Fayette County, Ohio - Madison Township, 1914

Madison Township

This is the extreme northeastern subdivision of Fayette county. Madison civil township was one of the original townships made at the organization of the county in 1810. Its history, then, goes back one hundred and ten years as a precinct of the county. It is bounded on the north by Madison county, on the east by Pickaway county, on the south by Marion township, and on the west by Paint township. Its population in 1910 was reported as being one thousand two hundred and thirty-three.

Settlement

It appears that 1807 was the date of the arrival of Samuel Myers, the first settler to locate in the then wild district of what is now Madison township - that being three years prior to the organization of this county. By birth Myers was a Pennsylvanian, born on June 11, 1776. Later the family moved to Virginia, and in 1807 the son Samuel emigrated to this county, at the age of thirty years. He located on Deer creek, near the mouth of Duff's fork, in this township, and in the northern part of survey No. 463, entered in the name of Thomas Overton. After remaining until 1816, he moved to Compton's creek, in Paint township, where he became a heavy farmer and stock raiser. He drove his cattle, after fattening them on the rich grasses, to Lancaster and Chester counties, Pennsylvania. When the War of 1812 was started, he was commissioned captain of militia, November TEISIIN During the siege of Fort Meigs, and for gallant conduct, he was elected major on the field. He represented Fayette county in the General Assembly of 1813 and again in 1818. He was also a justice of the peace for over thirty years, and taught the first school in Madison township, near the site of present Waterloo, in the winter of 1809, walking almost three miles to and from the little hut of a school house.

John Baldwin, a native of Virginia, born in 1749, espoused the cause of the colonies in the great struggle for national independence. He was a captain of militia, which company he raised himself and also equipped it for service. He further paid his own men for the term of their enlistment, which almost exhausted his goodly fortune. This was returned in shape of continental money, but it was so depreciated that it was almost valueless. He received a large tract of land in the Virginia military reservation, which he located partly in Madison county and partly in Madison township, Fayette county, Ohio. It is known as the Wallace-Baldwin survey, No. 9721. His wife died before he left Virginia. He had twelve children by her. A few of his sons accompanied him to this county; also one of his sons-in-law, the remainder of his sons coming in a little later. Jonah settled in Madison township. He died in September, 1850, aged seventy-seven years. William, born in Virginia, settled on his father's land in Madison, soon after his father's arrival here. He died in 1823, aged fifty years. Richard Carson, the son-in-law of John Baldwin, born in 1781, came from Virginia with Baldwin and settled on lands given him by Baldwin.

Edmund Clarridge, born in- Maryland, in 1789, moved with his father in 1798 to Ross county, Ohio. Edmund enlisted near the close of the War of 1812 and served until its close. He had just moved to Madison township before his enlistment, and at the end of his service returned and there spent the remainder of his life. He served for many terms as a justice of the peace, and was also clerk and treasurer of his township. He died in 1868, owning a finely improved farm of a hundred and sixty acres. He and his wife were the parents of sixteen children, whose names and life-work in this county are well known.

Col. Joel Gregory, a New Yorker, moved to Athens county, Ohio, at a very early date, bought property and started a grist mill, saw mill and carding machine just below the town of Athens. There he was made a colonel of the militia. In 1815 he sold his property in Athens county and moved to Madison township, Fayette county. He owned a large amount of land in this county and divided it among his sons, as they desired. He was in the Revolutionary War. He was elected to the Legislature here two terms, when that body yet convened at Chillicothe. At the age of sixty-five years, he died in this county, greatly esteemed by all. Nearly every other member of the Gregory family made their mark in this and adjoining counties, and had to do with the development and military protection of the frontier country, through and after the War of 1812.

James Jones, Sr., was born in Pickaway county in 1813, at a point about three miles below New Holland. In early boyhood he had the ill fortune to be bereft of his mother, and after his father's second marriage, his home becoming unpleasant, he left and began working for others by the month.

Wages were very low and capital hard to accumulate, but, in a limited way, he was able to start in a business of his own, which eventually led to his good circumstances in life. He died in 1871, having lived in and near Yankeetown many years. He had the misfortune to have to pay the debts contracted by others to the large amount of fifty-three thousand dollars. Yet at death he left a landed estate of thirteen hundred acres of highly cultivated land to his sons. He was a devout Methodist for twenty years. He was greatly missed by his community when called by death.

John Leavell, a native of Virginia, who served seven years in the Revolutionary War, started in 1 786 with his family, from Culpeper county, to remove to Kentucky, but stopped in Greenbrier county, where, in the winter of 1786-87, he died, and in the spring his widow went'on to Kentucky, where her sons erected a log cabin. While watching her son fell a tree near the cabin, she became excited for fear it would fall on the house and running away was caught by the falling tree and instantly killed. There were eleven children in her family. One son, John Leavell, born in Culpeper county, Virginia, in 1774, came to Ross county, Ohio, and squatted on Congress land, on the east side of the Scioto, a short distance from Chillicothe. He did not remain over one year and, not being suited with the outlook, he went to Pickaway county, near Williamsport, where for a year he dealt in stock. He was collector of taxes in Ross county in the period from 1816 to 1820. In 1816 he bought land on Duff's Fork; in 1822 he married and to this union were born nine children. He died in 1854, owning a thousand acres of valuable land.

John Nutt, an early settler in Madison township, came from near Winchester, Virginia. Shortly after arriving in this township, he bought two hundred acres of land, a half of which he gave to his son James, who, with his family, occupied the same. Mr. Nutt died aged one hundred and one years of age. The son married in Virginia and had a family of thirteen children. It will be observed that the early settlers were, for the most part, in the habit of having extremely large families; race suicide had not become a national curse, as it has in more recent years.

