Darke County, Ohio - The whole text, 1880 (part 13 of 31)

They drew tents the same evening, put them up and named their camp, in honor of their commander, Camp Keifer. November 3, the regiment moved to Clarksburg; remained there three weeks and then took the cars for New Creek, where it arrived about 3 A. M., next day. and for over two weeks was occupied in drill, picket and other duty. The men felt great repugnance to camp guard, and this hated duty soon " played out," and the men went where they chose. A favorite resort was Queen's View, a rocky eminence, some three hundred feet above the surroundings. The men amused themselves, tumbling rocks into the river below, to the great discomfiture of those coming for water. Mulligan's Irishmen, espying men on the rock, would cry out : " Hello, phwat regiment areyez ?" If the reply was, " One Hundred and Tenth Ohio," they beat a hasty retreat. The rock-tumbling continued until an order was read on parade to arrest the first man seen on the rock. December 13, the regiment marched by way of Burlington and Petersburg to Moorfield. " At the close of the first day, the boys, being desirous of writing and desks being scarce, went to a neighboring farmhouse and returned with a box which was found to be filled with honey. It was dark, and they did not want to carry it back, so some of the men had honey and hard tack the rest of the march." Part of the regiment was sent toward Winchester, and the remainder with other forces toward Romney. The detachment was hurried through, and indignantly characterized the journey as -' an infernal forced march." The main body reached Winchester a week later, where the regiment was placed in the First Brigade, Second Division, Eighth Army Corps, while A and D were detailed as provost guards. A round of scout, raid, drill and other duty occupied the time during the winter. A party sent to Front Royal captured supplies ; another engaged in like work dispersed a party of rebels at Summit Point, and in May the regiment moved to New Market and back on a species of marching drill. On the 13th of June, the regiment was moved out to Kernstown, and engaged Lee's advance. This was the first time the regiment was under fire, but it fought bravely, disputing every foot of ground against far superior numbers. On the morning of the 14th, the command was posted in a light breastwork, about threefourths of a mile in front of the main defenses. The day wore away, and in the afternoon a crash of artillery ami a rain of projectiles announced the rebel onset. Twenty-six cannon were directed upon this thin line for a brief period, and then came the serried ranks of infantry moving in fine array upon the outworks. The regiment held its ground till the enemy were near, and then fell back. At night it attempted to retreat farther, and, meeting the enemy, a running fight of two hours ensued, during which it cut its way through and moved to Harper's Ferry. It encamped on Maryland Heights a short time, and then made its way to Frederick City, Md., where it was assigned to the Second Brigade, Third Division, Third Army Corps, Army of the Potomac. It took part in the pursuit of Lee through Williainsport, London and Upperville to Manassas Gap, there skirmished, and, finally, August 1, reached the Rappahannock, at Fox's Ford. Two weeks elapsed, when orders came to proceed to New York, and the cars were taken for Alexandria and thence by water on the steamship Mississippi to their destination. The camp was located for a time on Governor's Island, whence they moved to South Brooklyn and encamped in Carroll Park, where much kindness and many favors were received from the citizens. Early in September, the regiment was ordered back to the Ford, and marched in charge of an ammunition train from there to Culpepper, Va., where it remained quietly till October 10, when it was ordered under arms in anticipation of an attack, and stood to arms through the night ; and next day, crossing the Hazel and the Rappahannock, moved into the front line near the latternamed stream. A month went by, and November 7, the One Hundred and Tenth crossed the river, exchanged shots with the enemy, and, the day following, made a scout in the morning and took some fort}' prisoners.

Moving during the day somewhat to the front of Brandy Station, the regiment was made the target for the rebel artillery, but advancing, was one of the first to enter the position from which the rebels were driven. Subsequently four companies were detailed as guards to trains, and the others, being engaged at Locust Grove, lost five killed and twenty wounded. The united regiment, returning to the station December 1, went into winter quarters. In March, 1864, the One Hundred and Tenth became part of the Second Brigade, Third Division, Sixth Artillery Corps, and May 4 crossed the Rapidan at Germania Ford, and on the day following occupied a position on the extreme National right at the Wilderness. Preceded by a lively skirmish, the regiment, charging, drove the enemy within their works, held the ground till after dark, and fell back by reason of deficiency of ammunition. Maj. William S. McElwaine was killed and six officers were wounded ; eighteen men were killed, eighty-two wounded and eleven were missing. May 6, the regiment held the second line under fire of artillery, and at dark the defeat of troops on the right compelled a retrograde movement for about a mile, when a halt was made for a day, and at night the retreat was continued through Chancellorsville to the vicinity of Spottsylvania Court House, where works were thrown up and skirmishing done until May 14, when it marched toward Spottsylvania, forded Nye River after dark, and took possession of works from which the enemy had been driven.

Several reconnaissances were made, the enemy was frequently encountered, and the regiment, moving via Guinea and Chesterfield Stations, crossed the Pamunky and threw up breastworks. The One Hundred and Tenth was engaged June 1 at Cold Harbor, and on the 3d advanced in the front line upon the massive rebel works, and when the line halted was ordered to push forward, and for two long hours held an exposed position, when ordered to retire. On this day, the last to so man}- in the assault, the regiment lost five killed and thirty-four wounded. Under orders the regiment left the works, crossed the Chickahominy, passed to Winona Landing, was transported to Point of Rocks and marched to Bermuda Hundred. On the evening of June 19, the Appomattox was crossed, and the vicinity of Petersburg was reached. Preceded by a day's rest, the regiment marched to the Norfolk & Petersburg Railroad, advanced upon the enemy, drove in the skirmish line, and, some days later, marched to the Petersburg & Weldon Railroad. On July 2, it returned to its post near Petersburg, then embarked at City Point for Baltimore, where it arrived on the 8th, and was taken on the cars to Monocacy Junction. It took post on the south side of the river, and advanced in the face of a heavy fire of cannon and rifles from all directions. Numbers threatened destruction, and the line fell back to Ellicott's Mills at noon of July 10. In this battle four were killed, seventy-four were wounded, and fifty-two were missing. The regiment proceeded next day to Baltimore, thence, on the 1 4th, by rail to Washington ; on the 15th, marched again, forded the Potomac near Edwards' Ferry, and. passing Snicker's (Jap to the Shenandoah, skirmished with the enemy. Soon after, the regiment returned to Washington. A few days later, march was resumed, and after moving from point to point they are seen on the morning of August 10 passing through Charleston, Newton. Middletown, and two days later arrived at Cedar Creek. Several skirmishes followed, and, August 16, they were placed in charge of a train proceeding to Charlestown. The regiment was driven to Bolivar Heights, returned to Charlestown, and on the 29th in turn attacked and drove the enemy. It marched, September 3, to Clifton Farm, and threw up works. Two weeks later, it crossed the Opequan, bore prominent, honorable part in the battle of Winchester, where it thrice charged, and was one of the first to reach the heights. It joined in the pursuit of the enenry, overtook and engaged them at Fisher's Hill, and there captured four guns and a hundred prisoners. Continuing the pursuit to Mount Crawford it then wheeled about and marched back to Harper's Ferry. October 6, it moved to Strasburg, and thence to the neighborhood of Front Royal, from which place it moved to Ashby's Gap. and almost immediately returning went into camp, on Cedar Creek. When the Eighth and Nineteenth Corps were surprised by Early on the morning of the 19th of October, the One Hundred and Tenth was posted in the front line of the Sixth Corps, formed to check disaster and hold the enemy at bay. Continually flanked, stand after stand was made, until a fresh formation being made, a daring, desperate charge retrieved the day, and drove the rebels in headlong rout. No regiment on that eventful da}r took more active part than did the One Hundred and Tenth. Two officers were wounded, one mortally ; five men were killed, twenty-seven were wounded, and an officer and one private were missing. At night the men occupied the camp whence the storm of battle had driven them, vainly resisting, in the morning, and here they remained until November 9, when the}* went into winter quarters near Kenstown.

They broke camp December 3, marched to Stebbins' Station, where cars were taken for Washington, whence by steamer, they were transported to City Point ; thence by rail at midnight of the 6th, and they were at the old front once more. They were located near the Weldon Railroad, and with prospects of a permanent sta}r, proceeded to erect substantial winter quarters. They moved February !>. 1865, to a position on the line between Forts Welch and Fisher, and again put up winter quarters and rested about six weeks.. On March 25, the brigade was called early to arms, and, line being formed, an advance was made upon the entrenched picket line, which proved too strong, and a check was experienced ; again the men advance with a desperate bravery that would not be denied, and despite the deadly fire met the works were carried, and a large number of prisoners were taken. A week passed away ; upon the National side in great preparations, while the rebels with few but devoted men stood defiantly behind works themselves almost impassable. On the morning of April 2. the lines were again formed for assault, and just before daybreak the Sixth Corps marched out and swept upon the entrenched lines in their front, carrying all before them and capturing many prisoners and guns.

The regiment joined in the subsequent pursuit, aiding to rout the enemy :it Saylor's Creek, and following on until the final surrender at Appomattox. Tin' command then marched to Burksville Junction, and, at a presentation of captured colors made to Gen. Meade on the 17th. the One Hundreth and Tenth was found to have taken more than any other regiment in the corps, and in consequence was selected as guard of honor to conve}' them to the General's headquarters. The regiment marched to Richmond, was reviewed by Halleck, marched to Washington and reviewed by the President at the White House. It was finally mustered out at the National Capital, June 25, 1865. and was discharged at Tod Barracks,

Columbus, having seen an arduous soldierly service in march and battle-field. It was in twenty-one engagements, and sustained a loss in killed, wounded and missing, of 795 men. It entered the service with but 797 men, received 625 recruits, and at the final muster-out 627 were discharged. These figures show the character of the men for bravery, and how dearly they bought their enviable reputation on a score of fields. It seemed the fortune of some organizations to be called upon in the most perilous times and thrown forward as a forlorn hope ; it was honorable though deadly, and inscribed a record of which the living may well be proud.

