USA > Ohio > Hamilton County > Cincinnati > The Cincinnati miscellany, or, Antiquities of the West, and pioneer history and general and local statistics. Volume II > Part 17
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77
This avenue will also become a formidable ri- val to Western Row, as a connection between the adjacent parts of Indiana and Cincinnati, owing to the scandalous condition into which the upper part of that street has been suffered to
In the summer of 1841, JOHN AUGUSTUS, a man in humble life, now well known to the friends of temperance in Boston, and who deserves to be through the State. visited the Police Court in Boston, and, being very much interested in the case of a poor man, who, for the vice of drunkenness, had been sentenced to the House of Correction, stepped forward and offered to become bail for him. His proposal was accep- ted. He paid, out of his own pocket, the fees of court, amounting to a few dollars, and took the condemned man with him out of the court room. He persuaded him to sign the pledge, furnished him with food and lodgings, and at last secured employment for him, and from henceforth the rescued drunkard became an in- dustrious and sober citizen.
Mr. Augustus, inspired by the success of his first attempt, and impelled by the yearnings of his noble heart, continued his visits to the Po- lice Courts, and from August, in the year 1841, to February of the present year, -has rescued from the jaws of the House of Correction, and from the fellowship of convicted felons, one hundred and seventy-six men and fifty-six wo- men-in all, two hundred and thirty-two human beings-a large portion of whom, but for the vice of intemperance, would have enjoyed an unques- tionable right to the general regard of society. Fortunately for his benevolent attempt to stand between the drunkard and the customary course of law, Mr. Augustus has preserved a careful record of every case in which he has interested himself, and he is thus enabled to furnish an in- telligent account of a large portion of the per- sons, who by his means, have been saved from confinement in South Boston. Full three-fourths of the number, or about one hundred and sev- enty-five, are now temperate and orderly citi- zens, and are gaining a livelihood. About one half of the whole number were residents of Bos- ton, and the other half were temporary visitors to the city from the country and from neighbor- ing States. The proportion of foreigners was much larger of the men than of the women .- The amount of costs paid by Mr. Augustus, for the release of the persons, is $976,61. This a- mount has nearly all been paid back to him by the persons thue rescued. Of course, this a- mount of costs has been saved to the towns li- able for it. It will be readily seen, however; that a much larger sum has been saved, by so many intemperate persons having become use- ful citizens; instead of being shut up in prison at the public charge. To those towns in the country which occasionally receive large bille for the support of drunkards in the House of Correction in South Boston, this point is not un- worthy of notice. These considerations are. glanced at, because, indeed, they should not be overlooked; but they are of little moment in comparison with the tears which have been dried up, the hearts which have been healed, and the families which have been made happy.
83
by the restoration of so large a number of the human brotherhood, to temperance, usefulness and respectability. By the minute and unques- tionable records kept by Mr. Augustus, rising eight-tenths of all the persons sent to the House of Correction are sent there for drunkenness .- Through his Samaritan efforts, the number of commitments for this dreadful vice has been largely reduced-and besides the diminished cxpense, consequent upon reduction, the com- munity has been incalculably blessed by the change.
The following statement will show the actual reduction in the commitments to the House of Correction, for drunkenness, since the Washing- toninan reform commenced in Boston, but, es- pecially, as resulting from the efforts of Mr. Au- gustus, In 1841, they were 605; in 1842, they wcre 551; in 1843, 459; in 1844, 407, On the first of January, of the present year, the num- ber of persons remaining in the House of Cor- rection, committed by the Police Court, was only 123; of which number 110 were committed for drunkenness, viz: 47 males and 63 females, other offences being but 13. During the first ycar, Mvir. Augustus has savcd 120 persons from the House of Correction : 20 of whom have since bcen sentenced to the House of Correction, the remaining 100 are doing well. It would be ea- sy to show the actual amount, in dollars and cents, savcd to the State, by a result like this, but not go easy to exhibit thc blessings result .. ing to the rescued men; or to their families, many of the members of which would, doubt- less, otherwise have become outcasts, or liavc found their way to our almshouses.
