History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 74

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 74

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The monument erected by the Historical Society, on Friday last (April 7, 1893), to mark the landing of the pioneers of April 7. 1788, was placed at about this spot.

THE OLD COURT HOUSE.

.An obliging, competent friend prepared for me an annotated paper embracing all the laws of the Northwest Territory, and the State of Ohio at an early date, authorising the im- prisonment of debtors .- This paper it was my purpose to use in preparinig my article for this week's paper-but to my great annoyance I find that the much valued paper is mislaid and therefore I shall be compelled in as brief a manner as possible to write on this subject.

During the Territolial government any resident, holding a claim against any citizen which he declined to pay, could after obtain- ing judgment have the debtor imprisoned, the creditor paying all expenses.

At an early date subsequent to the enact- ment of the first territorial law allowing im- prisonment for debt, jail bounds were estab- lished and the debtor was allowed under cer- tain conditions in the daytime to roam within the fixed bounds. After a time the law ex- tended to all the hours of the day or night. As remembered, the conditions were that the debt- or was to give an approved bond, signed by two good and sufficient securities, that he would not pass out of the bounds; if he vio- lated this agreement, his bondsmen were held for the debt.

At an early date the Court of Quarter Ses- sions was authorized to appoint a committee to lay off the prison bounds for Washington County. In accordance with such an appoint- ment the following paper was presented to the court, after which, it will be observed, the lines were run by surveyors, and report made :

We, the subscribers, appointed by the Court of General Q. Sessions to lay out the Prison Bounds, re- port that they are contained within the following bounds, VIZ. :

Beginning at the Northwesterly corner of Square No. 52, across Putnam street, to the corner of City Square No. 48, thence a direct line Northwesterly to

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a stake on the Westerly side of Second street. 144 yards from the Southeast corner of City Square No. 45, thence a direct line across Second street, to stake, thence on a direct line across to a post. at the Southwesterly corner of City Square 43. thence across Putnam street, to the Northwesterly corner of City Square 50, thence in a direct line to a stake. on the Easterly side of Second street. 177 yards from the Southwesterl; corner of the jail. thence across Third street. to a stake. thence a direct line to the Northwest corner of Square 52. the place of beginning.

We beg leave further to report that in our opinion there ought to be a committee and Surveyor appointed to survey the same accurately, and erect sufficient mon- uments at the corner-, and to deliver an accurate plan of the same to the Clerk of the Session.

J. PIERCE, ROBT. OLIVER, GRIFFIN GREENE, Committee.

It may be observed that the ground en- closed was nearly square. These lines en- closed not a building or dwelling of any kind. except the old Court House and Jail, which was situated near the center. To the east and south was a sugar tree camp: to the north and west were cultivated fields.

It will take but a segment of an hour to trace these lines: Commence then at the City Hall and go southwesterly about 500 feet to Second street, then southwest about 500 feet to the junction of Front and Putnam streets, thence northeast about 500 feet to the junction of Second and Butler streets, thence a distance of about 500 feet in a northwesterly direction to the place of beginning.

I have an indistinct recollection of the con- finement within these lines of one debtor. whose home was in Wood County, Virginia. Another case I speak of with some hesitation, especially as to give it point I must name the parties-both of whom I highly esteemed and knew they were valued citizens. But as the parties themselves are long since dead, and their families either far removed, or with the silent majority. I will proceed :

magistrate. Mr. Talbot was arrested and sent to jail. It is very doubtful whether he was locked up, as the jailor and constable liked him. A bond was signed and he was entitled to jail bounds. Mr. Talbot was an honest. good natured, stubborn man. Three weeks of his confinement followed, his wife many days bringing up his dinner to him, and when the weather was pleasant they would sit on a log down Second street and eat together, then, she, employed with her knitting and by read- ing, would while away the hours. The last three days of his confinement she was absent at her old home on Duck Creek.