Robert Abernathy, a native of Virginia, was born in 1786 and when grown up he married and emigrated to Williamsport, Pickaway county, Ohio, in 1815, rented land on Deer creek on Round Bottom, where he raised two crops. In the autumn of 1817 he purchased ninety-seven acres of land in Overton's survey. He made a good farmer and capable citizen, and at death left a good property at Mt. Sterling, where he died in 1852.

settling at the mouth of Deer creek, where he rented land of Colonel Evans. After about two years he removed six miles further up the creek, near Yates mill, in Pickaway county, where for four years he farmed. He next moved to Williamsport, remained till the close of the war of 1812, then moved to Shelby county, coming to Fayette county between 1820 and 1822, settling on the Batteal Harrison farm, in Madison township. Later he resided with his son at Waterloo. He had a service of twelve days in the War of 1812, when he was wounded, and hired a substitute to fill his unexpired time. He died at his son Isaac's home, aged one hundred and one years of age. He was the father of nine children.

Sometime prior to 1815, William Morgan emigrated from Virginia and settled on land first leased and later purchased, on Duffs fork, in the Armstrong survey. He was considered a wealthy man, owning eight hundred acres where he lived, a farm on the Big Darby, near Harrisburg, Franklin county, and another on Deer creek, one mile from Yankeetown. He made his wealth by grazing cattle, which he drove to the Baltimore and Philadelphia markets. He died in 1855.

Early Stores And Shops

The first store in Madison township was opened by Adley Gregory, in 1815, at Yankeetown, which he conducted until another was opened in 1825, a half mile north of Yankeetown, on the Mt. Sterling road. John Johnson operated the last named store in one part of his dwelling. He continued in trade until his death, some six years later. About this date, for three years, near Yankeetown, Robert Leach conducted a general store. He was succeeded by others, the same stock changing hands frequently.

Between 1864 and 1867 James Graham started a dry goods store at Madison Mills, continued a year and sold to George Franklin. The store was destroyed by an explosion of a keg of powder in the cellar, the loss of the stock being complete. The evidence of a pre-arranged plan was so thorough that he never tried to collect his insurance.

David Harrison opened a grocery store at Madison Mills in 1860, conducted it two years, then sold to George Ladd, an Englishman. Crow and Sons were running the store there in the late eighties. os

The early blacksmiths were Joseph Withrow, 1823, near Yankeetown; Otho Williams, in 1834; David Saint, in 1874; Alexander Clark, 1860; Thomas Scott, 1864.

At some time just prior to 1817 John Gilmore built a water-power mill on Deer creek, one mile to the north of Waterloo, which he operated for a number of years. He was succeeded in that project by Samuel Pancoast, who continued to run it fifteen years longer. The mill was then sold to Colonel Sharp, who attached a distillery to the plant. He continued eight years and sold to Samuel Pancoast, Jr., and he in turn to John Messmore, who owned the property in the eighties. After a few years he tore down the old mill, erected a three-story frame mill and put in two sets of burrs, one being intended for wheat and one for corn. In 1879 a patent purifier was added, and then "new process" was added, allowing him to produce first class patent flour, as it was termed. Both he and his son, R. W. Messmore, afterwards did an extensive business there.

In about 1832 or 1833, John Gilmore, after losing the above pioneer mill, by litigation with Mr. Pancoast, erected a mill two and a half miles above, on what is called Island branch of Deer creek, in the Overton survey, No. 463. After a dozen years he was succeeded by a colored man named Sylva, and very soon thereafter it was abandoned altogether.

William Harrison built a large steam flouring mill - the Madison Mills - in 1859. After doing a thriving business five years, he sold it and eight acres of ground to Andrew Shriver, of Ross county, who, failing to meet his payments, was relieved by John Harrison, who took the property over. A few years longer and the mill was dismantled and the machinery removed to Stuckey's mill, at Washington C. H. At the same time the grounds and buildings were sold to Abraham Lindsey, whose son, A. C. Lindsey, in 1880, bought new machinery at a cost of five thousand dollars and opened up, doing an extensive and profitable milling business.

Thomas Lindsey located a portable saw-mill on East fork of Paint creek, one mile southeast of Madison Mills, in March, 1881. Later the mill was moved a mile northwest of White Oak.

In 1822 Samuel Panccast started a single carding-mill at Pancoastburg and operated the same about seven years. About 1829 he secured a partner, a Mr. Muzzy, from Springfield, Ohio, who added fulling and finishing machinery. Then they secured John Messmore, an expert in such work, and another carding machine was added. Ten years later hand-spinning machinery was put in - these were known as "Billie and Ginnie." It was not many years before John Messmore was sole owner, and he, in 1835, added a condenser and spinning-jack, thus continuing to card, spin, do the fulling process, dying, and finishing, until 1860, when steam power was added to run the machinery in dry and low-water seasons. Five years later his son succeeded him, and soon it became the property of Appleton Mowry, who, finding the larger mills and factories too much to compete with, sold off most of the machinery for old iron, and was content at manufacturing stocking yarn. VILLAGES OF THE TOWNSHIP.

There are now a number of very small hamlets within this township, the larger of which has less than three hundred population. These villages are - Pancoastburg (old Waterloo), with about two hundred and fifty people; Cook, with seventy population; Madison Mills, with less than a hundred and fifty people.

What was originally called Waterloo is in the extreme southeastern part of the township, on the road leading from Chillicothe to Urbana. It was laid out June 20, 1816, by Isaac Pancoast and Jesse Woodson, and occupies a part of the James survey, No. 470. The first lots, ten in number, were auctioned off in September of the year of the platting. This was the second, or re-platting, as no lots were sold at first, so in 1829 Pancoast again platted his town over. The first house was erected by Nathan Loofborrow, after the re-survey had been effected. Prior to that there had been a log cabin on the site. The second house was erected by John Messmore in 1833-34. This was a brick building.

Nathan Loofborrow opened a store in part of his dwelling soon after the last surveying. He continued five or six years and sold to Rowland Wilson anda Mr. Jackson, of Mt. Sterling. They were short-lived. Prior to this store was that of Thomas Littleton, who began merchandising and kept it up until his death, about twelve years later. J. W. Blizzard closed out this stock in 1860. With the flight of years many have been engaged in trade at this village, and their names may appeal to some reader, who may know of or be related thereto, hence they are subjoined: Vance & Bailey, Girton & Phebus, J. W. Moore, Shreve Gaskill, A. P. Littleton, Daniel Kelley, J. W. Smith, Wharford Young, J. W. Gaskill, B. T. Corkwell, George D. Ladd, W. H. H. Timmons, James Lewis, Wesley Geoley, R. W. Messmore, Wickman & Leach and E. A. Peasley. The last named opened a dry goods store in 1879, when J. W. Moore started in the grocery trade.

