Richland County, Ohio - The whole text, 1908 (part 8 of 16)

These were men of strong character. Judicial integrity, great learning, clear, concise thought, adherence to principle founded on reason, familiarity with precedents and leading cases, honesty of purpose controlled their administration of the law. Technicalities were brushed aside if they interfered with doing substantial justice between man and man. The right was made to prevail over the wrong.

George W. Geddes was chosen as the successor of James Stewart. Party lines were beginning to break. Stewart, who had been a Democrat, did not act with that party, and Geddes who had been a Whig was chosen on the Democratic ticket in preference to Stewart, whose name appeared on the opposite ticket.

Judge Geddes' course illustrates the genius of our free institutions. It demonstrated that the poorest and raggedest boy that plays in the streets or country place may at no distant day take his seat on the judicial bench or his voice may be heard in our national councils. Judge Geddes served on the bench for fifteen years. He had an extensive and lucrative practice. As a judge, Geddes was pleasant, affable and courteous, yet at the same time he was firm and commanded the respect of all who had business before him. The judicial Ermine while worn by Geddes never contained a speck of dishonor. In his hands the scales of justice were evenly balanced. The humblest suitor's case received the same careful, painstaking consideration as that of the wealthy and powerful.

As a lawyer he was very successful. To look at him in the trial of a case no one could ever tell whether the evidence was favorable or unfavorable to his client. He always wore the same smile. He was a most skillful crossexaminer. He did it in such a pleasing way that he gained the confidence of the witness. and before the witness knew it he had been pumped dry. His arguments to court were marked by the clearness and precision with which he stated his proposition. He was a most dangerous opponent to a jury. He could boldly state and plausibly maintain his position before them. He was a close student and always felt the spur of poverty in his childhood pricking him and pushing him onward.

Thomas J. Kenny reached the bench in 1874 and held many terms of court in this county, although he resided in Ashland. He was gifted by nature with a judicial mind; he reached results intuitively, and, having reached them. he was satisfied to announce the conclusion and not disposed to elaborate the reasons therefor. JI once heard John MeSweeny argue a demurrer to Judge Kenny while he was holding court at Wooster. McSweeny spent almost an entire dav in the presentation. The next morning after court opened Judge Kenny announced "Demurrer overruled" without any reason given for the holding. McSweeny was furious; he approached the bench and said he, at least, thought he was entitled to know the reason why he was beaten. Kenny coolly looked at him a moment and said: "Mr. McSweeny, life is too short and the pay of a Common Pleas judge too small for me to undertake to give a reason for overruling your demurrer. If you are not satisfied with the decision of this court. go up higher." He was social, convivial and made much of his friends and was made much of by his friends. He was an able, impartial judge and a lawyer of marked ability.

William Osborn was another judge who hailed from Ashland. He held many terms of court in Richland and was liked by all. It has been said of him: "No one ever questioned his integrity. In every fiber of his head and heart was woven the strong silken threads of judicial honesty. He was of spare build, slender, delicate rather than strong physically, a close student, industrious, careful in his living, not convivial, but devoted to his friends. a loving husband and father, and counted among his friends not only those who agreed with him politically, but also those who differed with him. He was a careful, conscientious lawyer, and, putting on the gown of a judge. still more careful and conscientious. In fact, if he had a fault or failing. it was this: that fearing that by some possibility he might err in judgment and so injustice be done, he hesitated somewhat in reaching conclusions, and that hesitation, born of conscience, may some time have led him astray and into unintentional error, but this must always be recorded of him that in his heart he was an upright judge.

Judson A. Beebe, of Mount Gilead, served a part of a term on the bench, dying while in office. He held several terms of court at Mansfield. He was a . careful, painstaking judge, affable and courteous to the bar and litigants. He left behind him a reputation for honesty and integrity.

Andrew K. Dunn was appointed to fill the vacancy, holding only a short time till the next election. He was an.able lawyer, with a keen, incisive mind. He could see through a case with an almost intuitive perception. In the short time he was on the bench he had but little opportunity to display his ability. He was quick to catch a point and would have made a model judge.

Manuel May was elected a judge of the Common Pleas Court for this subdivision in 1882, and was reelected and served until 1892. He was prosecuting attorney of Richland eounty from 1858 until 1862. From 1866 until 1870 he represented this district in the state senate. In the senate he took a high rank and served on the judiciary committee and was a prominent factor in shaping the affairs of the senate.

As a judge, Manuel May was fair and impartial in his rulings, stanch in principle, clear in perception, with unswerving integrity and honesty of purpose. combined with a thorough knowledge of the law. He was most kind to the vounger practitioner. His years of service on the bench were laborious years, but. in a large measure, he was gifted, and affability - a genial affabilitvy - so characterized the man that the burden of labor was lessened by the pleasure afforded in his intimate association with his brethren of the bar. There was no austerity in his makeup, yet dignity was at the helm. I began my career at the bar while Judge May was on the bench. My temerity would quickly disappear under the genial, gentle glow of Judge May, and courage was given me by his kindly greeting and affable manners. His face was pleasant to look upon, his eye claimed your attention and captivated you; his voice was sweet and low, yet clear and very attractive, and his manners Chesterfieldian: and vet, withal, the humblest of all the sons of Blackstone were made to feel at home in his presence.

As a jury advocate he ranked high, being possessed of fair oratorical powers, as well as an openness of manner and frankness indispensable to him who would win the confidence of a jury. His power was the greater before court or jury from the fact that it was recognized that his aim was ever to secure justice and not to mystify and befog the jury and thus thwart the principles of right and equity involved. A number of the successful lawyers and prominent men of today read law under his guidance. He was an uncompromising Democrat. Kind friend and just judge, we bid you adieu.

Believing that a complete list of the old associate judges has never been published in any history of Richland county, and thinking their. names ought to be preserved, as well as their mode of appointment, I have taken the liberty to insert the list. even though it entails a little repetition. The list is as follows:

Section 8 of Article 3 of the Constitution of 1802 provides, among other things, the following: 'The associate judges of the Court of Common Pleas shall be appointed by a joint ballot of both houses of the general assembly, and shall hold their office for the term of seven vears, if so long they behave well."

It can be said of the judges, both those under the Constitution of 1802 as well as those under that of 1851, that they were never tainted by the breath of suspicion, but, one and all, they were honest, fearless, capable and upright judges - men whom the community should delight to honor and whose lives should be an example to the rising generation of Blackstonian disciples.

John M. May was the first resident lawver of Mansfield. He was admitted to the bar July 26th, 1815, and in the autumn of the same vear settled in Mansfield and practiced in his profession until two vears lefore lis death, which occurred on the 12th of December. 1859. He was elected pro<ecuting attorney in 1816. but resigned the office the vear following. because the defense to prosecution offered him better compensation. For many years he made the circuit of the northern and western county courts. and had a long and successful practice. In politics Mr. Mav was unambitious: in his profession he was a fine advocate as well as an alile chancery lawyer. and during his long life always maintained a high character as a good citizen and an honest man. In his later vears. among hix associate lawyers. he was =tvled the "Nestor of the Bar." and known as *'Father Mav." and to the day of his death maintained the good will. respect and confidence of all.

Jacob Parker read law at Lancaster. Ohio. THWe was regarded as one of the best of the old-time lawvers. It can be said of him that it was greatly to the glory of old Richland that he hved so many vears in Mansfield. for he was a transcendent benefit to the voung men who came thereafter to the bar. His brain was a complete workshop. so to speak. His knowledge of the law was exact, and his suavity. sincerity and safety of counsel were alike an assurance for his younger brethren and a benediction.

James Stewart. the fatherin-law of John Sherman, was a lawyer. rich in his wealth of classical education, his imagery. his sonorous tones, his perfect knowledge of the human heart and its promptings to action and effect. He came from Pennsylvania and established an academy at Mansfield and thereafter read law and was admitted to the bar and later sat on the bench, mention of which has heretofore been made. He possessed genius and was a man of portly form and magnificent presence.

Thomas Edginton is thus described in a pen sketch by Hon. H. C. Hedges: "Edginton was born in Virginia. He having been reared to the law did not cut much of a figure in its practice. not for the reason that he was not intelligent, but for the reason that he was indolent. Among the men of the past he was known as the very personification of indolence. He was nearly six feet tall, spare, with fair elocutionary gifts, but indisposed to exert himself. I remember him when I was a lad and my father was a merchant, and a very careful, tasty one about his goods and wares and store furniture and furnishings, and he dreaded the presence of Tom Edginton. who, unbidden, would appropriate the counter whereon to stretch his lazy bones. I remember that when informed that he was 'persona non grata,' Edginton would get off the perch but take no offense. The one thing lacking in Thomas Edginton was industry; that lacking, his professional life was a failure."

Pelatiah W. Burr was a student and the opposite of Edginton. He was energetic and industrious. though somewhat peculiar and reserved. He was not a strong. healthy man. and abandoned the practice of the law and removed toafarm. The out-door life brought him better health. His neighbors looked upon him as a book farmer. He did well on the farm, and it may be said of him that he was the first <cientifie farmer of Richland county.

