however, vigorously and intelligently, and did splendid work. Bucket lines were formed, and the flames kept in check, and the walls of the burning residences, to which the flames quickly communicated, were pushed inward, and the spread of the fire to the wooden buildings close by effectually prevented. The loss was about one thousand two hundred dollars, partly covered by insurance.
THE FIRE OF 1895.
Both Cambridge papers of October 3, 1895, contain full details of the devastating fire which swept over the business section about one o'clock in the morning of October 2d. The fire originated in the Davis livery barn, and quickly spread across the alley to the stables in the rear of the Lyndon Hotel. to Carnes' livery barn and to the residence of Isaac Turnbaugh and Dorcas Savage. The blacksmith shop of Frank Johnson was next in line, and the greedy flames hungrily consumed all that came in their path.
In an hour, the rear of Monumental Hall was on fire. This led directly to the Taylor block and toward the Berwick Hotel. George Shairer's resi- dence and saloon, John M. Richardson's residence and restaurant, Downer's drug store, and the Lyndon Hotel building came next. The flames spread rapidly. Doctor Moore's drug store was burned to smouldering ashes.
On the east and west the fire was checked by the Lenfesty block, thus
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saving the Times office, Guernsey National Bank, postoffice, Wolff's store, and the halls and offices in that large building.
The fire spread down Wheeling avenue from Monumental Hall, con- suming Schau's bakery and restaurant, Mrs. Forsythe's millinery and no- tion store, Carlisle & Grimes' hardware, Nelson's confectionery and news stand, the C. & M. general offices, R. T. Scott's and A. R. McCulloch's law offices, school room and lodge hall, Gillespie & McCulley's furniture, Steele's grocery and Hornbrook's shoe store. The fire was checked on the west by the fire wall of the Berwick Hotel, thus saving C. Ayre's store and the new hotel.
Among the valuable property destroyed was Colonel Taylor's private library, containing many rare and valuable books that cannot be replaced, and Scott and McCulloch's law libraries. Much property was saved by being hauled and carried to places of safety, some of it badly damaged. Arnold & Barber had removed their shoe store to the new room in the Lyndon building and were ready to begin business the following morning. They promptly loaded their goods up and brought them up to their old stand at J. O. Mc- Ilyar's.
A TERRIBLE DEATH.
The saddest feature of the fire was the death of Frank Law. He and "Chuck" Creighton were sleeping on cots in the little office in the southeast corner of Davis' stable. Creighton was awakened by the roar of flames. He succeeded in awakening Law, and then made his escape by jumping out the window. Exit by the door was cut off by flames. Hours later, the blackened, charred body of Law was found in the ruins, under a pile of bricks. It was one of the most tragic deaths which ever occurred in Cambridge.
LOSSES, INSURANCE, ETC.
J. W. Davis & Son estimated their loss at $5,000, insurance $1,000. Eight of their horses were burned outright, or so badly injured that they had to be killed. James T. Cain's driving mare was burned. W. H. Mc- Ilyar's horse was badly burned, but escaped from the stable. Among those burned in the stable were the beautiful matched chestnuts, so well known to every citizen. They were side by side in their death agony. The old horse that hauled the express wagon was not injured.
George Schairer saved a part of his saloon fixtures and household goods. Insurance on building and household goods, about $3,500.
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J. M. Richardson saved a portion of his goods. The building and res- taurant were insured for $1,800.
Carnes' barn was entirely destroyed, horses and carriages all saved. Insurance on the barn and contents, $1,800.
Carlisle & Grimes lost everything in the store except some powder, which was brought off to a safe place. They saved their horses and dray, that were in a stable that was destroyed; loss, $10,000; insurance, $7,500. They at once began business in their warehouse near the C. & M. depot.
J. M. Nelson saved but little. Loss almost total; insurance, $400.
C. Ayre got a large part of his goods out of the rooms, and later re- arranged them in the same rooms, and went ahead.
H. C. Hornbrook got a portion of his stock to places of safety. His room will be repaired, as the roof was burnt off. Some goods were badly injured by water.
The C. & M. general offices saved their books and papers, loss covered by insurance.
Scott and McCulloch's libraries were entirely consumed, and were not insured. Some papers were saved.
Harry Forney, the architect, lost part of his office furniture.
There was no insurance on Colonel Taylor's valuable library.
