USA > Ohio > Portage County > Portage heritage; a history of Portage County, Ohio; its towns and townships and the men and women who have developed them; its life, institutions and biographies, facts and lore > Part 38
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Water St. paving from Erie to the cor- poration limits came in 1909.
April 19 and 20, 1901 brought a historic snow storm. Snow fell to the depth of nearly three feet in places. Business was suspended, grocery sup- plies were scarce and no trains or electric cars could run for several days.
MUCK FARMING PROSPERS
The first automobile in Kent was owned by P. W. Eigner-a battery operated electric-about 1905. Shortly thereafter I. D. Tuttle purchased a gasoline car called the Queen, made in Cleveland. It went into a ditch and was wrecked at Charlestown-prob- ably the first auto wreck in the coun- ty. Mr. Tuttle's next car was a Stanley Steamer. Ira Scott was also a pioneer car owner.
During the period, 1900 to 1916, large quantities of celery and onions were raised on Franklin township muck lands, much of it going to Cleve- land and Pittsburgh markets. Yields of 1,000 of bushels of onions per acre were reported. But in 1915 an insect pest called thripp reduced crops to the point of no profit. One of the earliest celery growers was John Davey, whose garden was near the river south of Grant St. The first grower of celery in quantity was Lida Rhodes on Summit St. Extension on the farm now known as Battaglia's. The idea spread and soon many land owners went into cel- ery raising after draining out swamps.
Many potatoes were also raised and put into cars loose, for shipment.
At one time L. H. Rhodes advertised that he could furnish fine celery for wedding parties and other gatherings.
At that time a milk train left Kent for Cleveland at 6 a.m. also carrying passengers. Return trains left Cleve- land at 4 and 5:30 p.m. Fare $1.00 round trip.
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Kent had a smallpox scare in 1900 and there was widespread fear. There was also a diphtheria scare in 1907 but nothing serious developed.
The present Kent Chamber of Com- merce got its start in 1910 with its objective of restoring the Seneca Chain Works to life, following its disatrous fire in 1909. It was first known as the Kent Board of Trade, with John A. Wells president and W. W. Reed, secretary. The name was changed to the Chamber of Commerce in 1920, and it has been active since then. Current president is Loris F. Troyer with Chas. V. Gilbert acting secretary.
In 1909 the D. A. R. erected a mark- er on the west side of Brady Lake. It reads;
"In memory of Capt. Samuel Brady who hid from the Indians under a fall- en tree in the waters of this lake, 1870."
"Erected by Old Northwest Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolu- tion, 1909."
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS, 1900 TO 1910
Brown-Campbell handle factory ran on Franklin Ave. on old Kent Chain property.
Government surveyors establish Main St. bridge elevation at 1052 feet.
W. J. Bryan again spoke from train at station in 1908.
Marvin Kent died Dec. 10, 1908, at age of 92.
Brady Lake Theater built, 1904.
Christian Endeavor county conven- tion held, November, 1908.
Poultry show held, E. Main St., Jan. 1909.
1907-Old Cuyahoga House torn down.
Kent had a steel post factory on Mogadore Road.
River St. rink torn down, 1905.
1909-Fire destroyed Seneca Chain works.
Kent's 1910 population was 4488.
In 1910, the state legislature author- ized building of a normal school in northeastern Ohio. Through efforts of board of trade and citizens in general, the school came to Kent. W. S. Kent generously donated 54 acres of land for the school, on present campus site. Additional land to the value of $15,000.00 was bought by public sub- scription, part of which was refunded. Original state appropriation for build- ings was about $25,000. Since then, the growth of the school has been ra- pid. In 1929, Kent Normal School be- came Kent State College, and in 1938, Kent State University. The first pres- ident, Dr. John McGilvrey, served from 1912 to 1925. Later presidents were T. Howard Winters (acting); Dr. David Anderson; Dr. James O. Engleman; Karl C. Leebrick; Ray- mond Clark (acting); and Dr. Geo. A. Bowman, present head.
On April 1, 1912, the city of Akron acquired the right to use surplus wat- er of the Cuyahoga River. Much land was bought along the river and a dam was built north of Kent, impounding many acres of water. A pumping sta- tion was built near by, filter beds installed and pipe lines were laid to Akron.
