Scioto County, Ohio - Chapter 2 (2 of 2 so headed), 1903

Chapter 2

Special Legislation - City Plats-Budgets - O fficers - Post Office and Postmasters - Floods~ - Fires-The Weather- - Temperatures~ - Rainfall- - Star Shower of 1833 - -Great Storm of 1860.

Special Legislation

The Town Plat. - Vol. 5, page 108, February 3, 1807. Authorized the proprietor of the Town of Portsmouth to change a part of the in-lots into out-lots. The reason of this law is fully shown in the chapter on the organization of the Town.

The Commercial Bank of Scioto. - Vol. 16, page 6, December 16, 1817, An act to incorporate the Commercial Bank of Scioto. Its time limit was set at January 1, 1848. Its capital was $100,000 with shares of $50.00 each. William Kendall, William Lodwick, Thomas Walter, John Brown, Junior, Jacob Offnere, Joseph Waddle, Josiah Shackford, Nathan K. Clough, John H. Thornton, William Daley and John R. Turner were special commissioners,

First Presbyterian Church of Portsmouth. - An act to incorporate the First Presbyterian Society in the Town of Portsmouth, County of Scioto. The following were named as the incorporators: David Mitchell, John Peebles, Daniel Corwin, Nathan K. Clough and Alexander F. Caldwell.

Town of Portsmouth. - Vol. 21, page 438, January 25, 1828. An act to amend the act to incorporate the Town of Portsmouth in Scioto County, Ohio,

The Front of the Town. - Vol. 30, page 22, January 5, 1831. An act to exempt a certain strip of land in front of the Town of Portsmouth, in the County of Scioto, from taxation.

Portsmouth Iron Company, Incorporated. - V@gQl. 30, page 25, December 31, 1831. John Glover, Jacob P. Noel, John H. Thornton incorporated as "The Portsmouth Iron Company." Capital, $100,000, divided into 500 shares, located in Scioto County and object manufacturing iron.

Portsmouth Charter Amendments. - Vol. 33, page 287, March 6, 1835. To amend the act entitled, 'An act to incorporate the Town of Portsmouth," which authorized Portsmouth to borrow money for town purposes, and not to allow a greater rate of interest than eight per cent.

Ohio Commercial and Manufacturing Company. - Vol. 34, page 264, March 4, 1886. To incorporate the Ohio Commercial and Manufacturing Company by Allen Farquhar, Joshua V. Robinson and George Corwin, to construct a canal from Bear Creek to Portsmouth.

Dispatch Engine Company. - Vol. 35, page 205, March 18, 1887. An act to incorporate the Dispatch Fire Engine and Hose Company No. 1, of the Town of Portsmouth.

Ohio and Commercial Manufacturing Company. - Vol. 36, page 321, March 16, 1838. Ohio Commercial and Manufacturing Company shall have until March 4, 1841, to commence and five years thereafter to complete their work.

All Saints Church. - Vol. 87, page 201, March 12, 1839, was an act to incorporate All Saints Church. The following were the incorporators: Aaron Kinney, Edward Hamilton, Henry Buchanan, Washington Kinney, Wilson Gates, Samuel M. Tracy, James Lodwick and Enos Gunn.

Portsmouth Mechanics' Institute, Incorporated. - Vol. 40, page 122, March 7, 1842. John Speer, Samuel A. Williams, William McCarrell, Erasin Hart, John H. Garrison, Samuel L. Swords and Benjamin Work are incorporated "The Portsmouth Mechanics' Institute and Mechanics' Library Association."

Coffee Houses. - Vol. 48, page 3852, March 10, 1845. This act provided that the Common Counci might license the selling of spirtuous liquors, beers, etc. Kee not to be less than $50.00 nor more than $100.00 That they may pass ordinances for the regulation of the sales.

Ohio Canal, New Mouth of. - Vol. 44, page 239, February 28, 1846. To authorize the Town of Portsmouth to construct a termination to the Ohio Canal, on the eastern side of the Scioto River. To construct a lateral canal from the mouth of Bear Creek to Portsmouth that the town might issue bonds to the amount of $220,000, $100.00 each. That all taxes for canal purposes levied 'in the Township of Wayne and Clay shall go to Portsmouth for the purpose of building the canal.

School Tax Authorized. - Vol. 46, page 37, January 28, 1848. To autnorize the Common Council, of Portsmouth to levy a school tax not to exceed two mills on a dollar per annum.

Portsmouth Bridge Company. - Vol. 46, page 150, February 18, 1848. William Hall, James Lodwick, James W. Davis and James L. Vey and associates are created "The Portsmouth Bridge Company' with powers to build a toll bridge over the Scioto River at the west end of Second street.

