USA > Ohio > Huron County > History of Huron County, Ohio, Its Progress and Development, Volume I > Part 7
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"We have in Norwalk the two greatest American advantages. American homes and American spirit."
The meeting closed with a selection by the orchestra, after which the crowd spent a few moments visiting the various sights and then returned to their homes.
Tuesday was Fraternal Day. At nine a. m. the exercises of the day opened. followed by a grand fraternal parade in which all the fraternal societies of Huron county participated. In the parade were floats, carriages and decorated vehicles. The address of the occasion was made by the Hon. Charles E. Piper, of Chicago, president of the National Fraternal Congress. In the evening there was a reunion of all former Norwalk officials, with Mayor Venus as chairman.
A plea for universal fraternity was the keynote of the address made by Hon. F. W. Van Dusen, the first speaker introduced. He said that the spirit of chivalry did not die with the middle ages, nor has it been limited to any age or time.
Fraternal day, he said, is singularly appropriate for a home-coming cele- bration for if there are two words in the English language which are syn-
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onymous they are "home" and "fraternity." If the people, he said, will not go to the fraternities, why should not the latter go to the people ?
Civilization, he said, is measured by the aspect with which woman is re- garded. Among the savages she was a slave, in the early Christian days a toy. Today she is assuming a better position. Lightly touching the much discussed question of suffrage he said that the proper place of woman is perhaps not in the mire of politics where she might only add to the numerical strength of the voting force and not improve it.
Hon. Charles E. Piper, of Chicago, president of the National Fraternal Congress was in a happy vein when he arose to speak. Whimsical, but earn- est withal he held the attention of his hearers.
The boy starting out in life, he said, learns history three times. First he learns the bare facts. When he goes to high school these are elaborated with regard to their position in history, but when he enters college he is for the third time told that he does not know history and must study it. The instructor makes him learn not only the facts of history but the facts with reference to the course of the world. It is not sufficient for him to know that Charles Martel defeated the Saracens, he must know why the Saracens were in Europe at that particular time.
In something the same manner we not only should know of the existence of fraternity but should know of it with reference to the world, why it is here and what are the objects which it is meant to accomplish.
Wednesday was Merchants' and Manufacturers' Day, opening at ten a. m. by a grand parade. At one-thirty p. m. was the decorated automobile parade. At three p. m. address by Hon. Judson Harmon, Governor of Ohio.
The combined efforts of the manufacturers and merchants of the city in celebration of industrial day resulted in the largest and best pageant in the history of the city. The various factories and merchants were represented with elaborate floats in a most creditable manner. The two ends of the parade met at State street, extending from that thoroughfare to Newton, to Jefferson, to Cortland, to Main, to State, a distance of over a mile and one-half. It took the paraders thirty minutes to pass a given point.
The pageant was witnessed by thousands of spectators who thronged the line of march, particularly in the business portion of the city. Early cars com- menced bringing people from outlying districts and neighboring towns and cities until at ten o'clock Main and adjoining streets were a mass of humanity. The parade moved at ten-fifteen o'clock and included in its make-up Governor Harmon, who viewed the pageant from his automobile in front of the Avalon on the counter march. The governor was kept busy lifting his hat in response to the cheers which greeted him along the line.
The automobile parade in the afternoon was a feature of merchants' and mechanics' day of the centennial celebration. Fifty handsomely decorated ma- chines made up the unique pageant, which reflected great credit upon the com- mittee which had the affair in charge, which included Theodore Williams, chairman : W. C. Pressing, grand marshal ; E. E. Sly and Arthur Young, assist- ants.
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Mr. Pressing's car headed the parade and was followed by Dr. Merritt's car in which was seated Governor Harmon, Mayor Venus and Hon. S. E. Craw- ford. Two cars followed carrying the governor's staff and then came Dr. Sim- mon's car with members of the centennial committee. The cars carrying the governor and staff and members of the committee were gaily decorated with flags and bunting.
At three p. m. the vast crowd assembled at School Park to hear the Gov- ernor's address.
