Crawford County, Ohio - Chapter 9 (2 of 2 so headed), 1881 (part 1 of 2)

Chapter 9

THE only village ever located in Bucyrus Township, was the city from which the township received its name. Before Samuel Norton had resided on his land many mouths, there appeared at his cabin a prominent surveyor who desired to locate a town upon Mr. Norton's land. This man was Col. James Kilbourne, who for a score of years, had wielded considerable influence upon the religious and political interests of the State. Col. Kilbourne was born in New Britain, Conn., October 9, 1770. Until the age of fifteen he worked on his father's farm, and during this time received but few opportunities for improving his mind. He was married, November 8, 1789, to Lucy Fitch, daughter of the celebrated John Fitch, of Philadelphia, the inventor and builder of the first steamboat in the world. Early in life, he became a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church, aud was ordained about the year 1800. In the spring of 1802, he started on his first expedition to Ohio, traveling over one thousand miles of the distance on foot, and, after a careful survey of the country, he fixed upon a desirable location and returned home. In the spring of 1803, he again started for the West on horseback, followed by a -millwright, blacksmith, nine other laborers and a family in two wagons. At Pittsburgh, he purchased mill-stones, iron and other supplies, which he sent down the Ohio to the mouth of the Scioto River, aud from thence they were taken in a keelboat to the first New Purchase, now Worthington. May 5, 1803, he cut the first tree felled on the Purchase for the purpose of civilization. The party proceeded to clear land, put in seed for crops and also erected a blacksmith-shop and twelve cabins. The_y laid out a town and built a dam across the Scioto River. Mr. Kilbourne then returned to Connecticut and conducted his own and ten other families to the Purchase. The entire colony then numbered one hundred persons. A church was organized with Mr. Kilbourne as Rector. He visited the neighboring settlements and other parts of the State, preaching and organizing societies, many of which became and remained permanent Episcopal Churches. His fellow-citizens began to urge upon him the importance of his taking the lead in their civil affairs, and, having procured the establishment of a Western diocese by the general convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church, he retired from the ministry in 1804. Upon the organization of the State Government of Ohio, he was appointed a civil magistrate and an officer of militia for the Northwestern frontier. In the spring of 1805, he explored the south shore of Lake Erie, and selected the site of Sandusky City. About this time, he received the appointment of United States Surveyor of a large portion of the public lands. In 180G, he was appointed one of the first Trustees of the Ohio College at Athens. In 1808, he was elected one of three Commissioners to locate the seat of Miami University, and during this year he married Cynthia Goodale. His first wife died soon after he removed to Ohio. About this time, he was elected Major of the Frontier Regiment, and subsequently was promoted to the colonelcy, but this last office he declined, resigning, also, his former commission.

On the organization of Worthington College, in 1812, he was elected President of the corporation. During the same year, he was appointed by President Madison a Commissioner, to settle the boundary between the public lands and the Great A'^irginia reservation. Immediately after this service' was completed, he was elected to Congi-ess. On his return from the second session, he was unanimously re-elected

Colonel, and was prevailed upon to accept. In the fall of 1814, he was again placed in nomination for Congress, and was elected by a large vote. At the end of his second term, he declined a re-nomination ; during his public life at Washington City, he advocated the donation of land to actual settlers, and was the first person to propose this measure, which was adopted many j-ears afterward. At the commencement of the war of 1812, by solicitation of his friends and members of the United States Government, he engaged in the manufacture of woolen goods for clothing the army. He continued in this enterprise until 1820, and met with financial ruin, and, at the age of fiftj', with a large family to support, he found himself without means. With his customary energy and spirit, he took up his surveying aspirations again and went into the wood ; for more than twenty years, he was much of the time engaged in this calling, and, bj' his untiring energy, and zeal, he again acquired a good degree of competency. In 1823, he was elected to the Ohio Legislature, and served with distinction in that body. Soon after this, he was appointed by the Governor to select the lands granted by Congress for the Ohio Canal. In 1838-39, he was again a member of the General Assembly, and was the presiding officer at the great State Convention, which assembled July 4, 1839, at Columbus, for the purpose of laying the cornerstone of the capitol. He was also President of the re-union Whig Convention, which was held February 22, 1840. During the campaign of that year, Col. Kilbourne declined all public office, except that of Assessor of real and personal property for Franklin County, the duties of which he performed until 1845, when he resigned. Although retired from active public life, he felt a great interest in public affairs, and, during the six years ending with 1848, delivered more than one hundred addresses on State and national politics. After a very long and active public life, he died at Worthington,

When Col. Kilbourne first appeared in the neighborhood for the purpose of persuading Norton into having a town surveyed upon his farm, he did not take kindly to the idea, stating that he had at last secured a piece of ground which suited him, and did not wish to have it cut up by a town plat. Some of his neighbors, however, were anxious for a town to be located in the vicinity of their farms, and urged Norton to consent to Kilbourue's proposition. The location was a very suitable one ; a direct line from Columbus, the State capital, to Sandusky City, the nearest point on Lake Erie, would pass within a few miles of Norton's land, and, even at that time, many citizens of the State were talking of a State road to connect these two cities. The tide of emigration was setting in toward the " New Purchase ; " many were settling in Crawford County, and, consequently the prospects for a thriving village at this point were very flattering. After some hesitation, Mr. Norton consented to make the venture, and a few years proved it to be a very wise and fortunate decision on his part. At first, arrangements were made for laying out the plat of a town upon one hundred acres ; before this was completed, however, the contract was changed by mutual agreement, and the original town plat consisted of but fifty acres. The following is a copy of the agreement between Messrs. Norton and Kilbourne :

To All Whom it May Concern : Know ye, that James Kilbourne, of Worthington, in the county of franklin and State of Ohio, and Samuel Norton, of the county of Crawford and State aforesaid, have agreed, and do agree as follows, viz.: The said .James Kilbourne agrees to Lay off a town for said Norton, on the southwest quarter of the first section of the third township south, and sixteenth range, of the public lands of the United States, the west line of which shall be forty-four rods east from the west line of said quarter, and parallel thereto, and shall extend thence east one hundred rods, being bounded north and south by the quarter lines, so as to contain one hundred acres in said town plat of inlots, outlets and reserves. In laying off and establishing said town, the said Kilbourne shall do, or cause to be done at his own proper expense, the following particulars, viz.: He shall make, or cause to be made, the preparatory survey and notes; project and make the plat; survey the town ; cause the plat to be recorded ; advertise, and attend the first public sale of lots ; draw all the writings for that sale ; advertise the applications for such State and county roads as the proprietors shall, within one year from this date, agree to be necessary, leading to and from said town ; draw petitions for said roads, circulate them for signers; present them to proper authorities, and attend the commissioners and viewers who may be appointed thei-eon, to assist in selecting proper routes for said roads; and, when the town shall be surveyed as aforesaid, the said Norton, his heirs or assigns, as principal proprietors, shall first choose and reserve one lot ; the said Kilbourne, as projector, surveyor and minor proprietor, his heirs or assigns, shall next choose and reserve one lot; and the remainder of the town shall be the joint property of the said Norton and Kilbourne, their heirs and assigns, forever, in the proportion of three-fourths to the said Norton, and one-fourth to the said Kilbourne ; Provided, however, that the said Norton may reserve twelve rods in width of the west side of said town plat, as the same shall be platted, surveyed and recorded as above, to his own proper use and disposal ; for which the said Kilbourne shall receive and hold, throughout the other parts of the town plat, in addition to his fourth part thereof, an interest and right equal in quantity to one fourth part of said twelve-rod reservation; so that the said Kilbourne's interest in the eightyeight acres east of said twelve-rod reserve shall be as twenty -five is to eighty-eight, or, twenty-five acres in the whole; and the said Samuel Norton doth agree to .appropriate the said tract for a town plat, to be laid off by said Kilbourne as above written, and upon the terms aforesaid ; and, so soon as the said Kilbourne shall have completed, all and singular, the obligations on his part, so far as that the town is ready for the public sale as aforesaid, the said N'orton shall makeand deliver to the said Kilbourne, his heirs or assigns, a good and sufficient warrantee deed of the said one-fourth part of the town plat aforesaid, provided he shall so soon receive the patent from the President for the tract of which the said town plat will be a part ; and, if the patent should not be so soou received, then and in that case the deed shall be made and delivered so soon as the said patent shall be received as aforesaid. In witness whereof, we

The plat of the within described town, now named Bucyrus, is so changed to the west in laying off by mutual agreement as to leave but twenty-four, instead of forty-four, rods between said plat and the sectional line; and the reserve of Samuel Norton is extended on the plat to twenty-four, instead of twelve rods; there will, of course, remain but seventy-six, instead of eighty-eight, rods, or acres, of said plat east of Samuel Norton's reserve, of which seventy rods, cont.aining seventy-six acres, James Kilbourne shall receive his proportion of the town, in amount twenty-five acres, instead of the eighty-eight acres, as within contracted. Said Norton shall have to his own use all the mill privileges, with no other consideration than that of the contents of the ground contained therein, toward his part of the outlofs of the plat ; and the ground bought of Mr. Holmes, if retained, shall be laid off into lots by said Kilbourne and added to the town, on the same principles and proportions of mutual advantage as the hundred acres contained in the foregoing contract.

