History of the city of Columbus, capital of Ohio, Volume II, Part 46

Author: Lee, Alfred Emory, 1838-; W. W. Munsell & Co
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: New York and Chicago : Munsell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1196

USA > Ohio > Franklin County > Columbus > History of the city of Columbus, capital of Ohio, Volume II > Part 46

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The Second Annual Fair of the Franklin County Agricultural Society was held in 1852, beginning October 7. At the annual meeting of the society, held at the City Hall April 30, 1853. it was reported to be in a highly prosperous condi- tion. Eight acres of land had been bought and paid for, and had been provided with appropriate buildings and stalls. The Fourth Annual State Fair was held at Dayton in 1853, on September 29, 22 and 23.

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HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS.

On January 11, 1851, the printers of Columbus met at the American House, and organized a " Union Society." Resolutions were adopted condemning the introduction of printing as one of the industries of the Ohio Penitentiary, and resenting insinuations made in the Ohio Senate that Columbus printers were "robbers of the treasury." The Columbus Typographical Union met on February 5, 1851, at the Mechanics' Hall. On February 9 the Union was addressed by Professor Mather at the United States Courthouse.

On March 23, 1853, a meeting of Columbus carpenters was held at the City Hall, J. H. Cole presiding. The resolutions adopted by these carpenters " demand and insist upon " an increase of twentyfive cents per day in wages to enable them " to support the rapidly increasing expenses of living." The journeymen tinners of the city struck for higher wages in August, 1853, and the " bosses " are said to have acquiesced in their demands. On February 27, 1854, the " planemakers " employed by the Ohio Tool Company marched through the city with mnsie and banners during the day, and held a meeting in the evening. The demonstration grew out of some disagreement with the company. In July, 1854, the stone- cutters of the city struck for an increase of wages to two dollars per day. We hear of no more labor trouble in the city prior to the financial crisis of 1857, during the continuance of which industrial distress became general.

On July 14, 1853, a trial of mowing and reaping machines took place in the Sullivant meadows, west of Franklinton. The trial was at that time a great novelty, and awakened general interest. On December 7, 1853, the State Agri- cultural Society held its eighth annual meeting at the Odeon. New members were chosen, and a resolution was adopted to memorialize Congress for a donation of 200,000 acres of land to endow an agricultural college in each State. In 1854 the State Fair was held on the grounds occupied by the works of the mound- builders, at Newark. In the same year W. S. Sullivant planted a cornfield of twelve hundred acres "adjoining the town of Franklinton." The Franklin County Fair of 1854 was held in September. A competition in horsemanship by ladies was its most conspicuous feature. Five ladies contested for the prizes, which were a sidesaddle, a set of silver spoons, a gold peneil, and a discretionary premiums of ten dollars. The chairman of the awarding committee was John G. Breslin. On December 6, same year, the State Agricultural Society held its annual meeting at the Odeon. A majority of the committee on permanent loca- tion of the State Fair reported adversely, and a resolution was adopted declaring that such location would, at present, be inexpedient. Competition in stock and agricultural implements was invited for the next fair, regardless of State bounda- ries, and the State School Commissioner was requested to consider the propriety of introducing agriculture as a study for advanced scholars in the common schools of Ohio. A National Department of Agriculture was favored. A resolution endorsing the agricultural college at Oberlin, of which Hon. N. S. Townshend was President, was offered, but in lieu of it the society adopted a resolution petitioning Congress for a grant of 200,000 acres of land for the permanent endowment of such schools. A joint evening meeting of the agricultural and pomological conventions was held. A premium of $25 was awarded to

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W. H. Ladd, of Jefferson County, on fourteen Silesian sheep, which he had imported direct from Silesia. This importation was considered very important to the woolgrowing interests of the State. Messrs. M. L. and Joseph Sullivant were engaged this year in preparing for extensive farming enterprises in Illinois.

