Medina County, Ohio - Chapter 4 (2 of 2 so headed), 1881 (part 1 of 2)

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT - THE PURITAN CHURCH IN THE WILDERNESS - EARLY RELIGIOUS SOCIEcame to Lake Station in June of the same year, and practiced there until October, when he moved to Spencer, where he now resides.

Dr. John Cowan came to Lodi from Ashland County in 1879, and has a drug store in connection with his practice. Read medicine with his brother, J. P. Cowan. Commenced in 1851, and graduated at Columbus in 1854.

Dr. J. Wall was raised in the township of York, and read medicine with Dr. Gamble, of Liverpool, graduating at Cleveland, Ohio. He located at Sharon for a short time, but since 1879, has been practicing at York.

Dr. George H. Wuchter studied medicine under Dr. Lyman, at Wadsworth. Attended three full courses of lectures at Jefferson Medical College, Pennsylvania, and graduated in the spring of 1880. He is now at River Styx.

a "peculiar people." Nurtured in the shadow of Plymouth Rock, and growing to maturity under the rigid Puritau system, that scarcely in theory divided the church and state, they brought to this new land a religious spirit that eagerly seized upon the new Connecticut as a means to propagate a theology that had hitherto flourished only within the rock-bound limits of New England. In their native land, hedged about by traditions that had commanded the unquestioning respect of parents and children for many generations, opposition had been thrust out, and the people began to feel, like the Jews of old, that they were especially aided of God, and that they alone had kept the faith undefiled. But hitherto, it had not been successfully transplanted, and, when the " Western Reserve" was placed in the control of those "to the manor born," a prominent thought in the minds of those who peopled it, was that now favorable circumstances were to aid in transplanting the Puritan faith to a spot peculiarly guarded, from which its influence like the light, should dispel the darkness and make the church of New England the church universal. Accepting the dogma of "original sin," they sat beneath the denunciatory preaching of their native land with a meekness that was satisfied if, by the rigid rule of practice laid down, they might, peradventure, be saved. But under this quiet exterior there was a true war-like spirit, and the mind of each member of the church that had reached maturity of thought, was an arsenal of theological weapons At church meetings, in the social circles, and on the street, the ponderous themes of " election," "fore-ordination," "the perseverance of the saints," and kindred subjects, were prominent topics and were wielded with a power and an address that vividly recalls the physical combats of medieval times. On coming to the new country, however, these characteristics experienced a change. The standing army had been mobilized, and each member was imbued with the enthusiasm of a crusader, but they arsenal held no adequate weapon. Their fulminations of the decrees were met with an appeal to "common-sense" philosophy ; dogmas were met with the demand for freedom of thought; and the result here, as in many a physical conflict, was that the light-armed forces completely demoralized those strong only in their defensive armor, and forced them to accept, and in the end to champion, that freedom of thought that they had early learned to denounce as heresy.

Society during the first ten or fifteen years was but little divided by sectional lines. In church, politics and social matters, neighborhoods for miles about were closely allied by the necessities of the situation, and society in the spirit of true democracy inquired only into the moral worth of the new comer. The majority of the adults among the early settlers had been members of some one of the Christian churches in their native States, and at the first opportunity arrangements of more or less permanent character were made for Christian worship. Sectarian feelings, under the exigencies of the occasion, were lost sight of or kept strictly in abeyance, and Congregationalists, Episcopalians, Methodists and Baptists united to establish and continue religious worship on the Sabbath. The reminiscences of Ephraim

Lindley, of Brunswick, are typical of the experiences of the different communities throughout the county at that time. He says: "At the first religious meetings, citizens from Liverpool and Brunswick united. When meetings were held at William Warner's cabin, Justus Warner, who was an Episcopalian, took the lead of the meeting, and when at Brunswick the leader of religious exercises was of the Methodist or Congregational denominations. Generally the small family dwelling was filled with those who revered the Sabbath and church duties. The exercises commenced with singing,in which all took part, and were able to keep time and sing in unison without the aid of organ or other musical instrument. After singing, prayer devout and fervent was offered, then a sermon was read, one or more exhorted, then closed by singing. Many of those who witnessed these religious exercises in the then wilderness, cannot have forgotten the zeal, the good feeling, the solemnity, that was apparent. God smiled graciously on the first settlers and conferred upon them many and rich blessings while employed in rearing homes in these wilds. At the Sabbath prayer meetings there was a marked reverence, and nota few can date back to those times and places their first and lasting religious impressions."

In the meanwhile, the mother State had not been unmindful of the spiritual wants of its Western offspring, and the Connecticut Missionary Society, formed to carry the gospel of the Puritans to Vermont and Western New York, sent several of its missionaries to the New Connecticut. Among these, were the Reverends Amasa Loomis, William Hanford and Simeon Woodruff; and it was under their guidance that most of the early Congregational churches were formed. "These were established in Harrisville on October 3 and 4, 1817, with twelve members ; in Brunswick, February 19, 1819, with eleven members ; in Medina, February 21, 1819, with seven members ; in Wadsworth August 8, after in Westfield. These organizations did not at once set about erecting a place of worship, nor to secure a pastor, but they served as rallying points for the denomination which they represented. Other church influences were not less active. The Methodist Episcopal itinerauts were early found in all parts of the county, establishing a class at Brunswick in 1817; in Medina and Westfield in 1819, and in Granger in 1820. The Baptists and Presbyterians organized churches a little later, so that in 1835, each township had several religious organizations. These different churches, though ostensibly independent bodies, were, in fact, in the majority of cases, a single church for all practical purposes. They usually occupied the most centrally located schoolhouse, and the different missionaries so timed their visits as to arrive when there were no other appointments. A little later, union houses of worship were built, and frequently, at first, a single pastor conducted the services, or each secured a pastor to preach on each alternate Sabbath, the same audience attending each service. In some instances, the original proprietor of the lands here, took an interest in this subject which greatly aided these weak societies. In Montville, Aristarchus Champion, the principal owner of land in the township, contributed $300 toward the building of a Methodist Church, and in 1827, induced Rev. S. V. Barnes, a Presbyterian minister, to locate there, by the gift of 100 acres of land. In a similar spirit, Elijah Boardman sought to establish the Episcopal Church in Medina as the one with which he affiliated. "The disposition thus manifested, tended to facilitate the organization of a religious sentiment that did not need awakening or quickening. The first religious service of a public character in Medina, was held on the 11th day of March, 1817, Rev. Royce Searle, Rector of St. Peter's Church, of Plymouth, Connecticut, preaching the sermon.

missionary of the Connecticut Missionary Society, preached a sermon at the same place. The county seat was considered a point of great advantage for denominational development, and both of these ministers, the one representing the proprietor's choice, and the other the ruling element in the New as well as the old Connecticut, and both finding persons of like faith with themselves, were thus sceking by early efforts to secure the ground for their respective organizations. On the 10th of the following month, the people gathered near the present residence of Herbert Blakslee and prepared to erect a log cabin for a place of worship. The underbrush was cleared away, the timber cut and hauled to the site of the proposed building, and shingles had been prepared from the tree, when a notice that Rev. Mr. Searle would be there in the afternoon and preach, was received. The people with one accord redoubled their efforts, and completed the structure, providing seats, by placing poles on forked stakes driven in the ground, in time to listen to the sermon at 4 o'clock in the afternoon. Here the Congregationalists and the Episcopalians held services on alternate Sundays, and continued in this way for years. This state of affairs continued without anything to disturb the general harmony, until about 1830 or 1835. By this time, the number of available ministers had largely increased ; the pressure of pioneer life had become less burdensome, settlers had more means to devote to the building of *meeting houses," more members were gathered into the different organizations, and there began to be manifested on the part of the different denominations, a disposition to assert their individuality. This led to less cordiality in the union work, and gave rise to an attempt to turn the work to denominational account, which led in some cases to a violent disruption of the harmonious relations previously known, and in all cases gradually to a separate place of worship and church work. On the whole, this result was not altogether undesirable, as, in the main, it inculcated a proper spirit of emulation and more plainly marked the individual responsibility of the members, resulting in greater Christian activity.

