USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > History of the city of Cleveland : its settlement, rise and progress > Part 5
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In pursuance of the agreement of annexation, the city very soon thereafter built the Main Street bridge, re-built
Mises Kelly
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HISTORY OF CLEVELAND.
Center Street bridge, and constructed a new bridge at the foot of Seneca street hill-all of which greatly facilitated intercourse between the respective sides of the river, and for that early time were deemed adequate to the public necessity.
Cotemporaneously with the period of bridge building, the city council looking ahead to the possible, and as they believed probable commercial necessities of Cleveland in the then near future, undertook the important work of widening and deepening the "Old River Bed." Those who to-day look along that ancient channel and see the slips and docks that border it-the mountains of coal and iron -the fleets of ships and lines of steam craft, loading and unloading, the ship-yards, and lumber-yards, and the fur- naces and manufacturing establishments that line its shores, cannot but be astonished at the fulfillment of the prophetic visions which possessed the minds of the city fathers immediately succeeding the period of annexation. Whiskey Island was then a vast sand dune. The great tract on the south of the old bed, called the "Buffalo tract," was still a swamp, unimproved and unadorned except by a few dilapidated shanties, a sad reminder of land speculation fifty years ago. The great Ox Bow tract, the joint property of Richard Hilliard, Edmund Clark, and Courtlandt Palmer, had long been platted, but was still substantially vacant territory. Joel Scranton's large farm of meadow, bluff and ravine had but the homestead thereon, while Silas S. Stone's meadow of hundreds of acres up the river was but a pasture for flocks and herds. Even the beautiful terraced plateau called the Heights had
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scarcely more than two or three buildings thereon till long after it had been utilized as a military camp in the early days of the civil war.
The city had been, and was substantially, mercantile until the completion of the Sault Ste. Marie canal in 1855, which opened up the waters of Lake Superior for a thou- sand miles to the northwest. Ship-building for the lower lakes had been the principal industry. Of manufacturing industries there were but few and small, and there was but a single iron mill, Renton's small establishment east- ward on the lake shore .* The copper mines of Lake Supe- rior had long been known, and for several years had been the principal subject of speculativeexcitement. A little copper had been mined and brought to the city, where Hussey and McBride had a smelting works south on the line of the Ohio canal, but that industry eventually passed into the control of eastern companies, and the great masses of almost pure copper, once the delight of the curious, were no longer seen upon our docks.
At the first meeting of the city council after annexation, June 10, 1854, Abner Brownell being mayor, R. C. Par- sons became president, and the venerable J. B. Bartlett was elected clerk and auditor for something more than his
* The author probably refers to the Cuyahoga Steam Furnace Com- pany, of which Elisha Sterling was the head at this time. It was built in 1835, and subsequently operated by W. B. Castle and J. F. Holloway. Its entire works were sold to the Cleveland Ship-building Company in the spring of 1887. The present Lake Erie Iron Company was started by J. N. Ford and W. A. Otis in 1852. Another manufactory, afterwards merged into the Cleveland Paper Company, was established by Young- love and Massey in 1848 .- [Editor.]
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third term-and continued to perform that service for many years thereafter, at a salary for the two responsibil- ities which an ordinary clerk would spurn in these later days. The Cleveland Daily Express and the Waechter am Erie became the official papers. Proceedings were insti- tuted to appropriate land for the West Side reservoir, Au- gust 16.
On the seventh of October nearly the whole of the south side of the public square, some twenty or more buildings, were consumed by flames. The old court- house caught fire, but it was extinguished. It communi- cated with the buildings in the rear of Northrup and Spangler's block and extended to near the old Baptist church. Every building but four was destroyed. This was followed on the twenty-seventh by the burning of the New England hotel and stables, and spreading to the northwest side of Merwin street and destroying many large business places. It was the most extensive and dis- astrous fire the city had ever experienced. Among the suf- ferers we note the names of many who, after the lapse of a third of a century, are still familiar to us, and some of whom are yet in business-L. F. Burgess, Cook & Althen, A. J. Wenham, William Edwards, Bishop & Remington, Melhinch & Stillman, G. H. Orange, A. W. Sprague, Crawford & Chamberlin, Wilber & McDowell, J. Banquert, A. N. Gray, William Bingham, the board of trade, and the custom-house. The estimated loss was upwards of two hundred and fifteen thousand dollars, which was deemed a very large sum for the then infant city, and a very de- structive conflagration.