For some reason or other the Colonel re- lented, and Mr. Talbot went to his home. The first evening of his freedom. he said to his wife .- "We must plan in some way to pay Colonel Stone ; it is an honest debt, and if pos- sible must be paid." After listening to his plans and rather enjoying his vexation, she said: "See here, old fellow, haven't I often told you I was the best manager. Whilst you were away I employed a journeyman who wanted work. In the other room are a dozen or more wool hats of all sizes, and you know the three days Clum and I were at the old place, we dug sang and brought home a great lot. It was easy work, I can tell you: there was sang enough there back of the old farm to fill all the pipes in Germany. Now if you say so, we will go over tomorrow and pay this debt off." His heart was full and he thanked | God for such a helpmate.

The morrow came and so did the couple go to Colonel Stone's store, and now I will let him tell the rest: "I was a little scared when I saw the woman, she was a Broome. and I had always heard they were smart. The amount of the account was asked for, then came the hats and the ginseng, not only for the account with interest but the board bill. I was never so whipped in my life. I tried to talk and explain.

Col. Augustus Stone, a pioneer merchant of very extensive trade, had sold to William Talbot, a maker of hats in Marietta, a bill of goods, payable in wool hats and ginseng. The Months passed on, the making of hats, time of payment having long been past and no : hereaboutits became unprofitable. Honest Tal- attention paid to letters asking settlement. bot quit the business and bought a yoke of oxen and did general hauling. He had nc Colonel Stone obtained judgment before a 30

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better employer than Colonel Stone, who gave him all the work he could, and furnished him gratis with ferry tickets that he should have an extended range.

In the year 1838, this odious act was re- pealed.

We have had much to say of the Old Court House and in our next will say something of the New Court House, built only seventy years ago.

CORN HUSKING TIMES.

Playing Foot Ball with John Brough.

Having written much of early times. I feel inclined to come to a later period, and speak of some of the happy events of boyhood life.

Having spent the summer of 1823 in the hospitable home of William Dana, Esq., of Newport, in my rambles during that summer many hours were spent under the shade of his beautiful sugar tree camp, and, by invitation, spent part of the succeeding February at the same hospitable home. It was sugar-making time and all the girls and boys for miles around assembled in the camp, where the trees were bored, the sap collected in troughs and then conveyed to kettles, some boiled down to su- gar and the rest to molasses. It must not be understood that the young folks did all this work, but they enjoyed many happy hours in aiding others. This was continued for days and nights, and we would spell one another for sleep and meals. During that season there were made 500 pounds of sugar, and many gallons of molasses. Work and amusements were continued through the night season, and the boys went home with the girls in the morn- ing.

An acquaintance then commenced, it gives me great pleasure to say, has ever been con- tinued. having always been happy and proud to claim as acquaintances and friends the Danas, Greenwoods, Battelles, Greens Bark- ers, Bosworths. Littles, Reas, Aaron Edgell. Dr. Mellhenny, Ezra O'Neil, and others too numerous to mention. I must not fail to say here that the girls of that day, in after years grown to womanhood. became eminent and

useful as the wives and mothers of

prominent men1. For instance, Miss

Dana, who married Thomas W. Ewart, Esq., they are the parents of Thomas Ewart of this city, and William Ewart of Chi- cago, the world known discoverer and patentee of the Endless Ewourt Chain. Miss Phoebe Battelle, in early life a successful teacher in the Marietta schools, married Rev. Mr. Browning, making their home in St. Louis, Missouri, and exercising for more than a cen- tury an almost magnetie influence for good throughout the State. Another of this set, as brilliant and beautiful as any of her compan- ions, chose the fortunes of a Methodist minis- ter's wife, marrying Rev. Israel Archbold, numbering among their children John D. Archbold, the accomplished and successful vice-president of that mammoth concern, the Standard Oil Company.

But enough of the sugar camp and the companions of those days. Others have writ- ten their accounts of corn huskings, and the doings of assembled neighbors on such occa- sions, but I shall venture briefly to give my own recollections of one of these once popular assemblages.

In the early spring of 1826, as well as I can recollect, the young people of Marietta were promised that after the growing crop of that year was gathered, they should be of the number invited to a corn husking on the farm of Mr. Devol, residing up the Muskingum River about four miles from town. I must not allow this opportunity to pass without say- ing that in the far back years, as well as at the present time, the Devols have been distin- guished for their generous hospitality and kindly entertainments, especially to young peo- ple.