During all this time a subtle change had been going on in the character of the people. Minds that had been kept within rigid lines of thought, breathing in the free air of the wilderness, had unconsciously begun to wander in the fields of speculation which had been forbidden to their earlier life, and were rapidly conceiving a taste for this freedom of thought. It was years, however, before these staid New England people, strictest of their sect, would acknowledge what was readily revealed to the new comer, or to their old friends in the East when they returned to visit their native places. This was the happy mean in a change that affected all classes of society. Some of the older people could not surrender the traditions they had respected from their youth up, the habits of thoughts that had strengthened with their growth, and they became more stern in their judgment, and contended for each jot and tittle of their faith with increased pertinacity. - The other extreme was a violent reaction, in the form of infidelity, against the mental tyranny of the old Puritan faith. The seeds of this heresy did not come into the county from New England, but, once here, it found fruitful rround in the minds of those, who, held in control only by the stern influences of their native land, became restive and insubordinate when these restraints were partially removed in this wild country. This reaction was not marked, however, until the whole county were suddenly awakened to the fact, by the organization and charter of an association or society in Medina, for the promotion of "Morals and Scientific Research." This was about 1830 or 1832, and in January of 1833, and again in the following year, this society publicly celebrated the birth.

day of Thomas Paine. On one occasion they heralded their freedom from the "thralldom of religious opinion," with eannon, and, on both occasions, a procession headed by such musie as could be secured, paraded the streets of the village. . The number which thus openly avowed their infidelity reached something over fifty persons, a few of whom, at least, had been church members here. A dinner and an oration completed the exercises of these occasions. Although it was generally understood that such a society existed, this revelation of the extent of the evil came upon the church with startling force, and brought a stigma upon legitimate free thought, that strongly re-inforced the ranks of conservatism in the church.

the fostering influence of Garrison, the "Ohio Observer," and the Philanthropist,' began to loom up into -such proportions here, that it could no longer be ignored, and the continued divergence of sentiment among the people, threatened to disrupt the churches - a consequence which did follow in many cases. The establishment of Oberlin College, in 1833, gave strength to the progressive element in society and added to the seriousness of the situation. The Congregational and Methodist Churches suffered most by the agitation which followed. In the case of the latter, the Wesleyan movement, championed, if not inaugurated, by Ed-

County. His powerful arguments, brought home to the intelligence of the people by forcible illustrations, carried conviction. His favorite figure was to represent those who hoped to reform the Methodist Episcopal Church from within, as a washer-woman who should jump into her tub, and, grasping the handles, expect to empty it of the water. A number of classes were formed throughout the county from these dissenting members of the Methodist Church. No buildings, however, were erected by them, and subsequently, when the logic of events removed this question from the forum of debate, they generally returned to their original church home.

With the Congregational Churches the case was more complicated. These had been organized on the "plan of accommodation," that of union with the Presbytery, an arrangement which had been effected through the overtures of the Presbyterian Church, which had been accepted by the Congregational Churches in Western New York. It provided for the regular incorporation of these churches into the Presbyterian order for temporary purposes, allowing in cases of discipline the member to elect under which mode of procedure the case should be tried. In 1828, the Western Reserve College was founded at Hudson, with Rev. Charles B. Stows as professor, and later as President. At this period the influence of the coliege, under the guidance of a faculty composed of such men as Elizur Wright, Beriah Green and Rufus Nutting, was in favor of emancipation. This attitude was maintained until 1833, when, through the death of the President and the efforts of the institution's proslavery friends, the administration was changed, and President Pierce, a conservative, put at the head. It was at this juncture that Oberlin College was established, having for its object, as was set forth in its first annual report, "the diffusion of useful sciens., ' morality and true religion, among the growing multitudes of the Mississippi Valley." One of its objects was the elevation of female character, and included within its general design, was "the education of the common people with the higher classes, in such manner as suits the nature of Republican institutions." These centers of college and church influence were at once brought into collision. Oberlin stood for human rights without reserve; for independent Congregational- | ism; for "santification," "Christian perfection" or "holiness of heart," in religion, as it was variously termed. On all these points it was antagonized by Hudson. "From the time of the Edwardses, there had been a progressive and a conservative party in the churches; the former aspiring after an enlarged liberty, and the latter seeking to repress it; the former insisting upon the doctrine of immediate and unconditional repentance (as did Hopkins) ; the latter pleading for indulgences, postponement, gradualism, and temporizing expedients ; the former responded promptly to the call for the immediate and unconditional abolition of slavery ; the latter had previously intrenched and fortified itself in the fortress of the Colonization Society, and was determined to permit no disturbance of its quietude."* ^ This, as near as any formula can express it, was the relation of these two centers of learning in the New Connecticut, and their antagonism was at once transferred to the churches in the country surrounding, arousing a rancorous contention, the echoes of which have but recently died away. A man was set "at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law, and a man's foes were they of his own household." While the antagonism was really between the progressive and the conservative elements, the questions upon which they differed were threefold - Slavery, Congregationalism, and what became to be known as * Oberlin Doctrines." On the first question, the Hudson institution, in obedience to its friends, had changed from its early advanced grounds to conservative views of the subject. It still claimed to be opposed to slavery, and repelled with indignation the charge that it was only half-hearted in the cause, and was really proslavery insentiment. Its support of the * Plan of Accommodation" allied the power of the Presbytery to its interests, and for awhile it seemed invincible in the churches. The majority of the ministers here were members of the Presbyterian order, and frequently had no connection with the church over which they presided, save as hired master of the organizations. According to the plan of union, the government of the church was in the hands of the Presbytery, while the membership was in a great majority, if not wholly, Congregational. The machinery of the church, therefore, was entirely in the hands of the conservative party, and it was only that the minority of the laity possessed the same Puritan pertinacity with the majority, that, with the triple armor of a just cause, they eventually triumphed. Oberlin at once became the rallying-point for those who were opposed to this unnatural union, and this stronghold of conservatism was a little later shaken to its center by the organization of a "Congregational Association," the forerunner of the present conference system. Some years subsequently, the "General Assembly" of the Presbyterian Church met at Cleveland. The question of slavery could not be kept in abeyance, and one of the Southern members delivered himself of a labored argument, taking the ground that the Bible sustained human slavery. This proved an efficient weapon in the hands of the progressive element in the churches of this county. Society here had outstripped the churches in anti slavery progress, and the defense of the Presbytery, to which the odium of this argument attached, rapidly became unpopular. The power of the Presbytery, however, though shaken, was not overthrown at once, and the "Oberlin Doctrines" became heir to the hostilities which the agitation had engendered. The Oberlin Evangelist was denounced from the pulpit; subscribers were "marked men," and were frequently shunned even by their relatives. It was simply the old fight for freedom of thought, without any foreign question to mask it. The Evangelist demanded the abolition of formulas, freedom for all investigation, and the holding-fast of that which was good. The excitement permeated the whole community, and those outside of the chureh declared "that the devil had really come to Medina ; had got the Episcopalians all by the ears, and frightened the Methodists to their prayers, while the "Presbyterians look on and sing, 'Sweet is the work, my God, my King.' "

The end was a division in some of the principal churches in the county, the Oberlin adherents being forced out or departing to establish new organizations. This culminating point was not reached in all parts of the county at the same time, and the asperities of the agitation were greatly relieved by occasional revivals, one of the most remarkable occurring at Medina Village in 1844. The rapid progress of subsequent political events hurried the disturbing question of slavery on to the final arbitrament of war, and when, on January 1, 1863, slavery was struck dead, there was no church influence but that applauded. With this the root of all bitterness removed, the step to a re-union was a short one, and this desirable consummation soon followed. Now, slavery is dead, Congregationalism is independent, and Oberlin graduates are sought by all churches of this order - the triumph of free thought could not be more complete.

The churches of the county have passed through great changes since the early days. Many have died out, some have, as an organization, changed their creed, and others have sprung up and supplanted the older established ones. There are sixty-nine church organizations, all but one or two possessing places of worship averaging from $1,200 to $10,000 in cost of erection. These churches are divided denominationally as follows: Methodist Episcopal, nineteen ; Congregational, ten ; Baptist, seven; Disciple, six; Lutheran, six; United Brethren, five; Dunkard, three; German Reformed, Catholic, Universalist and Presbyterian, each two, and one each of the Lutheran and German Reformed united, Evangelical (Albright) Protestant Episcopal, "Church of God," and Mennonite.

Like the early immigrants in all parts of the State, the first settlers of Medina County brought here the habits of intemperance which prevailed so generally in New England in the opening years of the nineteenth century. Whisky played an important part in all forms of social life in the new community. In the cabin, on training day, at loggings and house-raisings, at the meetings of the lodges and at ministerial gatherings, the lurking evil was found. But few distilleries were to be found in the county, but there was no lack of the product ; drunkenness was common, and sudden deaths, of which whisky was the immediately producing cause, reach upward of a score in number. In 1833, a resident of Sharon Township was seen returning from Grangerburg intoxicated, but he did not reach home. After ten days of search, his body was found lying in a little stream with a jug of whisky beside him. From the position of the body, it was thought that in his attempt to drink from the brook, he had fallen forward, and in his helpless, intoxicated state was drowned. But with this terrible vice the people brought also an antidote, and it was not long before there were earnest men and women who united to combat the curse. N. B. Northrop is credited with giving the first regular temperance lecture in the county, and itis believed it was made in Sharon Township. However, he made speeches early, as did Timothy Hudson and others as early as 1830. The earliest recorded temperance society in the county was formed in Litehfield Township, July 4, 1832, although itis probable that there were others formed earlier, at Medina Village if not elsewhere. In 1842, the Washingtonian movement was brought here by a Mr. Turner and a companion from Cleveland. Spirited meetings were held at first in the court house, and from the county seat the influence spread in widening circles throughout the county. During this year, the Rev. D. A. Randall issued a small folio paper, called the Washingtonian, with a page about 8x10 inches, whieh appeared once a month, and continued some time into the following year. In 1847, the temperance movement received a new impulse, and Rev. W. D. Disbro edited the Pledge, a temperance paper about the same size as its predecessor, which was published by the Medina Temperance Society. This movement, more properly known as that which introduced the organization of the * Sons of Temperance," so far as enlisting the interest of the people went, was eminently successful. Lodges were formed throughout the eounty, and * Good Templar" meetings were one of the standard means of entertainment in country communities up to the beginning of the war. The distracting influence of succeeding years drew attention from this line of effort, and the organized movement against intemperance was allowed to lose force and finally to cease altogether. A few saloons were started in each of the principal villages in the county, and the druggists made the liquor traffic a prominent part of their business.

