The Cincinnati miscellany, or, Antiquities of the West, and pioneer history and general and local statistics. Volume II, Part 5

Author: Cist, Charles, 1792-1868
Publication date: 1845
Publisher: Cincinnati : C. Clark, printer
Number of Pages: 370

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is built. The English appear to have long ago tried all our present experiments, and, like wise men, they have ascertained that the only cheap way to build a thing is to spare no expense, but to construct it from the solid iron or marble, and in a manner that ages may make no im- pression upon it. We arc paving our streets with small stones, or else trying experiments with other materials. The streets here are com- posed of huge blocks of marble sunk in the ground. Every street is like a floor, and every pavement like Platt Evens', only instead of free stone, they here have granite or marble. The docks are built to last for centuries, as also the Assizes Court, a building partly finished, and which when completed, will be one of the most magnificent structures in the world. It was be- gan in 1838, and will require at least half a do- zen years more labor to finish it. Our build- ings, however, magnificent or vast, must be driven forward with lightning rapidity, even if they do totter in a dozen years, but there they take things more coolly-they have worn off their youthful ardor, and like a full grown man, they build-not for present comfort and gratifi- cation alone, but for the present and future al- so. Every thing here that you look at is solid. Marble seems used altogether for purposes where we use wood, and where we constantly employ the carpenter, the English employ the iron foun- der or the stone-cutter.

So far as I have seen and read since I have been here, I am inclined to think that the ac- counts we get of the starvation and misery of the poor, is altogether exaggerated . The popu- lation here is more dense than in our country, therefore we must look for more poor people, and consequently more destitution. But, thus far, I have seen but three or four children-and no grown persons-barefooted, and none dressed worse than you will find them in New York .- The poor here mostly wear rough shoes with thick wooded soles, and are dressed in corderoy, or some fabric similar to it. I scarcely or nev- er take up a newspaper but I see some article relative to assisting the poor, and speaking of their destitution, of the cold weather, and of the necessity of doing something for their relief. There are twenty-seven benevolent societies and institutions in this city, and I understand that they do a vast amount of good .

There is a marked difference between our poor people and those here, in respect to educa- tion. Here the poor are very ignorant, while ours can, with few exceptions, read and write.

There is considerable difference between the English and American in appearance as in every thing else. The English all look alike. They liave fair skin, flush faces, and the same cast of features; and with some exceptions, they do not appear naturally to possess the mental vigor of our countrymen. This may be a mistaken idea, but still I gained it by what I conceive to be close observation. So far as I have seen, the English are also a polite, obliging people. They treat you with attention, are gentlemanly in their address, and prove that they are an enlighit- ened people.

I have seen more drunkenness here than I would see at home in a month; and who could anticipate any thing else when you encounter a "Gin Palace" at cvery turn of a corner ? Here they drink the liquor pure, not mix it into Ju-

leps,' ·Cocktails,' 'Slings,' etc. as we do; still with all of this, the more I see of the English, the more I am convinced of the distorted carica- tures Charles Dickens lias drawn, and which pass with us for genuine and highly wrought sketch- cs. Dickens' sketches of us are equally truth- ful as those drawn by his own people, and therc- fore you may judge how well he paints.

The First Lion.

A writer in the N. Y. Commercial gives the following account of the first lion introduced in- to the U. States:

"The first lion that appeared in this country made his début in the year 1798. He came to New York in a French Brig belonging to the Island of Gaudaloupe, which had made a voy- age to Africa for slaves, and, having landed them at Charleston, South Carolina, proceeded to New York to obtain an outward cargo of cal- licoes, beads, New England rum and tobacco, for the Congo market.

" The lion was a small young whelp, not more than six months old, and was brought as a pet by the commander of the French slaver .. While the brig was in New York, the lion became troublesome and mischievous, and the French- man, weary of him, sold him to a man who was a servant in a hotel situated where the old Ton- tine now stands. This man, whose name I think was Gold, paid ten dollars for the whelp, took him home and caged him till he was a year old, when he commenced exhibiting him. A lion in that lionless age, was a downright wonder, and every body was anxious to say, 'I have ab- solutely seen a sartin live lion.'

"Mr. Gold, the owner of the animal, without the aid of the puffs of the press, soon became a lion himself, in consequence of his association ; and the two lions were objects of universal cu- riosity. Mr. Gold was not unapprised of the fact, and made the most of it.

