Huron County, Ohio - The whole text, 1909 (part 2 of 29)

The first section of this township was not settled as early as the other portions and the settlers lived in a primitive way as late as 1841, and we may judee from the way they lived as to the customs of the first settlers in the rest of the town. There are people living who tell us that they lived on corn and buckwheat, with no wheat flour. Fat pork swimming in its own grease was the meat. For a Christmas dinner wild turkey roasted before the fire place and stuffed with buckwheat pancakes, wild honey, sauce made from wild crab apples or plums, and tea made from blackberry leaves was a menu good enough for the best. One lady says that she passed through Norwalk in 1818, at the time the first court held there was in session. The lawyers and others put up at David Underhill's. They had for supper wild crabapples stewed, corn cakes, wild honey and crabapple pie. Seth Jennings of Milan said that in 1819 a grand Thanksgiving dinner consisted of roasted turkey, venison, pork and other meats, baked Indian pudding, pumpkin and first rate mince pies. The latter were made without wine, cider, sugar or molasses, apples or beef. For sweetening pumpkins were boiled down to a syrup, for apples cranberries and pumpkins were used, and for beef, venison.

When the clothing brought here by the pioneer was used up it had to be renewed in some way. After the land had been cleared long enough a crop of flax was raised and garments were made of flax and wool. The flax was rotted, broken, swingled, hetcheled, spun, woven and made into garments by the settler's own family, perhaps although not every woman had a loom or could weave, but she need not go out of the neighborhood to get her weaving done. The garments made from this homespun linen or tow were durable, but not fine. The long fibres obtained by hetcheling was linen, and could be spun into finer yarn. was woven with wool and called "linsey woolsey." It could be colored with butternut bark, or similar dye stuffs, and woven in checks or stripes, according to the fancy of the weaver. This was made into shirts and dresses, bed clothing, etc. The short fibres which were combed out Ey the hetchel made tow which was spun into coarse yarn for coats, vests, pants and coarse cloth and twisted into cords and ropes for domestic use.

The very earliest settlers used deer skin for pants and coat. It was well suited for rough usage, but had a fashion of stretching marvelously when wet. If the wearer sat before the fire and allowed the pantaloons to dry upon him he had no easy task to get out of them at bedtime, for they were hard and stiff when dried after being soaked. They would shrink back to their former size or a little smaller. A man who did not understand this properly once went to Norwalk at the time two Indians were hung there. He traveled through the bushes and swamps on his way there and got his trousers wet. When they first began to hang down to his heels he cut off a piece of the legs instead of rolling them up. After a while he cut off another piece. When he arrived at Norwalk the sun was shining hot and it was not long until his pants were up to hts knees and he attracted almost as much attention as the Indians. When the pants were wet by the snow in winter and dried it required a good degree of resolution to crawl out from the bed in some loft where the floor was covered with an inch or so of snow and stick one's legs into a pair of these garments, which were like stove pipes, and it also required no little skill to get into them or bend after they were once on. It is related of one of the earliest settlers in this county that his old buckskin trousers were beginning to show signs of passing away. He had a deer skin which would do for one leg, but the deer which was to supply the other leg was still running in the woods. He and a neighbor started out to find a deer, and as they were traveling through the woods they came upon a deer which had just fallen from wounds received from other hands. Our hero jumped, slapped his hands, and shouted: "Fortune favors the brave! I shall have a pair of breeches yet!" The tannery was institution which followed not far behind the first settlers. Sometimes the tanner followed the trade of cobbler as well. The shoemaker used to take his kit of tools with him from one house to another, wherever his services were required, and make up and mend the supply of shoes for the winter. This was called "whippin' the cat." Boots and shoes were made to order over home made lasts. They did not have high heels and the distinction between toothpick toe, coin toe or round toe was not thought of. The leather was neither kangaroo, kid, enamel calf nor pebble goat, but plain cowhide or calfskin. Buckskin moccasins and "shoe packs" were worn to some extent. Rubber boots or overshoes were unknown.

The flood of light from the fireplace in the winter evenings made the room light enough for most purposes, but tallow candles were generally used to read by. One man made tallow candles for his own use by melting deer fat in a tea kettle cover and pouring it over a twisted piece of muslin with a spoon. They were not handsome, but served to give light for him to attend an evening school. Sometimes a kind of lamp like the illustration was used. It was suspended by driving the sharp end of the pointed iron into a log of the wall. Lard or bear grease was the oil and a piece of rag, the wick. A "flip ding" or "slut" was a lamp made out of any kind of dish filled with lard with a piece of twisted rag in it. These lamps gave a dim light and furnished a cloud of smoke. Friction matches were unknown. Fire was obtained from coals on the hearth or by means of "tinder boxes." These were small iron boxes with some pieces of tinder (made by burning a piece of linen rag to charcoal) or punk, (a substance found in decayed timber). A piece of steel was struck across the sharp edge of a flint stone and the spark fell upon the tinder or punk. This held the fire and a blaze was kindled from this by means of some light shavings or sulphur matches (made by dipping bits of wood in melted sulphur). If the settler neglected his tinder box and the fire on the hearth was allowed to go out a boy was sent to the nearest neighbor's to "borrow fire," and carried home a burning brand between two pieces of bark.

Clocks and watches were too expensive for universal use. On clear days the housewife could tell the time of day by a mark on the floor, called the "moon mark," where the shadow of the door post reached at noon.

The New England pioneers of the Firelands were well aware of the advantages of educational privileges and as soon as a few families had settled conveniently near each other a school was established, perhaps in one of the houses at first, until a school house could be erected. A young lady, daughter of one of the families was, perhaps, the teacher. After a time a log school house would be built. The seats were puncheons or slabs from some sawmill, with the flat side up and pegs inserted into auger holes for the legs. The desks were made of wide whitewood boards fastened to arms driven into holes bored into the wall. The pupil could rest his back by leaning against the edge of the desk. Not many branches were taught, the "three R's" being considered about the only essentials. The teacher "boarded 'round," spending as many nights at each place as the ratio of pupils sent from that place required. Frequently the teacher hardly knew where to go for the inhabitants of the district might not all be ready to board him until they had butchered or done something else which would answer for an excuse. The wages of a lady teacher were from seventyfive cents to a dollar and a quarter a week and "found."

The settlers did not possess many books and could not obtain newspapers until some years after the settlement was made. At first they had to go long distances after mail, but post offices were established at an early day. It cost twenty-five cents to receive a letter from New York or New England, and a letter had often to lie in the office some time until the pioneer could obtain the money in some way to pay the postage.

Many of the early settlers were pious people and soon became acquainted with neighbors of like minds. They would meet at each other's houses on Sunday for religious exercises. One of the number would read a sermon, hymns would be sung and one or more of them could lead in prayer. Occasionally a pioneer missionary like Alvin Coe, Harry O. Sheldon, Father Gurley or David Marks would preach a sermon, and if the house was not large enough to hold the congregation a log barn would be used. the community increased numbers a church society would be organized and supplied by a pastor from some neighboring settlement, perhaps. Sooner or later a church would be erected under great difficulties and with many self sacrifices on the part of the members. A perusal of the "Memoirs of Rev. David Marks" gives one some idea of the hardships and dangers which some of the pioneer preachers endured while engaged in the labors to which they thought they were called. In June, 1882, he left Black Rock, N. Y., on a schooner on his way to Portland, now Sandusky. The captain very ungenerously landed him with some others on the peninsula, six miles from Portland, after taking his last cent to pay his passage. Besides the lighthouse keeper there were no inhabitants near there. Marks had eaten but one meal in the last forty hours and the keeper was nearly out of provisions, so they lay down supperless. After the men who landed with Marks had fallen asleep, the keeper, remembering the "poor boy that had come far from a father's house to preach the gospel," gaye him a cracker and a half pint of milk. In the morning one of the men killed a fawn and their hunger was appeased. After waiting a day or two and seeing no prospect of getting away soon, Marks and one of the men calked an old skiff which they found in some drift wood and started for Portland. They kept afloat for some time by bailing out the water with a shoe, but were forced to return and were nearly swamped by the waves. The next day they were so fortunate as to get a ride on a boat across to Cedar Point. They walked nine miles along the beach before they came toa house. Marks walked to Milan and there found friends. He was only sixteen years of age at this time, but no difficulties dampened his ardor for the work in which he had embarked.

