Guernsey County, Ohio - Chapter 38: Miscellaneous Events of Interest, 1911

Chapter 38: Miscellaneous Events of Interest

In the compiling of any work having under consideration so many topics and subjects it becomes necessary to place them in chapters and sub-chapters. After all this has been accomplished, there are many items which are still not provided for, hence the propriety of having a chapter of miscellaneous items, which, nevertheless, are of fully as much vital interest and usually more interesting than some of the regular chapters of a book. Such is the case in the chapter now before the reader's eyes. In it will be found a collection of references, many quotations from old settlers and old newspaper files, etc., which can not fail to be of much value and interest to all readers. Such items are properly indexed and readily found.

Unique Advertisements

The Cambridge newspaper files have had in the many years of their publication numerous local advertisements which are out of the ordinary and strike one, today, as being odd and interesting, both for the historic matter and the peculiar manner of expression employed in the long-ago day in which the printer set them up. Below are samples of such unique notices:

"Ran away from the Subscriber on Sunday night, the 7th instant, from Mr. Sunnafrank's. near Cambridge, a negro man named Emanuel, about forty-five years of age, five feet three inches high, of a very dark complexion, his lips very thick, long head, a small scar on his forehead, large white eyes, is apt to roll up his eyes when spoken to, his beard mixed with grey hairs. Had on, when he ran off, a blue cloth coat, blue jean pantaloons, and a black fur hat. He is very homely and very humble - took with him a large wallet of clothes - the wallet made of a blanket. The above Reward will be given for him if apprehended, and secured in jail so that I get him again. I shall stop near Somerset, Perry County, Ohio.

A Slave Case

"Among the passengers who arrived at this place from Bel-Aire by the morning train of last Friday { the train which met with disaster near this place) was a Air. F. M. Graham, of Fleming county, Kentucky, on his way home from Richmond, Virginia, having in his charge two slave boys, named Lewelman and Enoch, aged respectively ten and eleven years. While at the station waiting for a train to take the party west, it became known that the boys were slaves, and thereupon one of our citizens applied to Probate Judge Delong for a writ of habeas corpus, to the end that the boys should be set free. The writ was issued, and the lads were immediately taken into custody by Sheriff Burris, and brought before his Honour. At this stage of the proceeding, Air. Graham asked for a postponement of the hearing of the case, on the ground that he was not the owner of the boys and unprepared to go into the examination then. He made affidavit to these facts, and the Judge postponed further proceeding until Thursday, the 21st instant. The Sheriff has the boys in his custody.

"Mr. Graham stated that the lads were placed in his care by Mr. N. M. Lee, of Richmond, Virginia, to be taken to Flemmingsburg, Kentucky, where said Lee has a brother residing, and that he was instructed to go by the river from Wheeling to Maysville. but in consequence of the close of navigation, he concluded to take the Central railroad.

"Messrs. Buchanan, Bushfield and Ferguson are counsel for the application for freedom of the boys, and Messrs. White and Wagstaff for the claimant." - Guernsey Times, December 28, 1854.

At a hearing of the case on December 21, 1854. the boys were set free, and D. M. Baldridge, of Senecaville, was appointed their guardian, and immediately took them in charge.

Not many years ago there was in the hands of Mrs. John R. Finley, of Senecaville, a very old, interesting document showing much on the subject of abolition days and the establishing of a section of the "Underground Railroad," as the course over which the run-away slaves were spirited away by members of the Abolition party was called. It was found among the papers of the late William Thompson. The instrument last seen was time worn and stained, having been handled by the curious for several decades. Its first page contained the following :

"Pursuant to public notice a number of the citizens of Senecaville and its vicinity convened at the Presbyterian meeting-house in Senecaville July 6, 1829.

"The meeting was organized and chose Rev. William C. Kiel president for the time being and Rev. Daniel Pettay, secretary, with David Frame, treasurer.

"That there be a committee of three members to draft rules for the government of the society. William Thompson, Esq.. David Satterthwaite. Esq., and Dr. David Frame were duly appointed.

Out of this Colonization Society grew the organization known as the "Underground Railroad." by which the Abolitionists helped many of the slaves to liberty. The home of Doctor Baldridge was a depot on this line, and many a slave found lodgement and comfort there while on his way to freedom in Canada. Among the most prominent Abolitionists of this localitv (Senecaville) during the thirty years following were Rev. William C. Kiel, who left Virginia, his native state, on account of his hatred for salvery; Doctor Baldridge, Doctor David Frame, Dr. Noah Hill and Judge William Thompson.

During the years closely preceding the Civil war, and before and after the passing of the Fugitive Slave law, a number of men in Ohio and the adjoining states formed a secret compact, whereby fleeing slaves were to be aided in reaching their haven of safety, Canada, and protected from the pursuit of their masters while on the way. About the first station reached in Guernsey county by slaves coming north was at Senecaville, where a William Thompson took them in charge. From Senecaville the fugitives were usually taken to Byesville. where they were placed in the custody of Jonathan Bye, the Quaker founder of that city. From Byesville they generally made their way by successive stages to Cleveland, whence they found little difficulty in penetrating to Canada.

Owing to various circumstances, however, it was sometimes considered expedient to bring them by way of Cambridge. When this plan was adopted, they were brought from Byesville. and given into the charge of either Alex- ander McCracken or Samuel Craig, both hearty believers in manumission and earnest workers in the interests of the unfortunate black men. Craig lived where the Craig store now stands, at the corner of Wheeling avenue and Eighth street, and the two men sheltered many a slave during the time in which the "Underground Railroad" operated.

Mr. Craig died some years ago, but Mr. McCracken is still living, at the advanced age of ninety-six years, in full possession of his faculties. He relates that upon one occasion he had in his keeping two negro men, closely pursued by their owner. The usual road by which Mr. McCracken conducted the slaves in his charge to the next station was called the Newcomerstown, or Birmingham road. But upon this road there lived a man who frequently played the spy upon the "railroaders," and, fearing that he would inform upon him, Mr. McCracken placed the men in a wagon, making them lie as flat as possible, and covering them with a buffalo-robe, set off about ten o'clock at night, taking the Steubenville road. About three miles out he came to the place where the Xewcomerstown road intersects that upon which he was traveling. By taking this latter road he was able to get to the next station without difficulty, and by this manoeuver was able to outwit the malicious spy. He reached the next station, Daniel Broom's, about four miles north of Cambridge, delivered his charges, and returned to Cambridge, arriving about daybreak.

From Broom's, slaves were taken to Adam Miller, six miles from town on the Newcomerstown road. From Adam Miller's to Peter B. Sarchet's, the next station, was about two miles. From Sarchet's to David Virtue, who was the next "railroader," was about eight miles. Virtue took them to the Steward tavern, on the Newcomerstown road, from which, leaving the Newcomerstown road, they went directly north to Newport, a town on the Ohio canal, about ten miles east of Newcomerstown. This will show the system by which the runaways were smuggled through Guernsey county. Their ultimate goal was, of course, Canada, but from this county they made for Cleveland.

It is related that two prominent men in Oberlin, Ohio, were found aiding in the escape of runaway slaves and were sentenced to spend two years in the penitentiary. A petition was circulated, however, and was signed so universally that their release followed within a few days, and they were spared the degradation attendant upon prison exile.

There were seldom more than two slaves at a time being spirited through. Various were the means of concealing them from the wrathful eyes of their pursuers, such as hiding them in shocks of corn, in dark cellars, and other likely places of concealment. Sometimes those who were antagonistic to the "railroaders" would impede their progress by piling the roads full of logs, thus obliging them to make wide detours in arriving at their destinations. Sometimes negroes found it so pleasant to live without labor, well fed and comfortable, that they would return secretly, and run the circuit of "underground stations" again. When suspected, the}' lulled suspicion by glib falsehoods and fictitious tales as to their identity.

