USA > Ohio > Columbiana County > Salem in Columbiana County > History of Salem and the immediate vicinity : Columbiana County, Ohio > Part 2
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HISTORY OF SALEM.
story (often there was only one) served for kitchen, dining room, and often lodging room too. When the family had enough bed quilts some of these would be used to make a partition between the beds. There were no "Jack Peepers " then, and the modesty of these people was not of the Pharisaical kind.
As time advanced the log cabin gave way to the hewed log house, in which sawed lumber was used for floors, partitions and some other parts of the edifice, and it was covered with a shingle roof. Next frame and brick houses were built, of such commodi- ousness as to accommodate the family amply. And then taste and style began to be especially mani- fested.
Timber was abundant at that time in this region, and it was of the best quality. Oak, beech, poplar and cucumber prevailed. Some of the poplars were five feet in diameter at the butt and were fifty up to the first branch. Sugar maple also abounded. Many people made several hundred weight of sugar each season. Within three miles of Salem were about twenty saw mills. These had the old fashioned up-and-down saws. They were slow compared with the modern portable works with circular saws. Much good timber that would be of great value now was then destroyed, because the ground on which it grew was needed for farming purposes; and used thus it produced more wealth than the sale of the timber, at that time.
Flax was raised in this region at an early date. It was dried, rotted, and then broken by a machine that would now be a curiosity. It was then "scutched " to separate the tow from the better part. Use was found for the tow. The flax thus dressed was spun
CHARACTER AND HABITS OF THE SETTLERS. 23
and woven into linen that served for making sheets, shirts and sometimes pantaloons. Sheep were kept and their wool (most of it) was used at home. It was dyed, carded, spun and woven near at home. There were then persons who had looms on which they made cloth passable for the pioneers. With many families all of the tailoring and dress-making was done at home.
The time has been when tailors and shoemakers went from house to house, and at each of them had their board, and got their wages for furnishing each member of the family with their line of business. This was called " Whipping the cat." Women, too, who were good spinners, and unmarried, sometimes got employment and a temporary home in the same manner. Hence spinster and old maid became synony- mous. Salem has been a progressive place; hence these customs and classes of industry became obsolete at an early time.
The author of the following poetry is not known. It was first published some time in the thirties. Could we look back to the years of 1808, and a few of the following, its counterpart might be seen in the neigh- borhood of Salem. There are no prairies in this part of Ohio, but, "Buckeye cabins, " like this, were then numerous. Such entertainment, as is here described, was then frequently offered to strangers. Among the early settlers land was often best known by "range, and quarter sections." Hunting exploits were then often the subject of their " Winter evening tales, " at their neighborly visits:
"Sometimes in traveling through the West,
A stranger finds a Hoosier's nest ; In other words a Buckeye cabin,
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HISTORY OF SALEM.
Just big enough to hold Queen Mab in ; Its situation low, but airy, Close on the borders of a prairie. And fearing he should be benighted, He hailed the house and then alighted. The Hoosier meets him at the door ; Their salutations soon are o'er :- He takes the stranger's horse aside, Which quick is to a sapling tied ; And having stripped the saddle off, He feeds him in a sugar trough.
The stranger stoops to enter in- The entrance closing with a pin ; And manifests a strong desire, To seat him by the log heap fire ; Where half a dozen Hoosieroons, With mush and milk, tin cups and spoons, Besmeared hands and dirty faces,
Seem much inclined to keep their places. But madam anxious to display Her rough but undisputed way,
The youngsters to the ladder led.
And cuffed them quickly up to bed. Invited shortly to partake Of venison, "bar," and Johnny cake,
The stranger makes a hearty meal, While round him anxious glances steal . One side is hung with coats and garments, The other lined with skins of "varmints." Three dogs are stretched upon the floor, Three guns are placed above the door. The host who centers. his affections
On game and range and quarter sections, Talks to his guest till midnight hours ; And then he yields to Somnus' powers."
Sociability and hospitality were prominent traits of character in these pioneers. They welcomed a newcomer, especially if he showed indications of making a desirable neighbor. They were seldom
CHARACTER AND HABITS OF THE SETTLERS. 25
unwilling to help their neighbors in time of need. For a log rolling, or the raising of a building it was seldom difficult to gather thirty or forty people to help about it. And in return a good dinner and sup- per only were expected. People who thus rendered help, being entitled to the same in return. And they were not often eager to demand it. Sometimes the young men felt honored in having a chance, to give their help, and exhibit their growing strength and activity, at a raising.