The foregoing contract is this day so changed by mutual consent that the part of the town of Bucyrus which is laid upon the lands of Samuel Norton is confined to such limit's as to contain only the numbered inlets, outlets and public grounds, with the avenue, streets and alleys, containing fifty acres, more or less; and the projector and surveyor of the town. James Kilbourne, his heirs and assigns, shall have and receive the one equal half part thereof, instead of the onefourth part of the hundred acres, as previously stipulated in this contract. Witness our hands and seals, at said Bucyrus, this 12th day of February, 1822.

The above contract occupies three pages of a sheet of foolscap. On the fourth page is indorsed the following language : " The within article of agreement, with the two modifications of the original contract herein contained, being complied with by the parties, is fully canceled

The original town plat, as surveyed by Kilbourne, included, also, a portion of the land lying north of what is now Perry street and south of the river. This land, at that time, belonged to Abel and Lewis Car}-, Seth Holmes and Daniel McMichael. The date of the original town plat by the records in the Recorder's office at Delaware, is February 11, 1822. The laud embraced in it, is at the present day within the following limits ; It is bounded on the north by the Sandusky River ; on the east by a line drawn from a point on the Sandusky River, nearly due south to the center of the Middletown road ; this line would pass along the west side of the woolen mills lot at the east end of Perry street, and down the alley which lies just east of the Methodist Episcopal Church, D. W. Swigarfs residence, the Lutheran Churchyard and the residence of Daniel Van Voorhis ; it would, also, pass just east of the lots now occupied by John Howald's carriage-shop, and Hiram Fisher's residence; the southern boundary line extends from the point where the eastern line intersects the center of the Middletown road, due west to the alley which is parallel with Main street and just west of it. The western boundary line extends nearly due I north along this alle}' until the southeast corner of Lot 176 (now occupied by the residence o^ Daniel Picking), thence west to the center of Poplar street, then north to the center of Rensellaer street, then west until the end of said street, then north to the southeast corner of Lot 157 (now occupied by the residence of M. Emrich), then west to the southwest corner of Lot 163 (now occupied by Dr. A. C. McNutt), then north across Mansfield street tu the northwest corner of Lot 164 (now occupied by W. T. McDonald), then east across Spring and Poplar streets to the alley just west of Main, and then north along this alley to the river. This original town plat contained 176 lots ; eleven streets were laid out, also two allej-s and the public square. Five of these streets were named after various members of Samuel Norton's family, viz : Mary street, after his wife; Rensellaer, Warren and Charles streets, after three of his sons ; Perry street, after his first grandson, Perry Garton. Mansfield street was so called because the road to Mansfield originally started from the eastern end of the street ; Walnut and Poplar streets were so named because trees of these varieties were found along their borders ; Spring street receives its name from a spring at the northern end, near the river ; Main street was the principal avenue of the village ; it was afterward called Sandusky avenue, because the State road from Columbus to Sandusky City extended over this street ; Galen street was possibly named after some member of the Norton family. These eleven streets are, with the following exceptions, each sixty-six feet wide ; Main is 82| feet, and Warren 57f feet ; West alley extended north and south just west of Main street, and East alley was parallel to the same avenue and just east of it. The new town was christened Bucyrus, by Col. Kilbourne. There has been much speculation in regard to the origin of this word, and many persons have wondered why the town received this name. The word is so classical in sound that it is not surprising its meaning should not be universally understood unless its true origin is known. Doubtless many a classical scholar has examined his Latin dictionary and Greek lexicon to obtain a satisfactory derivation of the word, and during the past sixty years many plausible theories have been advanced. An examination of the original contract between Messrs. Norton and Kilbourne will prove that the town was named Bucyrus between the time the agreement was made (October 4, 1821), and the date it was first altered (December 15, 1821) ; it also proves that the name of the town was spelled in the first legal papers of the village, as at the present time. Of all the theories advanced in regard to the origin of this word Bucyrus, only two refer to Col. Kilbourne as authority, and, as it is beyond a doubt that this gentleman created and then adopted this name, these theories are both given. It is claimed by both authorities that Kilbourne desired to have a name for this town diflferent from that of anj- burg ever inhabited by man since the world was created. He succeeded. The daughters of Samuel Norton, the original proprietor of the land, assert that one of Kilbourne's favorite historical characters was Cyrus, the Persian General who conquered the City of Babylon, and that the town was named by the Colonel in honor of this distinguished soldier. The country in the vicinity of the town was very beautiful at an earh' day, and the name Cyrus being rather short (possibly too much so to suit the meter of his early songs), Kilbourne prefixed to the celebrated Persian's name the syllable " bu," the sound of the first part of the word beautiful, and the old surveyor declared that the name should always mean ''beautiful Cyrus." This theory is a very plausible one, and will be satisfactory to many citizens whose knowledge of the classics is even more limited than some who have prepared historical sketches for this work. But there are those who solemnly assert that a classical scholar would smile at the formation of a word in this manner ; these persons declare that, as Col. Kilbourne was a very highly educated man, he would never attempt to coin a word in defiance of the rules laid down by Noah Webster and other distinguished men of letters who preceded him. The other authority, however, is also based upon Col. Kilbourne's statement. F. Adams, Esq., of Bucyrus, who was well acquainted with the old surveyor, says that Mr. Kilbourne told him in after years that it was his desire the town should have a name of its own, and be the only town of that name - that the African town " Busiris" (in ancient Egypt, near the River Nile) pleased his fancy, and he changed it into Bucyrus as a good sounding name. These two statements are both from responsible and reliable sources ; it maj- be the duty of an unbiased historian to draw conclusions from these facts presented, and endeavor to settle the disputed point, but in this case we will not undertake the task but will refer the matter to the patrons of this work. However, this name Bucj-rus did not suit some of the early settlers in the village, who were ill-natured enough to object to the Colonel's ideas about a queer name ; it has frequently been, in later years, a stumbling block to many non-residents, who invariably mispronounce the word. But these early residents who objected to the name are nearly all dead, and those who fail to speak the word like a native of the city are not firm believers in the future destiny of the place, and consequently should not be consulted in regard to the name ; undoubtedly all of the present inhabitants are satisfied, and many are proud of the name Bucyrus.

The town having been named ami surveyed by Kilbourne, during the winter and early spring of 1822. a public sale of lots was advertised and held. By this time, quite a small settlement had moved into the vicinity, and some of these persons were occup3^ing lots which they contemplated purchasing after all the necessary surveys had been perfected. Moderwell writes, in regard to this early sale : " The lots brought from S30 to $45 each ; and those disposed of at this sale were all on Sandusky avenue and Walnut street, and but few south of the public square. Besides Samuel Norton, there were living here at that time Lewis and Abel Gary, Lewis Stephenson, Ilcjijert Moore, J. S. George, George P. Schultz. Samuel Roth, Harris Garton, Harry Smith, Russell Peck, B. B. and Charles Merriman, and a few others.'' This first public sale of lots was attended by many of the settlers from the surrounding country, and several farmers bought town lots during the earl}' j'ears of the village. One feature of this first public gathering of citizens to Bucyrus was the rendering by Col. Kilbourne of his " Song of Bucyrus," which ballad the author composed expressly for the occasion. The following is a copy of these verses as published in the Bucyrus Journal of March 24, 1853:

On fair Sandusky's rural bourn. Many times in after years when Col. Kilbourne visited Bucyrus, he sang this and other songs to admiring crowds. He was a great favorite among the sturdy pioneer settlers, who esteemed him for his many social qualities ; and, when the knowledge that the Colonel was at the village spread throughout the neighborhood, many would assemble at Bucyrus to enjoy the rich season of fun which the old surveyor always planned and directed when he appeared. He had a few old cronies, who were seldom absent when the Colonel was willing to make a " night of it " with his boon companions. Brandy and eggnog were Kilbourne's favorite beverages, and these special friends of his never refused to indulge when stray glasses containing liquids of this description were thrust into their hands ; consequently, when ' Kilbourne planned a good social time at the public house with a few friends, these old fellows were always willing and anxious to assist in disposing of the various liquors furnished bj- the Colonel's hospitality. In those days, when whisky was supposed to be a necessity in every household, nearly all indulged in strong drink, and for a man to be under the influence of liquor was not so serious as it is supposed to be at the present time. Even ministers did not object to an occasional glass, and many were regular drinkers ; some of these were frequently unable to preach iu consequence of indulging their appetites too freely in liquids that intoxicate. But in the early days of the village, when ordained ministers appeared at irregular intervals, some of the settlers, learning that Kilbourne had formerly been an Episcopal Rector, requested him to conduct religious services. It is reported that the Colonel consented in order that Bucyrus would obtain some credit for being a moral and religious village, and arrangements were made for him to preach on a certain Sabbath. The night previous, however, he assembled with his usual companions at the public house, and until after midnight the jolly crowd had a fine time. Many songs were proposed and sung by the Colonel ; the bartender's till received numerous contributions, and much of his liquid-ware had been disposed of; consequently, when the3' adjourned, many were much the worse for liquor. But the Reverend Colonel appeared next day ready for the religious exercises, and, iu consequence of his early experience as Rector, he conducted a verjsatisfactory meeting ; the effect of the previous night did not prevent him from preaching an excellent sermon. Not so, however, with some of his companions who took part in the revelries at the public house ; one of these misguided men, having learned that Kilbourne was to officiate at another meeting, seemed to consider this a continuation of the " good time " started the night previous, and made haste to assemble with the religious portion of the community. The poor fellow was too far gone to notice the difference in the assemlily, but he heard the familiar voice of Kilbourne asking some one to propose a hymn for the occasion, and the en-ing man, not knowing the horrid mistake he was making, commenced one of those drinking songs so familiar to his memory. The incident related above is reported to have taken place ; some of the early settlers do not remember the circumstance, but acknowledge that, considering the drinking customs of early Bucyrus society, the story is a very plausible one.

