Past and present of the city of Zanesville and Muskingham County, Ohio, Part 7

Author: Sutor, J. Hope, 1846-
Publication date: 1905
Publisher: Chicago : S.J. Clarke Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 898

USA > Ohio > Muskingum County > Zanesville > Past and present of the city of Zanesville and Muskingham County, Ohio > Part 7

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The dedicatory exercises were held in the audi- torium in the afternoon, E. C. Brush, M. D., chairman, when the following programme was observed : Hail Columbia ; Invocation, by Rev. T. M. Stevenson, former chaplain 78th regiment, O. V. V. I .; presentation of the Memorial Hall, by the County Commissioners to the Trustees of the Association, by C. W. Mccutcheon, Commis- sioner ; Acceptance, by Col. G. D. Munson; Star Spangled Banner ; Address, The Old Soldiers and the Grand Army of the Republic, by Gen. W. H. Ball; Marching through Georgia ; Soldiers' Mem- orial Hall, a recitation by Alla M. Ramsey, an eight year old daughter of a comrade; Music, We shall meet but we shall miss them; Benediction, by Rev. Frank Richards; Yankee Doodle.

BRIDGE.

January 21, 1812, the General Assembly granted a charter to Moses Dillon and others to construct a bridge connecting Zanesville with Natchez and West Zanesville, with authority to charge and collect toll for its use. In accordance with the franchise a flimsy structure was erected ; the center pier, where the forks of the "Y" met, was the only portion of substantial construction, and was built by Jacob Houck, in 1813, from limestone taken from the bed of the river under the bridge. The outside walls were four feet thick and the interior was filled with stone and soil; the remaining piers were wooden trestles

OLD Y BRIDGE.

PAST AND PRESENT OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

set upon the river bed, cribbed with logs bolted or spiked together. The crib work around the tres- tles was filled with loose stone and logs, and the whole covered with heavy oak plank spiked to the logs and the bridge was opened to traffic in 1814; the temporary character of the affair made con- stant repair necessary and in 1818 a new super- structure, while temporarily resting upon the frail trestles, collapsed and fell into the river a total wreck.

A second bridge was at once begun and the de- signer endeavored to strengthen the arches by excessive camber, and when completed the bridge had a rolling prairie appearance ; a lack of money prevented covering and after about thirteen years use it was condemned as unsafe. The condition of the bridge became a subject of public discus- sion and 1831 the members of the firm of E. Buck- ingham & Company discussed the expediency of purchasing the control of so valuable a franchise, and after an examination of the list of stockhold- ers it was determined to parcel them among the partners and by a speedy canvass secure the con- trol. The next day they began their search and when they assembled at noon discovered that sev- enty-five per cent. of the stock had been obtained ; the capital was increased to $40,000.00 and the erection of a third bridge was determined upon, and completed in 1832. In August, 1832, a heavy rain occurred and the river took on a flood stage; apprehension were general that the false work would be carried out and notwithstanding the danger persons crowded upon the east span, which was the only one incomplete. August 21 about three hundred feet suddenly fell into the swollen current, carrying several persons, among them the president of the company, Ebenezer Buck- ingham; the family offered a reward of $400.00 for the recovery of the body and a few days later it was found four miles below the city.

March 2, 1866, the General Assembly passed a resolution instructing the Board of Public Works to ascertain the price at which the "Y" bridge could be purchased and report was made that it could be obtained for $28,000.00, but that the Third street bridge must be included in the purchase at $16,000.00; the prices were considered too high and April 13 1868, the Board of Public Works was authorized, by act of the General Assembly, to purchase from the Muskingum and Licking Bridge Company so much of the bridge across the Muskingum, at Zanesville, as was in the line of the National road and connected the said road on the east and west banks for a sum not exceeding $20,000.00, in four annual payments with inter- est, and July 1, 1868, the purchase was made at $19,200.00; the first payment was made of $5,634.00 in 1860 and the last in 1872. During 1868 the Licking fork was sold to Muskingum

county, and 1900 the old "Y" was condemned, af- ter nearly seventy years' service, and September 22, 1900, the contract for the construction of the present concrete bridge was executed, to cost $188,000.00; in January, 1902, it was opened to traffic and February 4, 1902, was formally ac- cepted by the Commissioners.

THIRD STREET BRIDGE.

