USA > Ohio > Hancock County > History of Hancock county, from its earliest settlement to the present time > Part 6
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After a heated discussion of the matter for some time, and not being able to agree, McKinnis proposed this novel com- promise. They should take the road indicated by Vance
86
History of Hancock County.
with the understanding that if either of the teams stalled before reaching Findley, that Vance should submit to a whipping from McKinnis, but that if they did not stall, that he-McKinnis-would submit to a whipping from Vance, for insisting that they should take the other road. The whipping to be done with the ox-whip. To this Vance agreed.
They then started, with Vance in the lead. In this way they travelled until they had almost reached Findley, with- out meeting with any mishap, and McKinnis began to shrug his shoulders, and had made up his mind that Vance had beaten him for once. But Vance's team suddenly halted, having failed to touch solid bottom in one of the mud holes, so common at the foot of Chamberlain's Hill. Nor could they with all the whipping and coaxing expended on them by Vance, extricate the wagon, and with a rather solemn countenance, McKinnis was called on to assist. He readily consented, and with the help of his team, Vance's wagon was soon placed on solid ground again. Now came Mc- Kinnis' time, and insisting on the contract, Vance accepted the situation as gracefully as possible, while his opponent, who had fairly won, laid on the ox-gad right lively.
A general muster in the olden time was an event of no small importance, especially to the younger portion of the population. For months before the annual parade, people began preparing to attend. The soldiers were busy in re- pairing and polishing up their old flint-lock muskets, those who were fortunate enough to have one. The commissioned officer was busy studying up his words of command, and brushing up his regimentals. The farmer, who always had an eye to business on such occasions, was carefully culti- vating his melons, and vigilantly watching them to see that
87
General Muster.
no thieves should break through and steal them. Every- thing seemed to be so arranged that general musters and ripe melons both came at the same season of the year, and we boys could never quite decide whether general muster came in water-melon time, or whether water melons came just when general musters were ripe. The thrifty house wife was gathering up the eggs and laying by the butter, for she intends going to town on training day, and with the proceeds of her produce, buy a little tea for her next quilt- ing, and an extra bit of muslin for a new cap.
The grown up girls-now called ladies-were busy mak- ing dresses, for their beaux had been over and invited them to go to town on muster day, and had offered them a seat on the horse behind them, and the small boys were carefully getting and keeping all the pennies they could, for when they went to militia muster-and had they not industriously picked up brush in the clearing and pulled weeds in the corn-field all summer under the promise that they should go ? -they expected to invest their savings in ginger-bread and candy.
When the long looked for day came, the farmer hitched up his ox-team, took his wife and little ones in his wagon, together with his melons, and butter, and eggs; and the beaux on horse back with their sweethearts behind them on the same horse, with their rifles on their shoulders, wended their way to the county-seat, the place of general rendezvous. Here almost the entire population of the county was assem- bled. Officers in blue coats, brass buttons, red sash, mon- strous epauletts, and broad' swords, mounted on the stately plow horse, cavorting up and down the street, the terror of anxious mothers, in danger themselves of broken necks, and to the admiration of small boys. Oh! but wasn't it gay ?
:88
History of Hancock County.
George Washington in all his glory was never arrayed like one of these militia officers, and we doubt if he ever felt half so important. The men by companies, some aimed 'with rifles, but more with sticks and mullein stalks, marched and counter marched, and performed evolutions not now 'laid down in the regulations. They were formed into lines, into circles, into hollow-squares-a great deal more hollow than square. There were the Findley Rangers under the command of Capt. Lape, arrayed in Aaron Baker's uniform. The Captain, I believe, still survives the dangers of those troublous times. The Rangers were dressed in uniforms of green, profusely trimmed with yellow tape. There were the Van Buren Rangers commanded by the now venerable Col. Wall, with uniforms of green, trimmed with red, marching to the music of fife and drums. There were other companies, clothed every man according to his taste, or comfort, or ability. But the "Light Horse Company," commanded by Capt. John Byal, was to us boys the very highest military achievement. To see the men mount and dismount, to face and right face, was to us truly wonderful. True the evolu- tions were not performed as rapidly and as gracefully as Phil Sheridan would have done, but then what does he know about cavalry mustering on farm horses.