Corporate Limits of Portsmouth Extended. - Vol. 47, page 223, March 22, 1849. To extend the corporate limits of Portsmouth by beginning at the present corporation line, where the Gallipolis road crosses said line; thence with the north side of said road, easterly to the line of Murtaugh Kehoe's land; thence with Kehoe's west line south to his southwest corner; thence west 8% poles to the northwest corner of S. DeLong's land; thence with De- Long's line south to the Ohio river; thence down the river to the line of the corporation; thence with said corporation line north to the beginning.

First baptist Church, Portsmouth, Ohio. - Vol. 48, page 618, March 19, 1850. An act to incorporate the First Baptist Church of Portsmouth. David 1D. Jones, John H. Walden, John Lionbarger, William B. Wolf and David H. Minard, were the incorporators. ( own Bonds, Negotiation of. - Vol. 49, page 697, January 20, 1851. The President and Common Council of the town of Portsmouth are empowered to negotiate all bonds of the town that have been issued, or may be issued.

Portsmouth's New Charter. - Vol. 49, page 86, March 6, 1851. An act to incorporate the City of Portsmouth. This was a voluminous act creating Portsmouth a City. It was adopted by a vote of the citizens but only lasted until September 1, 1851, when the constitution of 1851, took effect and under the legislation following, Portsmouth went under the general law as to cities.

Portsmouth's New Charter. - Vol. 49, page 117, March 17, 1851. An amendment to the act incorporating the City of Portsmouth perpetuating all ordinances of the Town of Portsmouth not inconsistent with the act of incorporation. ;

School House. - Vol. 69, page 265, April 25, 1872, authorized the Board of Education of Portsmouth to borrow, $20,000 to erect a school house. Bonds were to run four years.

Hospital. - Vol. 72, page 204, February 26, 1875. City Council was authorized to transfer the Hospital Fund $5,142.85 to the Current Fund of the city, \

School House, Portsmouth. - Vol. 74, page 420, March 20, 1877. The Board of Education was authorized to borrow $25,000 at-eight per cent to be paid in fifteen years. A vote was to be taken on the act. ~

The Agricultural Works Purchased for Railroad Shops. - Vol. 74, page 479, April 27, 1877. This act authorized $20,000 in bonds to purchase depots or car shops for railroads. The Railroad Company was to pay rent not exceeding eight per centum of the purchase money and all taxes and assessments on the property. The city was to vote on the act.

Railroad. - Vol. 77, page 131, April 7, 1880, was an act to authorize the City of Portsmouth to build a railroad. It was declared unconstitutional in the case of Wyscaver vs. Atkinson. This aet was amended Vol. 78, page 152, April 15, 1881, but the whole proved but a day dream.

City Library. - Vol. 78, page 176, April 18, 1881. An amendment of Secton 4,006, Revised Statutes, provided two-tenths of a mill levy for the Public Library.

Sewers. - Vol. 79, page 221, April 15, 1882. The city was authorized to construct a sewer on Union, Waller and Mill streets and issue $15,000 in bonds payable in fifteen years and to levy one mill to pay for the same.

Electric Light Plant. - Vol. 83, page 307, April 9, 1886, authorized the city to erect or purchase an electric light plant at not over $17,000. Bids to be invited.

Scioto Valley Fire Brick Company of Portsmouth, Ohio. - Vol. 83, page 380, May 18, 1886 name changed to the "Black Diamond Fire Brick Company."

The Post Office. - Vol. 86, page 289, March 12, 1889. The Legislature consents to the United States purchasing post office site in Portsmouth.

Water Works Bonds. - Vol. 88, page 661, February 26, 1891, $35,000 bonds authorized to extend water mains. Six-tenths of a mill levy to pay the same authorized. :

New Sewer. - Vol. 90, page 441, April 21, 1893. A trunk sewer in the northeast part of the city was authorized and $35,000 in bonds providede for.

Public Library. - Vol. 92, page 309, April 24, 1896. Amendment of Section 4,006, Revised Statutes, increases levy for public money to three-tenths of one mill.

Ripper Bill. - Vol. 93, page 601 to 623 was the famous or infamous, (take your choice) "ripper bill" of Portsmouth. It put the city in a trust. The citizens voted on it on March 17, 1899. It received 795 votes for and 1,874 against and reposes in the tombs of the Capulets. Inasmuch as the people condemned it, everybody is at liberty to damn it.

The Budgets

By the term Budget, we refer to the annual statements of receipts and The revenues of the town were from whartage, coffee houses, other licenses, rents of city. property and the tax dupli-

The expenditures the same year were $12,598.98. $2,599.79 was for work on the grade, $219 was for per diems to members of Council, $1,911.50 was spent on the streets and $250 for the Street Commissioners. $1,263.81 of corporation tickets were burned this year.