The earliest blacksmith of Waterloo was in 1830, in the person of Mr. Tracy, who at that date was eighty years of age, hence only wielded the sledge a few years longer. Others of that trade were Messrs. McClelland, John Timmons, Adley Bostwick, who was killed by the falling of a pile of native lumber. Also William Scott ran a shop later than this. Bostwick patented a plow which his apprentice manufactured. j

At the present date, summer of 1914, the business at this point is chiefly in the hands of: F. W. Hatfield, hardware; C. A. Richardson, groceries; M. R. Scott, general dealer; R. L. Hutchison, general dealer; D. M. Norris, blacksmith; J. H. Richardson, postmaster.

Chap Per Ix City Of Washington Court House

Washington C. H., the county seat of Fayette county, is located near the central portion of Union township, on Paint creek, and occupies a part of land entry No. 757, which consisted of twelve hundred acres and belonged to Benjamin Temple, of Logan county, Kentucky, who donated one hundred and fifty acres to Fayette county for a county town, or seat of justice. The deed conveying this land to the county was made December 1, 1810, by Thomas S. Hind (through a power of attorney from Temple) to Robert Stewart, who was appointed by the Legislature of Ohio as "director of the town of Washington," and who had the town laid off sometime between December 1, 1810, and February 26, 1811, the latter date being the day on which the town plat was recorded.

The name "Washington Court House" was not given to the place until later. This was affixed in order to not confuse a town in Guernsey county, this state, with this one. It was a quite a common custom in both Virginia and Maryland to have the affix of "C. H." to many of their county seats, and hence, as many of our early settlers came from those states, it was but natural that some such affix be made. After the change was made it was almost universally used and not until a few years ago was there any attempt to cut off the "C. H." at the end of Washington. Petitions were freely circulated in 1911, and an exciting campaign was had over the proposed change, but when all was over it appeared that a majority of four hundred was in favor of retaining the affix of "Court House," and so it will probably always remain. The postal department will not admit of two offices by the same name in any one state. At the time this county was organized there was no such law, otherwise this difficulty might all have been remedied. A few years since the government changed the name Washington, Guernsey county, to "Old Washington," to distinguish it from the county seat of Fayette county, for much trouble arose over the distribution of mails for these two Ohio points. The fact is, that the Ohio Legislature gave this town - the seat of justice of Fayette county - the name of "Washington," and also when it was incorporated in 1831 it was incorporated as "Washing-

First Business Events

Joseph Runk was probably the first merchant in Washington C. H. and occupied a hewed-log building, one end of which he used for a dwelling, on the east corner of Main and Market streets. He began business there perhaps as early as 1811, and continued until 1813, when he became financially in straits, and his property was sold to Samuel Waddle, step-father of Judge D. McLain. About the time Runk began business at the place above located, or probably a little later, Peter Hefley opened a small store on the southeast side of Court street. Henry Snyder and Jesse Mulloy ran a store for awhile, then Mulloy retired, and Snyder carried on the business. Pierce Evans came with a large stock in 1814. He was soon followed by Samuel Evans and sons, from Highland county. Pierce Evans built a store room on the site of the old Toledo, Dayton & Baltimore depot and ran it until 1822, when he failed. Samuel Evans and sons continued for a time, sold out, and went into the tavern business on the corner of Court and Fayette. Waddle & McGara started a general country store in 1817, the former running the store and the latter practicing medicine, which was continued until 1822. When Pierce Evans failed, his goods were taken up by John Boyed and the business was carried on for years by James Shivers, who also kept drugs, and when he retired he was succeeded in the drug business by Daniel McLain. In 1830 there was a firm by the name of John McManis & Company. Samuel Yeoman, William McElwain, Webster Melvin & Company and Henry Robinson & Company were in business about 1838-40.

In connection with his store, Peter Hefley also sunk a tanyard in the space to the rear of his store room and exchanged goods for hides. In this manner he carried on business for several years. This was the first tanyard at Washington C. H. and was started shortly after he opened his store. The next tannery at Washington C. H. was started by McQuita & Stran in 1820, on the north corner of Court and North streets. This business was continued five or six years. In 1838 Jesse L. Millikan started a tannery on Main street, near the Cincinnati & Muskingum Valley depot and carried on the business five or six years.

Henry Fletcher, in about 1812, opened a blacksmith shop on the south corner of Court and Fayette streets, which, if not the first, was among the very earliest blacksmith shops in Washington C. H. He carried on the business at this point fifteen or twenty years.

Robert Casna was the first saddler, followed by Samuel Young, George | Upp and Robert Wilson. Doctor Baldrick was the first physician in the , town, but stayed only a few years. He was followed by Doctor McGara. Baldrick was also a Presbyterian minister. Zimmerman, Benjamin and John Hinton, James, David and Joseph Hopkins were all physicians and early residents. G. Dempsey was the first school teacher and James Clark one of his successors. Sampson Dempsey was the first justice of the peace and John Popejoy the next.