SEWAGE SYSTEM STARTED
On Jan. 12, 1915, an election was held to pass on a $90,000.00 bond issue to provide a sewage system. Formerly, sewage had drained into storm sewers. The issue carried, 576 to 16. The pro- ject, including a disposal plant, was completed in 1916, but because of rap- idly rising costs, the final total cost was about $185,000.00.
In March, 1913, the community suf- fered from heavy floods, the result of a three day rain. The dam was washed out, together with the B. & O. tracks,
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One of Kent's champion baseball teams-1900. Several big leaguers were developed here.
with no trains for one week. In No- vember of the same year an unusually heavy snow storm tied up travel and business for several days. Schools were closed. Depth of snow in places was nearly four feet.
The Mason Tire & Rubber Co. was organized in 1915. After the factory was built growth was rapid with a $6,598,000 business in 1920. A cotton fabric mill was also built.
In June, 1928, a receiver was ap- pointed and the plant closed. The buildings were taken over in 1942 by the C. L. Gougler Machine Co.
A building boom followed World War I and approximately 150 homes were built, including 30 by the Mason Building Co. There was also a heavy migration of Negroes from the South at this time. Schools were crowded. A $75,000.00 bond issue was authorized by popular vote, followed by others
later. Roosevelt High school was built in 1921-22 and a large addition to De- Peyster school completed. Franklin Hotel was built in 1919 through local stock subscriptions. It proved unprof- itable as an investment and changed management several times.
Kent voted "dry" in April, 1915, by a vote of 654 to 554, and eight saloons went out.
Of special note was the death of George W. Austin in 1915, at the age of 107.
Herbert C. Eckert was mayor from 1905 to 1909, with a salary of $125.00 per year and he refused a raise.
In July, 1920, the public water trough was removed from the square and is now a flower bed in Standing Rock Cemetery.
Kent became a city after the 1920 census, which put the population at
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7,070, and the form of government changed.
HAVE OWN WATERWORKS
Much street paving was done in 1921-22 and there was agitation for better fire protection. In 1922, a bond issue of $60,000.00 was voted for the purpose of building a combined city hall and fire station. In 1931 an addi- tion was built at a cost of $22,000.00 with a further addition in 1952, cost- ing $22,500.00.
In April, 1922, voters favored an issue of bonds for $200,000.00 to buy the water works, then in public hands. The transaction was completed in 1923 and O. H. Young was the first superintendent. New mains were laid and improvements made.
After W. S. Kent died in 1923, heirs wanted property sold. The Masonic lodge bought the Kent home. The Lamson-Sessions Co. purchased much land along the river. The old stone quarry went to S. C. Bissler & Sons. The American Legion got the old Kent home. The old Alpaca Mill was taken by T. G. Graham and J. L. Harris while P. B. Hall got Pioneer Grove. A further period of develop- ment followed these sales.
In 1928 the sum of $6,300.00 was raised by public subscription to buy a lot for a garment factory site for the L. N. Gross Co. A building was com- pleted by 1929 and work started giv- ing employment to many women.
In 1929, the Black & Decker Co. bought the Mason fabric plant after $21,500.00 had been raised for assist- ance. The Domestic Electric, a subsid- iary, took over in 1933, and later it became the Lamb Electric Co., as at present.
MISCELLANEOUS FRANKLIN-KENT, 1920-30
Main St. bridge was widened 20
feet, and White Way system installed at a cost of $32,500.00, mostly by spec- ial assessment.
In 1927, the New Kent Theater was built.
Kent Elks Club formed 1920.
1923-Eclat Rubber Co. started on Riverside Court. Ran ten years, mak- ing inner tubes.
Twin Lakes Allotment developed. New club house built in 1926.
The river dam, washed out in 1913, was repaired in 1925, at cost of $6,000.00 raised by public subscrip- tion.
Spelman Lake Brady ice houses burned June 6, 1924.
First Kent Community Chest started in 1922.
The Kent Kiwanis Club was organ- ized in 1925 by Dr. T. H. Schmidt and Freeman Foote. Schmidt was the first president and Dick Donaghy was sec- retary.
In 1925, chapel costing $25,000.00 built at Standing Rock cemetery.
Kent Rotary Club No. 777 organ- ized in 1920 by W. A. Walls, W. B. Andrews, Geo. H. Dumm, Hale B. Thompson and J. S. Green. Walls was first president.
In 1920, new siren at fire station succeeded old Erie Shop whistle alarm. This whistle had blown at 6 a. m. for many years, and could be heard far away.
