USA > Ohio > Hamilton County > Cincinnati > The Cincinnati miscellany, or, Antiquities of the West, and pioneer history and general and local statistics, Volume I > Part 55
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The city of Boston, I believe, has lately made a movement somewhat similar, but as for us, we must be satisfied with our schools. and lyceums, and libraries. An Observatory can never be suc- cessfully conducted here, for a want of firmness in our foundation-perfect quiescence being ab- solutely necessary for such purposes-unless our city pride could be extended to the other side of the lake for this department of science.
Organ Building.
I learn from my friend Koenke, that orders for organs are pouring in on him from all quar- ters. He has contracted within a few weeks for an organ at Lancaster Ohio, at 500 dollars. Two organs for Memphis at 2000 and 800 dol- lars respectively. One for New Orleans at 875. Two for St. Louis at 800 and 3500. He is now engaged on a fine parlor organ which ranges from C C to F, being an octave higher than any instrument of the kind in the United States, and an experiment for which the community is in- ) debted to the ingenuity of Mr. K.
I feel deeply gratified in stating these facts, which indicate not less the increasing de- mand in this market for an important manufac- ture of Cincinnati, than the general satisfaction given by Mr. Koenke's organs, which are unsur- passed any where in power and sweetness.
Organ building here is what our more impor- tant manufactures once were; the beginnings of operations, which are to expand and enlarge to the supply of half the United States.
Early Drought.
We are experiencing a degree of drought un- usual in this country, even during summer, and extremely rare for the spring season. During the last sixty days, but two showers have fallen around us. These have not sufficed much more than to penetrate the earth's surface. Mr. D. Lapham writes in from the country, that the "oldest inhabitant" does not recollect such a drought. The oldest inhabitant has a short mem- ory. The early part of the year 1806, in the Miami country was characterised by just such weather as the present, with the aggravation that from the 10th of March to the 28th August not a drop of rain fell throughout the whole re- gion, and had the country been as extensively opened, at that day as at present, serious and permanent injury to the soil must have resulted, for as is well known to intelligent farmers, the aridity of summer heats is more exhausting to land than the cultivation of a crop, which while it draws nourishment from the soil, to a great ex- tent, shields it from the burning influences of the solar rays.
Pioneers of Cincinnati.
The following list comprehends the names so far as I have been able to obtain them with the dates of their arrival here of those of our early settlers who have been here from the commence ment of the present century.
1796 Jacob Burnet, 1798 Hugh Moore,
Isaac Burton, Samuel Newell,
William Burke. Ebenezer Pruden.
1804 Ephraim Carter, 1804 Jona. Pancoast,
James Crawford, Jos. Perry.
William Crippen, 1802 Sam'l. Perry, Henry Craven, Wm. Pierson.
1800 Daniel Drake, 1804 Jos. Pancoast,
Jno. B. Enness, Robt. Richardson.
Edward Dodson, 1790 John Riddle,
1800 Charles Faran. Christop'r. Smith.
1790 Jas. Ferguson. 1802 Ethan Stone.
1790 Mrs. Mary Gano. 1796 Sam'l. Stitt,
1794 Dan'l. Gano, Wm. Saunders.
1792 Asa IIolcomb. 1804 P. S. Symmes,
1803 Caspar Hopple, Benj. Smith,
Andrew Johnston. P. A. Sprigman. G. P. Torrence,
1798 David Kautz, Wm. Legg. 1800 A. Valentine,
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Nich. Longworth.
Stephen Wheeler, John Wood,
1794 Jonathan Lvon.
1804 Benjamin Mason.
J. L. Wilson,
Caleb Williams.
1790 Mrs. H. Wallace.
1801 Robt. Wallace, John Whetsone. 1794 Griffin Yeatman.
As I intend to correct this line as far as opportunity permits, I shall fecl obliged to those who can present me the necessary information to do so.
Hopple's Row.
The increase of business in Cincinnati com- pels it to radiate from its former centres. Blocks of business stands are forming, East, West and North of the existing commercial regions. Thus some thirty large ware and store houses have been, or are just about to be erected on Walnut, between Water and Second streets. Commerce is finding vent down Second, Third and Front streets to the west, and up Second and Third strects to the east. That fine block known by the name of Hopple's row, and which has hard- ly been a year built, is now occupied with Lace and Dry Goods stores, Drug shops, Carpet ware- houses, &c, in which goods are offered whole- sale to as good advantage as in any other part of the city. Among these the Dry Goods store off Baird & Schuyler's may be especially alluded to, as a fine establishment.