It is impossible to enter, in detail, into the formidable difficulties which a humble mechan- ic, like Mr. Augustus, has had to encounter, in order to proceed in his beneficent work. To say nothing of the formalities and liabilities which belong, alike, to all courts of law, he has, in most cases, provided a temporary home for his fallen brother, and allowed no rest to his head, until he has done luis utmost to procure for him employment. It should be added , that, within a few months, a number of the 'merchant princes,' and other cmincnt philanthropists, of Boston, have given Mr. Augustus a substantial testimonial of their respect for his unwcaried and invaluable services. Previous to this liber- al act; Mr. A. had relicd upon his own scanty resources, and had found it exceedingly diffi- cult to carry into effect his praiseworthy labors.
Hints.
There is a mode of conveying ideas, of admi- rable efficiency, which for want of a morc appro- priate name, may be called hinting. Its brevity, which is sure to arrest attention, its obscurity, which unites it with the sublime, its irresistible energy, all render it a powerful and efficient wcapon for its appropriate employment. A few examples will illustrate.
"If your honor should lose your purse before you get home," said a bar-keeper to a miagis- trate attending a county Court, who was leaving the house, without settling off'a score which he had run up during the past week or two, "I hope you will recollect you did not pull it out here."
"Have you found your watchdog which was stolen ?" was a question asked a gentleman on the door step of a certain provision store. "No, not exactly, but I know where they sold the sau- sages" was the reply.
A miller, meeting of one of those boys (of which most villages have one) called an "idiot," asked him a question, which Jock was unable to answer. "Jock," said the miller, "you are a fool." "Yes, sir," said Jock, 'every body says so; but,' continued he, ' here are somethings I know, and some things I don't know ." "Well, what do you know, then ?" "I know millers always have fat pigs." "Well, and what don't you know ?" again asked the miller. "Why," re- plied Jock, "I don't know whose meal they eat."
The best instance of the kind perhaps is the following :
"During the discussion of a ministerial meas- ure in the House of Commons lately, Sir Rob- ert Peel made some pungent allusion to those who, without having the power actually to de- feat his policy, were yet very successful in caus- ing delay. Referring to the leaders in this sort of work, he reminded the House that "when travellers in the East do not want to go too fast they put a jackass in front !"
Former Prices of Cotton.
In 1828, ten bags of Sea Ieland Cotton, pro- duced 90c. a lb. The same planter, for his two succeeding crops received $1 aud $1,50 a pound. For two bags of extra kind in 1798 $2 a pound was received, the highest price ever paid for cot- ton. The Sea Island Cotton is superior to the best cotton produced in any part of the world. While a pound of the best produced elsewhere can be spun into a thread of only 115 miles, ma- king 350 hanks to the pound, a pound of Sea Island from South Carolina has been spun at Manchester, in England, into a thread of over 238 miles .
An Indian Adventure in Maine.
Among the early settlers of what was then the province of Maine, a man naincd Smith was for many years the object of dread as well as ha- tred to the Indians who occupied portions of that region. IIc had lost several relations by their hands, and had vowed eternal enmity to the whole race. He had been twice taken by the savage tribcs, but had contrived to escape from them, and had killed several of their num- ber. Hc sought every opportunity to do them mischief in any way. By this courso he had bc- come so exceedingly obnoxious to the red men, that they would not even kill him directly if they could, but were constantly on the watch to take him alive for the purpose of satisfying their ven- geance by the infliction of the utmost torture that barbarity could invent. Smith being a. ware of this disposition of theirs, was the less
84
afraid of their bullets, and being at one period engaged splitting fence rails, in the ardor of his employment, had neglected his usual lookout, and not once thought of his antagonists, the sav- ages, until he found himself suddenly seized at the arm by an Indian named Wahsoos, and look- ing around found himself surrounded by five others. Now Smit! now Smit! we got you, ex- claimed the leader of the party. Smith saw it would be vain to resist, and assuming an air of composure, thus addressed his captor: "Now, Wahsoos; I will tell you what I'll do; if you will now help me to split open this log, I will then go with you without any resistance, other- wise I will not walk a step, and you will have to carry or kill me," The Indians now having him safe in their possession, and willing to save themselves trouble, agreed to split the log, if he would tell them how. Smith had already open- ed the end of the log with a large wooden wedge, and renewing his blows on the wedge with a beetle, he directed them to take hold of the separated parts of the log, three on each side, and pull with all their might, while he should drive in the wedge. The red men were not with- out their suspicions, but kept their eyes on Smith's motions, while they pulled at the sun- dered parts of the log. Every blow of Smith opened the crevice wider, which enabled tlie Indians to renew their hold by inserting their fingers deeper into the crevice, when Smith, slightly changing the direction of the beetle, struck on the side of the wedge, knocking it out of the log, which closing with great force, caught every foe by the hands, save one, who seeing the predicament of his companions, took to his heels; but was soon brought down by Smith's long barrelled gun; which he had kept near him. The other five expected no mercy, and were not disappointed. 'Five blows from Smith's axe, silenced their death-song.