In raising a log building four expert men were chosen for "corner men." Their business was to fit the logs at the corners by " notches and saddles, " so that these parts would be straight up from the foundation. Other men shoved up the logs on skids.
As Salem increased in population and importance, mechanics and other artisans found employment here. There were carpenters, blacksmiths, cabinet-makers, hatters, tailors and shoemakers. These were the principal of that class, and they had their shops for their business. And those who were master work- men, had some journeymen and apprentices. The old way of binding an apprentice to serve a term of years to learn a trade was then in vogue; and while a matter of curiosity to some people of this day, it affords matter for thought. The time has been when a term of seven years was deemed necessary for this purpose; and was expected to make a complete work- man. But latterly the time has been shortened, but it has always ended at the age of twenty-one for males, and eighteen for females. The apprentice- ship faithfully served, and an honorable discharge gave a young man a good prestige of employment afterwards.
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HISTORY OF SALEM.
During a term of apprenticeship the master was required to furnish the apprentice good and whole- some food, lodging, and clothing, and a certain amount of schooling, and to teach him the craft and mystery of the trade. The apprentice was required to serve his master faithfully, to treat him and his family with due respect, not to embezzle his goods, or say or do anything to the injury of his business; and not to go to any places of dissipation. At the close of the term of service, if all conditions were faithfully kept, the apprentice was to have an outfit, which usually was a new and good suit of clothes, a Bible, and, in some instances, a set of tools of a specified value Some young men thought the term of service too long. And when they deemed, them- selves proficient in the business, it appeared hard for them to continue working for only their board; wherefore they ran off, and thus forfeited their outfit that would be due at maturity. Their masters then advertised them, forbidding any persons harboring or trusting them, on their account. Six cents, and, in some instances, only one cent, was offered as a reward for their return.
The following are samples of indentures made and entered into in and near Salem:
"November 29th, 1833, Aramintha Grist was indentured to Zadok Street. She was to be instructed in the art, trade, and mystery of housewifery; to be trained to habits of obedience, industry, and moral- ity; to be taught to read, write, and cipher as far as the single rule of three; to be provided for, and be allowed meat, drink, washing, lodging, and apparel for summer and winter. She was to live with him until she was eighteen years of age; and, at the expir-
CHARACTER AND HABITS OF THE SETTLERS. 27
ation of such service, he should give her a new Bible and at least two suits of common wearing apparel."
"Mary Sheets was apprenticed to Alexander Burns. She was to have, at the expiration of her service, a new Bible, two suits of common wearing apparel, a new bureau, one new wool wheel, and a new umbrella."*
The Friends, at this time, gave character to the town and surrounding country. Their meetings were largely attended. Their "Fourth day," monthly, and quarterly meetings were notable days in the town, and always the best days for the stores. Sociability and steady habits were then prominent traits of character with the people. They were mostly generous to strangers, and, with exceptions, lived within the bounds of their resources. The con- trast between that time and the present conveys a lesson by which the reader may profit. We see in it the progress of wealth and improvements, and, with it, their effects on the condition and habits of the people. The advancement of the town was slow until the railroad was built. Then a great. change came over it. Its past and present suggest much for our thoughts.
Columbiana County History.
CHAPTER III.
SALEM IN FORMER DAYS AND ITS PROGRESS.
N the History of Columbiana County "Recollec- tions of Salem in the early part of the fall of 1809," as it then appeared to James W. Leech, who is well remembered by some of our oldest inhab- itants, are given.
"Mr. Leach was brought up in the family of Joshua Wright, who lived about four miles south- east, on the Lisbon road. In the fall of that year they went through what is now the city of Salem, on a visit to John Spencer, a son-in-law of Mr. Wright, who lived about two and one-half miles west of the town."