Governor Harmon made a plea for law enforcement in his address at the high school grounds during the afternoon. The governor said that every dollar spent by a government affects the home owner by so much and the failure of any to obey the laws reacts on all.
There was a large crowd assembled when the governor arrived in an auto- mobile with his staff. He was briefly introduced by C. F. Jackson, president of the Chamber of Commerce who said the executive was welcome not only as the governor but because through ancestry he is in a certain sense a home comer.
" The mere fact of having existed for a hundred years," said the governor. " is no matter for glory, but the glory exists in whatever may have been ac- complished." He said that in looking back to what Norwalk was a century ago, it has every reason to be proud.
"No state in the union," he declared, "has as many prosperous cities as Ohio, and of these Norwalk is ranked with the fairest. We are proud of the cities of our state and proud of the agricultural districts which. created them and which are sustaining them."
The governor said that he had visited this city in the past and was much surprised at the numerous industries located within its precincts.
"But more than industry or wealth," he said, "it is necessary for a city to possess rigid virtue and high ideals, and these Norwalk has.
"I do not know who will stand in my place a hundred years from now." said Governor Harmon, "but I do know that whoever he is, he will receive from Norwalk citizenship the same hearty welcome which was accorded me.
"When my ancestors moved to what was called west, two hundred years ago, that is the western part of New York, the house they built was not burned dur- ing the ravages of Benedict Arnold. Had he done so I might have been here in the capacity of a home-comer, a native of the Firelands.
"As we come to these home-comings we see that some of us are growing older but there are those who can show us how to grow old gradually, and teach us that every age has its pleasures if we will but find them."
The governor referred humorously to the numerous invitations which he has received from Ohio societies throughout the country and said that if he accepted one, for instance, which was sent him from the Pacific coast, he would not be able to attend to his duties at Columbus and the people would say that he is loafing on the job.
Becoming more serious on this topic he said that home-comings are an ex- cellent thing. that they tend to strengthen the band of unity between section and section, making this more and more one country under one flag.
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"One of the things which made easy the Civil war," said the governor, "was the fact that the criss-crossed lines of kinship did not run north and south and that we were two great bodies instead of one. It is different now, there are societies of the north in the south and vice versa."
The governor remarked that one of the signs of prosperity in Norwalk is the fact that almost everyone owns his own home.
He closed by making a plea for law enforcement because on it depends much of the safety and happiness of the household.
At the conclusion of his address the governor was whirled away in an auto, followed by his staff in two other machines, to the Avalon, where a public re- ception was held in the lobby. Members of company G. formed a pathway through which the people passed in a jam for three-quarters of an hour to shake the hand and pass a few words with the chief executive. Mayor Venus in- troduced the callers to the governor.
Owing to arrangements to take the chief executive to Sandusky where a public reception was arranged for a short time, the reception at the Avalon was cut short at three forty-five o'clock. The special car on the Lake Shore Elec- tric, conveying the governor and several prominent Sandusky democratic politi- cians, Senator Dean, and Representative Crawford, of this city, who enter- tained the governor during his stay in this city, left for the Bay City at three fifty.
Thursday was Firelands Day. The Hon. C. H. Gallup, chairman.
Rev. Arthur Dumper pronounced the invocation and, omitting the music by the Italian band, Mr. Gallup at once introduced Hon. C. P. Wickham, who gave a memorial address to two honored ex-presidents of the society: Hon. G. T. Stewart, of this city and Judge Rush R. Sloane, of Sandusky, both hav- ing died in the last year. Judge Wickham's tribute was one that could well be rendered by one whose acquaintance with the two men had been closely intimate and personal. Of Mr. Stewart he gave a brief account of his life from his birth in 1824 to his recent death, of his education at Oberlin, his law study with Jairus Kennan and Noah Swayne, his newspaper connection with the Dubuque Times, where he held the unenviable position of anti-slavery editor in pro-slavery territory, of his long law practice in which he achieved distinction for his ability and justice. Mr. Stewart was a member of all organizations of Norwalk with the object of benefiting and uplifting and preserving the good and valuable, and prominent prohibitionist and temperance worker, last surviv- ing charter member of the Whittlesey academy and one of the organizers of Firelands.