The EightJi Ohio Independent Battery was recruited in the counties of Darke, Miami and Montgomery, and organized at Camp Dennison, Ohio, March 10, 1862. It was soon ordered to Benton Barracks, St. Louis, Mo., and on its arrival reported to Gen. Halleck, Commandant. The battery did not go into quarters, but was at once sent on board of transports and taken down the river, under orders to report to Gen. Grant at Savannah, on the Tennessee. It reached its destination March 28, and. without disembarking, moved up the river to Pittsburg Landing, where it reported to Gen. Sherman and went into camp near the landing, where it remained until the beginning of the battle of Shiloh, on the 6th of April. The battery, during the two-da}-s fight, was in Sherman's division, and several times came into close quarters with the enemy, on Sunday morning especially, the rebels charging in mass down their skirmish line within a few paces of the guns. The battery lost in killed Sergt. Leonard Ullery, of Greenville, and three men wounded.

The battery moved with the brigade of Gen. Lew "Wallace, of the Second Division, in the advance upon Corinth, and was posted upon the extreme right of the division. On the march by da}T and busily erecting works by night, it had advanced to within two miles of Corinth when the evacuation was made known, when it accompanied the brigade into the town.

It rested but three hours when ordered to proceed with the column of Gen. Grant to Memphis, Tenn., where it reported June 17, and remained six months, being occasionally called upon to accompany expeditions and scouts about the country. On December 20, it set out with the command of Gen. Sherman for Vicksburg, Miss., and, a week later, took part in the sanguinary engagement at Chickasaw Bayou. It was critically situated for several days, during which it was exposed to the guns of the enemy, but, Januaiy 1, 1863, it retreated with the army to the transports, which made their way to the Mississippi. On Januaiy (i, the battery formed part of the force sent against Arkansas Post, and contributed prominently to that brilliant success of the National arms. On the morning of January 26, 1863, a section of the Eighth, under command of Lieut. James F. Putnam, was "embarked on one of the boats constituting the fleet forming an expedition up the Yazoo. After proceeding up the stream from the Mississippi about fifteen miles, the boat stopped, and about 3 P. M., Lieut. Putnam received orders from Gen. M. L. Smith to bring all ashore, which was promptly done. Two days rations were taken, and at 9 A. M. next morning the section was in motion. The route lay directly across the plantation of Sidne}' Johnston, whose fine mansion was reduced to ashes. A low, barren tract of land was entered upon ; roads were almost impassable. A general halt was made about noon, and the enemy were found to be disputing progress. After an interval of about two hours. Gen. Smith sent back for the guns to shell the position of the hostile forces. Command was given and the artillery was rapidly advanced about two miles, when the rebels were found well posted upon a range of high hills covered with a dense growth ot trees and underbrush, at the bottom of which ran a deep bayou.

The section advanced about two hundred yards in an open field, planted the guns about a mile from the enemy and opened with shell, and the first fire caused them to move farther up the hill. The guns then advanced about three hundred yards farther and again opened fire. A little after dark, the section was relieved by a Wisconsin battery. At daylight Sunday morning, Putnam was ordered to advance his pieces to the front of the center division, where the firing was deafening, and there to silence a battery playing heavily on our infantry. This was soon done, but the section continued to work the guns all day, under fire, until dark, when, having tired three hundred rounds, the ammunition gave out and a gun was ordered to be fired every fifteen minutes during the night. The men were now tired, hungry and without cartridges, and were relieved by the First Illinois Battery and secured needed rest. Next day, the chests were filled, the men fed. and the section advanced briskly to the front, but firing was light. About 3 P. M.. the guns were ordered to the left to cover an attempt by infantry to ford the bayou and storm the position. The Sixth Missouri crossed under a deadly fire and pressed forward till checked by the rebel works, too high to scale, and soon retired in good order. The enemy was now receiving re-enforcements, and the command was ordered to the transports.

In the campaign against Vicksburg, the Eighth assisted in the battles of Grand Gulf, Black Biver Bridge, Raymond, Champion Hill and in the rear of Vicksburg. For service rendered, it received the special thanks of Gens. Grant and Sherman. It operated on the extreme right of the Union position in Steele's division, Fifteenth Army Corps, and used thirty-two-pound Parrott guns, the heaviest pieces on the line.

Vicksburg having surrendered, the Eighth was sent to Jackson to help in the movement against Johnson ; it then returned to the former city, Avent into barracks and remained till December, 1863. It went with Gen. Sherman on the expedition to Meridian, and, on its return, was placed on duty in the city, where it remained until the spring of 1864, when the command veteranized and visited their homes. They set out on their return on April 4, having recruited 118 men for the battery. Occasional expeditions occupied the Eighth until December 22, 1864, when it moved with an expedition to the central part of the State to destroy the Central Mississippi Bailroad, and thereby hinder the re-enforcement of Gen. Hood, who was then in full retreat from his ill-advised march on Nashville. Forty miles of track, three locomotives and forty cars, loaded with rebel cotton and corn, were destroyed. The enemy were found in force at the Black Biver Bridge, and. being assailed, were driven from strong stockades and the bridge burned. The battery made its way back to Yazoo City and Vicksburg. At Yazoo City, the enemy had closed in and nearly surrounded it when the river was crossed and it moved down the opposite bank, being followed and under fire four miles. The Eighth Battery remained at Vicksburg until May 20, 1865, at Avhich time it was ordered to Natchez, where it performed garrison duty until the last of June. Again it was sent to Vicksburg and employed on provost duty up to the last of July, when it was ordered to Camp Dennison, Ohio, and, at that camp, mustered out of service August 9, 1865.

Thus briefly have we outlined the movements, and placed on record the heroic actions, of organizations which, from the larger number of Darke County soldiers enrolled in them, presented the strongest claims to detailed notice.

It will be seen that the county had representatives in all branches of the service and upon every notable battle-field of the war. Their record is stainless, and in many adverse situations the}' bore themselves with honor. It is easy to eulogize, but it is seldom that it has worthier theme.

Fifteen years have elapsed since the men came home bronzed and bearded ; many of them in middle age constitute the best citizens of the county, and many are enfeebled by the exertions made in their early manhood, but few are the recipients of a nation's bounty.

To the northeast and in close proximity to the site of old Fort Loramie, and bounded north and east by parts of Mercer, Auglaize and Shelby, is situated Patterson Township, a part of Darke County devoted with good results to the interests of agriculture.

Its history is a record of individual exertion. Orchards and groves have been made to alternate with fielus of corn and wheat. Much of the olden time yet remains in the fields of woodland, tracts of the original forest, and the work of reconstruction still proceeds. Annually, the area of woodland is diminished ; the timber, however, is no more gathered in windrows, and the settlers are no longer called to log-rollings. A chopper or two, felling the trees carefully, cords the wood for the home fire or the city market, but the smaller branches feed the element that once consumed the finest and most valuable of timber. Much of the lands of Patterson are the depository of the golden seed, whence the landscape is clothed in summer green, and granaries later filled with corn and wheat.

It is strictly an agricultural section, although its citizens were not inferior in soldierly ability during the momentous years of the civil war. Its territory earlier formed the northern portion of Wayne Township, and, while so constituted, the first settlement was made in 1827 by Isaac Finkbone, and upon the adjacent section a man named Philip Pitzenberger erected a cabin, and, clearing a few acres, lived for a time upon the land as a squatter. The location of these two pioneer clearings was Sections 32 and 33.

The township was formed in 1841, and its original boundary is described as " commencing at the east line of the county, at the southeast corner of Section 33 Township 1 1 north, Range 4 east ; thence west to the southwest corner of Section 35, Township 12 north. Range 3 east (the east line of York Township) ; thence north to the county line ; thence following the county line to the northeast corner of the county ; thence south to the place of beginning."

A portion of the township was taken in 1848, to complete the area of Mercer County, and the county line ceased to be identical with that of the Greenville treaty.

Patterson was still farther limited in territory during the same year, by a transfer to Wabash Township of Sections 2, 11, 14 and 23, of Township 12 north Range 3 east.

The population in 1850 was 319, and this had increased twenty years later to 978. Soon after the formation of the township, a schoolhouse was erected of the old log pattern on Section 32, and a man named A. L. Wilson was engaged as the first schoolmaster. Judgment may be passed upon the interest attached to education by the knowledge of the fact that of the 319 inhabitants of 1850, there were but a score of persons over twenty years of age who could neither read nor write. Nine years subsequent to its formation, Patterson's real estate was valued at $49,865. There were 57 improved farms, upon which there were 1,624 acres of improved lands and 4,028 of unimproved. The cash value of the farms was $48,470 ; of farming implements, $2,274 ; and of stock, $7,883. Upon the farms were 127 horses, 136 cows, 10 yoke of oxen, 331 sheep, and 672 swine. There had been raised, in 1849, 4,305 bushels of wheat, some rye, 5.225 bushels of corn, and 1,292 bushels of oats. The pasturage and the industry are shown by the statement of 7,010 pounds of butter made. Such is a passing glimpse at a township whose present status establishes a continued and permanent progress from 1840, when there were scarcely a dozen inhabitants in the region at a time, not even midway to the present. Its future is assured, since in the wealth of the soil is found the basis of all real and substantial strength, whose perpetuity is secured by intellectual culture and physical exercise.