Washington C. H. In I81I5

In 1815 Washington C. H. consisted of a few scattering log houses. The only brick in the village was the newly completed court house. There were two taverns. One was kept by William Harris in the house now occupied by Mrs. Parvin, on Main street, north of the jail; the other on the corner now owned by Henry Dahl, corner of Court and Main streets, by Jacob Jones. They were both cabins, with roofs of clapboards. In the winter of 1815 Thomas McDonald opened a good public house, distinguished by a good shingle roof, on the lot built up by Colonel Yeoman. There were three dry goods stores, kept by Evans & Sons, Millikan & Snyder and Rank & Patterson. Their entire stock would not make a wagon load. _There crossed Court street, on the site of Robinson & Herbert's building, a stream called Plug run. It.was spanned on the street by a puncheon bridge. Heavy rains destroyed this bridge and required its reconstruction. West of the run there were but three buildings, a saddler and gunshop on the south side and a cabin on the north side, where is the residence of Doctor Rush. The town, on Court street, extended east to the corner now owned by Mrs. Evans. Where Millet resides stood a tanyard and two cabins. On Main street there were log houses as far north as Judge Priddy's corner; all beyond was woods. On Market street scattering cabins stood along from the corner on which stands the Methodist Episcopal church; west to the creek, north of Market, was a thicket where Mother Hubbard, a colored woman, shot quails and rabbits as well as a man. The grounds and residence of Benjamin Brown were an oak wood, in which 'stood the two-story log house of Samuel Buck, the lawyer. Henry Pursley's home stands where Jesse Millikan, the first clerk, recorder and postmaster, had built a twostory log dwelling. The tavern kept by Harris had for a sign the likeness of Monroe or Madison. The people gathering in town on Saturday to trade and drink, shot out one of the eyes of the sign. The town site was heavily wooded with white oak and for years their great stumps blocked the streets, wherein wagons sank axle-deep in mud. There was a one-story school house built of round logs upon the lot on Market street where stood the old Methodist Episcopal church. Scholars came to the school from the De- Witte settlement four miles east of Washington C. H. The town had no churches. Methodists and Presbyterians met at the court house and held prayers at private cabins. There were but three or four Baptists in the town, to whom Revs. Yeoman, Bell and Snelsen preached at intervals. Bands of Cherokees and other tribes came to town and stayed for weeks. In 1813 Joseph Rank sold to Samuel Waddle inlots Nos. 10, 13, 20, 21 and outlots Nos. 1, 6 and 20 for ten thousand dollars. The same property was sold by the administrator of the estate in 1824 for one thousand dollars, showing the depreciation in property after the war.

In 1846 Washington C. H. contained a Presbyterian church, a Methodist Episcopal church, an academy, eight stores, two printing offices, two woolen factories, one saw-mill, two grist-mills and ninety-seven dwellings.

In 1889 the city had increased to the following: The Herald, the Fayette Republican, Ohio State Register, the Commercial Bank, People's and Drovers' Bank, Merchants' and Farmers' Bank, a Presbyterian, Christian, Methodist, Catholic, two colored churches and a Baptist church; also had the Janney & Manning machine shops, Fayette Creamery Company, White & Ballard's shoe factory, a sash, door and blind factory by A. Coffman & Company, the Ludlow soap factory, and flouring mills. As late as the nineties on the last Tuesday in every month there was held a public stock sale in the streets of the city, and on some occasions as high as six thousand four hundred head of cattle were sold in a single day.

First And Early Events

The first, lawyer was Wade Loofborrow and the next was Samuel Buck, an account of whom will be found in the Bar chapter, and of him a good incident is told of how he was elected prosecuting attorney.

Municipal Government

Washington C. H. was incorporated in February, 1831, by an election held at the court house, when the following officers were duly elected: Mayor, Benjamin Hinton; recorder, Calvin B. Woodruff; trustees (the corporation then only being a town or village), Thomas McGarraugh, William Halt, Jesse Millikan, Eber Patrick and James Shivers. Daniel McLain was appointed treasurer, and Arthur McArthur, marshal.

There are no complete sets of records or election books until in later years, hence a complete list of mayors, etc., cannot here be given. From all that can be gleaned from old papers, the following served the town as mayors in early days: Benjamin Hinton, first, then in order came John Saunders, Dr. James Beard, Joseph Bell, Thomas Hall, Wade Loofborrow, John McLain, who was elected in 1841.

The city officers in October, 1914, are: Mayor, Charles F. Coffey; auditor, John McFadden; service director, Charles Gesner; safety director, William Dahl; city solicitor, Polk Gregg; clerk of the council, James Flynn; clerk of the service directory, Ray Maddox; health officer, John Bryan; city engineer, Bert Jacobs; treasurer, William Dwer. City council: Dr. L.

P. Howe, Clark Rowe, William Sheets, James Whelpley, Peter Tracy, Milton Tracy, Taylor Veal; president of council, Al Melvin. There are three regular policemen: D. L. Moore (chief), John Bond, Noah Bell, and an extra in the person of Stewart Judy.

City Finances

The city's present indebtedness is about $250,000. The following was the statement, or report rendered in Sptember, 1914, by thecity auditor, showing some interesting details :

The Fire Department

The organization of the Reliance Fire Engine, Hook and Ladder, and Hose Company took place at the court house Friday evening, September 20, 1872. Officers were elected and preparations made. On November 4, 1872, the city was divided into four fire wards, Court street being the dividing line. The first ward composed that portion of the city lying north of Court street and east of Fayette; the second ward consisted of the territory lying north of Court and west of Fayette; the third occupied that part of the city lying south of Court and west of Fayette; and the fourth comprised the remainder of the corporation lying south of Court and east of Fayette. Great changes have been wrought in the city and its territory since then. The present fire company is among the good ones of cities of the class in which Washington C. H. is placed. It has seen many fires and been active and always on the alert for the firebugs and their work. At present the crew consists of Chief Gig Paul, who has been in service for the last twenty years and who is the right man in the right place. His assistants are Lem Mayo, Ernest Rodgers and Earl Leach. One team is kept by the city for the use of the department, and in December, 1913, the city purchased a splendid

Ahrens-Fox automobile fire truck of the celebrated makers at Cincinnati, the expense being ten thousand dollars. It is a splendid modern piece of firefighting machinery, and at the fire alarm is on the scene of the fire in wonderfully quick time. It carries a large amount of hose, and has as its chief feature an excellent pump capable of forcing water over the top of the Goddess of Liberty on the dome of the court house if occasion should demand so great a force. The department is equipped with one thousand eight hundred feet of new and six hundred feet of partly worn hose; also any amount of common hook-and-ladder appliances. Aside from the men named, the company is made up of citizen volunteers who act in harmony with the chief and his regular crew of firemen. There are now one hundred and forty-five fire plugs or street hydrants in use in the city.

Some Early-Day Council Proceedings

April 13, 1831, by an ordinance it was required of every groceryman who desired to sell intoxicating liquors from his stock to procure a license of the town, which cost him three dollars and seventy-five cents.

April 28, 1832, when the town was only a year old, as an incorporation, it was resolved that no license should be given to any person to sell liquor in the limits of the town, after July of that year.