1839. - The Budget was $11,584.98. $4,043.12 was received and spent for a school house. This was the first school house on lower Fourth. $2,498.90 was received for schools and $2,408.99 expended. $1,177.52 was received for road purposes. $2,551.12 was received from wharfage and $883.12 from coffee houses. $1,650.17 was expended: for building a new market house. Council issued $4,000 in scrip running 6, 9, 12, and 15 months. $249 was paid Councilmen, $38,399.05 was for work on the grade.

1859. - Year ending April 1, 1859. County Treasury receipts, $28,022.02. City Treasurer receipts $4,821.68. Making a total of $32,843.70. The liabilities were $137,600 and the assets were $127,394.03. Of these $96,750 were Scioto and Hocking Valley Railroad bonds. Of the assets, $100,000 was stock of same company and $30,000 Portsmouth and Columbus Railroad stock.

When the town was organized, the President of the Council was the head of the Corporation, and ex-officio Mayor. We are unable, however to ascertain that he exercised Judicial Powers. Doctor Thomas Waller was one of the nine Councilmen elected March 15, 1815, and at that date was elected President. The list is as follows:

On March 27, 1837, was the first election of town officers by the people. Richard H. Tomlin was elected Mayor, March 27, 1887, and after that date, the list of Mayors is as follows:

The office of Recorder was created by the Charter passed December 29, 1814, and took effect March 1, 1815. The Recorder was to keep a record of every Jaw and ordinance and of all the Council proceedings.

The first legal services rendered the town were on March 14, 1823, when Edward King was allowed an attorney's fee. In April, 1823, Samuel M. Tracy became Recorder and it is believed he attended to the legal business of the city. In that year, he had charge of the cases of the City vs. Henry Massie and was engaged in it until 1826. On January 4, 1839, Samuel M. Tracy was appointed Corporation Counsel at $50.00 per year. June 26, 1840, this employment was renewed. This arrangement appears to have been continued until April 16, 1847, when Council resolved it would not employ any lawyer by the year. The town either sponged its law, or paid for it on the instalment plan. On April 18, 1851, Captain Cleveland, who had more sense than any man who ever sat in council and was given a certificate to that effect by council in November, 1872, introduced an ordinance to provide for a City Solicitor at $100.00 per annum. This ordinance was passed at once. There is no record of the several City Solicitors, but Colonel O. F. Moore is believed to have been the first. He was allowed $100.00 per year, as City Solicitor in 1853 and 1855. In 1857, Wells A. Hutchins was elected City Solicitor, and was re-elected in 1859. Those who followed were:

Who discharged the duties of this office prior to 1887 is not now known. In March, 18387, the first election by the people of the town officers, other than

On January 5, 1871, three Trustees were elected at a special election. They were, Philip H. Kelley for three years, L. C. Robinson for two years, and Charles S. Green for one year.

*Ed. K. McAleer was elected to the office, but was accidentally killed, before qualifying. John Dice was appointed to fill the vacancy and was elected in 1894 to cédmplete the term.

: On May 1, 1816, Doctor Thomas Waller one of the original nine councilmen was appointed Town Surveyor, by the Council. On April 8, 1818 a survey and plat of the town was ordered. Doctor Waller held the office until August 12, 1820, when he resigned and William Kendall was appointed. No other appointment was made until June 1, 1838, when John P. Terry was appointed. He was allowed $50.00 per year. On December 6, 1844, Moses Gregory was appointed. He resigned November 7, 1845, and Joseph Riggs was appointed. The list is as follows: =) 2

In 1870 three Trustees were elected by the people- - John B. Nichols, for one year. James F. Towell, for two years. Robert Bell, for three years.

The first Postmaster in Portsmouth was John Brown, Sr. He was commissioned July 1, 1808; and served until March 7, 1812. Previous to that there had been a Post Office at Alexandria. John Brown was succeeded by Thomas Waller, M. D. who kept the office on Front street where Mr. Burt now resides. He kept the Post Office, a drug store and his residence all under one roof. He was a Whig. He died holding the office.

John R. Turner, his successor, kept the office where Mr. Waller had it most of the time and after in his office on Front street. His salary was $150.00 per year. He was removed without cause by President Jackson. The Western Times of July 11, 1829, makes a great deal of comment about it.

James Lodwick was then appointed Postmaster. He removed the office te the Buckeye House on Front street. Mr. Lodwick began the box system with 38 boxes. There were no stamps and no envelopes. Postage was cash frorn 5 to 25 cents. Letters were sealed with sealing wax.

yeneral William Kendall was appointed by President Tyler. He moved the office to Second and Market streets in a building which had been a Market House. There was no river mail in his time. Mails to Columbus, Gallipolis, Jackson and West Union were carried overland.

