USA > Ohio > Hamilton County > Cincinnati > The Cincinnati miscellany, or, Antiquities of the West, and pioneer history and general and local statistics, Volume I > Part 37
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disposition was displayed the cunning of a fox . as well as the boldness of a lion.
As soon as his friends had left him, he pick- ed up his blanket, shouldered his rifle, and struck off into a different part of the country, in hope that fortune would place in his way some lone Indian. He kept aloof from the large streams, where large parties of the enemy generally en- camped. He prowled through the woods with a noiseless tread, and the keen glance of the ea- gle, that day and the next evening, when he dis- covered a smoke curling up from among the bushes. He crept softly to the fire, and found two blankets and a small copper kettle in the camp. He instantly . concluded that this was the camp of only two Indians, and that he could kill them both. He concealed himself in the thick brush, but in such a position that he could see the number and motions of the enemy. A- . bout sunset, one of the Indians came in and made up the fire, and went to cooking his sup- per. Shortly after, the other came in, they ate their supper; after which they began to sing, and amuse themselves by telling comic stories, at which they would burst into a roar of laugh- ter. Singing, and telling amusing stories, was the common practice of the white and red men when lying in their hunting camps.
These poor fellows, when enjoying themselves in the utmost glee, little dreamed that the grim monster, death, in the shape of Lewis Wetzel, was about stealing a march upon them. Lewis kept a keen watch on their movements. About 9 or 10 o'clock at night, one of the Indians wrapped his blanket around him, shouldered his rifle, took a chunk of fire in his hand, and left the camp doubtless with the intention of going to watch a deer lick. The fire and smoke would serve to keep off the gnats and musketoe ?. It is a remarkable fact, that deer are not alarmed at seeing fire, from the circumstance of seeing it so frequently in the fall and winter seasons. when the leaves and grass are dry, and the woods on fire. The absence of the Indian was the cause of vexation and disappointment to our hero, whose trap was so happily set, that he considered his game secure. He still indulged the hope, that the Indian might return to camp before day. In this he was disappointed. There were birds in the woods who chirped and chat- tered just before break of day; and like the cock, gave notice to the woodsman that day would soon appear. Lewis heard the wooded songsters begin their morning carol, and deter- mined to delay no longer the work of death for the return of the Indian. Ile walked to the camp with a noiseless step, and found his victim buried in profound slumber, lying upon his side. Ile drew his butcher knife, and with all
170
through his heart. He said the Indian gave a [ 100, every year during the same series. Aver- short quiver, and a convulsive motion, and laid age depth of rain 44. 92 inches. still in his final sleep. He then scalped him, and set off for home. He arrived at the Mingo Bottom only one day after his unsuccessful com- panions.
He claimed, and as he deserved, received the promised reward.
The Weather -- East and West.
An industrious correspondent of the Philadel phia Enquirer, publishes some interesting obser- vations concerning the weather, and the quan- tity of rain that has fallen in Philadelphia, since the year 1835.
Years,
24 hours,
the whole of the day,
Rain, the whole or very near
rain fell during the year,
Total No. of days on which &
falls thereof,
Snow, including very slight 2
overcast,
including days only partially
Cloudy days without storming,
Total of cloudy days.
the term "clear."
Total number of clear days in - The ordinary acceptation of of G
1836
73
27
100
23
32
155
211
1837
73
15
88
30
56
174
191
1838
81
15
96
20
38
154
211 143
1840
76
40
116
27
84
227
139 121
1841
89
49
138
32
74
244
1842
94
44
138
20
51
209
156
1843 86
34
120
32
93
225
140
1844 104
29
133
22
53
208
158
From this it appears that thenumber of clou- dy and stormy days has considerably increased in Philadelphia, although frem the following ta- ble, it seem that the quantity of rain has scarce- ly increased at all.
In 1830 there fell 45 inches.
1831
do
43
do
1832
do
39
do
1833
do
48
do
1834
do
34
do
1835
do
39
do
1836
do
42
do
1837
do
39
do
1838
do
45
do
1839
do
43
do
1840
do
49
do
1841
do
55
do
1842
do
48
do
:843
do
49
do
1844
do
46
do
It may be instructive to compare with this, our Cincinnati weather during the same period. I find on reference to meteorological tables kept by Dr. J. Ray, from Jan. 1. 1835 to Dec. 1, 1840, that the average for those six years was clear and fair days 146. Variable days, 114. Cloudy and rainy days, 105. The great- est number of clear or fair days in any one year was 164, and the least 127. The greatest num- ber of cloudy and rainy was 116, and the least
It would appear by this statement, that while there are more rainy days, in a given period in Cincinnati than in Philadelphia, the quantity of rain falling appears to be about the same.
