Columbus City (part 36 of 57)

The selection of the site for Ohio's capital must have been more for what it might become than for what it was at the time. Along the river bank only were there any marks of civilization. John Brickell lived in a cabin and cultivated a garden at the old Indian encampment in front of the present Penitentiary. Robert Balentine's water mill and White's distillery, the first of their kind in the county, stood near by. There was a cabin in a small clearing near the foot of Rich street, and soutli of the Indian mound from which Mound street was named, there was the Hamlin home. High street, thickly wooded, was known as Wolf Ridge, so frequently were wolves met there by the early hunters. Spring street was so named because of the numerous springs it bordered or approached in the vicinity of St. Patrick's church and the railroad yards east of the Union Station. These springs fed a brook known as Doe run which united at Spring street with Lizard creek which was created by springs and a broad morass near Broad and Fifth streets. The united streams crossed High street at Spring and ran through a considerable gulley to the Scioto. At times the gulley was filled with a rushing torrent. Crookedwood pond was at Broad and Twentieth street; Hoskins' pond was at Fourth and State streets, and a brook proceeding from that united at Fourth and Main with another which had origin near Washington avenue and Rich street and flowed into Peters' run which, crossing High street further down, emptied into the Scioto. Even as late as 1833, council provided for repairing the culvert over Lizard creek at Fourth street and graveling Third street on both sides of it, as well as draining a pond at the east end of State street, repairing a bridge at the south end of High street and making a culvert at Rich and Front streets. With these woods and springs and morasses and runs and gulleys Columbus battled for years, but now stands beautiful and triumphant over them all, with a great level stretch of acreage on every side. Under the statute locating the capital, Joel Wright became the state director, charged with superintending the surveying and laying out of the town, directing the width of streets and alleys, selecting the square for the public buildings and the lot for the Penitentiary and its dependencies. He was also empowered to collect and disburse taxes on the town property until January 1, 1816. He was also to supervise the erection of the public buildings the proprietors had engaged to provide. He located the State House at the southwest corner of the square, accepted as a site for the Penitentiary a ten-acre lot on Scioto street at the foot of Main and Mound streets, and arranged for their construction according to the dimensions designated by the General Assembly and performed other duties as pre-

On February 10, 1811, William Ludlow was appointed "director of the town of Columbus" and, under his supervision, most of the actual construction of the state buildings was accomplished. The building of the State House was delayed by the War of 18 12. When completed it was a plain brick building, 50x75 frit, fronting on High street, with a square roof, ascending to a cupola surrounded by a balcony, witli two side-extensions north and south from which spectators could view the incipient city and miles beyond. The top of the spire was 106 feet from the ground; inside the cupola hung a bell. The roof was covered with walnut shingles - which would now be worth a king's ransom; but walnut fence rails were then more common than any other kind.

The principal entrance was on State street. The House of Representatives was located <in I lie lower Moor, the Senate in the second story. These halls were "of good size and respectable wooden finish, with large turned columns, which were painted in imitation of clouded marble," - a base camouflage employed by our earliest house and scene painters, even down to the last generation.

The first carpet was "made and laid" by the leading ladies of Columbus, in 1816. Governor Worthington honored the sewing-circle with his august presence, and bestowed on the dozen or more seamstresses some tine apples from his Ross county orchard. The building

Columbus Borx A Capital 29

The Penitentiary was a brick building of two stories and a basement, the latter being only half under ground. Its dimensions were 60 x 30 feet. The basement was divided into cellar, kitchen and dining-room for the prisoners and could be entered only from the inside of the yard. The first story was occupied by the keeper as a residence and was entered by high steps from ((he street. The second story was divided into cells (four dark and nine light) for the prisoners. The entrance to the upper story was from the inside of the yard. The prison yard was about 100 feet square, including the ground the building stood on and was enclosed by a stone wall from 15 to 18 feet high. In 1818 an additional brick building was erected and the prison yard was enlarged to a total area of 160 x 100 feet. This area descended by terraces to the foot of the 'hill near the canal, and was surrounded by a wall three feet thick and 20 feet high. Within this enclosure workshops were erected.