William P. Camden was appointed under President Polk and held the office until his death. His wife, Margaret Camden was then appointed and held the office until April 17, 1861. Under Mrs. Camden, Leroy S. Brunn, a son of Mrs. Camden by a former marriage, attended the Post Office. Mrs. Doc Hurd, then Ann Brunn, assisted in the office.

From Second and Market the Post Office was removed to where Straus now has his clothing store, 133 West Second street. This was while the Massie Block was being built, after that it went back to Massie Block.

Max J. Becker was appointed by President Lincoln, and was the first, Republican Postmaster. He was a comparative stranger in Portsmouth and was the Engineer who supervised the building of the "Suspension bridge.' He kept the office in the Tracy Building 133 West Second street. He resigned January 14, 1863.

Colonel John Row was appointed January 14, 1868, and served until November 13, 1866, when the office was ''Johnsonized." He kept the office in a frame building on the southeast corner of Court and Second streets.

William R. Smith was appointed by Andrew Johnson but was not confirmed. : Oliver Wood was appointed to succeed him and served until December 10, 1873. He removed the office to the Little Building, afterwards bought by George Davis. It was kept there until it was removed to the Government Building on Sixth and Chillicothe streets. The first boat to carry mail was the steamer "Guyandotte" between Cincinnati and Guyandotte. Horace Crain carried mail between Portsmouth and Carey's Run and took his pay in postage which he collected.

Every valley is bound to be flooded at sometime and the Ohio valley is no exception. 1772. There was a great flood in the Ohio in this year, in February. No account of it has been preserved except at Wheeling. From the height at Wheeling it equaled the 1884 flood at Portsmouth.

1797. In April of this year there was a great flood in the -Ohio. It came suddenly from very heavy rains. 1805. There was a flood in this year which covered Alexandria, an account of which was preserved by David Gharky. 1807. In March of this year, Alexandria experienced another flood which settled its fate. 1808. On Christmas, 1808, the stables and outbuildings in Alexandria suffered.

In this year there was not over 1,100 people in the village of Portsmouth and it had only been incorporated for 16 years. There was 3 inches of rainfall in January, 1882, and 4 inches in February. The mean annual temperature of January was 31.8 and of February 41.7. It was the "January thaw" which brought on the flood of 1832. The highest stage of water was reached February 17, 1832, 61 feet 8 inches. It was 21% inches deep on the first floor of McCoy's Tavern. The accounts of this flood are very meagre.

This is the only December flood on record. The water reached its height on December 18, 1847, 61 feet 1% inches. At this time Portsmouth had. a population of about 4,000. The water on the floor of McCoy's Tavern at its height was 14% inches deep. The rainfall in November, 1847, was 6.38 inches. In December, 1847, it was 5.44 inches. Mr. S, R. Ross had been moved into his new residence just south of All Saints Church on Court street but two weeks when the water invaded his home, and was about three feet deep.

On August 5, 1875, the river reached 55 feet 6 inches. This is the only summer fiood which has occurred in the history of Portsmouth. All the growing corn on the Scioto low bottoms was destroyed. Beyond the destruction of crops, but little damage was done. The rainfall in June, 1875, was 5.81 inches. In July, 1875, it was 8.76 inches, the highest for any month of July from 1830 to 1887. July, 1837, was 8.20 inches and July, 1849, 8.75 inches. Had the same height of water occurred in March or April it would not have been regarded as a flood.

This flood was caused by a general precipitation over the Ohio valley when its surface was entirely ice bound. The precipitation in January was 8.54 inches. In February it was 8.03 inches, the greatest rainfall in that month in the 57 years from 1830 to 1887. All this rain fell between February 6 and 12. The height was reached on February 12, when the water was 60 feet and 6 inches deep. On February 7, 1883, the Ohio was rising a foot an hour. This was on Wednesday. On Thursday it rose, first 9 inches, and then 6 inches per hour. On Friday it rose an inch an hour. On February 8, at 10 a. m. the water works shut down. 200 families were driven out of their homes and the school houses and engine houses opened. All factories suspended operations. On Saturday, February 10, the waters were receding. It began to rain Saturday noon and at midnight Saturday night, the river began to rise and it raised until Tuesday morning, when it came to a stand. From Saturday until Wednesday the city had no mails. $1,304.80 was raised for relief. Chillicothe offered $500 for the relief of flood sufferers, but it was declined.

This was the greatest flood in the Ohio Valley since it had been settled by white men. There had been five snows one after another in January and they went off with seven rains one after another. The precipitation in January, 1884, was 5.34 inches and in February it was 6.11 inches. Wednesday, February 6, 1884, the river began to show signs of getting out of its banks. Alarming dispatches were received from up the river. At noon the river passed the forty foot mark. By evening it was over Slabtown. Skiffs, Johnboats and gum boots appeared everywhere.

