USA > Ohio > Franklin County > Columbus > History of the city of Columbus, capital of Ohio, Volume II > Part 29
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Ohio Cavalry - Fourth and Fifth Independent Battalions; First, Second, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, Twelfth and Thirteenth Regiments.
Artillery -First Ohio Light Artillery (Regiment) ; First, Second, Eighth, Tenth, Twelfth and Seventeenth Independent Batteries; Battery E (Edgarton's), First Ohio Volunteer Light Artillery ; First Ohio Heavy Artillery.
Illinois-Twentyfourth, Thirtyfifth and Fortyseventh Infantry.
Indiana -Thirtyeighth and Eightyeighth Infantry and Fourth Cavalry.
Minnesota -First Independent Battery.
Missouri -First, Second and Seventh Cavalry.
West Virginia -Eleventh West Virginia Infantry and Second and Seventh West Virginia Cavalry.
Wisconsin-Tenth Infantry.
Brigade Reunions -First Brigade (Carroll's), Third Division, Second Corps ; First Brigade (Cruft's), First Division, Fourth Corps ; Second Brigade (Keifer's), Third Divison, Sixth Corps ; Thirteenth Corps Brigade; Second Brigade (McLean's), First Division, Eleventh Corps ; See- ond Brigade (Mitchell's), Second Division, Fourteenth Corps; Second Brigade (Scott's), Third Division, Seventeenth Corps; Regular Brigade, Fourteenth Corps ; First Brigade (Harrison's), Third Division, Twentieth Corps; Third Brigade (Robinson's), First Division, Twentieth Corps ; First Brigade (Pardee's), Third Division, Twentieth Corps; First Brigade, First Divis- ion (Twentyfourth Corps) ; the Sherman Brigade ; Streight's Brigade ; Schenck's Brigade.
Division Reunions - Sheridan's Division (Second, Fourth Corps); First Division (MeArth- ur's), A. J. Smith's Detachment, Army of the Tennessee; A. J. Smith's Division (Second Division, Thirteenth Corps) ; Shields's Division.
Until the engagement to contribute $25,000 to the Centennial Exposition had been fulfilled nothing could be obtained from the general subscription for the use of the General Council ; its first fourmonths work was therefore performed praeti. cally without funds. Nor was the amount of its available resources known until after June 1; by careful sifting of subscriptions it was then ascertained to be not in excess of 842,500. Apportionment of this sum was made to the different com
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HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS.
mittees as follows : Headquarters of the General Council, $1,500 ; Finance, $50; Campfires, Parade, etc., $1,000; Reception, $200; Decoration, $2,000; Music, $1,500 ; Printing, 81,000; Badges, $1,500; Camps, 828,000; Illumination, $1,000 ; Woman's Relief Corps, 8750; Hotels and Boarding, 8500; Halls and Headquart- ers, 81,000 : Registration, nothing ; Horses and Carriages, 8500; The Press, $1,000; Army of West Virginia, 81,000. Total, 842,500.
From these appropriations all the committees had a residue over their expen- ditures, excepting those on Printing, Badges, Camps, and Horses and Carriages, and excepting the deficit of the Camp Committee there remained a net residue over expenditures of 8226.73. The aggregate gross expenditures of the Camp Committee amounted to $54,057.13. The total expenditures of the other commit- tees reached $14,900 ; making $68,967.13 as the total cost of the Encampment. This, however, was the gross cost. From sales of materials and other sources the Camp Committee realized about 85,000, thus reducing the actual cost of the Encampment to say 864,000. The Committee also realized a considerable amount by donations, and rebates on bills, so that its deficit, as it stood on the sixth of October, was, approximately, $21,413.56.
For the purpose of assisting in the liquidation of this deficit, arrangement was made with the management of the Centennial Exposition by which a certain proportion of the net receipts thereof for one day, to be called Columbus Day, should be so applied. The sum realized in this way was disappointing, but was so far reenforced by donations, rebates of account and further sale of materials as to reduce the deficit by December 15 to the sum of $11,188.77.
The Camp Committee's excess of expenditure over its appropriation was due, in part, to contingent necessities naturally unforseen in an undertaking so novel and so great as that with which the Committee was charged. In this connection special mention should be made of the immense water closet arrangements, and amount of sewerage required which were as necessary for the sanitary welfare of the city as for that of the camps. Another important cause of the deficit was the sweeping and disappointing failure of the camp eatinghouses to realize the finan- cial results expected of them. From the pledge of ten per cent. of the sales of Butler, Crawford & Co, the Committee realized bnt $979.87 instead of the net sum of $17,000 which the eatinghouses cost. This delinquency was simply the accident of a new and untried business venture for which no one could be blamed. The task of extinguishing this debt devolved almost entirely upon the General Council, the members of which had already contributed liberally of their means as well as of their time and labor; but by persistent effort, generously responded to by citizens-conspicuous among whom by reason of his large and redoubled donations was Mr. William G. Deshler-the entire remaining deficit was finally covered.
