USA > Ohio > Gallia County > Illustrated historical and business review of Meigs and Gallia counties, Ohio, for the year 1891. > Part 4
USA > Ohio > Meigs County > Illustrated historical and business review of Meigs and Gallia counties, Ohio, for the year 1891. > Part 4
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MEIGS COUNTY.
We think the truth of history requires us to say that there were some blunders committed, by which means Morgan, and a large part of his forces escaped at that time. He was effectually whipped-was completely hemmed in-had lost all of his artillery-was confused, wearied out, discouraged, and ready to surrender. In this state of things several of the subordinate officers begged the permission to take them at once, as they felt sure they could do. They were not permitted, being told that Morgan could not possibly get away, and would surely surrender without another fight, or attempt to escape. But, unfortunately, Morgan found a pilot who led him by private path-ways out of the trap, and our commander waked up to see his game gone.
About two hundred succeeded in crossing at Buffington, before the gun- boats got there. The Marietta militia, who were on the ground to resist his passage, spiked their cannon, threw them over the bank and fled without firing a shot, thus leaving the ford clear. But, fortunately, the gunboats arrived in time to prevent the main body from crossing. It is supposed that about thirty were drowned.
Morgan having been thus led out of the trap, proceeded with his force to Bellville, where about one hundred more succeeded in crossing when the gun- boat made its appearance and drove them back. Our forces were again on his trail and his immediate capture, was considered sure. In fact he was consid- ered captured. It was reported on high official authority that Morgan and his whole army had surrendered there to Gen. Scammon. We suppose the officers of the gunboats believed the story, for they immediately left the scene, passed Pomeroy early in the day and proceeded on their way to Cincinnati! Soon af- ter the gunboats had passed down, however, word was brought that the story of the capture of Morgan was false, that he was on his way back with three thou- sand men and would, undoubtly burn Pomeroy in retaliation for the resistance he had met here on his way up. Lips unaccustomed to swear then gave vent to oaths as sharp and finished as if turned out from old practitioners. These curses were leveled at whoever controlled the movement of affairs. Morgan, with three thousand of his desperadoes were upon us, and the gunboats steam- ing away with the pleasant falsehood that he had surrendered to Gen. Scam- mon ! It must be confessed that the prospect of having our town sacked un- der such circumstances, was not the most pleasing. It was hoped for a while that the boats would not certainly pass out of reach suddenly ; but that hope was soon dispelled. Scouts came in from Harrisonville and Rutland and re- ported Morgan on the way to Middleport with all speed. He laughed at those whom he captured and questioned, when told he would be met by the gunboats ! He knew exactly when the gunboats passed and knew he would not be disturb- ed by them. The excitement of Saturday, was nothing to this. Our people could have stood to be sacked then without much grumbling. But knowing that any mischief Morgan could do them now would be the result of the sheer- est blundering of those they had hailed the day before as their delivers made them doubly mad. Every man and boy who could get a gun of any kind deter- mined to give the great "raider" the best fight he could, and moved off to meet him. The old Condor was put in requisition, and crowed with militia, started ·
-
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HISTORY OF
to intercept the rebels, who it was now ascertained were making for eight mile Island to cross, and that Hobson was close in the rear. The rebels reach- ed the ford, fired into a steamer coming up to compel her to ferry them over, and a few had entered the water to cross, when the Condor steamed in sight! Morgan mistook her for a gunboat and skedaddled.
Worn out, dissappointed, and hopeless, Morgan's crowd went on awhile, when, overcome with fatigue, they tumbled down to rest! In this condition our pursuing forces came upon them ! But we could not well take them while asleep and to wake them up in a hurry might cause some of them to get hurt; so a flag of truce was sent to Morgan by our commander. We don't know what message it carried, but believe it was something like an apology for disturbing him after he had encamped for the night, and respectfully suggesting to him the propriety of surrendering. General Morgan thought probably he had bet- ter surrender, but would like to have an hour or two to consider the matter .- Ordinary politeness required that the time should be given. It was given, and at its expiration Morgan and all his men who were not too profoundly asleep to be awakened, were several miles away! We gobbled up about 1020 that he left, and went again in the pursuit.
