USA > Ohio > Erie County > Sandusky > Sandusky: City Guide and Business Directory, 1855 > Part 2
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tomahawks, started through the woods in pursuit of the whites. After proceeding about a mile, met the company of Rangers on their return from the Harbors. A conflict ensued, in which the Indians were routed and driven back with a heavy loss. The whites did not, how- ever, get off without some sacrifice. V. Ramsdell, J. Mingus, and three others, were killed. Jonas Lee, being disabled from a bad wound in his thigh, had crawled out one side a short distance, and while lying on the ground heard footsteps as of some one approaching : raising up he saw an Indian running towards him, for the purpose of taking his scalp; he raised his gun which he had re-loaded and shot the Indian. Not being discovered by any of the rest, lay there un- molested till found by his party. The Rangers, in consequence of their boats being destroyed, had to remain on the Peninsula two days before relief reached them from this side.
In August, Gen. Hull surrendered Detroit to the British; and from this time to the achievement of Perry's victory, in September of the following year, the inhabitants were in constant apprehension for their personal safety. The sighing of the breeze, and the discharge of the hunter's rifle, alike startled the wife and the mother, as she trembled for her absent husband, or her still more defenceless "little one."
The first permanent settlers came here in 1816. Money at this time was very scarce, and produce high, prices ranging as follows :- Flour, $10 per barrel, and a poor article at that; Salt, $8 per barrel; Domestic Shirtings, 50 to 62 cents per pard; Satinetts, $2,50 to $3,50 per yard ; Green Teas, $1,50 to $2,50 per lb .; Brown Sugar, from 25 to 30 cents per lb. ; Loaf Sugar, from 40 to 50 cents per lb .; &c., &c. There being so few mills and little wheat at this me, families mostly depended on buying flour by the barrel. Corn could not be bought for less than $1 per bushel; nor Butter for less than 25 cents per lb. One principal cause of these high prices, was the cost of transporta- tion. There were vessels on the Lake at the time, but freight could not be brought from Buffalo here short of $2,50 per barrel bulk. For several years the settlers consumed all the produce that
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was raised through this section; but as soon as a surplus accumulated, a ready market was found at Detroit, Monroe, and other settlements in the upper regions of Lake Erie.
In the Spring of 1817, the town of Portland was laid out by its then proprietor, Zalmon Wildman, of Danbrury, Ct. It embraced that portion of the present area of Sandusky, which lies between Hancock street on the east, Decatur on the west, and Jefferson on the south. . During the ensuing year, a claim was interposed by Hon. Isaac Mills, of New Haven Ct., to an undivided portion of the whole tract em- braced in the present city limits, which resulted in a compromise by which three fourths was allotted to Mr. Wildman and the other fourth to Mr. Mills. In the spring of 1818 they united in laying out the present plat of the town under the name of "Sandusky City," since changed (by the provisions of an act to provide for the organization of cities and incorporated villages) to "Sandusky." Its location is on the South side of Sandusky bay, being in 41 deg. 32 min. 10 sec. North lattitude, near the center of the north side of the State; one hundred miles due north from Columbus, sixty from Cleveland, sixty from Detroit, 50 from Toledo, and 218 from Cincinnati; situated in an extensive and fertile region, known at that time as the "Sandusky Country."
*"Sandusky is situated on the margin of a delightful bay, which throws itself into the bosom of a country, unrivalled in the fertility of its soil, and the beauty of its landscape. It holds the southern key to that vast range of navigable lakes, destined soon to become the theatre of a mighty commerce. Round its borders, clustered groves wave their branches to the eye of admiration, and the very wave at its feet "worships the loveliness" of its shores.
What though no poet has ever yet given to its scenery, the captivating visita- tions of his muse ; though no classic charm has ever been imparted to the description of its beauties; though no Naiads have ever sported in its waters; nor Satyrs and Dryads gamboled in its groves ; yet its name is associated with some of the most interesting and romantic legends of the borders, and some of the proudest recollections of our National Glory.
Tradition proclaims it as the former residence of a long line of Indian princes, and assigns it a conspicuous station among the ancient seats of Western Empire.
*Hon. ELEUTHEROS COOKE's letter to the editor of the "Sandusky Clarion," in 1821.
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Actual appearances, eligibility, and centrality of situation, go far to confirm the tradition.
