USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > Memoirs of the Miami valley > Part 72
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Tuesday night while the flood was raging, an improvised or- ganization was formed at the Troy club for the relief of the dis- tressed. The meeting was called to order by Walter E. Bowyer; Mayor McClain announced a general meeting of citizens to take place later and the preliminary meeting was adjourned. Thursday evening, Mayor McClain published the call for a general relief meeting which was held at the Mayor's office at 2 p. m. Friday, at ' which $5,000 was immediately subscribed, for temporary relief,
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with the assurance of more when needed. "Troy will take care of her own," was the slogan adopted. Walter Bowyer and Horace Allen were selected to organize a committee and they recommended Judge E. W. Maier for general chairman ; John H. Drury, secretary and treasurer ; executive committee, J. S. Combs, Horace Allen, Dr. B. W. Jones; these recommendations were unanimously approved.
The immediate needs of the community were discussed and suggestions were asked for. On motion of Mr. E. E. Edgar an im- mediate canvass for subscription was taken. Five thousand dollars were pledged, as a temporary fund, preliminary to the general can- vass for subscription. The estimated amount necessary for general relief was placed at $100,000 for the relief of Troy and vicinity. After a week's survey following the subsiding of the flood, the estimated amount of damages in Troy were as follows: Residence property, household and personal effects, $170,000; loss in merchandise stored in basement of stores, $40,000 to $45,000. Loss to factories in Troy, $150,000. The following were the known dead Thursday, April 3rd. Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Smock and child, West Market street; Henry Van Tuyl, West Market street; John Glass, Peters avenue ; George Glass, Peters avenue ; Mrs. Henriette Pearson, West Market street, Harry Hall, Fairgrounds ; Mrs. Lydia Bolden, Nin- eveh; Mrs. Rachael Stewart, Nineveh; Robert Kinney; Edward (Ruben) Jones, Nineveh; George Bosewell, Fairgrounds; Mrs. Oliver Bolden Whitle, Nineveh; Josephine Stewart, Nineveh.
Among the merchants and manufacturers who sustained heavy losses were H. A. Cosley, Shaible & Smith, Gibson & Croner, H. M. Rinehardt, George Clawson, J. M. Grunder & Co., and Miller Bros. Outside the business district the grocery store of H. W. Doppler at Market and Race street, sustained a heavy damage; Young's grocery, May and Garfield streets, and Long's Grocery, West Main street, also suffered heavily. The factories which suffered severely were The Hobart Electric Manufacturing company, Allen & Wheel- er, Troy Wagon works, The Mckinnon Dash company, Troy Foun- dry, Troy Carriage Sunshade company, Francis & Clemon company, W. W. Crowfoot company, and the establishment of L. A. Thomas, florist.
The second week after the flood found the situation very well defined. The needs of the community became apparent and by this time more than $10,000 had been subscribed. Greater subscriptions being withheld until the exact necessities were determined. The lodges volunteered to assist all members and many other private organizations were assisting in the relief independent of the general funds. The Troy physicians announced free medical service until May 1, 1913.
Newspapers. The first number of the Miami Reporter, one of the first newspapers to be published in Troy, was issued May 18, 1827, the editor being Micajah Fairfield. The early issues of this paper show the editor as a strict Abolitionist. He also takes a de- cided stand in favor of the election of John Quincy Adams as op- posed to Andrew Jackson. There were one or two attempts to establish a newspaper prior to The Miami Reporter. About 1817 a small sheet was issued under the title of the Miami Weekly Post,
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edited by a Richard Armstrong. This plant was later purchased by Micajah Fairfield, when he established the Reporter.
The Troy Times was started in 1829, John Tullis being the first editor and owner, and he was succeeded by Richard Langdon. The times continued to serve the public until 1870. In 1865 John W. DeFrees started the Miami Union; in 1883 I. L. DeFrees took charge of this sheet and in 1886 it passed to the ownership of a stock company; the controlling factors today being Pauley and McClung.
The Troy Sentinel, the first newspaper in this town to carry the Democratic standard, was first published in 1871 by J. A. Mc- Conahey and discontinued in 1880. The Imperial and the Bulletin rose and fell in quick succession. The Troy Democrat was estab- lished in 1880 by J. P. Barron and was later sold to M. K. Gantz and J. A. Kerr, subsequently passing into the hands of Charles H. Dale who is the present owner.
