USA > Ohio > Hamilton County > Cincinnati > The Cincinnati miscellany, or, Antiquities of the West, and pioneer history and general and local statistics. Volume II > Part 11
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I shall make my statements from notes taken down from the lips of the early settlers here.
The river Ohio was a bluff bank, and the trees in front of the city had been partially cleared.
Two or three coves at various points between Main and Lawrence streets, afforded landing places for boats. One of these known by the name of Yeatman's Cove, from the circumstance that our old fellow citizen, Griffin Yeatman kept tavern at the head of it, indented the bank at the foot of Sycamore street, Here the river was let in as far up nearly, as the line of Front street.
Another cove afforded a landing,'as well as pro- tection for boats just above Ludlow street ; this was called Dorsey's cove. Another still higher up, projected from the river not far be- low Deer Creek. The shore fell off to Second or Columbia street, Water street being then higher than Front. An extensive swamp filled up the ground rearwards until it struck the base of the hill.
I shall complete the residue of this number from notes taken down by me, two or three years since, as the recollection of the oldest set- tler in Ohio. He has since deceased.
Emigrants came down in every sort of craft. I came down in a flat, loaded with corn, and lan- ded in Cincinnati, April 7th 1794, precisely six years from my first landing at Marietta, April 7th, 1788, having been one of the original 49 who made the first settlement in Ohio. The old- est building now in the city, is Liverpool's old log cabin, corner of Walnut and Front street, It was one of the original cabins .*-- There was a pond at the corner of Main and Fifth streets, which extended into the south- west corner-Burdsal's-of that block, a consid - erable distance. This was overgrown with al- derbushes, and occupied by frogs. Main street above Fifth had to be causewayed with logs to pass it. I bought a lot of James Lyon, in 17- 94-100 ft. by 200, on Walnut below Fourth for 150 dollars, and the corner of Fourth and Wal- nut the same size, three years afterwards, for a stud horse valued at 400 dollars. I cultivated the square opposite the Cincinnati College from 1795 to 1800, as a corn field. I was offered the corner lot of Main and 4th, 100 ft. on Main by 200 on Fourth street -- the Harrison drug store corner -- in 1796 for 250 dollars. The same year, Francis Menessier, of Gallipolis, bought the lot 100 feet on Main, and 200 feet on Third Street -- where the Trust Company Bank stands, for an old saddle, not as good as can now be bought for ten dollars. Governor St. Clair bought 60 acres at 50 dollars per acre. This included that part of the city from the Canal to Mrs. Mer- cer's line, and from Main to Plumb streets. The wagons used frequently to mire in getting to the hill. I have helped to get them out at Liver- pool's corner, and on Main street opposite Jona- than Pancoast's, where we had to pry them out with rails. Corn sold at 37₺ cents per bushel, Pork at 50 to 75 cts. per 100 lbs. When it rose to one dollar every body said it could not keep that price. Wheat flour, 75 to 100 cts. per 100 lbs. Wild Turkeys 12} to 25cts. each, ac- cording to quality . I have known wild turkeys shot, that were so fat that they would burst in falling. Rifle powder sold at 100 to 150 cts. per
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1b. Salt 6 to 7 dollars per bushel. I bought at those,prices,rock salt from M'Cullagh, who kept store on Main where Lawson's copper smith es- tablishment now is. I was offered Conn's lot at the corner of Main and Lower Market street, 100 by 200, for 250 dollars, payable in carpen- ter work. St. Clair's house on Main street is the oldest permanent dwelling, & Hopple's on Low- er Market street, the oldest building for busi- ness purposes in Cincinnati.
*Taken down in 1844.
Boston Wit.
The Bostonians, stimulated in water as well as railroads by New York City, have been for several months agitated by the question of in- troducing water from abroad for the supply of the article to that city. Handbills, addresses, pamphlets, and even caricatures on the subject abound. The following appears in the "Boston Courier" on the subject.
Examination of a Candidate for Water Commissioner.
"' Mark me,-now will I raise the waters,"-MERE CHANT OF VENICE.
Q .- Are you in favor of pure soft water?
Ar-I am in favor of whatsoever things ale pure.
Q .- What water can be brought into the city successfully ?
A .- Any that will run down hill.
Q .- But suppose the case of Taunton ?
A .- It might be reinforced.
Q .- Do the people of Boston lack water?
A .- I know many who cannot boast of clean hands.
Q .- Where is the want chiefly felt?
A .- Among the "great unwashed."
Q .- How many straddling hugs to the bucket full does the water of Long Pond contain ?
A .- Just enough to make it a lively drink.
