Richland County, Ohio - The whole text, 1908 (part 6 of 16)

The cowardly and premeditated assassination of John Fox occurred Thursday evening, March 8, 1883, about two miles south of Bellville. on the road leading east from Honey Creek schoolhouse.

John and Daniel Fox were brothers. On the morning of the day of the fatal tragedy they had come to Mansfield together in a two-horse wagon, and at the City mills exchanged wheat for flour and bran. They left Mansfield about five o'clock for their home, fourteen miles distant, and at about eight-thirty o clock. when in a slight hollow a half mile east of the Honey Creek schoolhouse, an assassin fired two shots, killing John instantly. Dan claimed that he jumped from the wagon when John was attacked, and that as he essayed to run he was shot in the leg. The postmortem examination of John's body showed from the course the bullets had taken. it was evident the assassin either stood on the back end of the wagon or in it, the shots having been fired froin the rear, and as the hair on the back of John's head was singed. the latter seemed the more plausible theory. John was sitting in front driving the team when attacked. Dan reached the house of a neighbor by going across fields, where he gave the alarm and was given attention as he was suffering from loss of blood.

A searching party found the wagon standing at the cross roads, distant about midway between the scene of the tragedy and the Fox residence. the horses having become frightened at the shooting, ran that distance when the pin of the doubletree jumped out, and the team became detached from the wagon and ran to the barn. John was found lying as he had fallen, with his face upward and his head in a pool of blood.

The people for miles around were aroused over this cowardly murder, but no evidence was ever obtained sufficient to justify an arrest. Dan Fox is now dead.

On Sunday, September 20, 1885, Clara Hough was murdered at the western outskirts of the city, in a ravine a short distance south of the B. & O. railroad. Her body was not discovered for several days. She had been a domestic in the family of J. W. Dougal, of West Fourth street. The theory that she was murdered by a tramp was generally accepted. Recent developments. however. may throw some light upon the mystery in the near future.

Samuel Chew was assaulted and robbed on the night of August 25, 1887. and died without regaining consciousness. He and his wife were alone at the time. and she claimed the deed was committed by masked men. but there was not sufficeut evidence to fasten guilt upon any one. Mrs. Chew died within the past vear. She was Mr. Chew's second wife.

Samuel Chew lived at the top of the Mohawk Hill, on the road leading from Lucas to Perrysville. on the farm now owned by the Rev. Mr. Grau. Samuel Chew was well advanced in vears; was an exemplary man. and his tragic death cast a gloom over that whole community. It is now generally conceded that this mystery will never be revealed upon earth.

Frederick Boebel wa- killed and robbed while coming on a freight train from Crestline to Mansfield. on the night of April 28, 1895, and his murderers. supposed to have been tramps. were never apprehended. Boebei Was a contractor and lived in Mansfield.

William Kern left Mansfield July 30, 1895, on eleven-fifteen morning train for Perrvsville to buy stock. He walked from Perrysville back to Lueas. arriving at the latter place between four and five o'clock in the afternoon. Upon learning that he would have to wait about three hours for a train to Mansfield. he concluded to walk home and was last seen alive near Chew's crossing at about five-thirty o'clock. His dead body was found the next morning by a freight crew yoing east. It was evident there had been foul play. as his pockets had been rifled of over one hundred dollars, which he was known to have had with him at the time. Mr. Kern was a highly respected citizen of Mansfield. and one of our most prosperous business men.

J. Albert Hine was assaulted and shot the evening of November 22, 1897. while going from his grocery on Sturges avenue to his home on Ritter street. and he died from the effect of the wounds, then inflicted, September 11, 1898. Although Mr. Hine saw his assailant he did not recognize him, and the assassin and the motive for the assassination remain among the unsolved criminal mysteries of the county.

Other crimes might be mentioned. the perpetrators of which have also gone unpunished by the law. But the murderers can not escape punishment for their crimes. for if it is not meted out to them here, it will be in the life to come. for "vengeance is mine and I will repay, saith the Lord."

The evening gloaming may come softly, ladened with the perfume of flowers, but the murderer imagines something unnatural in the calmness and something uncanny in the scent of the perfumed air. for he thinks an avenging Nemesis is ever following him, and he sees weird figures in the shadows as the twilight creeps under the blue arch that was so beautiful at the sunset. And if the stars, which at first shone with their usual brilliancy, become obscured in vaporing mists, making moving shapes of inanimate objects, causing flitting shadows to fade away as swiftly as they took form, all combine to carry terror to the souls of murderers, for those who violate the commandment written upon tablets of stone at Mt. Sinai - 'Thou shalt do no murder"' - and although hand joined in hand they can not escape the vengeance of the Almighty.

Hon. John Sherman

One of the greatest of Ohio's sons, as well as one of the most prominent and influential of our national characters, passed away in the person of John Sherman, who departed this life October 22, 1900, at his home in Washington, D. C. He was buried at Mansfield. Mr. Sherman belonged to a distinguished family. America has produced families no less illustrious than those of old England or the Continental countries. But America': families are eminent through the law of heredity and not the law of patent nobility. The Adamses and Washburns, the Harrisons. the Bayards and the Shermans are notable examples of this law.

John Sherman was born in Lancaster, Ohio. May 10, 1823. He was descended from a long line of Puritan ancestors in Massachusetts and Connecticut. His father, Charles Robert Sherman, was a man of great legal ability and acumen. He was elected by the legislature as a judge of the supreme court of Ohio in 1823, and served until his death. June 24, 1829. Judge Sherman left a wife, eleven children and no property. The children had to "shift for themselves."" The school of life was their academy. They graduated with the highest honors. 'After Judge Sherman's death, John came to Mt. Vernon to live with a cousin. In 1837, at the age of fourteen, he obtained a position as, rodsman on the government works on the Muskingum river, but after two years' service was dismissed because of his open advocacy of the principles of the Whig party. He then turned his attention to the law, came to Mansfield, took up his residence with his brother Charles, in whose office he pursued his legal studies and was admitted to the Bar May 11, 1844. His public and political career began with his being a delegate from Ohio to the National Whig convention at Philadelphia in 1848, of which body he was secretary. In 1854 he was elected to congress as an anti-Nebraska Republican from the Thirteenth (Mansfield) district. He was re-elected to congress in 1856, 1858 and 1860. In the thirty-sixth congress (1858) he was the Republican candidate for speaker and came within two votes of being elected. On March 23, 1861, Mr. Sherman took his seat in the United States senate, to which he had been elected by the Ohio legislature. He was reelected to the senate in 1856, in 1872, 1881. 1886 and 1892. In 1867 he introduced the Refunding act. which was adopted in 1870, without the resumption clause. In 1874. he introduced the famous Resumption act, which passed the senate the same vear and the house early in 1875. This bill fixed the date for its going into effect as January 1, 1879. In 1877. Mr. Sherman was appointed secretary of the treasury by President Hayes, and thus had the interesting and unique experience of carrying out the crowning triumph of his fiscal policy, which he, as senator, had originated and advocated. The resumption of specie payments by the government was accomplished, despite the dismal forebodings of other acknowledged financiers. He resigned the senatorship March 4, 1897, to accept the office of secretary of state in President McKinley's cabinet. He occupied this position until April 28, 1898, when the arduous duties incident to his office and his own declining health necessitated his retirement from public life - a public life extending over half a century, a period of service almost unparalleled in American history.

In 1880, John Sherman was the most prominent candidate for the presidency, but James A. Garfield's speech, in nominating Mr. Sherman so captivated the convention, that the nominator himself became the nominee of the party. Again in 1884, Mr. Sherman's name was formally presented to the National convention, but James G. Blaine was nominated. In 1888 John Sherman was the foremost candidate in the National convention, leading all others in several ballots, but Benjamin Harrison was nominated.

John Sherman was no ordinary man. He averaged above the level of modern statesmen. From the beginning of the Civil war to the time of his retirement in 1898, Mr. Sherman was a most notable figure in the halls of congress for many years. He was four times elected to the House of Representatives and six times to the United States Senate. He was twice a cabinet officer. Such a career was only possible to a man of high qualities and commanding talent. In his long and unbroken official career, Mr. Sherman held the confidence of the public, not only of his native state, but the entire country, and will be classed in history as a statesman and politician of the highest class. He was an influential participant in many of the great events of our national history durng the period of the Civil war, and the days of the subsequent reconstruction. He was a close student of all economical and political questions. He was not an enthusiast nor a popular orator. He never posed for applause, he never "'played to the grand stand," he never indulged in the graces of rhetoric, he was never magnetic. He was cold, austere and dignified. His mind was not brilliant, but legal and judicial. His power of analysis was remarkable. His reasoning clear and logical, and his conclusions convincing. He was listened to and followed and elected, because of the belief that he was a safe guide. In sentiment and speech he lacked descriptive power, humor, wit, geniality and pathos. Like Brutus, he "only spoke right on." He was a man of indomitable industry, he ever worshiped at the shrine of work. He succeeded more by close application than all else. He was never a demagogue. He was a natural financier. Monetary matters were the normal subjects of his mind and study; the favorite field of his thought and action, as military affairs were to his distinguished brother, General William Tecumseh Sherman, who was one of our greatest soldiers and chieftains.

