The History of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Part 36

Author: Warner, Beers & Co.
Publication date: 1884
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1017

USA > Ohio > Tuscarawas County > The History of Tuscarawas County, Ohio > Part 36

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school. If the teacher ignored this custom, through stinginess or otherwise, he was " barred out " by the offended pupils. Arriving early of a morning, they took possession, fastened the windows securely, piled the benches high against the door, and when the unlucky pedagogue appeared a struggle for possession and mastery ensued, which generally resulted in the capitulation of the build- ing only after satisfactory arrangements were made for the treat, which at first was often whisky, but in later years candies and raisins. The teachers were sometimes residents in the vicinity, but oftener itinerants, who adopted the profession as a temporary occupation.

The first roads were blazed paths and Indian trails. Within a few years after the first settlements began, the necessity of highways was realized, and wagon roads were established. The first petition for a road in the Muskingum County records was for one from Lawrenceville, which was east of the Tus- carawas River, opposite Bolivar, to Daniel Volgemuth's farm, a point about three miles below New Comerstown. This was the first road petitioned for and laid out within what are now the bounds of Tuscarawas County. The petition was drawn by John Heckewelder, and was accompanied by the follow- ing letter: .

GNADENHUTTEN, July 22, 1805.

GENTLEMEN-The inclosed petition was drawn at the request of the settlers on this river, who have pressed me long since to draw a petition in their names. The fact is that no public road has been laid out as yet in this extreme township, and whatever has been done in this way was borne by individuals, but particularly by me, who have expended in the course of a seven years' residence in these parts at least between $200 and $300 in cutting and opening roads, especially between this and Georgetown (mouth of Little Bea- ver). The increase of settlers, and inattention of many, not only neglecting to open or keep open roads passing through or by their lands, but even shutting them up, when they are open and passable, pleads the necessity that we have something done authorized by law. You will, therefore, confer a great obligation on the petitioners and others in direct- ing proper measures-but more particularly on, gentlemen,

Your most obedient and humble servant; JOHN HECKEWELDER.

P. S .- Enclosed is a copy of the advertisement.

The petition reads as follows:

TO THE HONORABLE COMMISSIONERS OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY ASSEMBLED AT ZANESVILLE:

The petition of the inhabitants of Salem and the upper part of Tuscarawas Townships humbly showeth: That they labor under great difficulties and inconveniences for want of public roads, and especially at present a road leading from or near Fort Lawrence (other- wise called Tuscarawas) down the river through the settlements, to meet or intersect the road on or near White Eyes Plains, which road has, some time since, been laid out and opened to Waketoneki, etc. They have, therefore, agreeable to law, advertised their intention of petitioning your honorable body, in expectation that the difficulties they labor under will appear to you worthy of consideration, and hoping that such measures will be taken toward obtaining a good road on said route as in your wisdom you may deem proper. Your petitioners shall ever pray, etc.

JOHN HECKEWELDER, ABRAHAM MOSHER, GOTTFRIED HOFF, JOSHUA CARR, NATHAN- IEL COLVER, JAMES CLARK, LOUIS KNAUS, JOHN RERICK, THOMAS COLVER, JOHN ROMIG, MICHAEL REHMEL, JOHN KNAUSS, ABRAHAM ROMIG.

A glimpse of early times may be obtained from the first volume of the Tus- carawas Chronicle. The first number of this pioneer journal of Tuscarawas

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County bears date August 24, 1819. It is a four-column folio, 11x18 inches in size, with a subscription price of $2 per annum. In his salutatory, the " printer and publisher," James Patrick, calls attention to the prosperity of Tuscarawas County, as evinced by the official idleness of its Sheriff, while those of sur- rounding counties "are filling their purses from the misfortunes of their fellow- citizens." He continues: "It is true the people of this county have not been entirely exempt from embarrassment-they, too, have had their bank, but the Just of money-making never led its proprietors to injure the public by indis- criminate loans, nor was the credit of the institution sunk by committing it to the management of men destitute of integrity. Hence, while the evils arising from this system suspend improvements in other parts of the State, the inhab- itants of Tuscarawas are beautifying their county seat with a large public building, and individual enterprise is evinced by the erection of a permanent bridge in our vicinity across the main branch of the Muskingum." A column is devoted to chronicle the suspension of banks, and a variety of foreign and domestic news is giyen. C. Deardorff & Co., merchants of Dover, advertise groceries, dry goods and hardware; B. H. Warfield, of New Philadelphia, also advertises a general line of goods; Wright Warner gives notice that he has opened a law office in New Philadelphia; William Albert and Peter Williams notify their debtors to settle up; George W. Canfield, agent, announces that the Military and School Lands in this county will be leased; notice is given that a petition for a new county, to be taken from Tuscarawas, Stark, Columbiana and Harrison, will be presented to the Legislature; Dr. Orange Ranney, of New Philadelphia, inserts his professional card; the Republican electors of the county are notified to meet in their respective townships September 4 and choose delegates to form a ticket; John Hall, " taylor and ladies' habit-maker, acquaints the inhabitants of New Phliadelphia and its vicinity that he has commenced the above business in the house formerly occupied by Mr. George Foutz as a store, and next door to Mr. Albert's tavern," and Andrew Wilson cautions the public against trusting his wife, Mary Wilson, on his account, as she had left his bed and board without any just cause or provocation.