This was about the state of affairs in the latter part of 1873, when the " Crusade" began in Washington Court House, in Highland County, Ohio. Dio Lewis was prominent in this movement, and, writing of its operations, he said: "There are four distinct stages. First, the conversational, which must be complete before the second step - the large public meeting, at which the best ladies in the town must be appointed in large numbers - is taken. The third stage will require no management. It is the stage of saloon visiting, and the women will take care of it. The fourth stage is that of tying up the loose strings, clinching the nail with reading-rooms. It must be done in this order." The effort was attended with wonderful success, and, for a month or two, | confined itself to Southern Ohio; but, as the work spread, the enthusiasm kindled into a grand conflagration that leaped State barriers and enveloped the whole land. It reached Medina County in February, 1874. The work had attracted the attention of the good people of the county very early, and the " first stage" had been passed when, in the Gazette of the 27th of this month, a notice was given for a mass meeting at the Methodist Church. The publie thought may be well expressed in the comments of the paper on this notice, as follows: * We do not understand that the meeting is intended to inaugurate the praying crusade or any special method, but that it is hoped that it may help to strengthen the public sentiment on the side ot temperance, and encourage greater activity and zeal in suppressing liquor selling and liquor drinking." The meeting thus introduced recognized at once that the * woman's temperance movement had struck Medina," and an earnest remonstrance against the local liquor traffic was drawn up to circulate for signers. On the 11th of March, a Woman's Temperance League was organized at Medina, and a vigorous campaign inaugurated on the plan followed elsewhere. The movement gradually spread to the outlying portions of the county. Even the country townships without saloons had organizations that did yeoman service in educating public sentiment and supporting the general work. A Men's Temperance Union was formed in May at Medina Village, which had for its object "to take notice of all violations of the law of the State and ordinances of this village for the suppression of drunkenness and intemperance that may come to their knowledge." This was a type of the work throughout the county which engaged the active interest of the leading men and women in every township. The result was eminently successful everywhere. Saloons were closed, and druggists came upon temperance grounds. The project of a reading room was talked of at considerable length, but a public library was finally established. which still exists for the use of all for a small consideration. The results of this movement in the county were crystallized in the form of a Woman's Christian Temperance Union, which was auxiliary to a State organization of the same style. Other organizations, such as the Young People's Christian Temperance Union, Temperance Battalion, etc., tending to interest the younger portion of the county, and an organization of the Temperance Gleaners, especially for the children, were inaugurated. On the 7th of April, 1877, the "Murphy movement" struck Medina. The effort was addressed to individuals, and began in Pittsburgn, tnrough the exertions of Francis Murphy, a reformed drunkard. It started as an entirely secular movement, and was carried on with wonderful success. It gradually spread along the lines of railroad leading out of that city, reaching one town after another, like the spread of an epidemic. It, however, soon toox | on a religious nature, and proved as widereaching as the " Crusade" that had preceded it. In response to an invitation from some of the citizens of Medina, Messrs. O. B. Dealing, John McConnell and Mr. Howard, of Warren, Ohio, who had been engaged in the work there, came to the county seat and inaugurated the movement. A Young Men's Temperance Union was formed, and the pledge, printed on. a card to be signed, was circulated, and, for a time, these * Murphy cards" were popularly considered as a certificate of good moral character, and a general passport to the favor of the people. There were numerous cases where these cards were secured and used for disreputable purposes, but, in the main, the result was to advance the temperance sentiment of the country. The interest spread throughout the county, and organizations were formed in 3runswick, Liverpool, York, Lodi, Wadsworth, Seville, Weymouth, Sharon, and, finally, to every part of the county. A blue ribbon þecame the badge of the organization, and the majority of those to be met wore it conspicuously displayed on their clothing. The interest continued for several months, when its absorbing influence gave way to other matters.

On April 19, 1879, another temperance wave Struck Medina. Atthat timo, Harvey L. Simon, of Cleveland, began a series of "Gospel Temperance Meetings" under the "Medina Christian Temperance Union." The temperance people were generally awakened, donned the blue ribbon, and a number of drinking men signed the pledge, and adopted the blue ribbon as the insignia of their faith and practice. The boys and girls of the village joined the "blue ribbon brigade," and temperance meetings were held at the schoolhouse every afternoon at 4 o'clock. This was a local matter, and did not extend, except incidentally, to other parts of the county. The temperance organizations throughout the county still remain in vigorous condition. The "Union" holds quarterly meetings in the various parts of the county, and union temperance meetings are, once a month, held on a Sunday evening in all the villages, besides, in many places, a temperance prayermeeting on each Sabbath.

* Nothing is more characteristic of the settlements on the Western Reserve than the prominence which educational effort early attained in their social development. The settlements were sparse, and money or other means to secure teachers were obtained with great difficulty, but parents and children alike seemed to appreciate the great advantage which knowledge bestowed, and made endless sacrifices to gain this coveted gift. In many cases, in Medina County, schools were begun and carried on as a labor of love, without hope of reward, and in one instance, at least, a schoolhouse was erected before there were any scholars to attend. These primitive schoolhouses were very much of the same general plan. Logs were cut sixteen or cighteen feet in length, and of these the walls were raised. "Shakes" composed the roof, and a rude fire-place and clapboard door, a puncheon floor, and the cracks filled with "chinks," and with these latter, daubed over with mud, completed the construction of the schoolhouse. The window, if any, was made by cutting out a log the full length of the building and over the opening in winter was placed a well-greased paper, that served to keep out the storm and admit the light. Just under this window, two or three strong pins were driven into the log in a slanting direction. On these pins, along puncheon was fastened, and this was the desk upon which the writing was done. For seats, they used benches made from small trees, cut in lengths of ten or twelve feet, split open, and, in the round side, two large holes were bored at each cnd which received the supporting legs. The books were as primitive as the house. The New Testament, when it could be had, was the most popular reader, though, occasionally, a copy of the old * English Reader " was found, and very rarely, the "Columbian Orator" was in the family ; Pikes and Smiley's arithmetics; Webster's Speller was first used, and after awhile the "Elementary Speller" came in. Grammar was seldom taught; when it was, the text-books were Murray's or Kirkham's grammars.

* The primitive schoolhouses were in keeping with the homes of the pupils. They were warm, if nothing more, as it was only necessary to make a bee and re-inud the spaces between

It was easier to build the houses and warm them, however, than to obtain money to pay teachers, small as the wages were - often but $1 a week for women and $2 or $3 for men, and board with the pupils. Books cost money, and were not easy to be procured. The instructors of those days would make a poor show beside those of the present, so tar as knowledge of text-books is concerned. It is no slander to say that teachers who could not master square root or who had not seen the inside of a grammar, were more numerous than those who dared to make pretensions to such qualifications. There was at first no public fund available, and in a later period the fund for the payment of teachers was quite small, and what was lacking was made up by assessments pro rata, on those who attended the school; hence, the teacher was often compelled to wait for a part of the small sum promised him, till it could be collected. But let it not be supposed that there was no good work done in those schools. The reading, the spelling, the writing and the ciphering, so far as the teacher could go, need not have been ashamed to stand beside that of these days of high culture and extended literary attainment. The seeds sown broadeast in the forests have germinated and grown during these many years, and now we behold the magnificent harvest. Prominent among the teachers of an early day in the common schools, but at a time when the demands of the schools and the accomplishments of the teachers had greatly advanced, were John Codding, Homer Warner, Nathan Nettleton, Duthan Northrup, Robert F. Codding, Samuel B. Curtiss, John B. Chase, Samuel W. McClure, Jonathan Beebe, John L. Clark, Halsey Hurlburt, James A. Bell, Calvin Chapin, Milo Loomis, Joshua C. Berry, William Paul, Jacob Bell, David Holmes, Williain Crane, Grant Low, E.