Turn we to note in brief a tew facts pertaining to the initiatory settlement and concurrent events, with a further glance at consequent social progress.

The administration of justice in minor courts was a feature of the early day. A suit was brought in Patterson by lsa;ie Finkbone against Reason R. .Millet upon a book account kept by the latter for the former. In the book all the leaves containing credits in favor of Finkbone had disappeared. James Patterson aeted as Constable. The ease was tried before William J. KuLdish, the first Justice of the Peaee in the township, and interest attaches from the circumstance that this was the first resort to legal tribunal for redress of grievances in the neighborhood. The defense employed James Brandon as counsel, wdio won the case on good legal ground, though his client was morally in error.

The Millers became obnoxious to the community, and it is said that their habitation was destroyed, and they themselves finally disappeared from this vicinity.

The advantage of a country store to a rural community and the chance of a livelihood by carrying on business in such a place was first understood b}r Joseph Vanky, who opened a grocery in Woodland a short time after it was laid out. Through the efforts of Dr. S. A. Greer, one of the oldest and most influential residents, a post office was established at this same place some time before the civil war. It was kept in his house, which stands a half-mile south of Woodland. It was removed to the didders' farmhouse, Mr. Childers being appointed Postmaster, and a year and a half later was brought back to Dr. Greer's, and Abner Clark became Postmaster. The office was temporarily discontinued until the spring of 1879, when Willow Dell Office was created and located at Woodland, with John C. Schilling, Postmaster.

Among the first township officers may be named Dr. Greer, Richard Mendenhall. John Puterbaugh, Samuel Day, James Davidson. James Patterson, Anthoivy Coble, John Deweere and Robert Brandon. Of those oldest settlers who have died may be mentioned John Day. J. P. Puterbaugh, J. Davidson, S. Day and R. Mendenhall. William Russel came to Piqua from North Carolina, and moved into Patterson Townsiph in 1834 or 1835. and settled on forty acres of Section 28. He had a son Joseph, now deceased, and the place is now owned by John Piquenot. Thomas Mendenhall moved in from Miami Count}- in 1835 or 1830, and located near the northwest corner of the township. Arphaxed Julian, of Shelby County, settled in the west part of the township. James Patterson, Sr., father of him who gave his name to the section, came to Ohio in 1817 from Westmoreland County, Penn., made a brief stay at Lebanon. Warren County, then came to Union, and a year later entered 160 acres south of Webster, on the Stillwater. His wife died in 1826, and. selling his land, he went back to Warren County, and thence returned to what is now known as Patterson Township, where he entered eighty acres southeast of Woodland, in Section 28. Town 11, Range 4 east, being the east half of the northeast quarter. He died on this farm in 1855, at the age of fifty-six years. His first marriage was to Polly Mclntyre, his second to Catharine Rudy. There were fourteen children in the two families. A son. James Patterson, is owner of 280 acres in Sections '1- and 28, adjoining the Shelby County line, is a leading citizen, and has been Justice of the Peace for a number of years.

The land in Patterson was entered principally in small traets of forty and eighty acres, but there have been among the settlers large landholders. John Deweere has 600 acres after Inning disposed of as much in farms to his children. Nicholas Plinney has about 500 ; J. Patterson, having sold 120. has 280 acres ; Peter Shields has 480 ; Hamilton Coble has ISO ; Anthony Coble has disposed of about 600 acres, and has 200 left ; Henry Starke has tOO acres. Seven hundred and fourteen acres was entered by one party, and John Wood, of Chillicothe, entered an entire section.

The southern part of Patterson is rolling, and much of the soil is light clay. The timber is beech, sugar maple and oak. The northern part is a darker and stronger soil, bearing more of lime, sycamore and walnut. There is moist, cold land in the north, which is rapidly being improved by drainage. The hamlet of "Woodland is on the watershed, the slope being southward toward the Stillwater, and northward into Mercer County. The village school is a short way south of the place, and J. B. Martin, the present teacher, has an average attendance of about thirty pupils. There are seven school districts, having six frame houses and one of brick.

No railroads traverse the township. It contains three churches. The Lutheran, in Woodland, built in 1865, with a parsonage. The first residence for the minister was a log house, erected in 1868, the present is a frame. The first preacher was Rev. Shaffer, followed by Rev. Framer, Rev. Suter, and he by the present pastor, Rev. Leiderman. A Sabbath school, held during the summer, is largely attended. The Pine Church (Christian), is located two and a half miles north of Woodland, on the Berlin pike, in the Coble settlement. The house was erected in 1863. Rev. Richard Brandon was the first minister, succeeded by Abner Long, and he by Rev. Butts. Preaching is held once a month. The membership has been as high as forty. The Christians are now engaged in building a church in the Speelman settlement, on the northeast quarter of Section 25, Range 3. A congregation and Sabbath school are established in that neighborhood. Meetings are held at the house of John Blotner, and in the schoolhouse on the farm of A. Mendenhall, part of the southwest quarter of Section 24. Services and Sabbath school are largely attended. The people of Pleasant Ridge and vicinity, belonging to the United Brethren, have Sabbath school in the house on the northeast corner of the farm of John Long. Church services are held once in three weeks. About thirty pupils attend the school, of which Joseph Wolf is the Superintendent. The Christian denomination held religious services at Grange Hall (formerly a schoolhouse), and their Sabbath school is superintended by W. W. Richardson.

The Patrons of Husbandry have an organization in this township, established in 1876, with a membership of about forty. Mr. Richardson, above named, was the first Master.

The present Township Trustees are William Hawk, David Speelman and J. M. Simon. The Township Clerk is F. P. Hawk. Merchandise is sold by J. C. Shilling and F. P. Hawk, in a building erected for the purpose, some twelve years ago, by G. B. Litman, the first storekeeper therein and the present owner of the premises. About eighteen years ago, a blacksmith, named Henry Howshilt, located in the township and still pursues his useful and laborious calling.

During the war for the Union, the people of Patterson were prompt and patriotic, their quota was speedily raised and the draft, obnoxious and dreaded, had little influence with them. Although late of settlement and remote from towns, the present of Patterson is not without much of interest, and the time approaches when it will stand well among the leading townships of the county.

The township is located upon the north line of Darke County, being the third east from the Indiana line. It is in Township 12, Range 3 east, with Sections 1, 12, 13 and 24 of Township 14, Range 2 east. Formerly, it extended two miles farther north to the old Indiana boundary line running from Fort Recover}' to Fort Loramie. The reduction in area was caused b}* the assignment of this and other lands of Darke to Mercer, on the formation of Auglaize. It is situated upon an elevated plateau or table land, being nearly 700 feet above Cincinnati. The north part of the township has a deep, dark, loamy soil, well adapted to raising corn and grain. The south part is a light soil, underlaid with a stiff clay subsoil, producing heavy crops of wheat and other grains. Forty-six bushels of wheat to an acre were raised in the year 1870. The township is well calculated for stock raising.

Originally, a sturdy growth of timber covered every acre, but now about twothirds of the extent is cleared - the greater part of which is cultivated. A great deal of tile has been put down, and, though level and apparently low, the drainage is sufficient for successful culture except in unusually wet seasons. Attention is beginning to be paid to the improvement of stock. Mr. John Dodds has taken especial interest in this particular, and as a result, it will not be many years before the farmers of Wabash will be of the foremost in the county as stock-raisers. The farm of Mr. Dodds lies parti}* in Allen, and comprises about 500 acres, with good buildings and the machinery now in use. Originally the farms in this township were large, much of the land being entered in quarter, third and half sections. William A. Davison and Nimrod Ross, brothers-in-law. in the spring of 1838, bought together the west half of the southwest quarter, Section 12, the east half of southeast quarter, Section 11, the northwest quarter and west half of northeast quarter of Section 12, and sold this body of land on October 23 following, to Harmonious Shook for $1,800. In accord with the results of land ownership in this county, successive sales have been made and a number of good farms have been formed from this tract. It is reported that the first settlement of Wabush Township was in 1832, and Jesse Hill is spoken of as the pioneer. He was followed by Isaac Finkbone, Harmon, Henry, Peter and Elijah Shook, A. D. Birt, J. M. Houston, Samuel Hays and Justin Skinner. The Shooks and Birt were from Greene County, Ohio, Houston and Hays from Warren County. Ohio, and Skinner from New York. The township was organized in 1840 with sixteen voters within its limits - all of whom voted the same ticket in the exciting election of that year. The pioneer Justice of the Peace was Elijah Shook, who held that position twentyone consecutive years, and until his demise. J. M. Houston was the first Township Clerk and the first Postmaster. At the time of its organization but one road was established within its limits, and that one was nothing else than a bridge path. In 1841, what is known as the Greenville and Celina road was surveyed by John Devor, Si'., and established and opened soon after.

The earl}' settlers had their full share of hardships, privations and adventures. Mills were distant, roads almost impassable, and often the settler, not so very hardy after all, was placed on short allowance for bread until the two or three days' trip to the mill could be made. Game was abundant, and the trusty rifle never failed to keep the table supplied with choice venison or wild turkey ; indeed no one thought of going even to a neighbor's house without his rifle or shot-gun. Much of the land being owned by non-residents, the actual settlers often called upon the pioneers to assist in finding them lands and corners. Foremost among the experts of this business were Isaac Finkbone and J. M. Houston - either of whom could find any section line or corner within a radius of seven miles from his home.

