USA > Ohio > Clark County > The history of Clark County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its cities, towns, etc.; general and local statistics; portraits of early settlers and prominent men, V. 1 > Part 53
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Benjamin C. Hathaway offered the following: "Our Republic! all men are born free and equal. and are endowed with certain inalienable rights. May she act in accordance with those sublime truths! may she burst asunder the manacle of the slave! may she respect the rights of the poor Indian! Let us restrain,
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not the liberty, but the licentiousness, of the press. Then, emphatically, shall she become the type of duration and the emblem of eternity, and millions yet unborn shall rise up and exclaim, Esto perpetua!"
FIRE.
Hitherto the town had been fortunately preserved from fire. The loss of an occasional building of but little value was the most serious damage. But. on the evening of February 21, 1840, an extensive conflagration occurred, which at one time threatened to sweep the entire place. It consumed the entire business block from Maddox Fisher's block on Main street to the alley west of Limestone street, and also the building now known as the St. James Hotel. The buildings destroyed had been but recently erected, and were nearly all store-rooms. The enterprising proprietors were not prostrated by their sudden loss, but immediately began to replace the sites with durable structures of modern pattern, which were a credit to the town. Nearly all the printing materials of the Pioneer office were destroyed by this fire, which delayed the publication of the paper four weeks.
POLITICAL EXCITEMENT.
The "log cabin " campaign of 1840 is remembered in all its detail by the pioneers of to-day as a season of the most intense political excitement. There has been recently a revival of the scenes of that campaign, but the "old inhab- itant" still insists that the crowds, processions, excitement and enthusiasm of that year have not yet been equaled. We have an accurate sketch of the cam- paign in 1840 in Springfield, written by Robert C. Woodward, one of the chron- iclers of local events, which we here append: "The country was wild with un- bounded enthusiasm in favor of 'Old Tip' for the Presidency. Everybody was on tip-toe of excitement. Speeches were everywhere made, log cabins innumer- able built, procession after procession formed, an infinite number of banners and devices painted and printed, and neither money nor effort spared in arousing the people in favor of Gen. William Henry Harrison. Springfield was not an idle spectator of these scenes, but entered with zeal and energy into the spirit of the times. On Thursday, June 18, 1840, the citizens raised a huge log cabin on Main street, a little southwest of the First Presbyterian Church, in which meet- ings were held and speeches made for months afterward. When this cabin was built, invitations were sent far and near to all who thought "Matty Van a used- up man," to come and join in a grand barbecue, and in response to these calls, between 15,000 and 20,000 persons were present. The day was a delightful one. Everywhere, and especially on Main street, flags, variously inscribed. floated to the breeze. All was excitement, and the whole scene greatly enliv- ened by the inrush of carriages, wagons and horsemen, with flying banners, from all points of the compass. A large and very lengthy procession was formed, and every conceivable device and trade represented in the same. After the proces- sion had completed its march through the principal streets, the multitude repaired to the Market House space, where a table 1,000 feet in length and six feet broad was loaded with provisions, served up for the occasion by the citizens of the town and county. About 1 o'clock, a vast crowd proceeded east on the National Road to meet Gen. Harrison, who had been invited as a guest. At 1:80, the coach containing the General, accompanied by the veteran Gen. S. Van Rennse- laer. Cols. Todd and Clarkson. was met about two miles out, and the party being transferred to an open barouche, proceeded to town. Both sides of the road all the way were crowded with people, horsemen and vehicles. When the procession reached Mr. Warder's residence. Gen. Harrison received there a letter inform- ing him of the death of his son and an injury to his grandson, and accordingly
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he hastened te meet his afflicted family. Passing through the crowd in an open baronche, he speedily overtook the stage and resumed his journey toward Cin- cinnati, home. After his departure, speeches were made by Gen. Joseph Vante, Charles Anthony, and the two soldiers who had fought under Gen. Harrison. The dense crowd that stayed to witness the illumination in the evening were addressed by Ottawa Curry and Mr. Gest, and, after listening to these, and the singing of many log cabin songs by various glee clubs, and the giving of many hearty cheers, the people finally dispersed to their homes." We have presented this instance as a single illustration of the excitement that then prevailed as a flame of fire all over the Union. On the 9th of September following. Gen. Har- rison visited Springfield on his way to Dayton from Urbana, and addressed the citizens in a brief but comprehensive speech.
