USA > Ohio > Auglaize County > History of western Ohio and Auglaize County, with illustrations and biographical sketches of pioneers and prominent public men > Part 42
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89
Charles T. Clark, Peo. P
195
STATE TREASURER.
Wm. T. Cope, R .. 2,168
Brisbin C. Blackburn, D. 3,174
Abraham Ludlaw, Pro .. 89
Wm. H. Taylor, Peo. P. 193
502
HISTORY OF WESTERN OHIO
MEMBER BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS.
Frank J. McColloch, R. 2,167
Louis B. Wilhelm, D. 3,170
Enos H. Brosius, Pro
90
Matthew Baber, Peo. P.
195
COMMON PLEAS JUDGE.
Hiram C. Glenn, R 2,156
John E. Ritche, D. 3,165
SENATOR.
George Lewis, R. 2,166
James D. Johnson, D. 3,160
Henry J. Lawler, D. 3,160
James Brannan, Peo. P ..
198
Jacob N. Newbright, Pro
194
REPRESENTATIVE.
John L. Sullivan, R. 2,136
W. G. Brorein, D.
3,197
S. S. Gibson, Pro.
90
J. J. McMillen, Peo. P. 203
PROBATE JUDGE.
' Henry C. Kuenzel, R. 2,178
Benjamin Linzee, D. 3,146
Joseph Barrington, Pro
102
Wm. Johns, Peo. P.
200
COUNTY TREASURER.
A. C. Koop, R. 2,165
A. O. Pepple, D. 3,154
Wm. Miller, Pro.
99
Charles Schemmel, Peo. P. 205
COUNTY COMMISSIONER.
F. A. Musser, R. 2,157
Jacob Logan, D.
3,153
Green Bailey, Pro
95
A. C. Bitler, Peo. P. 212
RECORDER.
M. J. Crawford, R 2,220
Charles Frech, D 3,137
B. D. Van Tress, Pro 96
Joseph Gearing, Peo. P. 196
AND AUGLAIZE COUNTY 503
CORONER.
M. J. Longworth, R. 2,167
N. T. S. Noble, D. 3,150
John Horn, Peo. P. 205
INFIRMARY DIRECTOR.
W. H. Crawford, R. 2,168
M. V. Buffenbarger, D 3,130
John H. Bailey, Pro.
95
J .. D. Fike, Peo. P. 206
1894.
SECRETARY OF STATE.
Samuel Taylor, R. 2,354
Milton Turner, D. .
2,931
Mark G. Caslin, Pro
78
Charles R. Martin, Peo. P. 222
JUDGE OF SUPREME COURT.
John A. S. Pauk, R. 2,330
James D. Ermeston, D. 2,449
John W. Roseborough, Pro. 78
Everett D. Stark, Peo. P. 223
MEMBER BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS.
Charles Groce, R. 2,329
Harry B. Keffer, D.
2,931
Hamilton T. Earles, Pro.
80
Joel E. Steward, Peo. P. 221
SCHOOL COMMISSIONER.
Oscar T. Corson, R. 2,332
James A. Leach, D
2,915
Frank V. Irish, Pro.
81
Michael J. Flannery, Peo. P.
220
JUDGE OF CIRCUIT COURT.
J. L. Price, R. 2,330
Caleb H. Norris, D. 2.904
J. F. Stout, Pro il1
J. F. Axline, Peo. P. 217
MEMBER OF CONGRESS.
Wm. D. Davies, R. 2,520
Fernando C. Layton, D. 2,774
George C. Enders, Pro 77
James White, Peo. P. 234
504
HISTORY OF WESTERN OHIO
JUDGE OF COMMON PLEAS COURT.
Calvin S. Mauk, R. 2,303
Wm. T. Mooney, D. 3,033
PROSECUTING ATTORNEY.
A. N. Van Demon, R. 2,551
J. H. Goeke, D 2,857
COUNTY CLERK.
Thomas E. Bowsher, R. 2,332
Thomas B. Baker, D. 2,968
David Sherman, Pro. 76
SHERIFF.