Nevertheless, the "Underground Railroad" was productive of much good, and despite the precarious methods employed, the constant danger, and the sacrifice of time and labor, those who were active in the service never regretted their part in alleviating the sufferings of the unfortunate runaway slaves.

Some Peculiar Notices

The following appeared in the Guernsey Times for March 30, 1826. It is here reproduced as a convincing illustration of the scarcity of money which prevailed in those days, and the necessity a merchant was under of publicly dunning his impecunious debtors :

"The subscriber is now determined to close his books, and therefore all those that know themselves to be indebted to him, either by note, book accompt or otherwise, are required to come forward, & discharge the same, as no longer indulgence will be given. The following kinds of trade will be taken, if delivered in the course of this month.

More ludicrous, however, were some of the advertisements of runaway apprentices, and the dazzling rewards promised those who should apprehend the delinquents. The following are fair specimens:

"JAMES HITE "'About sixteen years of age. All persons are forbid harboring or trusting said boy on my account. The above reward will be given for returning him. but no charges will be paid.

"Absconded on the 15th instant. Cyrus E. Cook, an indented apprentice to the carpenter and joiner business. Said boy went off without any just cause or provocation. All persons are forewarned from hiring, harboring or aiding said boy in making his escape, as the law will be put in force against them.

Sheriff'S Sale

"By virtue of two writs of Execution to me directed, from the Court of Common Pleas of Guernsey County, at the suit of Nicholas Shipley, against William Bernard, I will offer for sale at the late residence of the said William Bernard, in Londonderry Township, in said county of Guernsey, on the 7th day of April next at 10 o'clock A. M., the following goods and chattels, to-wit : One bedstead and chaff bed. three barrels, one tub, one table, one churn, two crocks, one cream jug, one funnel, one pair of hand bellows, five chairs, one reel, two small bags of flax-seed, a few bushels of corn, eight brooms, a few bushels of potatoes, nine geese, five hogs, one flax break, a quantity of hay in the barn, a few bushels of wheat in the sheaf, one cow, one sheep, one pot, one shovel and one hay fork.

"Ran away from the subscriber, living near Washington, Guernsey county, Ohio, on Sunday, the sixth instant, an indented APPRENTICE, named EDWARD KIRK, eighteen years of age, about five feet, six inches high, with brown hair and gray eyes. He is somewhat pompous and foppish in his manners, and had on and took away with him a light, cotton-drilling roundabout, a black home-spun cloth coat, a black fur and a fine Palm-leaf hat, one pair of Angola cassimere, and three pairs of Pittsburg-Cord Pantaloons, a Valencia vest and three shirts. The above mentioned reward shall be paid to the person taking up and returning said boy to me. Any person harboring and employing him may expect to be prosecuted therefor.

Probably there is no one who has not heard of the curiosities known as the "Siamese Twins." These peculiar freaks visited Cambridge in December, 1832, while making their tour of the United States. The following advertisement appeared in the Times of November 30, 1832:

Siamese Twin Brothers

"The Twin Brothers are in their twenty-second year, in the enjoyment of excellent health - and have caused much surprise in this country, as well as in Europe, from the extraordinary manner in which their bodies are joined together.

State Of Dacotah

"The St. Louis Gazette mentions the probability that some time within the next fifteen years, another star will be added to our constellation, with the title of the State of Dacotah. It will extend, according that paper, over the Prairie region north of Iowa, stretching probably from the Missouri to the Mississippi river, embracing the country watered by the St. Peters, the Sioux and the Jaques rivers, and include a part of the Coteau de Prairie. Its latitude will be the same as Michigan, northern New York, Vermont and New Hampshire, with a soil far superior to the average of these states taken together."

Cambridge Markets

The price of produce of all kinds fluctuated greatly in the years immediately preceding the great panic. Here are two reports taken from the Guernsey Times of June and July, 1854:

"When we went to press last week, the price of wheat in the market was one dollar and seventy cents per bushel. Since then, it has fallen to one dollar and forty cents. We have heard of a few persons. who refused to sell their wheat when it was one dollar and eighty cents, expecting a still higher figure. These do not belong to the 'luck in leisure' class." - June 29, 1854.

Cambridge Market, 1S37

1840 - Wheat, forty cents; corn, twenty-four cents; oats, eighteen cents; flax, seventy-five cents ; beans, seventy-five cents ; flour, per barrel, two dollars and seventy-five cents ; salt, two dollars and seventy-five cents ; butter, eight cents per pound; lard, six cents; bacon, six and one-fourth cents.

Market Prices At Later Dates

It may not be without interest to know of the market quotations in Guernsey at different times in the history of the county. During the Civil war the following prices obtained in 1865: Wheat, two dollars per bushel; corn, eighty cents; oats, fifty-five cents; timothy seed, five dollars per bushel; beans, two dollars; onions a dollar and a quarter; potatoes, seventy cents; salt, three dollars and fifty cents per barrel ; flour, eleven dollars a barrel ; hay, eighteen dollars per ton; rags, five cents per pound (for paper-making); eggs, twenty-five cents per dozen; butter, forty cents; hogs, twelve dollars per hundredweight; beef, ten dollars and fifty cents per hundredweight; candles, twenty-five cents per pound: tea, one dollar and fifty cents to two dollars and fifty cents per pound ; sugar, twenty-five to thirty cents a pound; country socks, fifty cents a pair; wood, two dollars and seventy-five cents per cord. These prices were based on the greenback money and "shinplaster" money then commonly used ; gold was at a premium, running as high as two dollars and eighty-eight cents. But our money was good. As a

Corn, eleven dollars per bushel ; oats, six dollars per bushel ; hav, ten dollars per hundredweight; apples, forty-five cents apiece, or forty-five dollars per barrel ; onions, sixty-five dollars per bushel ; lard, two dollars a pound; butter, three dollars and fifty cents per pound; cheese, two dollars per pound; fresh beef, seventy-five cents a pound by the quarter; Irish potatoes, six dollars per bushel ; white beans, one dollar per bushel ; peanuts, twelve dollars and fifty cents per bushel; cranberries, one dollar and fifty cents a quart ; turkeys, twelve dollars each ; oysters, twelve dollars a gallon. This was payable in Confederate money.

Present Prices

The quotations of today - 1910 - may be of little interest to the present reader, but will be read with interest by another generation, hence will be subjoined. The following quotations are from Chicago markets largely : Cattle, from four dollars and fifty cents to seven dollars and fifty cents; calves, from seven dollars and twenty-five cents to nine dollars and twentyfive cents ; hogs, six dollars and ninety-five cents ; sheep, three dollars and fifty cents to four dollars and fifty cents ; wheat, ninety-one cents ; corn, forty-four cents; oats, thirty-one cents; mess pork, six dollars and fifty cents.

Groceries in Cambridge, at retail, were : Flour, two dollars and sixty cents per hundredweight; granulated sugar, eighteen pounds per dollar; rolled oats, per pound, eight cents ; seeded rasins, ten cents ; tomatoes, eight to ten cents per can ; corn, eight, ten and twelve cents per can ; crackers, seven cents per pound ; potatoes, seventy cents ; rice, eight and ten cents : breakfast bacon, twenty-five cents ; lard, sixteen cents.

California Gold Fever Here

The following was published in the centennial history of this county in the columns of the Jeffersonian, in 1876. and the author here makes use of it again :

"At once after the discovery of gold in California, the fever for emigration to the new Eldorado broke out in Guernsey county. Her people have the reputation of being restless and ever on the move, which fact may be traced to her former inefficient agricultural state and to the then and now want of manufacturing enterprise. It has become a saying that Guernsey county people are found everywhere, Go where you will, some of them are sure to confront you. and in connection with the California emigration of 1849-50, she shares the early honors with Posey county, Illinois, and Pike county, Missouri.