Q .- What do you think of the tadpoles in Mother Brook ?
A .- That they may turn to croakers in time. Q .- What animalculæ are to be discovered in the water of the Boston wells?
A .- Chiefly dead cats.
Q .- Are they numerous?
A .- Almost as numerous as the pamphlets on the water question.
Q .- What proportion of a cat would a chemi- eal analysis of the Boston water exhibit?
A. - I cannot say, but it is estimated that their united tails would reach the length of the pro- posed aqueduct,
Q .- Do you think a single-catted well affords water superior to one pretty well "stodged" with those animals?
A .- In general, I think it is not desirable that water for nice drinking should taste too strong- ly of cat.
Q-Can you explain the reason why the wa- ter in Charles river is less catty nowthan former- ly.
A .- It is supposed to have some connection with the increased manufacture of sausages.
Q .- What is your definition of "hard drink- ing?
A .- Sitting on a rock and swallowing cold water.
Q .- What corporation bids the fairest to bring a certain and constant supply of water into the city ?
A .- A corporation of milk men.
The Harvest.
The farmers in the west are in the midst of a harvest, which is equal in abundance and qual- ity to the finest they have ever gathered into their barns. The early hay has been compara- tively a failure, but the second erop, as such, is superior to any thing previously known.
What is most remarkable in this, is that two or three weeks since, there was a general, in- deed, universal impression, that the crops this year would prove a failure, in some regions ut- terly so. Such was the effect of the dry and parching weather, through March, April and May, that hay rose in the Cincinnati markets to twenty dollars per ton. Every description of feed for horses and cattle threatened to become exhausted, and probabilities of partial famine, and extreme pecuniary pressure became matter of gloomy foreboding. Two or three weeks of copious rainy weather, have changed the whole face of things, and increased our faith in the glo- rious promise, that seed time and harvest should not fail on the earth as long as it stands. I am glad to find that individuals who had bought up certain necessaries of life extensively, as objects of speculation, have been taught a valuable les- son on this score.
Bank Note Engraving.
A variety of Banks are now organizing through- out this State, and if we derive no other bene- fit from their issues, two points at any rate will be gained by the community. The banishment uf the ragged and greasy notes now in circula- tion, and the establishment of a currency behind which we can look to the credit of the State, so far at least as to the value of bonds on which these issues are based. The engraving is doing and about to be done by Rawdon, Wright & Hatch, and Toppan, Carpenter & Co., two engra- ving houses in Cincinnati.
It is the design of these banks to furnish por- traits of the successive Governors of Ohio, as de- corations for the three and one dollar issues .- Of these, I have seen those of Gov's. MORROW, VANCE and CORWIN, at the office of Messrs. Top- pan, Carpenter and Co., and at Messrs. Rawdon, Wright, & Hatch, the portraits of Gov's. TIFFIN M'ARTHUR and WORTHINGTON.
These are fine specimens of the proficiency to which Bank note Engraving has been brought
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in the West, and evidences that Ohio is able to supply these as well as other wants, out of her own resources.
Wayne's expedition in 1793.
The following diary appears to have been kept by an officer belonging to the legionary corps of Gen. Wayne. Aside from the fresh- ness of this species of narration, written down on the spur of the moment, which in the hands of an intelligent writer is sure to interest, there are some incidental remarks worthy of notice.
The first is, that distances are described by the 'five mile spring,' 'seventeen mile' and'twen- ty-nine mile tree,' which serves to point out the little improvement which the Miami country at that period afforded, as way marks on the march. But the letter is especially valuable, as a testi- mony from beginning to end of the untiring vi- gilance, and press-forward spirit of ANTHONY WAYNE, which afforded a presage from the first day's march, of his peculiar fitness for the haz- ardous and responsible service on which he was detached by government .
Camp S. W. Branch Miami, Oct. 22d. 1793. DEAR SIR :
Agreeably to promise I have seized the first opportunity of writing you, and to be meth+ odical in the business, I shall give it to you by way of journal.
7th Oct. our first day's march was great, con- sidering that the army had not got properly in their geers-I think it was about 10 miles. Our second, 8th, was greater, it reached Fort Ham- ilton. Many of the men were exceedingly fa- tigued, and it was pretty generally believed, hard marching -- the General thought otherwise, and it must bo so. 9th, our third day's march, was to the five-mile spring, advance of Hamil- ton. Observe, we fortified our camp every night and were very vigilant, or ought to be so, 10th, our fourth day's march, we encamped about the 17 mile tree, and nothing extraordinary happen- ed, excepting that our line of march extended for near five miles, owing to the rapidity of the marching, and the badness of the roads for our transportation, superadding the straggling sol- diers, worn down with fatigue and sickness, brought up by the rear guard whom they retar- ded considerably.