The system for the examination and licensing of teachers, was fluctuating until 1853. From 1825 to 1829, the Court of Common Pleas appointed. three examiners for a term of one year, who gave certificates for teaching * reading, writing, arithmetic and other necessary branches of a common education." From 1829 to 1833, the Clerk of Common Pleas appointed a suitable number of examiners, not less than five nor more than the number of townships in the county, who served for two years. From 1834 to 1836, the court made the appointment, and the number was limited to five. But the Board of Examiners were required to appoint one examiner in each township for female teachers only ; and in no case was a certificate to be given, unless the applicant was found qualified to teach reading, writing and arithmetie, and sustained a good moral character. From 1836 to 1838, three examiners were elected in each township. The writer has no means of giving the names of many examiners during that period. Itisremembered, however, that Russell Thayer held the office in Montville Township; Dr. Thomas Rowe, in La Fayette Township; William Paull, T. H. Hills and John Codding, in Granger Township. From 1838 to 1853, the Court of Common Pleas appointed three County Examiners, for a term of three years. The first board under this aet consisted of Rev. H. Lyon, Principal of Richfield Academy; John McGregor, Principal of Wadsworth Academy, and I. R. Henry, a lawyer of Medina Viilage. The last board under this act was composed of Rey. G. S. Davis and Hermon Canfield, Esq., of Medina Village, and William P. Clark, of Montville, Principal of a select school in Medina Village. This board was required to hold four quarterly examinations in inations at a cost of 50 cents to each candidate receiving a certificate. For the convenience of examiners and candidates, special examinations were held in the several townships, all persons who received certificates, being charged 50 cents. Since 1853, tho appointment of examiners has been by the Probate Judge, and every applicant for examination must be found qualified to teach orthography, reading, writing, arithmetic, geography, English grammar and theory and practice of teaching, before he can receive a certificate. The first Probate Judge re-appointed Messrs. Davis, Canfield and Clark. Since that time, the office has been held by numerous educators of distinction from various parts of the county. The plan of holding teachers' institutes was agitated and fully discussed. The first institute ever held in the Western country convened at Sandusky in September, 1845; the second was held at Chardon in October of the same

| of the Western Reserve, a law was enacted by the Legislature, authorizing the Commissioners of twenty-four counties of Ohio - of which Medina County was one - to set apart money for the support of a County Superintendent, or to defray the expenses of teachers' institutes. Eleven of these counties appropriated money to support institutes, the Commissioners of Medina County setting apart $300 for an institute fund. In October, 1847, the board of school examiners, consisting of Rev. G. S. Davis, Hermon Canfield and William P. Clark, issued a call for a Teachers' Institute to be held at the court house in Medina. To this call sixty-four gentlemen and the same number of ladies from all the townships of the county, except Spencer, and also eight of them being practical teachers. Of the gentlemen whose names appear in the catalogue, Henry Smith had taught sixteen terms; Joshua 'N. Robinson, eleven ; Cyrus King, seven ; Stephen B. Woodward and H. W. Remington, six ;

Thomas S. Shenn and two others, five; James Quayle, R. B. Squires and Samuel N. Stebbins, four; H. E. Matteson, Loyal A. Curtiss and seven others, three; John B. Young, S. G. Barnard, Hiram Goodwin, S. F. Codding and ten others, two; and Solomon Holcomb and ten others, ono each. Of the ladies, Semantha Worcester and Amy Sheldon had taught sixteen terms ; Eleanor Stiles, fifteen ; Elsie Codding and Editha M. Curtiss, eleven ; Marietta and Antoinette Clark, Almira Stiles and Nancy J. McDonald, seven; Eveline Clark and Jane F. Bradford, six ; Melissa Brown and Nancy Jameson, five ; Hannah Hewes and four others, four; Julia A. King, Jemima Averill and four others, three; Charlotte W. Sanford and six others, two ; Eliza Russell and six others, one term each. The instructors were M. D. Leggett, of Akron, in orthography, arithmetic and physiology; T. W. Harvey, of Chardon, in geography and grammar; and J. Hurty, of Mansfield, in elocution and civil government; Rev. S. D. Taylor, of Bath, Rev. William Johnson, of Sharon, and Charles A. Foster, A. M., of Seville, were lecturers. The institute appointed Messrs. H. Smith, S. M. Curtiss and S. M. Thayer, a committee on text-books. They recommended Town's Spelling-book, McGuffey's series of readers, from the first to the fifth inclusive, Wells' Grammar, Adams' Arithmetic, Colburn's Mental Arithmetic, Smith's First Book in Geography, Morse's Geography, Ackerman's National History, Young's Civil Government, Mitchell's Outline Maps, and Batcheldor's Natural Accountant. William P. Clark and Henry Smith were appointed a committee to publish a catalogue, from which the following extracts are taken:

To the Public: In compliance with a call issued by the Board of School Examiners for Medina County, the teachers of the county assembled at Medina on Monday, November 8, 1847, for the purpose of holding a Teachers' Institute. The session was continued til) Friday evening. In presenting this catalogue, the committee take the opportunity to say that they are fully convinced of the utility of the Teachers' Institutes. They believe them to be well calculated to do much toward elevating the standard of common-school instruction. Let it be bornein mind that thirty-six thirty-sevenths of the youth of our State receive their education in common schoois, and it will be unnecessary to urge upon the friends of education the importance of improving the qua'ifications of teachers. source. No less true is it that the school must bear the impress of the character of its instructor. That teachers' institutes are the best available means for improving the qualifications of teachers, is no longer a matter of doubt. It is not claimed that they will accomplish all the objects attained by State Normal Schools, but that they will effect much toward improving the qualifications of that portion of our teachers who could never enjoy the facilities of such a school.

In the fall óf 1848, the second Institute of the county was held. It continued three weeks, and was attended by a large number of teachers and others. The institute was under the direction of Mr. M. F. Cowdery, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Ohio State Teachers' Association. Mr. Cowdery was assisted in the work of instruction by Messrs. G. W. Winchester, J. B. Howard, William P. Clark, Cutchion and Prof. H. Mandeville. Prof. Mandeville gave a course of instruction in reading and elocution which was novel, and provoked much comment and some opposition ; the interest, however, seemed to increase to the end. | At all institutes, the subject of better work in the publie schools, and of the superior advantages to be expected from the establishment of union schools for large towns and cities, was discussed, and plans urged upon the attention of the people. As a result, the plan of graded schools was adopted in many places, and soon compelled the abandonment of private schools, or these and the common schools united and formed union schools.

ways those to be found who are opposed to the use of public moneys to make schools free, or to furnish facilities for the education of teachers. Although the fund first set apart by the Commissioners to constitute an institute fund, came from the interest of the surplus revenue, and was by law designated to be used in the promotion of education, many opposed its usein this manner, and endeavored to make institutes unpopular. The Board of Examiners, upon whose recommendation the funds were appropriated, and by whom they were disbursed, were divided on the question. The matter was still farther complicated by the fact that authors of school books and agents of publishing houses succeeded in obtaining appointments to give instruction in institutes, and were believed to use the opportunity to advance their private interests. Such was the case in the second Institute held in Medina. The board, by: simple majority vote, refused to pay for services rendered. Some of the parties interested stirred up hot blood ; criminations and recriminations followed ; sharp words were spokeu on both sides on the last evening, and the Institute broke up in confu- Wrongs were done to innocent parties which were not righted for years, but eventually some compensation was made to those who were not at fault, and who should have been paid for their labor at the time. The result was that no more institutes were held in the county until the adoption of the present law, which removes one objection to institutes by providing for the payment of the expenses from an institute fund, arising from fees paid by applicants for examination for teachers' certificates, and only on the written request made to the County Auditor of at least thirty practical teachers of the county. The establishment of graded schools in Medina County was indefinitely postponed by this discontinuance of the teachers' institutes. This check to the move- ` ment for better public schools quickened the select schools, and gave them a new lease of life. The number of their pupils was increased, their course of study was enlarged, and they became more of a power than ever. The Medina Select School was owned and controlled for several years by William P. Clark. During each spring and fall,it had a Normal Department, and drew pupils from all parts of the county. Its course of study included not only common and higher English branches, but also the natural sciences, mathematics, and an elementary course in the Latin, Greek and French languages and instruction on the piano, giving employment to three teachers.

Schools of a higher order than furnished by the common-school system, called select schools or academies, early supplemented the work of the common schools in Hinckley, Granger, Sharon, Wadsworth, Seville, York, Lafayette, Litchfield, Chatham, Lodi and Spencer, as well as Medina. To these schools, persons who had a love for study or who were ambitious to teach, resorted for instruction in sciences not taught in the common schools, or for more thorough instruction in such as were taught in them. The effects were soon apparent in better district schools. Hazing and locking-out teachers, incident to a state of society such as is found in a new country, where might instead of right, and muscle instead of brains, are often applauded, gave place to order and culture. These higher grades of schools were supported by tuition or term bills, ranging from $2 to $4 for a term of twelve weeks. These select schools were independent, subject only to the control of the instructors, while the academies were under the nominal supervision of a Board of Trustees, who employed or dismissed the teachers at their pleasure ; but, as the funds for both, in most cases, were dependent upon the number of pupils and the studies pursued, there was always a powerful motive to sacrifice thoroughness and order to popularity. The superior instruction actually given in these schools, however, and their popularity, had a detrimental effect upon the public schools in one respect. Although they furnished them good teachers, they were necessarily rivals. Most of the better scholars were drawn to the private schools until only the poorer scholars and the children of those who were unable or unwilling to pay the bills in the private schools were left in the district schools. Thus the circumstances which made the select schools and the academies better, made the district schools poorer, and at the same time fostered a spirit of caste. This state of things could not continue. The needs of the public soon devised a remedy, and those teachers who were most successful in the private schools, became leaders in a movement which ruined the select schools and academies. This revolution was not effected at once, and these higher private schools were continued with some interruptions for a number of years. Prominent among the teachers in this class of schools in the county, were Samuel W. McClure, E. H. Fairchild, William P. Clark, S. G. Barnard, C. F. Hudson, Charles A. Foster, A. R. Whiteside, W. W. Ross, L. C. Cotton, E. W. Reynolds, H. H. Mack, Alvin Dinsmore and Q. M. Bosworth.

