USA > Pennsylvania > Erie County > Popular history of Erie county, Pennsylvania > Part 9
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20
POLITICAL EVENTS, 1800 TO PRESENT.
Judah Colt, in his memorandum. records that in Oct. 1798, he accompanied 65 of the Population Co. settlers, from Colt's Station and its vicinity to Erie, where all voted in favor of a Federal Representative.
1801-The County was so sparsely settled, (census of 1800 giving only 1.468 in- habitants) that it was impracticable to sustain a local government and Erie, Crawford. Mercer, Venango and Warren, were for legal purposes, by act Apr. 9, 1801, combined as one county with Meadville as shire town. This combination continued for two years. The vote for Assemblyman in the above counties (which continued as one representative district till 1822, ) was Alex. Buchanan, Crawford, 416; John Lytle Jr., Erie. 353. (John Lytle, evidently intended for the same, but not counted, 75;) John Findley, Mercer, 208.
1802-Buchanan received 520 votes; John Lytle Jr., 570; Findley, 197; James
89
POLITICAL EVENTS
Harrington, Mercer, 238. For governor these five counties polled 1,835 votes for Mckean, dem. and 187 votes, for James Ross, federal.
1803-Erie County elected separate officers for the first time as follows. Wil- son Smith, Waterford, Sheriff; Abraham Smith, Erie, Coroner; John Vincent, Wa- terford, Abiather Crane, Mill Creek, James Weston, LeBœuf, Commissioners: John Lytle Jr. re-elected to Assembly; John Hoge, Washington Co., elected to Congress in place of Wm. Hoge, resigned.
The first court was held in April, 1803. at Geo. Beuhler's tavern corner Third and French streets; Judge Jesse More presiding. John Kelso of Erie and David Mead of Crawford officiated as Associate Judges. The hours for convening court was announced by blowing a horn. This continued to be be the practice until after the erection of the second court-house in 1823. Judge Moore contin- ued as President Judge of this judicial district, until his death at Meadville, Dec. 21, 1824.
1804-Erie County cast 112 ballots, all for Jefferson electors. Wm. Clark of Erie, James Lowry of North East and John Phillips of Venango were elected County Commissioners.
1805-For Sheriff John Milroy received 296 votes and Jacob Carmack one vote less. Neither having received a majority the appointing power was with the Governor who gave the office to Carmack. John Hay of Erie was chosen Com- missioner and Samuel Smith of Millcreek, Congressman, in place of.J. B. C. Lucas who had resigned:
1806-John McCreary of Millcreek, Commissioner; John Milroy, Erie, Coro- ner. Samuel Smith re-elected to Congress by 715 majority.
1807 -For Assembly Wilson Smith dem .- rep., of Waterford, rec'd in Mercer, Crawford, Erie and Venango counties 939 votes; A. W. Foster, fed .- rep., of Mer- cer 570-Smith's majority 369. For Coroner John Gray of Erie, 10 majority over Geo. Lowry of North East; John Boyd of Waterford elected Comsr. Four elec- tion districts were added in the County.
1808-The house of John Yost was made the voting place for district No. 11. Erie county cast 200 votes for Madison electors and 86 for the opposition. Jacob Spang of Erie elected Sheriff; Thos. Rees, Harborcreek Coroner; John Brawley, North East, Comsr.
1809-J. C. Wallace elected Coroner; Thos. Forster Comsr.
1810-J. E. Herron, Erie, and James Weston, LeBœuf, each received 278 votes for Sheriff. Weston appointed by the Governor; John Salsbury, Conneaut, elec- ted Comsr.
1811-Henry Taylor of North East, elected County Commissioner.
1812-For Madison electors 152, opposition 129. Thos. Wilson of Erie, Comsr .; John Milroy, Coroner.
1813-David Wallace of Erie, Sheriff; Thos. Wilson elected to Congress and resigned as Comsr .- John Grubb chosen to fill the vacancy-Thos. Foster re- elected Coroner.
1814-Henry Taylor, of North East, re-elected Commissioner.
1815-John Morris, of Erie, for Coroner received 182 votes and James Boyd, Waterford, 180. Robt. McClelland, Millcreek, Comsr.
1816- Monroe electors 130, opposition 84. Henry Hurst, a pioneer of North East, elected State Senator, from Meadville; in place of Joseph Shannon re- signed. For Sheriff, Stephen Wolverton, Erie, 290; James Hall, Springfield, 242.
1817-Robt. Brown of Erie, elected County Commissioner.