Here, then, stood the arsenal of their envenomed arrows and war clubs ; there. at that dilapidated pile of ruins, rose the lofty mound, in which the ashes of the grand Sachem, or the savage monarch slumber.
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Here linger the mouldering vestiges of the council house, where assembled nations and tribes met to send round the joy of feast, to smoke the pipe ot peace, or raise the song of war ! But the days of their glory have departed, and the hand of oblivion is stretched forth, to close forever, the gates that lead to the memory of their existence. A new race of beings have succeeded, more enlightened, but perhaps less happy ; the scene has changed : a new state of things has started up, as if touched by the wand of enchantment.
But yesterday, and the peaceful bosom of the bay, (now the scene of an active commerce) had rolled for ages its solitary waves, unknown to the eye, 'and unadmired by the heart of civilization .- The lofty bark now rides in majesty, or spreads her swelling suils to the breeze, when late, nought but the light canoe of the savage was tossed upon the wave or fastened to the stake. Five years have scarcely elapsed, since the Indian wigwam constituted the proudest architectural monument of these shores-since the idols of the heathen fell be- neath the scepter of the white man-since the discordant jargon of the Indian ¿ powwow and the Indian war song, were succeeded by the dulcet melodies of music, and the hum of a busy population.
We stand surrounded by the "tombs of the Capulets." We tread upon the ashes of mighty chiefs and princes. We build upon the ruins of their rustic palaces ; and the very ground where your press now stands, is consecrated by tradition, as being the resting place of the great prophet "Sasheek" whose voice was the oracle of his day, and whose nod was the law of his empire !
Thus rolls on the tide of revolution ; thus passeth away one race of beings to make room for another.
Bold and adventurous anticipation ! It has fallen to our happy lot to fulfil it. Delightful reality ! while other nations are growing dim with age, and relapsing into barbarism, it is our peculiar felicity to redeem a lovely country, decked with every bloom of nature, and crowned with every bounty of providence. from the wilderness of the savage: and to cherish its infant destinies, by onr mutual labors and exertions for its prosperity.
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Influenced by this consideration, the publication of your paper has been hailed as an event, conducive to the general advancement of knowledge, and auspicious to the prosperity of the country.
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And when, hercafter, time shall have given maturity to the hopes of the present generation ;- when our little town shall have arisen, (as rise it must,) into a splendid city-the seat of commerce, of taste and refinement :- yea, when the present age shall be looked upon as belonging to a venerable antiquity, and the mists of fable begin to gather round its history; even then, the period at which
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a free press was first established on this shore, will be remembered by posterity as the dawn of their glory, and celebrated as the most auspicious era in their infant annals."
During the month of June, 1817, Ebenezer Ransom opened a boarding house in the cabin formerly occupied by John Garrison, to accommodate the hands employed by Hon. Z. Wildman, in erecting his store. This was the first frame building put up in Sandusky. Its location was directly on the present site of Reber's Block. The store after its completion was filled with goods, and placed under the care of Moores Farwell. In the Fall of this year, Cyrus W. Marsh erected the Steamboat Hotel, now called the Verandah. In the win- ter following, E. Ransom put up a frame house on Jackson street, just opposite to F. R. Lange's Drug Store. The old frame still stands and if could speak, would relate many a scene of hardship and priva- tion its early occupants endured. In the year 1818, Moores Farwell erected a dwelling house, and the first school commenced during that year in a log cabin under the charge of Miss S. Stimpson.
The first stone edifice was erected by Hon. Eleutheros Cooke, in 1821, under much discouragement from the citizens, they thinking it impossible to find stone in the town, sufficient to erect a building of any size. The old edifice still remains, and may be seen standing between "Moss Brothers" Banking House, and the Union Bank. On the lot, 6 ancient apple trees were at that time standing. For several years after, John Ogontz, son o' the celebrated chief, sometimes with two or three of his brothers, paid his annual visits to the premises, claiming, with Indian cunning, the old trees as his own. A good lunch always satisfied their claim, and they departed evincing much gratification.