On December 2, 1816, the General Assembly convened at Columbus for the first time, the members coming mainly on horse-back, and their horses were returned to the country for wintering. Several of the members boarded in Franklinton, and one or two in the country. On adjournment several who lived at Portsmouth and down-river points "descended the Scioto in skiffs," says an early Ohio State Journal.

In January, 1817, the General Assembly provided for the appraisement of the work done by the land proprietors in the erection of buildings and to make settlement with them according to contract. An amicable settlement was made, the proprietors being paid $35,000 which was found to be due after deducting the $50,000 they were required to expend. Thus Ohio acquired a capital at a very modest cost.

TJhe capitol square was originally cleared of its native timber by Jarvis Pike, under the direction of Governor Worthington in 1815 or 1816. The square was enclosed with a rough rail fence, and Pike farmed the ground for three or four years, raising wheat, corn, etc., till the fence got out of order and was finally destroyed. The square thereafter lay in commons till 1834, when the state, Alfred Kelley, agent, built a neat substantial fence of cedar posts and paling painted white. About the same time Mr. Kelley transplanted from the forest to the square a number of elm strees, most of which survived.

Of the four proprietors or members of the Columbus land syndicate, less is known of James Johnston than of any of the others. He was here in 1812, and of the four men put the largest area of land into the pool. During the five years of the syndicate's existence he remained with it and at the final settlement in April, 1817, he received quit-claim deeds from the others, as they did from him, for all unsold lots originally contributed. He failed, owing to land speculation, in 1820, and thereupon moved to Pittsburg, where he died in the summer of 18-12 at an advanced age.

Lyne Starling, who came early to Franklinton to join his brother-in-law, Lucas Sullivant, was a leading figure there and in Columbus till his death in 1818 at the age of 65 years. His name is found written through the early mercantile and civic history. He traveled in Europe after the founding of Columbus and, after his return, continued to serve prominently in the development of the city. He remained a bachelor and a half dozen years before his death gave $35,000 for the founding of Starling Medical College, now a part of the College of Medicine of the Ohio State University.

Alexander McLaughlin, after taking rank as one of the wealthiest men in the State, failed in business in 1820 for the same reason as did James Johnston. He had bought heavily of real estate which depreciated in value and left him unable to meet his obligations. In his later years he supported himself by teaching a common country school. He died in 1832.

John Kerr, who died in 1823, left a young family and a large fortune which was soon dissipated. He was a man of secretarial bent and left a mass of papers, now owned by the Western Reserve Historical Society, which make possible a tolerably accurate estimate of him, as well as of his business associate, Alexander McLaughlin. These papers ( examined for this narrative by W. F. Felch ) show that John Kerr was horn in County Tyrone, Ireland, of Scotch-Irish parentage, his father being probabJv Matthew Kerr. He came to America in 1789, landing at Philadelphia, in September of that year. He was naturalized at Pittsburg, May 17, 1798, and there it was he nut and became associated in business with Alexander McLaughlin, a merchant. A little memorandu n hook in the collection contains an account of a trip down the Ohio river and up the Hocking- river in March and April, 1800. It is the diary of a young man prospecting for a home and blind neither to fine qualities of the young women nor to the beauty of the scenery. The first intimation of his association with McLaughlin follows the story of this trip and bears date of May 10, 1801, and there is Kerr's verification of a bill of goods bought in Philadelphia. It seems that McLaughlin who was a merchant at different times in Pittsburg and Steubenville, opened a branch store in Chillicothe in July, 1802, and put Kerr in charge of it. An inventory puts the value of the stock at about $35,000. Under date of August 29, 1801, James Ross, of Pittsburg, introduced McLaughlin to Governor St. Clair in these words:

This gentleman resided many years in Pittsburg, a man of pure integrity, attention to business, sound understanding and honorable judgment. It is not likely that he will solicit any appointment, but if you have occasion for the services of such a man in any of your offices, I am well persuaded that you will find him every way meritorious and trustworthy.

