History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 35

Author: Andrews, Martin Register, 1842-; Hathaway, Seymour J
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1490

USA > Ohio > Washington County > Marietta > History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 35

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pany, and the prospect of the road terminating at this place-induces us to notice the interest which is generally expressed on the subject. and the high hopes entertained. by the best in- formed, that our wishes will be gratified. As to information on the subject through the me- dium of the papers, we have not recently re- ceived any more than we have published. We are informed, however, that the corresponding committee of this county have in their hands a letter recently received from Baltimore on the subject, which extends as much encourage- ment as from the present stage of the business could be reasonably expected. All the infor- mation we receive, which we deem interesting to our readers, shall be promptly laid before them."

September 10, 1827 .-

"Mr. Prentiss :- Sir. We understand, from good authority, that the examinations which have been made, under the directions of the committee of the county, conducted by Col. Jos- eph Barker. from the Ohio River, opposite this place, to Clarksburg, have proved highly satis- factory. Lieutenants Trimble and Barney, Engineers, are now on the waters of the Little Kanawha. from whence they will return to this place for the purpose of going upon the exami- nation of the route from Cow Creek, by the north fork of Hughes River, to Arnold's Creek, which puts into Middle-Island River, from thence up the same to the waters of Ten-Mile Creek to the head of Turkey-Foot Fork. thence over upon Limestone Creek down to Elk, at Clarksburg. They will also examine Middle. Island River, from its junction with the Ohio, until they intersect the route from Cow Creek to Clarksburg.

"We speak with confidence and advisedly, and say, the route from Tyger Valley River west, up from Grape Run to the head of Simp- son's Creek, down to Bridgeport, thence to Elk Creek, down the same to West Fork to the mouth of Limestone Creek, up the same, thence down Ten-Mile Creek to the Forks, up Salem Fork to the dividing ridge at Moore's. down Middle-Island waters to the mouth of Arnold's . productions of our soil-the mode will be safe,

Creek, up the same to the Fork of Long Run. up the same over to the waters of Hughes River, by the State House ( Martin's), down the same to the mouth of Bear Run, up the same and over upon the waters of Cow Creek. thence down the same to the Ohio River. ten miles above the mouth of the Muskingum River, the grand artery of the State of Ohio; we say this is one of the best possible routes for the Rail Road, the distance is about one- third of the way from Marietta to Baltimore. is capable of receiving a more level road, and at less expense than the same distance from Baltimore west.

"Gentlemen in Clarksburg have endeavored to go about 12 miles south of that place with the road for Parkersburg. but failing, as we believe in finding as advantageous ground as was anticipated, have cast an eye from Tyger Valley River to Marietta, by Clarksburg-and this is called the new route."

The following letter from the President of the Board at Baltimore, to a gentleman in Clarksburg, is interesting :-

Othee of the Ohio and Baltimor . Rail Road Company, Ang 25. 1827.

Your favor of the 12th instant 13 received. I am highly gratified at the zealous interest you continue to manifest in the Rail Road, and have, on behalf of the Company, to thank you very sincerely, for the and you and othe citizens of your country have afforded to Lieut. Trimble in his examinatu ns.

TO THE ELECTORS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.

September 26, 1827.

"On you, gentlemen, will soon devolve the duty to elect a man of ability and integrity to discharge the arduous duties of Senator in the Legislature of the State. At no previous per- iod have subjects of as great local importance and deep interest been submitted to your con- sideration : they are such as to affect the feel- ings and hopes of every man among you. The formation of a Rail Road from Baltimore to the river Ohio will form a new era in our commercial relations and pecuniary concerns : it will furnish a rapid and safe conveyance of the goods of the merchant, and the ponderous

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the trip short,-the market and returns cer- tain; the effects will be to relieve its from pe -. cuniary embarrassment, individually ; give ac- tivity to a great dormant capital, and raise the value of a real property, of every description, in an eminent degree.

"Preparatory to the attainment of those great objects, a sacrifice must be made of some prejudices which arose from a difference of opinion on some political subjects ; such, how- ever, as might be expected to arise between men of strong intellectual powers and indepen- dent minds, on questions of difficult solution. "Addressing those who have a perfect knowledge of the facts and considerations in- volved in this subject, it will not, at present, be necessary to enter into detail; it might be deemed a trespass or anticipation of gentlemen whose special appointment may render it their peculiar duty, and who will, no doubt, in due time perform it; but a brief recapitulation of some facts, of general notoriety and observa- tion, may not be improper on the present occa- sion.