The State Fair of 1855 was held September 18-21 on the grounds previously occupied for the purpose, near Franklinton. The attendance was very large; that of September 20 was estimated at 25,000. Among the novel features of the exhibition was a contest in equestrianism by ladies, of whom eight entered the lists A " brigade" of ponies with uniformed boy riders seems to have given much amusement. At the close of the exhibition the premium livestock was marched and countermarched around the ring, with music. Premiums to the amount of $7,000 were awarded. An address was delivered at the Floral Hall by Professor Kennicott. The grounds on which the fair was held were the scene of General Harrison's conference with the Indians on June 25, 1813. The pre- cise spot at which this conference took place is supposed to be marked by a tree yet standing. An illustration of this tree, as the " Harrison Elm " will be found on page 247 of Volume One of this work. The Franklin County Fair of 1855 closed September 14 with a fine display of equestrianism by lady competitors.7

On January 15, 1856, the State Board of Agriculture met in Columbus and decided to hold the next State Fair at Cleveland. On December 4 of the same year the Board held its annual meeting at the Columbian Hall. During its sittings a contemporary meeting of citizens of Columbus appointed a committee to inform the Board that the city would offer liberal inducements for the perma- nent location of the fair, but this effort was not successful. The Board once more decided against permanent location. In 1857, the year of the financial crisis, a great many mechanics of the city were out of employment. The reason assigned for this was that no money could be had to pay the workmen for their labor.

The State Fair of 1858 was held at Sandusky. The Franklin County Fair took place in September. The State Board of Agriculture met in Columbus Decem- ber 9 and was unsuccessfully importuned by a committee of the City Council to permanently locate the State Fair at the capital. The fair of 1859 was held at Zanesville. The annual report of the Franklin County Agricultural Society, pre- sented at its annual meeting on May 7, 1859, recommended the purchase of four additional acres of ground. On February 2, 1859, the journeyman cord wainers of Columbus held a meeting to protest against Penitentiary contracts for the manu- facture of boots and shoes. A convention of sugargrowers, at which some speci- mens of sorghum were exhibited, was held in the city November 12. The journey- man tailors met at Wenger's Hall December 3 "to take into consideration the present depression of wages." The Ohio Pomological Society assembled at the Atheneum Reading Room in the Deshler Building, December 8 Officers were chosen, and fruits were exhibited. The State Board of Agriculture held its annual meeting beginning at Secretary Klippart's office December 6. Subsequent ses sions were held in the Armory and the Senate Chamber. Mr. McMillan, of Greene County, offered a resolution declaring that immediate steps should be taken

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HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS.

for permanent location of the State Fair at some central point. Mr. Williams, of Butler, opposed this, saying the failure of the fair during the last two years had been owing to financial stringency and unfavorable weather. T. C. Jones, of Del- aware, thought the failure was due to other causes, and if the fair was to be located permanently was opposed to placing it at Columbus. A substitute was adopted providing for location at one place for two consecutive years.

1860 .- The State Fair of this year was held at Dayton. The Franklin County Fair was held during the first week in September. An equestrian contest took place in which nine ladies competed for the prizes. The general prize was won by Miss Grubs. The display of fruits, vegetables and manufactures was meagre, and the absence of cheerful amusements was complained of.

1861 .- The Typographical Union signalized the anniversary of Franklin's birth, January 17, by holding a banquet at the Ambos Hall. Samnel Medary pre- sided. The toasts and speeches were numerons. A meeting of sorghum growers was held at Gill & Sons' Agricultural Hall January 7. William B. Hubbard, of Columbus, was chosen President of the United States Agricultural Society. The State Fair was held at Dayton September 13-17. The Franklin County Fair began September 3.

1862 .- The State Board of Agriculture met in Columbus January 8, and decided to hold the next State Fair at Cleveland. Typographical Union Num- ber 5 met June 7 and elected officers. The County Fair began September 9. Its receipts were 81,293.14; the expenses of the society from January 1, 1862, to January 1, 1863, were, $2,207.02.

1863 .- The State Board of Agriculture met in Columbus January 7. Its Sec- retary, J. H. Klippart, was delegated to visit an international exposition at Ham- burg, Germany, the ensuing June. The Franklin County Fair began September 8; the State Fair September 15.

1864 .- A meeting of woolgrowers was held in the Senate Chamber January 5, S. D. Harris presiding. The State Board of Agriculture met in Columbus Janu- ary 6. A resolution was adopted asking the General Assembly to raise the appro- priation for the support of the office of the Board to $3,000. A resolution offered by Mr. Stevens, of Hardin County, providing that subsequent State fairs should be held at Columbus was rejected. A State convention of sorghumgrowers was held in the city January 5. The State Fair was held in September at Stewart's Grove, south of the city. The County Fair began October 4.

