Montgomery County, Ohio - Chapter 21, 1882

Southern Ohio State Asylum For The Insane

HO has reason to be proud of her institutions, for no State has grander, none better furnished and in none are better accommodations provided. In the Ohio t e Institutions, not only the erection of buildings, fitting up, and furnishing of a a is done by the State, but every dollar of expenses is drawn from the State AiSury. No one, rich or poor, pays for treatment or board, and where aints, from any cause, are not clothed, the State clothes them. She houses, le i, clothes, and furnishes medical attendance. The poor have to be cared for by inublic under any system, the rich pay the taxes for them, and, when insane, lild be entitled to the same advantages; hence, both alike enjoy the advanvffl of treatment and care free of expense.

In 1851, the asylum at Columbus was the only one in the State, and was nm as the "Ohio Lunatic Asylum." Its capacity was 300 patients. To-day 1 «; are in Ohio asylums about 3,600 patients. Prof. S. M. Smith, who was u rintendent of tb e " Ohio Lunatic Asylum" in 1851, estimated the insane of iritate that year at 2,000, of which only 300 were provided tor, while more than Kbf God's afflicted were refused admission during the year. He says: " By the A accounts I have received, 120 were in the Commercial Hospital of Cincinnati, red in narrow and wretched quarters, that, with all the exertions of the excell - if'fficers of the hospital, their condition is lamentable in the extreme, and has el again and again pronounced by the grand jury of Hamilton County to be dis- - caiful to the age. Some counties, however, have made, or are making, very '( provision for such of their insane as cannot be admitted here. The jails ch counties as have no infirmaries, are crowded with poor, fettered lunatics. Hreds remain to be accounted for whose lot is too horrible to be believed, coni' in cellars and out-houses, or in log pens; suffering the extremity of cold inter, exposed to a burning sun in summer; pelted with sticks and stones, as i musement, by unthinking school-boys; a scanty meal tossed in through a o>w aperture, as to a wild beast; their dens - for that is the only appropriate i I can apply to them - cleaned out of the accumulated filth at distant intervals.

The State was steadily progressing in other directions, population increasing, 1C uth it the number of insane. As a result of the recommendations of Dr. Smith 'Cithers, the following winter the Legislature passed an act, dated April 30,

" entitled " An act to provide for the erection of two additional lunatic asy- " " Prof. H. A. Ackley, E. B. Fee, D. B. Woods, Charles Cist, and Edwin u! composed the Board appointed under the act. An appropriation of $140,- l( yas made by the Legislature for the purpose of. building two asylums, and the i:l met at Cleveland, May 18, 1852, and upon the following day agreed to visit H ent Eastern asylums, and take with them an architect who was to prepare a: f°r the new buildings. The Board visited Philadelphia, Trenton and Hardyg, but Mr. Bush, of Dayton, the architect employed, failing to meet the Board iladelphia, Samuel Sloan, of the latter city, was engaged to draw up plans for the two asylums. Mr. Bush subsequently made drawings of the asylums Trenton and Harrisburg. On the 7th of July the Board met at Cincinnati, and c the 8th at Dayton, and resolved not to locate either of the two asylums at an point, unless 50 acres of land were donated for the purpose. On the 9th a voi was taken to locate the northern asylum at Canton, which was defeated, the Boai deciding to locate it in the vicinity of Cleveland. An effort was made to secui the location of the southern at Cincinnati, which failed, and on the 10th of J'u Dayton was selected as the site. On the 1st of September the selection of tl ground was made, the same being in the northeast corner of Section 32, Van Bure Township, and September 6th the County Commissioners appropriated $500 ti ward paying for the land, the balance of the purchase money being donated by ti citizens.

The site is one of the most beautiful in Ohio, and seems to have bet specially designed by nature for such an institution. It overlooks the city Dayton, and the Miami Valley spreads out in a magnificent panoramic view, d lighting the eye and filling the heart of the beholder with awe and reverence.. Ti original contract for building the Dayton Asylum was let to Daniel Richmond Co., for $67,350.50, beside the money expended in payment of architects, superi tendent, traveling expenses, etc. June 22, 1854, Joseph Clements, M. 1)., w: appointed by the Board Superintendent of the Dayton Asylum, and the sail year Dr. C. M. Godfrey, of Ottawa, was appointed a member of the Board, and h since served many terms in that capacity. In his first report the Superintendejj says: " Very little has been done towards grading the grounds; no library, eig iron bedsteads, no smoke-house or ice-house." The current expenses wei $4,900.52, and the number of patients 59. In April, 1856, the institution was i organized, an entire new Board of Trustees appointed, and on April 23rd, Dr. J. Mcllhenny was elected Superintendent. The number of patients 133, cum expenses $13,233.14. For 1857, the same administration continues, except Ij Richard Gundry is appointed assistant instead of Dr. Poague, resigned. Strauch and J. W. Van Cleve furnished plans for improving the grounds. T number of patients 161, current expenses $28,781.65. For 1858, the report skr 161 patients, and the current expenses $26,309.70. October 2, 1858, the roofii of the southwest wing blew off. Some improvements were made in out buildinj and grading the grounds. In 1859, a workshop, two stories high, 36x22 feet, wj erected and a lake made; 156 patients reported and $25,180.13 current expenst In 1860, there were 157 patients cared for, and the current expenses were $2* 142.75. A severe storm this year blew off forty squares of roofing. The groun were much improved during the past season, trees were planted, consileral grading and sodding done, and the roads within the enclosure were nearly all coi pleted. In 1861, 159 patients were reported and $32,630.59 current expense; also the grading was reported finished, which cost altogether, upon the front of t building up to that date, nearly $6,000. April 15, 1862, Dr. Richard Guru! was appointed Superintendent. The number of patients at the end of the yt was 161, and current expenses $24,043.13. There were 24 acres of landpurchas costing $3,750. In 1863, the current expenses were $31,254.06, and the mr her of patients 163. In 1864, current expenses $41,584.93, and 162 patien In 1865, patients 171, current expenses $48,623.17. In 1866 a kitchen was bui a rear corridor rebuilt, and $40,000 appropriated for building new wings.

The Board contracted with James W. McLaughlin, of Cincinnati, as archite to prepare necessary plans and specifications for the proposed addition to the bub mg. The number of patients reported this year was 170, and $46,362.55 cum expenses. In 1867, work upon the new wings was rapidly pushed forward a another appropriation made of $62,500. Daily average of patients 172, cum expenses, $45,452.88. The report of 1868 shows that Dr. Gundry had so far si ceeded in his indefatigable effoits to secure the new wings, that the Trust report that they hope to occupy the new wards by February, 1869. The total < j » .. Jiture upon these wings up to date of the report was $187,146.13, and the Tjistees reported the financial condition of the institution good. A wind storm b|\v down the cow-shed, upper story of the stable, and carriage house; also slously damaged the gas-liouse. The sum of $6,000 was appropriated to repair tljs damage and the Board reported that five times in twelve years, extensive porti is of the roofing have been carried off by storms. Number of patients, 174, curfit expenses, $ 46,130.25. In the year 1869 the new wards were occupied by , icnts, and Drs. W. J. Conklin 4and H. B. Nunemalter were appointed assistant wsicians, Dr. Bell resigning. The total expenses of the new wings, up to this ti e was $ 290,000. The daily average ofpatients was 255, and the current expises $61,471.99. The daily average of patients for 1870 was 481, and the current elenses $99,285.78. In 1871 the daily average of patients was 581, and the currcjit expenses $103,273.82. This year a large portion of the roofing was again fin off, thus causing much labor and expense. Dr. Rutter was appointed distant, in place of Dr. Nunemaker, resigned. The report for 1872 shows the dly average of patients to have been 609, and the current expenses $98,310.58.