Philander Pepple, R 2,340
Charles W. Nichols, D. 2,936
B. F. Lloyd, Pro.
81
J. B. Fike, Peo. P 229
COUNTY COMMISSIONER.
Henry Althausen, R. 2,432
John S. Butcher, D: 2,852
Albert Miller, Pro.
76
J. J. McMillen, Peo. P 244
INFIRMARY DIRECTOR.
Andrew Kohler, R. 2,371
Thomas M. Elliott, D 2,905
Allen Burden, Pro.
73
Daniel Gross, Peo. P.
229
1895.
GOVERNOR.
Asa S. Bushnell, R. 2,407
James E. Campbell, D.
3,800
Jacob S. Coxey, Peo. P 421
Seth H. Ellis, Pro. 8.7
Wm. Watkins, Soc. Lab. 5
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.
A. W. Jones, R. 2,405
John B. Peaslee, D.
3,754
John H. Crofton, Peo. P. 383
Joseph W. Sharp, Pro ..
87
Wm. E. Krumroy, Soc. Lab 5
AND AUGLAIZE COUNTY 505.
STATE AUDITOR.
Walter D. Guilbert, R. 2,409
J. W. Knott, D .. 3,741
Charles Bonsall, Peo. P. 378
Arthur S. Caton, Pro.
89
Daniel Wallace, Soc. Lab.
6.
STATE TREASURER.
Samuel F. Campbell, R. 2,413.
Wm. B. Shober, D. 3,743.
George W. Harper, Peo. P. 381
John H. Hawkins, Pro. 86
George T. Brewster, Soc. Lab
5.
ATTORNEY GENERAL.
Frank S. Monnett, R. 2,405
George A. Fairbanks, D.
3,742
Thomas Reed, Peo. P. 380
Wesley C. Bates, Pro
84
JUDGE OF SUPREME COURT.
Thaddeus A. Minshall, R 2,348
Wm. T. Mavney, D.
3,842
Everett D. Stark, Peo. P.
373
John T. Moore, Pro. 85.
MEMBER BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS.
Edwin L. Lybarger, R 2,410
Harry B. Keffer, D.
3,742
Wm. A. Gloyd, Peo. P. 377
James Benjamin, Pro
83
CLERK OF SUPREME COURT.
Josiah B. Allen, R. 2,410
John W. Cruikshank, D. 3,734
Thomas N. Hickman, Peo. P 377
David F. Spicer, Pro
84
Charles Odendall, Soc. Lab
6
SENATOR.
Wm. F. Conley, R. 2,403
Charles B. Brown, R.
2,404
Henry J. Lawlor, D
3,732
J. D. Johnson, D. 3,733.
J. Barrington, Pro. 91
Addison A. Griffin, Pro 86
Wm. F. Conley, Peo. P 380
E. F. Weeks, Peo. P. 378
506
HISTORY OF WESTERN OHIO
REPRESENTATIVE.
W. J. Orr, R. 2,432
W. G. Brorein, D. 3,712
F. M. Morris, Peo. P. 384
Wm. Miller, Pro 81
COUNTY AUDITOR.
W. H. Backus, R. ,388
G. A. Orphal, D 3,779
Charles Schimmel, Peo. P. 378
John W. Allen, Pro
84
COUNTY COMMISSIONER.
George Kuhlman, R 2,569
Henry Hellbush, D 3,602
J. D. Fike, Peo. P 365
J. N. Latshaw, Pro 83
COUNTY TREASURER.
Wm. Slater, R. 2,403
A. O. Pepple, D. 3,759
John Gross, Peo. P 370
A. Rogers, Pro 84
SURVEYOR.
C. E. Ginn, R. 2.498
Samuel Craig, D. 3,690
B. D. Van Tress, Pro 85
INFIRMARY DIRECTOR.
George Hittepohl, R. 2,402
Henry Holirt, D.
3,748
John Gracely, Peo. P 368
N. T. Cornell, Pro
86
CORONER.