As one of the outgrowths of the political campaign was the organization of the first brass band, under the direction of Prof. L. R. Tuttle, an accomplished musician.
James Leffel, the founder of the extensive firm of James Leffel & Co., built . the first foundry, locating it near the first Buck Creek bridge west of Spring- field. The building was completed and operations commenced in it in January, 1840. It was in this foundry, while engaged in a general business, that Mr. Leffel began the exercise of his inventive talent in producing some practical aud useful articles. Mr. Leffel was a small man, of quick perceptions, ready mechanical skill, and with a genius for invention. He struggled manfully. amnid many discouragements. in perfecting his inventions and bringing them into public favor. A pleasing conversationalist, a man of indomitable energy, he was upright in all his transactions. In June, 1845, Mr. Leffel and William Blakeney commenced building an extensive brick foundry on the north side of Buck Creek, a little east of Limestone street. Upon its completion. in the fol- lowing December, they began the manufacture of Buckeye cooking stoves and lever jacks, both improvements of Mr. Leffel, besides doing a general foundry business. Mr. Leffel died in Jane, 1866. in the prime of life, just as fortune began to smile upon him. The business which he had founded was developed by his successors, and the manufacture of turbine water-wheels of Mr. Leffel's patent has long been a leading feature of the city.
To James Leffel is due the idea of utilizing the water of Buck Creek in the city limits, and to Samuel and James Barnett the credit of undertaking the project. It had long been a favorite scheme with Mr. Leffel to bring a portion of Buck Creek in a race down the north side of its banks to the foot of one of the main thoroughfares of the town. After persistent arguments, he succeeded in convincing the Barnetts of its utility. As a result. the Barnett Water Power and Flouring Mill were built at a cost of $32.000, and commenced operations in the fall of 1841. The water-power is durable, the stream having an abundant supply from numerous springs. The race is one and a half miles in length, giving a fall of twenty-four feet, and, at the lowest stage of water, power suffi- cient to propel twenty run of stone. The addition of this improvement was an important feature in Springfield's manufacturing interests. It was an induce- meut for the erection of other establishments, and brought trade to a larger extent to the doors of our merchants.
Within five or six years after the completion of the flouring-mill. other manufactories were erected in the immediate vicinity. Mr. Richards, in conec- tion with Mr. James Lettol, proceeded to oreet a cotton factory and machine- shop about the same time Messrs. Loffel and Blakeney built their foundry. A planing-mill and sash-factory, built by James S. Christie and Lucius Muzzy, followed, and then Rabbitt's old woolen mill joined in the busy hum of indus- try. The woolen-mill was built on the south bank of this race, four stories in
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height and forty by sixty feet in dimensions. For over twenty years, the man- ufacture of the best woolen goods and stocking yarn was successfully continued here. About three hundred feet east of the planing-mill, Smith Boucher erected on the race a fine oil-mill, four stories in height, fifty by fifty-six feet. which was afterward owned by Steele, Lehman & Co., and still later by Mr. John Foos. A more detailed account of the establishment of these and other manufacturing establishments will be found in a succeeding chapter.
The industrial interests of the town now began to form a most important element. William Whiteley had, in 1840, commenced the manufacture of plows, and soon after reaping machines, in a small shop ou the west side of Limestone street, near the railroad. It was here that William N. Whiteley, the inventor of the Champion reaper and mower, learned the trade of a machinist and laid the foundation of the immense Champion interests, which have given to Springfield a prominence throughout the States and in the lands beyond the seas.
The daily trains on the new railroad, the Little Miami, established easy communication with Cincinnati, so that in the month of April. 1847. James P. Brace was enabled to establish a route of subscribers to Cincinnati dailies, and to supply them regularly upon the arrival of the train, at from 15 to 20 cents per week. In September following, John D. Nichols commenced the circulation of the Cincinnati Daily Gazette, beginning with twenty-six subscribers. In a few weeks later, Mr. Nichols bought of Mr. Brace the list of subscribers he had for the Commercial and Enquirer, and introduced with the dailies several weekly and illustrated newspapers and monthly magazines. In 1854, Mr. Nichols hav- ing a list of nearly three hundred dailies and as many weeklies, sold the same to Mr. E. A. Neff, who united therewith small fruits and opened a depot for news in the post office lobby. He was succeeded by Charles H. Pierce, who added stationery to the daily list, and afterward established more permanently the trade, which, through bis energy and perseverance, now continues a profita- ble business.
