USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county > Part 59
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$415,084.6
Total collection of taxes on 1879 duplicate (at June collection, 1880,) [ in- cluding delinquencies and additions
335.475 ..
Total collection.
Amount of taxes received from duplicate
Amount received from State, February and August.
Amount received on warrants.
33,391.8 46,954.
Amount of transfers.
Total
Balance in Treasury. September 1, 1879
Total amount received in the treasury for the fiscal year ending Septem- ber 6, 1880, including balances September 1, 1879, and transfers.
$959,182.9
-- -
619,275.2 $748,014.1 16.342.6
750,559.( $750,559.0
43.545.6
874,452.(
84.730.
Mad River Township. 2,091
541
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
The balance in the county treasury, September 1, 1879, to the credit of the vious funds, was as follows:
C'inty $ 2,428.38
Ditch. 247.80
Por ..
11,350.12
Dog tax
1,000.00
15,598.63
Children's home.
8,169.79
B'lding ..
28,092.65
Township.
2,102.41
T .chers' Institute.
109.98
School
14,610.66
Tinship road ..
311.87
Free pike
241.78
C poration. Total.
466,81
84.730.88
The receipts in the county treasury during the past year amount to $874,452.05
Total
959,182.93
Total receipts in the county treasury for the year, including balances of September 1,1879, and transfers
$959,182.93
Disbursed for year ending September 6, 1880. 922.305.32
Balance in treasury for year ending September 6, 1880 36,877.61
Distributed to the funds as follows:
U nty
$ 2,156.29
Township road 69.44
Por
3,538.80
Free pike.
513.26
Bige
1.94
Ditch.
242.01
BIding.
13,808.78
Dog tax. 1,000.00
S cial building.
6,628.22
Show licenses.
36.00
Cidren's home.
2,859.53
C poration ..
110.82
S ool
4,665.14
Tinship.
1,199.68
Total 36,877.61
1
BIDED DEBT. The bonded debt of the county is :
Building bonds, (Court House).
$84,500.00
Bridge bonds ..
30,000.00
Special pike bonds
66,000.00
Total
180,500.00
FLUATION OF THE TAX DUPLICATE OF 1880 WAS AS FOLLOWS :
Value of lands.
$17,731,520.00
Value of lots
13,503,760.00
Value of personal property
14,454,980.00
Total
45,694,260.00
TE TAXES LEVIED THEREON FOR THE YEAR 1880, RECEIVABLE IN DECEMBER AND JUNE, WAS AS FOLLOWS :
Sinking fund.
22,847.13
General revenue fund
63,971.97
Common school fund
45,694.26
Total State tax.
132,513.36
CINTY, CITY, TOWN, TOWNSHIP AND DOG TAX :
Canty
$ 54,833.11
Township road 24,758.95
Por.
22,847.13
School.
191,169.76
Bige
28,465.38
Special.
19,630.52
Blding
45,694.26
Corporation
222,033.87
Cidren's home.
9,138.85
Dog tax.
5,662.00
Tinship ..
20,504.99
Total.
644,738.82
Total for all purposes 1880.
$777,252.18
Delinquent taxes of 1879
14,283.62
Grand total
791,535.80
Total collection of taxes on 1880 duplicate (at December collection, 1880,) including delinquencies and additions ....
$419,746.23
Total collection of taxes on 1880 duplicate (at June collection, 1881,) in- cluding delinquencies and additions.
364,262.76
Total collection.
784,008.99
Amount of taxes received from duplicate
$784,008.99
Amount received from State February and August
42.098,42 ,
Amount received on warrants.
107,660,32
Amount of transfers.
80,654.66
Total.
1,014,422.39
Balance in the treasury September 6, 1880
$36,877.61
Total amount received in the treasury for the fiscal year ending Septem-
ber 4, 1881, including balances September 6, 1880, and transfers ..
1,051,300.00
State of Ohio 45.00
Peddlers' licenses 2.70
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' OFFICE, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, OHIO, September 4, 1881.
Bige.