Thursday, February 7, 1884. The river rose three inches per hour. At 4 o'clock Thursday evening, it began to rise five inches per hour. In the evening it covered Front street and was in the gutters on Third street. The second rise was due to the Scioto which was the highest ever known.

Friday, February 8; 1884, the water was over Third street and ferries were established. The gas was turned off. At 9 P. M. sixty feet was reached. Thursday forenoon at 10:30 A. M. the water works shut down. 52 feet 6 inches shut the water works down. .

Sunday, February 10, 1884. A rain set in. The water was rising at % of an inch an hour and Monday morning, February 11th, it was still rising. Monday morning the water was on Second street up to Washington and down to Gay. Horses, cows and mules were made to swim to Sixth street. Sixth street was out of water from Court to Gay. On Monday morning, it was the only part of the city out of water except a part of the ridge about George Davis' and W. A. Hutchins' residences, now the High Schoo] and Irving Drew's residence. Sixth street from Court to Gay had water in the gutters and the center of it was a sea of mud. The intersections of Court, Washington, Chillicothe and Gay streets were crowded with boats. Sunday morning the great ery was for nails and candle wick to make boats. The Steam Fire Engine was on a flat moored at Washington and Sixth streets. Tuesday, February 12, 1884, the flood reached its height. In the morning it was 66 feet, 4 feet and 2 inches higher than 1832, 4 feet 8 inches more than 1847, and 5 feet 4 inches moré than 1883. On Monday evening, Sixth street was the only part of the city out of water. The Court House yard was filled with wagons, horses, cattle, men and women. On February 8th, John J. McFarlin, Mayor, telegraphed to the Mayor of New York asking relief, also to Chillicothe. The school houses, engine houses and Court House were thrown open and were filled by families driven from their homes. Box cars on the railroad tracks were also used for places of shelter. Chillicothe appropriated $500 for Portsmouth, On the evening of February 6th, the mail train on the C, W. & B. came in on time, but went back to Sciotoville. The Scioto Valley trains were abandoned Monday owing to the bridge over Paint Creek being down, and the Scioto bridge at Chillicothe being injured. Wednesday morning~all trains on the C, & E. were abandoned on account of high water between Batavia Sige and Newtown.

On February 18, 1884, there was a citizens' meeting at the Court House. Hon. J. J. Harper presided and N. W. Evans was Secretary. Losses were reported amounting to $527,384, but the "Tribune" said this was not half. Clothing and money were sent from all parts of the country. Chillicothe sent a car load of provisions. A list of contributions of money is as follows:

The above report was till 10 A. M. Monday, the 18th of February and more came in after. The issue of the Tribune of February 20th had a list of losses and the names of each person, making up the total of $527,384. It occupied over four columns. On February 27, 1884, the relief fund amounted to $15,876.67. Detroit, Mich., sent $250, Akron $200, Trenton, New Jersey $325, Lynn, Mass., $500, Utica, New York, $735, Grand Rapids, Mich., $500, Albany, New York, $250. September 24, 1884, the Relief Committee published their report in the Tribune. They expended $19,979.12. Dr. T. F. Davidson, John N. Lodwick, John M. Lynn, and M. Stanton were the committee.

December 9, 1866, - On Sunday morning the M. & C. R. R., (now the B. & O. R. BR.) passenger and freight depots on Fourth and Market streets burned. It was a total loss. W. P. Cutler was Vice President and Superintendent. td :

March 6, 1871, - The Biggs House, Massie Block and other buildings burned. Total loss on all buildings $200,000. Insurance $39,600, Lynn's Livery and Timmond's bakery were included. Pat Kendrick, proprietor of the Taylor House, loss $10,000,

January 28, 1874, - The Watch House burned. William Dunn fell thirty feet from the roof of his father's house next door and struck on his breast and face. He was paralyzed from his breast down. He died February 7, 1900;

March 21, 1878, - The Miller residence in Valley township burned, The house was built in 1847, by C. C. Hyatt and contained many relics brought by the father of A. F. Miller from Virginia in 1800,

June 17, 1881. - The old Thompson saw mill owned by Carter, French & Company was destroyed by fire. Loss, about $7,000 and insurance for $38,000.

July 20, 1882. - The main building on the Infirmary Farm burned. It broke oution the roof about 2 P, M. and was soon beyond control. A halt witted pauper had filled a flue with paper and set it on fire. Loss, from $5,000 to $7,000. No insurance.

June 22, 1888, - George J. Schirrmann's livery stable and carriage factory were burned at noon, Sparks from Herder's blacksmith shop supposed to be the origin. Loss not stated.