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Immediately following the great fire was the failure of the Canal Bank. The bank was besieged by a mob led by a citizen of very determined character, who sought to forcibly recover some trust funds specially deposited, belong- ing to some heirs of which he was guardian and which the bank refused to surrender, but sought to retain as assets. The door was stove in and crowbars were about to be used upon the door of the vault when some compromise was effected and the first financial mob of thecity dispersed. The liabilities of the bank were $308.000, and its assets $282,000. This looks quite unimportant when compared with our dozen or more banks of to-day, each with its millions of capital; but it was an important institution in that day, and its failure was a momentous financial event.
The municipal events of 1855 were few and unimportant. On the fourteenth of November the new Council hall, built by Mr. John Jones on his lot on the southwest corner of the public square, was dedicated. Many citizens were pres- ent and refreshments, including wine, were served. At that time there were only eleven wards and twenty-two council- men. Twenty-four seats only were embraced in the circle. The two extra seats were thought to be evidence of the wisdom and foresight of the city fathers, looking ahead to the possible time when another ward from beyond the then city limits might be admitted with its dual represen- tation. On the twenty-fifth of November Seneca Street bridge was completed, and the ground was being prepared for the erection of the Atlantic & Great Western railroad station on Scranton's flats. Smith & Co's new rolling
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mill for the manufacture of railroad rails, near the Forest City Iron Works, was completed, and on December 4, the city granted an ordinance to the Cleveland & Toledo. railroad authorizing the construction of a railroad ferry across the Cuyahoga river.
In December the Cleveland Grays fitted up the old Center Street theater for an armory, and here for a long time that matchless historical military company had its head- quarters and went through its intricate and graceful evo- lutions to the delight of visitors and the pride of the municipality. Subsequent years attested its value as a military arm both at home and aboard. It served with honor and distinction in the early days of the civil war. Its name has never been tarnished. Its rank and file have ever embraced the honored and beloved of our citizens, and its fame is still bright and enduring.
The public events of 1855 were mainly such as were incident to the commencement of the settlement of Kansas. It was approaching the end of President Pierce's admin- istration, and the rivalry between north and south for precedence and political power in the elections, and in the organization of the territory and future State, surpassed all former experience in the history of our government. It was the first year of large emigration, especially from the northern States. The height of the local excitement in the territory was later, but its final culmination was in the terrible civil war-and emancipation.
The events of 1856 opened to our local satisfaction by the United States government purchasing of Leonard Case his homestead grounds for a site for the then contem-
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plated new post-office, at a cost of $30,000. The high school building on Euclid avenue was dedicated in April, the Rev. S. W. Adams, D. D., presiding and making an address. April 23, the new city infirmary was completed. Over one hundred lodgers there found rest and food-such as infirmaries are wont to provide-under the superintendence of Madison Miller.
On the twenty-second of July, F. T. Wallace, councilman for the Fifth ward, introduced a resolution directing an inquiry into the power and expediency of inclosing the four parcels of separately fenced land known as the public square, and making one central park. This, together with the petition of James F. Clark and fifteen hundred others praying for the inclosure, was referred to the judici- ary committee, of which Hon. Harvey Rice was chairman. A thorough examination of the original survey, field notes, plat, records, maps, actions of the Connecticut Land Com- pany and its trustees, the deeds and acts of the original proprietors of the city lots; and the committee subse- quently submitted through its chairman an elaborate written report, to the effect that such act would be legal and beneficial and recommend the proceeding. The subject was, however, delayed until March 24, 1857, when the four street entrances were closed by a fence, very early in the morning before any teams were on the streets. This pre- caution had been taken, as some persons, and those the least interested, had threatened to enjoin the proceeding. When the post-office and custom-house had been finished, popula- tion largely increased and street railroads pressed for facil-
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ities through the enclosed streets, and when property owners on Superior street, east of the park, felt that the enclosure of Superior street worked a detriment to values, by retarding of business and improvement of prop- erty in that direction, and especially as Case Hall and the City Hall buildings were in contemplation, the streets through the square were, on petition to the court of com- mon pleas by such property owners, and with but little or no opposition, decreed to be again opened. The old fence surrounding the square being rotten and unattractive, and as no suitable walks had been constructed, nor any other embellishments adorning the same, save possibly the fountain in the northwest corner, so no one lamented the reversal of the order in council. The present neat and pleasant embellishments of this central park, pretentiously styled by some one "Monumental," is the work of modern days, and especially since the care of this and other parks have been under the control of an intelligent and tasteful board of park commissioners.