To obtain admittance to the lions, the curi- ous had to pay one dollar, and that fce was deem. ed dog cheap by the admirers of the wonders of animated nature. Mr. Gold remained proprie- tor of the 'only lion there was in the U. Statcs' till the year 1820, when he sold out for the sum of one thousand dollars, and with deep re- gret parted with the author of his fortune and his fame, his majesty the king of the beasts.

"I met this Mr. Gold in the year 1832, and these facts from his mouth. He was then an old man, possessed of a large fortune, all of which came through the lion; and he told me that be- fore he sold the animal, he had produced him upward of thirty thousand dollars. He never exhibited him for less than one dollar 'the sight.'

"Those were old and happy days; the men of that era about which Mr. Thomas Ritchie likes to talk, when Mr. Jefferson wore red plush breeches, and old John Adams and Timothy Pickering insisted that every man of taste and fashion should wear a cocked hat and periwig. But --

Old times have changed ; old manners gone- A stranger fills the Stuarts' throne.

"And now you can see a whole army of lions. tigers, leopards, zebras, elephants, rhinoceroses. and one-third of the whole animal world, by paying the very small sum of twenty-five cents "

Cincinnati in 1876.

The following article was written for the car- Rier of the "Advertiser" for last New Years day, and was designed, as appears on its face, to fur- nish a picture of Cincinnati, so far as it is sketch- ed, thirty years hence. Some of the anticipa- tions may appear extravagant, but the reality when that period shall arrive, will be found in advance of present conjecture. In one respect, what was fancy six months since, is now reali- ty. I allude to Texas forming a part of our re- public. And I am induced to publish these speculations now, in the fear, that if I put them aside for any length of time, what is now proph- ecy will probably lose its interest by becoming history.

I have no doubt that in less than thirty years. the hourly issues of newspapers referred to here, will supercede the immense sheets which now constitute some of our most important dailies.

THE CINCINNATI ROCKET.

JANUARY 1st, 1876, 10 o'clock issue. The New Custom House.

We learn on undoubted authority, that the commissioners appointed for that purpose by the President, have selected as a scite for the new Custom House, that desirable location now occupied by the row of dry good stores stretch. ing from Tate Willoughby & Co. to Norton, Brothers & Co., embracing a front of 150 feet on Pearl street, and nearly central to the block from Walnut to Vine street. As this lot has been pur chased through to Third street, there will be ample space for the splendid edifice, with its ap- propriate offices for the various deputies con- nected with the department, which the already heavy and rapidly increasing importations to this port require. We learn that Mr. J. Long- worth, the owner of the premises is to receive 750,000 dollars for the property. We consider that sum not much more than the value of the mere ground, and allows him hardly any thing for the substantial warehouses erected not more than fifteen years ago, leaving nothing for the Third street improvements, which in truth ought to liave been pulled down twenty years since.

Our City Hall.

The city hall is now rapidly advancing to completion, and will when finished, form one of the most magnificent structures in our magnifi- cent city. Its transcendant elevation, whicli will enable it to overtop even the new Custom house, about to be built just south of it, must display its glories, and render it an object of ad- miration to the thousands upon thousands who pass every week up and down the beautiful riv-

er which washes our proud city's feet. We un- derstand that it will be ready for occupation on the 15th inst., just six weeks from the period when the foundation stone was laid. We defy any city in our widespread republic, to surpass this specimen of industry and activity, as we also challenge its equal in elegance of design, and symmetry of proportions. Some of our ol- der citizens whose recollections go back far en- ough, remember it as a place of public amuse- ment in 1845, under the name of Shires' gar- dens.

Members of Congress.

On the steamboat Texas just landed at our wharves from Galveston, came passengers, the Hons. Wm. Burnet, and J. L. Williams, the Senators elect from Brazoria, the State lately ad- ded to one great National Confederacy and for- ming its sixty fifth Star. Mr. B. is a son of the late D. S. Burnet in the early days of Texas its Vice President. Col. Williams is an emigrant from Arkansas, who has however been a citi- zen of that State for twenty-five years. They will go in the 12 o'clock cars to Washington, which will enable them to see a delightful coun- try for the first time, and also to reach that city by day-light.