"Posey county wagons will long he rememhered, and a Pike county, Missouri, reminiscence of those days will long live in the song of Joe Bowers, in which is related the terrible account of a black-headed Californian having borne to him a red-headed baby. This doggerel will live as long as the more pretentious poems of Joaquin Miller and his imitators.

"Guernsey county gave to California many names for sites of towns, placers, valleys, etc., and Moore's Flat, named for Gen. J. G. Moore, who led the first Guernsey company, will be remembered as long as there is a California history to relate how the many worn and hungry emigrants poured down from the mountains to the hospitable and generous cabins of the Cambridge-California Mining Company, for by that name was the organization known, having for its object, 'the accumulation of gold and silver by mining and trafficking in the gold regions of California and Xew Mexico.'

"The company was organized March 31, 1849. ;U1(' was to continue two years. It was the first company, we believe, which was organized in the state for this purpose. The shares of the stock were one hundred dollars each, and all members were to share alike in the accumulations, no matter if they became physically unable to labor. Members were permitted to send delegates, the agreements with whom were to be filed with the secretary. No division of the accumulations was to be made until the proposed return in 185 1. It was "stipulated that no service was to be performed on the Sabbath day, except for the protection of the lives or property of the members of the company, and that 'members should recognize each other as brothers, by being affable and gentlemanly in their deportment.'

"No amendment was to be permitted to the constitution of the company, except in 'full meeting and without one dissenting voice." Gambling, either among themselves or with others, was prohibited, and the use of intoxicating drinks, except under medical advice, was forbidden. This was perhaps the first prohibition movement ever inaugurated in the county. These stipulations were not rigidly adhered to by some of the members and delegates. Many of the members never came back, some died, and others made California their permanent residence, and their families have there become honourable members of society, and been elevated to many official places of great trust. The company as originally organized consisted of the following persons : Zaccheus Beattv, J. G. Moore, Joseph Stoner, Andrew Ilanna, C. D. Bute. X. L. Wolv-

Bound For The Land Of Gold

"On Tuesday last the following persons departed from this place, bound for California, by the overland route: Jeremiah Jefferson. Cambridge; Milton Jefferson. Cambridge : Franklin Jefferson, Cambridge ; Josiah Morgan, Cambridge: Thomas Bryan, Cambridge: John Morrow, Cambridge; Andrew Cowen, Cambridge Township ; John Black, Cambridge Township :

"On Monday last the following named persons left this place for California, by the overland route: W. K. Davis, wife and five children; Joseph Stoner, John Wharton, George W, Curtis, James Hammond, Francis Hammond. Israel Jackson, Charles Scott, James Cochran, John F. Ellis, James Pollard. All go in the employ of Messrs. Davis and Brown, who design driving a large number of stock across the plains to California."

The Pennyroyal Reunion Society

What has come to be a very interesting reunion in this county, is known as the Pennyroyal Reunion, which was organized and the first meeting held in 1S80. The Guernsey Times of August 26th of that year speaks of its history as follows :

"The long anticipated Pennyroyal Reunion of the natives and former and present residents of Oxford township took place last week. The following is a brief program of the proceedings :

"First day, Tuesday morning. - About ten o'clock President J. O. Grimes came forward and announced that the time had arrived for the commencement of the exercises, and, after prayer was offered by Rev. I. N. White, in the absence of Rev. Hugh Forsythe, he introduced Hon. Newell Kennon, who delivered a splendid address of welcome. He spoke feelingly and with much dramatic intensity of the early pioneer days, now buried in the past, recalled a number of interesting customs, detailed several reminiscences, and succeeded in rousing the enthusiasm of those present. To his effective address, Rev. D. Paul, D. D., of Xew Concord, responded in an (24) energetic and affecting manner. Doctor Paul's marked style of oratory has often been noted and admired, but never were his powers used to better purpose than on this day. He succeeded in deeply impressing the audience gathered around the stand, all scions of old Penny royaldom, a manly, noble race indeed.

"President Grimes made a short but pleasing speech at this juncture, thanking the managers of the association for the high honor bestowed upon him in electing him to the presidency of a social reunion such as this. He felt honored above his brethren, and did not know why he had been singled out from others worthier and better fitted than himself. He spoke of the palmy days of the National pike, Oxford's only public improvement, and recommended further improvement of the roadway. The meeting was then adjourned for dinner, and a more joyful crowd of men and women never before picnicked in old Oxford. The spirit of reunion and happiness seemed to pervade the assembly, and five hundred happy people gathered under the forest trees, bringing up the memories of by-gone days, and diligently making away with the chickens and other 'fixin's' prepared for the occasion.

"Tuesday Afternoon. - Promptly at one-thirty o'clock the exercises were resumed, the crowd around the stand and through the grounds being greatly increased by this time, until there was an audience of fourteen or fifteen hundred, wild with enthusiasm and cheering vociferously. William Borton, Esq., was announced as first on the afternoon program, and delivered the 'History of Pennyroyaldom,' which is briefly as follows: In the early days, shortly after Ebenezer Zane had marked out what was known as Zane's Trace, compliant to his instructions from the government, the grandfather of the speaker, Benjamin Borton, emigrated to Oxford township. Here grew wild, in large quantities, the pennyroyal which he had learned to distill in his native Xew Jersey. The pennyroyal plant is a native of North America, entirely differing from the plant of the same name which is indigenous to England, and possesses marked medicinal qualities. But the name Pennyroyaldom, as applied to Oxford township, originated in a reply of the worthy citizen, Mr. Morris Morton, while commissioner of the county, to some complaint in reference to high taxes, 'that when everything else failed, we could go out and pull enough pennyroyal to pay them.' Out of this simple phrase rose Pennyroyaldom, which has Oxford township for its birth-ground.

"Mr. Borton told of various incidents connected with the early history of Guernsey county, and his remarks were received with an enthralled silence which bespoke an interest much deeper than uproarious applause can evince.

"Music for the occasion was furnished by the Fairview Cornet Band, under the leadership of Prof. W. B. Lee, of Fredericktown, Ohio, and composed of twelve young Oxfordites: Charlie Giffie, John Morton, Thomas Bratton, Simeon Rosengrant, Rufus Hunt, Nathan H. Barber, Charlie Hamilton, Charlie Gleeves, Edward Stevens, William H. Kesselring, Charlie 'fillet and William Frost. They made good music, although they have had only two years' experience.

"Mr. Robert B. Buchanan, in a well-modulated voice, read an original poem on Pennyroyaldom, an exquisitely conceived roundelay, in fourteen verses, which covered the subject thoroughly, and left nothing to be desired. Never has so comprehensive a poem embraced a subject so vital as Pennyroyalism. His charming delivery added much to the effect of his poetic address. Mr. John Kirkpatrick, secretary of the reunion, read letters of regret and greeting from those who by force of circumstances were kept away. The first letter submitted was from W. R. Wagstaff, Esq., of Paola, Kansas, once editor of the Jeffersonicm. The next was from Henry Kennon, Esq., of Princeton, Blinois, brother of Probate Judge Kennon. This interesting epistle was followed by a letter from Dr. Stewart L. Henry, of New Orleans. The president introduced Rev. W. H. Morton, of Cincinnati, who made a few suitable remarks, at the close of which a beautiful selection fell upon the air, tastefully rendered by the band. Then rose Rev. Samuel Forbes, of Sloan's Station, Ohio, and his words were fraught with eloquence. After him came D. D. Taylor, who made a short, humorous speech, at the same time apologizing for the absence of his brother, T. Corwin Taylor, of Washington, D. C. Following these exercises, a grand volume of melody burst from the throats of the 'Pennyroyal Choir,' led by Mr. E. C. Morton, singing 'Home, Sweet Home," after which the band played again, and the crowd dispersed until nine-thirty o'clock the next morning.

