History of Logan County and Ohio, Part 79

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?; Battle, J. H; O.L. Baskin & Co
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago, O.L. Baskin
Number of Pages: 798

USA > Ohio > Logan County > History of Logan County and Ohio > Part 79

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bold relief, and with forcible impresiones, when the clear, strong light of contrast is thrown upon the experiences of the pioneers hereabouts and that of the present advanced era of civilization. In those days of mental darkness, no scenes, glowing with rich hues and beanties, which alone make immortality desirable to the rational, ever loomed up be- fore the pioneer mind. No endless perspec- tive of ceaselessly increasing knowledge > over burst upon his mind with overpowering glory. No burning thoughts of poesy ever flamed up from the altar of his intellect- the disadvantages in procuring an education prevented the development of the hidden powers of his mind. And such are the bone- fits of the present over the past -- such are the results of colleges and academies-to the pioneer unknown. Toillustrate: Of one mer- chant in this town, in the days that are past, it is said, so deficient was his eduentiom, that in sending East for a new stock of n.or lan- dise, he would mark a circle on a sheet of pa- per to represent cheese, and a cirel . with a dot in the center to represent grindstones, fo'd it up and then have some friend address it for him. This was Hiram N. White. 1 final'y came to pass that a certain man moved to town who could read and write, and he op ned a store, with this advantage over lis com- petitor-being qualified by an education (?) to order what he wanted. This is said to be an extract from one of his orders, verb time et literatim, et punctuation:

" Siend tu boalts uv musslyn An 3 sax uv Kaughphy Bi jhon Cumminzizoks teem, und oblege yewrs."

West Liberty has a school history of its own. and each successive step in the growth of the community found its counterpart in the progress of the schools. As from the rude log cabins that constituted the hemes of the brave men who came carly to Ohio to plant the seeds of her after greatness, came

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HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.

the commodious dwellings that adorn West Liberty, as the Queen of the Valley, so the old schoolhouse of frontier years, when the big boys of the "deestriet " thought it fine fun to bar the master out on a cold Christmas morning, has gradually given stop to the de- veloped system of to-day. Few of the rising generation will ever realize much of the crude state of matters in that long ago, but the old veteran of half a century, or more, can recall the times of which we write. The old log building, with its ample fire-place, windows of greased paper, and split slab benches, the deep engraven names and marks of the busy jack-knife, the old Webster's Elementary and the famous copies the master wrote at the head of the home-made writing book, the well seasoned switches in the log crannies, and whereby hangs many a tale, all, if they yet remained, could tell much of the school-days of our forefathers.

The school-master of then, fully competent to teach the " three R's," and carry bis pupi.s to the Rule of Three, was by no means an unimportant factor of early society. He was the oracle of the " district," and,

"All declared how much he knew;

'Twas certain he could write and cipher too; Lands he could measure, terms and tidles presage. And c'en the story run that he could gange; In arguing, too, the parson owned his skill; For e'en though vanquished, he could argue still; While words of learned length and thundering

Amazed the gazing rusties round. And still thy gazed, and still the wonder grew, That one samll head could carry all he knew."

"But passed is all his fame," and so, as with the onward march of time, the okl school- have disappeared from off the green, up in its et al rese the building of another era. This House is still standing on Baird street, near the bridge, and is compiled as a dwelling by E. Myers. In these early days it was also

used as a church. Some years afterward the house west of the Presbyterian Church, on Columbus street, was erected for educational purposes, and for a time, school was here hekl.

But the rapid growth of the village de- manded more ample accommodations, and so in the year 1848, the main part of the present Union School building was erected on the hill amid the trees of native oak. The first teacher here was the Rev. Luther Smith, who, as a venerable patriarch, with the white locks of more than three-score-years-and-ten, still lives to relate incidents of his life as a teacher. Mr. Smith taught a good school and his repu- tation as a scholar drew many to seek instrue- tion at his hands. He was followed by Coates Kinney, who figured conspicuously as superin- tendent of instruction, while priblishing a paper here during the years 1850 and 1851. Rev. John Fulton, now a noted divine of New York City, bat during the war, famous for his arrest at New Orleans, by Bon Butler, for omitting to pray for the President of the United States, was also connected with the schools for a time. Then there was another individual of whom sundry stories have come down to these later years. We will not mention his name, but he much resembled the celebrated Ichabod Crane, of Sleepy Hollow. It is said that his appearance was somewhat striking. He was a large man, and invariably arrayed his person in lavender pants, coat of peculiar cut, yellow gloves and white cravat. When his white hat was raised from his clas- sie forehead it revealed the barren waste of a school boy's ideal desert running clear back. From a delicate border land stretching all around his cranium a fringe radiated upward and toward a common center. His appearance was more youthful than his years, and, like Ich- abod, he had his experiences, but, it is to be hoped, without so tragic an ending. His con- nertion with the school was not of great duration. R. E. Pettit, now Probate Judge

