USA > Ohio > Ohio early state and local history > Part 12
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and one end be standing skyward, hence slow running was obligatory.
The first locomotive was called "Sandusky," and was used in the construction of the road. In the autumn of 1838, the line was completed to Bellevue, fifteen miles, the train con- sisting of the engine, a small coach, and a smaller freight car, the last mentioned serving its purpose for some years. It is said that this locomotive was the first in America to possess a steam whistle. In 1839, work was completed from Bellevue to Republic, and many were the people who went to view the strange spectacle. Mr. S. B. Sneath in speaking of it said he and Andrew Cronise thought they would go; the walk proved long and tiresome, so they removed their shoes to rest their feet; but the engine did not appear. Coming home, Andrew be- came so tired and thirsty that he cried, which quite disturbed Mr. Sneath's boyish pride, and he told him he would get down and drink from a puddle in the road before he would cry about it.
The engine and cars of those days were both small, the latter being about the size of our present Highland street cars. There being no switches, turn-tables were necessarily frequent, the cars being pushed around by hand.
The first day cars were run from Tiffin to Carey was July 4, 1846. At that time, passengers were carried free of charge on opening days, and the residents were pleased to avail them- selves of the opportunity to try the new contrivance. For a considerable length of time, whenever a train was expected to "come in," persons would flock to see the strange sight, as when the telegraph was first in operation, many, understand- ing nothing of its workings, would gaze at the wires expecting to see the message flashed along on paper or in some tangible manner. Mr. Marquis Y. Groff was the first conductor on this new road.
Later, another route for this road was opened through Clyde, and the old one abandoned.
I have wondered how many passengers were needed to make this road a financial success. When the Eastern was opened to Salem, in 1838, it was stated that in order to make the road pay, they must have forty passengers each way daily.
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One of the pleasures of the new road was for the boys to push the flat cars as far south as Market street, then all get on, and allow the car to roll slowly down the grade to the depot. Sorry to say, accidents would sometimes happen; John T. Huss was one who lost a leg in this way.
The cars of this road passed over the new railroad bridge in October, 1841, carrying grain from the warehouse of W. N. Montgomery in Fort Ball, and of Reid, Greene & Co., and R. W. Shawhan.
Nicholas Nick was the faithful man who for years fed water to the engine from a well which stood in the vicinity of the present Big Four freight house. George Kuhn was the stand- by who had charge of the grain.
During the building of this road, Mr. John W. Eastman was the constable, and was one day sent for to arrest a gang of laborers who had gotten into a drunken riot. Mrs. Ink distinctly remembers how she cried when she saw her father start away with his revolver in his pocket, and how terrified when he returned with twenty of the men, whom he kept at the home around a great log fire all the night, guarding them.
Before the building of a court house, animal shows set their tents on the public square, and there the children saw their first white bear. Later, the tents were pitched on the commons near the river west of Jefferson street, and also on East Madison street. P. T. Barnum showed here once before the days of a court house, stayed over Sunday, and preached a Universalist sermon. As the town built up, the shows had to change their tenting place from Madison street to Rocky Run at the foot of Jefferson, and later where are now the Big Four, and B. & O. depots, and west.
In September 1850, while Sands & Co., circus company, were showing here, a fire occurred which destroyed property to the value of $2600.00. The performance was abandoned as actors and audience ran to the aid of the firemen under Chief Engineer W. H. Gibson, and R. R. Scott, Secretary of Engine Company No. 1. Messrs Sands & Company lost many horses and wagons, which were at the barns of John Staub's hotel. After the fire was checked, the performance was continued until the next Sunday morning.
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On June 18, 1847, a hurricane swept over Tiffin doing much damage.
Some time during the 50's a plank road was built from Mel- more to Tiffin, and one from Mccutchenville to Fremont. Toll gates were placed at intervals; country produce was brought to our spacious warehouses, but when the roads began to wear out it did not pay to repair them; Republic became a competitive market, and the plank roads were abandoned.
When the Court House was rebuilt after the fire of 1841, it was still the only hall in town for various meetings and fairs. The Universalists used it frequently for service, but they could get no permanent footing in Tiffin. John B. Gough spoke there several times on temperance and drew large crowds.
