USA > Ohio > Shelby County > History of Shelby County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 23
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Rates of postage in those early days differed greatly from those of today. They were regulated by distance and not by weight. The charge was 61/4 cents for 50 miles or less ; 121/2 cents for from 50 to 150 miles; 1834 cents up to 300 miles ; and over that 25 cents to any part of the United States.
Today a letter may be sent from Sidney to London, England, for two cents and to the ends of the earth for five cents.
The first mail route in the Northwest territory was established in 1799 from Wheeling, West Virginia to Limestone, Kentucky, the mail to be car- ried once a week each way, the whole distance being 226 miles.
Nor was the transmission of the early mails, no matter how they were carried, conducted in safety for the mail robber was abroad in the land. Some of the mails brought to this country eighty years ago came by post riders to Wheeling and thence down the Ohio to Cincinnati in mail boats, built like
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whaling craft, each manned with four oarsmen and a coxswain, armed, thence by post roads to the Miami region. The voyage from Wheeling to Cincinnati occupied six days and the return trip up stream twelve days. The blowing of a horn announced to the people of the neighborhood the arrival of the mail. The early postoffices of the county were generally log structures, but they answered the needs of the times well enough. The postmaster was frequently merchant, cabinetmaker and government official all in one for his salary was small and business was not heavy. The mail bag was never filled to over- flowing and the few recipients of its contents were indeed the lucky ones. We can hardy realize the burden and inconvenience the high and uncertain postage rates imposed upon the pioneers as money was scarce and difficult to obtain.
The first postoffice in Shelby county was established at Hardin in 1819 with Col. James Wells postmaster and was in a shop in which he worked at his trade as a hatter. The next year he removed to Sidney which had been made the county seat and continued as postmaster until 1841. He was during his period as postmaster auditor, clerk of courts and recorder of the county thus showing that salary of postmaster could not be depended on for a livelihood.
The following postmasters have served the people of Sidney since 1825 with their term of service given. This list was furnished by the postoffice department at Washington. There is a discrepancy in the dates furnished by the county records and those from the first assistant postmaster general as to the establishment of the Sidney postoffice, which can not be reconciled by the writer.
POSTMASTER
DATE OF APPOINTMENT
James Wells (established )
April 3, 1825
Hugh Wilson
May 31, 1842
Elijah Lynch August 23, 1841
James Wells . June 7, 1845
Milton Bailey .June 1, 1849
Daniel L. Bush
May 16, 1853
George Murray
March 29, 1861
M. C. Hale
August 20, 1866
Margaret Walker
. March 28, 1867
Samuel Mathers
. January 16, 1873
Robt. H. Trego
September 22, 1876
J. E. Wilkinson
May 5, 1881
J. S. Laughlin
May 27, 1885
Hugh B. Neal.
June 11, 1889
Franklin Hunter
March 15, 1894
Robert V. Jones . May 24, 1898
The present postoffice is in the building owned by Harry Wagner of Day- ton. formerly of Sidney on Poplar street and will probably remain there until
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the erection of a federal building on the location bought by the government at the corner of Ohio and North streets for the sum of $20,000.
During Postmaster Jones' first term January 1, 1899, the first rural mail route was started in this county through Orange and Green townships and was carried by Kerr T. Carey. At the present time the rural system from the Sidney office consists of II carriers covering 275 miles of territory daily, except Sundays and legal holidays and serving about 7,500 people.
The salary of the rural carrier is $1,000 annually.
The Sidney postoffice is second class. Salary of postmaster $2,800. There are 5 city carriers covering about 90 miles of territory daily. Their salaries are $1,100 annually.
POSTOFFICE REPORT FOR YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1912
Postal receipts for year, $31,462.44 ; registered mail and parcels delivered, 2,359; registered mail received for delivery, 2,702; transit registered mail, 4,881 ; money orders issued, domestic, 11,287; money orders issued, foreign, 76.
A. B. C. HITCHCOCK.
THE BIG FOUR RAILWAY
The Cleveland, Columbus & Cincinnati Railway Company was chartered March 12, 1845; was completed and trains ran through from Cleveland to Columbus, a distance of 138 miles, February 22, 1851. In the year 1861, the C. C. C. acquired by purchase that portion of the Springfield, Mt. Vernon & Pittsburg railway between Delaware, O., and Springfield, O., fifty miles.