The first bridge across the Muskingum river was between Zanesville and Putnam at Third street. In 1812 the General Assembly granted a franchise to Levi Whipple and others for the pur- pose and designated the location at about the site upon which the bridge was erected. Whipple as- sociated with himself Ebenezer Buckingham, Benjamin Tupper and Dr. Increase Mathews, and the structure was completed in 1813. The piers were the same as now support the existing bridge, but were eight feet lower, and the superstructure was uncovered. Some four years later the bridge fell and the superstructure was rebuilt on a plan designed by "Father Goshen," at a cost of about $15,000.00. During the night of May 27, 1845, this bridge burned and a new structure was im- mediately commenced; the piers were raised to their present elevation and the general design of the "Y" bridge was followed in the reconstruction.

When the electric street car system was intro- duced the spans were strengthened and the roof raised to permit the passage of the cars.

February 26, 1866, the city council passed a resolution to request the County Commissioners to purchase the lower bridge and make it free, nego- tiations having been opened by the state for the purchase of the upper or "Y" bridge. There does not appear to have been any action until December 5, 1866, when J. A. Adams, A. A. Guthrie, E. C. Beckwith, V. Best, John Galigher and others pre- sented a petition to the Commissioners reciting the movement on the part of the state to make the "Y" free and asserting that it had been ascertained that the bridge company was disinclined to sell the "Y" unless it could at the same time dispose of the Third street bridge, which conclusion of the stock- holders would prevent the purchase of either un- less the Commissioners would decide to buy the lower bridge. The petitioners thought it unnec- essary to argue the expediency of having the bridge free and respectfully urged favorable ac- tion.

December 21, 1866, agreeable to a call issued by the Commissioners, a large number of citizens of Zanesville and vicinity met at the court house and a resolution was unanimously adopted re- questing the Commissioners to cooperate with the state in purchasing the upper and lower bridges across the Muskingum river, with a view of mak- ing them free. After the adjournment of the cit-

PAST AND PRESENT OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY ...

izens' meeting the commissioners agreed to buy the lower bridge and the West Zanesville leg of the "Y" upon the following conditions: That the cost of the lower bridge should be $16,000.00 and the upper $28,000.00, the proportionate values of the main track of the "Y" and the West Zanesville leg to be divided between the state and county upon a basis to be agreed upon ; that the state buy the main track of the upper bridge ; that a com- mittee of practical bridge builders report that the bridges are in reasonably good condition; and that the necessary legislation be obtained.

J. C. Brown, Henry Gilligan and John Shrake were at once appointed to make the examination, and January 14, 1867, the city council agreed to defray one-third of the expense, the Commission- ers having agreed to sustain the remainder. The aggregate cost was $44,000.00, of which the state paid $19,200.00, and if the agreement were car- ried out as above stated, the cost of making the two bridges free was about $8,300.00 to the city and $16,500.00 to the county.

FIFTH STREET BRIDGE.

The growth of the residence section known as the "Terrace" and the absence of any direct com- munication therewith made it manifest that a bridge across the Muskingum at some point in the northern portion of the city was a positive necessity. May 4, 1875, a committee of citizens waited upon the Commissioners and requested that a bridge be constructed to supply this de- mand, and November 2 a committee of the Board of Trade appeared before the Commission- ers and delivered a copy of the action of that or- ganization approving the project. April 5, 1876, T. J. Maginnis, Henry Jones, Hugh Madden, M. M. Granger, A. Ball, M. D., and others ap- peared before the Commissioners and rccom- mended that the county's stock in the Central Ohio Railroad be sold and the proceeds be ap- river at Zanesville. The county was in need of bridges at various points and its resources were limited, and no action was taken to grant the re- quests of the city petitioners. March 15, 1877. letters were read from Gen. Ball, Elias Ellis and L. Rambo urging the sale of the stock and the erection of the bridges and a number of citizens were present to support the appeal with their ver- bal statements, and the Commissioners ordered that 989 shares of stock be sold.

plied to the construction of two bridges over the . the Columbia Bridge Company, of Dayton. De-

The amount which would have been derived was found inadequate for a bridge and January 7, 1878, a committee of citizens visited the Com- missioners and stated that private subscriptions had been guaranteed to an amount to enable the county to erect a bridge at a cost not exceeding $10,000.00, and March II, 1878, it was decided

to build a bridge from the north end of Fifth street to the west bank of the river, and March 13 a bid from A. P. Stults to erect it complete for $9,999.00 was accepted.

MONROE STREET BRIDGE.

The erection of a bridge across the Muskingum river, at the north end of the city was under con- sideration by the Commissioners January 15, 1889, and on the 22d plans were ordered, which were completed and submitted to the Secretary of War, May 7, and on the succeeding day the location was hxed at the north end of Monroe street. September 10 the bids were opened and Septem- ber 14, 1889, the contract for the superstructure was awarded to T. B. Townsend, and Septem- ber 26 for the superstructure to the Columbia Bridge Company, Dayton, at $38,619.66.