There is a natural philosophy among the Penn- sylvania Germans, that on an average of years, there is just so much rain, so much dry weather, so much heat, and so much cold in the course of a year. It follows, if you do not get it this year, you have cither had it the last, or will have it the next. I confess myself a believer in this philosophy, every day adding evidence to me in its behalf .-
The Anthracite Coal of Pennsylvania.
Statistics appears to many readers, a dry bu- siness, and such they undoubtedly are, when they do not set the faculties of the reader at work figuring out results. To state that 1,631,- 669 tons of coal have been mined the last year, in Pennsylvania out of the Anthracite field alone without reference to Bituminous coal regions, makes very little distinct impression upon unre- flecting minds, who, it is with regret I say it, constitute the mass of newspaper readers. But if we compare, combine and reflect upon this subject, it dilates to vast importance. If we cal- culate the value of the coal which sells at Phila- delphia at $6 per ton, and in New York at 6,50 per ton, we perceive that it produces as an average over twelve millions of dollars annual- ly to the great state in which it is mined. And when we ascertain as we readily may, that the annual produce of the Gold and Silver mines of Peru and Mexico, twenty-two millions of dol- lars, does not exceed the value of the anthracite and bituminous coal mined each year in Penn- sylvia, it serves to give a lively idea of the wealth beneath her soil. For coal is but one item of her mineral resources, limestone, iron, salt and marble abounding in that State.
But it is not the equality in value of the coal of Pennsylvania, with the gold and silver mines of Peru and Mexico, which constitute the more important and interesting features of the subject.
Let us reflect on the amount of industry which this prodigious quantity of mineral fuel puts in- to employment, for the getting it into market, and actual use. I am not aware of the price of coal at the anthracite mines; but it is easy to perceive, that a large share of its value in New . York, Boston, and Philadelphia, must be made up in the cost of transportation, and repeated handling of an article so bulky and heavy. As regards the bituminous coal of the west, one half the cost arises from this source of expense. But if we allow but ten millions dollars on this score, to be divided between the laborers, freigh -
1839 107
14
121
25
76
222
Rain during some portion of
1835
134
171
ters, wagoners, and coal merchants, it will easi- ly be seen that it is an interest which sustains to double the extent, the industry of a country compared with that of the Peruvian and Mexi- can mines, in the products of which much value lies in small space, and whose worth is almost as great at the mouth of the mine as when coin- ed into specie.
Bartlett's Commercial College.
We have Colleges in Cincinnati of various descriptions. There are the rival CINCINNATI and WOODWARD Colleges "teaching the young adlers how to shoot; there are the rival medical Colle- ges, the OHIO regular, on Sixth Street, and the BOTANICO MEDICAL or Steam, at the Bazaar, and we have the Law College of Judge Walker, which without making as much disturbance in the community as some of the rest, is doing much to prepare young law students thoroughly for their arduous and responsible profession .- But it may be news io some of my subscribers, as it certainly will be to three-fourths of the cit- izens at large, that we have also a COMMERCIAL COLLEGE where young accountants are regular- ly, systematically, and thoroughly trained to the theory and practice of book-keeping, and having passed through the course are examined, and if found duly proficient, receive regular di- plomas., This is the Commercial college of R. M. Bartlett, at the corner of Main and Fourth streets.
This establishment feli under mynotice in my explorations a few weeks since, and I have been led to examine its operations for the pur- pose of âscertaining whether any system of teaching book-keeping can accomplish what they all profess, to prepare young men for ta- king charge actually of a set of books, and mas- tering the whole subject of keeping accounts. I must confess, I have shared largely in the popular notion. that though you may learn all you can from systems of book-keeping, you must begin again when you enter a counting house to keep the books.
What I have seen here and have learned from young men who have been educated by Mr. Bartlett. has satisfied me that this is an unjust prejudice, although it is undoubtedly true, that the system of teaching under most professors of the science has laid a foundation for it. I will give the statistical part of the subject first, for the purpose of rendering apparent, as well as sustaining, the conclusions to which I have come respecting this commercial college.