At length, the subject of graded schools was agitated with more determination on the part of those who desired their establishment. Medina Village took the lead. A large school building was erected, but not without considerble opposition. The strange inconsistency and the remarkable blindness of people to the best interests of their families, was seen in men having children to educate who had not a dollar of property to be taxed, voting with the enemies of free schools against the building of more commodious schoolhouses, because the taxes would thereby be inereased. After much effort, the progressive party seemed to succeed. The provisions ofthe Akron school law were so far complied with as to obtain the requisite number of names of legal voters to a petition to the proper authorities to order the inaugura- tion of a graded school in Medina Village. The Medina Select School was discontinued; its school building and grounds were sold and converted to other uses; but the papers which were to set in motion the machinery of the new schools, were either never presented to the authorities or were never acted upon. Thus the matter rested.

After the discontinuance of the Medina Select School, since there were no graded schools, there was need of additional school facilities in Medina Village, and Mr. 8. G. Barnard, a member of the Board of School Exam~ iners, opened a select school there. One of the characteristic featüres of it was its normal department. To this school, a large number of teachers and persons desiring to become teachers came, and were greatly aided in their preparation for their chosen work. Penmanship and book-keeping were also made specialties; and an extended commercial course, limited only by the desires or time of the students, was added. But the agitation of the subject of graded schools did not cease; and, eventually, the plan went into operation under the general school law. The schools were carefully graded, and are accomplishing even more than the most sanguine of the friends of the measure dared to promise for them. The graded or union school system has been adopted also in Wadsworth, Seville, Weymouth, Le Roy and Lodi Townships. High schools have been established in Hinckley, Granger, Sharon, Chatham and perhaps Litchfield. These high schools are supplying a need in the townships where they are located, and are rendering efficient aid in perfecting the publie school system. The Academical Association of Lodi bore the palm for excelling all others 'n the beauty, amplitude and convenience of its school building, and the extent of its school grounds. Although Messrs. Haskins, Miller and Grannis did good work there, the organization came too late to succeed with- out an endowment. The building and grounds have passed into the possession of the village Board of Education, and, under the new management, the school has a bright future.

Since the adoption of the present school law, teachers' institutes have been held regularly in various parts of the county, under the direction of a County Teachers' Association, and are believed to be a profitable way of aporopriating the funds. Many teachers and others attend them, and there is no doubt but they are making known to teachers of less experience the better methods of instruction pursued by instructors of larger experience. They are also making known to teachers of the ungraded schools the superior methods of graded schools. Thus they are manifestly contributing to raise the standard of education in the county. Although the credit of originating the plans of graded and union schools, and securing the adoption of these plans, is usually given to the managers of these institutes, and although these schools are largely indebted to them, there was a graded school in Medina County before any institutes had been held in the West, if not in New York or New England. The honor of originating the plan and successfuly carrying it out belongs to Hon. John Codding, Silas Swan, Ulysses Young and Burt Codding, of Coddingville. The school consisted of two departments - high school and primary. The high school was first taught by Rev. William Johnson, and afterward in succession by William H. Barnard, William P. Clark, F. D. Kimball, Stephen B. Woodward, and others. Although lacking in conveniences and funds, being taught in a plain house of only two rooms, and supported in part by a tax on those who sent to it, the school did good work in training the youth of that part of Granger and Sharon.

the township of Granger has had in furnishing public men is believed to be owing largely to the superior facilities she gave for preparation in this and other schools.

academies of Sharon and Wadsworth, and that of Rev. Harvey Lyon, of Medina, and subsequently of Richfield Academy, is wanting in an essential feature. These men, in their capacity of teachers and examiners, labored earnestly and arduously to elevate the standard of education. Many teachers of that day owe their efficiency and uscfulness to them. To them, also, many who never engaged in the work of common-school instruction, owe much of their success in life. Before teachers' institutes were known, meetings of teachers for the purpose of inutual consultation and aid were held and addressed in various parts of the county by these veterans.

There is no more important feature of the history of the county's social development, or one which more accurately measures it, than the newspaper. A public servant in the truest sense, it lives only by the voluntary support of the people, and, as a matter of necessity, in the main, reflects the average sentiment, enterprise, and moral development of the community in which it appears. The people who settled Medina County were a thinking and a reading people, and for a number of years depended upon the Cleveland Herald for their political news and to air their opinions. This close relation with Cleveland, rendered easy by the means of direct communication, delayed the establishment of a home paper until 1832, since when it has grown and improved with the county until its legitimate successor stands among the weeklies of the State, with few equals in point of influence and circulation.

Democrat and Anti-Masonic journal, called the Ohio Free Press and Medina County Advertiser. This was a five-column folio, 19x26 inches, and was established by Joseph W. White, in May or June of 1832. His "terms" were as fol- morning, on Court street, fourth door north of Oviatt & Dronson's store, at the rate of $2 per annum, paid half-yearly in advance, or $2.50 at the close of the year. Most kinds of country produce will be taken, delivered at market prico. No subscription will be taken for less than six months, and no subscriber will be at liberty to withdraw (except at the option of the publisher) until all arrearages are paid. A failure to notify a discontinuance, at least three weeks previous to the end of the term subscribed for, will always be considered a new engagement. All subscriptions, unless otherwise designated, will be considered for one year."

These terms do not indicate very much confidence on the part of the proprietor in the actual demand for his paper, and exhibit ina striking manner the origin ofa business practice that has been the bane of all country newspapers. The practice of seeking support for a newspaper enterprise in a way that would be considered disreputable to any other business, has done much to bring the profession of journalism into contempt, in the country, and has retarded its development here, until the practice was discarded. Time was, when * produce pay" and a credit basis may have been necessary ; but the newspaper, in most cases, has continued it long after every other branch of business had rejected this effete practice. The Free Press did not meet with any great degree of success. The Anti-Masonie sentiment, though cherished to some extent in the county, did not gain public expression in party formation, and the Whig sentiment grew, notwithstanding the presence of this Democratic journal. A fire which destroyed the office in 1837, was the crowning stroke of its misfortune, and it was never re- vived. In 1835, however, J. S. Carpenter, from New York, a youag man of pronounced antislavery views, and an earnest Whig, established the Constitutionalist. This paper was a power in the county, and did much to foster and organize the growing Whig sentiment, but, unfortunately for the success of the paper, Judge Carpenter was elected as representative in 1839, and continued in public life for many years afterward. This paper then passed into the hands of Lowry & McClure, and subsequently into the ownership of Pardee & King, in 1841, and in January of the following year was consolidated with the Medina County Whig, with Walter P. Jayne as publisher and proprietor. The latter journal had been established by Lowry, in 1837, and sold a little later to Jayne, when he embarked with S. C. McClure in the Constitutionalist. The consolidated papers were known as the Constitutionalist and Whig until the early part of. 1843, when the latter part of the title was dropped and a new series was begun with the old title. In September, 1843, Jayne sold the establishment to Speer & Bennett, who changed the name to the Democratic Whig, a name, however, which does not indicate any leaning toward the " Locofocoism" which it violently opposed. In 1848, the establishment was burned out, and the paper was at once reestablished by John Speer alone. In 1853, the paper changed with the growth of public sentiment, canceled its allegiance to the Whig party, and a little later followed the more progressive wing into the Republican ranks. With this change of principles, it changed its name to the Medina Gazette, and increased its size to a folio, 22x34 inches. In 1854, Mr. Speer sold the paper to Kirkland & Redway, who sold it in the following year to John Weeks. In 1860, he sold the establishment to the Redway brothers, who püblished the paper five years. Hon. H. G. Blake, Hon. Francis D. Kimball, Judge Charles Castle and Hermon Canfield were editors of the Gazette at various times during the proprietorship of

Speer, Weeks and the Redways - an array of editorial talent that marks in a striking way the transformation that was then taking place, and the important position which the newspaper of that time occupied in political matters. In 1865, the office was bought by Dr. J. N Robinson, who published the paper until the close of 1868, having associated with him at different times, " Perro CuxEo," R. W. Clark, McCabe and John Weeks. On January 1,1869, the Gazette was purchased by J. H. Green, the present editor of the paper. Early in the previous year, the Medina Republican was started by John Weeks and J. Jay Lemon, which, after continuing some eight or nine months, was merged into the Gazette.