SIXTH STREET BRIDGE.

The age of the Third street bridge, the con- gestion which occurred on it by reason of the heavy traffic, the appreciation of the great loss and inconveniences which would result if an ob- struction of this important avenue of communica- tion occurred, and the circuitous route which was traversed between the business portion of the city and the populous section of Putnam, made an ad- ditional bridge as essential as to the northwest- ern scction, and November 7, 1882, the Commis- sioners ordered one erected ; March 20, 1883, ap- plication was made to the Board of Public Works for permission to erect it and having been granted the plans werc approved April 10, 1883, but de- lays occurred and bids were not solicited until April 23, 1884, for the construction of a bridge at Sixth street to cross the river to the corner of Putnam and Muskingum avenues. July 10, 1884, the construction of the substructure was awarded to T. B. Townsend, and of the superstructure to cember 7, 1885, the cost of the completed bridge was compiled and found to be $72,689.96.

VIADUCT.

The original bridge at north Fifth street was an expedient, and the railroad tracks at each end made the crossing exceedingly dangerous, partic- ularly at noon and evening; the reconstruction of the bridge, in a more permanent manner, be- came necessary and the United States' govern- ment having acquired control of the river, pro- vision was demanded for the passage of boats by means of a swing span, in case of a surface bridge or an elevated structure sufficiently high to permit vessels to pass beneath. The delays in- cident to railway and river obstruction indicated

NEW Y BRIDGE.

PAST AND PRESENT OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

that a surface bridge would fall far short of prov- ing satisfactory, and May 8, 1890, preliminary surveys were ordered for a new structure, and August 4 report was made that a grade bridge would cost $104,500.00 and an overhead $108,- 212.00 Plans were prepared for an elevated bridge, the east approach to pursue the course of Court alley from Center street and by a curve to cross the river at right angle at a height to clear railroad traffic and steamers plying the river, and returning to grade at Linden avenue, midway be- tween McIntire avenue and the approach to the original bridge.

November 11, 1890, the bids were opened and on the 13th the Baltimore and Ohio, and Cincin- nati and Muskingum Valley Railroad companies each offered a free right of way over their tracks and a combined donation of $6,000.00 if the over- head plan were adopted; the propositions were accepted and November 18th the contract for the substructure was awarded to T. B. Townsend, and for the superstructure to the Smith Bridge Company, of Toledo, at $89,000.00. The viaduct was opened for wagon traffic March 25, 1893, and sidewalks were soon after erected for pedestrians.

CHAPTER V.

MILITARY COMPRISING ZANESVILLE LIGHT HORSE, ZANESVILL ARTILLERY, ZANESVILLE DRAGOONS, ZANESVILLE GUARDS, WARREN GREENS, PUTNAM GREYS, ZANESVILLE LANCERS, FANTASTIC MUS- TER. IN THE MEXICAN WAR. IN THE CIVIL WAR. ZANESVILLE CITY GUARDS. BATTERY C, FIRST REGIMENT, OHIO LIGHT ARTILLERY. COMPANY L, TENTH REGIMENT, OHIO VOLUNTEER IN- FANTRY. COMPANY A, SEVENTH SEPARATE BAT- TALION.

ZANESVILLE LIGHT HORSE COMPANY.

The earliest known cavalry company in south- eastern Ohio was the Zanesville Light Horse Company, which was mustered in by Samuel Thompson in 1809, and officered by Benoni Pierce, captain ; John Lee, first lieutenant ; Sam- uel Chandler, second lieutenant, and composed of about eighty of the best men in Zanesville and vicinity. The company was called into service the last of June, 1812, and was paraded in front of Pierce's Hotel at the northeast corner of Main and Fifth streets, so well known among the older residents as the site of the old Zane House.

The company marched down Fifth street to the ford which was crossed in double file, and the streets and both sides of the river were lined with people cheering the departing troops and wishing them success and safety. They were detailed to

the expedition of the "gallant six-hundred" mounted men sent to destroy the Indian villages on the Wabash, and December 19, 1812, were in the disastrous surprise at Mississinewa. Pierce was killed in the act of mounting his horse and was buried on the field, and his last request to Lieutenant Lee, who also had the bone of one leg shattered, was "Lieutenant, don't let them scalp me."

ZANESVILLE ARTILLERY.

The first military organization after the war of 1812-14 was the Zanesville Artillery, which was formed by Captain Bliss, a silversmith, and par- ticipated, July 4, 1825, in the celebration of the breaking of the ground for the canal system of Ohio, at Licking Summit.