In this year the Superintendent, Dr. Richard Gun dry, was selected by the Legisture to complete, furnish and open the Athens Asylum, where he remained four vlrs, and was then selected to do a like work at the Columbus Asylum. It w! mainly through Dr. Gundry's indefatigable exertions, that the Dayton Asylum Wi so rapidly brought to its present high standard among the institutions of the lion. Without casting any reflection upon those worthy Superintendents who plceded and followed him, it is but justice to say that none did so much wards building up this institution, and making it one of the foremost Asylums irhe land, as Dr. Grundy. All honor to those men who have labored so assiduity and faithfully in alleviating the sufferings of poor, afflicted humanity. May fciir names never be forgotten, but be inscribed indelibly, on the pages of history.

Dr. S. I. F. Miller succeeded Dr. Gundry as Superintendent of the Dayton iylum, and Dr. Conklin resigned his place as assistant, having served two and 03-half years in that capacity. In 1873 the daily average of patients was 569, al the current expenses $87,000. Dr. Miller resigned in June, 1873, and Dr. her was acting Superintendent until one was appointed. Dr. McLain resigned b position as assistant, and Dr. John M. Carr was appointed. In this year s,aIl-pox broke out in the Asylum and was not eradicated until the large brick bjise, known as the Dr. William Egry property, was secured for a pest-house. In 174 the number of patients was 526, and the current expenses $90,367.36. This y?r the benevolent institutions of the State were re-organized. Dr. Clark had pre- 'viisly succeeded Dr. Miller as Superintendent of the Dayton Asylum, and after s'ving about two years resigned, and was followed by Dr. L. R. Landfear, who vs appointed in 1875. This latter year the daily average of patients was 578, and 0 'rent, expenses $86,213.29. In 1876 the institutions were again re-organized, 4 Dr. Landfear, who had previously been re-appointed, was allowed to remain. Je daily average of patients was 596, and the current expenses $91,173.85. In R7 the current expenses were $88,000 and the daily average ofpatients 571. In i/8 another re-organization took place, and Dr. D. A. Morse was elected Superin - t .dent. The daily average of patients for this year was 492, .and the current eoenses $87,255.01. Dr. P. N. Adams was appointed an assistant this year, to t the vacancy caused by the resignation of Dr. C. A. Hoff. In 1879 the report ges the daily average of patients as 578, and the current expenses $82,167.55. 7e report for 1880 shows that in May of that year Dr. H. A. Tobey was elected bperintendent, to succeed Dr. Morse, who resigned. Dr. Tobey took charge July -> °f that year; Drs. John M. Carr and P. N. Adams were continued as assist- Gs, and Dr. George B. Evans added to the corps of assistants. The daily average (J patients was 594, and the current expenses $101,035.33, yet it is but fair to Y ^at more than $10,000 of this amount was used in paying debts con- tracted previous to this year. Dining the year 1881, telephones were putin t building, new gas works built, costing about $10,000, an adequate and extend water system completed at a cost of $5,000; a new lake made, and a deer-pi constructed, where formerly stood a liog-lot.

Many other improvements have been made and still others contemplated, wli in the near future will be finished. Among the latter is an addition on the rea; '] the main building, which will give eighteen additional rooms for employees,!] whom there are ninety-seven, and six rooms to the administration buildings', bes giving a chapel back of amusement hall and increasing by one-fourtli the sizt I the latter. An appropriation of $17,500 is now on hand to pay for those need improvements. In 1881 six fire plugs were put in along the front of the bnildi which, with the seven plugs in the rear, afford first-class protection against fire. Jl one -inch streams of water can be thrown over any part of the building, thus di onstrating the perfection of the water system recently built. The daily average ni - her of patients during 1881 was591, and the current expenses $98,530.67. Forl8, $8.00(5 has been appropriated for boilers, beside the $17,500 already spoken

The Asylum now contains 190 acres in all, though the land is somewhat s<- tered. The building is 800 feet long upon the front, has ten female and nine n: ; wards, and the total cost of lands and buildings upon them, up to November , 1878, was $520,000, and no doubt ere this has reached $600,000, as many necess , improvements have been made during the past three years. The grounds srounding the Asylum are beautifully laid out, and on the front and east sides j inclosed by a substantial iron fence. In front of the building is a circular dri , enclosing a smooth, grassy lawn, dotted with ornamental trees, while to the ri; t and left handsome drives branch off from the central one, which are fringed w ) beautiful shade trees, thus cutting the landscape into artistic designs, pleasing ) the eye. Flower beds here and there break the monotony of the green sward ni lend themselves to beautify the scene. In the rear of the buildings are two prt; lakes, sodded to the water's edge and enclosed by a substantial gravel drive, i their banks grow stately trees, while artificial cascades and miniature islands k 1 to art an appearance of nature. These lakes are principally the creation of ; present genial and efficient Superintendent, who has always done everything in s power, inside and outside of the Asylum, to add to the comfort and well-being those unfortunates over whom he has been placed. The grounds and buiidii i are kept scrupulously neat and clean, while systematic order pervades through1; the whole institution. .The following are the names of the present Board : Trustees and resident officers:

Infirmary

The Montgomery County Infirmary is a plain, substantial brick building, si| ated a few miles southwest of Dayton, in Jefferson Township, and located on farm of 166 acres. The present building dates back to 1852, and is the first si stantial building for an infirmary that was ever erected. As has been stated in previous chapter, the Poor Farm was purchased more than fifty years ago, and 1 always been the same in extent. We find from the records that in the June s< sion of 1826 the County Commissioners nominated and appointed the followii named persons to take charge of and manage the affairs of the poor, viz.: Ain ham Darst, John Folkerth, John C. Negly, Abraham Troxell, Henry Oldfath Edmund Munger and John Elirstim. They were ordered to meet on the thi dirday in June on the Poor Farm. These men met as directed and organized iMecting Gen. Edmund Monger President, and John Folkerth Secretary - a|es B. Oliver was given charge of the Poor House and farm until the followi March, and John Folkerth was ordered to draw up rules prescribing the duties ofjhe President and Secretary and present them for the consideration of the icp at their next meeting. William Darst and William Oldfather were appointdjisiting committee to meet at the Poor House the following July. This first rifting took place June 19, 1826. After this date the Board met regularly to audit d;l and receive the report of the examiners on the condition of the poor and alngements for their comfort. The constantly increasing population of the oity, as a matter of course, increased the number of paupers from year to year, rl the first building was found inadequate to the demands, and as early as 1831 hidirectors, with the consent of the County Commissioners, ordered the Superine lent to erect a building of hewn logs 40x16 feet, which was done. Thus were erected from time to time for the growing wants of the poor, hut to mostly of a temporary character and put up at a comparatively small expe[se, until 1852, when the County Commissioners, recognizing the growing nSssities, concluded to have erected a substantial building of brick. At their acting, held June 26, 1852, the Board ordered that I). Waymier be required to instruct the drawings and make specifications for material and workmanship eidred for said building, and that it be advertised that sealed proposals would be eijived for construction of the building up to July 10. This time was afterwards haded to July 17, when the Board accepted a proposition from Seyhold & Bage, they contracting to construct the same, according to the specifications, for i$J|40, and to have the walls erected by December 1, following. The final cost of tilbuilding, including everything, exceeded, by a considerable sum, the amount need, and, it is stated by good authority, was nearly $ 12, 000.

The building, as erected by them, is substantially the infirmary of to-day, nigh there have been several additions, a house for the insane and numerous mbuffiings being among the number.

The cost of keeping the poor has increased in proportion to the increase of 'illation and wealth of the county. Thus we find in 1835 that the expenses f 1,219.10; in 1850, $1,972.66; in 1860, $10,000, and tax levied in 1880 minted to $22,847.13. At present there are 216 inmates, of which number 68 runsane. The present Superintendent is Isaac Haynes, who has held the posiicisoine three years, and who keeps the institution in excellent and cleanly coni or.