"Marietta occupies a site of inestimate val- nie, when a fair estimate is formed of her lo- cal advantages. The Ohio River does not furnish inducements and advantages, to the Baltimore Rail Road Company, equal, in any other spot, to that opposite the month of the Great Muskingum; there the contemplated Rail Road will ultimately terminate, should we act with proper energy in developing the re- sources of the State, and furnish an unfailing communication with it by water. An immense quicksand bar. in the Ohio near the mouth of the Muskingum, renders the river Ohio almost impassable at that spot, at low water; below that bar there are no obstructions to the navi- gation by keel-boats, but such as can certainly and easily be obviated. Nature prescribes the spot, and the interests of the Rail Road Com- pany will induce them to follow her dictates. The route through Virginia passing through or near Clarksburg is equal, perhaps superior, to any other which can be selected for the pur- pose. The contemplated improvement of the Muskingum, by means of dams and locks ( un)-

til it will communicate with the canal, which terminates at Cleveland, on Lake Erie), will furnish a vast number of mill seats, with a wa- ter power equal to any object, or any purpose ; on which factories, flour-mills, iron works, fulling mills, oil and sawmills will be erected on an extensive scale, and can command an ad- equate supply of requisite materials. Iron. coal and salt, nature has bestowed to us with munificent prodigality: we raise immense quantities of wool; the Mississippi will con- vey, in peace or war, inexhaustible supplies of cotton, at reduced prices, to the Muskingum factories; and there is no risk in asserting that the great Muskingum, in conjunction with the contemplated Rail Road, will become the emporium of this State, for wealth, manufac- tures, and commerce. The Ohio Canal will convey, on its bosom, into the Muskingumn. all the richest and most portable productions of the interior of our State. The passage from Cleveland to Detroit is short, and with a little enterprise a great part of the fur trade woul 1 find its way to the Baltimore market through | her channel. During the last session of our Legislature an endeavor was made, by Mr. William R. Putnam, to obtain an appropriation to discharge the expenses of a regular topo- graphical survey of the Muskingum Valley, as a measure preparatory to obtain and to render it navigable: in which, after arduous efforts, he was partially successful. After the survey is completed, the report cannot fail of proving conclusively favorable : but to attain those ob- jects, requires ability and knowledge, not only of this subject, but every other connected with it, and persevering exertion. The ability of Mr. Putnam is well known, his devotion to the ac- complishment of this great object ascertained, his interest, the interest of his family and his friends are completely identified with yours. Superadded to those considerations, one more and that of no common weight, presents itself : There is, at the present day, no other man on whom the public voice will unite, in our county, to give a certainty of being elected. By elect- ing Mr. Putnam, we shall have two members from this county to represent our interests, a

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Senator and Representative: otherwise we shall have but one. And, gentlemen, consider that on this great and important measure, con- flicting interests will interpose ; the opposition may be powerful, and if not met adequately, we may lose the great advantages which the God of nature designed for this section of the State. Union is necessary to success, and therefore we ought at this time to unite in favor of Mr. William Rufus Putnam as our Senator."

An Old Republican.

OUR OWN PROSPECTS.

July 26, 1828 .-

"There is plenty of room yet left for Mari- etta to become 'an important city.' We have in view the 'improvement of the navigation of the Muskingum.' which when completed will be equal if not superior to any canal ; an act for which was passed at the last session of the Legislature, and no doubt is entertained, if the money market will permit, that the stock would be immediately taken up, when the books are open for subscription.

"We have in view the Baltimore and Ohio Rail Road. the termination of which, the com- manding situation of this point, induces us to believe will influence its location in our vicinty ; and we have as handsome situation for a town as any in the West. When these great works are completed, and the time is not far distant- this place will vie with almost any other, in importance-bustle of business-and com- manding attitude."

HEALTH OF MARIETTA.