Hiram Humphrey was regarded as a lawyer of fair ability. active and industrious. Had he remained in the practice he would. no doubt, have at: tained some considerable distinction. In 1842, during an awakening of the churches in Mansfield. he became greatly interested. and shortly thereafter entered the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church. As a preacher he was didactic rather than per=uazive. logical rather than fervid in his deliverances. He addressed the intellect rather than the heart, and it may be said of him that he was in no sense a revivalist; that he was strong in doctrine, zealous in the cause he espoused and fairly successful. In his party preference he was a Democrat. and there came a time in the history of the North Ohio Conference when he was alone politically. and he frequently said of himeelf "that he was like a strange eat in his father'= garret."

Isaac J. Allen was possibly the most highly cultured member of the Richland county bar at any ttme in its history. He was a graduate in the liberal arts and sciences. a graduate of the school of medicine and a doctor of laws - LL. D. He was a fine classical scholar. He attained a fine practice and clientage. but he was exsentially a book worm. a scholar, a teacher. The professor's chair was more to his liking than the contests at the bar. He removed from Mansfield to Cincinnati and gave himself up to educational work, and later represented this country abroad as consul in Oriental countries.

In a pen sketch published several vears ago, Hon. H. C. Hedges speaks thus of Charles H. Brvan and Patrick Purdy Hull: "Of the two seeking fame and fortune on the Pacific coast, one acquired distinction as a lawver and was elected to the supreme bench of the state. The other, with a more commanding presence. fine form, graceful manners and genial ways. lingered longer than was well over the cup when it was red and sparkling, and made little mark for good, though his association with a famous woman gave him a notoriety in the earlv Fifties, both on the Pacific and Atlantic slopes. While he who wore the judicial Ermine, after his retirement from the bench and reentry at the bar, though very successful, was with the success, in condition pecuniarily, to worship more at the shrine of Bacchus than tarry in the temple of justice, and it so happened that the two brilliant young men, Patrick Purdy Hull and

Charles H. Bryan were soon not counted among the living. Patrick Purdy Hull was only remembered on the Pacific slope as the brilliant young man who found in Lola Montez a companion and made her his wife. a marriage ending, as it could only end, in a fatality of disappointment and sorrow. ;

"And of Charles H. Bryan, the chief justice of the United States territorial court of Nevada; Judge Turner, before its admission as a state. told me that in a single case tried before the United States district court Bryan earned and received a fee of $100.000 in gold, and on its receipt went down to the city and stayed not his course until the last dollar wax spent. Prior to this Bryan was chief justice of the Supreme Court of Califormia."

William Linn Tidball, a member of the Richland county bar. was a man gifted not with riches, but ambition aud a great desire to be somebody in the world of letters. It is said of him that "if he had wooed the muses of poetry and history and belles lettres with constancy aud assiduity. turning neither to the right to play for a little while in the temple of justice. nor to the left to court the goddess of war, it is possible his place would have been higher." He removed to the city of New York and died there only a few vears ago.

C. W. Cowan was the son of a Presbyterian minister who officiated im Mansfield. He was a lawyer of considerable ability. He vemoved to Cincinnati and there acquired considerable practice. He was held in high e-teem by his brethren of the bar and was regarded as a man of probity and honor.

Joseph Hildreth found the law more to lis taste than medicine. and so Doctor Joseph Hildreth came to the bar. Tle was brainy and logical. a good thinker and forcible, though not a polished speaker. He was the first president of the association which purchased the nucleus of the grounds which are now a part of and which led up to the laying out and cultivation and adornment of our "Beautiful City of the Dead.' the Mansfield cemetery. He ixsned a eall to the citizens of Mansfield to assemble and take action and closed the notice with these words: ''Ye living men. come view the ground where you shall shortly le." He was a Mason of high degree. a lecturer in that ancient order, and highly distinguished throughout the state as a bright and admirably equipped Mason.

_ When the Ohio and Pennsylvania railroad wax built - that was the first name of that portion of the Pittsburg. Fort Wayne and Chicago Railway. extending from Pittsburg to Crestline - Mr. Hildreth was employed in securing the right of way for it, and was very active. and was appointed agent at Mansfield, and served many years acting also as local attorney as well az agent. He was the first railroad attorney in Mansfield. He was at one time mavor of ihe town, and was a public-spirited, useful and very valuable citizen. The lives of these old lawyers and judges inspire you with the gratifying thought that Mansfield was indeed blest in her early years with men who did not always look to the dollar that was to go into their purses, but were broad enough and manly enough to mount a higher plane and work for the good of the community and our common humanity.

William Johnston was of Irish blood. but born on the blue waters of old ocean and brought to Ohio as a child. and when a voung man was a teacher.

He was a true son of Erin, and his pen was as eloquent as his tongue, and his tongue was touched with a flame of fire, sometimes vituperative, dealing in invective, but for the most time persuasive and pleasant. In his young manhood he was of the Whig school of politics, and during the campaign of 1844 he, with an associate, published the "Richland Bugle," the blasts of which, week in and week out, were very effective for Clay, of whom he was a great admirer.

The "Bugle" was conducted with great vigor and blasts and blows were frequent at the "Shield and Banner' and its then editor, John Y. Glessner. Never prior had the local papers indulged in such warfare, and it was fast and furious. "Harry of the West" was defeated and Johnston was sad. He soon after moved to Charlotte. Michigan, and published a newspaper there, with varving fortune. -.\fter some considerable of an interval he returned to Ohio; but without fortune or any accumulation. save his increased family. There began a struggle for existence, and it culminated in the study of the law and entry on its practice. He was the Whig candidate for probate judge, but was defeated. and soon after became a Democrat. Day and Smith. who bought the Jeffersonian and resurrected its waning fortunes and christened it anew as the Mansfield Herald. made the fight a vigorous one against Mr. Glessner and the Shield, and used the editorial articles copied from the Bugle: and, strangest of all things. the republication of such articles were made the basis of an action on behalf of Mr. Glessner against Day and Smith, and Johnston was the attorney and advocate of Mr. Glessner. If Mr. Glessner's good name was assailed, the Bugle blasted it. and the Herald only resounded the Bugle notes. The Bugle was not called to account, but the Herald was required to respond and defend the libel action. In 1862 Mr. Johnston was elected to congress and served one term. Ife was a man possessed of fine gifts, diligent in application and had the habit of industry and made a success of the practice of law.

William Stevens was not a great lawyer. vet he was associated in the trial of some important cases. He was careless of his personal appearance, careless in his dress. He was, in the davs of his residence in Mansfield, an author and wrote and published a book, now out of print, entitled the "Unjust Judge." He quarreled with Stewart and with Kirkwood, and in his book he delineated Stewart to his own estimate and measure of the man as the "unjust judge," and one of the persons of this story he nominated "Old Yellow Coat," and that appellative fitted no one save Kirkwood. There may be some stray copies of the book in some of the libraries of Mansfield, I know not, but it is a fact, and should not be lost in history, that in the bar of Richland in the olden times we find authors and painters. doctors and preachers, yet all at one time disciples of Blackstone and devotees of the law. Stevens removed to Kansas City. He was elected prosecuting attorney of Richland county one term, defeating George W. Geddes, who was the Whig candidate. Stevens ought to have been a suecess; he lacked not brains, but orderly brains: not knowledge, but the disposition to use that knowledge to the utmost.

William B. Bowman was a native son of Mansfield. He was a lawyer of some considerable ability, but the growth of an appetite for drink nearly ruined him. His folks induced him to remove to Kansas. There he usserted

Willam R. Cantwell was of an old pioneer family. To young William R. Cantwell there happened an episode which is worthy of revelation. He had been a Democrat, and for a winter or two was a clerical assistant in one of the houses of Ohio's general assembly, and there he fought a duel, with no fatal results. I believe he is the only member of the Richland county bar who received and accepted a challenge and tested his courage on the field of honor. His practice in Ohio hardly commenced when he removed to California. There he reached the city bench in Sacramento and took front rank as a member of his profession.

Mordecai Bartley was born in Pennsylvania and was in his day a merchant, a farmer, and as he advanced in age was, to a moderate extent, engaged in the practice of the law. He early developed character that won the confidence of those who knew him best, for in 1817 he was elected to the state senate, and remained there by continuous elections until 1823. In 1823 he was elected to congress and served four terms, when he declined a reelection. In congress he was the first to propose the conversion of the land grants of Ohio into a permanent fund for the support of common schools, and secured an appropriation for the improvement of the harbors of Cleveland, Sandusky City, Huron and Vermilion. In 1844, having retired from congress and engaged in mercantile and agricultural business, he was elected governor of Ohio on the Whig ticket. Upon his inauguration as governor, the retiring governor was his own son, Thomas W.. Bartley. An occurrence like that of father succeeding the son as governor has probably never occurred in anv other state. In 1846 the war with Mexico was strongly opposed by the anti-slavery people of Ohio, they regarding its proclamation in the interests of slavery extension, and. in response to the call for troops, they were not in favor of Ohio filling her quota. But Governor Bartley maintained that Ohio, in common with every other state. was constitutionally bound to respect the requisitions of the national government. He therefore, adopted the proper measures. and the necessary number of volunteers were enlisted and transferred to the authorities under his personal supervision. He declined a second nomination, though strongly urged to accept. and retiring to his home at Mansfield passed the evening of his life in the bosom of his family, dividing his attention between the practice of the law and in the management of his farm. He died October 10th, 1870.

