Pickaway County, Ohio - Chapter 3: The City and Township of Circleville, 1906 (part 1 of 3)

The City Of Circleville

Circleville derives its name from the fact that the original town was laid out within a circular enclosure, formed by a high embankment, that was found here when the first settlement was made. Joining the circle on the east was a square, formed also by an embankment.

These ancient works, formerly existing upon the site of the present city of Circleville and which continued in evidence for many years after the town became an accomplished fact, have been attributed by archaeologists, with scarcely a dissenting voice, to a race of men that preceded the present race of Indians. For want of a better name, this prehistoric race, so shrouded in mystery, has been styled the Mound Builders, by reason of the remarkable works in the form of mounds (or tumuli) and embankments, that alone remain to tell the story of a vanished and, we may say, a vanquished race. By many authorities a similarity has been found in these works to the great mounds in Mexico erected by~ the Aztecs, known as Teocalli, and the deduction has been made that the Mound Builders, forced to relinquish their possessions in the Ohio Valley, gradually retreated to the southwestward until they reached Mexico, where they implanted their civilization. This theory is supported by the Aztec legends, as well as by evidence in the form of mounds and embankments that exist in the Southern States. Indeed, it has been stated that the Mound Builders' remains in the South are even more extensive than those in the Ohio Valley. Immense burial-grounds in Missouri and Arkansas, disclosed through the wearing action of the rivers, support the statement that there must have been a long and extended conflict over the possession of the valleys of the Ohio and Mississippi, that resulted in the more warlike race of Indians finally dispossessing their more civilized predecessors.

The period in the world's history when the Mound Builders were supreme in this section is almost wholly a matter of conjecture. If their supposed migration to the southwestward has any connection with the advent of the Aztecs in Mexico, they must have flourished here in the early centuries of the Christian era, for the Aztecs appear to have overrun Mexico in the seventh century, A. D.. As further proof that a great space of time has elapsed since the ancient race of Mound Builders inhabited this country, it may be mentioned that none of their works stand upon the latest terraces or river bottoms. The age of the trees found upon their embankments leads to the same conclusion.

It is regarded as an established fact that the Ohio Valley in the time of the Mound Builders supported a very large population. Caleb Altwater, in an article published in the Archaeologia Americana, in 1819, says: "The State of Ohio was probably once much more thickly settled than it now is, when it contains a population of about seven hundred thousand inhabitants." Certain favored localities, along the valleys of the Ohio and its tributaries, were densely populated, and especially is this true of the locality of Circleville. In Squier and Davis' "Ancient Monuments of the Mississippi Valley," the statement is made "that the sites selected for settlements, towns and cities by the invading Europeans are often those which were the especial favorites of the Mound Builders and the seats df their heaviest population." The towns of Marietta, Newark, Chillicothe, Circleville, Portsmouth and Cincinnati,in Ohio; Frankfort, in Kentucky; and .St. Louis (the "Mound City"), in Missouri, are examples. "The centers of population are now where they were at the period when the mysterious race of the mounds flourished."

The ancient works of the Mound Builders are distributed over a wide extent of country, almost wholly confined to the valleys of the rivers and large streams - from the Alleghanies to the far Northwest and from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico.

It is stated, in Squier and Davis' "Ancient Monuments of the Mississippi Valley," that "the number of tumuli in the State of Ohio may be safely estimated at ten thousand, and the number of enclosures at from one thousand to fifteen hundred." The mounds in this State vary from a few feet in height to 68 feet, the height of the great mound at Mjamisburg, whose curcumference is 852 feet. . The enclosures formed by lines of embankment generally have an area of from one to 50 acres, though there are instances where the enclosures contain from 100 to 200 acres and even more. The mounds or tumuli of Ohio and elsewhere, which were usually constructed of earth, though sometimes of stone or of earth and stone, are commonly divided by students of antiquities into several classes, namely: -Sepulchral, sacrificial, temple, memorial and mounds of observation. There are also the mounds in the form of animals, of which there are a number of notable instances in this State. Sepulchral mounds are the most common of all the forms; they invariably contain a skeleton and in some instances more than one. The sacrificial mounds are usually found to contain altars of stone. or burnt;clay, upon which are found various remains that show the action of fire. In these mounds are found rude utensils - stone implements and pottery - ornaments and weapons. Sometimes copper axes, chisels and ornaments are discovered. The mounds of observation usually crowned elevated positions overlooking the valleys in which the enclosures were situated. It is thought that they were used as signal posts. The late Col. W. Marshall Anderson, of Circleville, demonstrated by actual survey that the observation mounds in the Scioto Valley formed a regular chain or system, and that, by means of fires upon them, signals could be-sent up or down the country, to give warning of the approach of an enemy or to convey other intelligence.

The enclosures are variously regarded as defensive works or as sacred enclosures. Varying opinions have been expressed as to the significance of the earthworks at Circleville, which consisted of a circle and a square, some sacred enclosures, and others claiming that they were built for defensive purposes. The late Caleb Atwater, for many years one of the most prominent citizens of Circleville, with a national reputation as an historian, made a careful examination of the enclosures at Circleville and pronounced them to be works of defense. His description of the ancient works at Circleville was published in "Western Antiquities" in 1833. Referring to what he terms the "forts" at Circleville, he says:

"These are situated not far from the junction of Hargus Creek with the latter river (Scioto), which is on the east side of the river, and south side of the.creek. By referring to understand the description which follows: "There are two forts, one being an exact circle, the other an exact square. The former is surrounded by two walls, with a deep ditch between them. The latter is encompassed by one wall, without any ditch. The former was sixty-nine rods in diameter, measuring from outside to outside of the circular outer wall; the latter is exactly fifty-five rods square, measuring the same way. The walls of the circular fort were at least twenty feet in height, measuring from the bottom of the ditch, before the town of Circleville was built. The inner wall was of clay, taken up probably in the northern part of the fort, where was a low place, and is still considerably lower than any other part of the work. The outside wall was taken from the ditch which is between these walls, and is alluvial, consisting of pebbles worn smooth in water, and sand, to a very cononly one into the circular fort. Before each of these openings was a mound of earth, perhaps four feet high, forty feet perhaps in diameter at the base, and twenty or upwards at the summit. These mounds, for two rods or more, are exactly in front of the gateways, and were intended for the defense of these openings.

Ancient Fortifications At Circleville

REFERENCES: A, around fort; B, a square fort; C, a large mound; D, a mound with a semi-circular pavement; Z, a large mound; d, a deep ditch; m, m, mounds of earth; w, w, two siderable depth, more than fifty feet at least. The outside of the walls is about five or six .feet in height now; on the inside, the ditch is, at present, generally not more than fifteen feet. They are disappearing before us daily, and will soon be gone. The walls of the square fort are, at this time, where left standing, about ten feet in height. There were eight gateways, or openings, leading into the square fort, and distant from each other. These mounds were in a perfectly straight line, and exactly parallel with the wall. These small mounds were at m, m,m,m,m,m,m. The black line at d, represents the ditch, and w, w, represent the two circular walls. "D (the reader is referred to the plate,) shows the site of a once very remarkable ancient mound of earth, with a semi-circular pavement on its eastern side, nearly fronting, as the plate represents, the only gateway leading into this fort. This mound is entirely removed; but the outline of the semi-circular pavement may still be seen in many places, notwithstanding the dilapidations of time, and those occasioned by the hand of man. This mound, the pavement, the walk from the east to its elevated summit, the contents of the mound, etc., wiil be described under the head of mounds.

"The earth in these walls was as nearly perpendicular as it could be made to lie. This fort had originally but one gateway leading into it on its eastern side, and that was defended by a mound of earth, several feet in height, at m,i. Near the center of this work was a mound, with a semi-circular pavement on its eastern side, some-of the remains of which may still be seen by an intelligent observer. The mound at m, 1, has been entirely removed, so as to make the street level, from where it once stood.

B is a square fort adjoining the circular one, as represented by the plate, the area of which has been stated already. surrounds this work is generally, now, about ten feet in height, where it has not been manufactured into brick. There are seven gateways leading into this fort, besides the one that communicates with the square fortifications; that is, one at each angle, and another in the wall, just half way between the angular ones. Before each of these gateways was a mound of earth of four or five feet in height, paraded for the defense of these openings.

"The extreme care of the authors of these works to protect and defend every part of the circle is nowhere visible about this square fort. The former is defended by two high walls; the latter, by one. The former has a deep ditch encircling it; this has none. The former could be entered at one place only; this at eight, and those about twenty feet broad. The present town of Circleville covers all the round, and the western half of the square, fort. These fortifications, where the town stands, will entirely disappear in a few years; and I have used the only means within my power to per-

"Where the wall of the square fort has been manufactured into brick, the workmen found some ashes, calcined stone, sticks and a little vegetable mould; all of which must have been taken up from the surface of the surrounding plain. As the square fort is a perfect square, so the gateways or openings are at equal distances from each other, and on a right line parallel with the wall. The walls of this work vary a few degrees from north and south, east and west; but not more than the needle varies, and not a few surveyors have, from this circumstance, been impressed with the belief, that the authors of these works were acquainted with astronomy, What surprised me, on measuring these forts, was the exact manner in which they had laid down their circle and square; so that after every effort, by the most careful survey, to detect some error in their measurement, we found that it was impossible, and that the measurement was much more correct, than it would have been in all probability, had the present inhabitants undertaken to construct such a work. Let those congider this circumstance, who affect to believe these antiquities -were raised by the ancestors of the present race of Indians. Having learned something of astronomy, what nation, living as our Indians do, in the open air, with the heavenly bodies ig full view, could have forgotten such knowledge?

