The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county, Part 62

Author: W.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, W. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1214

USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county > Part 62

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570

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

CHAPTER III.

THE BANK-SHOWS-1815-FEMALE BIBLE SOCIETY-CABINTOWN-RATTLESNA -COMMONS-BUCKLOT-MARKET HOUSE-WAGON RATES-RIVAL SOCIETIES MAD RIVER BRIDGE-BRIDGE STREET BRIDGE-BREWERIES-TOWN ELECTIC 1816-FREIGHITING UP THE RIVER-SUNDAY SCHOOLS-CAMP MEETING --- STA LINES-BOATING SOUTH-NEW YEAR'S BALL-SCARCITY OF MONEY-CON TON'S TAVERN-SICKLY SEASON-HANGING OF MCAFEE-MAILS -- 1825 TO 18 -DAYTON AND TIIE CANAL.

P ERRY'S victory, and the continued success of Gen. Harrison's army ). newed confidence in business circles. In November, 1813, meetings Dayton business men were held with a view of establishing a bank here. T next month the Dayton Manufacturing Company was incorporated by the Le islature, and began business in the stone house still standing on the east si of Main street, at the north corner of the first alley south of Water street. I cember 28, the following Directors were elected: H. G. Phillips, Joseph Peir John Compton, David Reid, William Eaker, Charles R. Greene, Isaac G. Br net, Joseph H. Crane, D. C. Lindsley, John Ewing, Maddox Fisher, Day Griffin and John H. Williams. May 19, 1814, the board organized by the el tion of H. G. Phillips, President, and George S. Houston, Cashier, Banki hours were from 10 A. M. to 1 P. M.

The village blacksmith, who, before the war had the neighborhood she ing, and could make all repairs to wagons, plows and other farming imp ments, found that with his rapidly increasing business came competiti After the war the town supported four blacksmith shops; the proprietors w. John Burns, Obadiah B. Conover, Jacob Kuhn and James Davis.

Charles Tull started a ferry on the Miami, at the head of Ludlow stre in December, 1814. Farmers would come on horseback and in wagons to 1: north side of the river, hitch there and feed, and bring their truck over on 1 boat, to trade at the stores. William Cogswell, silversmith and jewel. opened a shop on the west side of Main street, south of First.

During the winter the community had a new experience in the appearar of one and two dollar bills, of the Dayton Manufacturing Company, fraudulen raised to twenties, and one hundred dollar bills.

SHOWS.

Towns in Southern Ohio had now become large enough to make it tem ing for shows, theaters and other traveling companies to come this way w their entertainments.

The first "show " of which there is record, was quite an extensive disp of " wax works and figures," that were exhibited here February 13, 1815.

Monday night, February 27, there was a grand illumination of the to in celebration of the declaraion of peace between the United States and Gr Britain. The country people came in crowds to participate in the general joicing.

The following tempting programme was announced for the first theater

THEATER.

At the dwelling of William Huffman, St. Clair street. The lovers of drama are respectfully informed that on this evening, April 22, 1816, will

Man Dickey

573

CITY OF DAYTON.

orented the much admired, elegant comedy called "Matrimony; or the Pris- Irs." Between the play and farce, will be given, Recitation-" Scolding Wife R'Iaimed; Recitation-" Monsier Tonson." Fancy Dance. Comic song- ag of nails." To which will be added the celebrated comic farce, called "" he Village Lawyer." Tickets 50 cents; doors open at 7 o'clock; curtain to ci at 7:30, precisely. Gentlemen are requested not to smoke cigars in the ·biter.

In April, 1819, an African lion was on exhibition, in an iron cage, for four das, beginning April 22, in the barnyard at Reid's Inn. Admission 25 cents; ch dren half price.

In April, 1820, 11th to 14th inclusive. an elephant was shown in the log ba in the rear of Reid's Inn. Admission 372 cents.