Mr. Sherman's last appearance before a public audience was at the annual meeting of the Richland County Historical society held in the common pleas court room of the Mansfield courthouse, Saturday, June 2, 1900. Mr. Sherman was at home for the summer, and was invited to attend the meeting. He came in during the afternoon session, and as he entered the room, the audience rose to receive him, and the officers of the -society advanced and extended him hearty greetings, and having acknowledged the same, Mr. Sherman walked over to Judge Sloane, grasped him by the hand and the two engaged for a few moments in conversation, after which he spoke to and shook hands with a number of persons in the audience. He then took the seat which had been assigned to him. At the conclusion of Judge Sloane's address, Senator Sherman was called upon for remarks, and spoke briefly, as follows:

"T am overcome by your most friendly greeting and enthusiastic reception, so unexpected and so complimentary. When I entered this room I had no idea of making a speech. You ought to have called on some of these other men who could have given you a better one; there is George Carpenter and there is (naming different men who were in the audience) all these men ought to say something. But I can assure you that it is a great pleasure to be with you today and to listen with you to the very able, interesting and instructive address by my old friend, Judge Sloane, of Sandusky, who has given us an address which is every word history, real truthful history, and from which all of us may learn. It is full of interesting facts and data and sketches of pioneer days in Northern Ohio. It will be valuable to preserve; teachers and scholars in the public schools and students of history should read the address carefully. It is complete in data and statistics. You can not expect an address from me after this address of Mr. Sloane on our Pioneer days and I will only attempt to tell you how glad I am to be here and what a great pleasure it is for me to be with you my friends upon this occasion and to see around me so many old familiar friends whom I have known so long and so well. This has been my home nearly all my life. having lived here more than sixty years, and while called by public duties for a portion of my time each year to Washington yet I have always been glad to return to my Mansfield home and I can never forget the kindness shown me here, the friendships, the honors heaped upon me by friends and neighbors here in Ohio, but I am taking more of your time than I had intended and must bring my remarks to a close. Again I thank you one and all for your kind welcome and wish you all God's blessing."

Senator Sherman's speech, although brief, was specially noteworthy as the last public address in his long and eventful career, and was his last appearance before a public audience. His death occurred a few months later.

Senator John Sherman died at his home on K street, Washington, ate at six:forty-five a. m., October 22, 1900. Brief funeral services were held at the residence at one p. m. on ae 23d, conducted by the Rev. Dr. Mackeyree : Se

The Senator Sherman Homestead

Smith. The train which brought the remains to Mansfield left Washington three:twenty o'clock, after the funeral, and arrived in Mansfield in the forenoon of October 25. The remains were taken from the Union depot to the Episcopal church, where they were viewed by thousands of people prior to the funeral in the afternoon.

"John Sherman, the honored citizen of Mansfield, as well as the statesman, is no more. All Mansfield turned out to-day to assist in closing the pages of a most eventful life. Business was almost entirely suspended from break of day until the last rites were performed at the cemetery. It was particularly fitting that the old neighbors and friends should have charge of the obsequies.

"People of all classes of life vied with each other to honor the departed statesman at his home. It had originally been decreed that the final funeral services in Mansfield should be simple and without pomp and ceremony, but as the time for the appearance of the body of the deceased statesman approached people began to realize that John Sherman, who had been a national figure for so many years, is gone. The loss of such a man to nation and state is incalculable. Although the city had been draped in mourning since the death was announced, the placing of emblems of mourning did not really begin until yesterday afternoon and last evening.

"The arch which was ordered erected across Main street at the intersection of Park avenue west, in front of Central park, was begun about four o'clock Wednesday afternoon and was not finished until about nine o'clock this morning. The arch which is one of the official tributes of a city mourning for her distinguished son is befitting to the occasion. It extends from the street car track to the curbing in front of Central park and is imposing and tasteful. It represents the combined and almost unceasing work of nearly twenty-five men over night. The arch is draped in black with festooning of white in proper proportions to relieve the monotony of the structure. The arch was designed by Vernon Redding, the local architect, and was built under the direction of Captain Ed Slough and the architect On the oval space just above the driveway appears this inscription:

"At the lower left-hand corner is the date of the birth of Sherman, '1823,' and at the opposite side is the date of death, '1900.' The words and figures are in gold and each side of the arch is an exact counterpart of the - other. A picture of ex-Secretary Sherman is suspended from the center of arch, while from the top of the arch which resembles the rampart of a fort are suspended the national colors. The draping of the arch is the work of Robert Maxwell, Jr. .

"The committee on arrangements were busy all day yesterday in making preparations for the reception of the remains and the last ceremonies, which were held here to-day. Last evening Congressman W. S. Kerr, who was placed in charge of all arrangements for the final service in this city, received a dispatch from Canton to the effect that President McKinley's party would consist of ten persons, as follows: .

"President McKinley, Judge W. R. Day, of Canton; Colonel Myron T. Herrick, of Cleveland, national Republican committeeman; General George R. Garrettson, of Cleveland; Samuel. Mather, of Cleveland; the Hon. James H. Hoyt, of Cleveland; George B. Cortelyou, secretary to the president, and three Canton friends, who were not named.

"At six o'clock Wednesday night the local hotels begam to receive their quota of visitors from out of the city. Among the arrivals last night were Hoyt Sherman, a brother of John Sherman, and his son, Frank A. Sherman, who reside at Des Moines, Iowa. They stopped at the Vonhof hotel, which place they will make their headquarters while in the city. Hoyt Sherman is one of two surviving brothers of John Sherman. He resembles the aged statesman in general appearance very much except that he is considerably heavier.

Awaiting The Funeral Train

"At nine-thirty o'clock people began going to the union depot to witness the arrival of the funeral party and by ten o'clock the hour of the arrival of the special train from Washington several thousand people were present. Company M, Eighth Regiment Ohio National Guard, marched to the depot without music or drum of any description, and under command of Captain Hughes deployed along the Pennsylvania depot platform leading to where the carriages were located. The members of the city police force were also on duty and a squad under Chief Barrett was on the platform within the lines of the troops. Mayor Brown and the citizens' committee consisting of M. B. Bushnell, M. L. Miller, H. P. Davis, Nelson Ozier and H. M. Weaver. were present to receive the remains of their townsman. The survivors of the Sherman brigade were drawn up next to the hearse. The remnant of the once proud brigade carried a stand of colors and all members wore crepe decorations on their arms. Major Marquis, the marshal of the day, was at the Baltimore & Ohio depot to receive Governor Nash and his party and Captain Ed Slough, chief of staff, was detailed to take supervision of matters at the union depot.

State Officials Arrive Governor Nash, Senator Foraker, And Other Notables Come From

"Governor George K. Nash and party arrived in the city on the B. & O. at ten twenty-four and quite a crowd of people were at the depot when the train arrived. A committee of citizens, including M. B. Bushnell, W. S. Cappeller, C. L. M. Stark and others met the governor and other distinguished visitors at the depot and they were placed in the ten carriages in waiting, and joined the funeral procession at Main street. In addition to the governor there were in the party which arrived at this time, Senator Joseph B. Foraker, Secretary of State Kinney, Auditor of State W. D. Guilbert, General Charles Dick, Captain Jacob C. Donaldson, D. K. Watson.

George Hay, of Coshocton; J. E. Blackburn state dairy and food commissioner: L. D. Bonebrake, state commissioner of common schools; I. B. Cameron, Dr. E. G. Carpenter, superintendent of the state hospital for the insane at Columbus; Chief Justice Schauck, of the supreme court; Judge W. C. Davis, Judge W. T. Spear, D. Hillis, superintendent of the industrial school for boys at Lancaster; Colonel Fred Blankner and Mr. McComb, of Columbus, a nephew of Mr. Sherman. Quite a large number of other Columbus people arrived on the same train as well as people from various points along the line. The cars of the train were filled.

The Funeral Train Arrives, Accompanied By The President And Other Notables

"The special train arrived from Washington on time. The private car of President McKinley and also of Colonel Myron T. Herrick, of Cleveland. were attached to the rear of the funeral train, both having been put on at Canton. The party from Canton included President McKinley, George B. Cortelvou, Judge W. R. Day, Judge Baldwin, Secretary of War Elihu Root, Myron T. Herrick, J. H. Hoyt, General Garrettson and Samuel Mather, all of Cleveland.

"The procession moved out on Diamond street and at Sixth street the main column was joined or met by the party of Governor Nash, who, together with the state officials were there to receive the remains of the distinguished statesman and pay honor and respect to all that was mortal of the great statesman.

"Slowly and with measured tread the remains of John Sherman were taken to Grace Episcopal church. At the head of the column was Captain Ed Slough and Lieutenant Huston. Next came a platoon of city police, under command of Chief Barrett. The carriages containing the noted people followed. In the leading carriage were Congressman Kerr, President McKinley, Secretary Root and Private Secretary Cortelyou. The second carriage contained W. M. Hann, George B. Frease, postmaster of Canton; Judge Baldwin and Judge Day. The third carriage contained General Garrettson, Colonel Herrick, James H. Hoyt and Samuel Mather and in the fourth carriage were General Miles, Colonel Parker and others. Governor Nash, Senator Foraker, Congressman Dick and party from Columbus occupied the remaining carriages.