It is hardly necessary to attempt a detail of the chase since leaving this section, as the reports are too conflicting to be depended upon. They have been chased from this, through Gallia, Vinton, Athens, Morgan, Muskingum, Belmont, Guernsey, Harrison, Carroll, and Jefferson, into Columbiana County, where Morgan and some 600 of his men who had escaped up to that time, were captured, on Sunday the 26th, just a week from the date of his defeat at Buf- fington. The chase is unexampled by anything on record, and its results will prove of great importance.
To the rebels the loss was great. Morgan had acquired a reputation which few of the traitors enjoyed. He was furnished with an army of 5000 picked men, the very flower of the South, as to physical endurance. They were mount- ed on the best horses which Tennessee and Kentucky could produce. They were armed with the best of guns, revolvers, sabers &c., which British or Amer- ican armories could furnish, and had one of the finest batteries of artillery in the country. All this was lost to the South and acquired by the Union.
The material lose in arms, horses, munitions, &c., was not less than $500,- 000 in good money, and could not be replaced for $5,000,000 in Confederate funds. But this wasnot the worst loss to the South. She had lost the prestige which the name of Morgan had heretofore carried with it. It was upon the whole, one of the severest inflictions of the war.
INCIDENTS OF THE RAID.
We see, by the papers, that the track of the marauders, from the time they crossed the Ohio, marked with scenes of theft, robbery, arson and murder. We have only space for a few items which occurred in this immedi- ate vicinity. Hard as they were pressed they exercised their thieving propen- sity to the fullest extent. From the best information we can gather, more than a thousand horses were stolen by the gang, in this county. Every store on the line of their march, we believe, without an exception, was sacked and utterly robbed.
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MEIGS COUNTY.
Thousands of dollars worth of goods which could be of no use to them were carried off and destroyed, seemingly in pure wantonness. Many private houses were entered and robbed of everything of value that could be found, even to women's shawls and children's clothing. But in this they seemed to be as ca- pricfous as wanton ; for many escaped unharmed, nothing being taken from them but their horses, and provisions. Many of the citizens along the route were captured and robbed of their money, watches, and even penknives. Some were compelled, at the threat of their lives, to pilot them through their neigh- borhoods. Some of these they abused outrageously, and some they treated re- spectfully and even offered to reward liberally. Truth compels us to say that they did not, as a general thing, show special favors to those who announced themselves as "Vallandigham Democrats." In fact we have heard of several instances where they not only treated such pretensions with contempt, but ac- tually committed personal violence upon them, denouncing them as "cowardly poltroons" for occupying the position they did. This may have been because they did not believe they were honest in their statement, not conceiving how men could be so base as to claim friendship with the invaders of their coun- try. This we think is the truest explanation, for we have heard of some in- stances in this county, and see it stated as the case in several others, that they exacted a pledge to vote for Vallandigham as a condition of the release of captured citizens, in addition to the ordinary parole. Beyond Chester they stopped a large funeral procession, took the coffin from the hearse and stole and carried away every horse in the procession. Time will not permit us to recount the thousandth part of the scenes of pillage and destruction of private property. The fine new bridge across Shade River, at Chester, and the Mills at the same place, were burned, in pure wantonness.
But these outrages only proved Morgan to be the leader of a band of thieves, robbers and incendiaries. To the disgrace of human nature, and as if to place the gang in its true light before the world, they committed numerous coldblooded murders, and attempted to commit many more by shooting at un- armed and peaceable citizens, many of whom escaped as if by miracle, having their clothes perforated by the balls of their murderous weapons. We give a few instances which occurred in our immediate neighborhood.
Holiday Hysell, an old man, seventy years of age, living four miles from town, "hazzahed !" for the Union. For this they shot him dead !
Dr. Hudson, known to all our citizens, also over seventy years of age, universally respected by all who knew him, lived neighbor to Hysell and start- ed to go to him, when the dastardly murderers shot him, inflicting a mortal wound, from which he died the next day. In the murder of Hysell, they had the "traitor's plea" that a word spoken for the "Union" maddened them in their mission for its destruction. But for the murder of Dr. Hudson, they had not even that pretense of an excuse. He was simply on a mission of mercy ; he taunted them with no word of patriotism or otherwise; his murder was sim- ply cold-blooded, ferocious, brutal, devilish !