1865 .- A meeting of woolgrowers was held in the Senate Chamber January 3; one of sorghumgrowers was held January 4. The State Board of Agriculture met January 6. The State Fair was held at Stewart's Grove, beginning Septem- ber 12. The County Fair began September 5. A meeting of Columbus trades unions held at the City Hall November 28, adopted resolutions favoring a reduc- tion of working hours to eight per day. An ordinance of the City Council fixing the rate of hackfare at twentyfive cents per passenger for day, and fifty cents for night service, was disregarded by the backmen, who were thereupon arrested and fined. The backmen resented this by a socalled strike, during the continuance of which they denied the use of their hacks to the public.

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1866 .- A State meeting of woolgrowers was held January 2. An association of Franklin County woolgrowers was organized at the Capitol April 28. This association met June 9 and appointed a committee to report on the feasibility of erecting in Columbus a building suitable for a permanent woolgrowing agency. At a subsequent meeting held July 28 it was decided to organize a joint stock company, with a capital of $10,000, "to be used exclusively in protection of the woolgrowers' interests by maintaining a value to wool corresponding with eastern quotations." The State Board of Agriculture held its usual session in January. At a meeting of trades unions held at Naughton Hall Jannary 25, an Eight Hour League was organized. The Carpenters' and Joiners' Union beld it first annual ball at Naughton Hall February 22. The journeyman tailors of the city struck against an alleged reduction of wages early in January. A Clerks' Association was organized in August. The State Fair was held at Dayton. The County Fair began September 11. The Cigarmakers' Protective Union gave its first ball December 31.

1867 .- A State convention of woolgrowers was held January 8. The Frank- · lin County Woolgrowers' Association held its first annual meeting April 27. A festival in honor of Franklin was held by the Typographical Union January 19. The State Agricultural Convention was held January 9-11. The committee on location of the State Agricultural College reported that the lands donated for the college had all been sold at an average of fiftythree cents per acre. The Franklin County Fair was held on the grounds of the society, east of the city, beginning September 10.

1868. - The State Woolgrowers' Association met in the Senate Chamber Jan- uary 8. The State Board of Agriculture met in its rooms in the Capitol January 9. A Franklin County Farmers' Club was organized January 25. The case of the Franklin County Agricultural Society vs. the County Commissioners, was decided September 29. The decision vested the society with the control of money raised by taxation for the improvement of its grounds. A convention of railway conduc- tors was held at the Goodale House, December 15 and a Grand Division of the Brotherhood of Railway Conductors was organized.

1869. - The State Board of Agriculture met in the Senate Chamber January 6. The Ohio Woolgrowers' Association had met at the same place the day before. A Bricklayers' Union was organized January 8. The Columbus Arbeiter Verein organized June 26. The Franklin County Fair began September 7; the State Fair was held at Toledo during the same month. The Railway Conductors' Asso- ciation of the United States held its second annual convention October 20, at the Ambos Hall.

1870. - The Ohio Woolgrowers' Association met in the Senate Chamber Jan- uary 4 ; the State Board of Agriculture held its annual session at the same place January 5. The Northwestern Flax Association met in Columbus January 26. A horse fair, under the direction of the Franklin County Agricultural Soeicty began June 15. The State Fair was held at Dayton. A committee was appointed by the Franklin County Agricultural Society to secure permanent location of the

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HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS.

State Fair at Columbus. The members of this committee were, David Taylor, Walter Brown, C. P. Landon, Baldwin Gwynne, L. A. Bowers and John M. Pngh. The Society's Board of Managers decided July 2, to buy twentyfive additional acres for the enlargement of its grounds. A strike of the Stonecutters Union took place June 21, cansing a suspension of work on the Cathedral and other buildings.

1871. - The Ohio Woolgrowers' Association met January 3 The State Board of Agriculture began its annual session in the Senate Chamber January 4. The State Fair was held in September at Springfield. The Franklin County Fair began September 3. A trades union was organized at the City Hall January 27.

1872. - The State Board of Agriculture met at its rooms in the Capitol Jan - uary 2. A paper on the Relation of Geology to Agriculture was read by Professor Orton. A resolution locating the State Fair permanently at Columbus was lost by a vote of 25 to 28. Trustees for the State Agricultural College were elected. The State Fair was held at Mansfield. The Franklin County Fair was held in September.

