History of Madison County Ohio: Its People, Industries and Institutions, Part 65

Author: Chester E. Bryan
Publication date: 1915
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1207

USA > Ohio > Madison County > History of Madison County Ohio: Its People, Industries and Institutions > Part 65

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"Last evening was fixed on as the time for mustering into the state service the

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London company and Col. H. B. Kingsley, assistant adjutant-general, was assigned to do the work, arriving here in the afternoon as the guest of Col. H. H. Prettyman.

"Captain Locke's boys met at the assembly room of the court house and marched to the public square, where some military maneuvers were gone through with under the orders of Sergeant Harry Armstrong, acting as drill master. A large crowd filled our streets, expecting to witness the attending muster ceremony, but all were disap- pointed, as the company moved to the old Masonic Hall, in the Toland block, where no one was admitted except the examining physicians, Drs. Vance, Foster and Goff, and the newspaper reporters. After the members had arrived and had been lined up on the two sides of the hall, the arrival of Colonels Prettyman and Kingsley, in fitting uniforms, was received with a hearty outburst of enthusiasm.

"Orderly Sergeant Rea Chenoweth called over the muster roll and all the mem- bers answered to their names except six. It is not believed that any of the absentees played. 'rabbit,' but the boys were detained by tardiness, non-consent of parents for minors, etc. The ranks were soon filled with members who had undergone the medi- cal examination and had failed to sign the second roll, four more of whom were present than were needed. The manner of administering the oath simply required the uncov- ering of the head and the raising of the right hand, the oath requiring a true and faithful allegiance to the United States and the state of Ohio, to serve faithfully against all enemies, under the orders of the governor and officers appointed over the mem- bers, as by the rules, etc., governing the National Guard. The election of officers fol- lowed, each unanimously being chosen as follow: John F. Locke, captain; Peyton R. Emery, first lieutenant ; E. Arnett Smith, second lieutenant. According to the official muster-in roll the service was to date from June 30, 1898, for a period of 'two years unless sooner discharged.' In a short talk after the ceremony, Colonel Kingsley expressed his congratulations to the company and the hope that they would soon see some actual service in the field. He was answered by short talks from Captain Locke and Lieutenants Emery and Smith. The evening was ended by a talk from Col. H. H. Prettyman."

MARCHING ORDERS.

On June 18, 1898, Captain Locke received the following telegram from the office of the adjutant-general :

"Capt. John F. Locke, Company E, Third Infantry.

"You will assemble your company Thursday, June 23, 1898, and proceed at earliest possible hour on said date to Columbus, Ohio, and report to the commanding officer, Camp Bushnell. Transportation will be provided by the P. C. C. & St. L. R. R. The transportation enjoined is necessary for the service and numbered limited to one hun- dred and nine-officers and men.

"Acknowledge orders, by the command of the governor.

"H. B. KINGSLEY, Assistant Adjutant-general."

Steps immediately were taken preparatory to the company's departure from Lon- don. On the evening of Wednesday, June 22, the ladies of the Woman's Relief Corps presented, at the court house, a beautiful flag to Company E. The presentation speech was made by Mrs. Theodore Davidson, who briefly said :

"Captain Locke and Comrades: Having the honor conferred upon me to perform the duty, I take great pleasure in presenting this emblem of our country in behalf of Lyon Relief Corps No. 52, who are proud of our boys showing such patriotism in this, the war of 1898. In looking over this company we see sons and grandsons of our brave boys of 1861. We wish you now, as we did them, success and a safe return to those whom you have left at home. May you ever respect this flag as did those who

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so nobly fought to defend it. Once again, in behalf of the patriotic women of this organization, I bid you Godspeed and give you this banner-this 'star-spangled banner :'

" 'Long may it wave, O'er the land of the free And the home of the brave.'"

Captain Locke responded for the company, his remarks teeming with patriotism and gratitude to the ladies for their esteem, closing with an expression of his regret that the army regulations prohibited the boys from taking the flag with them. He placed it in the custody of the Woman's Relief Corps, which he said, would take good care of it until the company's return, when it would be a pleasure and an honor to march under its folds.