These are the occupants of the lower build- ings; up stairs is a perfect den of wipers in the shape of lawyers and editors.
Prince Albert at Fault.
On the occasion of her Majesty's recent visit to Scotland, the Prince was taking a turn upon tho deck of the royal yacht; and on approaching the caboose, or cooking house, the olfactory nerves of his Royal Highness were sensibly af- fected by the "sweet smelling savor" emerging from the boiling cauldron. "What is in the pote ?" asked the Royal Consort of the Queen. "Eh, surr, do you no ken it's the hoodge poodge !" was the reply of the sturdy Caledo- nian. "De hoodge poodge!" exclaimed the Prince; "what is him made with ?" "Why, man?" said the chief de cuisine, ignorant of the rank of his interrogator; "aw'll be telling you enough ; there's toorneps intelt, and there carrets intelt, and there's mooten intelt, and there's water intelt, and there's -. " "Yah, yalı." interrupted the Prince, "but what ess inelt?" "Am aw no tellin yea' the time ?"" said the gastronomic artist; "there's toorneps intelt;" and again repeating the category of in- gredients, he was a second time stopped by the Prince, who was perplexed to know the mean- ing of "intelt." The Scot, losing all patience, exclaimed, "ye daft gowk, it ye canna under- stan' me, maybe ye'd like to put your nose intelt." The Prince, somewhat disconcerted, lighted his meerschaum, walked aft, descended into the saloon cabin, and requested his secre- tary to refer to the latest edition of the Scottish dictionary, in order to find out "what was intelt."
OBITUARY.
Il is not possible for an editor at all times to present appropriate notices of the deaths of individuals whose relation to the community seem to demand some thing more than a bare register of the fact. He has neither time nor opportunity in many cases to gather the nec- essary or instructive facts in the case.
CHARLES TATEM, who deceased on the 29th ult., in the 73rd year of his age, was born at Gosport, Va., and was brought up to the blacksmith business, at Wilming- ton Delaware. After serving the usual apprentice-ship. he commenced in that line on his own account, and such was the wide spread reputation for skill and ingenuity, be established for himself, that he filled orders for work of certain descriptions, not only throughout the contin- ent, but even from France. In 1818, he emigrated to Cincinnati, where he established himself by buying out a firm-the Hodgsons-who had a foundery in the rear of the present Universalist Church, on Walnut street .- Here he commenced a business which enlarging with the increasing importance of Cincinnati, became, with one or two other establishments, the means of directing to this market that immense amount of steam boat building, and steam engine, and sugar mill business, for the Southern markets which now form such heavy elements in our manufactory statistics.
In 1827 his operations had become so much increased as to require him to add a new foundery which was put up on Plum, between 2nd and 3rd streets, and is now oc- cupied by the Messrs. Resor. Here the business was car- ried on for years until he saw fit under the increasing pressure of age, to relinquish active employment.
Hle lived to see the City of his adoption enlarge from an extent of 1890 houses to 12,000; from a population of 9602 to 80,000; and the products of manufactured in- dustry, in iron alone, from some fifty thousand dollars per annum to two and an half millions at the lowest es- timate.
Charles Tatem was a man of singularly high ininded and honorable feeling and conduct, active in every benev - olent enterprise, and enjoying the esteem of the whole community. He was repeatedly nominated for public employment -- in the last case for the Senate of the State of Ohio-but always declined, prefering private life.
DEATHS.
ON Tuesday the 29th ult, AMELIA ELIZABETH, daugh- ter of Luke Kent, aged 7 years and 9 months.
Friday the 2nd inst, MARY CHASE, infant daughter of Win. P. Steele, Esqr.
Saturday the 3rd inst, JULIA F. IlOLMES, aged 9 years.
Sunday the 4th inst, WILLIAM HENRY, son of Edward G. and Jane Drake, aged 3 years 11 months 7 days.
Same day, LAURA JANZ, daughter of Geo. and Eliza. heth Mendenhall, aged 2 years.
Thursday the 1st inst, of Dropsy, ELIZABETH, relict of the late RICHARD BERESFORD. in the 81 year of her age.
MARRIAGES.
ON Sunday 20th ult, by the Rev. Mr. Wilson, JOHN WALKER IO Miss ISABELLA WEIR.
Thursday the 22nd ult, by the Rev. Geo. W. Maley, Mr. JAMES HILL, of Madison la., to Miss MARY ANN TAYLOR of this city.
Wednesday the 23rd ult. by Mark P. Taylor, Esqr., Mr. BENONI NICHOLS to Miss KEZIAH COPELAND.