"The hearse came next in the column and it was immediately followed by the survivors of the Sherman brigade. Company M, O. N. G., brought up the rear of the escort. All along the streets traversed by the remains the people were standing in respectful silence. Arrived at the church the pall bearers left their carriage, but they did not officiate in handling the casket. The latter was taken from the hearse and carried into the church by a detail of city police officers, consisting of Captain Crider and Officers Swassick, Gray and Slaybaugh.

following: General Nelson A. Miles, Colgate Hoyt, P. T. Sherman, Frank B. Wiborg, John Sherman Hoyt, William McCord, Alfred W. Hoyt and Charles M. Sherman.

"The Rev. A. B. Putnam, pastor of Grace Episcopal church, seneas the remains at the altar attired in his robes. He held a short service after the body had been placed in position and the casket had been opened. A detail of police and several members of the Sherman brigade were placed on duty as a guard of honor in the church. After the casket had been placed in position photographs were taken before the church was opened to the public.

The Floral Pieces

"The floral tributes were very beautiful and numerous. The piece which was presented by the city of Mansfield was emblematic of the fact that Sherman has laid down the cross of life and taken up the crown. The piece was in the nature of a column. The base represented the Rock of Ages and was made of roses and chrysanthemums and orchids. Immediately on top of this was the rock work from which rose the cross. The cross was made of white roses garlanded with pink.

"The party from Washington included Mr. and Mrs. J. I. McCallum, E. J. Babcock, private secretary of John Sherman, General Nelson A. Miles and Mrs. Miles, Mr. and Mrs. Colgate Hoyt, of New York; P. T. Sherman, a son of General Sherman; Miss Lizzie Sherman, a daughter of General Sherman; Mr. and Mrs. Frank B. Wiborg, of Cincinnati; Mrs. Otis, of New York, a cousin of the Shermans, John Sherman Hoyt, of New York; Charles M. Sherman, of Chicago; P. T. Sherman, a nephew of General Sherman; Mrs. Reber, daughter of General Miles; Colonel Whitley, of General Miles' staff; Alfred Hoyt, of New York; Myron M. Parker, of Washington; Mrs. Rachel Thorndyke, of Boston, daughter of General Sherman; Hon. A. A. Adee, assistant secretary of state; Miss McCallum, sister of J. I. McCallum.

"Tt was desirable to have the train wait a few minutes on the governor's train which arrived from Columbus at ten:twenty-four a. m. so that the funeral party did not leave the train immediately upon its arrival. As soon as it was announced that Governor Nash's train had reached the depot those on the Pennsylvania special left the train. First came President McKinley, escorted by Mayor Brown and the committee of five citizens. As the president of the United States passed through the lines of waiting troops Captain . Hughes gave the order to present arms and the president acknowledged the courtesy by lifting his hat and bowing as he reached the head of the column. Captain Ed Slough, chief of staff, and the representative of the marshal, led the way to the carriage. The president was closely followed by Captain Foster, the secret service detective, who accompanies him everywhere. The balance of the noted people who had arrived on the train from Washington and Canton were then escorted to the other carriages, which were in waiting.

"The body of Mr. Sherman was removed from the baggage car and placed in the waiting hearse. The remains were accompanied here by a Washington undertaker and he was assisted by the local undertaker, John

"There was absolutely no demonstration of any kind upon the appearance of President McKinley, which was remarked upon by many. It showed the respect and esteem in which the distinguished dead is held by all. A death-like silence characterized the whole proceeding with the exception of the few short orders given by the military officers in getting their commands into position. Everything seemed to move slowly and carefully and this, together with the fact that business of nearly every kind along the streets from the depot to the church was suspended, gave the scene a peculiar feature, such as is seen only once in a lifetime."

At the close of the funeral services, the remains of Mr. Sherman were taken to the cemetery: the short Lurial service of the Episcopal church was vead by the Rev. Mr. Putnam, and the commitmant made, 'Dust thou art and to dust thou shalt return."

A grey granite monument has been erected at his last resting place. It is of fair proportion, rectanglar in form, the dimensions of the base being twelve feet in length. by eight feet two inches wide, and eight feet in height. In weight the monument approximates thirty-two tons. The work is plain except for Romanesque carvings at the corners of the die and second base. The simple severity of the design appeals to one as being typical of the man whose life purpose was the uplifting of the nation.

On May 25. 1900. the Shermans came from Washington to spend the summer in their Mansfield home. as was their custom. On Saturday, June 2, Mr. Sherman attended the annual meeting of the Richland County Historical society. at the courthouse. and gave an informal talk which was his last appearance at a public meeting. The death of Mrs. Sherman occurred three days later. Mrs. Sherman had been stricken with paralysis a year or more before and wa< an invalid when they returned to Mansfield that summer. .\ few months after Mrs. Sherman's death, the senator returned to Washington. where he died October 22, 1900, as before stated.

Johnny Appleseed

From several sources, more or less authentic. much interesting information may be collected concerning John Chapman, historically known as "Johnny Appleseed." He pursued his special calling of founding nurseries throughout eastern and northwestern Ohio - particularly Richland county for many vears. The earlv history of John Chapman is somewhat veiled in obscurity, for the reason that he was an obscure personage. He was born in Springfield. Massachusetts. in the vear 1775.

On Thursday afternoon, November 28, 1900, a monument to Chapman's memory was unveiled in the Sherman-Heineman park, Mansfield, with appropriate ceremony. in the presence of a large number of people, notwithstanding the cold and inclement weather. The opening address of the occasion was given by General R. Brinkerhoff, president of the Richland County Historical Society, under whose auspices the ceremonies were held.

The exercises attendant upon the dedication of the monument to tit memory of "Johnny Appleseed," one of the historic characters of Richland county in the early part of this century, were held this afternoon at two o'clock in the Sherman-Heineman park in the presence of a number of people who had gathered for the occasion at the monument. The invocation was pronounced by the Rev. Dr. H. L. Wiles, of the First Lutheran Church, after which the proceedings of the park commissioners in connection with the matter of the monument were read by Park Commissioner H. M. Weaver.

Address Of General Brinkerhoff

We have met here today to dedicate a monument to one of the earliest and most unselfish of Ohio benefactors. His name was John Chapman, but to the pioneers he was everywhere known as "Johnny Appleseed." The field of his operations in Ohio was mainly the valleys of the Muskingum river and its tributaries, and his mission, for the most part, was to plant appleseeds in well-located nurseries: in advance of civilization and have apple trees ready for planting when the pioneers should appear.

He also scattered through the forest the seeds of medicinal plants, such as dog-fennel, pennyroyal, catnip, hoarhound, rattlesnake root and the like.

We hear of him as Sele as 1806 on the Ohio river. with two canoe loads of appleseeds gathered from the cider presses of Western Pennsvlvania, and with these he planted nurseries along the Muskingum river and its tributaries.

About 1810 he made his headquarters in that part of the old county of Richland, which is now Ashland, in Green township, and was there for a number of years and then came to Mansfield. He was a familiar figure and a welcome guest in the homes of the early pioneers. Al] the early orchards of Richland county were procured from. the nurseries of "Johnny Appleseed."

Within the sound of my voice, where I now stand, there are a dozen or more trees that we believe are the lineal descendants of 'Johnny Appleseed's"' nurseries. In fact, this monument is almost within the shadow of three or four of them. . ;

As civilization advanced "Johnny" passed on to the westward. and at last, in 1847, he ended his career in Indiana and was buried near what is now the city of Fort Wayne. To the end he was true to his mission of planting nurseries and sowing the seeds of medicinal herbs. To the pioneers of Ohio he was an unselfish benefactor, and we are here today to aid in transmitting to coming generations our grateful memory of his deeds.

Letters From Fort Wayne Monument To John Chapman

Dear Sir: The park commissioners of this city are erecting a monument to the memory of John Chapman, better known as "Johnny Appleseed," to the early settlers in this (Richland) county, Ohio, from 1810 to 1830. He then went to Indiana, living in the vicinity of Fort Wayne from 1830 to 1847. A. A. Graham's history of our county notes that he died in 1847 and was buried by Mr. Worth and neighbors in David Archer's graveyard, | two and one-half miles north of Fort Wayne. Will you kindly ascertain if this record is correct as to location of grave and is it properly marked?

Fort Wayye, Inprana, October 5, 1900. Mr. Martin B. Bushnell. Treasurer Park Commissioners, Mansfield, Ohio: My Dear Sir: On my return from my summer vacation a few days ago I found your letter herewith enclosed. I submitted it to Mr. Archer, whom I thought to be the best informed on the subject and he has answered on the reverse. as you notice. I regret most sincerely that a more definite location of the grave of John Chapman ('Johnny Appleseed") cannot be given. A. worthy man well, and favorably known in his day. Very respectfully, O. P. Morean, President Lindenwood Cemetery.