Working bees were very common. Among these were house-raisings, logrollings, rail-makings, etc., among the men. and quiltings and comfort-knottings among the women. At these gatherings, everybody within five miles was invited, and invariably went ; and the amount of work accomplished would surprise the present generation. Ten to fifteen acres were often rolled and log-heaps fired during the same day. Large log houses were raised and roofed, and sometimes floored, in a day. Often would live to seven thousand rails be made during a day by the men. while the women would finish one or two quilts; and most of the night was then given to the merry dance, then trudging homeward through water and mud at early dawn, or. perhaps, if desirous of putting on style, some stalwart swain having brought along his horse, would take his ladylove on behind him to traverse the woods, parting the brush and leaping logs until arrived at home.

The road surveyed by John Devor, in 1841, soon became the favorite route of travel between Greenville and Celina. As the counties of Darke and Mercer were in the same judicial district, and as the only mode of travel was on horse back, at the times of court at either Greenville or Celina, squads of lawyers could be seen wending their way. single file, to attend the sessions. The residence of J.

M. Houston was midway between the two towns, and it became a regular stopping place for dinner. If the path was good, the time was good ; but more frequently the trip took two days, and this house was the lodgings for the night. Among these pioneer legal lights were Judges Haines and Wilson, and Messrs. Bell, Dempsey and Knox. Those living no doubt recollect the genial hospitality, the corn bread, fat venison, social chat, and last - not least - the ingenious contrivance for bedding fifteen to twenty persons in a log cabin in size 18x22 feet. Squire Houston has been in public life in Warren County for many years, and has taken great interest in public affairs. As at this time there was no mail route, he availed himself of the lawyers' presence to " post up," and converse was often maintained till far into the night. Of those present at the organization, and voting at the first election, but one remains - Orrin Skinner. Thomas Birt is the oldest resident, but was not twenty-one at that time. The descendants of the Shook and Houston families are yet living in the township, and enjoying the fruits of their early hai'dships and toil, and man}' a tale of the early day ma}' be heard among them. There are six school districts in Wabash Township, and as many brick schoolhouses, ranging in value from $800 to $1,200 each. The interest taken in educational matters, and the liberal provision made for schools, augrs well for the future intellectual status of Wabash. The first schoolhouse was built in the spring of 184-1, in the E. S. Shook neighborhood, on Section 13. The first teacher in this house was Elijah Raines, who came from Greene County. The first church was the Methodist Episcopal, built of logs, in 1844, in the Shook settlement. A second building, of the same material, was built in the fall of 1848, in the same localit}'. There was no formal dedication of the former, and it is a matter of doubt whether there was to the latter ; but services were occasionally held in it by Rev. Harmount.

In 1870. a frame church was erected, the third in this place ; and this was duly consecrated by Rev. Wycke. During the spring of 1876, the erection of a meeting-house was contracted for by A. R. Catterell, at North Star. On its completion, it was dedicated by Rev. R. D. Oldfield. assisted by Rev. T. D. Howe. This was during the time when Rev. M. Omerod was on the Dawn Circuit. There is a Christian Church in what is called the Holsapple settlement, on the Wabash, north of the center of Section 12. about two and one-half miles from North Star. It is a frame, and was built in 1871.

In the line of manufacture there are two tile factories, one operated by Gilbert & Trissell, formerly by Harvey Burns and Benjamin Gilbert, and the other by Ephraim Trissell and Alvin Jones. A saw-mill was erected at North Star in 1852, by John and David Trissell. To this mill, grist works were added in 1858 by Stephen J. Houston. The property is now owned by Andrew Alexander. Another mill stood a half-mile east of North Star. It was built b}* David Trissell and was burned down in 1878. The establishment of mail routes gave employment to Freeman Whittaker, who was the first to carry the mail in Wabash. In accord with the custom and necessity of the times, small cemeteries were laid out adjacent the churches ; there were three in the township, located respectively at Shook's Chapel, Holsapple's and at Perrysville.

North Star is the principal village in Wabash, and stands one-fourth mile west of the center of the township, and in the center north and south. It was laid out in 1852. It is distant from Berlin ten miles, from Rossville six, from Celina seventeen, and from Greenville eighteen. The first sale of lots was made by H. Puterbaugh from Section 17. Sales were also made by D. H. T. Sullow from Section 9, and by S. J. Houston out of Section 8. None have been sold from Section 16, of which Mrs. Myra Wallace owns an eighth, and upon which she has a fine dwelling. On the corner section opposite is a general store building kept by Peter Groff, and built in 1852 by William Edwards, who put in the first stock of goods. It has changed proprietors a number of times in the interim from Edwards' till Groff's time, and both building and lot belong to the Campbell heirs. The church here, as stated, was begun in 1876, but not finished until recently. A blacksmith named William Pierson built and operated a shop at the village in 1860. The saw-mill previously noted does an extensive business. The population of North Star is about one hundred and fift}'.

The following are the statistics of the township for 1879 : Wheat, 1,280 acres, 19,463 bushels; rye, 36 acres, 405 bushels; buckwheat, 14 acres, 204 bushels ; oats, 644 acres, 20,806 bushels ; barley, 9 acres, 101 bushels ; corn, 2.212 acres, 23,350 bushels ; meadow, 275 acres, 274 tons ; clover, 278 acres, 203 tons, 30 bushels seed and ten acres plowed under ; flax, 103 acres, 966 bushels ; potatoes, 564 acres, 9,004 bushels; tobacco, 9 acres, 9,160 pounds; butter, 19,415 pounds; sorghum, 43 acres, 3,819 gallons sirup; maple sugar, 40 pounds ; bees (hives), 83, 1,800 pounds; sweet potatoes, 116 bushels; orchards, 144 acres. The total of lands in Wabash is 10,550 acres, of which 5,918 are cultivated, 62 in pasture, 4,275 in woods, and 295 in waste. Considering lateness in settlement, difficulties in the way and distance from market, the record of the past and of the present give encouraging promise for the future.

Allen was taken from the north end of Brown Township in March, 1839, and contained all of Townships 14 and 15 north, of Range 2 east, except one tier of sections from the east side of each. In 1848, Township 15 was thrown into Mercer County. The general surface of Allen is rolling, and occasional hills are seen along the Wabash and Stillwater streams - the first named enters the township near the extreme northwestern corner, and flows in a general southeast course to the southeast corner of Section 15, two miles north of Rossville, then due northeast to Section 11, where it enters Wabash Township. The second rises on the L. M. Turner place, southwest quarter Section 17, and runs southeast, crosses the pike a half-mile north of Rossville, keeps the same course a distance, reaches, finally, the southern line of the township, and enters Brown. The soil is dark and rich in the lowlands, but the clay predominates in the uplands.

At the present time, about one-third of the eastern portion of the township is timbered, which increases to a half in the western and northwestern parts. There are four saw-mills in almost constant operation. There are Titus' mill, close to the county line, five miles north of Rossville ; Rodehammel's large steam-mill, two and a half miles north of the same place, and Sutherland's mill, one and a half miles east of the steam-mill. These mills are rapidly reducing the quantity of timber suitable for the various kinds of lumber. The township is well supplied with roads. Almost every section line is either a county road or a pike. No railroad touches the township. The houses are now mostly frame buildings, but there are a number of brick dwellings. Many of the better class of residences are seen. Farms are about on an average with those in the northern part of the county, generally.

The Irelands (Ephraim and Aaron) were the first settlers in Allen. They settled on Section 34, just south of where Rossville now is, on what is now known as the John Hagerman place. Others of the pioneers were George Reigel, with his sons John, David, Jacob and Jonathan ; Samuel Zerby, Samuel Aspaugh, Landis Light, John Hagerman, Matthias Barnhart, Francis Jenkinson, Henry Brown ; also James Cochran, who was the first Justice of the Peace in the township.

The first schoolhouse was built, during the year 1840, on land since owned by Joseph Bingham, on Section 30. The pioneer church was erected, in 1854, by the Methodists, on the line between Sections 29 and 32, two miles west of Rossville, on the present road to Lightsville. In 1855. a church was built by the German Lutheran denomination on the farm of Jacob Zerby, a little more than half a mile farther west of Rossville than the other. The first sermons preached in the township were by Evangelical ministers in private houses. The first preacher was Bishop John Seibert. In the Methodist Church, the pioneer was Rev. T. Heistand. The United Brethren have a church five miles northeast of Rossville, near the Meisse property. The plans have been made and the money subscribed for a new brick church at Rossville. It is to be built by the United Brethren, and will cost about $1,200.

There are nine schoolhouses in the township, five are brick, four are frame, and have an average seating capacity of forty-five. Rossville, a village of recent date, was laid out by John G. Ross, in 1868, from a part of eighty acres owned by him and Robert Ross laid off a few lots adjacent to the plat, from his farm. During the year, a village store was started by Solomon Frank, and a post office established. Two years prior to this, a blacksmith named John Clapper had built a shop, and accommodated the farmers with a place where tools could be repaired and horses shod.

The products of the township are those usual to this section. Of these, corn is the staple; in 1879.2,111 acres were planted, and 75,232 bushels produced; 1.170 acres of wheat yielded 18,390 bushels ; 643 in oats produced 18,962 bushels : 91 acres in potatoes yielded 6,086 bushels ; 21,352 pounds of butter were made, 4,738 gallons of sirup. The waste lands number but 45 acres ; the cultivated, 5,454 ; the pasture, 193, and the wood land 6,095 ; the number of acres owned is 11,757. Some few sheep are kept; but, as seen, the grains are heavily raised and much of the profit from farming are derived from the fattening and sale of hogs. The amount of fruit produced is small ; attention has not been directed that way.