` On the 14th of April, 1870, the newspaper office was again visited by fire, destroying everything, causing a loss of some $4,000, on which there was no insurance. On the 19th, the enterprising proprietor issued a half-sheet, about twelve by fourteen inches, printed at the office of the Cleveland Leader. There was little in it besides an account of the fire, and the editor announced his situation as follows: "The fire that desolated Medina Village last Friday, destroyed the G'azette office totally. We have nothing left. The office was temporarily in an old frame building, and no insurance company would insure it. It cost us $4,000 - our all. We have no means to re-establish the paper ; but we rely upon the liberality of the people of Medina County, promptly expressed in the way of new subscriptions, advertising and job-work, to enable us to get on our feet again. We propose getting a new office as soon as possible, and shall print the Gazette the same size and shape as before. Our new office will cost about $3,000." On the 29th, another "extra" was issued of similar proportions and from the same office. It contains the announcements of the business men burned out, and this in regard to the paper itself: "The Gazette still lives, but, 'owing to circumstances over which it has no control,' is forced again to appear in the shape of an extra." On the 13th of May, a little "dodger" with a rooster conspicuously displayed, was sent about the county announcing the arrival of material and a "full paper next week." "True to this promise, on the 20th day of May, 1870, the Gazette appeared in its old shape, a folio of twenty-five by thirty-six, with a complete new dress, looking much better for the fire. How this was accomplished, the following editorial sets forth: " From the ashes of the conflagration that so nearly destroyed our village, the Medina County Gazette rises again. Its old friends and readers will, we know, cheerfully welcome its familiar face once more, and share with us the feelings of pride and joy which we do not try to conceal over its resurrection. To the raany new friends whom it now for the first time visits, it expresses its sense of gratitude for the cordial promptness with which they have lent their aid, and indulges the hope that they may, one and all, be permanently reckoned among its readers and subscribers.

" After vexatious but unavoidable delays - after the smoke of the burnt town has cleared off, and the extent of the damage and suffering can be only too painfully perceived - after much traveling and bargaining - we once more issue the Gazette from Medina. Printed on a new press with new type and a new office, it begins a new era in its existence. Our own means were swept away, and but for the promised support of the people of the county, we could not have started again. That promise is being fulfilled, and we do not and will not permit the doubt that the efforts of its friends to place the paper on a firm footing again, will be relaxed until the county has been thoroughly canvassed and every subscriber procured that can be. This we know, because on all sides and from all parties, we have met with encouraging words and practical sympathy - all the more valued, since the disaster that overtook us, involved so good friends who stood by us in the darkest hours, and ' through evil as through good report,' have caused us to realize with keener zest than ever that the uses of adversity are sweet indeed when they can bring out such proofs of friendship ; and with full force we can adopt as our own the counsel of Polonius :

"Personally, we have not been so anxious for help or so discouraged over our pecuniary loss as to despair - not by along ways. With health and strength, a practical knowledge of work, and the world all before him where to choose, he would be a poor stick who couldn't earn a livelihood for himself and family ; but as publisher of the county paper, we felt and still feel the importance of the position, and the necessity of sustaining the home journal; of increasing its subscription list, and enlarging its business in all departments, so that its revival will not be attended with pressing debts and embarrassments, the constant effort to clear it of which will limit its ability and impair its usefulness. The county paper is about as much the property of the people of the county as it is of the publisher, and it depends upon them - upon the measure of their support, counsel and encouragement - whether it be first-class or merely a thing. We promise to faithfully perform our part in the future as we have tried in the past to make the Gazette a creditable newspaper ; and we again appeal, as earnestly and urgently as our necessities require, for help - not donations or charity, but an increased subscription, list and orders for work.

" Here in the village we are all sufferers together ; but we still live, and intend to recover all we have lost, and rebuild our town better than it was before. In this work, whether it be speedy or long delayed, the Gazette is here to help. It is here to urge foward improvements, to record the progress of affairs, and to stand up for the town, whatever happens. And now, having said this much, we hopefully, gladly and thankfully resume the round of labor and duty so suddenly interrupted."

How well this sentiment has been carried out, the present prosperous condition of the Gazette clearly tells. On February 4, 1876, its business having expanded beyond the limits of its old form, the paper was enlarged to a sixcolumn quarto. In July of the same year, Mr. Greene took the Hon. F. R. Loomis into partnership, under the firm name of Greene & Loomis. 'Fhis arrangement continued unti] August, 1879, when, after proving himself an energetie, enterprising editor, he retired, and subsequently purchased the Norwalk Chronicle, which he is now editing. R. W. Clark and Jay Hills, gentlemen who had long been connected with the mechanical part of the office, took Mr. Loomis' share, and formed the partnership still existing under the firm name of J. H. Greene & Co. This is now the only paper published at the county seat.

The first distinctively Democratic paper pub. lished in Medina County was the Watchtower, a six-column folio, 20x30, established in 1838 by H. Canfield. While it vigorously opposed everything emanating from the Whig party, it made such concessions to the Anti-slavery sentiment that prevailed throughout the county, as to place it on that side of this absorbing question. It was neatly printed, and such copies as are still extant show a liberal advertising patronage, but it was constantly in need of funds. There was seldom anything of an editorial nature in its columns, but the following, which appeared April 14, 1841, which seems to express the editor's views: "We have again suspended issuing our paper, and will not publish another until sufficient collections are made to continue it at least three or four weeks without another stoppage." The Watchtower continued this intermittent sort of existence until February 9, 1842, the last number of its third volume. In this issue appeared an article in black-faced type, headed "A Loud Letter - Third and Last Call." Following this portentous heading came the announcement: "The publication of this paper will be suspended for a time, in order to collect the debts due the office." Something more was added in regard to the collection of bills, and the situation summed up in vigorous language. In reference to the announcement, the editor puts the matter to his readers as follows: "Some of our patrons may think the above call rather too loud. Let such try our situation a few months, and they will change their opinion. The difficulty, and the only, difficulty, in sustaining a Democratic paper here, is the negligence and backwardness of subscribers in paying up. We have on our books the names of a number of subscribers who have not paid the first cent. They read the paper, and would not like to have it stop. Oh, no - the paper must not stop! What do they do toward sustaining it?" With more to the same effect. From other evidence, it appears that this temporary suspension was made perpetual, and, some year, notwithstanding the forbidding character of the enterprise, Michael Hayes embarked in journalism by establishing the Democratic Watchman. This paper survived the negligence or impecuniosity of the native Democrat until after the successful campaign of 1844, when, contrary to the natural order of things, its light began to flicker, and finally went out. One reason may have been that John McGregor, served very acceptably as editor during the campaign, left the Watchman after the election, to assume the duties of a teacher at Wadsworth. It is probable, however, that the county was not found congenial for the development of such a literary exotic.

temerity for an intelligent man to start a Democratic organ, with a full knowledge of the experience of its predecessors, but the time seemed propitious and the man by his political opinions admirably adapted to succeed. It was the year when the Democratic party of the county, under the influence of its young blood, formed the coalition with the Free-Soil element, The Democrat heartily aided in bringing about this consummation, and received the support of the whole coalition, some of the " Liberty men " even, taking it - probably their first Democratic journal since 1821. Its success was doomed to be short-lived. "The coalition fell to pieces the following year, and, though the Democratic party remained in the ascendancy for a few years, alternating victory with defeat, the cause declined, and after passing into the hands of Elias S. Ellis, F. Harry and F. McElhinny, the paper was suspended, or was changed to the Mirror, in 1855, which subsequently ceased to reflect. In 1860, the Medina Herald was established by John Weeks, in the political interest of Stephen A. Douglas, then candidate for the Presidency, but it was removed to Mahoning County in the following year, leaving Medina once more without an expositor of Democratic principles. This state of thigs continued until 1874. In the meanwhile, leading Democrats began to urge the necessity of an organ for the party, and in the fall of 1874, R. W. Clark and A. J. Baughman rented the material of a job officein which the former was interested, and commenced publishing the Medina Demoerat. Baughman soon bought Clark out, continuing the paper until June, 1875, when the office was closed by a foreclosure. C. C. Day, who had been acting as foreman for Baughman, continued the publication of the paper subse- | quently for about a year, the members of the party contributing to the expenses as they felt disposed. In the meantime, a subscription paper was circulated among the members of the Democratic organization, for funds to pur- chase an outfit for the paper. Two or three hundred dollars were secured, and Donn Eyerett, of Akron, went to Cincinnati and purchased the material. It was his intention to take the office and eventually pay the subscribers, but other matters intervened and he gave up the project. At this juncture, J. B. McCormick, formerly connected with the Cincinnati Enquirer, attempted to guide this political craft, but after two months' experience, he found it unmanageable, and resigned. The material was only partially paid for, and the creditors were pressing for their pay. To avoid a complete wreck of their hopes, several leading Democrats advanced the money needed to satisfy the claims against the office, and secured T. T. Hudson as editor, giving him free use of the office. S. N. Preston was associated with Mr. Hudson, as foreman, and succeeded him as editor in August 1877, continuing it until June of 1878, when he was succeeded by Robert Coffey. This editor conducted the paper until October 1880, when he "stepped down and out." This office is still in possession of the few who advanced the monev for its purchase, and the expectation is that it will resume operations as soon as the proper man and time are found. The general character of the early papers of the county was all very much the same. A very noticeable part of the literary part of and national affairs, and the almost total lack of local news. The messages of the President and Governor were given in full, and, when very lengthy, were continued in several numbers. Frequently a long speech took up one-half of the paper, while the items of county news noted in the issues of a year, would not fill the space generally devoted to each week at present. Long communications, full of innuendo and contemptible insinuations, over assumed names, were not refused by any paper, and seemed to have been considered only vigorous arguments. The " poet's corner" was sacredly reserved for choice selections of such poetry as delighted the taste of that day, with but very few contributions from home talent. The Watchtower, established in 1838, bears marks of the most careful editing of any of the early papers. This occasionally devoted a page to reports of the township political meetings, but generally its arrangement of news was as follows: On the first page, the first column was devoted to selected poetry; then "Esq. Olcott's Department " - made up of a long article on the currency, credit system, ete. - took up several columns ; then the * Agricultural Department," followed by the department headed " Political," which took two-thirds of the space of the paper. This singular style of editing was probably satisfactory to the patrons of the paper, and arose from the fact that no other paper or means of general information was accessible to the people. Thelocal news they knew or got from their neighbors, while the foreign news was furnished only by their home paper. The change from the old style to that of the present was almost imperceptible until after 1845 or 1850. The Democratic Whig has a modern appearance, though there is but little attempt at editorial wisdom. In seeking for the source of power and influence of the early papers, one must comprehend the character of the readers. The people of Medina County were remarkably independent in their habits of thought. The political questions which pressed upon their attention were calulated to arouse a wonderful mental activity, and, once having taken position upon these questions, there was manifested a stubbornness born of an unchangeable conviction that left no room for argument. quence of this fact, editorial arguments were not offered, and the only weapons of the press were personal attacks that should bring the opposing candidate into disfavor. There was an obsequious tendency occasionly manifested on the part of the press, that totally ruined its influence as a leader of thought and opinion. A striking exhibition of this feature occurs in the In an issue of 1841, Mr. Olcott says: "I have just learned to my surprise that extensive dissatisfaction exists among the members of the Democratic party in this county, at 'My Department' in the Watchtower. I was greatly surprised at the result, because of the universal commendations I had previously heard of it from members of that party. I am very sorry I did not know of this dissatisfaction before, because, in that case, my financial essays would never have troubled: anybody in the columns of the Watchtower with my consent. It is true that I have not published those essays with intent to please Democrats or anybody else, unless they might happen to be pleased with what I supposed to be the truth. My object was to publish the truth, and truth, too, of great importance for the American people to understand. How far I have succeeded in this design, we can all judge. But the Watchtower is the official organ of the Democratic party in Medina County, is supported at their expense, and ought, of course, to be published to their satisfaction. Since, therefore, I have been so unfortunate as to be instrumental in producing a different result, however unintentionally I may have done so, I have now only to express my regret at its occurrence, and to assure the readers of the Watchtower, that a similar result in the columns of that paper shall never happen through my agency again." Without any reflection upon the author of this apology, it may be observed that Uriah Heep could not excel it in humbleness, and that, where such conditions are accepted by the press and enforced by the people, the press is little better than the modern dead-walls on which showmen and quacks betray the eye to cheat the sense.