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HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.

of Logan County, served a long experience as teacher in various positions. Mr. Pettit and Miss Isabella Hildebrand were identified with the schools longer than any other two persons. In fact there are few native adults in the place who were not for some time under their instruction. Miss Hildebrand was one of the teachers for over twenty years. G. W. Walker, now the able superintendent at Lima, Ohio, was employed for several years, and many are the stories told of his devotion to his work and the hold he had upon the pupils and people. The other superintendents are many, of whom the following may be men- tioned : Quincy Gwynn Hamilton, M. K. Turner, - Gardner, I. W. Legg, J. M. Drake, Duncan McDonald, F. N. Mattoon and A. I. Surfaco.

In the summer of 1812, Prof. P. W. Search was employed by the Board of Education as Superintendent. From the beginning of his administration there dawned a new era in the history of the West Liberty Schools. A thorough course of study was laid down and the schools reorganized and classified from top to bottom. Since then the pupils have been enthused with new life; the people, well pleased with the moral and intellectual improvement of the children; the teachers, reinvigorated, and the entire scene about the schoolhouse changed into one of thrift and energy. In the High School excellent in- struction is given in Arithmetic, Bookkeep- ing, Algebra, Geometry, Grammar, Rhetoric and Composition, Latin, (three years course), General History, English Literature, Physiol- ogy, Zoology, Philosophy, Botany, Astron- omy, Physical Geography, Chemistry and Con- stitution of the United States. The High School is well attended, the scholars are won- derfully imbued with the spirit and enthu- siasm of the teachers, and their advancement is rapid and substantial. A good laboratory has been furnished by Prof. Search, which is

well stocked with a telescope and all the modern philosophical and chemical apparatus. For over three years a first-class literary so- ciety has been in existence in the school- the Philomathean. The meetings are held every Friday night and the influence of this effective rhetorical drill is being folt through- out the entire community. U'p to the pres- ent time there are ten graduates of the school: Class of 1875, Mary Kavanagh; 1879, Minnie Smith, Mamie Drake, Carrie Davis, Annie Maxwell and Ben llarrop; 1880, Mamie Cornell, Estie E. Drake, Ora E. Brown and William Jordan.

The entire course of study covers a period of twelve years, represented by as many dif- ferent grades. The annual enrollment is nearly 300. The various departments are un- der instructors as follows: high school, Miss Emma C. Sayre; grammar, Miss Mary Kay- anagh; intermediate, Miss Madge Fitzgerald; secondary, Miss Lou Boyer; Primary, Mrs. M. L. Fishbough. Prof. Search is now serving his fourth year. At the close of last year he was re-elected Superintendent for a term of three years, at a salary of $1,200, the highest paid in the county. Of the success of his ad- ministration we will add nothing more. The mere fact of his retention so much longer than his predecessors and the vigorous efforts made by the citizens to hold him permanently, speaks in language stronger than words.

This recapitulation would not be complete without a few words in praise of the worthy President of the Board of Education, Dr. B. B. Leonard. For many years he has been connected with the Board and faithfully has he performed his duty as member and officer. To him much credit is due for the present rank of the West Liberty Schools among the education Hinstitutions of the State.

In 1828 the following persons resided in this town, and for the most part on Detroit street, near the center of the place: Dr. John

HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.

Ordway, physician, (single); II. M. White, ing house in 1815. The first hotel was built hotel-keeper and merchant; John Vaughn, farmer and Baptist preacher; William Vaughan, tailor and Baptist preacher; John Wiliams, blacksmith and local Methodist preacher: Benjamin Ginn, tailor (single man); Robert Crockett (apprentice with Vaughn). tanner (single): William Kenton; William Moore, wheelwright and painter; Thomas Hubbard, carpenter; AAbner Tharp, wagon- maker: Simon Robinson, miller; Tillman Longfellow (apprentice to John Vaughn) tan- ner. (single), and Mrs. Polly McCulloch and f. mily.