Township 14, Range 1, was a part of Jackson Township previous to 1839, when it was taken from the north end and formed into a township and designated as above. It included all of Township 14, Range 1, except the north tier of sections, which were then included in Gibson Township. April 12, 1848, when Gibson was thrown into Mercer County, this tier of sections was then taken into Ihe township. Mississinawa is five miles wide east and west, and six miles long from north to south, and is absolutely regular in outline.

It derived its name from its principal stream - the Mississinawa Creek, which rises near the center of the township, runs southeasterly just over into the edge of Allen Township, then southwesterly, crossing the pike nearly half-way from Rose Hill to Lightsville, and thence in a general course a little north of south of west to the county line, in the northern part of Section 30, one and three-fourths miles north of Jackson Township line.

The surface is generally level, except the northwest portions, which are somewhat inclined to be hilly. The soil is warm and strong, and along the creek bottom is probably as productive as any other section of the county. About one-third of the surface of this township is timber-land with a fine growth of oak, ash, elm, hickory, sugar-maple and beech. Around the pleasant village of Rose Hill there is a greater predominance of yellowish clay in the soil, and the beech is found in the greatest numbers.

The days of discomfort have passed into forgetfulness, and the farmers to-day improve and enjoy what their predecessors toiled and suffered to make habitable. The old settlers' farms are under a good state of improvement, and, as a rule, are free from incumbrances. Crops of all kinds average well. A great deal of tile has been laid, and much excellent land rendered available to tillage by thorough drainage.

- The pioneer settler in this township was Philip Replogle, who located in the year 1833, on the land since owned by Jacob Replogle, half a mile east of Rose Hill. In 1835, Joseph and William Replogle settled near the village. Other of the earl}- settlers were John B. Anderson, Samuel C. Carter. David Brooks. John A. McKibhen, Hugh McKibben, William Van Kirk, William B. Light. Francis Whitaker, E. H. Fisher and Mahlon Peters.

The first schoolhouse was built on the land of Caroline Grissom, the date of its erection not known. The first church was erected by the Methodists in 1851, on land then owned by Samuel C. Carter, and situated one and a half miles east of the southwest corner of the township, on the line between .Jackson and Missis sinewa Townships. Samuel Carter was the first Justice of the Peace in the township.

Rose Hill is located one mile west of the eastern line of the township and three miles north at the corners of Sections 14, 15, 22 and 23. and was laid out in 1852. The village of Lightsville was laid out by William B. Light, in 1874. It is located on Section 26, just within the eastern boundary of the township, one and a half miles from the southeastern corner. It has a population of about one hundred and fifty.

This village has a fine schoolhouse that will seat eighty pupils. It is a new building, recently erected at a cost of about $1,200. A saw-mill was put up in the southwestern part of the town by A. R. Crumrine. The mill burned down in 1808. Another and the present one was built in the summer of 1873. by William S. Light.

The township of Jackson cannot claim great antiquity, as compared with its older sisters, consequently its history deals more particularly with events more nearly modern, and whose active influence are still being felt.

The northern part is comparatively level, with a gentle slope toward the Mis sissinewa River. The soil is mainly a dark loam, very productive. Though the lands lie low in places, extensive drainage and tiling are rapidly making them available, and in a few years these tracts will have become the garden spots of the township.

The timber in this section is oak, ask, hickory, elm, etc.. with originalh* a fine growth of walnut, of which little now remains. In the central part of the township, the surface is more uneven, but may be characterized as undulating, rather than hilly, with a tendenc}' to clay soil in the more elevated portions. This is the upland section of the township. Beech is the predominating timber in this part of Jackson, followed, in order of abundance, by the sugar maple and shell-bark hickory. Southward, the surface is still more rolling, the soil lighter, warmer and very fertile in the depressions. Originally there was much poplar here, but the demand for this timber for lumber has exhausted the supply, and very few trees now remain.

James Marquis was the first settler in the township. He came in 1830, accompanied by his family, from the Alleghany Ridge, Virginia. He was a stalwart among pioneers, being of powerful frame and of full 300 pounds weight. Uniting robust health with this strong frame, he was the ideal of the pioneer, ranging the wood for game or felling the giant monarchs of the forest with swift and heavy strokes.

In 1831, his brother. William K. Marquis, removing from the old home, joined him in the woods of Jackson, and for two years, or until 1833. these were the only two families in the township, though there were four or five cabins about two miles distant, in the Creviston neighborhood. Washington Township. Kidd Marquis was born in 1794, served during the war of 1812. removed to Jackson, as said, where he died in 1858. His wife, in her eighty-sixth year, is healthy and active, makes journeys of several miles on foot, and possesses her faculties unimpaired. She is a worthy type of the settler's wife, having raised a family of nine children, now grown to maturity and filling honorable positions in life - a marked contrast this to the feeble health of many modern matrons with their one or two children. In 1831. a man named Burns moved in, upon the Reeves Hand place, between Union City and Hillgrove, on the bank of Dismal Creek. In 1833. Frederick Roe came from Fayette County and located upon land adjoining the Marquis clearing on the west, a portion of which is now included in the Union City incorporation.

Pioneer " Jesse Grey settled one and one-fourth miles east of Union City, on the Greenville pike of to-day, at an early da}-, and by some it has been claimed that himself and family were the first in the township, but his original location was just across the line, in Washington Township. Grey was naturally kind of heart, but cherished a deep antipath}* toward the Indians, and it was claimed by others and admitted by himself, that he shot them on sight, whenever possible, in revenge for terrible wrongs inflicted on his ancestors years before.

It is related by Dr. W. J. Stewart, who, while on a journey to Adams County, Ind., in 1859. called at the log cabin of Mr. Grey, who had removed thither and settled near Buena Vista, that he found the old gentleman, now over eighty years of age, living with his third wife, and the father of a bright little lad of some eight years. Conversation turning upon marksmanship with the rifle, the old man spoke of having shot a deer the day before from his cabin door. He then took a target about an inch square, and sent it out by his little boy to a tree just one hundred and ten yards distant. Standing at the cabin door he discharged several balls into the very center of the mark without a rest, a feat for which he might well feel pride.

On one occasion, he came upon an Indian, between whom and himself there existed a special enmity. Neither had the advantage, and they agreed to stand side by side, discharge their rifles and walk to some settlement. On the way to a clearing the Indian spoke of thirst, and both kneeled down to drink. Grey left his companion at the creek, and although he never confessed the murder, it was left to be inferred that he did kill the Indian at the creek.

We are told that about 1833, there were three settlements formed within the present limits of the township, viz. : One about three miles from a road running from Greenville to the trading-posts of one Courier, now known as the Greenville pike, consisting of the families of William Parent. Tobias and Abraham Miller, John Armstrong and George Elston. a single man ; a second was in the southwest portion of the township, and composed of the families of John Woods, Marquis and Roe ; and the third in the northeastern part of Jackson, comprising the families of Richard, John and Jacob Strait, Gilbert Vail and John Wright. These settlements having rapidly increased, the people realized the necessity of some kind of organization by means of which they would be enabled to rule themselves. Therefore, in 1833, a petition was presented to the proper authorities, praying for a township formation. Thereupon the court appointed John Armstrong Justice of the Peace, and William Parent, Constable, to serve until the regular township election, which took place in the following spring, resulting in the election of Armstrong to the office of Justice of the Peace, and, Parent refusing to be a candidate, Samuel Dennison was chosen Constable.

It seems that on organization Jackson Township contained Townships 13, 14 and 15 of Range 1. which were then embraced within the limits of Washington Township. In June, 1836, Township 15 and the north tier of sections of Township 14 were detached from Jackson and named Gibson Township. Three }~ears later, in March, the remainder of Township 14 was formed into Mississinawa Township. Following formation, the settlement of Jackson continued by the entry of lands, and the increase of clearings. In 1834, Hezekiah Fowler arrived with his family from Maryland. He hastily put up a log shed, on the prevailing plan of a " sugar camp," that is, with an open front, and in this rude covering passed the winter. In 1835, Matthias Sawyer entered land where the Archard place now is, north of town. James Marquis, above referred to as the pioneer of Jackson, had three sons, Henry, William and Lewis. The former inhabits the old homestead on Grey's branch. Lewis lives a short distance south of Union City. Ind. William moved to Iowa, in 1858, and died there. The elder Marquis was a Methodist local preacher, and a well-educated man for one who had gained his knowledge by self-application. He gave his attention to medicine, and became in time a very good doctor. Although a Virginian, he was a notable Abolitionist, and spoke upon the subject in both Ohio and Indiana, being at times subjected to vituperation and personal abuse, which he was not backward in resenting.

William Dennison was born in Washington Township, and came into Jackson in 1833; settled four miles northeast of Union City, where he entered eighty acres of the southwest quarter of Section 14. He worked at $7 per month, and split rails at 25 cents a hundred, to secure mone}" to pay for his farm. He had seven children, and died April 19, 1853.

Isaiah Pickett and wife moved from South Carolina to Washington Township, in 1836, and " squatted" on land nearFlory's, on Greenville Creek ; later he moved to Hillgrove, and built a small house just east of the Methodist Church, where he remained a few years, and later, moved to land between Hillgrove and Union City. He died in March, 1850.