For many years all letters addressed to McLaughlin by Kerr were carefully copied in long hand in a letter-book which is a part of the collection. The last entry was made in 1806, about the time they began buying land as a part of their joint business. Here is a significant entry :

It appears per account that the 10th of Nov. 1807, there remains in stock, debts and property to be applied to the land adventure the sum of $14,012.95, errors excepted. Contra Cr. Nov. 10, by Scioto Bank lottery, $145. By stock for our nett capital, $16,295.20. Lost, $373.53. Proceeds, $15,921.67.

It thus appears that McLaughlin and Kerr had at that time some $15,000 to invest in land warrants. The terms of their partnership are not known, nor is it known that they operated together in any but the Columbus deal. The difference in their subsequent fortunes would indicate that Kerr was the more conservative of the two or that jhe was saved by lack of capital from ruinous purchases.

John Kerr served as agent of the Columbus land syndicate from April, 1813, to June, 1815, when he declined longer to serve and Henry Brown was appointed in his place, serving till the business of the syndicate was closed in April, 1817. In the turning back of lots at that time, John Kerr received only four. The first lot sold in the original plat of Columbus was the northeast corner of Broad and Front street, to James Galloway, of Greene county for $200. Lucas Sullivant made the next purchase for $302, buying on the north side of Broad, second lot west of High. Amasa Delano, of Chillicothe, with rare foresight, bought the northeast corner of Broad and High for $651. The Broad street lot where the Hayden- Clinton Bank building now stands was sold for $400. The lot on Broad street first east of the Chamber of Commerce building was sold for $300. These were the first five sales, four of them to non-residents, indicating that there was no inside ring of buyers. Of local buyers (probably Franklinton residents), besides Lucas Sullivant, there were, according to the Kerr papers: Reuben Wixom, Daniel Cozer, John Putnam, Daniel Ross, Robert McBratnev, John Smith, John Baird. Mcl'arland & I'olsom, Ebeneezer Duty, William Moore, Michael Fisher, Thomas McCollum, Townsend Nichols, Josephus Collett, John Shields and James Kilbourne. There were buyers from Chillicothe and some from even as far as Lexington and Paris. Kentucky, and Ft. Wayne, Indiana. The sale was not rapid, often only one or two a day, the banner salt- being eleven in one day. In the period from June 12, 1812, to the following August 2, only thirty lots had been sold. The original Methodist "meeting house lot" was located on the west side of Fourth street, second south of Rich street, and was bought August 13, 1813. The original Presbyterian "meeting house lot" was at the southwest corner of Spring and Third streets, and was bought just one month later. The price of outlots, east and north, was $150. Some curious comments are found on the old record of lot sales. For instance. Isaac Taylor "intends to erect a brewery next year"; Townsend Nichols, "payable in joiner's work"; Richard Courtney, "to furnish nails"; Thomas Pye, "working on the Stale House"; Daniel Salsherry, "making shingles for the Penitentiary."

John Kerr was a many-sided man. His papers indicate that he was an ardent student of arithmetic and music, sonic of the books being filled with mathematical problems carefully worked out and the musical notation of more than fifty tunes neatly written in almost copperplate hand. He made good architectural drawings and was a surveyor. In other books are poetical effusions, love letters and political screeds. While in Chillicothe, he was president, probably the organizer of the Polemic Society, which hired a room from Peter Spurck at $1 a night and maintained a library for whic i John Kerr bought books up to 1810 - 108 volumes in all, costing $142.39. Whether or not that library was transferred to Columbus w,hen Kerr moved here is not definitely known, but it is suspected that it was. At any rate, on April 8, 1816, the first meeting of the Columbus Literary Society was held at the Columbus Inn. Rev. James Hoge was chairman and John Kerr was secretary. A long constitution was adopted and stock was sold at $5 a share, and $1 dues payable in April of each year. One curious provision was that a subscriber should be permitted to retain a duodecimo volume two weeks, an octavo three weeks, a quarto four weeks and a folio six weeks. The following list of shareholders is interesting:

This provided a fund of $280 the lirst year and an additional $35 the second year - all from the sale of shares. The annual dues the first year amounted to $38, for the second year, to $45. These funds would at best have been meager enough for the purchase of books and the necessary expenses. But they were even smaller because there was failure promptly to pay dues. The first year the dues were but $25.50, and there was a bill of $116.45 for books. Book purchases in 1818 amounted to $100 and in 1819, to $316.45. This seems to have brought a crisis, for there is a record to the effect that Dr. Hoge, to reduce the indebtedness, sold books from his own library to the amount of $63.50 and that $205 was otherwise paid, leaving a deficit February 9, 1819, of $50.23. R. W. McCoy was librarian in 1817, and so heads the list of such officials in Columbus. Orris Parrish, lawyer and judge, was assistant.