In 1920 an explosion at the plant of the Mason Tire plant resulted in the deaths of five workmen.
In 1925, both Kent and Ravenna got armories.
In July, 1922, a strike in the Erie upper yards lasted five months.
Sheriff Arthur Carlile was murder- ed April 5, 1922. The crime was never solved.
Special policeman Clayton E. Apple was killed while on duty March 22,
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1925. A wounded suspect died and an- Other was tried but not convicted.
In 1928, Mrs. Joseph Madison was slain. The husband was convicted of the murder. A similar murder was that of Mrs. Ray Price in 1931 the husband also being held responsible.
In 1924 the Catholic school on Port- age St. was built at a cost of $90,000.00 to accommodate 350 pupils.
Kent's population in 1930 was 8375. Franklin township's was 10,676.
In May, 1930, the Erie shops, Kent's industrial mainstay, were moved to Susquehanna, Pa. Many families left with them. Others chose to remain.
In 1930 and for several years there- after many men were out of work. Business was at low ebb. The W. P. A. venture provided work for many for about 30 hours a week at low wages. Street improvement and other public works were taken up. Drainage ditches were dug to help provide jobs. The welfare problem increased. Teachers salaries were cut. Supt. Walls took a 20% cut, with others in pro- portion. Ohio Edison reduced rates 20%, and East Ohio Gas Co., 16%.
DAVEY BECOMES GOVERNOR
In 1938 potatoes were being sold at 100 lbs for 68 cents.
In 1938 a Fall Festival was put on, backed by 57 merchants.
In 1932, a history of Kent was put out by Karl Grismer, the first of its kind. Mr. Grismer previously had been with the M. L. Davey organiza- tion.
In the fall of 1929, the Kent Trib- une and the Kent Courier, weekly newspapers, were bought by M. L. Davey and combined as the Courier- Tribune. The new paper was a semi- weekly. On April 1, 1930, Mr. Davey sold the paper to the Dix interests and
in 1941, the publication became a daily.
In 1928, Martin L. Davey received the Democratic nomination for gov- ernor of Ohio. Though defeated that year, he made such a good showing that in 1934 he was again nominated and this time was elected governor. At the time of his inauguration, Jan. 14, 1935, a special train was run to Columbus from Kent carrying about 600, together with the Twin Coach band. Mr. Davey was again elected in 1936.
In 1939 he returned to private life in Kent, where a reception welcome was held in the Opera House. He was re-nominated for governor again in 1940 but was unsuccessful.
On March 31, 1932, the last electric car passed through Kent, after con- tinuous operation of the line for 36 years.
The First Federal Loan Bank was organized in October, 1934, with Glen Reed, president.
As the result of a court decision, in 1939 the Ohio Bell Telephone Co. re- funded to Kent patrons the sum of $33,409, for unauthorized charges over a six year period. This averaged about $22.00 each for residence subscribers or $66.00 for business.
MISCELLANEOUS EVENTS OF THIRTIES
The Lower, or Old Kent, Mill was torn down in 1931. It was built in 1836.
In 1938 the Ohio Bell Telephone Co. constructed a new building on North DePeyster St., costing $37,- 500.00, or $125,000.00 including equipment.
Junior Chamber of Commerce form- ed 1938.
In February, 1939 University Heights allotment opened with 100 lots offered for sale.
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View of Kent in 1850, looking northeast from middle of town.
In 1939, Miss Emma Patton gave to the Kent Coterie, by her will, the Pat- ton Home on West Main St. She also left $12,000.00 for a student loan fund.
In February, 1931, John Thomas, oldest Odd Fellow and Civil War vet- eran, died at 101.
The Episcopal church was remodel- ed at a cost of $20,000.00. Original building was erected in 1836.
Franklin Hotel sold at sheriff's sale for $19,000.00 in 1934. Cost about $250,000.00.
Kent population in 1940 was 8581. Township, 11,242.
Great industrial activity followed Pearl Harbor. Gougler Machine Co. took over several idle buildings in- cluding old Mason Plant, which with 13 acres of land, sold for $125,000.00.
Twin Coach Co. took over former Gougler plant on Stow St.
In May, 1943, the new Davey Com- pressor Co. purchased two buildings
of the former Erie shops, and remod- eled them.
Both Erie and B. & O. railroads started using Diesel engines about 1940.
