USA > Ohio > Miami County > Piqua > The first century of Piqua, Ohio > Part 6
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Trustees (No record)
Clerk
David Clark John Crozier
Treasurer Justice Peace
Mathew Caldwell
Constables
John Ingram Jos. Defrees John Tamplin Jacob Snavely
On March 8, 1828 the Township was divided into 4 free school districts.
On Aug. 26 and 27, 1828, Piqua was treated to a wonderful caravan of wild and living animals, consisting of the only full grown pair of Lions ever shown in America. Also the wonderful zebu, and African leopards, and other wonders. Admission, 25 cents, Children, 1212 cents. The side show exhibited the wonderful 1000 Bladed Knife, and other attractions. Admission 1272 .- Children, 614 cents.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE OF MAILS AT PIQUA IN 1828
Southern Mail Arrives Tuesday and Saturday at 4 P. M.
Southern Mail
Departs Monday and Friday at 6 A. M.
Eastern Mail
Arrives Friday at 4 P. M.
Eastern Mail
Departs Saturday at 6 A. M.
Northern Mail Arrives Wednesday . at 12 M.
Northern Mail
Departs Wednesday at 2 P. M.
Northeastern Mail
Arrives Saturday at 5 P. M.
Northeastern Mail Departs Sunday at
6 A. M.
Western mail departs Wednesday A. M. and arrives same evening.
Jos. Defrees, P. M.
On Oct. 4, 1828, a reward was offered for box containing $900. in silver quarters, which was taken from Indian Agent, C. L. Cass, at Upper Sandusky, between the house of the Agent and Mr. Johnston's camp. Was money in- tended for the distribution of the last annuities of the Wyandot Indians. Return to John Johnston, Upper Piqua.
TOWN AND TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS FOR 1829
Town
Township
President Issac Henderschott
Trustees
Moses G. Mitchell
Recorder Wm. R. Barrington
David Clark
John Brown
Trustees (No record)
Clerk
John Crozier
Treasurer
Mathew Caldwell
Justice Peace John Ingram
Jos. Defrees
Constables
Andrew Puterbaugh
Tho. J. Defrees
tt
an
54
THE FIRST CENTURY OF PIQUA
SOME ITEMS FROM THE PIQUA GAZETTE
The committee have made arrangements with Col. Bennett at Union Hall, for the banquet dinner to be given July 4th, at 75c per plate. Rev. Mr. Raper will deliver the discourse. The procession to start from in front of Union Hall at half past eleven. Chairman, Jos. Defrees
Secretary W. R. Barrington
Committee of arrangements, Robert Young, W. R. Barrington, Geo. C. John- ston.
Singer & Hilliard bought out John McCorkle's store in June, 1829. It was on the north-west corner of Main and Water streets.
Thomas Hale started an oil mill in the Manning mill east of the river below town, and Asa Lampher has taken the one owned by Thomas Bellas on the west side of the river, just opposite.
Dr. Jackson informs his patrons that he has moved across the river about one-half mile east of town, and will have a water-craft in readiness to transport foot passengers.
Joshua Wells has a blacksmith shop at the north-west corner of Main and Sycamore streets, where he will keep on hand a variety of right and left hand Bull Plows.
Thomas W. Mansfeld has bought out Bennett in Union Hall, and expects to continue the hotel business in connection with his livery stable.
TOWN AND TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS FOR 1830
Town
Township
President Jas. Defrees
Trustees
Moses G. Mitchell
Recorder Wm. R. Barrington
David Clark
Trustees Robt. Shannon
John Brown
Tho. J. Defrees
Clerk
Jeremiah A. Dooley
John Ingram
Treasurer
Jos. Sage
David Jordan
Justice Peace
John Ingram
Jos. Defrees
Constables
John Severn
Tho. W. Mansfield
The population of Piqua in 1830 was about 690.
Jas. Tamplin, Sr. died March 5, 1830, aged 76. He was one of the pioneer hotel men of Piqua, and the original owner of the old Piqua Hotel.
On March 29, a terrible wind-storm passed over this community; some houses were blown down, and several persons were killed.
One of the interesting occurences of each year was the annual muster. In the Piqua Gazette of May 15, 1830, is a call for one of these events.
ATTENTION
The 2nd Company of the 1st Rifle Regiment, 2nd Brigade, and the 10th Division of Ohio Militia will meet at the house of John Tamplin in Piqua, on
Tho. W. Mansfield
55
FIRST INCORPORATION OF THE TOWN
Friday, the 28th of May, at 10 A. M., armed and equipped as the law directs, for the purpose of two days' drill-muster.