The residue of the town was at that time in a complete state of nature, grown up in brush and wild-plum thickets, and where the depot now is, the thicket was so impen- otraldl . that a man could scarcely ride through it. IF re, vireled withall that cxalts and em- b. Hliches civilized life, " the rank thistle then nodded in the wind, and the fox dug his hole unarel." Not many years before, the sam . sun that rolled over the heads of the twelve solitary families then in West Liberty, shone upon the Indian hunter as he pursued the pointing deer, gazing upon the same moon that now sheds its soft lustre over this beau- ifdl little village. On the site where this place now stands, the wigwams once shelter- " I the tender and helpless, and the council- fire gramed on the wie and daring. Here they oner worshiped, and from many a hard To an went up a pure frayer to the Great Spet. The tide of population that has since alled in has swept all these songs away. The buildings in West Liberty, at that time. Sure very mferi r. mostly cabins, but they ; p . in to be with the progressive spirit of

We Jenkins kept the first livery stable of .0 1553. The building is the same

Jen E choe bed the first dwell-

by Hiram M. White, on the corner of Bair ! and Detroit streets -- a portion of the building running north on Detroit street-which of late years was owned by Dr. B. B. Leonard and Os. Miller, but which was destroyed by fire on the 13th of May, 1880.

The next hotel was created by Benjamin F. Ginn, in 1832. It was a frame building and is still standing, being lovat of opposite the Lutheran Church, on Detroit street. It was called the Buckeye House. John Newland was the first landlord. Joseph Fraz Il took the house in 1831. Mr. Gian took the house in 1838, running it successfully for six years; since which time it has been used as a private house. Mr. Ginn is still doing a successful business keeping hotel. In 185%, Mr. i'm sold the Buckeye Has to Henry Van Ortrich. The property is now owned by Harvey Shugh.

Among other old landmarks now standing is the house now occupied by Mas Sadie McDonald and Mrs. Hanger as a residence. it having been built in 1821. by John Moore, a blacksmith. Moore afterward moved to Marion, Grant Co. Indiana. where he died. The house now used by John R. Crockett as a tannery, is one of the marks of pioneer en- terprise. It was put up in the fall of ISS. by Mr. Houston t'ro Lett, now deceased. for a dwelli vr. The Giraffe Building, now owned I Georg > F. Bailey. Es., and known as the Liberty Home, was created by Ira Ry- nolds. in 1º3 ;. It is a good. substantial buil i- ing. and will stand the storms of ages.

" Grand View " Cemetery, at West Liberty, although it luis never been the theme of the pour's inspiration, or the orator's eloquence, y t it is a spot of which the citizens of the town are justly proud. From this towering lull-top is presented a serve in the far-lamed valley of Mad Ras r. wher in the most por- " un- fan y can revel, and all that em entrance asl bill down the most vivil imagination

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HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.

The appearance of "Grand View " is elegant and neat, displaying all kinds of architectural taste. There is seen the rough hewn stone and the light peering cone of the chaste obe- lisk-the lowly turf of retiring poverty, and the gaudy monument of boasted affluence- on this, perhaps, a mother mourns, in a few simple words, the bereavement of an only child; on that, exaggerated eulogy belies and ridicules the pretended virtues it would per- petuate-on this, beauty is blasted in its blushing ripeness-on that, wisdom sinks in the drooping of age. The striking beauty and variety of surrounding art rather fasci- nates than saddens the heart. One naturally, in looking on the marble that, in time, will decay, shudders at the analogy of his own form to its lingering corroding. and saunters in mournful contemplation and attractive de- laying in this last common tenement of flesh -the sad chronieler of time's victories. But the design of genius -- the skill of art-the rock and the chisel. put away the supersti- tions and melancholy incidental to a cemetery. Why shun the tomb? Why dress the last effort of life in the terror of despair? Would we live forever? Is life happiness? In life we hate, slander and even commit murder. In death are we guilty of them? Does the inanimate corpse need food, drink or raiment? No! It feels-smiles-weeps ne'er more. Insult, defame it, it has no anger. It resents not. Turn your eye now on the world. Is happiness there? There, time mildews the whitest blossom of hope, youth droops for at- tainment-old age laments the moment of attaining. The atmosphere of the world is misery-its sun may shine. but darkness will follow. Life has no perpetual spring. it must have winter. Tacitus writes of the Thrasi, that they " wept at the birth of their children, and rejoiced at their death." The venerable Grecian historian wrote wisely in these words: " Whom the gods love, die young." Wa

would not mock the dead, nor ridicule the virtue of pensive and religious meditations. We would divest the tomb of its horrors, its superstitious fears and childish ignorance. If we weep. then let us weep for the worthy -if we fear, let us fear rationally and re- flectively-if we admire, let our admiration be impartial.