At this time Kent home owners be- gan converting buildings to gas for heating.
On Oct. 17, 1940 the Kent National Guard unit left for Camp Shelby, Miss., for a year's service-63 strong.
Cost of relief cases which had to- taled $63,653.00 in 1941, dropped to $4,107.00 in 1942 since employment was more general.
In May, 1939, the Ohio Bell Tele- phone Co. started use of the dial sys- tem.
In 1940, the Cherry St. underpass was constructed.
Many "Victory Gardens" were start- ed in 1943 to aid in food supplies. The Longcoy farm tract had many of these gardens. In February, 1943, war ration
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books were distributed through the public schools and food and gasoline rationing started. In the city, 8056 ra- tion books were distributed.
The murder of May Wickline in 1942 provided a brief sensation. For this, Ned Kellogg was sent to the pen- itentiary.
CADETS AT KSU
On March 8, 1943, at 11:26 p.m. an earthquake shock was felt in Kent and surrounding territory. There was no damage, but considerable excitement resulted.
Many residents called the police sta- tion. One excited woman caller said, "I've been trying to get you again and again. I know there was an earth- quake but I want to report that my husband is beating me and I want the police."
In March, 1943, about 500 air force cadets arrived for a training course at Kent State University and were quar- tered in dormitories. War bond sales drives were on and Kent exceeded all quotas. There were also drives for sal- vage materials.
January and February of 1945 saw unusually heavy snow falls and there was a shortage of coal due to a miners strike. Schools closed for a short time.
In 1940 Harvey Redmond led an American Legion drive to raise funds for a city park.
In November, 1934, the Lamson & Sessions Co. donated a tract of land along the west side of the river to the city for park purposes. It included Island park. This was done through the efforts of company vice president, Roy H. Smith. Later, Fred M. Fuller took an active interest in its develop- ment. An operating levy was made and drives were constructed. Picnic sheds and benches and playground equipment were installed and city
council officially named it Fred Fuller Park, Oct. 8, 1946. A bridge was built to the "Island," used as a ball park around 1900. In 1954 a shelter house was built at a cost of $13,000.00 and given the name of the Roy H. Smith Shelter House. Civic minded organiza- tions have planted shrubbery and flowers on a planned program. The park officially opened in June, 1943.
A U.S. employment office opened in Kent April 9, 1943.
Raymond M. Owen died in May, 1943. He was a native of Kent and was inventor of the Owen magnetic drive, predecessor of the automatic drive of today.
A new bridge over Breakneck Creek and the B. & O. was erected in 1947.
First parking meters were installed in Kent in May, 1947. First year's in- come was $25,216.00.
In 1952, the old C. & P. passenger station at Earlville was torn down.
In 1943, Mrs. Nora Collins, long proprietor of the Collins House, died at 98.
In August, 1943, about $3,000.00 was raised for a war service record, which was placed alongside the Erie passenger station.
The Kent Men's Garden Club or- ganized in April, 1947, by Ray Cheet- ham.
The Kent Lion's Club came into existence Dec. 6, 1946, with 55 charter members. Lee Maag was first presi- dent.
The Lincoln St. stand pipe, erected in 1889 was torn down in June, 1941.
First night football played in Kent was on Roosevelt High field, Sept. 30, 1943.
Population of Kent in the 1950 cen- sus was 12,418. Township, 16,527.
OLD CENTRAL CHANGES
Growth of the city required new
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schools. In 1953, the old Central school was torn down and a modern new building erected. Contracts were let in 1956 to build a new school on acre- age in the Longmere section, previous- ly purchased. In connection with this a new bond issue of $1,530,000.00 for school building purposes, was voted in 1955. In 1956, the school board bought a site for a new school in the northeast section of town.
Franklin local township school building was erected in 1921. By 1952 it was too small and a $250,000.00 ex- pansion program was approved.
In 1952 a $650,000.00 bond issue was authorized for sewer and disposal overhauling.
In 1950, Kent State University pur- chased about 75 acres of land adjoin- ing the campus, for expansion pur- poses. Since that time a million dollar physical education unit has gone up, men's and women's dormitories, a Stu- dent Union building and an immense training school as well. Other build- ings are being planned, together with new roads and walks.
The 100th anniversary of the Kent National bank marked the start of ma- jor remodeling and improvements in its building.