When the original town plat was sur\Tyed, Norton, the first settler, lived just west of the proposed town, on the lot now occupied by W. H. Drought's residence. Bucklin resided east, near the present site of T, C. Hall's barn ; the Beadles and Joe Ensley also lived west of the new town plat. The first cabin built on this land was by Norton, in 1819, on what is now C. H. Shonert's lot ; when Abel Gary removed to Bucyrus Township, it is possible he occupied this first cabin. The second residence constructed on the town plat was by Lewis Stephenson, on the southeast corner of Perry and Walnut streets. Among the early residents of the village were the following persons ; Dr. Joseph McComb came in the fall of 1822, and resided on the second lot south of the corner of Mary and Main streets ; he died many j-ears afterward at Fitzsimmons' tavern, in Whetstone Township, from the effects of excessive drinking. George P. Shultz was a resident of the village in the spring of 1822 ; he built a house of " rotten " logs on the river bank, at the north end of Walnut street, about 1823. He was the first " Dutchman " who moved to Bucyrus. For several years, Shultz kept a boarding-house ; he had an adopted daughter who married Harry iSIiller, an early cabinet-maker of the village. Dr. J. T. Hobbs came as early as 1825, and purchased the lot now occupied by George Shaeffer ; Hobbs afterward removed to Michigan. Harry Smith built a cabin, in 1 823, on the lot now owned by G. K. Zeigler. at the southwest corner of Perry and Walnut streets. William Reeves built a log-house, in 1823. on the lot now occupied by the Shaeffer Block. Adam Bair, called the "black bear," or cuff bear," came from Columbus in 1823 ; it was always reported that he had been an inmate in the Ohio Penitentiary, having been sent there from Wayne County, Ohio, for coining counterfeit money. Adam Bair, called the "good bear," and a cousin of the former, moved to Bucj'rus about 1825 ; this famil3' of Bairs built the old brick schoolhouse, which was torn down in 1868. Harris Garton moved to Bucyrus in 1822 ; he was born in New Jersey, across the river from Philadelphia, and his father removed to Mansfield in 1818. Garton married Louisa, oldest daughter of Samuel Norton, in 1824. He bought out Albigeuce Bucklin's fifty acres about 1827. and in 1833 removed to what is now Wyandot County ; after remaining there three years, he returned to Bucyrus, and shortly afterward settled in Chatfield Township. Garton removed to his present home in South Todd Township in 1853. Ebenezer Dowd, a young man and a tailor by trade, settled in Bucyrus during 1826, and purchased a lot just south of the southwest corner of Main and Galen streets. He resided in the village a few jears, and then went West. Harry Burns followed the Nortons from Elk Hill, Penn. ; he married one of James Scott's daughters. Burns was an excellent shot with the rifle, but very lazy, and onlj' resided in the new town about five years. Mrs. Cloe Yost removed to Bucyrus with her husband and family in the fall of 1828. John Moderwell settled in the town, in 1827, with Aunt Betsy ; they lived on the southwest corner of Peny and Walnut streets. Moderwell was a cabinet-maker and millwright. He continued a resident of the place for nearly fifty years, during which time he held many positions of honor and trust, to which he was chosen by the citizens. George Lauck removed to the town about 1826, and shortly afterward purchased the northwest corner of Marj- and Main streets, at which stand he conducted an inn for many years ; he afterward purchased Garton's land, east of town, which was known in later days as the Lauck homestead. Hugh McCracken and old Bailey came in 1826, and in April of that year Hugh was commissioned first Sheriff of Crawford County. James McCracken settled in the village shortly afterward, and, previous to 1830, lived on the lot now occupied by George Mader's block ; his sister, the Widow Phillips, and her two daughters, Samantha and Susan (now Mrs. E. R. Kearsley), resided in the same house. A small log house, situated on this same lot, was used for school purposes, and Sajlie Davis taught school in it as early as 1829. Gen. Samuel M3-ers, who came in 1826, purchased the lot immediately south of the one now occupied bj' Blicke's store, and Andrew Failor, several months previous to this, bought Lot 20, immediately south of Myers' property. Thomas Johnson, a cabinet-maker, came about the year 1826, and desired to follow his trade, but he could not secure seasoned lumber for material. He removed to Dallas Township, of which locality he was a resident for many years. Judge John Nimmons removed from Wooster to Bucyrus in 1827, and opened a store ; his brotherin-law, R. W. Cahill, came with him and clerked in this establishment. John Deardorff settled in the village at an early day, and, when he died,

Abner Rowse married his widow. Old Tommy Alsoph appeared in the village as early as the j-ear 1824. He was of English birth, and the son of wealthy parents, who placed him in charge of George Cortall and other English colonists, who visited America about the year 1819, for the purpose of engaging in the manufacture of silk near Athens, Ohio. Their enterprise proved a failure, and many returned to the old country. Alsoph, however, wandered up toward the New Purchase, and finally made his home in Crawford, where he resided for nearly fort}^ years. He obtained, in after j'ears, a regular quarterly allowance from his relatives, amounting to about $400. Each quarter, after receiving these funds, he-expended them with a lavish hand, and in a few daj's was without money. But he possessed a fine education, and occasionally taught schools in the village and surrounding country. Alsoph was addicted to the excessive use of intoxicating liquors, and became a regular sot. He boarded with several families throughout the country, and was generally treated in a shameful manner. One old Methodist minister named Camp, who boarded him for a time, abused him terribly ; oceasionall}' he kept Alsoph chained with a log chain. The people, generallj', who consented to harbor him, tried on various pretexts to secure his quarterly allowance, and when they succeeded, cared very little how he fared until the next draft appeared from the old country. Alsoph was slightly demented, or he never would have suffered the various impositions to which he was subjected. He was a great politician, a fluent speaker, but very vacillating, and frequently changed from one party to another. Alsoph was finally placed by his relatives in the charge of Mr. J. Hopley ; he was reformed to a great extent, and taken back to England in 1862.

Quinhy Block Is now situated, and also all the land between this block and the railroad, was originally sold for $5 In gold. Norton paid the Government about that amount for it, but sold the lots located upon this land for much more. The lot upon which the aforesaid block is now located was sold to Lewis Stephenson for $42. By November 28, 1826, forty-two lots in the village had been disposed of, and the following parties were then owners :

In addition to these, the proprietors had donated to the citizens of the county and village the following land : Lot No. 86, for school purposes, valued at $50 ; Lot No. 90, for the court house, valued at S200 ; Lot No. 88, for jail, valued at $50.