90
ERIE COUNTY HISTORY.
191 For Coroner. Samuel Hsys. 202. Thos, Laird. 255 both of Erie.
1'i" For Sheriff TLo -. Laird rec'd 19 plurality over David Wallace. Ste- phen Wolverton elected Comsr.
NOTE-There are no official records of county elections up to this date, and his= torian- are under much obligation to Moses Smith Vincent. a venerable attache of the court-house. who. has taken much pains in collecting the ancient records of elections and by whom the "Political Handbook of Erie County" was issued in 1880.
1:20-The Erie Gazette was established Jan. 15. by Jos. M. Sterrett. Complete ann ial files have since been bound. creating a valuable reference sheet of our- rent events. Patrick Farrelly was the Monroe Presidential elector from this dis= trict. The vote for Governor in Erie County. was Findley 519. Hiester 415. Geo. Nicholson, Fairview. chosen Comsr .. by 75 majority, over Henry Colt of Water- ford. Thos. H. Sill. Erie. and Thos. Dunn. MeKean elected Auditors. Alex. McNair. formerly of Millcreek, was elected first Governor of Missouri.
1821-Thos. Forster again elected Comsr .: Tnos. Rees, Auditor; Benj. Russel, Millcreek. Coroner.
1:22 -- Wolverton. elected Sheriff; Henry Colt, Comsr .: Thos. Dunn, Auditor. 1823-Andrew Shulze, dem. for Governor 754: Andrew Gregg. fed. 604, in this County. Alex. McClosky. North East, Comsr .: Daniel Sayre. Fairview, Auditor.
1824-A democratic convention was held at Harrisburg Mar. 4, nominating. Andrew Jackson and J. C. Calhoun for President and Vice-President. At the fall election 302 were cast for Jackson: 55 for for Adams: 10 for Crawford; 3 for Clay. There seemed to have been a great diversity of sentiment and the voters were so, c nfused as to have been indifferent. For Congressman 1.098 votes were cast in Erie County, while for Presidential electors but 370 votes were cast.
John Morris, of Erie, was chosen Comsr .; R. S. Reed, Cor; Thos. Rees, Aud.
LaFayette is a name repeated with gratitude on two continents, and needs no apology for its insertion here. The Marquis de LaFayette was born in France. Sept. 6, 1757, and was encumbered with the euphonious given name of Marie Paul Jean Rock Yves Gilbert Motier. By his parents death he fell heir to, large estates at the age of 13, was married at 17. made a captain of French dra- goons at 19 and before the age of 20 sailed for America with his own yacht and tendered his services to the Revolutionists. He served as major general, without pay 1777-83, also furnishing supplies to a part of his command. LaFayette was wounded at Brandywine, and fought with great honor at Monmouth. He re- turned to France in 1779 and induced the King to send additional reinforcement to the States. Subsequent to the Revolutior, LaFayette held high civil and mili- tary offices in his native land. He was imprisoned by the Austrians at Olmutz, for five years, but was liberated by the heroism of Col. Huger. Gen. LaFayette longed to see the prosperous American republic, which he had assisted in found- ing, and in 1825 made an extended visit to this country where he was received with great eclat.
The citizens of Waterford. met May 31. 1825, to prepare for a welcome to LaFayette: appointing Gen. Wilson Smith, John Boyd, Capt. John Tracy. Col. Henry Colt and Maj. J. M. McKay as reception committee and John and Wm. Vincent. Geo. W. Reed. Thos. King, Timothy Judson. Solomon Snell, Wm. Ben- son, Hugh Hamilton and Isaac Bloomfield upon the general committee of arrange- ments. LaFayette and escorts from Pittsburg arrived at Waterford. 10 p. m. Juus 2nd, stopping at Reed's Hotel, for the night. He was received by the militia and people in general, with demonstrations of great joy. Judah Colt, chairman of the
91
LAFAYETTE'S VISIT IN 1825
committee from Erie, met him at Waterford and in behalf of Erie County citizens gave him a cordial welcome to this County. Early on the third of June, with a large eseort, he proceeded to Erie. and was met in the suburbs by a batallion of uniforme 1 militia under command of Gen. Benj. Wallace. A procession headed by the military band and Erie guards, escorted Gen. LaFayette, his son George Washington LaFayette. and attendant Monsieur La Vasseur. down Sate street to the Park. across to French. down to Third. back to State and down to the Docks, when a national salute was fired from the Navy Yard. Gen. LaFayette, was wel- eomed by Dr. J. C. Wallace, who was the Borough Burgess of Erie, at that time, as follows: "General I am authorized by the constituted authorities and citizens of this Borough and County to express to you their grateful sense of the honor done them by your visit to this place. Your presence among us is highly gratifying, and I repeat the united voice of our citizens, in giving you a cordial welcome to the shores of Lake Erie." To which the General made an appropriate reply and after a general handshake he proceeded to the house of Judah Colt where a reception was held for the benefit of the ladies. At 1:30 p. m. he was escorted from the hotel to a public dinner given on the Second street bridge. be- tween French and State, which the Gazette of that date informs us, was 170 feet in length and was covered by an awning made from the sails of the British ves- sels which had been captured by Commodore Perry, Nov. 10, 1813. These were covered with festoons of flowers and evergreen. and made an appropriate shade for the veteran hero and those who welcomed him. A table was set nearly the entire length of the bridge, and after the viands were removed many toasts were given, among which we note: "To Gen. LaFayette-In youth a hero, in maturity a sage, in advanced life an example to the present and future generation." To this three cheers were given when the General responded:
"To Erie-A name which has a great share in American glory: May the town ever enjoy a proportionate share in American prosperity and happiness." By Judah Colt-"To the heroes who captured Cornwallis and his army; among whom was none more conspicuous than our illustrious guest." By Rufus S. Reed- "Our gratitude to the strangers, who gave support to the American Eagle, ere she had strength to soar alone." By J. Hoge Waugh .- " Gen. LaFayette the revolutionist of two nations and the intrepid champion of liberty-His fame is not the diurnal excitement of popular gratitude or whim but is found in the affections and rights of man and will la-t till all other human applanse has ceased."
At 3 p m. Gen. LaFayette, suite and escort, took carriages, proffered by Col. Bird, proprietor of the Buffalo and Erie stage route. and went to Fredonia; from whence he took passage to Buffalo on the steamboat Superior. His triumphal march through the States ended in October and he returned to his native land where he died in 1834.
1825-Albert Thayer. Millcreek. elected Sheriff; John Salsbury, Conneaut, Comsr .: J. M. MeKay. Waterford. Auditor: Wm. E. McNair, Millcreek was cho- sen for one year, vice Dan'l. Sayre moved out of County. A proposition to create a Constitutional Convention, was voted down by a majority of 1,062.
1826-The Democratic candidate for Governor had no opposition in this county. John Sergeant. Federalist, received but 1.474 votes in the entire State. Wm. Benson, Waterford eleted Comsr : Martin Strong, Mckean, Auditor.
1827-Wm. Flemming Erie. Coroner; J. M. Moorhead, Harborcreek, D. H. Chapman, Fairview, Auditors.
1828-Alex. W. Brewster, Erie. Sheriff: Albert Thayer chosen Comsr .; and
92
ERIE COUNTY HISTORY.
Myron Hutchison, Springfield, also elected for one year instead of Wm. Benson, resigned; Robt. Cochran. Millcreek, Auditor. State election was held Oct. 14; and Presidential, Friday Oct. 31. Erie County gave for Adams 945; Jackson 773.
1829-The Anti-Masonic party, became the opponents of the Democrats, in the State issue. Jos. M. Sterrett, of the Gazette, elected Comsr .; Eli Webster of Mc Kean Auditor.
1830-The Gazette having espoused the Anti-Masonic cause, the Observer was started, May 29, by T. B. Barnum, as a Democratic organ. For Congress, John Banks of Mercer, Anti-Mason, received a majority of 316 in this County, and 1, 135 in the district. The Antis elected the entire County ticket by average majorities of 250-John Riddle, Erie, Assemblyman; James Pollock, LeBœuf, Comsr .; David Wallace, Erie, Coroner.
1831-Anti-Masonic ticket-Wm. Flemming, Sheriff; Thos. R. Miller, Spring- field, Comsr .; James Smedley, North East, Auditor-elected by 400 majority.
1832-John McCord of North East, elected Comsr .; Sam'l. Low, Venango, Auditor.
1833-James Love, Millcreek Comrs .; David McNair, Millcreek, Coroner; Mark Baldwin, Greenfield, Auditor.
1834-Thos. Mehaffey, Erie, Sheriff; Stephen Skinner, Mckean, Comsr .; Rus- sell Stancliff, Washington, Auditor.
1835-Joseph Ritner, elected Governor, Erie County giving 398 majority for him and the rest of the Anti-Masonic ticket. James Miles, Girard, Comsr .; Wm. Benson. Waterford, Auditor.