In 1891 The Buckeye was founded by Captain Elihu S. Wil- liams. He later sold this paper, but in 1912 again took charge and continued its operation until his death; his daughter Ollie continu- ing its publication for some time after the death of her father. It eventually passed into the hands of H. A. Pauley and was consoli- dated with the Miami Union.
The Troy Chronicle and Daily Trojan were published by Dr. C. H. Goodrich. This publication was discontinued about 1885. The Troy Record was first published in 1897 by the Croy brothers and later by W. S. Croy and this was succeeded in 1917 by the Troy Daily Times which was discontinued in June, 1918. The Troy Daily News was founded by Charles Dale in 1909, and later sold to D. J. Moore and in May, 1919, Pauley and McClung took charge of it and continued its publication.
The Altrurian Club of Troy. This club, the leading woman's organization of Troy, was organized March 13, 1894. Prior to 1899 its officers were chosen each month; Mrs. L. M. Lindenberger be- ing the first president elected to serve a full year, the presidents subsequently elected to 1919 were: Mrs. A. F. Broomhall, Mrs. George S. Long, Miss Olive G. Williams, Mrs. W. W. Hegler, Mrs. F. E. Scobey, Mrs. Theodore Sullivan, Mrs. Hannah M. Gahagan, Mrs J. W. Stillwell, Mrs. C. C. Hobart, Mrs. M. K. Gantz, Mrs. Harry Gabriel, Mrs. C. W. Cookson, Mrs. Walter Brewer, Mrs. Clarence Snook, Mrs. B. W. Jones, Mrs. R. C. Wolcott, Miss Edith Scott, Mrs. C. A. Geiger, Mrs. Edwin Cosley, and Mrs. Edward Wilson. The Altrurian club meets each Wednesday, with a distinc- tive program. Its motto is "In essentials-harmony ; liberty ; In all things charity." A comprehensive program is given each week and the discussions cover a wide range of topics, with special attention to home economics and civics. Delightful musicales are a frequent feature of the weekly meetings and child-welfare discussions are one of the special features. The latter subject extends beyond the range of mere discussion-the child welfare work of this organiza- tion having accomplished tremendous benefits in this field. The work is largely divided into committees-the civic committee hav- ing inaugurated "clean up" week in Troy, and initiated many move-
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ments tending to civic betterment. In social, civic and philanthropic work, the Altrurian club easily ranks among the foremost clubs of the county. The Altrurian club was federated October 25, 1894, and incorporated April 26, 1895. The present officers are: President, Mrs. Harry Shilling; vice-president, Mrs. Sterrett Faulkner, Mrs. E. W. Jewell; recording secretary, Mrs. Lewis Schuh; correspond- ing secretary, Mrs. Frank Mccullough; treasurer, Mrs. Arthur Sheets ; auditor, Mrs. Hannah Gahagan.
The Fortnightly Club of Troy was organized in September, 1900, and its membership at its organization were members from the Sorosis Club. The Fortnightly Club was prominent in Belgium relief work, and is now defraying the expenses of educating a French orphan. The present officers of this club are: President, Mrs. Pearl Stephens; vice-president, Mrs. Edward Bowers; secretary Ralph Gibson; treasurer, Mrs. F. W. Steil.
The Sorosis Club was organized November 24, 1893. The motto adopted at this time was "Keep in step, the world is moving." The Sorosis club, being one of the older clubs of Troy, has always been of distinctive usefulness to its members and to the community at large. The present officers are: President, Mrs. C. M. Smith ; vice-president, Mrs. Ivv Yount; secretary, Mrs. Harry Shilling; treasurer, Mrs. W. H. Baker.
The Varsity Club. Among the younger element of Troy, the Varsity club holds pre-eminence as the dominating social institu- tion. It is composed entirely of the younger spirits of the com- munity and its functions have always been of a wholesome and entertaining variety. It was organized in 1912; improvements have been made from time to time-the club now having modern and commodious headquarters. The officers of the club are: President, Warren Chambers; vice-president, D. E. Dalzell; secretary, Paul Shavers ; treasurer, Christian Pister.