Thursday the 24th ult, at Waynesville, WILLIAM G. KINSEY of Cincinnati, to ANN, daughter of Thos. Ev- ans, of Warren County.
Thursday the 1st May, by the Rev. Mr. Giflaspie, Mr. MACAULEY AKIN, of Louisville, Ky., to Miss CHLOE P. Mix of this city.
Sunday the 4th inst, by Elder James Challen, Mr. W'M- SMITH to Miss LOUISA M. MICDONOGH.
1797 lohn Mahard.
1795 Jonah Martin. 1804 Peter McNicoll, Adam Moore, Wm. Moody.
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Jerk Beef in Buenos Ayres. Cincinnati, April 26th, 1845.
MR. CIST :
SIR-A few days since you expressed a wish to have me give you a description of tak- ing cattle and making "Jerk Beef" in Buenos Ayres, for the different markets on the coast of Brazil, and the West India Islands.
The cattle are driven from the country in numbers from two hundred to a thousand, to the mataderos or slaughter yards, where they are put in large fields, enclosed by ditches nine feet wide at top, and seven feet deep, tapered to a foot in width at the bottom, with the earth de- posited on the outside. This is the only species of inclosure that can be made in the country, as there is no timber to be had sufficient for fenc- ing or stone for walls. This ditch costing twen- ty dollars for every hundred feet, or about three hundred dollars to enclose a four acre lot.
Near this enclosure there is a pen er yard in a circular form, made by inserting posts in the ground side by side, and close together, secured by strips in a horizontal direction, laced to the posts with thongs of raw-hide. These enclo- sures have to be made strong and secure, the cattte being in quite a wild state, as they are fresh from the pampas, and on the approach of a man they crowd with great force against the side of the pen.
The entrance to this "Coral" is about fifteen feet wide and stopped by two poles of the palm tree placed across the opening as bars. There are generally from 25 to 30 men engaged in kill- ing and salting the beef, including all the branches connected with the business.
Seven men are generally employed in killing -two on horse back, with each a laso, and one of them has in his hand an instrument made in the shape of a crescent attached to a handle with the concave edge at the extremity. One of the mounted men enters the pen, separates a bullock from the herd, the keeper standing out of sight and lets him sally forth with the horse- man after him at full speed, with his lazo attach- ed to an iron ring made fast to the girth of the horse on the right side immediately behind the 'leg of the rider. The lazo is about 75 feet long with an iron ring about 2 inches in diameter at its extreme end, and with this the noose is form- ed, the lazo is platted round a strip of raw-hide in the centre and with four strands on the out- side about 3-16 of an inch in width, with the hair shaved off and the thongs brought to an equal thickness before platting. These strips aro rubbed in the hands three or four days to prevent them from becoming hard. Strips thus prepared, are platted around the center part and form a cord about 3 inch in diameter when fin-
ished. The noose is opened to about ten feet in diameter, which would bring the ring at the right hand, the "standing part," and the part forming the noose is drawn throngh the hand until the ring is in the centre of the opening; this makes one side of the noose heavier than the other; the balance of the lazo being in a small coil in the left hand, swinging it around in a horizontal direction over his head, the hand being back up when in front, and palm up when at the back part of the hand. Thus you will perceive the lazo does not turn over. The speed of the horse increases the velocity of the lazo until he approaches to within a proper distance, when the noose is let go through the air and falls upon the bullock with probably just space enough to encumpass the horns and secure the prey.
This part of catching the animal is probably performed in 15 to 20 seconds. The second horseman approaches and cuts the ham strings of the bullock ; but the method generally prac- tised is for the other "Gaucho" or Ensayador to follow the bullock as he is fast by the head .- He runs round the first horseman sideways and throwing his lazo over the hips or hinder parts of the bullock, catches him by both hind legs;
thus with the animal fast with two lazos, the horsemen move in opposite directions with a slight curvature from a right line, the bullock falls, the killer approaches and dispatches him at once; four men come up and the skin is ta- ken off, all in about 5 minutes from the time he left the "Coral," being cut in quarters and re- moved en wheelbarrows to the "Saladero" the part of the establishment for "dissecting" and salting. This is a collection of four buildings, of from 100 to 150 feet long and 35 feet wide, made of poles and thatched with a kind of wild flag. like those used by coopers for making tight joints near the croze of a barrel, present- ing to the view a shed standing on poles with a fork at the top, and the bottom end in the ground, open at the sides and ends. In the centre of this are vats built of brick about a foot deep, eight feet wide and from fifteen to twenty feet long, lined with cement, in these is first sprin- kled salt and then a layer of beef, then salt and another layer of beef, this they continue until the pile is 8 or 10 feet high. On either side are poles suspended with large tenter hooks in them, to hang the quarters of beef on. The bones are all taken out, the meat cut into strips about 10 inches wide 3-8 of an inch thick, salted about 24 hours and then exposed to the sun to dry, and when thoroughly dry it is ready for ship- ping. The bones are saved and shipped to England and the United States for buttons, knife handles, tooth brushes, &c,
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The number of bullocks killed per day at each of these "Saladeros," varies from 150 to 300. according to the number of men employed. T.