542
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
The balance in the County Treasury September 6, 1880, to the credit of the various funds was as follows :
County. $2,156.29
Township road. 69.44
Poor
3,538.80
Free Pike.
513.26
Bridge.
1.94
Ditch.
242.01
Building.
13,808.78
Dog tax
1,000.00
Special building.
6,628.22
Show licenses.
36.00
Children's Home ..
2,859.53
State of Ohio
45.00
Corporation
110.82
Peddlers' Licenses.
2.70
School.
4,665.14
Township.
1,199.68
Total 36,877.61
The receipts in the County Treasury during the year, including transfers. amounts to.
$1,014,422.39
Total
1.051,300.00
Total receipts in the County Treasury for the year, including balancesiof September 6, 1880. and transfers ....
$1,051,300.00
Disbursed for the year ending September 5. 1881.
1,027,845.78
Balance in the treasury for the year ending September 5, 1881
23,454.22
Disbursed to the funds as follows:
County
$ 4,256.36
Corporation.
93.95
Poor ..
770.25
School.
7,661.75
Bridge
1,972.72
Township
792.48
Special bridge
1,200.00
Township road.
118.73
Special building
1,951.86
Free turnpike.
178.90
Building.
2,241.58
Dog tax.
1,000.00
Children's Home.
1,216.13
Total.
23,454.71
Ditch fund overpaid.
49
Total balance in the treasury 23,4.54.22 The receipts and disbursements of the city of Dayton for the fiscal year end- ing March 1, 1882, are here shown:
Title of fund.
Receipts.
Disbursements.
Balance on hand,
Bridge ..
$ 25,305.53
$ 17,687.30
$ 7,619.23
City building
29,523.90
22,448.39
7,075.51
Contingent ...
2.434.00
2,402.27
31.73
Fire department ..
39,732.11
34,400.80
5.331,31
General expense.
115.132.37
111,947.88
3,184.49
Gas ...
44,401.71
24,923.63
19,478.08
Interest ..
109,448.74
70,970.33
38,478.41 764.66
Levee ..
4,638.75
844.21
3,794.54
Public square
1.072.85
670.63
402.22
Renumbering.
1,132.50
843.03
289.47
Street improvement.
23,843.95
22,618.15
1,225.80
Street cleaning. Sanitary
9,579.02
9,373.22
205.80
Sewer
4,829.22
1,797.01
3,032.21
Sinking.
19.081.05
8,808.62
10,279.43
Salary
11,707.60
11,558.33
144.27
Special assessment.
12,254.50
2,280.04
9,972.46
Turnpike.
3,087.32
2,569.82
517.50
Water-works improvement.
47,833.83
43,667.85
4,165.98
Total
534,108.73
417,540.53
116.563.20
Bonded indebtedness. March 1, 1882 ..
$1,139,500.00
Infirmary
5,255.07
4,490.41
23,814.71
23,238.61
576.10
Floating indebtedness, March 1, 1882 17,359.61
PART SECOND. CITY OF DAYTON.
4,9,12 amy
CITY OF DAYTON*
. CHAPTER I.
LECTING THE SITE-PURCHASE OF 1789-THE PROPRIETORS 1795-THE PLAT- ARRIVAL OF FIRST SETTLERS-DAYTON PIONEERS-THREE FIRST CABINS- TOPOGRAPHICAL-DISCOURAGEMENTS-IMPROVEMENTS -- THE HAMLET -- BLOCK- HOUSE AND SCHOOL-FIRST DAYTON BABY-CABIN MEETING HOUSE AND BURYING-GROUND-FLAT BOATING TRADE-SKIN CURRENCY-INDIAN TRAD- ING-TITLES AND CHANGE OF PLAT-THE OLD TAVERN-POPULATION RE- DUCED.
THE DAYTON SETTLEMENT.
"HE skirmish between the Kentuckians and Indians, at the mouth of Mad River, November 9, 1782, and the bivouac of the Kentuckians here No- mber 20, on their return march, was the first opportunity the whites had to amine this portion of the splendid Miami Valley; and at that time their at- Intion was drawn to the location, as a good point for settlement.