Samuel Jordan Kirkwood was born in Hartford county, Maryland, December 20, 1813; he removed to Ohio in 1835, and was admitted to the bar of Ohio in 1843. He was prosecuting attorney of Richland county for two terms, elected as a Democrat. He removed to Iowa in 1855, was elected governor in 1859 and 1861; United States senator in 1866: governor again in 1875, and United States senator again in 1876, serving until 1881, when he was appointed secretary of the interior by President Garfield. He retired to private life in 1882, and died in Iowa City, Iowa, September 1, 1894. He was a man of strong character and has left his impress on the affairs of this nation.

Charles T. Sherman came here from Lancaster, Ohio. He was an able lawver. He had an analytical mind and was a keen. incisive reasoner. He was appointed United States district judge for the northern district of Ohio. Hts decisions were model= of conciseness and clear, lucid reasoning.

John Sherman came here from Lancaster, Ohio. He read law with his brother, Judge Charles T. Sherman. Three years afterwards, being admitted to practice, he went into partnership with his brother, and soon achieved the reputation of being an honest, laborious, thoroughly able and remarkably successful lawyer. During the subsequent years, he took an active interest in politics. In 1848 and again in 1852 he was a delegate to the Whig National Convention, and in the latter year was chosen a Presidential elector. In 1854 he labored earnestly in opposition to the extension of slave territory, and accepting the nomination for the then Thirteenth district, he was elected to Congress greatly to his surprise. He was appointed by the speaker of the House one of a committee of three to investigate and report on the border ruffian troubles in Kansas. This committee visited the territory and took testimony. under great difficulties. The members received rough treatment, and at least on one oceasion their lives were saved only by the intervention of United States troopx. Returned to the Thirtv-fifth Congress he was chairman of the naval investigating committee, which exposed the complicity of Buchanan and his secretary of the navy in the interest of the slave-holding statex. .\ third time he returned. in the Thirty-sixth Congress he was the Republican candidate for speaker, and through a long series of ballotings lacked but one or two votes of being elected, but finally, to end the "dead lock." had hix name withdrawn. .\t once made chairman of the ways and means committee. he then became the leader of the House, and in this position the framed the Morrill tariff. In reply to a speech made by the Hon. George H. Pendleton in 1861. Mr. Sherman prophesied the inevitable destruction of the institution of <lavery, a= the result of the threatened Civil War. Elected for the fourth time to Congresx. the appointment by President Lincoln of Senator Chase to hix cabinet ax secretary of the treasury, made a vacancy to which Mr. Sherman wax immediately elected. and taking his seat in the United States Senate in March, 1861, held the same until his appointment in March, 1877. by President Hayes to the secretaryship of the treasury. At once, on taking his seat in the Senate in 1861, he was appointed to the Senate committee of finance, and as its chairman, in December, 1862, he introduced the National Banking bill. and in January following he made a speech in its favor. and against the state banking system, so effective as to largely influence the passage of the National banking law. The custom of making contracts in advance of appropriations then prevailing, was denounced by him. and largely through his influence, broken up. In the second session of the Thirtv-ninth Congress. he proposed a substitute for the reconstruction bill that finally became a law. In the Fortieth Congress he was reappointed chairman of the Senate finance committee and directed legislation that eventually led to the paxsage of the act of 1870, under which the six per cent war bonds have been wholly refunded.

In 1875 he reported the resumption bill that became a law in 1876, and, as secretary of the treasury, was in a position to direct its consummation in the most satisfactory manner. in the face of the most rabid schemes for its repeal by the opposition in Congress. At first, in 1878, unfavorable to the passage of the bill to coin silver dollars to the extent of not less than two millions, nor more than four millions a month, as soon as he perceived the advantage this coinage would be to the consummation of resumption, he earnestly engaged in the administration of the law, and removed every impediment to its successful operation within his reach. Upon the resignation of General James A. Garfield, who had been elected senator by the Legislature of Ohio, to serve from the 4th of March, 1881, in order to enter upon the presidency, Mr. Sherman was chosen in his place. He held his place in the Senate until March 4th, 1897, when he resigned to accept the secretaryship of state in President McKinley's cabinet. In a short time. failing health compelled him to resign. He was a prominent candidate for the presidency in 1880 and in 1884 and in 1888 was the leading candidate till General Harrison was nominated. He died October 21st. 1900. His life was one of exceeding activity, untiring industry, of close thought and study, of energetic work, of great accomplishment. He largely wrote the laws which proved the factors for the onward progress of the people and the glory of the Republic. He was one of the greatest statesmen of his day and generation. He was one of the few who pursued the study and practiced the arts of the statesman. for the good of all his countrymen and rest of mankind.

Wiliam McLaughlin was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania. February 3rd, 1802. He came to Mansfield in 1828 and resided here till lis death. July 19th, 1862. Much might have been lost to his day and generation. and to our day and generation, if that marvelous man, marvelous because his carly education was limited, and more marvelous because in spite of the meager advantages of his youth, his native gifts were sufficient to supplement the lack. if we had not possessed as a townsman General William McLaughlin. a hero of two wars. Trace his hfe - was prosecuting attorney of the county. then a member of the Senate of Ohio, when many men of might were his colleagues, vet term after term he was chosen speaker of the Senate. and in his administration of Parlamentary laws. was never overruled. He wa: possessed of unbounded charity and kindness. He was bold. fearless and resolute in hiadvocacy of what he thought was right. He was a thorough patriot. who called the whole country his home and gave his life that the nation might live.

James Purdy was one of the practitioners under the old common law practice, who never became reconciled to the code. He always referred in disdainful terms to it as the "Cod." In the adoption of the Constitution of 1851, the change was radical - from the old common law practice to that of the new code just adopted by the state. The older members of the bar, Purdy among them, were indisposed to study the new practice. Mr. Purdy was a successful lawyer, a man of sterling honesty and unblemished integrity. He had and held until his death the confidence and esteem of the bar and the community.

Barnabas Burns was the warm-hearted, the genial soul, the honorable man. the public-spirited citizen, the careful legislator, the brave soldier and true patriot. His parents were from across the sea. The Green Isle. the land of song and story, of suffering and oppression, was the country from which his father and mother came, settling in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, and there in the woods, their son, Barnabas, was born. In all the official positions he held, he filled them with honor to his constituency and credit to himself. He was not a strong man physically, yet he survived to a good old age, and if we measure his life by the good he accomplished, he hved much longer than many others. He was industrious, energetic, a fair judge of human nature, faithful in his friendships and intense in his dislikes. He analyzed well, not dogmatic in his deliverances. He was an intense lover of the Union. He was far-seeing. Early in the war he anticipated Grant's fame, and in a letter written the first year of the war to U. S. Grant, he prophesied his future. The letter of Grant in reply is among the papers of Burns.

He was particularly the friend of voung men, especially the younger members of the bar. all of whom loved him as a friend and father. He took great pains to cultivate their friendships and was always ready and willing to act as their father confessor and to give them good advice. He was strong with the jurv and was unusually successful in the trial of his cases. He was thorough in preparation and diligent in application. No golden spoon was in the mouth of Barnabas Burns, though there came to him a silver tongue with which to charm his friends in conversation and persuade courts and juries. and guide and convince and control legislative bodies and _ political conventions and political questions. He was a Democrat and maintained his allegiance to the principles of hix party to the end of his useful life.

Thomas IT. Ford was a lawyer whose practice was never of such an extent as to correctly measure him thereby as a lawyer. He was capable of great effort. but there was in hix organization the seeds of weakness, az well as of strength and greatiess.

There came to Ford a great opportunity, such an opportunity as Patrick Henry once had many decades before. There was a national council of the American party in session in Philadelphia. The leading men of the Whig party of the South were there. with many Whigs from the North. Ford was a delegate and the debate was high. and he delivered himself in a speech, brief, vet masterly, that stirred the whole nation and made him famous. In speaking further of Ford, I shall reproduce the speech I made while serving as a member of the House in the Seventy-first General Assembly of Ohio. in presenting a picture of Ford to the Senate.

Mr. President and Senators: I desire to thank you for this courtesy extended to me in permitting me to address you at this time. The senator from this district has told vou in eloquent language of the greatness of Richland county and her illustrious sons. In the galaxy of great men in Ohio, the sons of old Richland stand in the front ranks. As the Ohio man wherever he is, is fond to say, "I was born in Ohio," so the sons of Richland, wherever thev may be, are proud to say, "I was born in Old Richland." I came here today not to eulogize Richland county's sons, for they need none, but to perform a pleasant duty assigned me by the friends and admirers of one who, in the past, was an honor to and shed luster upon his county.