Mr. R. M. Bartlett, I have learned, has been engaged in this business for the last twelve years, eight years of which he has been estab- lished in Cincinnati, During that period twelve hundred students have gone through the colle-
giate course, averaging one hundred to eachi year. From eight to ten weeks serve for a young man of ordinary capacity to become fa- miliar, theoretically & practically, with the sys- tem he teaches. A share of the young men who study here, find employment in this city as book-keepers, but many of them are persons who reside abroad, and come here to qualify themselves for employment at home. Others- again, after going through the course here, are sought out by application to Mr. B. for situa- tions elsewhere. Not a few are now keeping books in Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Louisville, Natch- ez, New Orleans, and Mobile, who studied with Mr. Bartlett. Indeed, individuals from his col -. lege are now in heavy houses in Boston, New York and Philadelphia.
The system of Mr. B. is both analytical and synthetical. It is the taking to pieces, as a study, a complicated but exact machine, to contem- plate and learn the relation of the several parts to each other and to the machine, and the put- ting it together to make it operate accurately. and without embarrassment. With this view the student is required to give a reason for eve- ry thing he does, to take up an every day trans- action and put it through the books to its final' close, to shew why one given entry is accurate or any other one incorrect, in short under the se- verest drilling to render it apparent that he has mastered the theory of Book-keeping as well as reduced it to practice.
I have conversed with several young men who have been taught here, and have now charge of books in various counting rooms here of pork merchants, wholesale dry goods and grocery stores, auction houses, &c, and their testimony is clear, uniform and ample, that they have ac -. quired with Mr. Bartlett, not only the correct system of keeping accounts, but have become prepared to apply it to any set of books which they found opened in the various establishments in which they took desks.
One of these at the age of sixteen was found competent to take charge of the whole coun- ting house operations, and has conducted them to the satisfaction of his employers for several years since. He is yet hardly of legal age, and performs now, what was formerly the work of two persons in the counting room.
Mr. Bartlett is not only engaged in qualify- ing those whom he has taught from the com- mencement of their studies, but has frequently been called on to take individuals through their courses who have wasted time and money nn- der incompetent, or merely theoretical teachers.
In another column of this day's "Advertiser" will be found certificates from members of firms, or the book-keepers in the various business honses of Cincinnati, which fully corroborate many of the positions [ have taken in this article.
172
CORRESPONDENCE.
Mr.Cist :
CINCINNATI January 31, 1845,
As this is the season for pork cutting it seems an appropriate time to add my contri- bution to the pork stories which you have lately published.
I remember a case of contracting for pork, which I am disposed to believe from the great similarity in the features of both cases was the truer version of the incidents related by a cor- respondent in your paper of the 22d inst. At any rate I will tell it as it occurred, and your readers may determine that point for themselves.
In the early days of our pork business, a cer- tain produce dealer, to whom I was the next door neighbor, made a contract with a dealer in hogs from the country, for the sale at a given rate, and dolivery at Rossville, of a lot of hogs from one to five hundred. The dealer was to receive twenty dollars extra for driving them into Hamilton across the Miami from Rossville. The price of pork rose, and when the period of delivery approached, my friend and neighbor received notice to despatch a person to take charge of the drove, on the day named in the con- tract, as it would be in Hamilton punctually by the time, and added, "Don't forget to send the twenty dollars." Accordingly, he despatched & young man in his employ to engage hands to bring in the drove. The Clerk reached Hamil- ton that night, and while taking breakfast at the Hotel, was called to the door to see the contrac- tor, who had just arrived and was inquiring for him. "So you have brought the hogs, I suppose, where are they ?" "In the yard," replied the drover, to which they accordingly repaired .--- Here in one corner of the fence lay a dignified porker, "solitary and alone" in his glory, being the impersonation of this important contract .--- "Where is the drove," at length asked the im- patient clerk, after reconnoitering the yard in all directions. "There," said the other "and tired enough he is --- where is my twenty dollars?" ." Go to - with your twenty dollars," pro- fanely exclaimed the clerk, who by this time, discovered he had been sent on a fool's errand ; adding, "and take your infernal drore with you." "Well" said the drover, very coolly, "you need not take him if you don't wish to. I only wanted to keep my engagement, and found it easier to deliver one than five hundred hogs." The young man I believe, consulted a lawyer on the spot, but obtained no encouragement in the case. If I remember right they compromised the matter by ten dollars being paid for the de- livery into Hamilton, of the drove.