" As they came from the south-east the first house that they met was Israel Gaskill's, situated on what is now Lincoln avenue (the present house and lot being the property of the heirs of Lewis Street); and at the place that the street intersects what is now Main street, which was then laid out, could be seen the log cabin of Samuel Davis. It stood in the posi- tion of the old brick house now owned by Mrs. S. Hiddleson. Turning into the Main street, the first dwelling was a log cabin, occupied by Price Blake as a house of entertainment, and was situated on the south side of the street, opposite the brick house, now marked No. 101. The next building was the brick meeting house of the Friends, on the same side of the street, and near where the Whinery block now stands. Opposite stood a log school-house about 18 by 22 feet in size. Still farther west and on the north-side of the street was a hewed log cabin."
SALEM IN FORMER DAYS AND ITS PROGRESS. 29
"On the south side of the street lived John Street, in a log cabin, in which he also kept a store. At this point the street intersected with the township lines, and a road ran along between the sections. A little further on was a log cabin, occupied by Thomas Conn. Robert French was on the north side of Main street, and lived where his grand-son, Robert, now lives. John Straughan lived on the south side of the main street. Part of his homestead remains vet. It is on Sharp street. Job Cook lived south of this. Joseph Rhodes lived on a farm east of Job Cook's, now owned by Samuel Smith. Jonathan Stanley lived on land south of Job Cook's."
The further progress of the town will be seen in the following sketch, which shows its appearance at the author's first acquaintance with it. These descriptions and its present appearance and pros- perity illustrate its slow but sure progress.
SALEM IN 1830.
Before the railroad was extended to Salem, more strangers came to the town by way of the Lisbon road than from any other direction. This was then the stage route. In later years the stage came by the way of Franklin Square. On approaching the town, the first view of it was to be obtained in a place now within the borough limits, near what has been the residence of Mrs. Pow. Looking towards the north-west, the Friends' meeting house and the row occupied by Dr. Stanton and John Campbell could be seen. Some distant views of the town are now to be had from places from which sight of it was then closed by the woods. A sugar camp then covered the lots south of this place, and on the west side of
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HISTORY OF SALEM.
the road. On the other side of the road the native forest, partly cut down, covered a few acres. An orchard was at the junction of the Franklin Square road. Israel Gaskill's residence was a plain old fashioned brick house, which has since been much remodeled. Cultivated fields were on both sides of the road from the sugar camp to Main street. A little back from the corner where the Baptist church stands was the woolen factory then owned and oper- ated by John Stanley, and but recently built. A saw mill was connected with it, and driven by the same engine. This and the Canfield road marked the eastern boundary of the town.
Across the Lisbon road from the factory was William Kidd's property. He lived in a smalltwo- story log house, that stood a few rods back from the corner. A. B. Farquhar's residence is the second brick house that has been built on that lot. The log house was built by David Gaskill, Sr., one of the earliest inhabitants. Adjoining this was the shop in which Mr. Kidd carried on wagon-making. It was a two-story frame with one end towards Main street. Between this and the Wilson property there was not more than one or two houses besides John Saxon's and William Chaney's. The latter stood where A. M. Carr's new store has been built. It was both dwelling and hatter shop. John Saxon's house was some rods back from the street. His occupation was weaving; while his son Joseph managed a tannery, and, for some years, supplied the town with fresh beef; that is, except what they got from the farmers. Butchering was not then such a trade as it is now. Mr. Saxon was the pioneer in this trade, which has since become one of the most prominent in the town.
SALEM IN FORMER DAYS AND ITS PROGRESS. 31
Isaac Wilson then kept the Western Hotel, a store. the postoffice and a tan yard. No vestiges of it nor of Saxon's are now to be seen. His store was man- aged by his son, William G., who died in 1838. Between this store and a brick house, occupied then by Benjamin Hawley, was a vacant lot, both of which are now covered by the Greiner-Brainard hotel. Next was a long one-story house with an end towards the street, and some vacant space on each side. Then came Joseph Smith's blacksmith shop, and his frame house; from it, a lot that was sometimes cultivated, extended to the Friends' property. Their lot extended to Depot street (not then named). It had horse sheds on three sides, and was entered by two gates from Main street, and by one on the west side. This venerable meeting house (the first brick building erected in the town) was one of the most prominent objects in the place. In the rear of it, and about where Kopp's grocery store now is, was the school house, of which Joseph Shreve wrote : .