It was said that a man called "Old Kentuck," out on bail, possibly set fire to the first Court House in the hopes of destroy- ing some papers which might incriminate him. He was thought to have committed a murder.
The night of the burning of the second Court House, Mr. C. C. Park was awakened by his sister, who gave the alarm, but at that time the fire had gained considerable headway. When the building was all on fire, one of our pioneer citizens, Mr. Henry Cronise, and who always wore a "Plug Hat," came run- ning to the fire with a bucket of water. He ran up to the window and threw the water on the fire, but unfortunately his high hat also went into the flames and was burned.
The first effort to build a bridge in Seneca county by the public authorities, was made in August 1827, when the propriety of building a bridge across Rock Creek was considered. It end- ed there, however, and no other step was taken to build this bridge until March 1834. Before there was a bridge across this creek, the German women of that neighborhood did their washings there in the summer.
The first bridge constructed in Seneca county was that over the Sandusky River on Washington street, in 1833-1834. It was of wood and built by Reuben Williams for Josiah Hedges. Later in 1834, a second bridge was built lower down, and also the one across Rock Creek, all of which were carried away during the high water of that year.
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The Hedges toll bridge was erected at the same place- Washington street-in 1835, with the building where lived the collector of tolls, on the west bank of the river. Mr. Hedges first employed a colored man to collect toll. Mr James W. Hill then rented the bridge from Mr. Hedges March 30, 1836. This, too, was swept away by a freshet, on New Year's night, 1846. The Presbyterian Sewing Society was holding a fair in the Court House that evening.
Mr. C. C. Park well remembers this bridge, which was continued a toll bridge until the Tiffin Free Bridge was con- structed at Market street. It was composed of perhaps eight spans, each span being about twenty feet long, there being seven or eight piers in the river. Every time there was high water, the drift wood and trees would float down and lodge against the piers and cause much work to clear it away. Mr. Park has seen the drift wood backed up half way to Monroe street. A number of times spans would be swept away, but would be replaced, until the whole structure was taken. In clearing away the jam which would pile up, it was some times set on fire when the water became low enough and the wood dry; other times men would go out and chop the wood until broken enough to float on down the river -a rather precarious situation.
The next bridge erected at this place and by the County Commissioners in 1847, was of simple plan, but a wonderful contrivance. The stringers were of such ponderous size and weight, that they broke the whole thing down very soon after it was finished.
I understand that a foot bridge was then constructed at this point.
Later, 1853, a wire suspension bridge was built, which stood for many years, and on which it was great fun for children to stop and enjoy the sway which teams crossing it would cause. Older people did not appear to enjoy it so much, however. This wire bridge was constructed with tall towers at each corner. Wires forming a large cable were thrown over the towers and anchored in the ground beyond with heavy weights of earth and stone upon them.
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Not all the residents were satisfied with a toll bridge, so the Tiffin Free Bridge at Market street was opened in February, 1837, at a cost of $2,200.00. It was built largely from con- tributions made by citizens, although the Township Trustees contributed some money. This put a stop to the collection of toll, for everybody used the Market street bridge. It was a covered wooden bridge, and so dark at night as to make people, especially women, fearful of crossing. This was remedied by lanterns, and after a time by the placing of brackets holding lamps
Peter Van Nest had established a carriage shop where stands the Loomis Foundry, and on January 26, 1854, a fire was discovered at two o'clock in the morning, which communi- cated to the roof of the bridge and it was destroyed. Another wooden bridge replaced this, which stood until the flood of 1883.
Speaking of the ditches and embankments built around the Fort, Mr. Park says that in digging for a well, the men struck this spring; but his recollection is that the water did not rise quite to the surface of the ground. He was told as a boy, that he had better not drink from that spring as it had once been filled with dead Indians. However, joking aside, this spring water was clear and refreshing, a great boon to the soldiers of the Fort, and later to those families living in the block houses.