Some of this same party camped here again for two or three days in 1786, their return from a successful expedition against the Machacheek towns.
Maj. Benjamin Stites, who in 1788 was the first to explore the valley, imediately after his return to the Ohio River, began negotiations with Judge fimmes for the purchase of the entire seventh range of townships, from one Jiami to the other. The deed was executed June 11, 1789, and was recorded son afterward; the price was 83 cents an acre, but as has already been stated, te enterprise was delayed, and finally defeated, by the long-continued Indian urs.
1 The purchase of the seventh and eighth ranges of townships, between Mad Jver and the Little Miami, by Gov. Arthur St. Clair, Jonathan Dayton, On. James Wilkinson and Col. Israel Ludlow, seemed a fair chance for emi- gants, who had been waiting to settle in the Miami Valley.
November 4, 1795, the town was laid out; and here on the ground, those jesent for themselves, and as representatives for others, who proposed to join le colony-in all forty-six people-drew donation lots, and the surveyors with te whole party, returned to Cincinnati for the winter.
Two small camps of Indians were here when the settlers arrived in the Jrogue April 1, 1796.
" As daylight broke, A strange sound waked the void-the measured stroke
Of splashing oars-and round the graceful bend A boat her steady eourse was seen to wend; Slowly she eomes, and to the woody beach She nearer draws, until at last they reach
The destined shore, and quiek the anxious group Spring from her deek, a strong and hardy troop!
Then through the wild the startled echoes leap As first the ax is raiued, and buried deep
In the gnarled trunk of an aneestral oak! The sound was new, * * * *
* * the ground was quickly eleared Aud sheltering eabins from the ruin reared."
The boat was landed at the head of St. Clair street, and Mrs. Catherine lompson was the first lady to step ashore.
*Chapters I to V, inclusive, on "City of Dayton," are written by ASHLEY BROWN.
548
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
The Indians were easily made friendly, and left within a day or two with out trouble.
The men at once arranged temporary shelter for the two families, ther cleared off a small space for the cabins and began getting out the logs, and when the overland parties arrived, all were busy at the work.
DAYTON PIONEERS.
Samuel Thompson, his wife Catharine and their two children, Sarah and Matthew; Benjamin and William Van Cleve, and their sister Mary; George Newcom, his wife Mary, and his brother William; Widow McClure, her sons. James and John, and daughters, Kate and Ann; and Abraham Glassmire; were those of the colony who on April 1, 1796, located on the town plat, and wert therefore the pioneer settlers of Dayton. William Van Cleve moved on his land south of the settlement, within two or three years.
Abraham Grassmire had gone away before 1799.
Three cabins then were the beginning of the settlement on the Daytor plat; George Newcom's at the southwest corner of Main and Water streets; Sam uel Thompson's on Water street, half way between Jefferson and St. Clair; and the cabin of Widow McClure and her boys, at the southwest corner of Water and Mill streets. The Dayton settlement included the farming lands in a cir cle of two or three miles around the mouth of Mad River.
TOPOGRAPHICAL.
The settlers were influenced to locate on the river bank, at Water street from their idea that the most desirable property would be near the landing from whence in future years must be shipped the surplus products of the coun try.
On the west side of the plat, a prairie extended from First street to Fifth and from Perry street to the sycamores along the river. The high ground o this prairie was fenced by the pioneers as a common farming lot. In it an of them was entitled to till as much of the soil as he chose.
Corn and some vegetables were also planted in a little prairie that la between this larger tract and the cabins.
The boundaries of the plat were as follows: Water street was the nort! line; the east line was Mill street, south to Third, thence west to St. Clair south to Fifth; west to Jefferson; south to South street (since changed in nam to Sixth); west to Ludlow; north to Fifth; west to Wilkinson; and north t Water street. The streets were not opened for several years, but remained covered with forest trees and a dense undergrowth of vines and bushes, excep. Water street, which was cleared to the water's edge, and a narrow wagon roa was cut out the entire length of Main street.