A year or more after this affair, Smith was re- turning from an excursion, and passed near a bend of the Androscoggin river, about a mile a- bove the falls on which the Lewiston Mills are now located. It was nearly dark, and he dis- covered an Indian making a fire on a rock by the river bank. Smith saw through the busi- ness at once : the fire was for a beacon, to guide the landing of a strong party. With unerring aim, he shot the lone savage, who pitched into the water, and Smith quickly threw the fire and fire-brands after him; and then proceeded down to the falls, and there he soon kindled another fire on a projecting rock ; and then retiring up the river bank a short distance, awaited the re- sult. He soon heard the songs of a company of warriors, who had discovered the fie, and
were steadily paddling towards it in high glee. Smith could hardly refrain from laughing aloud, as they neared the fatal beacon. Their songe were suspended by surprise, as the rapid motion of their canoes, and the hoarse roar of the falls revealed too late the dreadful truth. A brief death song uttered in savage yells, and the crics of several squaws and papooses, were all that preceded their last and dreadful plunge over the perpendicular falls.
To the Point.
Wc find the following in an obscure exchange. We do not remember of cver before seeing it in print, and it is too good to be lost. All the German logic or profound metaphysical research ever displayed, cannot so satisfactorily demon- strate the existence of the soul.
The Rev. James Armstrong preached at Har- mony, near the Wabash, when a doctor at that place, a professed deist or infidel, called on his associates to accompany him, while he attacked the methodist, as he said. At first he asked Mr. Armstrong, "if he following preaching to save souls ?" who answered in the affirmative. He then asked Mr. Armstrong "if he ever saw a soul ?" """No." "If he ever heard a soul ?" "No." "If he ever smelt a soul ?" "No." "If he ever tasted a soul?" "No." "If he ever felt a soul ?" "Yes, thank God," said Mr. Arm- strong. "Well," said the doctor, "there are four of the five senses against one to evidence there is no soul "" Mr. Armstrong then asked the gentleman "if he was a doctor of medicine ?" and he was also answered in the affirmative .--- He then asked the doctor, "if he ever saw a pain ?"" "No." "" If he ever heard a pain ?" .... "No." "If he ever tasted a pain ?" "No. "- "If he ever smelt a pain?" "No." "If he cver felt a pain?" "Yes." Mr. Armstrong then said, "There are also four senses against one to evidence that there is no pain; and yet, sir, you know there is pain, and I know there is a soul."' The doctor appeared confounded and walked off.
Woman's Earnings.
The inadequate prices at which feinale labor is compensated, is a prolific source of evil in our cities. There are in Cincinnati, alone, five thousand women who sew for a living, most of them for the extensive clothing shops on Main and Front streets. Besides this, there are num- bers more who reside in Fulton, Newport, Covington, and in our northern suburbs, who de- pend upon similar employment for a livelihood. I am not aware how low competition for em- ployment, has reduced this description of it. but shirts have have been made heretofore as low as ten to twelve and a half cts. each. What a scandal to a christian community are such wa- ges !
A project has been started in a New York print, by a Mr. Goin of that city. which would at once relieve the distresses of these unfortu- nate women, without prejudice to the interests
85
of any class of people. It is this: 'To have a piece of land set apart, of government property. a good and convenient building erected thereon, and there to have all the clothing, even down to the knitting of suspenders, required for the sup- ply of the army and navy of the United States, made by females, under female arrangement .- The government would pay to such an institu- tion no more than it now pays to capitalists who monopolize the business of furnishing clothing for the War and Navy Departments. Large for- tunos are annually made by these contractors; the articles in which they speculate are the pro- duce of these women who are now destitute .- Why not let them retain, not only their wages, but the profit of the third person. Mr. Goin does not enter into the details of this plan; these he leaves to the Secretaries of the army and navy department.