Probably no similar body ever undertook a more responsible and difficult task than that which was thus completed. The magnitude of the work undertaken and of its peculiar difficulties, some of the most serious of which were not known to the public, fully justifies the remark that only men of a very high order of executive and business capacity could have achieved the brilliant success which
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crowned the efforts of the General Couneil. The Columbus Eneampment has been studied as a model by the managers of those which have followed it. The beauty, variety, promptness and smoothness of its parade the greatest of the kind which has yet taken place on the American Continent-were commended in enthusiastic terms by General Sherman. Throughout the vast host which Column- bus had been called upon to entertain there was but one voice as to the hospitali- ties bestowed, and that was the voice of unstinted praise.
Throughout its great work the General Council acted in perfect harmony. No serious differences ever disturbed it. When difficulties arose they were met with an undivided front. When work was to be done, no matter how exacting, willing and capable hands were ready to perform it. From beginning to end clearness of judgment and promptness of execution characterized every proceed- ing. The Chairman, whose great energy and rare executive ability were equal to every emergency, was seconded with like zeal by men of like qualities. The result was one of the finest achievments in the annals of Columbus.
E.ER
REP
PHOTOGRAPHED BY BAKER.
FRANKLIN COUNTY COURTHOUSE.
The Metropolitan Period.
CHAPTER XVII.
CURRENT EVENTS SINCE 1865.
While the Civil War made a great drain npon the commercial and industrial population of the country, it imparted a corresponding stimulus to industrial and commereial progress. In the capital of Ohio the publie expenditures incident to the war were necessarily large, and the flush times of 1812 were reproduced on an immensely greater scale. Improvement was in most respects rapid, and large acquisitions in wealth and population were made. The streets were neglected ; many of them were about as bad as they could be; but new buildings were erected by the score and many venerable remnants of the past gave place to hand- some edifices of recent type. One of the most interesting events of this kind is thus recorded under date of March 21, 1865 :1
Among the many changes in our city none will be more apparent than the demise of the Clinton Bank Building which, in the last few days, has become a thing of the past. That peculiar old house, standing on the most conspicuous and valuable corner in Columbus, whose walls for the last ten years have been more like a huge billboard than the outside of one of the most successful monied institutions of the State, was the first threestory brick buikling ereeted in this city. It was built about the year 1814, by Mr. John L. Barr, of Baltimore, under the direction of the late Samuel Barr, the briekwork of the, at that time, wonder of the town being done by " old Billy McElvaine," as he was familiarly called by the original settlers.
Mr. Samuel Barr occupied it as a store wherein all kinds of goods were to be found for either " cash or barter," until about 1817. He was succeeded by Osborn & Leiby. Mr. Osborn, the father of the wellknown merchant James Osborn, and Mr. Joseph Leiby, who is yet a resident of this eity, composing the firm. After them came Neil & Evans-Mr. William Neil and Mr. Harvey D. Evans, two of the most enterprising of Columbus men of those days. In 1830, the property was purchased and occupied by D. W. Deshler as a store until 1836, when he sold it to the Clinton Bank ; since which time up to the day before the workmen commenced its destruction it has been continuously occupied as a banking house. In 1863, the property was purchased by W. G. Deshler, the present owner, who will erect upon its site a modern banking house for the use of the National Exchange Bank.
On August 29, 1865, Governor Brough died at his residence in Cleveland. While his funeral was in progress in that city, September 1, minute guns were fired in Columbus, business was suspended from nine o'clock A. M. to three P. M., and demonstrations of respect were made by the German societies then attending a Sängerfest in the city.
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HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS.
On May 25, 1867, Columbus was visited by a party of Philadelphia officials then making a tour to gather information which might be usefully applied in the expenditure of one million dollars which their city had appropriated for the erec- tion of school buildings. The party visited and inspected the school buildings of the city, was dined at the Neil House in the afternoon, and was given a social reception in the evening at the residence of Mr. John L. Gill.