The building which now stands on the corner of High and Market streets. a disgrace to the city, was once its pride and ornament. The demand of the town, which had, November 1, 1848, a population of 4,268, having more than doubled its munber of eight years before, was for a commodious building, where town meetings and public entertainments could be held. To meet this. the Towir Council in 1848 built the present city hall. The ground floor was used for butcher and vegetable stalls, and the upper hoor as an audience chamber. The cost of the building, including the bell and the grading necessary, was $7,500. This year, also, the Council provided a town clock, which was placed in the spire of the First Presbyterian Church. Both the town hall and the town clock have outlived their usefulness, and should long since have been removed.
The visitation of cholera in May, 1849, was disastrous. The former escape from the scourge had led the people to hope they would be again as fortunate. But now it seemed to have taken fast hold upon the inhabitants. Its ravages continued nearly ten weeks. The largest number that died in one day of this disease was seven. The total number of victims was seventy-five. Business was paralyzed, and the condition of affairs was exceedingly unpromising. One of the most prominent victims was David King, a public-spirited citizen, who was then actively engaged in important enterprises. His loss was deeply re- gretted.
A quartetto band of vocalists was organized in the summer of this year, called the Buckeyes, and composed of the following persons: Silas Ludlow, Thomas A. Bean, Oliver Kelly and James Wissinger, under the musical director- ship of Prof. L. R. Tuttle. They gave their first public concert in the city hall
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on the evening of November 9, 1849. Their excellent singing, by well-trained voices, gained for them an enviable reputation.
SPRINGFIELD A CITY.
The town now having outgrown its hitherto modest limits became entitled to the dignity and privileges of a city, under a bill of incorporation which passed the Legislature March 21, 1850. A vote for the adoption or rejection of the city charter was taken in May of the same year, resulting in the adoption by a vote of 386 for to sixty-three against. The charter designated the follow- ing boundaries of the city. Beginning at the east side of the Twopole street, northeast corner of the new graveyard; thence south to the old Columbus road : thence southwesterly to the point of intersection of Pearce's mill road and the Limestone road; thence due west to the section line of Section 34; thence south with said section line to the corner of the section: thence west with the section line of Sections 34 and 4, to the northwest corner of Section 4: thence north with the line of Sections 4 and 5 to Buck Creek; thence up Buck Creek, and on the north side thereof. to Charles Anthony's west line; thence north with said Charles Anthony's west line and Maffonts west line. to the north line of Section 5; thence east with the north line of Sections 5 and 35. to the Mad River & Lake Erie Railroad; thence in a southwesterly direction with said railroad, to the point of intersection with Lagonda mill road; thence east to a point due north of the place of beginning; thence south to the place of beginning.
The following officers were elected under this charter: Mayor, James M. Hunt; Councilmen, Alexander Ramsey, John G. Filler, C. D. MeMarshal, Mar- tin Carey.
An enumeration was taken this year (1850), by Benjamin H. Rogers, which - gave Springfield a population of 5,109, an increase over 1848 of 841.
The different secret associations of the city being desirous of more commo- dious rooms, an association for the erection of a building whose upper rooms could be used by these associations and the lower ones for storerooms, was organ- ized and the corner-stone of the building known as "Union Hall Building," on Market street, between Main and High, was laid on June 27, 1850, with appro- priate ceremonies by the different orders of Odd Fellows and Masons in the city. In the March following two business rooms of this block were occupied by Foos & Brother. In 1874, this building was greatly improved and mod- ernized.