The Philadelphia Fire:

The 9 o'clock cars from Philadelphia of this morning, bring no further particulars of the ca- lamitous fire which has desolated that fair and flourishing city. We are promised all the de- tails by our correspondent there; which will doubtless reach us by the 12 o'clock line, and we shall lay them before our readers in the 10 o'clock issue of to day, The train this morn- ing reached the depot in the unprecedented pe- riod of four hours and fifty minutes, being at least twenty minutes shorter passage than ever known before. The past generation thought, when they had carried steam on rail roads to sixty miles an hour, the Ultima Thule of progress had been reached; what would they have thought of being swept forward at the rate of one hundred and twenty miles per hour by at- mospheric pressure? We do not despair, in view of the late important discoveries in chemistry, which we announced in our 8 o'clock issue, of a speed of 200 or even 250 miles per hour, being brought within reach of our enterprising citi- zens. We recommend Locke's line as affording the best accommodations to persons travelling this route.

Main Street Grade.

We have received a communication signed Publius, denouncing the project on foot in the City Councils, for making a new and strait grade

from the corner of Main and Front, to strike the present grade at Jackson place, formerly Court square, the old City Court House, once occupy- ing the West end of that square. We are obli- ged to decline publishing the article, our re- stricted limits precluding it.

Centennial Anniversary of Indepen- dence.

Throughout the whole length and breadth of the land, but one spirit appears to animate the American people in reference to the approach- ing Centenary of our National Independence, which occurs on the 4th July of the present year. There is no doubt, judging by the gen- eral interest the subject has already elicited, that the festivities and spectacles of every de- scription that are arranging for that day, will be on a scale worthy of the greatest empire in the world. We know of nothing determined here. as a part of the exercises or exhibitions for that occasion, except that the directors of our Acad- emy of Fine Arts, have resolved to throw open the doors of its great rotunda to the public, on that day, free of expense. We can conceive of nothing more appropriate. No American can contemplate the sublime works of Powers, or the series of our early Presidents and Statesmen from the pencil of Kellogg, with other works of other Cincinnati artists without a thrill of re- joicing in the glories of the land which gave him birth.

An Old Pioneer.

On Christmas last, we started down to pay our respects to Jonah Martin Esq., the patriarch of our city, and the last survivor of the pioneers. Mr. M. is now in his eighty-seventh year, and in the possession of better health than he has had for many years. He is a noble relic of the past. It is wonderful to think of a man in the enjoyment of an existence which may last for a dozen years yet, and lost as it were among the 675,000 inhabitants of our populous city whose recollections go back to the period of 1795, when he personally knew every man, woman and child which then made up its inhabitants, then numbering only 500 persons. We under- stand he attributes his vigorous health, to the carly abstinence from spirituous liquors, which characterised his habits at the period in the ear- ly part of the present century, when it was the fashion for almost every one to sacrifice on the altars of Bacchus.

street Paving.

One of the great improvements of the age, we regard Stevens' system of paving streets .- A specimen of this may be found on Fourth st.,

extending from Main to Sycamore. It consists of a chemical preparation, which in its fluid state, passes over and through a layer of six or eight inches deep of tan bark or sawdust, and hardens to a degree which keeps the whole pavement perfectly elastic, while the surface is smooth enough to pass the water during and af- ter rains immediately into the gutters. Noth- ing can be more delightful than the noiseless revolution of carriage wheels over such surfaces. It is like rolling over an unbroken sward, or rath- er over carpeting. Mr. S. deserves the thanks of the community he has delivered from the nuisance of noise, filth. jolting and dust, to which we have been for years subjected under the old system of paving our streets.

Course of Trade.

Our rail road reporter has registered yesterday by the Transportation Car line to Boston, via. the Lakes, two hundred and fifty bales 4-4 cot- ton sheeting, as a consignment to the Boston market. At the value there-seven cents, they will bear transportation, and nett a fair profit to the forwarders, Messrs. Sprague and Adams of the Globe mills of this city. We learn that it is the calculation of these gentlemen to enlarge their operations the ensuing spring, so as to em- brace the manufacture of fancy prints for the Eastern markets, which we have already three or four factories engaged in making, who expect to find a market for their surplus articles in the Chinese and India markets, now thrown open the commerce of all nations.

Early Bridges over Mill and Deer Creeks.