W. S. Stuckey, R. 2,417
N. T. S. Noble, D. 3,745
H. W. Snethkamp, Peo. P.
366
1896.
PRESIDENT UNITED STATES.
Wm. McKinley, R. 2,900
Wm. J. Bryan, D. 4,919
SECRETARY OF STATE.
Charles Kinney, R .. 2,900
Chilton A. White, D
4,899
AND AUGLAIZE COUNTY 507
SECRETARY OF STATE - CONCLUDED.
Samuel H. Rockhill, Pro 14
Wesley C. Bates, Na. Party 23
JUDGE OF SUPREME COURT.
Marshall J. Williams, R. 2,898
Everett D. Stark, D. 4,900
Gideon T. Stewart, Pro. 14
Marcus B. Chase, N. P. 23
MEMBER OF BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS.
Frank A. Huffman, R. 2,899
Wm. Beaumont, D. 4,901
Charles E. Iliff, Pro. 14
Winfield S. Maynard, N. P. 23
DAIRY AND FOOD COMMISSIONER.
Joseph E. Blackburn, R. 2,897
Thomas J. Creager, D. 4,905
Arza Alderman, Pro. 14
Enos H. Brozius, N. P
23
JUDGE OF CIRCUIT COURT.
John K. Kohn, D
2,902
Caleb H. Norris, D. 4,904
MEMBER OF CONGRESS.
John P. McLean, R. 2,903
George A. Marshall, D.
4,892
L. M. Kramer, Peo. P.
28
George W. Mace, N. P.
PROBATE JUDGE.
F. M. Horn, R. 2,915
J. J. Walter, D. 4,890
Wm. Johns, Peo. P
1
SHERIFF.
Peter Hensch, R. 2,915
Charles Hauss, D. 4,885
W. W. Curtin, Peo. P.
3
COUNTY COMMISSIONER.
Enos Fisher, R.
3,014
Samuel Plummer, D.
4,785
W. L. Rogers.
RECORDER.
W. L. Rogers, R. 2,895
Charles Frech, D. 4,908
508
HISTORY OF WESTERN OHIO
INFIRMARY DIRECTOR.
Solomon Gearing, R. 2,953
John Bowers, D. 4,848
1897.
GOVERNOR.
Asa S. Bushnell, R. 2,247
Horace L .. Chapman, D.
3,840
John C .. Holliday, Pro 31
Jacob Sechler Coxey, Peo. P.
29
Julius Dexter, N. D ..
8
Wm. Watkins, Soc. Lab.
2
John Richardson, Liberty P.
21
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.
A. W. Jones, R. 2,200
Melville D. Shaw, D
3,860
John Danner, Pro .. 30
Horace Whitcomb, Peo. P.
29
Thomas M. Hillman, Liberty P.
21
STATE TREASURER.
Samuel B. Campbell, R. 2,218
James F. Wilson, D
3,830
Samuel Wells, Pro. 29
F. M. Morris, Peo. P. 31
Samuel Stevens, N. D.
7
Edward Larson, Soc. Lab.
2
Thomas 'A. Rodefer, Liberty P.
21
ATTORNEY GENERAL.
Frank S. Monnett, R. 2,219
W. H. Dore, D.
3,831
Olin J. Ross, Pro. 29
Cyrus A. Rider, Peo. P 29
8
John W. Roseborough, Liberty P.
21
JUDGE OF SUPREME COURT.
John P. Spriggs, D. 3,830
E. J. Pinney, Pro. 29
Jacob F. Burkett, R. 2,220
Charles C. Pomeroy, Peo. P. 29
John H. Clark, N. D. 7
Jackson S. Wertman, Liberty P. 21
MEMBER OF BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS.
Charles A. Goddard, R. 2,231
Peter Degnan, D 3,819
Daniel Wilson, N. D.
509
AND AUGLAIZE COUNTY
MEMBER BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS.