"Some hasty travelers, who have spent an hour or two here, have concluded that the 'forts' at Circleville were not raised for mihtary, but for religious purposes, because, there were two extraordinary tumuli here. A gentleman in one of our Atlantic cities, who has never crossed the Alleghanies, has written to me, that Ae is fully convinced that they were raised for religious purposes. Men: thus situated, and with no correct means of judging, will hardly be convinced by anything I can say. Nor do I address myself to them, directly or indirectly; for it has long been my maxim, that it is worse than vain to spend one's time in endeavoring to reason men out of opinions for which they never had any reasons.

to judge from the appearance of the ground on and about the walls. Half way up the outside of the inner wall, is a place distinctly to be seen, where a row of pickets once stood, and where it was placed when this work of defense was originally erected. Finally, this work, about its wall and ditch, eight years since, presented as much of a defensive aspect as forts which were occupied in our wars with the French, in 1755, such as Oswego, Fort Stanwix and others. These works have been examined by the first military men now living in the United States, and they have uniformly declared their opinion to be that they were military works of defense. Ah aks seas ly Week) Thee te

"The works have been noticed, but the mounds remain to be described. Of these there were several, which the ruthless hand of man is destroying. Near the center of the round fort (a drawing of which is given in this work) was a tumulus of earth, about ten feet in height, and several rods in diameter at its base. On its eastern side, and extending six rods from it, was a semi-circular pavement, composed of pebbles, such as are now found in the bed of the Scioto River, fron whence they appear to have been brought.

"The summit of this tumulus was nearly thirty feet in diameter, and there was a raised way to it leading from the east, like a modern turnpike. The summit was level. The outline of the semi-circular pavement and the walk is still discernible. The earth composing this mound was entirely removed several years since. The writer, being present at its removal, carefully examined the contents. It contained,

"3. The handle either of a small sword or a large knife, made of an elk's horn; around the end where the blade had been inserted, was a ferule of silver, which, though black, was not much injured by time. Though the handle showed the hole where thé blade had been inserted, yet no iron was found, but an oxide remained of similar shape and size.

"4. Charcoal and wood ashes, on which these articles lay, which were surrounded by several bricks very well burnt. The skeletor appeared to have been burned in a large and very hot fire, which had almost consumed the bones of the deceased. This skeleton ' was deposited a little to the south of the center of the tumulus; and, about twenty feet to the north of it, was another, with which were

"s. A large mirror, about three feet in length, one foot and a half in breadth, and one inch and a half in thickness. This mirror was of isinglass (mica membranacea), and on it,

"6. A plate of iron, which had become oxide; but before it was disturbed by the spade, resembled a plate of cast iron. The mirror answered the purpose very well for which it was intended. This skeleton had also been burned like the former, and Jay on charcoal and a considerable quantity of wood ashes. A part of the mirror is in my possession, as well as a piece of a brick, taken from the spot at the time.

"To the southwest of this tumulus, about forty rods from it, is another, more than sixty feet in height, which is shown on the plate representing these works. It stands on a large hill, which appears to be artificial. This must have been the common cemetery, as it contains an immense number of human skeletons, of all sizes and ages.

"The skeletons are laid horizontally, with their heads generally towards the center, and the feet towards the outside of the tumulus. A considerable part of this work still stands uninjured, except by time. In it have been found, besides these skeletons, stone axes and knives, and several ornaments, with holes through them, by means of which, with a cord passing through these perforations, they could be worn by their owners.

"On the south side of this tumulus, and not far from it, was a semi-circular fosse, which, when IJ first saw it, was six feet deep. On opening it, was discovered at the bottom a great quantity of human bones, -which, I am inclined to believe, were the remains of those who had been slain in some great and destructive battle. First, because they belonged to persons who had attained their full size; whereas, in the mound adjoining, were found the skeletons of persons of all ages; and secondly, they were here in the utmost confusion, as if buried in a hurry. May we not conjecture, that they belonged to the people who resided in the town, and who were victorious in the engagement? Otherwise they would not have been thus honorably buried in the common cemetery.

"The articles discovered in this mound are of little value, though very numerous; something being found near the head of almost every individual."

"On the southwest side of the circle stands a conical hill crowned with an artificial mound. Indeed, so much does the whole elevation resemble the work of man, that many have mistaken it for a large mound. A street has lately been opened across the little mound which crowned the hill, and in removing the earth many skeletons were found in good preservation. A cranium of one of them was in my possession, and is a noble specimen of the race which once occupied these ancient walls. It has a high forehead and large and bold features, with all the phrenological marks of daring and bravery. Poor fellow, he died overwhelmed by numbers; as the fracture of the right parietal bone by the battle-ax and five large stone arrows sticking in and about his bones, still bear silent, but sure, testimony. The elevated ground a little north of the town, across Hargus Creek, which washes the base of the plain of Circleville, appears to have been the common burying ground. Human bones in great quantities are found in digging away the gravel for repairing the streets and for constructing the banks of the canal,- which runs near the base of the highlands. They were buried in the common earth without any attempt at tumuli, and.occupy so large a space

As has been previously stated, the county of Pickaway was erected, by act of the General Assembly, on January 12, 1810; on the roth of February, the same body passed a resolution appointing David Bradford, George Jackson and John Pollock as commissioners, ''to fix on the most eligible spot for the seat of justice in the County of Pickaway."

In the Circleville Union-Herald of August 2, 1878, appeared an account of the various steps taken by the commissioners and their director, Daniel Dreisbach. We have drawn largely upon the information therein contained and a portion of it we will quote in full.

"This duty was considered a very important one, and the gentlemen above mentioned were men of character and reputation in the State. They came into the county in the spring and made a thorough examination of all the places which had been mentioned, visiting Bloomfield and some points west of the river. The old Indian fortifications (so-called), with the mound and circle and square, were then intact. The embankments or walls of the forts stood up-many feet above the ground and were as was the interior, covered with large trees and heavy undergrowth. These fortifications were selected for the county seat: in preference to all other places, which had been pointed out. The gentlemen, in deciding, no doubt thought they were doing that which would serve to preserve the ancient monuments from demolition and ruin, and that, with a town located here, they would surround them. with an interest which would protect and care for them. As to the wisdom of their predictions, the total obliteration of every trace of the old forts gives sad witness. The commissioners reported their decision to the court, which, on July 25th, appointed Daniel Dreisbach as director, with bonds in the sum of ten thousand dollars. His duties were to purchase the ground for the site of the new town, lay it out in town lots and dispose of the some.*

*Daniel Dreisbach held the office until his death, in 1850; one or two others were subsequently appointed by the court; the office finally became obsolete.

"The lands upon which the. fortification stood belonged to Jacob Zeiger, Jacob Zeiger, Jr.,and Samuel Watt, the circular fort being the property of the first named. He at that time resided in a log cabin which stood about where the canal now is, and just opposite the site of Ruggles' slaughter house, there being one of the best springs in the country at the foot of the rise upon which his cabin stood. He at this time had partly completed a new residence a little east of his cabin. This new residence is still standing, and is known as the Williamson house, on the corner of Scioto and North High streets."

Dreisbach purchased, as the records show, three tracts and one or two fractions of acres. The first tract contained 10034 acres, 50 of which Zeiger donated, the other 50 being bought at $8 per acre. For the 34 acre the price was $20 per acre, with a further consideration, in payment for the improvements, consisting of the cabin, etc, to be detided upon by referees. The second tract, purchased of Valentine Keffer, contained 71 acres, 78 poles, and was bought for $286. The third tract contained 29 acres and was bought for $116. The whole 200 acres cost but between $800 and $900.

Dreisbach proceeded at once to survey and lay out the town according to the directions and by the day appointed for the sale he had all complete. It is said that the first sale was a memorable event and celebrated with a grand barbecue. A large number of persons from the west side of the river joined in the manufacture of an immense cheese for the occasion, weighing several hundred pounds, which was drawn to the barbecue on a large sled. A _ spirited competition for the honor of building the first house in the new town took place. Among others determined to build the first house was John Ludwig. He had his lumber all prepared before the sale day, the logs hewn and fitted ready for framing, and all loaded on wagons and ready to start into town, as soon as his purchase should be announced. Laborers were ready and stone for the foundation was in waiting with David Leist, as mason, prepared to lay them. By the time night fell, a number of temporary habitations were ready for occupancy. On the first sale day, Dreisbach disposed of 29 lots, and on the next day 11. The houses were rapidly pushed to completion and by winter about 40 families had taken up their residence in the new town. Dreisbach's first report to the county commissioners, in which he gives an account of his stewardship, reads as follows:

Daniel Dreisbach, director, made report of his proceedings, which was sanctioned by the court and ordered to be recorded verbatim, viz.: and that the plat returned of town be recorded in the recorder's office.