I goin for this plan, and do hope that it may engage the attention of some public spirited member of Congress-Mr. Pratt of New York, for example-to press the measure into exis- tence.
Covington and Newport.
Let those who are in doubt what is the cause why Lexington does not improve like Dayton, Cleveland, or Columbus; and Louisville, progress in the same degree with Cincinnati. Observe the progress of Newport and Covington dur- ing the last five years, and the relative decrease of the slave population in those places.
In 1840, the population of Covington was 2026 " 1845, do do 4388
Colored population in 1840, 111
do do 1845. 203
In 1840, the population of Newport was 1016 " 1845, do do 1710
Colored population in 1840,
do do 1845, 76
In 1840 the blacks of these places were as 1 to 20.
In 1845; as to the whites 1 in 22. This lats is the present proportion of blacks to whites in Cincinnati. In Lexington and Louisville I pre- sume the blacks form more than one third of the community .
I have little doubt Covington will have a pop- ulation against the next census of nine thousand individuals; and Newport three thousand. They are as much one as Pittsburgh and Allegheny City, divided merely by a water course, and are bothı mainly builtup out of Cincinnati's business and improvement. They will be in five years as populous as Lexington , probably the wealth- iest city in the State; and by 1875, will sur pass Louisville in population, unless the intervening period of time shall witness the extinction of sla- here within the very limits of Kentucky,
Cemeteries.
Before the establishment of Rural Cemeteries near the Eastern cities, the custom prevailed of burying the dead under the churches. They were crowded in so revolting a manner, as to render the air in the churches unwholesome, considerable discussion ensued, and finally the custom was prohibited, and Cemeteries establish- ed a few miles out, in all the atlantic cities .- While the matter was in agitation, Mr PIERPONT published in the Boston papers, the following translation of an
EPITAPH, On a celebrated French Physician . Here lies,
Under the pure and breezy skies, The dust Of SIMON PETER, the devout and just, Doctor of Medicine, At his request.
He sleeps in Earth's sweet, wholesome breast, Rather than in a noisy cemetery
Under a church, where all the great they bury ; It were, he said, a sin Past all enduring.
A sin, which to commit, he was unwilling; Should he, who, while alive, got fame and bread, The sick by curing, Entirely change his hand and go, when dead, The well to killing.
Fort Washington Reserve.
The following proclamation is an interesting and valuable document. as it gives the history of the reservation along side of Fort Washing- ton. I had supposed heretofore that Congress had exempted this spot at the period of grant- ing Symmes his million of acres, but it seems to. have been a movement of St. Clair himself. It may be worthy of notice, that the seal of the "Territory north west of the river Ohio" pre- sents the Territorial coat of arms, the device being a Buckeye tree with timber in the fore- ground cut up into logs. The motto "meliorem lapsa locavet." This is doubtless the origin of our state appellative "Buckeye."
Proclamation.
THE SEAL OF THE TERRITO.
RY OF THE U. S. N. W. OF THE RIVER OHIO.
By his excellency, Arthur St. Clair, Major General in the Service of the U. States, and Governor and Com- mander in Chief of their Territory north-west of the river Ohio.
