USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > Memoirs of the Miami valley > Part 56
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From 1834 to 1840 was a period of growth and activity, owing to transportational facility afforded by the canal feeder. The build- ing of the new courthouse also had given an impetus to the towns- people which encouraged better building about the square. There was little beauty in the external architecture of the day, although internal finishing, hand worked and simple, possessed a greater dignity than most modern ornamentation. The old Edgar home, on the south side of the square, built in 1837, had a far greater comeliness, externally, than others of its date, and is still preserved (occupied as office and business building by the Princehouse un- dertaking firm) in its quaint old-fashioned prettiness. Mr. John Edgar was born in this homestead in 1847. The Montanus build-
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ing was dwarfed in its turn by the Fry building at the corner of the square and east Poplar street, and successively by the Taylor build- ing, and the Piper buildings, and many others, which peep between the newer structures and suggest the hoary locks of old age be- traying the octogenarian behind a mask of youth. Sidney is so well groomed today that one must walk slowly, and look upward to realize the odd contrasts of the skyline in the business district. Yet, so little of Sidney's real history was written down in the earlier times, it is only through these relics we may read many of its pages, -and those but stumblingly. We must picture a public square devoid of any form of comeliness previous to the building of the first brick courthouse in 1833. We must remember that it was surrounded for a great part of the year with rivers of deep mud, and that sidewalks were only a desultory public improvement-at private expense. It is quite possible that the first sheriffs' pigs and chickens shared the public square with them. The taverns and the majority of the early stores were licensed to sell whiskey, and it is even whispered that this line of trade predominated; although, in this connection, it is well to reflect that "Men's evil manners live in brass; their virtues we write in water."
Up to the final removal of the Shawanese from their reservations north of the Greenville Treaty line, in 1831-2, the Indians were in almost constant visitation at Sidney. The wares in the stores at- tracted them, and the white population was a continuous source of mild curiosity. They brought their native products to market, to exchange for those of the white man. They also traded much of their native good quality for the white man's firewater. Alto- gether, they were not troublesome in the same degree with many of the settlers, whose peccadilloes are recorded in the criminal court archives,-although their trading propensity required constant watchfulness on the part of the villagers. The curiosity of the Indians concerning the whites included a fascination for their babies, whom they coveted as novelties. Mrs. David Hendershott temporarily lost her infant son, George Hendershott, in this way. A squaw, who saw and admired the white babe, offered to exchange her own pappoose for him. Mrs. Hendershott gently refused, and the squaw went her way, biding her time. Returning another day, she found the infant Hendershott asleep in a cradle on the Hender- - shott porch, made a quiet exchange of babes, and started for home with her prize. There was no evil intent in the act; the squaw be- lieved it a fair exchange. A hastily organized search party fol- lowed her and recovered little George unharmed. The squaw was admonished of the unlawfulness of her proceeding, but otherwise the incident was merely casual.
Where the venerable (but unvenerated) Wagner Hotel stands, a long one story tavern was built as early as 1830, passing by the title of the "Hailman House," after its owner. This one-story struc- ture is incorporated in the present hotel, being the part that faces the courthouse square. It has been remodeled so long ago that it is not recognizable from any old picture, but upon it rest the two upper stories of the Ohio avenue elevation. Successive owners were numerous, David Carey being the proprietor for a long time,
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when it was known as The Farmers' Hotel. David Carey was the father of Finley Carey, nicknamed "Tucker" Carey from the inci- dent that as a little shaver, the tavern keeper's son used to enter- tain the guests of the tavern by singing "Old Dan Tucker," more than seventy-five years ago. Carey, père, died during the cholera epidemic about 1849, and his family later removed to Iowa. In the fifties the tavern had become the Thorne hotel, from a later pro- prietor. There had been a time, also, when it was known as the Burnett House,-probably after the day of Mr. Thorne. It had, by the fifties, been extended toward the west on the Poplar street side, and in the sixties had fallen into the possession of the elder Amann, from whom it was purchased in the sixties by Mathias Wagner, for a merely nominal sum. Mr. Wagner made it a three story building, and twice since has extended the western wing, on Poplar street. Business houses occupy the major part of the ground floor. The hostelry, once advertised and conducted as a first-class hotel, has outlived its title to the claim, however, and occupies a strategic corner which should be graced with a hotel from which the transient stranger within the gates of Sidney need not flee to Piqua to spend the night. Recent repairs to the old building have brought to light the old ball-room in the third floor, where Sidney's gay young social life used to centre fifty and more years ago, when the grandmothers of today were blooming girls, and the solid pillars of local church and finance were spruce young beaux. Wooden partitions, (now ordered out by the board of public safety), had separated the ball-room into sleeping rooms, in some old day of emergency ; but of late years, cockroaches, inhabiting the cracks, had made them sleepless. Sidney is still clinging to hope that a long- promised modern hotel will replace the old relic soon.