The growing corn was watched as it ap- proached maturity. its cutting up and being placed in shocks. In fine, every stage of ad- vancement to the earnestly looked for period was marked with interest.

.An evening about the middle of Novem- ber. when the moon was full and the weather "auspicious, was announced for the gathering.

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Soon after the schools closed in the afternoon of that day, the young folks of Marietta and Harmar, began to gether by appointment, at what was then known as "Post Office Corner." The girls with their baskets of provisions, and the young men, dressed for the occasion, were there assembled, when two farm wagons, strewn with straw, were soon filled by the cager waiters, leaving at least one half of the crowd unprovided with any conveyance. A.s the distance was short, an agreement was soon reached that the old fashion of travel shoukl be adopted, ride and tie; this by some was in- dlerstood, the wagons drove on, and the walk- ers, girls and boys, which constituted the larger number, followed, meeting with no de- tention, and only halting for a few minutes' conversation with Deacon William Putnam, who, knowing some of us, inquire 1 where we were bound? Told that we were going to a corn husking, he replied, in a cute and kindly way. "I feel sorry for the corn." His son, William, and Abner Guitteau joined us there. After this slight detention, we all eagerly list- ened to the recital of John Hill, who was of our number, who tokl us that during the In- dian war, on the ridge immediately to our right, was killed and scalped a famous, faith- ful scout by the name of Rogers. The hear- ing this tale, the recital of which quickened our steps, soon brought us to the mouth of Mill Creek. It was about here that those, who were acquainted with what ride and tic meant. began to look for the farm wagons, but so much did the parties in possession of the wag- ons enjoy the ride that they did not suggest to tic till they arrived at the Devol farm. On our arrival some of the kind-hearted ones of those who had rode promised that we should ride back, but such was not the arrangements of the wagoners.

All thing were in readiness when we reached the appointed spot : the neighbors for miles around being gathered together. The corn in husks was placed in heaps of about 250 bushels each, the captains. Lu Putnam and Bill Devol. afterward known as Maj. Louis Putnam, and Judge William Devol.

Soon was our party divided, and added to the already two lists for the promised contest. Before commencing the evening's work, a few moments were allowed us for looking about. Under an extended bower were placed the provided eatables, consisting of all the good things of those days. I remember among them baskets or doughnuts, hundreds of pumpkin pies, and in one corner an immense heap of beautiful apples, and a barrel of cider on top: the hill-tops seemed to be all ablaze with brush fires lighted for the occasion.

Corn husking soon began and a busier set of workers 1 never saw. Some green ones, such as 1. who had never husked an ear of corn before, knew not at which end to begin. The piles of the corn grew smaller, and so did the wee hours of the night, before it was apparent which side would win. But as all things must have an end, so did this frolic, and Captain Devol's company was declared the victor. After a few songs came the enter- tainment which was the best of all. For the first time in my life I had all the doughnuts I wished to eat. After this eating and drink- ing, an hour was spent in listening to inter- esting recitals of Revolutionary times by old father Devol, and Indian stories by old Sol- omon Dickey and others.

After all this, Jack Brough, one of our town boys, who belonged to the beaten side of husk- ers, challenged the other side to a game of foot ball, in order that the sport should con- tinue. The challenge was accepted. upon con- dition that suitable ground should be found. and a ball should be forthcoming : Brough, al- ways on the lookout for this kind of sport. suggested a neighboring pasture field, and from his pocket drew a leather covering, in which was a bladder, soon blown to its full and tied at the neck. Ifis captain allowed him to conduct this game. Soon were the parties arranged for the contest, Brough and his com- petitors in the center of the field to commence the game. No sooner was high luck and low down pronounced, than Brough being success- Iful in seaming the hall, kicked it as if aiming at the moon, over the heads of his opponents,

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and making his way through their ranks, bore the ball to the goal without the aid of one of his forces. Amazement seized all and general acclaim followed the great surprise. Nothing but Brough's avoirdupois ( his weight then be- ing near 200) prevented his being seized and borne on the shoulders of the victorious party. Music and dancing on the lawn wound up the night's adventures, and we all made our way to our homes by the light of the moon.

