Washington County, Ohio - Chapter 24: Commercial Development of Marietta in the Past Two Decades, 1902

Chapter 24: Commercial Development of Marietta in the Past Two Decades

Commercial Growth Prior to 1880 - The Awakening - Annexation of Harmar - Water Works - Paid Fire Department - Electric Light Plant - Street Paving and Sanitary Sewers - Electric Street Railway - Telephone Companies - Railroads - Natural Gas - Increased Activity in the Oil Industry - Building Operations Enlivened - Growth in the City's Business - Suburbs - New Public Buildings - Bridge Across the Ohio - New Projects - Improvement of the Ohio - Tax Levies and Valuations in Marietta for the Past Decade - Roster OF City Officials.

1 Prior to 1880 the commiercial growth and industrial developmen't of Marietta, wJiile maintaining a gradual and unbroken rate of progress during the century w'hich the city was even then rounding out, had yet been along such conservative and undemonstrative lines that the strenuous business world was prone to accord her a rnluch less important place than she in reality occupied. The historical significance of the founding of the settlement by the sturdy empire-builders from New England, the enduring works of a prehistoric and littleuinderstood race which had obligingly rendered itself extinct so as tO' offer no im;pediment to the onward rush of civilization, the high moral and intellectual plane of the people who had come after them, with the best of schools and churches and colleges - the fame of these had gone abroad and given to Marietta a peculiar and not unpleasant niche in the mind of the outside world. ' later and less favorable start, although it already contained many valuable and prosperous manufactories to supply the bone and sinew- of business activity. The mistaken impression that Marietta was a city of no cominercial importance was most largely due, probably, to the erroneous idea, all too prevalent about that time, that only "boom" towns, the mushroom communities which were springing up in a night throughout all the West, and toppling to disaster almost as speedily, were to be placed in the catalogue \\^iich as a whole constituted the popular idea of American progress. The error soon became apparent, however, and the solid, substantial, conservative work of preceding generations of careful and thrifty business men was seen to be the only safe and sure foundation upon which to build an edifice of progress that would endure. It u'as then that Marietta forged to the front with accelerated pace and assumed her proper place in industrial circles.

Anb Re-Presentativ.E Citizens

tain the sentiment that, Hke a "Sleeping Beauty," after a century of repose, gatheringstrength and vitahty for the future, she awoke suddenly in the full prime of her existence, garbed by nature in a thousand beauties, strong, calm, and confident of her destiny.

Neither is this figurative illustratiou unmixed with fact. Undoubtedly the miost important incident of the decade from 1880 to 1890 was the celebration of the city's centennial anniversary in the year 1888. On April 7th, of that year, exercises were held commemorating the settlement of the Northwest Territory, at which addresses of world-wide interest were delivered by numerous orators of national reputation. Again, on July 15th to 19th of the samje year, was held a second celebration commemorative of the establishment oi civil gO'vemment. Numibers of the country's mIost fam^ous mien were present on this date, also>, and for a week Marietta was crowded with thousands Oif distinguished visitors fromi every section. It was upon this occasion that the city awoke to her own imiportance, and here that the outside world first gained a true impression of her beauty, her commercial capa- 'Dilities, her great natural advantages and her certain prospect for a noteworthy future.

In 1880 the population of Marietta proper was 5,444, and of Harmar, the neighboring village on the western bank of the Miuskingum, 1,571, - a total for the two municipalities, wlhich have since become one, of 7,015. Tlie early "eighties" were not distinguished by any unusual features of growth, the city having "in fact been se\'erely handicapped by two disastrous floods in 1883 and 1884. Oln Fel> ruary 9i:h' 'of the latter year the water reached a stage of 52 feet six inches, the highest ever known. Following the centennial celebration, a very perceptible growth of iiDpulatiim and increased activity in business circles was ncited, and thus we find the commercial awakening of the city practically coincident with the close of the first 100 years of existence and the start upon a new century.

Annexation Of Harmar

On ]\ray 14, 1890, the annexation of the village of Harmar was accomplished after a period of enthusiastic agitation on the part of the citizens of both towns, and since that time the portion annexed has been designated West Marietta, constituting two of the six wards of the city.