I inmates have a regular physician who attends to their wants and dispenses i> icine from a drug store which is connected with the building. The health of i ntirmary at present is excellent, and speaks well for the care that is taken of a anmates. The only thing apparently needed at the present time is some adi1 nal room to meet the increasing demands. It is believed something towards bjenlargement of the infirmary will be done an early day.

In 1844 the following ladies petitioned the Legislature to pass a bill incorpoi ig the "Dayton Female Association for the benefit of orphans:" Catherine Hips, Sarah Parrott, Mary D. Este, Margaret Haines, Sarah M. Fry, Susan M. c:s, Catherine Clark, Jane W. Ells, Sarah King, Julia Barney, Hannah Richards, Jy Brown, Mrs. R. Green, Mrs. T. Blair, Mrs. E. A. Shed, Mary Bartlett, Mrs. 1 ir Wheelock and their associates. The act of incorporation was passed in Feb- %, 1844, and empowered the association, as a body corporate, with perpetual u ession, to provide by all suitable means for the comfort, maintenance and proper dpation of destitute orphans and other destitute children. The society was audrized to purchase, receive, hold and convey such personal and real estate and property as was necessary in carrying on the institution, provided tlie same did i exceed $20,000. The payment of $1 annually was the membership fee, and i payment of $5 at one time constituted a life membership. The laws, rules' < regulations governing the society were such as are commonly used by like asso , tions.

The citizens of the county contributed means to buy the land and erei small brick building for an asylum, on Magnolia street, in Dayton, which was 1 1 for an orphans' home until the erection of the new home across the Miami Ri Dr. Job Haines was an active worker in the establishment of the first childr home, wdiich was carried on in a small way until about 1860, when new life sei to have been infused into it by the indefatigable exertions of Mrs. Richard Ba < who came to Dayton in 1858. This noble woman, imbued with a spirit of love i charity for suffering humanity, began at once to infuse into the association j , energy and desire for doing good that characterized her own life. She soon i . a leading position in every worthy and charitable work, became President of Dayton Orphan Association, and commenced gathering in Christ's little ones, i relieving suffering, sorrow and distress, which holy work she continued until : tober 22, 1870, when she peacefully passed away to a blissful immortality. M other noble women have labored zealously in the cause and passed their year i ministering to and caring for those little ones, of whom Christ said: "Suffer II

It cannot be questioned that untold good was done by this old association, wl came to an end by the Commissioners taking the institution under their cart Legislature passed a law March 20, 1866, authorizing the establishment of ehildr homes, and under that act the County Commissioners resolved to take charge of children in the Dayton Orphan Asylum and occupy their building until a more c :i modious home could be erected. On February 28, 1867, C. Herchelrode, Roil W. Steele and Dr. C. McDermont were invited to take the supervision of the irji tution until an act pending in the Legislature amending the former one, shouli i decided. The managers of the old home having made an agreement with I: Sarah Snodgrass to board the children at the rate of $2.50 each per week, i same arrangement was continued by the new Board. On the 16th of April, Iff the Commissioners under the act passed April 10, 1867, appointed the same gen: men Trustees, Robert W. Steele for three years, C. Herchelrode for two years Dr. C. McDermont for one year. Mr. Steele was elected President and Herchelrode Secretary of the Board. At the same meeting Miss Rebecca R. Co. was appointed to teach a school at the Home, and this lady served con&uo in that capacity until June, 1881, when she resigned and the school was disc tinued, the children now attending the public schools. In May, 1867, Mrs. Si I grass having given notice of her intention to leave the institution on the first Iw i day in June, the Trustees resolved to employ a matron and furnish supplies. 1 Laura A. Hersey was appointed matron at a salary of $400 per year. On tin of June, 1867, James Anderson was appointed Secretary of the Board at a sa,j of $100 per annum, and Dr. H. K. Steele became attending physician. April: 1867, five acres of land in Harrison Township were purchased of B. F. Kulmi $1,000 per acre, upon which to erect a children's home. June 15, 1867, thee tract for the building was awarded to Daniel Waymire & Co. for $32,800, anc., Rumbaugli appointed superintendent of the building.

In July, 1867, four lots adjoining the Home grounds were purchased of J Paul, for $500, and the Children's Home was finished and opened this year. April, 1868, Jesse Demint succeeded Dr. C. McDermont as a member of the Boaii Trustees, and September 12, 1863, the matron resigned and Mrs. M. A. Broad!, was appointed to fill the vacancy. April 6, 1869, the Secretary having resigned, P Marker was appointed to fill the position, he having been previously elected a ml. ber of the Board to succeed C. Herchelrode. June 7, 1869, the Commissioners!

i ed .Jos. R. Wagoner a member of the Board in place of Perry Marker, deceased, unexpired term he was to fill. William R. Tomlinson was appointed at i. meeting as Secretary and bookkeeper of the Board at a salary of $100 per year, . ras annually re-elected until he resigned June 3, 1876. June 12, 1869, Mrs. .n E. Snodgrass was appointed matron instead of Mrs. M. A. Broadbent, sired, and at a special session June 12, 1869, she was re-appointed. On the 7th inuary, 1870, Dr. J. C. Reeve was appointed attending physician to the Home. i|i 7, 1870, Marcus Eells was appointed a member of the Board in place of > rt W. Steele, whose term expired. April 2, 1870, Mrs. Lavine Baker was phted matron instead of Mrs. Snodgrass, resigned. February 6, 1871, Dr. Reeve Ye-appointed physicianof the Home, and in March of that year Jesse Demint ve-appointed as a member of the Board. June 5, 1871, Mrs. Anna Grady jipointed matron in place of Mrs. Baker, resigned. February, 5, 1872, Dr. ! e; was re-appointed physician of the Home, and March 4, 1872, -J. B. Wagoner Ye-appointed as his own successor on the Board; also Mrs. Grady as matron i Home. At the meeting March 3, 1873, Mrs. Grady was again re-appointed.

, eeve was re-appointed in 1873 as attending physician. In February, 1874, b W. Turner was appointed a member of the Board vice Joseph R. Wagoner, scsed. March 2, 1874, .Jesse Demint was re-appointed as his own successor, A Grady as matron and Dr. Reeve as attending physician.

n September, 1874, a contract was let for a new slate roof to the building at a st f $510, Wm. H. Scott, of Dayton, doing the work. During the same year an i] mce was built in front of the Home by Herhold & Hunter, at a cost of $2 per foot, e. measure. March 1, 1875, Mrs. Grady was re-appointed matron, and March l the Commissioners re-appointed John W. Turner on the Board of Trustees. i.iy, 1875, the building was re-furnished with lightning rods and the old ones t in part pay for the same, Henry Webber doing the job. March 6, 1876, the a. re-appointed Dr. Reeve as physician and Mrs. Grady as matron of the Home. Arch, 1876, the Commissioners appointed Robt. W. Steele as a member of the a of Trustees vice Marcus Eells, whose term expired. On the 5th of June, 7 Hiram Lewis was appointed Secretary in place of William R. Tomlinson, :! ed. On March, 1877, Oliver Zell was appointed a Trustee of the Home, suc- ' dig Jesse Demint, and, on March 31st, the Board re-appointed Mrs. Grady as t n of the Home, also appointing Dr. W. J. Conklin as attending physician. Yrck, 1878, John W. Turner was re-appointed as his own successor and Dr. i in as physician. On the 6th of May, 1878, Mrs. Mary E. Mants was appointed s ceed Mrs. Grady as matron of the Home, beginning her duties on May 13th.