"Second Day, Wednesday Morning. - For Wednesday morning a special business meeting had been announced, with the view to a permanent organization of a 'Pennyroyal Society.' The following committee was chosen for the following year: W. H. Morton, Newell Kennon, J. D. Taylor, Joseph Ferrell and William Borton. Secretary Kirkpatrick read a letter from ex- Senator T. W. Tipton, of Brownsville, Nebraska, while the committee was deliberating. A poem of no second merit, by Mr. Jesse Craig Weir, of Cadiz. Ohio, was read by D. D. Taylor, who made an humorous explanation of Mr. Weir's inability to read his own production, 'on account of native modesty.' This was followed by a letter from John S. Taylor, of West Liberty, Iowa. There were numerous other speakers, among whom may be mentioned J. O.

"In the afternoon, the speakers, among whom may be mentioned Col. John Ferguson. Mr. William Morton, -Doctor Paul, Col. J. D. Taylor, X. H. Barber, Esq., Hon. William Lawrence, of Washington, Rev. J. T. Campbell, of Hermon church, near Kimbolton, J. D. Henry, W. S. Heade, J. B. Borton and D. D. Taylor. The closing song was 'Sweet Bye and Bye,' which was joined in by all on the grounds in an imposing chorus. 'Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow,' and the benediction, pronounced by Rev. Mr. Hollister, concluded one of the most notable meetings ever held in Guernsey county."

These reunions have been held regularly to the present time and have been a source of great value to old and young. Here, as at old settlers' reunions, the people gather from far and near and renew friendships. Many states have been represented at these gatherings. Many men of ability and rare talent have spoken on these occasions. Eloquent speeches and hearttouching poems have been written and rendered here. With the passing of the years the interest has lost none of its old-time vim, but grandchildren love to keep sacred the memory of their forefathers in this way. An eighty-page pamphlet souvenir of five of these reunions was published in 1885, giving. many speeches and original poems on this unique reunion society. John Kirkpatrick was the publisher of this interesting booklet. For many years it has been a home-coming occasion.

A Curious Old Paper

Through the kindness of Bethuel Abies, Esq., of Oxford township, we are able to give below a copy of the indentures that bound him as an apprentice to the blacksmith trade, more than half a century ago. The story this paper tells of the customs, dress and requirements of that early day is an interesting one.

"That Bethuel Abies, of Guernsey county and State of Ohio, by and with the consent of his parent, John Abies, hath put himself an apprentice to David Johnson, of the county and State aforesaid, to learn the art and mystery of the blacksmith business in all the parts that the said Johnson follows, for the term of five years, which term commences on the day and date above written (the said Bethuel being aged sixteen years the 16th instant of October) and end the twenty-third day of October. Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and twenty-seven, during- which term the said Bethuel Abies the said Johnson shall faithfully serve in all lawful business according to his power, wit and ability as a dutiful apprentice ought to do. The said Bethuel is not to follow any kind of gambling, nor waste his master's goods, his secrets keep, and all lawful commands everywhere readily obey. Said Johnson is to teach and cause to lie taught the said Bethuel the art and mystery of the blacksmith business in all the various parts that the said Johnson follows, according to their ability in teaching and being taught, and find the said Bethuel in all wearing clothes, bedding and boarding and washing suitable for an apprentice during said term ; also to get him the said Bethuel one coat, vest-coat and pantaloons of factory cotton when he arrives at the age of eighteen, and at the expiration of said term said Bethuel is to have one bellows, one anvil, and one vise, and the liberty of the shop to make such small tools as is necessary to start a shop with, also during said term said Johnson is to give said Bethuel six months schooling. For the true and faithful fulfillment of the above engagements we have each of us set our hands and seals the day and date above written.

Early Highway Robbery

What is always referred to as the "Taylor Robbery" was committed in 1819 when John Tavlor, a wholesale merchant of Baltimore, Maryland, in the fall of the year, was out on a soliciting and collecting tour through the West. On his return journey East, carrying with him quite a large sum of money, he stayed over night at the Black Bear tavern of Gen. Simon Beymer, in Washington, this county. At this time Andrew Moore was keeping the old tavern at "Smithstown," six miles east of Washington, on the old Wheeling road. Mr. Tavlor had been a frequent guest at the Moore house. Two of the Moore girls were visiting at the Beymer's and there met Mr. Taylor, who told them that he would be at their house the next day for dinner. The girls returned home earlv the next morning on horseback. Three miles east of Washington they passed three men seated on the roadside, in a timber belt known then and afterward as "Hubbard's woods." On reaching home the Moore girls gave the information that they had met Mr. Taylor at Beymer's, and that he would he there for dinner. As he had been a guest before, the girls made some extra preparation for him at dinner. Dinner time came and passed, and night came and no Air. Taylor yet. After late bedtime he came to the house. He was admitted and acted so very different from his accustomed frank and jovial manner, that Moore thought he was laboring under a slight aberration of mind. He refused to tell where he had been or why he had not been there for dinner. He seemd to be alarmed and weighted down by a great mental strain. Moore kept insisting on his accounting for his strange action, until he said that he was bound under an oath not to tell what had caused his present condition. Moore still insisted that he should tell, and that a promise or an oath to keep secret what had happened to him was not binding. After much hesitation he told substantially the following: "As I was riding along about three miles from Washington, I was halted by three men who demanded my money, and taking my horse by the bridle led him off the road some distance, and swearing that if I undertook to get off they would kill me. I was taken off the horse and tied to a tree. They took my money out of the saddlebags and divided it. They did not seem in a hurry to get away and swore vengeance on me if I made any outcry. Two of the men were for killing me and the horse as they did not want the horse. But the other objected and said I should be left tied and the horse turned loose. We were down in a deep hollow and it was getting dark. All this time I was tied to the tree, my back against the tree, my arms tied around it. At last they determined to leave and started off. I then made an appeal to not be left there alone to die. One of them came back and untied my hands, after I had made a promise that I would never tell that I had been robbed.

"He also made me promise that I would remain an hour after they left. When it seemed to me the hour was up I made a move toward the horse, which was tied near by. They had not left, and came to me, swearing they would kill me, 'that dead men told no tales.* This so alarmed me that I sank down to the ground overcome with fear. When I regained my senses, I groped my way to the horse, and with much difficulty got to the road." When Andrew Moore heard this story he at once gave the information to his son, Robert B. Moore, who at once started to Washington and Cambridge to start out a party to catch the robbers. Three squads were made up under the leadership of General Moore, Colonel Beymer and Colonel Beatty. They came to the conclusion that Taylor had been followed from the West and that the men would take the back track. General Moore and Colonel Beatty started for Coshocton taking different roads, Colonel Beymer starting for Zanesville. In the evening of the second day they were overtaken by the

Moore and Beatty parties, near to river. They showed tight, and Genei witli his horse-pistol; the other tw< had a bundle in which was the money, divided nearly equal. The amount taken was over three thousand dollars. They were brought to Cambridge and placed in the old log jail. After being in jail a short time, they, by some means, raised a smoke in the cell, and called to the jailer that the cell was on tire. This was a little after dark, the jailer opened the door to find out what was the matter, they knocked him down, and were soon out in the darkness to liberty. These robbers having followed Mr. Taylor from the West, after passing through, taking the old Wheeling road, passing northeast and west of the Steubenville road, could see that the nearest woods was north, so they took from the jail in a northern direction.

The writer's mother, then a girl, was staying with Airs. Rev. Morris during his absence from home, on the circuit. They were alarmed by the outcry made, of "catch the thieves, this way, here they go." On going to the door, a number of men passed by the cabin and stated to them that the "Taylor robbers" had broke out of jail. They struck what was then known as the "Gomber wood lot," and were never seen or heard tell of afterward. Mr. Taylor on a return visit seemed pleased that they had made their escape. He had got his money, and had liberally rewarded his captors, and said that he left relieved that he did not have to appear against them as he felt that his life was spared by his pledge made to say nothing. These robbers did not give their true names and are only known in history as the "Taylor robbers."