1873. -- The Ohio Woolgrowers' Association met at the Capitol January 8. The State Board of Agriculture met in the Senate Chamber on the same date. The order of United American Mechanics held a parade iu the city February 22. Delegations were present from Springfield, Delaware and other neighboring towns. The State Fair was held at Mansfield. The County Fair took place in September. A strike of locomotive engineers on the Panhandle lines occurred in December.

1874. - The State Board of Agriculture met in the Senate Chamber January 7. A resolution was adopted favoring the location of the State Fair at some large city for a term of five years. A bill introduced in the House of Representatives by Mr. Heitman passed the General Assembly and became a law February 10, authorizing the Commissioners of Franklin County to levy a tax to pay for improvement of the grounds of the Franklin County Agricultural Society and to discharge its debts for land purchased. The State Board reconvened in Colum- bus February 17, to hear proposals for location of the State Fair. Decision was made in favor of Columbus for the term of five years, the vote standing seven for Columbus to three for Dayton. An Industrial League was organized in May. The Franklin County Patrons of Husbandry held their first annual picnic at the Fair Grounds June 13. There were at that time about twenty granges in the county, with from fifty to sixty members each. The State Fair was held at the County Fair Grounds early in September. The County Fair was held in the first week of October. In December of this year the city was crowded with idle work- men and measures of public relief for the unemployed were taken.

1875 - Conventions of woolgrowers and breeders of shorthorn cattle were held early in January. The State Board of Agriculture met January 6. The State Grange and Patrons of Husbandry held secret sittings in Columbus March 10-12. The Franklin County Patrons of Husbandry held their annual picnic on the Fair Grounds June 22. The Shorthorn Breeders' Association met in annual session at the same place September 7. The Columbus Centennial Association was organized October 20 at the First Congregational Church. Mrs. W. E. Ide was chosen President, Miss Mary G. Olds Secretary. The State Fair began September 7. A

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meeting in behalf of organizing an exhibit at the Philadelphia Centennial was held at the Board of Trade Room October 2. A committee to canvass for exhibits was appointed.

1876. - 'The woolgrowers', sheep breeders' and shorthorn breeders' associa- tions met January 4. The State Board of Agriculture began its annual session January 6. The State Fair took place on the County Fair Grounds September 4.8. The State Horticultural Society met at the Board of Trade Room September 6. A German Harvest Festival, accompanied by a street parade, was held at the Fair Grounds October 4.

1877. - Woolgrowers and breeders of sheep and shorthorns held their usual January meetings. The State Board of Agriculture convened in the Senate Cham- ber January 3. The Board held a second meeting at the Capitol June 5, and decided, six to four, to hold the next State Fair at Columbus. A great strike of railway employés took place in July. On the nineteenth of that month the sheriff of Lieking County reported to Governor Young that striking firemen and brakemen on the Baltimore & Ohio Railway refused to permit trains to depart from Newark, and asked for the assistance of the State militia. The Governor immediately ordered four companies of the National Guard to Newark. On July 23 riotous strikers destroyed a large amount of property at Pittsburgh. Up to this time all bad been quiet at Columbus, but on Sunday afternoon, July 22, an assembly of firemen and brakemen of the Panhandle line was held in Goodale Park and resolved that no more freight trains should leave the yard, until former wages were restored. No trains arrived at the Union Station during the night of July 22. Efforts to take out two or three trains were thwarted by strikers. The railway freight traffic was at this time generally embargoed throughout the country. The passenger business was also greatly disturbed. Chicago, Louisville, Cincin- nati, Zanesville, St. Louis, Albany and other cities were visited by mob rule and riotous proceedings. At Columbus July 28, Mayor Heitman, supported by the police, endeavored to protect the movement of trains, but all such efforts were ineffectual. On Sunday, July 29, the Police Commissioners authorized the appoint- ment of one thousand uniformed special policemen for the preservation of peace and the protection of property. A large number of these were on duty the fol- lowing night. They were aided by the Columbus Cadets. On July 30 the move- ment of freight trains on the P. C. & St. L. line was prevented by a mob, which also dictated the terms on which passenger trains might go out. The Little Miami trains were allowed to run without hindrance. The police force being inadequate to prevent the interference of strikers with the use of railway property, the Governor was appealed to for military assistance, and immediately ordered out twentythree companies of the National Guard. This vigorous action had a most wholesome effect ; on August 1 many trains were sent out under protection of the military, and the rule of the mob was practically broken at Columbus, as it had already been at most other cities wbere it had prevailed. The Union Station was still kept under guard for a day or two, but by August 4 all disturbance had ceased, and most of the troops were ordered home.