The Zanesville company arrived at Newark, in the early morning, and the Ross County Blues and Lancaster Artillery reached the Summit at 9 a. m. Governor DeWitt Clinton, the father of the canal system of New York, was en route from Cleveland, accompanied by Governor Morrow, of Ohio, and an escort of cavalry was sent from Newark to meet them a few miles east. Upon arrival at Newark a procession was formed at IO a. m. with the Zanesville Artillery in the lead, followed by the coach containing the governors and other distinguished gentlemen, and it by in- fantry, citizens on horseback, carriages, wagons, etc. The cavalcade was under command of Gen. Johnson, Col. Gault and Maj. Putnam, and ar- rived at the Summit at II a. m., when thirteen rounds were fired in salute for the day ; the troops were formed in a hollow square and speeches made by Clinton, Morrow and others, and at noon a wheelbarrow was placed in the center of the Summit and Governors Clinton and Morrow and Mr. Buckingham each placed a shovelful of earth in the barrow ; one hundred rounds were then fired by the several military arms and in- tensified by the loud cheers of the assembled mul- titude.

An old fashioned Fourth of July dinner was then served at 2 p. m., at which thirteen regular and many volunteer toasts were drank, with the accompaniment of oratory. A competitive drill followed, in which the Zanesville company took the honors and elicited from Governor Clinton high compliments upon their skill as artillerymen. maintaining their reputation as one of the best drilled companies of the state. At & p. m. the procession reformed and returned to Newark, which was reached at 5 p. m., and was dismissed.

ZANESVILLE DRAGOONS.

A light horse company, called the Zanesville Dragoons, existed in 1824, as appears by a 110- tice, signed by Ezekial T. Cox, orderly sergeant.

PAST AND PRESENT OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

(lated August 28, 1824, directing the company "to meet on the first Friday of September next, at 10 o'clock a. m. at the house of William Morris, about one mile east of Zanesville, on the Wheel- ing road, completely uniformed according to law."

The records of this body are very meagre; Mr. Cox became captain and was succeeded by Elijah Ross, who continued in command until the com- pany disbanded.

ZANESVILLE GUARDS.

The first infantry company formed in Zanes- ville after the war with Great Britain was or- ganized in the spring of 1838, with forty-two young, finely developed, intelligent men who were proud of their organization and its officers. The first officers were: John Dulty, captain ; Edward Ball, first lieutenant ; Harvey Doster, second lieu- tenant ; R. M. Hazlett, ensign ; Nimrod Barr, ord- erly sergeant.

The first appearance in public was on July 4. 1838, when they marched from the armory, at southeast corner of Main and Fifth streets, to the residence of Col. J. T. Fracker, in north Sixth street, where Miss Harriet Fracker, on be- half of the ladies of Zanesville, presented the com- panv a handsome silk flag, made by Mrs. John D. Dare. Col. N. A. Guille received the flag on behalf of the company in one of those eloquent speeches, for which he was so noted. A parade was then made through the streets to Brock's Assembly Rooms, where a splendid dinner was served, and many toasts were drunk and speeches made. The toasts to the ladies were numerous and those offered were :

"The Ladies of Zanesville-By the presenta- tion of a flag to the Zanesville Guards, show themselves the magnanimous daughters of the patriotic mothers, who strewed with flowers and garlands the path of a retiring and victorious Washington.'

"The Ladies of Zanesville-Their modesty, virtue and intelligence are all sufficient Guards.

"The Ladies of Zanesville-Fair and Patriotic. May patriotism shield them in union and matri- mony in peace."

"The Union of these States"- Let it be en- graven on the heart of every true American.

"The American-Who always sees stars but never feels stripes."

"The Ladies of Zanesville and Putnam-Their beauty and worth only exceeded by the extent of its circulation.'

"The Fourth of July, 1776-It has been cele- brated with patriotic enthusiasm for upwards of a half century. For the perpetuity of a custom so glorious, I add 'keep time, old foot.'"

"The Army of the United States-May the

spirit of the father ever animate the breast of the son."

"The Navy of the United States-Hearts of oak, few in number, strong in honor, great in fame."

Let the toast be : "Dear Women."

After this appearance the ranks of the company were largely increased, and the citizens took a lively interest in the organization, which never neglected to celebrate the Fourth of July by a parade, and a sumptuous dinner and the post prandial toasts and speeches.

The uniform consisted of a blue, swallow tailed, frock coat, with white trimmings and brass but- tons ; blue trousers with white stripe on the outer seam; white cross and waist belts, black leather cap and white plume tipped with black; enam- eled box knapsack, heavy cartridge box and United States' flint lock musket of Harper's Ferry mantifacture.