" Here long to teach has been my toilsome lot ; Yet sweet endearment found in many a heart,
While duties pressed, with various labors fraught, Knowledge to half a thousand to impart."
When we consider the present attendance at the Union Schools, now in this city, the instruction of "half a thousand " pupils may be deemed a very small task for ten years of teaching. Some distance farther south was a large barn, that was often the resort of juvenile Sabbath-breakers, who sometimes disturbed the Friends' and Baptist meetings. Fort- unately for the proprietor, lucifer matches were not then invented.
John Street's store then did more business than
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HISTORY OF SALEM.
any other in the place. The store and dwelling were then more isolated than now; and have been much altered since his time. His tannery then did an exten- sive business. He bought a great deal of pork every winter; and dealt much in country produce. Between his store and the Baptist meeting house there were not more than one or two dwelling houses. The · Baptists then worshipped in a small brick house. Their lot marked the southern limit of the town. Near the position of J. M. Stratton's lumber yard was a hewed log house in which lived Isaiah Bowker. "Old Bowker " was a character in those days. His employment was hauling-with a team of crow-bait horses-and pettifcgging some of the lawsuits that then occurred. In the south-west part of the town there were but few permanent residents; of these might be mentioned John Flitcraft, Geo. Fry, James W. Leach and Christian Harmon. The latter car- ried on a pottery. What is now Dry street then extended only to the New Garden road, and was called Brindle street.
John Street had a large garden that extended to the brick house west of it that still remains ;- then occupied by Matthias Hester. Attached to it was a small frame house that he, at some time, had used for a tailor shop. Next house was the abode of Amos Silver. On the corner was Hester's little store. Across was William Heacock's tavern. His old fashioned sign, with a picture of a buck looking back over its shoulders, reminded of the time when this house of entertainment was first opened. His cabi- net shop wasnext, then Richard Heacock's house and shop that marked the west end of the town. Look- ing westward gave a view of the well cultivated
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SALEM IN FORMER DAYS AND ITS PROGRESS.
farms of Mr. John Straughan and Robert French.
David Gaskill's square marked the end of what bordered on the north side of Main street. The most substantial parts of his building still remain. But they are much changed. There was a barn and some out-buildings on the square. At the west end of the store was a small frame painted red, and kept closed, apparently as a memento of the business in which the owner commenced-boot and shoe-making. Half way between Gaskill's property and Green street was the residence of Jacob Beam, a shoemaker by trade, and a meek Methodist by persuasion. The brick building across from Gaskill's was occupied by Thomas Spencer, who kept a small tavern. A part of it was occupied by Dr. D. Williams, who had a small drug store in his office. Going eastward we next find the blacksmith shop of Amos Silver: then a log house, weather-boarded, which was occupied by Isaac Boone. The front room was his saddlery shop; and it had a small addition on the west side occupied by another family. Part of it still remains having been subjected to many changes. Between this and the Ellsworth road was a large garden, in which Joseph Shreve sometimes employed himself in horti- culture when not engaged in mental culture. In the rear part, where now is a livery stable, was a two- story hewed log house, in which he dwelt with his two sisters-all of them unmarried.
The Friends' property then divided the town into two distinct parts. That north of Main street was almost vacant. Opposite their meeting house, about where McMillan's book-store now is was an old hewed log school-house, the first erected in the place. Dur- ing some previous years it was the only place of
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HISTORY OF SALEM.
scholastic education in the town. Several teachers there officiated. One of them was James Tollerton, who often used a kind of discipline that many parents of this day would not be willing to have their young hopefuls subjected. Family pride, and over-weening parental affection now too often over-rule good judg- ment.
Proceeding eastward we next find a frame row, only a little of which still remains, but is much altered. The west end was rented as a shop to different parties; the next door was John Campbell's saddlery shop; then his dwelling; then Dr. Stan- ton's residence. He was then the principal physician in the place. His benevolent looks and genial aspect as he walked the streets, or rode on his errands of mercy to the afflicted (often in the most inclement weather), once seen, would always be remembered. His office was attached to the east end of his dwell- ing. It has since been separated and moved to Green street, and now forms the east half of No. 24. In this the doctor kept his medicines, and made his prescriptions; and, in it several persons studied, who afterwards became successful physicians.