Before homes were erected, and stores built, the block houses were so used. Mr. Milton McNeal first opened his store in its confines in 1823, and with his bride, boarded there with his sister, Mrs. McGaffey, until their little home, the first frame building in Fort Ball, was completed. Mr. and Mrs. McNeal were married March 24, 1824, and made the trip from Circleville to Fort Ball on horseback, traveling thirty miles a day. Making some stops on the way, they reached Fort Ball May 4th. Mrs. McNeal was a good horse-woman, and the groom's wedding present to his bride was a fine horse.
On the north-east corner of Washington and Perry streets was a large two story frame in which were the Land Offices while in Tiffin, 1828. Next to this on the north, was the girl- hood home of Mrs. William H. Gibson, still standing, and which
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was then called the prettiest place in town, with its vine covered walls, and locust trees in front. All kinds of fruit trees which could be procured, with much shrubbery and many flowers, added to its appearance.
Upon her return from school at Granville, Miss Creeger- Mrs. Gibson-was offered a school by the directors of the school district. Oliver Cowdrey, who formerly, before coming to Tiffin, was a Mormon and assisted Joseph Smith in deciphering the plates which he claimed to have found in the hills of New York, had left them and come here as a lawyer. He assisted Mr. R. G. Pennington in examining Miss Creeger, as to her qualifications. The salary was $14.00 a month, in 1843. The little brick building on Market street becoming too small for the increasing number of pupils, she was assigned to the frame part of the jail front where the sheriff had formerly lived, but which then was tenantless. The partition was removed, and several terms of school taught there. Miss A. C. Pittenger had taught the season previous. After the new school house of four rooms, which was built near the site of the little one story one, was completed, she was engaged as one of the first teachers in the new building. A Mr. Penewell, and a Mr. Evers, also taught there at the same time. Having taught some years, she retired, when Miss Elizabeth Cronise superseded and continued until the organization of the Union School system in 1850. She was then elected under the new system.
Before the advent of churches, services were held at the homes of the residents, and in the open on the corner of San- dusky and Miami streets. This square was given by Jesse Spencer for a court house, and the trees being felled, were used as seats.
Prior to the building of a Catholic church, services were held at the home of John Julian, who lived on a farm a mile east of town. Mr. Julian had agitated the question of raising funds for a church edifice, but owing to some unpleasant feeling, he let the project drop.
Mrs. Sally Ingham, a pioneer, told us that the first services of the M. E. Church were held in the Hedges building in Rose
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Alley-later Virgin Alley-now Court street, by the Rev. James Montgomery. Elijah H. Fields was the first regular preacher, who organized a class in 1824.
Mrs. Ingham was the fifth child of Rev. James Montgomery, first agent of the Seneca Indians. He took charge of that office November 1819, and lived in the Block-house at Old Fort Seneca for seven years.
Mr. Harry Cromwell, a very well known bachelor and Methodist, came to Tiffin in 1840, when the Methodist church stood on Market street, about midway between the river and Monroe street, on the south side of the street. Mr. Luther A. Hall later fitted it up as a theater, and it was used by traveling companies for several years-Mrs. Drake's and George Powell's Company playing there every night one winter-1850-1851, the Company boarding with Mr. Patterson, proprietor of the Shawhan Hotel.
The Presbyterian Church may be said to have had its origin in Melmore, for in November, 1828, letters of dismission were granted to a number of communicants to organize a church here. In 1823 the Rev. James Robinson visited Fort Ball and held services in the cabins and on the Public Square. In 1834 the State granted a charter to the First Presbyterian Church of Tiffin.
An interesting document in the possession of the writer, is a deed executed in 1846, by the Trustees of the First Presby- terian Society, to Maria McNeal, for "Slip" No. 36, in that church, the consideration being $53.00.
An amusing incident occurred at the Presbyterian Church, during the pastorate of Rev. James Campbell. When he was preaching and in the midst of his discourse, to illustrate some thought, he remarked very slowly, "Now, there is a house on fire," pausing a second. As he was apparently looking toward the front of the church where there were two windows, the congregation thought he saw a building on fire, and before he could proceed, a wiry little fellow, by the name of W. D. Scott, who had recently opened a store in that direction, started up exclaiming, "Where, Mr. Campbell, Where?" and made for the door. The whole congregation followed suit, craning their necks to see where the fire was which started the young man.