Water Works

The first of the mare important steps toward modern nmnicipal improvement was taken in 189.1, when the system of public water works was put in operation on Septemlber ist. This improvement came primarily as a result of a universal demand for better fire protection, following a number of costly couflagrations which threatened the entire business district. The great utility of the s}-steni for supplying water to private consumers was at once recognized, and the plant was improved to meet the demands made upon it by the general public. New and larger pumps and rr»achinery have been added, many miles of additional niains laid and the service extended until it covers practically every portion of the city and its flourishing suburbs. In 1902 the demand has so increased that improvements are under A\-a}- which contemplate the erection of large settling reservoirs to provide purer water and a great increase in the supply. The money is appropriated for these extensions which will be made during the next year.

Paid Fire Department

Following the water works came the paid fire department, which on December i, 1894, supplanted the old volunteer department that had been in existence for 40 years. Two splendidly organized and completely equipped departments, one on the east side, and the other on the xVest side of the miuskingum River, now give the city alm^ost perfect protection against the destroying element.

Electric Light Plant

All through the early "nineties" the city was busy with niiunicipal improvements. Starting with the installation O'f an electric street lighting plant of small capacity, which was placed in operation July lo, 1889, the service has been enlarged to include incandescent lighting of the city building and to furnish 200 arc lamjps for street purposes. The plant now occupies a fine new building at the corner of Front and- Butler streets, completed in 1901.

Street P.Kving And Sanitary Sewers

The initial work toward the paving of the streets, begun in 1892, was the improvement of Greene, Front and Putnam streets, fromi what is now the Norwood Hotel to the Court House. Tihe transformation of these thoroughfares was so great that the work was pushed rapidly forward until now the main arteries of travel are all smothly paved with vitrified brick, and many cross streets as well.

Sirnultaneously with street paving arose a demand for sanitary sewers and this improvement also is now practicall}- complete, covering every part of the city.

Electric Street Railway

The spirit of prnigress and improvemjent, w'hich had taken hold O'f official Marietta, at once had its effect cm private interests and expansion became the watchword m almost every line of business. One of the first and most important public utilities to be established by private capital was the electric street railway, superseding the old horse cars, which struggled feebly for a few years and then ga\-e way to the handsomer, swifter moving, profit-paying cars propelled by electricity, the motive power oif the age in street transportation. A company of local capitalists, imbued with faith in the future of Marietta, and under the leadership of Kelson Moore, secured 'from the City Council in April, 1896, a franchise for the use and occupation of the streets for an electric railway. The construction and equipment of the plant was undertaken without delay and, contrary to the predictions of many, the company was a paying institution from the start. Elxtensions of the road have been continuously made until now it reaches every portion of the city and gives an excellent service. Early in 1902 a consolidation was effected with a con-fpany owning and operating the electric line at Parkersburg, and the new inter-urban line connecting Parkersburg and M?arietta, and an organization was accomplished under the name of the Parkersburg, Marietta & Inter-Ufban Railway Company. This consolidation resultsin giving to the two cities local transportation facilities of great convenience and commercial value. ,

Telephone Companies

The Bell Telephone, which was introduced into Alarietta in 1886, now occupies its own fine brick building on Putnam street, with practically all its wires in the more thickly settled parts of the city under ground. Its subscribers, are supplied with fine 'long-distance instruments and the best service of which the company is capable. In 1900 the Marietta Telephone Company was organized and it also has an excellent underground service, with long distance connections throughout the county and State. '

In railroad facilities Marietta has not been as fortunate as many of her neighboring cities, being denied the advantages oi location upon trunk lines, but her commercial importance has gradually compelled recognition from railroad corporations until now she has four lines running directly into the city, with another passing on the opposite side of the Ohio' River.