In the next number this appears: " Yesterday morning, the citizens of New Philadelphia were notified by the ringing of the old court house bell, to attend and give their aid in raising the heavy timber which forms the interior work of the new building. The summons was generally obeyed. It was grat- ifying to see the harmony and union which prevailed on this occasion. Each seemed zealous to lend a hand toward the completion of a work which, when finished, will be an ornament to our town and a benefit to the county."

The third issue contains the current Cleveland market prices, and among the articles listed are whisky, 62} cents; Young Hyson tea, $1.62 per pound; salt, per barrel, $7; coffee, 50 cents; wheat, $1; maple sugar, 12 cents; oats, 37 cents: corn, per bushel, 40 cents; butter, for export, 12 to 14 cents; fresh butter, 16 cents.

Other early advertisers in the Chronicle are Joseph Landers and Thomas Sergeant, tanners, both of New Philadelphia; Christian Ritter, tavern-keeper,

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and Whitacre & Laffer, wool carders, Sandyville; Mathias Springer, maker of " ladies' and children's " shoes and bootees of morocco leather, New Phila- delphia. September 28, 1819, James Means gives notice that he has sold his store at Shanesville to Abrahamn Shane; the same date, notice is given by Hen - ry Sliffe and David Seltenright, Sr., that application will be made at the next term of court to vacate the town of Greensburg; S. Johnson, Clerk, requests all those persons who have subscribed toward building a new court house to pay their subscriptions before November 1, or suits will be brought against them. November 2, 1819, the stock holders of the Bank of New Philadel- phia are requested, by the Directors of the same, to meet at the office of Syl- vester Johnson November 15, to transact business. In the same issue, the shareholders of the New Philadelphia Library Association are required to meet November 6, at the house of George W. Canfield, the Librarian, to elect officers for the ensuing year, by order of Jacob Blickensderfer, President.

November 16, a graphic account is given of the robbery of Dr. C. Espich's store at New Philadelphia, by Charles Rinehart, a German medical student, whom the Doctor had befriended, and an accomplice. The criminals were captured and sentenced to imprisonment at the next term of court.

November 23, an advertisement appeared headed "Great Sport and Profit," which said: "As there are some uninhabited parts of this county infested with a number of wolves and bears, who, from their ferocious nature, break out into the adjoining farms and do considerable damage, there is a plan in contem- plation by which these animals may be destroyed, if carried into effect. Sim . ilar means have been practiced in several parts of this State. The method pursued is, that the whole of the inhabitants turn out on a day appointed, and surround a large tract of country, and closing in toward the center collect every animal into a small space, so as to render it impossible for any of them to escape." A meeting for arrangements was called for. The notice was signed by William Albert, Abraham Rickseker. Christ G. Espich, Alexander McConnell, John King and George Sluthour. Agreeably to this notice, a meeting was held and a large Committee of Arrangements appointed. The Committee met December 11, with Henry Laffer in the chair, and Abraham Rickseker, Secretary. A large tract of land, lying northwest of the Tuscara -. was, was selected; captains were appointed, and a committee to lay off the lines, and Tuesday, December 21, selected as the day of the hunt. The Com mittee further resolved "That the proceedings of this meeting be published in the Tuscarawas Chronicle, and that the printer be paid out of the proceeds of the hunt." The editor, in his leading editorial of December 21, cautions the people against " the accidents that often happen on such occasions from carelessness or intoxication," and further says: "If too free a use of spiritu- ous liquors has frequently been attended with broken limbs at 'a raising,' how much more dangerous is it likely to prove in the present instance. We would recommend it to those who, in their tasting bitters, sometimes take too much, not to taste at all."