COMPANY RECEIVES AN OVATION.

As it was ordered, Company E left London for Camp Bushnell, at Columbus, on Thursday, June 23. The Democrat, in its issue of the Wednesday following, gives the following account of its departure :

"The weather was all that could be desired and at eight o'clock a. m., according to orders, every man of the one hundred and nine had lined up in front of the court house, under the command of Capt. John F. Locke and Lieuts. Peyton Emery and E. Arnett Smith. Not only every man answered at roll call, but many others were pres- ent in the hope of being able to join the boys. One young man walked all the way from Sedalia, eieven miles, with the expectation of joining the company, and called upon Captain Locke before he had breakfast. The captain promised to find a place for him in the near future, if possible.

"At eight o'clock the London cornet band headed the marching files of Lyon Post, Grand Army of the Republic, and other old soldiers, the membership. of London Lodge No. 539, Knights of Pythias, and many citizens and stopped at the court house, where a uniformed squad of 'marines'-eighteen little tots, varying in age from five to nine years, with Master John Farrar as captain and John N. Boyer, Esq., as drill master, joined the line of march. Each little fellow wore a Dewey sailor suit and cap and was proud of the honor given them. Capt. Robert Ewalt's cadets also joined the ranks when the procession started for the depot, the volunteers being given the position of honor. The streets and sidewalks were literally alive with a multitude of sienting, flag-waving humanity. The fire bell had sounded the alarm and every church bell and factory whistle in town added to the din. The firing of anvils was also kept up and pounds of gunpowder went up in smoke. Such an ovation was never before seen here. As Company E approached the Pan-Handle depot grounds, the boys beheld a beauti- ful display of large flags, bunting and decorations that ornamented the trees, the tele- graph poles and building. The Pan-Handle depot was a beautiful sight, while the rear of the Big Four depot was almost hidden with small fags. Everywhere could be seen the red, white and blue, for every business house on Main street had been decorated and was closed for the occasion. When Captain Locke and his lieutenants reached the Pan-Handle depot they were assisted in mounting a large truck by Col. H. H. Prettyman. Here a perfect mass of surging, enthusiastic people. estimated at no less than three thousand in number, greeted them. actually covering all space about the handsome building. The presentation of the swords had become whispered around and everybody was anxious to hear the speeches.

"Col. H. H. Prettyman then secured order and in a fitting address presented the commissioned officers of the company with handsome swords. Captain Locke spoke the appreciation of himself and his men. He was followed by a few stirring remarks by

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ex-Senator S. W. Durflinger. The demonstration closed with the splendid rendition of an army song by a local quartet, Messrs. Chenoweth, Placier, Cheseldine and Dodds. In a few moments the train pulled out, the boys crowding to the windows to wave a parting adieu to their loved ones."

In its issue of Wednesday, June 29, 1898, the Madison County Democrat stated that through the efforts of Dr. Mcclellan Vance, Horace C. Plimell, Eck Bennett, and others, a second military company had been organized with a muster roll of eighty- five names. The organization was completed the evening before at the court house when the following officers were elected : McClellan Vance, captain; Horace C. Plimell. first lieutenant; Alexander Bennet, second lieutenant; Fred Newcomb, orderly ser- geant ; Ira Bentzell, second sergeant; Peter Dunevant, third sergeant; Martin Goings, fourth sergeant; Fred Weber, first corporal; Allen Hull, second corporal; John McGuire, third corporal ; John Dungan, fourth corporal; Ernest Thomas, fifth corporal ; Charles Thompson, sixth corporal; Benjamin Springer, seventh corporal ; Henry Tyler, Jr., eighth corporal.

In the same issue of the Democrat it is stated that Benjamin Emery, then county treasurer, with the aid of John A. Lincoln and Cary Jones, both well-known young lawyers, was engaged in raising another military company to be subject to the Presi- dent's third call for volunteers. Thirty-five had already signified their willingness to enlist.