A gully, five or six feet deep, extended from the corner of Wilkinso and First streets, crossing Main at the corner of Main Cross street (Thir street), and ending in the prairie, near the corner of Fifth and Brown streets
There were also small prairies north of First street and west of Wilkin son; some of them of half an acre, but most smaller. There were also flv prairies east of St. Clair street and south of First, separated from each othe by small strips of timber, and extending down to the present Stout street cana bridge. Between these prairies, the center of the plat was a dense mass ( hazel bushes and plum thickets, hawthorn trees and occasional clumps of fore., trees. East of Mill street to Webster, and between First and Loury streets, ther was a heavy growth of hickory timber, with here and there oak and walnu From Webster street east to the hill, there were jack oaks, plum thickets an thorn trees. A deep ravine ran from the head of Mill street down the pre:
549
CITY OF DAYTON.
er. course of the canal to the river, below the foot of Ludlow street. Another we ravine extended from the river, at the head of Jefferson street, across to to he common (now the public square), connecting with the ravine running octh.
The town having been named Dayton, after a Federalist, the four streets n t favorably located were named St. Clair, Jefferson, Ludlow and Wilkin-
The streets to run east and west were: Water, First, Second, Third, Furth, Fifth and South streets ; running north and south were Mill, St. C.ir, Jefferson, Main, Ludlow and Wilkinson streets.
The town plat was laid out in 280 lots, each 100 feet wide and 200 feet 160. There were also fifty-four outlots of ten acres each, east of where the naal basin now is. There were reservations for markets, schools, churches 1 burial-grounds.
The little garden and corn-patches had yielded plenty in the way of sup- l's.
Two or three settlers joined the colony in the winter of 1796-97. More al was cleared and cultivated, and supplies were plenty for the settlers that vie coming in to locate on the farming lands. Friends and strangers were alte welcome to share in whatever the pioneers had.
The spring of 1797 opened with the brightest prospects for the little col- I. Disadvantages and difficulties incident to new settlements were over- cue, and the prospect of another good season brought contentment to the pineer's.
Carefully were the truck-patches watched for the early spring growth, it although the variety of vegetables was limited, they were enjoyed with a esh when they did come. First, the weeks, then the days were counted, nil the potatoes should blossom; and when the young corn might be pulled 'c roasting ears, it was an event in the settlement.
The scanty improvements of the settlers made very little change in the alscape.
DISCOURAGEMENTS.
The winter of 1798-99 was a season of great annoyance ; the people were wy much alarmed at the danger of loosing their labor, lands and improve- mts by reason of the failure on the part of Symmes in securing a title to the ads; many were disheartened and moved away; others were discouraged fim coming. At length the settlers sent the following petition to Congress.
1 the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the United States in Congress Assembled :
The petition of the first settlers at Dayton and Mercer's Station, in Montgomery and dene Counties, Ohio, respectfully sheweth: That the Hon. Judge Symmes having made i linquishment of his claim to a certain tract of lands lying between the Miami Rivers, ttov. St. Clair, Gen. Wilkinson, Jonathan Dayton and Israel Lndlow, Esquires, the said 1. Is being all the seventh and eighth ranges of townships east of Mad River ; in order toform settlements on the same and augment its value the proprietors offered certain « tuities and privileges to such as might engage to become first settlers, which are con- taed in the articles accompanying the petition.
On the 5th of November, 1795, forty-six persons engaged to become settlers at Day- to but from the many difficulties in forming a new settlement so far in a wilderness cintry, only fifteen of those came forward, with four others, making nineteen in all.