Thomas H. Ford, third in the line of lieutenant governors of Ohio, was born in the vear 1814. in the State of Virginia, but when a mere child. was brought by his parents into Ohio. and his early years were passed on the hills of Harrison countv - the hills high and xteep. but covered with rich grasses which have made that county one of wealth and great prosperity. In time his parents removed to and settled within the Loundaries of Richland, then, in area, the empire county of the state, and politically the best in Ohio.

On the farm he grew to manhood, but varied his employment by teaching the youth and entering on the study of the law, but before he was established in practice, the tocsin of war sounded an alarm on the Rio Grande, and he led into the land of the Montezumas a company of Ohio volunteers, a part of the Third Ohio regiment.

Returning after the Mexican war he resumed his studies and began the practice of his profession. and in time became an active participant in the discussion of all questions affecting the public good of the state and the nation, and the ability he manifested marked him for further advancement aid placed him on the ticket az an associate with Salmon P. Chaxe.

On his election he discharged the duties of Heutenant governor ably 2nd well. In the War of the Rebellion he commanded the Thirty-second O] ie. After his resignation, for the most part of the time he resided in Washing'on. D. C.. and became the intimate friend of Abraham Lincoln. The form of Ford was that of a commanding personage - few men possessed a finer physique or more commanding presence. He was a gifted man and capable of great effort, when driven into close combat of thought and words, but 1.der ordinary circumstances. he lacked persistency and continuity in labor - Still he measured up well with the other sons of Ohio who served the state. Je died February 29, 1868, at the city of Washington, but his mortal part was returned to Ohio, and was buried on the hillside overlooking the Valley of the Mohican, and it is fitting and right that on these walls hi- pertrait showd hang. so that in recounting the past it may be xeen and known Jy the coming generation what manner of man he was.

And now, Mr. President, on behalf of a few of his friends. viz' Judge Martin Welker, Hon. John Sherman, Hon. Henry C. Hedges. G. F. Carpenter, Hon. M. D. Harter, B. F. Crawford, Nelson Ozier, and Samuel N Ford. I have the honor and the very great pleasure to present through you to the State, this portrait, and ask that it be assigned to a place on the walls of the Senate chamber.

Tsaac Gass was the son of William Gass, who was a member of the Seeend General Assembly of Ohio. He read law with James Stewart and in many ways and methods was like him. He was prosecuting attorney of the county. state senator, and also entered the military service of his country and cepriad the sword of a lieutenant colonel. He attained some prominence at the bar and was regarded as a safe counsellor and a trial lawyer of fair ability.

Robert C. Smith was born in Pennsylvania. He did not devote himself very closely to the practice of law. That he had gifts, is not questioned, but he lacked method, both of study and life, and he despised the weakness of some who gain fame and fortune by fawning. He was a true friend and the soul of honor. When the Civil War broke out, he became a soldier and served as a lieutenant in the First Ohio Independent Battery. For a number of years he was connected with the internal revenue service, and was a faithful public officer.

William Loughridge did not long remain at the bar of Richland county. He early took Horace Greelev's advice, "Go West. young man." He went to Oskaloosa, Iowa, and there became a judge and congressman.

Jacob Brinkerhoff was born August 31st. 1810, in Cayuga county, New York. He came to Mansfield in 1836, and one year later was admitted to the bar. and immediately formed a partnership with Thomas W. Bartley and entered upon the practice of the law. He soon acquired the reputation of being a lawyer of more than ordinary ability, and in 1839 was elected prosecuting attorney of Richland county, and sucessfully discharged the duties of the oftice for four years. In the fall of 1843 he was elected to Congress on the Democratic ticket. While serving as a member of this body, he became affiliated with the Free-soil party and drew up the famous resolutions introduced by David Wilmot, and since known as the "Wilmot Proviso." The original draft of this resolution in Judge Brinkerhoff's handwriting is now in the Congressional Library in Washington, D.C. Several copies of this resolution were made and distributed among the Free-soil members of Congress, with the understanding that whoever among them should catch the speaker's eve, and get the Hoor, =hould introduce it. Wilmot was the fortunate man. and thereby his name was attached to the resolutions. and it has gone into history as the "Wilmot Proviso," instead of the Brinkerhoff Proviso, as it should have been. At the close of his Congressional career he resumed the practice of law in Mansfield. in which he sucessfully labored until he was elevated to the supreme bench, hix first tern. commencing January 9, 1856. He served three successive terms and declined a fourth nomination. The Ohio state reports from volume five to twenty, inclusive, contain many of his opinions, and they are very highly regarded everywhere by the profession. Judge Brinkerhoff had a strong sense of justice. and was ever zealous in the discharge of his official dutiex, and his written opinions are characterized by a fluent and perspicuous stvle. He was a man of broad culture, of comprehensive views. and of remarkably quick perception. Upon his retirement from the supreme bench he returned to his home in Mansfield, where he remained up to the time of his death, which occurred July 19, 1880.

Thomas W. Bartley. lawyer and jurist, being president of the Senate of Ohio in 1844. became. by the resignation of Governor Shannon, governor of the State of Ohio, and administered the duties of that office until the inauguration of his father, Governor Mordecai Bartley, in the closing month of that year. He was born February 11, 1812, in Jefferson county, Ohio. He was admitted to the bar in Mansfield, Ohio, and served as such for four years. after which be was appointed United States district attorney and served in that office for four vears. Elected subsequently to the legislature, he served one term in the House and four years in the Senate. In 1851 he was elected a judge of the supreme court of Ohio and served two full terms. His decisions are held in high esteem by the bench and bar and greeted with approval in the other states. He was a courteous gentleman, a wise judge and a careful lawyer.

Jerome Lee, of him Henry C. Hedges says: 'He was a quiet man, but I doubt if he had many equals at any time in the history of our bar and few superiors in intellect or fine intellectual power. He was a man of extensive reading and knowledge of men and things. Keen in analysis. logical in statement, and intensely able in unraveling that which was irrelevant and immaterial, so az to reach the kernel of truth." .\fter the war he was chosen city solicitor of Mansfield and the duties of that office were never more ably performed than by Jerome Lee. He was compelled. on account of his health. to remove to Washington City and there for twelve vears he was chief of a division in the treasury department. He performed his duties ably and well.

Robert H. Rowland was born in Richland county and after his admission to the bar practiced his profession but a short time and then went into banking business. He died some years ago in Milwaukee. Wisconsin.

Andrew N. Hedges was a man of faultless form and cultured brain. In a class of forty-two, he was the poet. His intellect was keen. his equipment, for his age. excellent, and his knowledge exact. For a year at the height of the war he served with Captain Shumk, the provost marshal of the district. He, too, entered upon the study of law. 'Ere he had entered actively the lists of his profession. he was met in the way. and death conquered. TTis life was gentle and the elements in him assured a man.

George F. Carpenter was a native son of old Richland. Te practiced law for a number of vears in Mansfield. He was not given to the drudgery of trial work. He was especially an office lawyer. He' was always regarded a-~ a safe counsellor. He was a business lawyer. and as a result of his thrift and economy. amassed a considerable fortune. Once at a bar banquet held in the old Wiler House, he closed an amusing reminiscent speech by saving that if he had entered some other vocation he might have been rich. but as it was he had always remained poor.

Hubbard Colby was born in New Hampshire. He came to Mansfield in the early Forties. He taught school, studied law and wrote editorials. His first law partner was Mordecai Bartley. His practice of the law was limited more especially on account of other business engagements. He, along with Edward Sturges, Andrew L. Grimes and others, organized the Mansfield Machine Works. He became interested also in the Mansfield Gas Light company, and for a number of years was very active in manufacturing and other enterprises of Mansfield. He was a member of the Baptist church and was largely instrumental in the erection of the church on the corner of Park avenue west and Walnut streets. Meeting with financial rewt) verses. he removed to California and secured a clerical position in the office of the collector of the post of San Francisco. If he had confined himself to his professiou. he might have attained rank. He was a man of commanding figure and socially much liked.

N. N. Leyman was born in Richland county, Ohio. He was educated in the public schools of Mansfield. admitted to the bar on gaining his majority, and immediately entered on a successful practice with his former preceptors. He was a young man of marked ability, but he matured early and reached his greatest height when others were only climbing the lower slopes of fame. Success came to him early and with success ambition led him onward. Tle removed to New York City, but his sun declined and when hope Was at its highest he departed. He was not a success as a jury lawyer. He could not reach them. but always went over their heads. -\s an advocate in the appellate courts he had few. if any, equals at the Richland county bar. He had a keen. incisive. analytical mind. His propositions were always stated with terseness and conciseness and supported with authorities applicable.