Bathing.
With all the advance in civilization and im- provement which characterizes the Anglo-amer- ican race, it may be well doubted if we have not left it to those we stigmatise as barbarians, or at least semi-civilized, habits and customs which we ought to have carried with us along the tide of time and improvement. Among these may be named the use of the bath, which en- ters so largely into the modes of living in three fourths of the globe. I know no reason it should be neglected in the United States to the extent it is, but our national characteristic, to sacrifice or undervalue every thing which withdraws us from "the one great idea" of making money. We have not time to bathe!
It is true that time is money, but is it not also true in the same sense, and indeed to a greater gdeeer that health is money. There are few will dispute this. Well then, I tell my fellow citizens, that the man who goes without bathing from week to week during any period of the year, is injuring his health, and laying founda- tions for disease, and that the man who does so during the heats of summer is absolutely com. mitting suicide. This is strong language, but I can render its truth apparent, by a few facts- equally important and interesting-with which I have lately made myself acquainted, and which are indisputable.
1st. MM. Lavoisier and Seguin, French phy- sicians, by way of experiment, for thirty years, weighed themselves, their food and their excre- tions, and ascertained in a most conclusive manner, tliat five-eighths of what they ate, pass- ed off by the pores of the skin. Another series of experiments, demonstrated that the weight of what was thus discharged, was twenty ounces every twenty-four hours, being greater than the united excretions of both the kidneys and bow- els.
2nd. Concentrated animal effluvia forms a ve- ry energetic poison, and late medical observa- tions render it certain that malaria, the plague, spasmodic cholera, and other epidemics, are ab- sorbed by the skin.
3rd. By the agency of absorption, substances placed in contact with the skin, are taken up and carried into the general circulation. This is demonstrable in the process of vaccination, and by the mercurial preparations, which, rub- bed on the skin are absorbed, and affect the pa- tient precisely as when swallowed. The effect of poison from the bite ot rabid animals, and wounds received in dissections, which are fa-
miliar occurrences, are referable to the same principle.
It results from all this -- and I have barely glanced at the more important points-that those who suffer themselves to go from day to day, and week to week without purification of the skin by bathing furnish a ready, cause for vari- ous complaints, and are exposing themselves to dangerous and fatal consequences.
I need only advert to the benefit derived from frequent ablutions by those-even in our own country-whose bodily purification is part of their religious ritual. Still further; in none of my reading and reference to travel in the Lev- ant, or any where, in which bathing is a regu- lar and frequent habit, can I find any notice of the existence of rheumatism. One writer, who travelled extensively in Turkey, and resided there many years-Slade, expressly says, he he never saw nor heard of a case of rheuma- tism throughout the East.
Besides the direct attack of disease invited by the neglect to which I allude, there can be little doubt that the general debility which is so prevalent in summer is ascribable to the same cause.
Bathe! then, bathe! The bath house is the true Hygeian Fountain, where Health presides, and Woodruff at the ARCADE on Sycamore, oppo- site the National theatre, is the priest who offi- ciates at the shrine. A trifle of expense in these ablutions will save days and nights of suffer- ing, and dollars upon dollars in physician's bills.
Public Meetings in Cincinnati.
On Thursday the 15th inst. the General As- sembly of the Presbyterian church holds its an- nual meeting, and for the first time in Cincinnati. This is a delegation from the whole Presbyteri- an church in the United States, and will prob- able be composed of rising 250 members. Sev- eral of those who have never been in the west, will probably bring their families, or at least their wives. In addition, there will be numbers present on that occasion. of those who have bu- siness to transact with the assembly, and of those who will be attracted from the neighbor- ing counties, and adjacent States, by a desire to witness what they have never seen, the supreme ecclesiastica] court of the church to which they belong. Under these circumstances, I look for a temporary addition to our population of more than a thousand adults. There are several im- portant questions that will come up for discus- sion, and settlement, which must give considera- ble interest to its meetings. Of these are
1. The Elder question.
2. The validity of baptism in the papal church.
3. The removal of the Board of Domestic
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Missions to the west.