Henry Clay In Cambridge

Many of the most distinguished statesmen of the nation in its early existence passed over the National road, from their homes in the West to the Capital and back, at the opening and closing of the sessions of Congress, and on the inaugural occasions.

Jackson, Harrison, Taylor, Polk, Cass, Sam Houston, Davy Crockett, Black Hawk (the renowned Indian chief), Antonio de Santa Anna were among the most noted.

road are one and the same. In Mallory's "Life of Henry Clay," it is stated that lie advocated the policy of carrying forward the construction of the Cumberland road as rapidly as possible, and we learn from his own account that he had to beg, entreat and supplicate Congress, session after session, to grant the necessary appropriations to complete the road. He said : "I have toiled until my powers have become exhausted and prostrated, to prevail on you to make the grant."

Hon. Henry Clay and his wife passed, in a private conveyance, through Cambridge, Ohio, August 20, 1825, on his way to Washington, D. C. He was accompanied by a colored driver and a body servant. There was also a colored maid for Mrs. Clay. Great preparations had been made at Zanesville to give him a grand ovation and public dinner, and many of the citizens of Cambridge had made preparations to attend the great event.

But their joy was changed into sorrow when news came that he was detained at Lebanon, Ohio, by the sickness of his daughter, who died there August 11, 1825, and was buried in the old graveyard. A monument in the old Lebanon graveyard still marks the resting place, on which is inscribed :

Eliza L. Clay

Henry Clay passed through Cambridge November 28, 1833, in a chartered coach on his way to Washington, D. C. The Cumberland road was then completed west to Zanesville, Ohio. He stopped at the old Wyatt Hutchison house, located on the now National hotel site. He had just been defeated in 1832 as the Whig candidate for President, by Gen. Andrew Jackson, in one of the most vindictive and bitter campaigns of the nation.

Colonel Sarchet'S Seventy-Third Birthday Banquet

The publishers of this work deem it but appropriate to here insert a description of the banquet tendered the author, Col. C. P. B. Sarchet, on

As indicated in our last issue, the celebration of the seventy-third birthday anniversary of Col. C. P. B. Sarchet with a banquet at the Noel hotel last Wednesday evening Was an affair full of pleasure to those present. The guests were all above fifty years of age, with one or two exceptions. But on this occasion they "renewed their youth" and jollity and good cheer reigned. A number of the guests had been the associates and friends of Mr. Sarchet for many years and this occasion served to more firmly weld that chain. A tempting menu was furnished by Landlord Smith. At the request of Mr. Sarchet, the Reverend Doctor Milligan was chosen master of ceremonies and he filled the place well. Reverend Doctor McFarland invoked the blessing and then the participants fell to feasting with an appetite like unto the days of romping childhood and with almost the same gleeful spirit. Thus passed an hour and then followed a season of speech-making. Doctor Milligan made some pleasing introductory remarks and was followed by Mr. Sarchet, who spoke as follows :

"It affords me the very highest degree of pleasure to look into the bright smiling faces of so many old time friends. Many of you I have known all my life long. Some of us were boys together. We sported in boyish glee. In spring time, barefooted, riding stick horses and making music with walnut bark whistles. In summer, down in the old swimming hole, we paddled and splashed and kicked and swam and went under out of sight and didn't care a fig whether school kept or not. In winter we coasted o'er the snow, on sleds of our own make, down the hills for the pleasure of hauling them backup again. We skated on the ice above the old mill, cut our names in the ice, cut circles forward and backward and played "high buck or low doe," "shinney on your own side," now modern football, by day and by night. Then we thought Old Father Time moved slowly ; we wanted to be men. As big boys we began to go to the old time rag and candy parties, singing 'King William' and 'Over the River to Charley,' kissing the girls and going home with them. Then we thought that the farthest way around was the nearest way home.

"When I look back through the years of the past to those days of boyhood and young manhood, the many happy hours of pleasure and social enjoyment, and think that the great majority have passed from earth away, my breast fills with emotions that I cannot find words to express. Many of us entered upon the busy, surging sea of active life together, elbowing against and pushing- each other in a manly strife for its honors and preferments, its labors and rewards. Arrayed against each other we fought many fierce, hotblooded political battles, but when the smoke had cleared away there were no dead or wounded to earn- off the field ; we were yet friends. And now around this festal board, in these opening hours of the twentieth century. I greet you as friends. I had almost said old friends - but no ! I greet you as boy friends, we are boys again, to-night."

It was growing late for "old people" by this time and the exercises were brought to a close by tendering Mr. Sarchet a vote of thanks and then there was a closing prayer by Doctor Pope.

Colonel Sarchet was born in Cambridge and has spent nearly, if not all, his long and useful life here. He has seen the town grow from a mere hamlet to a growing city. He has kept in touch with its progress, and recorded many interesting incidents along the way. He possesses a good memory and a ready pen and with these has given in these columns from time to time much valuable information relative to the history of the town and county, even some adjoining counties. His writings have given him the title of the "Guernsey historian" and it is deservedly conferred. His social qualities are admirable and this in a great measure accounts for his popularity. He is a good jolly fellow - a very companionable gentleman, though never afraid to express condemnation for that which he considers wrong. That many more years of sojourn here may be allotted him is the earnest wish of his host of friends.

"The first marriage ceremony performed by a minister in Guernsey county was that of Thomas Sarchet, Jr., to 'Catty Markim,' September n, 1809, by Rev. James Ouinn, elder Methodist Episcopal church, both of them of Cambridge. Muskingum county, Ohio. There was some bad spelling by the elder or clerk of record. This was the first marriage in Cambridge and should read : Thomas Sarchet, Jr., to Catharine Marquand.

"The first marriage in Guernsey county was James Boler to Sally Leunce, September 11, 1810, by Thomas Henderson, justice of the peace, of Oxford township.

"We give some of the first marriages at Cambridge. John Robin to Mary Hubert, September 20, 1810. by Thomas Knowles, justice of the peace, both of Cambridge. Cyrus P. Beatty to Nancy Sarchet, June 11, 181 1, by David Kirkpatrick. justice of the peace, both of Cambridge. Lloyd Talbot to Nancy Sarchet, November 10, 181 1. by David Kirkpatrick, justice of the peace, both of Cambridge. John Dixon to Elizabeth Bryan, December 7, 181 1, by David Kirkpatrick, justice of the peace, both of Cambridge. Thomas Lenfesty, Jr., to Cartaretta Hubert, January 9, 18 12, by the Rev. William Lambdin, of the Methodist Episcopal church, both of Cambridge. Thomas Ogier to Rachel Marquand, May 28, 1812, by the Rev. William Lambdin. of the Methodist Episcopal church, both of Cambridge. Thomas Metcalf to Sarah Gomber, March 17. 1814, by David Kirkpatrick, justice of the peace, both of Cambridge. Thomas Bryan to Joannah Olive, October 17, 18 14, by David Kirkpatrick, justice of the peace, both of Cambridge."

A Human Team

"A novel spectacle, and, we may add, a moving one, was witnessed in this place ten or twelve days since, exemplifying in one of the strongest points of view a state of bodily degradation most painful and revolting to the feelings of human nature. It consisted of a wagon filled with such articles of furniture, etc., as usually belong to an emigrating establishment bound for the 'Far West,' drawn by two men and a boy, all duly harnessed, acting in the capacity and doing the work of a team of horses! The individuals thus engaged appeared cheerful and patient in the exercise of their laborious employment. Thev were ascertained to be emigrants from Germany, on their way to the distant regions of the West." - Times, October 19, 1833.

Meteoric Shower Of 1 833

"The old house now being torn clown on North Eleventh street, at the divergence of the street through the McCracken and Matthews additions, is one of the early houses built in Cambridge.