The Indianapolis, Pittsburg & Cleveland railway extending from the city of Indianapolis eastward to Union City, eighty-four miles, and the Belle- fontaine & Indiana railway extending eastward from Union county to Galion, 119 miles, were consolidated under the name of the Bellefontaine railway in 1864, pursuant to the laws of the states of Ohio and Indiana.
In April, 1868, the C. C. C. Railway Company was consolidated with the Bellefontaine railway under the name of the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincin- nati & Indianapolis Railway Company with a total length of 391 miles.
January 24, 1871, the road became the lessees of the Cincinnati & Spring- field railway, eighty and one-half miles.
This made the total length of road owned and operated by the C. C. C. & I. 4711/2 miles. This road traverses Shelby county east and west.
The building of the C. C. C. & I. railway had a depressing effect on the general prosperity of the town for several years. The citizens were anxious to procure the road and the only inducement offered was to buy stocks. Many of the merchants of Sidney and some private individuals sold their property to the company, taking the nominal equivalent in stock. Numbers subse- quently sold for thirty-three cents on the dollar. Those who hung on and passed from the enthralment of the company, and regained their property did well, as also did those who could afford to keep their stock. The road now belongs to the Vanderbilt lines; and the benefits of its construction can not 13
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now be measured, though a general depression in business and a sore retard- ment to the prosperity of the town, followed its opening.
The tax commission fixed the taxable value of the Indianapolis division of the C. C. C. & St. L. railway on 23.17 miles of main track and 7.5 miles of siding and all other property in the right of way at $1,379,520 for Shelby county for the year 1912.
THE CINCINNATI, HAMILTON & DAYTON RAILROAD
The Dayton and Michigan railway was constructed in 1856. It runs from Toledo to Dayton and traverses Shelby county from north to south. It has proved a benefit to the county notwithstanding the fact that its advent was hailed with some disapprobation by the usual number of persons who stand in the way of progress.
The first sod of this line was cut at the end of Water street in Sandusky, September 7, 1835, by General Harrison of Cincinnati, afterwards president of the United States. The occasion was one of general rejoicing and great gayety-processions were formed, the air was resonant with music and the display of bunting was profuse.
The first locomotive named the "Sandusky" was the first locomotive in America to which a regular steam whistle was applied. At this time the track was known as the Mad River & Lake Erie railway and ran through Bellevue to Tiffin.
The Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton railroad was chartered March 2, 1846, its present name being given to it by an act passed March 15, 1849. The road was opened for business September 19, 1850, but a little more than a year after work had been commenced upon it. It was built without the aid of township subscriptions and its stocks and bonds sold at par from the start both in New York and Cincinnati. In less than a month after the opening of the subscriptions for stock, three-fourths of a million dollars in cash was paid in by Cincinnati investors. The rest of the stock and the first issue of bonds were taken in New York at par. This is supposed to be the first instance of the kind in the history of railroading. On May 1, 1863, the road from Day- ton to Toledo, belonging to the Dayton & Michigan Company, and which passed through Sidney, was leased to the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton, and on February 18, 1869, it became the lease of the Cincinnati, Richmond & Chicago Railroad Company, which covered also the Richmond & Miami Rail- way. In 1872 the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Indianapolis railroad was added to the system. Within the last two years extensive improvements have been made by the C. H. & D. railway in Shelby county, by eliminating grades, straightening curvature and double-tracking the road-improvements which have materially assisted in the economical operation of the property. The tax commission has fixed the value of the D. & M. branch of the C. H. & D. railway in Shelby county for the year 1912 on 20.49 miles of main track and 10.08 of second track, and 7.29 siding at $857,680.
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THE DETROIT, TOLEDO & IRONTON RAILROAD
This road, which passes in a northwesterly and southeasterly direction through Jackson and Salem townships, with stations at Jackson Center and Maplewood, is the old Ohio Southern and was constructed in 1894. Its taxable value has been fixed by the tax commission at $90,900 on 9.555 miles of main track and 1.56 siding for the year 1912.