In 1880 the Mhrietta & Cincinnati and the Cleveland & Marietta were the only lines entering the city. Subsequently the Zanesville & Ohio River road was built through the Mliskingumi Valley, and made its entrance into

Marietta July i, 1888. This road follows the west bank of the river for the entire distance of 75 miles from Marietta to Zanesville. It was built largely by the efforts of the people along the beautiful valley, who had tired of the slowgoing steamlx)ats for passenger transportation, and who assisted the promoters with large subscriptions of money and rights of way.

As an independent line the road had numerous vicissitudes, and was finally merged into the Ohio' & Little Kanawha. Its troubles ended in 1902, however, when it was purchased outright by the Baltimore & OhiO' and made a part of the Newark Division.

In 1884 the Toledo & Ohio Central Extension road was conceived by local capitalists and carried to a conclusion so successful that it is now looked upon as perhaps the most valuable local line entering the city, operating 53 miles O'f track. It connects with the Toledo & Ohio Central at Palos and offers excellent connections north and west. It is now named the Marietta, Columbus & Cleveland and is under the inost able managenient in its history.

Although no part of it is in Ohio, the comjpletion of the Ohio River road from Wheeling to Kenova was of great xzlut to Marietta, the road passing throi^igh \Mlliamstowji, a thriving village on the West Virginia side of the river, opposite this city.

In the railroad history of Marietta there is no more important undertaking than the mpvenient for a union station, which was conceived by T. D. Dale, a local railroad man, in 1889, and by him pushed through to a successful termination, with the aid of outside capitalists. Up to the year mentioned the city wias practically without depot acconxmodations, each road running into a little platform and frame building of its own, and the aitire lack of conveniences for the traveling public was a familiar source of jest. Through the patient efforts of Mr. Dale, however, the Marietta Railway Company was organized and gave to the city the handsome union station which is a source of pride to the citizens, and the erection of which resulted in filling a large area of low and valueless land and greatly improving the business section. More and more of this low ground, which originally was under wiater during every slight freshet, is being filled by the railroads as they need it for extending their yards, and e\'entually it will all be brought to the general level of the main streets.

Since 1893 Marietta has been a "natural gas town," having (been generously supplied with this valuable fluid for both fuel and lights. The River Gas Company's mains co\'er the entire city like a network and the use of gas is practically universal. This fact has added much to the desirability of the city for manufacturing and also renders it a cleaner and more healthful residence locality.

Increased Activity In The Oil Industry

The period from 1890 to 1895 - 'he first half of the closing decade of the 19th century - was not marked by the unprecedented growth that came later, but was almost exclusively devoted to general public impro\-ements which attracted outside capital and gave to the people a spirit of enterprise that made certain the newer and greater Marietta of today. About the years 1895 and 1896 the oil business, which had been alntost at a standstill, suddenly developed tremendous activity, chiefly due to a rising market, and brought about an unparalleled era of "good times" in every line of trade and manufacture. Captial flowed in for the purpose of drilling the rich territory on every hand and farms that had hitherto been considered almost worthless speedily enriched the operators and farmers alike. Tliis city, as the headquarters of the Buckeye and Eureka Pipe Line companies, the Joseph Seep Purchasing Agency, and kindred branches of the Standard Oil Company, became the real center of the development known as "The Southwest," and enjoyed a season of prosperity that at last placed it in the very front rank of commiercial and industrial affairs. The development of the oil fields brought directly the nee- essary large depots of supplies for the work, the manufactories of drilling tools, engines, boilers and glycerine for liberating the greas\" fluid from its stone-locked prison in the bowels of the earth, and the thousands of men engaged in the business found in Marietta an ideal spot ii: which to live and educate their children. Other influences were also at worlc in the grow th of the city, but to the oil development more than any other is undoubtedly due her continued prosperity at a time when other towns felt general depression in business afifair-^.

Building Operations Enlivened

Handsome residences sprang up like magic at the rate of three hundred or four hundred a year ; costly and elegant business blocks and ofilice buildings replaced the most old-fashioned frame structures that for years had heen landmarks along the busine-ss streets; elegant new school houses arose as monuments to the spirit of progress and rapid increase of population. The prices of real estate advanced steadily, pride grew in the hearts of the people, and all at once, as it seemed, every avenue of trade and traffic becaire alive with the hustle and bustle of modern business life.