4. The marriage question.
5. The abolition question.
The list of members, so far as I have exam- ined it, enrolls a full share of the weight of tal- ent, learning, and experience belonging to that denomination of Christians; and I think it prob- able that our citizens and their guests may make interesting and profitable acquaintance with each other.
By the time the Assembly shall have adjourn- ed, a still larger body will convene in Cincinnati. as "the friends of Constitutional Liberty," on Wednesday the 11th June. It is understood that the Second Advent Tabernacle, corner of John and Seventh sts. will be the place of meet- ing ; and there is little doubt, from arrangements already made, that it will be as crowded an as- semblage as filled and overflowed that building, during the late Theological debate. Most of the eminent Liberty men of other States will no doubt be present. And as that party commands its full share of the speaking talent of the com- munity, many interesting addresses may be ex- pected.
Burr's Expedition.
At this distance of time, we can smile at the excitement produced throughout the whole west, by the chimerical expedition of Burr, Blen- nerhassett and others. In that day however, the whole subject was clothed in so much mys- tery, that no one could ascertain the extent of the preparations or resources for doing mischief, and the whole Ohio and Mississippi valley was on the qui rive for the explosion threatened by these movements.
The letters which follow are worthy preserva- tion, as part of the documentary history of that enterprise, the main objects of which the pub- lic at large are to this day as ignorant of as they were forty years since. The Major Riddle al- luded to is John Riddle, of this place, one of the few survivors of our early pioneers ; and as regards length of residence as well as age may be considered the patriarch of Cincinnati. Tiffin it seems was Governor of Ohio at that period, as was Gano the commanding officer of the Ohio militia in this section of country.
Chillicothe, Dec. 17th, 1806. HIS EXCELLENCY GEN. GANO :
master of any information that is of any great consequence. 1 am informed that the people of Cincinnati discover great patriotism-I am pleas- ed to hear it -- it is what every man ought to do who is a friend to his country.
I hope to hear by next mail, that those boats which have been built in consequence of the nefarious scheme, that there appears but too good reason to believe are on foot, will be ta- ken; and those fellows who have designs of at- tempting the destruction of our government -- if such there be, may be brought to meet condign punishment. It behooves every friend of liber- ty to be active-and willingly would I sacrifice my life and little property in support of the Un- ion of the United States; for I am led firmly to believe, that if ever a separation take place -- that then we may bid adieu to that liberty that is necessary to the promotion of national hap- piness. The piece of ordnance consider un- der the control of you and his honor Judge Nimmo. I have a swivel that lays at home in my cellar that may be useful ; if so, call on Mrs. McFarland and ask her to let you have it. Any thing I can do to aid the government, be it ev- er so little shall with pleasure be contributed.
Accept sir, the high assurances of my respect' And believe me your excellency's Obedient servant, WM. McFARLAND.
Chillicothe, Dec., 14th, 1806. DEAR SIR :
I have just received a communica- tion from the Secretary of war of the United States, a copy of which I herewith enclose to you. I have also just received a letter from Judge Meigs, of Marietta, informing me that he has arrested ten Batteaux, forty feet long each, with stores &c. on the Muskingum as they were descending the river, and that four more remain- ing on the stocks will be arrested, that Comfort Tyler was lying with a number of fast run- ning boats at Blannerhassett's Island, and about 50 men armed, &c. &c.
I have sent this off as soon as I could obtain an express and get my letters wrote, authorizing you to raise immediately two companies of vol- unteer militia, agreeably with the letter of the Secretary of war to me, each company compo- sed of one Major, one Captain, one Lieutenant, and one ensign, and sixty non-commissioned of- ficers, privates and musicians. I delegate the power to you to appoint these officers, and to di- rect that the instructions given in the Secreta- ry's letter to me bo complied with-and due re- turns &e. be made. You will observe they willi be under the pay &c., of the United States. I have ordered one company to be raised at Ma-
Dear Sir-I received yours per mail -- the mo- ment I received the information I attended at the Collector's office, and found that John Car- lisle Esq., had assumed payment for one tract, and that previous to his receiving your informa- tion, two tracts, part of them had been sold for the tax-but since Mr. Carlisle has compro- mised, the particulars I presume the squire has informed you of per mail. You I presume, are | rietta, as the boats are arrested there, for the pur.
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