The Metropole on west Poplar street is the new name of an old-time hotel, which has seen many vicissitudes, since the days when it housed the McGookin academy; after which epoch it flourished many years as a popular hotel, and is still as good as there is in Sidney. The property has been owned many years by Wil- liam Shine. The Florentine was built after the railroads came, but was crowded out of popular favor by the encroachment of manu- facturing interests. The Sidney House (now the Central) on West Court street, is of still later date. Smaller taverns kept by house- holders faded out of existence as the larger places came into being. The old Ackerly place, demolished to make place for the Monu- mental, was a late survival. Recently, several of the older homes of Sidney have been converted into rooming houses, in lieu of hotel accommodations, among them the fine old Nutt home on Walnut avenue hill, which is announced as a stag hotel, by the Sarver restaurant people.
The Charles Starrett homestead, facing the western terminus of South street, on Walnut, was a very early brick, the date not certain, as it was outside of the original town plat, but it probably was built in the twenties or earlier. It stands unchanged except for the external addition of porches on the front, put on by some more recent owner. The Dayton & Michigan railroad embank- ment encroached on the rear of the lot, in 1854, but that was after
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the property had passed into the keeping of Amos Kennard. Where the Klipstine Lumber plant now is, the Starrett orchard used to bloom. At the south side of the lot "Starrett's run," cut off by the railroad, emerges by means of a culvert, and in a straitened channel at the side of Water street reaches the canal that was its first un- doing.
The canal work brought to Shelby county a large influx of German laborers, who stayed to make homes in the town and farm country along the waterways. Their industry and thrift was valu- able, and they developed into one of the country's strongest assets, while they changed the character of the population to a great ex- tent. From being almost wholly English or of English descent with very slight admixture of other nationalities, Shelby county became a county at last half German or Alsatian French. The ad- vent of the railroads in the fifties brought a new element which had hitherto scarcely touched Shelby county, the Irish immigrant. This same epoch had seen the movement northward of colonies of freed blacks, a part of the Randolph colony locating in this county in 1846. Most of these people came to work, and with them the rail and waterways brought men skilled to lead and direct construc- tion, and others skilled in the art of metal working indispensable to construction. Moreover, the railroads brought prosperity or the means of achieving prosperity, to the doors of Sidney. Some in- dividuals were wrecked by the good fortune of the town, but the fittest survived. The decade of the railroad building saw also the erection of several of Sidney's largest buildings,-the Fry build- ing; Carey's Hall, on the northeast angle of Ohio avenue and Poplar street intersection; another, similar in size and purpose, which perished in the conflagration of 1914, and is replaced by the First National Exchange bank and the new DeWeese building; the large United Presbyterian church, which was torn down for the erection of the News-Democrat building; the Carey homestead on Ohio avenue; the Carey bank; the Union School (1857) ; and others, nearly all of them built by John W. Carey, who had become a builder of considerable note, well known in Dayton. No more interesting era has Sidney ever passed through than this, nor one of more radi- cal change from existing conditions, unless the paving upheaval be an exception. The Civil war was an interruption, and not until after the resumption of normal conditions and finances did the in- dustrial trend of the population make itself a leading feature of Sidney.