A grand exhibition of living animals was announced at Germantown, Setember 19 and 20, 1823; Dayton 22, and 23; thence to Xenia and Waynes- ie. The show included an African lion, African leopard, a cougar from Brzil, ichneumon, Shetland pony and rider, and several other animals. Good n ic was promised on the ancient Jewish cymbol and other instruments. The hw to be from 9 A. M. to 5 P. M. Admission 25 cents; children half price.

The first circus exhibited in the barn yard at Reid's Inn, three evenings, Ju 19, 20 and 21, 1825. Flying equestrians, running and vaulting; female gestrian in two-horse acts; clown; horsemanship, trained trick horse, bare- ax and fancy riding, ground and lofty tumbling. Admission 25 cents; chil- in half price.

A paper balloon was sent up in Dayton, Saturday evening, June 7, 1828. Lt assed east, and a few miles from town an old lady who saw it going over ·h farm predicted war, or death in the family. The baloon finally descended 'n field where a woman was milking; she dropped her bucket and ran to the .cse to tell her husband, but the " old man" did not think it safe to venture utill morning, when he mounted a horse and rode around outside the fence via great caution. To provide for a safe retreat, he left the bars down be- Lil him, then finally made bold to capture the balloon, and escaped without n'ry.

The first week of July, 1829, there were two rival circus companies here. Dy showed afternoon and evening, July 5 and 6; and the other exhibited five "viings that week.

A special meeting of Council was called May 31, 1830, to grant free icase to an Englishman, who was here to exhibit a " locomotive engine and a way." The following resolution was adopted:

Resolved, That the proprietor of the locomotive engine and railway, now exhibiting in La place, be permitted to exhibit the same withont taking license therefor."

The track was put up in the Methodist Meeting-House, and for a fee, per- ; could ride around the room.

In March, 1815, Mrs. Dionecia Sullivan opened a school for girls, on the vit side of Main street, just south of Third street. She taught them reading, ning, sewing, lettering with the needle, and painting. Her husband, William Si ivan, had his tailor shop in the same building.

The Dayton Female Charitable and Bible Society was organized at the acse of Mrs. Henry Brown, April 12, by the election of Mrs. Robert Patterson sPresident; Mrs. Thomas Cottom, Vice President; Mrs. James Welsh, Corre- Trading Secretary; Mrs. Joseph H. Crane, Recording Secretary; Mrs. Henrietta Piece, Treasurer; Managers, Mrs. William King, Mrs. David Reid, Mrs. James Hina, Mrs. James Steele and Mrs Isaac Spinning. This was the first organ- iz ion of the kind in Dayton, and these ladies, with others, during the rest of tEr lives, were engaged in this and similar good work. June 25, the Rev.

574

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

Joshua L. Wilson, preached a charity sermon in the Methodist Meeting-Hor for the benefit of this Charitable Association. It was the custom of the m isters of the town to make similar efforts in behalf of the society each year terward.

In June, Ann Yaman established a milliner shop on Main street, south Second. She advertised for a supply of goose feathers, announcing, also, t. military gentlemen would find at her shop, a full stock of plumes and ot] decorations.

It was estimated that, in the summer of 1815, there were about one hi dred dwellings in Dayton. There were more log cabins than any other kind buildings. The lumber business was called "trade in planks."

Sets of house logs and clapboards were gotten out in winter, sledded town and sold in the spring.

CABINTOWN.

That part of the town south of Third street was called "Cabintown," fr the fact that there were scarcely any other than log-cabin improvements. ] ruling spirits of that part of the town, in after years, congregated in the evenin at the cabinet shop of James Elliot, northwest corner of Fourth and Main stre The only two of that party now living are Philip Kiefer and Thomas B. C penter. The western border of "Cabintown," in the low ground west Perry street, was called "Specksburg," for Barnhart Speck, a baker, v lived in the bottom near the river, now West Third street. "Specksbur was soon lost in the extension of its more powerful neighbors, " Cabintow and Dayton "Rattlesnake " was the name of a little prairie at the corner Wilkinson and Water streets. The "Commons," until 1820, was the prai. lying east of St. Clair street and north of Third street, nearly to First.