To the solid old mianufacturing establishments and business houses, even,' one of which had felt the impetus of the new conditions and expanded with the city, were added many others to swell the volume of business, supply wlork for the laboring man and trade for the merchant. Iron and glass industries were added to the diversity of lines of wood-working wjiich had long been profitably followed and the manufacturing interests soon became predominant. The financial institutions, the banks and building associations, grew at a phenomenal rate and in a few years the centuryold town, oiice known principally because of its historic associations and its splendid college, was heralded far and wide as one of the

The rapid influx of new people caused a congestion of population t<T such an extent that additional room became necessary, and numerous beautiful suburban tracts were laid out into lots and homies erected upon them. Most prominent among these are Norwood, Fairview Heights, and the Rathbone Addition. The suburb of Norwood lies tO' the east of the city and already has more than i,ooo inhabitants, all occupying new and handsome residences, where in 1896 were only pasture fields and farm lands. Here is located the new plant of the ^larietta street railway, which was conv pelled by its growth to remove from; its original quarters on Second street. Numerous new industries are located in Norwood, which is destined to become one of the principal sections of the city.

Fairview Heights is located on the plain at the top of the high hill which rises abruptly from the west bank of the Muskingum River, and contains many elegant and costly homes. The scenic outlook from the brow of the hill, showing the beauties of the Ohio and Muskingum! \-alle}-s, is one of the most magnificent in Ohio, and has been a powerful factor in the rapid development of Fairview Heights. Fine new public school buildings are already under \\iay in both Norwood and Fairview Heights.

On the easterly side of the Muskingumi, just above the city, are 'being built many fine houses for the occupancy of professional and business mien and the locality, known as the Rathbone Addition, is one of the most delightful residence spots in the valley.

New Public Buildings

In 1898 the Mlarietta Board of Trade, an organization wihich has had much to do with the progress of the city since its inception in 1887, decided to institute a movement for the erection of a new Court House, the old structure having outlived its usefulness, and being in constant danger, with its valnable reciirds, of destruction 'by fire. A campaign of education was undertaken and after a vigorous and enthusiastic canvass the proposition carried by popular vote. The contract for the new building was let in Aiugust, 1900, and it was completed in 1902. This Court House is said to be one of the handsom.est in Ohio, and its fourth story contains a modern sanitary jail, doing away with a separate building for keeping prisoners.

Other notable public buildings erected during this period were the High School building and Marion school, built in 1 900-1 901. In 1901 the old bridge across the ]Mnskingum River at the foot O'f Putnam street was replaced with a fine steel structure, provided with street railway tracks.

A] significant feature of the general prosperity since 1896 has been the interest in religious affairs. Many fine new church edifices have been erected and others are provided for and will be built in the near future.

Bridge Across The Ohio

In 1901 the City Council granted a franchise for the erection of a bridge across the Ohio River, and at this date the substructure is completed and the contract for the superstructure let. The promoters of the enterprise comprise the Ohio River Bridge and Ferry Comjpany. Upon the completion of the structure, which will be noted for having the longest channel span oi any truss bridge over the Ohio - 650 feet - the electric lines will connect j\Harietta and Parkersburg under one managemjent. ,

New Projects

An electric line is also projected from Marietta to Newport, a village 15 miles east, and will pass through an exceptionally rich farnv ing country. ]\Iany projects for new manufacturing industries are already on foot and in general the industrial and commercial outlook for the city is brighter at the present moment than at any time in its exceedingly interesting histor}'.

Improvement Of The Ohio

The stupendous schemie of improving tlie Ohio River front Pittsburg to Cairo, by a system of locks and movable dams, upon \vhich the United States go\-ernment is now engaged, will be of great advantage to ^Marietta. The location of Dam No. iS about seven miles below the city, will give a splendid har-bor, with na\-igable w^ater in the Ohio at all seasons of the year. The appropriation has been made for this dam and the preliminarv work done and it will be one nf the first to 'be completed. \\'ith the Mu'^kingum River, already improved under government cnntrdl as far north as Zanesville, and the probability of a still further extension of this beautiful and useful waterway, the improvement of the Ohio will assure to the city tVir all i-me to come a perfect system of river tran-^pdrtation and a safe defense against railroad discrimination.