THE WESTERN OHIO RAILROAD
The Western Ohio railroad ( electric), passing through Shelby county in a northerly and southerly direction, furnishes convenient connections with Piqua, Troy. Dayton, Springfield, Lima, Findlay, Fostoria, Fremont, San- dusky, Cleveland, Toledo and other points. Within the county the line runs through Sidney, Lockington, Swanders, Anna and Botkins, by means of branch lines connecting also with Ft. Loramie. Cars run at frequent intervals and the road enjoys a good patronage.
DETROIT, TOLEDO & CANTON R. R.
This railroad, which runs in a general northerly and southerly direction through Jackson and Salem townships, with stations at Jackson Center and Maplewood, is the old Ohio Southern. It crosses the tracks of the Big Four at Quincy, just beyond the eastern boundary line of the county, thus furnishing indirect communication with Sidney.
WESTERN OHIO R. R.
The Western Ohio Traction Company was incorporated in 1902 and has a mileage in Shelby county of twenty-two miles. It owns and operates III1/2 miles of railway between Findlay and Piqua. The first cars were run through Sidney, April 30. 1903. The road was assessed for taxation in Shelby county in 1912, $493,460 on 21.97 miles of main track and .58 of siding.
It is now possible to go from Toledo to Cincinnati by means of these in- terchanging electric lines and a net work of railways gives interurban con- nection with Cleveland.
CHAPTER X PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS
The Infirmary-The Shelby County Children's Home-Sidney Public Library-Shelby County Institute
THE INFIRMARY
On the 23d of March, 1866, the county commissioners purchased of James Rollins a farm of 158 acres in the southwest quarter of section 10, town. 7, range 6, for the purpose of building an infirmary. The purchase was made for $85,000, payable as follows : $4,500 cash, $2,000 in one year, and $2,000 in two years from date of purchase, which was secured by mortgage bearing six per cent interest from date.
A board of infirmary directors consisting of C. Kingseed, M. J. Winget and H. Guthrie was created by the commissioners which selected Jacob Leh- man for superintendent of the infirmary farm at a salary of $50 per month. A short time after Lehman was succeeded by Jesse B. Howe, August 20, 1866.
Contracts for a new infirmary were let by the commissioners February 16, 1869, as follows : Slate, tin and galvanized iron work awarded Gephart & Sanders for $8,400; cut stone given to Webber & Lehman for $2,400; carpenter and joiner work to Rouzer & Rouzer for $14,400, this to include glazing ; plumbing and steam-fitting to Brooks & Light for $6,845; brick work to Samuel and John McCune for $8,000; said parties to allow $2,000 for brick already on the ground. William C. Wyman contracted for the plas- tering at 35 cents per yard and F. Lierman the painting for $1,700.
This building, which is an elegant and substantial brick of two stories with a mansard roof, is situated about three miles southwest of Sidney, in Clinton township and reflects great credit on the citizens of the county. A beautiful lawn in front of the home, which sits back from the road, shows the good taste of its managers, while the rest of the farm is highly cultivated.
On the 26th of February, 1875, Superintendent Howe resigned and was succeeded by William Widener, who was followed by Harvey Guthrie in 1897. William Guthrie succeeded his father till 1899 and was in turn followed by Emanuel Needles till 1903. Lawson Showers is the present superintendent and with his estimable wife as matron gives a most efficient administration of affairs. The institution at this time contains thirty-eight inmates.
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THE SHELBY COUNTY CHILDREN'S HOME
The following article was prepared and written by Attorney James E. Way, trustee of the home.
On the brow of one of the magnificent hills overlooking the Great Miami river, and about one mile south and east of the city of Sidney, stands the Shelby County, Ohio, Children's Home, recognized as one of the best conducted and managed charitable institutions of its kind in the state.
The view from the home is one of unsurpassed beauty. To the west is seen the Great Miami river, its clear and sparkling waters, fringed with tall, magnificent elms, stately sycamores and bending willows, winding like a silver cord onward, as described in one of Tennyson's poetic visions, forever, toward the sea. Northward, we are treated with a most beautiful panoramic view of the lively, bustling city of Sidney, snugly nestled among the hills, and spread out over them in artistic loveliness. To the east and south is presented an extensive view of well cultivated and productive farms, and lofty hills, luxuriant with the beauties of nature's own handiwork of forests of the hickory, oak, ash, and many other splendid specimens of the monarchs of the woods, with climbing and clinging vines interspersed between.