11th, we proceeded on to the 29 mile tree, for- tified as usual, and occupied a fine comman- ding ground, and nothing of consequence hap- pened here. 12th, the roads were very bad, and some of our waggons broke down, but as the General's orders declared there should be no in- terstices, the line of marchi, was not impeded,
and we made say ten iniles, this day. 13th we advanced by tolerable quick movements, un- til we came within a mile or so of Fort Jeffer- son, and this day furnished a good deal of sport, for as the devil would have it, Col. Hamtramck was manœvreing his troops. and had a sham fight, which was construed by the whole army, as an attack upon our advanced guards or flank- ers-it really frightened a good many, but we all said, let them come, or, we are ready for them. We had marched hard this day, and I think not so well prepared; however it was at length dis- covered to be a sham fight, and every body knew it then, Oh, it was Hamtramck's usual practice ! said they ; but it was all in my eye -- they never thought of Hamtramck. 14th, we marched past Fort Jefferson without even desi- ring to look at it; indeed some of us turned our heads the other way with disdain; and it has been threatened (as report says) to be demolishi- ed entirely. This day's march brought us to where Iam now sitting, writing to my friend. We fortified our encampment very strong and feel very secure. 15th, the waggons were sent back to Fort St. Clair for stores, provisions, &c. and an escort of two subaltern, and between 80 and 90 men; and nothing happened extra this day. 16th, the devil to pay, Col. Blue, with near 20 of the cavalry went out to graze the hor- ses of the troops, and after some time Blue dis- covered something crawling in the grass, which he at first thought was turkeys, but immediate- ly found them to be two Indians, and ordered a charge ; himself, two serjeants and a private char- ged, the rest ran away ; the consequence was, tho two Indians killed the two Serjeants -- Blue and the private escaped. The leader of the rascals who behaved so cowardly was immediately tried and condemned, but pardoned the next day .--- 17th, Lt. Lowry, Ensign, formerly Dr. Boyd; with the escort of 90 men, guarding the wagons, were attacked by a party of thirty or forty In- dians who rushed on with savage fury and yells which panic struck the whole party (excepting the two officers, and about 15 or 20 men, who. fell a sacrifice to savage barbarity,) and they all fled, and have been coming into Fort St. Clair by twos and threes ever since. The Indians plundered the waggons, and carried off with them sixty-four of the best waggon horses in the army, killing six horses at the waggons in. this defeat. Mr. Hunt has been a considerablo loser; his wagon was plundered also, Col. Ad- air pursued the Indians, and found several hor- ses dead, which he supposed had been tired and they killed them, a proof that their flight was very rapid. In this attack we have lost two promising, worthy and brave officers, and about twenty men, mostly of Capt. Shaylor'scompany
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for his and Capt. Prior's formed the escort, and are both now rather in disgrace.
We have been led to believe that this place would have been made the grand deposit until this day ; wc now learn that there will be a for- ward move in the course of ten days, nine miles further into the Indian country, to a place call- cd Still Water; the reason I can't surmise, but they say, they are very cogent ones, I have no business to pry, but if I should accidentally find it out. you shall be informed. In the meantime,
Believe me to be very sincerely,
your friend,
JNO. M. SCOTT.
Mill Creek Bridges.
MR. CiST :
Dear Sir-When I first knew Mill creek, and until the year 1822, the bed of that stream was not more than half of what it is at present. The creek banks, especially on the east side, were much bolder, and the creek extended fur- ther into the river than at present. Mill creek was deep and miry in that neighborhood, and we were compelled to cross at a ford about half a mile up. Even at this distance, so subject was the creck to back water, that many lives were lost in early days, at such times, of those who rode or drove in, ignorant of the depth .- The first effort towards a bridge was made in 1798, by Symmes and others, which failed for want of funds. In 1806, exertions were again made to put a bridge across, by subscription. - Onc Parker was the architect, who built it of yellow poplar which grew on the Mill Creek bottoms. This was a fragile affair which might have lasted a few years, if it liad not been car- ried away by a flood in December, 1808. It cost about 700 dollars. This was the bridge al- luded to in yours of the 11th inst. Iknew Fran- cis White very well. He was suspected by the neighbors of securing the gun boat under the bridge with the design of carrying it away, in the expectation of making money by the ferry he kept. In 1811 a new bridge was put up by Ethan Stone, under authority from the Legisla- ture and of course was subject to toll. This re- mained eleven years, and was carried off in 18- 22 by the greatest freshet ever known on that stream before or since. Mill creek had been swollen by heavy rains at the head waters in the course of one night, and such was the effect at the mouth, that by morning the bridge and an immense pile of masonry in the shape of abut- ments had disappeared, and the creek doubled in width to its present size. Such was the vio- lence of the freshet, that it tore out of root two sycamore "trees, adjacent to the bridge, of the largest description. Muddy creek whichi
puts into the Ohio, two miles above North Bend. was equally swelled, and on this occasion more than an acre of Judge Short's orchard was swept away, on the highest bank between the Great and Little Miamis. The river Ohio was then as low as it has been any time this season, which increased the power and injury of this freshet. As an evidence how much narrower the moutlı of Mill creek has been. it may be stated that the bridge put up in 1811 was but one hundred and twenty feet in length. By virtue of the same authority, Mr. Stone again put up a bridge ; this time built with arches, which the county pur- chased out of his hands, and made a free bridge. This was the one carried off by the great flood of 1832, brought back from near Louisville, and afterwards destroyed by fire three years since. Yours respectfully,