To 1f tots, sold, second day's sale. :jc:- suse 611 00 To 17 lots* sold, privatersaléess. 25. << opts 762 50 Sale of timber on streets and alleys........ 44 50 Total amounts. oc: <.=/spiso sotaa ee oe $3,604 50 Valuation of Jacob Zeiger's improvement, appraised by Charles Bodkin and Aquilla Justice, duly sworn and both parties chosen: The jhodsé. appraised! to .25 aes 5 aca se eee $275 00

Which sum is to be paid 'to the said Jacob, on or before the first day of May next, 1811, or he, the said Jacob, will take the house back at the valuation and purchase the lot on which the house is erected.

Some Early Events

It is said that Jacob Try, brother of George Try, killed a deer within the circular earthwork some two or three years before the town was located. There is some doubt as to what was the first brick house built in Circleville, but it is generally conceded that the Harsha house on East Main street, then a one-story building, was the first. It was long occupied by Harsha's marble works and is now occupied as the marble and granite works of E. F. Anderson. The first child born in Circleville is be- lieved to have been Louisa (Leiby) Myers, whose birth occurred in June, 1811. Her father, John Leiby, a Pennsylvanian, came to Circleville from Chillicothe, and established here the first dry goods store. The first grocery in town was kept by Joe Strouse. Soon after the location of the town, Rev. William Swayze, a Methodist minister, preached what is thought to have been the first sermon in the town. The first church edifice was a Presbyterian meetinghouse of brick, whose corner-stone was laid September 2, 1826, by Rev. Burton. The Olive Branch was Circleville's first newspaper, the first number appearing on August 9, 1817.

In an issue of the Olive Branch and Pickaway Herald, of September 15, 1827, a writer under the caption, 'Circleville in 1827," gives a description of the city as it was then. The communication, which was addressed to the editor, William B. Thrall, and signed by ''Justice,"' is given in full as follows:

"As our neighboring towns have been represented in some essays published in the Scioto Gazette, relative to the Scioto Valley, as having a decided superiority over our village, 1 thought it would be well to give the public a true, statistical account of the town so much depreciated by the writer of those essays.

"By this it will appear that he was jealous of our prosperity and growing importance and disposed to prop up the declining fortunes of the town in which he wrote, at our expense. Though we might be ready to smile in contempt at his impotent efforts, yet justice to ourselves requires, that our pretensions and standing should be fairly stated, lest some might be deceived by the manner in which he speaks of us.

"Circleville is situated on the east bank of the Scioto River, 25 miles south of Columbus, and 20 miles southwest of Lancaster, in north latitude 39 degrees and 38 minutes and west longitude 5 degrees and 55 minutes from the meridian of Washington. It is on the most direct route from Philadelphia and Washington City to Cincinnati, and Illinois; on which

"The traveler in passing on thts route from Lancaster to Cincinnati, or to central and southern parts of Indiana, Illinois and Missouri, saves at least fiftcen miles in distance and obtains a much better road than by taking the Chillicothe route. It is the direct road, too, from Portsmouth and Gallipolis to Columbus and Sandusky Bay. On this road a mail passes to and fro thrice each week in stages. The Ohio Canal is surveyed and considered located on the western borders of the town, between the in-lots and the river.

"The town contains one hundred and two. dwelling houses, besides twenty-two building this season. Thus it is increasing, by an addition of one-fifth to its size in a single year. Several of the buildings erecting are substantial brick and frame buildings of spacious dimensions. Preparations are making for the erection of a still greater number next season.

"Rents and the value of property have been increasing at the rate of twenty-five per cent, for the last two years, and bid fair to increase in the same ratio for several years hence. The public buildings are a court house, jail, a buildmg containing six public offices, an Academy, a public schoolhouse, a Presbyterian church, and a market house, all of brick, except the jail; which is stone.

"The population of the town consists of one hundred and seven families, containing seven hundred and twenty-five inhabitants, fifty-five of whom are persons of color.

"There are nine mercantile stores employing a capital of about forty-three thousand dollars; three druggists and apothecary shops;. three groceries and bakers, employing a capital of five hundred dollars.

"Of mechanics there are seven carpenters, six cabinet makers, four chair makers, three wheelwrights, two coopers, two wagon makers, six shoemakers, four tanners, two 'saddlers,. five tailors, two weavers, one clothier, four hatters, four blacksmiths, two silversmiths, one clockmaker, two watchmakers and jewelers, four masons, three brick makers, one tin- ner, one printer, one rope maker, two butchers, one distiller, one potter, and one barber. There are also four attorneys, five physicians and two teachers. There is also one rope walk, and adjacent to town two woolen establishments and three sawmills.

"From this, some idea may be formed of the business done in the town. In several of the trades there are young men employed as journeymen who are not enumerated in the above list. Several more carpenters and house joiners and several more masons and brick layers might find profitable employment. A coppersmith, a brewer, a dyer, a fancy painter, a carriage maker, a stone cutter and several other trades might find a good situation here for their business. :

"Since the autumn of 1823, the town has been more healthy, it is believed, than any of the neighboring towns. There has been but one death by fever in this season, and very few cases."

It has often been a matter of regret to the citizens of Circleville of the present day, that the original conformation of the town was ever changed. The most unique feature about the place, from which the town derived its name, was obliterated in order that the streets might be in checkerboard fashion, running at right angles to each other. Not many years elapsed after the town began to be built up, before dissatisfaction with the circular arrangement of the streets showed itself in certain quarters. Some thought that the original design was a piece of childish sentimentalism, while others advanced the idea that the shape of the lots was awkward and inconvenient. One of the most important reasons advanced for the change was that the open circular space about the Court House presented a very poor appearance, as it was the custom of the people from the country to hitch and feed their teams there, thus attracting to the place hogs and other domestic animals, that were then allowed the freedom of the city. However sincere these objections might have been, and however important they may have seemed to those who urged them, it is not at all likely the change would ever have been made, had it not occurred to somebody that, by laying out the circular portion of the town in a square form, quite an amount of waste ground - in the center of the circle as well as in the four angles where the square portions joined the circle and in some of the avenues and alleys - would become available for building lots and yield a fair profit over and above what the county would charge for it. It was, no doubt, a fair business transaction and not to be censured, except upon esthetic grounds. It first became necessary to secure enabling acts from the Legislature and then to obtain the consent of all the property owners within the space affected.

On March 29, 1837, the first enabling aet was passed by the General Assembly of Ohio, which authorized an alteration of the town plat of the town of Circleville. For some reason nothing was done that year, perhaps because it was found difficult to obtain the consent of all the property owners in the entire circle. So on March 1, 1838, the General Assembly was induced to pass a supplementary act, authorizing the friends of the measure to proceed with the alterations as soon as the consent of all the owners of any part (meaning probably any fourth part) of the circle should be obtained.

On March 23, 1838, the first steps toward the squaring of the southeast quarter of the circular portion of the town were taken through the application of Andrew Huston, Thomas Huston and Dr. Edson B. Olds to the Court of Common Pleas. Daniel Dreisbach, director of the town, was ordered by the court to convey to the said parties all the interest of Pickaway County in said part of Circleville, for the consideration of $750. The next day they filed their plat in the recorder's office; aid on the 30th of the same month the interest of the county was conveyed to them by deed. The same parties took similar steps on the 15th of September, 1838, for squaring the northwest quarter of the circle. They received their deed from the county on October 4th, for the same

The northeast quarter was squared by the Circleville Squaring Company, which was comprised of John Cradlebaugh, Dr. Edson B. Olds, Francis Kinnear and others. This did not take place however, until 11 years after the southeast and northwest quarters were squared. After making a satisfactory arrangement with the property holders in this quarter, they obtained a deed from the county for its interest in the same for $75, the deed being dated August 17, 1849.

The actual work of rearranging the streets, which made necessary the removal of many buildings and the erection of others, went on very slowly, and it was doubtless some years aiter Bierce received his deed that the work might be termed completed. The work of grading the streets and the building lots gradually effaced every trace of the ancient enclosures.

The line of these two enclosures, as described in an article in the Union-Herald of August 2, 1878, which is herewith given, was marked as follows:

"The center of the circle was the center of the square at the intersection of Court and Main streets. The circle and square were joined, or rather the gateway, as the opening between them was called, was in the street a little west of the point where the alley crosses Main street at the Central Presbyterian Church. Starting at this point, the ditch which was the circumference of the circle, ran under a part of the church, under the rear of Mr. Scovil's, house, curving around to McClaren's livery stable and Bauder's carriage shop, crossing the street between Bauder's and the Foresman corner and Pinkney street diagonally to T. K. Brunner's, through the rear of the Jones lot, on West Main street, through Jesse Ward's -and the Tibbs barber shop, through the Steele-

Jones Block, and the Martin property, and diagonally to Jerome Wolfley's, north of the Court House, crossing to Mrs. Nightengale's residence, through the Brobeck carriage shops, and diagonally across Franklin street, to the rear of Ruggles' lot, and through it to the beginning.