1836-The apportionment of the previous year, gave Erie County two Assem- blymen. (See list on prior page.) Samuel Low, Harborcreek elected Comsr .: S. W. Keefer, Erie, Coroner; W. H. Crawford, North East, Auditor. Gen. Wm. H. Har- rison, was candidate for president this year, but was defeated. In this County he received 2,134 votes, and VanBuren 1,312. The latter's majority in the State was 4.364. Thos. H. Sill of Erie and James Pollock, LeBœuf, were elected as delegates to assist in framing a new State Constitution.
1837-Anti-Masons still held sway in this County. Andrew Scott, Erie, Sher- iff: Thos. Sterrett, McKean, Comsr. Thos. Nicholson Millcreek, Auditor.
1838-Ritner, Anti-Mason for Governor, defeated by David R. Porter, who received 5,496 majority, in the State. Wm. E. McNair was elected Co. Comsr .; A. W. Brewster Auditor. The rejection of the Northern Liberties district of Philadelphia, on account of alleged frauds, created a majority in the Assembly for the Democrats and upon the convening of the Legislature. each side elected a Speaker and prepared for war. Harrisburg was full of lobbyists and the Governor called out the militia. The Senate finally recognized the Democratic organiza- tion and the trouble terminated without bloodshed, From this date the Anti- Masonic element rapidly declined and soon ceased to be a party issue.
The new Constitution was adopted by a majority of 1,222. This County gave 1721 against it. Previous to this, negroes were allowed to vote. Up to this time the Clerk of Courts had been appointed by the Governor and officiated also as Prothonotary and Recorder. The new Constitution provided for the election of a Prothonotary and a Recorder. the former officiating as Clerk.
1839-Wm. Kelly. Eric, elected Prothonotary: Thos. Morehead, Erie, Recor- der: Lyman Robinson, Wattsburg. Comsr. also Saml. Low of Harborcreek Comsr. for one year-vacancy by death of Thos. Sterrett; J K. Caldwell, Millcreek, Cor- oner; Gideon J. Ball, Anditor.
93
CENSUS TABLE ERIE COUNTY
Population of Townships, Cities and Boroughs in Erie County.
TOWNSHIPS.
ACRES.
1820
1830
1840
1850
1860
1870
1880
1890.
* Amity
22,400
385
560
739
1,002
924
1,033
912
Conneaut
32,640
631
1,324
1,796
1,942
2,118
1,538
1,546
1,386
Concord
22,400
. 53
225
652
882
1,245
1,436
1,171
991
Elk Creek
35,840
288
592
1,645
1,535
1,587
1,462
1,564
1,325
İFranklin
Fairview
23,040
536
1,529
1,481
1,760
2,131
1,674
1,482
1,295
Greenfield
19,200
281
694
862
731
872
1,039
1,020
1,432
*+Greene
24,640
142
443
2,660
2,443
2,453
2,018
2,338
1,710
|Girard
23,860
555
1,104
1,843
2,084
2,023
1,974
1,781
1,660
LeBœuf
25,600
505
554
876
990
1,487
1,748
1,420
1,215
McKean
32,280
440
984
1,714
1,916
1,599
1,300
1,394
1,330
*|| Mill Creek
24,960
1,004
1,783
2,682
3,064
5,070
2,744
3,279
3,279
North East
19,200
1,068
1,706
1,793
2,379
1,854
2,213
2,152
2,124
Springfield
24,320
896
1,520
2,344
1,946
1,951
1,742
1,792
1,642
¿Summit
Union
22,400
200
235
593
1,076
1,949
1,334
1,377
1,366
Venango
21.120
290
688
811
1,019
1,287
1,370
1,445
1,351
Washington
32,640
438
743
1,531
1,706
1,942
1,943
1,880
1.790
Waterford
22,400
579
1,006
1,144
1,545
1,926
1,884
1,822
1,537
*Wayne
22.400
197
738
1,122
1,286
1,295
1,306
1,124
BOROUGHS
INC'R
Albion
1861
Edinboro
1840
232
264
474
801
876
1,107
Elgin
1876
480
425
305
Fairview
1868
400
616
704
703
626
Girard
1846
405
345
240
Lockport
1870
126
210
195
Middleboro
1861
Miles Grove
1880
388
320
North East
1834
339
387
566
900
1,396
1,538
Union City
1863
403
498
792
790
784
838
Waterford
1834
132
227
329
286
389
382
Wattsburg
6,809
5.277
5,677
Corry City '66
-- 1863
-- 1805
635
1,329
3,412
5,858
9,419
19,646
27,737
40,634
Erie City 1851
Erie Countytt
8,541
17,041
31,344
38,742
49,432
65,973
74,688
86,074
*Amity was taken from Union, and Wayne from Concord 1826.