Thomas McBride was boru November 20, 1827. in Monroe township, Richland county. Ohio. He was of Seoteh-Ivish ancestry. He read law in Mansfield and was admitted to the bar in June. 1827, at Mt. Vernon, Ohio. The month following his admission to the bar. he opened a law office in Defiance, Ohio. Success followed his efforts. and two vears afterward he was elected prosecuting attorney of Defiance county. This office he filled with credit for two successive terms. In 1865 he returned to Mansfield and followed the practice of his profession till his death in January, 1890. He was a man of strong will power. intense likex and dislikes. fairly cultured, more logical power than rhetoric, and he made of life a success. He was a close student of the law. but not of letters or hterature generally, and thereby he lacked something of the skill and power he might have attained had he been more broadly educated. Ax a trial lawver of facts. he had few equals in Richland county. He was not a polished advocate. but a vigorous one, and in invective not surpassed by any of hix contemporaries. FIe was a skillful cross-examiner of both classes of witnesxex. those determined not to tell what they knew and those eager to tell all and more than they knew. His special ability was made manifest in the examination and cross-examination of witnesses. Once retained in a case his every effort wax put forth to gain this cause, irrespective of all other considerations. In his intensity. he made enemies of friends, but never made friends of enemies. He was devoted to the church of his choice, the Presbyterian, and was for many years a ruling elder thereof.

Lyman Beecher Matson was educated at Wabash college, in Indiana. He studied law at Mansfield and was admitted to the bar and began the practice here. He was a very successful lawyer. He was especially strong with a jury. He, probably, had no equal at the Richland bar as a jury lawyer. He was wonderfully successful in securing business, having a most pleasing appearanee and manner. He died in 1876, but he had not reached the zenith of his life or of his accomplishments.

bar. He was a captain in the Thirty-second Ohio aud lost lis leg at Harper's Ferry. He was elected probate judge of Richland county, and enjoys the distinction of being the only man ever elected to that office of the Republican faith in politics. He did not long survive his retirement from office. He had little, if any, opportunity to attain success at the bar.

Samuel S. Bloom was born at Waterford, Pennsylvania, March 11th, 1834. He came to Richland county, Ohio, and settled at Shelby in March, 1856. He represented his county in the House of Representatives, General Assembly of Ohio, during the vears 1863-1867 and 1877-1881. inclusive. He was admitted to the bar in 1864. He was the projector of the first paper in Shelby, The Pioneer. He established the first telephone exchange in Richland county, at Shelby. He was an ardent Democrat. He was one of the organizers of the First Evangelical Lutheran church. of Shelby. and was one of its devoted members. He lived an active Christian life. He was a good and useful citizen and attained some measure of success at the bar.

Wiliam W. Drennan lived at Plymouth. He never took an active part in the trial of cases, but was always regarded ax a good counsellor. He had considerable success in the practice of law. but it was largely confined to office and Probate business. uncontested caxex.

John IK. Cowan was born in Holmes county. Ohio. and educated at Princeton, New Jersey. He was prosecuting attorney of Richland county in 1870. While he was prosecutor he was tendered a position in the office of the general counsel of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad. He accepted. resigned the prosecuting attornevship and removed to the city of Baltimore. He afterwards became general counsel. receiver and president of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad. and .\. D. Egerton, one of President Cleveland': civil service commissioners. told the writer that President Cleveland told him that he would have appointed Cowan to a position on the supreme bench of the United States, instead of L. Q. C. Lamar. but on account of Mr. Cowan's quarrel with Senator Gorman. of Maryland. Gorman had served notice that he would defeat his confirmation. . Mr. Cowan served one year in Congress. He was a polished gentleman. an able lawyer and a Christian citizen. He had a keen. incisive mind. He could readily grasp a point and could sift the chaff from the wheat and get to the merits of the case at once. He was a brilhant orator and a power with court and juries.

A.M. Burns was born in Richland county. He began the study of the law in the office of his uncle, Colonel B. Burns. and was admitted to the bar. The war breaking out soon thereafter, he enlisted in the Fifteenth Ohio. both in the three months' and three vears' service. After the war he resumed the practice of the law in Mansfield and was elected to the State Senate and served two terms. He was the author of the so-called "Burns law." that requires the council of any municipality to first certify that the funds for a certain purpose are in the treasury not otherwise appropriated. before a valid contract can be made. He was afterwards appointed to a position in the treasury department. but resigned that position and settled in Cleveland,

Andrew J. Mack, of him I quote the following from the committee appointed to prepare a testimonial on his life: "The bar is today face to face with the great enemy, Death. One of our members, Judge Andrew J. Mack, has been called home. .\ uative of Ohio for fifty vears walking the earth, on the 14th inst. he came to the parting of the ways and has passed into the unseen country. His parents were of the pioneers of the county - his father stroug intellectually. a man of character. self-reliant, his mother gentle, cultured, and possessed of all the Christian graces. With such a father and mother. our friend's youth and early manhood were made especally bright and promising. his education was cared for. and in 1868, when twenty-three vears of age. he finished his collegiate course and entered on the study of the law. and having the advantage of a course of xtudy in the law dlepartment of the University of Michigan. he entered on the practice of his profession in 1870. Official positions came to hint almost unsought, and he was prosecuting attorney and for two full terms judge of the Probate court. and retiring therefrom, he entered again on the practice of his profession. We note these facts. for they are a part of his life and his history. He was a genial. gentle-ninded man. his domestic relations were happy. his knowledge of the elementary principles of the law excellent. and his familiarity with the practice large. He was a pleasant and attractive public speaker, and all things combined to make life honorable and useful."

Wilham H. Pritehard was born in Richland county. Ohio. He wae educated at the .\cademy at Perrysville. and graduated from the University f Wooster. Ohio. in 1874. He at once began the -tudy of law and when admitted. began the practice in Mansfield. During his residence in Mansfield he was in partnership with his brother-in-law. Judge N. M. Wolfe. He removed to Washington state in December, 1884. and settled at Tacoma. where he reached a high position at the bar and served several terms on the bench. He was a most careful. painstaking lawyer. No case that he was retained in could be too well prepared. He left nothing undone in the preparation. He analyzed both the law and the facts. THe endeavored to leave no avenue open by which the opposition could surprixe him.

Albert G. Day was born in Richland county, Ohio. He read law with Colonel B. Burns and was his last law partner. He was not a strong, healthy inan. and was cut off early in life, before he had an opportunity to do much in his profession. He was a man of pleasing manners, social and companionable.

Albert J. Twitchell was a man of commanding presence. He was a business lawyer and amassed some considerable property. He had a good knowledge of the law. He was regarded as a safe counsellor. And on the few occasions he appeared in court, he ~howed marked ability, but the drudgery of trial work was distasteful to him. He was a most kind neighbor. He was always ready to offer his services and took a delight in being able to render neighborly assistance.

He read law with Judge M. May. After his admission to the bar, he practiced in Mansfield. He was appointed United States consul at Toronto, Canada, and afterwards transferred to Pernambuco. Brazil. He was a great wit, and that, together with his quaint way of expressing himself. made him a most welcome addition to any party. He would be the life of it. He had a sweet, sunny disposition. He always saw the bright side of life. The word tomorrow was omitted from his vocabulary. When he thoroughly prepared a case there never was at the Richland county bar a more dangerous opponent. He was full of resources. Knock him out on one theory and he would quickly recover and come back at vou with another and beat you before vou had time to gather vourself together. If he had confined himself diligently to the study and practice of the law he would have reached a commanding position at the bar.

William W. Skiles was born in Pennsylvania. He came with his parents to Richland county. Ohio, in 1854. He was educated in the public schools and Baldwin University, at Berea. Ohio. from: which he graduated in 1876. He paid his own way through college. "earning ix money by teaching ~chool." He read law with Dirlam and Matson. in Mansfield. \fter his admission, he formed a partnership with his brother and they located at Shelby. Ohio. The firm, by their industry. soon acquired a large and lucrative practice. He was elected to Congress in 1900 and died during hix ~econd term. He reached a conspicuous place in Congress and wax highly regarded by his Congressional associates for his sterling honesty and integrity and his adhesion to his principles. He was a man of excellent judgment and most pleasing disposition. He was a student and was always an agreeable companion. He was the soul of honor. His word was as good as Ins bond. While he was a man of strong convictions. he -had charity for the man who differed with him. He wax an untiring worker. When once engaged in a matter. nothing swerved hin from his course till the matter was consummated. He was a good citizen and the world is better that W. W. Skiles lived in it.

Robert B. Brinkerhoff waz born in Richland county. He waz educated in the pubhe schoolx. He read Jaw and was admitted to the bar in Maunsfield. After his admission to the bar. he began the practice in Mansfield and continued in it until he was appointed deputy insurance commissioner of Ohio. When his term of office was over. he removed to New York. and became counected as counsel for a large insurance company. He became an excellent insurance lawyer. He reached a high position in his chosen profession. He was always a student. His wide range of reading made him a brilliant and instructive conversationalist.

Thomas F. Black was born in Richland county in 1863. He was the son of poor parents and had to make his own way early in life. He was edueated at the public schools and at Ada, Ohio, from which institution he graduated. He was admitted to the bar in 1899 and began the practice in Mansfield. He was elected mayor of Mansfield and <erved one term. He con- ducted the affairs of the office in a highly creditable manner. He was successful in his practice. He was a student of the law. He was careful and diligent in his preparation of his cases. He was a genial companion, strong in his friendships. He died in December. 1905. \ brilliant career was cut off all too soon by the fell destrover.