Much of the land embraced in the original town plat was low and wet, as was also the country in the immediate vicinity. This general dampness caused considerable sickness, and the early inhabitants suffered much from the ague. James Nail, of Sandusky Township, in his early recollections published in the Forum during 1874, gives the following description of early Biicyrus life: -'At this time, 1824,1 went to Bucyrus and engaged mill-stones of a Mr. Bucklin, who was making them there out of a kind of ' nigger-head ' stones. After he finished them he gave me notice, and I went after them with a wagon and two yoke of cattle. I remained overnight with Bucklin, and as I could get no inclosure or stable, I let the oxen graze on the plain. In the morning when I went for them, they had started homeward, and it was about 10 A. M. when I found and Ijrought them back to town. In the street, I met a man (Mr. Harry Smith). He asked me if I had breakfasted that da}'. I said no. He then said: ' Nearly every person in town has got the ague; go with me and take your breakfast.' He further remarked. ' I am the only man in this town that has any pork ; you must fill your stomach with pork ; then keep your mouth shut and breathe through your nose, or you will have a shake of ague before you leave town.' After breakfast, my mill-stones were loadeil. and I hauled them home." A few of the early inhabitants suffered additional privations in consequence of poverty. One case of privation has been graphically described by Mrs. Lucy Rogers, who says : " My husband took sick on one occasion, and was bed-fast. He could neither eat nor drink a part of the time. Meanwhile our scanty store of food was consumed until not a particle was left in the house for our subsistence. The last crust was gone. My prayer to God was that all of us, ray j-oung babe, mj helpless husband and my starving self might all die together before the sun should set. That night was one of sleepless agony. Next morning, I went through an Indian trail, unfit as I was to go through the tall wet grass, which was then as high as a man's head,to WUliam Langdon's, near Young's gristmill, and, between sobs, told my pitiful story to him, and begged for some flour to keep my little family from starving to death. He did not know me and refused, but his wife - God bless her - spoke up and said ' You shall not starve if it talces all there is in the house.' Her husband relented and weighed me out nineteen pounds of flour, and then, blessing them for their charity, I returned home through the tall grass with the ' bird of hope ' again singing in my bosom. How sweet the short-cake, without butter, meat or anything else, tasted that day. In the afternoon Aunt Lois Kent, learning of our destitution, brought us a pan of meal. I got some milk of Mrs. Shultz, and then made some mush. Believe me, the tears of joy and sorrow rained down my cheeks when this meal was eaten. I then told Louisa Norton, who afterward married Harris Garton, how terribly we were distressed by want and hunger. She went home and told her father, Samuel Norton, who said : ' This will not do, these folks have come to a new countrj', and they must be helped. They shall not starve in Bucyrus.' So every evening he sent us new milk fresh from the cow, and, as we needed it, a ham of meat. One day he sent Louisa over to us with a dressed pig. I never had a present that did me so much good. In a few weeks my husband recovered, and then we fared better." But very few of the early citizens were reduced to such extremes, although most families were many times without the necessaries of life. The citizens of early Bucyrus had their gala days when the farmers visited the village with their families to have a good time. Fourth of July was celebrated with even more patriotic fervor than at the present time. On that day, every ladj' who had brought a silk dress or fine article of wearing apparel from her former Eastern home, put it on, no matter how old the garment was, and the nation's anniversary was generally celebrated by the fairer sex with a general display of all the old styles adopted for several generations previous. Manj' men took their enjoyment in a liquid shape, and the inns of the village 'were well patronized ; the large quantity disposed of by the l)ar-tenders assisted in creating an enthusiastic population. On one occasion at an early day, an Englishman, named Martin, made the Fourth of July oration. He was a very smart man, and in glowing language fired the patriotic hearts of all true Americans by a vivid description of the tyrannies inflicted by Old England upon the colonies, and of the wonderful results which followed "On Bunker's crest, on Concord's field and Saratoga's plain." But the greatest features of the year were "Training Day" in the spring, and "General Muster" in the fall. The first muster held in Crawford County took place about the year 1 824, at the Scioto bridge, and for over twenty years the militia laws were enforced with more or less strictness, until they were finally repealed by the Legislature, Many humorous incidents are related of these poorly drilled companies, and of the inefficient officers. At one general muster after 1830, the militia commanded bj' Gen. Samuel Myers^ were drilled upon the plains just south of Bucyrus. The force marched and re-marched to please their officers ; the men wheeled in various directions at the same time, as their own pleasure or fancy directed ; after much maneuvering, they were marched toward town. While on the road, the enemy appeared, a solitary man in a wagon, driving two horses. It is said he was just returning from Sandusky City, where he had sold a load of wheat; he felt proud, and despised the troops massed directly in the road he wished to occupj-. "Turn out, " commanded the General, and this order was reiterated by numerous similar remarks by the brave men occupying all grades in the force. But the haughty civilian would not " turn out.' The General spoke to one of his Colonels, the late Judge Scott, and this officer rode forward to insist that the command should be obeyed. The old fellow still refused, when the Colonel unsheathed his sword and waved it in close proximity to the heads of those faithful beasts drawing the wagon, supposing the war-like weapon would have some effect. And so it did, for the Colonel's unsteady hand permitted the sword to approach so near to these horses' heads, that one ear suffered, and it lay on the ground, a proof that the instrument was sharp. The old fellow then turned out, but was verj' indignant ; he returned to Buoyrus and demanded satisfaction. The Colonel was a general favorite in the village, and, when the man sought legal advice on the suliject, he found the universal opinion to be " You have no recourse ; the county, for the day, was under military rule ; you should have turned out." At another time, Capt. George Shaeffer desired to drill his company in the court house yard. Court was in session, and the confusion outside disturbed the proceedings. The Judge did not consider the militia supreme that day, and ordered the Sheriff to preserve order. This officer, John Moderwelli endeavored to carry out the wishes of the court, and ordered Shaeffer to keep quiet. The Captain disregarded this order, ami the Sheriff made an attempt to arrest the valiant officer ; the men clustered around their commander, who foolishly shouted out the order '-fire." One gun loaded with a lilank cartridge went off in close proximity to Sheriff Moderwell's hand, and the civil officer was slightly wounded. Occasionally, when the men turned out to drill on muster days, they appeared in fantastic uniforms, and these grotesque companies l)ecanio so frequent in some counties that tlioy had considerable influence in hastening the repeal of the old militia laws. One of the.se fantastic companies was organized by James Steen, John Caldwell, -Jake" Yost and others, after the 3'ear IS-tO, which was possibly the last noteworthy incident connected with the caily militia musters of Crawford County. 'I'hi' -lakt,' " Yost of this fantastic company was a notorious character in the village at an early day. He was a cousin of the gentlemen bearing this name who are now citizens of Bucyrus. Mr. Yost was a shoemaker by trade ; He married William Crosbj-'s sister, a young lady with very red hair; Mr. Yost possessed a very quarrelsome disposition, and when drunk, abused his wife and fomily iu a shameful manner. One time he got into a dispute witii a man named Moffit, cousin of Philip Jloffit. of Bucyrus ; the fuss was about a dog, and wound up with a fight. During the fracas, Moffit bit a piece off Yost's nose, and the latter was disfigured for life. Mr. Yost afterward moved to Iowa, joined the church and lived an exemplary life.

The first business enterprise established in the place w:is Abel Gary's mill for grinding grain, whicli was erected on the river just west of the north end ol Main street; this building was put up as early as 1822, and a dam constructed across the river at this point, but the machinery and mill were afterward removed to the old site of McLean's Flouring-mill, at the north end of Walnut street, where it was destroyed by fire some years afterward ; James Kelly, the proprietor at that time, then erected another mill on the same site in 1844, which remained twenty-six jears ; during the greater portion of this period, it was the property of James JIcLean. This mill was destrosed bj' fire Saturday night. .Vpril 9, 1870. It is impossible to collect and ilescribe, after so man}- years liave elapsi'd. all tiie early business cstablishmcnls ol' the vilhuir. lnil anions'- ilin.se who were in business at Bucyrus during tiiose early years of tlie village were the followingpersons-: Joe Umpstead made the first chair in the town; Lewis Stephenson was a hatter in 1821 ; Lewis Gary started the first public tannery in 1822 ; he continued this business until 1839, when he transferred the establishment to his son Aaron, who condneted the business until he sold out to Richard Plummer. about 1855 ; Christian Shonert learned the trade under Aaron Car3', and purchased the tannery of Plummer about 1856. Aaron Gary was a saddler and harncs-j-maker as early as 1823. Russell Peck was a hlacksinit li near the present site of the American ll.nise as early as 1823. Bowen burnt the first brick near the present schoolhouse lot to erect a brick blacksmithshop for himself; the building occupied the present site of the Blair and Picking Blocks. McMichacl and Rogers ran a distillerj- located near the river in 1823. John Moderwell was a cabinet-maker as early as 1827, and Plarry Miller also followed this same trade at an early day. David Holm ran a tannery near the present site of C. G. Mahc's residence in 1831, and at the same time Henry Minich had a tanyard on the opposite side of the road. Brick yards were started at an early day near the site of A. W. Diller's present residence, J. R. Miller's butcher shop, and G. G. Malic's residence. William Bratton was a hatter during 1826, and had a shop in a round-log cabin which stood on the lot now occupied by Quinby Block. Elias Slagle was a proprietor of the old Gary mill at an early daj\ He was also interested in a pottery near this mill site at an early day, and after 1830 ran an oil-mill with a large circular tramp-wheel on the same lot. Jourdan Jones ran a wagon shop east of Rogers' tavern after 1830. Jesse Quaintance put up a mill on the river bank, southwest of the village, after 1830. In these early days, when many of the settlers spun their own yarn and wove their own cloth several carding mills were established in the county. Among those started in Bucyrus are the following : Jourdan Jones ran a carding machine by tramp wheel-power near the present site of Vollrath's Flouring Mill, and sold his establishment to Lautenheiser, who put in a steam engine. Old man Kirk also ran a carding mill at an early da}'. Samuel Glapper induced Dr. A. M. Jones to establish him in this business, and Jones bought out Kirk, and the business was conducted by these men for several years just west of the southwest corner of Walnut and Perry streets. In the spring of 18-t3, Dr. .Jones visited Sandusky Citj' and purchased a steam engine, and for some time they run their carding machine with this engine, both night and day, in consequence of the large amount of their business, and in the spring of 18-t4, Jones & Clapper bought a double machine. Dr. Jones asserts that this steam engine purchased by him was the second one brought into Crawford County, the first engine being the one used at the old flouring-mill run by James Kelly.

The first store opened in the village was started on the lot just south of the gas works, by E. B. Merriman, who was known also as "Judge" and "Bishop" Merriman. Moderwell says, in regard to the early stores of the village : " Judge E. B. Merriman had the monoj)- oly, for some time, of exchanging goods with the i-ed and white people for deer skins, furs, beeswax, honej', ginseng, cranberries and other articles, but he finally divided the trade with S. Bailey, from Pittsburgh, who soon concluded that the country was too new for a man so recently from the Emerald Isle, and he sold out to French & Bowers and returned to Pittsburgh, and they to Judge John Nimmons. About this time, additions had been made, and continued to be made, to the trade, in the persons of Henry St. John, Coleman & Kerns, Caldwell & McFarlan, D. S. Norton & Co., Martin Barr^ Jones & Butler, B. Meeker, 0. & D. Williams, James Quinby, Babcock & Ranney, Smith &