In 1868, the northward growth of the city began to be notable, and many striking improvements in that quarter are referred to. Among the finer residences mentioned were those of W. B. Hubbard, E. L. Hinman, J. R. Hughes, H. Win- terbotham, John Short, P. Fisher, J. J. Rickly, H. N. Neil, S. Doyle, S. V. R. Car- penter and L. Hillery. Progress in the erection of B. E. Smith's elegant resi- dence, now the Columbus Club House, on East Broad Street, receives mention in June, 1869.
Twenty members of the Philadelphia City Council visited Columbus Septem- ber 27 to 29, 1869, and were entertained by the city authorities and prominent citizens at the Neil House. Twelve members of the Indiana legislature were in like manner received and banqueted February 28, 1871. Another party of Phila- delphia officials was received and publicly entertained July 27, 1873. Governor J. D. Williams and several other officials of the State of Indiana, visited Colum- bus May 22, 1879. They were intercepted by Governor Bishop at Springfield, and upon their arrival were escorted to the Park Hotel. During their sojourn they visited the public benevolent institutions and the State University. A party of Philadelphia Councilmen sojourned briefly in the city August 26, 1879.
The North End Markethouse was completed in 1876. The present City Hall, on State Street, was begun in 1869 under engagement for its completion by Janu- ary 1, 1871, at an aggregate cost of $124,400. Its actual cost when completed was about $175,000. Its formal opening took place March 28, 1872. The building is an expensive failure, of dismal interior, bad arrangement and nondescript archi- tecture. It will doubtless give place in due time to one worthy of the city.
Bids for a new iron bridge over the Scioto at the foot of State Street were opened August 6, 1868, but a writ of injunction against the location of the bridge was immediately served and stopped for the time being all further proceedings. The enjoining parties desired to have the bridge located at the foot of Rich Street. Their petition contained the following statements :
The bridge will cost $25,000, and the Commissioners have not submitted the question as to the policy of such outlay or expense to the qualified voters of said [Franklin] County, either at a spring or fall election. . . . State Street is 658 feet south of the National Road bridge. The Harrisburg bridge is 3,110 feet south; Town Street 1,066 feet south, and Rich Street 1,53612 feet south, and a bridge at either Town or State street is more in accordance with the purpose and intent of said law.
After much tedious legal contention the bridge was completed and opened for travel July 11, 1870, Samuel Doyle, contractor. Its cost up to that date was stated at 839,000.
A contract for the socalled Infirmary Bridge over the Whetstone was let April 20, 1870. It was intended to furnish access to the County Infirmary, the
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CURRENT EVENTS SINCE 1865.
location of which, west of the Whetstone, was then proposed. The cost of this bridge was about $19,000.
A contract for the superstructure of the Green Lawn Avenue bridge was awarded by the County Commissioners November 12, 1875.
The movement which resulted in the construction of the present iron bridge over the Scioto at the foot of Broad Street had its beginning August 31, 1880, on which date a committee of citizens represented to the County Commissioners the importance of such an improvement. The members of the committee were F. C. Ses- sions, A. D. Rodgers, W. B. Hawkes, William A. Platt and James Clahane. Pre- liminary plans for the bridge were at the same time presented by County Snr- veyor B. F. Bowen. The bridge was erected in 1883-4.
In the spring of 1891 a substantial iron bridge was thrown across the railway tracks on North Fourth Street. One of the finest iron bridges in the conuty is that over the Scioto on Mound Street. It was built in pursuance of an act of the General Assembly passed March 21, 1890, and was opened for travel February 13, 1891.
The cost and dates of completion of the different bridges within the corpora- tion limits, as shown by the official record are as follows:
State Street, new superstructure, built in 1883; cost $18,000; $20,000 bonds issned for this purpose and repair of foundation. Broad Street, 1884; cost $148 000, bonds $52,000. Third Avenue, 1890; cost $25,000; bonds $18,000. Dodridge Street, 1890; cost $35,000; bonds $24,000. Rich Street, 1891; cost $50,000; bonds $35,000. Mound Street, 189t; cost $40,000; bonds $38,000. Lane Avenne, 1891; cost $25,000; bonds $23,000. Fifth Avenue, 1892; cost $47,000 ; bonds $35,000. Leonard Avenue, 1892; cost $70,000; bonds $45,000. Town Street, to be built soon, $50,000 appropriated. Alum Creek, East Broad Street, to be built soon, $50,000 appropriated. Fourth Street Viaduct, completed June 17, 1891 ; total cost $134, 175.61. High Street Viaduct, now in construction ; estimated cost $413,000, of which the railways are to pay one half.