Saturday, August 22, 1829 .-

"We have not in any season known it more healthy then the present. No case of fever, that had originated in town, exists within our knowledge, and but few are down with any disease. An erroneous opinion has gone forth in the world that 'Marietta is a sickly place' -- this ought to be contradicted, and the distant public correctly informed. Our residence here has been of sufficient length to confirm us in 14

the knowledge of its general health. and we declare it. In the course of thirty years we have been visited by three sickly seasons, and that is all-1807-22 and 23-and then we were not more afflicted than the Western Country generally. Our citizens think them- selves highly favored in their location as to health, and are not willing to exchange it for any other on that account."

June 29, 1829 .---

"The public are hereby informed that a New Road is now opened and ready for trav- eling from Zanesville to Marietta, by way of McConnelsville.

"This route is on much the best ground, and differs in distance but a few rods from the Old Road.

"Directions .- Persons traveling from Mar- ietta on this road will proceed direct to Wa- terford Landing ; thence up the river and cross Olive. Green and Meigs Creeks at or near their mouths, one fourth of a mile above the last- named creek, take the right hand road up the hill; then follow the ridge to McConnelsville. Those traveling from Zanesville will keep down the river about 13 miles, then the road rises upon the ridge (be careful to keep the road that is most on top the ridge) ; then the plainest road to MeConnelsville.

"N. B. The Mail stage is expected to travel this route by the 10th or 15th of July."

SILK CULTURE.

October, 1830 .-

"We have had deposited with us, as a san- ple. a couple of skeins of sewing silk. raised and manufactured last summer by Mr. J. Dex- ter of this place. From the appearance of this silk, as far as our knowledge extends, we do not hesitate to announce it of a superior quality to that of imported silk, and would recommend to those who are desirous of introducing the manufacture of the article, to call and exani- ine it.

"Mr. Dexter. we are informed, is acquaint-

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ed with the manner of raising the worm and keeping them in a healthy state, and is mak- ing preparations, by raising mulberry trees, &c., to carry the business on more extensively. It is ascertained, satisfactorily, that our climate is suited to the nature of the silk worm, and white mulberry,-the latter is a native of our soil and grows vigorously. It is hoped that more of the citizens of our county will take the subject into consideration. We believe the time is not far distant when it will become a sourse of great profit to those who embark in it, and a vast saving to the public, by retain- ing the money in the country that would be sent to foreign countries to purchase the ar- ticle."

Saturday, June 18, 1831 .-

"Since we published our last sheet, we have called upon Mr. Dexter whom, as we have be- fore informed the public, intends going into the silk raising business as fast as the growth of the white mulberry tree will permit. W'e found him engaged in feeding about 70,000 worms, which were all he could conveniently obtain leaves for the present season. He has, however, made arrangements, and has a great number of mulberry trees set out, for the pur- pose of increasing the number of worms an- other season to 150 or 200,000. The experi- ence had already confirms us in the opinion that our soil and climate are congenial to the growth and health of the silk worm, and we be- lieve the time is not far distant when silk will be a principal article of export from this sec- tion of country. We are much gratified to be informed that a few other persons in our vicinity have taken the subject into considera- tion, and are trying the silk worms the present season-for the purpose of acquiring a knowl- edge of the nature of them, and the mode of treatment and care that will be required to rear them profitably in large numbers. An opportunity is now presented, through the ex- perience of Mr. Dexter, for our citizens to ac- quire the information, to whom he is ready and willing to give any assistance, gratuitous-

ly, they may require : and it is hoped they will not be backward in calling upon him while his multitude are at work ( say two weeks) and inform themselves by seeing as well as hear- ing.

"As a filature is about being established at Baltimore for the purpose of manufacturing silk-there will always be a ready market, in cash, for all the cocoons that can be produced ; -we hope this will be an inducement, for those who are in any wise skeptical on the sub- ject, to take hold of the business at once, and, within our borders, create a source of revenue that will be profitable and easily attained." ill-dressed and shaibily armed militia of Ohio

THIE GERMAN IMMIGRATION.

A Pen Picture by Bernard Peters."

After having arrived at Buffalo, we em- barked on the lake, passed on to Cleveland, and thence on the canal, on which the beloved Garfield subsequently gained the sobriquet of "Tow Boy," we continued our journey to Zanesville, Ohio. We reached Zanesville on an old-fashioned training day. Those of you who remember what an old-style training day was, especially in the new and undeveloped condition of society and of government in the West, will at once understand what that meant, and the striking contrast such an exhib- ition presented to the eyes of those who had lived on the borders of France, a region that had been dominated at that time for nearly half a century by the military spirit and discipline which the First Napoleon had evoked, and which at that period was still dominant all over Europe. I remember well the amusement which the array of sokliers, dressed in every conceivable variety of uniform, afforded, armed with cornstalks and broom handles, and other equally dangerous weapons of war, who went through the evolutions of drilling, directed by the gallant captains of that period of frontier life!