Moderwell, J. A. Gormly, Musgrave & Merriman, John Beaver, Nj-e & Majors, Quiaby & Grant, Phillips & Anderson, Henry Converse, Loring Converse, and others." The first store, started in the village by Merriman as early as 1823, was not an extensive establishment. James Nail relates the following incident in regard to it : 'I now remember that the first goods I bought in a store at Bueyrus were from Bishop Merriman. As I was getting a few articles, a Mr. Peter Clinger took his pencil and paper and commenced writing. Merriman asked him what he was doing. He said he was taking an invoice of his goods, and that the amount of his stock was $37.41. Merriman said he was not far out of the way." These earlj- stores could not sell a large amount of goods, for the few inhabitants in the village and vicinity were very poor, and, considering the great distance from the Eastern market and the poor facilities for transportation, the traffic in produce with the settlers was necessarily limited. Moderwell saj-s : '- For the first ten j-ears after the settlement of the country, it may be truly said of the inhabitants that they were poor ; having but little to sell, and no market for that little except what supplied the wants of new-comers." The few hogs and cattle raised had to be driven to the East on foot, and sold there at barel}' living prices. One steer or cow would now bring about as much as four did at that time, and other products were equally low. A price current at that time would have given about the following quotations : Wheat, per bushel, 40 to 50 cents ; corn, 15 to 25 cents ; oats, 12 to 18 cents ; potatoes, 12 to 25 cents ; cranberries, 50 cents ; hone^-, per gallon, 50 cents ; pork, per pound, 1^ to 2 cents ; butter, 5 to (3 cents ; maple sugar, 5 to 6 cents. After the New York Canal was completed, the Bueyrus merchants offered the settlers better prices for what was raised in the country, and they were also able to sell them store goods on more reasonable terms ; consequently, the settlers were in much better circumstances. Merriman purchased some hogs at an early day, and it is reported that some of these animals were so wild from running loose in the woods that they had to be trained before thej- could be driven East, and then it generally took the whole town to start the drove. E. B. Merriman, the first store-keeper of Bucjrus, was elected one of the County Commissioners when Marion County was organized, and was appointed, Februarj- 4, 1825, one of the Associate Judges for the Common Pleas Court for the same county. He afterward held the same office in the new county of Crawford. The location occupied by some of these early mercantile establishments of the village was as follows : Martin Barr occupied the lot north of the northeast corner of Main and Galen ; Benjamin Meeker kept store on Emrich's corner ; Henry St. John, on the Kaler corner; John Nimmon, in the fall of 1827. built the frame store which was torn down when the Fisher Block was erected on the same corner ; Babcock & llanney, near John Myers' present site, north of the railroad ; thej' afterward built and occupied the brick storeroom which was torn down when the Bowman Block was erected ; Musgrave & Merriman occupied the present site of Johnson & Son's dr\ig store ; Daniel & Owen Williams, on the llowse Block corner. Among the best customers of the early merchants and other business men of the village were the Indians, who came from the Wyandot Reservation to buy articles in the village. The names of some of these warriors were Walpole, Hicks, Summondewat, Gray-Eyes, Sandstone, Baruett, Betweenthe-Logs, Sirelms, Jocco, Curly-Head, Big Turtle, Johnny-Cake, Lewis Coon. Tom Enos. Charley Elliott and othei's.

Sixty years ago, the occasional traveler pa.ssing through this section of country, generail}- found when he needed entertainment for the night that the ' latch-string" of the rude log cabins always -hung out,'' it was rare that a man was turned awaj' to seek lodging farther on his journey. The first regular inn kept in the village of Bucyrus was started by Abel Gary. It was a rude log cabin with a very low door, and occupied the lot at the northwest corner of Perry and Main streets. Car}' did not continue at this business very long. Some two years afterward, Robert More built a public house on the lot now owned by Mrs. Lucy Rogers. More opened the first public bar or saloon started in the village ; his daughter married Hugh McCracken. Squire S. Rothi generally pronounced Rhoades, by the early settlers, then opened an inn near Gary's old stand, and in a few months transferred the business to Dr. Pearce who was a regular physician and also pulled teeth for those early settlers, if they required the services of a dentist. Ichabod Rogers bought out Robert More's inn, and after several years built the present residence of Mrs. Lucy Rogers on the northeastern corner of Main and Perry streets. Many interesting incidents are related in regard to the business conducted at this stand. The Government did not permit the white settlers to sell the Indians any intoxicating drinks, but the laws on this subject were evaded ; the Indians j always called for "Sandusky water." When the red man was under the influence of this " Sandusky water," he was just as recldess in his manners as many white settlers who became intoxicated with the same liquor which was sold to them as whisky. An Indian once stole a black silk handkerchief from Mrs. Rogers, and then went up street, and, before returning, threw it over into a lot. Mrs. Rogers suspected him and concealed his gun ; she then snatched the knife he carried in his belt, and, taking a large raw-hide, gave him a severe thrashing. The Indians were sometimes without money ; they then brought venison and cranberries which they wished to exchange for " Sandusky water," flour and other articles. Mrs. Rogers relates that at one time she had fifty bushels of cranberries in the house. Sometimes the Indians brought their silver trinkets and exchanged them for the articles they wished to purchase. One brave warrior appeared late one evening and ordered supper ; he was very badly intoxicated, but asked a blessing before he commenced his repast. Very many noisy times were experienced in this old building by the proprietors with drunken Indians. It was necessarj' that the brave warriors should receive threshings occasionally to make them quiet and orderlj'. When in a fight with an Indian, if he said " woah," it was an acknowledgment on his part that he had been vanquished, and the brave was then ready to quit. But many white settlers also had very noisj' times at the Rogers bar. It is related of one early prominent settler, that his favorite amusement when intoxicated was to hire some person to haul him in a wheelbarrow from one saloon to another. Mrs. Rogers states "that the hotel business in Bucyrus was always profitable in those early days, in consequence of so many persons visiting the village to enter land at the land office ; that she has frequentlj- admitted travelers at midnight who had journeyed all daj' to reach the village at nightfall." Among those who also conducted taverns or inns at an early day were Gapt. Miller, Mr. Punk, George Lauck, Abraham Hahn, Abraham Holm, Mr. Golrick. Samuel Norton, Jacob Poundstoue, W. W. Miller, Samuel Picking and others. The sites occupied by some of these parties were as follows : Lauck's tavern was inaugurated in 1826, at the present site of Henry Willer's residence, on the northwest corner of Main and Mary streets. Abraham Hahn built the present Sims House and kept hotel there in 1830. Samuel Norton erected his building as a private residence, but opened it as a hotel in 1836. W. W. Miller occupied the present Western House stand, and in the year 1840 dug the famous sulphur pump well. Samuel Picking kept the " Spread Eagle" House north

During the first winter Samuel Norton was a resident of Crawford County, his familj' was increased by the appearance of the first native white inhabitant of Bucyrus Township, and possibly the first within the present limits of Crawford County ; this new citizen was Sophrouia Norton (now Mrs. >I. JI. Johnson, of Chicago), who was born February 11, 1820. Among those born in the village at au early day were Jane Rogers, in 1822 ; Harris P. Norton, August 9, 1822 ; and Lucy Ann Stephenson, a short time afterward. It is reported, the first couple married in the village were Jlary Inman and Samuel Carl. The 3'oung lady posted the required notice, or banns, to a tree, but some one tore it down. At one early maiTiage, it is asserted of the Squire who performed the ceremony, that he was so intoxicated he did not know what to say, as he had forgotten the usual form of speech ; but a schoolmaster was present who did know, and he told the Justice, who repeated the words over after the schoolmaster. The first death in the village was little Daniel, a four-year-old son of Mishael Beadle, who died about September 1, 1822, and was buried on the lot now occupied by Hiram Fisher's residence, at the corner of Walnut street and the Middletown road. Several other persons were interred on this lot at an early day, among whom were the child of a Mr. Kellogg, John Deardorff, and his daughter, aged some four or five years. But this first spot used as a burying-gi'ound was not afterward held sacred to the memory of these departed ones ; the lot was plowed over and buildings erected upon it. Some twenty years ago, in digging a cellar drain, the coffins of two children were uncovei-ed, which event created considerable excitement in the neighborhood at that time. When Mrs. Lewis Gary died, she was buried on her husband's land ; the site of her gi-ave is now in Joseph Henry's apple orchard. Several others were interred on this piece of ground, among whom were John Rodgers, Daniel McMichael, Mrs. Kirk, Elizabeth Bucldin, Lewis Cary's old colored servant and others. The graveyard on the opposite side of the Tiffin road was established about the year 1828, upon land donated by Amos Clark. It is reported that Samuel Yost, the little son of Abraham Yost, was the first person interred. The Lutheran graveyard, called also the "Southern Graveyard," was established about 1830, and it is said Henry Myers, son of Abraham Myers, was the first person buried in this piece of sacred ground. These two cemeteries were the only public graveyards started in the village, until Oakwood Cemetery was laid out, in the year 1859. The land was purchased of Watson Moderwell, in the fall of 1858, by gentlemen who afterward formed the Oakwood Cemetery Association, which society was organized Tuesday evening, March 8, 1859, with the following officefs : President, George Quinby ; Secretary, Gerard Reynolds ; Treasurer, C. W. Fisher ; Trustees, A. M. Jones, John A Gormly, R. T. Johnson, Hiram Feuner and J. I H. Keller. B. F. Hathaway was the engineer ' who formed the plan of the grounds, and laid I off the walks and drives in the spring of 1859. The cemetery was dedicated witli appropriate '' exercises June 22, 1859. The first interment, however, was made over six months previous, and was Lillie Ann Craig, daughter of J. A. and S. S. Craig, who died November 19, 1858, aged fi\'e years nine months and five days. One of the first, and probably the most im- ; portant, public improvements which enlisted : the attention of the early citizens of Bucyrus, was the Columbus & Sandusky Turnpike road. This great highway of trade and travel was of untold benefit to the town, and did much in securing settlers for the county. The citizens, from the time the building of this road was determined upon, took active measures to have it pass through Bucyrus. It required consid- erable effort to raise the amount of stock the compau}- expected each county to take. Some of the citizens subscribed, and paid for more stock than all their real estate would have sold for in cash. As an evidence of the importance attached to the enterprise, one item may be given : At a meeting held for the purpose of getting stock taken, Abel Gary remarked, " If we succeed in getting the road, we maj' yex, see a dailj' line of stages through Bucyrus.' In less than ten years from that time, two daily lines, and frequently one or two extra coaches each day passed through the village. This highway was originally built as a toll-road, and the United States Government gave the State of Ohio, in trust for the corporation that built it, a large grant of land, the only stipulation being that in case of war the Government troops had the right to use the road. The first stage line was started in 1827, before the road was fairl}- under headwa}'. For some years, the turnpike was the great thoroughfare of the State, from the river to the lake, and was the principal road to the market, at Sandusky City, for the counties of Delaware, Union and Marion. Seventy-five wagons, loaded with wheat, were counted passing through town in one day, over forty years ago. All of these would of course return, and the constant traffic incident to so much transportation created business, and was an active stimulus toward developing the town.