The disappearance of an "old landmark " is thus recorded, under date of September 8, 1879: 2
The oldest brick building on. High Street, located just north of Conneilman Frech's new threestory building, corner Mound and High streets, has been torn down to give place to a new threestory business block. It is owned by Michael Karrer, of Dublin. The old build- ing was erected in 1823 by Doctor Ashbury, whose son is residing at the present time in Worthington.
On October 29, 1879, the following, communication signed by several scores of representative citizens, was forwarded to General Ulysses S. Grant, Ex-President of the United States, then traveling eastward from San Francisco on his return from his journey round the world :
SIR-The undersigned, on behalf of the citizens of Columbus, have the honor of tender- ing you a cordial invitation to visit their city at such time as may suit your convenience. Trusting that your arrangements will not prevent your acceptance of this invitation, we remain your obedient servants.
A committee, of which George W. Manypenny was chairman, was appointed to convey this invitation to General Grant at his home at Galena, Illinois. This action was directly followed by a meeting of citizens, at which a resolution was
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HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS.
passed authorizing its presiding officer, Colonel George W. Manypenny, to appoint an Executive Committee of fifteen, of which he should himself be a member and chairman, to prepare a programme of reception, raise funds for expenses and appoint additional committees. In pursuance of this resolution the following committee was named : George W. Manypenny, chairman ; William G. Deshler, William B. Hayden, John Short, D. W. Brooks, H. T. Chittenden, William W. Medary, Theodore Comstock, W. N. Dennison, P. W. Huntington, S. S. Rickly, C. C. Walcutt, Samuel Thompson, A. D. Rodgers and P. M. Wagenhals To cooperate with this body representing the citizens a committee of three was appointed by the City Council. The Executive Committee completed its organ- ization by naming David W. Brooks as its secretary, and apportioned among its members the chairmanships of the subcommittees as follows: Reception and Entertainment, George W. Manypenny ; Programme, William G. Deshler; Finance, P. W. Huntington ; Military, C. C. Waleutt ; Invitation, W. N. Dennison ; Decor- ation and Illumination, H. T. Chittenden; Societies and Organizations, A. D. Rodgers ; County and City Officials, W. B. Hayden; Instrumental Music and Salutes, Theodore Comstock; Vocal Music, P. M. Wagenhals ; Schools and Clergy, S. S. Rickly ; Railways and Carriages, W. W. Medary ; Press and Printing, John Short; Capitol and Police, Samuel Thompson ; Auditing and Secretary, David W. Brooks. The committees appointed by the chairmen were very large, that on reception containing about one hundred and fifty members. On November 27 General Grant telegraphed from Galena as follows to Hon. William Dennison :
I will expect to reach Columbus Friday, early in afternoon, December 12. Nobody with party but Mrs. Grant and self. Mrs. Grant prefers quiet dinner at hotel so as to be rested for evening entertainment. Will sleep in car to be prepared to start any hour Satur- day morning. I will be entirely at command of the committee during our stay.
After receipt of this message preparations for the reception were carried on with great alacrity and zeal. The entire population of the city seemed to be helpful in the work, regardless of partisan differences. Arrangements for excur- sion trains and rates were made with the railways, and a general programme was prepared and announced by the committee on that subject. General C. C. Walcutt, chairman of the Military Committee, was appointed Chief Marshal of the parade, and selected a numerous staff.3 The escorting procession, it was announced, would move from the railway station south on High Street to Fulton, then countermarch and move north on High to Broad and east on Broad to Third. Arrangements were made for a dinner in the Portrait Room of the Executive Office in the Capitol at 7:15 P. M., and for a grand reception ball at the City Hall in the evening. The ball was to be given under the auspices of the Governor's Guard, and was to be accompanied by a supper served in the rooms of the Tyndal Association. Prominent parts in the programme were assigned to the musical societies of the city and to the public schools. The rendezvous appointed for the school children was the High Street sidewalk, east side, west of the Capitol. The pupils of the Deaf Mute Institution were also to assemble there. After the pro- cession should pass, going south, the children were to proceed to the Capitol, and there await its arrival. Opposite the Capitol General Grant would leave the
S.H. Matget
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CURRENT EVENTS SINCE 1865.
column and be formally received by Governor Bishop at the West Front. Mrs. Grant, it was arranged, should be driven directly to the Neil Honse, where the rooms reserved for her were handsomely trimmed with flowers by the Ladies' Reception Committee, the members of which were Mrs. Doctor Carter, Mrs. J. A. Wilcox and Mrs. W. N. Dennison.