+The name of Brokenstraw was changed to Concord in 1821.
İFranklin taken From Washington, Mckean and Elk Creek 1844.
|Girard cut from Elk Creek, Fairview and Springfield 1832. ¿Summit taken from Greene, Waterford and Mckean 1854.
"The original name for Washington tp. was "Conniaute," changed 1834.
** Beaver Dam tp. was changed to the name of Greene in 1840.
*|South Erie was incorporated 1866 and added to Erie in 1870.
ttThe County contained 1,468 inhabitants in 1800 and 3,758 in 1810.
Small Lakes. - There are three small lakes in Erie County, -LeBœuf, on the south of Waterford borough, is a half-mile in diameter and one of the heads of French creek. It is fed by several small streams. Conneautee on the northern side of Edinboro is a mile in length and over half a mile in width. It has a depth of 50 feet. at some places, and its outlet. known as Big Conneautee, joins French creek. Lake Pleasant in the south western corner of Venango tp. is tx§ of a mile and is apparently fed by springs in the bottom. The outlet also joins French creek.
.
570
Mill Village
1870
1.500
2,171
2,261
452
433
366
1,038
1,047
1,047
903
1,081
1,542
1,437
1,395
1,531
1,511
687
979
994
1,020
963
Harbor Creek
154
169
1833
94
ERIE COUNTY HISTORY.
1840 -Prior to this, each twp. cared for its own poor. A proposition to build a County alms-house was carried by 88 majority. The Whig party was started from the remains of the Anti-Masonic and elected a full set of County officers by about 1,200 majority: E. W. M. Blaine. North East, Sheriff: Russell Stancliff. Washington. Comsr .; James Miles, Girard, Auditor; Thos. R. Miller, James Benson, G. W. Walker, Poor Directors. In the County 3,636 votes were cast for Harrison and 2,061 for VanBuren.
1841-Abolitionists held a convention and nominated F. J. LeMoyne of Wash- ington Co. for Governor. He rec'd 736 votes in all, of which Erie gave. 40 votes. David Sawdy, Conneaut. Comsr .; James Williams, Erie, Treas .: Moses Barnett. Fairview, Aud .; Conrad Brown, Millereek. P. D.
1842-Wilson King, Erie, Proth .; Thos. Moorhead, Jr., Erie, Rec .: Jos. Hon- derson. Millereek, Comsr .; H. Bates, Erie, Coroner; Benj. Gunnison. Greene. And .; John Evans, Sr. Millcreek, P. D. Abolitionists had a full ticket in the field. Gen. Chas. M. Reed. Whig. elected to Congress.
1843-W. E. McNair, Sheriff: Robt. Gray, Union, Comsr .; G. J. Ball, Treas .: Wm. M. Arbuckle, Erie. Aud .: James Anderson, Waterford, P. D.
1844-Gen. Reed, rec'd 6,364 votes for Congress, and James Thompson of Erie. 6832. Isaac Webster, Fairview, Comsr .; Thos. Pierce, LeBœuf, Aud .; David Ken- medy, Erie, P. D. A proposition to sell the State public works rec'd majority of 447 in this County, but was defeated in the State by 21,433. For President, Clar rec'd 3,620 votes and Polk 2,226 in this County.
1845-King re-elected Proth .; Moorhead, Rec .; Wm. E. Marvin, Greefield, Comsr .; Jas. H. Campbell, Edinboro, Aud .; Simeon Hunt, Waterford, Aud. to fill vacancy: Thos. Dillon, Erie, Cor .; Curtis Heidler, Fairview, P. D.
1846-M. W. Caughey, Fairview, Sheriff; Wm. Campbell, Washington, Comsr. J. S. Brown, Erie, Treas .; James Chambers, Harborcreek, Aud .; Wm. Bracken, LeBœuf, P. D.
1847-A vote was taken at the spring election, whether or not licenses to sell liquors should be granted. This County gave 233 in favor of granting license. H. A. Hills, Conneaut, elected Comsr .; John Wood, LeBœuf, Aud .; David Sterrett, Mckean, P. D.