Under the direction of Gen. Bell, Col. Byal and other field and staff officers, the companies were put through their facings until noon, when they were dismissed for dinner. After dinner the fun commenced, in the shape of running, jumping, wrestling, pitching horse-shoes, drinking and fight- ing. The few groceries in the town were places of lively interest, and a good gingerbread and small beer business was done.
General Muster. 89
Each company had its fighting man, a much more eco- nomical and comfortable plan than keeping up a whole fighting company, and he was expected to whip any and every man who dared offer an indignity to the company or any member thereof; and it was a very dull day, indeed, if there were not as many fights as there were companies on parade. After these amusements, and the wounded had been properly cared for, those who were not disabled in the en- gagement, and could walk, were marched to the green on the river-bank-now the circus ground-for "Grand Review,", or dress parade. Here they were inspected by the General in command who sat on his horse, "grand, gloomy and pecul- iar," under the shade of his umbrella, whilst the heated war- riors marched solemnly and silently by. Tired, foot-sore, and hungry, they were discharged until the next mustering day. These veterans can now well quote the stanza ;
"Oh ! were you ne'er a militia man, And did you never train ? And feelthat swelling of the feet We hope to never feel again."
7
90
History of Hancock County.
CHAPTER XIII.
RAIL ROADS.
A T a special session held April 26th, 1839, the County Commissioners "Ordered that we, the Commissioners, agree to subscribe one hundred shares, amounting to one hundred thousand dollars, to the capital stock of the Belle- fontaine and Perrysburg Rail Road, and that in our incorpo- rate capacity, we will place our signatures to the books of the company for that amount.
JOHN BYAL, Com." DANIEL FAIRCHILD,
With all our wealth and population, at the present, no such liberal terms towards any rail road project would be entertained by our Commissioners.
At the same meeting, for it seems that the Commissioners meant business, it was ordered "That we appoint a special Commissioner to negotiate the loan on the credit of the county, in the City of New York, or elsewhere, at a rate of interest not to exceed six per cent. per annum," and it was "Ordered that Parlee Carlin be delegated our special agent, to negotiate the loan of one hundred thousand dollars which we have this day subscribed to the capital stock of the Bellefontaine and Perrysburg Rail Road Company."
Thus ends the history of this rail road, so far as this county is concerned. Like an innumerable number of such projects, it ended in talk, and futile resolutions and orders.
In 1845, the rail road fever again broke out in the county, and the Commissioners went earnestly to work to make some;
91
The First Rail Road.
project a success. They were not wholly disappointed, for they set on foot a movement, which finally resulted in the building of the Findley Branch of the Mad River and Lake Erie Rail Road, as it was then called.
On the 4th day of March, 1845, George Shaw, Peter George and John Lafferty, Commissioners, issued a procla- mation to the qualified voters of Hancock County to vote at the election on the first Monday of April, 1845, for or against a proposition to subscribe to the capital stock of the Mad River and Lake Erie Rail Road, and that the Auditor have said proclamation published in three newspapers published in Findley, until the April election. The returns of said election was made and counted and certified as follows :
Washington Township, For 6. Against, 135.
Amanda
" 30.
87.
Jackson
" 40.
66
50.
Cass
66
“ 31.
83.
Findley
66
" 243.
66
4.
Eagle
66
" 67.
66
39.
Van Buren
66
6.
36.
Union
" 121.
4.
Pleasant
66
“ 44.
2.
Big Lick
66
" 55.
26.
Delaware
66
66
1.
66
121.
Marion
66
"107.
5.
Portage
66
" 65.
66
61.
Liberty
66
"120.
66
5.
Madison
66
66
64.
Orange
66
" 17.
41.
Blanchard
66
"102.
66
1.
Totals,
1055.
784.
92
History of Hancock County.
On the 11th day of April, 1845, the Commissioners, in their corporate capacity, subscribed to the Capital stock of the Mad River and Lake Erie Rail Road Company, twelve hundred shares, of fifty dollars a share, making in all, the sum of sixty thousand dollars. Wilson Vance, William Taylor, John Patterson and William L. Henderson were ap- pointed agents to meet with the Railroad Company, and they were authorized to employ a special messenger to go to Perrysburg to get the bonds printed in a neat manner, at as reasonable a compensation as they can agree upon.