The modern improvment in lighting the city with gas dates back to April 5. 1850. The Springfield Gas Light & Coal Company under the supervision of Mr. E. C. Gwyn had their works so far completed at that time as to furnish lights for six street lamps and several stores in addition to the city hall, which had then eighteen burners. The price of gas was then $6 per 1,000 cubic feet. The construction of the gas works has been a profitable investment. The Spring- field Gas & Coke Company had been chartered March S, 1849. and organized September 19. 1549, with a capital of about $5,000. The officers were Charles Anthony, President; James S. Goode, Secretary. Board of Directors-Charles Anthony, Wlilliam Foos, Peter Murray, T. J. Kindlebarger and Joshua Gore.
John Kinsman & Co. subsequently leased the property, and have success- fully conducted the business. At this time the city contained twelve churches. one female seminary, one reading room and three large halls for exhibitions, lectures, etc., eleven physicians and sixteen lawyers, two banking institutions. seven hotels, seventeen mercantile and three book stores, three drug stores, five iron and hardware stores, forty three groceries, three bakeries, two dental offices, one daguerrean room, ten boot and shoe stores and shops, nine tailor shops, five saddle and harness shops, four stove and tin shops, three cabinet
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warerooms, four hat stores, three jeweler's stores, six wagon and carriage shops, several blacksmith and cooper shops, and several warehouses. four extensive foundries. one oil, one paper. two saw, one planing and three flouring- mills, two book binderies, three printing offices and one publication office for a paper printed in Urbana. Ohio.
MANUFACTURING INTERESTS.
We have now reached a period in our narration where the history of Springfield is identified with that of its manufacturing interests. It is impossible to separate them. To note the advance of the city in its material interests the reader is referred from this time to the chapter on the industrial interests of Springfield, and which forms a part of this history. The inventions which have gained for it an international reputation, the enterprise and thrift which continually demand extensive additions to large establishments to provide facilities for the annual increase of business, and which yearly extends its con- quests until the uttermost parts of the earth are brought within its dominion. there find proper recital.
It simply remains for us to make outside notes for the prominent events which have transpired. or give special features of progress.
The taxable value of real estate within the corporate limits, at this time 1853, as fixed by the Appraisers, and subsequently equalized by the County Board of Equalization was $699.976, while the value of buildings ascertained by the same authority was $527.400. The increase in buildings and conse- quent increase in value of the real estate had for the most part been confined to the eastern portion of the town. "Old Virginia " lagging behind its more thrifty neigh- bor. It had a number of neat and tasty private residences erected in pleasant. situations and adorned with a variety of trees and shrubberies: until within a year or two of the time of which we write, there had not been a business house west of Mill Run. There were thirty-six groceries and taverns in which 42,284 gallons of intoxicating liquors were sold annually, at a then estimate of $24,800, yet these were all monopolized by the east end. Now. however, a change came over it. The season of 1853 was prolific of new houses, and improvements were visible everywhere. The western locality began to feel the spur of progress. A three story brick business room on the corner of Main and Factory streets, and an imposing school building which then would have done honor to any city in the State, were among the evidences of advancement.
A writer in the Republic of January 3, 1854, gives the results of the last season's operations. It is inserted hore as the observations of an eye witness, who writes, as he says, "for the benefit of those who are interested in the prop- erty of our growing city: "
"At the east end of Columbia street may be seen the suburban residence of Mrs. Warder, occupying an elevated position. This is an English cottage after the Gothic style, and is said to be one of the best built houses within the cor- porate limits. On Spring Hill, looking down upon the placid waters of Buck Creek and the quiet inhabitants of Sleepy Hollow, is the handsome, convenient residence of L. H. Olds, and a little further north fronting the Urbana Pike the tasteful and pleasant dwelling of A. A. Hayward. On Buck Creek, a large vil- mill has been erected by Mr. James Barnett, who is driving business with his usual energy. Passing over to the east end of High street. on a lovely spot of ground, is the large and, we should think, pleasant. residence erected by Rev. Mr. Moore. Also the beautiful. showy. elegant and convenient dwelling com- pleted last spring and now occupied by Mr. Wallace. A little further west is the model cottage of Mr. J. B. Fisk, built in the form of a cross. We like this style very much. Next is a substantial home built by Father Foos, in which
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to spend his remaining days. Still further west is the handsome residence of J. B. Morris, which is a specimen of New England style and is a credit to him as a gentleman of excellent taste. Opposite the female college stands the mansion of William Foos, finished last season, and is about perfect in its internal and external arrangements. This is too good a house to have so little ground around it. On the south side of the city, east of Dr. Gillett's, Mr. G. W. Turner has erected a very fine house, and when entirely completed will be quite conspicuous: and immediately east is another of about equal proportions, and a little similar in external appearance erected and now occupied by Mr. James A Bean. These two houses, occupying as they do a very elevated and conspicuous portion of ground, will give the stranger as he passes through the city an idea of the ele- gance of taste being displayed by those of our citizen now erecting their new homes. The probable cost of these buildings is not far from $40,000."