"Grand View " contains twenty acres, and is on an elevation of over one hundred feet above the level of our little eity. The land was purchased of J. M. Glover. Esq .. Decem- ber 15, 18:1, under an act of the Legislature of Ohio, passed May , 1869, and took effect July 1, 1869, paying therefor $1,150. The next step was an election of a Board of Trustees, which occured April 1, 18;2, re- sulting in the choice of Enos Baldwin for three years, R. N. Jordan for two years, and R. E. Runkle for one year. After taking the oath of office, this Board met at the Logan County Bank, April 16 following, for organ- ization, at which meeting R. N. Jordan was ehosen President, R. E. Runkle, Treasurer, and R. E. Pettit, Clerk. May 4, 18;2, the Board contracted with J. N. McMullen, and Reed & Steelman to build a fence around the grounds. at seventy-five cents per panel. At this meeting the Board employed I. Dun- can MeLaughlin to survey and plat the grounds, at five dollars per day. The ceme- tery was dedicated June 2, 18;3, Dr. Leonard delivering an eloquent oration upon this occasion. After the ceremonies, a number of lots were sold. Mr. Runkle having died in February, 1874, Dr. D. H. Garwood was elected to fili his unexpired term, (of two years). at the following spring election, and at the same election. R. N. Jordan was chosen for three years. April 6, 1875, Enos Baldwin was elected for three years, and his official term expiring in the spring of 1858, O. S. Miller was elected to succeed him, for three years. The Board now consists of R. N. Jordan, D.

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HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.

Il. Garwood and O. S. Miller. A building for the occupancy of the Superintendent of the Cemetery, has been erected at a cost of $848.42, the contract having been awarded to E. S. Jordan, July 26, 1877.

That which is capable of producing much good, is also likely to effect much evil, when perverted from its landable purpose. Of this nature is the press in a community. It is a powerful engine to operate on public opinion, and has a great influence over the morals and the motives of society. The reason for this is, because it is expected to be consistent with truth and reason, and it should not subject it- self to a suspicion of falsehood or sophistry; it is looked upon as the leading publie instructor, and, as a natural consequence, obtains a do - gree of respect like that which an attentive pupil entertains for his teacher. It is easy to observe with what degree a respectable, honor- able newspaper in a community influences the minds of its readers. The newspaper oe- cupies nearly the same relation to its readers as the teacher does to the pupil, and is largely responsible for the principles it inculcates. When an editor prostitutes his talents for mercenary purposes, his conduct is as base as would be the behavior of a scholar whose venality should induce him to sacrifice his trust at the shrine of Mammon.

The time has been when the orator was the power omnipotent in the land. At the com- mand of his eloquence nations congregated. Brought within the circle of his magnetic in- fluence, he laid his hand upon their heart- strings and woke at will responsive echoes, thrilled them with the passions that burned in his own breast, vibrated them with the power of his purposes, till the multitude swayed to and fro, like the mountain waves of the storm-tossed ocean, bore them upward on the majesty of the thoughts that filled his wrapt mind with living words, burning with the ardor of his own impassioned soul.

warmed them to enthusiasm, moved them to madness, fired them to frenzy, inspired them with a lofty ambition, unconquerable courage, indomitable fortitude; moukled their destiny, fashioned their future, sent his impress on the widening circles of succeeding generations.

But the revolution of ages has changed all this. The press is now the greatest power in modern civilization, and with its instruction or information, should be wreathed morality and the social virtues, and they should be twined around as the ivy embraces the oak or clings to the venerable ruin; or if we pursue the metaphor, may it not be said, as the ivy takes root and adheres to the wasting walls of the dreiying structures of religion, so ought morality to be planted, and have its root in religion itself, that never decays, and from which alone it can derive an indigenous permanency.

West Liberty, judging from the list of journals which have passed into oblivion-no, not oblivion, for these pages will resurrect a memory of their past history-is proverbial- ly a newspaper town. Notwithstanding their untimely and unfortunate decease,

" Yet 'tis n joy-though hallowed by tear-, To look back thro' the vista of by-gone years."