"Bucklot " was first known as " buck pasture," and was so called becau at an early day, it had been one of the favorite grounds for hunting de tempted there by the many springs of cool, clear water. It included the t ritory between the two canals, north of Third street, to the "mill-pond" a race.

THE MARKET-HOUSE.

A frame market-house was erected on Second street, extending 100 f west from Jefferson street. On the inside of the building, on both sides, w. the butcher stalls, and outside, under the eaves (which projected some distand were the stands for farmers and gardeners. From the building west, nea to Main street, were two long horse-racks, or rails. This first market-how was opened for use without ceremony, July 4, 1815. Market hours were fr 4 to 10 A. M., Wednesdays and Saturdays of each week. That part of S ond street was, for the next forty years, known as Market street, and is yet called by many of our older citizens. The ordinance to regulate the mar took effect April 1, 1816. It forbid the sale of butter, cheese, eggs, ponlt fresh meat, and vegetables of all kinds, within the corporation bounds, on a other than market days, except that fresh meat and fish might be sold befor A. M. any day. Beef, by the quarter, or fifty pounds of pork, could be sc at any time. "Cabintown " and Dayton had a struggle for many years change of location of the market-house, which resulted in triumph for " C: intown," by the selection of the center of Main street, south of Third, as f site for a new market-house. The controversy did not end, however, un July 27, 1829; it was determined to locate the building in the alley runni from Jefferson street to Main, between Third and Fourth streets.

The cost of the property to widen the market space, from Jefferson Main street, was $1.196.20. Only the west half of the house was then bui the space east, to Jefferson street, was for market wagons. April 24, 188

575

CITY OF DAYTON.

the Id market-house, on Second street, was declared vacated, and was shortly aftoward torn down.

William Clark was appointed Clerk and Marshal of the market at a sal- ary f $75 per annum. In 1836, the building was extended to Jefferson street. In e summer of 1845, a second story was built on the west half of the mar- -touse and arranged for City Hall, Library and Council Chamber.

The present city buildings were contracted for March 21, 1876, to cost 471.

WAGON RATES.

Competing lines, in 1815, established the following wagon rates:

Trip to Cincinnati, 75 cents; Cincinnati to Dayton, $1; Urbana to Day- nur vice versa, $1; Dayton to Piqua, or Piqua to Dayton, 75 cents; four- h ri team, per day, $4; two-horse team, per day, $2.50; stone, per perch, I. Cooper's or Wade's quarries, $1.25; four-horse load of wood from outlot, " (ts; two-horse load of wood from outlot, 37} cents; four-horse load of rra 1, 50 cents; two-horse load of gravel, 25 cents.

RIVAL SOCIETIES.

"wo societies, somewhat different in character, were organized here at wi or the same time, July, 1815. The Dayton Bachelors' Society, with George S Buston, as President, and Joseph John, Secretary, was organized by the navial bachelors and gentlemen of the town; possibly, without real opposi- no an association of religious people, known as the Moral Society. Calls tor meetings of the Society of Associated Bachelors were usually made timogh the Ohio Republican; but officer's names were withheld. The calls w remade for the "usual places of meeting,"-"Strain's bar-room." The rr » drawback to the society was, that their members would desert, or rather cote ineligible by getting married, and it was generally necessary to elect fficers at each quarterly meeting of the association.

The Moral Society met at the Methodist Meeting House, Saturday evening, unty22. James Hannah, President; George S. Houston, Secretary; William bin, Henry Robinson, Matthew Patton, John Patterson and Aaron Baker, Man-

The object of the society was "the suppression of vice and immorality, Stolth-breaking, swearing, and other immoral practices, and to assist magis- 1 tein the faithful discharge of their duties." George S. Houston, it will be un was President of the "Bachelor's Association," and Secretary of the [al Society." September 24, he was married to the " amiable Miss Mary roan, " and there was great rejoicing in the Moral Society. Shortly after- wur the Secretary, Joseph John, married Miss Jane Waugh, only daughter of L'im Waugh, of Washington Township, and the Republican took great pleas- calling attention to the fact that both the President and Secretary of Achelor's Association were married men. Their places were immediately lec by the election of John Steele, President, and Alexander Grimes, Sec-

MAD RIVER BRIDGE.