Real estate development in Kent and Franklin township has been great in late years, particularly around Twin Lakes, in the Longmere section and southeast section, and a drive was Started to take outlying districts into the city.
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS SINCE 1950
Sewer rental system adopted in 1951.
Kent City operating budget for 1951 was $368,708.75.
Twin Coach Co. sold 500 buses to city of Chicago. Operated by propane gas.
New Catholic church and parish house built in 1953-54 at a cost of nearly $500,000.00.
New Congregational church was built in 1955 at cost of about $500,000.00.
Mrs. A. B. Young died, 1953, at age of 103.
1955-Lamson & Sessions Co. builds large addition.
1956-City Bank starts remodeling and expansion of quarters.
Portage County Labor Temple erect- ed on Temple St. Kent in 1951.
August of 1956 saw the celebration of the sesqui-centennial of Franklin township and the city of Kent. Old costumes were worn and a full week program of merriment, with parades and music put on. Radio and televi- sion were used extensively. An import- ant feature was the historical pageant exhibited nightly at the university Stadium.
Kent's special contribution to the armed forces is presently known as 3582nd. Transportation Company, Ohio National Guard, with Lieut. Dean Hull commanding. It was organ- ized in February, 1937, as Company C of the 112th Quartermaster Regt. It served through World War II in fed- eral service. The state armory is on Lake St. There was also C. Battery, 177 AAA battalion.
In 1954, proposed city charter plan was voted down as it was in 1921.
MAYORS OF KENT
John Thompson, 1867-69
E. W. Stuart, 1869 S. P. Wolcott, 1870
Isaac Russell, 1872
Chas. H. Kent, 1874-76 James Woodard, 1878-80
O. S. Rockwell, 1882
Dr. W. I. Caris, Appt. 1883
James Wark, 1886
C. B. Newton, 1888 O. S. Rockwell, 1892
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New St. Patrick's Church in Kent, built in 1953.
J. S. Sweeney, 1894
S. W. Burt, 1896
W. W. Patton, 1898
David L. Rockwell, 1900-02
James Armstrong, 1903
E. S. Parsons, 1903
H. C. Eckert, 1905-07
N. J. A. Minnich, 1909-11
M. L. Davey, 1913-15-17
Britton S. Johnson, Appt. 1918
F. E. Schmiedel, 1921
W. O. Hollister, 1922-24
W. I. Harvey, 1926
N. N. Beal, 1928
Roy H. Smith, 1930-32 N. N. Beal, 1932
W. I. Harvey, 1934-36
Alf C. Lovell, 1940 to 1948
Frank C. Dangler, Jr., 1948-52
Robert Garrett, 1952-54
Carl Meeker, 1954
R. E. Manchester, 1956
Present churches in Kent and Franklin township are Christ Episco- pal, S. Mantua, Rev. Forrest Bond; Christian, W. Main St., Rev. Clifford Thomas; Congregational, E. Main, Rev. Herbert Van Meter; Baptist Tem-
ple, Cressbrook; Church of God, Dodge St .; Christian Science, W. Main St .; Church of the Nazarene, Lake St., Rev. Robt. Danielson; Catholic, N. DePeyster, Rev. George Mulroy, Rev. Henry Cibulka and Rev. Allen Simp- son; Catholic Newman, Horning Rd., Rev. John Daum; Faith Lutheran, E. Main, Rev. F. R. Rehmer; First Meth- odist, W. Main, Rev. Howard Wyant; Wesley Foundation, E. Main, W. N. Laurie; Free Methodist, School St .; A. M. E. Spelman Chapel, Oak St., Rev. W. L. Hafley; Jehovahs Witnesses, Lake St .; Spiritualist, Brady Lake; Trinity Lutheran, S. Water St., Rev. A. Johnson; Union Baptist, Dodge St., Rev. Fred Thomas; Universalist, Gougler Ave., Rev. John Flint; United Christian Fellowship, E. Main St., Wm. Van Valkenburgh, pastor.
First religious meetings in Kent appear to have been held about 1817 in a small building at Crain and Lake
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Sts., which was used by various sects. Congregationalists became regularly organized in 1819, in association with the Presbyterians. Methodists met ir- regularly from 1815 but organized a- bout 1820. The Disciples had a church beginning in 1827. The Episcopalians organized in 1835 and in the same year the Baptists formed a church. The year 1867 saw two new churches. Catholics formed the St. Patrick's church and the Universalists also or- ganized. The Lutherans organized in 1877. Free Methodists had a church in 1904 and in the same year the Church of the Brethren organized. Christian Scientists organized in 1911 and in 1922 the Union Baptist church was formed. Other churches were formed in more recent years.