"It was built by Peter Sarchet, Si". It was a freak of architecture, a frame, the intervals between the studding being filled in with brick, and was plastered on the outside in imitation of stone. Another house in the same locality, which stood on the northwest corner of Eleventh street and Steubenville avenue, was of similar build, except that it was lathed on the inside and plastered. This house was built by John Torode. Neither of these houses stood the test in our variable climate, and soon began to look ragged and unsightly, by reason of the bond in the mortar or cement giving way and falling off, but both, when new, were attractive looking houses.

"But it is to relate an incident well known in history, in connection with the house then occupied by a Air. George Clark, that we began this reminiscence. In November, 1833, quite a number of citizens of Cambridge assembled at Clark's, as was a custom, to engage in 'fighting the tiger." During this frolic and carousal, toward the 'we sma' hours," one of their number went out and returned with the alarming declaration 'that the world was coming to an end, and the sky falling in." These midnight revelers looked upon a meteoric scene that led them to think that home, rather than a gambler's den, was the best place to be when the 'sky was falling in." So for home they made as best they could, so suddenly awakened from a drunken debauch, to be ever after during their lives living witnesses that the 'sky fell in."

"The New American Cyclopedia gives this description of that November night, I2th and 13th, 1833 : 'But the year 1833, on the night of November 1 2th and 13th, is memorable for the most magnificent display on record, and was visible over all the United States, and over a part of Mexico and the West India islands. Together with the small shooting stars, which fell like snowflakes and produced phosphorescent lines along their course, there were intermingled large balls of fire, which darted forth at intervals, leaving luminous trains, which remained in view several minutes, and sometimes half an hour or more.' f f ; C

"The writer of this, then a boy seven years old, well remembers the eventful night when the 'stars fell.' At our home we were all engaged in the annual fall custom of making apple butter, which generally partook of the nature of a neighborhood frolic, paring and cutting the apples and stirring the butter until late into the night. Some one of the number, going out, returned with the cry that the 'stars were falling." We all looked upon the scene with wonder and amazement, and one of the number said, 'What's the use of making apple butter, when the world is coming to an end."

"But the world did not come to an end, nor as yet have wonders ceased. People come and go; one builds up, another tears down, and out of all we see the onward march of destiny."

Various Cyceones

The Times of June 25, 1885, speaks as follows of a roaring cyclone: "The village of Byesville was visited by a genuine cyclone last Sunday evening. It was a veritable 'ring-tailed ripper and roarer,' to appropriate the graphic' description of an impressed Byesvillian. It was of the old-fashioned orthodox funnel-shape, with the little end down, and the big end several hundred feet up in the air. It carried in its swirl boards, limbs, small trees and general debris. It ambled in from the southwest at the rate of about five miles an hour, and after a deliberate but rude caress to the orchards at the edge of town it came hopping and hitting and skitting and slipping along through the village, leaving destruction behind, going off to the northeast when it grew tired.

"It was after four o'clock when something unusual was detected by the villagers. The June afternoon was sultry, and the atmosphere oppressive. A dead stillness pervaded the air. and the sun shone bright and hot. Then there came a low rumbling sound from the southwest, growing rapidly into an angry roar, that drew the villagers from their homes to look and listen. Far to the southwest the tops of the trees were bending and breaking. A dark-hazel cloud, compact and threatening, was flying above the tree tops toward the town. A monster freight train seemed crashing through the forests. Some few divined the cause and, foreseeing destruction, fled for refuge to cellars. The consternation spread and, panic-stricken, the people rushed for the cellars. It struck, and the angry roar was heard for miles. The town of Byesville more than likely owes its escape from total destruction to the fact that the cyclone only struck a corner of the town, and did not strike it with its full volume. It unroofed stables and demolished outhouses, carried away boards and timbers, as it was, and one house was moved eight feet off its foundation. The house was occupied by Mr. Shields, the saddler, with his wife and little daughter. They had fled to the house at the approach of the cyclone, but had barely entered when the windy monster took the house in his grasp, lifted it. and jammed it down. The shock loosened the chimney, and the bricks came tumbling down into the room. All three were injured, more or less, but none severely. These are the only injuries reported.

"The cyclone moved slowly, and there was something awful in its deliberate majesty. All the way the hazel-cloud seemed topping it, going on before. It struck the tall trees on the creek banks, bent them low, broke them or tore them up, dipped dry the creek as it passed, and struck the hill that lies to the northeast, as a sentinel over the village. The shock demoralized the cyclone, as no further damage of consequence is reported. Its path was about fifty yards wide when it passed through Byesville. It uprooted trees and nearly destroyed several orchards in and about the town, among them the orchards of Henry Wilson and Jesse Linkhorn. Shortly after the passage of the cyclone, a terrific thunderstorm broke over the town, and for a little while the people fancied that the long-predicted judgment day was come."

Cyclone Of 189O

"The first genuine cyclone that has visited Guernsey county for many years passed through Monroe township Saturday evening. About four o'clock the citizens were aroused to a sense of danger by the appearance of a small funnel-shaped cloud approaching from the southwest at terrific speed, accompanied by lightning and a terrible noise. The first account we have of its devastation is when it struck what is known as the Lytle farm, on Irish ridge. Here it leveled the barn and stable, unroofed and crushed in one end of the brick residence; then, striking Commissioner John Thompson's farm, a large amount of timber and fencing were blown down and one steer killed; fences and timber were destroyed on Philip Randal's farm, but his buildings were outside the path of the revolving terror and escaped. Mrs. Yarnell's farm next lay in its path, and nearly all the timber and fences were leveled to the earth and scattered about; Airs. Hollingsworth's farm met the same fate, but the buildings on both farms escaped, being outside the track of the storm. Jonathan Colley's farm was stripped of about five hundred panels of fence and two acres of timber were leveled to the earth. The path of the storm was a short distance from his buildings, and they escaped serious damage. It then passed over the farms of Weston and Asbury George. On the former, the fences were leveled and the barn unroofed, and on the latter an addition recently built to his residence was blown away, together with milk house, corn cribs, wagon shed and the grain scattered in every direction, the sheep house removed from its foundation, six hogs killed, their mother's back broken and a bureau carried from the part of the house blown away, to a distance of about fifty yards, where it was lodged against a fence. All the buildings on David Meek's property were unroofed, and a large orchard swept away, only four trees left standing. A large amount of timber was destroyed along Laurel creek. The storm passed on in an almost direct line to the northeast. The path of the cyclone varied in width from ten to twenty-five rods. It seemed to bound along like a ball of India rubber, passing over spaces, and wherever it struck the earth carrying everything with it. Wheat was shaven off as by a scythe, the furrows where sod had been broken, lifted and scattered about, in some places lodged at quite a distance away."

A Hail Storm In 1 826

"A most tremendous storm of hail passed through this county on Saturday, the 1st inst., in a direction from northwest to southeast, about five miles north of this place. Much injury has been sustained upon those farms which were within range; fortunately, however, the vein was very narrow, from a half mile to a mile in width; many of the hailstones were nearly the size of a hen's egg. We have heard of some farmers who had every vestige of their crops destroyed - corn that was nearly ready to tassel had the stalks entirely cut to pieces, to within six inches of the ground; wheat ready to harvest was completely threshed, and the straw cut to pieces and tangled together, so as to destroy it entirely ; tobacco was wholly cut up, so as to appear as though it had never been planted; the trees in the woods and orchards were stripped of their leaves and fruit. We have not been able to ascertain the extent of the injury in full, but from the best information we can receive, there certainly never has been so destructive a visitation to the citizens of this community, in proportion to its width."

Cold Weather Statistics

"Some time ago you said : 'Can you give us a little cold weather history?' "We will go back to the beginning of Ohio history as a state. The winter of 1807-8 is known in Ohio history as 'the cold winter." We are unable to give the cold by degrees, as thermometers were not then in general use.