[ad River was such a slashing, wild stream, and so rapid, that a ferry could L will be managed, and ordinarily in the spring the river was so dangerous 0 kl that merchants of the town found it desirable that a bridge should be In lf To this end a meeting was held at Grimes' Tavern, Saturday, January 2. 16, " to devise a plan to build a bridge across Mad River at the Staunton R .Ford."

he following committee was appointed to raise subscriptions, and super- inter structure ; D. C. Cooper, Aaron Baker, Samuel Dille, David Lock, John

576

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

D. Campbell, David Griffin and William M. Smith. This plan was abando and the bridge built the next year by the county.

March 21, 1817, the contract was sold to William Farmun at $1,400. was a high bridge, built crowning in the old fashioned way, with a single s of 160 feet, so that the roadway over the middle of the river was several higher above the water than at the abutments. It was located at w Taylor street now is, just south of Water street; was not a covered bri and was painted red. Although not completed, it was opened to travel in fall, and in December, was finished at an expense of $150. In 1824, being safe, a new floor was laid and additional braces put up. In May, 1828 bridge fell into the river and was rebuilt that summer by John Hale.

BRIDGE STREET BRIDGE.

A stock company had been formed, and in April, 1818, they began the struction of the old red toll bridge across the Miami River at Bridge st Nathan S. Hunt, of Hamilton, Ohio, was contractor.

A soldier on duty at the United States recruiting office here, fell frc boat that was used in building the pier, and was drowned.

December 22, an Indian was drowned in attempting to cross on the just below the bridge. The next month the bridge was opened to the pul the toll house stood at the upper side, west end of the bridge.

BREWERIES.

In 1816, Robert Graham who kept the old tavern at the corner of and Water streets, also had a small brewery there in operation.

About 1820, Henry Brown built a brick brewery on Lot 105, south sic Second street, west of Jefferson street ; James L. Morris bought it in Oct 1822, and in 1823 Michael Ott was proprietor. It was then known as the J ton Brewery.

In August, 1828, George C. Davis built a new brick brewery on Jeffe street between First and Water streets. T. Hawley & Co. made the first b ing there October 15 of the same year. They manufactured beer, porter ale, and had a fine trade.

The following is an advertisement of the Dayton brewery, Octobe 1830.

Beer, similar to that brewed at Germantown, and equally as good, is brewed by a brewer from the Germantown brewery, at the Old Brewer Market street, formerly occupied by Mr. George Harris, where it is sold at $ per barrel.

TOWN ELECTION 1816.

At the corporation election, March 2, 1816, the following officers elected : D. C. Cooper, President of the Select Council; Recorder, Jo Peirce; Trustees, Aaron Baker, H. G. Phillips, Ralph Wilson, O. B. Con George Grove.

FREIGHTING UP THE RIVER.

Lines of keel-boats were again established up the Miami in 1816, car! grain and produce that was transferred at Loramie to boats that were ! down the Maumee. A large warehouse for storage was built at the Ma Rapids, as a point for transfer of freight from river boats to lake vessels.

MEDICAL SOCIETY.

The Dayton Medical Society was organized July 13, 1816. They we meet three times each year.

577

CITY OF DAYTON.

RATES OF POSTAGE.

Any distance not exceeding 30 miles, 6 cents ; over 30 miles and not ex . we'ng 80 miles, 10 cents ; over 80, and not over 150, 122 cents ; over 150, not over 400, 183 ; over 400 miles, 25 cents. Each paper carried not over )(miles, 1 cent ; over 100 miles, 12 cents.

SABBATH SCHOOLS.