George Statler, Captain
TOWN AND TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS FOR 1831
Town
Township
President Jas. Defrees
Trustees
Richard Morrow
Recorder
W. R. Barrington
David Clark
Trustees John O'Ferrall
Henry Kitchen
John W. Gordon
Clerk
D. V. Moodie
John Tamplin
Treasurer
Jos. Sage
Wm. C. Dills
Justice Peace
Hugh Scott
Jacob Landes
Sam. Caldwell
Constables
Felix Dooley
Patrick Scully
For a number of years (since 1824) there had been a stage-line between Piqua and Dayton, but in July, 1831,Lewis Humbert started a rival bi-weekly line, making the trip in 5 hours. Office in Tamplin's Hotel. Tho. Man- field ran the other line.
There was a period between 1831 and 1843 when the silk-worm craze verran the country. Piqua had a number of enthusiasts in this industry, mong whom were Patrick Scully and John Tamplin. They had the third story of the Ashton & Ewing drug-store fitted up with shelves and trays, and tocked with the worms. For feed it was necessary to procure the leaves of Mulberry, Osage, Orange, or the "Morus Multicaulis", the latter being a pecies of Mulberry supposed to be the most suitable for this purpose.
Scully at that time owned a large tract of land in Piqua Bend east of Har- ison street, and they set out hundreds of trees of this variety on these rounds, and some sprouts from these original trees are still growing in hat part of town. These men sold thousands of eggs of the worm, and or a time did quite a business.
TOWN AND TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS FOR 1832
Town
Township
resident Jos. Sage
Trustees
David Clark
ecorder M. G. Mitchell
Richard Morrow
reasurer Wm. Scott
Henry Kitchen
rustees John M. Cheevers
Clerk
Wm. Elliott Jos. Sage
John Wiley
Treasurer
Jas. Dunn
Justice Peace
Hugh Scott Sam Caldwell
Henry Kitchen
John Keyt
Constables
Pat Scully Dan. Norris
et
ter
100
, 0
56
THE FIRST CENTURY OF PIQUA
In the Piqua Gazette of June 6, 1832, appears the following letter from John Kenton to Jas. Galloway, Sr. copied from the "Xenia Athenaeum".
Dear Sir :- I am requested by several of our brother soldiers who marched from the place now called Cincinnati on the 4th of Nov. 1782, commanded by Geo. Rogers Clark, for the Shawanoes Towns, to give notice to all those who are living, within my knowl- edge, to comply with Capt. McCracken's proposal, to meet on that day 50 years after, which will be on Nov. 4, 1832. I am requested to inform all I know, to make some inquiry where many of our old brother sufferers lived, and to let Gen. Green Clay know the place of their residence; and also if they would or would not attend on that date. I suppose you have not forgotten Capt. McCracken; He commanded the Company of Light Horse; Green Clay was his Lieutenant. Capt. McCracken was wounded in the arm at Piqua, which mortified. He was taken for several days on a horse-litter, died going down the hill where Cincinnati now stands, and was buried near where the Block-house stood, and the breast-works thrown on him to prevent the Indians from scalping him. Major Jas. Galloway will please see his father on the subject of this letter and inquire of him if he knows any of those who were on Clark's Campaign in 1782, and if he does, inform them yourself with a note. It is hoped that as many as live within a reasonable distance will attend. There are only about 20 living within my knowledge, though I am informed there are many more living in this state.
Jan. 16, 1827. Yours Respectfully,
JOHN KENTON.
Since the above was written, Green Clay and the writer (John Kenton) have died. Gen. Simon Kenton, of Logan County, and my father (Jas. Galloway, Sr.) both determined to attend if living. JAMES GALLOWAY, Jr.
TOWN AND TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS FOR 1833
Township
President Jos. Sage
Trustees Richard Morrow
David Clark
Henry Kitchen
Wm. Elliott
Treasurer Jos. Sage
Justice Peace
Hugh Scott
Sam Caldwell
Constables
Pat. Scully
Dan Norris
EL
Recorder J. R. Young
Treasurer Wm. Scott
Clerk
Trustees (No record)
Town
Fr
57
FIRST INCORPORATION OF THE TOWN
In the summer of 1833 an epidemic of cholera swept over the country. The first to die from this disease in Piqua were Joshua Wells and daugh- ter, and a traveling man from Dayton. Many other cases were reported, but there were very few deaths.