At Rock Spring, they captured Isaac Carleton Jr., son of Carleton of Syracuse, and another young man whose name we do not know. After robbing
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HISTORY OF
them and keeping them some time they released them and ordered them to run on "double quick." They did so, and when at some distance the demons fired on them as hunters would upon wolves. Carleton was shot in the back, the ball passing through his body ; and out of the right breast, and left for dead. His companion escaped with some holes in his clothes.
We cannot close without giving one instance more of the thieving propen- sity of Morgan's gang. Between two and three hundred had been captured by our militia, and confined in the Court House. In one case one hundred and twenty-five of them surrendered to seventeen of our boys, and begged like whipped dogs not to be shot. But safely in the Court House, and finding that they were not to be treated as they knew they deserved, the old propensity re- turned. The Ladies of the Soldier's Aid Society used one of the jury rooms in the Court House as the depot of the clothing and other stores prepared for our sick and wounded soldiers. They had a large stock on hand. And these precious thieves, while prisoners, broke open the room and stole the whole stock ! Yes, these very villians, who, two days before, one hundred and twenty- five of them, with arms in their hands, begged for their lives at the hands of seventeen men, had the audacity to rob this depository, and, dressed in the stolen clothes, marched out of the house threatening vengeance against the "d-d Abolition town ;" swearing that as soon as paroled they would come back and burn it up !
We have made this article too long already, but must say, in conclusion, that the conduct of our soldiers won the admiration of all our citizens. There were troops here from Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Ohio .- They camped in our streets, in our yards, in every vacant space in and about our houses and gardens, they had free access everywhere at all hours, and no damage was done! We don't believe there was ever a considerable crowd of men congregated together at any place where the rights and property of the citizens were so scrupuously respected. And on the other hand we feel proud of our citizens for the noble liberality with which they treated the soldiers .- Every latch string was out, and every blue coat was welcome as long as a mor- sel of provision remained. We heard hundreds of the soldiers say they never met with such a reception before, and that the remembrance of Pomeroy would be a bright spot in their recollections of the war.
VOLUNTEERS FROM MEIGS COUNTY DURING THE YEARS '61-2.
Bedford township, 108; Chester, 90; Columbia, 66; Lebanon, 138 ; Letart, 72; Olive, 106; Orange, 49; Rutland, 212; Salem, 95; Scipio, 168; Sutton, 244; Pomeroy City, 234; Middleport, 168.
THE SOLDIERS' MONUMENT.
Near the Court House stands the Soldiers' Monument. erected by the pub- lic spirited citizens of the county, in commemoration of her fallen heroes- those that sacrificed their lives in the glorious cause of the Union. The con- tract for the monument was given to O'Hare & Barry of Cincinnati, and was duly completed and dedicated in the fall of 1870. It is a stone shaft sur- mounted by a figure of a soldier in uniform.
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MEIGS COUNTY.
DECORATION DAY, 1870 AT POMEROY.
The 30th day of May, 1870, was one of the greatest in the history of Pom- eroy's public gatherings. Thousands of people gathered together to pay hon- ors to the departed soldiery, and to witness the laying of the "Corner Stone" of the Soldiers' Monument at Pomeroy. The monument is a beautiful one and an honor to the county, a view of which is given with the Court House and
MEIGS COUNTY COURT HOUSE AND SOLDIERS' MONUMENT.
grounds. The dead of "little" Meigs' patriotic soldiery sleep on fields where ·they fell, only where bodies could not be found. In the national cemeteries a nation has gathered them, and yearly as the spring time comes, the fairest of the land go forth and let fall upon their resting place the flowers and the tears of memory.
PEET.DEL.
The City of Pomeroy, the County Seat of "Little" Meigs.
T HE wealth and rapid advancement of the Buckeye State furnish the best possible illustrations of the growth of this great country. Her cities appear to have attained a degree of prosperity that is constantly reaping the reward of thrifty industry, while her soil is continually producing fabulous wealth, and her broad acres are thickly settled with embryo towns and cities whose future is bright with the promise of a glorious career. Among her promising cities is Pomeroy, the capital of Meigs county, situated on the Ohio River, about 218 miles above Cincinnati, in the township of Salisbury.
The site of the city of Pomeroy is peculiarly favorable to commerce, com- fort, and health. It is handsomely built upon a level plain extending up and down the Ohio River, in the heart of one of the richest and most populous ag- ricultural sections of the State. From its situation, its fertile soil, its wealth, and its water-power, Pomeroy must become, ere long, an important town, a place of commerce and industrial enterprise. Its people want neither industry, energy, nor capital, but possess, on the other hand, all these elements of pros- perity in a high and gratifying degree.