The early settlers of Bucyrus and this section of Crawford were for several years without convenient post-offlce accommodations, and it was necessarj' for them to receive their mail through the Delaware office. Mrs. Lucy Rogers asserts that for a year after she removed to the village (in 1822) with her husband, their horse was frequently loaned to persons who wished to visit Delaware for the purpose of securing the mail for this neighborhood. In the' year 1823, an office was established at Bucyrus. The first mail route through the village was a weekly mail from Marion to Sandusky City, and it was carried on horseback. Occasionally in the winter when the ground was not frozen sufficient to bear a horse, the mail-carrier would leave his beast at Bucyrus, and make the rest of the trip to Sandusky City and back on foot. Lewis Cary was the first Postmaster ; he kept the office at his tannery shop, on the lot now occupied by Messrs. Shonert & Haller. In those da3-s, the rate of postage was 25 cents each letter, and the postal business transacted by Mr. Cary was not extensive, notwithstanding most of the settlers in Crawford County received their letters at the Bucyrus Post Office. Until 182G, onlj' four offices were established in the territorj' then embraced in Crawford County ; these were Bucyrus, Little Sandusky, Tymoehtee and Upper Sandusky, the latter three being in that part of Crawford which is now Wyandot County. The settlers of Liberty Township received their mail at Bucyrus until several years after 1840. Carj' continued as Postmaster until the administration of President Jackson, when Henry St. John, a merchant, was appointed. This was the first practical illustration in Crawford County of the political war-crj', " To the victors belong the spoils." Since this time, whenever the political character of the White House was changed, Bucyrus has received a new Postmaster. St. John kept the office from 1829 to 1837, at his store on the corner now occupied by Malic & Gloyd, and was succeeded by John Forbes, a harness-maker. The office was removed to Forbes' shop, near the present site of the Raiser Block. The following list of mails, taken from the Crawford Repuhlican of November 4, 1837, is an interesting relic of the postal business over forty years ago :

The Mails. - The following is a list of the Mails to this place, the hour of their arriv.il and departure : The Tiffin Mail leaves Bucyrus every Friday morning at 7 o'clock A. M., and arrives at this office on Saturday at .5 P. M. The Mount Vernon Mail departs every

Fridsy at 6 A. M., and arrives on Saturday at 7 P. M. The Fredericktown Mail arrives at this office every Wednesday by 0 P. M., and departs on Thursday at 5 P. M. The Perrysburg Mail leaves this office every Monday by 5 A. M., and arrives here on Thursdays at 6 P. M. The Kenton Mail arrives every Wednesday by 12 M., and departs the same day at 1 P. M. The New Haven Mail arrives every Tuesday by 12 M., and departs at 1 P. M. of same day. The Eastern Mail through Mansfield to Pittsburgh, arrives at this office every other day by 0 P. M., and departs tiie following morning by 4 A. M., closes at 8 P. M. The Northern Mail from Sandusky City arrives at this office every other day between 1 and i P. M. (closes at 1), and departs in 20 minutes for Columbus. The Great Southern Mail arrives every other day (same day of the Northern) between 'J P. M., and 12 M., and departs in about 30 minutes for Sandusky City (closes at 8 P. M.). John Forbes, P. M. Post Office BncTRUs, August 30, 1837.

The salary paid Forbes ia 1840 was $293.47, antl the net proceeds of the office for the Government were $417,54. Since 1840, the following persons have held the office ; James Mc- Cracken from 1841 to 1845, near the present site of ISIader's Block ; Alex Widman. same place for some eighteen months ; 11. T. Johnston, for about thirty months, at H. H. Moderwell's present stand ; Henry Converse from 1849 to 1853, in the frame building located on the present site of Miller's block ; Alex Ruhl, from 1853tol857, near the present site of licking's Block, and then at the northwestern part of public square ; C. D. Ward, from 1857 to 1861, at Iluhl's last room ; J. G. Robinson from 1861 to November 1, 1866, in the western part of Bowse's Block ; Isaac Biyaut, from November 1866, to about April 1, 1867, at same room ; W. C. Lemert from April 1867 to about September 1, 1867, at same room ; James P. Rader, from Sep- J;eml)er, 1867. to August 7, 1870, first in Rowse's Block, and tlieu opposite Court House ; J. Hop ley, from August 7, 1870, to February 1, 1879, opposite court house ; C. W. Fisher, present incumbent, from February 1. 1879, at same room.

The first house erected on the present site of Bucyrus was the first round-log cabin of Norton's ; the second was Bucklia's home, which was followed shortly- afterward by the habitations of the Beadle family. When Lewis Gary came in the spring of 1822, he built the first hewn-log cabin with shiugled roof and grooved floor. The Journal, of December 13, 1861, contains the following item : " A friend wh(j delights in antiquarian researches informs us that the first frame building in town was erected in the year 1823. It stood on the lot now occupied bj- George Raiser's building ; then it was removed to the west end of Mansfield street and from there to the lot of A. M. Jackson (corner Middletowu and Gallon roads), where, disguised l3y a new roof and weather-boarding, it makes a j very fine looking stable." If this be true, it still remains on this lot, and is now used as a wood-shed. ModerwcU saj^s : The first frame building erected in the town was about fifteen feet square and sto.od on the ground now occupied b}' Mr. G. Jahu's property, north of the railroad. The first brick on the lot wliere Blair's and Picking's blocks now stand." This building was used as a blacksmith-shop, and shortly after it was erected the little brick schoolhouse was built on the present Mounett House lot. These first buildings were followed in a few years by more substantial structures. Among the early buildings erected, many of which remain at the present time, are the following : Henry St. John built the Kaler corner in 1828 ; this same building has since been remodeled and improved. Gilmore built the old brick on the northeast corner of Main and Warren streets previous to 1830, and the Oregon House, one square south, was erected shortly

[ afterward. Hahn built the Sims House in 1830, but this block was enlarged and improved in 1859. Norton erected tiie Main street Mills Block in 1831, and the same year Col. Zalmon Rowse put up the American House building on the northwest corner of Main and Warren streets.

Dr. Willis Merrimau erected the two-story frame north of Shaeffer's block, about 1833. Thomas Shawke put up the Trimble House on the southeast corner of Mansfield and Walnut streets in 1836. The Drackert House, on Main street, south of the Square, was built by Jacob Bright for Mrs. Martha I. Hetich, about the year 1838, and used by her as a private residence for many years. Merriman's brick corner was erected by Robert Johnson for Dr. Willis Merriman during the year 1840. J. P. Bowman's former residence, now owned by the Grormlys, was built shortly afterward. The buildings now occupied by the Crawford County Bank, R. I. Johnson & Son's drug store and Correll's shoe store, were put up after the big fire of August 30, 1848 ; the Anderson Block, now the residence of Messrs. Ward and George Gormly, previous to 1850, and the brick now occupied by Scott & Adams, after 1850. Among the more imposing structures of later years are : The Raiser Block, north of the railroad, in 1857 ; Stoll's planing mills, in the fall of 1858 ; Woolen Mills building, on East Perry street, in 1858 and 1859 ; Rowse's Block in 1858 ; Ritz, now Gormly, Blockin 1859; Bowman Block in 1861 ; Picking's Block in 1861 ; Burkhart's Block, now one-half of Mader's, about 1861, and the north half by Mader, about 1870; Blair's Block, commenced in 1864, finished in 1865 ; Birk's Block, about 1872 ; the Converse and Weber Blocks in 1873 ; Jerrj' Niman's Block, rear in 1873, front in 1874 ; Fisher Block in 1876 ; Picking Block, now occupied by Al Lewis, in 1877 ; Deal Block in 1878 ; Miller Block in 1877 ; the largest block ever erected in Bucyrus commenced by George Quinby in 1858 and completed in 1859, the five eastern business rooms being finished in the former year, and the three western rooms in the latter. The Journal, of January 14, 1860, said of this building : "It is the largest and best block on the line of the railroad between Pittsburgh and Chicago ; having a frontage on the square of 166 feet. It is now occupied by the following firms : Room on the corner by Exchange Bank ; No. 2, Hall & Juilliard, dry goods ; No. 3, Graham & Tranger, dr3' goods ; No. 4, Fulton & Clark, drugs ; No. 5, Zwisler & Howbert, dry goods ; No. 6, Jones & Co., stoves and tinware ; No. 7, Cuykendall & Weber, groceries ; No. 8, Potter & Craig, hardware."