Richard Gaily was born in Richland county. He was educated in the public ~chools of Mansfield. He read law in Mansfield and began the practice here. He was appointed referee in bankruptey and conducted the affairs in a manner satisfactory to all concerned. He was a close student. He had a most lovable disposition and had many warm friends. He was the soul of honor. He was frail and delicate in health and was cut off before his career was hardly begun.

Henry P. Davis practiced law in Mansfield many years and was lovingly referred to by his fellow members as the 'Nestor of the bar,' "the grand old man of the Richland county bar." He had many friends but no enemies. It can be said of him that as a man, as a lawyer. he left a record without a blemish. a character without reproach. and reputation without a stain. His long, honorable and useful career should be taken as an example by not only all the members of the bar. but by the citizens generally. It is the lives of such men as Henry P. Davis that make the world better for their living in it. While he was not a great man. he was a good man and his influence will be felt for many vears to come.

I have endeavored to tell some things of the members of the Richland county bar. The bar of old Richland has had an honorable name. Its members have attained honorable distinction in many places. They have stamped their impress on the laws of the state and nation and have attained honorable distinction in the interpretation of the laws. Their contests in the forum have brought distinction to their native heath. Let us hope the future will be even more renowned than the past.

A well-known justice of the peace when asked to instruct the jury would say, "Why gentlemen. the jury understands the case: they need no instructions. No doubt they will do justice between the parties."

It is told of another justice that after he had charged the jury at great length and they had been out for a long time. that they came in and asked the justice "whether what he had told them was really the law or whether it was only his notion of it."

This article has already been too long drawn out. I must bring it to a close, but in doing so I want to acknowledge my obligations to Mrs. H. C. Hedges, who kindly gave me access to a scrap book kept by her husband in which much valuable information was obtained. I only regret that Mr. Hedges was not able to prepare this himself. We all Tegret that that brilliant mind, so full of reminiscences, is clouded so that this article could not have

Ohio State Reformatory

The state of Ohio has especially favored Richland county by locating at Mansfield one of the state's finest and most beneficent public institutions. This is the Ohio State Reformatory, formerly known as the Intermediate Penitentiary, located a short distance outside and northeast of the city limits. The idea of such an institution for the state was "thought out" mainly by General Roeliff Brinkerhoff, of Mansfield, then, as now, one of the leading penologists of the world, and whose study and work along the lines of corrections and charities have made him known the world over. To General Brinkerhoff, more than anyone else, is due the credit of the inception of this great effort of the state to reclaim and reform the young men who, while yet young in crime, are not vet beyond the pale of restoration to good citizenship.

This intermediate prisou was needed to complete the penal system of the state, intermediate between the Boys' Industrial School and the Ohio Penitentiary. Criminologists like General Brinkerhoff and thosc associated with him in the agitation for prison reform, held that a combined prison and school was needed for the benefit of young offenders who are not yet given over to a life of crime, whose offenses are more due to thoughtlessness and the rashness of youth than to criminal intent, and who should not be degraded by confinement in the penitentiary and association with hardened and vicious criminals. It had been demonstrated in other states that with proper training and education many of these young violators of the law could be saved from a life of crime and made good citizens. With this object in view the friends of prison reform set about establishing such a reformatory institution for Ohio, and the results have more than justified the hopes and the efforts of those who have labored so long and earnestly for its accomplishment. :

The proposition to establish the Intermediate Penitentiary of Ohio began to take tangible shape April 14, 1884. when the law was passed by the Legislature creating the institution. In pursuance of this act Governor George Hoadly appointed the first board of managers, which consisted of Ex-Congressman John Q. Smith, of Clinton county, Ex-Judge John M. Pugh. of Columbus, and Frank M. Marriott, of Delaware. This board first took up the question of location and spent more than a vear in examining sites. There was an animated contest among a number of cities to secure the location of the new institution.

May 9, 1885, the board examined the site offered by Mansfield, and May 20, a delegation consisting of Hiram R. Smith, M. D. Harter, S. N. Ford, and M. B. Bushnell met with the board at Conch and presented Aaneheld claims. The board visited Mansfield again May 23, and presented to the local committee a proposition looking to the location of the institution at Mansfield. The terms of this proposition were that the citizens of Richland county should give to the state thirty acres of land on which the Intermediate Penitentiary was to be located, and secure for the state an option on one hundred and fifty acres adjoining the thirty acres. This proposition was accepted by the local committee and a number of other citizens at a meeting held the evening of the same day at the office of the Mansfield Water Works. -.\ general meeting of the citizens of Mansfield was held the evening of May 25, in the probate court room for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of the agreement. The necessary committees were appointed. In a few days the finance committee raised the $10,000 necessary for the purchase of the thirty acres to be donated to the state.

It was June 2. 1885. that the Intermediate Penitentiary was finally located at Mansfield. On that day the board of managers met at Columbus and took definite action fixing the location, although it had been well understood for some days prior to the date that the institution would go to Mansfield. The board closed its option on the one hundred and fifty acres additional land at $20.000. and the long contest for the location was ended in Mansfield's victory.

Preparations were immediately begun for the erection of the buildings. George S. Innes. of Columbus, secretary of the board, was appointed surveyor of the grounds. July 13. 1885. F. F. Schnitzer, of Delaware, now a resident of Mansfield. was appointed superintendent of construction. At the same meeting the first contract was let by the board to Cohen & McCabe, of Columbus. for grading the ground. The first work was done July 21, 1885, being the commencement of grading. Levi T. Scofield, of Cleveland, was appointed architect of the building. June 9. 1886, the first construction contract was let to Haneock & Dow. of Mansfield. and actual work on the building was begun soon thereafter. Work on the foundation proceeded during the season of 1886.

November 4. 1886. was one of the great days in Mansfield's history. On that day the official corner-xtone laying of the Intermediate Penitentiary took place with imposing ceremonies and in the presence of a vast number of people, including many distinguished visitors. It was a beautiful autumn day and the city was finely decorated in honor of the occasion. Senator John Sherman was president of the day and General Thomas T. Dill was grand marshal of the procession from the city to the grounds. The assembly was called to order by General R. Brinkerhoff: prayer by Rey. Dr. S. .\. Bronson. rector of Grace Episcopal church: address of welcome by George A. Clugston, mayor of the city; presentation of President of the Day John Sherman, by General Brinkerhoff: address by Hon. John Q. Smith, president of the board of managers; Masonic ceremonies of laying the corner stone, by Grand Lodge of the Ohio F. & A. M., S. Stacker Williams, of Newark, officiating: address by Governor J. B. Foraker; address by Ex-Governor R. B. Hayes; benediction by Rev. Dr. H. L. Wiles. pastor of First Lutheran church of Mansfield.

The corner-stone laying wax supplemented with a meeting in the evening of the same dav in the Congregational church, at which Ex-Governor R. B. Hayes presided. and at which addresses were made by Hon. G. G. Washburn, of Elyria, afterwards a member of the board of managers of the Mansfield institution; Rey. John C. Milligan. chaplain of the Allegheny (Pa.) Penitentiary; Hon. James Massie, warden of the Central Prison, Toronto, Canada; W. D. Patterson. warden of the Cleveland workhouse; General C. H. Berry, of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Hon. Levi L. Barbour, member of the state board of charities of Michigan; Hon. George A. Kelly, president of the board of managers of the Western Pennsylvania penitentiary; and Hon. F. M. Green, of Akron. Many other prominent persons, including members of the Legislature and newspaper men, attended the corner-stone laying.

Work on the building proceeded by slow stages owing to the inadequate appropriations made by the Legislature. The state was in hard financial straits during the years succeeding the beginning of the work, and with appropriations of only from $40,000 to $60,000 each year progress was necessarily slow. In the years 1888 and 1889 no appropriations were made. Work was suspended during these two years and the state was on the point of abandoning the enterprise. A crisis in the life of the Intermediate Penitentiary was reached during the legislative session of 1890. A majority of the House, as well as a majority of the finance committee of that body, were opposed to expending any more money on it and wanted to sell the property or convert it into an insane asylum or do anything to get rid of it. The idea of a reformatory prison for the purpose of reclaiming voung men from a life of crime did not appeal to the law-makers. They regarded it as an unnecessary and expensive experiment. Hon. C. M. Gaumer, the then member of the House of Representatives from Richland county, took hold of the situation with energy and perseverance and finally won a majority of the House in favor of an appropriation of $50,000, which was sufficient to keep the project alive for another year. Hon. W.S. Kerr, state senator from this district. piloted the appropriation safely through the Senate, and thus the crisis was passed and the institution saved, at least for that year.