Dear Sir: During his life and residence in this vicinity I suppose that every man, woman and child knew something of "Johnny Appleseed." I find that there are quite a number of persons yet living here that remember him well. and enjoy relating reminiscences and peculiarities of his habits and life. The historical account of his death and burial by the Worths and their neighbors, the Pettits, Goinges, Porters, Notestems, Parkers, Beckets, Whitesides, Pechons. Hatfields, Parrants, Ballards, Randsells and the Archers, in David Archer's private burial grounds, is substantially correct. The grave, more especially the common head-boards used in those days, have long since decayed and become entirely obliterated and at this time I do not think that any person could, with any degree of certainty, come within fifty feet of pointing out the location of his grave. Suffice it to say that he has been gathered in with his neighbors and friends, as I have enumerated, for the majority of them lie in David Archer's graveyard with him. JoHn H. ARCHER,

Historical Sketch

HISTORICAL SKETCH Of the Life and Work of "Johnny Appleseed." A historical sketch of "Johnny Appleseed" was given by A. J. Baughman, who has given a great deal of attention to the early history of this county. He spoke as follows:

John Chapman was born at Springfield, Massachussetts, in the year 1775. Of his early life but little is known, as he was reticent about himself, but his half-sister, who came west at a later period, stated that Johnny had, when a boy, shown a fondness for natural scenery and often wandered from home in quest of plants and flowers, and that he liked to listen to the birds singing, and to gaze at the stars. Chapman's penchant for planting apple seeds and cultivating nurseries caused him to be called '"Appleseed John," which was finally changed to "Johnny Appleseed," and by that name he was called and known everywhere.

The year Chapman came to Ohio has been variously stated, but to say it was one hundred years ago would not be far from the mark. An uncle of the late Rosella Rice lived in Jefferson county when Chapman made his first advent into Ohio, and one day saw a queer-looking craft coming down the Ohio river, above Steubenville. It consisted of two canoes lashed together, and its crew was one man - an angular, oddly-dressed person - and when he landed he said his name was Chapman, and that his cargo consisted of sacks of apple seeds and that he intended to plant nurseries.

Chapman's first nursery was planted nine miles below Steubenville, up a narrow valley from the Ohio river, at Brilliant, formerly called Lagrange, opposite Wellsburg, West Virginia. After planting a number of nurseries along the river front, he extended his work into the interior of the state - into Richland county - where he made his home for many years.

Chapman was enterprising in his way and planted nurseries in a number of counties, which required him to travel hundreds of miles to visit and prune them yearly, as was his custom. His usual price for a tree was "a fip-penny bit," but if the settler hadn't money, Johnny would either give him credit or take old clothes for pay. He generally located his nurseries along streams, planted his seeds, surrounded the patch with a brush fence. and, when the pioneers came, Johnny had voung fruit trees ready for them. He extended his operations to the Maumee country and finally into Indiana, where the last years of his life were spent. He revisited Richland county the last time in 1848, and called at my father's, but as I was only five vears old at the time, I do not remember him.

My parents (in about 1827-1835) planted two orchards with tree: they bought of Johnny, and he often called at their house, as he was a frequent caller at the homes of the settlers. My grandfather, Captain James Cunningham, settled in Richland county in 1808, and was acquainted with Johnny for many years, and I often heard him tell in his Irish witty way, many amusing anecdotes and incidents of Johnny's life and of his peculiar and eccentric ways.

Johnny was fairly educated, well read, and was polite and attentive in manner, and was chaste in conversation. His face was pleasant in expression and he was kind and generous in disposition. His nature was a deeply religious one, and his life was blameless among his fellowmen. He regarded comfort more than style and thought it wrong to spend money for clothing to make a fine appearance. He usually wore a broad-brimmed hat. He went barefooted, not only in the summer, but often in cold weather, and a coffee sack with a neck and armholes cut in it was worn as a coat. He was about five feet, nine inches in height, rather spare in build, but was largeboned and sinewy. His eyes were blue, but darkened with animation.

For a number of years Johnny lived in a little cabin near Perrysville (then in Richland county), but later he made his home in Mansfield with his half-sister, a Mrs. Broome, who lived on the Leesville road (now West Fourth street), near the present residence of R. G. Hancock. The parents of George C. Wise then lived near what is now the corner of West Fourth street and Penn avenue, and the Groome and Wise families were friends and neighbors. George C. Wise, Hiram R. Smith, Mrs. J. H. Cook, and others, remember "Johnny Appleseed" quite well. Mr. Cook was, perhaps. better acquainted with "Johnny" than any other living person today, for the Wiler House was often his stopping place. The homes of Judge Parker, Mr. Newman, and others. were ever open to receive "Johnny" as a guest.

But the man who best understood this peculiar character was the late Dr. William Bushnell, father of our respected fellow townsman, the Hon. M. B. Bushnell, the donor of this beautiful commemorative monument, and by whose kindness and liberality we are here today. With Dr. Bushnell's scholastic attainments and intuitive knowledge of character he was enabled to know and appreciate Chapman's learning and the noble traits of his head and heart.

When upon his journeys "Johnny" usually camped out. He never killed anything, not even for the purpose of obtaining food. He carried a kit of cooking utensils with him, among which was a mush-pan, which he sometimes wore as a hat. When he called at a house, his custom was to lie upon the floor with his kit for a pillow, and, after conversing with the family a short time. would then read from a Swedenborgian book or tract, and proceed to explain and extol the religious views he so zealously believed, and whose teachings he so faithfully carried out in his every-day life and conversation. His mission was one of peace and good will and he never carrried a weapon, not even for self-defense. The Indians regarded him as a great "Medicine Man," and his life seemed to be a charmed one, as neither savage men nor wild beast would harm him.

Chapman never married, and rumor said that a love affair in the old Bay State was the cause of his living the life of a celibate and recluse. Johnny himself never explained why he led such a singular life, except to remark that he had a mission, which was understood to be to plant nurseries and to make converts to the doctrines taught by Emanuel Swedenborg. He died at the home of William Worth, in St. Joseph township, Allen county, Indiana, March 11, 1847, and was buried in David Archer's graveyard, a few miles north of Fort Wayne, near the foot of a natural mound. His name is engraved as a cenotaph upon one of the monuments erected in Miffin township, Ashland county, this state, to the memory of the pioneers. Those monuments were unveiled with imposing ceremony in the presence of over six thousand people, September 15, 1882, the seventieth anniversary of the Copus tragedy.

During the war of 1812 Chapman often warned the settlers of approaching danger. The following incident is given: When the news spread that Levi Jones bad been killed by the Indians and that Wallace Reed and others had probably met the same fate, excitement ran high, and the few families which composed the population of Mansfield, sought the protection of the blockhouse, situated on the public square, as it was supposed the savages were coming in force from the north to overrun the country and to murder the settlers.

There were no troops at the blockhouse at the time. aud as an attack was considered imminent, a consultation was held and it was decided to send a messenger to Captain Douglas, at Mt. Vernon, for assistance. But who would undertake the hazardous journey? It was evening. and the rays of the sunset had faded away and the stars were beginning to shine in the darkening sky, and the trip of thirty mile: must be made in the night over a new-cut road, through a wilderness - through a fore=t infested with wild beasts and hostile Indians.

A volunteer was asked for, and a tall, lank man xaid demurely: "I'll go." He was bare-headed, bare-footed. and was unarmed. His manner was meek, and you had to look the second time into his clear, blue eves to fully fathom the courage and determination shown in their depths. There was an expression in his countenance such as limners try to portray in their pictures of saints. It is scarcely necessary to state that the volunteer was "Johnny Appleseed,' for many of you have heard vour fathers tell how unostentatiously "Johnny" stood as ''a watchman on the walls of Jezreel.'"" to guard and protect the settlers from their savage foes.

The journey to Mt. Vernon was a sort of a Paul Revere mission. Unlike Paul's, "Johnny's" was made on foot - bare-footed - over a rough road, but one that in time led to fame.

"Johnny" would rap on the doors of the few cabins along the route, warn the settlers of the impending danger and advise them to flee to the blockhouse.

for so expeditiously was the trip made that at sunrise the next morning troops from Mt. Vernon arrived at the Mansfield blockhouse, accompanied by "Johnny," who had made the round-trip of sixty miles between sunset and sunrise.

About a week before Chapman': death, while at Fort Wavne, he heard that cattle had broken into his nursery in St. Joseph township and were destroying his trees, and he started on foot to look after his property. The distance was about twenty miles and the fatigue and exposure of the journey were too much for "Johnny's" physical condition, then enfeebled by age: and at the even-tide he applied at the home of Mr. Worth for lodging for the night. Mr. Worth was a native Buckeye and had lived in Richland county when a boy, and when he learned that his oddly dressed caller was "Johnny Appleseed,' gave him a cordial welcome. "Johnny" declined going to the supper table, but partook of a bowl of bread and milk.

The day had been cold and raw, with occasional flurries of snow, but in the evening the clouds cleared away and the sun shone warm and bright as it sank in the western sky. "Johnny" noticed this beautiful sunset, an augury of the Spring and flowers so soon to come, and sat on the door-step and gazed with wistful eyes toward the West. Perhaps this herald of the Spring time, the season in which Nature is resurrected from the death of Winter caused him to look with prophetic eves to the future and contemplate that glorious event of which Christ is the resurrection and the life. Upon reentering the house "Johnny" declined the bed offered him for the night. preferring a quilt and pillow on the floor, but asked permission to hold family worship, and read "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven." "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God," ete.

After he had finished reading the lesson, he said prayers - prayers long remembered by that family. He prayed for all sorts and conditions of men; that the way of righteousness might be made clear unto them and that saving grace might be freely given to all nations. He asked that the Holy Spirit might guide and govern all who profess and call themselves Christians and that all those who were afflicted in mind, body, or estate, might be comforted and relieved. and that all might at last come to the knowledge of the truth and in the world to come have happiness and everlasting life. Not only the words of the praver. but the pathos of his voice made a deep impression upon those present.