. This article was written in 1888.

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In those peaceful times my father might well laugh-when he contra: ted these uncouth, ill-dressed and shabbily armed militia of Ohio with the French and German soldiers of the regular army, whom he had seen at an earlier day in the Fatherland! But had he lived to our times, he would have been taught the elo- quent and patriotic lesson which doubtless some of these very cornstalk and broomstick he- roes, or their immediate descendants, taught the world in that great contest evoked by our Civil War through which we have lived, and which gave to the world the names of such men-once doubtless crude and youthful American pioneers-as Farragut. Garfield, Hayes. Sherman, Grant and some in our very presence here tonight, who might not inappro- priately be named, men who now fill as impor- tant a place in the history of the world, as Napoleon, and Wellington and Nelson, and the able world-famed generals, whom they commanded during the great continental upheaval that smote the nations of Europe at the close of the last and during the beginning of the present century!

From Zanesville we made our way down the quiet, yet beautiful Muskingum -- to Wash- ington County and finally to Marietta, our point of destination. in a flatboat, the only method of navigation then possible on this river, which as yet had been untouched by State aid, by the constructions of dams, and the slack-water system which in a few years thereafter was secured in its behalf, and which has made it since then a somewhat more im- portant waterway of the State. Isaac Humph- reys. of Point Harmar, a Democrat of the okden school, was elected to the State Legislature in 1835, served in the House for two terms, and in the Senate for two terms more, secured the appropriation by which this improvement

was made, and the means of slackwater navi- gation were secured for this stream. The im- provement. I well remember, was in progress in 1838, and it is a fact worth mentioning here that during this year, and perhaps for a year or more thereafter. John Sherman, as a, young civil engineer, spent much of his time in Washington County, while engaged in that capacity upon this improvement.

In recalling these early days, I am reminded , of the wonderful transformation that these fifty or more years have wrought upon the nat- ural scenery-how the tide of immigration that came in and possessed the land, has since then shorn the hills of their forest trees, how the climate, as well as the atmospheric condi- tions, have been transformed thereby. How much more frequent inundations have since then become. and how great floods often sweep over Western valleys, and not infre- quently carry death and destruction on an ex- tensive scale before them. How the denuda- tion of the forests is hastening the time when much of our country will be stricken with pov- erty for building material and fuel. as the oldler countries in Europe have been stricken for centuries. In driving a few years ago, from Marietta to Watertown, a distance of some twelve or thirteen miles, to visit a relative, over a road I had traversed again and again forty odd years before, and with which I had be- come perfectly familiar, I lost my way, because the forest trees had everywhere been cut down, and I had to make inquiries in order to put myself on the right road to reach my point of destination. This suggested to me the won- derful change which the settlement of the country had made and was making. and the hard exactions which civilization seems to de- mand.

CHAPTER X.

FORTY YEARS OF ADVERTISEMENTS.

FIRST DECADE -1801-18II.

Only a few newspapers of those published in Marietta before 1811-the Ohio Gasette and Virginia Herald, the Commentator and the Western Spectator,-have been preserved. We give a summary of the advertisements as published in the Centennial number of the Mar- ictta Register.

From the Ohio Gazette and Virginia Her- ald, October 24. 1803 .-

The first page is taken up exclusively with advertisements, set mostly in very large type, so that there were only seven in all : the list of letters remaining uncalled for in the Post Of- fice at Marietta, October 1, 1803, occupying a column and a half of the four columns of the page. Griffin Greene was postmaster. Post- offices were not very frequent at that day, for we find letters advertised for persons living at "Belleprie, Little Kenhawa, Kenhaway, Galli- polis. Guiandot and Big Sandy." John Cline and Enos Atwater give notice that they intend to apply at the next fall term of court "for a right of establishing a ferry from a point at Fort Harmar across the Ohio River to Mr. Porter's, in Wood County, Virginia." Notice is given that the "inhabitants of the townships of Newport and Tuskarawa, in the county of Washington," intend to petition the General Assembly for a new county, with "a perma- nent seat of justice at. or near, the mouth of Licking Creek on the' Muskingum." John