In its issue for July 13, the same paper reported the raising of still another com- pany by Col. H. H. Prettyman, who claimed that he had ninety-five names on the muster-roll. Neither of these three companies was ever mustered into the state mili- tia, and, therefore, none into the government service.

ROSTER OF COMPANY E.

Company E, on its arrival in Columbus, proceeded at once to Camp Bushnell, where it joined its regiment, the Third Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, com- manded by Col. Charles Anthony, of Springfield and made up of the following com- panies : Company A, Covington; Company B, Springfield; Company C, Gettysburg; Company D, Urbana ; Company E, London; Company F, Hillsboro; Company G, Day- ton; Company K. Piqua; Company L, Sidney, and Company M, Sabina. The local company was given its government medical examination on Thursday, July 1. Several members were forced to return home, but their places were taken at once by recruits whom Lieutenant Emery had taken to Columbus from London. The company, as mus- tered into the United States service, was as follows:

Officers John F. Locke, London, captain; Peyton R. Emery, London, first lieu- tenant; E. Arnett Smith, London, second lieutenant; Rea Chenoweth, London, first sergeant ; Harry Armstrong, London, second sergeant; William Trehearne, London, third sergeant ; Thomas Coleman, Madison county, fourth sergeant; Harford A. Toland, London, fifth sergeant; Ernest W. McCormack, Madison county, quartermaster ser- geant; Jacob E. Ward (Range), Thomas H. McCormack (Madison county), William J. Florence (South Charlestown), William J. Robey (London), Harry B. Gallagher (London). Homer C. Ray (Walnut Run), Birnam J. Dewey (Rupert), William E. Winan (London), Frank Cowgill (Plumwood) ; Drell B. Legge (London), John C. Volka (Lafayette), and Walter J. Stahl (London), corporals; George Davidson, Lon- don, musician: assigned duties George Jones, Lafayette, artificer; Claude Snyder, London, wagoner; Thomas Manuel, London, cook; Peter Heilman, London, assistant cook.

Privates-Charles Anderson, London; Edward Betts, London; Ernest Burt, Lon- don ; Henry Bunnemyer, London ; John R. Booth, Lafayette; John H. Baker, London;

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Lawson Bradley, London; William J. Bishop. West Jefferson; Charles Burns, West Jefferson ; Madison Bigelow, Columbus, Ohio; Hugh F. Connor, Rupert; Frank Cor- bett, London; Wesley Cartwright, West Jefferson; William R. Cartwright, West Jef- ferson ; John F. Cleary, Summerford; Richard Cavanaugh, London; Benjamin F. Curry, South Solon; Patrick Dwyer, London; Ernest G. Dillow, Lafayette; Denton Dulaney. Lafayette; Grant Dennison, West Jefferson; Williabm MacDavidson, Lon- don ; William Furrow. West Jefferson; Lon Fleming. Lafayette; Fremont Freeman, London : Zeph Fout, South Solon; Albert Griffith, London; Ray M. Garrett, Mechanics- burg, Ohio; Michael Garrick, West Jefferson; Harry Gulcher, London; Toland J. Gra- ham, London; William D. Grubb, Big Plain; Michael Hickey, London; William Heath. Sedalia : Howard Holt. Orchard. Ohio: Elijah Harding. London : Charles Hart, West Jefferson ; John Haun, West Jefferson ; Arthur Howard, Sedalia; George Haynes, Sedalia ; James Herdman, London ; George Hartman, South Solon; Newton J. Hollo- way. Big Plains; Charles Jack. London ; Eugene Kelley, Summerford; Charles S. Kulp, London : William Kinner. London: Thaddeus Keefer, London : Cornelius Londergan. Range; Lelloy Long. London; Lonzo Liller, London; Clifford Murlett, London : Reed McCollum. London; John Minter. Lafayette; John A. Markley, Summerford; Samuel A. Morris, South Solon; Morgan Moon, South Solon ; Thomas Nicely, Sedalia ; Harley Neighborgall, West Jefferson; John O'Brien, London; Joseph W. Pearce, West Jeffer- son; Harry Pryor, West Jefferson : Richard D. Prendergast. London; Charles F. Peel, Lafayette; William W. Ross. Range: Homer W. Roberts, West Jefferson : Harry Ryan, London : James H. Richardson. South Solon: Leighton F. Sharp London : Ernest I. Sidner. London; Monah' Sweetman, West Jefferson; George Smith. London; Charles Tumblison, London; Emmett Timmons, London : John Taylor, Sedalia; Chauncy D. Taylor, Sedalia; Edward Washington, Sedalia ; Howard N. Webb, London; Walter W. Wolfe, London; Oliver Wolff, Galloway, and Charles T. Young. Company E returned with every man that it took out with the exception of one, Emmett Timmons, who was discharged on surgeon's certificate of disability.