At the commencement of the present centu- ry,¿there was a floating bridge across Mill creek at its mouth, and a ferry kept along side, which became the dependence for crossing when the high waters rendered the bridge useless. They were both in charge of a man named White, who probably owned the ferry. Between the two he carried on quite a profitable business .--- In the spring of 1807 or 8, a rise in the Ohio un- moored one of Jefferson's gunboats, which was built at the mouth of Crawfish creek, just above Fulton, and had been fastened by a grape vine cable, my friend Salisbury not having then open- ed his assortment of Manilla rope. As she float- ed by the then village of Cincinnati, every canoe here was put in requisition, and with some diffi- culty the vessel was towed into Mill Creek, and secured beneath the bridge already referred to. The river continuing to rise, Mill Creek was backed up, as it has since been, several miles, with the effect to use the boat as a lever to lift the bridge from its moorings, the string pieces and all above giving way, and likely to float

off in detached parts. To prevent this as far as possible, White stripped the bridge of its plank, when away went the craft, and with it a considerable portion of the bridge timbers. -- These plank afterwards formed the floor of the first warehouse built in Cincinnati.

At that period, the only bridge across Deer Creek, was one with a descent at each end, less than one fourth in height compared with those now built over it, and built of a single string piece from bank to bank. This was protected from freshets by piling loads of stone on the edges, for thirty feet or more each way from the banks. The rayine in 1800 was not more than 12 feet across, and overhung with evergreen and water willows.

At a later date, that is to say, during the great flood of 1832, the bridge over Mill Creek was raised as in 1807 by the pressure of the waters, but being substantially built, floated off entire, keeping company down the Ohio, with a Metho- dist meeting house which was carried out of the Muskingum. The bridge lodged at the head of an Island, 6 miles above Louisville, and was soon atter brought up to reoccupy its original position. This was effected, after a vain effort to tow it back entire by steamboat, by taking it to pieces and loading it into a flatboat. This was the bridge destroyed by fire at a later date.

Relics of the Past.

Capt. Jno. Armstrong to Gen. Jas. Wilkinson. DEAR GENERAL :

I feel myself in some measure relieved from the visit you have paid this post. As the important duties imposed on my command, have come within your own observation, any re- marks with respect to my apprehensions from the enemy become unnecessary. Every force you may please to put under my command, shall be employed to the utmost advantage, my abilities and exertions may be adequate to.

scythes are subject to be broken, and some of them being good for naught, more may be thought necessary. The whipsaw. file, and whetstones as soon as they can be had, will serve to forward the business you have ordered.

Two or more non-commissioned officers would add to the safety of my small parties.

Yours with respect, JOHN ARMSTRONG.

July 1st, 1792.

FT. HAMILTON, July 8th, 1792, half past 12 o'clock, P. M.

DEAR SIR :

Your letter by express was this moment handed me-I am truly sorry for the misfortune of Col. Spencer's family, and much obliged to you for the early information and advice. The convoy moved this morning, at which time the spies were detached in the direction mentioned in my letter of yesterday. If they discover no fresh tracks they will not return. Be assured every exertion on my part will be made, not on- ly to save my men, but to procure as much hay as possible. The weather for some days past has been 'unfavorable to our hay parties. The horse will be detached for you the moment Capt. Peters arrives.

Yours with due respect, JNO. ARMSTRONG.

Gen. JAMES WILKINSON .

Gen. James Wilkinson to Capt. Jno. Armstrong FORT WASHINGTON, July 10th, 1792.

DEAR SIR :

I send you by Capt. Peters ten gallons port wine, and 5 galls. brandy which please accept.

The waggons are hired at 20s. per day and found-you know how to get the penny worth out of them-drive late and early, and make short halts -at the same time keep your scythes steadily at work. We shall soon complete the 300 tons, and the sooner the safer and better .- I wish you to send me an escort of 20 horse on Friday. that I may join you.

Securing the hay appears to be an object of great attention, perhaps one or more public teams may be had at head quarters-the use of Last night I received an express from Maj. Gen. Wayne, the purport solely to prohibit of- fensive operations, on our part. This express costs the public 100 dollars, for what? The shoes and belts are sent to you. Mr. Miller is to do duty whilst he continues with you. them here would effect your wish. Fifty pails of shoes, if more cannot be spared, would be a great relief. Ten cartridge and ten bayonet belts also would enable me to parade my com- pany in uniform. To serve me in this instance I am sure would give you pleasure. I well know In haste, I am yours &c. JAS. WILKINSON, B. Gen'l. J. ARMSTRONG, Esq., Capt. Com'dt. they are in store, but perhaps claimed by some officers who have not men to wear them. Ten men will complete my company, perhaps you FT. HAMILTON, July 14, 1792, 8 o'clock P .M. DEAR GENERAL : may think proper to increase my command by sending them forward. The whipsaw I have Your letter of this morning by Serj't. Armstrong came duly to hand. I send you the received is not calculated for my wants -- per- haps a better one might be procured. The | two men mentioned therein, as also a letter to