Of the papers outside of the county seat, the Wadsworth Enterprise is the oldest. In the winter of 1865-66, George A. Root started a job-printing office at Wadsworth, with W. P. Root as an assistant. Soon after the inaugura- tion of this enterprise, John A. Clark bought a half-interest in it, and, having added to the material, on the 4th of May, 1866, issued the first number of the Enterprise. The paper was a six-column folio. After running a year, Mr. Clark purchased Mr. Root's interest, and continued the publication of the paper alone until 1870, when Emanuel Lowry became a partner for one year. The business again reverted to Mr. Clark's sole proprietorship, with a rapid increase of business. In 1874, a three-story brick building was erected for its accommodation, steam presses bought, and no office in the county hdd better facilities for doing its business. The Enterprise has several times changed its form and style, and, in the present year (1880), was sold to George Dipley, but soon reverted to Mr. Clark, who is now the sole proprietor. The paper is independent politically, though devoted principally to home news. It is now a seven-column folio.

The Seville Times is an eight-column folio, published weekly at Seville, by C. C. Day. The first paper in this village was established in 1868. This was called the Seville Democrat, and was edited by a Mr. Adams. The paper originated in the desire of the members of the Democratic party for an organ. Adams conducted it but a short time, when F. G. McCauley took up the editorial quill, changing the name of the paper to Medina County Democrat. This effort to give the paper a broader significance had but little influence upon its prosperity, and it went the way of all Democratic papers in Medina County, in the course of three years. In March, 1872, the Seville Times was established by Roberts & Coulter. The former soon left, and Coulter continued the paper until the spring of 1874, when he died. Mr. J. T. Graves wielded the editorial pen the succeeding summer, and Mrs. Coulter, the mother of the former proprietor, conducted the paper for awhile. In March of 1876, C. C. Day took charge, and has conducted it with success and profit.

Gleanings in Bee Culture is a monthly periodical devoted to bees and honey, published and edited by A.I. Root. The history of this periodical is told by the proprietor in the preface of |

I knew how to give for making plain, simple hives, etc., were from time to time published in the American Bee Journal, but the demand for further particulars' was such that a circular was printed, and, shortly after, a second edition. then another, and another. These were intended to answer the greater part of the queries, and, from the cheering words received in regard to them, it seemed the idea was a happy one.

" Until 1873, all these circulars were sent out gratuitously ; but, at that time, it was deemed best to issue a quarterly at 25 cents a year, for the purpose of answering these inquiries. The very first number was received with such favor that it was immediately changed to a monthly, at 75 cents per annum. The name given it was Gleanings in Bee Culture, and it was gradually enlarged, until, in 1876, the price was changed to $1. During all this time, it has served the purpose excellently, of answering questions as they come up, both old and new." The Gleanings is now about to commence its ninth year ; it is a neat pamphlet, 64x10 inches, contains an average of 52 pages, and has a circulation of something over 4,000.

The Teachers' Guide is an cight- page quarto, with 10x14-inch page, published at York, by J. R. Holcomb & Co. and devoted to teachers and school interests. It was first issued in 1875, bi-monthly, and was, perhaps, more profitable as a means of advertising than as an educational journal. Still, it acquired

Speaking of his success in bee | "This capped the climax, as | inquiries in regard to the new industry began | to come in from all sides; beginners were | eager to know what hives to adopt, and where | to get honey extractors. The fullest directions |

| eonsiderable success, and has gradually been transformed into a regular teachers' journal. In the spring of 1880, J. D. Holcomb assumed | editorial control, and has gained for it a good | standing among teachers. It is printed on fine, heavy paper, contains in each number a portrait of some one prominent in educational or literary pursuits, accompanied by a wellwritten sketch of his career, and is every way worthy of the success it is receiving.

Juvenile periodicals have had some attention in the county, as well as weekly newspapers. The Gem was the title of a juvenile paper that originated in York, and later was published in Wadsworth. It reached a large circulation, gained by the shrewd use of premiums, but it gained an unenviable reputation a little later, and was discontinued. The Apple Blossom was another juvenile of this character, established in Seville by H. A. Brotts, in 1874. The proprietor had served some time in the office of the Gem, and sought to establish a kindred business in Seville ; it continued, however, only about a year. There was another of these lesser periodical lights established in || Seville a little earlier, but it was printed en- | tirely at another place, and continued but a | short time.

develop the moral growth of a community, are the thoroughfares that connect it with the outside world. They are the arteries which carry | the elements of growth and vigor from the cen- | ters of church and school influence, and of | commercial activity, to remoter points, and the | great hindrance to the rapid moral as well as , material growth in frontier communities in that | early day, was this lack of easy communication with the rest of the world. Information of all sorts was meager and generally inaccurate, and a place ten miles away was more unknown to the pioneers for the first fifteen or twenty years than Europe is to us to-day. The papers were almost universally taken up too much with State and national affairs to mention local matters, and there was nothing to incite the community to a generous rivairy, or to awaken an enterprising enthusiasm.

The earliest road was the one now generally known as the Smith Road, passing east and west through the middle of the county. This was a military road, but was so overgrown by underbrush that the earliest settlers found it almost impassable. There is a tradition that Gen. Smith was forced to abandon several pieces of brass artillery near where the road crosses the Rocky River, and some attempts have been made to discover them, but without success. Another early road led from Cleveland to Wooster, passing through Medina Village, and was ultimately rebuilt as a turnpike and constituted the main line of travel. "For several years prior to the erection of Medina County, the establishment of roads was unsettled. Each settler undertook to make a road to suit his own convenience, and not unfrequently he joined with his next neighbor in opening a way that could be of mutual advantage. The making of bridges generally called together the whole force of the then sparse community,and many days would be wholly devoted to the construction of a bridge that would probably be carried away by a succeeding freshet. After the organization of the county, small appropriations were made for opening roads and making bridges. As money was then scarce,a man would work at roadmaking from rising to setting sun for 50 cents and board himself.