Fearing further difficulty in securing an appropriation at the next session of the Legislature, at the suggestion of Representative Gaumer, the citizens of Mansfield invited the entire Legislature to become their guests on a trip to Elmira, New York, to inspect the New York State Reformatory. after which the Ohio institution was modeled. The legislators were accompanied on this trip by General R. Brinkerhoff, Captain A. C. Cummins, H. R. Smith, J. M. Waugh, E. H. Keiser, F. F. Schnitzer, R. G. Hancock, and Hon. J. E. Howard, of Bellville. The legislators were so favorably impressed by the Elmira Reformatory that there was no further opposition to going forward with the work at Mansfield. An appropriation of $180,000 was granted that year, and from that time on the question whether there should be an Ohio State Reformatory was settled for all time. Larger appropriations were made from year to year, as the state's finances became easier, until now, after twentyfour years from the time of its inception, Mansfield has, substantially completed, the most magnificent and useful institution of the kind in the United States, if not in the world. Considerably more than a million dollars has been expended by the state in establishing this place for the reformation of the wayward young men of Ohio.

At the legislative session of 1890 the number of the board of managers was increased from three to five, and Governor Campbell appointed Hon. G. G. Washburn, of Elyria, and E. H. Keiser, of Mansfield, the additional members. Only two of the citizens of Richland county have been permitted to serve on the board of managers. These were Colonel B. F. Crawford and E. H. Keiser. There can now be no resident managers because of a law passed some years ago prohibiting any resident of a county where a state institution is located from being appointed a trustee or manager of such institution.

Among the many public-spirited citizens of Mansfield who deserve special mention for their energetic and untiring efforts in securing this splendid institution for Mansfield and Richland county are, General R. Brinkerhoff, Captain A. C. Cummins, Judge Eckels McCoy, Colonel B. F. Crawford, Hon. M. D. Harter, Hiram R. Smith, and John W. Wagner. Hon. James E. Howard, of Bellville. and Hon. John T. McCray, of Ashland, who were members of the Legislature from 1886 to 1890. are also entitled to much credit for their good work in behalf of the institution during the early and strenuous days of its existence. {nd in giving credit to those to whom credit is due, it would be improper to close without a word of commendation for Mr. James A. Leonard, the present able and efficient superintendent, whose intelligent management for more than seven vears past has contributed so much to the success of the Ohio State Reformatory. It is the universal sentiment of all who are acquainted with the operation of this institution that it would be difficult to find a man so well adapted to the work as Superintendent Leonard has proven himself to be.

April 24, 1891. a law was enacted by the Legislature changing the name of the Intermediate Penitentiary to the Ohio State Reformatory. increasing the board of managers from five to six members, making the board non-partisan, and providing for the organization and government of the institution. This law was prepared by General R. Brinkerhoff and introduced in the Senate by Senator Perry M. \dams, of Tiffin, the president pro tem of that body.

On September the 15th, 1896, the institution heretofore known as the Intermediate Penitentiary, was formally opened as the Ohio State Reformatory under the superintendeney of W. D. Patterson, of Cleveland, Ohio. On September 16, 1896, one hundred and fifty prisoners were transferred by special train from the Ohio Penitentiary, and this group constituted the first prison population of the Reformatory.

It was found to be extremely difficult to inaugurate reformatory methods under the peculiar conditions brought about by the transfer of Ohio Penitentlary prisoners, and the lack of equipment of the school of letters and trade schools, and want of sufficient funds for the necessary equipment for an ideal reformatory. The inmates were diligently employed, however, in improving the grounds and premises, but it was found necessary in order to have employment in winter, to secure temporarily a contract under which the men could secure factory employment. After one year's service Mr. W. D. Patterson was succeeded by W. E. Sefton, of Canton, Ohio.

The passage of the indeterminate sentence law caused the population of the Reformatory to rapidly increase, and after the original population which had been transferred from the Penitentiary had disappeared from the institution it was possible to put into effect a system of rules and regulations in harmony with the indeterminate sentence and to grade the inmates in accordance with their conduct while in the institution.

Schools of letters were organized, but little was accomplished in the way of industrial training. ax the Legislature wa= slow to make appropriation for this purpose. But the inmates were employed to good purpoze in the improvement of farm: property. putting in sewage system, building roads, and other improvement work incident to the creation of a great institution.

In the year following. the Reformatory laws were revised in many important particulars. which rendered the administration of the institution as a true reformatory less difficult. The Legislature authorized the expenditure of not to exceed fifty per cent of the earnings of the inmates for the purpose of industrial training. Under this provision of law industrial schools were first established in the line of building trades. Inmates were instructed in bricklaving, stone cutting. carpentry. painting and in iron work. Since the inauguration of this policy no construction work has been given by contract. Six large brick buildnigs have been erected with inmate labor exclusively. A large block of steel cells. much structural iron work. the extension of the heating and lighting plant are among the most important enterprises undertaken by the trade school] classes in iron work.

It is found that the expense of these important improvements. because of the employment of inmate labor, was but forty-seven per cent of the probable cost, if given out by contract. The expense of the trade school. however. is not alone an economical saving. but has it= highest value in the skill and habits of industry that come to the voung men therein emploved.

Under the provixions of law. the contract system is being superseded by what is known as the State Use Svstem. The Reformatory inmates now manufacture all the shoes required for all other state institutions: also all the brooms. Under the provixions of what is known as the Wertz bill this State Use System will be rapidly extended until the industrial trade schools of the Reformatory will manufacture a wide range of articles for state use: furniture. vehicles, harness, tools. implements. clothing. shoes. brooms. brushes - in short. whatever ix required in large quantities for use in state institutions or state offices.

The present policy of the Reformatory management coutemplates the diligent employment of all inmates during a half of each day in some form of manual labor. the other half day being devoted to the school of letters and to physical training. the chief feature of which is a thorough military training. this being found to be the most interesting and effective general system for physical exercise.

The Ohio State Reformatory. while it is a prison and always must remain so, is something more: It is a school of letters in which every inmate must acquire a common school education before he is eligible to parole: it is a sanitarium in which inmates are cleansed of the results of excesses and dissipation and restored to good sound physical health. as a prime requisite for moral regeneration; it is an industrial training institution in which the plan contemplated gives all inmates a certain degree of skill in the use of tools, affords a great many a degree of skill that will enable them to enter upon their chosen callings upon leaving the institution as advanced apprentices, and not a few go from the institution thorough journeymen in their respective trades.

The Reformatory is, moreover, an institution for moral instruction. In addition to the customary agencies, such as the regular chapel service, Catholic service, the prayer meeting, and Sunday school, the young men have the benefit of a course of lectures and systematic instruction in civic duties; and last, but not least, there is maintained under wise and competent direction. a school of ethics in which are taken up all sorts of hypothetical questions of a practical everyday character and thoroughly discussed from an ethical point of view.

The Reformatory library would be a credit to any institution, and the inmates are encouraged to subscribe for the best reading matter as represented by the best weekly and monthly periodicals. .\t the present time there are in the institution a thousand young men, and of these six hundred subscribe for one or more high-class magazines.

The rules of the institution provide for a system of promotion through three grades, in order to xecure eligibility for parole. The degree of restraint upon an inmate depends entirely upon his character and conduct. A large number are emploved at all times outside of the institution enclosure under what is known as the "institutional parole." Those enjoving the privilege of working on the farm or ou the institution premises, free from the restraint of armed guard. are under an Honor Bond, which they give to the assistant superintendent, the general superintendent becoming their surety. In the last report of the superintendent he statex that he has become surety on more than eight hundred bonds. and only four of that number have been dishonored.

All information available tends to show that at least three out of every four young men who leave the institution go out to lead honest, industrious lives, and the private records of the institution reveal much interesting information as to the high degree of success attending many of the young men who have had a course in the Ohio State Reformatory.

The management of the reformatory has striven a long time for a probation feature as a part of the reformatory system. This probation feature is now in successful operation. Those in the custody of the reformatory management at the present time consist of one thousand inmates actually incarcerated, four hundred on parole and twenty-five on probation; the number on probation is small, but will rapidly increase. Those on parole or probation are closely looked after in a friendly, helpful, but thorough-going manner bv two field officer=, who aim to see each man on parole or probation at least once a month.

The general spirit of the administration of the Ohio State Reformator, is best set forth in the words of a report made by the general superintendent to the board of managers and presented by them to the governor as a part of their annual report.

Reformatory methods and processes within the institution should not be the round of transcendental nonsense that unwise advocates and partially informed opponents of the system have represented it to be. But, on the contrary, it consists, or should consist, of the most practical and commonsense methods. It should be characterized by a thorough, firm discipline. This discipline should not be of a character to destroy, distort or demean the personality of the young criminal. It should be rather of the character of strong greatest and most hope-inspiring fact a: to frail humanity is its "improvablebetter or the best, must ever remain a divine art that no man or group of men as that of Mansfield. Ohio, and Elmira, New York.

Reformatory administration and treatment. while avoiding the windy waste of speculation as to '"'defectives,"" "innate criminals." "degenerates." etc., aims through the scientific study of heredity, environment, physical and psychical peculiarities of each individual, and by prudent experimentation, to arrive at a degree of scientific precision in classificaton and methods.

The young criminal may be awakened to a new intellectual day by the educational processes of the reformatory school. He may be quickened to a new spiritual life by the inspiration of moral or religious truth; but he stands secure only when his feet rest upon the rock of economic independence. ''Labor stands on golden feet" is a proverb. the truth of which can be realized by the reformatory inmate only after industrial training has given creative vision to his eve and constructive skill to his hands.