The meteoric shower of Nov. 13, 1833, was reported as a grand and spec- tacular phenomenon, and caused more discussion than the appearance of Euck's Comet in 1832.
James Johnston was elected to the State Senate in Oct., 1833.
TOWN AND TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS 1834
Town
Township
President Thomas Pierce
Trustees Richard Morrow
Recorder
W. R. Barrington
David Clark
Treasurer Wm. Scott
Henry Kitchen
Trustees (No record)
Clerk
Wm. Elliott
Treasurer
Jos. Sage
Justice Peace
Hugh Scott
Sam. Caldwell
Constables Pat. Scully
Jacob Sowers
In May, 1834, advertisements for laborers on the canal began to appear. Several contractors on this work were residents of the town.
Major Cook, of Springfield, started a new stage-line to Piqua, via New Carlisle and Troy. Stage leaves Springfield every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, returning on alternate days; time, six hours each way.
The Gazette of Jan. 14, 1834, publishes an account of a cutting affray near Hamilton, Ohio, in which "Pequa," a son of Chief Godfrey of near Ft. Wayne, stabbed the Indian Agent who was with him, and wounded several others who came to the rescue.
On July 5, 1834, was published the first call for forming a County Agri- cultural Society. It is evident that the call was not successful, and although we have a record of a county fair held in Keyt's Grove, north of Piqua, in 1841, we find that a permanent organization did not occur until Sept. 26, 1846.
Mrs. Elizabeth Johnston, mother of John and James Johnston, died at the home of the latter at Upper Piqua, Aug. 28, 1834, in the 90th year of her age.
58
THE FIRST CENTURY OF PIQUA
CHAPTER VI.
CIVIL HISTORY
P IQUA was reincorporated with additional territory, by an act of the General Assembly of Ohio, on March 9, 1835, and under its provi- sions an election was held at the "Seminary" on April 11, for the selection of a Mayor, Recorder, Treasurer, Marshal, and four Councilmen, one for each of the four wards. Votes cast, 246. See result below.
TOWN AND TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS FOR 1835.
Town
Township
Mayor John S. Johnston
Trustees Richard Morrow
Recorder John P. Finley
David Clark
Ezekiel French
Clerk John P. Finley
Council, 1-Ward Wm. C. Dills
Treasurer Jos. Sage
2- Jas. M. Defrees
3-
John Brown
4- " Wm. H. Keyt
Constables Robt. Shannon Dan V. Moodie
In June, 1835, the old McCorkle oil mill just below town, on the west bank of the river, was washed away by high water.
During this year many new stores were started in Piqua, and owing to the construction work on the canal the town began to wake up.
Among the new merchants of this date were J. A. Schmidtlapp-Grocery and Notions; Young & Barbee-General Store; J. Smart-General Store; Demas Adams, Jr .- General Store; Wm. Mitchell-Clocks and Watches; Mitchell & Frye-Drugs; W. B. Newman-Tailoring; Jacob Snavely-Gun- smithing; Horton & Watt-Boot and Shoe Factory. John Suttle built a new brewery on the island just below the Rossville bridge, and connected that point with the main-land by a foot-bridge just north of the present gas-house. This island was formerly much more elevated than at present, and at different periods was occupied by a brewery, tan-yard, nine-pin alley, and later by a potash factory.
Improvements in Piqua during 1835, as reported by Cummings Scudder, Frame buildings 29. Brick buildings 20. Stores 1. Total 50.
TOWN AND TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS FOR 1836. Town
Township
Mayor
L. R. Brownell
Trustees Richard Morrow
Recorder
W. R. Barrington
Ezekiel French Jos. Bennett
Treasurer Robt. Young
Marshal John Chattam Clerk
Wm. Elliott
Treasurer Robert Young
Marshal Robert Shannon
Justice Peace Hugh Scott
Jos. Defrees
59
CIVIL HISTORY
Council, 1-Ward Wm. C. Dills
Treasurer Jos. Sage 2- Edward Manning
Justice Peace Hugh Scott Wm. Elliott
Constables Robt. Shannon Pat. Scully
David Hunter had the contract for carrying the mail from Dayton to Piqua and Sidney. Comes from Dayton daily on a four-horse stage, and from here on to Sidney tri-weekly. Hunter also ran the National Hotel.