"My grandfather then resided in a cabin on the north end of what is now the Guernsey National Bank lot, on North Seventh street. We have heard our oldest uncles, who were then aged seventeen and thirteen years, say that thev had two ways of keeping warm ; one was to cut and carry in wood to keep up the fire, the other was to carry water to throw on the mud and stick chimney, to keep from burning up the cabin. The water was carried from a spring, west of Sixth street, near the residence of Hon. David D. Taylor, on North Fifth street.

"The next was the winter of 1817-18. We have heard it said it was so cold that a bucket of water thrown into the air would be frozen to ice before it could fall to earth.

"The next was the winter of 1835-6. This comes within our recollection. There was snow from two to three feet deep. We well remember wading through it when it came well up to the waist. My grandfather then had a thermometer which he kept hanging on the south side of his house. He came to our house on the coldest morning, and said to me : 'Boy, it's colder than you are old.' I was then eight years old."

The writer then gave the temperature for the winter months from 1850 to 1865, but we will simply abridge and give his figures for the coldest day of the several years : In 1850, coldest day was ten degrees above zero; 1851, in December it was seven degrees below zero; 1852, January 20, it reached seventeen below; 1853, January 27, one below; 1854, January 2$. at zero, 1855, December 27, two above; 1856, January 9. twelve below; 1857, January 26. six below; 1858, February 2^, seven below; 1859, February 1, five below; i860, January 5, four below; 1861, February 8, zero; 1862, February 16, seven below ; 1863, January 18, four above ; 1864, "the coldest New Year's day," the thermometer indicated a change of forty-six degrees from nine in the evening until six in the morning, and went as low as eight below, and in the following month reached nineteen degrees below.

January 8, 1847, f°ur degrees below zero. December 4, 1849, tw0 degrees below zero. February, 1850, two below zero. December, 1851, seven degrees below zero. January 7, 1852, seventeen degrees below zero. January, 1853, one degree below zero. January, 1856, twelve degrees below zero.

February, 1856, fourteen degrees below zero. February, 1858, seven degrees below zero. January, i860, four degrees below zero. January 2. 1864, eigbt degrees below zero. January 7, 1864, four degrees below zero. February, 1866, four degrees below zero. January, 1867, ten degrees below zero. December, 1870, one degree below zero.

The oldest man who ever lived in this county is supposed to have been Benjamin Berry, who died here in 1877. At that date many of the elderly people here remembered him in their childhood as a middle aged man during the war of 1812-14. Enquiry was made at his death and it was learned that his age was one hundred and eleven years, having been born in 1765, as determined from the muster rolls of the war of 1812. in which he took part as a soldier. He also served in the Indian war prior to the war with England. It is not believed that an older man has ever lived in this county and but few in Ohio have attained so great an age.

"In 18 - there was considerable grave robbing in Guernsey county. An incidental account is remembered of a body being brought through a toll gate on the National road in a sleigh, head upright, between two men. The body had an old coat thrown over it, and a hat put over its head. The gate keeper was completely deceived. The body of a woman was also taken from a cemetery within ten miles of the place from whence this body was brought. One night, during some dissecting by medical students and others, some women approached the place, probably with some suspicion of what was going on, and moved by a curiosity to know the facts. They came so near, and their knowledge was so apparent to those present, that the solidly frozen head of a man was rolled toward them. They screamed and ran away. It was afterward discovered that they had seen nothing and knew nothing, beyond suspicion, and it was explained to them that a pumpkin had been rolled toward (25) them in the dark. If they had more suspicion, it was allayed, or their dread remembrance of the scene, or other considerations, kept their mouths closed. "Many readers of this will remember that, some years ago, an old barrel lay by the side of a public road in this county. The stench that came from it was so indescribably horrible that no one who ever passed by will fail to call it to recollection now when they are told that the nauseating smell was from fragments of human flesh, which had, in the colder weather, been thrown into the barrel and hauled away in the night time and tumbled down bv the roadside."

The First Mails

We take the following account of the first mails of the state from an article written by Col. C. P. B. Sarchet for the Cambridge Daily Sun :

"The first mails carried in Ohio was in 1798, from Wheeling over the Zane Trace to Limestone, now Maysville, Kentucky, and from Marietta to McCullough's cabin at the ferry at the crossing of the Muskingum river, now Zanesville. These were weekly mails, intersecting at McCullough's cabin. He had the authority to open and assort the mails. The postoffice was opened at Zanesville in 1803. In 1805 John Beatty, at the cabins at the crossing of big Wills creek, had the authority to open the mails. In 1807 Cyrus P. Beatty was appointed by Thomas Jefferson as postmaster at Cambridge, in Muskingum county, Ohio. He held the office for a number of years. In these early days there was but little letter writing. The postage was so much that only business letters passed through the mails. We have in our possession old letters showing postage paid of six and one-fourth, twelve and one-half, eighteen and three-fourth, twenty-five and twenty-seven and one-half cents. There was no prepayment, and many letters were sent to the dead letter office, because the person addressed didn't have the money to pay the postage. Letters were sent by travelers from town to town. This came to be done to such an extent that Congress in 1817 passed a law making it a criminal offense for anyone but mail carriers to carry letters. The next postmasters were Nicholas Blaithache, Jacob Shaffner, William Ferguson, Isaiah Mcllyar, William Smith, Robert Burns, James M. Smith, James O. Grimes, Francis Creighton, Edwin R. Nice. William McDonald, C. L. Madison, D. D Taylor and W. H. II. Mcllyar.

"Of these, nine were appointed as Whig, or Republican, and seven as Democratic. We were acquainted with all of these but the first, and received mail through their hands."

Daring Mail Robbery

"On the night of Friday, the 17th inst, as the mail stage was going from Zanesville to Wheeling, one of the large mail bags was stolen from the boot about one mile east of Washington in this county, the bag cut open and the contents scattered in all directions. The robber, or robbers, however, made but a water-haul, as fortunately the bag in question contained only newspapers. We have not heard of a clue having been found yet, likely to lead to the detection of the daring perpetrator of this deed. - Guernsey Times, June 25, 1836.

In the year 1895, before the many rural mail routes had been established, the following was the list of postoffices and remuneration received at such offices by the postmaster in charge :

Guernsey Countys Man-Woman

"Florence Goldsborough's adventures as a woman in man's clothing through a period of sixteen eventful years cannot fail of partaking of the strangeness of fiction and the wildness of romance. Such is the character of the history of Florence F. Goldsborough, whose masculine name is Johnny Howard, and whose wild and reckless career has been partly spent in Guernsey county.

"When about sixteen years of age, she was suspected and pronounced guilty of stealing sixteen dollars from an uncle. For this crime, she served three months in the county jail. While admitting many other crimes, she has ever protested her innocence of this first charge. When she was released from' jail, she donned man's clothing, and left home.

"Upon coming into this county, she first hired to work as a farm laborer, for Rev. George W. Wharton, a Baptist preacher who resided north of Middletown. During the six months she remained with Rev. Wharton, she had the benefit of morning and evening devotion, but without any apparent effect upon her spiritual nature. At any rate, she had the benefit of early rising in order to get the work done in time for prayers, and her health may have been made the better for it, if nothing more.

"Quitting Reverend Wharton's place, she hired to labor on the farm of Andrew Morton, a short distance west of Middletown, and she continued with him about a year. During all that time, her sex was never suspected, and she regularly slept with' Jacob Ducker and other farmhands who worked for Mr. Morton.

"But soon she grew tired of farm life, and set out for Columbus, where she found employment as a street-car driver. She continued in that vocation for some time, but at last had a fight, and was sent to the station house for thirty days. When she was released, she went to Bellaire. While there, she was arrested for stealing money from Mr. N. B. Hayes, the late well known stock dealer of this county. For this crime, she was convicted, and sent to the Penitentiary for three years. Here her sex was discovered for the first time after leaving home in 1863, and she was placed in the female department.

"When her term had expired, she went to Cincinnati, and engaged as second clerk on the steamer 'Alaska,' plying between that place and New Orleans. After making three trips, and falling in the river once, she quit boating, and returned to Columbus.