The constitution and by-laws of the New Philadelphia Library Society,

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regularly incorporated, are published in November and December. The initia- tion fee was $2; the annual fee, $1.

In January, 1820, the day of publication was changed from Tuesday to Friday, in consequence of a change in the time of the departure of the mails. January 28, 1820, the times of the New Philadelphia mails were published as follows:

Zanesville mail, by way of Coshocton, arrives on Saturday at 10 o'clock A. M .; closes the same time for Canton. Canton mail arrives Sunday, 2 o'clock P. M. ; closes same time for Zanesville. Wooster mail arrives Friday, 12 o'clock A. M .; closes same time for Steubenville. Steubenville mail, by way of New Salem, arrives Wednesday, 10 o'clock A. M., and closes same time for Wooster. February 4, 1820, the following item is published: " A Curious Stone. - A stone was found some time since in the vicinity of this town, about a foot from the surface of the earth, with the inscription cut ou the outside, 'David Wilson, 1774.' It is of a semi-globular form, and the letters well shaped. The ground on which the stone was found is supposed to have been formerly occupied as an Indian encampment, from the various pieces of warlike instruments that have been found on it. It is well known that this tract of country, at the date of the inscription, was not inhabited by white people, but whether the stone was carved merely for amusement, or as a means to communicate the fate of David Wilson to his friends, is as yet a matter of conjecture."

May 13, 1820 .- Among the advertisements of this date are the following: John Sheperd, of Harrison County, offers 6 cents reward, " but no charges nor thanks," for the return of a bound girl, who ran away from him. She is de scribed as being " nearly fifteen years old, dark complexion, black hair, stout made, can tell a pretty straight story true or false;" Henry Pence forewarns all persons not to credit on his account his wife, who had left him; Edward B. and Jonathan Johnson, of Clarksburg, Va., offer $500 reward for the re- covery of two runaway negroes, " Martin and Sam;" a theatrical performance at George K. Gray's tavern, New Philadelphia, is announced by W. Blanchard, Saturday and Monday evenings, May 13 and 15, the entertainment to con- sist of Olympic feats of neat and light balancing, legerdemain, sentimental and comic songs, "the much admired farce, How to Die for Love," the whole to conclude with the Dwarf Dance. Doors open at 6, and performances to commence at 7 o'clock. Admittance, 50 cents; children, half price. Notice is given that C. Espich has resigned his commission as Postmaster, and that John Johnson is appointed. The Trustees of the New Philadelphia Bible So- ciety are requested by the President, Jacob Roushenberger, to attend a meet- ing at the house of Peter Williams. Abraham Shane and George W. Can- field announce that they have opened a land office. Benjamin Gundy fore- warns all persons not to purchase several notes of his, for which he claims to have received no value. George Hamilton advertises for a lost sorrel mare. George W. Canfield, County Clerk, announces that he will be in his office for several months only on Saturdays, as his business calls him frequently from

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home. George Nashee, of Chillicothe, publishes the prospectus of a compila- tion of land laws relating to Ohio, and states that advance suscriptions will be received at the Chronicle office.

June 3, 1820. - "New Bridge .- The new bridge lately built across the Tus- carawas, opposite the town of Dover, is now ready for crossing. It is upward of 400 feet in length, and constructed in such a manner as promises durability. The bridge will add much to the convenience of travelers, and be of great ad- vantage to the people of that town and the adjoining country. The proprietor has been at much expense in erecting it, and as it is a public benefit, we hope the profit arising from the bridge may amply repay him for an enterprise 80 well entitled to reward."

June 24 .- "A large boat passed this town a few days ago, bound down the Ohio. Although the Tuscarawas is extremely low at this season of the year, she came a distance of upward of twenty-five miles without meeting any im- pediment in her passage." "Good flour sells at present in New Philadelphia at $2 per hundred weight; corn at 25 cents per bushel; butter, 62 cents per pound; tallow, 8 cents; Eggs, 3 cents per dozen." " The mills which were partly built last summer in the vicinity of this town and abandoned are about to be recommenced." " Gabriel Cryder and Jacob Blickensderfer offer $5,000 to a mechanic to build for them a grist mill on the Tuscarawas, about one and a half miles from New Philadelphia." " Benjamin and Jacob Ream acquaint the public that they have commenced the manufacture of all kinds of hats at New Philadelphia."