MOVEMENTS OF THE THIRD.

On July 7, 1898, the Third Regiment proceeded by rail to Florida and went into Camp DeSoto, on the west coast of that state, near Tampa, where it remained until Monday, July 25. on which date it was transferred to Fernandina, on the east coast of Florida, where it remained until the latter part of August, at which time it moved by rail to Huntsville, Alabama, where it stayed until ordered to Camp Bushnell, Columbus, Ohio, to be ordered out on a thirty-days furlough.

The trains bearing the Third Regiment and its equipment passed through London on the way to Columbus on September 15. The section bearing Company E stopped for a few minutes at London, where a large crowd awaited it. Company E was returned to London on the evening of the next day, marched to the court house and there dis- missed for a thirty-days furlough. They were never called together again and were mustered out of the United States service on October 26, 1898.

The people of London held a great pence jubilee, celebrating the return of peace, on Friday, September 30, 1898. It was estimated that fully twelve thousand people were in London to watch the mammoth parade and to hear the speeches. In the procession were five bands, Company E led by Captain Locke. a squad of police, the London fire department, Plain City Uniformed Rank, Knights of Pythias, the Grand Army of the Republic, with one hundred and twelve members, four hundred children from the public schools, one hundred and twenty children from the St. Joseph parochial school, floats depicting historical and industrial scenes, a bicycle corps of sixty-five men and fifteen women. a cavalcade of horseman, headed by the Oak Run "rough riders"-forty-five

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strong, and delegations from all the townships-Paint township having the largest, one hundred and fifty-eight strong.

London was without a military company until 1900, when, on April 3, Company L of the Fourth Regiment. Ohio National Guard, was organized with E. Arnett Smith as captain; Rea Chenoweth, first lieutenant, and Harry Armstrong. second lieutenant. At the time of its organization the enlisted men of this company were, Dan Foley, Wright Andrews, Jefferson Wagoner. Ross Hornbeck, Leo :. ard McPike. T. B. Maloney, Pearl Smith, George M. Kelly, L. B. Prugh, Charles Skeels. Ed Beck, Will Robey, Clif- ford Murlett, H. Bunnemeyer. William Tumblison, James T. Corbett, George Davidson, J. W. Byers, W. R. Whitten, Walter Barnhart, Charles Watrous, Harry Bennet, Harley Long, Charles D. Smith, James B. Stephens, Charles Thompson, Fred Snyder, John Minter, Michael Maloney, Emery Watrous, LeRoy Long. Ernest Burt, A. C. Sifrit, Jr., Malachia Jones, Elizil Tway, F. F. Mohar, Earl Prugh, Scott Andrews, Walter Jones. Bruce Tanner, H. McSaveny, Thomas Lee, Bernard Flynn, J. F. Flannagan, Cilton Stoll. J. F. Beathards, A. L. Roland. W. A. Shaw. Charles Hart. Earl A. Bentzel, J. B. Liv- ingsparger, Will Stephens, William Kinner and M. C. Hickey. This company was mus- tered out on March 31, 1905.