May 19, 1833, Henry Phelps, Norman F. Jones, Wade Loofborrow and Jesse Millikan were.allowed nine dollars and thirty-seven cents for their interest in the fire engine "Leo," which they had purchased of W. H. H. Pinney. The same year, at an expense of thirty-nine dollars, the town built a fire engine house, eight by fourteen feet in size.

March 28, 1845, it was ordered by an ordinance that it was lawful to kill any dog running at large in town for the following three months. It is not stated whether the council were given medals for this act or not.

August 7, 1848, the council adopted rules and regulations for the government of Washington Fire Company, which was duly organized under the act of General Assembly, March, 1843.

November 15, 1851, the mayor and recorder were instructed to grant the right-of-way through the town to the Cincinnati, Zanesville & Wilmington railroad, the same to run on the north side of East street.

Main Street, Looking West, Washington C. Sidi

December 2, 1852, one thousand two hundred and twenty-five dollars were ordered paid to a Cincinnati firm for the fire-engine, hose, reel and hose carriage. William Burnett was also paid twenty-five dollars for bringing the fire-engine from Cincinnati by wagon.

In March, 1855, another liquor prohibition ordinance was passed, but owing to the courts Saying it conflicted with a state law, it was never enforced.

July 16, 1858, an ordinance was passed prohibiting the flying of kites within the town, the penalty being a fine of not less than fifty cents and not over five dollars: The boy of today would certainly rebel, on the ground of conflicting with his "personal liberty."

January 4, 1875, the council granted the fire company the right to purchase a steam fire-engine, in place of the old Babcock engine then in use.

Old Times

An old friend from the coyntry, who had lived in the county from the time ef its organization, was sitting in our office the other day and looking across the street at the old Parvin building, which was made of hewed logs and weather-boarded up, noticed that the boards were torn off and the logs exposed, said that his mind was carried back sixty years or more, when the old log house was occupied by the late Jobn Popejoy as a tavern; and, said he, "When we youngsters used to come here to muster, we used to buy whiskey of John and pay him in Piatt shinplasters, and he would stick the currency between a crack in the logs and the mischievous young soldiers would take the same currency from its depository and buy more whiskey with it from old John."

This log house was the last relic'of the olden times in the town and has been long since removed. It was erected in 1811, from logs which were cut from the ground on which it stood. It was the first hotel in Washington C. H.

Manufacturing Industries

In the early settlement of Fayette county the work of manufacturing woolen goods was all done by hand, hand-cards, the common spinning wheel and the loom, and if any fulling, it was done by the feet on the floor. The first advance was said to have been a set of roll-cards, propelled by horsepower, introduced about the year 1814 by a Mr. Lupton, from Clinton county, Ohio. This manufactory was located in the eastern part of Washington C. H. The business was continued for some three or four years, when the machinery was sold and removed out of the county. In the year 18z5 Dr. Thomas McGara and Joseph Elliott erected a building in the central part of town for the same purpose. It was limited in capacity and continued for about three years, when it was sold to Andrew Holt, who purchased a lot near the old graveyard and erected a large frame building in which to carry on the business. After running it two or three years, in about 1830, he sold it to Eber Patrick, who continued in the same place, with the exception of one or two years, while it was in the hands of J. Webster, until the year 1843, when he sold the entire premises and machinery to John and William Robinson, who immediately introduced steam power. They also added fulling, dyeing and finishing.

In 1832 Judge D. McLain purchased a full set of cards, with an outfit for fulling, dyeing and finishing. His building was on lot No. 5, Court street. He continued the business for five or six years and then sold out to Mr. Walker, formerly of Washington C. H., who moved the machinery to Indiana.

Samuel Lydy bought one set of cards of E. Patrick and introduced steam power, probably the first in the county. In a short time it was purchased by Robert Robinson & Son (Henry), and was controlled by them until 1845, when the building and power were sold to Weller & Mizer for a blacksmith shop, and the machinery was abandoned and sold for old iron.

Soon after this J. and W. Robinson purchased the premises of Eber Pattick and added some spinning machinery, yet on a limited scale. In 1848 James Pursell and J. Bohrer bought the interest of William Robinson. again machinery was introduced for carding and also a new jack for spinning.

In 1850 the firm was known as Pursell & McElwain. They added to the machinery and by procuring skilled workmen kept, or increased, the home manufacture. But with the growth of the county came the railroad from Cincinnati and compelied the removal of the factory. In 1855 it passed into the hands of B. Pursell and George Wherritt and was removed to a school building on lot No. 21. In 1856 it was purchased by B. Pursell and George Easterbrook and in 1857 was sold to George Price, an experienced manufacturer. In 1861 it passed into the hands of I. C. Vandeman. The mill successively changed hands until 1880, when it was abandoned and the machinery sold and removed to Fort Scott, Kansas.

What was the old distillery property was, in 1863, converted into general wood-working factory, known as the hub works, sometime known as the handle factory, by Bybee & Shoemaker. This plant stood at the foot of Court street on the creek. The first season it was operated the force of men employed was twenty-five and the monthly pay-roll was one thousand dollars. Here were produced all kinds of tool handles, such as spade handies, fork handles, hammer handles, pitchfork handles, and all kinds of hard and soft wood turning was executed. They also made wagon and buggy hubs and spokes.

Some years before 1880 there had been a small stamping works here, conducted by a local man, but in that year a company was formed, comprising Daniel McLain, James Pursell, Stimpson Brothers, M. S. Sager, Mills Gardner and George Dahl. The capital stock was twenty thousand dollars. Numerous articles of metal were stamped out for the market. Heavy presses were in operation and an extensive trade was worked up in the line.

The Herald of October, 1881, has this concerning the old mill: "The old mill, the first grist mill of the place, on Paint creek, known as the Millikan mill, has been running sixty-six years under the family name. It was built by Jesse Millikan, Sr., one of the pioneers of Wahsington C. H., and has been operated by some member of the Millikan family ever since 1815. For many years it was run by use of an undershot water wheel, and later an improved wheel was installed and used until 1851, when steam was introduced first in the mill, and after a number of years it was run partly by steam and part of the time by water, but late years by steam entirely. The same engine and forty-foot boiler first employed is still in use, having been in actual service thirty years. The mill has excellent machinery, and was for years operated day and night in order to keep up with the custom it had from far and near. John Millikan is now superintendent of the mill .