In the morning "Johnny" was found in a high state of fever, pneumonia having developed during the night, and a physician called, said he was bevond medical aid, but inquired particularly about his religious belief, and remarked that he had never seen a dying man so perfectly calm, for upon his wan face there was an expression of happiness and upon his pale lips there was a smile of joy, as though he were communing with loved ones who had come to meet him and to soothe his weary spirit in his dying moments. And as his eves shone with the beautiful light supernal, God touched him with His finger and beckoned him home.

Thus ended the life of a man who was not only a hero, but a benefactor as well; and his spirit is now at rest in the Paradise of the Redeemed, and in the fullness of time, clothed again in the old body made anew, will enter into the Father's house in which there are many mansions. In the words of his own faith, his bruised feet will be healed, and he shall walk on the gold-paved streets of the New Jerusalem, of which he so eloquently preached. It has been very appropriately said that, although years have come and gone since his death, the memory of his good deeds lives anew every Springtime in the beauty and fragrance of the blossoms of the apple trees he loved so well.

"Johnny Appleseed's'"' death was in harmony with his unostentatious, blameless life. It is often remarked, '""How beautiful is the Christian's life; vea, but far more beautiful is the Christian's death," when "the fashion of his countenance is altered," as he passes from the life here to the life beyond.

What changes have taken place in the years that have intervened between the 'Johnny Appleseed" period and today! It has been said that the lamp of civilization far surpasses that of Aladdin's. Westward the star of empire took its way and changed the forests into fields of grain and the waste places into gardens of flowers, and towns and cities have been built with marvelous handiwork. But in this march of progress the struggles and hardships of the early settlers must not be forgotten. Let us not only record the history, but the legends of the pioneer period; garner its facts and its fictions; its tales and traditions, and collect even the crumbs that fall from the table of the feast.

Today the events which stirred the souls and tried the courage of the pioneers seem to come out of the dim past and glide as panoramic views before me. A number of the actors in those scenes were of my "kith and kin," who have long since crossed over the river in their journey to the land where Enoch and Elijah are pioneers, while I am left to exclaim:

While the scenes of those pioneer davs are vivid to us on history's page. future generations may look upon them as the phantasmagoria of a dream.

At seventy-two years of age - forty-six of which had been devoted to his self-imposed mission - John Chapman ripened into death as naturally and as beautifully as the apple seeds of his planting had grown into trees. had budded into blossoms and ripened into fruit. The monument which is now to be unveiled is a fitting memorial to the man in whom there dwelt a comprehensive love that reached downward to the lowest forms of life and upward to the throne of the Divine.

Monument Gnyeiled

The monument was then unveiled by Mavor Brown. after which a quartette consisting of Charles H. Harding. Dr. C. N. Miles. Major Fred S. Marquis, and E. W. Dann, sang "Onward and Upward." and the exercises closed with the singing of '"'America."

A Fitting Memorial

The monument is a fitting tribute to one who was so well known to the pioneers of this county and left for good the impress of his life on those with whom he was associated. It was presented to the city by M. B. Bushnell, one of the commissioners of Sherman-Heineman park. The lower part of the monument is a buff stone and bears the inscription: "In memory vf John Chapman, best known as 'Johnny Appleseed,' pioneer apple nurseryman of Richland county from 1810 to 1830." The upper part is a tapering shaft. It is located in middle park, east of the driveway and west of the foot-path. not far from the pavilion which was erected during the past summer.

The Quest Of John Chapman

John Chapman, known as Johnny Appleseed, was an eccentric character, who first appeared along the Ohio river in the southeast part of the state, in the very earliest settlement in that part of the country, with sacks filled with appleseeds. His plan was to go in advance of the settlers, planting nurseries through the wilderness. This philanthropic vocation he followed for some twenty-five or thirty years. Of his life prior to his advent into Ohio, but little is known. He was a man of much ability in some directions and exercised in his peculiar way a serviceable influence for good among the pioneers, among whom he wandered. Some years after Chapman came to Ohio, a sister or two and a half brother of his came also, and when they were questioned about Johnny's earlier life, they said it had been an uneventful one: that he had never cared for company; that he wanted to read religious books. and at night to gaze at the stars.

But recently the Rey. Newell Dwight Hillis, pastor of Plymouth church, Brooklyn, New York, comes to the front with a work of fiction, the "Quest of John Chapman." While in a general way Mr. Hillis tries to say things commendatory of Johnny's life and character, yet his tale of fiction is a false one. putting Chapman in a wrong hght - that of a disappointed lover - and that his work was not so much in the spirit of Christianity as it was to enable him to forget an unrequited love.

Parson Gerry A Pioneer Preacher

"\ pioneer who felt that God had called him to preach, instead of hunting up a college, or theological institute, bought a hardy pony or a horse, and with his library, consisting of a Bible and a hymn book, in his saddlebags. started out on his mission. His text, 'Behold the Lamb of God That Taketh Away the Sin of the World,' never wore out, never grew stale."

How different it is today. Preachers are now developed in theological institutions, like plants are grown in a hot-house. Some of them want the Bible revised "to suit the age," or rather to suit their particular form of belief or disbelief, and instead of preaching the crucified and risen Lord, take some so-called modern theme, and upon the eve of an election. some of them throw in a bit of politics, notwithstanding the sacred pages tell us that Christ's kingdom is not of this world.

One of the most eloquent preachers of the pioneer period was Parson Gerry, a nephew of Elbridge Gerry, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. For several years Parson Gerry made his home in Green township, which was then in Richland county. Gerry was scholarly, was gentlemanly and fascinating in his manner, and his wife was an accomplished

But, notwithstanding his popularity and eloquence, certain persons doubted his sincerity. But, as the writer recalls the narratives of the pioneers, only two stories were told against the parson. One was this - that Gerry was once going to fill an appointment, and when he came to a place where men were 'working the road," they assisted in getting his vehicle over a ditch. Gerry thanked the men in his most affable way for the service they had rendered him, in pulling a handkerchief out of his pocket, to add a little flourish to his speech, out came a pack of cards, also, and scattered hither and thither over the road. But Gerry was not in the least disconcerted; he smiled in his blandest manner and said: "It is not very creditable, gentlemen, for a minister to carry such thing: in his pocket. I had no idea these were the contents of the little package Brother B.'s children were sending to some of their little friends." The workmen, believing his story, assisted in gathering up the cards, but afterwards they told the incident against him.

The other story was this: Gerry had borrowed a hundred dollars from David Coulter, and receiving a call from a town in the East. removed from Perrysville without paying Mr. Coulter. Sometime later, Coulter followed Gerry to the city where he had located, determined to collect the amount the parson owed him.

Coulter arrived in the city on Saturday night. and after a late breakfast Sunday morning, went out to see the town. People were going to church, and presently Coulter heard a.familiar voice (Mr. Gerry's) sav: "My dear Mr. Coulter, how happy I am to see vou; I preach at ten o'clock: I am now on my way to the church. Come with me. please." and Gerry took hold of Coulter's arm, and they walked linked-arims to the place of worship. At the church door. Gerry said to Coulter. "I want to speak to vou privately after the service."

Gerry's text was: "Love one another." and Coulter was affected to tears by the preacher's eloquence, and at the close of the service, Mr. Coulter sneaked out of the church, left the city, and returned home, feeling ashamed that he had gone to collect the note. So great was the power of Gerry's eloquence, that Coulter was willing to forgive, as he hoped to be forgiven.

Writers who have been pleased to state that Parson Gerry left debts behind when he removed from Perrysville, have omitted to state that Parson Gerry's parishoners owed him double the amount that he was owing others.

Jacob Newman Free, better known during the latter years of his life as the "Immortal J. N.," was born in Mansfield in 1826, and this city continued to be his home until he went to California as a gold seeker in about 1.247. Prior to going to California he was employed for several years as a clerk in a drug store situated on the east side of Main street between Third and Fourth streets.

But little was heard from "J. N." while he was in California, except that reports came occasionally that he and some others had "struck it rich" there.

The Free and Levman families were neighbors in Mansfield for many vears. Myr. Levman was a dry goods merchant and at one time was a member of the Ohio legislature. While "J. N." was in California, Henry Leyman disposed of his Mansfield business, removed to Shelby and opened a dry eoods store there. This was in the early Fifties. In the meantime the Free family had removed to MeCutchenville. One afternoon, Mr. Leyman was -urprised to see "J. N." enter his store, and was equally glad to see him. They conversed together as much as the business of the store would permit, and when closing time came Mr. Leyman invited "J. N." home and to reiain over night. "J. N." talked incessantly. and when bedtime came, 'J. N." stated that he wax not ready to retire. and Mr. Levman sat up and talked with him until long after midnight. "J. N."' was up early the next morning and talked and talked. as he had the night before. After breakfast was over he accompanied Mr. Levman to his store, and soon afterwards took his leave and to go to his father's at McCutchenville. '

At the dinner hour, Mrs. Leyman inquired of her husband, "What's the matter with Jake?' "J. N.'s"' old neighbors familiarly called him "Jake." Mr. Levman replied that he had noticed that "J. N.'s'' talk was rather incoherent, but he attributed it to his excessive joy in getting back to the home of his boyhood again.