Chapter Vi Borough Life Until 1834

Depression After the War - First Merchants, Newspapers and Market house - Visit of President Monroe - Litigation Over Land Titles - A Great Squirrel Hunt - Glimpses of Home Life - Betsy Green Deshler's Letters and Emily Merion Stewart's Chronicles - Epidemic of Fever - First Appearance of Cholera.

The war of 1812 brought good times to both Franklinton and Columbus. In the camps west of the river there were sometimes from 2000 to 3000 men awaiting marching orders. The presence of these and their friends as well as those who are always attracted by military doings created a market for labor and produce. Both the government and individual purchases were large, and some of the pioneers were able to pay for their property out of the profits of their business. Money was plenty and prices were high. But with the close of the war there came a decided slump. The transient population dwindled away, money became scarce and barter was resumed, with prices for foodstuffs showing a drop of 60%. Labor went unemployed and the buyers of lots suffered untold hardships to hold them.

The proprietors of the land, says Martin, usually made their sales of lots by title bond. Upon receiving a fraction of the price in cash and annual notes for the remainder - without interest if punctually paid, otherwise to bear interest from date - they executed a bond binding themselves to make a deed when the notes were paid ; and it frequently happened that, after one or two payments and a small improvement had been made, the whole would fall back to the proprietors. As they had a monopoly of the land, they were able to keep the prices up, and there was not much of a decline until 1820 when two of the proprietors themselves got into financial trouble.

With the creation of Columbus as the capital, business began to be transferred to it from both Franklinton and Worthington. Lucas Sullivant and others built a mill, afterwards occupied by the Ohio Manufacturing Company; John Ransburgh in 1813 built a mill and carding machine, a mile below Franklinton on the Scioto, which was subsequently known as Moeller's mill; John Shields and Richard Courtney built a sawmill just below the site of the present Penitentiary, and the same Mr. Shields built a flouring mill on Peters' run in the southeastern portion of the town.

Among the first general merchants were: Henry Brown & Co., Richard Courtney & Co., J. and R. W. McCoy, Samuel Culbertson, Robert Russell, Samuel Barr, Jeremiah Armstrong. L. Goodale & Co., J. Buttles & Co., Starling & De Lashmutt. I). F. Heaton, tailor, appeared in 1811; also Eli C. King, tanner; John McCoy, brewer; Joseph Grate and Nathaniel W. Smith, silversmiths, the latter making a specialty of grandfather clocks which Stephen Berrvhill, a school teacher, set up.

The first market house was erected in tli - middle of High street a little south of Rich street, in 1811. It was paid for by the contributions of property-owners in the vicinity. The market remained there until 1817 when, by an agreement with the Council, John Shields erected a two-story structure on West State street, the first story for the market being of brick and the second story with rooms which Shields rented for various purposes, being of frame. Religious meetings were sometimes held there, but when Shields sold his interest to John Young, amusement and gaming rooms were located over the market, and the first billiard table was there installed. In 1830, the city bought Young's interest and erected on the site a larger market house which was used till 1850, when the Fourth street market house was opened for use.

In 1811 Tile Western Intelligencer was moved from Worthington to Columbus and has since been continuously maintained under various names, now the Ohio State Journal. A census by James Marshal in 1815 showed a population of 700. In 181(>, David Smith established the Monitor, newspaper. In 1817 Samuel Cunning came from Pennsylvania and erected a tannery. In I, SI it Moses Jewett, Caleb Houston and John F. Baker built and operated a sawmill on the Scioto just above Rich street. In 182] Jewett and Hines began the manufacture of cotton yarn by horse power in a frame building on Front street between Rich and Friend; and in 1822, Ebeneezer Thomas and others began the carding, weaving and spinning of wool by horse power, a business which in 1834 was moved by George Jeffries to the canal dam where water power was for a time used. These early manufacturing enterprises were not very profitable and were not long continued.