Madison L. Christian, Pro 29
J. A. Sanders, Peo. P. 29
H. D. Coffinberry, N. D 7
John T. Jones, Soc. Lab. 2
James B. Bolander, Liberty P. 21
SCHOOL COMMISSIONER.
Lewis D. Bonebrake, R. 2,224
Miron E. Hard, D. 3,817
Thomas H. Paden, Pro 30
Silas E. Shook, Peo. P.
30
Wm. H. Johnson, N. D.
7
Charles Bansall, Soc. Lab 2
A. Walker, Liberty P. 21
STATE SENATOR.
Charles S. Younger, R. 2,195
Charles A. Seiders, R. 216
Wm. G. Brorein, D 3,869
Wm. E. Decker, D.
3,831
John H. Sheffield, Peo. P 24
L. H. Walker, Peo. P. 19
REPRESENTATIVE.
Joseph Wis's, R.
2,259
Joseph E. Schmieder, D 3,788
COUNTY CLERK.
Henry Rostofer, R. 2,199
T. B. Baker, D. 3,871
COUNTY· COMMISSIONER.
Henry Rohrbacher, R. 2,284
J. S. Butcher, D. 3,769
COUNTY TREASURER.
Lyman N. Means, R 2,290
D. A. Clark, D. 3,776
PROSECUTING ATTORNEY.
Arthur L. Combs, R. 2,195
J. H. Goeke, D 3,861
INFIRMARY DIRECTOR.
John R. Bennett, R. 2,219
T. M. Elliott, D.
3,838
510
HISTORY OF WESTERN OHIO
CORONER.
Benjamin E. Thomas, R. 2,222
F. C. Hunter, D. 3,837
1898.
SECRETARY OF STATE.
Charles Kinney, R. 1,883
Upton K. Guthery, D. 3,205
Thomas Brown, Pro. 30
6
J. A. Craft, Un. R.
66
JUDGE OF SUPREME COURT.
Wm. T. Spear, R. 1,876
Hugh L. Nichols, D 3,203
Malon Bouch, Pro
30
Daniel W. Wallace, Soc. Lab.
6
Arthur A. Brown, Un. R.
65
MEMBER BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS.
W. G. Johnston, R. 1,913
T. Dwight Paul, D. 3,171
Robert Candy, Pro. 32
Thomas F. Smith, Soc. Lab
5
John A. Sheffield, Un. R.
64
CLERK OF SUPREME COURT.
Josiah B. Allen, R. 1,881
David S. Fisher, D. 3,199
Joseph L. Swan, Pro. 31
Frederic Pandorf, Soc. Lab
6
Martin Krumm, Un. R.
65
DAIRY AND FOOD COMMISSIONER.
Joseph E. Blackburn, R. 1,803
John Baker, D. 3,253
Walter M. Hills, Pro. 31
Elmer E. Applegate, Soc. Lab.
6
Seth H. Ellis, Un. R.
90
JUDGE OF CIRCUIT COURT.
George E. Crane, R. 1,873
James H. Day, D. 3,224
JUDGE OF COMMON PLEAS COURT, COM. FEB., 1899. Wm. Cunningham, D. 3,254
John F. Flynn, Soc. Lab.
AND AUGLAIZE COUNTY 511
JUDGE OF COMMON PLEAS COURT COM. JAN., 1899 - CONCLUDED. Robert L. Mattingly, R. 1,857
Stephen A. Armstrong, D. 3,226
MEMBER OF CONGRESS.
Philip Sheets, R 1,798
Robert B. Gordon, D. 3,329
Wm. H. Murphy, Un. R 52
SHERIFF.
F. B. Long, R. 1,930
Charles Hauss, D. 3,203
COUNTY AUDITOR.
J. W. Britton, R. 1,862
G. A. Orphal, D. 3,255
COUNTY COMMISSIONER.
E. L. Kattman, R. 1,950
Henry Hellbush, D. 3,167
COUNTY SURVEYOR.
Samuel Craig, D. 3,264
INFIRMARY DIRECTOR.