In addition to Mayor Manchester, Kent city elected and appointed offic- ials in 1956 were:
Council-Mrs. Ruth Dessum, Paul Yacavona, Robt. Byrne, Wm. F. Sulli- van, Ben Anderson, Leo Felsted, Gil- bert Lawrence, Chas. F. Paulus, Edith Kline, clerk.
Civil Service Commission-S. D. McNeil, Mrs. Grace Connors, E. C. Fulmer.
Health Commission - Mrs. Wm. Zingler, Rev. Forrest Bond, Harlan Carson, Maxine Lyman, L. G. Bos- worth, Dr. Evans Davis, Commission- er.
Recreation Commission-Ray Spain, Leo Lutz, Vic Chamberlain, Robt. Young, L. L. Burkhart.
Park Board-Chester Wise, Edith L. Kline, Al Dessum.
Platting-Planning Commission-R. E. Manchester, Chairman; L. R. Han- sen, Ray C. Miller, Robt. Dix, W. R. Williams, Chas. Kistler, Al Dessum.
Shade Tree Commission - M. W.
Staples, D. Q. Grove, R. H. Meyer.
Civil Defense-Anthony Scarpitti, Geo. K. Damanic.
Carrying the Mail
In 1809 there was a circular mail route over which the carrier started from Cleveland, thence going to Hudson, Ra- venna, Deerfield, Warren, Mesopotamia, Windsor, Jefferson, Harpersfield and Painesville, thence back to Cleveland. Several days were required for a single trip.
First mail carriers through Portage County had very little mail to carry - usually only a few letters. For a long time th mail bag never contained more than five pounds of letters. Carriers were permitted to carry on a personal traffic in parcels on the side, acting as agent and doing errands for pay.
Ravenna had a postoffice in 1805, being served by stage coach or horse. First service was once a week, which soon changed to twice a week. Through the years mails were carried not only by stage coach but by canal, steam railroad, electric railway, airplane and truck. Ro- bert Campbell was the first postmaster. Other Postmasters were Frederick Wads- worth, William Tappan, Seth Day, S. F. McNair, J. B. King, Lyman Collins, B. S. Hopkins, R. A. Gillette, Eliza Evans, W. S. Krake, Isaac Kelly, John C. Beatty, D. C. Coolman, J. H. Oakley, E. W. Mar- vin, A. H. Austin, C. R Seymour and C. H. Caris.
On the morning of the execution of John Brown of Harpers Ferry, he called in a lawyer to draw up his will. He got into a dispute with the lawyer over a dollar he thought had been enclosed in a letter. He bid goodbye to his compan- ions who were to be hanged later, and gave each one a quarter, saying that he had no further use for the money. At the same time he did considerable scolding of the various prisoners held with him.
A. C. Larkcom, once postmaster at Freedom, was a cousin of Noah Webster, the dictionary writer, and his wife was a cousin of Commodore Hazzard Perry.
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Kent Rump Convention
Of political activities in Portage County, few were more unusual and interesting than the Democratic rump convention at Kent in 1908. On the face of things it was only a contest over delegates to the presidential nominating convention that year, from the Nineteenth District. In the background loomed the figures of W. J. Bryan and Wm. R. Hearst, who were seeking the presidential nomination. Tom L. Johnson, noted mayor of Cleveland, was on hand looking after the Bryan interests. Opposed to him was Harvey C. Garber, Ohio Democratic power, who was represented by David Ladd Rockwell, Portage leader. Johnson and Garber were bitter enemies. The immediate cause of the trouble here was a party rupture in Summit County. Two delegations were present, each claiming to be the legal one. One delegation was favorable to Bryan. Garber people objected. An attempt was made to iron out differences but without success. Before long it was apparent that there would be two conventions, each dubbed "rump" by the other. The Garber convention nominated Albert C. Holloway, an Akron lawyer, and Elmer E. France of Kent, delegate and alternate, and the Johnson con- vention nominated Templeton of Warren and Corbin of Ashtabula. At the national Democratic convention in Denver the credentials committee decided in favor of Temple- ton and Corbin, who supported Bryan. Bryan was nominated.
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