Troy Rotary Club. As in other places the Rotary club fills a position in the life of Troy which could not possibly be filled by any other club or organization. The get together spirit of the Rotary club is the spirit that has made the Rotary clubs famous through- out the country. The Troy Rotary club holds a weekly luncheon which is animated by lively discussions on current topics, embrac- ing community and civic needs and many kindred subjects. Once a month, a meeting is held, at which the members are privileged to bring their wives or other guests. These monthly meetings are one of the main events of the life of the Rotary club, and are en- livened with impromptu musicales and informal discussions. Many special features are also introduced at these meetings; speakers of note and important personages have been invited and attended many of the meetings in the past. The Troy Rotary club was organized in 1918, the first executive officers being H. L. Johnston, president and Harold A. Pauley, secretary and treasurer. The present offi- cers are J. W. Safford, president: Harold A. Pauley, secretary ; Frank C. Roberts, vice-president. The board of directors at present are Fred C. Holt; Glen C. Strock and Sterret Faulkner. The work of the organization is divided into committees, which are account- able for the entire activities of the club.
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The Troy Club was the outgrowth of the old Troy Bicycle club. It at first rented quarters in several places, finally establishing a clubhouse on the south side of Franklin street, between Market and Cherry streets, in the Hatfield-Scott building. Later, the Outing Club of Troy, consolidating with it, gave to it an increase in mem- bership. The Outing club was a very popular club for a number of years. It occupied an island in the Miami river, above Troy, for which it paid a yearly rental to the state. This island was the head- quarters for the club and was the scene of all their many outings and formal gatherings. Among the moving spirits of the Outing club were George Scott, Chas. W. Tobey and Henry Allen. The Troy club eventually rented the Dunlap building on South Frank- lin street, between Market and Walnut. This later passed into the hands of Geo. Scott and subsequently became the property of Wil- liam Hayner. On the death of Mr. Hayner, it was found that provi- sion had been made by him whereby the building became the prop- erty of the Troy club. The Troy club is distinctively a social club, embracing many of the business men of Troy. Its present officers are: Dr. J. S. Shinn, president ; Sterrett Faulkner, vice-president ; William Hartley, secretary. The directors are George Torlina, Harold Pauley and Fred Holt.
Troy Railroad Service. Since the advent of the first railroad through Troy in 1850 there has been a steady increase in trans- portation facilities in and out of the town. It is especially for- tunate in having two of the foremost steam roads and its interurban facilities are highly satisfactory. The Baltimore & Ohio give a service to Troy of six daily passenger trains, three each way, and the Big Four run two daily passenger trains on this route, one each way. The freight service of both roads has always been eminently satisfactory, and prior to the amalgamation of freight service, un- der Federal control, gave individual service of the very highest order. D. & T. (Dayton and Troy) traction line operates fifteen passenger trains each way daily, through Troy, and the Springfield, Troy & Piqua traction line run ten trains daily, each way, both roads maintaining passenger stations. The traction lines, as may be seen, give Troy a splendid communication with other points. The freight service on these lines, in light freight and parcels, supply hourly outlets for this class of shipment.
Troy Banks. In 1871, W. H. H. Dye & Son established the Miami County bank in Troy and eight years later sold it to another company, at the head of which was H. H. Weakley, and later was acquired by the Heywood-Royce company. Although in the begin- ning its capital was only $50,000, it exactly doubled that amount by 1888, when it became the Troy National bank with the following officers : President, N. H. Albaugh ; vice-president, John M. Camp- bell; cashier, Noah Yount; assistant cashier, C. E. Wilson.
The capital at present is $125,000, with a surplus and undivided profit of $200,000. The present officers are : President, W. E. Bow- yer ; vice-president, W. H. Francis ; cashier, John K. DeFrees; as- sistant cashier, P. G. Yantis.
First National Bank of Troy. Although the old state banks were an improvement over their predecessors, they were still unable
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to meet the needs of the times, and in 1863 the First National Bank of Troy was established, as a successor to the Miami county branch of the state bank which was founded in 1847. Its first officers were President, Asa Coleman; cashier, John C. Culbertson; teller and bookkeeper, D. W. Smith; directors, Jacob Knoop, Daniel Brown, George Smith, Asa Coleman, Lewis Hayner and H. W. Allen. Mr. Allen was made president in 1865 and D. W. Smith became cashier the same year. The First National was the fifty-ninth national bank established in the United States. A handsome new stone fireproof building, with modern equipment, was occupied in 1908. The pres- ent capitalization is $200,000. The savings department is a distinct feature of this bank and is especially appealing to a person who can only make a small deposit each week. The present officers of the bank are: President, F. O. Flowers; vice-president, C. O. Briggs; cashier, E. Z. Elleman ; assistant cashiers: N. E. Metcalf and A. D. Dill.