In March, 1817, an effort was made that soon resulted in the establishment Sunday school by the Presbyterians at their meeting house.

In July of the next year, they organized the Dayton Sabbath School Asso- aon ; and the Methodists organized the Methodist Sunday School Society. h'r first meetings were held in August. Children and adults were taught alphabet and to read. The Presbyterian school was held in their own meet- louse ; the Methodist school was held in the Academy building on St. Clair rt.

In 1817, there were but two pleasure carriages in Dayton. One was owned . C. Cooper, and the other by H. G. Phillips.

Simeon Stansifer started a tobacco factory in July of that year, near the ): office.

Blackali Stephens opened the old Newcom tavern as the Sun Inn, in De- wner ; he had a large picture of the Sun on the sign.

CAMP MEETING.

The Methodists in the neighborhoods throughout the valley usually gath- e in the groves for worship whenever the services of a minister could be ob- ild. Friday, June 26, 1818, the first camp meeting was organized at the ! tto prairie, three-fourths of a mile south of Dayton-now the foot of Ludlow rt. It was estimated that there were 3,000 people at the assembly. Sep- ten'er 10, of the next year, they again met under the leadership of the Rev. james B. Finley, P. E., who was assisted by the Rev. John Strange, of the River Circuit. The line of tents entirely encircled the prairie. These Le'ings were held at that point each year until the canal was located, and after nawere held at the big spring on the north side of Mad River, near where heouth abutment of the railroad bridge is now located.

STAGE LINES.

In May, 1818, a Mr. Lyon began making regular weekly trips from Day- rto Cincinnati and return, for passengers, but he only continued for the u ner.

June 2, John H. Platt, of Cincinnati, and D. C. Cooper started a stage n between the two points. The stage left Cincinnati Tuesday evenings, stay- sig overnight at Hamilton, arriving here the next evening ; returning, left Friday evenings, arriving at Cincinnati Saturday evenings. Fair, 8 cents ile, with an allowance of fourteen pounds of baggage to each passenger. In the spring of 1820, John Crowder, the Dayton colored barber, with Ja- Musgrove, another black man, as his partner, put a coach that would carry v ve passengers on the road. Crowder was driver, and with his coach and was an object of great interest to the townspeople, and farmers along the He took two days for the trip each way, staying overnight at Hamilton, rog and coming.

Timothy Squier had a stage running to Cincinnati in 1822. Worden & Human had the line to Columbus, and there connected with a stage line to Salusky.

In May, 1827, the Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus and Portland, on Lake

578

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

Erie, tri-weekly line of mail coaches began running through from Cincinnat the lake, in four days. June 25, coaches were started daily, each way. Portland they connected with steamers for Detroit and Buffalo. At Mt. Ver they connected with a stage line for Cleveland. Fare from Cincinnati to D ton, $3; to Columbus, $6; to the lake, $12. Proprietors, H. G. Phillips ; Timothy Squier, Dayton; Jarvis Pike, and William Neil, Columbus; C. E ney, Mt. Vernon; K. Porter, Portland; F. Fowler, Milan. In 1828, just fore the canal opened, stage lines were in operation in all directions. Twe regular coaches arrived here each week.

BOATING SOUTH.

The last week of March, 1819, several flat-boats loaded with flour, purk : whisky, from Piqua and Troy, passed down the river; and eight fine flat-bc and one keel-boat left here with flour. March 16, 1823, seven flat-boats one keel-boat left with produce for New Orleans. The last week of AF 1824, a boat came down Stillwater from Milton, and three loaded here started w her. One of the Dayton boats had forty barrels of whisky, 400 barrels of flo and a half ton of bacon. Sunday, March 27, 1825, the town was all exciteme On Wednesday, the 23d, a heavy rain set in, and on Friday, the river begar raise. Saturday, merchants, farmers, millers, distillers and teamsters w busy loading the boats that were moored along the Water street landir Several boats arrived from above during the day, and tied up here; otl came down on Sunday, and from fear that the water mnight run out, the fleet twenty boats got away. Some were snagged on the way down, but most them got through safely.