On the next corner was Amos Hawley's residence, then his shop (a small frame). He, at that time, was the prince of shoemakers in Salem. In his shop, some years before, a young man named Davis com- mitted suicide; the cause of which was said to be the same old story, often told, of disappointed love. He was buried in a corner lot of a grave-yard since made into building lots. An amusing story was told of some young doctors who exhumed his body for ana- tomical purposes.
The next was a brick house occupied by Israel
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SALEM IN FORMER DAYS AND ITS PROGRESS.
Beans; in a part of it he had his hatter shop. After a vacancy was Charles Jobes' chair shop, and a frame house occupied by Jonathan Haines. The next was a two-story frame with the end to the street. This was Anthony Taylor's plow shop. From it a one- story row extended nearly to Lundy street. In one room of this Joseph Goulbourn commenced tailoring, and, in another, J. J. Brooks opened his first law-office. A little back from Lundy street and adjoining this row was a two-story frame house with a carpenter shop in front.
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Across Lundy street was Jehu Fawcett's shop, a long story and a-half building. The sign of a spin- ning wheel on the front end indicated his business at that time. There was a small vacancy between it and his dwelling. Then came the residence of John Stanley (since that time much altered), and now owned by the heirs of Jacob Heaton. Adjoining it then might be seen the charred remains of the factory that was burned a few years before. Next came Aaron Hise's blacksmith shop, and residence. The next was a large frame dwelling with a narrow front, and considerable back extension. It was owned by Richard Fawcett, Sr. The next was a large three- story brick building unfinished, without doors or windows on the front side. This was called "Schol- field's Castle." A few rooms in the rear were finished and occupied by the proprietor, who had commenced to build on a grand scale, but was not able to finish. On the corner was a blacksmith shop, in which his son, Samuel, was the principal workman.
The Canfield road was then the boundary of this part of the town. Across it was a cultivated field; and where the residence of C. F. Chalfant, Harris's
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HISTORY OF SALEM.
printing establishment, and some other houses now are, was a grove that, a few years afterwards, was - often used for pic-nics, political, and anti-slavery meetings. Some notable ones were there held.
The old brick house, above the spring on Garfield avenue, was then the abode of Joshua Davis, who was then one of the most active business men of the place. It was then entirely out of the town, and the ground on the east and north of it was common farm land. Proceeding westward on Green street, the first houses on the south side were Daniel Bolton's shop and dwelling. The shop is now a dwelling. There was a vacancy between these and Nathan Hunt's residence. This, with its changes and addi- tions, is now the residence of Phebe J. Hunt, widow of Nathan Hunt, Jr. On the next corner was a small frame house. From the corner of Lundy to Chest- nut street there were only two frame houses; one of which was occupied by Jeremiah F. Dickinson. It still stands. The other was a small one in which Levi Flitcraft lived. Between Chestnut and Ellsworth street, the only building was the Hicksite Friends' meeting house. One of the original halves of it still stands, and is marked No. 24.
·
Across the Ellsworth road, on the corner, was Levi Fawcett's cabinet shop. He was, at that time, the principal undertaker for the town and country around. Ready-made coffins were not then thought of here; and when a call for one was made, he was very prompt to respond.
Often he was obliged to work at unusual hours. The sound of his hammer was often heard at midnight, or, while the devout people were sitting in meeting, producing a peculiar effect of solemnity from its association. Adjoining
SALEM IN FORMER DAYS AND ITS PROGRESS. 37
this shop was Amos E. Kimberly's carding machine, driven by a tramp wheel, on which oxen were the motive power. His plain brick house was on the same side of this street. Returning to Green street, we find but one building between L. Fawcett's shop and what is now Howard street, then called Mud street. On this corner was a common dwelling house occupied by Isaac Webb. Making hats was his bus- iness. Across was a small frame house, and here we come to the end of the town as it then was.
Robert French's mill pond was then a great place for swimming in summer time, and skating in winter. At these times the town boys had unlimited control of it, and often held high carnival there. Truant school boys there wasted some of their precious time, and feats were performed on the ice, in which the actors felt as much pride as any of the champions or queens of modern skating rinks. Some years before this time Simeon Fawcett, an apprentice to Levi Fawcett, was drowned in this pond.
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