WHEREAS, it has been represented to me, that certain persons generally known by the name of the proprietors of the Miami Purchase, have taken it upon themselves to sell and dispose of di- vers traets and parcels of land, the property of the United States, lying and being to the east-
86
ward of a line to be drawn from a plaec upon the bank of the Ohio river, exactly twenty miles, following the several courses of the same, above the great Miami river, parallel to the general course of that river ; whereby many unwary per- sons have been induced to make settlements . upon the same, contrary to the authority of the United States, and in defiance of their proe- lamation, against the making settlements on any of the publie lands without due authority for so doing. It is hereby made known that the lands contracted for by the honorable John Cleves Symmes and his associates, or their agents, is bounded in the manner following, viz : All that tract or parcel of land, situate, lying, and being in the Western country adjoining to the Ohio river, beginning on the bank of the same river, at a spot exactly twenty miles distant along the several courses of the same, from the place where the great Miami river empties itself into the great river Ohio, from thence extending down the said river Ohio along the several cour- ses thereof, thence up the said Miami river a- long the several courses thereof, to a place from whence a line drawn due east will intersect a line drawn from the place of beginning aforesaid, parallel with the general course of the great Mi- ami river, so as to included one million of aeres within those lines and the said river, and from that place upon the great river Miami, extending along such lines to the place of beginning, con- taining as aforesaid, one million of aeres- That the land lying to the eastward of the said paral- lel line, from the Ohio to where it may intersect the little Miami river, and from thence down the line to the Ohio river, and along the Ohio river to the place before mentioned, where the parallel line begins, is as yet, the property of the United States, and has not been aliened or sold to any person whosoever. That the settle- ments which have been made upon the same, are entirely unauthorized, and the persons who now oceupy them are liable to be dispossessed as intruders, and to have their habitations destroy- cd; and that they are not treated in that inan- ller immediately, is owing only to the cireum- stance, that they were made to believe the said proprietors of the Miami purchase had a right to the land, and to give them an opportunity to represent their ease to Congress : And I do here- by strictly prohibit all persons to extend the set- tlements they have already made, or to form new settlements to the eastward of the afore- said parallel line, and with that line the little Miami and the Ohio river, until the pleasure of Congress in the premises shall be made known -as they shall answer the contrary at their peril.
AND WHEREAS, It is necessary, that a certain
-
tract of land adjacent to and lying round Fort Washington, should be set apart and reserved for public use, I have ordered the same to be done, and it is bounded in the manner follow- ing, viz: Beginning on the Banks of the Ohio river at the middle of the street,* which passes to the westward of the house where Bartle and Strong now live, and running from thence with the said river to the east side of Deer Creek, from thenee running north fifteen degrees, thirty minutes west and hundred and twenty perches, and from thence by and with a strait line to be drawn at right angles from the same until it reaches the middle of the street aforesaid, thence down the middle of the said street to the place of beginning, and all the land lying and being within these boundaries, is hereby set apart and reserved for publie use until Congress shall determine otherwise-and all persons are hereby strictly forbidden to ent down, carry away or otherways destroy any timber, trees or wood that may be growing, standing or lying upon or within the sanie.
AND WHEREAS, There are houses and lots at present occupied by certain persons which are included within the boundaries of this reserved tract: It is hereby made known to them, that they will be allowed to possess the same until the present erop is taken off. and no longer, un- less they shall obtain permission for the same under the hand and seal of the officer command- ing the Garrison or General commanding the troops upon the Ohio, and shall voluntarily sub- mit themselves to the military laws as followers of the army.
IN TESTIMONY, whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the territory to be affixed this 19th day of July, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-one, and in the year of the Independence of the United States the sixteenth.
By his excellency's command, WINTHROP SARGENT, Secretary. ARTIIUR St. CLAIR.
*Broadway.
The Herring Pie.
A STORY FOR MARRIED FOLKS.
It was a cold winter's evening; the rich bank- er Brounker had drawn his easy chair close into the corner of the stove, and sat smoking his long clay pipe with great complacency, while his intimate friend Van Grote, employed in exactly in the same manner, occupied the other corner. All was quiet in the house, for Brounker's wife and children were gone to a masked ball, and, secure from fear of interruption, the two friends indulged in a confidential conversation .
"I cannot think," said Van Grote, "why you should refuse your consent to the marriage .~~
8:
. Berkenrode can give his daughter a good fortune, and you say your son is desperately in love with her."
"I don't object to it," said Brounker. "It is my wife who will not hear to it."
"And what reason has she for refusing ?"
"One which I cannot tell you," said his friend, sinking his voice.
"Oh! a mystery-come; out with it. You know I have always been frank and open with you, even to giving you my opinion of your ab- surd jealousy of your wife ."
"Jealous of my wife? nonsense! Have I not just sent her to a masked ball ?"
"I don't wonder you boast of it. 1 should like to have seen you do as much when you were first married. To be sure, you had reason to look sharply after her, for she was the prettiest woman in Amsterdam. Unfortunately she has taken such advantage of your love, that the gray mare has become the better horse, and you re- fuse an advantageous match for your son, to gratify her caprice."
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.