When the township was first settled, the country was a dense forest. Wolves began their dismal howling about dark and kept it up for hours. Wild turkeys would come within the clearings to pick up food, and it was a common practice to leave the door of the corncrib open, and sometimes two or three birds would be caught at once in this way.

There was no outlet from the clearings but by blazed paths through the interminable woods. For the accommodation of the settlements, a petition was presented to the County Commissioners, asking for the establishment of a road running from a point on the Greenville and Mississinewa pike in the southwestern part of the township, in a northeasterly direction, intersecting the Greenville and Fort Recovery road, where it crosses the Stillwater, and this road, duly established, was the first highway located and cleared by the people of Jackson Township.

The first church in the township was erected by the Methodists, on the land of* John Woods, now owned by Jacob Darlinger, and is still standing. The United Brethren erected a chapel near the center of the township on the Teegarden pike. It is a frame building in which Rev. Keester holds alternating services, the other point being Union City. The Christian denomination hold meetings in the schoolhouse, two miles north of the Huntsbarger corners. Revs. Alonzo Laten and Smith preach here alternately. The First Christian Church of Union City. Ohio, was organized with about thirty-five members, by Elders Henry Gittinger. Harrison Vinson and C. M. Sharp, in the year 1861. Elder H. Gittinger was the first Pastor of the church. The following named ministers served successively as Pastors of the church, viz., H. Vinson, C. M. Sharp, A. W. Brodric, J. Jacobs. J. Weeks, T. S. Wells and T. A. Brandon. A building was constructed in the eastern part of the city, on two lots on the corner of Oak and Plum streets, at a cost of $1,300. The builder was Jacob Deardorff, and the dedication was by Rev. Joseph Weeks. In 1876, the United Brethren purchased the house and still own it.

Educational interests have not been neglected, as is evidenced by ten school districts, with schools in a flourishing condition. One of the first schoolhouses remembered, stood :t1 the cross roads, one mile east of the " Strait settlement." and one of the early teachers was Richard Butler, from German Township, some time in 1842-43. Another early school building was erected on Section 35, on land owned by John Armstrong. In 1835, the first subscription school was taught by Amos Barrier, in the Marquis neighborhood. Barrier moved here with his family and opened the school the same year. Alem Fowler was also among the earlier teachers. In 1835, a log schoolhouse was put up on the Cruinrine land, hiav owned by George Haas. Michael Spayd taught the first public school in 18.'U>.

The buildings of the present indicate attention to the comfort of the children. Bight brick and two frame houses, nearly uniform in style and size, accommodate the youth of the township. The brick cost $1,200 each, and a tax has been levied to replace the remaining frame with brick structures. Their average seating capacity is sixty ; teachers' wages, $1.50 per day. and two-thirds of the teachers are gentlemen.

It is remembered that in various sections of this country the gravel hills have been used by an extinct race as the depositories of the remains of their dead, and, in excavating gravel for the State line pike, a great quantity of human bones were discovered which may have belonged to those unknown people. One of the earliest deaths known to Jackson was that of Edward Payne, an old soldier of 1812, who had also participated in the battles of the Revolution ; he was buried in the woods under a beech-tree, there being at this time no graveyard. Within a few years, Mr. Galloway took up the remains and buried them in the new cemetery. The original grave here spoken of was the first one made in Union City, Ohio. There is as yet no cemetery in the Ohio portion of the city, but there are graveyards - one on the Marquis farm and one at Hill Grove.

It remains to speak of the mills by whose aid the timber was made a source of wealth and comfort. The Buckthorn mill, on the Teegarden pike, has been running about sixteen years. It was built by John Parent, and still does a large business, turning out a great deal of heavy timber for railroad and pike purposes. At first, a sash saw was used, afterward a muley, and more recently a circular. This is a steam mill. Two miles north of this mill there is another, owned by J. Hayes, and b}r him built in 1875. This is also a steam mill, with circular saw. Formerly, what was known as the Rifle Mill stood three miles north of Hunts* barger Cross Roads. It was run by steam, and done away with several years ago. At Dogtown. three miles east of Union Cit}', on the Panhandle road, Samuel Dennison & Co. put up a steam saw-mill about 1855, which did an extensive business. Much of the lumber used in Union City was obtained from this mill. It changed hands many times, and was last owned b}' Robison, Harlers & McKee.

Politically, for the last ten years the township has been Democratic ; previously it had been Republican and Whig. About one-sixth of the population is German, one-sixth Irish, and the remainder are American. Industry is the common trait, and the township is a satisfactory home for its people.

Union City

This enterprising, dual-State city, situated upon that intangible reality the " State line," contains two village corporations with corresponding sets of officials. The western portion is known as the " Indiana Side " and the eastern as the " Ohio Side," and this designation is convenient in reference to these localities. The former is accredited with a population of 5,000, the latter nearly 2,000, making an estimate of 7,000.

The original plat of Union City, Ind., includes a quarter-section of land purchased by Jerry Smith of Augustus Loveland early in 1852, for $1,200. he having inherited it a few 3rears previously from his father-in-law, Mr. Crumrine. Prior to 1852, no railroads had been completed to this place. The Dayton & Union terminated at Greenville, and there was a sixty-mile gap east and west of Union City on what is now known as the Bee Line road. On December 25, 1852, the former road was completed to Union City, and during the year following the second was finished, and the extraordinary growth of the cit}' is evidenced by the fact of its incorporation. In 1854, the Monroe & Mississinawa Railroad was begun and partially graded, but the enterprise lay dormant until 1866, when, through the energy of Dr. J. N. Converse and others, it was pushed forward, and completed in 1867, under the title of the Union & Logansport Railroad. It was subsequently leased to the owners of the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati & St. Louis Railroad. Among the first houses erected was a boarding-house by Jacob Livergood for the accommodation of the hands on the Belletbntaine and Cleveland, Columbus. Cincinnati

& Indianapolis Railroads. The first house completed in Union City. Ind., is that now owned by Dr. 5Tergin, opposite the Eagle office. In this structure a saloon was kept, whose baneful influence was attested by the simultaneous discharge of seventeen employes of the railroad shortly after its doors were thrown open. Soon after this, a dry-goods and two grocery stores and a saloon were erected and opened to patronage on the Ohio side. During the years 1853-54. six stores and a number of groceries were opened on the Indiana side. Then a number of saloons were opened, and so apparent were the ill effects of these institutions that a war against them was commenced and kept up until the evil traffic was abolished. From that time until now, not a saloon has had existence on the Indiana side, but there are now (1880) thirteen on the Ohio side.

Growth continued; large mercantile and manufacturing establishments located here ; bank s were chartered ; hotels built and thrown open to the public ; telegraph and express offices were opened. Public interest centered on turnpikes and turned to the erection of water-works. These last were finished in 1S74, and from a well of 20 feet depth 800 gallons of water are furnished per minute, and conveyed by means of two powerful engines and pipes throughout the city for domestic and manufacturing use. Add to these the potential influence of the schools, the press and the churches, and an idea of the factors of progress used in the development of this city may be realized. The first school was opened by Miss May Ensminger in her father's house on Howard street during the fall of 1853. The first public school was held in the winter of 1853-54, in a Bee-Line boarding-car. The first Methodist class here organized was in the spring of 1852. The first meeting-house was erected during 1858-59, and, in November, 1858. the Christian denomination formed a society. A church had been commenced five years earlier, but was not finished till this time. The First Presbyterian Church was organized under the direction of the Presbytery of Miami by Rev. Isaac A. Ogden. Presbyterian missionary, at the house of Martin Cox, Washington Township, on November 8, 1836. St. Mary's Catholic Church was organized in 1854. The first German Evangelical Lutheran Church was formed by Thomas Lacker in 1857. The primary meeting for the organization of the Universalist Church was held January 19, 1860.

Three Masonic, three Odd Fellows, one Rebecca, one Knights of Pythias and one Red Men's Lodges, Young Men's Christian Association, literary, musical, building and other associations, fire department, etc., are of sufficient importance to warrant notice preparatory to an historic sketch of the Ohio side ; if, indeed, not essential to give increased interest to the subject. Union City, Ohio, was incorporated under the laws of the State in 1853. The petition was presented to the County Commissioners and filed in the office of the Auditor of Darke County. September 4. of the year named, and it was heard and allowed. December li. It was filed for record January 5, 1854, and recorded on the 23d following. The certified copy now in the Mayor's office bears date May 13, 1854, and the following are the petitioners' names : S. P. McMillan, B. W. Evans, George W. Inman. E. H. Turpen, Josiah Mongar, David Fruits, F. M. Katsenbarger, John Matins. James Allen, F. Stahl. X.I>. Farrell, H. S. Weinland, J. I. Wolf. R. B. McKee. I. S. Woodbury, Reuben Weinland, John Haas, Z. Brownley, G. R. Dewe}*, William B. Fields. Courtney Hays, R. N. Stevens, I. D. Carter, J.' J. Turpen, R. G. Miller, J. W. Shiveley. J. E. 1'axton, A. Adair, S. C. Miller and William B. Woodbury.

The original plat was made by Josiah Mongar in 1853. Mongar owned forty acres now at the center of the corporation on both sides of the railroad. He donated ten acres to the Bee Line as grounds for shops, switches, warehouses. etc.. and also erected a saw-mill about the same time, opposite where the brewery now stands, thai is, on the corner of Division street and the railroad. The next addition of about ten acres, in the same year, was made by John Haas, soon after which Brownley made an addition. Then Jerry Smith and his brother Oliver. now of Indianapolis, added ten acres. The Fowler Additions, first and second.

