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 57
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Kenneth I. Brown succeeded Mr. Bates who resigned in 1929. He held "modern" educa- tional views and installed the "Hiram Study Plan", which was based partly on the exper- iences of Prof. E. H. Clarke. In this the student pursues an intensive course in a single subject for the most part. It gave the school wide popularity.
A Warren branch was established in 1833 and lasted four years.
In 1930 the literary societies, which had attained dominating influence in many ways, were abolished.
President Brown resigned in 1939. Following him was Dr. Paul H. Fall who in previous years had been an instructor, as well as village mayor. As president, Dr. Fall worked to build up a strong faculty and a college of real academic standing. In this he succeeded. He resigned in 1957.
As a "home" college, hundreds of Portage County young people have attended its classes. For many of these a college education would otherwise have been impossible.
The so-called Show Boat venture is a Hiram activity that has attracted attention. This provides training in dramatics through the use of an old time show boat on the Ohio River. Another activity of note is the political Mock Convention held in each presidential election year.
In its faculty Hiram has numbered many gifted and unselfish men and women. In its roster of graduates will be found the names of many who have gained fame in science, letters, education and other lines.
Hiram was one of the first schools to take up basketball as a sport. In 1905 the Hiram team won the world's championship in basketball competition at the St. Louis Worlds Fair.
Today Hiram College's physical assets amount to an estimated valuation of five million dollars.
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Libraries
RAVENNA PUBLIC LIBRARY-This library, with its new addition in 1956, is continuing its tradition of being started and built entirely from gifts, with not one cent of tax money being spent except for maintenance and repair.
The Library was started in 1905 by the Tuesday Club under leadership of Mrs. J. C. Yeend. A book shower yielded $47.50 in money and 750 books. By the end of the year the library had 2,500 books in a rented room. The Portage County Library Association had been incorporated March 2, 1915, and members took turns being librarian until a librarian was hired at $10.00 a month.
In 1917 the county commissioners appropriated money to run the library but gifts from clubs and individuals were still necessary. Nine branches were established in various parts of the county, soon increased to 16.
In September, 1921, T. C. Mendenhall, a trustee, announced that Judge C. A. Reed would give $25,000.00 toward a building if a suitable location could be found. The H. W. Riddle Estate gave half the value of the lot and 20 citizens paid the cost of the other half. Students from O.S.U's. architecture department competed in drawing of plans. Others gave money or services.
In 1923 a proposal to make the new library a county library was defeated by popular vote.
By 1947 the building that seemed so adequate in 1924 was found to be bulging. A be- quest of $2,000 was set aside as a building expansion fund. By 1949 there was a total of $10,825 in the fund, and other gifts were coming in.
In November, 1954, Mrs. Mae Reed Waller, daughter of Judge Reed, announced that she would give $100,000 for a building addition, doubling its size. Work on this addition was finished so that a dedication was held on June 2, 1956. New furniture and equipment were added.
The library now owns 25,765 books, with an annual circulation in 1955 of 108,674. Borrowers increased from 1300 to 4,588.
There have been three presidents of the Library Board-Mrs. J. C. Yeend, Mrs. George Waggoner and C. D. Zumbro.
Librarians from 1916 to 1956 have been: Mrs. Sarah Lawrence, Miss Mary Jane John- ston, Miss Blanche Watts, Miss Lucy B. Alverson, Miss Charlotte Bilkey, Mrs. Dorothy Foutts and Miss Estrilla Daniels.
The present Board of Trustees is: C. D. Zumbro, president; Mrs. D. R. Waller, vice- president; Mrs. A. B. Fairchild, secretary; Mrs. Jack Schafer, Harold Short, H. Larry Brown, and J. A. Jones.
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PORTAGE COUNTY DISTRICT LIBRARY-The Portage County District Library began as a diminutive school district library. On May 14, 1935, the Hiram Township School Board, under the urging of Principal Reign Hadsell, established the Hiram Village School District Library. Miss Jessie Smith, College Librarian, directed the infant library for a time, and was its guardian angel through its later history.