On the 22d of April, 1845, the Commissioners, in special session, issued bonds for the sum of thirty thousand dollars, payable to the Mad River and Lake Erie Rail Road Com- pany, as first payment of sixty thousand dollars subscribed. At the June session of the Commissioners, John Ewing and Jacob Barnd were added to the Rail Road Commissioners.
On the 11th day of September, 1845, the County Com- missioners subscribed three hundred shares, amounting to fifteen thousand dollars, in addition to the sixty thousand dollars already subscribed. At the same time, Squire Car- lin was appointed Rail Road Commissioner in place of Jacob Barnd, deceased.
On the 19th day of August, 1846, the Mad River and Lake Erie Rail Road Company accepted the subscription of seventy-five thousand dollars, and agreed to build the road. On the 22d day of September, 1846, the Commissioners of the County appointed John Ewing, John Patterson and Hiram Smith Commissioners to manage the construction of the road.
The road, however, was not completed and put in opera- tion, until the latter part of December, 1849. This road. commencing at Findley, takes a south-easterly course,
93
Dayton and Michigan R. R.
through Findley, Marion and Amanda Townships, to Carey, Wyandotte County. It crosses the Blanchard River in Ma- rion Township. This road is about sixteen miles in length, and was originally constructed on a cheap plan. The iron rails were simply strap iron, or flat iron, as it was termed, laid on stringers, placed lengthwise on the road-bed. In this condition it remained for many years, always paying large dividends to the company, but furnishing very inferior accom- dations to the county.
Finally, however, by an arrangement entered into, be- tween the officers of the road and the County Commission- ers, the company agreed to and did repair the road, lay the track with "T" rails, and build a passenger house at Find- ley. The road now is in first class condition, except the rolling stock, which, as a general thing, is such as is deemed unfit for use on the main line, and of course is of a very unsatisfactory quality.
In 1853, at the time the Dayton and Michigan Rail Road project was under consideration, it was supposed, and per- haps promised, that Findley should be one of the points on the route, and our people became enthusiastic over the mat- ter. In July, 1853, the Commissioners of the County sub- scribed one hundred thousand dollars to the capital stock of the company. A preliminary survey was made of the line, and we felt reasonably sure of the road. In this we were disappointed. The management, for some reason, selected a route farther west, missing our county entirely, and thus ended this rail road project, so far as Hancock County was concerned. The road was built on a line further west, and has proved a paying investment, a good business road, but no more so than it would have been, had the route through
94
History of Hancock County.
our county been chosen. And the road would have been of immense advantage to us.
About this time, and perhaps not until after it was defi- nitely settled that we were not to have the Dayton and Michigan Road, a project to build a road from Fremont, in Sandusky County, to Union City, a town on the line of Ohio and Indiana, by way of Findley and Lima began to be agi- tated. Henry Brown, Esq., then Editor of the "Hancock Courier," of Findley, taking the lead in the matter, and set- ting forth in glowing terms the advantage to be derived from such a line of road. Finally the matter took form, and a Company was organized, and chartered under the name of the "Fremont and Indiana Rail Road Company," " to con- struct a road from Fremont, Ohio, to Union City, on the Indiana line, by way of Findley and Lima. A survey of the route was made, which was decided to be practicable. Subscription books were opened, and stock readily sub- scribed. The principal stock-holders in Findley, were Judge Corey, S. and P. Carlin and Bass Rowson. Judge Corey and Squire Carlin were Directors. After much delay, caused by the difficulty in collecting subscriptions, and inability to procure iron, the road was not completed to Findley until 1861. About this time, the company became embarrassed, and the road was sold. The purchasers organized a new company, under the name of the "Fremont, Lima & Union Rail Road Company," and this company, in 1865, consoli- dated with the Lake Erie & Pacific Rail Road Company, under the name of the Lake Erie & Louisville R. R. Com- pany, but the road was not completed and operated to Lima until the winter of 1873, perhaps. From that time until 1878, the road was operated, most of the time, in the hands of a Receiver.
95
Lake Erie and Western R. R.