"Since her return to that city, she has been variously engaged as bartender, bell boy and farm hand and has served sentences to station-houses and jails, in addition to two other terms in the penitentiary, the first for one and the second for three years. Both crimes were stealing money, the last one in 1875. The amount taken was five hundred dollars.

"Her term having expired on the 8th of the present month, she no sooner got out than she put on her male attire, was arrested for so doing, and put in the station house. She protests that she is now going to live a batter life, but will not give up men's clothing, as she prefers it to the garb of women. She looks very much like a small, beardless boy, and the only quality apt to betray her sex is her small hand. She is thirty-two years old, carries her age well, and keeps good health for one who has endured so rugged a life." - Jcifcrsonian, 1878.

Days Of Mourning

Cambridge, in common with all the country, has had her days of true mourning and here will be given brief accounts of how the citizens met these national calamities and bow they were affected at the death of her fallen statesmen and military heroes :

Upon the death of Hon. Henry Clay, June 29, 1852, and upon the decease of Daniel Webster, the great New England statesman, on October 24, 1852, the same paper was deeply set in double-column turned rule.

Death Of President William Henry Harrison

President W. H. Harrison died at Washington on the 4th of April, 1 84 1. thirty minutes before one o'clock in the morning. Everywhere the national bereavement was deplored by Whigs and Democrats .alike, and services were held throughout the length and breadth of the land. In Cambridge, according to the Guernsey Times of April 10, 1841, a discourse upon the life, public services and character of William Henry Harrison was delivered by Rev. James Drummond, at the Methodist Episcopal church, on the evening of Wednesday, April 14th, at early candle lighting.

"On Saturday last, about eight o'clock A. M., the sad intelligence of the death of President Lincoln reached this place. Sorrow was depicted upon every countenance as soon as it was known that the chief magistrate of the nation was ho more. All felt the common calamity, and men of every shade of political opinion mourned the loss of the dead President. The bells of the village, whose iron tongues the day before had rung out their joyful peals, now tolled a solemn requiem through the weary hours. Flags that had floated gaily were clothed in mourning and drooped listlessly upon the sodden air. The elements were in harmony with the general grief, and the sky was overcast with dark and lowering clouds, which mingled their tears with tbose of the bereaved people.

"In the afternoon a prayer-meeting was held in the Town Hall, where solemn and impressive prayers were made by Reverend Milligan and others.

speeches were made by Reverends Ellison, Forsythe and McConnell. The remarks of the former gentleman were well-timed and appropriate, but we are sorry to say that in the midst of the general grief, Mr. McConnell indulged in remarks better suited to a political meeting than the solemn occasion for which the people had assembled."

Death Of President Garfield

For the second time in the history of this county, the citizens were called upon to mourn the death of a President, who had fallen at the hands of an assassin. It was in September, 1881. The news spread quickly and sorrow was intense. All business was suspended in Cambridge. Public memorial services were held. The bells of the city tolled and the streets were draped in mourning emblems for the dead President - a beloved citizen and native son of Ohio. Services were held at the United Presbyterian church and at the Presbyterian church. These places were heavily draped in black, intermingled with the flag. A motto was displayed reading: "God reigns, the nation lives," which were Garfield's words in Xew York city in trying to quell the mob after the assassination of Lincoln, and which words now became appropriate in his own case. Remarks were made by Professor McBurney, Reverend Young, Rev. Hyde Forsythe, Rev. B. Y. Siegford, Reverend Darrow, Judge Tingle and Col C. P. B. Sarchet. This was at the United Presbyterian church.

At the Presbyterian church impressive services were held and the Masonic bodies were out in force. Prayer was offered by S. J. McMahon, Esq., and by Reverend Milligan. A song was rendered by Prof. John H. Sarchet entitled, ''We'll Not Forget Our Buckeye Boy;" he was assisted by the Masonic Glee Club. Benediction was pronounced by Rev. E. S. Hoagland.

Services were at the same time held at the African Methodist Episcopal church, Reverend Johnston officiating and made the point clear that mourning was not for a white man's President, neither a black man's President, but for "our President."

When Gen. U. S. Grant, the soldier-President and retired fellow citizen, another son of Ohio soil, had passed to the other shore, this county, in common with the entire country, were again in deep sorrow. Though not as sudden as other public calamities, for ex-President Grant had long suffered and bis death was thought to lie inevitable, yet here in Guernsey, where there were so many of his old army comrades and political friends, the news was hard to realize - the man of an iron will who had marched to victory on many a well fought field, and he who, after the war closed, had said: "Let us have peace" - the man who had heen around the glohe and admired by all peoples and tribes, finally had to succumb to the cold hand of death. On August 8, 1885, at the hour when his body was being lowered into the grave, memorial services were being held throughout the entire country. At Cambridge the bells all tolled while Grant's remains were being lowered to the earth at Riverside, in New York. Soon after two P. M. the Grand Army of the Republic, with draped banners and flags, fell into line, headed by the Cambridge Band. They passed to School Park, where a stand had been erected. There might have been seen a picture of the illustrious American soldier- President, surrounded by flags and crepe. The orator of the occasion was Capt. J. B. Ferguson. Prayer was offered by Reverend Jennings. Dispatches were read from time to time, as the body of Grant was being taken to its last resting place and while it was being lowered to the vault at Riverside.

Again, in Septemher. 1901. President McKinley, in extending- his hand to a supposed friend, while visiting the great Pan-American Exposition, at Buffalo, Xew York, was shot by an assassin and only survived eight days, the date of his death being September 14. 1901. Memorial services were held in this count}-. In Cambridge, at the Methodist Episcopal church, old and young filled the house to overflowing. Many of those present had met in like services at Hie death of the lamented Lincoln and Garfield. Church bells tolled solemnly, and black and white draperies were in evidence throughout the entire city. The floral offerings were all pure white. Mayor Baxter had charge and welcomed the speakers. The front seats were reserved for the old soldiers, including the Grand Army of the Republic, with its banners draped in black. Doctor Milligan spoke touching]}- of the unspotted life and, above all. of his beautiful love and tenderness for Mrs. McKinley. during the years of her long illness or infirmity.

as a man; our admiration for his unspotted life and character, and above all, our love for him because of his tender care of Mrs. McKinley during her long years of infirmity.

"Resolved, That in his death our hearts are filled with an untold sorrow. In this sad hour we have ceased to be Republicans, Democrats, Prohibitionists and Populists - Northern, Southern - but are simply American citizens of a bereaved country, mourning a common loss."

Sarchet Brothers And Their Bible

"It is well known here that the Sarchets. who were among the first settlers of Guernsey county, came from the isle of Guernsey, but we have an item of their history beyond that. The original Sarchets were natives of France, and during the Huguenot persecution two of the brothers were converted from Catholicism and purchased a Protestant Bible, Calvin's translation to the French. Information was given to the priests that they were in possession of this book, and to avoid arrest and punishment by the Inquisition they fled with the 'Word' to the island of Guernsey for safety. From these heads sprang the two branches of the Sarchet family in this county, and all of the name that we know anything about. To this day that same old Bible remains intact, and is in the possession of Mrs. R. M. Beatty in Cambridge. It is fully three hundred years old, and was brought to this place by the oldest Thomas Sarchet known to this country, in 1806, who was in the line of descent of the two brothers and who was awarded the custody of the same. It is considered of great value as a family relic, and the older members still inquire for the 'old book' whenever they visit Mrs. Beatty." - In the Times, January, 1875.

An Old Bridge

Just where the Cumberland and Senecaville creeks unite to form Wills creek, on the old Pike road, between Buffalo (or Hartford) and Derwent. is a very old bridge, said to be almost as old as the famous old bridge in Cambridge. The details of its construction, its exact age, or any data concerning it are unknown to the writer. It will be torn down the coming season and a new steel bridge constructed in its place.