: ady has been appointed annually up to the present and has been one of the - efficient matrons the Home has ever had, having served in the Dayton Asylum, 11 Home, Iowa Home and Michigan State Public School, previous to taking 03 of this institution. In March, 1879, .Jesse Demint was appointed a member d Board, succeeding Robert W. Steele. March 22, 1879, Dr. J. C. Reeves -oded Dr. Conklin as attending physicianof the Home. In April, 1880, Thomas Igler succeeded Oliver Zell as a member of the Board of Trustees; Dr. Reeves s rappointed attending physician and C. J. Kuecht Secretary of the Board to in ;d Hiram Lewis, who had served four years as Secretary. In March, 1881, Laubach succeeded John W. Turner as a member of the Board of Trustees,

II ' time had expired, and March 20, 1882, C. J. Kneclit was appointed Superi lent and Clerk. An inventory of the personal property belonging to the

"ince this Home was built there have been 968 children cared for and 162 of ;e 1Qiber indentured. There are now 123 in the Home, 83 boys and 40 girls, and 75 of the whole number are attending school. The rules of the Home are th when a child arrives at the age of sixteen it can no longer remain, but must go o' into the world for itself. The majority have been returned to their parents i friends, some have run off, while eighty have died since the Home was start* in 1867. The Home has yearly received a certain fund from the State for tl support of soldier's children. This fund has been collected by Col. M. P. Nola and in some years has cut down the expenses of the Home to a very small margi

The Home is a large tliree-storied brick building, with cupola and basemen and contains forty-two rooms, heated by steam and lighted with gasoline. In fro: is a nice lawn, dotted with ornamental and shade trees, while the main entran from Summit street is approached by a neat walk, giving to the whole a bom like appearance. In the rear is a brick building wherein is located the heath apparatus, and which is also used for a laundry, while conveniently situated is ti fuel house, a two-storied brick structure. The whole rear part of the Home groan is used for gardening purposes, where useful lessons of industry are sought to inculcated into the hearts of the children. The building is supplied with plenty light and ventilation, and throughout is convenient, clean and comfortable, approac ing as near a home as is possible for such an institution.

No doubt many of those little ones have better attendance and more of ti physical comforts of life, than they could get with their parents, yet the strict routi of duty, expected and enforced, cannot be conducive to the intelligent dcvek ment of the child, and has a tendence to dwarf many of its finer instincts. T present officers are: Thomas A. Legler, H. H. Laubacli, James Turner, Tit

As is generally known, it was mainly through the efforts of Mrs. Eicba Bates, President of the Orphans' Home, that an act of the Legislature was pass to transfer the property of the old Orphans' Home to "an association for the sn port of destitute widows and other women." To have such a home in Dayt was the cherished pleasure in the heart of this noble woman, foremost in eve good work. On the 6tlr day of May, 1868, Mrs. Bates wrote her last letter rei tive to this transfer, and on the 6th day of May, 1871, the association, with Mi Jno. H. Winters as President, took the last legal steps towards receiving the proper Thus was the daughter enlisted in consummating the mother's cherished woil The legislative act allowing such associations to be incorporated was enact March 30, 1864, but the Dayton society was not formally organized until Nov. i 1870. In answer to a call made by a few Christian women of Dayton, a guoc number of ladies met in the parlor of the Y. M. C. A. hall, thus manifesting suij cient interest to justify a regular organization.

In order to extend the work, the association became an incorporate body adopting the name of "The Womans' Christian Association, of Dayton, Ohio, :f the Support of Widows and Destitute Women." Thus were they enabled to ceive the property and endowment fund of the Dayton Female Orphan Asyln which transfer was ultimately completed in the latter part of 1872. The buildi was out of repair and unsuitable for a dwelling, but much was done in needed ill provements towards making it more comfortable and liome-like. The home w opened for the reception of inmates Feb. 8, 1875, and publicly dedicated on t

1 day of May. Mrs. A. L. Connelly was its first matron and was succeeded Mrs. Addie Broadrup, who took charge in September, 1875. The objects of iiiiassociation are the spiritual, moral, mental, social and physical welfare of -ban. Any widow of good moral character over sixty years of age, belonging to >ayton, can be admitted to this home upon the payment of $ 100 to the enojnent fund, furnishing her own room, clothing and paying funeral expenses, u females destitute of funds, friends and home will also be admitted temporarily. bv;y inmate is required to pay for her board, either in money or work, and no who have employment outside of the home may enjoy its benefits by paying

2 er week. Family worship is observed morning and evening, all inmates -el g required to conform strictly to the rules of the institution, while the order ui decorum of a well-regulated Christian family is carefully adhered to. It is i o he intention in the management of this home to sustain suffering humanity i ti lleness, but to arouse, if possible, energy and ambition, and to help others to e themselves.

Besides operating this home, the association has an Industrial School, where iiid! than 1,000 girls have been taught many useful branches of industry and a ing, thus fitting them for a moral and intelligent sphere in life's battle. This now numbering over 200 little girls, meets Saturday afternoons and for le.iast eight years has done untold good. The association have a committee 1 hi regularly visit the county jail, infirmary, workhouse and city prison; an emojnent committee untiring in their efforts to find work for willing hands ; a devoted u. of women, in charge of the fallen and tempted ones; a visiting committee of ilunteers in every ward who stand alw iys ready to answer to calls of distress iborrow, whether it be found in the homes of the rich or the poor, and a com- : die who hold regular services in the wards of the Soldiers' Home Hospital, li association has struggled along for years, nobly doing its work, yet on account ie small size of the old "Widows' Home," which, at best, could shelter but seven peiijns at one time; much was left undone that witli better accommodations i t have been accomplished. The entire work of the society is voluntary, even jeuatron working without remuneration. The institution is- supported by prill donotions, the offerings of charitable and benevolent people. It is true that 'it, derive means from the endowment fund of $5,000, which came into their jassion when the transfer was made. In 1881 $10,733 was raised by subscripoifor the purpose of erecting a new and more commodious Widows' Home.

Being of German descent and Baptist in principle, we are properly termed e ran Baptists. But we are known also as "Tunkers" or "Dunkers." The no responsibilities. I give simply a few of the main points pertaining to or early history, or re-organization of the church as commenced in Germany an completed in America, as I chance at present to have them at hand.

Our early history can perhaps* be more accurately given than can our succesi increase, etc. This is owing to the fact that the meek and humble profession < our people has hitherto forbid them saying much about themselves that wou! betray any desire whatever for boasting, vain glory or display. But, when aske for particulars, as we have been by the publishers of this work, for the bett< acquaintance of ourselves to their readers and the community generally, we lies, tate not to give them a few particulars so far as our knowledge enables us so to d<

Away beyond the great waters, in about the year 1700, at the time when the) existed in Germany a state of religious apostacy which seemed to some as a man fest evidence of a great decay in the vital principles and true devotedness to tl Holy ordinances and Divine commandments as set forth in the Divine Law of tl Lord, there were those there whose convictions were more refined, and whose cai dor as to the true services of the Lord forbid their longer union or adherent with such an apostate state of things ; and, being possessed, or largely imbued, ; it seems, by Divine instinct, with the Waldenses' faith and principles, they haltc to enquire for a pure Christianity that they might re-establish the holy servici of the Lord in their primitive purity and simplicity.

That there remained here and there traces of the ancient and much persi cuted Waldenses is reasonable to conclude from the following few quotatioi which I take from Brown's Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, pages 114' 1148, 1149 and 1150.

"The Waldenses themselves, in a conference with the Bohemians, declare that they had been dispersed through Lombardy, Calabria, Germany, Bohemi and other regions ever since the year 1160." - Venamas Church History , Moshek UTilner, 'Tones, Tienedict.

"It is now generally acknowledged that the Waldenses were the witnesses fi the truth in the Dark Ages, and that they gave the first impulse to a reform of tl whole Christian Church, so called."

"Waldenses, Valdenses, Vandeis, or 'people of the valleys;' the most cel brated body of Protestant dissenters during the Middle Ages. The history of thei ehurches of persecuted saints, these meek confessers, this noble army of martyr this most ancient stock of religion. * * * The evidence is now ample, tbi so far from being a new sect at that period (1170) .they had existed under varioi names as a distinct class of dissenters from the established churches of Greece au Rome in the earliest ages."