A HUNT IN 1832.

It was early in the morning of a pleasant October day in 1832 that a party of us boys. six or more in number, assembled at the old "Post Office Corner" to place in a rickety old wagon articles supposed to be necessary for two days' camping, fishing, and hunting on the hill tops, woods, and water streams of the cen- ter part of the northerly township of this county. I will name a portion of the articles thus gathered : Bedding, guns of all kinds then in use, skillets, bake-pans, ovens, butch- er-knives, coffee-boilers, tin cups, bacon, ham. coffee, a bag each of flour and corn-meal, a small vial of laudanum, besides an antidote for snake-bites.

"To ride and tie" was the order of the day. Some of the more experienced ones of our party understood the meaning of this ar- rangements, and chose first to ride, leaving at least half of the party to do the walking. As was not unusual in those days, the party who first rode made the distance over the quite long hills and crossed the creek at White's Mill before tying: those on foot, coming to the streams were boated over by a neighboring farmer at the small cost of a cent each; the party making the second drive continued on the road, soon coming up with their compan- ions, near what is now Caywood's station, our objective point being the clearing at Esquire Dye's. We were quite willing to give the reins to one of the party who had once before been over the road. Our arrival was antici- pated by the 'Squire and his good wife, and we soon sat down to a table loaded with the

luxuries of Lawrence township. A lamb had been killed and was served up in various forms ; sweet and Irish potatoes, cabbage, and turnips, succeeded by pumpkin and peach pie, delicious pears, and peaches, and apples with cider just from the press made our entertain- ment. Nothing but the fact that we had for months talked about a hunt and camping out was inducement strong enough to take us from this hospitable home. Here our party was joined by two of the sons of the old 'Squire, and a number of other neighboring youngsters, who, bringing their dogs with them, made. with the hounds we had brought from town, our hunting equipment complete.

Advised by those who knew the country best, we determnied to camp on what is now called "Potato Knob," which is the highest point of land in Washington County. To reach this point with our wagon required al- most the cutting of a new road-way; fortun- ately, we found the bed of Bear Creek much of the way bare, which allowed us many times to take the bed of the creek as our road-way, and we were all quite willing that the foremost of those in the outset who proposed riding and

tying should drive. This high point of land reached, and our stores safely packed away, after preparing our evening meal, our ar- rangements were made for the night hunt. It was said that bear and wolves and foxes in- habited the surrounding woods, which ex- tended many miles in either direction, with only here and there a habitation on the low- land.

Our 56-pounder ( which was a scale weight. having a hole drilled in it about eight inches in depth and one inch in diameter with a small hole drilled upon the top, near the butt, in which to place priming) was put in position on the brow of the hill, and loaded with blank shot ; the purpose of this was that an early hour in the morning the firing should give no- tice to all the hunters the direction of the camp.

Soon after dark the dogs commenced their work, and not very long was it before their baying told that they were on the track of

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game : all night long this racing was continued and when the signal gun of the morning was fired, one by one, our party, tired and warm. and yet excited, returned to camp. Some had undoubtedly been on the waters of Archer's Fork; some on Cow Run: and others on the Little Muskingum. Our breakfast, served on a fallen log. consisted of a tin-cup each of strong, hot coffee, a slice of baker's bread, and some ham broiled on the embers of a hickory fire, was enlivened by the spirited accounts of each one, in detail speaking of his night's ad- ventures. After these experiences were re- lated, in a council held with our comrades, who were conversant with the territory, the con- clusion was reached to partly retrace our steps, cross the Little Muskingum, making our way up to the mouth of Rocky Fork, a tribu- tary of Fifteen Mile Creek. After reloading our wagon, and by vote selecting the driver- one who knew the country best-others were assigned to different duties for the day, such as hunting, fishing, and cooking. Before night, the signal gun brought us all into the new camp: after the enjoyment of a hearty meal, prepared by our cook and his assistants, the luxuries of which were fish from the moun- tain stream, squirrel and pheasants from the forests, and a cup each of fresh-made cider, from the press of our old friend, which one of our successful hunters had secured in his round for the day.