When the Northwest Territory was organized by the government of the United States slavery was forbidden, but when the constitution of the new state of Ohio was adopted the friends of slavery who had come from the slave states of New

Jersey, Virginia, Maryland and Kentucky and settled mostly in the southern portion of the state, attempted to insert a clause allowing a limited form of slavery, Judge Ephraim Cutler, of Marietta, a native of New England, turned the scale in favor of freedom, but the victory was barely won by one vote. Thus the influence of New England was felt in this question at an early day. For a long time there was a large party in the state favorable to slavery, and their influence was felt in legislation. The colored people were not allowed to testify in courts of law, nor to vote. Separate schools were provided for colored children, and this law, the last one of the so-called "Black Laws" left on our statute books, was repealed only ten years ago, or so, although it had been a dead letter for years. Many years ago the enemies of slavery began to aid the slave to escape from his master. These anti-slavery sympathizers had a system of communication and transportation known as the "Grapevine Telegraph" and "Underground Railroad," by means of which hundreds of slaves were assisted on their way to Canada and freedom. Stations on this road were the homes of the more daring of the abolitionists, a few miles apart, and the runaways were secretly conveyed from one station to the next. Some were captured and returned to bondage, but the most who were able to reach the Western Reserve, where their enemies were fewer, were successful in reaching safety. The laws of the United States made it a crime to assist a slave to escape or to refuse to help capture one when called upon to do so by the owner or officer in pursuit of him. Nevertheless hundreds of men in the Firelands stood ready to assist the slave at the risk of person and property. Rush R. Sloane and Frank D. Parish, of Sandusky, were each heavily fined at one time for defending the rights in court of escaping slaves, but they were taken to Cincinnati, where the pro-slavery sentiment was stronger than at Sandusky. When the call for volunteers came in 1861 and later the Firelands furnished plenty of brave soldiers.

The Firelands were not behind the rest of the country in the projection of railways, and two of the earliest roads in the state, the Mad River & Lake Erie, and Monroeville & Sandusky, which were commenced about 1835, ran from Sandusky. Some of the most influential men in the building of the Cleveland, Norwalk & Toledo road, now the Lake Shore, lived at Norwalk. Clarksfield's first railroad will be described later.

When the country was new fever and ague was common. The chills or "shakes" were very severe, lasting sometimes for two hours, shaking patient, bedstead and floor. After the chill was over the patient fell into a deep slumber, but when the fever came on his sufferings were increased and he was tormented by a burning thirst. In some forms the chill would not return until the second day afterward and the patient could work some on the well day. In other cases the chills occurred every day. This condition lasted week after week and month after month, perhaps, unless the patient succumbed sooner. The patients usually recovered, but frequently a whole family would be down sick at the same time and there would be scarcely enough well persons in a neighborhood to care for the sick. was supposed to be something of an antidote for the ague, and the occasional beds of tansy which are still to be seen were planted for that purpose. It was used in the form of bitters, made with whisky. It was a common practice to offer a neighbor, when he made a call, a glass of "tansy bitters," which might be no more than a tumbler of whiskey with a sprig of tansy in it, and some men got the reputation of being wonderfully afraid of the ague, judging by the amount of the antidote they consumed. They ran the risk of the "snakes" to avoid the "shakes !"

Along in the 30's another disease was prevalent. This was called. "milk sickness." 'The symptoms were vomiting, high fever and rapid and extreme prostration. It was supposed to be caused by drinking milk from cows which had eaten some poisonous weed. Such sickness, as well as the frequent accidents from falling trees and limbs, slipping logs, etc., required the services of the physician and we find the pioneer doctors not far behind the first settlers in a community. Their path was not one of roses and they had to travel long distances through the woods on foot or horseback, fording streams, being chased by wolves, getting lost, etc. Their pay was scanty, but by buying a piece of timber land and getting it cleared and carrying on farming they eked out a living and brought up their families respectably.

The first settlers were sometimes obliged to go a long ways to a store, but different men would bring a little stock of goods with them from the east, and it would not be long before there would be a store in the community. The goods would be brought to Huron by boat or by way of Pittsburg overland to the Firelands by wagon.

Saw mills and grist mills were built along the streams as soon as there was a settlement large enough to support them, and they did quite a business while the water lasted. The forests abounded with magnificent oak, whitewood and biack walnut trees, but the cost of hauling the lumber to market with ox teams over the miserable roads of the times left so small a margin for the labor that a large proportion of such timber was burned to get it out of the way. The early settler had no easy-riding spring carriage for a conveyance, but used a lumber wagon with chairs for seats, or maybe he hung a hickory pole on each side of the inside of the wagon box by hooks, and laid board seats on these. These "took off the Sharp edge" of the jolting over corduroy roads. In many instances there would be no roads cut out between the houses of the settlers and the best way to carry the women and children on a visit to a neighbor's was to load the family on a sled, hitch the oxen on and make a "bee line" through the forest, not forgetting to carry an ax to cut away the bushes and tree tops, if any were in the way. Many used to go to mill or to the store in this way. Sometimes the vehicle was a stone boat with chairs for seats. When a young gallant took his best girl out for a ride he would get a horse with saddle or pillion. The lady sat behind on the pillion and embraced the young man to prevent her falling off, and the rougher the road the tighter she hugged. the roads became drained and settled spring wagons were made and in time came the modern light carriages.

People frequently became lost in the dense forest, if darkness overtook them where the only path was the line of blazed trees. The writer's father and aunt once were obliged to lie in the woods all night on account of being lost. |

the earlier days, before county infirmaries were built, each township as obliged to care for its own paupers. One of the duties of the trustees was to "sell the paupers," that is, to let to the lowest bidder the contract for boarding each pauper for the year. Very often the man who bid off a pauper made up by scanty food and clothing for the low price which he received for the board, arid the treatment of the unfortunate ones was much less humane than by the modern methods. Whenever a person came to live in a township and was likely to become a township charge, either through sickness, intemperance, or other reason, the overseers of the poor would "warn him out of town," so that the town from whence he came would become responsible for any help furnished him in case he required public aid. The citizens were not so hard hearted as the township records would indicate, and the persons warned did not always become paupers.

"Tyo hundred years ago the settlement of Norwalk, Connecticut was begun. At a session of the General Court of the Colony of Connecticut, 26th June, 1650, Nathaniel Ely and Richard Olmstead in behalf of themselves and other inhabitants of Hartford, desired the leave and approbation of the Court for planting of Norwaake; to whom an answer was returned in substance as follows: "That the Court could not but approve of the endeavors of men for the further improvement of the wilderness, by the beginning and carrying on of new plantations in an orderly way; and leaving the consideration of the just grounds of the proceedings of the petitioners to its proper place, did manifest their willingness to promote their design by all due encouragement, in case their way for such an undertaking were found clear and good; and provided the numbers and quality of those that engage therein appear to be such as may rationally carry on the work to the advantage of the public welfare and peace; that they may make preparations and provisions for their own defence and safety, that the country may not be exposed to unnecessary trouble and danger in these hazardous times; that the divisions of lands there to such as shall inhabit, be made by just rules and with the approbation of a committee appointed for that end by this Court or to be rectified by the Court in case of aberrations, and that they attend a due payment of their proportions in all public charges, with a ready observation of the other wholesome orders of the country."

Though, in itself, of small moment, yet, as the origin of our name has been called in question by respectable authority, and an error in regard to it been spread through standard books, it may be worth while to inquire whence the name? Barber, in his Historical Collections, says, that according to tradition, "the name is derived from the one-day's North-walk, that limited the northern extent of the purchase from the Indians." Whence he iearned the tradition, we know not; but that it is erroneous, if not fabulous, we do know. (1) The original deeds, in 1640, give the name Norwalke, as then designating the river, and there is the same evidence that that was the original Indian name, as that Saukatuk and Rooton were. (2) All the settlements along the coast, and in the interior, were first called by their Indian names, and were changed only for specified reasons. Thus, Quinnepiack was changed for New Haven: Cupheag and Puquannock for Stratford; Uncowa for Fairfield, and Rippowams for Stam- ford. But Norwalk was never changed. (3) But, thirdly, the fancy that Norwalk is an abbreviation of Northwalk, is dissipated the moment you open the original Colony Records. In those records, from 1636 to 1665, the name is often used, and is spelt in at least eleven different ways. Thus, in the first instance where the word occurs, the orthography is,

Thus the record dissipates the fancied tradition. Who would ever have thought of the name being derived from North-walk, had it been uniformly spelt, as at first, in the Colony Records? Not only is there no allusion to such a derivation, but our present orthography, Norwalk was not used till 1658. Subsequently to that period, there seems to have been: more unformity - the name being written Nor-walke, Nor-wake, or Norwalk - the latter finally prevailed. Here be it observed, that the ancient orthography was designed to express, as near as possible, the primitive pronunciation, but in process of time, was changed, to accord more fully with the English form of words.

One Century Of Norwalk

ADDRESS DELIVERED AT THE FORTY-NINTH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE FIRELANDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY, JULY 22, 1909, COMMEMORATING NORWALK'S CENTENNIAL BY HON. C. H. GALLUP.

I have promised to tell a little of the history of Norwalk for the past hundred years. I think it is upon the program as "One Century of Norwalk." I am going to tell you some stories, - I will try to make it a series of stories to illustrate how Norwalk has been built. I have so many times told the story of the origin of the name "Western Reserve" that I shall not tell it here again. I have so often told the origin of the name "Firelands" that it is not necessary to repeat it today, but I am going to tell you just how our ancestors built up this city and township in the last hundred years.