Sidney, though the county seat, did not attain the dignity of corporate existence as a village until 1834, when the population of six hundred came under the government of mayor and village council, and public improvement began slowly and fumblingly to be brought about. A market house was established within a short time from incorporation, which was a feature of the town for a score of years. The public square, with the new courthouse and jail, was improved, and, somewhere in the decade, the surrounding streets were guttered and graveled, although we only know this from the occasional action of the village council toward their re- pair. Once in a while the railroad companies were notified by the
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council that lights must be maintained at the stations and cross- ings, but there is no proof that the railroads complied,-else, why the repeated demands? However, Sidney had no lights of any kind, and he who walked abroad at night, unless it were moonlight, must needs have carried a lantern in those days.
The first gas ordinance was passed by the village council June 11th, 1857, and signed by William Serviss, mayor, and James A. Irwin, recorder. However, Sidney still remained in prehistoric darkness, for all that. The old market house, which had stood so long in the way of traffic in Poplar street between Main and Miami, was ordered cleaned and repaired in the summer of 1859. Samuel Cowan received $1.70 for the labor of a day and a half,-including the brooms used. P. Crisman received still less for the labor of haul- ing the water for the scrubbing. Immediately after, the council followed this extravagant outlay of public money by a decision to abolish the market house altogether, as an obstruction to the street, which led to the school building; and it was accordingly sold for $150, to Samuel Frazier, who removed it.
In 1858 it is recorded that the village council ordered the town marshal to "have gravel hauled in and around the public square" to fill up the mud holes and "prevent hogs getting in the same." D. B. Rinehart was mayor at this time.
In 1859 the village council received "a petition signed by neumoris citizens," for the restraint of Sabbath breaking, and the town marshal was ordered to enforce the state laws regarding the desecration of the Sabbath, especially against the saloons and groceries selling ardent spirits. The council at this time was com- posed of William McCullough, C. D. Meyer, J. C. Frankeburger, J. C. Cummins, S. H. Mathers and D. B. Rinehart, mayor.
In 1862, fireworks of any description, for any purpose or upon any occasion whatever, were prohibited by village ordinance. (This was probably a Civil war measure.)
In 1867, further burials within the city limits were prohibited. This applied only to the burying ground east of the Presbyterian church; the Starrett ground at the foot of Main avenue being out- side the village limits was not forbidden until thirty years later.
After 1869, street lighting was agitated in the newspapers, and in December, 1872, the village council passed a second "gas ordi- nance," which went into effect soon after, a private corporation being granted a franchise. The lights only surrounded the public square and one block in every direction therefrom-as far as the gas mains extended. The same agitation in the public prints had resulted in the passage, in November, 1872, of the first water-works ordinance, which was printed in the Sidney Journal, and the bonds issued at once. M. C. Hale was then mayor, and John Knox, clerk.
Concerning these two improvements: When the gas plant was established it stood where the Electric Light company's plant now is, between the canal and the Big Four railroad. The mains for artificial gas were never extended beyond the original limit. The first water works was installed on the Holley System. It was engineered by John Hill, who had a weir constructed conveying the water from supposedly inexhaustible sources. For a while it
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answered the requirements, but the ditching and draining of the lands produced scarcity of water, and reinforcement by hand fire engines could not draw water from dry springs. Force and volume were both wanting. The city water works was then built, drawing water from the river and using mechanical filters. This also proved unsatisfactory, and the water is now drawn from several wells, situated between the river and the canal, east of Tilbury run, and the original engines at the pumping station are supplemented by an auxiliary electric engine for use in emergency. The first water works stood on the east side of the Miami. The stand pipe on the hill north of the city was built to supply the pressure needed for fire fighting and general sanitation, sanitary plumbing of dwellings and buildings being impossible previous to the completion of water and sewer systems in 1901 to 1903. Typhoid epidemics were fre- quent in parts of the town previous to this date.
The paving ordinance of 1873 related only to graveling the streets, no real paving being done for many years after that date. A paving ordinance passed in 1877 affected only sidewalks and gut- ters. Sidewalks of stone were ordered on Ohio, Poplar and Court streets. John G. Stephenson was then mayor.