I had good reason to know something about this business, the article of agreement having been left in my custody ; in those days people
not taking the trouble usually, of making cop- ies of an agreement. This contract occupied three sides of a folio sheet, the merchant having drawn it up himself, and made every thing per- fectly safe, except the number of the hogs. R.
Human Nature.
When Columbus applied for assistance from the Spanish Crown, to his immortal enterprise- the discovery of America-the attempt was stig- matised as chimerical -- when he returned suc- cessful, its beneficial results were disputed- and when these became so apparent as to silence all cavil, it was alleged that any one might have made it. These to be sure were the objections of his enemies.
When Fulton proposed to ascend the North River, by stcam power, it was first pronounced visionary, when accomplished, it could not be again done, and when repeatedly done, it could never become of any practical use. These, won- derful to say, were the cavils and objections of friends. Fulton in this respect, fared worse than Columbus.
While the late experiments of John Starr & J. Milton Sanders, in our own city respecting the electro magnetic light were progressing, the great body of those who spoke with me on the subject treated it as a humbng. "It had been tried in France and England. and had en- ded in smoke. So it would here." Well, the young men succeeded, as I suppose. What next! It was ascertained by the very same class of cav- ilers, that Professor Faraday had discovered it long before, and one of them referred ine to the page of one of his publications, in proof. I dis- dained even to look for it. One of my New York exchanges, I observe, has made the dia- covery also that it has been tong known in Eng- land.
What a wonderful tissue of inconsistencies is man. "The wisest, brightest, meanest thing of earth, ??
The Miami Settlements."
Judge Goforth, from whose registers I am fa- vored with copies of extracts, of such incidents as were deemed worthy of transcription, was one of the framers and signers of the original con- stitution of the State of New York, and an ear- ly settler of the west, having reached Columbia on the Little Miami, early in 1790. He was shortly after appointed a justice of the peace for the county of Hamilton, being the first ap- pointed magistrate in that county, and after- wards made one of the Judges of the Territorial Court of the N. W. Territory, being commis- sioned to that office by President Washington.
Extracts from memorandums made by Judge Goforth, in his day book.
173
1789.
Sep.26 left New York-
Oct. 6 arrived at Norfolk-12th left Norfolk and arrived at Richmond, on 23d. Capi- tol at Richmond 110 feet long, exclusive of the portico and 80 feet wide.
Nov. 5 left Richmond, and arrived at Norfolk on the
8th. In my passage down I had the curiosity- passing Jamies Island in the day time-to see that settlement-being the first made by the English in North America-now reduced to two farms and part of a ateeple being the only remains of the first church and first brick building in North America. Passed thence to Baltimore and Hagars- town and
Dec15 arrived at Magees on the Monongahela
" 18 left to go down the Ohio, floated down about 4 miles, got ou Braddock's lower ford-
" 19 passed Fort Pitt and the Allegheny
" 20 got ashore with the ice 30 miles from Fort Pitt.
1790.
Jan. 2 left our camp and put down the Ohio and on the
8th arrived at Limestone and thence to Washington which is in 38 degrees some minutes North, and had at that time 119 houses.
" 12th left Washington* on the 12th and arrived on
" 18th at Miami.§ 1790.
Jan.23 the first four horses were stolen-by the Indians-
Apl. 4 two of Mills' men were killed.
5 a bark cance passed the town and.5 more horses were atolen.
" 16 Baily and party, returned from pursuing after the Indians .
May 3 Met in the shade to worship.
" 11 A cat fish was taken-four feet long 8 inches between the cyes and weighed 58 pounds.
Judge Symmes arrived on the End of February 1789, as he informed Major Stites, at hia own post.
Apl 21 traded with the first Indian,
" 28 Capt. Samondawat-an Indian arrived and traded.
Aug 3 Named the Fort "Miami."
5 Col Henry Lee arrived and 53 volunteers 27 Went to North Bend with Col. Lee.
* This was Washington, the County Town of Mason County, Kentucky, which it seems had 119 houses before a single dwelling was built in Cincinnati. It probably has no more than 400 houses at this time.
§ Columbia, on the Little Miami.
Sep 3 Capt. Flinn retook the horses.
" 25 Major Stites old M1. Bealer and myself took the depth of the Ohio River when we found there was 57 feet water in the channel, and that the river was 55 feet lower at that time than it was at that un- commonly high fresh last winter. The water at the high flood was 112 feet.}
Oct 9 Mr. White set out for the Tiber.