Our first movement after night-fall was to the near-by burning spring, very near to which in earlier days a company residing in Marietta had bored two wells, attempting to find salt water. ( The date of this transaction was set- tled to the satisfaction of the writer in an in- terview with an old lady, the daughter of the contractor : an account of this interview will be given in the future, we here only stating that the attempt to get salt at this point was made in 1816. )

Leaving our burning spring camp, the whole party, with the dogs in the rear, made our way southward to the hill-top, between the waters of Fifteen Mile Creek and Muss Run.

From that high point we started our dogs. and we all, unsportsmanlike, scattered, each one to continue his night's adventures; cav- erns were explored ; buffalo beats were exam- ined: bear wallows were, by many of us, for the first time visited. The night, being bright moonlight, allowed careful investigation of all these spots. Being nearby the most experi- enced hunter of the crowd, the writer followed his footsteps, and soon found himself on a high point of land, from which could be wit- nessed the doings of the dogs and their game; this was exciting beyond all description.

As it neared daylight, our party were all called into camp and notified by our leader that the dog's were gathered near the mouth of a cavern, and the indications were that in that cavern would either be found a wolf or a bear. with her young. AAround this spot we soon collected: finding here, as reported. all the hunting dogs, evidently much excited: very soon it would have been difficult to determine whether the hunters or dogs were more excit- ed. It seemed pretty certain that a wild beast of some magnitude and fierceness was in the cay- en. A council was held, and it was deter- mined that the only way to accomplish the death of the animal would be by the crawling of one of the party into the cave : the question then was, who should attempt this supposed hazardous undertaking: we were not long in determining that point as one of our number bore the name of "the Celebrated Wolf Hunt- er of the Spelling Book."

Finding that the lot had fallen upon him. our hero soon prepared himself for the adven- ture : he tightened his belt, picked the flint of his gun, tied a long rope about his body, and had a few words of undertone conversation with his nearest friends ; the clear understand- ing with those surrounding the entrance was that a certain movement of the rope should be the signal for drawing out the adventurer : scarcely had he disappeared from sight before the signal was violently given, and he was hastily drawn to the entrance : soon as he could control his voice, "Goshens," he exclaimed, "but she gave me a snorter." He had hardly

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got through with his words before there ap- peared from the same opening an animal about ' 1815 to 1840? the size of a cat, who evidently resented the of her presence and displeasure. We all break- fasted together : there was no use to divide, for all had been besprinkled with the same pun- gent odor. We broke camp and made for our homes, where each buried his garments until the kindly earth cleansed them of the offensive smell. We were descendants of Putnam, the old hunter of Pomfret: but after that misad- venture were quite modest in laying claim to the honor.

THE PAST.

In the months just passed how sorrowful have been Death's doings among our dear friends and life-long associates! They have not only gone from our sight, but they have carried with them much knowledge of the past. Who is left to treat upon the themes and re- late the incidents of events with accuracy. upon which they discoursed with familiarity ? Alas, they are forever gone, and bore with them to the grave knowledge, of which we will now all be forever ignorant.

I have in mind many of whom I would write-they each deserve a chapter. I can but name them, as the chief object of this ar- ticle is to forcibly set forth the danger of de- lay in rescuing what is left. Today I beg you, commence to put on paper what the old folks say of the past. Don't delay. They soon will have joined the majority who have left us.

We first name William D. Emerson, for 70 years a student, a lawyer by profession. most thoroughly acquainted with the history of our early lawyers and statesmen. Who that now lives has such knowledge ?

Harlow Chapin, who had a thorough knowledge of our early Muskingum improve- ments. From whom now can such informa- tion be gained ?

Racer. Edgerton, Putnam,-three of our old-time merchants. Who is left that can

tell us of the business doings, hereabouts, from

Henry Armstrong, the cattle buyer and intrusion, and left with us all positive evidence , butcher of long years ago. Now that he is gone, who can tell us of the cattle dealers and , stock raisers of early years?

Rufus E. Hart-well posted was he in the bar and the bench, in this locality, for the last 50 years. Who that lives can communicate to us such knowledge now ?

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History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 74

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