"This circuit was the line of the -ditch described above, and which was full of water to a depth ranging from three to ten feet. The banks were very steep and only at a few places was the ditch fordable. The embankment was overgrown with immense trees, and so thickly covered with vines and bushes that it was almost impenetrable. Here and there the cattle had made trails down to the water and at these places horsemen were in the habit of crossing the path winding down sidewise. Within the

"We now go to the square, the limits of which we can not so clearly define, but sufficiently so to giye a fair idea. The face next to the circle was on the line of the alley next to the Central Church, extending south to Franklin street (lower side), and north to Watt street. The south line ran along parallel with the south side of Franklin street, extending to a point a few rods east of Washington street. The only remains of the old embankment now visible is the elevated ground near which the little .cabin known as Mrs. White's house stands, at the corner of Pickaway and Franklin streets. The north line ran along Watt street east from H. R. Heffner's residence a distance of fifty-five rods. The eastern boundary, running north and south, crossed Main street, a little east of. Washington street, the old elm tree, well remembered by many, which stood in the pavement, being just inside of the embankment."

In the succeeding chapter, on "Recollections of Old Circleville," several descriptions of the town, as it stood in the period when the changes were being made, are given. We are indebeted to G. F. Wittich for the greater part of this information, which he has gathered at various times !from personal letters and newspaper clippings, as well as for a view of

Circleville in 1836, which appears elsewhere in this book. Soon after he came to Circleville in the fall of 1836, he made several sketches of the old Court House, the old circle and other separate buildings, which assisted him materially in designing this view, which he drew about 1858 or 1860. When he was in doubt as to the correct location or size of certain buildings, he was able to ascertain the desired information from residents who had lived here from the early years of the town. This view he finished in colors in 1870.

According to a short historical sketch of the county, published in that year, had "14 dry goods stores, two hardware stores, two stove stores, two drug stores, three printing offices, two confectioneries and a great number and variety of mechanic shops, all well supplied with articles in their respective lines. It has two wholesale groceries and nine warehouses on the canal, at which an extensive business is done in the produce line. It has four pork establishments, at which can be slaughtered and packed about 1,500 hogs per day. There are in this town six churches, one academy, one female seminary, eight hotels, a book store and bindery and a jail.

done here may be formed from the following statement taken from the last report of the Board of Public Works: Of the clearings made from this port in 1843, viz. : 25,664 barrels of flour, 9,666 barrels of pork, 2,480,452 pounds of bacon, 1,436,248 pounds of lard, 98,863 pounds of butter, 20,403 pounds of tallow, 34,204 pounds of wool, 47,738 bushels of wheat, 49,085 bushels of corn, and 3,229 bushels of clover seed. Much the largest portion of these articles (except wool) were the products of Pickaway County. The quantity of wheat, flour and pork shipped that year was much less than usual, and the shipments of 1844 will no doubt greatly exceed those of any preceding year. There are in Circleville twelve practicing attorneys, nine

"The principal denominations of Christians are Methodist, United Brethren, Presbyterian, Episcopalian and Lutheran; all of whom have churches and regular officiating ministers."

Circleville Incorporated

More than four years elapsed before any action was taken to incorporate the town, that had been started in 1810. Late in December, 1814, the following act was passed by the General Assembly :

Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, That so much of the township of Washington, in the County of Pickaway, as is comprised and designated in the plan of the town of Circleville, and recorded in the recorder's office of said county, be, and the same is hereby erected into a town corporate, henceforth to be known and distinguished by the name of the town of Circleville, subject, however, to such alterations and regulations as the legislature may, from time to time, think proper to make.

Sec. 2. Be it further enacted, That it shall be lawful for the white male inhabitants, either freeholders or householders,-residents in said town of Circleville, to meet at the court-house, on the first Saturday in April, annually, and then and there, elect by ballot, a president, recorder, treasurer, five trustees, and town marshal, in manner hereinafter provided, which said president, trustees and recorder shall be one body corporate and politic, with perpetual succession, to be known and distinguished by the name of 'the president, recorder and trustees of the town of Circleville.'

Sec. 3. Be it further enacted, That the president, recorder and trustees, and their successors in office shall be capable to receive, acquire, hold and convey any estate, real or personal, for the use of said corporation: PROVIDED, That the clear annual income of all such property shall not exceed the sum of two thousand dollars, and shall be capable in law, by the name aforesaid, of suing and being sued, of pleading and being impleaded, in any action or suit, in any court in this state; and when any action or suit shall be commenced against the corporation, the service shall be by a proper officer leaving an attested copy of the original process with the recorder, or at his usual place of abode, at least ten days previous to the return of such process, and the said trustees are hereby authorized to have one common seal for the use of the corporation, and the same to be altered at their discretion.

Sec. 4. Be it further enacted, That the electors residing in said town, as is provided in the second section of this act, shall meet on the first Saturday of April next, and on the first Saturday of April, annually, thereafter, and then and there proceed, by a plurality . of votes, to elect a president, recorder, treasurer, five trustees and town marshal, who shall each have the qualification of an elector, to hold their office for one year, and until their successors are elected and sworn into office, and each of the said officers, within five days after being notified of his appointment, shall take an oath or affirmation, before some person authorized to administer the same, to support the constitution of the United States and of this state, and also faithfully to discharge the duties of his office.

Sec. 5. Be it further enacted, That at the annual elections held under the provisions of this act, the polls shall be opened, between the hours of twelve and one o'clock, P. M. and closed at four o'clock, P. M. At the first election, two judges and a clerk shall be appointed viva voce, by the electors present, who shall take an oath or affirmation, faithfully to discharge the duties of their respective offices, and at all subsequent elections, the president and trustees, or any two of them shall be judges, and the recorder clerk of the election; at the close of the poll the ballots shall be counted by the judges of the election, and the statement publicly declared, and a fair record thereof made by the clerk, who shall notify the persons elected, of the several offices to which they have been elected, within five days after the day of election; and it shall be the duty of the president, at least five days before the first Saturday of April, in every year, after the first election, to set up a notice of the approaching election, in three of the most public places in said town.

Sec. 6. Be it further enacted, That the said trustees, or a majority of them, whereof the president or recorder shall always be one, shall have full power and authority to make and publish such laws and ordinances, in writing, and the same from time to time, to alter or repeal as to them shall seem necessary, for the interest, comfort, safety and convenience of the said town of Circleville, and of the inhabitants thereof: Provided, no law shall ever be by them enacted or made, subjecting cattle, sheep or hogs, not belonging to said town, to be abused or taken up or sold, for coming into the bounds of said corporation; the trustees shall have full power to administer all oaths or affirmations, to impose reasonable fines on all persons. who shall offend against the laws and ordinances, made as aforesaid, to levy and cause to be collected, all such fines, by warrant, under the hand of the president, and in his absence of the recorder, and seal of the corporation, directed to the marshal, who shall collect the same, by distress and sale of goods and chattels, as constables do in other cases, & shall pay over alk monies, by him so received, to the treasurer; the trustees shall have power to regulate markets, and when thought necessary to appoint a clerk of the market: PROVIDED ALWAYS, That all laws and ordinances shall be 'consistent with the constitution and laws of the United States and of this state.

Sec. 7. Be it further enacted, That tke trust es shall have power to fill all vacancies which may happen between the annual elections, if any of the offices hereby established and made elective; and the appointments so made shall continue until the next annual election, and until the officers thus elected, shall be duly qualified and no longer; and the trustees are hereby authorized to appoint such other subordinate officer or officers, as they may think necessary, to fix such fees to the office of recorder and marshal, to impose such fines for refusing to accept any office of the corporation, or for neglect or misconduct therein, as to them may seem proper: Provided, the fines to be inflicted, by virtue of this section, shall, in no case exceed ten dollars.

Sec. 8. Be it further enacted, That the trustees (when in their opinion it may be expedient) shall have power, in the month of July, annually, to lay a tax within said town, for the use of the corporation, on all the objects of taxation for county purposes: Provided, no tax in any one year, so laid, shall exceed one half of the amount of the county tax levied on such objects of taxation for the same year, whereof the town marshal shall be the collector, and he is hereby authorized and required to collect and pay over, to the treasurer, all sums of money levied for the use of said town, within three months after his receiving the duplicate thereof, and the treasurer's receipt shall be his voucher, upon his settlement with the trustees, which shall be whenever thereunto by them required, after the expiration of three months aforesaid. ;

Sec. 9. Be it further cnacted, That the town marshal shall give ten days notice previous to the collection of any tax and if the tax on any tot on which no property can be found, shall remain unpaid six months after the same shali have been assessed, the said town marshal shall give notice. by advertisement, in three of the most public places in said town, of the amount of scid tax, and the number of the lot or lots on which it is due; and if such tax shall not be paid within three months after the date of such advertiseinent, the marshal shall proceed to sell so much of such lot or lots as may be sufficient to discharge the amount, and in such cases, the part or parts sold, shall not extend further on the front than on the back line of the lot or lots; and it shall be the duty of the marshal, to execute a deed or deeds, to the purchaser or purchasers, for the premises so sold, which deed shall vest in the purchaser, his heirs and assigns, the same title to the premises therein described, as was vested in the person, for whose tax the same was sold, at or after the time such tax became due; the treasurer and town marshal, before they enter on the duties of their respective offices, shall enter into bond, with security to the president, to be approved by the trustees, conditioned for the faithful discharge of their several duties; the treasurer shall also pay over all monies by him received, for all the use of the corporation, on the order of the trustees, and shall, when thereunto required, submit his book and vouchers to their inspection.