Monumental Hall being just completed, a license was issued in May, 1878, authorizing its use as a place of public amusement. It became thereafter for some years, the nearest approach to a theatre Sidney has ever had, although Masonic hall in the O. J. Taylor building had served. Its situation, in the third floor of a building not fire-proof, removed it from eligibility after a term of years, and it has become, by lease, the home of the I. O. O. F.
In 1880 Main avenue was extended further south, and night police authorized by the council. Various Sunday keeping or- dinances were passed from time to time. Sidney was divided into wards 1, 2, 3 and 4, in November, 1882. A tax levy for municipal purposes was passed June, 1883, the rate being ten mills on each dollar of assessed valuation. A public librarian was appointed by ordinance, 1886.
The erection of slaughter houses (new) within the city limits, or repair of those already standing was prohibited by ordinance of August, 1885. A natural gas ordinance for the Mercer Gas & Fuel company was passed December, 1887. (A move was made by the council to buy the company out. This was met with opposition in the press, and afterward realized to have been well-avoided. The Thomas syndicate owned the gas fields which supplied Sidney at first. The natural gas of the present [1919] comes from the Coshoc- ton fields.) The next change in lighting was about 1890, when the natural gas company secured possession of the local gas company, by purchase, and changed to electric lighting. Lighting in Sidney has never been by municipal ownership nor direction. It is now controlled by the New York company, and they buy the current from the Western Ohio Electric railroad.
The Sidney Light & Coke company was authorized by ordi- nance of July 9, 1888, to "erect, maintain, use and operate" electric light poles, with "the right of way of all ways" for the purpose, with certain restraining clauses not necessary to enumerate.
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THE STORY OF SHELBY COUNTY
Water street (the original basin of Starrett's run) was improved in 1889. The fire department, established in 1865 was improved several times, the more expensive improvements coming after the erection of the Monumental building. Special improvement was made in 1890. Wooden building within restricted limits forbidden after May, 1890.
Trouble occurred in connection with the natural gas supply in 1891, the price being regulated by ordinance in April, 1891, but suspended at the next meeting of the council, while the gas com- pany was compelled to fulfill its contracts, at the same time. New natural gas regulations were made in June, 1898.
A village market was authorized and regulated May, 1892, but the ordinance was soon after repealed and changed. A new market ordinance was passed August, 1895, and a market master appointed.
The Central Union Telephone company was authorized to erect poles for its service by ordinance passed August, 1892. The Ohio Telephone and Telegraph company was permitted to erect poles by ordinance of May, 1893. The artificial gas price 'was also regulated at this time, for five ensuing years. The Postal Telegraph company permit is dated 1894. In 1895, the price of natural gas was regulated, this time for the Miami Valley Gas and Fuel company. The fire department was again improved in this year, and water works trus- tees were authorized to draw salaries.
A contract was made by the council with the Sidney Electric Light company, July, 1896, to light public places, streets, lanes and alleys for a period of five years. There was much grading of streets and alleys in 1896 and following seasons, also new streets opened or extended through the additions lately annexed to the town. Further improvements were made in the fire department in 1897.
Sidney became a city, 1897, by virtue of a new Ohio law declar- ing all towns above a certain population to be "cities by right of numbers," the next order below to be called "villages," the next "hamlets," and the lowest, "postoffices." C. W. Nessler was the first "city" mayor.
"Certain rights" were granted to the Inland Telegraph com- pany in May, 1898. New natural gas regulations were enacted in June, 1898. In February, 1899, it was granted to the Sidney Tele- phone company, its successors and assignees, to re-erect * poles, wires, et cetera, fire alarms included. (The same was signed over to the Sidney Electric Light company, April, 1909.)
In May, 1901, by special election, Sidney decided to issue bonds for $50,000 for construction of a main sewer, two-thirds of the voters being in favor of the issue. Sewerway rights were "appropriated by the council for the city, in July, 1901, and necessary condemnation of certain private properties" authorized, said properties being paid for out of the sewer fund. Milton Bennett contracted with the city to build the sewer.