George Headapohl, R. 1,895
Henry Holiet, D. 3,212
1899.
GOVERNOR.
George K. Nash, R. 2,293
John R. McLean, D 4,010
Seth H. Ellis, Un. R. 78
George M. Hammel, Pro.
21
Robert Bandlow, Soc. Lab. 1
Samuel M. Jones, Non Partisan 478
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.
John A. Caldwell, R. 2,359
Abraham W. Patrick, D. 4,177
Wm. J. Seelye, Un. R.
85
Arthur S. Caton, Pro.
25
Ellis Bartholomew, Soc. Lab. 9
STATE AUDITOR.
Walter D. Guilbert, R. 2,383
George W. Sigafoos, D. 4,151
Frank S. Montgomery, Un. R. 86
512
HISTORY OF WESTERN OHIO
STATE AUDITOR - CONCLUDED.
Frederic W. Barrett, Pro 24
Harry Lavan, Soc. Lab.
8
STATE TREASURER.
Isaac B. Cameron, R. 2,375
James I. Gorman, D.
4,162
Willis E. Good, Un. R. 84
Cromwell M. Wise, Pro.
22
Oscar Freer, Soc. Lab
8
ATTORNEY GENERAL.
John M. Sheets, R. 2,378
Wm. H. Dore, D. 4,162
Thomas Bentham, Un. R. 83
Walter S. Lister, Pro.
23
John Cooper, Soc. Lab
8
JUDGE OF SUPREME COURT.
Wm. C. Davis, R. 2,381
DeWitt C. Badger, D .. 4,145
Alfred R. McIntire, Un. R.
85
Gideon T. Stewart, Pro. 25
Samuel Borton, Soc. Lab.
9
MEMBER BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS.
Frank A. Huffman, R. 2,421
Fletcher D. Malin, D. 4,111
Albert A. Weaver, Un. R.
84
John Danner, Pro 26
Carl M. Newton, Soc. Lab
9
JUDGE OF COMMON PLEAS COURT.
Wm. T. Mooney, D. 4,272
SENATOR.
Wm. G. Brorein, D. 4,261
REPRESENTATIVE.
Joseph E. Schmieder, D
4,125
PROBATE JUDGE.
Arthur L. Combs, R. 2,352
Joseph J. Walter, D.
4,170
William Johns, Un. R
88
COUNTY COMMISSIONER.
O. F. Benton, R 2,362
Samuel Plummer, D 4,175
513
AND AUGLAIZE COUNTY
COUNTY TREASURER.
Guy Huffman, R. 2,380
D. A. Clark, D. 4,168
J. D. Fike, Un. R. 86
RECORDER.
Henry Backus, R. 2,376
R. B. Anderson, D. 4,158
J. W. Allen, Un. R. 82
INFIRMARY DIRECTORS.
John G. Heinrich, R. 2,369
John W. Bowers, D.
4,158
Charles Schemmel, Un. R
85
CORONER.
F. C. Hunter, D. 4,224
1900.
PRESIDENT UNITED STATES.
Wm. Mckinley, R. 2,895
Wm. J. Bryan, D. 4,812
SECRETARY OF STATE.
Lewis C. Laylin, R. 2,887
Henry H. McFadden, D.
4,813
Frank Frankenberg, Union Reform. 42
J. Knox Montgomery, Pro 29
JUDGES OF SUPREME COURT.
John A. Shauk, R. 2,888
Allen Smalley, D. 4,811
Lambertis B. Logan, U. R 42
E. J. Pinney, Pro. 29
Albert Corbin, S. D.
2
MEMBER BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS.
Charles A. Goddard, R 2,884
Peter W. Brown, D. 4,813
R. Rathburn, U. R. 42
Enos H. Brosius, Pro. 30
Wm. C. Edwards, S. D.
2
STATE SCIIOOL COMMISSIONER.
Lewis D. Bonebrake, R 2,790
Joshua D. Simkins, D 4,913
Wm. J. Seelye, U. R.