For The Past Decade Roster Of City Officials

180T. - Riifiis _ Putnam, chairman town meeting; David Putnam, town clerk; Ichabod Nye, town treasurer; Rufus Putnam, Griffin Greene and Joseph Gilman, council.

1802, - Rufus Putnam, chairman town meeting; David Putn.im, town clerk: Ichabod Nye. town treasurer; Rufus Putnam, Joseph Gihnan and Dudley Woodbridge, councih

1804. - Dudley Woodbridge, chairman town meeting; Nathaniel Gates, town clerk; Robert Wallace, town treasurer: Paul Fearing, Rufus Putnam and Dudley Woodbridge, council.

1805. - Dudley \\'oodbridge, chairman town meeting; Nathaniel Gates, town clerk: Robert Wallace, town treasurer; Dudley Woodbridge, William Skinner and Edward W. Tupper, council.

1806. - Dudley Woodbridge, chairman town meeting; Nathaniel Gates, town clerk; Robert Wallace, town treasurer: Levi Barber, Joseph Buell, William Taylor, Hallani Hempstead and Dudley Woodbridge, council.

1807. - Dudley Woodbridge, chairman town meeting ; Nathaniel Gates, town clerk ; Robert Wallace, town treasurer; Simeon Pool, Giles Hempstead and Edwin Putnam, counotl.

1808. - Edwin Putnam, chairman town meeting; Nathaniel Gates, town clerk ; Seth Washburn, town treasurer; Edwin Putnam, Simeon Pool and Joseph Holden, council.

180Q. - Paul Fearing, chairman town meeting; Benjamin Ruggles, town clerk ; Seth Washburn, town treasurer: Jeremiah Dare, Hallam Hempstead and Edwin Putnam, council.

iSio. - Seth Washburn, chairman town meeting; Samuel P. Hildreth. town clerk ; Seth Washburn, town treasurer; William Woodbridge, William Skinner and Jeremiah Dare, council.

181 1. - Ichabod Nye. chairman town meeting; Samuel P. Hildreth, town clerk; Jabez True, town treasurer; William Woodbridge, Levi Barber and Joseph Holden, council.

181 J. - Ichabod Nye. chairman town meeting; Samuel P. Hildreth, town clerk; Jabez True, town treasurer; William Woodbridge, Joseph Holden and James Sharp, council.

1S13 - Ichabod Nye, chairman town meeting; Samuel P. Hildreth. town clerk ; Jabez True, town treasurer : James Sharp. William Woodbridge and Robert Williamson, council.

'1S14. - Caleb Emerson, chairman town meeting; Samuel P. Hildreth. town clerk : Jabez True, town treasurer ; William Woodbridge, James Sharp and Robert Williamson, council.

1815. - John Brough, chairman town meeting; Robert C. Barton, town clerk : Joseph Holden, town treasurer : Robert Williamson, James Sharp and John Lawrence, council.

1S16. - Caleb Emerson, chairman town meeting; Robert C. Barton, resigned, and Royal Prentiss, town clerk : Joseph Holden. town treasurer ; James Sharp, Giles Hempstead and Caleb Emerson, council.

1S17. - James Shar|i. chairman town meeting; Royal Prentiss, town clerk : Joseph Holden. town treasurer ; James Sharp, Samuel Hoit and Robert Williamson,

1818. - James Sharp, chairman town meeting; Royal Prentiss, town clerk; Joseph Holden, town treasurer; James Sharp, Salmon Buell and Robert Williamson, council.

i8ig. - ^Caleb Emerson, chairman town meeting; Roval Prentiss, town clerk : Sampson Cole, town treasurer; Caleb Emerson, John Merrill and Amzi Stanley,

1S20. - Ichabod Nye, chairman town meeting; Royal Prentiss, town clerk; Sampson Cole, town treasurer; Caleb Emerson, John Merrill and George Turner, council.