Times still continued hard. In 1820 and 1822 money was so scarce that many of the settlers left their improvements, and moved farther west, unable to pay for their lands. And those who had their lands paid for, were obliged to lay up sixpences and shillings to meet their taxes. All kinds of trade was carried on by barter, On Wed- pesday, April 24, 1822 Mr. David Campbell and Adonijah Champlin
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published the first number of the "Sandusky Clarion," a weekly news- paper. There were in Sandusky at this time, 40 buildings, including commission houses, dwelling houses, stores and barns, and about 300 inhabitants. Among those doing business here then, we find L. & M. Farwell, commission merchants; Wm. Townsend, dry goods dealer; Galin Atkins, boot and shoe dealer; D. McMurray, druggist; E. Cooke, attorney at law; D. C. Henderson, in the baking business; H. Kil- bourne, postmaster; F. D. Parish, attorney at law; Wheeler & Callo- way, merchants; S. H. Stearns, tanner and currier; A Root, saddle and harness maker; Jennings & Darling, dealers in dry goods; Bush & Hollister, commission merchants; John N. Sloan, silver smith and watch maker; O. & L. Cooke, dry goods merchants; H. J. Harmon,. . attorney at law; Barsut Bethel, tailor; Alexander Clemons, cabinet maker, James C. Hurd, hatter; Sylvanus Cone, butcher; D. H. Tuttle, lumber merchant. There were others here engaged in trapping, hun- ting and trading, but;those named were the principal business men.
During the summer of 1822, a stage route was established from here to Columbus. Also, the steamboat "Superior," Jedediah Rogers, Master, made tri-monthly trips from Buffalo to Detroit, stopping here on her way up and down. She was the second steamboat that nav- igated Lake Erie; and was built to take the place of the "Walk-in-the- Water," a steamer built in 1818, and made regular trips until the Fall of 1821, when she was lost. The "Superior" was built under the in- spection of Captain Rogers, at Buffalo creek, and launched on Satur- day the 13th day of May, 1822, amid the cheers and acclamations of a numerous concourse of people, from this and the adjacent towns. A salute of 13 guns was fired from her after she had safely descended to her destined element.
During the year 1824, the channel across the flats into the bay was staked; the water in the channel ranging in depth from seven to nine feet. Since that time the channel has been changed and improved, making the depth in the lowest place eleven feet. On Sunday night, June 6th, during this year, Sandusky was visited by one of the most
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tremondnous thunder storms ever witnessed. The flashes of lightning were so vivid as almost to deprive one of sight; so rapid in succession as to keep the whole heavens in a seeming blaze, and attended with the most terrific electric explosions, while the drenching rain descended in absolute torents. In noticing the above, we feel inclined to give place to another, occurring soon after, though of less importance, yet its devastating effects, will probably illustrate the times of which we write, as much as anything we can adduce, and we know of only one cir- cumstance in the history of disasters, to which it may be comparable, and that is a collision and wreck on the "raging canal." As the STAUNCH UPPER DECK CABIN HORSE BOAT, "PEGASUS," Captain Tyler commander, was on her way to this city from Lower Sandusky, (Fremont) a violent thunderstorm arose, increasing in its fury, throw- ing down one of the horses, and thereby rendering the boat unmanage- able, leaving the passengers and crew to the mercy of the wind and waves. The boat being disabled in consequence of losing her motive power, was driven ashore and dashed upon the beach; but by this . fearful catastrophe, we are happy to state, no lives were lost.
During this year Sandusky was incorporated. Former difficulties existing between the inhabitants, and original proprietors, being in a measure removed, the place commenced thriving and settling faster than at any former period. The stage making her regular weekly trips to Cincinnati by way of Columbus, and the tri-monthly visits of the steamboat Superior, together with the ship-building, domestic trade and business of the place, produced a stir and activity interesting in those times.
There are some events connected with the early history of this city, so vital to its prosperity, so interesting in their character to the present generation, and yet so liable to be forgotten, with the few who alone survive to communicate them, that it is thought expedient here to re- cord them.
From the first knowledge of Northern Ohio, Sandusky Bay had come to be looked upon as the most eligible point in the whole North-
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west for a great commercial city. To recount all the causes that have been exerted to retard its growth, would fill a volume. Most of them must be 'deferred for the next edition. Among these, in the infancy of her career, an event occurred which had a most important and de- cisive bearing upon her destiny.