July 8, the editor comments favorably on the season. He says: " The har- vest has already been commenced; most of the rye in this neighborhood has been cut down, and several wheat fields are now fit for the hook. The Hes- sian fly has done some damage to the wheat, but we have not heard of any considerable injury being done by this insect to the crops in our immediate vicinity." " Fishing .- On Tuesday last a number of the inhabitants of this town collected and formed themselves into a fishing party. They made a tem- porary dam across the river, in the center of which was an opening, so con- structed as to retain the fish that might be driven into it --- this opening is called a basket. They then formed a net of brushwood, and swept the river for about three-quarters of a mile above the dam. When arrived within a short distance of the basket, the jumping of the fish above the water and the huzzas of the party soon proclaimed their good luck. On examining the con- tents of the haul it was found to contain about four hundred fish, consisting of pike, salmon, bass and suckers; some of them weighed upward of twenty pounds." "A Valuable Spring .- A valuable spring has lately been discovered in Lawrenceville Township, in this county. The water is so strongly impreg- nated with mineral effluvia as to be similar in smell to the fumes that arise from the barrel of a gun immediately after being discharged. The taste, however, is not disagreeable. Its medicinal qualities is said to have rendered it of much importance to those living in its neighborhood. We are informed that a young woman, daughter of Mr. Casper Fetters, of said township, had

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for a length of time been afflicted with the palsy, and that by using the water of this spring as a bath she was restored to the use of her limbs. To some who drink of the water it operates as a purgative. The spring is a short dis- tance from the road leading from New Philadelphia to Canton, about ten miles from the former and fourteen from the latter. Much pains have been taken by the German emigrants, on whose land the spring is situated, to clean and improve it so as to accommodate visitors who may be willing to try the efficacy of its properties in curing bodily infirmities."

July 29 .- "Phenomenon .- On Monday evening last, about 9 o'clock, a me- teor of an extraordinary kind appeared in a northeast direction from this town. It descended with great rapidity through a large space of the firma- ment and exploded in a blaze, which cast a momentary light almost as brill- iant as the sun at noonday." " To show our farmers in this part of the State that they are not without company to console with them in the low prices of country produce, we quote the prices given in Chillicothe on the 12th instant, viz., wheat, 30 to 35 cents per bushel; corn, 20 to 25 cents per bushel; flour, $1.50 to $1.75 per hundred weight; whisky, 25 to 30 cents per gallon."

August 5. - " New Church. - We understand that the new church lately erected at Gnadenhutten by the United Brethren will be consecrated on Sun- day, the 13th instant. Sermons will be preached in the German and English languages. " " Fourth of July. - The last anniversary of American independ- ence passed by in this town without any celebration. Whether this indiffer- ence to the return of a day which should be hailed by every friend of freedom arose from the pressure of the times or from a want of that spirit of patriot- iam which formerly distinguished our citizens, we are unable to say-but that the 4th of July passed by neglected and unnoticed is a fact which we record with sorrow. If the sum taken to pay for a dinner and a few glasses of wine would have been attended with inconvenience, a less expensive mode of celebra- tion could have been adopted. Some plan, at least, could have been devised, whereby the people would be reminded by a public reading of the Declaration of Independence, of the principles which actuated the heroes of the Revolution in their struggles for freedom and the evils which arise from a system of government that places at the disposal of a few men the rights and liberties of a people. This might have been done, and not a cent expended. In thus censuring the people of this town for want of public spirit, we do not include those of the county. In several places in the county the 4th of July was observed in manner deserving of praise. At Leesburg, a large assemblage of citizens celebrated the day with every mark of respect. A dinner was served; the social glass went around; toasts and sentiments spoke the feelings and wishes of the party, and the alternate firing of guns enlivened the scene and added variety to the entertainment. The company broke up at an early hour, satisfied that the great event which took place on that day had been commemorated as it deserved. At Sandyville, also, the 4th of July was cele- brated with becoming spirit. Similar entertainments were enjoyed. Though the refinements which attend a city festival might have been wanting, yet those

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feelings to which the occasion gave rise could not have been more sensibly expressed than by the inhabitants of this little town, when surrounding their homely table spread in honor of the day which made them freemen."

July 29 .- Charles F. Espich, merchant in New Philadelphia, advertises for ginseng; prices paid were 25 cents per pound dried, 10 cents per pound green. All persons indebted for rent or fuel for the schoolhouse are requested to pay.