COMPANY C, FOURTH REGIMENT.

Again London was without a militia company until during the spring and early summer of 1915 there was a strong effort to organize a local militia company and the result of the agitation was finally a success. On June 1 the organization of a company was effected, the company being known as Company C, Fourth Regiment, Ohio National Guard. On that date John C. Volka was elected captain, R. M. Cheseldine first lieu- tenant, and R. M. Mabe second lieutenant. Those mustered in at the time the company was organized were as follow : Pearle Ames, Darwin Beach, Raymond M. Cheseldine, Charles Clark, Walter Clemens, Charles C. Crabbe, Dale Crabb, Floyd Dunavent, Ray- mond Eades, Merrill Emmons, Marion F. Engard, Walter R. Engard, William M. Farrar, Cyril Fisher, Joseph Ford, Fred W. Guthrie, W. J. Guthrie, Frank Johnson, Robert D. Jones, George Kelly, Ernest Lane, Caylor B. Lewis, Raymond M. Mabe, John L. Moon, Ed L. Morrissey, Ray A. Morrissey, Charles R. Morcher, Pearl H. Moats, John T. Norris Wiley B. Queen, Albert B. Rankin, Robert L. Ren, William C. Roberts, W. J. Robey, Rupert Roddy, Harry F. Smith, John Spring, Richard P. Strain, Lester G. Summers, J. F. Swartz. Fred W. Thiel, John Thiel, Kyle M. Vance, Nathan Vanskoy, John C. Volka, Fred E. Walp, Frank Webb, Jr., Francis Whalen and Walter G. Willis.

LYON POST NO. 121, GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC.

The charter for Lyon Post No. 121. Grand Army of the Republic, was granted on August 9, 1885, by the department of Ohio, John S. Kountz, department commander, installing the post, the charter members being the following veterans of the Civil War: Toland Jones, William A. Neil, R. B. Cowling, T. Haley, James C. Peck, Jacob March, George W. Wilson. I. G. Peetrey. M. W. Dungan. J. M. Taylor. H. H. Johnstin, H. H. Harper. Charles E. Skeels, George E. Ross. D. A. Morse. L. H. Miller. T. W. Miller, and A. H. Underwood. The living charter members at the present time (1915) are I. G. Peetrey, M. W. Dungan, R. B. Cowling and H. H. Johnstin.

This post was organized in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows hall, which was then located just across the street from the present quarters, and later moved to the present room in the Union block, now the Boyd block. This post has had about two hundred and twenty-five members during its existence. There are at present thirty-one active members as follow : S. P. Trumper, James Withrow, John T. Vent. Robert Moore 8. F. Finley. H. J. Sharp. John VanScoy. Augustus Paine. Benjamin Emery, Henry

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Kelley, John Armstrong, H. H. Johnstin, E .S. Vent, Thomas Preston, John Reed, James A. Trebearn, Michael Deveraux, M. Blacker, William Soward, W. A. Elsworth, Austin Hutson, George Houduell, E. H. Reed, John A. Williamson. Aaron Nickle, Jonathan Warren, James M. Dungan, Charles J. Lankaster. William Epley, Josiah Morris and Dr. A. J. Strain.

Hon. George W. Wilson was the first commander of the post. The other command- ers follow in the order of their service: Judge S. W. Durflinger, Col. Noah Thomas, H. H. Johnstin, John T. Armstrong, L. G. Peetrey, L. H. Miller W. Miller, Capt. James Peck. Hon. B. H. Lewis, A. T. Phifer, Capt. David Watson and Wyatt Minshall. The present officers are Dr. H. J. Sharp, commander ; Benjamin Emery, vice-commander; J. M. Dungan, quartermaster; H. H. Johnstin, adjutant; John F. Armstrong, officer of the day, and Charles Lankaster, chaplain.

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CHAPTER XXXI.

TEMPERANCE MOVEMENTS.