Of Mr. Sloane, Judge Wickham said: "He was a product of the Firelands. born and reared here and with his vital interests centered here. He was active in the prosecution of the Fugitive Slave law, but was for that afterward re- warded and recognized by election to various offices, among them probate judge. Lincoln's appointment as agent of postoffice department, and afterwards his commercial ability and recognition in railroad circles, caused him to abandon active law practice. He also was a member of many archaeological and other societies and was the donor of five hundred dollars to the Firelands for its present home."
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Dr. Beckwith, whose address was entitled "Reminiscences from 1835 to 1853," is a delightful, breezy old gentleman, whose recollections cover a period of Norwalk's history that saw great strides in her progress. He was born in Bronson, and first remembers Norwalk for an encounter between the Bron- son and Norwalk lads on "the hill," where the latter essayed to enter Norwalk, the occasion being a circus. This was soon after followed by a mighty battle in which the Bronson Davids (with slings) slew the Norwalk Goliaths and peace was established. Dr. Beckwith attended Norwalk Seminary and recalled many interesting episodes. One, the attendance upon a young lady of the female de- partment, his consequent public reproof, which failed of effect because he has been waiting on that same young lady sixty years. Dr. Beckwith attended this school with General McPherson, the famous general of the Civil war. George R. Haynes, who died early, George G. Haines, late of Toledo, well known as circuit judge here for many years. Dr. Beckwith's accounts of his earlier ac- ceptance of homeopathy and its practice was interesting and often humorous. His carly study with Dr. Tifft and his treatment of the nervous patient Tim Strong. his acquiring of drug knowledge in John Dewey's drug store, his asso- ciation with Drs. Kittredge and Baker and George Crane, all are reminiscences that recall the well known figures of Norwalk fifty years ago. His early experi- ence of long rides and disagreeable cases rewarded by small or no fees, were very interesting. Ile was actively engaged in practice at the time of the cholera epidemic in 1853, consulted with Dr. Tilden and Dr. Kramer of Sandusky. An amusing incident was one of his resuscitation of a certain amorous Cox after a dose of laudanum. The sequel was characteristic. Attorney Tim Strong warned him that a serious charge had been placed against him, in which all the lawyers of Iluron county were against him. Mr. Strong advised him as a friend. to en- gage Judge Ranney, of Cleveland. Dr. Beckwith inquired, "Why?" "Because you brought back to life that 'love-sick' fool, Cox." Dr. Beckwith closed with a glowing tribute to Dr. Tifft, whom many present well remembered.
The afternoon session was principally given to addresses and reminiscences by pioneer descendants. Hon. C. H. Gallup gave an interesting talk on, "One Century of Norwalk," recounting the city's growth from its founding by Nathan Comstock, February 7, 1809, to the present day. Another speaker was Professor A. S. Root, who talked in an entertaining manner with regard to local his- torical societies, their uses and benefits. "It is such organizations as these," he said, "that stir patriotism and gives to all a keener interest in the affairs of state and municipality." He paid a splendid compliment to the local society on the completeness of its records and the splendid museum.
Another speaker was Professor Prince, of Cincinnati, a member of the Ohio Archaeological and Geological society. Ile told of the rich historical value of the Western Reserve and the Firelands as viewed from residents of another portion of the state. A number of pioneers spoke briefly giving reminiscences of early days in the Firelands.
The following is taken from the Norwalk Herald, of Friday, 18th : The clos- ing remarks of the Firelands Pioneer Historical society were made by A. J. Baughman of Mansfield, who was here as representative of the State Archeo- logical society, and they were peculiarly appropriate as a prelude to the exercises
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of today in which the G. A. R. participated, as at the close, Mr. Baughman re- cited a little poem, "The Soldiers of the Civil War Are on Their Last March."
They are marching down the valley at the great Commander's call, Though the way is rough and weary, and the mystic shadows fall; But the hearts that beat so bravely in the battle's fierce affray, Do not falter at the summons, nor the dangers of the way.