Although "J. N." had promised to write to Mr. Leyman, he failed to do so, and the next Mr. Leyman heard of him, was from newspaper reports that he was "lifting the veil.'""' He had blossomed out as a philosopher and had taken to the lecture field. In his lectures he claimed he lifted the veil of error to let the people see the truth. A gentleman once inquired of him what he meant of "lifting the veil,' to which "J. N.," who was quick at repartee, replied, "I would willingly explain it to you, sir, if I thought you had intellectual capacity to understand it." "J. N."' was an inch or two over six feet in height and was well-proportioned in build, with weight corresponding to his height. He was a fluent speaker, with a good command of the English language, and during the first few years of his lecture itinerancy he drew fair audiences. His lectures were always free. One instance will be given. In a village in Ohio, noted for its being the location of an institute of learning, "J. N.'' lectured three evenings before even the professors caught on that his mind was somewhat unbalanced. The first time the writer heard him speak was in the state house grounds at Columbus, during a Democratic state convention, soon after the close of the Civil War. He

'stood upon a store box and hundreds of people had gathered around him. He had a fine stage appearance, was dressed in black, and his frock coat was of good length, as was the fashion at that time. He had a rich, resonant voice, his inflections were perfect and he euphoniously rounded his periods.

The Civil War troubled him very much. He claimed that if the people had accepted his philosophy there would have been no war. That Abraham Lincoln was right, and so also was Jefferson Davis - each from his own standpoint. In the early days of the war, "J. N." had announced a lecture in Mt. Gilead, Morrow county, and after he had closed a very eloquent discourse, an erratic resident of that place attempted to reply to him in a speech. He was very partisan in his views and denunciatory in his statements of all who did not agree with him in his views. At the close of his remarks, "J. N." briefly replied, "My friend, your philosophy is too narrow; your speech may do for Mt. Gilead, but it would not be received in Richmond, Virginia, nor in any other place in the South, while my philosophy is so broad that it knows no North, no South, no East, no West, nothing but the Fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man." "J. N.'' was above politics. He lectured in both North and South during the Civil War, and after its close, visited Jeff Davis in prison.

Early in his '"'career,'"' "J. N." had himself incarcerated in the Mansfield jail as a martyr to the truth. This he did at a number of other places, to enable him to bear the pressure for others, as he put it. It cost "J. N." nothing to travel, as he had railroad passes on nearly all the railway lines in the country, and landlords extended the hospitality of their hotels to him, being flattered that he was their guest.

Mansfield being "J. N.'s" former home, he visited here frequently. and upon such occasions he invariably made my newspaper office his headquarters. Upon one of these visits his mind seemed to clear, and he talked freely of the condition of his mind and of what he had suffered. adding that no one realized the great mental load he was carrying. But in a few minutes his old condition returned and he talked incoherently again.

Many reasons have been given to account for "J. N.'s'? mental condition, one of which was, that in practicing law, an important case upon which he was engaged, had affected his mind. In answer to this, he made a statement in the public room of the Hotel Southern, during his last visit to Mansfield, that he had never read a page of a law book, and had never attempted to practice law. Another story is that it was caused by a jilted love affair, but that theory is so common and old that it has moss on its back. Another theory, and seemingly a more reasonable one, is that his partners in California got away with "J. N.'s" share of the wealth thev had acquired. Then, again, that he had been assaulted and injuries inflicted upon his head caused his later mental condition.

Upon the occasion of one of "J. N.'s" visits to Mansfield, he was.discoursing to a crowd from a store box at the northwest corner of Main and

Third street, and, it being near the Fourth of July, some wag fastened several bunches of firecrackers to the long skirt of "J. N.'s" coat. And while the speaker orated the firecrackers were set off, but "J. N." didn't flinch. While the fireworks cracked and sizzed and sputtered, the speaker seemed unmindful of it all, and continued his oration as though nothing unusual had occurred.

Upon "J. N.'s" last visit to Mansfield, his physical decline was apparent to all, and his remarkable memory of faces and events was sadly noticeable.

In the winter of 1906, "J. N.'s'" condition became such that he needed more attention than his distant relatives were able to give him, and he was sent to the asylum at Toledo. and the record there shows that he was admitted to the institution on March 30, 1906, as a patient from Wyandot county, and that he died June 27, 1906, and that his remians were sent to McCutchenville, Wyandot county, Ohio, for burial, McCutchenville having been considered his home. The cause of his death was organic heart disease.

Sixty years and more ago three peculiar characters lived in Mansfield. They were Orrin Pharris, Frederick Hable and John Jacob Foos. Hable was a German by birth and a baker by occupation. He was a quiet industrious man who attended to his own affairs and kept his own council. With the usual German thrift, he accumulated property, and at his death left an estate worth $5,000, and as no relative appeared to claim it, it was escheated to the county.

Foos was also a German. He came to Mansfield from Cadiz, Harrison county, and lived with Frederick Hable until the latter's death. From what can be collected concerning this strange old man, the story of his life is a sad one. He was a tailor by trade, and when he came to Richland county, purchased a lot on east Diamond street, just below the St. James alley, and also two quarter sections of land, one east and the other south of the city. He toiled industriously at his trade and made the fashionable garments for the then gentry of Mansfield. At Cadiz he had fallen deeply in love with an English maiden, who did not reciprocate his affection, and when she cast him away, his head was turned, and his heart was deeply wounded. But the smiles of another maiden healed the wound and the prospect of a home of his own, made cheerful and happy by the hand of a wife, brightened his life for a time, but when she, too, cast him away, it was too severe a blow and it left him broken-hearted and insane, so that he became a public charge. He and Hable still lived together and the home was always the picture of cleanliness and neatness, though it was the bungling hands of men that kept the house in order. Joos, helpless and hopeless, and harmless, long survived his friend, and his form was familiar to all who had ever stopped in the city. When, at last, he was called from what to him was a life of suffering, he was buried in the beautiful cemetery on the hill, and the authorities erected a monument to his memory.

After Foos became deranged, he became a sort of a weather indicator, and before the approach of a storm would go along the streets calling out something that sounded like "Too for Flufter." At other times he would scold some imaginary person or thing and would often wind up his tour at the courthouse, where he would look at the buildings with considerable concern and scold vigorously.

In their earlier days Foos and Pharris were each well-dressed, as tailors usually are, and each was good looking. They worked for Judge David McCullough, on Park avenue east.

Later Pharris, or "Old Ferris,' as he was usually called, wa= xeverely burned, which disfigured his face so as to render it repellent. Pharris was a violinist, and at a ball at Granville, he refused to play for a certain dance, whereupon a young man of the party poured alcohol over Pharris' hair and beard, and inhumanly set fire to the same, burning the poor fiddler so severely as to disfigure him for life. It is stated that when Pharris saw in a looking glass the appearance he presented, that his mind, which had previously been somewhat affected, became unbalanced, and the remainder of his life was spent as a wanderer, singing and playing for the food that would be given him. He was harmless, and it was his custom to walk along the streets, singing and playing an accompaniment upon a fiddle. He sang with deep feeling, and of his playing, one who knew him well once wrote: "Ole Bull could not draw a smoother bow, nor produce sweeter melody upon the violin than could Orrin Pharris."

It is said of Pharris that he never used profane language and that he was never a scoffer. His music was of a religious character, and his hymns were sung as though his soul went out with them in pleading and devotion. One of his favorite songs was: ;

My crimes are great, but can't surpass The power and glory of Thy grace. Great God, Thy nature hath no bound, So let Thy pardoning love be found."

Pharris often made trips to neighboring villages, and upon one of these trips he was taken sick at Shelby, and from there he was conveyed to the county infirmary, where sometime later the summons, which comes alike to prince and pauper, came from the skies for poor Pharris, who met it with

"Take and save a trembling sinner, Lord," and the earth-life which had held for him so little joy, so much of sorrow, was no more. He had been a bit of harmless driftwood, caught in an eddy, while the murky stream of time hurried on with its burden of humanity. There was a quiet funeral, and the worn-out old body of Orrin Pharris was laid to rest in the little cemetery by the road-side, where sleep many unfortunates of the county, who found life too hard a problem for them to work out. Only a plain coffin, only a pauper's grave, only a rattling of clods as they covered from sight the form of one who in life had music in his soul, and whose every song was a prayer. There were no flowers, no eulogy, no peal of organ, no chant of choir, no line of carriages, none of the trappings of wealth, nor paraphernalia of display.

Pharris was only a poor old creature, scarcely noticed by the busy world, but it was a human soul that in life dwelt within him, and now, that it is released, who shall say that it has not a higher place and a brighter crown than have some who are more fortunate in life.

The third annual meeting of the Richland County Historical society was held in the G. A. R. rooms, Memorial building, Friday, June 14, 1901. The Mansfield Daily News gave a stenographic report of the meeting, which is here copied intact, being full of historical matter:

The Richland County Historical society, under whose auspices we are assembled today, was organized November 23, 1898. By its constitution its annual meetings of members for the election of officers, the reception of reports and other necessary business, are required to be held on the first Monday of December, but in addition it is provided that in the month of June, each year, another meeting shall be convened, to which not only members but all others interested in historical matters shall be cordially invited.