In June, 1836, the contract for building the new Methodist Church on the corner of Greene and Wayne streets was given to John Keyt.
W. R. Barrington, who bought the" Courior and Enquirer" in 1836, says, Piqua has 1500 people, 5 churches, 4 seminaries, 30 stores, 3 taverns, 4 sawmills, 2 grist-mills, a market house, and a good printing office.
TOWN AND TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS FOR 1837.
Town
Township
Mayor
Stephen Johnston
Trustees Jos. Bennett
Recorder J. R. Young
Richard Morrow
Treasurer Robt. Young
Ezekiel French
Marshal John Chattam Clerk Wm. Elliott
Council, 1-Ward Wm. C. Dills
Treasurer Jos. Sage
2- Edward Manning
Justice Peace Hugh Scott
3- John Brown
Wm. Elliott
4- Jas. Alexander
Constables Robt. Shannon Pat. Scully
The most interesting occurrence of this year was the opening of the Miami and Erie canal from Dayton to the State Dam north of Piqua. A full his- tory of this important event will be found in our chapter on canals.
In this same year David Hunter inaugurated a tri-weekly line of stage- coaches through Nine-Mile, Loramie, Minster and Bremen, to St. Marys.
TOWN AND TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS FOR 1838
Town
Township
Mayor Steph. Johnston
Trustees Jos. Bennett
Recorder
Wm. Elliott
Wm. Linn
Treasurer Robt. Young
Jos. M. Mitchell
Marshal John Chattam Clerk Wm. Elliott
Council, 1-Ward Demas Adams, Jr.
Treasurer Jos. Sage
2- Robt. Shannon
Justice Peace Hugh Scott
3- 66 Josiah Carr
Wm. Elliott
4- Jos. Sage
Constables Robt. Shannon Geo. D. Elliott
Among the new firms in business this year we note the names of Ashton Ewing-Drugs; Forman & Hewes-Copper and Tin Shop; Fred. Geyer-
a
er,
3- " John Brown 4- " Jas. Alexander
60
THE FIRST CENTURY OF PIQUA
Tin and Sheet-Iron Works; Holtzerman & Dettmer-Wholesale Liquors; Lines & Pelton-Boots and Shoes; R. Gordon's New York Dry-Goods Store; John Walkup-Cabinet Making; Ogden & Pettit-General Store; N. Ziegler-Merchant Tailor, and Thoma & Hummel-Jewelers; Thoma soon bought out Hummel, and later took his sons into partnership, and the firm became A. Thoma & Sons, under which name the business is carried on to the present rime.
The only other business in Piqua of as long a continuous career, is the Bowdle Machine Shop. This was started as a blacksmith shop in 1839 by C. W. Bowdle, and has been in business on the same grounds ever since.
TOWN AND TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS FOR 1839
Town
Mavor Steph. Johnston
Recorder Wm. Elliott
Treasurer Robt. Young
Marshal John Chattam
Council, 1-Ward Demas Adams, Jr.
2- Robt. Shannon
3- Josiah Carr
4- " C. W. Bowdle
Constables Robt. Shannon Levi Lee
Early in the year 1839, Gogle & Riley started a bi-weekly stage line from Piqua through to Fort Wayne.
Jos. C. Horton and Henry H. Gossin have a new blacksmith shop at the north-east corner of Market street and the canal at the sign of the Plow and Canal Boat.
Jas. Brown, one of the lock building canal contractors died Aug. 30, 1839.
A panther attacked a young man on horse-back, between Piqua and Covington, on Sunday night, Oct. 27, 1839. He escaped by running his horse, and was followed nearly a mile. A number of bears have been seen here this fall, and one was caught in a trap west of town.
TOWN AND TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS FOR 1840.
Town
Township
Mayor Wm. R. Barrington
Recorder J. W. Gordon
Treasurer David Alexander
Marshal John Chattam
Council, 1-Ward Jacob Landes
2- Robt. Shannon
3- Wm. Johnston
4- David Jordan
Trustees Jas. Johnston Wm. C. Dills B. F. Brown
Clerk Demas Adams, Jr.
Treasurer Jos. Sage
Justice Peace Hugh Scott
Wm. Elliott
Constables
Robt. Shannon
Geo. D. Elliott
Township
Trustees Jos. Bennett
J. M. Mitchell Jas. Johnston
Clerk Wm. Elliott
Treasurer Jos. Sage
Justice Peace Hugh Scott
Wm. Elliott
61
CIVIL HISTORY
At the first meeting of the new council in 1840, David Jordan was ap- pointed a committee to find the approximate cost of grading all the streets of the town; at the next meeting he reported that the cost would be about $50; so an ordinance was passed to have it done.