In those early years the Fourth of July was religiously celebrated, first in Franklinton and later at Stewart's Grove (now Washington park), capitol square, or elsewhere in Columbus. In 1822, the orator was Rev. James Hoge, who expressed strong anti-slaver}7 sentiments. In the same year at Gardiner's tavern, was the first celebration of Jackson's day (January 8, the battle of New Orleans), the speakers being Henry Clay, Thomas Corwin and others. There is no record of another observance of Jackson's day till 1835. On the occasion of the celebration of the Fourth, the spectacular feature was the marching of the Franklin Dragoons, the history of which dates back to 1812. The first captain was Joseph Vance, then in order, A. I. McDowell, Robert Brotherton, P. H. Olmsted, Joseph McElvain and David Taylor. In 1821, the Columbus Artillery appeared, Captain E. C. King, later Captain N. E. Harrington.

In 1817, Columbus had its first visit by a President of the United States. The visitor was James Monroe who, with his party, all horseback, was returning from inspecting the fortifications in the Northwest. The Presidential party stopped first at Worthington, where Colonel James Kilbourne made the welcoming speech. The Franklin Dragoons, Captain Vance, escorted them from Worthington to Columbus, and there was a formal reception, with speaking, for them in the State House, the committee of citizens consisting of Lucas Sullivant, Abncr Lord, Thomas Backus, Joseph Foos, A. I. McDowell, Gustavus Swan, Ralph Osborn, Christian Heyl, Robert W. McCoy, Joel Buttles, Hiram M. Curry, John Kerr, Henry Brown and William Doherty. Hiram M. Curry, treasurer of state, made the speech of welcome and the President responded as a President should to the honest efforts of the best citizens of an infant city.

But neither the compliments of a President nor the struggles of the pioneers could stay the hand of misfortune. Alexander McLaughlin and James Johnston, two of the four founders of the city, failed and the depression was such that much of the real estate of the town was thrown on the market, some through sheriff's sale. Lots that had commanded $1,000 were sold for $300, while others that had been held at $200 and $300 were sold for as little as $10. A scourge of malaria and fever fell on the town; most of the inhabitants were sick and many died. And as if that were not enough, the titles to the land that had been sold by Starling, Kerr and McLaughlin were assailed in the courts. Starling's halfsection had originally been granted to one Allen, a refugee from the British provinces during the Revolutionary war. Allen had sold it to his son, the son had mortgaged it and allowed it to go to sheriff's sale at which Starling bought it. Each step in the proceedings was questioned. The suits were brought in 1822-23, and it was not till 182(3 that Starling's title was affirmed. Kerr and McLaughlin's half section had belonged to one Strawbridge and had been duly bought and paid for. Their title was attacked because the deed showed that Kerr and McLaughlin had bought the property from an agent acting for Strawbridge and not from Strawbridge through an agent. That dispute, begun in 182fi, was ended in the following year in favor of Kerr and McLaughlin.

The end of this litigation was an occasion of great rejoicing in Columbus. Mr. Starling, his lawyers and friends celebrated the victory at the National Hotel, the predecessor of the Neil House, and were in such a state at last that they were all put to bed in one room. But they were not allowed to rest. The whole town was happy and when later in the night a crowd gathered to serenade the sleeping victors, the latter were obliged to hurry into their outer clothing and appear. In the darkness and the confusion, John Bailhache, who was a very small man, and Lyne Starling, who was a very large man, exchanged clothing and were found sweating and swearing and in a thoroughly ludicrous plight by the advance guard of the screnaders. It was a night that none of the celebrants ever forgot.

In 1820 the improved area terminated on the east at Fourth street, and stumps were still standing in High street. There were three dwellings on the west side of High street between Broad street and the Spring street gulley On the cast side going north there was nothing until Wilson's tanyard on the present site of the Dispatch building was reached ; then only a vacant cabin at Spring and Higli streets. On High street opposite the capitol square, going south, were the residences of George Nashee and Gustavus Swan; three groggeries known as the "Three Sisters," the National Hotel (predecessor of the Neil House), Tom Johnson's bookstore, McCullough's tailor shop, Marsh's bakery and R. W. McCoy's dry goods store. Most of the business district was south of State street.