1821. - Ichabod Nye, chairman town meeting; Royal Prentiss, town clerk; John Mills, town treasurer; George Dunlevy, Daniel H. Buell and John Merrill, council.

1822. - John Clark, chairman town meeting; Royal Prentiss, town clerk ; John Mills, town treasurer ; George Dunlevy, Daniel H. Buell and John Merrill, council.

1831. - James Dunn, mayor; William P. Skinner resigned, and Daniel P. Bosworth, recorder ; Robert Crawford, treasurer; Griffin Greene, marshal; William Slo-

1870. - Frederick A. \\'lieeler, mayor; Reuben L. Nye. solicitor ; Daniel B. Torpy. clerk ; Leander K. Dutton. marshal; John AlcGee, civil engineer; Lewis Anderson, treasurer (c.v oificio city treasurer) : John M. Hook, city connuissioner ; James H. "Dye, Michael H. Needham. John Hall. George S. Jones, Martin Schmidt and Dudley S. Nye, council.

1871. - Frederick A. Wheeler, mayor; Reuben L. Nye, solicitor; Daniel B. Torpy, clerk; Darius Towsley, marshal ; Theodore F. Davis, civil engineer : Ernst Lindner treasurer (e.v officio city treasurer) : John M. Hook, city commissioner ; Michael H. Needham. Samuel A.. Cooper, George S. Jones. John Hall, Dudley S. Nye and Martin Schmidt, council.

T873. - John V. Ramsey, mayor: Reuben L. Nye. solicitor: Willis H. Johnson, clerk: Darius Towsley. marshal ; Theodore F. Davis, civil engineer : Ernst Lindner, treasurer (ex officio city treasurer) : John M. Hook, city commissioner : Michael H. Xeedham. Samuel A, Cooper, George S. Jones. John Hoist. Dudley's. Nye and Daniel G, Math'^ws, council.

Mill ^.lycr. conni875._J,.wctt Palmor, mayor: Sevmour J. Hathaway, iolicitor; Willis II. John^on. clerk; Darius Tow.sley. marshal: John .\. J'lumcr, civil engineer; John M. Hook, ciry cummissioner : George S. Jones, Josiah Coulter. G. Ch.ri-lian Best, William Styer, George T. Elston and William R. Armstrong, council.

1876. - Jewett Palmer, mayor; William G. Way, solicito'' ; G. C. Best, Jr., clerk; Darius Towsley. marshal; John A. Phuiier, civil engineer; John M. Hook, city commissioner; Josiah Cdulter, J. D. Strauss and William Styer (newly elected members), council.

1877. - Jewett Palmer, mayor (November S'tli, by special election, Williiam Gliines was chosen mayor to fill vacancy caused by Mr. Palmer's resignation) ; William G. Way. solicitor; G. C. Best. Jr.. clerk; Jacob H. Dye, marshal; John A. Palmer, civil engineer; John M. Hook, city conmiissiioner ; G. C. Best, (r. T. Elston and John Mills, Jr.. (newly elected members), council.

187S. - William Glines, mayor; William G. Way, solicitor; G. C. Best, Jr., clerk; Jacob H. Dye, marshal; John A. Plumer, civil engineer ; John M. Hook, city commissioner ; Josiah Coulter, J. D. Strauss and Andrew Wagner (newly elected members), council.

1870. - William Glines, mayor; William G. Way, solicitor: G. C. Best, Jr., clerk; Jacob H. Dye. marshal; John A. Plumer, civil engineer ; John M. Hook, city commissioner; G. C. Best. G. T. Elston and John Mills, Jr. (newlv elected members), council.

1880. - Rufus E. Harte, mayor ; William G. Way, solicitor; Charles H. Ner'ton. clerk; Jacob H. Dye, marshal ; John A. Plumer, civil engineer ; John M. Hook, city commissioner; J. S. Sinclair, T. K. Wells, John Hall (newly elected members), council.

1881. - Rufus E. Harte, mayor; William G. Way, solicitor; Charles H. Newton, clerk; Jacob H. Dye, marshal ; John A. Plumer, civil engineer ; John M. Hook, city commissioner ; G. C. Best, G. T. Elston, John Mills, Jr. (newly elected members), council.