It is an admitted fact that the true foundation of a city's prosperity is its manufacturing industries. A prosperity based exclusively upon a commercial business must necessarily be ephemeral. A city which, for instance, de- pends upon any one or more of the great agricultural staples for support, for business, and for growth is liable to become paralyzed in her energies and inter- ests, not only by failure in the production of such staples, but from their di- version to other points whose eligibility gives them the advantage and prefer- ence as markets. Such also, are the fluctuations in prices of articles of produce that no certainty of successful operations can be relied upon, and when uncer- tain, feverish, and exciting speculation underlies the business of any communi- ty, there is no guarantee of permanent and staple prosperity; whereas, where manufacturing is carried on successfully, there is a steady, healthy, and sub-
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stantial growth. Illustrations of this truth are abundant throughout Ohio and Pomeroy owes its importance, both present and future, to its manufactur- ing industries, and to its extensive coal, salt and bromine works. These com- prise several large foundries, and factories, the principal output of which are stone and tile products, iron products, door, sash, blinds, and furniture.
The city is fast becoming the centre of a large and important local trade, being located in the midst of a large agricultural district, of which it is the leading source of supply for many important lines of trade. Its business houses are conducted by some of the best-known and most influential citizens who are energetic, wide-awake, and enterprising in securing supplies in their trade, and are important factors in building up the name and fame of Pome- roy as an important trade center. This condition of affairs gives every assurance of steady, substantial growth and permanent prosperity.
The educational advantages possessed by the city are a source of just pride to her people, and are heartily appreciated by her many pupils.
RELIGION AND EDUCATION.
The history of Pomeroy, as regards the morality and religious character of her people, is very flattering. She is celebrated for the number and strength of her religious societies as also, for the strength and progress of her schools.
CHURCHES AND RELIGION.
Religion, the handmaid of education, was considered by the early settlers of Pomeroy, first and foremost in all things, and most essential to human progress. Thus have been organized many strong religious societies in the city.
THE SOCIETY OF PRESBYTERIANS,-On April 2nd, 1847, according to a call issued, the persons interested in the organization of a Presbyterian Church met in the old Court House. No quorum being present, they adjourned to meet at the same place on the 26th of April in the same year. The following persons were present : Mr. James Ralston and wife, Mr. Issac Knapp and wife, Mr. Marcus Bosworth and wife, Elihu Stedman and Dr. Guthrie. A quorum being present they proceeded to effect an organization by electing Mr. Mar- cus Bosworth chairman and Isaac Knapp Secretary. The following persons were elected Trustees : Marcus Bosworth, James Ralston and G. S. Guthrie. This organization of earnest men and women felt the need of a place in which to worship God. In the same year a lot was procured and the erection of a church building was begun, but was not completed until some time in the year 1848. In performing this work much hard labor and self-denial was necessary. But as a reward of all this a pros- perous organization sprung up which has been the means of doing much good in the city of Pomeroy. At the time of the organization Mr. Reed Wil- kinson was pastor and Mr. Marcus Bosworth Elder. During the ten years of Mr. Wilkinson's pastorate the church rapidly increased in number and influ- ence. Of the pastorates of Twombley, Reid, Merwin, Wright, Davis, Hughes and Brown, time and space will not permit us to speak of the good work done by them. Sufficient to say that during their pastorates great good was ac-
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HISTORY OF
complished. Rev. Turnbull, who is pastor now, and has been for nearly four years, has continued the good work of his predecessors, and feeling the need of a new place went assidously to work, and mainly through his efforts enough money was subscribed to erect the building. And on October 6, 1890, work was begun. The building to be erected is a Romanesque Architecture, contain- ing in all five rooms, the material to be of Pomeroy pressed brick. Mr. James Ralston is the only surviving charter member who has been with the church from its infancy.
THE GERMAN PRESBYTERIAN .- The German Presbyterian Society is under the pastorship of Rev. Miller.
THE ST. JOHN'S GERMAN PRESBYTERIAN .- This society at present is fairly strong and the pastor is the Rev. Fisher.