Sec. 10, Be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of the recorder, to make and keep a true and accurate record, of all and every law and ordinance, made and established by the trustees, and of all their proceedings, in their corporate 'capacity, whith record shall at all times be open to the inspection of every elector in said town; the recorder is also further authorized to administer all necessary oaths or affirma-~

Sec, 11. Be it further enacted, That if any person or persons shall think himself, herself or themselves aggrieved, by any act or judgment of the trustees, it shall be lawful fof such person or persons, within ten days, to appeal to the court of common pleas for the proper county, who shall hear such complaint, and grant such relief as to them shall appear to be proper and necessary: Provided, such appellant give security to be approved by the clerk of the court, to prosecute such appeal to effect, and abide the determination of the court thereon. , Sec. 12. And be it further enacted, That the corporation shall be allowed the use of the county jail, for the confinement of sttch persons, as by any law of the corporation may be subject to imprisonment, but no person shall be imprisoned, under the authority of the corporation unless for the non-payment of fines and penalties assessed or imposed upon them; Provided, no person shall be imprisoned more than twelve hours for one offense, and. all persons so imprisoned, shall be under the charge of the sheriff of the county. This act shall take effect, and be in force, from and after the first day of April next. JoHN Pottock, Speaker of the House of Representatives. Tuomas KIrkeEr, Speakcr of the Senate. December 24, 1814.

No records are extant as to the results of the first election that was ordered to be held. It may, however, be taken for granted that the officials of the town were duly chosen on the first Saturday in April, 1815. The organizavon thus formed continued until 1853, in which year, on, March 25th, the Town Council passed the following resolution : its as, and to become a city of the second class, under the provisions of the act of the General Assembly of this State, passed May 3, 1852, entitled "An Act to provide for the organization of cities and incorporated villages, and the act amendatory thereto, passed March, 1853."

The first officers of the city of Circleville, elected on April 4, 1853, were as follows: Mayor, Z. R. Martin; treasurer, Wilson Baker; solicitor, Henry N. Hedges, Sr.; marshal, Samuel Barncord; counciimen - William Van Heyde, William Doane, W. W. Bierce and Allen Myers.

City Govern Ment

Under the Ohio code of 1902, all distinetions of class and grade in the cities of the State were abolished and the same municipal laws now apply with equal force to all cities,

The elective offices are those of mayor, president of Council, solicitor, treasurer, auditor and members of Council. All these officers are elected for terms of two years each. In addition to being the executive head of the city government and, the chief conservator of the peace, the mayor exercises jurisdiction in State cases the same as a justice of the peace, and has exclusive jurisdiction as to all violations of city ordinances. The president of Council is acting mayor in the absence of the mayor from the city or when the latter is unable to attend to his duties, but has no judicial functions. The duties of the solicitor and 'treasurer are the same that usually pertain to these offices. The office of auditor was created by the new code. It is his duty to keep the books of the city, to exhibit accurate statements of all money received and expended and of all property owned by the city and the income derived therefrom, and of all taxes and assessments; at the end of each fiscal year, or oftener if required by the Council, it is his duty to examine and audit the accounts of all officers and departments. The State department prescribes how all these accounts shall be kept and sends examiners at intervals to examine the books of the city.

There is one councilman for each of the four wards of the city and three councilmen-atlarge. The powers of the Council are legislative only. The Council also determines the number of directors in the Board of Public Safety and the Board of Public Service fixes the salaries of municipal officers. The council elects its own clerk.

The administrative functions of the city are performed by the elective officers already mentioned and by five boards, as follows: Board of Public Service, Board of Public Safety, Board of Tax Commission and Trustees of Sinking Fund, Board of Health and Trustees of Library Board. All are appointed by the mayor except the Board of Public Service, whose members are elected by direct vote of the people. The Board of Public Safety has charge of the police and fire departments. The Board of Public Service has charge of all work on the streets, street lighting, sewers and garbage disposal and attends to the maintenance of all public buildings and properties. These boards have the power to make contracts for their respective departments, when the expense within the appropriations made by the Council. The functions of the Board of Tax Commission and Trustees of Sinking Fund are those of two separate bodies, whose membership, however, is identical. The appointments to this board are so distributed that not more than two members belong to the same political party.

the City Council, with power to approve or reject, but cannot increase the tax levy. The Trustees of Sinking lund, whose duty it is to provide a sinking fund for the city, certify to the Council the rate of tax necessary to provide funds for the payment of bonds and other obligations, and register all bonds issued by the city. The duties of the Board of Health are to abate nuisances, prescribe and enforce quarantine regulations, etc., etc. The board appoints a health officer. The Trustees of Library Board have charge of the Public Library. The city engineer is appointed by the mayor and the chief of the Fire Department fills the office of weighmaster.

The present officials of the city of Circleville are as follows: Mayor, George R. Haswell; president of Council, George R. Curl; solicitor, Charles W. Murphy; treasurer, Jacob Merz; auditor, Fred R. Nicholas; city engineer, J. H. Sweetman; weighmaster, J. M. Baer: health officer, James J. Egan; Members of Council - Thomas R. Bell (First Ward), John W..Lowe (Second Ward), Albert L. Redman (Third Ward) (president pro tem), George W. Limebaugh (Fourth Ward) and John C. Goeller, C. Ernest Salter and "John F. Carle, councilmen-at-large---Fred R. Nicholas (clerk); Board of Public Service - Noah Myers (president), Mathew Lynch and E. M. Stout - E. E. Stout (clerk); Board of Public Safety - J. F. Krinn (president) and J. T. Kirkendall - Thomas D. Krinn (clerk);

Board of Tax Commission and Trustees of Sinking Fund - W. G. Jacob (president), Ir- 'vin I', Snyder (vice-president), C. D. Hess and Charles A. Smith - -Fred R. Nicholas (clerk) ; Board of Health - George R. Haswell (president ex officio), S. M. Lewis (president pro tem), C.F. Lehman (secretary), W. B. Wilder, Dr. George T. Row and W. L. Krimmel; Trustees of Library Board - Aaron R. Van Cleaf (president), Dr. Thomas Blackstone (vice-president), Dr. G. W. Heffner (secretary), Gustavus A. Schleyer, B. I'. Benford and T. O. Williams.

The members of the police and fire departments are all under civil service. The members of the Police Department are as follows: H. S. Sheets, chief; James H. Throne, captain; P. J. Mogan, sergeant; and J. L. Cummins, W. H. Warner, John Myers and Thomas Mc- Manamy, patrolmen.

Circleville has had a paid Fire Department since the year 1881, when the present system was introduced, under Mayor Abram Millet. Before that date the city was protected from the ravages of the fire fiend by a volunteer department, consisting of about 130 members divided into four companies, which in 1879 were under the leadership of Chief Engineer

H. H. Nicholas, who was aided by Ist and 2nd assistant engineers. Circleville Company, No. I, consisted of 40 members, having in charge the steam engine "Circleville." Buckeye Engine and Hose Company, No. 2, consisted of 40 members, having in charge the steam "Buckeye" and one or fwo hose carts- Niagara Hose Company, No. 1, consisted of 20 members, having two hose carts in charge. Scioto Hand Engine Company consisted of 30 colored members having charge of the "Scioto" hand engine and two hose trucks. These companies disbanded when the new system went into effect.

The members of the first paid Fire Department were as follows: Levi Hammel, chief; Andrew Rudel, engineer; J. M. Baer, assistant engineer; William Todd, stoker, and James. Trego and William Mason, drivers. The first chief, who was a night policeman, had charge of the department only during fires. At all other times the department was under Engineer Andrew Rudel. Levi Hammel, after holding the position of chief a short time, resigned, and was succeeded by W. F. Tolbert. Subsequently Levi Hammel again became chief, with full charge of the department at all times, his work as night policeman having been discontinued. Chief Hammel held the position until May, 1889, when the present chief, J. M. Baer, was appointed, who has since held the position. Chief Baer was a member of the old volunteer department, being a member at the time the department was made a paid one. With the exception of six years spent in other pursuits, he has been on the force for 25 years. The other members of the department are as follows: John S. Baer, assistant chief and engineer; William Miller and W. R. Clark, drivers; and George Stout, assistant. John S. Baer has been a member of.the department since March 12, 1882; William R. Clark, since December, 1890; George Stout, since April, 1904; and William Miller, since March, 1905. The chief has power to call on "minute-men" to assist at fires when necessary, such men: receiving pay for their services when. so engaged.

nation hose and ladder truck, carrying 130 feet of ladders and 850 feet of 24-inch hose and 100 feet of 1-inch hose; two 6-gallon Holloway fire extinguishers; one 2-horse hose carriage, which carries 1,200 feet of 21%4-inch hose; two steam fire engines that are kept in reserve; and two span of horses. The Gamewell fire alarm system is in use, with 24 boxes. The department, in case of fire, connects with the fire hydrants, 152 in number, which give a stand-pipe pressure of from 60 to 65 pounds. If this pressure proves insufficient, the pumping station of the Circleville Water Supply Company furnishes direct pressure, with a limit of 175 pounds. There are 37 public cisterns located throughout the city, especially in portions where there is danger of large conflagrations. These cisterns hold 1.000 barrels of water each. The two steam fire engines kept in reserve would, in case of emergency, pump water from these cisterns, or would get their water supply direct from the canal or from Hargus Creek, if the fire were near.