To commence with, I want to tell you that there were three wolves that immortalized themselves at the commencement of this hundred years. You have all read the story of the settlement of the Comstock family in Norwalk, the first family to come into the township in 1809 and the building of their house. They built near Milan. It wasn't Milan then; it was a Moravian Indian settlement. They had a mission house there. They gave the use of that mission house to these first 'settlers to occupy until they should complete their own house. One day they had put their dinner to cooking, - pork and beans, and left to do some clearing. When they returned for their dinner and came in sight of the house, they saw three wolves scampering away, and when they got to their dinner pot, it was empty. Now those three wolves immortalized themselves by that failure to stop the start of Norwalk. This was in 1800.

Settlers came in very slowly. Two or three families came up to 1812. In 1815 two Connecticut Yankees came on to attend court at Avery, and that is a place now where there is no habitation or sign of life except a hill and grass and trees. There are no buildings where the county seat was in those days. Incorrectly it has been called Wheatsboro. That was a mistake. Avery was the township now known as Milan. Now these Connecticut Yankees came on there and thought they saw an opportunity. They had traveled through here land hunting and they seen the sand ridge. They had fallen in love with it. They got their heads together and said, "Well now, we will make a land speculation. We will take the county seat away from here and up to the sand ridge." Elisha Whittlesey, Platt Benedict, Frederic Failey, three of them, entered into a written agreement to that effect. They sent Platt Benedict on to Connecticut on horse back. He rode eleven days and the land that Norwalk was built on was bought for about one dollar and twelve cents an acre. They got an act through the legislature for the appointment of a commission to locate the county seat. Huron embraced Huron and Erie then. I don't know what manipulation took place, but they got the report of the committee. The act authorizing the change of the county seat required that they should indemnify the owners of property at Avery for any damage they might suffer by the removal of the county seat. Elisha Whittlesey gave a bond to indemnify those people for all losses they might suffer as might be determined by a commission. The commission was appointed end acted. They awarded damages amounting to about three thousand four hundred and forty dollars. Elisha Whittlesey gave a bond to make that good. Elisha Whittlesey in behalf of the four parties ( Falley having surrendered his interest to E. Moss White and Mathew B. Whittlesey) who purchased the property here took title in his own name as trustee for himself and the rest. He said to a certain number of the people of Norwalk, "If you will take off from my shoulders the responsibility of my bond to those Avery people, I will surrender my interest in the town plat of Norwalk" and five men stepped up and assumed that liabilitv. I want to give their names; David Underhill. Peter Tice, Levi Cole, Platt Benedict and Daniel Tilden. They obligated themselves in the sum of eight thousand dollars to make good any damage that might occur. For five men to assume an obligation of eight thousand dollars away back there in 1815 or '16 was equal to men of today assuming hundreds of thousands of dollars. They were poor people, men who had come to hew out a home in the wilderness. They took their courage in their hands and signed the bond. That is the kind of spirit that builds towns. That is the kind of spirit built up at that time that has never died from that day to this in Norwalk.

In 1817 Platt Benedict came on with his family and with him the family of Luke Keeler. They were the joint settlers of the city of Norwalk. The city hasn't reached its century mark yet. We are celebrating the Norwalk Township centennial. These two families came, one settling just east of the Court House, the other building his home way out east on the sand ridge, so that Platt Benedict was really the first settler of the city of Norwalk.

When a few families had become settlers here, they bethought themselves of the institutions of their old home. They wanted schools ; they wanted churches. A few of them gathered themselves together and organized a church, and this is the paper that records that organization. It is a quaint old paper and I am going to read you a little from it. "Norwalk, Huron County, Ohio, Jan. 20, 182r.

At a meeting of a number of persons residing in this vicinity, Platt Benedict was elected cierk of the meeting, and the following gentlemen enrolled themselves as members or friends of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the United States of America ; Platt Benedict, John Keeler, Luke Keeler, John Boalt, Amos Woodward, Samuel Sparrow, William Gardiner, Asa Sanford, Ami Keeler, Henry Hulbert, William Woodward, E. Lane, Gurdon Woodward, William Gallup, Ezra Sprague, D. Gibbs, Enos Gilbert and Moses Sowers."

Those men associated themselves together to organize their church. They did organize it and soon afterward had their first baptism. Here is a record of that.

"On Sunday. Jan. 21, 1821, the ordinance of baptism was administered to the following persons by the Rev. Roger Searles: Louise Williams, aged three years; Theodore Williams, aged one year, children of James Williams. Sponsors, James Williams, E. Lane. William Gallup, one year. Sponsors, William Gallup, Sarah Gallup. Ebenezer Shaw Lane, one year. Sponsors, E. Lane, Frances Ann Lane, James Williams.

This is the record of the first old church that was started here for the benefit of those settlers who had come in and who were living here with the woods all around them. Now and then the nights were made hideous by the drunken revels of the Indians who came in and got the white men's fire water, and they were always apprehensive of the results of those drunken revels. They were living in log houses ; their windows were not glass. Theirs was the spirit that builds towns. They came in here with the intention of building a town and a home, but they did not foresee what was to take place. They could not foresee that magnificent display that took place on our streets yesterday. I wish they could.

They had to have paper. How were they going to get it? They had to have flour and things of that kind. When they first came here, they had to carry their grain way to the Black River on horse back. They had to carry it in bags and bring it back ori horse back. They started a mill here. Henry Buckingham, Platt Benedict and a few others started a paper mill and a grist mill. I want to tell you what they said about it way back in that day. Platt Benedict in writing to Elisha Whittlesey under date of August 25th, 1832, said to him, "I have taken possession of the Henry farm and am improving it, have been offered twelve dollars an acre cash in hand which I refused, and the steam mill which was thought so foolish and visionary is the sole cause. The mill does a good business, making seventy to eighty reams and grinding about a thousand bushels of corn a week." That paper mill was started in 1831, and run by an engine built here by Daniel Watrous, our pioneer machinist. | a.

This little book is a pioneer book. It was given to the Firelands Historical Society April 6th, 1859, by Hon. Frederick Wickham, the father of Judge Wickham, and long editor of the Norwalk Reflector. This isa rare publication. I don't know of another copy in existence. It is the "Ohio and Michigan Register and Immigrant's Guide." This was published by ]. W. Scott, Florence, Huron county, Ohio, in 1832. The spirit of commerce was abroad in the land in those days. I

We can't make paper here today. But we have the physical record of that old paper mill. A mile or so up Norwalk Creek they built a dam and from that dam they ran a mill race all the way down to town to the mill. That stood over on the slope of Woodlawn avenue, on the west side of that avenue, about thirty or forty rods south from Main street. They ran the water down into a well which they built. I filled that well up myself about twenty-five years ago. There are parts of the old race still to be seen, showing the enterprise of those days. About half way down from the dam to the paper mill a saw mill was built and run by water from that mill race. The tail race from that saw mill is yet plainly in evidence just south of East Elm street bridge. That spirit of enterprise has always stayed here. The pioneers started it here and nobody has ever been able to take it away from us.

1851 Norwalk was nothing but a side show to Milan. Milan had a canal which they had built from Milan down to the deep water of the Huron river, about eight miles to the lake, and up and down that canal used to go the commerce that supplied the territory from here south as far as Columbus. The grain and farm products of all that territory were carried to Milan and marketed in two, four, six and eight horse wagons, the larger ones called "Pennsylvania Schooners" The dry goods, groceries, etc., purchased in New York city by our merchants came back by the Erie canal and lake to Milan. I have seen the streets of Norwalk filled with those teams at night, camped from one end to the other. Norwalk was simply a side show. But in 1851 Milan was offered the opportunity to have a railroad through from Cleveland to Toledo. They didn't want a railroad. Their canal was the main thing and nobody could take that away. They wouldn't give a dollar for the railroad. Norwalk voted fifty thousand dollars bonds upon itself and it then had about twelve hundred inhabitants. That is the spirit that builds towns and it has always been here. That proved a good speculation. The capitalists in the east thought they saw an opportunity and they commenced buying up the stock of this road. The directors of the road watered their stock fifty per cent and those people bought that all up at par, so that the bonds that Norwalk gave brought them back seventyfive thousand dollars. That was a pioneer road built from Cleveland to Toledo. John Gardiner, our esteemed and venerated citizen, was its first president. Charles L. Boalt was the mainspring, the moving spirit that built the road. Lewis D. Strutton sat up all night one night and all day Sunday signing the bonds that they might get away before an injunction could be gotten out. As soon as they were signed, Boalt got out of Norwalk and out of reach of an injunction. Bonds from other towns were put in his hands. With the proceeds of the sale of bonds, he bought the iron for the first road. He paid one hundred and twenty dollars a ton. It was Norwalk enterprise that did it. That spirit that chased the three wolves out down there was still here.

When these four gentlemen who planned the removal of the county seat to Norwalk laid out their plot, they dedicated four lots for public purposes; one for a court house, one for a jail, one for a meeting house and one for an academy for the promotion of the arts and sciences.