J. MATSON.
North Bend, June 29th, 1845.
Churches in Cincinnati.
A correspondent corrects my last list of Churchi- es, by stating that the church on College street, put down as under the pastoral care of Dr. Bris- bane, is in reality a Welsh Calvinistic Metho- dist church, in charge of Rev. Edward Jones, which worships in Harrison street, having sold the house, now and formerly occupied by them for religious purposes, to the "Colored Disciples Church."
It is believed that this Welsh church applied for admission into the Presbyterian church general, by making an application to that effect to the late Gen'l Assembly, sitting in Cincinnati, and that their application was granted, although no public recognition of the fact has been made.
Dr. Brisbane's congregation, since they left their late church edifice, occupy the Doctor's parlors, which has been furnished with seats for that purpose.
MARRIAGES.
In this city, on Sunday the 13th inst., by Mark P. Tay- lor, Esq., by Mr. WILLIAM ALLEN to Miss MARY LOUISA WILCOX.
On Tuesday the 8th inst., by the Rev. D. Sheppardson, Mr. ANDREW GALLY to Miss CHARLOTTE FOUNTAIN.
On Wednesday the 9th inst, by Elder Wm. P. Stratton, Mr. JOSEPH T. VANSANT to Miss PHEBE DAVIS.
DEATHS.
At Bedford Springs, Pa., on the 3d inst, JAMES F. CON- OVER, Esq., president of Cin. Gas Co.
In this city, on Monday the 7th inst, SARAH AMANDA. youngest daughter of Allen Goodrich and Harriet Elliot Kellogg; aged one year and eight months.
On Wednesday the 9th inst, CAROLINE VICTORIA, eld- est daughter of John and Mary Bailey; aged 7 years.
On Thursday the 10th inst, Mrs. MARY CLARK, Wife of John Clark, late of East Kensington, Pa.
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Documents of last War. ORDERS, CINCINNATI, Sept. 16th, 1813.
COL. HENRY ZUMALT :
Sir -- You will on the receipt of this, march your regiment with as much expedition as possible to Dayton, and from thence to Frank. linton, and report yourself to the commander in Chief or your superior officer, and obey such or- ders as you may receive as to the further march and disposition of the regiment under your com- mand. The two companies from Lebanon, and the two companies from Hamilton, you must order to march, and join you at Dayton. The procuring music is essential, and the command- er in chief has informed me some extra pay will be allowed if you can procure it -- you will march this evening if possible. Two months pay will be advanced as soon as it can be procur- ed, therefore the pay-master must be furnished with the muster rolls, that he may follow with the money . The Qrms, &c. on your march will see that you are furnished with every necessary for men on march.
Attest J. S. GANO,
Maj. Gen. Com'dt. Ist Div. O. Mi. D. WADE, Aid.
This day gave an order on Maj. Morton for 50 stands of arms and accoutrements for Zumalt's regiment.
Extracts from a letter dated Sept. 18th, 1813, from Gen. Harrison to Gov. Meigs.
"Be pleased to send a full company of one hundred men to Fort Meigs-thirty or forty will do for Lower Sandusky."
"I am informed that the term of the Garrison at Fort Findlay, will expire on the 22d inst. will you be pleased to order there twenty or thirty mén .? '
ROBT. C. BARTON,
Aiddecamp.
Rec'd. the 24th.
Franklinton, Sept. 22d, 1813. 1 FRANKLINTON, Sept. 28th, 1813.