From the threats and ill-treatment of the savages to the people of Mercer's Station itgas once evacuated, and at several times Mr. Mercer with two brothers maintained the stion at the risk of their lives. These settlements were formed by your petitioners a few maths after the treaty of Greenville, when we had not faith in the friendship of the stages. Our settlement was immediately on their hunting grounds. We were not able tokeep a horse amongst us during the first season, by reason of their stealing. The sheity of provisions had raised flour to $9 a barrel, and other articles in proportion, wich we had to purchase and transport fifty miles through a wilderness, clearing roads,
550
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
etc .; under all these and many more difficulties we labored in hopes of obtaining of lands at a low rate and the small gratnity offered. Several of your petitioners have n been able to procure any land ; others have laid their claims before the Commissione agreeably to the late law, and purchased at $2 per acre. We beg leave to state to yo honorable body that the proprietors have not received the expected advantages from t forming of these settlements; that yonr petitioners have been at a vast expense, labor a: difficulty in forming the said settlements, and have received no recompense nor privile other than subsequent settlers; that they first opened a way, in consequence of which t conntry has become populous and the United States lias reecived a handsome reven from the sale of the lands; that the town of Dayton is purchased by a subsequent settle and we pray that Congress will make to us snch gratnity in lands, or dednction from pa ments for lands, or grant snch other relief as onr case merits.
Yonr petitioners further pray in behalf of Rev. William Hamer, a settier at Dayto who, having settled on the Section 29 in the Second Township and Seventh Range befo the lines were rnn, with an expeetation of holding it agreeable to the terms set forth Article A, and has since eontinned to cultivate and improve it, as it was supposed to appropriated for religious purposes, he being a preacher of the Gospel and having th approbation of Mr. Lndlow, one of the proprietors, as appears by the Artiele C. Now, the said section is to be sold as other lands, the said Hamer is willing to pay $2 per ac for it, in installments, agreeable to the late laws for the disposal of United States land We pray yonr honorable body may grant him a pre-emption and the indulgence he wishe and yonr petitioners shall, etc.
William Gahagan, Samuel Thompson, Benjamin Van Cleve, William Van Clev Thomas Davis, James McClnre, Daniel Ferrel, John McClnre, Thomas Hamer, Abr ham Grassmire, William Hamer, Solomon Hamer, William Chenoweth, George New com, William Newcom and James Morris.
Thomas Davis, representative of John Davis, deceased ; William Hamer, represent tive of Solomon Goss ; B. Van Cleve and William Gahagan, representatives of Jol Dorongh ; Jonathan Mercer, for himself and others of Mercer's Station, on Mad River.
Congress in the way of relief, and in compliance with this petition, passe a law on the 2d of March, 1799, giving to these people, and any others vl had any contract in writing with John Cleves Symmes previous to the Ist April, 1797, the privilege of purchasing lands of the United States at the pric of $2 an acre, to be paid in three annual installments. This law did not affor the relief desired, and but three or four persons entered their lands under it,
IMPROVEMENTS.
In the winter of 1798-99, " Newcom's Tavern " was built two stories high of hewn logs. Lime had not, previous to that, been used in the settlement, an in this building was the first instance that lime mortar had been used for chin ing. To make the lime, stones were gathered from the river bed an piled over a huge log fire, which answered every purpose of a kiln. A countr boy who saw the house when it was being plastered, reported in wonder to h folks at home, that "Col. Newcom was plastering his house inside with flour.
This was the first tavern in the Miami Valley north of Fort Hamilton and in the second story, one year afterward, was opened the first store, in th room in which, in 1803, was held the first court, and later was occupied as church by the Presbyterians.
This building was afterward weather-boarded; is still standing on th ground upon which it was originally built, and is now occupied as a grocer and dwelling.
Gen. Jacob Brown built a cabin and kept bachelor's hall at the south west corner of Water and Jefferson streets. Gen. Brown distinguished hun self in the war of 1812, and was afterward Commander-in-Chief of the Unite States Army, in which position he served until his death, February 24, 1828
THE HAMLET.
April 1, 1799, three years after the settlement of Dayton, there were nin cabins in the town, six of them on Water street, two on First street, and on at the corner of Fifth and Main streets. The cabin and sheds at the south
1
551
CITY OF DAYTON.
est corner of Water and Wilkinson were occupied by a farmer, John Williams, ad his family.