Within a short time after Bucj'rus was laid out, Norton and Kilbourne interested themselves iu making their new town a county seat. The village was then located in the southeastern corner of the territory named Crawford Count}', and, in those days, stood in great danger of having a successful rival for county-seat honors. Crawford County was then unorganized, and the inliabitants were temporarily attached to Delaware County for judicial purposes. Possibly the first attempt made to secure the county seat at Bucyrus was in the fall of 1823, when the citizens were active in securing the formation of a new county, to be styled Bucj'rus. The proprietor of the land was very anxious that the proposed scheme should be successful, and he made the following agreement with a committee of citizens :

To all whom it may concern: Know ye that I, Samuel Norton, of Bucyru.s, in Crawford County and State of Ohio, have agreed, and do agree, as this instrument witnesseth, that, in case the county of Bucyrus should be established by law at the approaching session of the Legislature, for which petitions will be presented, and the seat of justice of said county permanently established in the town of Bucyrus, then, and iu that case, I will give, and, by a warranty deed free and clear of all incumbrances, convey unto such agent or agents as may be appointed to the trust, for the use of said new county in defraying the expenses of erecting a court house and offices in said town of Bucyrus, one equal third part in number and value ojf all the numbered inlots and outlets of said town, or that may be numbered within the present year, which remain to me as original proprietor thereof; that is to say, one-third of all the lots numbered on the recorded plat of said town, or that may be numbered as aforesaid, exceptijig those which have been bargained and solJ, or that may be sold to individuals, by deeds or title bonds prior to the acceptance of this offer, and excepting also (he fractional parts of said town originally belonging to Abel Gary and Daniel McMichael. On a plat of said town accompanying this obligation are distinctly marked the lots by their numbers and situations composing the said third part intended to be given for the public uses aforesaid, and the foregoing agreement and the just fulfillment thereof I bind myself, my heirs, executors and administrators, firmly by these prebcuts. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal at said Bucyrus this 20th day of November, 1823. Samuel Norton.

This project to secure a countj- named Bucyrus was not successful, but, December 15, 1823, the General Assembly of Ohio passed an act organizing Marion County, and, for two years, from April, 1824, to April, 1826, the southern portion of Crawford was attached to JIarion. The population in the vicinity of Bucyrus increased rapidly, and, after considerable agitation and petitioning, the Legislature, on January 31, 1826, passed another act, organizing Crawford County, which " authorized the Commissioners elected in accordance with the third section of the act " to " meet on the first Monday in May next, at the town of Bucyrus, and then and there determine at what place in said county of Crawford the judicial courts shall be held till the permanent seat of justice shall be established in said county-." This duty of these commissioners, to be elected in April, 1826, was the great issue discussed at the first election for county offices. The people in the southern part of the county were in favor of Bucyrus as the countj' seat, and those living in the western part insisted upon its being located at a town called Crawford, laid out by Joseph Newell, on the Broken Sword Creek, in Holmes Township. The friends of Bucyrus were successful, and Thomas McClure, John Magers and George Poe, their candidates, were successful, and the county seat was temporariljestablished in the village. The first court was held in Lewis Cary's front room, and, after the brick schoolhouse was erected, occupied temporary quarters in that building. For several years, the new county was without a court house. In the meantime, the Auditor, Clerk of the Court and Recorder occupied quarters in the north end of Bucyrus. A man named Fleck was convicted for some crime, and, about the year 1831, his friends set fire to the buildings in which the records were kept, and the early papers of the new county were all destroj'ed. The county seat was not permanently located at Bucyrus until 1830, when the Legislature appointed a commission, consisting of Judge Williams, of Delaware ; R. S. Dickenson, of Fremont, and J. S. Glassgo, of Holmes County, to visit Crawford County and decide the troublesome question. The report made by these gentlemen was favorable to Bucyrus, and this was accepted by the Legislature. Samuel Norton then donated a large number of town lots, and other citizens made liberal contributions for the erection of public buildings. The first jail was erected about the j-ear 1827, on the site now occupied by the Monnett House, which lot was donated bj' Samuel Norton. Zalmon Rowse was the contractor, and the building was made of squared timber, and contained two apartments. This jail was destroyed by fire, and when the next one was built it occupied the lot immediately south. The present jail was erected in 1859. The first court house was commenced and finished in 1832. Col. Kilbourne was the architect, and Nicholas Cronebaugh, Abraham Holm, Sr., and William Early were contractors. While this building was being erected, a serious accident occurred, which resulted in the death of Eli Cronebaugh and a Mr. Seigler. The present court house was commenced in 1855, by William Miller, J. Jennings and David Auld, contractors. The building was finished by April 30, 1857, at which time a "court house warming " was held.

The town of Bucyrus was incorporated by the Legislature February 21, 1833. It is not certain who the first Mayor of the town was, as the records have all been destroyed, but it is generally supposed to be James McCracken. Since the year 1837, however, the following persons have been elected to this office : 1837, John Moderwell; 1840, Peter Worst; 1841, Nicholas Failor ; 1842 and 1843, David R. Lightner; 1844 and 1845, James JIarshal ; 1846, James McCracken ; 1847 and 1848, James H.Hutchinson; 1850 and 1851, William M. Scroggs, who resigned in November, 1851, and Stephen R. Harris was elected to fill the vacancy ; Mr. Harris was also re-elected in 1852 and 1854. In 1853, George P. Seal was chosen ; 1855, 1856, 1857, Jacob Scroggs; 1858, S. J. Elliott, who resigned in November, and Jacob Scroggs was appointed by the council, and reelected in 1859; in 1860, Henry C. Rowse ; 1861, S. R. Harris; 1862, William M. Scroggs ; 1863 and 1864, E. B. Finley ; 1865, C. D. Ward ; 1866 and 1867, Wilson Stewart; 1868 and 1869, George Donnenwirth, Sr. ; 1870, William M. Reid was elected, but counted out, and Donnenwirth sworn in (Gen. Samuel Myers, C. G. Blalic and William Rowland, three members of the Council elected at the same time denounced the jjroceeding, refused to .serve and resigned. _The case was tried and carried before the Supreme Court of Ohio, who decided in favor of Reid, when the term of office had nearly expired) ; 1872 and 1874. James Van Voorhis; 1876 and 1878. Chapman D. Ward; 1880, Allen Campbell, the present incumbent. The population of the village since 1830, was as follows: 1830, 500 estimated; 1840, 704; 1850, 1,100 estimated; 1860, by United States census, 2,207; 1870, by census, 3,066 ; 1880, bj^ census, 3,848.

Among the many interesting historical events which have occurred in Bucyrus was the discovery, by Abraham Hahn, of the perfect skeleton of a mastodon, during the vear 1838. Mr.

Hahn, having erected a saw-mill just north of the site now occupied by G. W. Hull's barn, on West Warren street, conceived the idea of constructing a mill-race which would furnish sufficient water-power to run the establishment, and this water-course was tinislied by a considerable outlay of time and money. The source of this race was the swamps in Col. Zalmon Rowse's fields, now owned by William Monnett, and the line it followed to the mill would have, at the present time, about the following route : It crossed the Gallon Road near the southwestern corner of the fair ground : then extended nearly due north along the east side of the Ohio Central, making a slight bend, and passing east of the roundhouse and machine shops ; then nearly due west to S. R. Harris' land ; then northwest through the northeastern corner of the schoolhouse yard, and, after continuing in the same direction for a short distance, changed to nearly due west, crossing Walnut street, near Dr. Cuykendall's office, Main street, near Mrs. Thomas Johnson's, and Poplar street, near the German Lutheran Church. While making the excavations for this mill-race, the skeleton was found in the swamp just east of the present site of the Ohio Central shops. This land for many years afterward was very low and swampy ; a considerable portion in this immediate vicinity was covered by Mr. Hahn's mill-pond. A full account of this discovery was printed in the Crawford Rrpnhlican extra, of August 14, 1838, and reprinted in the Forum, Januai-y 9, 1880, from which the following is taken : hands in excav.aling a mill-race, about three-fourthn of a mile east of Bucyrus, on yesterday, at the distanre of from five to seven feet below the surface of the ground, discovered the skeleton of a mastodon, in a reclined position. The history of this genus of animals is involved in mystery. No tradition or human record furnishes evidences of its existence at any period. But that it once lived and walked upon the earth, ihe prince of the quadruped kingdom, is abundantly proven by the numerous and almost entire specimens of its organic remains, that have been discovered in various parts of North America; and wliich have excited the wonder and astonishment of the naturalist and antiquarian. From the peculiar structure, and the immense size of its bones, it must have been an animal far exceeding in size and strength any species of the quadruped races now in existence. The place where this skeleton was found is very near the dividing ridge between the northern and southern waters of the .State, in a wet. spongy soil. The bones, so far as discovered, are in a fine state of preservation. The upper jaw and skull bones are perfect in all their parts, as formed by nature. The under jaw was accidentally divided in removing it from the earth. This is the only instance in which the skull of the mastodon has been found in a state of preservation; and it furnishes the only specimen from which correct ideas can be obtained respecting that massive, and singularly shaped organ.