Buell gives notice that "a horse and a colt broke into the enclosure of the subscriber," and re- quests the owner to prove the property and take them away. N. Gates, secretary, gives notice of an adjourned meeting of mechanics to consider "the propriety of forming a Me- chanical Society" in Washington County. Edward Tupper says he has "just received from Philadelphia, and offers for sale at his store in Marietta, a large and general assort- ment of Dry Goods, Groceries, Hardware, Saddlery, etc."

From the Ohio Gasette, May 21, 1804 .- The third page is half filled with the "Laws of Ohio," four short miscellaneous articles, and four advertisements,-one (from ;Clarksburg, Virginia. John Greene advertises that he has "opened a Public House in the town of New Port, on the road of Marietta to Wheeling, fif- teen miles from Marietta." James Riggs, of Grandview, says, "an iron gray mare came to my plantation and broke into my enclosure," and requests the owner to prove property, etc. Richard Greene offers for sale "a very valu- able farm in the town of Marietta, about a half a mile from the city, containing 39 acres."

SECOND DECADE-18II-1821.

A summary of those found in the Western Spectator and its successor, the American Friend, contains items of interest to the stu-

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dent of local history. Among the names are many that still hold an honorable place in this county. We must, however, bear in mind that the list is by no means a complete one since the newspapers of those days contained very few advertisements, and of these few more than half were official notices. It was not then customary for lawyers and physicians to have a business card in the papers. As for dentists and insurance agents, they had not yet appeared.

In the decade here represented there were a few important economic changes, briefly and modestly announced, yet destined to have great influence upon the future development of the county. The steamboat had appeared on the Ohio, taking the place of the keel-boat, and a steam mill had been erected at Marietta. Mills for carding the wool into rolls to be spun on the old-fashioned wheel appeared at differ- ent places where water power was to be found. and. a little later. fulling mills were advertised. In this decade the bear and the otter had not entirely disappeared from the woods, and even after 1820 the skins and furs of these animals had not entirely ceased to be important articles of merchandise. It was the period of begin- ning for other industries. A tinner living on Wolf Creek could hardly accommodate the people of Marietta in 1902 by a monthly visit.

While many places have seemed to come nearer to us through the improvement in the means of transportation, other places have grown away from us, or perhaps have been left on one side of our lines of communica- tion. For example. a man in the Shenandoah Valley would hardly have any reason to adver- tise in a Marietta paper of 1902, nor is it very likely that any citizen of Tennessee would do so.

That it was a period of the rapid growth of a very unsatisfactory kind of "banking" is shown from these advertisements, as well as from the extracts which appear in another part of the book. Our financial condition could hardly be worse than it was in 1820 after our

1816 .- 1815 .-

numerous experiments in manufacturing pa- per "money."

The decade is associated with the intro- duction of Merino sheep and with a great im- provement in quality, as well as increase in the quantity, of wool produced. The farmers of the county were still compelled to guard their flocks against the ravages of wolves and panthers.

ISII .- Joel and Demas Adams, Machine for shearing cloth.

1815 .- Rufus W. Adams wishes to pur- chase 100 dozen goosequills at 6 cents a dozen. (1816) Wants his pay for instructing youth-is going out of the business.

18II .- American Union Lodge ( Masonic) invited to a banquet at the house of John Brough. December 27; Augustus Stone. Secretary. ( 1814) Called to meet at Union Hall. December 27. Thence to proceed to the "New Meeting House" * "where an ora- tion will be pronounced by Broth- er Baker." (1816) "Will con- vene June 24, at their hall on Point Harmar." thence proceed to the "Meeting House of the First Religious Society, where a Ma- sonic discourse will be delivered by Rev. Brother Linsley," thence in procession to Brother Green- leaf's for dinner .- Officers will be installed at Union Hall on Point Harmar. December 27. After- wards officers of American Union Chapter will be publicly installed at the Court House.

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History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 35

Author: Andrews, Martin Register, 1842-; Hathaway, Seymour J Publication date: 1902 Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1490

Author: Andrews, Martin Register, 1842-; Hathaway, Seymour J
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1490