The People's Building & Saving Association of Troy, and one of the most substantial institutions of its kind in Miami county, extending a service for many years and having enjoyed a steady and substantial growth, was organized in 1890. The need for an insti- tution of this kind had been apparent for some time and the first officers elected were men of wide experience in business affairs and well adapted to lay the cornerstone of this institution. Its officers were: Dr. L. M. Lindenburger, president; James Knight, secre- tary ; Noah Yount, treasurer. Mr. Lindenburger resigned and Mr. A. E. Childs was elected president, continuing in office until his death in 1909. After the death of Mr. Childs, J. W. Stephey, the present incumbent, was selected as president, and has continued in this office up to the present time. Mr. L. O. Shilling was elected in 1893, as secretary, being the present incumbent. The present vice-president is Mr. George W. Conrad; assistant secretary, Mary P. Rosser, and J. C. Fullerton, jr., attorney. The directors of this company are J. W. Stephey, George W. Conrad, John K. DeFrees, Elmer E. Pearson, Joseph V. McCool, F. W. Steil, R. H. Gibson and C. L. Yost. On June 30, 1919, the total assets of this company showed $1,126,993.17. Since that time loans to the amount of $145,- 000 have been made. The earnings for six months prior to June, 1919, showed $32,527.35. The earnings for the previous year hav- ing totaled $63,289.04 which shows a pro rata increase for the six months ending June, 1919, in earnings. Since July 1, 1919, the assets have increased to $1,159,000.
Troy Churches. From the primitive places of worship, often the rude log cabins of early days, the barns, and when the weather permitted, the open air, to the splendid places of worship of today, is shown the general progress of this community during the last one hundred years. Today Troy is worshiping with almost all denom- inations known; the number of churches in Troy indicating a pro- nounced spiritual atmosphere. The Methodists were the first to build a church here, their first place of worship being a log church located near the corner of Main and Clay streets. The second church was built in 1825 on Mulberry street between Franklin and Canal street. This was transformed into a parsonage when the
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third church was built adjoining it in 1839. Ground was broken for the present beautiful church building in 1899 and was dedicated on May 2, 1901. It is a magnificent stone structure, surmounted by a gilded dome.
St. Patrick's Catholic Church. About 1857 Catholics in Troy were few in numbers but very zealous in the practice of their re- ligion. They first assembled for divine worship in the home of John Danaher. In the fall of the same year the Hon. J. E. Pearson tendered the use of his courtroom for worship. This generous offer was accepted and the Catholics held services here until the follow- ing year. In 1858 the first Catholic church was completed and was dedicated to the honor of St. Patrick. Priests from Piqua and Dayton attended to the wants of this parish until 1877 when Rev. F. H. Menke was made its first resident pastor. In 1883 a sub- stantial addition was made to the church and in 1886 a new parochial school was built. In 1915 a new church was decided on, and on May 28th of the following year, the cornerstone of the present building, a magnificent structure of stone of the pure Gothic design was laid and the building was finished and dedicated November 30, 1916, by Archbishop Henry Moeller.
The First Presbyterian Church of Troy was organized Sep- tember 13, 1813, in the home of Alexander Telford; the families who were adherents of this church at this time were the Orbisons, Telfords, McClungs, Youarts, Shacklefords and Scotts. A church was later erected on Crawford street near Franklin. A schism took place in this church about 1840 and for some time there were two divisions of the church existing in Troy, one known as the Old School Church and the other known as the New School Church. These two factions were again united in 1870. The New School had built a new frame church on the present site and in 1859 the present brick structure was erected. In 1917 extensive repairs were made giving the Presbyterians of this community a very beautiful place of worship.
The First Baptist Church. The Baptists early worshiped in the homes of its adherents; among the earliest visiting ministers were those of this denomination. About 1830 a regular place of worship was established; being part of the home of Mr. Joseph R. John, on the site of the present place of worship. In 1843 the church was incorporated and purchased this property. In 1855 the present church was erected and in 1865 improvements and additions were made, giving the Baptists a splendid place of worship.
The First Christian Church. This denomination for a number of years held services in the old town hall, and in 1862 the corner- stone of the First Christian church was laid. Reverend A. L. Mc- Kinney preached the dedicatory sermon. He was known as the "Fighting Chaplain" of the 71st Ohio Volunteer Infantry. The cornerstone of the new place of worship was laid on May 4, 1905. Other churches of Troy were St. Johns Evangelical church, which was founded in 1848 and the new edifice was built in 1882. The Trinity Episcopalian church of Troy is one of the historic places of worship in Troy, and is one of the oldest parishes in the Diocese of Southern Ohio. The Christian Science church maintains reading
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rooms; there are also a number of churches for the worship of the colored people.