They are marching down the valley, hark, the sound of tramping feet ! They go on thro' summer's sunshine. they go on thro' winter's sleet ; Banners wave and arms aglitter, and the music's throbbing breath Echoes in the solemn valley, that we name the Vale of Death.
They are marching down the valley, and we follow gladly on, For the music sweet and cerie tells the way that they have gone ; And we'll find them camped in meadows where the waters stilly flow ; Where the sward is soft and verdant, and the flowers of heaven grow.
Thursday was also Sunday school day.
The parade moved promptly at ten-thirty o'clock, the appointed hour, in charge of Charles A. Paul as grand marshal, assisted by Dr. H. Fulstow, Milo Johnson, Phil Fulstow and Douglas Gardiner.
Following the grand marshals came the Royal Italian band and centennial officials in carriages. The first Sunday school in the line was the Baptist organ- ization, headed with a large float trimmed in yellow with a cross in the center, to which a young woman, with long, flowing hair clung, representing. "Rock of Ages." Women with babies in carriages, representing the cradle roll came next. The ladies of D. Kies' Bible class wore gowns of yellow and white and clung to white and yellow streamers which led to a staff carried by Mr. Kies. One float was filled with boys alongside of which walked men of various races representing the missionary work of the church.
The Congregational church was the second denomination in line. Their delegation started with the cradle roll in small carts drawn by ponies, all neatly decorated with white flowers. Ladies in carriages, children dressed in white, riding on large floats and another large wagon filled with church pews, on which were seated elderly people, concluded the delegation from the Congrega- tional church.
The Junior Order drum corps marched at the head of the Episcopal dele- gation, the first being a large float filled with children. A small pony and cart handsomely decorated with yellow cloth and nasturtiums carried yellow. An auto gaily decorated with flags and evergreens, filled with children followed, the procession of Episcopalians being closed with two carriage loads of children dressed in white.
The Presbyterian Sunday school was led by two electric automobiles hand- somely decorated. A large float handsomely decorated in white carried many children neatly dressed in white suits and dresses. It required, in addition, to carry the delegation-eight surreys and a band wagon.
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The Chicago Junction band came between the Presbyterian and Methodist organizations the latter being headed by several surreys in which were seated ladies dressed in white. A large float, decorated in pink and white, and covered with flowers, carried a large number of children, arranged in pyramid form. Two floats decorated in red, white and blue, carried young people, one repre- senting the Puritans of several centuries ago. Four automobiles, with white decorations, carried a number of young ladies in white gowns.
The entire procession was concluded by the Universalist Sunday school, a float decorated in red, white and blue carrying children, and three carriages filled with teachers of the school.
Friday was Grand Army and Military Day, and one of the largest gather- ings of the veterans of the Civil war ever held in Huron county was at the home-coming in Norwalk on this day.
The meeting of the Soldiers' and Sailors' association was deferred until the present week in order to combine the two functions and make one grand general reunion of the veterans and their families, the meetings being usually held in June of each year.
This morning's session was devoted to the business affairs of the organiza- tion, the election of officers and other such matters. The meeting was called to order by President J. M. Chaffee shortly before ten o'clock.
A neat souvenir, consisting of an American flag pin, was presented with the compliments of the Marsh company, to each of the veterans as he entered the hall. Vice president Charles Stacey, secretary W. G. Holiday and treasurer W. H. Cline were busy at the beginning of the session pinning badges on mem- bers of the association.
Among those who spoke during the forenoon were Orville S. Reed, of Toledo. department chaplain, and past department commander of Ohio Rogers of Cleve- land.
The Gilger theater was filled in the afternoon by veterans of the Civil war. and their friends to hear the eloquent words that fell from the lips of General R. B. Brown, of Zanesville, past department commander of the Grand Army of the Republic.
The theater was handsomely decorated for the occasion with flags and em- blems of the order, the front of the balcony and stage being handsomely fes- tooned with the national colors. Colonel James H. Sprague was chairman of the day.