To this end. the state laws should be so amended as to make it possible to employ voung criminals in productive industries. skilled and unskilled. It is not possible to train such large numbers of young men as are found in reformatory institutions in mere non-productive practice work in manual training and trade school classes. Output in quantity and quality are the most wholesome incentives.

A wholesome moral atmosphere is fundamental to successful work in reformatory institutions. It should not be tainted by anything questionable in business methods. official appointments or the character or conduct of any person connected with the institution. It should be so electric with manly vigor as to quicken into life the latent manliness that is supposed to sleep in the soul of even the worst criminal. It should be so genial and warm with honest human sympathy as to be a balin for the hurt mind and a gentle stimulant to the dormant sensibilities of those who are at all responsive.

Permit me to say in closing this. my sixth annual report. that a retrospect of the xix vears' experience in dealing with the young men committed to our care does not weaken or destroy my faith in the reformatory methods of dealing with the vouthful criminal. John Fiske said that the greatest and most hope-inspiring fact as to frail humanity is its 'improvableness." The Pharisee who is so good that he cannot, and the criminal who is so bad that he will not, avail himself of this comforting truth represent. let us hope and believe, the exceptions and not the rule among men.

The exceptions, however, are sufficient to measurably justify the contention of the pessimist and to sober the zeal of the optimist. The latter has. however, upon the whole, the larger truth. and is best able to distinguish between the substance and the shadow. be that shadow ever so dark.

I am inclined to believe that it is better - more wholesome - for us who are charged with the practical administration of a reformatory to lean to the optimistic; otherwise, we might be disposed to minimize our efforts by absolving ourselves from responsibility by attributing our failures to the total depravity of the offenders rather than to find the explanation largely in our own limitations, as to means and methods, the want of resourcefulness, or lack of experience, knowledge or wisdom.

Truly, the winning of these young men from a likeness or weakness for wrongdoing justifies the employment of the best scientific means and processes available. But the winning of men from bad to good, and from good to better or the best, must ever remain a divine art that no man or group of men can hope to fully master. The degree of success attending our efforts thus far justifies the existence of the institution, and the failures should not discourage but stimulate to more strenuous and more wisely directed effort.

The standing of the Ohio State Reformatory is second to no institution of its kind. Commissioners from the German government, after visiting the Ohio State Reformatory, have published in English and German very complimentary statements, and the German reformers who are endeavoring to introduce reformatory methods into German prisons have taken the Ohio State Reformatory as a model.

A Canadian parliamentary commission visited the reformatory within a year, and after making an exhaustive study of the whole matter of reformatory prisons and the indeterminate sentence. accorded the Ohio State Reformatory first rank in the following statement:

"The reformatory idea originated nearly a century ago in Europe, but made little progress until quite recently. On this continent the new plan of treating the unfortunate moral weaklings of the community has found its highest development in the United States, particularly in such reformatories as that of Mansfield, Ohio. and Elmira, New York."

In descending the Pittenger hill a good view of the institution is presented. The building is on the east side of the valley upon an upland, with the big hill as a background, making a beautiful picture - the green valley, the wooded hillside. The inmates are treading the declining path of life, with the shadows lengthening and darkening. We hope the light spoken of by the prophet may be theirs in this, the eventide of their lives, and that happiness and peace may be found when they cross the ''divide."'

The infirmary farm contains about 160 acres of valuable land. A brook of living water runs through the place and empties into Brewbaker creek, a half mile to the northwest.

The inmates now number 120, and those who are able work - the men on the farm, the women in the buildings. While the minds of nearly all the inmates are more or less affected - from the maniac down to those who are simply childish from old age.

The space allotted to this sketch will not admit of going into details, and can only say that the farm and buildings seem to be complete in their appointments and arrangements. The farm is well stocked, the institution is supplied with pure water brought in pipes from the hill, the buildiug is warmed by radiators from a furnace, the rooms look tidy and the beds clean, showing the excellent management of Mr. and Mrs. Imhoff.

The inmates of eleemosynary institutions are of two classe- - those who are deficient in some way from their birth and those who become afflicted in mind, body or estate later in life. and all are entitled to the sympathy and aid of their more fortunate brothers.

We know not what a day may bring forth in our own lives, and if we take a retrospect of the past what is presented! We see a mai walk forth in the morning of life, his step elastic. But he soon passes the meridian, and anon we see him in the evening time of life with his eves lacking their oldtime luster and filmed over with the dimness of age. In this retrospective view we see those who a few vears before had been strong. now tottering with the weakness of a child, and men who had been considered oracles of wisdom sink into second childishness. and those who had been rich brought down to poverty, wealthy possessions, worldly power all gone, vet in the face of all this have we profited by their experience. or have we fostered. perhap=. the folly we have derided, or practiced the pride we have condemned. or have we disdiscovered a preventive for the weakness and senility of age? We know not what the future may have in store even for those who are the imost prosperous today. Therefore, let us favor the enactmeut of Jaws <till more humane, and remember and heed what the psalmist saith:

It is creditable to the human heart and conscience of the people of Ohio that retreats - called infirmaries - are maintained in every county in the state: places where the poor and needy can go for shelter and for food. Many of the unfortunates have doubtless made shipwrecks of themselves. but the fact that aman has been the cause of hix own ruin has no bearing on the case. for many lives have their heart histories unknown and uneuessed by those who are more fortunate.

During the past thirty vears great and humane progress has been made throughout the United States in the care of the poor, dependent children. In 1878 in Ohio our statistics show 2.604 children in public care during the year. Of these 526 were cared for in the six county homes then in operation and the others were in county infirmaries. By 1898 the number of homes had increased to forty-six in number. In Ohio. az well as in other states. the importance of caring for dependent children is very generally recognized and provided for, ample provision being made by the state for their care and education.

At their meeting held September 10, 1880. the county commissioners of Richland county ordered that a vote should be taken at the annual October election of that vear for or against the erection of a children's home in Richland county. The vote at the election resulted in 1,590 majority in favor of the proposition. In the .\pril following the commissioners appointed a board of trustees for the home. composed of the following persons: Hiram R. Smith,

Levi Irwin and Banard Sens. The board met, qualified and organized and on the 14th of August. 1882, appointed Mrs. Alice Wright, of Shelby, matron of the home, but it was not until May 19, 1883, that the commissioners turned the home over to the trustees. May 31, 1883, the first inmates were received at tie home - seventeen boys and eight girls from the county infirmary.

The matron, Mrs. Alice Wright, resigned on the first of November, 1883, and Mr. M. M. Gates was then appointed superintendent and his wife was appointed matron.

The resignation of Mr. and Mrs. Gates was accepted in 1886, and Mr. and Mrs. John H. Mowers succeeded them as superintendent and matron, which positions they held until August 6, 1887, and the trustees appointed Mr. and Mrs. H. G. Palmer to succeed them.

September 1. 1891. Mr. and Mrs. Mathias Mowry succeeded Mr. and Mrs. H. G. Palmer as superintendent and matron. June 6, 1893, Mr. McElroy was made the fourth member of the board of trustees, the number of trustees having been increased from three to four. In February, 1894, David Bricker succeeded Mr. Douglass as trustee. February 1, 1898, Joseph W. Palmer was appointed trustee to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mr. McElroy.

September 1, 1897, Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Uhlich succeeded Mr. and Mrs. Mowry as superintendent and matron, which positions they have very creditably and satisfactorily filled and continue to hold.

The "Home" is situate upon a forty-acre tract of land at the southeastern part of the city. The building is of brick. three stories in height, and is sufficiently large to accommodate eighty inmates, besides the officers and teachers. The greatest number of inmates, however, there at one time was seventy-six. Tie wverage number between forty and fifty.

On the evening of December 19, 1904. a small party of ladies and gentlemen passed the evening at the home taking a Christmas treat to the children. Among that party was the late Senator William Lawrence, then the editor of the Mansfield Daily Shield newspaper. The day following Editor Lawrence gave the following write-up in his paper of the Home, its management and its inmates, which was so well and truthfully written that we reproduce it here:

"There is at least one institution in Richland county of which all the citizens, without regard to political and religious prejudices or predilections, should be proud. It is the children's home, an institution maintained by the taxpayers for the purpose of giving the advantages of a home to those little children of the community who, by no fault of their own. have been deprived of the kindly care and training that is the birthright of every child brought into the world.

"Several members of the Shield force. in company with Captain Wilson, of Bellville, had the pleasure of visiting the Richland County Children's Home on Tuesday evening. They met the children and heard them sing and recite the little speeches they have prepared for Christmas. They inspected the dormitories, the playrooms, the schoolroom, the dining-room- and the kitchen, and to say they found everything in order is but putting the case mildly. Cleanlness, which is next to godliness, was apparent in every department. and the same scrupulous neatness that exists in every well regulated private household reigned throughout this large building. The clean. bright faces of the children, their neat clothing and their unconcealed love and respect for their matron further emphasized the fact that the phyxical and moral welfare of these helpless waifs was being looked after with as much solicitude and love a= in many of our best Christian homes.