In 1854 twenty-five gentlemen of Norwalk organized themselves together under the name of the Whittlesey Academy of Arts and Sciences. They contracted and sold the rooms that are in the old Whittlesey building by lease, ninety-nine years, a ground rent charge, and put up that old building. They have received those rents ever since. They reserved "Whittlesey Hall" and rented that and it brought in from nine to twelve hundred dollars a year rental for many years. They accumulated quite a sum of money, but every dollar of that money has gone for the public benefit of Norwalk. It has gone into the public library, into the building and upon its shelves. Not one red cent has ever stuck to the fingers of any one of the twenty-five organizers or their successors. Those twenty-five charter members constitute a roll of honor, and I am going to read them to you and I want to say that no one of them now lives, but there are twenty-five successors still living and still doing what they did, using the proceeds of the rental of that property for the advancement and welfare of their posterity and all who come hereafter. These incorporators were:

The structure that they built, the sentiment and spirit they put into its creation is as active and potent today as it was the day they formed the organization. It is going on now and it has within itself the power of self perpetuation, for every member is a member for life. When they leave Huron county or die, successors are elected to them, and based upon this our Library Association has become a protege of the Whittlesey Academy. This society has been taken up by them. The library association may go out of existence, this society may go out of existence, but the Whittlesey Academy will stay here and see that the work goes on.

We have had some queer experiences here in our time. We once had what was known as the Norwalk Barrel Company. They grew up and prospered then died. A traveling man with a good deal of energy and life about him suggested to certain of our citizens that they should start an organ factory. Judge Wickham was one of the parties approached and he succumbed to their blandishments and became one of the incorporators of the A. B. Chase Company. They negotiated for the purchase of the Barrel Company's property. That company asked four thousand dollars for it. They offered three thousand dollars for it. No! They offered three thousand five hundred dollars. No! They offered three thousand, seven hundred and fifty dollars. No! One of our citizens out upon the street just before train time met A. B. Chase. with grip sack in hand, and he said, "Chase, where are you going?" "I am going to Fostoria to accept their offer." "1 thought you were going to take the barrel factory." Chase said, *We won't be punished for staying in Norwalk." He then related the circumstances, that they had offered three thousand, seven hundred and fifty dollars and it had been rejected. This citizen said, "Will you take it fcr three thousand, seven hundred and fifty dollars now?" He said, "Yes." "You shall have it." In less than two hours, two hundred and fifty dollars was raised by subscriptions the street." The money was taken in and paid to the Barrel Company and a receipt therefor was turned over to Mr. Chase. That settled the location of the A. D. Chase factory in Norwalk. It is one of the most beneficial institutions in the town, employing hundreds of men. You saw their display on the street yesterday, which should have taken the premium - the grandest part of the display was the two hundred and fifty men marching there, all clean cut good citizens of Norwalk, home owners, that alone entitled them to the reward.

In 1877 another problem came up for settlement, and that was the location and building of the Wheeling & Lake Erie Railroad, and I can say to you that the work done here in Norwalk was the work that built the Wheeling & Lake Erie Railroad. It would never have been built if it had not been for the life, energy and nerve that went into it from Norwalk. At that time, 1877, we had a population of about four thousand, I think. Meeting after meeting was held here. Delegates from towns all along the line used to meet here. The preliminary work of raising the money to build that road was mostly done here in Norwalk. At that time we raised and paid for the building of that road seventy-two thousand dollars. That was a big load for a town of that size. Three years afterward the question of the location of the shops came up and they pinched us. We had opposition. Wellington was fighting us. Toledo, Fremont, Massillon were all bidding for the location of those shops. A committee was sent from here to New York city to try and influence Commodore Garrison who was building the road. When that committee got to New York, they called on Commodore Garrison. He said, "I am glad to meet you. I want to hear all about this." One of the committeemen said, "Is Mr. Griggs here?" "OB, he said, "he won't be here until Saturday." "Well, excuse us, what we have to say we want to say in the presence of Mr. Griggs." His son said, "That's right, father." It was arranged to wait until Mr. Griggs came. He came on Saturday and the interview took place. One of the committeemen chosen as spokesman told the story that Commodore Garrison hadn't heard. He said, have said to Mr. Gardiner that all things being equal you will favor Norwalk. We propose to show you that as between Norwalk and the principal competitor things are not equal. Norwalk has subscribed and paid seventy-two thousand dollars for the construction of this railroad. You now ask us, we suppose, about twenty-three thousand dollars, and for that sum we have understood you would locate the shops at Norwalk. Wellington subscribed thirty thousand dollars for the construction of the Wheeling & Lake Erie Road and unbeknown to us obtained from the management of the road a reimbursement that subscription in freight passenger traffic certificates, and we consider that they not in this contest with us." Commodore Garrison turned to the contractor, "Is this true, Mr. Griggs?" Yess "Do not let such al thing happen again." "It sha'n't." He turned to the committee, "Suppose I say to you you will have the shops if you make the subscription thirty thousand dollars, fifteen acres of land and free water." One of the committeemen said, ^We can't give you free water, but we can furnish it to you at cost." "That is all right. When you can assure me of the fulfillment of these terms, you shall have the shops." These terms were telegraphed through to Mr. Gardiner. The answer came back, "Twenty-five gentlemen have guaranteed the subscription, thirty thousand dollars." That was carried to Commodore Garrison. He said, "That. settles it, you shall have the shops. Mr. Griggs, you arrange the details of this." o'clock the next morning was set. o'clock came. The servant at his house said, Griggs has gone for the day." That committee camped Mr. Griggs' door step all day. It began to rain. Finally Mr. Griggs came at seven o'clock p. m. He said, "Gentlemen, haye you waited long?" day," they said. He said, "T have been spending the day at the grave of my wife. It is the anniversary of her death." The contract was put in black and white. That night the committee went back to Commodore Garrison's house and they were met at the door with a statement that he could not see the committee. A lady's voice came from above, "John, tell father it is those gentlemen from Ohio." Commodore Garrison came in a moment. He said, "I have got a whist party on my hands. What hotel do you stop at?" "At the Astor House." "What time do you get a train in the morning?" "At 10:20." "T will be at your hotel at ten in the morning." He was there. That contract in duplicate was read over. He signed it and the committee started for Norwalk. On the way they met S. S. Warner of Wellington coming from the train going to try and get the shops. That is what secured the shops. That is the kind of spirit that builds towns. That thirty thousand dollars was added to the seventy-two thousand dollars.

Ta 1901 a gentleman from Pittsburg proposed to us if we would buy five hundred city lots that they might lay out on some property, they would build a steel plant here that should employ hundreds and thousands of men. In side of two weeks, Norwalk had subscribed for every one of those five hundred lots. A hitch took place; that organization went to pieces. A year or two afterwards another organization brought the proposition to us, and we resubscribed one hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars in a very few days to purchase those lots. That spirit is the spirit that built the old paper mill, that built the old church. It was still existing, and that is the spirit that builds towns.

In 1904, The Sandusky, Norwalk & Mansfield Railroad knocked at our doors and wanted one hundred thousand dollars taken of their bonds. That was a pretty heavy load at that time, especially after putting so much into those steel plant lots, that really proved a white elephant. But Mr. Gardiner in negotation with the head of another financial institution devolved this plan and one of the financial institutions made this proposition : - "We will put in two thousand dollars, if each one of the other five banks will put in two thousand dollars and it will give to this movement a financial standing that it hasn't got now." Mr. Gardiner saw every one of the banks and they all agreed to it. That subscription of twelve thousand dollars gave it a financial credit that put it t pon its feet and we have the railroad.

In 1893 Mr. McCrillis burned out in Milan, came and wanted a little help. In a little while, two thousand five hundred dollars of his bonds were subscribed for. He built his handle factory here and soon paid back the bonds, and the plant is running, one of our successful institutions.

Last year, 1908, we had a calamity. The Wheeling & Lake Erie shops we had worked for so hard and paid so high for burned down. The receiver of the Wheeling road said, "If you will give us fifty thousand dollars we will rebuild here." Inside of ten days we had raised that, but when it came to the details of agreeing upon rebuilding here, we could never fasten them down to it, and we never paid the money, but it shows the spirit was here yet.

We have a little institution here called The Auto Bug Company. They asked for a stock subscription of fifteen thousand dollars. We raised it in a little while.

I have cited these facts to show you how Norwalk has been built. I have tried to convey to you the thought that there is a spirit of brotherhood here that was implanted by the original settlers that has never left us, and until that leaves us, nobody is ever going to have a weak back in Norwalk.

There are four old gentlemen in Norwalk who have always been boosters and never kickers. They have always pushed and they have always pulled and they have always lifted and they have always been found when we wanted them. They are George M. Darling, ninety-seven years old, Charles W. Manahan, ninetysix years, John Gardiner, ninety-three years, Benjamin Nyman, eighty-nine years. Those four men have always been ready and willing to the extent of their ability to help us along.

All of those things lead me to say that nobody need worry about the future of Norwalk. So long as this spirit lives, so long will we progress. When that spirit becomes tired and lies down, then Norwalk is dying. The embodiment of that spirit is illustrated in these verses:

The Norwalk Centennial And Home-Coming

The Norwalk centennial and home-coming week, July 18 to 24, was opened Sunday, July 18, by home-coming services in all the churches in the city. A sacred concert was given in the afternoon, in which all united.