General Brown, known as one of the most eloquent speakers in the G. A. R. was at his best yesterday afternoon and his reference to the stirring incidents of the bloody civil conflict caused the pulse of his old comrades to quicken, while numerous pathetic stories of the war caused the tears to course down the furrows of the cheeks of the old soldiers who knew full well the meaning of his words. It was an intensely patriotic audience that listened to General Brown and he was frequently interrupted by applause.
General Brown made a strong appeal to parents to instil in their children the idea of patriotism ; to teach them the full significance of their liberty under this great republic; what its institutions mean, and the great sacrifice made to bring it into existence and perpetuate it.
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The sight of "old glory," he said, prior to the Civil war, with the possible exception of some Fourth of July celebration, was a rare thing. He ventured the assertion that had "old glory" been as familiar a sight in the days before the war as it is today the civil conflict would have been impossible.
Troop K, fifteenth cavalry, U. S. A., arrived in Norwalk Thursday forenoon. Riding two by two through Main street, the troopers presented a splendid appearance, were in full marching order, with sabers and carbines and shelter tents wrapped in rolls, their service uniforms being neat and clean in spite of their long "hike." At their head as they entered the city rode Captain F. C. Mar- shall, in command, and First Lieutenant John Cocke.
Saturday was the closing day of the centennial celebration. The day dawned cool and clear and has been ideal for such a celebration as the city has indulged the past week. Farmers seemed inclined to take a day off and early afternoon cars brought crowds from the rural districts.
The officials of the centennial association are supremely satisfied with the celebration and count it a great success.
The following editorial, suggested by Norwalk Home Week celebration, ap- peared in the Cleveland Leader of Saturday :
"Such a celebration as that which has taken place at Norwalk this week is good to participate in, fine to contemplate by those whose early home ties lead them to some other city or village away from the metropolitan centers. The "home week" serves both to bring back old memories and to renew old acquaintances, as well as to show the elder boys and girls who have drifted away what a fine place the old town is, after all. Thus the new Norwalk displays its many attractions, while the old Norwalk is brought to life in the memories of its children.
"Home weeks" in America are less ostentatious manifestations of the spirit which has inspired English towns to work out festivals with showy greatness. American towns have no hoary legends to commemorate, and depend largely upon the memory of men and women now living to supply the traditions.
For sheer personal enjoyment the American "welcome home" beats the Eng- lish elaborate pageant all hollow."
The following letters from one of "the old boys of Norwalk"-"Jim" Patter- son-will explain themselves :
DENVER, COLO., June 14, 1909.
C. P. Wickham, Norwalk, Ohio.
Old Friend Charlie :- I have this day received notice of the "Norwalk Centennial." in which I read, "Please come home, Old Mother Norwalk wants to see all her children," and requesting an answer "whether or not you will be present to celebrate the occasion with us."
How much I would like above all things to come, and will if possible, but am afraid I cannot.
"Home coming!" What visions open up; how old memories are stirred when we think of the old home; how present surroundings recede and the boyish environments come to the front and occupy the whole stage. Gee!
But say, wouldn't it be better for me to stay away? I shall miss so many things. Won't I suffer sharp disappointments? Over half a century! Here
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now I am an old man; there I was a boy. I don't know your Norwalk of today ; the Norwalk of old is in my mind. I am sure I no longer recognize it as you have made it. I could not-nor would I wish to if I could-destroy the illu- sion. It is a comfort for me to dream of the things that were there once upon a time, and that was in the long ago. I know that it has not all vanished, but in the picture memory presents to me I see plainly certain outlines of streets, houses, gardens, forests, meadows and streams that have vanished or altered. This gradual change has been going on all these years; you have not noticed it, it is nothing to you, but it is everything to me.
What are you going to do about it? I know. You are going to entertain the old boys and girls the very best you can; you are going to "point with pride" to all your improvements. We old ones will recognize your pride in these things, as the age in which we live demands them, and your civic spirit has been equal to the call: but I fear there will be an aching void which you cannot fill and for which you will be in nowise to blame. We can lay it on to old Father Time.
In later years when you are no longer there, when long years have intervened, you are conscious that all those old things are dear to you, necessary to you, that they are a part of you, and you have a great desire to see them again. Will I be able to gratify this longing if I come there?
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