"The Cathari, or Puritan churches of the Novatians, also, had at that perk (about A. D. 825) been flourishing as a distinct communion for more than seveni years all over the empire (see Novatians). These Puritans, being exposed severe and sanguinary persecutions for dissent, from age to age, were compelled shelter themselves from the desolating storm in retirement; and when at intern they reappear on the page of contemporary history, and their principles are pro] agated with new boldness and success, they are styled a new sect, and receive new name, though in reality they are the same people. * * * They reappear the Paulicians, who have been falsely accused of Manichaeism, but who from tl middle of the seventh to the end of the ninth century worthily sustained by the preaching, their lives and their maityrdoms, their claim of being the genun descendants of the primitive churches." (See Paulicians.)

"If we will believe the testimony of the suffering Waldenses themselve their doctrine and discipline had been preserved in all its purity and efficacy, fro; the days of the primitive martyrs in Spain, France, Germany, Italy and especial) in the valleys of Piedmont."

I have made the above historical quotations to show, in part, that in the vai ous ages there has existed a people - though in different parts and under differe; j:3ies - in whom God was careful to preserve the true worship. He has always Hi a people, though small the number at times, who would not and could not be olrcome by their enemies. Though oppressions and persecution dispersed them ail drove them from place to place and from land to land, smothering the true vrship of God to such an extent that it was with great difficulty under such tryj] times that it would rise again. Such was the true state of tilings in Germany e ly in the seventeenth century, when the Lord, in the hearts of a few, again re- -; ed His work, and at Swartzenau, in the land of Witgenstein, so overruled that r ? few could have a present place of refuge in that poor and rugged country util His holy worship could, in part, again be reinstated.

With regard to the persecutions of these newly enlightened persons and their exceptions and views of the true faith, I will here submit a few facts from the votings of Alexander Mack, who was one among the number whose heart was iiuenced by divine impulse to re-establish the Lord's worship.

"Here and there private meetings were established beside the public church olanization, in which newly-awakened souls sought their edification. Upon this i. hearts of the rulers were embittered by an envious priesthood, and persecut: is were commenced in various places, as in Switzerland, Wurtemberg, the liatinate, Hesse and other places.

"To those persecuted and exiled persons the Lord pointed out a place of riuge, or a little "Pella," in the land of Witgenstein, where at that time ruled a njd count, and where some pious countess dwelt. Here liberty of conscience was anted at Slicwartzenau, which is within a few miles of Berlenberg. And from tfe cause, though Witgenstein is a poor and rough country, many people and tlse of various kinds collected at Schwartzenau, and this place, which had been

"Those who were brought together there from the persecutions, though they we distinguished by different opinions and also differed in manners and customs, w:e still, at first, all called Pietists, and they among themselves called each other hither. But very soon it appeared that the words of Christ, Matt, xviii, where he sijs, 'If thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between tie and him alone,' etc., could not be reduced to a proper Christian practice becise there was no regular order yet established in the church. Therefore, some Earned again to the religious denominations from which they had come out, bjjause they would not be subjected to a more strict Christian discipline.

"Under these circumstances some felt themselves drawn powerfully to seek footsteps of the primitive Christians, and desired earnestly to receive in faith t, ordained testimonies of .Jesus Christ according to their true value. At the sjpe time they were internally and strongly impressed with the necessity of the oidience of faith to a soul that desires to be saved. And this impression also them at the time to the mystery of water baptism, which appeared unto them a;a door into the Church, which was what they so earnestly sought.

c. enant of a good conscience with God, to take all the commandments of Jesus U'ist as an easy yoke, and thus to follow the Lord Jesus, their good and faithful s ipherd, in joy and sorrow, as his true sheep, even unto a blessed end.

"These eight persons (five brethren and three sisters) covenanted and united t 'ether as brethren and sisters into the covenant of the cross of Jesus Christ to km a church of Christian believers. And when they had found in authentic 1 tories that the primitive Christians in the first and second centuries, uniformly, a|ording to the command of Christ, were planted into the death of Jesus Christ l a threefold immersion into the water-bath of holy baptism, they examined diligitly the New Testament, and finding all perfectly harmonizing therewith, they ' re anxiously desirous to use the means appointed and practiced by Christ him-

"After this the said eight persons were more and more powerfully strengthened in their obedience to the faith they had adopted, and were enabled to testify publicly in their meetings to the truth; and the Lord granted them his special grace so that still more became obedient to the faith, and thus, within seven years time, namely, to the year 1715, there was not only in Scliwartzenau a large church, but here and there in the Palatinate there were lovers of the truth, and especially was this the case in Marienborn, where a church was gathered; for the church in the Palatinate was persecuted, and its members then came to Marienborn. And when the church here became large it was also persecuted. Then those that were persecuted collected in Creyfeld, where they found liberty under the King of Prussia.

"Since the persecutions in the form of poverty, tribirlation and imprisonment, by which they were oppressed, made them only the more joyful, they were tried in another manner by men of learning, seeking to confound them with sharp disputations and subtle questions of which the forty searching questions of Eberhard Ludwig Gruber will sufficiently inform the reader."

About this time the church at Scliwartzenau issued a publication containing J the questions which I have above referred to, with their answers annexed, contain - ing also a discourse between a "father and son," in which is set forth the humble doctrine of primitive Christianity. The publication was especially designed "for the instruction of those pure-minded persons who are seeking after truth." After the removal of the church to America (of which I shall next speak), and some of the fathers having fallen asleep, it was thought good, for the benefit of those who should rise up to conduct the affairs of the church in their stead, that this same testimony should be republished, which was done and is still preserved amongst us, and known as the "Writings of Alexander Mack," from which I have made several quotations.

But the church in Germany being sorely oppressed by the hand of persecution, in the year 1719 twenty families crossed the great deep and landed at Philadelphia, seeking an asylum in the bosom of this new country and blessed land of religious liberty. And in the year 1729, ten years later, about thirty-nine persecuted families came over to join the little band already here.

Among this last number was Alexander Mack, who was the first minister and teacher chosen by the church. "He, however, did not live long to enjoy the quietude of a home under the mild government of Pennsylvania. In 1735, six years after he came to America, he closed his labors on earth. He was buried in the Brethren's public burying ground in Germantown, and the following inscription in the German language marks the place: "Here rest the remains of

The brethren first settled at Germantown, Philadelphia, and in various other surrounding localities. Among some of the earlier noted ones in the minispy were Alexander Mack, Sr., Peter Becker, Christopher Saur, Johan Naas, George Adam Martin, Abraham Duboy, Michael Pfauts, Martin Urner, Sr., George Klein, Martin Urner, Jr., Michael Frantz, Christian Lanecker, Peter Eigenberger, Jacob Stull, Johannas Zug, Jacob Beshore, Peter Keyser, Jr., and others. This Peter Keyser was much noted for his wonderful knowledge of the scriptures. He had the entire New Testament and part of the old by heart. After he became blind, in his more advanced years, he would point out his text and read it off as well as when he had his vision.

For the names of these ancient worthies and early fathers of the church in America, I am somewhat indebted to the information afforded me by the biographical sketches of most of these brethren as heretofore written out and published by our brother, A. H. Cassell, of Harleysville, Pa.

pmberskip increased pretty rapidly, and the church soon spread from Germanmi and Philadelphia into various other parts of the State and into New Jersey, Maryland and Virginia. From thence, by the arduous labors of our fathers, the Irders of Zion were enlarged more and more. The old brethren, on horse-back, j ide their way across the mountains and valleys into the dense forests of Ohio : d Indiana, organizing churches and establishing the faith.