42
Samuel A. Gillett, Pro 29
33 H A C
514
HISTORY OF WESTERN OHIO
JUDGE OF SUPREME COURT.
James L. Price, R. 2,810
WVm. Mooney, D. 4,805
MEMBER OF STATE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION.
Frank Westgerdes, D. 4,822
MEMBER OF CONGRESS.
Edwin C. Wright, R. 2,808
R. B. Gorden. D. 4,903
COUNTY CLERK.
H. B. Eversman, R 2,869
Emil Koop, D. 4,829
SHERIFF.
Frank J. Seibert, R 2,844
WV. L. Melching, D 4,857
COUNTY COMMISSIONER.
Louis Huenke, R.
2,883
Frederic Kellermeyer, D
4,813
PROSECUTING ATTORNEY.
F. M. Horn, R. 2,935
S. A. Hoskins, D. 4,776
INFIRMARY DIRECTORS.
Green Bailey, R. 2,878
Edward Lump, D.
4,823
1901.
GOVERNOR.
Geo. K. Nash. R. 2,669
James Kilbourne, D. 3,512
Phinney, Pro 36
Richardson. U. R. 29
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.
Carl Nippert, R. 2,253
Anthony Howells, D
3,490
TREASURER OF STATE.
Isaac B. Cameron. R 2,257
R. P. Aleshire. D. 3,489
ATTORNEY GENERAL.
J. M. Sheets. R. 2,257
W. B. McCarthy, D 3,481
515
AND AUGLAIZE COUNTY
JUDGE OF THE SUPREME COURT.
. James L. Price, R. 2,259
Joseph Hildy, D. 3,478
MEMBER OF BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS.
W. G. Johnson, R. 2,267
J. B. Halman, D 3,472
CLERK OF SUPREME COURT.
L. E. Emerson, R. .2,244
H. P. Young, D. 3,487
COMMON PLEAS JUDGE.
Mathers, D. 3,550
SENATORS.
Rumbaugh, R 2,247
Stuckey, R 2,245
S. D. Crites, D. . 3,488
W. E. Decker, D. 3,486
REPRESENTATIVE.
R. B. South, R. 2,208
B. A. Fledderjohann, D. 3,569
COUNTY AUDITOR.
Guy Huffman, R. 2,327
Wm. H. Meyer, D. 3,462
TREASURER.
John Brandewie, R 2,250
J. H. Grothaus, D. 3,503
COMMISSIONERS.
Louis Huenke, R. 2,357
Richard Barrington, D. 3,410
INFIRMARY DIRECTORS.
Green Bailey, R. 2,247
Frederic Rehn, D. 3,506
SURVEYOR.
F. A. Runkle, D. 3,578
CORONER.
M. J. Longsworth, R. 2,287
S. H. Sibert, D. 3,446
The interest taken in the presidential election of 1848 by the citizens of Auglaize county was not so great as it was eight years
516
HISTORY OF WESTERN OHIO
later. Three well-known candidates were presented for the suf- rages of the people. General Lewis Cass, of Michigan, was nomi- nated by the Democrats, and General Zachary Taylor by the Whigs. As the candidate of the new Free-Soil party, Ex-Presi- dent Martin Van Buren was put forward. The real contest, how- ever, lay between Generals Cass and Taylor. The position of the two leading parties on slavery and tariff were not well defined, and the election was left to turn on the personal popularity of the candidates. In Auglaize county more attention was given to the election of county officers than to state and national candidates. A reference to the record of elections shows that the Democratic ticket was elected by majorities ranging from 569 to 580. The best men of the county were elected to fill the offices, and, under their wise administration, the county grew in population and prospered.
