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. 2 > Part 6
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The list of the first officers is as follows:
President, R. D. Harrison: Treasurer, D. V. Huben; Secretary, William Wilson. The company was largely composed of Irishmen and Germans, but contained some of the best men of the town, among them Judges Goode, White and Hunt, William and John Foos, John Baldwin, Saul Henkle and others. They attended all fires and are said to have been a most excellent company. They disbanded in 1867.
When the Rovers became independent, their place was filled by forming a company composed mostly of elderly men, bearing the name Silver Greys. This company did not prove much of a success. No accurate information can be obtained concerning them. They were organized in 1857 or 1858, Dr. H. H. Seys being President and Captain. Owing to the number of old men in the company, it seemed to drag along without ever increasing much, either in members or interest.
At one time when an alarm was given the men plodded to the scene of action and were kept working all night. Toward morning two men were detailed to keep up fires so the valves would not freeze. Just after daylight another alarm was sounded, and when the Captain got to the engine he found the fires out, valves frozen and men off tired or asleep. ' After that he resigned his office. The company disbanded in 1865 or 1866. The Sons of Malta took their fund of $300 for distribution among the poor.
These companies all used the old lever hand engines with long lines of rope. by which they were drawn. They were succeeded by the city's paid fire department, which was organized in 1866. A. R. Ludlow, the Chairman of the Council's Standing Committee on the Fire Department, was also the first chief engineer, and served a number of years in that capacity. In 1861, August 31, an ordinance was passed authorizing bonds to the amount of $12,000 to be issued to pay for steam fire engine, and for other purposes connected with the fire department. Chief Ludlow was succeeded by R. Q. King, and he by Chief J. C. Holloway, the present incumbent of the office.
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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.
They have all the modern appliances, including Gamewell's system of fire alarm telegraph, twenty-eight boxes throughout the city, two chemical engines, two steam heaters, by which the water in the boilers is kept continually hot. Three stram engines, Silchy's make, two Silsby's reels, 1,000 feet of hose. half leather and half rubber, ten trained horses and two hook and ladder traps. The engines are marvels of beauty, being entirely nickel plated, and kept con- tinually bright and spotless. The harness hangs up over the positions of the horses, when at the engine an can be lowered to the horses backs, and by snap. ping two or three spring hooks fasten the engine to them in'less time than it takes to tell it.
There are two large brick engine houses forty-one feet wide, by ninety feet long. The lower part serves as an engine house and stable, the upper part. contains the sleeping appartments of the men, reading room, etc. One of them. the central, is on South Market street. It was built in 1876 at a cost of $18,000. The other, the western, is on Factory street, near the corner of Colum- bia; it was purchased by the city at a sacrifice, $8,000, and converted into an engine house.
There are twenty-three men employed in the department-three engineers at $70 per month, four double team drivers at $50, two single team drivers at $10 ono tillerman for book and ladder truck at $40, and thirteen minute men at $100 per year.
The following is a list of the signals used in the Gamewell Fire Alarm Telegraph System:
5 Warder street, at Buckeye shops.
6 The Western engine house.
7 Corner of High and Spring streets.
8 Central engine house.
9 Corner Lagonda avenue and Nelson street.
12 Corner Monroe and Spring streets.
13 Corner North and Limestone streets.
14 Corner Chestnut avenue and Limestone street.
15 Corner Main and Limestone streets.
16 Corner Ferncliff avenue and Market street.
17 Corner Main and Center streets.
18
Corner Center street and Obenchain alley.
21 At Spangenberger House, East Main street.
23 Corner Lagonda avenue and Main street.
24 Corner York and High streets.
25 Corner Taylor and Pleasant streets.
26 Corner Linden avenue and Clifton street.
27 Corner Pleasant and East streets.
28 Corner High street and East streets.
29 Corner High and Forrest avenue.
31 Corner Kizer and Limestone streets.
32 ยท Corner Center and Pleasant streets.
34 Corner Factory and Washington streets.
35 Corner Mechanic and Pleasant streets.
41 Corner Yellow Springs and Pleasant streets.
42 Corner Yellow Springs and Main streets.
43 Corner Clifton avenue and Liberty street.
51 Corner North and Plum streets.
52 Corner Main and Light streets.
53 Corner Main and Isabella streets.
61 Champion Machine Company's shops, Monroe street.
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585
CITY OF SPRINGFIELD.