Fifteen years ago, Circleville made its first and last experiment in the matter of voting money for the purpose of securing the establishment here of new manufacturing plants. On February 27, 1891, a movement for the increasing of the city's importance as a manufacturing center, inaugurated the preceding year, culminated in the passage of an enabling act by the General Assembly of Ohio. This act provided that in a city of the jourth grade of the second class, which at the Federal census of 1880 had a population of 6,046 or might have such population at any subsequent census, might issue bonds in any sum not exceeding $50,000, bearing interest not to exceed six per cent., and running not more than 20 years. The proceeds arising from the sale of these bonds, which were not to be sold below par, were to be expended for the purpose of aiding and encouraging manufacturing establishments to locate in the said city. Before the bonds could be issued, however, it was necessary that vote of the qualified electors of the city. If such bond issue were approved of by twothirds of those voting at the election, whether general or special, then the Council, with the consent and approval of the Board of Control, might issue and sell said bonds for the purpose named. If the election proved favorable to the issuing of the bonds, the Council was to present a written statement of its intention to issue bonds to the probate judge, who was to appoint a Board of Control, consisting of six members, not more than three from any one political party, who were to serve without compensation for such period as might be necessary to dispose of the proceeds of the bonds. It was also specified in the enabling act how the Council was to pay the principal and interest on the bonds by tax levies.

At the general election held Apri: 7, 1891, 1,218 votes were registered in favor of the proposition to issue bonds, while only 190 were cast in the negative; the number of votes necessary to carry the proposition was 1,053. On April 21, 1891, Probate Judge Jacob P. Winstead appointed the following to serve as members of the Board of Control; Joseph P. Smith, Samuel B. Evans, Thomas K. Brunner, William J. Weaver, George W. Bauder and Amos Beach.

Communications were received from quite a number of companies, who wished to secure some of the benefits of the bond issue and locate their plants at Circleville. A promoter came and put several propositions before the Board of Control for consideration. These were investigated by the Board of Trade, then in existence, and the three best propositions were favorably reported to the Board of Control. The best enterprise at that time appears to have been the Isaac Half Lounge Company, of Marysville, Ohio, with which concern negotiations were entered into, which resulted finally in articles of agreement being drawn up between it and the City of Circleville, acting through the City Council and the Board of Control. A $17,000 issue of bonds was ordered and the balance of the $17,000 was paid the company according to the contract. _The company soon failed, owing to its cramped condition caused by litigation arising at Marysville. The lounge factory is now used by John C. Goeller as a broom factory.

An issue of $15,000 of bonds was ordered sold and the proceeds were paid to the Circleville Glass Company, which was to be operated by Leopold Mamburg, F. C. Fuller and V. H. Ketchum, of Toledo, who were to locate, equip and fully operate a sheet glass plant of 10-pot capacity. The glass factory ran for only a short period. The building was afterward dismantled.

The Benner Furniture Company, of Union City, Indiana, was given -the proceeds from the sale of $18,000 of bonds and the erection of its building in the south part of the city was commenced but the building was never completed by this company, which fell into diffi-

From Howe's "* Historical Collections of Ohio."' culties at Union City, through suits for claims brought against it. By subsequent transfers the unfinished building came into the possession of the Winorr Canning Company, and it was rebuilt and is now included in the plant of the Pressing & Orr Company.

On April 8, 1893, a grant was made to the Midland Telephone Company, under which franchise the Central Union Telephone Company (the Bell company) now operates.

On March 20, 1895, the Buckeye Natural Gas Company was given the privilege of laying pipes in the streets, alleys, etc., for the purpose of conveying natural gas to the consumers.

J. M. Wilson, representing the Columbus & Southern Electric Railway Company, was, on March 6, Igo1, granted a franchise for an electric line on Court street.

Additions To The City Of Circleville Since Recent Citanges In The Corporation Limits

In 1891 the corporation limits were extended so as to take in considerable territory on the north, extending to the north line of Forest Cemetery. In the same year the corporation limits were extended in the southeastern part of the city. In 1892 the southern corporation limits were still further extended.

In 1906, by a decree of the Court of Common Pleas, about 200 acres of land lying along the Scioto River have been detached from the corporation limits.

was originally put in by the County Commissioners and runs from the Court House to the Scioto River. -It was later purchased by the city and several lateral mains connected on each side.

ah _ The buildings owned by the corporation of Circleville are the following: City Building, Engine House, Market House and 'City Cottage," a building bought for the home of the city marshal, but not used as such for several years.

The City Building Memorial Hall

Located on the corner of Franklin and South Court streets, opposite the Court House, was built in 1860-61. It is a brick structure, three stories high, 38 feet in width, fronting on Court street, by 75 feet in depth on Franklin street. William Doane was the designer of the plan and the superintendent of construction. The front part of the lower story was formerly occupied as an engine room of the Fire Department but is now under lease to W. R. Hosler and is occupied by the meat market of the W. R. Hosler Packing Company and J. P. Antill's retail confectionery. The mayor's office is in the west end, fronting on Franklin street. The Council-room is situated in the second story. The Board of Public Service, city engineer, city auditor and the Police Department are also accommodated in this building. In the basement under the mayor's office is the city prison. The building cost $15,000, which included the cost of the furniture for the mayor's office and Council-room and the city prison. MEMORIAL HALL culmination of a movement inaugurated over 20 years ago to erect a Soldiers' Monument. On May 17, 1886, an act was passed by the General Assembly of Ohio, authorizing the commissioners of Pickaway County, to erect such a monument. On March 19, 1889, another act was passed, which contained the same provisions as the first act and extended the time for doing the same. According to the terms of this act, also, the County Commissioners were authorized to pay to the order of the trustees of the Soldiers' Monumental Association of Pickaway County all funds raised in the county, and then in the said county treasury, for the purpose of purchasing a site and erecting thereon a building to be knows as a monumental or memorial hall, to perpetuate the memories of the soldiers and sailors of the county, who served in the wars of the United States. The title of the site and of the building to be erected thereon were to be vested in Pickaway Countly, and it was further provided that this site and all buildings thereon should be under the control and management of the trustees of the Soldiers' Monumental Association, who were to be the building committee. The act also provided that if the city of Circleville donated a sum, in connection with the the amount controlled or received by the trustees of the association, that would be sufficient to erect the building, the trustees were empowered to execute to the city of Circleville a lease for such part of the building, and fix such time and upon such terms, as might be agreed upon, to be used for public library and armory purposes.

A contract was then drawn up between the city, the Library Board and the Soldiers' Monumental Association of Pickaway County, which was signed by the contracting parties on May 109, 1890, and ratified by the City Council on May 21st. The term of lease for library and armory as provided was for 99 years, with privilege of reaewal, forever. Plans for the building were furnished by H. C. Lindsey, of Zanesville, architect. On September 8, 1890, the contract for labor, material and construction was let to James Duvault, of Zanesville, his bid being $27,838. On the 22nd of September, James A. Graham of Circleville was appointed superintendent of construction. The site was purchased of Mrs. Myra Ballard, for $5,500. The amount contributed by the city was $25,000, while $12,000 came from the Soldiers' Monumental Association.

The building is a three-story, pressed-brick structure trimmed in stone, located on the southwest corner of Main and Pickaway streets, the ground dimensions being 92 by 106 feet.

On the first floor are located the Armory (comprising a drill room, 60 by 60 feet, officers' room and gun room), and the quarters of the Public Library, which comprise a stack room 29 by 44 feet; children's room, 28 by 15 feet, which also contains the circulation desk and librarian's office; and two reading rooms, 25 by 32 and 23 by 35 feet, respectively. On the second floor are an assembly hall, 60 by go feet; a relic room and the lodge room of Groce Post, G. A. R. This latter room is 60 by 28 feet in dimensions; its walls are -inlaid with marble tablets inscribed with the names of the soldiers of Pickaway County. A dining room, a kitchen and a circular balcony overlooking the assembly hall are on the third floor. Storage rooms and the furnace are in the basement. The building is heated and lighted with natural gas; it is also wired throughout for electricity.

Memorial Hall was dedicated on the afternoon of December 29, t891, by appropriate exercises, the ceremonies being opened by an invocation by Rev. William MacMillan, of Lancaster, late of Circleville. M. B. Radcliffe, president of the Soldiers' Monumental Association, made an introductory address, which was followed by a concise sketch of the progress of the Public Library, given by Mayor J. Wheeler Lowe. Hon. Samuel F. Hunt, judge of the Superior Court in Cincinnati, was the orator of the day. Assembly Hall was filled. The committee on dedication was constituted as follows: President and officers of the Soldiers' Monumental Association; commanders of Groce, Morrison, Ferguson, Parsons and Wyatt posts, G. A. R.; mayor of the city, president of the Library Board, president of City Council, president of the Board of

County Commissioners; Col. Milton Merral, Capt. John W. Lowe, Charles W. Murphy, W. R. Duvall, Hon. Aaron R. Van Cleaf, Hon. Joseph P. Smith, \W. B. Marfield, G. C. Bayer, Col. Samuel W. Courtright and Col. Charles E. Groce. On the evening of dedication, a fair began which continued the remainder of the week, the proceeds of which were devoted' to buying jurniture for the library and assembly room. The Public Library was opened in this building on September 12, 1892.