In honor of its distinguished guest the city was handsomely decorated. Business houses and residences in all its streets were profusely draped with the national colors, and otherwise appropriately adorned. The portrait of General Grant was everywhere displayed. The Evening Dispatch thus described the decorations of the Capitol :
In the rotunda the adornments were simple and tasteful, but not elaborate. Flags from the flagroom were crossed on a bar under each of the four arches leading to the rotunda. Most of these are regimental flags, tattered and torn in battle. Silk banners and small flags decorated the painting of Perry's Victory, and a handsome silk banner was stretched behind the white bust of Lincoln which surmounts the sculpture of the surrender of Vicks. burg. . . The exterior decorations of the Capitol are more elaborate. Immense strings of evergreen were entwined about the great columns at the western portico from pillar to base, and festooned across the top from pillar to pillar in graceful style. Immediately over the entrance are the words, " All Hail to Ohio's Pride." An immense eagle, painted upon ean- vas, cut down to the lines and placed upon board, was arrayed between the central columns. The effect is very pleasing. Flags wave and flutter upon the roof, dome and windows.
Over the north landing in the rotunda where the singing societies were to be stationed, an ornamental arch of gas lights was raised. For the reception exercises within the rotunda a decorated stand was placed at the northwest periphery. In the Portrait Room the tables for the banquet were laid in the form of the letter U, the bend of which, as the place of honor, was spanned overhead by a beautiful floral areh with the name U. S. Grant inwrought. The walls of the room were handsomely draped, and bore, for the occasion, several paintings additional to the portraits of the Governors. The caterer for the banquet was Robert Dent. The interior of the City Hall was decorated for the reception ball under the supervision of an artist, Homer Henderson. Its adornments were thus described in the Ohio State Journal :
Upon the right of the hall is an Oriental pavilion with graceful roof of alternate red, white and blue. The luxurious interior is illuminated with the soft rays of an alabaster lamp. [On entering the hall General and Mrs. Grant were to be conducted to a position under this pavilion]. The stage is transformed into a minature summer garden from which arise the mossy arches of a Gothic pago la, upon whose apex rests the bir l of our country, resplendent with golden wings. Military emblems are mingled with arbors and the heavy evergreen arches. All the columns are decked with festoons The floor is to be covered with moss giving it the appearance of the vernal woods, and more agreeable to the eye than the most gorgeous tapestry. Bronze ornaments and floral vases stand in relief to the exqui- site product of the conservatory. . . . Flags of all nations combine to give a bannery relief to the beautiful frescoed ceiling. . . . Opposite the pavilion is displayed a gigantic cartoon, by Mr. Henderson, representing Ohio bestowing the wreath upon and bidding welcome to her illus- trious son. . . . The face of the gallery is gracefully festooned in beautiful bunting, the flags hanging from a dress centre, which has the spread eagle of the armory, who was once a real live bird, measuring eight feet from tip to tip of wings. But perhaps the most unique and
15*
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HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS.
daring innovation of the artist is the hanging of the caller for the dances in the centre of the hall in a most exquisite hanging casket, fresh with rosebuds and delightful green. . . . The caller will be suspended in the air under the centre chandelier like a bird in a cage.
Early on the twelfth the different railways began to pour throngs of visitors into the eity. Streets and hotels were soon crowded. General Grant was expected to arrive from Cincinnati about three o'clock P. M. ; the procession to the Union Station was therefore ordered to form at 1:30 p. M. on East Town Street. Il was organized in three divisions, the first, comprising most of the military, being led by the Chief Marshal, General C. C. Walentt. General Theodore Jones had command of the second division, and George K. Nash, Esq., that of the third. The staff officers of the first division were Moses H. Neil, Charles E. Palmer, Sidney McCloud, Edward Pagles, Charles Klie and Patrick Egan ; of the second, H. M. Neil, Harvey Cashatt, D. K. Watson, Alexis Cope, David Lanning, Edward Dowdall and J. M. Conrad. The participating military organizations were : The United States Barracks troops under Colonel Thomas M. Anderson ; College Cadets, Colonel Lomia ; Palmer Guards, Captain Brown ; Columbus Cadets, Major Hardy; Fourteenth Regiment O. N. G., Colonel George D. Free- man ; Cleveland Grays, Captain Frazee. The Ex-Soldiers' and Sailors' Associa- tion of Franklin County followed the Grays, in the second division. The third division consisted chiefly of officials, committees and others in carriages, followed by the City Fire Department under Captain Heinmiller.
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