An ordinance "to improve certain streets by paving them" was passed June, 1903, said streets to be Main, Ohio, Court and Poplar. Systematic paving still going forward (1919) along same lines, as fast as streets can be regulated with regard to traffic. The water- works buildings were reconstructed in 1903. In this year, also, was
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re-created the board of health, first established in the village in 1882, when Dr. D. R. Silver, George C. Anderson, William C. Wyman, Harvey Guthrie, Dr. R. R. Hopkins, and W. P. Stowell formed the personnel.
A single track electric street railway was authorized in 1902, as subsequently built by the Western Ohio Electric railroad company, with franchise to operate for twenty-five years. Ordinances author- izing street railway routes through the city for the Bellefontaine & Sidney Electric railway were passed in February and April, 1903, but have not been acted upon.
The bonded indebtedness of the city of Sidney, published March, 1919, for the year ending December 31, 1918, was $482,250, a decrease of $30,400 from the previous year. The city government is effi- ciently administered, and thoroughly organized, the present official family being Harry K. Forsyth, mayor; Henry C. Shafer, auditor ; Urban H. Doorley, solicitor; Grover C. Timeus, treasurer ; council members : Clyde C. Carey, president ; G. R. Loudenback, Hugh Toy, Henry Berger, James Hewitt, Ed Kaser, H. A. Morris, Harley Baker. Safety department: Dr. F. D. Clark, director; William O'Leary, chief of police; George Hume, chief of fire department. Service department: B. F. Martin, director; W. L. Heiser, water works secretary ; G. A. Hatfield, water works superintendent ; J. L. Dickensheets, superintendent of cemetery ; B. F. Martin, street com- missioner ; Eugene Blake, city engineer. Civil service commission : R. H. Trego, president; E. W. Stowell, secretary; O. Stockstill. Board of health: Harry K. Forsyth, president ex officio; W. A. Graham, vice-president; Frank Schlagetter, health officer and clerk; Henry C. Shafer, deputy registrar ; E. J. Griffis, B. T. Buller, E. T. Custenborder and Dr. A. B. Gudenkauf. (The foregoing is a list of men impeccable, thorough and executive, and the only suggestion possible to make for the future is that a greater number of physicians be included in the board.)
The park commissioners are S. L. Wicoff and Roy Redinbo. The sinking fund trustees are C. F. Hickok, president ; J. E. Russell, W. O. Amann, W. J. Emmons and Ed F. Mede (secretary), W. T. Amos and L. M. Studevant.
The fire department is thoroughly up to the times, with the most modern and efficient equipment for fire fighting.
The first addition to the original plat of Sidney was that lying north of North Lane, which was dense woods at the time of the founding of the village, but gave way to the approach of the canal. The part is still designated Dixon's Addition. North of it runs the Big Four railroad track, and the old feeder canal passes beyond it at an angle. At the left of the Main avenue canal bridge stands the little Fire House No. 1, vacant and smile-provoking in its smallness, where Sidney's first organized fire department had its headquarters, and where a little hand engine was kept, the main dependence of the town being a hook and ladder company and a bucket brigade which passed the buckets hand to hand along a line from the canal to any fire that started. It is to be remarked that Sidney was never wiped from the map by any fire, however. John Edgar, who organized the first volunteer fire department, also organized the first paid fire
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department, when, after the completion of the Monumental building, Sidney first took on the character of a coming city. That old fire house also serves the purpose of marking the spot where the first railroad engine, a small pony affair, was taken from the canal boat that had brought it from Cincinnati, and pushed across to the track of the Bellefontaine & Indiana railroad. Dixon's Addition has long been one of the crowded factory districts of Sidney, lying convenient to traffic, yet removed by railroad and canal from the residential portions. Subsequent additions to the town number more than thirty-five, and are unnecessary to define. The town is twenty times as large as it was platted, at the least. Most of it is beautiful, and advantage has been taken of nearly all of its possibilities in the way of building. There are notable exceptions to this, but they are few. The lot at the southwest point opposite the public square is as guilt- less of permanent building as it was one hundred years ago. Cov- eted many times for different purposes, it has been withheld from the real estate market, and at present is leased, a frame shack (hous- ing the Spot restaurant) occupying the finest business situation in Sidney. It is now the property of Mrs. Vesta Nutt.
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