At the general election, held in the fall of 1893, the question of erecting a Children's Home was submitted to the people of the county for a test of sentiment. The generous hearted electorate of the county being thus appealed to, answered in the affirmative, and authority was thereby given to proceed in the good work. Afterwards, at the January term, 1894, of the court of common pleas, of Shelby county, a committee, consisting of S. J. Hatfield, A. J. Hess and S. L. Wicoff, was appointed by the court to select a location for the home, and approve plans for the buildings. After viewing several places the committee selected the present site, the farm containing about one hundred and forty-two acres in Clinton and Orange townships, and, likewise, approved the plans for the buildings as subsequently erected thereon.
In July, 1894, the county commissioners, acting upon the report and sug- gestions of the committee, made purchase of said land at the agreed price of $7,562 for the whole. The erection of the several necessary buildings, at an approximated cost of $30,000, including the purchase price paid for the land, as above stated, speedily followed, and on the 4th day of November, 1897, these were formally dedicated with appropriate exercises, and made ready for occupancy. Later, through the philanthropy and christian spirit of one of Sidney's splendid women, Mrs. Mary A. Barkdull, who by her last will provided that the proceeds of the sale of a part of her real estate be given to the home, the board of trustees was enabled to have erected on the grounds a neat and commodious school building, whcih stands as a fit memorial of and dedicated to the memory of that good woman who found a greater blessing in giving than in receiving. The building has encased within the front wall a tablet, bearing these words: "Barkdull Memorial 1903," as a further tribute to her whose memory shall ever be green to all the children who enter its doors.
Of the home farm, about seventy acres consists of cultivated lands, the
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rest being wood and pasture lands, including the home park, upon which the several buildings were erected. The park has been greatly beautified, and presents a very cheerful picture from all points of view. The valuable services of Edgar Emley, one of the best known lovers of nature in the county, were secured to take charge of beautifying the park, and for a time he had supervision in the matter of selecting and planting the trees therein. He insisted in planting the native forest trees, giving as a reason that in time, when our forests will be denuded of their trees, we still would have the native kinds of timber on the park to remind the people of the woodlands of earlier days. Mr. Emley's idea prevailed, and the park has a beautiful growth of the hickory, maple, ash, elm, and numerous other kinds of trees, the product of Shelby county, secure for generations yet to come, and a fitting monument to the memory of him who placed them there.
The home, very soon after its dedication, was opened for the admission of children, and Dr. W. N. Shaw was appointed its first superintendent, and his wife, as matron. Dr. Shaw and wife resigned their positions on the first day of April, 1898, and were succeeded by J. H. McClung and his wife, as superintendent and matron, respectively. After eight years of faithful service, Mr. and Mrs. McClung severed their official relations with the home, and were succeeded by J. H. Kemp and his wife, Ann, who remained in charge and faithfully performed their duties as such officials until their resignations on the first day of March, 1912. Since that date the management of the home has been under the supervision of W. F. Meighen and his wife, Lina, and is in a very prosperous condition.
The first board of trustees of the institution, namely, S. L. Wicoff, R. D. Mede, Wm. A. Graham and Jeremiah Miller, gave to the organization the full benefit of their splendid services for a number of years, and at the end of their terms of office, were succeeded by J. N. Dill, S. D. Voress and George Hagelberger, respectively. The present members of the board of trustees are George Hagelberger, B. T. Bulle, James E. Way and J. W. A. Fridley.
The school building was opened for the admission of pupils in 1903, Miss Rachel McVay being selected as the first teacher therein who taught there until the year 1908, and was succeeded by A. M. Shidaker, now in charge of the schools.
In the school, the elementary and common branches of study, including music, are taught, with manual training and industrial departments, in addi- tion thereto. In the manual training department, the boys receive practical instruction in the handling of tools, as applied to woodwork, as well as on the farm, as applied to agriculture. In the industrial department, the girls are taught plain and fancy needlework, and are likewise instructed in the art of cooking, and in other useful household duties. It is the aim of the man- agement to qualify the children, as far as possible, while in the care of the home, to become good and useful citizens of the future; and the success attained along this line is attested by scores of bright, well educated women and men. formerly of the home, who are now honored and respected citizens of several of the states of our nation.
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Since its organization, there have been received into the home and cared for, one hundred and ninety-three children, one hundred and seventeen boys and seventy-six girls, of whom one hundred and eighteen have been provided with comfortable homes, with worthy families in different parts of the state, from time to time, the remainder having been discharged by reason of age limit and returned to their parents, there being at present fourteen boys and twelve girls under the care of the institution.