In connection with the subject of thus enclosing the four squares, the council about the same time instructed the city clerk to notify the county commissioners to remove the old court-house from the public square as soon as pos- sible. It had been abandoned as a place for holding courts, and none of its former official tenants remained within its walls but the county recorder. The new court-house on the north side of the square was not yet constructed, and the ancient Baptist Church on the corner of Seneca and Cham- plain streets had been fitted up and was used for court purposes. The commissioners took umbrage at the civil
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and courteous notification, and were not very diplomatic in their answer when they reminded the council that they had better confine their labors to their own legiti- mate business.
Western Bingl. Pub Ca.
Doel Duranton
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CHAPTER IX.
COMPLETION OF THE WEST SIDE RESERVOIR-A NEW MARKET HOUSE BUILT-MEASURES TO ESTABLISH AN INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL-HOME POLITICS-THE HARD TIMES OF 1857-THE GUBERNATORIAL CON- TEST BETWEEN CHASE AND PAYNE - STATEMENT OF MUNICIPAL FINANCES - THE ANTI-LECOMPTON DEMONSTRATION - THE FIRST TRANS-ATLANTIC TELEGRAM-UNVEILING OF PERRY'S MONUMENT- CONSTRUCTION OF THE FIRST STREET RAILROAD.
T HE twenty-fourth day of September, '56, was a happy day within the walls of the city, both to officials and people, for the great reservoir on the West Side having been completed, the mighty Cornish engines down by the old river bed sent the welcome waters of the lake dancing more than a hundred feet into the air and filled the little lake on the Kentucky street mound, and from thence sent on its mission of joy, health, comfort and luxury to the homes of the people. From henceforth, the wells of hard and milky mineral waters were abandoned, pumps were no longer jerked, cisterns of black and stagnant rain water were closed, and even the pure little spring down in the bottom of some far off deep ravine soon became forgotten even by children. The hose and the sprinkler became familiar objects upon lawns and in door- yards. Some are living who will remember to have wit-
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nessed, one hot day, Girty, the first secretary, Singer the engineer, with John the faithful guardian of the "turnkey" -still to be met daily with the iron instrument on his shoulder, with coats off and sleeves rolled up, each with a great black hose attached to the hydrants trying the experiment of washing the dry and warped planks on Superior street, from the Weddell House to Superior Street hill-and they made no failure of it. Dock owners, it is believed, protested against a repetition of the test, as it would involve dredging the river.
For many years the city had no market house. All mar- keting was done on the streets, principally on Ontario street, including Michigan and Prospect intersections, and along the south side of the square. There was, however, a small wooden building in the middle of Michigan street called the hay market, around which congregated farmers with small jags of hay, the aroma of which is still a mem- ory. The council had resolved to take a new departure, purchase market grounds and build a suitable market house. Commissioners were appointed to select the ground for a central market, and on the seventh of Decem- ber, 1856, they reported in favor of the present market grounds at the junction of Pittsburgh (now Broadway), and Bolivar streets. The ground wasimmediately cleared, but the building of the market house was postponed till the following spring.
December 16 the council took measures for the establish- ment of an Industrial School, and Messrs. Paddock, Rice and Rogers were appointed a committee who promptly reported in favor of putting one in immediate opera-
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tion. Mr. Richard Hilliard having died, the council took suitable measures for the expression of the public sorrow. He had long been the leading merchant of the city, a dig- nified, courteous and honored citizen, and his loss was deeply lamented by all.