For two or three days the last of February, 1827, the river was in ! boating condition. On the 26th, twelve boats started south, loaded with gra flour and whisky. Two others left on Sunday, the 29th, and struck on rocks at "Broad Ripple;" the one belonging to Phillips & Perrine sunk, other got off all right.

The last boat to leave with freight for the South by river, started fr here in February, 1828. The next spring freight was shipped by car Freight to the North, however, was sent by river until about 1836, or possi until the canal was opened to Piqua, a year later.

NEW YEAR'S BALL.

A grand New Year's ball was given at Fielding Gosney's Inn, east side Main street, south corner of the first alley south of Water street, Friday ev. ing, December 29, 1819. William Griffin, Benjamin Brewbecker, E. W. L eret, John H. Reid, Managers.

SCARCITY OF MONEY.

The general depression in business throughout the country after the of 1812, withdrew gold and silver from circulation, and for ten years seriou affected trade in the West, where good currency was so very scarce. Day made but slow progress from 1820 until work was begun upon the canal.

Money was so scarce in 1820, 1821 and 1822, that trade of all kinds carried on by barter. Wolf-scalp certificates were the " log cabin currenc What was known as " cut money" was made by cutting silver dollars into qu ters, and Mexican quarters into dimes. Five quarters were thus cut from : and three dimes from a quarter.

COMPTON'S TAVERN.

John Compton opened the tavern at the corner of Second and Main stre June 19, 1821. The new sign was a picture of the naval engagement betwe the frigates Constitution and Guerrier.

579

CITY OF DAYTON.

SICKLY SEASON,

The summer of 1821 was a very sickly season. Fever prevailed through- nthe valley to an alarming extent. During August, September and October, uy one-third of the population were sick. In Dayton there were nearly four nulred cases, and so many deaths as to cause great alarm,

In July, the roads to Cincinnati were in bad condition, and in many places re obstructed by fallen timber.

JOHN M'AFEE.

The trial of John McAfee for the brutal murder of his wife lasted two days, Mach 2 and 3, 1825. He was found guilty and sentenced by Judge Joseph I.'rane to be hanged March 28. Monday morning, March 28, 1825, crowds ein to come in from the country. Capt. Conrad Wolf's Rifle Company, and a. Timothy Squires, Dayton Troop of Horse were ordered out as guards, At 0 o'clock in the morning, McAfee was taken from the jail and seated in a « uage, attended by the Rev. Father Hill, a Catholic priest who had been up we before from Cincinnati to visit the prisoner. Guarded by the militia, prisoner was taken to the gallows in the woods on the west of Dayton, near he Miami River. He made a confession of his crime, and was hanged at 3 cck P. M.

1825 то 1829.

January 11, 1825, Thomas Morrison erected hay scales on Fourth street, is east of Ludlow, and charged 373 cents a ton for weighing hay, and 25 ers a half ton, one-half to be paid by the purchaser and one-half by the sel- for but to save trouble for himself, Mr. Morrison required the seller to pay he'ull amount and collect the half from his customer.

April 6, the mail from Columbus arrived in a carriage. Two days later a a) was started to Cincinnati with the mail; before that it had always been rar ed by post rider on all the routes.

George S. Houston was the first real estate agent in Dayton; as such he d'rtised himself in November, 1825.

In June, 1826, James Perrine was appointed agent here for the Protection hi Insurance Company, of Hartford, Conn. This was the first opportunity fed Dayton or Montgomery County people to insure their property by local gıt.

The canal was to be cut through the little prairie at the foot of Ludlow -Tt; the Methodists, therefore, changed their camp meeting grounds to the rue north of Mad River, near the big spring. With the Rev. John Collins seader, they assembled there Friday, June 1, 1827. The meeting was con- ned until Monday, the 4th.

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The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county, Part 62

Author: W.H. Beers & Co Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago, W. H. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 1214

Author: W.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, W. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1214