Steam whistles will give for a fire signal, nine short and one long whistle.
The Firemen's Relief Association was formed on the 4th of January, 1875, for the benefit of sick and disabled firemen. Though weak in point of num- bors, it is extremely strong financially. There were in the beginning seventeen men, they have been in existence as a society but five years, during which time they have paid out in benefits $250, and now numbering but sixteen men, they have a fund of $800. The following is a list of the first officers: W. H. Wat- ters, President: T. B. Condron, Vice President; E. T. Ridenour, Secretary; R. Q. King, Treasurer. The present board of officers are: E. W. Simpson, Pres- ident: T. J. Monahon, Vice President; W. H. Watters, Secretary; and R. Q. King, Treasurer. Their meetings are held in the office of the City Clerk.
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
The peace of the hamlet of Springfield was first cared for by the Consta- bles of the township. The first of these were Hiram Goble and Israel Balis, who were elected in 1818. After the village became incorporated a Marshal was elected-James B. Berry being the man who heads the list of these very . useful officials. Some five years after the city charter was obtained, the Mar- shal was assisted by two Deputies, and, on the 14th of October, 1867, an ordi- nance was passed providing for the appointment of a regular force of police- men and prescribing their duties. The force consists of the Marshal, the Chief of Police and ten men. Eight thousand five hundred dollars is appropriated annually for the support of the force. There is but one station house or city prison. It is on Spring street, south of Main, in what was called the " old Spring street engine house." Over the door a card is posted announcing that "All tramps lodged here must work one day for the city." " This has a good effect in two ways-chronic tramps are never caught there more than once, and the city obtains a very considerable amount of work gratuitously. The tramps who have agreed to work for lodging and the prisoners serving out sentences, are taken out in the morning, chained in a gang and taken to the stone quarry, in the northwest part of the town, and there allowed to break stone for macad- amizing the streets and roads. When any of the city prisoners refuse to work, they are kept in the station on an allowance of bread and water. This building has been used as a station house since 1868, and has been under the charge of various men who have all finally been succeeded by Capt. Biddle Boggs, the man now in charge. An amusing story is told of the first prisoner kept in the house. It seems one of the City Council proposed this place as a station house and warmly supported his proposition, which was finally accepted. The house was repaired and cleaned, cells built, and when the house was ready for ceeu- pants, the first man brought there by the police was this same Councilman who labored so zealously for the station house. Of course this was done by and for the amusement of the rest of the Board of Councilmen. In connection with this house another very interesting story is told of a beautiful looking young woman who was brought there, intoxicated, clad in male attire. She belonged to a good family in the northern part of the State, but ran away from home and worked as a brakeman of the railroad for a considerable time. As a brakeman she learned to drink, and, getting on a spree here, was taken to the station house and there her sex was discovered. The good women in the city interested themselves in her behalf, dressed ber properly and sent her home. At last accounts she was apparently very penitent, and trying to outlive ber wicked past.
THE TELEGRAPH.
The first telegraph machine ever put up in Springfield was in 1848, by Ira Anderson, under the old Pittsburgh, Cincinnati & Louisville Company, com- monly called among the telegraphers the O'Riley Line.
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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.
The office was in operation during the Presidential canvass of 1848, and the returns were telegraphed to it, showing Zach Taylor's election. The next instrument set up was in 1849 by George H. Frey, one of our present Board of Water Works Trustees. It was under the Cincinnati & Sandusky Company, better known as the Morse Line. The O'Riley office was next taken by " Billy " Ruf- fin, and after him by George Dean. The two companies were then taken into a new company called " The Western Union Telegraph Company," and was in charge of Jesse Mellor in 1849. He was succeeded by George B. Stevens in 1853-54. M. Patton followed in 1856. George Farnsworth in 1860-61, and he was succeeded in 1864 by Mr. John W. Parsons, the present manager, who is also the County Treasurer. John W. Parsons was a messenger boy in 1852, under Manager Mellor. The office was formerly in a back room on the corner of Main and Limestone streets. It was removed to a front room in 1859, and to the C., S. & C. depot in 1861, but was moved back -in 1865. It is in the Seventh District, Western Union Telegraph Company, G. T. Williams, Super -. intendent. It employs eight men and works fifteen wires.