The two cannons on the lawn were used on the U. S. gunboat 'General Sherman," on the Mississippi River in the Vicksburg campaign. One of these guns fired the shot that destroyed the last supplies of the besieged and caused their speedy surrender.

Circleville Public Library

That the library spirit was eary manifest in Circleville is evident from the fact that as far back as February 28, 1834, the Ohio Legislature incorporated the "Circleville Atheneum," an institution for the dissemination of knowledge through the channels of reading, discussions and lectures.

On April roth, those interested in the movement met at the Court House and elected officers, among them being Sylvester Dana, librarian, Mr. Dana had been, for several years, a law partner of Guy W. Doane, and, a number of years later, this firm being dissolved, conducted a school.

The books belonging to the S. S. Depository of Pick. Co. will he received on the 29th inst., and ready for distribution, on application to the subscriber in Circleville. Jas. Bett.

This probably referred to books belonging in common to the various Sunday-schools of the county, and could not b~ considered as a forerunner of our present library.

Bloomfield, then a thriving town, to establish a "social library' at that place, but as no further notice in regard to it ever appeared, it is probable that nothing was done there, and that the Circleville Atheneum Library was the first in the county.

Our first librarian had under his charge "one thousand volumes embracing a_ great variety of subjects" and also "the select reviews and periodicals of the day."

The first regular meeting of the Atheneum was held at the Methodist Meeting-House, on May 7,.1834, an inaugural address - '"tasteful, appropriate and impressive' - being delivered to "the members of the association and a large assemblage of citizens" by the president, William B. Thrall, editor of the Herald.

During the entire existence of the Atheneum, a regular feature of the semi-monthly meetings was a debate, the question for the first meeting being 'Is a republican or monarchical form of government the best adapted to the development of mind?" The hour of meeting was sometimes named, but more often the time designated was that which comes to our ears with a rather vague sound, known as "early candle lighting." At first the meetings were usually called for the Court House, although the basement story of St. Philip's Church was once named, and quite often the "library room." As no definite place was assigned to this room until a later date, it is probable that the room referred to was merely that set apart in the Court House for the use of the association. But the next year they evidently acquired their own room, for the meeting of October 19, 1835, was called to be held at "the Atheneum room, in the front chamber of Dr. Olds' new building on the circle, south corner of East Main street."

On April 6, 1835, new officers of the association had been elected, among them being R. D. Atwater, secretary, and Edwin F. Olds, librarian. The third set of officers was chosen on April 5, 1836, at which time Dr. James N. Fitch became librarian.

All persons having books or reviews belonging to the Atheneum are requested to return the same to the office of G. W. Doane; as a sale of the same is contemplated, to pay the debts of the Institution, soon provided for otherwise.

N. Franklin

The same committee requested the stockholders of the Atheneum to meet on October 26, 1839, for the purpose of deciding upon the sale of the property belonging thereto, and added that, the members failing to meet, they would consider themselves authorized to transact this business. No further notice appeared, and the supposition is, of course, that the books were sold, though who alah them will probably never be know n.

But there is no doubt that the Atheneum had ended at this time, for Mrs. Foster gave notice that she would begin the second quarter of her school on October 2nd, in the room formerly occupied by the Atheneum, immediately over the Circleville Drug Store.

About the time the older association was discontinued, a call was issued for those in terested in organizing a lyceum to meet in the room over the Circleville Drug Store, on Saturday evening, June 16, 1838.

This first meeting must have proved successful, for, although no report can be found, a call was issued, the next week, signed by H. W. Smith, secretary, for a meeting to be held at the room formerly occupied by the Atheneum, to discuss the question "'Hias nature done more for the happiness of man than art?"

B. S. Olds was president of the Lyceum, while the secretary, Mr. Smith, kept a school in the room over Dr. Olds' drug-store, which was used for the evening meetings of the Lyceum, as it had been formerly, for those of the Atheasking that all persons having books belonging } neum.

To the call for meeting, date of September I, 1838, is added: "Clergymen are particularly invited. The ladies are most respectfully yet with all true deference also invited."

In the beginning only discussions were held, but we find a lecture announced for October 2nd, "on a scientific subject, which will be both entertaining and instructive."

On February 23, 1839, we find a call for a meeting, at which, beside the usual discussion, would be given a lecture on physiology. This is the last notice we find of the Lyceum, which was, very probably, continued as La Societe des Debats, a call for meeting of which, at the Circleville Academy, was isstied June 28, 1839, by James M. Bean, secretary. Later J. H. Tyler was secretary.

In the paper preceding that which contained the notice for the sale of the old Atheneum effects, appeared the last call we have been able to find for a meeting of this French debating society.

It is doubtful if either it or its predecessor, the Lyceum, had in connection a library, for no mention has been found of either books or librarian. But the Circleville Lyceum was revived, though nothing definite as to how or when is found, except that on June 16, 1840, a call for meeting was issued by J. Cradlebaugh, secretary.

either the same association, with a slight change of name, or its immediate successor. It Hourished from 1845 and ran along the same general lines as the earlier institutions. A most interesting description of one of the meetings of the Lyceum was given, verbally, by G. I. Wittich, who remembers very distinctly having attended meetings of both the earlier and later lyceum associations, the first held, as before stated, in the former Atheneum room, over the Circleville Drug Store and the latter in the old Academy building.

The meeting in question, Mr. Wittich said, was of particular interest to him because the subject for debate was ''Resolved, that immigration is beneficial to this country." As he had recently arrived here from Germany, he listened with great pleasure to Matthew Mc- Crea's handling of the affirmative and awaited with anxiety the verdict which, we are glad to record, upheld Mr. McCrea, as against the debaters on the negative, the names of whom

Although there is no reference in the newspapers of the time either to library or librarian in connection with this later Lyceum, it is certain that they existed, for after a search through the books of Everts School Library, which at first seemed likely to prove fruitless, as the books had been relabeled, one was found at length, containing the Pickaway Lyceum label.

There is a tradition that in 1851 the building containing the Lyceum room was burned and that, upon the completion of the schoolhouse, the books were taken there for safe keeping, where they formed the nucleus for a school library. But that these books were perhaps regarded more as a public than as a school possession seems obvious from the fact that in the Public Library collection, to-day, is a set of Dugald Stewart's works, in seven volumes, bearing the same label and the imprint ""Cambridge, Hilliard and Brown, 1829." Whether or not the books of earlier publication, many of which we have, belonged to the Atheneum or Lyceum collections, there is no way to determine.

There seems to be a feeling among some or our citizens, that the Pickaway Lyceum and the old Lyceum room at Everts school building had a direct connection; but I am sure this idea is erroneous, and that its only foundation is the similarity of names and the fact that in this room, where the pupils collected to "speak their pieces," were arranged in cases the books of the Ohio School Library.

Now, for almost 20 years, the library spirit in Circleville lay dormant, and one might have thought it entirely dead. But not so; for it revived when several women, among them Mrs. N. E. Jones, Mrs. Amos Beach, Mrs. Samuel A. Moore and Mrs. Kingsley Ray instituted a magazine club. They also collected quite a number of books, which became a circulating library among the club members. When a moyement to create a public library was agitated, the ladies turned these books over to the city.

At the time of establishing this club, several other ladies, prominent among whom were Mrs. Aaron R. VanCleaf, Mrs. Sophia Crouse and Mrs. E. Z. Hays, were invited to join; but they declined as they wished to devote their efforts in this line to the establishing of a reading room, that the young men of the town might be benefited. They therefore, in 1869, in connection with several public-spirited men, established a Young Men's Christian Association, with a magazine reading room and some books. Among these gentlemen were George Gregg and William B. Drum, the latter of whom from this time until his death, in 1885, was connected with the Circleville Library.

But the opening of Peck's Hall had to some extent divided the profits from these sources and Mr. Wittich, upon renting to the Y. M. C. A., had the stage and gallery taken out and a partition put in, making the front part an audience room and the back part a reading room. Dr. Kingsley Ray had charge of the books at this time. In January, 1871, the ladies, in order to add more books gave a two-days' entertainment, features of which were a dinner, and the voting of a gold-headed cane to the most popular clergyman and a cross of "skeleton leaves" to the most beautiful girl. The sum of $500 was cleared.

Soon after this, the Y. M. C. A. failing to receive proper support from the public, and it becoming evident that the class of young men which this movement was designed to reach did not care to read, the Y. M. C. A. was given up, the managers offering Mr. Wittich a bonus to release them from their contract.

The same quarters were occupied in Mr. Wittich's building; but the subscription plan seems to have proved unsatisfactory, for on January 17, 1873, the City Council met to consider a proposition of the trustees of the Library Association to donate the library to the city.

The first board of directors was elected on May Ist, with W. Marshall Anderson as president, and William B. Marfield, secretary and treasurer. A. J. Bennett was the first librarian under city management.