1848-James Skinner, Erie, Proth .; R. J. Sibley, Waterford, Rec .; Geo. W. Brecht, Millcreek, Comsr .; John Eagley, Springfield, And .; John Hughes, Erie. Treas .; S. L. Foster Erie, Cor .; David Kennedy, P. D. For President this County gaye Taylor, 3,418, Cass, 2,022; VanBuren, 356.
1849-P. E. Burton, Erie, Sheriff; Simeon Steward, Concord, Comsr .; J. L. Way, Greene, Aud .; Geo. Fritts, Waterford, P. D.
1850-Amendment was made to the Constitution, making Judges eleetive. This (County gave 10 to 1 in its favor. C. B. Curtis of Warren for Congress, rec'd 106 majority over J. H. Walker, Erie; Thos. Dunn. McKean, Comsr .: Alfred King. Erie, Treas .; Flavel Boyd, Waterford, Aud .: M. M. Kelso, Fairview, P. D .; Mathew Taylor, Erie, Dist. Att'y; David Wilson, Union. Co. Surveyor. (Elections and political events for the last half of century will be continued on later pages.)
Horace Greeley-In 1826 the parents of Horace Greeley located in Wayne tp. and in the Spring of 1830, Horace, who had completed his printer's apprentic- ship in New England, came on foot to visit his parents. He secured work with the Erie Gazette. where he remained for a year at the case. He boarded with his employer, Judge Sterrett, was uncouth and carelessly dressed, and generally the butt of the company. He was however well informed on political events and had
95
ERIE HARBOR AND COMMERCE
a widening sphere in that direction. August 1831, he went to New York, where im 1833, with Franeis Story, he issued the first daily penny morning paper ever printed. The Post proved a financial failure and Greeley was connected with sev- eral different enterprises, prior to the establishment of the Tribune, April 10, 1841. He was chief editor of that great and successful journal, for 30 years. Mr. (Greeley was a man of liberal and progressive ideas, served a term in Congress, and was the Democrat-Liberal candidate for the Presidency in 1872. A severe campaign and crushing defeat, brought on brain fever, from which he died November 29, 1872.
Erie Harbor-The original survey of Presque Isle hay was made in 1819, at which time the channel was narrow and tortuous and with a clean depth of only six feet. The State appropriated $10,000 to its improvement in 1822 after which the Government took the matter in charge. The plan adopted in 1823, comprised work at the harbor entrance which has since been carried out, and the main- tenance of a channel of navigable width, 16 feet in depth, from the inside harbor to the Lake. No work was done from 1838 to 1842, 1846 to 1853 and 1855 to 186 :. On every other year some work has been accomplished and with the result of mak- ing a very acceptable entrance, to one of the best harbors on the Great Lakes. The total amount expended up to June 30, 1893 was $803.501.80. The work of the past year consisted in the extension of the north pier 300 feet and other improve- ments. In 1885 a breakwater was made at the neck of the Penninsula, to prevent a breach, and another was erected at the eastern point to control the sand drift. It was found that the latter. would not stand against the violence of the waves, and its further establishment was abandoned, although a reserve of $20,000 is held for needed emergencies.
The lake was very high in 1813, 1838 and 1858. The lowest records were 1808, 1818 and 1834. Critical examinations have proven that there are no regular peri- ods between the low and high stages. Its sudden rise and fall is caused by strong winds from one direction forcing the bulk of surface water to the opposite end of the lake. Earthquakes or electrical forces have also created a temporary rise and fall at times.
Layers of calcareous sandstone, 810 feet above the Lake, near Waterford, and marine fossils of bivalves, shells and other deep-water organic remains, on the ridges, are conclusive evidence of some great upheaval, or change of lake base at some remote geological period.
Coastwise Trade .- The receipts for 1893 were of package freight 20.948 tons; corn, 5,980,347 bu .; wheat 3,599,858 bu .; rye 191.100 bu .: oats 221.887 bu .; barley 156,656 bu .; flour 105.571 tons; flaxseed, 287,427 bu .: iron ore 499,278 tons: lumber, 8,562,000 ft .; lath 405,000; stone, 2.362 cords; copper, 1,169 tons-Shipments hard coal, 353,612 tons, soft coal, 71,261 tons: package freight 45,918 tons
The year 1893, on account of the financial stringency, showed a heavy decrease from the previous year. Wheat, flour and package freight was less than half the record for 1892. Iron ore decreased 127.000 tons and several other products in like ratio. Ashtabula, Cleveland and Fairport are the only ports on lake Erie receiving a greater amount of iron ore than Erie and there is no good reason why immense furnaces and rolling mills should not be operated here with profit.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.