DEAR GENERAL :
1. I have to inform you the regiment from the first division left here yesterday tor Sandus- ky, and from thence to Seneca, without receiv- ing their advance pay as promised them. I was obliged to apply to the Quarter Master, at this place for some shoes, socks and blankets for them which I procured, on a statement made, and becoming responsible to that department, that I would procure your sanction-69 pair shoes -- 26 pair socks, and 68 blankets, which the men have receipted for as part of their pay, and will be deducted. I expect to leave this day for Sandusky, from which place I will a- gain write you.
I am happy to inform you I have prevailed on Major J. Lawrence Lewis, a gentleman, and an excellent disciplinarian, to act as Brigade Ma- jor and Inspector to the Ohio troops. He certain- ly will be an acquisition to us, and to the service, and is very highly recommended by Gov. Meigs, and the first characters in the State. I have ordered a detachment to Fort Findlay, and there is also a company at Manares Block- house, &c. I have had no accurate return of the Ohio militia in service, except Col. Zumalt's regiment, which is near eight hundred strong, and Col. Delong's, which is about the same, though a number has been detached to the Quar- ter Master, and artificer's department; and I have had to leave some sick. The men that have marched are fine, robust, healthy men ; and if they had some pay to purchase necessaries, say they will be willing to march to any place. where ordered. I have been obliged to be ve- ry rigid with the officers and men, and I find both want drilling -- and that will never make some men officers. Any orders you may have to communicate relative to the Ohio commission shall be immediately attended to by your most Ob't. humble serv't. JOHN S. GANO, Maj . Gen. Com'dt. O. Mil. in service.
HEADQUARTERS. SANDWICH, CANADA, Oct. Ist. 1813.
SIR :
Your dispatch of the 26th inst., was receiv- ed last evening. You will leave a company at Upper Sandusky, and march all the rest of your command to Lower Sandusky, where also you will leave a company. With the balance of your command you will proceed to Fort Meigs.
You will be pleased to give Capt. ,Oliver, the commissary, every assistance in your power to get the provisions for the army. Upon your ar- rival at Fort Meigs, you will leave there about twenty effective men, and with the balance pro- ceed to this place with the drove of cattle which is coming on for the use of the army.
Yours respectfully,
WM. HENRY HARRISON. Col. DELONG, Com'dg. a Det. of O. Mi'a,
A true copy, A. A. MEEK.
Growth of our cities.
I have been waiting to get the house build- ing for 1844 in our principal cities, that I might compare their relative growth, and now present the results.
The number of houses put up in 1844, was in
Philadelphia, 1512
New York, 1213
Boston, 1625
Cincinnati, 1228
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Assuming the existing population as a basis, to keep up the Cincinnati ratio of improvement, Philadelphia should have put up 2763, N, York 4052, and Boston 2149. In other words, to equal our growth, Philadelphia should have increased 80, New York 230, and Boston 32 por cent, more than they have during the year referred to.
The actual increase of buildings in these cit- ies brought to a scale common to them all, points out the present growth of New York 4, Philadelphia 7, Boston 10, and Cincinnati 13 per cent. annually, calculating on the existing condition of those cities, respectively.
March of Mind.
We are apt to boast of the refinement and in- telligence of the nineteenth century. What with Phrenology, Etherology, and Clairvoyance, we seem retrograding to the dark ages, and it may be within the chapter of possibilities, that we shall yet revive "witch craft" panics. What is there in the superstitions of the past to surpass the following ?
SALES' CELEBRATED MAD-STONE,
A well tried and sure preventive to HYDRO- PHOBIA, from the bites of Mad-dogs and oth- er rabid animals.
T THIS justly celebrated Mad-Stone, so long the property of the late Humphrey Sale, of Caroline county, Virginia, in whose hands it proved so successful in preventing that dreadful disease, the HYDROPHOBIA, in hundreds of cases, of persons who had been so unfortunate as to be bitten by Mad-dogs, or other mad animals, is now the property of the subscriber, who has it in his possession, and who resides at CHERRY GROVE, in the lower end of Caroline county, three miles from Sparta, and on the road lead- ing from Port Royal to Newtown.
The subscriber begs leave to assure the pulic, that the good qualities and virtues of this Stone, in preventing bad effects from the bites and wounds made by Mad-dogs and other rabid and venomous animals and reptiles, have been so fre- quently and fully proven to the satisfaction of the community at large, that he deems it only necessary for him to say, that it is with the great- est confidence he recommends it to public pat- ronage.
The terms of application of the Stone, are, for every patient Fifty Dollars, and Board, with the kindest attention given, free of charge.
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