The year 1856 had been one of unusual excitement. It was the famous campaign of Buchanan and Fremont-the first year of the consolidated elements of the Whig, Free-soil and Abolition parties into the ultimately brilliant and powerful Republican party. The Cleveland journals of that day, the Herald, Plain Dealer and Leader spread the intellectual feast as usual for the publicenlightenment, and instructed the people upon their political duties, and espe- cially how to vote. The editorial gladiators all wore mail- clad undershirts, but the figurative crimson generally flowed at every thrust of the editorial lance. It was, however, an unequal match-two against one-the Herald and Leader against the Plain Dealer. When the short sword of the Herald would be knocked into the air by the scimeter of the Saladin of the Plain Dealer, the Herald would editori- ally clinch its antagonist and both would fall on the polit- ical field, the Herald possibly uppermost; but now in the moment of its exultation the Plain Dealer, following the tactics of "Artemus Ward " under like circumstances, would dexterously insert its nose between the Herald's teeth and thus hold the latter down. Then the Plain Dealer would, perhaps, floor the Leader, when the latter, sometimes in a generous and forgiving spirit, but generally as a ruse or finesse, would lie quietly and hold the Plain Dealer down by the same ingenious tactics.
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The year 1857 unhappily opened by the burning of the Stone church, on the Public Square, March 8. On the fourteenth of April Mayor Castle announced the public debt to have been diminished in the year previous $19,- 286.12, and taxation largely reduced, and the auditor's statement was: total receipts, $188,303.23, and the ex- penditures, $185,774.15. The funded indebtedness of the city, $636,800.12. Population, 60,000. The custom- house report for the year past indicated the total foreign and coastwise trade of the Cuyahoga district $81,385,910. The number of vessels entered and cleared, 3,745. Ton- nage of vessels 1,477,559. Number of men, 60,343.
The business depression of 1857, the result of the im- mense quantity of poorly secured bank currency in circula- tion, which was inaugurated by the failure of the Ohio- Insurance and Trust Company of Cincinnati, was severely felt in the Western Reserve. Although no local banking house was compelled to suspend, there was almost a com- plete cessation of investments, which caused a correspond- ingly stagnant state of affairs to pervade every branch of business. But the Vesuvius of slavery, which then began anew to send all over the country its trembling moni- tions of what soon followed, made up, in history, to a large extent, for the absence of business and municipal activity.
A petition, signed by twenty-five residents of the East End, asking that a portion of Cleveland be detached from the city and incorporated into the township of East Cleve- land, which was sent to the Legislature in 1858, was the occasion of a remonstrance from the city council that went.
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to Columbus on February 17 of the same year .* Agita- tion over the matter was rife for awhile, but the remon- strance had the desired effect, for the city remained intact.
President Buchanan was inaugurated on the fourth of March, and in the summer following the city and state was enlivened and excited in the famous canvass of Salmon P. Chase and Henry B. Payne for the governorship of Ohio.
On the twelfth of March, 1858, there was a great anti- Lecompton demonstration of the Democratic party at Melodian Hall, where now stands the Wilshire, to protest against the action of the President and cabinet in the mat- ter of the government of the territory of Kansas, and the formation of a stateconstitution. James M. Coffinberry pre- sided. Arthur Hughes, D. P. Rhodes, Charles Winslow, J. W. Fitch, Wm. V. Craw, Edward Hessenmueller, John B. Wigman, Darius Stephan and John Farley were vice-presi- dents. Henry G. Abbey and John W. Heisley, secretaries. The committee on resolutions were F. T. Wallace, A. C. Beardsley, L. Heckman, James D. Cleveland and Merrill Barlow.
Frederick P. Stanton, late secretary and acting-governor of Kansas, who, like his predecessor, Robert J. Walker, had resigned the governorship when no longer sustained,
* "The proposed dismemberment," the remonstrance said, "is not de- sired by a majority of the residents of the territory to be affected thereby. The names attached to the petition do indeed represent men of large wealth and possessions, yet they are but a very small minority of those whose interests will be affected by the proposed change."