September 29, 1888, - The Buckeye Mills located on Fifth street between Chillicothe and Washington, burned up. They were the property of Yeager & Anderson. Loss, $8,500 and insurance, $7,000, Miss Nellie Finley (Mrs. Charles E. Molster) had her home damaged $1,000. Insurance, $500, German Hvangelical Church partial loss, $3,000,

December 28, 1888, - David lL. William's Hat store burned, - Loss, $8,000, Insurance, 7,000. Judge Pollitt's law office, above the hat store, Loss, $250,

Charles H. McFarland lost $300 in law books. No insurance. Evans & Dawson, loss, $600. Insurance, $500. T, M. Patterson's bindery and box factory partially destroyed. Loss, $3,500. Insured fully. D. McFarland, owner of the buildings, lost $2,500. Insurance, $1,500. Adams Express Company, no loss.

February 10, 1884, - Spry's drug store and Green's feed store found to be on fire at 5 A. M. 'This was during the flood of 1884, and the gas and water were turned off. The fire engine was put on a flat boat and taken there. The water was three feet deep on Second street. Dan Spry's loss was $6,000. W. H. Elliott, dry goods store, loss, $6,000. Judge Harper's law office, Harper & Tremper's insurance office and the telephone exchange were burned.

December 25, 1884, - Walker Marsh's store at Hifort burned. Jacob S. Cole was sleeping in the store, and he was so badly burned that he died December 27th following.

April 80, 1885, - Johnson Hub and Spoke Factory caaigtit from a spark in the blacksmith shop flying into the drying room and burned. Loss, $25,500. Insurance, $17,000.

August 28, 1886, - Thomas L. Bell's saw mill, which stood below the Mussetter Mill on the river bank, burned up. Loss, $25,000 and insurance, $16,000,

December 6, 1887, - The Buckeye Mills, on Fourth street below Market, burned. In the falling of a wall William Simpson a fireman, was instantly killed. M. H. Anderson, one of the proprietors, was so injured that he died in a few hours.

March 24, 1890, - There was a fire in the alley of the center block on the south side of Second street between Court and Market. Fuller Bros. lost $3,800. Micklethwait Bros., lost $1,250 on building. Huston estate, lost $5,100 on two buildings. C. Gerlach, building, $1,600. Cadot & Lowry, $6,500, on stock, John Jones, Plummer, $1,600, on stock.

August 20, 1892, - -A fire in the Damarin Building on the northwest corner of Second and Court streets, destroyed the millinery stock of Miss B. Robinson. Also the stock of B. Guiterman was injured by smoke and water. Loss to the building, $2,000.

September 7, 1892, - 7,000,000 feet of lumber were burned at the Little Kanawaha Lumber Company's plant at New Boston. Also the planing mill and dry house. Hight loaded cars of lumber were burned. The mill was saved. I.oss, $100,000.

January 15, 1893, - The interior of the All Saint's Church was burned out. The organ was destroyed. The fire occurred after the morning services. Loss, $7,000. Insurance, $6,300.

January 29, 1893, - The Portsmouth Wheel Works burned up. "Algo three dwellings across Eleventh street, belonging to Henry Teeters, Dan Biggs and George Youngman. Insurance on the Wheel Works, $70,000. loss, total.

September 30, 1894, - I. N. Johnson had a barn burned, with 40 tons of hay, 200 bushels of wheat, 2 tons of feed, 2 buggies, 2 wagons, harness and other property. Loss, $2,500; and insurance, $800.

February 138, 1895, - Sciotoville had a fire: The post office, Mehaffey's drug store and H. E. Walden's feed store were burned out. Also the residence of Mrs. Westwood. Loss not stated.

December 21, 1896, - Buddy Wertz's Elk Hotel burned out. Loss to Wertz, $6,000. Insurance, $4,000. Loss on the building not estimated, but fully insured.

April 1, 1897, - The old McDermott homestead, near Buena Vista, was burned to the ground. It was the property of Lafayette Jones. Loss, $2,000. No insurance.

April 14, 1898, - Andrew Hyland's store at Franklin Furnace burned up. Both building and goods. The building had been erected when the Furnace was started. Loss not stated.

May 2, 1898, - Fire in the First Ward burned J. T. Miller's residence. Loss, $2,000. Will Sparks' house and Curley Rhodes' house. Also Peter Schmidt's and Martin Glean's. James Beles and many others were injured. Total loss in those wholly and partially destroyed was estimated at $2,500. The locality was in the square northwest of Second and Jefferson Streets.

June 7, 1898, - The Burgess Steel & Iron Works were burned up. Loss on building, furnace and machinery, $250,000. On contracts unfilled, the same sum. Loss to building adjusted, $107,787.58. Insurance, $125,000. 500 men thrown out of employment. Pay roll, $4,000 per week.

November 17, 1898, - Dice's Stables, Farmer's Hotel, George Rogers' residence and the Imperial Mills were burned. The fire originated in the stable of the Farmer's Hotel. .