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Services were not resumed that day, though no one saw any fire but that which the usually sedate minister had put into his sermon and which served to fire his congregation. It was quite evident the young man was not following the discourse.
About 1836 the city limits had been extended. Calvin Bradley had built a fine hotel on South Washington street beyond the ravine, where the stages plying between Sandusky and Columbus had their headquarters. They would announce their arrival by tooting their horns with peculiar notes which all understood meant the coming of the stage. It was the event of the day and all would flock to the door to see the new ar- rivals. There some Egyptian mummies were exhibited by a traveling show, and perhaps about the first brought to this country. The figures were wrapped in linen which clung so closely to the forms that every line and feature seemed perfect; and so stiff as they were set up along the wall of the rooms, as to make it seem very wonderful to imagine that these forms had once breathed the breath of life, and were now carried about the country as merchandise. The very hair on their heads was a natural color where the linen was removed.
About 1845 a fire company was organized, and ever after- ward Hand Engine, No. 1, was run by the "boys," W. H. Gibson being the foreman. A supper for the benefit of the firemen was gotten up by the ladies and held in the court room of the then new second Court House. Tables were arranged lengthwise in two rows in the center, and literally groaned under the weight of the good things provided. An attractive pyramid of white mountain cake was made by Mrs. Gibson and Mrs. John Gross. It was finely iced, and the motto "We come to the rescue," in fancy colored sugar letters placed diagonally upon it and surmounted with a miniature fireman, with hat and horn, that Mrs. B. Pennington dressed for the occasion. It attracted much attention, and was sold and resold until it realized eight dollars. It was then kept until the next meeting of the boys to be cut and distributed, as their beloved foreman . was away from home at that time.
Camp-meetings were looked forward to as being the one event of the season. The M. E. Church held theirs two or three miles south of town. Later the M. P. Church took them
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up and held theirs north on the west side of the river opposite the farm of Jacob Souder on the road leading to Fremont. They were usually held four or five days. Families would go, and live in board shanties or tents put up for the occasion; bedding and cooking utensils were taken along, and cooking done back of the tents by fires built on the ground. Services were held every day and evening. High scaffolding covered with earth on which fires were built served to light the grounds. The meetings were considered socially and spiritually refresh- ing to the soul of the pioneer christian. They always held over Sunday and were then largely attended by the citizens. They, however, became a resort for the irreligious, and were discontinued.
In 1847 the Sons of Temperance organized a Lodge, and the wives a society of the Daughters of Temperance. A number of ladies from Findlay came and installed them. The Odd Fellows then had their ladies form an auxiliary to them, called the Daughters of Rebekah. This created somewhat of a feeling in society, and hard feelings were engendered. Mrs. Gibson, as President of the Daughters of Temperance, with Mrs. Shawhan, Mrs. Glenn, and Mrs. Dr. Owen, were deputized to go to Mansfield to install an organization. While there they were the guests of General James Hedges, and nicely enter- tained. Returning, at Sandusky they learned of a case of cholera, so ordered a large pitcher full of red pepper tea which they drank-possibly to keep off the cold stage at least.
Like all things transient, the Society died a natural death, as the women had then too many domestic duties.
In 1876, during the temperance excitement, after the Murphy movement, a lawn fete was held in the grove adjoining Springdale cottage, the home of General and Mrs. Gibson. Booths were erected, and curtained off where ice cream and cake were served. A dancing platform was placed, and tem- perance speeches were made. Campaign torches filled with oil were set around to light the grounds at night. Supper was also served in the early evening. Crowds of citizens attended and partook.
In 1841 County Fairs were held annually by the Agricul- tural Society. The first one was held in a field just east of the
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bridge over Rock Creek on Market street. A temporary stand was erected with a board covering above for shelter, and shelves and tables on which to place articles for exhibition. Samuel Waggoner was President, and principal exhibitor with some fine oil paintings. Later, the fairs were held on the river bank just east of Mueller's Brewery. After Waggoner, then Lugen- beel, and then Major Lewis Baltzell, a bachelor, was President. He was very solicitous for the ladies to make fancy work, and would urge them to make something for the coming fair, and many responded. After some years, the Society purchased ground east of town, between the Portland and Republic roads, and erected substantial buildings. Interest increased as art and fancy work became the rage, and the ladies of town vied with each other for the best display. Farmer's wives brought in their products of fruits, as their orchards began to develop through their care and patience. Cattle and horses were also entered. Floriculture, too, began to receive attention. A Ger- man gardner, by name of Zarges, coming, and opening a nursery of fruits and shrubbery of all kinds, gave greater opportunity to expand that taste. Premiums were offered in every branch, and for the best lady equestrian. This was at times hotly con- tested, and as ill feeling and jealousy arose, that was abandoned.