With only 200 books, donated by citizens, and limited funds, it was soon apparent that the Library filled a real need. Miss Mildred Sandoe, State Library Organizer, urged the Hiram Library to surrender its budget for use by a county library. But no other library was willing to undertake the task, and in 1936, with Miss Sandoe's approval, the board members decided to supply the rural schools of the county with books for one year. The Edinburg school superintendent offered $500.00 from his school library budget, and every township school principal in the county agreed to pool library funds. This was the time of the de- pression. But as the usefulness of the county library system became more apparent, the Hiram Library continued its services, partly with the help of persons maintained by WPA funds. A branch library was set up at the Ravenna Arsenal. Another branch, established in Windham, where many of the Arsenal workers lived, is still active. Largely because of the Library's usefulness in a war area, the state donated $3,000 for a bookmobile, which began its circuit in February, 1942. The Librarian, Miss Mary Phelps, and the Children's Librarian, Mrs. Henrietta Hopp, visited PTA groups throughout the county to explain the nature of the bookmobile service. In 1942 the Library secured a permanent building of its own.
Under a succession of Librarians-Mrs. William Squire, Mrs. Wayne Ohl, Mrs. Werner Schulz, Mrs. James Clelland, and Mrs. Ralph Goodale-the Library has increased its services.
In June, 1949, the County Commissioners made the Hiram Library officially the Port- age County District Library. The number of borrowers for the year 1955 was 16,481, the number of books in the stacks 49,262. The bookmobile regularly visits all schools not other- wise provided for; it stops at old folk's homes, and at the homes of the disabled. In the summer it regularly visits public places in the villages for the sake of adults and of children on vacation. It also visits the T. B. Preventorium during the summer. It has become a necessary part of the life of the county.
KENT FREE LIBRARY -- In the entrance way of the Kent Free Library hangs a bronze plaque, date 1902, with the inscription, "This building is the gift of Andrew Carnegie. The site was donated by Marvin Kent." The date marks the beginning of construction of the new building which opened its doors Sept. 26, 1903.
The Library was the result of concentrated effort on the part of many. Preliminary to this, George E. Hinds had been secretary-treasurer as well as librarian, of the A. & G. W. Railway Reading Room located in the railroad depot. This was organized in 1875 and was sponsored by the company, for employes. The room discontinued in 1882.
But the railroad offered its books to Kent as a town library, conditional on providing a room, upkeep and a librarian. To meet terms, through efforts of Scott Williams, a law
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was enacted by the legislature permitting towns to support libraries. Kent was the first to benefit. This was in 1902.
The library was located in the Worthington Block, N. Water St., and later to rooms over the Herriff Furniture Store. Only $100.00 per year could be spent for books but donations and money raising schemes helped out. There were 1,109 books in 1896 with 1,333 patrons.
Mr. Hinds wrote to Andrew Carnegie, telling of the needs and asking help. Mr. Carnegie replied that he would give $10,000 for a new building if the village of Kent would maintain it at a cost of not less than $1,000 a year. Citizens voted to accept terms and the library was built in 1902-3. It was opened Sept. 26, 1903.
Services now include films and records. In 1904 the library had 2,700 books; with 936 patrons borrowing 15,433 books annually. Today the library has about 17,000 volumes and in 1955 its 5,168 patrons borrowed 89,197 books. At present a third of the borrowers are children with story hours and class visits to stimulate interest.
Librarians from 1892 on include Mrs. J. M. Woodard, Mrs. J. S. Cooke, Miss Nellie Dingley, Miss Bessie Kent, Miss Jennie Shuman, Miss Marjorie Cochran and Miss Margaret Zearley. Mr. Hinds, who was one of the pioneers in developing the library, served on the Board until he resigned in 1920. Fred Fuller, appointed to the board in January, 1942, was its president from 1942 to 1955. The present Board is composed of Cecil Bumphrey, presi- dent; S. P. Harbourt, vice-president; Mrs. D. A. Williams, secretary; Mrs. J. R. Turner, Dick Donaghy, A J. Lauderbaugh and Carl Harvey
The foregoing refers to so-called public libraries but the county has numerous others. The largest is the Kent State University Library with a collection of about 140,000 books under the efficient direction of Librarian John B. Nicholson, Jr. and staffed with a modern organization of 29 trained workers. Many of the services here are open to the general public. The history of this great library is bound up with the history of the university. In 1957 construction work was started on a three-story addition to the main building.