THE METHODISTS .- The society of Methodists is one of the strongest in the city, the present pastor being Rev. D. S. Porter, and supporting the Y. P. S. C. E. one of the strongest Christian Endeavors in the country.
GERMAN M. E. The German M. E. Society is perhaps, one of the best reg- ulated societies in the city. It has a membership of about one hundred, and on the whole, is one of the most prosperous. The present pastor is the Rev. Win. A. Schruff. The "Epworth League" in this society, is very active and does much good.
WELSH M. E. Society. This has no regular minister at present, but yet is in a good thriving condition.
COLORED SOCIETIES. There are two colored societies, both Methodists, viz : M. E. and Wesleyan M. E.
WELSH CONGREGATIONAL. The oldest religious society organized in the Northwest Territory was that of the "Congregationalists" at Marietta, Dec. 6, 1796. The Congregational Church here has no regular pastor at present.
SOCIETY OF BAPTISTS. This society was organized many years since, and has done much good for the city. It has no regular pastor at this special time, though the society is in strength very good.
GERMAN LUTHERAN. There are two societiesof German Lutherans, desig- nated as the "Upper," under the pastorship of Dr. Otto Voight, and the "Lower"' German Lutheran, with the Rev. Solomon as pastor. Both are thriving socie- ties.
THE CATHOLICS. The Catholics have a very strong church and school. The church is a large frame structure, and the school building a large brick. It supports two church societies, viz : Knights of St. George and Knights of St. Joseph.
RECAPITULATION.
The city, as stated in previous chapters, is noted for her churches, sixty- five per cent. of all her citizens being church going people, and supports twelve churches, viz : First Presbyterian, German Presbyterian, St. John's Presbyter- ian, Methodist Episcopal, German M. E., Welsh M. E., Free Will M. E., Col- ored, Wesleyan M. E., colored, Welsh Congregational, Baptist, German Luth- eran, Catholic.
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MEIGS COUNTY.
SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION.
The earliest dates show schools to have been opened in Pomeroy, and the education of youth has always been one of the city's most earnest factors. The pupils are at present accommodated in six school buildings, the property of the Board of Education, in all, twenty-three rooms, with a seating capacity of about two thousand. They are as follows :- Kerr's Run Building, frame, 3 rooms, 1st ward; Central. brick, 6 rooms, 2d ward; Lincoln Hill, frame, 2 rooms, Sugar Run, brick, 6 rooms, High School, brick, 3 rooms, 3d ward; Coal- port, brick, 3 rooms, 4th ward.
Twenty-two teachers are employed in these various departments, twenty English and two German. The number of school children (enumeration of '90) 1,684. The schools are in a prosperous condition, and have always maintained a prosperous attitude. The graduating class this year numbers 14.
GRADES.
The schools are divided into three departments of four years, or grades, each ; the Primary consisting of those in the first four years of the course; the Grammar, of those in the second, the High School, of those in the third.
There has been a gradual change in the distribution of pupils among the teachers, so that instead of from three to six grades under one teacher, only two of the twenty-two teachers below the High School, exclusive of the colored schools, have more than two grades each under their care. This arrangement makes it possible to do much more thorough work.
EXAMINATIONS AND PROMOTIONS.
Written examinations are held every two months except in the lowest pri- mary classes, the tests for which are prepared by the Superintendent. This plan is modified somewhat in its application to the High School. In addition to these written examinations the teachers grade their pupils at the close of each intervening month, applying such tests as they choose, and taking into account the general character of the recitation work done by each pupil. Up- on the results of these various tests promotions are made at the close of each year. In special cases, however, pupils are promoted whenever found qualified. But candidates for admission to the High School are required to pass an ad- ditional examination upon tests prepared by the Superintendent and teachers of the High School. The first class graduated from the High School in 1876, and were : Alice E. Grant, Nettie A. Grow, Zora McKnight, Chas. L. Huntley, E. C. S. Rehm, Geo. E. Smith.
BOARD OF EDUCATION .- J. W. Thomas, Artemus Williams, B. R. Reming- ton, Daniel W. Daniels, J. P. Genheimer, L. M. Harvey ; Superintendent, M. Bowers.
CITY BOARD EXAMINERS .- T. C. Flanegin, J. F. Ohl.
SOCIETIES AND ORGANIZATIONS.
SECRET SOCIETIES.
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