Industries Of Iqot

The filés of the newspapers disclose the following concerning the various important industries in Washington C. H. in t9g01: The J. J. Wills great lumber mills, established in 1896, running day and night to keep ahead of their orders from all sections of the country and for export transactions. Seventy-five workmen were constantly employed and from thirty to fifty car loads of lumber were shipped out each month. Only the best and finest grades were shipped. The same company also operated an immense chair factory which used up the smaller, but none the less valuable, pieces of lumber here cut. Here the annual output was immense. One hundred and ten men were employed in the chair factory alone. This factory was burned in May, 1900, at a loss of fifty thousand dollars, but was rebuilt again.

The Wonder Stove Factory was in operation and produced many kinds, grades and sizes of heating stoves. The annual output was twenty-five thousand dollars. Sixty men were constantly employed in these stove works.

The Washington Milling Company, by O. E. and W. W. Gwinn. were making three hundred and fifty barrels of family flour daily. They also operated their immense grain elevator in connection with their mills.

The Washington Ice Company, producing artificial ice, had a capacity of fifteen tons daily. They stored seven hundred tons for reserve stock for summer use. Clarence Baer was then manager.

White Brothers' shoe factory was then running successfully. Also Bachel's carriage factory and two firms were doing an immense business in the manufacture of farm and garden fertilizers. These were M. Hamm & Company and the Dahl, Miller Company.

The Smead hot water heating plant was then in its infancy and a muchtalked-of concern and interested the public generally. Col. Isaac D. Smead was the inventor and owner of the concern.

Another great industry, in its line, is the canning factory, where immense quantities of corn, etc., are annually canned and placed on the general markets of the world. This has been in operation a number of years. There have been several organized corporations in this factory, but a reorganization was effected in 1912, better than ever before. The capital and prime movers in this factory were capitalists from Circleville. In the canning season, which is necessarily a few weeks at most, employment is given to many men, women and young people. It is a strictly up-to-date plant, whose brand of corn is known far and wide. The original plant cost forty thousand dollars. That was sold in IQTI to Circleville capitalists. The original company.were forced.-into the hands of a receiver and it was sold at twenty-five thousand one hundred dollars.

The packing house plant of C. H. Brownell: & Sons is one of the largest in this section of Ohio, and here tons and train loads of poultry are bought, packed and shipped to the far-away markets of the country. They have a modern plant and produce their own ice for refrigerating purposes. Unlike the ordinary packing plant, this is thoroughly sanitary and clean throughout and is operated on a modern business system, with none but the best of help employed. Among the produce here handled may be named butter, eggs, poultry and calves.

The Great Combination Sales Stables

Perhaps the largest single barn or sale-stable for live stock in all America is at Washington C. H. The company which built it was incorporated in November, 1905, with a capital of fifteen thousand dollars. Its first officers were: H. F. Dahl, president; William Worthington, treasurer; Charles Willard, secretary. It was designed for a public sale stable where public sale of horses, cattle and hogs might be held. It is a building one hundred by six hundred feet in dimension. The shares of stock were issued in sums of one hundred dollars each and were freely taken by home people. The structure is a favorite of the stock lovers and buyers and sellers all over Ohio. Immense sales are here had. The building is nicely heated by steam and lighted by electricity. Galleries are provided for spectators and purchasers, including the ladies. The location of this barn is at

Proposed Car Lines

A traction car line was proposed from Washington C. H. to Maysville, Kentucky, in 1903 and great promises were held out and work commenced, but this, like two or three other similar projects, fell through. Such a line is needed and may in time enter the city from one or more directions.

The same year an attempt to secure a street car line here was made. In fact, the preliminary work was all done, several car loads of ties and steel rails were unloaded along the proposed route, which was to run from the cemetery on down throughout the city, running on different streets and having a total of four miles in the corporate limits. The Appleyard Construction Company held contracts and were to have twenty-five thousand dollars for the work of completing it by July 4, 1903. Messrs. S. W. Cissna, James A. McLean, J. W. Willis and Capt. E. A. Ramsey held a three-year franchise on the line, which, however, was abandoned and never constructed.

There have been numerous interurban lines projected through this part of Ohio, some of which had marked Washington C. H. as one of the points on the line, but so far nothing has materialized.

Natural Gas Prospected For

In 1902 there was much enthusiasm and excitement over boring for oil and natural gas in this city and other sections of the county. A company was formed with a capital of forty thousand dollars at Washington C. H. The object was to drill for oil and gas and lay pipes in the streets for heating and lighting purposes. Several wells were sunk, including a very deep one at Buena Vista. Many thousand dollars were expended, but no paying gas or oil was ever obtained and the enterprise was finally abandoned. A few years later pipes were laid and natural gas was piped into the city from eastern and southern fields, so that the city has the advantage of such natural products, for both heat and light. The Standard Oil Company secured a franchise by which these pipe lines entered the city.

The Washington Gas and Electric Company was organized and incorporated May 11, 1875,, and at first they charged ten dollars per thousand cubic feet, a very exorbitant rate, but by 1901 it was lowered to one dollar and thirty cents for illuminating purposes and one dollar for cooking uses.

Business Interests In 1913-14

The list of business factors in Washington C. H. in the above date run as follows: Five banks (see banking chapter) and the usual number of retail and wholesale stores, with factories, etc., as follows: Washington gas and electric light plant; Washington Milling Company; Bachert's carriage factory; Byron Sign and Mirror Works: Craig Manufacturing Company; tile works, by James L. Dodd: buggies, by W. B. Erskine: hard woods and manufacture of same; Hagerty Shoe Company; cement blocks and silo works, A. C. Henkle; Inskip Manufacturing Company; Ireland Manufacturing Company; brick-making plant, by J. E. Lamus & Company; E. L. Miller, fertilizer factory; New Wonder Company, makers of heating stoves; mill work, by Parker & Wood; Purcell Blacking Company; Washington Concrete Block Company; Washington Manufacturing Company; broom factory, by J. B. York; the artificial ice company's plant; the Brownell Packing Company, and possibly a few more lesser concerns.