This requirement has been complied with and today we hold our third annual meeting, and we extend a cordial welcome to all who care to honor us with their presence. We do not expect a large attendance at these meetings for the reason that most people are too much absorbed in the cares of the present to give much attention or thought to the events of the past, but yet we are glad to report a fair attendance at previous meetings and a growing interest in our work.

The meeting last year was especially noteworthy through the presence with us of a delegation of members from the Firelands Historical society, headed by its distinguished president, the Hon. Rush R. Sloane, of Sandusky, who delivered a very able and instructive address.

The address of Judge Sloane was followed by an exceedingly interesting talk upon Richland county history by our friend, townsman and associate member of world-wide fame, the Hon. John Sherman, who has since passed

The object of this society, as its name indicates, is to preserve for future generations an enduring record of all important matters pertaining to Richland county. During the past fifty vears several societies have been organized for this purpose, and through their efforts and the enthusiasm of a few individual historians the history of the county prior to 1880 has been fairly well preserved in a volume of nearly a thousand pages. This volume, like all others of a similar character, has numerous errors, which we are now able to correct and also to supplement with much additional history entirely new, but upon the whole this volume for accuracy and extent is creditable to our county. J am quite sure there are but few county histories in the state that are more satisfactory. Still much remains to be done to complete it and since its publication the events of twenty years and more have come and gone, and it is the duty of this generation to make record of them or they will soon pass into oblivion. This duty our historical society has been organized to discharge.

This society, unlike its predecessors. we hope will be permanent, and we appeal to our fellow citizens to make it such by becoming active and permanent members. What we want to do this year and what we think ought to be done every year is to publish a report which shall contain the proceedings of our annual meetings and other matters of historic interest gathered during the year.

The Firelands Historical society bas published such report for thirty years past, and the result has been that historic events of importance have been preserved more fully in Erie and Huron counties than anywhere else in the state. One of the features of the Firelands annual reports, which seems worthy of imitation is the publication of biographic sketches, with photogravure portraits of all members deceased during the year.

The state of Ohio next vear will be a century old, and for that century no state in the Union has a nobler record, and of its eighty-eight counties the county of Richland has contributed its full share of noble achievements. In fact there are but few other countie: which have contributed so many men and women of state and national reputation, and we ought to be ashamed of ourselves if we fail to preserve an adequate record of their deeds. Under these circumstances the Richland County Historical society appeals for memberships and cordial cooperation. The terms of membership are one dollar and annual assessments not exceeding that amount, sufficient to secure the publication of our annual volume, to which every member will be entitled to a copy.

The Firelands annual publications range from one to two hundred pages, and ours probably will be about the same. Our secretary, A. J. Baughman, will receive subscriptions and issue memberships at the close of this meeting or at any other time in the future.

Bistory Of Richland. County 231 Address Of Welcome

"I come not here today to welcome the citizens of Mansfield, or of Richland county, to this. their meeting of the Historical society; for it is supposed they know their geographical latitude and longitude and _ altitude. But there may be many, very many, intermediate roses, and garlands, and gems, and even pearls, and jewels and diamonds hidden away or only partially revealed in this said latitude and longitude.

"Tis true that the sacred desk, the public pres=. the public schools and colleges have polished and embellished immortal jewels, fitting them for roval diadems. and all useful avenues of life.

"The skies have been lit up by the blaze of factories and furnaces, instead of the red man's campfire. The Indian's war horse, with its uncouth and uncultured savage rider and bioody arrow and scalping knife. have been relegated to the far distant West. and the iron horse, with its skilled engineer, now traverses and bisects our country, bearing the surplus product: of our farms and factories to foreign markets. and bringing back to us that which is demanded by culture and refinement.

"The willing hand of industry, the dexterous and cunning mechanic. and the enterprising capitalist have given to Richland county an exalted and honored position in the galaxy of eighty-eight counties in grand old Ohio.

"Notwithstanding our past achievements we heartily and sincerely welcome you, our invited guests, our qualified and competent instructors from the other eighty-eight counties of Ohio. With outstretched hands and open heart we welcome vou and ask vou to assist us in gathering up hidden and partially concealed roses and gems, even jewels and diamonds in this said latitude and longitude. and we ask vou to help us unify our efforts with yours to establish a more accurate and correct historical basis, and we sincerely pledge ourselves to be receptive pupil: at the feet of our qualified 'Gamalhiels.'

Had such historical societies as this been in vogue thousands and thousands of years ago we would not now have oceasion to lament the 'prehistoric periods.'

"Give us the truth; this was the stern request of the great Napoleon to his marshals when they were <ent out to fight the enemy. 'Give us the truth' is our request of vou, our invited guests, that we might pass it down to the youths of our land as an inheritance worthy of their guidance and emulation. 'Give us the truth' that we may ever remember this 14th day of June. 1901, as the one hundred and twenty-fourth anniversary of the adoption of the red. white and blue - the emblems of our nationality.

A. J. Baughman delivered an interesting address. the subject of which was "The Pre-historic Earth-works of Richland County." The addrezs was az follows:

A. J. Baughman 'S Address On The Pre-Historic Earth-Works Of

"In our own county we see evidences of a pre-historic people whose origin and fate are unknown. We know of them only by the monuments they reared in the form of earth-works, and as these principally are mounds, we call the people who made them 'Mound Builders. The term is not a distinguishing one, for people the world over have been mound builders. more or less from generation to generation.

"In no other country are earth-works more plainly divided into classes than here in America. In some place: fortified hills and eminence: suggest the citadel of a tribe or people. Again, embankments. circular or square. separate and in combination, enclosing. perhaps. one or more mounds. excite our curiosity, but fail to satisfy it. and we ask. 'Are these fading embankmentthe boundaries of sacred enclosures. or the fortifications of a camp. or the foundations on which were built communal houses?'

"In the Blackfork valley - especially the part taken from Richland and given to Ashland countv - there are numerous mounds and other earthworks, only a few can be considered in the limit of this paper.

"On the southwest quarter of section 17. Green township. half a mile northwest of Greentown, there was in the vears agone a circular embankment embracing about half an acre of ground. The embankment was about five feet in height in the days of old Greentown. There was a 'gate-wayv' to the west, about twelve feet wide. In the center of the enclosure there was a mound into which excavations were made about fifty vears ago to the depth of nine feet, which appeared to be the depth of the artificial work. Coal. wood and feathers were found in the lower strata.

"The Parr 'fort? was a cireular earth-work. about seven feet high and twelve to fourteen feet in diameter at the base. It enclosed an area of about three acres. Very near it on the east side stood a large mound. from which copper beads and stone implements have been taken. About seventy vears ago the late Dr. Henderson had these mounds opened. and in them were found human bones, decayed wood, charcoal. a stone pipe and a copper wedge. The wedge created quite a sensation at the time as it was supposed to be gold.

"The Darling 'fort.' in the Clearfork valley. below St. Johns. was another earth-work containing nearly three acres. When first discovered by Judge Peter Kinney, in 1810, its embankment was about three feet high. covered with forest trees centuries old. In this 'fort' stone axes and other implements were found.

"There is a small mound at the northern limit of the citv of Mansfield near the 'Medicine Spring.' It is about fifteen rods in length and five in breadth. This mound or knoll is. perhaps. a natural elevation. although some think it is an artificial mourtd on account of its geometrical proportions and its geographical alignment, and its 'eastern position' suggests that it might have been built for an altar upon which to offer religious rites. It is not known that any exhumation has ever been made, and the origin of the knoll. whether natural or artificial, is a matter of conjecture.

"The Lafferty mound. about which there is so much speculative query as to whether its formation was of geological or archaeological origin. with about an equal division of opinion. is situate four miles east of Bellville, on Uriah Lafferty's farm.

"The mound is one hundred feet in height and its base covers an area of six acres. It is oblong in shape. extending east and west. and is as svmmetrical as though it had been planned by an architect and rounded with 'Mason's trowel.

"The size of the mound does not preclude the probability that it is an artificial earth-work for Nebuchadnezzer built a mound four times as high within the wall- of the city of Babylon to please a caprice of his wife.

"The valley in which the Lafferty mound stands has been called the earden spot of Riehland county. and is as beautiful in its scenic landscapes az it is rich and productive in its soil.

"Prom the summit of the mound, the view to the west is one of enhancing beauty. In the distance. hill-tops noteh the horizon and lift their green erowns in a summer day. through the clear. soft atmosphere, into the azure sky. making a landscape view of surpassing loveliness.

There is an ancient earth-work two miles east of Mansfield that is but little knewn by our people of today, although it was surveved and mapped hy the county surveyor in October, 1878. It is situate on the Balliett farm, and ix approached by the road leading east from the top of the Sherman hill. and is the most noted of its kind within the present limit of Richland county.

"These works are upon an elevation at the east side of the head of Spook Hollow. and consist of an opal-shaped embankment or fort five hundred and ninety-four feet long. by two hundred and thirty-eight feet wide in the center, and contains two and two-third acres. Southwest of the fort, seven hundred and ten feet. there is a spring at the side of the ravine from which a copious flow of water issues in all seasons of the year.

"Directly south of the 'fort, upon the side of the hill leading to the old stage road, is the furnace which is an excavation walled with stone like a well and is called a 'furnace,' as charcoal, charred bones and evidences that fire had been used there were found at the bottom of the drift with which the place was filled. This 'furnace' is about five feet across, is circular in form and its uses and purposes must be conjectured.