Monday, July 19, was school day, with Professor J. E. Cole as chairman. At 9:30 a. m., reunion of alumni and for students of high school, Norwalk academy and Norwalk seminary, held in the high school yard, and was addressed by the Hon. L. C. Laylin. Monday afternoon was taken up by amusements of various kinds.

Pearl Street Looking We T, Chicago, Ohio

The program of the evening was opened with a selection by the orchestra after which Rev. Mr. Dumper in a happy speech told of the purpose of the

"It becomes my pleasant duty as Mayor of the city, in accordance with the general custom, to extend to you, as guests of Norwalk, such a welcome as seems fiting for the occasion. We feel we have a double claim on you, and you on us, not as guests and hosts alone, but as father meeting son, and brother meeting brother after years of separation."

Mayor Venus compared the home coming of former Norwalkians with the return of the Prodigal Son of scriptural times, claiming that the home coming of Norwalkians was even better in that there is no envious brother to complain at the merry making and no regret for misspent years.

"Although you have been away from this, your old home, for many years," said the mayor, "perhaps to every remote corners of the earth, yet we have known of you during all of these years, have felt the heart-glow of pride at hearing of your successes, and how well you have upheld the fame of Norwalk.

"That heart-glow is with our welcome of you back again, to hear from your lips and to read in your prosperous bearing the full measure of your successes, and to meet and greet the sturdy young sons and fair daughters you are bringing with you from your distant new homes to this your old home. 'The picture of the welcome coming of Santa Claus to a child, or a sister of mercy to a needy sufferer, can call up no greater response of joy than in the welcoming we have for you today.

"We have attired ourselves in our Sunday clothes to welcome you. We have matched the rich, verdant hues that nature has given this charmed homespot with bright streamers and bunting; we have killed the fatted calf for the feasting, and provided all the diversion and entertainment to make more pleasant the all-too-brief hours of your stay in your old home; and if all we have done appeals to you as proof of the cordial, heart-felt welcoming we would give. I want you to know that it cannot express one iota of the true feeling of welcome in our hearts. Just as all of the affection of a father to a son, hallowed by the years of companionship in the old home flowed out into the welcoming home to the Prodigal Son, so a thousand tender recollections; the drawing of sacred family ties; of joys and sufferings of younger days; of familiar spots loved and treasured in the memory; incidents of childhood, too often the only heritage left us by departed friends; all these sacred associations in which we are joint owners, and the loves and friendships of those good old days of our childhood, made fonder by the years of your absence, and fanned into new life by your presence here again, are all here speaking to you from us through this welcoming we are giving you."

*Norwalk of Yesterday," the topic assigned to Hon. S. A. Wildman was ably handled by that speaker. Mr. Wildman showed an interest in his subject and a scholarship of historic lore which carried his listeners back, willy nilly,

"The flight of time," said Mr. Wildman, interested mankind from time immemorial. The ancient Greeks and other nations have written of it, and their ponderings have found a prototype in Macbeth, wherein Shakespeare pictures the three witches at the cauldron scene."

Rapidly, but with surprising detail in a speech so short, Mr. Wildman sketched the various phases of Norwalk's early history. He told of the time when the present Main street was a trail for the Delaware Indians going down into the flats to make their maple sugar.

Gradually the town became settled. First one hardy pioneer came and then another till gradually the little log hut in the wilderness of Western Reserve had grown, he declared, until today as you stand at Court House square you perhaps cannot recognize one out of a score who pass you.

The oldest house in Norwalk, the speaker said, is the residence now occupied by former councilman B. A. Blume, which was built in 1816. It is a yellow painted frame dwelling and is located on Whittlesey avenue.

Glowing optimism was the keynote of the address: "Norwalk of Tomorrow," by Ed. L. Young. Mr. Young declared that Norwalk is the product of the spirit of enterprise of old New England. There is no room the city, he said, for the croaker or knocker but all should help push.

"The city has had reverses," said Mr. Young, "but these reverses have purified certain phases of business life and the standard was never higher than today. Norwalk's successes far outnumbers her failures.

"Norwalk," he declared, "wants boosters, it needs the spirit of those who will put their best foot forward. It is a splendid city, surrounded by fertile fields, it has good stores, solid banks, excellent churches, transportation facilities unexcelled, a municipality well officered, it is a town where law and order prevails.

Tpe meeting closed with a selection by the orchestra, after which the crowd spent a few moments visiting the various sights and then returned to their homes.

Tuesday was Fraternal Day. At nine a. m. the exercises of the day opened, followed by a grand fraternal parade in which all the fraternal societies of Huron county participated. In the parade were floats, carriages and decorated vehicles. The address of the occasion was made by the Hon. Charles E. Piper, of Chicago, president of the National Fraternal Congress. In the evening there was a reunion of all former Norwalk officials, with Mayor Venus as chairman.

A plea for universal fraternity was the keynote of the address made by Hon. E. W. Van Dusen, the first speaker introduced. He said that the spirit of chivalry did not die with the middle ages, nor has it been limited to any age or time.

Fraternal day, he said, is singularly appropriate for a home-coming celebration for if there are two words in the English language which are syn- onymous they are "home" and "fraternity." If the people, he said, will not go to the fraternities, why should not the latter go to the people?

Civilization, he said, is measured by the aspect with which woman is regarded. Among the savages she was a slave, in the early Christian days a toy. Today she is assuming a better position. Lightly touching the much discussed question of suffrage he said that the proper place of woman is perhaps not in the mire of politics where she might only add to the numerical strength of the voting force and not improve it.

Hon. Charles E. Piper, of Chicago, president of the National Fraternal Congress was a happy vein when he arose to speak. Whimsical, but earnest withal he held the attention of his hearers.

The boy starting out in life, he said, learns history three times. First he learns the bare facts. When he goes to high school these are elaborated with regard to their position in history, but when he enters college he is for the third time told that he does not know history and must study it. The instructor makes him learn not only the facts of history but the facts with reference to the course of the world. is not sufficient for him to know that Charles Martel defeated the Saracens, he must know why the Saracens were in Europe at that particular time.

In something the same manner we not only should know of the existence of fraternity but should know of it with reference to the world, why it is here and what are the objects which it is meant to accomplish.

Wednesday was Merchants' and Manufacturers' Day, opening at ten a. m. by a grand parade. At one-thirty p. m. was the decorated automobile parade. At three p. m. address by Hon. Judson Harmon, Governor of Ohio.

Tpe combined efforts of the manufacturers and merchants of the city in celebration of industrial day resulted in the largest and best pageant in the bistory of the city. The various factories and merchants were represented with elaborate floats in a most creditable manner. The two ends of the parade met at State street, extending from that thoroughfare to Newton, to Jefferson, to Cortland, to Main, to State, a distance of over a mile and one-half. It took the paraders thirty minutes to pass a given point.

The pageant was witnessed by thousands of spectators who thronged the line of march, particularly in the business portion of the city. Early cars commenced bringing people from outlying districts and neighboring towns and cities until at ten o'clock Main and adjoining streets were a mass of humanity. The parade moved at ten-fifteen o'clock and included in its make-up Governor Harmon, who viewed the pageant from his automobile in front of the Avalon on the counter march. The governor was kept busy lifting his hat in response to the cheers which greeted him along the line.

The automobile: parade in the afternoon was a feature of merchants' and mechanics! day of the centennial celebration. Fifty handsomely decorated machines made up the unique pageant, which reflected great credit upon the committee which had the affair in charge, which included Theodore Williams, chairman: W. C. Pressing, grand marshal; E. E. Sly and Arthur Young, assistants.

Mr. Pressing's car headed the parade and was followed by Dr. Merritt's car in which was seated Governor Harmon, Mayor Venus and Hon. S. E. Crawford. Two cars followed carrying the governor's staff and then came Dr. Simmon's car with members of the centennial committee. The cars carrying the governor and staff and members of the committee were gaily decorated with flags and bunting.

Governor Harmon made a plea for law enforcement in his address at the high school grounds during the afternoon. The governor said that every dollar spent by a government affects the home owner by so much and the failure of any to obey the laws reacts on all.

There was a large crowd assembled when the governor arrived in an automobile with his staff. He was briefly introduced by C. F. Jackson, president ot the Chamber of Commerce who said the executive was welcome not only as the governor but because through ancestry he is in a certain sense a home comer. " The mere fact of having existed for a hundred years," said the governor, is no matter for glory, but the glory exists in whatever may have been accomplished." He said that in looking back to what Norwalk was a century ago, it has every reason to be proud.

"No state in the union," he declared, as many prosperous cities as Ohio, and of these Norwalk is ranked with the fairest. We are proud of the cities of our state and proud of the agricultural districts which created them and which are sustaining them."

"I do not know who will stand in my place a hundred years from said Governor Harmon, "but I do know that whoever he is, he will receive from Norwalk citizenship the same hearty welcome which was accorded me.