WARREN GREENS.

During the summer of 1839 the Warren Greens were organized, and enrolled forty-five men ; they were called the Old Gentlemen's Com- pany, because the greater number were from thirty to fifty years of age, but were among the most influential and substantial citizens. Their armory was in the Blocksom building, northwest corner of Main street and Sewer alley, where the Bodega is located.

Their first appearance in public was in Septem- ber, 1839, and the uniform consisted of a dark green frock coat with brass buttons, black waist belt and cartridge box, green cloth trousers with black stripe on the outside seam, black leather cap with green plume and pompon tipped with black. The arm was the Harper's Ferry make of Yeager.

PUTNAM GREYS.

The riots attending the Abolition meetings, the threats which were current, the incendiary fires which had occurred and the universal feeling of unrest and insecurity which prevailed in Putnam caused a meeting of the citizens to be called to consider the unsatisfactory conditions, at which it was determined to form an independent military company, and a committee was appointed to call upon the residents for money to equip it. The responses were so prompt and generous that the needed sum was subscribed within a few days, and volunteers were equally prompt in enrolling so that eighty-four men were quickly secured and the Putnam Greys became an organization.

The uniform, made by Mathew Ashmore, con- sisted of a dark grey, swallow tailed coat, trimmed with black braid and brass buttons; grey cloth trousers with black cord on the outside seam;

PAST AND PRESENT OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

black waist belt and black leather cartridge box, with a large white metal waist plate with the let- ters "P. G .; " black leather cap with white foun- tain plume, tipped with blue ; flint lock musket, of Harper's Ferry make, constituted the arm.

The officers were : R. N. Dunlap, captain, who was soon succeeded by Jesse P. Hatch, who was drill master ; William Ely, first lieutenant ; Law- son Wiles, second lieutenant ; Waldo B. Guthrie, orderly sergeant.

The company was formed from the leading cit- izens of Putnam, all fine appearing men, filled with enthusiasm, able and intelligent, and soon became exceedingly proficient in the manual and tactics. Their first public appearance was on Oc- tober 10, 1839, and the company continued to be one of the most prominent institutions of the town until about the time of the war with Mexico.

ZANESVILLE LANCIERS.

During the winter of 1839-40, E. H. Church re- cruited the Zanesville Lancers, an organization of boys, one hundred strong, who made their first public appearance May 30, 1840. Captain French, a United States army officer, was then a resident of the town and was the drill master and the company acquired such skill in the maneuvers of company drill that they became noted in the state. The officers were, Henry Clayton, captain ; Jacob Sperry, first lieutenant; John D. Ford, second lieutenant; J. L. Fracker, orderly ser- geant. Samuel S. Cox, the later well known 'Sunset," was a member and rose to the rank of orderly sergeant.

The uniform was a Highland Scotch plaid frock coat, trimmed with yellow fringe and brass buttons, white trousers with yellow stripes on the outside seams and plaid cap with black ostrich plume. The arm was a staff, five feet long, one and one-half inches at the butt and half an inch at the top, tipped with a glittering spear.

The company occupied the post of honor in welcoming Gen. W. H. Harrison, whig candi- date for the presidency, when he visited Zanes- ville in October, 1840, and where he made his last political speech of the campaign, under a large elm tree on north Sixth street, to an im- mense assembly of whigs who had gathered from all the surrounding neighborhood.

The Zanesville Guards, Putnam Greys, and Warren Greens attended the State Convention of the whigs, at Columbus, February 22, 1840, mak- ing the journey in wagons, and in July 1840, a military encampment was held three days, at the present Fair Grounds, attended by the Colum- bus Guards, Columbus Lancers, McConnelsville Guards, Zanesville Guards, Warren Greens, Putnam Greys and Zanesville Lancers.

FANTASTIC MUSTER.

The American soldier is a volunteer, and the experience after each of our wars is that when the fighter has completed his engagement, he has no desire to amuse himself with military maneuv- ers and devotes his attention strictly to business. Such was the condition of affairs when the sol- diers, in the war of 1812-14, returned, and the military spirit languished. With the laudable and patriotic intention of having the militia pre- pared for war, the legislature enacted that every citizen between certain ages, should annually de- vote a few days to the acquisition of military tactics, and assembled by companies armed and equipped for such instruction.

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Past and present of the city of Zanesville and Muskingham County, Ohio, Part 7

Author: Sutor, J. Hope, 1846- Publication date: 1905 Publisher: Chicago : S.J. Clarke Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 898

Author: Sutor, J. Hope, 1846-
Publication date: 1905
Publisher: Chicago : S.J. Clarke Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 898