Union and harmony seemed to prevail in the churches to a great extent, and t'g membership increased and spread still farther west - over the broad prairies of 1 3 far western as well as into some of the southern States - and at the present (te, April, 1881, we have churches in Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, Uli- ] is, Michigan, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Kansas, Cololo, Oregon, and in some of the Territories, Texas and California, with a ministry ( fifteen to twenty thousand, and a membership of from seventy- five to one ndred thousand.

The church in this county is divided into six districts or churches : The Dayn Church, Lower Miami Church, Bear Creek Church, Still Water Church, near ryton, Wolf Creek Church and the Salem Church. These six churches have at lis time ten meeting-houses or places of worship, twenty-two ministers and about i elve hundred members.

I am not able to give any definite date when these several churches were ( janized, but the first and oldest of the six is the Lower Miami Church. Elder cob Miller, who was born in Franklin County, Pa., in 1735, was the first brother ut settled here. He moved to Ohio in the year 1800, and settled about four miles fpthwest of Dayton on the west side of the great Miami River, where he lived aout fifteen years, and died in 1815 at the advanced age of four score years. The (pnty, at this time, was yet a dense forest inhabited by the Indians. Through ip kind treatment which these Indians received at the hands of Brother Miller, fpy very much respected him, calling him "the good man whom the great Spirit f it from the east. "

This church was organized between 1800 and 1808. Brother Miller served here ; Elder for many years; then Brethren Benjamin Bowman, Abraham Miller, lederick Holler, Michael Moyer, Daniel Noff singer and now George Holler, who Is Jacob Holler, his son, and James A. Ridonour to his assistance in the miniry. This church has a neat frame house about six miles southwest of Dayton, (. the Germantown Pike, where the congregation meets for worship every two neks.

Daniel Miller, who settled on Wolf Creek in 1804, and George Shoup, who -tied on Beaver Creek in 1805, were the first brethren, and their wives the first ters that lived in the vicinity of Dayton.

The members of the Dayton Chinch meet for worship on the corner of ickson and Van Buren streets, in a brick house, built for that purpose : lumber of years ago by M. Shoup, D. Kneisley and Bro. Oughenbaugh, Trustees, te first Elder here was Daniel Miller ; and then Eld. Holler, Michael Moyer, Moses ' 0UP> and at this time George Holler has the care and oversight of the church Ire.

The Bear Creek Church was organized perhaps seventy-five years ago, and had i times as many as 300 members. They meet every two weeks for worship in fair large brick house, on the Eaton Pike, six miles west of Dayton.

The oldest Elder in this church, of which I have any knowledge, was Father uvman - -David Bowman, Sen.; then his son David - David Bowman, Jun., and In David Brumbaugh and Isaac Bright, with J. W. Fitzgerald, George Miller 1 ^ John Bowman as their assistants in the ministry.

The Still Water Church (near Dayton) was organized perhaps pretty soon after u Bear Creek Church. My recollections of this church carry me back to some irty-five or forty years ago, when old Joseph Garber had the charge here. After that Father Nead (Peter Nead) served as the Elder, and then Abraham Flory and Phillip Wampler, and at this time Abraham Flory with John Smith and Samuel Kinsey and George Garver as their fellow laborers in the ministry. This brick, the "Lower House," on the Free Pike, four miles west of Dayton, and a large frame house, the "Upper House," on the Salem Pike, nine miles west of Dayton and three miles east of Salem.

The Wolf Creek Church has perhaps 350 members at this time, and has also two houses for regular meetings - a frame house of medium size near the Eaton Pike, about ten or twelve miles west of Dayton, and a large brick on the Wolf Creek Pike, near Brookville. Here the council meetings and their love feasts are usually held. Elder Pfoutz had the charge of this church years ago, then Christian Arnold, Abraham Erbaugh, Joel Wogaman, and at this time Samuel Garber is the Elder, with Conrad Brumbaugh and Jacob Garber to assist, and John Kimmel, Simon Mixell and Henry Garber fellow laborers.

The Salem Church has perhaps 250 members, who meet for worship every other Sunday or oftener in their large frame house on the Pike, two miles east of Phillipsburg. They have also an interest in a house about four or five miles north, at Georgetown, where they also have regular meetings. Forty years ago this church had Elder Jacob Karn for their Bishop and Elder. Since then John Studebaker , John Bower and at this time David Murray, with Abraham Detrick, S. Shellaberger, J. Solenberger and Jesse Kinsey as co-laborers in the ministry. *

Now, for the further information of the readers of this work, I wish to set j forth, briefly, a few of the outlines of our faith and practice :

We believe that in all God's creation man was the chief object; that God created |j him for his own glory, and that He will reward him for obedience as well as punish I him for disobedience.

We believe that though God suffered the transgression, in Eden, He made provision by which the sin could and would be removed in due time. The great and | wise plan of salvation will only be fully comprehended by those who will take special pains to study the character of God and to acquaint themselves with His vast | purposes.

We believe that after the patriarchal and Mosaic dispensations had served | their purposes, and the "time being fulfilled," the great provision for the salvation of the human family was manifested in the person of the Lord Jesus Chkist, whom God had foreseen and provided for this special purpose before the creation.

We believe that Christ, by the shedding of his blood on Calvary, canceled the Adamic son, and made good what was lost in Eden; and that hence man is account- j able to God for Ids own sins only; and further, that God, through Christ, did j deliver to us His plan of salvation, which is based upon conditions.

We believe that Christ organized and set up his kingdom in the hearts of all j true believers, and that this is the only kingdom or organization needed by man and recognized by the Father.

We believe that Repentance, Faith and Baptism are essential to church fellowship and constitute the conditions upon which the remission of sins and the gut of the Holy Ghost is promised - agreeable to Mark, i, 15-16: and Acts, ii, 38.

We believe that applicants for membership should be carefully examined to know that they have been properly moved, that their motives are pure and that they "bring forth fruits meet for repentance." Hence we pay them a private visit and get an expression from them as regards repentance and faith; when also wej learn their willingness to comply with the doctrine of nonconformity to the vain fashions of the world, not to "swear" before a court of justice, not to sue at law, and not to go to war to kill their fellow-man. A portion of the 18th chapter of j Matthew is read to them with appropriate instructions and questions as to their willingness to so conduct themselves towards their fellow members as is therein demanded for the sake of reconciliation and peace in case of offenses. And, further, vliile upon tlieir knees in the water, we demand of them a public confession of the ilioi'd Jesus Christ, a renunciation of sin and a covenant of obedience to God in Christ Jesus unto their lives' end. Upon this good and faithful confession we baptize them by a threefold immersion, agreeable to the great commission: "In he name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." We baptize face orward because a backward work is not in harmony with the general progress of Christianity, and all figurative baptisms do teach a forward action. Hands are lid on the head of the one so baptized and a blessing is invoked upon the newly - iorn in Christ, who now rises up to walk in newness of life - a full member of the ndy of Christ.

We hold baptism as the rite of initiation into the church and the act in which jhe pardon of sins is promised as taught in Mark: "He that believe th and is baptized shall be saved;" and Acts, ii, 38. Eepent and be baptized every one of on for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." md according to the instructions given to Saul, "And now why tarriest thou? Arise nd be baptized, washing away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord."

We eat the Lord's Supper, a common and full meal, expressive of the term, nd in the evening, when a supper is proper. After which we enjoy the Communion - the bread and wine - as emblems of the broken body, and shed blood of a ratified redeemer.

Our principles of nonconformity to the worldly fashions in dress and that of joncombativeness, we gather from the meek, humble and self-denying character if Christ and his apostles, as well as from the plain teachings of the Scriptures and ae general spirit of the Gospel throughout.

We believe in the spread of the Gospel by a live and active ministry and the plight walk and conduct of all the members. "Let your light so shine that others tay see your good works and glorify your father which is in heaven."

We preach the gospel "without money and without price." "Freely ye have 'iceived, freely give." But we think it right and do consider it our duty to assist fie poor and relieve the wants of the needy, whether private members in the church it those who labor in the ministry.