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As early as 1821. the project of a canal across the centre of the State began to be agitated.' 'In the outset no other line than the San- dusky and Scioto route was thought of. The monstrous, suicidal policy of constructing two canals across the State, to unite the same waters, was wholly an after thought-the offspring of a corrupt bar- gain and sale between interested sections. In the legislative session of 1821 the first law was passed authorising a survey. During the sea- son following, Judge Geddes, an eminent engineer from New York,. was employed to make the examination of several routes. Finding an abundant supply of water on the Central, or Sandusky & Scioto Route, he was prepared to report in favor of its location for the canal, but was prevented from doing so by a portion of the Commissioners interested in other routes, and thereupon immediately resigned his po- sition, declaring that he could not consent to retain an office while de- nied the exercise of what he deemed its undoubted prerogatives.
The next year a certain Judge Bates, whose best recommendation was his suppleness in the hands of interested commissioners, was em- ployed as chief engineer, upon whose report the two lines of canal was finally located. No single line had the power to carry the meas- ure; it could only be done by the corrupt process of bargain and sale. Cuyahoga had first to conciliate the Muskingum ally by a sop of some two millions for the river improvement, and then buy up the Scioto Valley by encountering a second summit of ascending and descending locks, and still, not having votes enough, Cincinnati and the "Miamis" had to be subsidised.
Thus was that most stupendous fraud perpetrated, which enriched the few to the injury and at the expense of the many; which diverted the canal from -the route indicated by nature, and fastened upon all
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sections of the State a debt, the burthen of which will be felt by every tax payer for half a century.
To remedy as far as possible this great wrong to Sandusky, the pro- ject of a rail road to connect with the canal from Dayton to Cincinnati was suggested. As a matter of history which may be interesting to the present citizens of Sandusky, we have been favored with and here insert the following authentic statement by a worthy citizen, of the names and first active movers in this. enterprise which has for many years exerted a powerful and marked influence upon the prosperity of the city, and but for which she could never have made headway against the implacable and perpetual hostility of her neighbore.
W. D. Roor, Esq .- Dear Sir: According to request, 1 cheerfully present my recollections of the first Rail Road movements in Northern Ohio. Shortly after the final locatian of the Ohio Canals-by which the Central Route was defrauded ofits claim-as the cheapest, nearest and most natural line; and certainly as early as 1826, the Hon. E. Cooke devised and suggested the project of a Rail Road from Sandusky to Dayton, through whose influence a meeting of the citizens was convened at the "Portland House," then kept by Col. A. Root, for the con- sideration of the subject. There were present at that meeting, David Caswell, ch'm; Doct. George Anderson, E. Cooke, Hector Kilbourne, C. W. Marsh, Moores Farwell, Aaron C. Corbit, and as I think, David Campbell, John N. Sloane, Abner Root, and others.
The meeting was addressed by Mr. Cooke, who made a thorough and searching expose of the manner in which Sandusky and the Central Route had been defrauded out of the Canal, and proposed as the only Panacea which could effectually heal the malady, "the construction of a Rail Road from Sandusky to Dayton. Resolutions were submitted and adopted by the meeting-commend- ing the project-which were afterwards noted by the paper then published at Cleveland, and held up to public odium and ridicule-but owing to the novelty of Rail Road enterprises, the newness of the country, the extent of the proposed Route, and perhaps other causes, the project was permitted for the time being to sleep, "but not to die." This movement, then, made at this early period, may justly be considered, the germ, from which sprung into life and being, the Mad River and Lake Erie Rail Road.
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Very respectfully yours, &c ..
JOHN N. SLOANE.
No city upon the Northern Lake coast of the United States posses- ses more natural facilities for commercial and manufacturing operations than Sandusky. The. Bay composing the harbor is easy of access,
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during all weather, its entrance being well protected from storms by the adjacent Islands, and the channel being deep enough for the largest lake craft. In extent, this noble harbor is the largest on Lake Erie, and the dock frontage of the city exceeds that of any other port, except Detroit. While other Lake harbors have received large and constant appropriations for breakwaters, widening and deepening their channels, &c., that of Sandusky owes comparatively nothing to artificial improvements. Evidently it is the natural centre for the commerce of the vast agricultural regions of the southwest. Being the southernmost port on the whole chain of Lakes, located nearly due north of and nearest to, the most northern bend of the Ohio river, its geographical position invites the river trade, of which it is naturally the most con- venient and economical lake outlet. The partiality and blindness of early state legislation, have in a measure retarded the wise designs of nature, by building up rivals on either side, with whom it is now com- pelled to wage a vigorous and expensive competition. Yet, in all the elements of commercial prosperity its growth has been most satisfac- tory. Few commercial cities in the Union can boast of a more rapid progress. Our limits will not allow us to quote extended statistics; but in proof of the above assertion, we subjoin the following compara- tive statement of the commerce of this port during five consecutive years :
YEAR.