On July 1, 1873, the effects of the library were moved, under the superintendence of D. P. Barks, a member of the board, to the room in Odd Fellows' Hall, leased by the City Council for library purposes. In consideration of the use of an office room, fuel and light, E. B. Bauder undertook to look after the library, those wishing a book going to him for the key. But as this plan was calculated to interfere with his business, besides being inconvenient for the patrons of the library, it was soon given up, and Miss Ella Barks was elected librarian. Her first report (for two months) showed 974 volumes on the shelves, besides 51 volumes of unbound magazines; 935 books were issued for this period.

An interesting and perhaps unique feature of the library during the time it was kept up by subscription, as well as for a year or moré after it became a public institution, was the series of public readings ard entertainments given under the auspices of the board of managers. These readings, which were free, were held every Tuesday evening, at the library room, and were participated in by nearly all the literary and musical people of the town. A lecture would occasionally be given - and once even, a comedy was enacted - at Peck's Hall, for which a small admission fee was charged. Almost the last of these entertainments advertised was a lecture on his travels in Mexico, to be'delivered by Col. W. Marshall -\nderson, "the proceeds to be applied to the purchase of an organ for the use of the library room.' Unfortunately, for those who might have heard him, Colonel Anderson was ill, and the lecture was never given.

The first president of the Library Board was a man of learning and culture and an enthusiastic student of American Archaeology. For several years a cabinet of Indian curiosities, collected by him, had a place in the Public Library, but upon his death this collection, which was considered by those versed in antiquities as an unusually rich one, was removed.

Colonel Anderson took a deep and active interest in all movements tending to the welfare of the little town built in a circle, and in none of these enterprises was his support more hearty and enthusiastic than in the affairs of the library.

At first, no regular appropriation was made by the city government for the support of their new protege; the City Council merely made an allowance (I believe $250) for the purpose of adding to the stock of books turned over by the stock company and the ladies. But as such support for a public educational institution was too uncertain, the board of managers in their first annual report to the City Council, recommended that a tax be levied for the support of the Library, it being estimated that the expenses for the next year would be $1,000.

Pending this report, Colonel Anderson wrote an open letter which goes to prove that it is no new thing for City Councils to consider the Public Library of small importance compared with other enterprises, for he says, "the managers have been crossed by a false economy. * * * We 'demand a fair, liberal and prompt. advancement of the corporation taxes. * * * A crochet has entered the minds of certain members of our

* * * <A gravel bank or a gutter is the height of their ambition!" We are glad to know that the appropriation was granted, and from that time to this, though the advancement has not been exactly fair and never liberal, it has always been prompt.

On May 25, 1875, Messrs. Ely and Leuthstrom bestowed upon the library a valuable gift - files of the Olive. Branch and the old Circleville Herald from February, 1821, to February, 1837, inclusive. The library has from time to time, especially during the '80's, received the gift of valuable books both in separate volumes and in sets. These include some rare government publications.

Dr. Marcus Brown, who died in 1881, and who had through his life felt a deep interest in the library, bequeathed to the institution the sum of $10,000, subject to the life estate of his niece.

The next summer the directors, in conjunction with the City Council, ordered a portrait of Dr. Brown to be painted; L. E. Johnson performed the work and accomplished a striking likeness to his subject. The picture now hangs above the mantel in one of the reading rooms. It is one of the most treasured possessions of the library.

During the summer of 1892 the library was closed in order to move, catalogue and rearrange the books, new quarters having been secured in Memorial Hall, the City Council having a 99 years' lease of the lower floor. It was again opened to' the public on September 12, 1892.

"Mr. M. B. Radcliffe was elected an honorary member of the Library as a slight remembrance of his untiring efforts to procure for the Public Library the splendid suite of rooms they now occupy." (Extract from Secretary's report, May 25, 1894.)

After becoming a public institution, the library was managed as provided by ordinance passed by the City Council, until May, 1892, when, the General Assembly of Ohio having, on March 15, 1892, passed "an act providing for the creation of library boards for certain cities and villages, and prescribing the duties of such boards," the library was reorganized, the City Council electing a board of six directors as follows: Hon. Aaron R. Van Cleaf, Gustavus A. Schleyer, Fred L. Fickardt, Prof. M. H. Lewis, Rev. J. H. Schneider and Samuel Morris.

With the enactment of the new municipal code, which took effect May 4, 1903, the power to appoint directors of city libraries was given to the mayor, with the direction that not more than three of the six directors shall be of the same political party.

Since coming into its present commodious quarters, the library has grown from 5,000 to 15,000 volumes; new methods approved by advanced library workers have been adopted and many improvements made. Among these may be mentioned the classification of the whole library under the Dewey decimal system, and the making of a card catalogue based 'upon the Cutter rules; and the adding of the books of the "Ohio Pupils' Reading Course," together with supplementary reading for school children to the number of about 1,000 volumes.

A fairly good reference collection is kept up, and'an unusually large amount of work done with the general public and Particularly with school children and clubs.

In short as our Public Library stands today, it maintains the position which it took several years back - '"considering the size of the town, it is the best library in the State."

Appended is a complete list of librarians, with time of service, since the library became -a public institution: A. J. Bennett, May 1 to July 1, 1873; Ed. B. Bauder, July 1 to December 1, 1873; Miss Ella Barks, December 1,

The Circleville Home And Hospital

Dates from the incorporation of the institution, April 11, 1894, the incorporators being Mrs. Elizabeth S. Renick, Mrs. Dorothy R. Turney, Mrs. Sarah A. Heffner, Mrs. Annie S. Sears and Mrs. Rose L. Morris. To Mrs. Sarah A. Heffner is given the credit of conceiving the idea of establishing an institution in Circleville, which should combine under one management the two features of a home for aged people and a hospital. Her indefatigable efforts brought about favorable action on the part of the benevolent women of Circleville, which resulted in the splendid institution of to-day, which is a credit to Circleville and Pickaway County. It is non-sectarian and can never be controlled or managed by any one church or denomination.

At'the time the institution was incorporated. the Ohio street school building for colored pupils had been vacant for eight years, ever since the passage of the act by the General Assembly, making it no longer possible to conduct separate schools for the colored youth. The ladies of the organization applied to the Board of Education and were granted the use of this building so long as the purposes of the institution should be maintained. The building, which had been erected as early as. 1871, was greatly in need of repair, and was also of an inadequate size for the two departments of the institution; so it was remodeled throughout and dn addition built before the institution was formally opened. It was dedicated May 9, 1895. Some three or four years. later another addition was built. The cost of the two additions, with all the other improvements that have been made, is estimated. to have exceeded $8,000.

The whole structure, including the additions, is what might' be termed a two-and-a-half story building. The hospital department, contained in the two additions, consists of six private rooms, one ward with six beds, a wellequipped operating room, a nurse's room and a doctor's room. At the present time there are 15 inmates of the home - 14 women and one man - which is as many as the home can accommodate. All persons admitted to the home as members must be 50 years old, the admission fee being graded according to the age of the applicant. While the home and the hospital are treated as two separate departments, they are managed as one,' both having the same kitchen, laundry, etc., and both being heated by the same furnace. The furnace and laundry are located in a building inthe rear. There is also a stable and a chicken house.

The institution is now entirely free from debt, the large indebtedness that was incurred when the home and hospital was put in operation having been cleared. Ever since the institution was started, a Home and Hospital Tair has been held annually in October, in the County Commissioners' room in the Court House; donations: from friends throughout the county and city are received here and meals are also served. 'This is the grand event of the year.

The first officers were: Mrs. Sarah A. Heffner, president; Mrs. Huldah A. Lewis, vice-president; and Mrs. Annie S. Sears, secretary and treasurer. Mrs. Heffner has continued to hold the office of president from that time to this, and Mrs. Sears has been secretary for the same period. This past year, Mrs. Heffner alsS assumed the duties of treasurer, which office had been held by Mrs. Sears up to this time, while the latter took upon herself the duties of vice-president. Mrs. Sears shares with Mrs. Heffner the credit for the success of the institution. The executive committee is constituted as follows: Mrs. Sarah A. Heffner, Mrs. Annie S. Sears, Mrs. Hannah A. Row, Mrs. Rose L. Morris and Mrs. Eliza H. Grant. The members of the advisory committee are as follows: Mrs. Elizabeth S.

Renick, Mrs. Dorothy R. Turney, Mrs. Susan I. Harper, Mrs. Jennie R. Courtright and Mrs. Mary H. Dunlap. The members of the executive and advisory committees with the following-named ladies constitute the board of

Missouri C. Bell, Mrs. Fannie D. Swearingen and Mrs, Sarah FE. List. Mrs. Sarah A. lulkerson was the first: matron. Mrs. Sarah Ie. List now fills the position.

Grand Opera House

Circleville's handsome opera house was erected in 1888 and is one of the important The seating capacity of its auditorium is goo. Its stage is 34 by

The original incorporators were: William Roth, Dr. Thomas Blackstone, H. P. l'olsom, Charles K. Kellstadt, William B. Drum, George W. Bauder and Dr. M. H. Miesse, George W. Bauder being president and Dr. Thomas Blackstone, secretary and treasurer.

The present officers are: Gottlieb Hartmeyer, president; Harp Van Riper, secretary; and Dr. M. H. Miesse, treasurer. The board of directors includes the officers and, also, George H. Pontius, Henry P. Folsom, William Roth and Dr. George T. Row. The above parties own the building, but they have given a lease on it until 1908.