After the new grounds were opened, canned fruit, being a new way of preserving fruit as near as possible with its natural flavor, became a feature of the fair. These early fairs were looked upon and enjoyed by many as social gatherings where neighbors, especially our farmer friends, would meet, bringing their families for at least one day, and mingle with their town friends, who for want of conveyances, could not often get to the country. Farm stock and products were greatly improved, and as a greater draw for a certain day, some prominent man was invited to make a speech. At the 17th Annual Fair, 1870, Gen. Gibson made the address, in which he revived the past, from a social as well as statistical point, drawing vivid com- parisons. He said: "Be not satisfied with the past. New and more inviting branches are opening in all the departments of industry and art. Invoke the aid of knowledge and the results of industry, and experience, in all enterprises."
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As time progressed, horse racing became the principal feature for a draw, though obnoxious to many. This, with the list of premiums to meet, caused the Society to become bank- rupt, and the fairs were discontinued.
In 1854, a Fourth of July celebration was decided upon with W. H. Gibson orator of the day. The grove selected for the occasion was on the west side of the river, where is now Tomb's Addition. The citizens marched in a body to the music of fife and drum from the Court House square. The wives prepared the delicacies for the tables which were arranged under the thick shade of the forest trees. The Declaration of Independence was read. A souvenir of the occasion, which was mounted on a huge pyramid cake, beautifully iced, was in the form of a white satin flag surrounded by white silk fringe, and in the center printed: "To W. H. Gibson, the Orator of the Day, Tiffin's Favorite Son, July 4th, 1854."
About 1856, enterprise progressing, a gas plant was es- tablished by a Mr. Gwynn, and our city began to enjoy the luxury of illuminated residences on some streets. Many streets, however, were glad to have the iron posts at corners supporting an oil lamp, as far superior to the perforated lantern holding a candle, sometimes seen.
1840 was a year memorable as an exciting Presidential campaign. The Whig candidates were W. H. Harrison and John Tyler. On the north side of the public square, a log cabin was built, and in front of it on the speaker's stand were Tom Corwin and the famous Tom Ewing, speakers at this particu- lar meeting. Mr. Corwin had his hair all drawn back and tied in a queue, or rather a little silk sack, which at that time was worn only by old men, perhaps, who held to the Colonial style of dressing. Tom Corwin was noted for his mirth provoking speeches. A flag was to be raised that day, and each party desired theirs the higher. The Democrats used a pole of hick- ory which grew very tall and straight-possibly because, in honor of Gen. Jackson who was called "Old Hickory." The Whigs used ash, which pole had to be spliced to compete with the tall single hickory. The Democrats placed their flag pole at the corner of the Court House square, indicating the county officers were Democrats, and that Tiffin was ruled by
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that party, supposedly caused by the great influx of German emigrants, the name Democrat appealing to them as being opposed to royalty. The ladies did their part by making flags and streamers which floated from the tops of the poles.
The strength of each party was judged by the kind of pole erected at the cross roads in the country, and was emblematic of the political principles of the people in that neighborhood. This was the "Log Cabin and Hard Cider campaign," the name given by the opponents of Gen. Harrison, at first in derision, as was the term "Whig" bestowed upon those who were thought to be too fond of "liberty;" just as our air of "Yankee Doodle" was composed by British officers in ridicule of Ameri- can troops. Another feature of this campaign was its songs-a campaign of songs-everybody sang the songs prepared for use, throughout the campaign. The worst sort of doggerel and the sublimest specimens of epic, were produced that year; but the "ringing, jingling, happy-go-easy melody appeared to be the most popular." Any song was good enough so that it displayed Harrison on the side of the masses.
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