IMPORTS.
EXPORTS. TOTAL OF COMMERCE.
1849
$ 8,320,949
$ 2,577,841
$10,898,790
1850
8,358,608
3,620,914
11,979,522
1851
13,644,670
4,656,641
18,301 311
1852.
24,895,085
9,789,814
34,684,899
1858
30,048,744
11,485,459
41,484,208
Showing that in five years, the commerce of the port, increased four fold! The statistics of the commerce of the last year, (1854) have not yet been fully collected, and we are, therefore, without the means of making a positive statement.
In population, the increase of Sandusky during the five years above named has been equally gratifying. In 1820, the present city was an inconsiderable village of 300 souls; in 1830 the population was 594;
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.. in 1840, 1,500; in 1850, 5,000; in 1855, 10,000. Like many other flourishing western cities, Sandusky contains a large foreign popula- tion, numbering nearly 3,000 Germans, and 2,500 Irish. The Amer- ican born citizens are mostly from New York and the New England States, -- which accounts for the energy and enterprise that have con- tributed so much to the rapid growth and prosperity 'of the city.
In Railroad enterprises Sandusky was the pioneer city west of the Alleghany mountains. The Mad River and Lake Erie Railroad, con- necting this point with Dayton and Cincinnati, was the first com- menced in the Western States. With the completion of this road, began the career of success which has since advanced Sandusky to a commercial position of primary importance. Other railways have since been built, East, West and South, connecting her with all the principal towns and cities in those directions. The Cleveland and Toledo Railroad has recently been completed, affording a direct con- nection with each of these cities, and forming an important link in the great "south-shore line" of railway uniting the Atlantic seaboard with the Mississippi river. The Sandusky, Mansfield and Newark railroad has been in operation several years. This road penetrates a rich agri- cultural region, and contributes largely to the trade of the city. Its extension to Portsmouth on the Ohio river, is now in progress, and the completion of the work may be predicted within a short time .- The Southern portion of this road penetrates the richest mineral re- gions of Ohio. Vast deposits of coal and iron lay along its line, and the abundance of these minerals and the facility of access to them, will prove of incalculable value to the manufacturing interests of the city. The railroads already built, and those in process of construction, secure to Sandusky not only a commercial prominence, but they will stimulate manufacturing enterprises by the facilitities which they offer for obtaining the raw material, and for the exchange and distribution of manufactured articles. The manufacture of iron from the Ohio and Lake Superior ores, and smelting of copper from the Superior mines, can be carried on at no more desirable point in the west than
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at Sandusky. From the past we may learn what may be hoped of the future; and judging by this standard the assertion is not extravagant, that at the end of the next decade, our city, in view of its superior advantages, will rank among the first manufacturing cities of the west.
The work on the Sandusky & Louisville Railroad is being vigor- . ously prosecuted: When completed, this road will be one of the most valuable in the United States, and as a public enterprise it is not local but national in its character, affording as it will, an air line communi- cation via New Albany, Indiana, and Louisville, Ky., with the cities and markets of the lower Mississippi. It intersects and connects with the Southern system of railroads terminating at the latter place, thus forming a speedy and reliable line of travel and transportation between the Southern and Northern States. The Fremont & Indiana Railroad Company has also been organized; and west of Fremont the road is satisfactorily progressing.
In the architecture of the city there has been a marked improve- ment during the last five years. Many mercantile blocks of elegant design have been erected, which will compare favorably with the finest structures in other cities. Most of the buildings in Sandusky are built from native stone; and perhaps no city in the west can boast of more elegant and spacious residences and business blocks. The streets are wide and commodious, and when paved as now proposed, with blocks of the native hard stone, will, with their natural and easy grades, be unsurpassed in beauty or spaciousness.
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