Both the water works and electric lighting plants are private corporations, and have never been under municipal control or ownership, only so far as the franchises are concerned.

The Washington Cemetery

Perhaps no one thing bespeaks more for the refinement and inteiligence of any given community than to note the interest manifested by a community in properly caring for its departed dead. This distinguishes the savage from the enlightened and civilized peoples of the earth. To see the living go weekly, monthly and annually to the silent city of the dead, and there smooth down the mounds, plant flowers and, with true affection and tenderness, make pleasing and attractive the graves of those who have been there entombed, sleeping the sleep that knows no waking, is an index of Christian civilization.

Washington cemetery was platted in 1856 by Hon. James Puesell, Judge Daniel McLain, Capt. J. H. Robinson, Curren Millikan, Alfred Ogle and a few other citizens. Land was purchased of Judge McLain. First ten acres were set apart for burying ground purposes, but soon it was increased to thirty acres. It was surveyed and platted by Capt. John M.

'Bell' Lots sold at from ten to forty dollars each. _ As soon as organized by the Washington Cemetery Association, the grounds were wisely turned over, under lawful provisions, to the city and township, who have, through a board of trustees, ever since had charge of the same. The first superintendent was W. B. Ely, who held the position many years and was succeeded by James Holmes, who held it fourteen vears, up to 1897. Under him the first real improvements upon these sacred grounds was effected. Next came George Gossard, who made an enviable record in that he went about improving after the latest methods and put the grounds in most excellent condition. Now one finds,one of the handsomest cemetery grounds in all Ohio, outside the very large cities. Beautiful driveways, lawns, artificial lakes, fountains, rare and beautiful shrubs, trees and Howers make the place to compare very favorably with the gloomy appearance of many another Ohio burying ground. The fountain was erected in 1892. <A good stone vault for receiving purposes is here much appreciated by those who want to inter only temporarily. During the present year (1914) there is being finished a spacious and massive stone structure known as the Washington Memorial, which is really a modern constructed masoleum, which is the property of a company incorporated for the purpose.

The Doctor Judy Memorial is another improvement. The corner stone ot this building was laid with Masonic rites in October, 1905. The address was given by Dr. J. C. Arbuckle. Hon. Mills Gardner acted as grand master, and placed the square copper casket in the stone, after the imposing Masonic ceremonies. The stone was then anointed with wine, corn and oil, also receiving the blessing of the grand master. In this casket were deposited copies of the local newspapers, the Masonic calendar, a copy of the Bible, and the square and compass; Dr. Judy's diploma, a photograph and a few of his cherished relics made up the contents of the box.

Postoffice History

A postoffice was established at Washington C. H. in 1813 and, according to recent records furnished by the department at Washington, D. C., the following have served as postmasters from that day to this: Jesse Millikan, July, 1813; S. A. Smith. September, 1835; Wade Loofborrow, September 20, 1838; S. F. Yeoman, June 12, 1841; J. C. Bell, December 12, 1842; Richard Millikan, April 28, 1849; C. H. Bell, May 30, TORSE John Sanders, November 11, 1858; James F. Ely, February 28, 1859; Edgar Plumb, April 10, 1861; H. S. Robinson, April 23, 1866; T. D. McElwain,

Washington Cemetery Scenes

This office is of the second class. It became a free delivery office in 1891. Its first rural free delivery system to country routes became effective in 1900. Its business has greatly increased since the days of postal savings, parcel post, and other modern facilities afforded by the postoffice department. During the year ending' June 30, 1914, the business of this postoffice, aside from its large money order business, amounted to $24,721.62. Postal savings deposits in October, 1914, were $815.00.

Since January, 1907, the postoffice has been kept in the Soldier's Memorial Hall block on Court street. The following are the members of the office force of employes: Postmaster, John H. Culhan; deputy postmaster, Glenn B. Rodgers; clerks, Howard C. Allen, James E. Bush, Walter W. Miller, Mary C. Pinkerton, Walter H. Robinson; substitutes, Everett E. Cory, Charles V. Sexton. Rural carriers (October, 1914), Wheeler G. Bay, Perale Shears, John W. Wayer, William Stukey, E. E. Welsheimer, Curtis W. Roler, A. J. Thompson, E M. Neal, H. A. Wiatt, Edward M. Ortman: substitutes, D. W. Ellis, T. A. Gray, Roy Thompson, D. E. Mershon, R. C. Mershon, Frank E- Wiatt; city carriers, Bilhe E. Paul, M. Mo. Barrere, Logan Buzick, H. D. Smith, Robert F. Wilson; substitutes, W. T. Bray, Harry E. Sprenger.

This office is well kept under the administration of the present postmaster. Perhaps no office in Ohio is looked after in better manner. The numerous mails received and discharged every twenty-four hours are handled with dispatch. Under an order from the department, in May, 1911, the office is not required to be open on Sunday, though the lobby is open for those who may have lock boxes,

An appropriation has been made for eighty thousand dollars for a United States postoffice building at this point. The site has been secured at the southeast corner of Market and Hinde streets. The grounds cost about fifteen thousand dollars, so the building will cost about sixty-five thousand dollars and is supposed to be completed in 1916.

In these days of fast-flying mail trains over the various steam roads that gridiron this county, it may not come amiss to mention the fact that in 1838 Postmaster S. A. Smith, then postmaster in Washington C. H., advertised his "mail arrangements" as follows: Eastern mail arrives every Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings, and Ecloses ateo O Clock TRANS

Western mails arrive every Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights; Chillicothe mail leaves every Tuesday and Friday at 12 m, and arrives Wednesdays and Saturdays at 3 P. M. The mail from Washington C. H. to Decatur, via Hillsboro, leaves every Friday at 12 M., and returns every Monday at 12 M.; Columbus mail departs every Tuesday at 5 A. M., returns every Thursday at 8 P. M.