The renumeration for each member of council was fixed at 50c for each meeting, he to forfeit $1 for each absence, and all members should be exempt from working on the streets more than one day.
Having no town hall, council met at various places, generally at the homes or business places of the members, and usually adjourned to meet at a certain place selected, "at early candle-lighting."
The year 1840 was memorable chiefly for the great interest displayed in the Presidential Campaign. The election of the town and township was held at Tamplin's Hotel, and the results were:
For Harrison & Tyler, Whig candidates . .351 votes
For Van Buren & Johnston, Democrat candidates 178 votes
For Birney & Earl, Liberal candidates 1 vote
Total . 530 votes
Many prominent statesmen spoke in our town during this campaign, and there were many rallies and processions, and when it was known that Harrison was elected, the Whigs had an all-night jollification, with an im- mense bon-fire on the Public Square.
In this year "Tuttle's Hotel" at the north-west corner of Main and North streets was finished and opened to the public, and was pronounced the finest hostelry between Dayton and Toledo.
At a public meeting in Dec., 1840, it was resolved to incorporate Piqua, Huntersville and Rossville into one town, but from some cause now unknown this was not accomplished, and the matter was dropped.
The taxes of the town were taken up by a Tax Collector, who went From door to door, and the rate of taxation for 1840 was, for each horse 3c; for each dog $1., and for all real estate not exempted by the state, 2 mills on each dollar.
The population of Piqua in 1840 was 1480.
TOWN AND TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS FOR 1841.
Town
Township
Mayor I. S. Clark
Trustees B. F. Brown Wmn. C. Dills
Recorder
J. F. Dodds
Treasurer Jos. G. Young
A. K. Brandon
Marshal Jos. Kelly
Clerk M. G. Mitchell
Market Master 66
Treasurer Jos. Sage
Council, 1-Ward Wm. Elliott
Justice Peace Hugh Scott
2- Edward Manning
3- David Hunter
4- J. P. Williamson
Wm. Elliott
Constables Robt. Shannon
Joshua Worley
62
THE FIRST CENTURY OF PIQUA
In the summer of 1841, some unfortunate pedestrian fell into the open cellar-way which extended out in front of Martin Simpson's house (site of present post-office), and on complaining to members of council, that body ordered the Recorder to notify Simpson to keep his cellar-door down after night. No attention being paid to this order, council then passed an ordi- nance in regard to the closing of cellar-ways and other dangerous cavities in the town.
TOWN AND TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS FOR 1842.
Town
Mayor
J. P. Williamson
Trustees Wm. C. Dills
Recorder W. R. Barrington
B. F. Brown
Treasurer Jos. G. Young
A. K. Brandon
Marshal
John Garvey
Clerk W. R. Barrington
Market Master
Treasurer John Brown
Council, 1-Ward Demas Adams, Jr.
Justice Peace Hugh Scott
Wm. Elliott
3-
66 David Jordan 4- " Jos. Sawyer
Constables G. N. Miller Pat. Scully
Very few events of local interest occurred during this year, but toward its close it was determined to reincorporate the town on a larger scale. A bill to that effect was prepared and presented to the State Legislature by State Senator Updegraff in the winter of 1842-43. The bill passed, and the new incorporation papers were signed by John Chaney, Speaker of the House; Jas. S. Farran, Speaker of the Senate; and J. Sloane, Secretary of State, on March 21, 1843, to be in force on and after April 1, 1854. This new incorporation included all of Fractional Section 17, and all of Section 18, Towhship 6, Range 5 East. The 29 articles of this Act stipulate the officials to be elected and their duties; also the division of the town into wards with their boundaries, and places the date of the annual spring election on the first Saturday in April, from 10 A. M. to 4 P. M., the Common Council acting as judges at the election.
One amusing event in the Summer of 1842, was the "Battle of Broad- ford" at Troy. This is admirably described in our Chapter of Remi- niscences.
TOWN AND TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS FOR 1843.