"It was much easier to get timber necessary for a bridge to the allotted spot, than to get the logs placed. Ox-teams were used in hauling, but rendered little aid in placing timbers. Rocky River was the largest stream flowing through several of the newly settled townships,

: COOUUULERUUAUTUEROCOMODTOICUAUENIL UL ce sc LIU M - - . Lo A - - - Á - - - - - - - - - HO | forced the inhabitants, as a matter of convenience, to decide upon places for bridges, and unite in building them for general accommodation. their own expense for this purpose, and did not consider it oppressive. thing to see all the men in à community congregated early, without stockings or shoes, laboring all day in the water, fixing abutments and placing the long, heavy stringers thereon. - As puncheons were used for flooring in nearly every dwelling, they were considered equally good for bridging. It is not hazardous to say that, in 1815, and for five years thereafter, five men actually performed more labor on roads than twenty men doin these latter days. Necessity forced them to be industrious, and their future prospects urged them to labor. It was not unusual for the men, while engaged in putting up a bridge, to see their wives coming through the woods in various directions, laden with cooked provisions intended for those employed at work on the road, to save the time their husbands must lose if they resorted to their cabins for dinner."* The roads thus constructed, were the local highways, known in common parlance as county roads. As the community settled in Medina County increased in numbers, and its business began to assume considerable proportions, a demand for better communications began to be felt. was the principal market for all this region of country at that time, and about 1827 the Wayne, Medina and Cuyahoga Turnpike Company was organized. This company was granted the privilege of turnpiking the old road which led from Cleveland to Wooster, and charge toll for the use of it, placing gates every ten miles along the pike. There were two of these gates in the county, one near the center of Medina Township, and the other in Guilford Township, near Seville. This road was finished in 1830, and became the great outlet of the county and

Neal & Co., the great hack-line operators, established a line of coaches, that passed each way between the terminal points, daily. During the

| inclement season the road became almost impassable, frequently obliging the stages to cease running, or to make only weekly trips. The Watchtower of February 9, 1842, speaks of the horrible state of the turnpike, and states that the mail was thirteen hours coming from Wooster, a distance of twenty-four miles, and fourteen hours coming from Cleveland, a distance of twenty-eight miles. Besides these evidences of growth and activity, there were numbers of huge Pennsylvania " land-schooners," that made regular trips from the South, carrying flour, pork and grain to Cleveland, returning laden with merchandise for the dealers in Wayne County.

The Ohio & Erie Canal, having been started in 1825, and passing through Akron, made this quite a market for produce, and the southern portion of Medina County found this the most convenient point for shipping their surplus product. In 1828, therefore, a free road was projected from Elyria, in Lorain County, to Akron, in Summit. About 1830, the building of railroads began to be agitated in the State, and the Mad River road was followed among others by the Cleveland & Columbus Railroad, now known as the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis Railway. Some of the preliminary surveys for this road were made through Medina County ; considerable subscriptions were made to the stock of the proposed road, and a citizen of the county, Jeremiah Higbee, elected one of the Directors. Strong influence at Berea, however, diverted the direction of the road to its present course. This was finished in 1851, and a project was at once set on foot by such men as Hon. Hiram Bronson, Judge S. N. Sargent, Judge W. H. Canfield, and others, to secure a railroad from Medina to connect with this road at Grafton. This pro- jected railway was called the Cleveland, Medina & Tuscarawas Railroad, and proposed ultimately to reach Wheeling by way of Doylestown. Judge Sargent was elected President, and, through friends in New York, secured a loan of $15,000 on bonds to be issued by. the company, the interest being guaranteed by the Cleveland & Columbus road and the Lake Shore road. Work was begun about 1852 or 1853, a considerable amount being done on the road-bed between Grafton and Seville. Hiram Bronson was elected to succeed Judge Sargent about 1854. In the meantime, bonds to the amount of $400,000 were issued and placed on the market. Dr. L. D. Tolman, of Medina, was the general contractor for the whole road, subject to the control of the President, and, under the financial embarrassments of the new company, was forced gradually to discontinue work. Considerable dissatisfaction was expressed by the friends of the road at the cessation of work, even the contractor not fully agreeing in the necessity of this course. In the latter part of 1855 or early part of 1856, Mr. Bronson resigned, and turned over to the company the building accounts all settled, but the bonds unnegotiated. Dr. Tolman, who was thoroughly in sympathy with the progressive party, proceeded to revive the work, and placed the bonds with Steven Paul, a broker in New York, to negotiate. In the meanwhile, a proposition was made by a New York broker to secure the iron, if a capital stock of $1,000,000 could be secured to give the road a standing in the commercial world. To accomplish this, Mr. Bronson visited every town along the proposed line, holding meetings in the schoolhouses, and wherever it promised success to his plans,.and secured some $850,000, but. with a proviso that the subscription should be expended on the road through the respective places of the subscribers. This did not assist the building of the northern end of the road, but it was hoped every day that the bonds would be negotiated and the embarrassment of the company relieved. About this time, the papers announced the sale of some of the bonds on Wall street, at 90 cents on the dollar. Mr. Bronson, being in New York, subsequently, on business connected with his store jn this village, called on Paul in regard to the report. He coolly informed Mr. Bronson that his partner had placed them as collaterals in the hands of his creditors, and, failing to redeem them, they were sold for 9 cents instead of 90. On his return, Mr. Bronson reported the facts to the company, but, before any measures were taken to secure the balance of the bonds, the whole $400,000 were used in the same way by Paul. This misadventure, of course, prostrated the whole enterprise, and work on the road stopped right there, leaving large liabilities to be borne by those who had taken an active part in the project. Mr. Bronson finally paid something over $14,000, and Hon. H. G. Blake, who had become security for the contractor, in some way eventually paid some $5,000. The "Clinton Airline Extension" was the highsounding name of another railroad enterprise which was agitated at the same time with the one inaugurated by the Medina people. This proposed to join Chicago with New York City, by connecting with the New York & Erie Railroad, and pushing the "extension" on to the metropolis of the Northwest. The line of the proposed road through this county was nearly a due east-and-west line, passing just north of the center of Granger, Medina, York and Litchfield Townships, when it curved northward in a direct line for New London. A considerable subscription was raised in the county for this project, and some very encouraging work was done at York, but the project failed, after expending a large amount of money to no purpose. But, what was more unfortunate, this defunct organization left a score of claims as a legacy to its stockholders. The stockholders in Medina County, representing some $7,000, formed an association, and employed J. B.

Young and Judge R. P. Ranney to contest these claims, which haunted the courts for years. This course of litigation finally ended in April, 1871, by the finding of a judgment of $4.12 per share, which was paid by the shareholders. This road has recently been revived as the New York, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railway, and | some hopes are held that it may eventually become a fact.

Though greatly disappointed, the people were by no means dispirited and ways and means of reviving the Tuscarawas road were constantly discussed. In 1865, Mr. Bronson was elected to the Lower House of the General Assembly, and, while there, advised with Judge Ranney, as to the means of securing what had been built of this road free of incumbrance. He was advised to secure one of the bonds that had been | issued, and cause the road to be sold, when it could be bid in by those who desired to rebuild it This was communicated to Mr. Blake by Mr. Bronson, and soon after was made practical by the securing of a bond, the necessary proceedings had, and the sale ordered to take place on the 15th of April, 1870. "These proceedings were not unobserved of those who were hostile to the building of this road. The Lake Shore road did feel that this would subserve its interest, and an agent was sent to attend the sale and purchase the road-bed. On the night before, had occurred the terrible fire which laid so large a part of the county seat in ashes. It was the absorbing topic of conversation, and the Cleveland agent, falling in with Mr. Blake, was shown the ruins, and interested in the melancholy details of the whole disaster. In the meanwhile, the hour for the sale arrived, and just before the time expired the property was struck off to Mr. Blake.for $2,600, before the opposition knew what was going on. A suit followed to break up the sale, on the ground of fraud, practiced in the disposition of the property, but the sale was confirmed by the court. There was no plan in mind, however,to utilize the property thus secured, and, if there had been, the great calamity which had befallen the county seat would have indefinitely postponed it. But the demand for a railroad was pressing. All the travel and merchandise of the county, were brought in wagons from Berea, the nearest railroad point, at an exorbitant cost. Merchants found it impossible to compete with more favored localities, and thousands of dollars' worth of trade, was diverted from local business houses to Cleveland, Akron and elsewhere. The project, therefore, was only postponed, and, in the Gazette of January, 1871, the following editorial appeared : * In the Gazette, partly published the week of the fire, we proposed the building of a railroad - wooden, iron or some other kind - from Medina to Grafton. It is now about time to return to the subject, as it is being considerably talked of among our citizens. We all know that but little dependence is to be placed on the great east-and-west, and north-and-south railroads, which have been going to run through Medina any time the last half-century, and which, for all we know, may be coming the same way for the next fifty years - though we hope for better things. If they should happen to be put through, we will accept them as so much clear gain. But we may depend upon it, that our surest way to have a road is to build it ourselves. And it can be done. The energy and publie spirit that could rebuild a town from its ashes as speedily and handsomely as Medina has been rebuilt, can also build a railroad. Whether we are ready to begin it now is not really important. Only let it be determined that we will build it just as soon as we can turn our energies in that direction, and the point is gained." This article struck a responsive chord throughout the county, and' hardly an issue of the paper followed for some weeks, without a long communication on the subject of railroad communication with Grafton, advising the various methods of wooden, strap iron or regular T rails.