The following view of Union City, Ohio, written in 1876, by Alfred Lenox, then and now the oldest living resident, and published in the Times, is appropriate here :

"This portion of the city was incorporated in 1853. The population now numbers about fifteen hundred. There is here a substantial school-building, and the Christians have a commodious frame house for worship. The manufactory of slack-barrels, staves and headings emplo}rs from twenty to thirty hands, and affords a market for a vast quantity of timber, which has heretofore been nearly valueless except for fuel. A planing-mill and manufactory, in connection with a lumber-yard, employs from twelve to fifteen hands. There is a furniture factory, with a running force of several hands (about fifteen), and a hub, spoke and chair factoiy, having about an equal force of employes. All of these industries employ steam to propel their machinery. Besides these, there are two steam saw-mills, a steam flouring-mill with four runs of buhrs, and a furniture manufactory, giving employment to five or six hands. There are, also, five firms engaged in making brick, doing an extensive business in that line, and there is one large tile manufactory. Besides the usual proportion of smaller mercantile and mechanical establishments, there are saloons, billiard rooms and an ale manufactory." We learn that " this portion of the city contains a number of private residences, all the principal streets are well graded and graveled, and all turnpikes leading into the city are free to the public." The history of the mechanical and mercantile interests of the Ohio side, for several years from the first and from the era of small beginnings to the later day of more extensive efforts, is briefly expressed in the following paragraphs. Only those who have attempted similar work can full}" understand the labor essential to these statements.

The first blacksmith-shop was established by F. Roe, in 1853, at the south end of Division street, then in a strip of woods. In the same }"ear, a shoe-shop was carried on by Lewis Willarime between the Bee-Line Railroad and where Elm street now is. A cooper-shop was established and run by P. R. Galloway, in 1855, for a period of eight months. It was located at the corner of Division street and the railroad. The next blacksmith-shop was carried on by Woodbury & Hulse, also on Division street. A shingle-manufacturing machine was set up by David Fruits, in the northeast part of town, during 1853, and was operated till 1855. The next project realized was a saw-mill, built near Division street, on the west side, near the railroad, b}7 Henry Weinland, with one sash-saw. Then, S. P. McMillan and Thomas Workman set to work and erected a steam flouring-mill, having four runs of buhrs, three-stoned, and having a " hip roof." This mill is still running and does good work. The present proprietor is Thomas McFeeley ; capacity is one hundred barrels in twenty-four hours. The machinery is run by double engines of forty horse-power. The initial dry goods and grocery store was that of Morgan & Carter, opposite the flouring-mill built in 1853. Messrs. Brown and Archard opened a wholesale grocery and liquor store in 1856. The next year. P. R. Galloway ran the largest hoop-pole establishment, at the time, in the State of Ohio. It was located by the switch, near the flouring-mill. Shipments for the winters of 1858 and 1859 amounted to over four hundred car loads. Joseph Turpen, in 1855, started a store on the Deerfield road, and, two years prior to this, a little bakery had been opened by Katzenbarger & Stahl, and M. B. Dickey had engaged in tailoring in a shop opposite the flouring-mill.

Manufactures Of Union City

In a brief recapitulation of the business interests of the city in the past, it is well to recur in contrast to the present as illustrative of permanence and progress in these all-important auxiliaries to the prosperity of a municipality. We set out west side of Division street, south of the Dayton & Union Railroad. The first part of this structure was raised in 1870; it is a two-story frame, 40x24 feet, luiilt by Henry Stoner. There were two cribs adjoining, one being 100x10 feet, the other 20x40. In the spring of 1877, Stoner sold to the present firm, by whom extensive additions have been made. The building and machinery, including a thirty-horse power engine, are estimated at $6,500. The grain handled averages about a quarter-million bushels for the year. Next, is the brick factory of Jacob Snook, together with a tile factory and neck-yoke and single-tree works - each end of Kim street, The wood-works consist of two parts - a brick engine and boiler house, and a framed structure for the lathes, etc. The former was built in the summer of 1870 ; the latter was completed in January. 1880. The first is 30x80 feet, and 130,000 brick were required to cemplete the walls and encase the engine and boiler house. The cost of the structure was about $6,000. The brick factory has been turning out 10.000 per day regularl}'. The two establishments are located upon grounds containing five acres. The tile factory has for its site five town lots, situated just west of the other works, but within the corporation. The two kilns produce about $6,000 worth of tile in a season, and have been in opera tion since 1872. George Haas has a large brick kiln about one-fourth of a mile east of town, which he has operated yearly for some time. The Union City Slack Barrel Stave and Heading Works were built, in 1870, by Hugh Wiggins & Son. of Dayton, Ohio. The main building is 30x60 feet. There are seven sheds, whose aggregate length is 1,200 feet, and there are two dry-houses. The cost, including machinery, was some $6,000. The works have been run irregularly for the last five or six years. Amos Wiggins, the junior partner, died in November, 1879. Latterly, the works have been repaired and put in order for running at their full capacity. They are capable of turning out 20,000 staves and 8,000 to 10,000 headings per day. E. H. Kimes has been foreman since the origin of the enterprise. In 1860. Witham & Brother erected a building for the manufacture of clamp-screws, broom handles, trunk slats, handles, and general turning. It was 40x25 feet, two stories, and stood east of State Line street and south of the Dayton & Union Railroad. This structure was destroyed by fire, and early in the spring of 1874 a new building was put up, which consists of two parts, one being 40x80 feet, with an addition 20x50 feet, and the other, 30x60 feet. This building and business belongs to S. L. Carter and George L. Carter. The former is an old resident, who lived in Mississinawa before its organization into a township ; the latter is superintendent. The annual product of this mill is about five hundred dozen clamps, fifty thousand broom handles, over two million trunk slats, and a like number of trunk handles. A saw-mill is in active operation the year round, for their exclusive use. The lumber is dried by a new patent hot-air process invented by the proprietors. The establishment is worth about $10,000. and the manufactured stock amounts to about $25,000 a year. An eighty-horsepower engine is now building by the Smith Brothers, Union City, to l'eplace the one now in use. which has been found too weak to drive all the machinery. Eighteen to twenty hands are employed, and the average running time for the las; two years has been fifteen hours. The furniture factory of John Koontz was built in 1S76. It is 30x50 feet, two stories, with an addition. On the northwest corner of Wall and Walnut streets stands J. T. Hartzells saw-mill, built in December, 1878. It is run constantly, the motive power being a forty-horse-power engine.

William 4. and Charles S. Hook, under the firm name of Hook Bros., commenced the manufacture of butter tubs and pails at Cardington. Morrow County, in 1868. Suitable timber becoming scarce in that locality, after looking the countiyover. they decided to remove to Union City. Ind.. and did so November. 1 S77. Some months later, they decided to locate their factory on the Ohio side, and, in 1S70. built the present works.

The building is a frame, 68x96 feet, and has three stories. It is situated on two acres of land, belonging to the Bee Line Railroad, on Elm street. The building and structure, including, also, the stock, cost $10,000. The works are now running at full capacity, mostly day and night, and average 100 000 packages assorted sizes, per annum. Thirty to thirty-five hands are employed. A considerable share of the stock they work up is furnished from a saw-mill owned and ion nLthem m V^sailles< Township. Their business amounts to about $d0,000 a year. The power is supplied by a very neat, compact steam engine seventy-five horse-power, made at the works of Smith Bros. Their location at this point was the happy conjunction of large quantities of suitable timber and excellent shipping facilities. When it was learned that the proprietors contemplated removal to the Ohio side, a purse of $600 was subscribed by the citizens of the west side to induce them to remain, but they declined, while they appreciated the compliment conferred. The works are a model of machinery and management and employes are promptly paid each Saturday night.

Meanek & Son are proprietors of a furniture factory. The senior proprietor came into Darke County in 1863, from Estell County, Ky. In 1867, he erected a two-story building, 20x40 feet, and, in 1875, doubled the capacity of the rooms by an addition equal in size to the original structure. There are eio-ht or nine hands employed. Furniture in general is here manufactured.

McKee & Robison are engaged in the manufacture of paper bags. They established themselves at this point March 6, 1880, and have been running from five to eight hands on grocery bags, and in connection carry on a trade in old iron and rags. Their present location is in the « Orr Building.'" i dinardT°0d lumbei\Yard was opened by Messrs. Jones & Benner in September, 1879. January 1, 1880, Mr. Ebert became a partner. Shipments are made to various points in this and adjoining counties.

These, the active business enterprises of the day, will soon pass into the history of the past, and in future it will be an easy task to learn from a brief perusal of these pages whence and by whom the early prosperity of Union City was achieved. A city, to prosper, needs a favorable site, good communications with the outer world and citizens of wealth, intelligence and energy, and in these essentials, fully enjoyed, the rapid growth of the town has been found.

The first Justice of the Peace on the Ohio side was Silas P. McMillan He was succeeded by David French. Mr. McMillan was also the first Mayor Anecdotes are current of his peculiar methods of transacting official business! On one occasion he was engaged in a game at cards, when the Marshal brought in a prisoner His Honor requested them to « be seated until the game was over," saying that « if 1 quit now, I will be stuck for the game," and the parties sat down and waited the conclusion of the play, when the case received requisite attention.