At the east side of the fort there were a number of depressions, varying from four to twenty feet, but they have been so filled up in the tilling of the land as to be nearly obliterated. In excavating one of these depressions at the time of the survey. at a depth of eight feet. a drift was struck leading toward the fort. Geographically, the 'fort' was platted upon longitudinal lines and upon geometrical measurements. and the depressions were variously located with relative mathematical distances, all giving evidence: that the people who planned and made and occupied these works were well advanced in mathematics.

"Since their day and oceupancy large fore-t trees have grown upon these earth-works - trees of at least six centuries' growth. These works are relics of that pre-historic age of which much haz been written and but little is known. The perspective view of the fort in the outline is etill discernible from the road, and the location was well chosen, as it commands a fine view of the valley opening to the south. Looking over and beyond Spook Hollow, which with its weird traditions, lies at the base of the hill, a valley of gardenlike loveliness is presented and the landscape picture extends for miles. embracing the hills in the far distance. amid which the spire upon the church steeple at Cesarea can be seen.

"What connection, if any, existed between the Mound Builders and the Indians is yet unsettled. But it appears certain that many years before Columbus discovered .\merica. the Mound Builders had settlements here in Richland county, az these ancient earthworks attest. That the people were not unacquainted with war is shown by their numerous fortified enclosures. These mounds and other antiquities give u= some knowledge of a people that lived here when civilization waz but in the dawn in FEnrope. The history of our own country is at least as interesting as that of the land of Pharaohs, or of storied Greece. for here we see evidence of an ancient culture, as well as the footprints of a vanished people.

"It as claimed by writers that the Mound Builders were of -\siastic¢ origin and were, as a people. immense in numbers and well advanced in many of the arts. Similarity in certain things indicates that they were of Phoenician descent. Of the Mound Builders we have speculated much and know but little.

"A local writer claimed that the Richland-Ashland mounds: do not belong to the pre-historic clas: - that they were made at a more. recent period, that they were built in the Seventeenth century by the Eries to protect their people from the invasions of the Iroquois tribe.

"When Judge Kinney and-party felled trees that had grown upon the earth-works at the Darling 'fort' the 'growths' showed that the trees had been growing there several centuries: before the war between the Eriez and the Six Nations. The same is true of the 'fort' near Spook Hollow, and at other places.

"Some of our mounds were used as sepulchers for the dead. and should not be desecrated - even in the interest of historical research and investigation

"Some may say why attempt to roll back the flight of years to learn of a pre-historic people. for the searchlight of investigation makes but little impression on the night of time. We have no data on which to base an estimate as to the antiquity of man. but we can contemplate the great period of geological times. and the infinite greatness of the works of creation. as disclosed by asivonomy with man's primeval condition, as made evident by archaeology. and exclaim: 'What is man that Thou art mindful of him?'

The Dedication Of The Mansfield Blockhouse

On the afternoon of Thursday. November 15, 1906. the Mansfield blockhouse. then recently rebuilt on the courthou-2 lawn. in memory of the pioneers of Richland county and the soldiers of the war of 1812, was formally dedicated with great ceremony. in the presence of a large concourse of people. General R. Brinkerhoff, president of the Richland County Historical society. called the meeting to order. and in an interesting way ~poke of the early hi-tory of the county. its fir-t white settlers, the first settler of Mansfield and the laving out of the city. He told of the erection of the two blockhouses on the public square of Mansfield. as a protection against the Indians. and how one of these later became the courthouse, the upper floor for the court. and the lower as a jail. Bid-+ were received for the alterations necessary in converting the blockhouse into a courthouse, and the bid on which the contract was awarded was $46. with an additional $2 for a handrail for the outside stairway. Later requirements demanded a more commodious courthouse, and the old blockhouse was sold at public auction and removed to Virgin alley, now known as Center street. where it remained until recently purchased by the Centennial commission. The second Richland county courthouse was also built of hewn logs. and in addition to answering the purposes of a courthouse and jail. was used for religious meetings. In 1827 a third courthouse waz built at a cost of about $3,000, and this, with occasional improvements, lasted nearly fifty years. when the present courthouse was built.

Following the address of General Brinkerhoff came the formal dedication of the blockhouse, by the Hon. Huntington Brown, president of the Centennial commission.

The people then formed into line and marched to the opera house, where further exercises were held. The opera house was crowded to its utmost capacity. and many were unable to gain admittance to the hall.

There was also a large attendance of school children at the exercises. particularly from the classes engaged in the study of United States history. veats at the opera house having been reserved for the delegation of school thildren and for the ladies of Mansfield Chapter. Daughters of the American Revolution, which organization attended in a body. The program was a very entertaining and instructive one. being of particular interest to those xho had given anv time to the study of the history of Mansfield and Richand county.

During the course of the programme several fine selections were renllered by a chorus of fifty voices under the direction of Professor Bellingham. and made up of pupils of the public and parochial schools. Solos were also sung by Miss Irene Carroll and Miss Minnie Martin. all of the musical numbers for the occasion being along patriotic lines.

In speaking of the purpose of the Centennial commission in bringing i:bout the rebuilding of the blockhouse. Mayor Voegele said that it was himply preparatory to the centennial celebration of next year and went on to say: "This old blockhouse is the visible monument erected to the respect, honor and glory of those who first laid the Lroad foundation for this beautiful city, and whose frugality and enterprise has been felt in each succeeding generation through. lo. these many years. It is, therefore. especially fitting that we should assemble on au occasion of this sort to pay tribute to the pioneers of this county; to show our sympathy for their sufferings incurred through the violence of savages and from the devastation of disease and famine. incident to those davs in the wilderness: and to record our gratitude ior their labors. for they builded better than they knew. It gives me pleasure to publicly express my sincere appreciation to the Hon. Huntington Brown. president. and the members of the Centennial commission, who have given so largely of their time in order that the one hundredth anniversary of the foundation of our city might be properly celebrated, and that these exercises might go down in the history of this county as a fitting tribute. This service is proof to the generations which are to follow, that we hold the blessings and privileges transmitted from our fathers in just estimation. I wish also to thank the committee for the pleasant duty assigned to me on this occasion. that of extending the city's greetings to our distinguished guests, for I assure vou that I deem it most pleasant and a high honor. We appreciate. kind friends from abroad, the interest manifested by you in these ceremonies. .

"Therefore. as chief executive of the city of Mansfield, and in behalf of its citizens generally. I extend to each one of vou a most happy greeting and a city's gratitude."

Address Of Secretary

Our meeting today is commemoratory of the founding of Mansfield and inauguratory of the proposed celebration to |e held on the centennial anniversary of that event which will be held on June 11. 1908.

In this great westward march of civilization people came to Ohio and to Richland county as early ax 1807. and a little settlement was formed at what was later known as Beam's Mills. It was known that a new county would soon le formed and land owners were looking around to locate a county seat. .\t fir-t it was thought that the Beam's Mills location would be chosen. but later the Mansfield site was selected. and in 1808, a plat was surveved and the prospective town was named Mansfield. in honor of Colonel Jarad Mansfield. the surveyor. Four years after its founding, and while the town only had a few fanrilies living in log cabin buildings, the United States engaged in it- xecond war with Great Britain. known in historv as the war of 1812.) During the war. fortx and blockhouses were necessary to protect the settlers from the assaults of the Indians. The Indians in this war were the allies of the Briti-h. as they had been during the War of the Revolution. At fir-t the pioneer= got along as peaceably as could be expected with the Indians. and it was not until after Hull's surrender, August 16, 1812, that the settlers began the erection of blockhou-es. into which they could retreat for safety when outbreaks were impending. The militia of the state was culled out and the first companies that came to Mansfield built two blockhouses. one of which we have re-erected and dedicated today.

After the battle of the Thames, October 5, 1813, blockhouses, as a rule, went out of commission. .\ few months prior to this Richland county had heen formally organized under the legislative act of January 7, 1813. On the 24th of July the commissioners made certain alterations in the blockhouse to make it suitable for a courthouse and jail. and as such it was used until 1815, when another courthouse was built.

At the last meeting of the Richland County Historical Society a centennial commission was created, of which the Hon. Huntington Brown 1s president, and the first work of the comiis-ion inauguratory of the celebration of the centennial anniversary of Mansfield. June. 1908, was to purchase the hewed log blockhouse which had stood on Center avenue ever since its removal from the public square, ninety-two years ago, and had the same taken down and removed to the courthouse lawn where it was re-erected last October.

Ohio was the battle ground where the savages tried to stop the tide of civilization in its onward course across the American continent, aud Richland county was the stage on which some of the bloody tragedies of that strife were enacted. It was a conflict Letween civilization and barbarism. The former conquered and the latter receded in obedierice to the plan by which people have ever moved westward in the way of destiny and in the paths of which have arisen the splendid monuments of civilization.

It has been said that the ear held close to the dead earth in winter hears the million wheels on which spring is coming. By faith the pioneers heard the wheels on which a new era of civilization was coming - the civilization that has made Mansfield the city it is today.

The early history of Rome is shrouded in myth and fable, but the pioneer history of Richland county is an open book. It is interesting to trace a country's history from its beginning and follow society in its formative state and note its material developments and scientific achiey ements.