The gross cost of maintaining the children per capita, in the home, since organization, has averaged about $175 per annum as near as can be ascer- tained. This estimate, of course, includes the total cost of maintaining the institution, namely, the salaries of all employees, schooling, clothing, medi- cal attention. provisions and other necessaries, as well as the purchase of live stock, agricultural implements, and the like, but does not take into considera- tion the several sums received from the sale of farm products, live stock, and from other sources, and turned into the county treasury as a credit to the insti- tution. Deducting these several credits from the total cost of maintaining the home, as above estimated, and it can readily be seen that the net cost, per capita, would be very much less.
The main buildings are heated by steam, lighted by electricity, and sup- plied with water from the Sidney waterworks plant, and otherwise well equipped for successful management, clean and sanitary.
All in all, the Shelby County Children's Home is an institution of which the citizens of the county may justly be proud; and in taking care of and in educating the little, unfortunate ones committed to their care, are following after the precepts of the Divine entreaty : "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, my brethren, ye have done it unto me."
Herewith, appended, are extracts taken from the last report of the state examiner of the bureau of inspection and supervision of public offices, rela- ting to the Children's Home, covering the period from April 1, 1911, to June 1, 1912 :--
"The financial matters of the institution are handled in a manner which absolutely precludes criticism. The books and records kept by the superin- tendent are models in completeness, and every transaction is so thoroughly detailed that it was a pleasure to audit them. * * * The splendid con- dition of the buildings and grounds, and the schooling of the children in use- ful trades and handiwork are especially worthy of commendation. The board of trustees and the employees of the institution are entitled to commendation for the excellent manner in which all departments are conducted."
SIDNEY PUBLIC LIBRARY
The Sidney Public Library was first organized as a stock company, being incorporated December 5, 1869. It had a fund of about $1,500 with which to purchase books, and was opened to the public during the year 1870. It continued to be operated as a stock company until the year 1879, when its books. property, and franchise were turned over to the trustees of the Monu-
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mental building, under a contract whereby the trustees agreed to place the books in the Monumental building, and thereafter, as soon as the debt on the building should be paid, to maintain the same as a public library out of the rents derived from the building, devoting what was commonly known as Memorial hall to the purpose of a public library and reading-room forever. From 1879 to 1886 the books were stored in a part of Memorial hall, but the trustees, having no funds available, they were not accessible to the public. During the latter year the village council made a small levy for library pur- poses, and, with the consent of the board of trustees of the Monumental building took the necessary steps to keep the library open to the public until such time as the trustees might be in condition to take charge of the same and carry out their contract.
Under this arrangement the immediate management was in the hands of a committee appointed by the village council, which also elected the libra- rian. This arrangement continued until in the autumn of 1897, or the early part of 1898, when the board of trustees of the Monumental building organ- ized as a library association, adopting a plan of government whereby the immediate control and management of the library was placed in the hands of a committee of three appointed by the board of trustees, which also elected the librarian. The managing committee was composed of one member of the board of trustees, one member of the city school board and one unofficial citizen of the city. Subsequently the membership of the committee was increased to four, two of whom were to be chosen, or concurred in, by the board of education. This form of government has proven satisfactory, and is still in force.
At the beginning of 1898 the library had about 1,200 volumes, exclusive of public documents, of which it probably had as many more, for it had been a depository library since about 1886. During the year 1897, the last year the library was under the management of the city council, the monthly average of books taken from the library for home reading was 343. The monthly average during the first year under the new management, being the year 1898, was 1,094 volumes per month; while the average monthly circulation for 1899 was 1,729 volumes per month. The average circulation for the year 19II was 2,804 volumes per month. The library itself has grown from 1,200 volumes in 1898 to 12,000 volumes exclusive of public documents, on January I, 1912. Its revenues are made up of rents derived from the Monumental building and a levy made by the board of education. From 1898 to 1902, inclusive. the board of education made a levy of three-tenths of a mill for library purposes under the law passed in 1897. Since 1902 the levy has been made under the law of 1902, which authorizes the levy of a mill, and for several years past the levy has been a mill, which on the valuation of the Sid- ney school district nets about $2,800.
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