Hiram College has had a fine library for many years. Most of the high schools have their own libraries and villages support libraries to some extent. Churches and other in- stitutions and of course there are numerous private collections.
The village of Garrettsville boasts of a fine library of about 5,000 books. The present organization was formed in 1924. Various groups and individuals contributed to a small endowment fund left by R. J. Webb. At present this library is housed in the James A. Garfield high school, with a branch downtown for children.
The foregoing information was compiled by Miss Estrilla Daniels, Ravenna; Miss Margaret Zearley, Kent; and Mrs. Ralph Goodale, Hiram.
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Portage People Of Note And Achievement
Portage county has had its share of outstanding men and women. Of these, many have spent their lives here while others have left their home communities to take part in affairs elsewhere. Many who have gone and been forgotten here have been outstanding in other communities. Any list of outstanding people from Portage County would therefore be in- complete. But many are known and these deserve a salute from those who have called this county their home.
Conspicuous now, of course, are men like James A. Garfield, Martin L. Davey and others. Kent-born Lucius Fairchild was a three time governor of Wisconsin. Henry Swift, son of the well remembered Dr. Isaac Swift of Ravenna, was an early governor of Min- nesota. Clarence Patterson, a Kent native, was a governor of Oregon in recent years. Chauncey F. Black, an early Hiram resident, later became governor of Pennsylvania. A. L. Humphrey, once governor of Kansas was a school boy in Randolph. Ohio's governor Samuel Huntington spent several of his early years in Aurora.
Mention must be made of the famous Day family of Ravenna, including the eminent Judge Luther Day of the Ohio Supreme Court, and his noted son, Wm. R. Day, U. S. Secretary of State and Supreme Court jurist. The list must also include Judge Rufus Spaulding, Congressman Ezra B. Taylor, Congressman Daniel R. Tilden, Congressman Al- phonso Hart, Congressman Jonathan Sloane, Judge Benjamin Tappan and Darius Lyman, political leader. John Brown of Harpers Ferry fame, is long remembered.
In the entertainment field, Etta Reed Payton of Ravenna was long a star actress of the "legitimate stage." So was Emma Vaders, also of Ravenna. Albert Hodge and Peggy King of Ravenna achieved prominence in television, while Vaughn Monroe, a Kent school boy, became a radio and television singer of note. Movie star Clark Gable lived a short time in Edinburg after World War I. Clara Morris was an Aurora resident a short time.
In letters, A. G. Riddle of Mantua, was once a leading novelist and B. F. Ashley of Ravenna was a writer of boys' books. Riddle was also a congressman. Lucien Price of Kent was, and still is, a novelist, writer and editor in Boston. Florus B. Plympton, Palmyra born, was a widely known editor and writer and Fannie Ward of Ravenna for years was prom- inent as a syndicate writer and lecturer. Bart Crane of Garrettsville was a poet and painter. Rev. F. M. Green, once of Kent, wrote a "Life of Garfield." C. C. Green of Kent is a leader in the New York advertising field.
Halsey Hall and Harlan P. Hall of Ravenna became publishers of newspapers in Min- neapolis and St. Paul.
The list of military leaders must include Garfield, Gen. Hazen, Gen. Tyler, Gen. Sted- man, Gen. King, Gen. Atwood and others of Civil War fame. In World War II, Col. Frank B. Goettge was killed at Guadalcanal and Col. William Bower flew over Tokyo with Doo- little.
In education, Orrville N. Hartshorn, born in Nelson, founded Mount Union College and was long its president. Howard W. Jones, a Palmyra native, is current president of Youngs- town University. Dr. John S. Kenyon of Hiram is widely known as an authority on Ameri- can pronunciation and has written books on the subject. E. E. White of Mantua was author of "White's Arithmetic", a school text book.
Almeda Booth, scholar and teacher at Hiram, gained a reputation as the "smartest woman in the county." Mary A. Wooldridge of Ravenna was extremely able as a writer and speaker in the cause of temperance.