The buffalo had been driven from the forests of Franklin county before the advent of the pioneers, but there is abundant evidence that the deer was still here. These animals, whose flesh was used for food and whose hides were made into clothing, were frequently shot in the forest, as well as in the river. It was their habit to come to the river in the night and feed on the grass that grew in the water. Hunters would float down the stream in canoes, blind the animals with their torches and then shoot them. Panthers and wildcats and wolves were here - the last named in such numbers that the General Assembly in 1809 placed a bounty on wolf scalps, continuing it till 1852.

Squirrels were so numerous as to be a great menace to crops, especially corn. In 1807, it was made the duty of every taxpayer to kill them. At the time of paying taxes, he was required to produce a certain number of squirrel scalps (the number to be determined by the township trustees), and for every scalp over the quota he received three cents, while for every one under it he was fined two cents. In the fall they seemed to migrate by the river, and men waded into the stream and killed them by the dozen. In April, 1822, 9000 squirrels were killed in Franklin county, 5000 in the immediate vicinity of Columbus. In August of that year, a great squirrel hunt was organized in all the townships of the county, the call to a hunting caucus being issued by Lucas Sullivant, Samuel G. Flenniken, John A. McDowell, Ralph Osborn, Gustavus Swan and Christian Heyl. At the caucus, the county was divided into two districts, with a field marshal for each. A match was arranged, the prize being a barrel of whisky. At the round up 19,660 squirrel scalps were counted, and some hunters did not make returns. The winning team beat the other by 5000 or 6000 scalps, and no doubt consumed the whisky.

Some glimpses of the home life of the period are offered in the writings of Mrs. Emily Stewart, the youngest daughter of Wm. Merion, sr. Her father in 1818 built a brick house on the west side of High street, south of Moler street, which was still standing in 1918, neglected but occupied by transients glad of the shelter. The house faces south, and it is without adjustment to the present streets. Describing the mother of this pioneer home, she writes :

Every garment worn by the family was made from the raw material. The flax had to be spun, woven, bleached and made into garments. The table linen, toweling, bedding, and even the sewing thread were hand-made. The wool of a hundred sheep was brought in at shearing time. Mrs. Merion had it washed, picked, carded, spun, scoured, dyed, woven and made into flannel, jeans, linsey, blankets, coverlets and stocking yarn. The men's clothing was all home-made; even their suspenders were knitted. The floors were covered with beautiful carpets, not rag, but all wool of her own dyeing. The milk of 15 to 20 cows was brought in twice a day, to be turned into butter and cheese.

The brick oven, which held four pans of bread and 12 pies, was heated every day in summer and twice a week in winter. Fruit in its season was pared and dried in the sun. Canning was unknown. Tomatoes, of which a few plants were placed in the flower beds, were purely ornamental and were called Jerusalem apples. Soda was not to be had (at the stores). Mrs. Merion made it by leaching hickory ashes, boiling lye into potash and baking it until it dried and whitened. With this and buttermilk she made delicious biscuit, batter cakes and corn bread.

The pioneer's wife had no time to improve her mind. All her time was spent in work. The long winter evenings were occupied with sewing, knitting or spinning on the little wheel.

The old house, the scene of this activity, was the product of the skill of several pioneers who were prominent for one reason or another. The bricklayer was Mr. Loughery, whose daughter, afterwards Mrs. Win. M. Awl, was famous in the early charities. David W. Deshler, head of the house of Deshler, did the carpenter work. James Uncles did the plastering. Rev. George Jeffries, founder of the Baptist church here, preacher, teacher and school director, did the painting and glazing and made the case for the grandfather's clock that was used in the house.