"When my ancestors moved to what was called west, two hundred years ago, that is the western part of New York, the house they built was not burned during the ravages of Benedict Arnold. Had he done so I might have been here in the capacity of a home-comer, a native of the Firelands.

we come to these home-comings we see that some of us are growing older but there are those who can show us how to grow old gradually, and teach us that every age has its pleasures if we will but find them."

The governor referred humorously to the numerous invitations which he has received from Ohio societies throughout the country and said that if he accepted one, for instance, which was sent him from the Pacific coast, he would not be able to attend to his duties at Columbus and the people would say that he is loafing on the job.

Becoming more serious on this topic he said that home-comings are an excellent thing, that they tend to strengthen the band of unity between section and section, making this more and more one country under one flag.

"One of the things which made easy the Civil war," said the governor, "was the fact that the criss-crossed lines of kinship did not run north and south and that we were two great bodies instead of one. It is different now, there are societies of the north in the south and vice versa."

At the conclusion of his address the governor was whirled away in an auto, followed by his staff in two other machines, to the Avalon, where a public reception was held in the lobby. Members of company G. formed a pathway through which the people passed in a jam for three-quarters of an hour to shake the hand and pass a few words with the chief executive. Mayor Venus introduced the callers to the governor.

Owing to arrangements to take the chief executive to Sandusky where a public reception was arranged for a short time, the reception at the Avalon was cut short at three forty-five o'clock. The special car on the Lake Shore Electric, conveying the governor and several prominent Sandusky democratic politicians, Senator Dean, and Representative Crawford, of this city, who entertained the governor during his stay in this city, left for the Bay City at three fifty.

Rev. Arthur Dumper pronounced the invocation and, omitting the music by the Italian band, Mr. Gallup at once introduced Hon. C. P. Wickham, who gave a memorial address to two honored ex-presidents of the society: Hon. G. T. Stewart, of this city and Judge Rush R. Sloane, of Sandusky, both having died in the last year. Judge Wickham's tribute was one that could well be rendered by one whose acquaintance with the two men had been closely intimate and personal. Of Mr. Stewart he gave a brief account of his life from his birth in 1824 to his recent death, of his education at Oberlin, his law study with Jairus Kennan and Noah Swayne, his newspaper connection with the Dubuque Times, where he held the unenviable position of anti-slavery editor in pro-slavery territory, of his long law practice in which he achieved distinction for his ability and justice. Stewart was a member of all organizations of Norwalk with the object of benefiting and uplifting and preserving the good and valuable, and prominent prohibitionist and temperance worker, last surviving charter member of the Whittlesey academy and one of the organizers of Firelands.

Of Mr. Sloane, Judge Wickham said: "He was a product of the Firelands, born and reared here and with his vital interests centered here. He was active in the prosecution of the Fugitive Slave law, but was for that afterward rewarded and recognized by election to various offices, among them probate judge. Lincoln's appointment as agent of postoffice department, and afterwards his commercial ability and recognition in railroad circles, caused him to abandon active law practice. He also was a member of many archeeological and other societies and was the donor of five hundred dollars to the Firelands for its

Dr. Beckwith, whose address was entitled "Reminiscences from 1835 to 1853," is a delightful, breezy old gentleman, whose recollections cover a period of Norwalk's history that saw great strides in her progress. He was born in Bronson, and first remembérs Norwalk for an encounter between the Bronson and Norwalk lads "the hill," where the latter essayed to enter Norwalk, the occasion being a circus. This was soon after followed by a mighty battle in which the Bronson Davids (with slings) slew the Norwalk Goliaths and peace was established. Dr. Beckwith attended Norwalk Seminary and recalled many interesting episodes. One, the attendance upon a young lady of the female department, his consequent public reproof, which failed of effect because he has been waiting on that same young lady sixty years. Dr. Beckwith attended this school with General McPherson, the famous general of the Civil war. George R. Haynes, who died early, George G. Haines, late of Toledo, well known as circuit judge here for many years. Dr. Beckwith's accounts of his earlier acceptance of homeopathy and its practice was interesting and often humorous. His early study with Dr. Tifft and his treatment of the nervous patient Tim strong, his acquiring of drug knowledge in John Dewey's drug store, his association with Drs. Kittredge and Baker and George Crane, all are reminiscences that recall the well known figures of Norwalk fifty years ago. His early experience of long rides and disagreeable cases rewarded by small or no fees, were very interesting. He was actively engaged in practice at the time of the cholera epidemic in 1853, consulted with Dr. Tilden and Dr. Kramer of Sandusky. An amusing incident was one of his resuscitation of a certain amorous Cox after a dose of laudanum. The sequel was characteristic. Attorney Tim Strong warned him that a serious charge had been placed against him, in which all the lawyers of Huron county were against him. Mr. Strong advised him as a friend, to engage Judge Ranney, of Cleveland. Dr. Beckwith inquired, "Why?" you brought back to life that 'love-sick' fool, Cox." Dr. Beckwith closed with a glowing tribute to Dr. Tifft, whom many present well remembered.

The afternoon session was principally given to addresses and reminiscences by pioneer descendants. Hon. C. H. Gallup gave an interesting talk on, Century of Norwalk," recounting the city's growth from its founding by Nathan Comstock, February 7, 1809, to the present day. Another speaker was Professor A. S. Root, who talked in an entertaining manner with regard to local historical societies, their uses and benefits. "It is such organizations as these," he said, "that stir patriotism and gives to all a keener interest in the affairs of state and municipality." He paid a splendid compliment to the local society on the completeness of its records and the splendid museum.

Another speaker was Professor Prince, of Cincinnati, a member of the Ohio Archeological and Geological society. He told of the rich historical value of the Western Reserve and the Firelands as viewed from residents of another portion of the state. A number of pioneers spoke briefly giving reminiscences of early days in the Firelands.

The following is taken from the Norwalk Herald, of Friday, 18th: The closing remarks of the Firelands Pioneer Historical society were made by Ace J: Baughman of Mansfield, who was here as representative of the State Archzeological society, and they were peculiarly appropriate as a prelude to the exercises ot today in which the G. A. R. participated, as at the close, Mr. Baughman recited a little poem, "The Soldiers of the Civil War Are on Their Last March."

They are marching down the valley at the great Commander's call, Though the way is rough and weary, and the mystic shadows fall; But the hearts that beat so bravely in the battle's fierce affray,

They are marching down the valley, hark, the sound of tramping feet! They go on thro' summer's sunshine. they go on thro' winter's sleet; Banners wave and arms aglitter, and the music's throbbing breath Echoes in the solemn valley, that we name the Vale of Death.

The parade moved promptly at ten-thirty o'clock, the appointed hour, in charge of Charles A. Paul as grand marshal, assisted by Dr. H. Fulstow, Milo Johnson, Phil Fulstow and Douglas Gardiner.

Following the grand marshals came the Royal Italian band and centennial officials in carriages. The first Sunday school in the line was the Baptist organization, headed with a large float trimmed in yellow with a cross in the center, to which a young woman, with long, flowing hair clung, representing, "Rock of Ages." Women with babies in carriages, representing the cradle roll came next. The ladies of D. Kies' Bible class wore gowns of yellow and white and clung to white and yellow streamers which led to a staff carried by Mr. Kies. One float was filled with boys alongside of which walked men of various races representing the missionary work of the church.

The Congregational church was the second denomination in line. Their delegation started with the cradle roll in small carts drawn by ponies, all neatly decorated with white flowers. Ladies in carriages, children dressed in white, riding on large floats and another large wagon filled with church pews, on which were seated elderly people, concluded the delegation from the Congregational church.

The Junior Order drum corps marched at the head of the Episcopal delegation, the first being a large float filled with children. A small pony and cart handsomely decorated with yellow cloth and nasturtiums carried yellow. An auto gaily decorated with flags and evergreens, filled with children followed, the procession of Episcopalians being closed with two carriage loads of children dressed in white.

The Presbyterian Sunday school was led by two electric automobiles handsomely decorated. A large float handsomely decorated in white carried many children neatly dressed in white suits and dresses. It required, in addition, to carry the delegation - eight surreys and a band wagon.

The Chicago Junction band came between the Presbyterian and Methodist organizations the latter being headed by several surreys in which were seated ladies dressed in white. A large float, decorated in pink and white, and covered with flowers, carried a large number of children, arranged in pyramid form. Two floats decorated in red, white and blue, carried young people, one representing the Puritans of several centuries ago. Four automobiles, with white decorations, carried a number of young ladies in white gowns.

The entire procession was concluded by the Universalist Sunday school, a float decorated in red, white and blue carrying children, and three carriages filled with teachers of the school.

Friday was Grand Army and Military Day, and one of the largest gatherings of the veterans of the Civil war ever held in Huron county was at the home-coming in Norwalk on this day.

The meeting of the Soldiers' and Sailors' association was deferred until the present week in order to combine the two functions and make one grand general reunion of the veterans and their families, the meetings being usually held in June of each year.

This morning's session was devoted to the business affairs of the organization, the election of officers and other such matters. The meeting was called to order by President J. M. Chaffee shortly before ten o'clock.