At this time, however, some shrewd eastern capitalists seeing the advantage of such a line, bought the road, and at once set themselves to work to develop its resources. They extended the line from Celina, in Mercer County, Ohio, to Muncie, Indiana, thus making good western connections, also connecting with Chicago. The name of the road was changed to that of Lake Erie & Western, the better to ex- press its intentions. Connections were sought and obtained with St. Louis. The road was extended from Fremont to Sandusky City, on Lake Erie, and to-day this is regarded as a "Trunk Line," and its business has brought it well up to the front.
This road enters the county at Fostoria, in Section one, Washington Township, thence runs a south-west direction, passing through the Townships of Washington, Cass, Ma- rion, Findley, Liberty, Eagle, Union and Orange, crossing into Allen County, at Bluffton. There is about twenty-five miles of the road in Hancock County, and its business at Findley and other points, amounts to many thousands of dollars.
The citizens of McComb and vicinity, having been several times disappointed in their expectations of the completion of the Continental Road, which had been graded through their town, conceived the idea of building a line of road to inter- sect the Dayton & Michigan at Deshler, about eight miles distant, went to work earnestly in the matter, and having made satisfactory arrangements with the Dayton & Michi- gan, organized a company to construct the McComb and Deshler Railroad. The work was pushed rapidly forward, and the road completed in January, 1881. About four miles of this road is in Hancock County.
The old Continental line has been bought up by eastern
96
History of Hancock County.
capitalists, and under the name of the New York, Chicogo & St. Louis Railway, is being pushed forward to completion. This line runs directly across the northern tier of towships, and when completed, will have about twenty-five miles of road within Hancock County.
97
Common Schools.
CHAPTER XIV.
COMMON SCHOOLS.
T E cannot give even the approximate cost of the schools of the county a half century ago, or the number of youth within school age. We can very safely conclude, however, that the number of the one, and the amount of the other was not large. The schools at that early day were supported by subscription, and not by money raised by taxation. It is not probable that the costs of the school was very great, as we now count the cost. The school buildings were the rude log cabins, as rudely furnished, and the teachers were of very limited acquirements, and of but little experience in the management of schools. The books used were in very many instances utterly unfit for the use of children as text books in schools. There was no system, and very little method in conducting these schools, and perhaps, the only wonder is that pupils learned anything at all, or that the schools were not a positive evil, instead of a benefit.
Yet under all these difficulties, and want of almost every thing intended to render the school life of the pupil not only bearable, but attractive, much, very much progress was made in the acquirement of a common school education. Indeed many, and in fact almost all the older men and women of the county, never had other than just such train- ing.
98
History of Hancock County.
But such was the perseverance and the determination of the boys and girls of that day in the pursuit of knowledge under so many discouraging surroundings, that the educa- tion thus obtained, has enabled them to go successfully through life, managing their own affairs, and in many in- stances those of the public as well, with intelligence an success.
A great change has transpired. The friends of popular education have been able to frame and put into successful operation, a common school system, which for universal good, is second to that of no other State in the Union. Free schools-common schools-such as the intelligence of Ohio men have brought into existence, and such as Ohio laws foster and protect, have done more to make us a great, prosperous and happy people, than any other blessing be- stowed upon us.
Hancock County has not been slow in appreciating this fact, and in availing herself of the present and lasting ben- efits which attend it. This is fully proven by a glance at the school statistics relating to this county. And no surer indication of our prosperity can be produced than that which becomes evident in an examination of these statistics. For it is not possible that a community, which so generally avails itself of the provisions of so good a law, should be other than prosperous and happy.
In 1880 the enumeration of youth of school age, in the county, was nine thousand, two hundred and ten (9,210), or about forty per cent. of the entire population. Of this number seven thousand, seven hundred and forty-eight were enrolled in the different schools of the county, during the school-year.
To accomodate this small army of boys and girls, there
1
99
Schools and their Cost.
are one hundred and forty-nine school buildings, containing one hundred and seventy-five school rooms. The cost of these buildings is put down at one hundred and eighty-five thousand dollars ($185,000). For the instruction of these children there were one hundred and seventy-six teachers employed, at a cost of thirty-eight thousand, two hundred and ninety-four dollars and ninety-eight cents ($38,294.98). The total receipts of school money during the year was ninety-six thousand, nine hundred and seventy-seven dollars and seventy-one cents, and the total expenditures were fifty- six thousand, eight hundred and four dollars and sixty-eight cents.