Troy Schools. From the first school of Troy, which was es- tablished in 1813, to the present splendid school advantages now enjoyed, is a long stride in popular education. As is set forth else- where, the first school of Troy was established at what is now the corner of Market and Water streets, and the first teacher of this primitive school was Samuel Kyle, the number of pupils being fif- teen. Somewhat later the Academy was built and here Micajah Fairfield taught, he later taking up the publication of the Miami Reporter.
The first school board in Troy was composed of the following men : Charles Morris, Rev. Daniel Rice, George D. Burgess, Wil- liam B. Johnston, Benjamin Powers, Zachariah Riley, and Henry S. Mayo. This board elected as superintendent, William N. Ed wards, one of the most efficient and well beloved men that has ever lived in Troy. The Edwards school has been named for him and his memory is revered by a few of the older residents of Troy who remembered him. The school system of Troy began to grow from this time on and as the population increased the number of buildings and teachers grew also. The first class to graduate from the Troy high school was composed of Walter S. Thomas, John W. Morris, Diana Meeks, and Augusta Brandriff. Succeeding super- intendents were H. A. Thompson, H. P. Ufford, John W. Dowd, L. V. Ferris, J. F. McCasky, C. L. Van Cleave and Ralph Brown. Mr. Dowd was one of the most popular superintendents, serving from 1880 to 1906. In a paper which he wrote, in which he collected a number of interesting facts concerning the history of Troy schools, he gives, among other things the list of early teachers: Samuel Kyle, 1813; Micajah Fairfield, 1826; John Petit, 1831; Benjamin Powers, 1832; Mr. Walkup, 1833-34-35; Uriah Fordyce, 1837 ; Hiram Brooks, 1837; Miss Barney, 1838; George D. Burgess, 1839-41; Robert McCurdy, 1842; E. P. Coles, 1843; Minor Fairfield, 1845; Rev. Edmund Fairfield, 1845-46.
The public school systems of Troy and Piqua are at the present time as thoroughly modern and efficient as up-to-date equipment, and well-trained, conscientious teachers and supervisors can make them. In Troy the curriculum is divided into three groups; the first six years comprise the elementary department, the seventh and eighth grades are called junior high school and the work is depart- mental, preparatory to the work in the high school proper. The high school course is four years and manual training, domestic science ånd a commercial course extend the work beyond the purely aca- demic. The present high school course is much more comprehensive than that of the most progressive college of a hundred years ago.
Manual training was included in the course in the Troy high school in 1906, domestic science in 1912, and the commercial course in 1905. The enrollment for 1919 was 1,540, 315 of whom were in the high school and 210 in the junior high school. Every child in the Troy schools was a member of the American Red Cross and worked loyally to raise money and make clothing for the soldiers and refugees of Belgium and France during the great war. School
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SCENES AT PIQUA, O .- COURTESY VIOLET RAY STUDIO
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and home gardens were successfully maintained adding a practical, useful project to the course.
The personnel of the present Board of Education is: President, Walter Duer ; clerk, J. C. Fullerton, jr .; R. W. Crowfoot, Dr. Geo. Mccullough, Dr. J. W. Means, and P. G. Yentis.
A splendid athletic field that has been in use for the last few years has been taken by the Miami conservancy.
Mr. Charles W. Cookson, who for twelve years was superin- tendent of schools, recently resigned to accept the superintendency of the Franklin county school with headquarters at Columbus. Mr. Cookson is a graduate of Wooster university and of Ohio university at Athens.
Mr. T. E. Hook, the present superintendent, is a graduate of the University of Michigan, with the degrees A.B. and A.M .; taking the former degree, in the class of 1914, and the latter in 1918. After graduation, he subsequently went to South Haven, Mich., as prin- cipal of the high school at that place, and later became superin- tendent of schools, which position he resigned to become superin- tendent of the Troy high schools.
St. Patrick's Parochial School has a splendid curriculum, taught by sisters of the Most Precious Blood. This school has an at- tendance of about 100 pupils.
Piqua
From the Shawnee Indians come the name of Piqua, in their lore signifying "ashes" and the story of the rising of the wraith of a white man whom they had tortured and burned to death and the awed exclamation of the chief "Otatha-ha-wagh-piqua." "He has risen from the ashes" is a familiar local tradition.
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