In 1840 a printer boy of 18, one R. B. Warden, was induced, through the counsel of his friends and his own hopes, to come to West Liberty and establish a Democratic campaign paper. Having enjoyed the luxury, of those days, of a canal-boat passage from Cincinnati to Dayton, on arriving at the lat- ter point, he decided to economize, and, after two days pedestrianizing, he reached West Liberty. He soon established his paper. The office was in the White building, once situ- ated on the northwest corner of Baird and Detroit streets, but destroyed by the great fire of May 13, 1880, from which was issued, rather irregularly, the Democratic Club. It was printed on an old Ramage press; so small

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IHISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.

was its bed and platen, that it required four impressions for the printing of his little sheet. The proprietor generally speaking, was pro- prietor, general business manager, typogra- pher, although he was pretty regularly as- sisted by Donn Piatt, who edited the Club, and who could "do up" press-work, and by A. S. Piatt, who adjusted the mov- able alphabet in good style. William Hub- bard, once the editor of the Logan Gazette, printed at Bellefontaine, was also a com- positor in the Club office. Messrs. Piatt and Warden did the press-work and rolling alter- nately.

The Club, though unpretentious, acquired quite a fame, though not a very desirable one with the Whig party. It is said to have been replete with everything that would excite the ire of that party. Even Tom Corwin, Ohio's noblest and best orator, and greatest statesman, onee condescended to pay it an unfavorable notice; it gave the "Wagon Boy" a scouring once, and Corwin returned the compliment. He was in his prime then, and in a speech de- livered at Urbana, during the existence of the Club, he stigmatized it as a "Dirty Demo- cratic sheet, published in a saw-mill way up in the benighted regions of Logan County." As a financial success the Club was a fail- ure, and its career was brief, having expired for want of support immediately after the campaign of that year.

The gentlemen connected with this little paper afterward became famous in history, each having occupied prominent publie posi- tions, and distinguished themselves in their respective callings. Judge Warden was elect- ed to the Supreme Judgeship, which place he filled with eminent ability. Mr. Hubbard in the editoriai chair was able and accomplished, both as a political writer and a poet; and Col. Donn Piatt is in the front ranks in his profession, and enjoys the reputation of be- ing one of the most brilliant of American edi-

tors. To hold good rank among self-made men, who have illustrated the journalism, lit- erature and the material progress of our country, is an honor of which any man may justly be proud. This is the only aristocracy allowable under our Democratic institutions. Col. Piatt is of Logan County birth, and she should be, and is, proud to own his talent. He is a polished gentleman, liberal and hu- mane alınost to a fault. Ile is essentially a hard-working journalist, and a hard-working friend of the workingman. IJe believes in, and defends the toiling millions, and they un- doubtedly repose confidence in him, judging from the immense circulation of his sharp, witty journal, the Washington, D. C., Cup- ital. His style as a writer is vigorous and humorous. He has distinguished critical ability, power of analysis, and unusual com- prehension of human nature. He reads char- acter like a book, and readily discovers the good and bad elements. His prejudices are strong, and his preferences are equally well marked. He is a good friend, a strong op- ponent and a sturdy foe, particularly of the politician of to-day, many of whom quail be- neath the power of his pen; for where infamy exists, it exposes, and where virtue presides, it lauds.

The next paper printed here was the West Liberty Banner, a literary journal of much excellence. It was first issued Sept. 28, 1850, and was published by Kinney & Barringer- Coates Kinney. On the 29th of March, 1851, Kinney withdrew, leaving the Banner in the able hands of the popular, genial, good- hearted Barringer, who published it to the end of the second volume, at which time "he threw up the sponge." Mr. Barringer is now residing in Bellefontaine, conducting a job- office; he is an honest, whole-souled, consci- entious man; is a close geological student, and is a logical and pungent writer. In 1856 the Banner office was taken by Syd. Shaffer

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HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.

and W. H. Gribble, who conducted it for a short time. The West Liberty Budget set sail on Saturday, the 15th day of Septem- ber, 1860, with J. W. Houx as its editor, pub- lisher and proprietor; the first number having been published, as the editor says, "after much toil, exertion, and vexation of spirit." It was independent in tone, flying at the mast- head the time-honored adage: "The greatest good to the greatest number." The Budget was a lively, interesting paper, refusing to be cajoled or intimidated by either parties or par- tisans. During the existence of the Budget the Mac-a-check Press was born, and the rival papers had the field for a while. The Press having the greatest power of endurance, the Budget succumbed to the pressure, and died heroically.

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History of Logan County and Ohio, Part 79

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?; Battle, J. H; O.L. Baskin & Co Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Chicago, O.L. Baskin Number of Pages: 798

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?; Battle, J. H; O.L. Baskin & Co
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago, O.L. Baskin
Number of Pages: 798