Col. Johnston on private business, which I will ask you to forward by your express. My hay and bullocks are safe, and I conceive much more exposed when grazing than in the pen .- Capt. Peters' company will on to-morrow en- camp on the parade, as well as the men of Lt. Hartshorn's troops. I am willing to believe were you here they would be permitted to remain on the ground they at present occupy.

Believe me sir, I am conscious of our expo- sed situation, and well know we have been re- connoitred by the enemy; who will probably with three hundred attempt a stroke at this post -I mean the haymakers. In two days more I shall have all my hay home. And Mr. Miller who has been particularly useful to me, and a judge of the quantity, says there will be an hun- dred and fifty tons. This is more than l 'calcula- ted on. The remaining 150 can easily be pro- cured, and as much more if wanted, and work- men, guards, &c. can be furnished. Two or more carpenters are wanted to assist Ward.

With due respect,

JNO. ARMSTRONG, Gen . JAMES WILKINSON.

Orthography.

The following order for goods on a business house here by its customer at Dayton, is a spe- cimen of the literature of the period and region which gave it birth. If the schoolmaster was abroad at that date, he had not got far west.

Dayton, Dec. 6th, 1813. Messrs. Y ATEMAN & ANDERSON,

Gentilmen -- You will pleas let Mr. vancleve have the barril of Coffy and a Blige aus,

SMITH EAKER.

N . B. Pleas to let aus no if a half tun of shug- ger kittle Can Be had and at wat prise-By the Bare: if you can purchis 4 Dizen Duch Aul- macks and send them by the Bare you will much a Blige aus.

Value of Property.

A sale of property yesterday on Vine street just over the corporation line, presents some in- teresting facts. It was taken at Sheriff's sale in 1830 by the late owner, resident in Philadelphia to secure a debt, at 5 dollars 33cts., being two thirds its appraised value. In 1833 during the palmy days of the United States Bank, the pur- chaser disposed to invest the proceeds in the stock of that institution, authorised his agent here to sell it for what it would fetch, even if not more than it had cost in 1830. The agent dissuaded his principal from doing so, asserting he could make no other investment of money so much to his advantage, and that if he would keep it ten or twelve years, it would sell for

more than thirty dollars per front foot. It was accordingly retained, and offered for the first time yesterday at public sale, when it brought the average price per foot of thirty-six dollars fifty cents.

The front was 280 feet, and the property which cost in 1830 fifteen hundred dollars, has with- in 15 years produced over ten thousand dollars.

Quere, what would the fifteen hundred dol- lars have produced the owner if he had put it in- to United States Bank stock? It would have bought less than ten shares which have since sold as low as three dollars per share.

A Disappointment.

My friend Dick B-, who never buys any thing for cash which he can obtain on credit was passing by a tailor's shop on Main street, where the firm of -&- take measure on a large and a sliding scale, when glancing at the wall he beheld the significant words, WE TRUST, and was about to negotiate for a new suit, when approaching nearer and reading on, to the smaller letters below, he found the whole read as follows: We trust no one will ask credit, who is not prepared to give us accepted orders on a wholesale dry goods store, or ready money. Dick evaporated on the spot .

Early Militia Parade.

CINCINNATI, Sep. 24th, 1798.

General Orders.

The Secretary of the Territory, now vested with all the powers of Governor and Comman- der in Chief of the same-will on Tuesday the 25th instant, review the first battalion of the militia of Hamilton county. The battalion is to be formed for this purpose at 3 o'clock, on some convenient spot of ground near to Major Ludlow's.

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The Cincinnati miscellany, or, Antiquities of the West, and pioneer history and general and local statistics. Volume II, Part 5

Author: Cist, Charles, 1792-1868 Publication date: 1845 Publisher: Cincinnati : C. Clark, printer Number of Pages: 370

Author: Cist, Charles, 1792-1868
Publication date: 1845
Publisher: Cincinnati : C. Clark, printer
Number of Pages: 370