The presidential campaign of 1852 was even less spirited in Auglaize county than it was in 1848. The growing anti-slavery sentiment in the Whig party was ignored in the platform adopted in the national convention of the party in 1852. The strength of the dissatisfied element was shown in the overwhelming defeat of the party. The Democratic majority over the Whig and Free- Soil parties in the county was 866. After the defeat the dis- sensions in the old party became so great that it soon ceased to exist. Following the disruption of the party, members of the dissatisfied elements assembled in Michigan and established a secret, oath-bound organization, said to have been called "The Sons of '76," or "The Order of the Star Spangled Banner." Those of its members that had not been admitted to the higher degrees were kept in ignorance of the aims and name of the organization, and their constant answer of "I don't know" to ques- tions regarding the society gave them the title of "Know Noth- ings." All meetings of the party were secret. It carefully avoided the subject of slavery, and attempted to draw the voters who were tired of agitation on that subject, by confining itself to a vigorous opposition to Catholics and aliens. Its principle was "Americans must rule America."
The factions composing the Know-Nothing party agreed in nothing except in their opposition to the Democratic party. It soon became apparent to them that a· more permanent union, based upon national policies, must be formed. Accordingly, late
517
AND AUGLAIZE COUNTY
in 1855, meetings were held in the different northern states pre- paratory to the organization of a new political party. Early in 1856, a union of state organizations was effected under the name of the Republican Party. In June, 1856, the Republican National Convention convened at Philadelphia, and nominated John C. Fre- mont for the presidency. In June of the same year, the National Democratic Convention at Cincinnati nominated James Buchanan for president.
The political campaign that followed the nominations was the most spirited one since the campaign of 1840. The mass meetings held in the fall of that year have never been surpassed in point of numbers and enthusiasm in the history of Northwestern Ohio. The Democratic party, true to its past history in the county, gave Buchanan an increased majority over the previous presidential election.
The year following the inauguration of James Buchanan the slavery agitation was intensified by the Dred Scott Decision, the opposition to the Fugitive Slave Law, and the passage of "Per- sonal Liberty" bills by the legislatures of several of the northern states. The Democratic party was doomed to split on the same issue that had divided the old Whig party.
The fall elections of 1860 turned on the question of slavery. The Democratic party divided, and made two nominations for president : Stephen A. Douglass, who favored popular sovereign- ty, and John C. Breckenridge, who claimed that slavery could be carried into any territory. The Republican party nominated Abraham Lincoln, who held that while slavery must be protected where it is, it ought not to be carried into any free territory. Lincoln was elected. The South now declared that it was time to withdraw from a government which had fallen into the hands of its enemies. By February, 1861, South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas had passed or- dinances of secession.
On the IIth of April, an attack was made on Fort Sumter, which was the commencement of the greatest civil war of modern times. It would be beyond the province of this work to enter into the details of the five years' struggle that followed. The bitterness of party contentions, the intemperate use of language by civilians, and the unauthorized acts of intimidation by returned soldiers led to turbulence and acts of violence in the county during the con-
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HISTORY OF WESTERN OHIO
tinuance of the war. Public improvements in the county came to a stand-still with the commencement of the war. The with- drawal of so much available labor paralyzed the productive in- dustries. There was a diminution of the acreage under culti- vation, and of the produce of agriculture, proportionate to the number of laborers withdrawn.
Soon after the close of the war agricultural pursuits and other business enterprises began to recuperate, and ere long, re- sumed the conditions that prevailed before the war.
The political parties held about the same relation to each other numerically in the county that they did before the rebel- lion.
The services of the county officers during the fifty-four years of our history have been eminently satisfactory to the public. The political leaders of the party in power have been men of integrity and character. A party under the direction of such men as Wil- liam Sawyer, Edward Phelps, Hugh T. Rinehart, Marmaduke Smith, Joseph B. Craig, Charles Boesel, Samuel Mott, Jerome McFarland and George Van Oss, was, of necessity, worthy of confidence.
The Republican party, though in the minority, has been led by men of perhaps equal ability and integrity. Judge Michael Dumbroff, Joseph Plunkett, Philip Jackson, John Walkup, Henry Moser, Andrew Zanglein, George W. Holbrook, Shadrach Mont- gomery, and John C. Bothe, were all men of high standing and influence in the community.