November 1, 1899, - J. H. Farmer's feed store in the east end burned. Loss, $2.500. Insurance, $1,000. W. D. Horr's feed store also was injured. Loss, $700. Fully insured.

January 31, 1900. - John Jones' hat store at W. Second street, was destroyed by fire. Loss to Jones, $2,500. Insurance, $2,000. Loss to the building slight.

November 1, 1900, - There was a great fire at Wheelersburg. The Hotel kept by J. F. Stewart caught fire from a defective flue and was consumed. Loss, $1,500. Insurance, $1,200. Mrs. Marion Sikes' residence burned. Loss, $800. No insurance. The Adventist Church ~ burned. Loss $1,000. Insurance, $600. L. L. Hacquard's business house burned. Loss, $1,000. Insurance, $600. His stock of goods was partly lost, value, $1,500. Insurance, $1,000. The fire started at 2 p. m. and was not under control until 4 p. m. The Grand Army Hall was destroyed to prevent further conflagration. Loss, $300. : '

The Weather

In the winter of 1855 and 1856 the river remained frozen over forty-seven days. In December the thermometer fell to 2 or 3 deg. below zero. On December 24, 1855, the river closed and from that time for forty-seven days, it was across the ice and skating was excellent. For weeks befor the ice broke, the weather was warm and springlike. Many attempts were made to start the ice. Blasting was used but to no effect. The Bostona was frozen in at the foot of Jefferson street.' She got up steam and undertook to start the ice but only cracked it. The river was open below the Scioto, and the Bostona cut a channel and backed to Indian Run. The ice was frozen to the bottom of her keel. She came back before the break up which was on the 9th of February 1856. The remarkable feature of that winter was the ice remaining during the mild weather.

July 4, 1897 - Was the hottest day in Portsmouth for sixty-seven years. The thermometer reached 105 1-5 deg. Fahrenheit. The record had been kept since 1830. From July 9th to the 18th, 1859, there was a long hot spell, when it ranged from 92 deg. to 103 deg., having the latter figure for two days. The observing station in Portsmouth is the second oldest in the United States, and there are but two older stations in the world. It was_ established in 1830, two years after the station in Philadelphia. All the above from Doctor D. B. Cotton. July 16, 1879 and July 18, 1887 were the next hottest days, the mercury going to 101 deg. The following are recent ones:

July 20, 1896, - 3.27 inches of rain fell in Portsmouth in twenty-four hours, the greatest rainfall ever known in the meteorological history of the county. It began the afternoon of the 20th. From 11 p. m. on the 20th until 6 a. m. on the 21st it poured. Chillicothe street was full of water from curb to curb. The Third street sewer could not carry off the water. Carey's Run broke all records. Turkey Creek and Pond Creek were out of their bonds. The east end was all under water. The canal was broken in a dozen places. There were washouts on the C. & O. and C. P. & V. Railroads.

February 22, 1897,\For twenty-four hours previous to 7 a. m. this day 2.42 inches of rain fell. The river rose twenty feet from 7 p. m. on the 21st to daylight on the 22nd. F

April 28, 1899, - Electric storm and cloud burst at Lucasville. There was a high wind, a great down pour of rain and hail stones, some were as large as a hen's egg. Lightning struck a former house of John Kline and it was fired and burned down. The families occupying it escaped. The contents were burned. George Cook was struck by lightning at home and was unconscious for an hour. While hailing, the thermometer dropped 380 degrees and overcoats were in demand. Creeks all rose and bridges and trestles near by were swept out.

[The above data is intended to supplement that found under the tables of temperature and rainfall on the pages preceding and following this.]

The Star Shower Of November 13, 18338

Dr. Andrews and Charley Tracy (a lawyer) of Portsmouth, my father and myself, went out hunting the first week in November. The hunt lasted a week or ten days. We took a wagon with a tent, provisions, etc. My home was about six miles northwest of Portsmouth, and we went about twelve miles west of my home to a place near the "Copperas Rock," (a great rocky bluff.) This was at the headwaters of Long Run, a branch of Bear Creek, which is a branch of Brush Creek. The weather was bright and clear, with cool nights. We kept a fire all night in front of the tent. We hunted in the daytime, killing in all, twenty-two deer. The deer seemed stupid during the whole time that we were out. We cooked for ourselves, having the heartiest meals in the morning and evening. Father roasted the meat, Tracy roasted the potatoes, the Doctor made the coffee, and I got water and wood and kept the fire going.