The Squire, as well as Mayor, on another occasion, sat in a case wherein two citizens were engaged as counsel. The prisoner had been arrested for petit larceny, lhe evidence was overwhelming, and his counsel taking him into an adjoining room, raised the window and counseled him to go, and he hastened to depart lhe announcement of his escape was followed by prompt pursuit, but terror added wings to the fugitive's feet, and he safely crossed the State line The Court was more amused than offended, and joined heartily in the lauo-h which followed upon the announcement of the culprit's escape.

t ! J?S,q^re Liyei*g°od was also 01ie of the first Mayors and Justices of the Peace in lSo-i-55, and again in 1857-58, ordinances were drafted, but lost or destroyed by interested parties, before they were adopted. Such, too, was the fate of all other records of council proceedings. Just prior to the late war, William A Orr was elected Mayor and took the oath of office, but learning that there were no ordinances in existence to guide him in the discharge of his duties, and that there were no records of council proceedings, he refused to serve. New ordinances were drafted and under consideration, but the outburst of war prevented their passage by decimating the council, so that no progress to speak of was made beyond the mere fact of the incorporation, until 1865, when the ordinances needed were drafted, adopted and published.

The first school after the incorporation was taught in a room on the third floor of the Large building on the corner of Sycamore street and the railroad. Later, a two-story frame schoolhouse was erected on the lot whereon the present brick building stands. The old schoolhouse was replaced in 1870 by the present commodious structure, which, in its turn, is becoming too small to accommodate the ever increasing attendance.

There are two small, neat frame buildings, located near each other, on him street - the one is used as a township house, the other as the city hall. The one which stands farther to the east, was built in 1877, by J. S. Johnson lhe Township Clerks office is in one room of this building, and the law office ol U. A Baker occupies the west end. The other building has also two rooms - one used by the Mayor and Village Clerk as their office, and the other as the office ot L. J .

The following are the present township officers : Trustees, D. W. Sigler ; Jacob Beery and George Dennison ; Justices of the Peace, Joseph Eichelbarger and William M. Grimes ; Constables, Jacob Beery, Jr., and W. R. Gard ; Assessors, James B. Creviston and James Eichelbarger ; Clerk, J. McMahan, and Appraiser, Solomon Young. .

We name, also, the present village officers: Mayor, William M Grimes ; Clerk James McMahan ; Treasurer, H. S. Stocksdale ; Marshal, W. R. Gard and Councilmen - J. J. Norris, James Purcell, James Spanagle, J. Eldridge, Jacob Thomas and Edward Hanhman.

The two named are the only lawyers in Union City. There is one physician, a resident of three years, and there has never been a post office in Jackson Township It would be pleasant could we have known from experience the gradual changes which evolved farm, hamlet and city, from the demands of production, commerce and manufacture, but the foregoing vividly contrasts with the savagery prevalent less than thirty years before, and illustrates the civilizing power of the railway in its course across States as well as counties, and in its bead-like stations along its route.

Brown Township was constituted in December, 1833, being taken from Richland and was bounded as follows : Beginning at the northwest corner of Township 1 3 north Ranoe 2 east, thence southward to the township line ; thence east to the east line of Section 35 ; thence north to the township line, and west to the place of beginning. Subsequently those parts of Townships 14 and 15, which lay directly north, and of equal width to this were added, but, in 1839, were laid off into a new township called Allen. %

In length Brown is six miles north and south, and m width, five miles. Mucn of the land was originally entered in quarter-section tracts, the law then requiring one-third down and the balance in installments. Subsequently, a « forfeiture oi eighty acres was allowed, that is, the half of the entry could be relinquished and the money that had been paid on the whole could be applied to pay lor the part. A later law permitting the entry of forty acres, caused great rejoicing among the poorer classes of movers, and a rush of settlers came swarming into this part ol

Topographically, Brown Township is one of the most level of the northern tier Even along streams the surface is comparatively uniform in this respect The Stillwater, which rises in the " spread " in Jackson, enters Brown, near the southwest corner of Section 7, on the place now owned by Lewis Kern, runs northeast to the pike on the C. C. Kertrow farm, in Section G ; thence nearly south across the northeast corner of Section 7, again to the line, then forms a sharp bend in the northwest quarter of Section 8 ; from thence proceeding rather crookedly but without any very marked variations from a southeastward!? course to near 'Dallas at which place the stream becomes very tortuous, with a general course north of east to the township line, about one-fourth of a mile from the northeast corner of Section 23, and nearly half a mile north of the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis Railroad. Several minor branches flow into the main stream the principal auxiliary being the one which joins the Stillwater, a half-mile east of Dallas. This branch forms a bow over a mile to the westward before it reaches a point almost a mile and a quarter north of its mouth. Following a freshet an aerial view of the township would show a maze of pettv streams, but at other times many creeks are quite low and sometimes altogether dry.

Originally much of the land of this township was regarded as next to worthless, but systematic ditching and draining have rendered those very tracts the most valuable. Encouraged to persevere, a great deal of tile is still beino- put down by owners. Besides the uniformly even surface, the lands of Brown were characterized by a remarkably diversified yet well-distributed mixture of timber - almost every variety that was to be found, in any part of the county beino- found here and the trunks were generally straight, and of value for lumber and for mechanical purposes.

For many years, the timber was ruthlessly destroved before the advent of the railroads and manufactories permitted its transportation and use The number of establishments for the manufacture of hubs, spokes, staves, etc show that the supply, although sensibly diminished, is far from being exhausted

The Pan Handle (old Columbus, Piqua & Indianapolis Railroad, enters the township near the southeastern corner of the southwest section (31) and passes out one-fourth mile from the northwest corner of the section. Reckoning also from the east, the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis Railroad^enters the township almost at the center of the east line of Section 23, and passinothrough Dallas, goes in a straight line to a point a trifle south of the northwest corner of Section 30, where it enters Jackson Township, its inclination southward being one-half mile in five.

John Woodington is reputed to have been the pioneer of the township He located upon St. Clair's tract on Section 29. A. Teegarden came in the summer ol 1820, and entered the southwest quarter of Section 18. Daniel Dewall settled on the east half of the northeast quarter of Section 20. in the fall of the same year David and Silas Riffle were early settlers ; the former is now Mayor the latter came m 1828 ; Thomas Marcum moved in during 1829 ; I. T. Wise from Miami County, m 1834; Wesley Millett, a maker of wagons, in 1836; J.'h White in I Z\, A' WamP^ from Preble County, in 1838 ; 0. M. Searl in 1839 ; and J &. .Miller m 1840. White located on the northwest quarter of Section 23 Mc \\ ltley on the east half of southeast quarter of Section 1 0 ; and Titus on the northeast quarter of Section 29. A few these of the pioneers, examples so to speak, oi the men who organized and developed this section of the county The first death that occurred in Brown was that of Rachael Teegarden wife of \bra nam Teegarden. wh< i died the next season after her arrival here. The first marriage was that of Polly Dewall, daughter of Daniel Dewall. to John Bruno whole nuptials were celebrated three or four years after their arrival in the township ile,>"stTTbirth was a son to Da^1 and Nancy Studybalser, who was named Philip. His parents had come to the township on a visit, and being detained here Fin hp was born on the farm now owned by William Bachman.

The first settler within the present limits of Dallas was John Tattle, a native of idams County Penn., who was a genuine believer in ghosts, hobgoblins, etc., and was noted for spinning mythical varus. George Turpen built the first house in Dallas and sold the first goods. The first school in the township was taught bv John llufman. in a pole cabin, built in 1827, for the general accommodation of the sen Ins. for an area of several miles. Three old buildings long used as school-houses are still standing besides the fine union school buddings now

David Kittle relates that in the famous " squirrel year." 1822, these animals made their appearance in such numbers that the clearings were actually covered with them - as much so as if a flock of blackbirds or flight of pigeons had settled on a small area The Indians ascribed the circumstance to the failure of the mast, or nuts of any kind, in the woods that vear. For many years, the squirrels had uninterruptedly increased until they had become very numerous ; but 1822 was, to them, a famine year Then the clearings were inconsiderable portions of the lands, and it is not incredible that the ground was " covered with them." It is said that in their ravenous hunger thev forgot all fear, and if a person had an ear of corn in his pocket thev would swarm upon him and cut the very clothing with their teeth to c4t at the food for want of which they famished. They seemed to have an instinctive knowledge that in the southeastern country there was food to be had, and millions of them migrated in that direction, and found their way, it is said, across the Ohio into Virginia. Great numbers became so weak, through starvation that thev " fell out of the ranks " and perished by the way.

?The travel to Brown Township naturally directs his course toward the inviting village of Dallas, located one mile west of the east boundary of the township, and three and a half miles north from the southern boundary. Stillwater I reek flows through the northern part of the incorporation. Dallas is the second station east from Union City, on the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis Kailroad and is distant therefrom ten and four-tenths miles. The distance west from Versailles to Dallas is nine and eight-tenths miles. It was laid out in 1845, and incorporated in 1867. Ansonia is the name of the post office. Main street runs north and south, with Olive, Elm and Pearl parallel to it on the west. Cross, Canal. Weller and High streets run east and west, intersecting the first-named at right angles The town is symmetrical in its outlines and divisions, and conforms to the cardinal points of "the compass, so that the stranger is not perplexed, as at Greenville by the sun's rising at irreconcilable points of the horizon.

The amount of freight shipped from Dallas, including grain and manufactured articles is much beyond the average of towns of similar size, amounting, annual ly to between six and seven hundred car loads. No telegraph station was located here till 1879. at which time J. H. Royer, station agent, took charge. Ihe tirst operator was J. W. McCrav, who is still (May. 1880.) night operator. Stephen Helm was engaged January 1, 1880, and remained until May 1. Mr. Rover is now day operator and express agent.