Others in the writing field have been Caleb Atwater, historian; Lucius Bierce, Ravenna history writer; Frances T. Brown, Ravenna, poetess; Rev. David Davis, Palmyra, early Welsh man of letters; Plimon H. Dudley, Freedom, noted engineer who wrote extensively; Maxwell Riddle, Ravenna, dog authority; Harriet Taylor Upton, Nelson and Ravenna, historian;
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Jessie Brown Pounds of Hiram wrote hymns that will live long and Jim Tully, the Kent chain maker who wrote poetry and novels.
Of those who saw service in the armed forces are Admiral Calvin Bolster of Ravenna; Capt. Harry Brittain of Kent who served in World War II and Korean fields. Lieut. Richard Robinson of Ravenna was an authority on battleship design.
Aurora claims many men of fame. In addition to Gov. Huntington there were Warren Forward, secretary of the treasury under Tyler and later minister to Denmark; James Con- verse, Texas railroad king; Royal Taylor, first U. S. pension agent; and Archibald Willard, painter of the famous "Spirit of '76."
John Davey, who came here from England, had ideas which he developed into the science of tree surgery. Prof. John Stockwell, a Ravenna boy, became a famous scientist at Case School. Dr. T. C. Mendenhall, scientist, lived in Ravenna for a time.
In education and government service fields, many have gone out to become school execu- tives, instructors and experts of various types. Franklin Tuttle left Palmyra to become a well known painter and artist. Henry J. Robison of Ravenna and Wm. A. Walls of Kent each headed Ohio state welfare work.
In the field of jurisprudence Perry H. Stevens, a Ravenna native, has served for many years as judge of the Court of Appeals in Akron. U. L. Marvin, superintendent of Kent schools in the '60s, later became a lawyer and circuit court judge.
In athletics, four men later in the "big leagues" of baseball, played on the Kent team at the same time-Livingston, Spade, Bracken and Potts. Hostetler of Ravenna was an- other big league player. Before locating in Ravenna Dr. I. M. Huffman had been an All- American football player at Ohio State, as was Bob Spiers of Charlestown. Eddie Kaw and Frank Goettge were famous on the Cornell and Marines teams respectively.
A Kent man, James Woodard, was warden of the Ohio penitentiary in the '30s. Francisco DeLeone, Ravenna pianist, became a composer of note. Andrew Squire of Mantua became a noted corporation lawyer in Cleveland. F. A. Derthick of Mantua was Ohio dairy and food commissioner and also headed the state Grange. Perry Green of Hiram was state agriculture director and state Farm Bureau head.
The sons of James A. Garfield who lived in Hiram many years, all achieved prom- inence. Harry A. bceame president of Williams College and James R. was Secretary of the Interior under Theodore Roosevelt. Abram has been and still is a well known Cleveland architect.
Robert Cross, who was a boy in Ravenna, established Lockheed Aircraft in California. His son, Robert J., is now its president.
Emily Doty McBride of Ravenna was a well known writer and helped edit "Women of the Western Reserve." Ella Colby Eckert wrote children's verse.
Lorenzo Snow of Mantua became head of the Mormon church in Utah.
Martin Williams of Palmyra became editor of the Minneapolis Tribune in the '80s. Luther McGahan of Ravenna went to North Dakota to publish a paper and later established one of the early dailies in Los Angeles.
William H. Howe, a Ravenna native, studied art in New York and Europe and became a noted painter of animals. His career was a notable one.
Another Ravenna native, Arthur Sapp, was president of the International Rotary clubs. Paul Barnaby of Randolph was an entertainer and song writer. Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon church, and his assistant, Sidney Rigdon, lived in Hiram for a few years.
Doubtless there are many others whose names belong here. In Kent State University and Hiram College are men who are doing outstanding work in their fields. Many have written text books or made special investigations. In business, the professions and other lines will be found men who are doing outstanding jobs. The number is large indeed and Portage County can well be proud of all.