In fine, we believe in a plain, humble, devoted life of faith, prayer and good ork throughout, bringing into subjection both soul and body to the glory and onor of God, that we may finally obtain an inheritance in the unsullied crimes of agelic felicity.

Since writing out the above brief history of the church, a separation or division, am sony to say, has taken place amongst our people, and in order that the aiders of this work may have an idea of the cause of this division, I will resume iy pen and explain.

For a number of years after the planting of the church in America, she enjoyed .inch peace and quietness. Her harmony was not generally disturbed more than common to all churches. But in later years, as the membership became more umerous, there was urged upon her, through the district meetings to the annual meetings, deviations, new measures and changes from the old and former usages ^d order; and as these were asked for and urged again and again, the annual inference began to give way, and as the advocates of these measures became more ymerous and stronger, the annual conference continued to yield more and more.

These deviations and departures from the old "land marks" of the church lai quite a grievous effect, and the old Brethren, or those who favored the old order am old usages of the church, began to protest against the things which seemed t make void the early principles of the church and to mar her peace and make troubl in the body. Hereupon, the old Brethren, or old order of Brethren, as they wer now termed, began to send petitions to the conference, praying that body that thes objectionable measures, to which she had in a measure consented, might b removed and that she fall back to her former decisions and former usages. But a these points could no more be fully reached, the advocates thereof being in th minority, and a strong foothold having been gained hi the church by them, thei various efforts seemed to be rather unfruitful, they called a special conference, whic was held near Arcanum, Ohio, on the '24th day of August, 1881.

To this meeting were invited all the officers of the church who were favorabi disposed to the old order. Here, after the condition of things in the church wer set forth, a paper was produced and read in which were set forth the causes of th existing troubles, with resolutions to withdraw from the fast movements and devia tions, sanctioned by the annual conference. The paper was passed and the resui was a division in the church.

The separation was then soon made in all the churches of this county as we. as in many others in the brotherhood. A large number in the several churches o this county stand with the old Brethren or old German Baptist Church, but th majority go with the annual council and her decisions.

Those who still hold to the ridings of the conference have so far claimed th right to the meeting houses, and have therefore bolted the doors against the ol order worshipers in nearly all the houses. The old order Brethren have therefor so far worshiped in private houses, barns and school-houses. But they expect t build themselves houses for worship soon. The district meetings and the annul conference will be held by the old order worshipers at the usual time, but moi after the former manner. Very truly, Samuel Kinski

The settlement of gypsies in this county had its origin in the year 1856, whe: in the fall of that year came the "pioneer" families, chief among whom wei Owen Stanley and Harriet Worden, his wife, Levi Stanley and his wife, Matild Joles, with their families. Others accompanied them, most of whom had don] some extended travel before striking this camping-place, which was for a time mjj far from Fairfield, on what was known as the Jack "Frick" farm, then or th "Davis" farm in Montgomery County. The Stanleys soon became propert holders, Owen purchasing the "Black" farm, situated about eight miles north c Dayton, and now owned by Levi Stanley. In the course of years the families c Stanleys and Jeffreys have accumulated considerable of property, located princij pally in Harrison Township, with some in Wayne, Mad Biver and Butler. TLes families with their numerous descendants comprise the Dayton class of gypsies' however, there are many other families and some differing in nationality, wli often frequent, in their wanderings, this vicinity, but are not considered local. C these are the families of Wells, Harrisons and Coopers, the former being quit)! numerous and are a big, hardy class of people, coming from a settlement nea Detroit, Michigan. The Harrison's are from the vicinity of Washington City There is also a tribe darker in complexion than any yet mentioned, and of a roagl ugly nature. The Dayton settlement is made up of an English class. The Star leys were quite numerous in England, and there boasted as being a better clasj of the traveling tribes, which we believe to be true, as will appear in the progress cj this sketch.

Owen Stanley, styled by the Dayton gypsies "king," was born in Beadiiu Bersliire, England, and died February 21, 1860, in the sixty-seventh year of hi

,e. His wife, the queen, departed this life August 30, 1857, aged sixty-three 'ars. They were succeeded to the throne (permitting us to call it such,) by their n Levi and his wife, Matilda, (now deceased). This kingdom and queenship is it a popular notion; there is no investiture, no authority or state. Listen to the ords of the venerable "Uncle Levi," who says, "Why, there is nothing in it more an a good man, a good woman. Our people trust me and love me as they did y father and mother before me, that is all. They do pretty much as I tell them, td we all work together, and that is all there is in it." lung Owen and Harriet fed as they had lived, "roof-dwellers." When Matilda died, although in the ithe sunshine of Mississippi, in January, 1878, in the camp, she was the mer of farms and town lots, having reached the point of independence. Said ;e bereaved husband, "We have seven children, and their- children are learning ry fast, and it won't he long before we'll go no more a roaming." The race of fipsies differ as do other classes of men, in their religious views ; some are Orthodox die others are Catholic in their opinion. "I once saw, "says a writer on the subj;st of gypsies," a woman in a gypsy tent reading the Bible to a circle of nine < ildren, all her own, and though on coming near, her blue eyes and light hair sowed her to be English woman, the daughter, as I found, of a game-keeper who 1 d married one of the Boswell gang, yet the interest which she assured me the hole camp took in it, was sufficient evidence that it is only for want of being tight, that they still remain in ignorance of the best knowledge. They have been s long treated with contempt and severity, that they naturally look on all men as i j;ir enemies. For my part, when I see a herd of them coming some solitary y, with their dark Indian faces, their scarlet cloaked women, their troops of little Various savages, their horses laden with tents, beds, etc., I cannot help looking i them as an eastern tribe, as fugitives of a most ancient family, as a living elgma in human history - and feeling, with all their Arab-like propensities, they lire great claims on our sympathies and on the splendid privileges of a Christian

" ur father who dwellest there in the heaven, may Gentile and Gypsy love thy me. Thy kingdom come. May they do thy word here on earth as it is done there jijfche heaven. Give us to-day our daily bread, and forgive us indebted to thee as v forgive them indebted to us. Suffer not that we fall into no temptation, take us o,; from all evil. Thine is the kingdom, my God, thine the strong hand, thine all gidness in all time, Aye, Amen."

"Sweet Goddess, give me health, Holy Goddess, give me luck and grace, werever I go, and help me, Goddess powerful and immaculate, from ugly men, tit I may go in the road to the place I purpose ; help me Goddess, forsake me not, Gddess, for I pray for God's sake."