The initial steps of the movement in London toward organizing a raid against the liquor dealers were taken at a meeting held in the Methodist Episcopal church on Janu- ary 18, 1874, which received further impetus at a meeting held in the Presbyterian church on the following evening. The result was the preparation of the following peti- tion : "We the undersigned citizens of London, Ohio, and vicinity, desiring the good of our community, and interested in the welfare of our friends and children, knowing the use of intoxicating liquors as a beverage to be injurious to all concerned-the buyer and the seller-pledging ourselves to its discontinuance hereafter, do kindly but earn- estly ask you to unite with us in this purpose. Accompanying this petition are pledges which our representatives will present, setting forth our desires. We assure you that it is with the kindest feeling that we petition you."

This pledge was circulated through the town, and in less than one week was signed by over one thousand citizens, of every class and condition. On the 19th of the month, committees of ladies selected from among the best citizens, waited upon the proprietors of the several drug stores in London, and presented. for their signature, a pledge to the effect that they would sell no intoxicating liquors, save for purely medicinal or mechan- ical purposes. This was readily signed by all of the druggists. Two days later, com- mittees of ladies, two of each, waited upon every person in the town who was engaged in the liquor traffic, with a pledge that they would discontinue the business at once and forever. But one of the twenty dealers signed the pledge, though a good feeling pre- railed between the women of the committee and the saloon keepers. On the 28th of the same month, a deputation of ladies, to the number of between thirty and forty, called at several places where liquor was solch and engaged in singing and praying for a short time. The exercises were uninterrupted by any unbecoming conduct on the part of the liquor dealers or other persons.

Prayer meetings were held at the Presbyterian church from nine to ten o'clock each morning, which were attended by all classes of citizens, many of the business men closing their business houses for the purpose. Prayer meetings were also held each evening at the Methodist and Presbyterian churches alternating, which meetings were largely attended. Every day ladies assembled at the Presbyterian church and proceeded thence to the several saloons, where, after soliciting the proprietor to sign their pledge, and his having repeated refusal to do so, they would engage in singing and praying. Sometimes the ladies were refused admittance to the house, and would gather on the pavement in front to conduct their services. During the week closing February 7, two saloonists succumbed to the pressure and gave up their business. By the close of the following week, the novelty was somewhat worn away and the excitement considerably diminished. Still, there was manifested on the part of those engaged in the warfare a settled deter- mination to continue the contest until the enemy was routed. The ladies still continued their daily ministrations of song and prayer before the principal saloons, but their num- bers were somewhat lessened.

LONDON TEMPERANCE ASSOCIATION.

During this period another means of bringing about the desired end was inaugurated. A subscription paper had been circulated asking material aid to be used in the prosecu-

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tion of persons unlawfully engaged in the liquor traffic and for defraying expenses incident to the temperance movement. For this purpose over twenty thousand dollars was subscribed, the sums given by any one person, ranging from ten dollars to two thousand dollars. On February 11, the London Temperance Association, composed of all who had subscribed to the temperance fund, was formed, and the executive committee was instructed to draw on the fund for the expenses in carrying out the laws. Next, the ladies divided their forces into small squads and took their stations in front of the saloons at seven o'clock in the morning and continued until ten o'clock in the evening, relief parties being regularly sent out. On the 17th, the "tabernacle" first made its appearance on the streets. This consisted of a large box-shaped contrivance with com- fortable seats for half a dozen persons, enclosed with oil-cloth curtains and mounted on small wooden wheels for the purpose of being easily transported from one point to another. February 13, the town council passed an ordinance prohibiting the sale of beer and ale within the corporate limits of London. This, of course, was done under the pressure of the temperance movement. On the following Tuesday evening, another saloonist rolled his casks out and emptied the contents on the ground.

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History of Madison County Ohio: Its People, Industries and Institutions, Part 65

Author: Chester E. Bryan Publication date: 1915 Publisher: Number of Pages: 1207

Author: Chester E. Bryan
Publication date: 1915
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1207