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County Red Cross
The activities of the Red Cross organ- ization in Portage County began June 5, 1917, at the home of Mrs. John Watters in Ravenna township, when a group peti- tioned the American Red Cross for forma- tion of a Portage County chapter. Those signing the petition were W. S. Kent, Rev. W. O. Leslie, D. B. Wolcott, R. B. Arm- strong, M. L. Davey, Dr. T. C. Mendenhall, H. R. Loomis, Rev. Frances McIlwain, O. E. Pore and Mrs. Elizabeth (Haymaker) Gigger. Mr. Kent was chosen chairman and by-laws were adopted. Branches of the group were located in Ravenna and Kent, with auxiliaries in most of the townships.
The first project was the organization of a war fund campaign, organization of a women's work committee and formation of a civilian relief committee. Much work was done for civilian relief in war torn coun- tries of World War I.
In September, 1919, the Home Service Department was developed to help Portage County war veterans and families, assisting veterans with war claims and relief to families. The first public health nursing service was developed about the same time, with First Aid and Water Safety programs which still exist. Junior Red Cross groups were set up in schools.
In November, 1923, the Red Cross pro-
moted the Tuberculosis Nursing Service, which was continued until 1941 when it was taken over by public health depart- ments. The Red Cross nurse then devoted her time to adult education in "Home Hy- giene and Care of Sick." This is now a volunteer service.
In 1929 Red Cross pioneered social work service in the county. With the assistance of the Child Welfare League a social work- er was hired for part time service. Later this type of work was taken over by the county.
During the depression years of the '30s the Chapter was unusually active in help- ing the needy. Home gardening was pro- moted, food supplies were obtained and material obtained and made into clothing by volunteer workers, and distributed.
In the 1940s activities of the chapter were doubled and tripled. Surgical dress- ings were made, clothing produced and in- creased service given. In 1942 the first Blood Donor program was initiated. Blood was collected for army and navy use. After the war this service was discontinued but resumed in 1951, being today one of the important parts of Red Cross work. Today work is devoted to Armed Forces Services, Disaster Service, Safety Service, Volunteer Nursing Service, Blood Program, Junior Red Cross and other lines.
County Officials
County Auditors
Previous to 1820, the work now per- formed by the county auditor was done by clerks appointed by the commissioners. These included: Abel Sabin and Seth Day, 1808; Oliver Dickinson, 1810; Stephen Ma- son, 1812-17; Alexander K. Hubbard, 1818; Orrville Crane, 1819.
Elected i, auditors were Rial McArthur, 1820; Samuel D. Harris, 1823; Samuel Foljambe, 1831; George B. DePeyster, 1841;
Charles L. Rhodes, 1844; Caleb Atwater, 1847; John G. McBride, 1849; Lorenzo Frost, 1853; Thomas Browning, 1855; H. L. Carter, 1857; Alfred Baldwin, 1859; Frank L. Sawyer, 1861; Henry H. Stevens, 1863; William Grinnell, 1869; LeGrand Olin, 1880; C. W. Goodsell, 1893; E. J. Smith, 1899; W. J. Dodge, M. J. Kelley, 1911-15; W. A. Goss, 1913; Fred Bechtel, 1917; J. M. Parham, 1919; G. H. Reynolds, 1931-35-39; C. R. Shumway, 1943; E. H. Rinearson, 1943 to present.
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Prosecuting Attorneys
Portage County prosecutors have been: Asa D. Keys, 1808; Thos. D. Webb, 1809- 11; Benjamin Tappan, 1809; Peter Hitch- cock, 1813; Calvin Pease, 1815; Darius Ly- man, 1816-20; Jonathan Sloane, 1819; Lu- cius Bierce, 1829; Daniel R. Tilden, 1839; Luther Day, 1844-48; Robert F. Paine, 1846; Samuel Strawder, 1851; Ezra B. Tay- lor, 1856; Jos. D. Horton, 1858; Philo B. Conant, 1860; Alphonso Hart, 1862; Hor- ace Willard, 1865; E. L. Webb, 1868; C. A. Reed, 1870; G. F. Robinson, 1874; O. S. Ferris, 1878; Jos. D. Horton, 1880; John Meharg, 1882; I. T. Siddall, 1884; E. W. Maxson, 1888; I. H. Phelps, 1892; S. F. Hanselman, 1894; W. J. Beckley, 1899; D. B. Wolcott, 1905; H. R. Loomis, 1911; C. H. Curtiss, 1915; V. W. Filiatrault, 1919; A. L. Heisler, 1923; Brittain S. Johnson, 1925; H. J. Seymour, 1927; E. L. Foote, 1929; Sam L. Summers, 1933; Theodore Tilden, 1937-41; Seabury Ford, 1945-49; Robert Cook, 1953 to date.