It is said by one, to whom, in conversation -with the late Matilda and family aund their camp-fire, the following remarks were addressed : "Here is our book obrayers. Although we do not read it glibly as do some others, we know it when hear it, and we love it as all our people have done." She went on to speak of d churches in Bristol by the sea, giving a fair account of the north porch of St. tiy, Radcliff, and the Norman gate-way of the Abbey, and last she said, "We are i a -minding, God-fearing," and then gravely added king Levi, "and tax-paying, too, n we are glad to pay these taxes in this country, where we enjoy our Jiving and 'i e our fair chances alike." There spoke out the true Briton; such, then, is Stanlejs gratefulness and piety, well' calculated to enliven those to the name horn. Tpe different families of Stanleys and Jeffreys are looked upon by the people of Mhtgomery County as a good and honest class of people, and the universal rcbonse of all who have had business transactions with them, is that they were vy honorable. Their word is considered as good as their note, and, in short, they aijas "old wheat in the mill." This tribe, while the possessors of considerable property, as heretofore described, are nevertheless as nomadic in their habits i the race at large. They generally rent their lands and property, and roam, as were, over the country, the men following, trading, principally, and the wom< fortune-telling; however, there are times when they live "under roof," and far their lands for a period of years, as was the case in the years 1877 and 1878, whe for two years they had kept in this county, contrary to their ancient custom migration. This was, probably, owing first to the illness of lady Stanley hersei and then the ominous signs of civil war, which then shook not only the minds these simple-minded keen judges of the weathers and waves of human passion but also of the wisest of our statesmen. The winters are spent through the soul and it was there, as aforesaid, that queen Matilda died in the vicinity of Vicksbin aged fifty years. She was enclosed in a superb casket and brought to Woodlai Cemetery, by her affectionate husband, as well as her son Levi, Jr. The gre Palm Sunday funeral of 1877, which was nine miles north of Dayton, with its loi procession through the rain, was even more impressive than usual. Indeed, sfco men expressed their grief over the death of Amelia Stanley Jeffrey, and Thom Jeffrey, her husband, much more demonstrative than the youth or the women, it had not been unquestionably earnest it would have appeared even ludicrou but at the grave in Woodland, all expressions were evidently overawed by reason the oppressiveness of being the object of intense scrutiny. The rather bright cole of apparel and the expressive features of these people, standing in the rain witho umbrellas, and vacantly wandering around the grounds under restraint m noticed. When Dr. Berger stood at the head of the wide grave, the only urnbre upraised was over his head. The good queen Matilda was a mother of her peopj with rare nobility of nature. This title of queen, as far as it embodies the io and trust of countrymen and countrywomen, is beautifully appropriate.

The gypsies' burial place in Woodland is believed to be the only "Cam Santo" of gypsydom in the United States. It occupies ground near the cent j part of the cemetery, about one hundred yards south of the lake. The follow! are some of the interments made there :

This tomb is a graceful one of marble. It fronts to the west. Above the ret (a lamb) is "mother", and below " babe." This is very tastefully adorned w plants. In 18G7 Frank A. Harrison was buried, aged 11 months, born in Url>a) Ohio. Due east from the Harrison lot is the first Scotch granite tombstc erected to a gypsy, the Jeffrey monument, to Amelia and Thomas Jeffrey, w died within a few days of each other in March, 1877. The Owen- Stanley lot, soi of Harrison, contains twelve graves. On the outer line, the south, are these tom stones: "E. Young, died .July 17, 1873, aged fifty years;" east of this is a tombstc bearing on its summit a lamb in full relief, for two sisters, "Macy, died October, 1871, aged fourteen months; Harriet, died December 25, 1865, aged sixty months, children of Dangerfield and Riclianda Stanley." Then eight graves are the north side of this. Coming back to the west front to the north of the You) tombstone stands that of Priscilla Stanley. This stone bears a hand, painted y ward on its face, "There is rest in Heaven." Priscilla, wife of Owen Stanley, dl March 19, 1866, aged forty-nine years, five months and five days, born Woodbul, England. This stone bears many verses. Emanuel, son of John aud Isabo Broadway, born January 20, 1852, in Somersetshire, England, died June 20, 18, aged seventeen years and six months; buried August 29, 1869. Little Charlo)

Snley, (a lamb,) died December 13, 1864, aged two years and two months. She w!; bulled in 1867; born in Urbana; grand-daughter of the late queen. Passing nth from the Owen Stanley lot - crossing the queen's place - we come to the very gleeful marble, erected by Paul Stanley to his young wife. It bears close reseruijbce to that of Mrs. Richard Harrison ; a grave lies along side of hers.

Probably the most touching instance of grief which ever occurred in Woodland lietery, was'that of the husband and father, Ephraim Joles. Within fourteen jiths he buried his wife and all his children, six in. all. The central tomb, riding near which is a hickory and dog-wood tree, where the vault will be opened lontain the queen and her little daughter, and a place is allotted to king Levi, i for Michael, the youngest heir of the house of Stanley. It is seven feet long, i: feet wide, three and one-lialf feet deep in the clear. Here, resting within a case, hiqueen's casket has remained. The plate bears the name Mrs. Matilda Stanley, tgil fifty years, with the date of her death. In the casket was placed her worn hie with her. The railed enclosure which contains the graves of the first king i queen lies farther west, lower down the hill. The tombstones are plain slabs, :k man's on the right, the woman's on the left, and appear like the pages of a pledger. That of the queen was the first gypsy grave in Dayton. On the tombtees the following quaint verses appear :

The prosperity of these people is interwoven with our own. They are a curio addition to American citizenship. In the prosperous future, old ways and mann< will fade out before the new ; hut revered will the simple lives and kindly infl ences of Matilda and Levi Stanley ever be. Happy are the people that elea to the simple, ancient ways of industry and generous aid to our fellows where\|| we wander on God's footstool.

Statistical

On the 9tli of August, 1804, the commissioners of the newly organized coui of Hontgomery, ordered that a tax of $ 450.48 be raised on all items of taxation Dayton, Washington and German Townships, and $48.82 (and 4 mills) in Eli beth Township. From the first three $150.80 was appropriated for building a j , The net amount of taxes collected in the county for the year ending J une 3, 1800, a as follows; Elizabeth Township, $97.26.7 ; Randolph Township, $37.03.6; Day Township, $241.07 ; Washington To'nsliip, $132. 25. 8; German To'nship, $187,181 and sundry other items, making a total of $1,248.15.1. The expenditures for same year were $1,127.03.9, therefore a small balance was left in the treasury. 1 valuation of the property in the county at that day was exceedingly small as cfl pared with the present time, and for the sake of comparison, the following figi : are given representing the valuation of real property for taxation in the county}1 several different periods, as equalized by the State Boards of equalization in 1 respective years : j|

The amount of taxes assessed in each sub-division of Montgomery County ft 1881, with vahie of property taxed, is shown in the following table:

The farm products of the county in 1840 were 814,707 bushels of corn, 371 481 of oats, 365,938 of wheat, 54,227 of rye, 34,098 of potatoes, 4,727 of barle; 3,359 of buckwheat, 15,734 tons of hay, 57 tons of hemp and flax, 122,38 pounds of sugar, 53,867 pounds of wool, 472,406 gallons of whisky were mam factured, and 261,190 gallons of malt liquors ; beer, ale and whisky all sold ft about the same price, 15 cents a gallon; 70,622 barrels of flour were manufai tured. There were in operation in the county 34 flouring mills, 11 grist nulls, 5 saw mills and 2 oil mills.

The county receipts and disbursements for the year ending June 12, 184 were as follows: Cash on hand and receipts from all sources, $ 56, 010.59; di,

Tobacco had been grown by the farmers in small quantities, for their own US' from the time of the first settlement of the county, but little, if any, had bee raised for sale until in 1838. Thomas Pomeroy, of Miami Township, sold a p crop that he had raised on rented ground. There was great prejudice against ft cultivation of tobacco from a belief that it injured the land. A few small crop of "Spanish seed leaf"*were grown in Miami and Butler Townships in 1842, an) sold at 5 and 7 cents a pound; of that crop a Dayton merchant in the spring < 1843, packed and shipped 40 hlids. About 1,000 hhds of the crop of 1842 wei shipped from Ohio.

From the report of the Secretary of State, of Ohio, for 1880, are gaikere figures showing the products of Montgomery County for 1879, with numeral other items, which are here presented :

Population. - In 1810 the total population of Montgomery County, as shown he United States census reports, was 7,722 "free white persons." In 1820 the : Ration had a little more than doubled, the census of that year showing 15,999, f hich number 73 were free colored persons. In 1830 the colored inhabitants ibered 140; total population 24,252,* distributed as follows:

In the next table is exhibited the census of the county, by sub-divisions, for h. years 1840, 1850, 1860 and 1870, the figures being taken from the United \'tles census reports for those years, respectively:

As showing the present financial standing of the county of Montgomery, til following tables are inserted, kindly furnished by Frederick Schutte, Esq., Audit* lotal amount received in the treasury for the fiscal year ending September 4, 1881, including balances September 6, 1880, and transfers 1,051,300.00