The first office of the Atlantic and Pacific Company was opened. by the Cincinnati, Sandusky & Cleveland Railroad Company in 1863. The office was managed successively by J. W. Dudley, George Sherger, C. S. Kirkland, Frank Fitener, C. R. Walls and Frank Reese. It was located during this time at the depot, but, in 1873, an office was opened at No. 3 South Limestone street, with J. P. Martindell as operator. L. Bratsen succeeded Martindell in July, 1878, and retained the management until it was swallowed up in the great consolida- tion.
The American Union Telegraph Company, a company established recently expressly for opposition to the Western Union, opened its first and only office here in the St. James Hotel March 1, 1880, under the charge of W. S. Hos- tins, who was the manager of the office. On the 1st day of April, 1880, they moved the office to No. 37 South Limestone street, at which place it remained until closed. It was under the supervision of Charles A. Tinker, General Superintendent, Baltimore. In March, 1SS1, there was a consolidation of the great telegraphic lines, and now the Western Union, monopolizes all the business.
The telephone company was organized in July, 1680. It is a joint-stock company with a capital of $10,000. The Board of Directors is as follows: George G. Baker, Akron: G. W. Robinson, Akron; D. A. Baker, Norwalk; W. G. Baker, Norwalk; N. Hodge, Akron; D. A. Baker, Jr., President; N. Hodge. Secretary; W. G. Baker, Manager. The exchange office is located ou Limestone street, in the Commercial Block -- second floor-and is under the management of William G. Baker, who has had charge of it since its establishment here. There is now in operation 165 offices, with a circuit of seventy-five or more miles of wire. The Bell electric system is the one used.
STREET RAILWAYS.
The only street car route in the city is one starting at the intersection of High and Market streets, running along High to Isabella, down Isabella to Main, and down Main to the stables, in the west end. It was built by the street railway company in 1870, under an ordinance passed June 8, 1869, " pre- scribing the conditions by which street railways might be constructed and oper- ated." Not provng a financial success, the road was allowed to be sold at Sher- iff's sale in January, 1578, and was purchased by P. P. Mast, that gentleman still owning it. It is one mile and a quarter long, and has a full complement of six cars, eleven mules and three horses. S. W. Martin is Superintendent of the road, and Marion Hughel foreman of the stables.
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MRS. SARAH M.BAIRD (DECEASED)
587588
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WILLIAM D. BAIRD HARMONY TP.
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591
CITY OF SPRINGFIELD.
RAILROADS.
On Thursday, the 6th day of August, A. D. 1846, the locomotive "Ohio" brought the first train of cars into the town over the Little Miami Railroad, which had just been completed. On the Tuesday following, the first regular passenger train came through from Cincinnati to Springfield on this road. The advent of the first railroad was duly appreciated, and celebrated with proper ceremony. On Wednesday, August 12, on the arrival of the train, a large num- ber of citizens and invited guests from adjoining towns assembled at the depot, and listened to an address of welcome from Gen. Charles Anthony, which was followed by an elegant dinner in the new passenger depot, prepared under the supervision of Col. W. Werden. Toasts were responded to by Prof. Mitchell, Mayor Spencer, W. D. Guilford, of Cincinnati, Gen. Vance, of Urbana. and others. The guests then made a tour of inspection of the business interests of the town, and returned to their homes on the evening train. Although the completion of this road was an invaluable accessory to the property of Spring- field, giving it an immeasurable superiority over other inland towns which were obliged to depend upon the rude roads impassable a greater portion of the year, yet the number of close-fisted, narrow-minded citizens were in a majority, as they voted down a proposition to donate $10,000 to a measure which would have given Springfield a through line, communicating directly east and west. Before the road was built the merchants of Cincinnati had two ways, both slow and uncertain, of reaching the Atlantic cities. The best way was by the National road, running east and west through Ohio, via Wheeling, to Baltimore and the coast, by four-horse coaches: time, four to five days. The other route was via Lake Erie, Buffalo and Erie Canal, which was closed about six months in the year. The difficulty in freight transportation was still worse. The ulti- mate object of the projectors of the Little Miami Railroad was to open an easy and quick mode of communication with the East. When, at length, Buffalo was connected with the Hudson River, both by railroad and canal, and a rail- road was begun at Sandusky reaching toward Springfield, it was seen that this was the opportunity for the business men of Cincinnati and other business cen- ters to work to obtain a through line. A few did with energy, but it was diffi- cult to persuado the many to risk their money. The charter named twenty-one to organize, five from each county -- Hamilton, Warren, Greene and Clark.