Aug16 Major Doughty went down the River. 1789.
Dec28 Gen'l Harmar past this post down the River.
1790.
Jan 2 The Governor past this post down the River.
" 3 rec'd a line desiring my attendance with others,
4 Attended his Excellency when the Ci vil and Military officers were nominated.
6 The officers were sworn in.
13 Doctor David Jones preached,
18 Doctor Gano and Thomas Sloo came here
20 the church was constituted-Baptist church at Columbia --
21 Three persons were baptised.
24 called a church meeting and took unani- mous to call the Rev'd Stephen Gano to the pastoral charge of the church at Columbia.
Apl 15 General Harmar went on the Campaign past this post,
19 The Gov. went up the River.
Aug30 Worked at clearing the Minister's lot.
2 Mr. Sargent left this post to go up the River together with Judge Turner,
Sep 12 The Mason county militia past this post on their way to Head quarters.
19 200 Militia from Pennsylvania past this post on their way to Ciucinnati.
23 the Governor went down to Cincinnati.
25 Major Doughty and Judge Turner also,
30 The main body of the troops marched. 1791.
Jan 2 began to thaw
Mch I Indians fired at Lt. Baily's boat
" Mr. Abel Cook was found dead in the Round Bottom
" 4 Mrs. Bowman was fired at in the night through a crack in the honse.
Mch22 Mr. Strong returned from up the River had 24 men killed and wounded on the 19th March.
27 Mr. Plasket arrived-the 24 in the morn- ing fought the Indians just after day
# This seems an unaccountable mistake. The flood of 1832 was but 64 feet above low-water, and the high- est flood ever known at the settlement of the country was.but 12 feet higher ..
174
break, about 8 miles above Scioto-this the same battle mentioned in Hubbles narrative-
July 7 Col Spencer's son taken prisoner
" 14 Francis Beadles Jonathan Coleman a sol- dier killed
1792.
Jan 7 In the evening Samuel Welch was taken Nov 2 " last Monday night met at my house to consult on the expediency of founding an Academy-Rev. John Smith, Major Gano Mr. Dunlavy"-afterwards Judge of the Court of Common Pleas-and myself- Wednesday night met at Mr. Rcily's school house-Mr. Reily then the teacher was for many years clerk of Butler Com- mon Pleas and Supreme Court-" to di- gest matters respecting the Academy, the night being bad, and but few people at- tending post-poned till next night which was Ist of Nov. met at Mr. Reily's to ap- point a committee."
Dec 6 Fell a snow 7 inches on a level 1793.
Sep 24 The first and fourth Sub-Legions march under Gen'l Wayne. The 27th or rather the 30th the Army march.
Marching Orders in Early Times.
The following were given as marching orders to the first military force ever detached to the west. They are very characteristic of the period, and the men who administered public affairs at that date. Nothing can exceed the beauty and clearness of the manuscript ..
Harris's ferry on tho Susquehanna, referred to in these orders, is the Harrisburg of the present day
Gen. Henry Knox to Captain John Armstrong. SIR :
Your company having been mustered and inspected, and being prepared for march- ing for the frontiers, you are to commence your march accordingly for Fort Pitt.
Your route will be from hence, to Lancaster, Harris's ferry, on the Susquehannah, Carlisle, Shippensburg, Bedford to Fort Pitt.
You will draw provisions at Lancaster, at Car- lisle and Shippensburg from Major Smith or his agent-at Fort Pitt from the contractors.
You will pursue your march with all dili- gence, consistently with the health of your men.
You will keep a regular journal noticing the weather and distances, of each day's march, a copy of which you are to transmit to the war office, and also of the time of your arrival at Fort Pitt,
On your arrival at that place, you will receive further orders from your superior officer .
regular accounts and vouchers are to be obtain- ed for every payment. You have furnished you on this account the sum of - -Fifty dollars for which you are held accountable.
Every officer commanding a detachment of the troops of the United States, or levies, while on the march to the frontiers, will be held respon- sible, that the conduct of his detachment shalì be conformably to the most perfect good order and discipline.
The civil authority is to be held in the high- est respect. The inhabitants on the route are to be treated with civility and decency. Any offence against this order is to be punished upon the spot.
No property of any sort is to be taken without a fair purchase and payment.
The troops are to be encamped every evening, and the officers are always to eucamp with their companies.
Given at the war office of the U. States, this 26th day of April, 1791.
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