A good wife and mother of the time who, in letters to relatives in Pennsylvania, added to tin- picture, was Mrs. Betsy Green Deshler, wife of David W. Deshler, pioneer carpenter. In 1817, Mr. and Mrs. Deshler came from Easton, Pa., to Columbus and bought a lot on the north side of Broad street just west of High street, a part of the tract on which the Deshler Hotel now stands. The price was $1000. They paid $200 cash and gave a gold watch worth $200, and were to pay $100 in 1819 and $200 in 1820. '['here they built a two-room.

one-story frame, one of the rooms being used for a time as a workshop. "Everything is cheap/' she wrote October 2, 1817, "and plenty except salt and coffee and a few other grocery articles" brought from long distances. The peaches are the finest she ever saw some of them nine inches in circumference. They have kind neighbors and are invited to help themselves from the gardens. In January, IS 18, she wrote that the Methodist meeting house was the only one in Columbus and the Presbyterians, rather than so the mile to the Franklinton church, are having service in the State House. In March, 1818 she wrote that a neighbor, Auditor of State Osborn, cut up their pork and showed them how to salt it, afterwards smoking it for them in his smokehouse. In August, 1818, she wrote that she had been very sick and that her husband had obtained work at the State House bv which he hoped to make enough money to make the payment on their lot. She adds that the Presbyterian meeting house has been built and the pews sold to pay the cost. Thev have bought one for 37-J cents. In February, 1820, she wrote that her husband had worked every day for five months, but had not received a dollar in money; everything was trade In September, 1820, the work had disappeared and many families had moved awav. On Christmas day, 1820, she wrote that Mr. Deshler had got his first job for ten months a contract to make shelves for the State Library. February 11, 1821, she wrote that Columbus had been lively during the winter, owing to the session of the legislature and the courts. She had seen Henry Clay, a visitor in the town, and found him genteel, but verv plain in his dress, his coat having buttons as big as a dollar. The letters she wrote in 18'>l->:>0 were, indeed, doleful. They had lost their first-born and both she and Mr. Deshler had been sick, as had most of their neighbors, all suffering from the epidemic fever The thoughts of the people were on sickness, taking care of the sick, and hard times. There was no business, and there were many funerals. "Our burying ground," she wrote September 29, 1822, "has averaged ten new graves a week, for a number of weeks past. She called the ailment bilious fever, reported that even the most robust did not feel safe and some of the stricken had died in three or four days. For work one could o-et all kinds of produce, but very little money. In eighteen months Mr. Deshler had not received $20 in cash. The stagnation in business continued through 1823-21, and to the original sickness was added what Mrs. Deshler called influenza. In March, 1826, she reported that the epidemic had abated and in the following November, that the town was quite healthv and lively, with provisions plenty and cheap. In the following year, when her son, William G. Deshler, was but ten weeks old, she died, aged 30 years.

In 1821 the county seat was moved from Franklinton to Columbus, the courts beinoinstalled in the United States court house that had been erected on the capitol square across from the Xeil House in 1820, the county offices occupying a building that was erected a few years later just east of the court house building. Both of these structures were on state property, the county paying for the office building, and the court house havino- been erected with money donated by citizens, to which was added a small state appropriation.

In 1830, the Mechanics' Beneficial Society, which had just been organized for mutual relief in case of sickness and for general improvement in literature and science o-ave a public dinner to Henry Clay, who was here occasionally in the earlier days aro-uino- cases in the United States courts. There was a parade, July 22, followed by a dinner, with a political speech by Clay. In that year, too, the wharf lots were laid out bv order of the city council, with the thought that they should always remain city property.

The presence in the early city of the members of the General Assembly, the judges and the lawyers who came to plead cases added much to the social life of the capital. The governor lodged at inns, sometimes witli his family and sometimes without, and the dinners given by or for him were events of great importance. In the General Assembly there were then as always some men of loose living, and the papers and correspondence of the time chronicle protests against the influence of their "ambling and hilarious doings on the morals of the town.