The immediate aim was to make the Little Miami part of a through line to Sandusky by connecting at Springfield with the Mad River & Lake Erie Railroad, then constructing southward from Lake Erie. That connection was made in the latter part of 1848, and thus, by these two pioneer railroads, was opened up the first chain of communication by rail and water from Cincinnati to the Atlantic coast. It was the beginning of a new state of things in all that related to travel and commerce. The amount of travel and freight that poured over this route as soon as opened was astonishing. The great stage lines across the State soon fell into disuse, and the impulse given to railroad construction was very great.
In the next two years the Columbus & Xenia Railroad was built, in part by the aid of the Little Miami Company. It was opened in 1850, and the road from Cleveland to Columbus was constructing and would be opened in 1851. The Little Miami Company was already convinced that its true interests lav in the direction of Columbus and Cleveland. It was this view that led them to aid largely in building the Columbus & Xenia road, and soon after it was opened it became so far as its working arrangement was concerned part or parcel of the Little Miami main line. Thus the Little Miami abandoned the northern end (twenty miles) of its original line to Springfield, so far as through
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592
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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.
business was concerned, and united in forming, in 1851, the second great line across the State, so widely known as the Cleveland, Columbus & Cincinnati route, which was for many years probably the most popular and successful line of road ever operated in the West.
Had it not been for the temporary paralysis which seemed to have stricken the energies of Springfield's citizens, the results which others obtained from this enterprise would have been ours.
The oldest railroad in the State was the Mad River & Lake Erie Railroad, which had been running for several years from Sandusky to Tiffin, but the company gradually extended its lines southward until it was completed to Springfield in 1848. On Monday, September 2, Peter Thomas, engineer on the locomotive "Seneca," brought into Springfield the first train from the lake. The first station agent of this road was A. Cheeseborough, who was followed by our esteemed fellow-citizen recently deceased, John C. Buxton, who afterward filled important offices of trust in the company's service, and was succeeded here by J. A. Todd, the present 'efficient and courteous agent.
In 1850, this road, which afterward became known as the Cincinnati, Sandusky & Cleveland Railroad, was extended to Dayton, connecting there with the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad, making lively competition with the Little Miami Railroad for the traffic west. The first train left for Dayton on this road January 21, 1851.
The company which undertook the construction of a railroad from Spring- field to London, was organized at the former place at a meeting held in June, 1851. The following officers were elected: William Whiteley, President: E. G. Dial, Secretary. Board of Directors-William Whiteley, Samson Mason, William Goodfellow. Peter Murray, William A. Rogers and E. G. Dial, of Clark County, and Dr. Aquilla Jones, of Madison County. This road was completed on September 18, 1853, and was known as the Springfield & London Railroad. Its length of track was nineteen miles. - The Urbana citizens caustically observed that "the one-horse railroad from London to Springfield will be opened on the 18th inst."
The Springfield, Mount Vernon & Pittsburgh Railroad also had its incep- tion in 1851. There was a generous rivalry among the various companies, which were seeking advantageous connections. The projectors of this line from Springfield to Delaware claimed great results from its connection with the Columbus, Piqua & Indiana Railroad at Milford, Ohio; the Cleveland, Colum- bus & Cincinnati Railroad at Delaware; the Pennsylvania Central Railroad, and its extension west. and others, so that Springfield took a lively interest in its construction. Gen. Anthony, its President and leading spirit, was indefati -. gable in his efforts to secure its completion. In after years it became the main through line for the city, and its most important outlet. It was completed in September, 1853, and afterward managed and controlled by the Cleveland, Co- lumbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis Railroad.
The Columbus, Springfield & Cincinnati Railroad is properly an extension of the Springfield & London Railroad. Jacob W. Pierce, a prominent railroad capitalist, in May, 1870, inaugurated the enterprise. The sum of $20,000 was donated by Springfield for this purpose, and was to be paid upon the comple- tion of the road not later than September 1, 1871. Work was commenced at once and proceeded rapidly, but was interrupted by the sudden death of Mr. Pierce. The time of completion was by the consent of the subscribers extended to the 31st of December, 1871. The last rail completing the main track between Columbus and Springfield was laid at 11:45 A. M., in December 19, 1871.