The Cyclone Of 1885

A terrible cyclone visited Fayette county on the evening of September 8, 1885, killing six persons, injuring others and destroying property amounting in value to almost a half million dollars. This storm had its origin in Greene county and struck Fayette county in Jasper township, arriving at Washington C. H. by five minutes past eight o'clock P. M., leaving a track of devastation for the twelve miles of its pathway in this county. One writer described it as looking like a huge elephant's trunk, the lower end of which dipped down, first to the right then to the left hand. Another said it resembled "a great luminous hornet's-nest, whirling in the heavens in frantic fury."

Henry Howe, the noted Ohio historian, mentions this storm in language as follows: "About five minutes past eight the rain commenced falling in torrents and the storm burst upon the town with terrible roaring, amidst which could be heard the falling of walls, crashing of timbers and smashing of glass, while the earth seemed to sway and reel under the force of the discordant elements. This lasted about one minute, when the storm passed over, but the rain continued to fall in torrents.

"The entire western, southern and central parts of the town were swept by the storm and within that territory, which included the business portion, very few escaped injury and loss by property destroyed.

"Along the course of the storm in the county whole farms were destroyed, buildings blown down and fields mowed clean of all vegetation; corn not only blown from the stalks, but in some instances completely husked; patches of timber literally mowed down and barns and stock and stacks blown to atoms. On the farm of Jesse Bush, three miles from Washington C. H., blades of straw were found blown. end-wise into trees to the depth of a half inch; in another place a piece of pine fence-board was found with a piece of tarred roofing paper driven into it three-fourths of an inch and firmly imbedded. A train of cars standing on the bridge on the Southern Ohio railroad was blown from the track. An apple tree in the yard of

Mrs. Lou Harris, the milliner on Fayette street, was driven from two to three feet into the ground without breaking a single bough of it. A carload of tin roofing and cornice was gathered up on a farm eighteen miles distant from Washington C. H., where it was kept by dealers.

"Besides these curious freaks of the great storm, illustrating the power and which are verified by thoroughly trustworthy parties, may be mentioned one of numerous cases of heroism which transpired. Miss Lucy Pine, a school teacher, was left in charge of her sister's children, two boys respectively a year and a half and three years of age. The babies had been put to bed; when the storm came up Miss Pine rushed to them and as the roof had been taken off, she leaned over the bed, receiving the weight of the falling joist upon her back, and thus saved their lives. By pressing down the springs of the bed she was enabled to extricate them and herself from their perilous position."

This wind destroyed the First Baptist and Catholic churches, the massive brick chapel at the Catholic cemetery, a part of which high walls are still standing, as left by that storm a quarter of a century ago, and may easily be seen from the railroad trains as one enters or departs from the city. It also destroyed many of the best business blocks in the city, proper. There are now placed behind glass, in a huge frame attached to the hallway of the court house, some twenty or thirty photographic views of the wreckage caused in and near Washington C. H.

Last Sweeping Conflagration

The last great fire in the city occurred on the eve of one of the closing days on 1911, when a fire originated in the large department store of Mr. Stutson, at a point somewhere in the basement, among boxes and waste paper. It was at eight o'clock in the evening on Saturday, when the store was all aglow with lights and the busy clerks were waiting on customers. As soon as it was known that the fire was serious, all the lady clerks and others put on their wraps and headed for the streets. The home fire company did all in its power and neighboring cities were asked to assist and did so promptly, but before the fire could be checked over two hundred and fifty thousand dollars worth of 'property, in the center of the business portion of the city, was destroyed. Fifty-six insurance companies had losses to pay, but even then the actual loss to owners was not half covered, all items of value counted in. A half square of business blocks was totally ruined. This section of the city included the Masonic building, Stutson's great de- partment store, the Fayette County Hardware store, Dahl-Millikan wholesale grocery store, building and total contents, the Imperial Hotel, Judy's building and others. j l

The militia company was ordered out to keep the spectators from getting too near the fire and being injured. It was a night long to be remembered in the city. Several accidents occurred, but no deaths. Many were the heroic acts of that memorable evening. The light, inflammable materials of the department store caused that building to be consumed within a half hour, and soon thereafter the walls fell to the earth, the front falling into the street. In the stock, as well as in that carried by the hardware and wholesale grocery, there was a large amount of fireworks and ammunition, cartridges, etc., which were fired off, making bad wreckage and consternation among the people present. Floor after floor of the Masonic building fell in and with that was the loss of much valuable secret society property and office fixtures of business and professional men. Among the ammunition were seventy-five thousand rounds of cartridges. l

Where stood those buildings, within a year or so were reared better and more nearly fire-proof structures, so today the passerby would not know of that awful fire of I9I1.

Public Library

The Carnegie public library at Washington C. H. is another one of the institutions of the place that the people take a just pride in. -It was made possible through the gift of Andrew Carnegie, of Pittsburg. Prior to the founding of this permanent library the city only had a small circulating library. Agitation was first begun in 1899 and efforts were made to induce the great library giver to aid in furnishing such an institution for this city. In 1901 the following letter was received from his agent in New York City: "A. S. Ballard, Esq., Washington Court House, Ohio:

"Dear Sir - Replying to your letter - if the city of Washington will provide a suitable site and pledge itself by resolution of council to support a free library at a cost of $1,200 a year, Mr. Carnegie will be pleased to provide a $12,000 room for a free library.

The proposition was at once accepted and the building was constructed after the usual Carnegie plans for libraries in cities of this class. It stands on the corner of North and East streets. The president of the library board at the time was Col. B. H. Millikan. The Jenkins lots were secured at a cost of two thousand eight hundred dollars. . This is a valuable property and is handsomely supported by a small annual tax levied on all taxable property in the city. Its total cost was twenty-five thousand dollars. In 1904, when it was thrown open to the public, it contained four thousand five hundred volumes. In the autumn of 1914 it had six thousand volumes and numerous magazines, etc., additional. The board was then made up as follows: President, Earl Barnett; treasurer, Miss Gertrude Gardner; secretary, George Hitchcock; Miss Florence Ustick, D. Chaffin. The librarians 'have been, since the present library was opened, Miss Kate M. Dixon, Corene Metz, Bessie B. Kerr and the present efficient librarian, Miss Mary Elizabeth Johnson, who entered upon her duties February 9, 1914.