Town
Township
Mayor W. R. Barrington
Trustees B. F. Brown
Recorder F. F. Cole
A. K. Brandon Jacob Landes
Treasurer David Alexander
Marshal John Garvey
Clerk
W. R. Barrington
Market Master 66
Treasurer
David Alexander
Township
2- 66 Geo. H. Brown
63
CIVIL HISTORY
Council, 1-Ward Wm. P. Hilliard
2- Jas. Carson
3- Caleb Imlay
4- David Jordan
5- John Rayner, Sr.
Justice Peace W. R. Barrington Wm. Elliott
Constables Geo. N. Miller David Hunter
Council passed many ordinances this year, most of which related to the improvement of streets, alleys, and side-walks, though one referred to ex- hibitors of live animals, wax figures, puppets, sleight-of-hand, theatricals, or shows of any kind for which money is required for admission, they being re- quired to pay not less than $5., or more than $10. for a license for one day. Another related to licensing tavern keepers who deal in spirituous liquors in quantities of less than one quart.
-
-
-
OLD TOWN HALL-BUILT IN 1844-45
At a meeting of Council held May 2, 1843, David Jordan, John Rayner, Sr., Caleb Imlay, and Mayor Barrington were made a committee to ascertain the probable cost of erecting a market-house, council chamber, and engine house. At the next meeting the committee reported; that in their opinion, a building of brick, two stories, 40 feet by 60 feet, 18 inch wall for lower story, and 13 inch wall for the upper story, will require 70,000 brick, which they calculated would cost in the wall $350. For joists, flooring, rafters, upola, stone, and painting, with contingencies $630. For carpenter work 3350, making in all, including $200, for a market house, $1480, toward which
64
THE FIRST CENTURY OF PIQUA
the Trustees of Washington Township have subscribed $300., on condition that they be given the use of one of the lower rooms for township purposes.
The above report accepted and the committee continued. At a meeting of the board on July 3, 1843, Martin S. Crane presented a draft of a town hall, engine house, and market house combined, and on motion the plan was adopted.
The Recorder was instructed to publish an advertisement for bids for erecting said building to correspond with plans, said proposals to be received at the office of the Mayor on Monday, July 17, 1843, at 1 P. M.
The bids were opened at the time specified, and the board accepted Russell and Manning's proposal, but when called upon to sign the contract, they failed to comply with the terms agreed upon, so their proposal was considered void. At about this time Odd Fellows Lodge No. 8 made Council a proposition to build a third story on the town hall now about to be erected; Council to give them a lease for twenty years, renewable forever, on the payment of $900 .; $200. to be paid when the foundation was laid, $200. when the building is completed, and the balance in three equal annual installments. Council to give the lodge and its members the entire right of taking possession of said third story and its approaches, and reserving to Council the right of taking possession of said story at the end of twenty years, by paying the lodge the amount expended by them in said building, and all reasonable damages This proposition was accepted, and the plans altered to suit the additional story. Sept. 4, 1843, the bids of C. McInnery and J. R. Hilliard were con- sidered, and Hilliard's bid of 3200. accepted.
The following is a copy of the Township Lease:
By an agreement entered into between the Common Council of Piqua and the Trustees of Washington Township, the north-west room on the lower floor of the proposed town hall was leased to said Trustees for a term of 99 years, with privilege of them renewing lease indefinitely, the Trustees to pay the sum of $300 into the building fund.
Signed by David Jordan, Mayor; R. F. Cole, Recorder; W. P. Hilliard, James Carson, Caleb Imlay and John Rayner, Councilmen; and B. F. Brown, A. K. Brandon and Jacob Landes, Trustees of Washington Township, and Wm. Elliott, Clerk, on March 4, 1844.
On March 9, 1844, the township paid an installment of $100, and o March 21, the Odd Fellows paid their first $200. At this time the plans c the building were altered to accommodate the meat-market on the firs floor. Council authorized the issue of blank script enough for $1500, c which $1000 was issued to J. R. Hilliard, said script to bear 7% interest from Nov. 4, 1844, as per contract.
The close of the year 1844 witnessed the completion of the town hal and it was turned over to the board at a total cost of $3382.09. Of th the Odd Fellows paid $900, Washington $300, and the town $2182.09. TH
For
qua port D
je fi Ja
65
CIVIL HISTORY
contractor, John Reed Hilliard was assisted in its erection by Rankin Walkup and James Hardesty, carpenters, and Samuel Redman and Jim Godall as brick-layers. John Rayner, Sr., put in the market stalls and did most of the work on the partitions and finishing. The windows and iron work were brought up from Cincinnati by boat in the spring of 1844.
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