1882. - Charles W. Richards, mayor ; Charles Richardson, solicitor ; Charles H, Newton, clerk ; Jacob H, Dye, marshal ; John A. Plumer, civil engineer ; John M. Hook, street commissaoner ; Jacob Rech, John Hall, Charles G. Dye (newly elected members), council.

1883. - Charles W. Richards, mayor; Charles Richardson, solicitor; Charles H. Newton, clerk; Jacob H. Dye, marshal: John A, Plumer, civil engineer; Jolin M. Hook, city commissioner; G. C. Best, Benjamin Bailey, D. Seebers (newly elected members), council.

1885. - Sidney Ridgway, mayor ; Charles Richardson, solicitor ; (jeorge Weiser, clerk ; Jacob H. Dye, marshal ; John A. Plumer, civil engineer ; John M.

1887. - Sidney Ridgway, mayor; William G. Way, solicitor; George Weiser, clerk; Jacob H. Dye, marshal; J. P. I-Iulbert, civil engineer; John M. Hook, city commissioner; S. D. Davis, William P. Dye, Josiah Coulter, Daniel F. Sayre (newly elected members), council.

1888. - Josiah Coulter, mayor ; Charles W. Richards, solicitor : George Weiser, clerk ; Jacob H. Dye, marshal ; J. P. Hulbert, civil engineer; John M. Hook, city commissioner; G. Christian Best, S. M. McMillen, Daniel R. Greene, Jacob Gephart (newly elected members), council.

iS8q. - Josiah Coulter, mayo.r; Charles W. Richards, solicitor; George Weiser, clerk; Jacob H. Dye, marshal; J. P. Hulbert, civil engineer; George Gephart, city commissioner ; Philip Bachman, William P. Dye, W. A.- Sniften, Edward Meisenhelder (newly elected members), council.

1890. - Charles Richardson, mayor ; A. D. FoUett, solicitor; George Weiser, clerk; Jacob H. Dye, marshal; J. P. Hulbert, civil engineer; Jacob Gephart, city commissioner; Fred Morganstern, S. M. McMillen, Daniel R. Greene, Jacob Gephart (newly elected members), council.

tSq,?. - Charles Richardson, mayor; A. D. F'ollett, solicitor: Louis '\ruoilcr, cieik; Jacob PL Dye, marshal; E. Frank Gates, civil engineer; Charles J. Best, city commissioner; Fred Meister. John Bickert. James Mc- Clure, Jacob Gephart, A. S. Hale, Daniel W. Davis (newly elected members), council.

1895. - Jewett Palmer, mayor ; J. C. Brenan, city solicitor; Carl Becker, clerk; James Parlin, marshal; E. Frank Gates, civil engineer; Charles J. Best, city commissioner; Philip Bachman, Jacob Marsch, Jacob Rech, S. J. Hathaway, Edward Meisenhelder, Charles Clark; Daniel Biszantz (newly elected members), council.

1897 - Edward Meisenhelder, mayor: C. W Richards, sohcuor; Carl Becker, clerk; W. P. Mason, civil engmeer; Charles J. Best, city commissioner; Jacob H wrf;i'"''i'i'^U ^"''P B^chman. E. A. Cochlan. Jecob Witthg, M H Haddox, John "W. Trautman, Douglas l-tatt (newly elected members), council. '^^--fhciTl" , Richardson, mayor; C. W. Richards, solictor; Carl Becker, clerk; E. Frank Gates, civil en^ gmeer; Jacob H. Dye. marshal; Charles J. Best city commissioner; S. E. Garrison, B. F. Wood, Henry Blume, Oscar A. Lambert, William Loffland, Daniel W. Davis (newly elected members), council.

1899. - Charles Richardson, mavor ; C. W Richards «>hcitor. Carl Becker, clerk ; Jacob H. Dve. marshal;' ii. l<rank Gates, civil engineer; Charles J. Best citv commissioner; B. Eveleigh, W. D. Strain, H. N. Curtis,