ยท
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by reason of the change of policy at Washington, addressed the convention in a very elaborate and minute historical review of the whole subject, including the fraud in the returns of the vote for the adoption of the offensive con- stitution, and the conduct of one John Calhoun, surveyor- general of Kansas, who hid the ballots in a candle-box to prevent a recount. The committee reported a series of resolutions expressive of the public sentiment, the sub- stance of which may be inferred from the final one: "Re- solved, That the Lecompton constitution, in view of its parentage and history, is unworthy the consideration of the President and Congress, and it should be sent away to the bosom and embrace of its dishonest and tricky father, John 'Candlebox' Calhoun."
From henceforth and until his death the public journals thus distinguished him from all other Calhouns. The name stuck to him like the shirt of Nessus. The odor of the candlebox was forever in his garments. Like the "Scarlet Letter," it grew brighter as time obliterated the remembrance of all other crimes perpetrated against the rights of the people.
One pleasant day in 1858 the afternoon journals an- nounced the successful laying of the first Atlantic cable, and the transmission of congratulatory despatches be- tween the President of the United States and the Queen of England. It was the climax of electric telegraphy, and, although the progress of the enterprise had been watched from the manufacture of the compound insulated wire to the commencement of "paying it out " to Neptune, yet the news of the triumph came upon the public mind like a
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sudden light and inspiration from heaven. The whole city in an instant was wild with excitement, and no sooner had the shades of evening come than the city was illumi- nated. Every public building, hotel and private residence lit up its front, and where gas was not supplied every pane of glass glistened with a tallow candle. It was a grand illumination, voluntary, impromptu and inspired. The newspapers of the following day glorified the event and uttered prophecies touching the future possibilities of the electric spark. Even "Artemus Ward" left his "Snaix and moral wax-works" for the day and delivered himself in this wise: "God, in His wisdom and beneficence, has en- abled man to accomplish in this year of grace the crowning work of the six thousand years of his historical existence upon the earth. The physical force which elevated the Pyra- mids far back in the dim distance of the mythical history of the Pharaohs of Egypt; that built the mighty barriers that for ages served to separate the Tartar from the 'Brother of the Sun;' that reared the wondrous walls of Hadrian and Severus to protect the Roman from the bow and spear of the invincible Caledonian, is trivial and in- significant when contrasted with the splendid achieve- ments of science and of mind which to-day enables the nations of two hemispheres to hold converse as in a parlor. Science to-day unites the nations of the world with electric ties as in an ancient and ruder age they were separated by barriers of stone. The wizard girdle now goes the circuit of the earth in 'forty minutes.' Man, emancipated from the thraldom of superstition, possessing the power which comes of knowledge and a high civilization, has in this cul-
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minating age demonstrated to the world the practicability of the inquiry 'from out the whirlwind'-that lightnings can be sent on messages to the people, and signify to the world that 'Here we are !'"'
The exuberance of our citizens was, however, soon dis- pelled, for after a few despatches had been transmitted it ceased to speak. The last message was from the operator -"All right. DeSauty." It spoke no more, to the dismay of the projectors and the regret of the world.
The Council in September, 1859, appointed a committee to procure plans for a city prison and police court rooms, to, be erected on the city's lot between Champlain and Long streets. The plans of J. M. Blackburn were adopted. Henry Blair was the contractor and the cost was $18,000. On the thirteenth of October, Leonard Case dedicated by deed to the city the strip of land between the Post Office and Case Hall, from Superior to Rockwell streets, for a public street, which was duly accepted by the Council.
On the tenth of September, 1860, the Perry Statue was inaugurated. It was the first, and we believe the only work of monumental art ever undertaken by the citizens of Cleveland. It was a success as an historical representa- tion of the naval hero of the war of 1812, whose name and deeds have been known in song to children and chil- dren's children for seventy years. It was a happy concep- tion in the originators and promoters of the enterprise that the statue should be erected in the city so near the scene of battle, where the reverberation of the hero's cannon was heard by our fathers and mothers, in the then little village, with breathless anxiety, and where the first shouts
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