Large as these amounts really are, what is that compared with the intelligence which is diffused ? What is that com- pared to the preparing of the young for useful and law- abiding citizens ? What is that compared with the comfort and happiness that may attend each individual recipient, if properly used.
Hancock County has good reason to be proud of her two hundred school buildings, of her well regulated school rooms, in many instances furnished with the most approved school apparatus, and all the modern appliances which tend to make the acquirement of an education a pleasure rather than a task. These incipient colleges-the poor man's col- leges-are scattered all over the county, but conveniently accessable to all. Places where the children of the poor can meet on an equality with the children of the rich, where all may have an equal opportunity of mastering a common school education, without money and without any other price than that of industry and close application.
Yes, the common school system of Ohio is fraught with innumerable blessings, designed as it is for the benefit of all
100
History of Hancock County.
who see proper to avail themselves of its provisions. It is not perfect, perhaps, but may the hand of no quack Legis- tor ever be laid upon it to mar its present fair proportions, and fasten upon it the foul sores of political legislation. May no change ever be allowed, except a change for the better.
101
First Administrator.
CHAPTER XV.
SOME OTHER THINGS OF INTEREST.
U NDER the old judicial system of the State, Administra- tors of the estates of deceased persons were ap- pointed by the Associate Judges of the County, and upon the decease of an individual seized of an estate, it was necessary to call a special session of the court, in order to appoint an Administrator. This was certainly very incon- venient, and at this day would be very expensive.
The first record we find of such a session of court in this county, was one held on the 19th day of March, 1829, at Find- ley, by Judges Huff, McKinnis and Wilson. At that time, William Taylor was appointed Administrator of the estate of John Patterson, deceased. His sureties were Job Cham- berlain, sr., and John Boyd. The whole amount of money coming into the hands of the Administrator from the sale of both real and personal property, was $869.50, quite an estate for that early day, and Mr. Patterson was regarded as one of the wealthy men of the county.
In looking over the items of the settlement, we find the administrator has a credit of two dollars, for two days ser- vices as administrator. This was certainly a novel way of getting pay for such services, to say nothing of the very moderate charge made. The attorneys, for procuring sale of land, and advsing in the settlement of the estate, were allowed five dollars. No doubt the heirs and the
102
History of Hancock County.
creditors of the estate in those days received larger divi- dends, than many of that class do at the present.
The first will recorded, was probated in March, 1830, and in this day of brevity in such matters, it may be of interest to mention the introduction to this will as it ap- pears on record, which we will do, omitting the name of the testator.
"In the name of God, Amen. I * * of Hancock County, State ef Ohio, being sick and weak in body, but of sound mind, memory and understanding, (praised be God for it,) and considering the certainty of death, and the uncertainty of the time thereof, and to the end I may be better prepared to leave this world whenever it may please God to call me home, do therefore make and declare this my last will and testament in manner follow- ing, (that is to say) first and principally I commend my soul into the hands of Almighty God, my Creator, praying for free pardon, and remission of all my sins, and to enjoy everlasting happiness in the Heavenly Kingdom through Jesus Christ my Savior. My body I commit to the earth, at the discretion of my executor hereafter named."
Then follows the several items of the will all as properly, and at the same time as specifically expressed, as is the foregoing. Indeed, in looking over the records of wills of that day, we are impressed with the certainty of the lan- guage of every bequest. No ambiguity, no looseness of expression on which a law suit might hinge, no possible chance for litigation and fat fees. No wasting of the estate in determinig the intentions of the party, but all is plain and to the point.
In the early history of the county, a noted Wyandotte Chief, known as Sum-un-du-wat, was well known in this
103
Murder of Sum-un-du-wat.
county, having made so many incursions here-by almost every man, woman and child in the settlements. He was a christian Indian, brave, generous and kind, and was not only honored by his tribe, but was respected by the pale faces for his honesty and bravery. This noble red man was most foully. murdered near Napoleon, in Henry County. The event created a most profound sensation, and for some time there seemed to be danger of an outbreak amongst the Indians, to avenge this most fiendish killing of Sum-un-du- wat, and his daughter and her husband, for they were all three murdered at the same time and by the same men. Without a moment's warning they were slain by those who were receiving their hospitality.
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