Gillespie & McCulley saved most of their stock. Their iron-sheeted and roofed wareroom preserved the stock in it. This was the second fire this wareroom had gone through, in each case preserving its contents intact. This firm saved their goods that were stowed there at the time of the Berwick fire, a fact favorable to iron siding and roofing.
Isaac Turnbaugh saved a part of his goods ; insurance $500. Dorcas Savage saved a part of her goods, no insurance. The Lyndon belonged to W. B. Crossgrove; loss, $17,500, insured for $10,000, policy taken out only the preceding Saturday. Dr. C. A. Moore lost fully one-half of his goods; insured for $2,000. J. M. Logan's loss was $1,000 ; insured for $500. A. D. Steele's loss was estimated at $1,300; insured for $1,000. Colonel Taylor estimated his entire loss on buildings at $30,000 ; insurance, $15,200.
William Schau, the baker, estimated his loss at $800. A small part of his stock was saved; no insurance. Carnes Brothers estimated their loss at $2,000; insurance $1,800. Forsythe's millinery and notion stock was esti- mated at $5,000. nearly all destroyed; insurance, $2,500. The furniture of the school room destroyed was placed at $200. J. R. Downar saved most of huis stock, and carried about $2.500 insurance.
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There was hustling among the victims to find rooms in which to begin business. They were difficult to find.
The origin of the fire was not satisfactorily ascertained. Thanks were given to the fire departments of Newark, Zanesville and Barnesville for as- sistance rendered in response to a call for aid. Women aided greatly with pots of steaming coffee, so that the discomfiture of the brave firemen was considerably lessened by these "angels of temperance and charity."
CHAPTER XIX.
ADAMS TOWNSHIP.
Adams, which is the central western township in Guernsey county. is bounded on the west by Muskingum county, on the north by Knox, on the east by Cambridge and on the south by Westland township. It is five miles square, containing twenty-five sections of land. The National pike crosses its extreme southeastern corner, as does also the Baltimore & Ohio railroad. It was organized as a separate sub-division of Guernsey county in 1827. In 1900 it had a population of seven hundred and seventeen. Cassel station and a portion of Mantau are the only village plattings ever made within this township. It is well watered and drained by the numerous small tributaries to Crooked creek, all streams flowing to the southeast. Being close to Cam- bridge, it makes that place its trading point.
The following, and possibly more, persons were seventy or more years of age and residing in this township in 1876, and they represented many of the pioneer families: Joseph Gleur, Robert Simpson, Samuel Lee and wife, Robert S. Ross and wife, James Sharrard and wife, John Leech, Andrew Hamilton, Samuel Wells, Mrs. J. H. Hammond, John Hammond, Abraham Barnes, Samuel Maxwell, Samuel Patterson, George Estep and wife.
Joseph Guthrie, born in Pennsylvania in 1776, married in 1801, located in Adams township, this county, in 1830. He died in 1855. They had thirteen children and most of them matured into men and women of energy and importance in this county.
Among the settlers of a later date may be mentioned Andrew Hamilton, born in Ireland in 1816, came to Pennsylvania, and in 1863 to this county, locating in Londonderry township, lived there twelve years and then came to Adams township, where he possessed a two-hundred-acre farm.
Thomas Knox, who resided in Washington county, Pennsylvania, born in 1799, accompanied his parents to Ohio and they located in Adams town- ship. The date of his coming here was 1815 and in 1832 he married Jane Miller, who was born in Ireland in 1800. She had a wonderful history and experience. She was captured by the British in 1812, while on her way to America, and kept at Newfoundland two years. While there her mother
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died. Later the daughter joined her father, who settled in Pennsylvania, and from there removed to this county and married Mr. Knox. Her husband died here in 1870 and she in 1874.
Robert Boyd was born in Ireland in 1798 and emigrated to America in 1820 and there married Rachel Frame. This worthy couple lived ten years in Highland township, Muskingum county, Ohio, and then made a perma- nent home in Adams township, this county. He died in 1874, the father of nine children.
James Johnston was a native of Washington county, Pennsylvania, born in 1795, and married Jane Mehaffey, who was born in Ireland. They resided in Pennsylvania six years and then removed to this township in 1824 and he died in 1868. He was a farmer and blacksmith. Their son Alexander was sheriff of Guernsey county during the Civil war, with headquarters at Cam- bridge. He owned a four-hundred-acre farm and was a very influential and enterprising citizen.
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