The last number of Volume I contains the first annual report-a lengthy document-of the New Philadelphia Bible Society.

PIONEER ASSOCIATION.

"Within a grove where maples strove To keep their sweet-tongued goods, Met, worn with years, some pioneers- The Old Guard of the Woods;

" Who came once more to linger o'er The grim work of their primes, Renewing here the grief and cheer Of happy, hard old times.

"Rough clad were they-unkempt and gray- With lack of studied ease- Yet beauty-strown with charms their own, Like brave old forest trees.

"Their eyes seemed still to flash the will Of spirits sent to win; Their hands were marred; their cheeks were scarred By deep wounds from within."

- Will Carleton.

An old settlers' picnic was held at the fair grounds August 12, 1882, at which an organization of a pioneer association was effected. John Hildt was made President of the day, and J. S. Deardorff, Secretary. The officers nom- inated and elected for the ensuing year were President, Josiah Walton, of Warwick Township; Secretary, S. Harmount, Goshen Township; Vice Presi- dents, George Travis, of Auburn; D. H. Troendly, of Bucks; Edward Peter, of Clay; N. C. Deardorft, of Dover; Rev. George Kollars, of Fairfield; P. A. Garver, of Franklin; J. L. McIlvaine, of Goshen; John Rolli, of Jefferson; David Belknap, of Lawrence; Thomas Forbes, of Mill; Morris Creter, of Ox- ford; T. J. Murphy, of Perry; Mr. Brainard, of Rush; John Eakin, of San- dy; Aquilla Carr, of Salem; William Rutledge, of Union; Richard McClel- land, of Warren; H. H. Woodard, of Washington; M. J. Kohr, of Wayne; Rev. J. G. Zahner, of Sugar Creek; Dr. H. Eckman, of Warwick; Sol Hum- erickhouse, of York.

The old settlers present were called upon and narrated many personal reminiscences and incidents. The President spoke of pioneer life, and intro- duced John Eakin, who came to the county in 1807, and has since resided in Sandy Township; he had performed labor on the Ohio Canal. Isaac Bea- ver was an early settler and a great hunter; he exhibited to the audience the

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evidence of his skill as a marksman at 100 yards. Hon. Henry Weible, of Van Wert County, was present and addressed his old acquaintances. Hugh Russell, of Sandy, came to Tuscarawas County, in 1809, and had worked on the Ohio Canal. Samuel Zeigler was the first white child born in Dover Township west of the river. D. M. Good, of Ragersville, was the grandson of one of the earliest settlers of Lawrence. Josiah Walton said his father came to the county in 1806, and he himself was born here. William Gray came to Tuscarawas County in 1814; his father was for many years proprietor of the Gray House. Henry Mosher came in 1831, and settled on the farm he now occupies. David Gram was an early settler, and had worn buckskin breeches and lived on deer meat and corn. Frederick Weible had resided in the coun- ty fifty-eight years. Gustavus Fox came in 1815. Hon. S. Harmount came in 1835.

The doxology was sung, and the meeting adjourned to meet on the second Saturday of August, 1883.

Agreeably to previous notice, the second annual meeting of the old settlers was held on the Dover Fair Grounds August 11, 1883. Josiah Walton, of War- wick Township, the President of the association, delivered an able and inter- esting opening address. After a little business was transacted, the society adjourned until 1 o'clock, and during the hour of noon the pioneers in groups related many incidents of early times. Squire Hoopingarner gave the origin of " Pinchey," as applied to the village of Winfield. Before the town was laid out, a miserly young man was married, and invited the neighborhood to his cabin raising, " after early breakfast." He gave them a scant dinner, and dismissed them before supper time. In revenge, the place was called "Pinch. gut," afterward softened to Pinchey. In the afternoon, the old people en- joyed a rehearsal of the times of their youth. Isaac Beaver, of York Town- ship, gave a practical illustration of the way the pioneers took their tansy and corn juice. His age was over threescore years and ten. Squire Croxton, of Dover Township, spoke next. John Eakin, of Sandy Township, was called for, and stated that he was eighty-one years of age, and had lived in the county for nearly seventy-seven years. He never drank a glass of liquor nor used tobacco in any form. Jonathan Hixson, of Sugar Creek Township, re- lated incidents of family history. Judge W. B. Brown was born in 1805, and came to the county in 1837.

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The History of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Part 36

Author: Warner, Beers & Co. Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Number of Pages: 1017

Author: Warner, Beers & Co.
Publication date: 1884
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1017