A neat souvenir, consisting of an American flag pin, was presented with the compliments of the Marsh company, to each of the veterans as he entered the hall. Vice president Charles Stacey, secretary W. G. Holiday and treasurer W. H. Cline were busy at the beginning of the session pinning badges on members of the association.

Among those who spoke during the forenoon were Orville S. Reed, of Toledo, department chaplain, and past department commander of Ohio Rogers of Cleveland.

The Gilger theater was filled in the afternoon by veterans of the Civil war, and their friends to hear the eloquent words that fell from the lips of General R. B. Brown, of Zanesville, past department commander of the Grand Army of the Republic.

The theater was handsomely decorated for the occasion with flags and emblems of the order, the front of the balcony and stage being handsomely festooned with the national colors. Colonel James H. Sprague was chairman of the day.

General Brown, known as one of the most eloquent speakers in the C. A. R. was at his best yesterday afternoon and his reference to the stirring incidents of the bloody civil conflict caused the pulse of his old comrades to quicken, while numerous pathetic stories of the war caused the tears to course down the furrows of the cheeks of the old soldiers who knew full well the meaning of his words. It was an intensely patriotic audience that listened to General Brown and he was frequently interrupted by applause.

General Brown made a strong appeal to parents to instil in their children the idea of patriotism; to teach them the full significance of their liberty under this great republic; what its institutions mean, and the great sacrifice made to bring it into existence and perpetuate it.

The sight of "old glory," he said, prior to the Civil war, with the possible exception of some Fourth of July celebration, was a rare thing. He ventured the assertion that had "old glory" been as familiar a sight in the days before the war as it is today the civil conflict would have been impossible.

Riding two by two through Main street, the troopers presented a splendid appearance, were in full marching order, with sabers and carbines and shelter tents wrapped in rolls, their service uniforms being neat and clean in spite of their long "hike." At their head as they entered the city rode Captain E. C. Marshall, in command, and First Lieutenant John Cocke.

saturday was the closing day of the centennial celebration. The day dawned cool and clear and has been ideal for such a celebration as the city has indulged the past week. Farmers seemed inclined to take a day off and early afternoon cars brought crowds from the rural districts.

"Such a celebration as that which has taken place at Norwalk this week is good to participate in, fine to contemplate by those whose early home ties lead them to some other city village away from the metropolitan centers. The week" serves both to bring back old memories and to renew old acquaintances, as well as to show the elder boys and girls who have drifted away what a fine place the old town 15, after all. Thus the new Norwalk displays its many attractions, while the old Norwalk is brought to life in the memories of its children.

*Home weeks" in America are less ostentatious manifestations of the spirit which has inspired English towns to work out festivals with showy greatness. American towns have no hoary legends to commemorate, and depend largely upon the memory of men and women now living to supply the traditions.

Old Friend Charlie: - I have this day received notice of the "Norwalk Centennial," in which I read, "Please come home, Old Mother Norwalk wants to see all her children," and requesting an answer "whether or not. you will be present to celebrate the occasion with us."

coming!" What visions open up; how old memories are stirred when we think of the old home; how present surroundings recede and the boyish environments come to the front and occupy the whole stage. Gee!

But say, wouldn't it be better for me to stay away? I shall miss so many things. Won't I suffer sharp disappointments? Over half a century! now an old man; there I was a boy. I don't know your Norwalk of today; the Norwalk of old is in my mind. I am sure I no longer recognize it as you have made it. I could not - nor would I wish to if I could - destroy the illusion. It is a comfort for me to dream of the things that were there once upon a time, and that was in the long ago. I know that it has not all vanished, but in the picture memory presents to me I see plainly certain outlines of streets, houses, gardens, forests, meadows and streams that have vanished or altered. This gradual change has been going on all these years; you have not noticed it, itis nothing to you, but it is everything to me.

What are you going to do about it? I know. You are going to entertain the old boys and girls the very best you can; you are going to "point with pride" to all your improvements. We old ones will recognize your pride in these things, as the age in which we live demands them, and your civic spirit has been equal to the call; but I fear there will be an aching void which you cannot fill and for which you will be in nowise to blame. We can lay it on to old Father Time.

later years when you are no longer there, when long years have intervened, you are conscious that all those old things are dear to you, necessary to you, that they are a part of you, and you have a great desire to see them again. Will I be able to gratify this longing if I come there?

These old scenes which you no longer behold, which you imagine vou may never again behold, and whose memory you cherish, take on a melancholy charm ; they rise up like an apparition; all that is restful, pleasant, enchantingly visible to your longing mind. You love it, you call up things as they were, you cannot tolerate any change in them, for you were attached to them. They are woven in the warp and woof of the boy who received his first impression of things in his most plastic, susceptible state of mind, and you cannot eradicate them or offer a satisfactory substitute for those things that filled the mind in those far-off days of happy childhood and youth. You cannot erase the indelible impressions produced upon the heart of man by the place where he was born. No matter how many long years have intervened since you left your native place, no matter if all your property interests are centered in some other place, no matter how pleasantly you may be situated or how good your health may have been, you may be one of the leading citizens of your adopted home, advising all to come and profit by its wonderful advantages and invest their money as the best place in the world; yet, in the heart of that man the pleasantest memories of all his life cluster around the old original home. It might not have been the best place in the world, but it is the best to think about.

I would like to ride down to the lake on your electric cars. I used to go down to Huron on foot, or rather.on two feet - and both of them bare at that.

Yes, there are lots of things I should miss, but above all, I should miss the forms and faces and pleasant voices of so very many of my old companions and acquaintances. Some of them are left, and I would like to meet them, and will if I can. I see your name on the reception committee, and others that I recollect so well, but there are so many that I do not know; sure they are all right or they wouldn't be there, and if I cannot be with you I hereby send my heartiest greetings. If I come I will bring them with me. Remember me to all old friends, and most sincerely to you and yours.

Hundred Years To Meet His Friends

There is considerable pith in the suggestion made to the Herald today that the present glorious home-coming be made an annual event instead of an occasion observed only at each centennial.

"There is no reason for thinking," said a prominent citizen, "that love of the old city burns but once in a hundred years or that it requires the stimulus of a centennial to warm the friendly hand-clasp. The flower of love is not a century plant, nor should the 'cup of kindness' be put on the stove to simmer for a dozen generations before it is quaffed.

"Those who came to the centennial and home-coming were glad to be here and we were glad to see them. Will they not be just as glad next year and the year after, and every year until the end of time?

"This home-coming spirit is a great thing and should be encouraged. It is just the right procedure to implant in the young mind a love of his native city, which is only patriotism in a narrower form, and teach him that after he has flown the home nest there is someone always waiting to hear good things of him.

"So let us haye the home-coming every year. It need not be elaborate, may be nothing more than the hand-shake and the 'God bless you,' spoken from the heart but let it become an established institution so that all will know that Norwalk welcomes its wandering sons.

"Tf we wished to go into it on an elaborate scale we might have a pageant typifying the settlement of the Firelands and the Western Reserve. Redskins scooting down the main street, and pioneers roughly attired going to church with a gun slung on their shoulders would be a sight to make the youngsters of today open their eyes, warrant.

"A pageant of this sort could be prepared without a great deal of expense and people would come miles to see it. It would become a sort of Mardi Gras of the north and if made an annual event would do more to advertise Norwalk

The Churches Of Norwalk The First Methodist Episcopal Church

In 1823 the First Methodist Society was organized with seven members. Preaching services and Sunday school 'were held in Joseph Wilson's house, which stood on the southwest corner of East Main and Prospect streets.

The first church building was erected in 1833-34, on Seminary street, and is still used for church services by the Evangelical Lutheran Society. The second church building was erected in 1855-56, on the corner of West Main street and Benedict avenue, and was occupied until May r, 1893, when this property was sold to the C. F. Jackson Co., who built what is now known as the Glass Block on the site.

The society then held its church services in Whittlesey Hall, across the street, until the Sunday school room of the present church building was ready for occupancy, February 14, 1897. Here the services were held until the main auditorium was completed and the church finally dedicated, June 22, 1902.

The church records now, in 1909, show a membership of six hundred and thirty enrolled, with about five hundred in the Sunday school. The records on high alone can tell how many souls have been saved through this church, and finally garnered in heaven, during the past eighty-six years.

The First Baptist Church By Mr. Byron Hanford

On September 20, 1818, four men and one woman joined in a conference that January, 1819, became the present Baptist church of Norwalk. It numbered fourteen members. A Scotch minister preached from the words, "Fear not little flock," etc.

Asahel Morse was first clerk, and Lemuel Raymond the first deacon, and the earliest settled pastor in 1821 to 1824 was John Rigdon. Services were first held in a log schoolhouse on land now owned by heirs of Sidney Brown, Ridgefield township. The present location was contracted for January, 1835, and the first edifice dedicated June, 1836, while the present one was dedicated March, 1880. The organization has had twenty-two pastors in its ninety years' existence. The late Otis G. Carter was the earliest Sunday school superintendent and the present church membership is about four hundred.