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HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS.

1878 .- Meetings of the woolgrowers' and of the merino sheep and shorthorn eattle breeders' associations were held January 8. The State Board of Agricul- ture met in the Senate Chamber January 9. On the tenth a Sheep Registry Association met and elected officers. The location of the State Fair at Columbus became this year practically permanent. A meeting of the beekeepers of Central Ohio was held at the Fair Grounds October 16. The Ohio State Grange held its sixth annual meeting at the Senate Chamber December 10.

1879 .- Annual meetings of woolgrowers and of sheep, shorthorn cattle and swine breeders took place January 7 and 9. The State Board of Agriculture met January 8. The State and Franklin County boards held a joint session February 26, at which the County Board agreed to pay half the cost of erecting eighty stalls, provided the State Fair should be continued at Columbus for two years. The conditions were complied with, the sum of 84,000 being pledged by the citizens of Columbus. The Stonecutters' Union elected officers January 30. The Ohio Butter and Eggs Association met at the Park Hotel May 14. The Little Miami Railway Beneficial Association met at the Union Station February 26, and elected officers. The State Fair was held during the last days of August.

1880 .- Meetings of the shorthorn, sheep and swine breeders, and of the State Board of Agriculture were held January 6 and 7. A State convention of sur- veyors and engineers took place at the office of the Code Commissioners January 15. A convention of tilemakers was held at the Board of Trade Room February 10. A State convention of miners assembled at the same place July 14. The State Fair began August 31. Riotous demonstrations in connection with a strike in the Sunday Creek Valley required the intervention of military foree in September. The State Agricultural Society met at the Board of Trade Rooms December 8. The Master Barbers' Union gave a supper to their employés December 13. The Ohio State Grange met in the Senate Chamber December 15.

1881 .- The State Board of Agriculture met at the Board of Trade Room January 6. A State Convention of cidermakers was held at the same place March 9. Employés on the High and Long Street Railways struek for an advance from $1.10 to 81.25 in their wages May 9. A State convention of undertakers was held at the Board of Trade Room June 8.

1882 .- Meetings of the State Board of Agriculture and the associations of woolgrowers and of swine, shorthorn and Jersey cattle breeders were held Janu- ary 3. The Ohio Spanish Merino Sheep Breeders' Association was organized at a State meeting of sheepbreeders held at the Board of Trade Room February 22. A State convention of miners was held at the Board of Trade Room April 19. A permanent association was organized. The State Fair began August 28.

1883 .- Meetings of woolgrowers were held January 9, March 30 and Septem- ber 5. The associations of sheep registry, beekeepers, and of swine, Jersey cattle and shorthorn breeders held their annual sittings January 9. The State Board of Agriculture met on the same date. The Ohio Spanish Merino Breeders' Associa- tion met at Schneider's Hall January 10. A Farmers' Institute held its sittings January 16 and 17. The Ohio Institute of Mining Engineers met in annual session January 17. The Ohio Society of Surveyors and Civil Engineers was in session

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from January 17 to 19. The Grand Lodge A. O. U. W. met in the Odd Fellews' Temple, February 14. A State association of wooldealers was organized at the Capitol, April 17. A State convention of miners was held at Union Hall, May 1 and 2. The Capital City Assembly No. 2, 111, Knights of Labor, elected officers at the Union Hall, June 19. Officers of the Columbus Trades Assembly were ehosen July 15 A semiannual meeting of the State Cutters' Association was held at the Neil House, July 17. A strike of telegraph operators was inaugurated at noon, July 19. The Mutual Union men all went out, but very few of the Western Union men participated. The Ohio Poultry and Pigeon Breeders' Asso- ciation met in the I. O. O. F. Temple, September 6. Removal of the State Fair to grounds bought for the purpose near the Bee Line Railway, in the northern part of the city, was resolved upon by the State Board of Agriculture. After some hesitation the Franklin County Board acquiesced in this change.

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History of the city of Columbus, capital of Ohio, Volume II, Part 46

Author: Lee, Alfred Emory, 1838-; W. W. Munsell & Co Publication date: 1892 Publisher: New York and Chicago : Munsell & Co. Number of Pages: 1196

Author: Lee, Alfred Emory, 1838-; W. W. Munsell & Co
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: New York and Chicago : Munsell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1196