The articles of incorporation for the Springfield, Jackson & Pomeroy Rail-
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CITY OF SPRINGFIELD.
road, the first narrow-gauge road, were signed at Greenfield, Ohio, on Decem- ber 15, 1874. The incorporators were John H. Thomas, J. Thompson Warder, George H. Frey, Springfield, Ohio; George W. Jones, Jeffersonville; James Pursell, Madison Purey. Washington, C. H., O. W .; W. Bell, George T. Rucker, Greenfield, Ohio: Richard R. Seymour, Elijah C. Rockhold, Bainbridge, Ohio; James Emmitt, W. E. Jones, Waverly, Ohio; J. C. H. Cobb, A. L. Chapman, J. S. Long, Jackson C. H., Ohio; Henry F. Austin, Jackson County. The books were opened for subscription January 23, 1875. The line between Springfield and Jackson was to be placed under contract when $800,000 was obtained in bona fide subscriptions, of which amount $200,000 was to be raised in Clark County. The last rail was laid and the last spike driven July 18, 1878. This road was run but a short time under this management, when the mortgage which secured the bonds was foreclosed for default in payment of interest, taxes, etc .-- a Receiver was appointed, and the road finally sold at Sheriff's sale in 1879. The road was purchased by Gen. Thomas, of Columbus, and conveyed to a new organization made up of gentlemen representing the Champion inter- ests here. The road is now called the Ohio Southern Railroad. It is 108 miles in length, and opens a new country which were heretofore needed facili- ties for a market. It has been a great benefit to the city. The New York Penn- sylvania & Ohio Railroad was laid through Clark County in 1864, under the corporate name of the Atlantic & Great Western Railroad Company. It enters the county from the southwest, and leaves Springfield to the right. Its length of main line track in the county is 18,19, miles. The company has established an office in the city at the St. James Hotel, and telephone connection with the depot about two miles from the office. John D. Pheleger has been the local agent for several years.
BANKS.
The first bank of Springfield was organized in the winter of 1846-47, and in- corporated in the latter year as the Mad River Valley Bank of the State of Ohio, it being a branch of the State Bank of Ohio. Its first President was Levi Rine- hart, and James Claypool its first Cashier. The business of this bank was transacted on the north side of Main street, between Market and Limestone streets, in the building now being remodeled by Charles Bacon. It began with a capital of $100,000. This bank was succeeded by he Mad River National Bank, incorporated January 11, 1865; capital $200.000. The first officers were. John Bacon, President; Thomas F. McGrew, Cashier; Samuel F. MeGrew, Teller; Richard Montjoy, Book-keeper; Ed S. Buss, Clerk. First Directors- John Bacon, John W. Baldwin. William Berry, Charles M. Clark and James S. Goode. On the 1st of April, 1878, the capital of this bank was increased $100,000.
The bank in question is now located on the north side of Main street, about midway between Limestone and Market streets, in a two-story brick building with a Mansard roof, and an elegant stone front, the property of the stockholders, erected in 1869.
The present officers are as follows: James S. Goode, President; Thomas F. McGrew. Cashier: Samuel F. McGrew, Teller: Ed S. Buss, General Book- keeper; L. M. Goode, Assistant Book-keeper: C. E. Clark, Clerk.
Directors-James S. Goode, John W. Baldwin, Thomas F. McGrew, Jacob Seitz, Charles H. Bacon.
Present capital, $300,000; surplus, $70,000. This bank has been under the same management, with but little change, for thirty-three years. It is in a prosperous condition.
In July, 1851, the Springfield Bank, & State bank, was organized under
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594
HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.
the Free Banking Laws of Ohio, and located on Limestone street (west side) in a building adjoining, on the north. the one now occupied by the First National Bank.
Oliver Clark was the Procident and William McMeen Cashier of this bank, and the following-named persons Directors: Dr. John Ludlow, William Rog ers, R. D. Harrison and Oliver Clark. Its capital was $75,000. In 1853, Oliver Clark died, and Dr. John Ludlow succeeded him as President. The capital of the bank was increased, in the year 1855, to $150,000.
During the following year, another change occurred in the office, namely, C. L. Phelps became Cashier, Mr. McMeen having resigned.
The bank was re-organized as a national bank, the First National Bank, in the year 1864, and the capital increased to $200,000. Directors -- Dr. John Ludlow, William Rogers, N. F. Stone, Joseph Muzzy and C. A. Phelps. No change in officers. The capital had been increased from time to time until at present it is $400,000, with a surplus and undivided profits of $130,000.
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