County Recorders
Portage County Recorders are: Titue Wetmore, 1808; William Wetmore, 1810; Ira Hudson, 1813; Seth Day, 1817; John N. Skinner, 1831; Rudolphus Bard, 1849; Andrew Jackson, 1852; Joshua Catlin, 1855; James Norton, 1862; George W. Barrett, 1868; Philo Bierce, 1877; S. J. Post, 1886; F. W. Jones, 1895; Thomas Richards, 1901; E. H. Woods, 1907; Andrew Austin, 1911; W. J. Robison, 1915; A. B. Lozier, 1915; J. J. Shanley, Jr., 1917; J. R. Byers, 1919; Claude Watters, 1933; Robert Barrett, 1937.
County Treasurers
Portage County's treasurers have been: Elias Harmon, 1808; Gersham Bostwick, 1810-15; Herman Oviatt, 1814; William Wetmore, 1816; Isaac Swift, 1824; Freder- ick Williams, 1832; Henry L. Tilden, 1846; Enos P. Brainerd, 1846; Jackson T. Green, 1848; Charles Green, 1852; Lyman Bryant,
1856; Harvey Newberry, 1858; George San- ford, 1860; S. D. Harris, 1862; Gustavus Reed, 1866; Edward G. Hinman, 1870; John C. Beatty, 1874; Nathan H. Smith, 1878; Wilbur Jenkins, 1882; Marvin Col- lins, 1882; John H. Evans, 1890; M. G. Garrison, 1894; J. H. Furry, 1898; F. L. Allen, 1902; J. M. Parham, 1906; A. L. Kreinberg, 1911; A. H. Kyle, 1911; A. W. Walter, 1917; William H. Marsh, 1921; Maud F. Marsh, 1925; Elizabeth Haymaker, 1927; Thomas B. Barnes, 1931; G. Earl Ladd, 1935; C. A. Wertenberger, 1937 to present.
County Clerks
Portage County clerks, with dates of service, have been: Benjamin Wheedon, 1808; William Wetmore, 1809; Ira Hud- son, 1813; Seth Day, 1817; George Kirkum, 1831; William Coolman, 1838; Horace Y. Beebe, 1845; Ebenezer Spalding, 1852; Ed- mund Bostwick, 1855; Horace M. Clark, 1861; Andrew Jackson, 1867; John Me- harg, 1873; John Porter, 1882; Arthur E. Seaton, 1890; George F. Douthitt, 1898; A. L. Davis, 1900; W. D. Jenkins, 1906; A. L. Caris, 1913; Joseph Moore, 1917-27; C. G. Hartlerode, 1921; Ethel Moore, 1934; George C. McClelland, 1935; W. J. Smith, 1936-7-41; Clyde Platt, 1945-53.
Portage Sheriffs
In the important office of sheriff, the following men have served the county: Alva Day, 1808; John Campbell, 1811; Stephen Mason, 1812; Asa K. Burroughs, 1816; William Coolman, 1820; John King, 1824; James Perry, 1826; Frederick Wads- worth, 1830; George Y. Wallace, 1834; Laurin Dewey, 1838; William Frazer, 1842; David W. Jennings, 1844; John Gillie, 1846; James Woodard, 1850; Ferris Couch, 1854; Ira Gardner, 1856; Thomas R. Wil- liams, 1859; William F. Parsons, 1863; Henry C. Jennings, 1865; Otis B. Paine, 1869; O. S. Risdon, 1873; Benjamin F. Keller, 1877; William Wilcox, 1881; H. T. Sheldon, 1885; James Jones, 1887; John Hart, 1893; L. M. Long, 1897; Dallas Corl,
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