In speaking of the improvements just completed in the business portion of the town the same writer says: . "On Main street is a three-story brick with iron front just erected by Messrs. Birdseye & Diehl; ou Limestone street, near Main, may be seen looking down upon all its neighbors the first and only four- story building ever erected in our city, built by our active and energetic citizen, Peter Murray, who has done more toward the improvement of our city than any man living in it. One of the rooms is being fitted up for the use of the Clark County Bank, soon to be put in operation by Messrs. Hertzler, Harrison and others. The upper part of this building is to be added to the Murray House."
CELEBRATION OF THE LAYING OF THE ATLANTIC CABLE.
The popular enthusiasm excited all over this country by the attempt to join the Old and New Worlds with the electric cable, found expression in general cel ebrations in all the cities when the marvelous connection was made. On Thurs- day, the 5th day of August. A. D. 185S, a cable dispatch to the Associated Press. New York, from Cyrus W. Fields, dated from the United States frigate Niagara at Trinity Bay, New Foundland, announcing that the cable had been successfully completed, was posted on the bulletin board at Springfield. This simple announcement produced an intense excitement. All business was suspended. The streets were thronged with people, discussing the news, and exchanging congratulations. There were doubts suggested upon the authenticity of the dis- patch. The impossibility of the cable successfully working after being laid found many advocates. On the following Monday night the message of the Queen of England to President Buchanan, in which the royal lady congratulated the President on the successful completion of the international work, was received, and about midnight the reciprocating answer of Buchanan was also read. On Tuesday morning the citizens were awakened by the ringing of bells and the thunder of artillery. In the afternoon the independent military companies with the fire organizations paraded through the streets. In the even. ing the messages of the Queen and President were read from the balcony of the city hall by Dr. Seys. The reading of the messages was responded to by a salute from the artillery. Hon. S. Shellabarger followed with an able and appro -. priate address. The principal streets were in a blaze of light from the illumi- nated houses and bonfires, while the joyous peals of bells mingled with the thunder of cannon on the Market square. A torch-light procession was formed. which, headed by Tuttle's band, marched and countermarched for several hours. Flags waved from the principal buildings and streamers with appropriate sen- tences were suspended across Main street. The ceremonies of the day and even- ing were the exultant appreciation of a grand achievement.
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SPRINGFIELD IN THE WAR. 1
The loyal people of Springfield were intensely interested in the events which closed the year 1860. The campaign of that fall had been hotly contested The successful party saw their chosen leaders elected, but observed the ominous mutterings which followed with great anxiety. The threats of disunion and the counter determinations of coercion pressaged a deadly struggle for the inas- tery. That cruel strife would be averted was the prayerful hope of all good citizens. But when State after State in the South adopted ordinances of seces- sion which were followed by an appeal to arms, the citizens were ready for the conflict. The proclamation of President Lincoln for 75,000 volunteers immediately after the fall of Fort Sumter, met a hearty response here. As oon as the proclamation was received a meeting of citizens was held in the city hall, at which a sub-committee was appointed to issue a call for a general mass meeting of the citizens of the city and county. Judge William White was President of this meeting, and Hon. J. K. Mower was Secretary. On the same day in the afternoon in pursuance of the call of the city hall was filled with an anxious and earnest crowd. There was an unanimous sentiment in favor of a hearty indorsement of the administration in its efforts to suppress the rebellion. Gen. Samson Mason having been called to preside over the meeting, read the proclamation of the President. It was followed by eloquent remarks from prom- inent gentlemen.
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