The First Presbyterian Church

Of Norwalk was organized in 1830, nearly eighty years ago. this time it has had but eight pastors. The first person to be ordained as its regular pastor was Rev. Alfred Newton, D. D., who served his church for thirtv-five years with a steadfast purpose that during his time and in after years brought forth rich fruitage. Retiring from service on account of the infirmity of years, he was made pastor emeritus carrying with him to his grave the love and esteem of not only his own church people but of the entire community in which he so long resided. He was succeeded by Rev. Henry H. Rice, a young and zealous pastor, and he by the following named pastors: Rev. James D. Williamson, Rev. J. M. Seymour, Rev. Dr. W. A. Broadhurst, Rev. W. D. Atkinson, Rev. H. S. Forrer and Rev. A. J. Funnell, the latter having been called in the spring of 1909.

St. Paul'S Episcopal Church By Rev. Arthur Dumper

The earliest record of this parish, a little faded bit of paper now preserved in the Firelands Historical Rooms, is dated January 20, 1821, at Norwalk. It declares that a meeting for organizing an Episcopal church was presided over by Platt Benedict, Esq., and that William Gardner was elected clerk. The following gentlemen thereupon enrolled themselves as members and friends of the Protestant Episcopal church: Platt Benedict, Luke Keeler, Amos Woodward, William Gardner, Ami Keeler, William Woodward, Gurdon Woodward, Ezra Sprague, Enos Gilbert, John Keeler, John Boalt, Samuel Sparrow, Asa Sanford, Henry Hurlbut, E. Lane, William Gallup, D. Gibbs and Moses Sowers. The parish was organized under the name, St. Paul's.

In the year 1818 the first public religious service in Norwalk was conducted in the log shanty of Platt Benedict. It consisted of the service of the Episcopal church together with the reading of a sermon by a layman. Two years later this congregation was holding services regularly every Lord's day in the court house.

The old church building now standing in the rear of the new church was erected in 1835; and enlarged first in the rectorship of E. Winthrop and again, the incumbency of the late Rev. Royal Balcom. The first service of the holy communion was celebrated by the Rev. Roger Searle, February 17, 1822. The first annual parish meeting was held on Easter Monday, 1821. The first Episcopal visitation was that of Bishop Philander Chase, the founder of Kenyon College, on Sunday, August 14, 1825.

The succession of ministers who have served the parish is as follows: The Rev. Roger Searle, the Rev. C. P. Bronson, the Rev. John P. Bausman, the Rev. Ephraim Punderson, the Rev. Anson Clarke, the Rev. J. J. Okill, the Rev. Alvon Guion, the Rev. Sabin Hough, the Rev. Edward Winthrop, the Rev. George W. Watson, the Rev. Henry Tullidge, the Rev. William Newton, the Rev. H. H. Morrell, the Rev. Royal B. Balcom, the Rev. Charles S. Aves and the Rev. Arthur Dumper.

Splendid laymen and women, an illustrious line beginning with Platt Benedict, have been and still are identified with St. Paul's church; names prominent and influential in the founding and upbuilding of the city ; men and women whose labors and virtues live fruitfully after them.

The present rector of the parish is the Rev. Arthur Dumper who began his labors here in 1903. In the last few years Benedict Chapel has been enlarged and its interior remodeled for parish house purposes. The cornerstone of the new church, a stately Gothic structure of stone, was laid on the fifteenth of November, 1908. It will have a seating capacity of four hundred and fifty, and exclusive of furnishings and memorial gifts will cost about fifty thousand dollars. The church is in a flourishing condition with bright prospects for the future.

The First Congregational Church

The First Congregational church of Norwalk, Ohio, was organized at the court house in Norwalk, December 19, 1867, under the labors of Rev. A. S. Walsh.

The number of original members was fifty-four, mostly drawn from the old Congregational church of Bronson township, which was thereby disbanded.

For more than three years the infant church was without a sanctuary. A part of this time it worshiped in the court house, and during the remainder was the guest of its sisters, the Protestant Episcopal and Baptist churches, whose hospitality deserves kind remembrance. 1868 the old hotel known as the Gauff House (standing where the church now stands), was purchased, and thither the prayer meeting, previously held at private houses, was removed. Many a hallowed hour, now tenderly remembered, was passed in those rooms, formerly the scene of drunken revels. Here also the Sunday school was organized.

The new church was completed early in 1871 and dedicated February 2nd of that year. The cost of the building and lot was about sixteen thousand dollars. Several thousand dollars' debt remained after the dedication, which proved a heavy and almost insupportable burden for many years. At last, in October, 1878, with the aid of Mr. Edward Kimball, the entire amount was subscribed, and by May I, 1880, the last dollar was paid and the church has since been free from debt.

The Universalist Church

The Universalist church of Norwalk, Ohio, was organized on the third Sunday in January, 1869, with twenty-seven members. A little more than a year before this time, Dr. H. L. Canfield, who was then preaching in Peru, began holding services in Norwalk, where he thought there was an opportunity to establish a church. From such beginnings, small in every way except the faith and courage of Dr. Canfield, has grown the Universalist church of Norwalk. In April, 1868, a Sunday school was organized with four scholars which was increased to fifty in less than a year.

Among the twenty-seven charter members of the church are the names of such well known old time residents of Norwalk as William A. Mack, Frederick Sears, Samuel Wilkinson, Aro D. Clapp, George Gauff, Sterry Cole, Addison Sigourney, Sarah E. Dunbar and Catherine E. Rose. The first officers of the church were Frederick Sears, William A. Mack, A. D. Clapp, D. A. Baker and Frederick Wickham, trustees. Rev. H. Canfield, moderator. A. B. Hannaford, clerk. Mrs. Hiram Rose, treasurer. W. A. Mack and S. Wilkinson, deacons.

When the church was fairly established, steps were taken to build a church edifice but it was not until December, 1872, that the church was completed. On Sunday, December 8th, it was formally dedicated. Since that time, we will let the work of the church speak for itself.

By Rev. H. G. Sutter

Congregation organized in January, 1901, by Rev. W. E. Rose, and served by him until Easter, 1902. From then until Easter, 1907, it was served by Rey. O. T. E. Tressel. From December, 1907, until now, by Rev. H. G. Sutter. Church property purchased and remodeled in 1902.

St. Mary'S Catholic Church By Rev. P. 7. Quinn

5t. Mary's congregation was organized in the summer of 1856 and its first pastor was Rev. Narcissus Ponchell. Prior to Easter Sunday, 1859, when mass was said for the first time in the newly completed church of St. Mary's, corner of Milan and St. Mary streets, the English speaking Catholics of Norwalk and vicinity chose to worship in St. Alphonsus church of Peru, and later in old St. Peter's Norwalk. The founding of St. Mary's was a great help to Catholics in Norwalk. It put the faith and practices of Catholics in a clearer light. The language of the country was spoken from its pulpit and those outside its fold, whom chance or impulse brought to attend the services, usually went away with a clearer conception of the motives and practices of his fellow Catholic citizens.

The congregation grew and prospered until it became necessary to build a larger edifice. A new site was chosen at the corner of State and League streets, which is today graced by one of the most beautiful church edifices in Norwalk. Adjacent to the church stands the new stone parsonage, a type of Norwalk's recent handsome and substantial residences. A parochial school and sisters' house also adorn the property.

The pastors who served St. Mary's have been deservedly popular with all classes in Norwalk, being held in high esteem for their piety, prudence, and ability. The following clergymen served at the altar of St. Mary's: Rev. Narcissus Ponchell, 1860; Rev. John Quinn, 1864; Rt. Rev. T. P. Thorp, 1868; Rev. T. F. Hally, 1884; Rev. C. V. Cheveraux, 1897; Rev. Jas. J. Quinn, 1900; Rev. Francis Malloy, 1903; Rev. P. J. Quinn, present pastor.

St. Paul'S Roman Catholic Church By Rev. John A. Schaffeld

The pioneers in the religious field in the territory now called Huron county, Ohio, of which our beautiful city, Norwalk, is the county seat, were the early French missionary priests. These men, well versed not only in the science of religion, but also of the difficult art of topography, thoroughly explored the immense regions of the Great Lakes.

The Huron Indians had attracted the attention of the French priests at Quebec. This tribe was then located a few miles below the site of the present city of Detroit. Froni Quebec, missionaries were sent out to them, but effected little owing to the roving disposition of this tribe. This roving disposition accounts for the name of our county. For, dissatisfied with their hunting grounds at Detroit, a large part of the tribe pushed along the southern shore of Lake Erie and located at Sandusky Bay, which name owes its origin to the Huron Indian word, *Ootsandooske," meaning, "there the water is pure." From the bay they spread to the south into what now constitutes our county - hence the name, Huron county.

The French missionaries followed the Indians in this migration, and worked zealously among them. Their journals state that this particular tribe was of very unsteady habits, being much inclined to intemperance and other excesses. The Rev. Father Potier and the Rev. Father De la Richardie took charge of the

Huron mission. Both of these priests labored in what is now Huron county, and where Norwalk now stands. The first Christian religious service held in this territory was held by Father Potier, in 1749, who in that year began his regular visits to the Indians of this county.