There was nothing unusual about the weather the day and evening before the star shower. On the third or fourth night of the hunt, I got up before three o'clock to make a fire, and saw a number of meteors falling. I called up the other men to see the display. At first, when there were only a few meteors falling, we could see them at a great height. They fell apparently to within thirty or forty feet of the earth, then seemed to burst and fragments flew in all directions. The shower rapidly increased until, in a few minutes, the whole atmosphere was full of them, and they fell or flew in all directions like sparks from a burning hickory log. The word 'millions' would not tell the number. . This lasted until four o'clock, but after that, a few meteors continued to fall until daylight. We could hear them making a crackling sound on the leaves and grass, and the next morning, we found little balls sticking to the leaves, which when crushed resembled a mixture of ashes and iron-rust. Between three and four o'clock it was so light that a man could see to shoot squirrels with a rifle. We were not frightened. Dr. Andrews was a learned man and he explained the phenomenon, saying that it occurred at regular periods of time. fs

Some of the people in the settlements near by, were so frightened that they prayed all the next day. They thought the end of the world was at hand. The day following, a heavy snow began at nine o'clock and continued till twelve. The snow was in balls from the size of a marble to a hulled walnut. It was soft and soon melted. All the afternoon there was an occasional light fall of snow. After that we had bright weather.

[Note. - The above was written by Mr. Abraham G. Noel from personal recollection. He dictated the above in his ninety-third year. He died February 5, 1902, at Joliet, Ills. He has a sketch herein.]

It was a chilly night in the early winter of 1833. To be exact, it was on the evening of November 18, 1838, and our flat boat was ungracefully slipping down the Ohio river to Madison, Ind. At the particular hour in question, the boat was just passing the point where the little Miami river empties its amber flood into the Ohio.

The night was clear and frosty. Suddenly a great flood of light enveloped the earth to the uttermost bounds of the boatmen's vision. WHarth and sky and river were lurid. The world was ablaze with a wonderful glory. And a moment later the whole firmanent was filled with a terrible display - a deluge of falling stars, that came down to the earth, or traversed the flaming atmosphere from north to south, from west to east, from south to north, and from east to west They fell in sheets of glorious flames; in groups of hundreds, in clouds of thousands. Their light was so intense and glaring that the river seemed a surging tide of blood; the boatmen like chief ferrymen on one of the main seething-hot rivers of hell. No man spoke.

It was an hour of terror, and knees quaked and tongues clave to the roof of the mouth. The "oldest inhabitant," seized with a terrible fear that the hour of deserved retribution had come to him, opened not reminiscent head, and related naught of what occurred "when I was a boy," to the dis- paragement of the magnificent, but terrorizing spectacle. It was a pyrotechnical display of appalling magnitude, of blinding brilliancy, and astounding characteristics. At times the air seemed absolutely crowded with gyrating and descending sky rockets. Then there would be a magnificent and dazzling burst of light - so bright that it was impossible to look heavenward. Then would come hundreds of luminous stars, chasing others that had gone before them, and streams of rolling fire, that illuminated the northern hemisphere.

And during it all - during one of the greatest meteorological displays that ever startled the world, Emmitt's flat boat, with its.alarmed crew, floated down the broad bosom of the Ohio.

The Great Storm Of May 21, 1860

At four P. M. a black cloud was seen coming from the southwest. There was thunder, but nothing unusual was anticipated. It came all of a sudden with the wind. Houses were unroofed, walls blown down, chimneys toppled over and trees prostrated. The air was filled with leaves, torn from the trees by the force of the wind, with shingles, pieces of roof, brickbats, etc. The streets and valleys were filled with rubbish torn from the buildings, and trees. The steeple of the First Presbyterian Church with the bell and clock tower in it, were thrown across the street between two houses and the roof of the church was nearly stripped off. Jefferson and Kepner's large brick store house just about completed, was wrecked, the wind got into it and crushed down every floor with bricks from near the roof. A part of the east wall was thrown on the Brown residence, next east, occupied by E. Jones and family, from Elmira, New York. A little girl, a daughter of four years, was crushed beneath the falling walls and instantly killed. The upper floors of the house were crushed through, destroying all the furniture. Men were working to finish the Jefferson building and one Henry McCallister was caught in the wreck and killed. The others escaped. David Price, a drayman, with his horse, was killed in front of Mr. Tewksbury's residence, by the roof of the Blake building being thrown on his horse and dray. The whole mass of the roof fell on him, his horse and dray, while the wheel of his dray was caught on a hitching post., A moment more and he would have escaped. Henry Davis's frame machine shop on Mill street, was totally demolished. Many roofs were torn off and the damages were quite extensive. Scarcely a house escaped without more or less damage. William McKinney, on the west side north of the distillery, was returning home when the storm overtook him. He was killed by a tree falling and crushing him. Everywhere the timber was prostrated and the roads were blocked with it. On this account, the Chillicothe coach, due that evening, did not arrive until the next day at 10 o'clock in the morning.