From 1848 to 1877, there was no event worthy of note to disturb the public mind with regard to the efficiency and honesty of the public officials of the county until the morning of the 7th of September, 1877, when the citizens of Wapakoneta were startled by the announcement that the County Treasury had been robbed. Immediately following the discovery of the robbery the following editorial, from the pen of Attorney George W. An- drews, appeared in the Auglaize County Democrat :
" ROBBERY OF THE AUGLAIZE COUNTY TREASURY."
"MYERS FOUND BUCKED AND GAGGED IN THE COURT HOUSE CORRIDOR."
"In an interview, Myers reports that on the evening of Sep- tember 6th, at ten o'clock as he was passing a dark alley near his - house a blanket was thrown over his head, and that he was car-
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..
ried back along the alley to the river bank where he was kept about an hour, and then carried across lots to the Court House, which was opened by the men having him in charge, by some mysterious means. When in the hall he was, with revolvers pressed to his head, commanded to open the doors of the safe. With hopes of relief by delay, he denied having the keys; but the fiends had planned their devilment with too much certainty to be baffled - they knew he had the means of getting to the money, and so he was forced to the work. The masked villains whispered with forked lightning words: 'Open the safe.' Summoning his departing strength, he denied his knowledge of the combination to enable him to open the doors, but the answer came hissing in his ears : 'We know you took money from the safe without help this afternoon.' As he stubbornly refused, they tied his hands behind him, made a fire on the stone floor under his legs, and as the flames burned through the clothing on his extremities, they pressed revolvers to his temples and told him: 'Open the safe, or you live but a little while longer.'
"In this moment of supreme horror, in the inner court of improvised hell, Lewis Myers, whose unblemished name for a quarter of a century was unchangeably the synonym of integrity, did, probably what every man in the county would have done - he opened the safe, and the three embassadors from Tophet took the county's money and bore it boldly away to make returns thereof to their master in hell. Certainly so, for of their approach and departure they left no material sign.
"We spoke of three; the fourth demon remained for two hours, a hellish specter keeping watch with cocked revolver pointed near the head of Myers, as he sat bound to a chair, with a gag in his mouth and his arms pinioned behind him and the chair lashed to the stove of the office. And then, like a weird fiend, as he was, he vanished, to take his place in Satan's convocation."
On the seventh, the day following the robbery, a meeting of the county commissioners was held, and a reward of a thousand dollars was offered for the arrest and conviction of the robbers. As a result of the offered reward, a number of detectives appeared, and were soon engaged in investigations that ended in barren re- sults. The excitement and distrust of the people were intensified to such a degree that some of the detectives were taken before the municipal authorities and required to show their credentials.
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HISTORY OF WESTERN OHIO
John T. Norris, of Springfield, Ohio, the only successful one of the number, secreted himself under Myers' house at night, to note any movement of the family that he might consider suspicious, and to overhear any conversation that might occur in the room above him. After remaining in his place of concealment for a time, the family above retired for the night. When everything became quiet the detective threw open the door of his dark lantern, and proceeded toward the aperture through which he had entered. When near the point of exit he found a portion of a broom handle, from which a part had been cut off. This relic he carried away with him. Upon comparing it the next day with the gag reported to have been used upon Myers, the evidence was considered suf- ficient to warrant his arrest. A warrant was accordingly issued, and he was placed under arrest.
A week later, James F. Smith, the county auditor, was ar- rested on the charge of being an accomplice in the robbery, and was confined in the county jail to await the meeting of the Grand Jury.
Theodore Dickman had been elected the previous year to succeed Myers, and was present at the time specified by statute to take charge of the office. Myers and the auditor asked the com- missioners for a delay from day to day to enable them to compare and correct the books. The delay continued until the morning of the seventh, when the robbery was reported.
The commissioners took charge of the office on the morning of the seventh and proceeded to investigate the condition of the treasury. The examination revealed a deficit of $27,155.59. At the conclusion of the investigation, Mr. Dickman, treasurer-elect, took charge of the office.
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