Newcom's Tavern, southwest corner of Main and Water streets.
Paul D. Butler's cabin was on Water street, just east of Main.
After Gen. Brown left, D. C. Cooper occupied the cabin corner of Water al Jefferson streets, but it was then unoccupied.
Samuel Thompson's cabin was situated on Water street, half way between J.ferson and St. Clair. The widow McClure and her family lived in the cabin athe southwest corner of Mill and Water streets.
The cabin and shop of Thomas Arnett, a shoemaker, were on the northwest c ner of First and Ludlow streets. George Westfall and family lived in the coin at the southeast corner of Main street and the alley between First and Later streets. John Welsh's cabin was on the southeast corner of Fifth and } in streets. From the corner of Mill and Water streets, a wagon road led up Jd River, by Hamer's farm to Demint's and Mercer's Stations. A side road ao connected this road with First street. A road branched off, crossing Mad Fzer, leading up the Miami to Livingston, Staunton and Piqua.
A road ran south through Franklin and Hamilton, to Cincinnati.
Strangers coming from the south, read the sign-board that stood at the fot of Main street (now the corner of Warren and Main streets), "One-half neto Dayton."
The town-plat was surrounded with thick, heavy woods that abounded in gne, such as bear, deer, wolves, panthers and wild cats. All roads were cut just wide enough for a single wagon.
On the road running south, the nearest cabin was that of Thomas Davis, › the bluffs, and below that there was no clearing this side of Hole's Station, were there was but a single cabin, near the old block-house and stockade.
Old Chillicothe, a Shawnee town on the Little Miami, three miles north :where Xenia now stands, was the settlement to the east. In the forks of Vd River was Cribb's Station; Mercer's Station was near the present site of F rfield; two or three settlers were at the mouth of Donnel's Creek; Demint's >tion, now Springfield, and McPherson's Station, in the vicinity of Urbana. I the north, two or three families had settled at the mouth of Honey Creek, I Miami County, calling the town Livingston; Staunton was a station a ne east of Troy, and there were a few people at Piqua and Loramie's store.
BLOCK-HOUSE AND SCHOOL.
During the summer the settlers were greatly alarmed at the threatened I ian hostilities; block-houses were built at all of the stations of the frontier Aarge one was erected on the river bank. at the head of Main street, here 1Dayton. It was built of round logs, the second story jutted over, two feet a. jaround, so that guard might be kept to prevent the savages firing the build- 1 below. The settlers were organized and armed, ready to repair to the o.ck-house with their families at the first alarm; but, fortunately, the sav- als were quieted.
The diary of Benjamin Van Cleve shows that he, as "master," opened a all school in the lower story of this block-house, on the 1st day of Septem- 54 1799. The room was furnished in a plain, rough way; there were no chirs; the seats used were a few low, block stools, and hewed slab benches. Te instructions given were necessarily of a limited and simple kind. The sc:city of books was a great hindrance to the scholars; the school hours were gen to lessons in spelling, writing and figures. The teacher prepared one or wo charts, in plain letters, from which the alphabet and spelling were taght, the scholars using any old book they might find at home to practice reding.
552
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
As there were no slates, paper or pencil, lessons in writing were given i sand; for this purpose, a long, narrow slab-table stood in the center of th room, a layer of dry river sand was smoothed over the table, and, with a sma sharpened stick, the scholars copied in the sand the letters of the alphabe from the chart. Progress was slow, yet, in this way the barefooted boys an girls of the last century learned to write and figure. Writing lessons wer continued in this way for fifteen years afterward.
A clapboard with "Out." on one side, and "In," on the other, hung ju: inside the door; but one scholar was allowed to "go out " at a time, and tl rule required the board to be turned as the scholar passed "out" or "in."
In Mr. Van Cleve's terms for tuition, he reserved time to gather his cor and this gave the children the first week in November as a vacation.
The school was continued about a month after "corn gathering;" the! after a month's vacation, he again opened the school and taught a thre months' term.
FIRST CHILD BORN IN DAYTON.
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