Some idea may be formed of the rank this monster ' held among the beasts of the forest, when clothed ' with skin and flesh, and nerved with life, from the following dimensions of some portions of it, which have been rescued from oblivion:

The Skill The Under Jaw

The following is a design of the skeleton of this monster, as drawn by the description given abo\e, and engia\ed b\ Danid Kan/lellei of BU03 rus

Hahu soon lound the ciitt-ipuse in \\hiLh ho had become involved would not be a financial success, and after several years the business was abandoned. When the town was extended and improved toward the southeast, the millpond was drained and the water-course gradually filled up with earth, but during the past twentj- years, in making excavations for sewers and cellars, the remains of this race have frequently been found. At first, Mr. Hahn exhibited the bones of this mastodon, but finally sold them, and the proceeds derived from the sale served to repay him for the immense financial outlay he had made in building the race. He died at Mount Gilead, Ohio, January 19, 1867, and in his obituary notice the following was published in regard to the latter history of the skeleton : " He afterward sold the skeleton to a man in Columbus for $1,800, and it was again resold to a Cincinnati man for $2,800 ; was afterward taken to New York and put in Barnum's Museum, and probably consumed by the fire there a few years since."

For many years the village was without any regularly organized fire department, and the only protection in case of fire was the volunteer bucket-brigade temporarilj^ formed at each successive conflagration. The propriety of organizing a regular fire company was discussed during the summer of 1848, and Friday eveniug, August 4, a large and respectable meeting of citizens assembled at the court [ house for this purpose : J. H. Hutchinson was j Chairman, and J. Scroggs, Secretary. J. E. Jewett, N. C. McFarland and J. Simms were appointed to prepare a constitution, and the meeting adjourned until August 11, 1848, at which time, or shortly afterward, the organization of the company was perfected. J. E. Jewett was Captain of the organization. Within a short time the members had a fine opportunity to show their mettle, for at midnight on October 26, Howenstein & Sheckler's cabinet-shop was discovered to be on fire, and, before the conflagration was quenched, several other buildings in the immediate vicinity were destroyed. The People's Forum, published the nextdaj', said : " Much credit is due the firemen and other citizens for their exertions to stop the progi-ess of the flames." The first fire engine purchased, " Rescue No. 1," was of a very rude design. It was necessary to pour the water into the engine with buckets ; then shut down the lid of the tank, and the liquid was forced into the hose l\v turning a crank. For nearly ten years this was the onlj- fire engine used in the community. In March, 1858, the Town Council purchased the present " Water Cloud," at a cost of $1,282.50, and the fire department was re-organized. The officers of " Water Cloud No. 2," were F. W. Butterfield, Foreman ; D. M. Lindsaj', Assistant Foreman ; M. Buchman. Secretary, and John G. Birk, Treasurer. D. Shanks was Foreman of Mazeppa Hose Company. The first engine, " Rescue No. 1," was placed in charge of a junior companj' composed of many young men residing in the village, who elected Gains C. Worst as their Foreman, and for several years " Let 'er Rip No. 1," ably managed by these young men, performed efficient work when needed. Possibly the first Chief Engineer of the Fire Department was E. R. Kearsley, who occupied that position July 2, 1859. The Buckeye Hook and Ladder Company was first organized during 1859 with the following officers ; Foreman, A. E. Walker ; First Assistant, G. B. Terwileger ; Second Assistant, D. R. Locke (now proprietor of the Toledo Blade) ; Secretary, J. W. Keller ; and Treasurer, P. E. Bush. During the winter of 1859-60, the Town Council erected the present engine house ; it was to be " 32x40 feet, two stories high, with a hall above fitted up for the use of the fire companies and Town Council." This building was dedicated Monday evening, April 30, 1860, with appropriate exercises. In Juljr, 1869, the Steam Fire Engine was purchased by the Council from Sibley & Co., of Seneca Falls, N. Y. The price paid for the engine was $5,100, and an addition, $2,400, was given for brakes, seats, two hose carts and 1,000 feet of rubber hose. The engine was received in Bucyrus, Tuesday September 7, and the next day threw water the following distances : With 1,000 feet of hose and 1-J-inoh nozzle, 147 feet ; with 1,000 feet of hose and 1-inch nozzle, 181 feet ; with 100 feet of hose and 1-inch nozzle, 236 feet. The engine weighs 3,600 pounds and will discharge from 400 to 450 gallons of water per minute. The first officers elected for the Steamer Fire Engine Companj-, were : Foreman, B. F. Lauck ; Engineer, Wilson Stewart ; Assistant Engineer and Fireman, William P. Rowland ; Foreman Hose Companj-, John Couts ; Seeretarj-, M. Fulton ; Treasurer, J. G. Birk.

During the fall of 1859, a companj' was formed, composed of manj- public-spirited business men of Bucjtus, for the purpose of building and operating the Bucj-rus Gas Works. The stockholders met at C. Elliott's office, Tuesdaj- evening, November 22, and elected George Quinbj-, S. R. Harris, Horace Rowse, J. J. Boeman and J. H. Keller, Trustees, until the works were completed. The Trustees perfected the organization of the companj- by electing Horace Rowse President ; S. R. Harris, Secretarj' ; and George Quinby, Treasurer. The building was commenced during the fall of 1859, and completed in 1860, by B. B. McDonald & Co. After many annoying delays, the works were started, and the town was first lighted by gas Tuesday evening, October 23, 1860. The BucjTus Journal, during that year, published the following description of the works : " The buildings are 32x68 feet in size, slate-roofed, and are well and substantially built. The gasometer contains 9,000 cubic feet. There are two benches of retorts, capable of generating 20,000 cubic feet of gas per day, with extra benches to provide against accidents." Saturday evening, November 3, the stockholders elected the following Directors to conduct the business : Horace Rowse, George Quinby, John Keller, John H. Hofraan and B. B. McDonald ; Rowse was then re-elected President, and J. H. Hofman. Secretary. The stock was finally purchased by a few members, and Messrs. Quinby and McDonald became owners of the works.

They sold out to Monnett, Frazer & Co., about January 1, 1873, and the establishment is now owned by J. G. Frazer and Rev. T. J. Monnett. While Bucyrus can scarcely be called a manufacturing citj', j'et there are several institutions located within its limits that make some pretensions toward manufacturing, and deserve some mention as such. Prominent among these are the Eagle Machine Works. These works liave grown out of an establishment of verj' limited dimensions, which was started here more than twenty-five years ago. At the beginning, the work was done mostly by hand, in a small shop which it occupied, and, as a manufacturing enterprise, amounted to but little. The following, from an article upon the subject of " Manufactories in Bucyrns," published in the Forum, of February 10, 1872, does justice to the Eagle Machine Works : " Messrs. Frey & Sheckler, two of the present partners, Ijecame workmen in the establishment, remaining in that capacitj- until 1862, when they bought ' the concern, the former proprietors changing i places with them. In 1867, the entire works were destroyed by fire, but, in 1868, the present j firm - which, besides Frey and Sheckler, comprises G. Quinbjf - was formed, and the works were rebuilt upon a much larger scale, and furnished throughout with the best of machinery I and conveniences. The works are of brick, the machine-shop being 75x55 feet, and two stories ; the foundrj-, 35x50, besides cupola, and a wareroom (frame) nearly 160 feel in length." Since this article was penned, other buildings have been put up, and the works have now altogether six buildings, viz.: Foundry, machine-shops, blacksmith-shops, engine-house, coke and sand house, office and pattern room, etc. Eighteen hands are employed regularly, and engines, horse-powers, saw-mills, brick machines, together with a general foundry business, are some of the kinds of work turned out by the establishment. Of late years, the " Ea- j gle Portable Engine " has been made by these I works. Their brick machines are the best made - capable of making 15,000 brick per day, and are in use all over the countrj-, even as far west as Wyoming and Indian Territories. The firm changed in 1875, Mr. Sheckler retiring ; and, in 1877, William Hoover purchased an interest, but Sheckler again became interested, and the firm is now Frey, Sheckler & Hoover. All three of the partners are energetic business men, who believe that what is worth doing, is worth doing well, and the business, under their management, has become a prominent one, and is of a character that reflects credit upon the city and upon themselves.

The Bucyrus Machine Works were started originally by William Burkhart, James Throupe and J. Moultrop about 1861. In the spring and summer of that year they put up a shop 40x60 feet, two stories high, on Bast Mansfield street. These works at one time were quite an enterprise and did a large business, but of late years have retrograded somewhat, and at the present time do not amount to much. They commenced work in a little blacksmith shop, and made a few " Excelsior " Machines, when Mr. Burkhart invented the " Bucyrus Machine." The old company continued in operation until the 1st of January, 1869, when its assets were transferred to a stock company, of which B. B. McDanald was Superintendent, and W. T. Mc- Donald, Treasurer, with a capital stock of $100,- 000. A portion of the works were destroyed by fire, in May, following this change, resulting in a loss of about $21 ,000. Thej' were rebuilt without any unnecessary delay, and comprise at present several excellent buildings ; the main building is of brick 200x40 feet, and three stories high ; blacksmith-shop 55x30, and foundry 40x- 60 feet. At one time the works gave employment to a force of near 100 men, and manufactured as high as 700 machines in one year. The larger part of their trade was West, mostly in Missouri, Iowa and Kansas, the people of those sections showing a preference for the Bucj^rus

Machine. Some idea of the good to the city, and the magnitude of the works when in the zenith of their glory, may be drawn from the fact that as much as 125,000 were disbursed to their employes in one year, and in the construction of machines 200 tons of pig metal were used. Preparations were made at one time for the building of railwaj' cars, and a switch was built from the works to the railroad. The company finally began to decline, and eventually passed into the hands of J M. Biddie. In a few years, it made another assignment, and was then purchased by A. Monnett & Co., who, after operating it for a time, leased it to Stuckey & Diller, who are at present operating it. But the establishment has not been manufacturing the Bucyrus Machine for some time, and is not doing the business it did a few years ago.