In the summer of 1833, cholera first made its appearance, being accompanied bv febrile maladies not easily distinguished in the first stages from cholera itself. The scourge continued from July to October, a third of the 3,000 population fleeing to the country to escape it. The deaths in that period numbered 200, one-half of which were attributed to cholera. Discouragements were numerous, but the prospect was not all black.

letter: "When the day dawned and the sun rose from beneath the eastern forest, it diselosed the fairest sight I have beheld this side of the Alleghenies. Columbus is generally acknowledged to be the most beautifully situated town in the State. To the eye which delights in the prospect of natural scenery, either desire of hill and dale, forest and river, it presents attractions of no ordinary kind. The location is so elevated, on the ascending bank of the Scioto, as to command a complete view of the western horizon, which extends quite to a semi-circle, and is level as the horizon of the ocean. The sunsets are glorious beyond description, and almost every evening the west presents a scene which, while it invites the skill, would, I fear, baffle the cunning of the most glowing pencil."

In 183 i, the population was between 3,000 and 4,000, wrote Mrs. H. M. Hubbard in 1885. Capitol square was enclosed the same year. That part of the city lying between Broad and Rich streets, east of Fourth, was a common in which was a large pond called "Hodgkins' pond," extending from State southeast to Main street. From that point to the river flowed a small stream called "Peters' run," which long since disappeared. Where Spring street now is was another stream which was crossed at High street, horses wading and pedestrians walking on a rude bridge of two logs, from which small boys were accustomed to fish. Drinking water was supplied by living springs in the eastern part of the city.

In 1835, Columbus numbered 18 so-called dry goods stores, where could be found with dry goods, goods not dry - whiskey, rum and other strong drinks. Also groceries, hats, caps, stoves, shoes, in fact, everything for the comfort and use of inner man and woman. Columbus had two weekly newspapers, no dailies, four steam manufactories. For illuminating purposes tallow dips were used, and the streets were unlighted.

Chapter Vii City Life From 1834 To 1860

Business and Professional Men - Michigan Boundary Dispute - Business Depression - Dr. Lapham's Reminiscences - Orris Parrish Family History - Effort to Remove the Capital - Whig Convention of 18^0 - War with Mexico - California Exodus in 18Jf9 - Reappearance of the Cholera - Visit of Louis Kossuth - First Republican Convention - Know-Nothingism - State Treasury Defalcation - I'isits by Lincoln and Douglas.

Columbus was incorporated as a city in 1831. It then had a population of about 3,500, with 10 lawyers, 11 physicians, eight clergymen, 36 mercantile establishments and nine taverns. The lawyers were Gustavus Swan, Orris Parrish, Noah H. Swayne, P. B. Wilcox, Lyne Starling, M. J. Gilbert, Mease Smith, John G. Miller, Samuel C. Andrews and John D. Munford.

The physicians were Samuel Parsons, John M. Edmiston, M. B. Wright, Peter Jackson, Peleg Sisson, Robert Thompson, Wm. M. Awl, N. M. Miller, S. Z. Seltzer, J. S. Landes and P. H. Eberly. The clergymen were James Hoge, Presbyterian; Wm. Preston, Episcopalian; Thomas Asbury, Jesse F. Wiscom, L. B. Gurley and Russell Bigelow, Methodist; George Jeffries and Edward Davis, Baptist.

The taverns were: National Hotel, John Noble; Franklin House, (High and Town), J. Robinson & Son; Globe Hotel, Robert Russell; Lion Hotel, Jeremiah Armstrong; Swan Hotel, Christian Heyl; White Horse, afterwards Eagle Hotel, David Brooks; Union Tavern, Amos Meneely; Farmers and Mechanics' Tavern, T. Cadwallader, and a boarding house by Ira Grover.

Among the store-keepers were: I.. Goodale & Co., Buttles & Matthews, J. & S. Stone, A. P. Stone, D. W. Deshler, McCov & Work. John, Reuben and David Brooks, Tunis Peters & Son, Brotherton and Kooken, Olmsted & St. Clair, Robert Russell & Co., W. A. Gill & Co., Wm. A. Piatt, I. X. Whiting and John Young.

In 1835 came the excitement incident to the Michigan boundary dispute, involving the ownership of a strip of land from Lake Erie to the western boundary and including the city of Toledo. In February the legislatures of both states laid claims to the tract, and Acting Governor S. T. Mason, of Michigan, sent militia to the spot. Governor Lucas, of Ohio, sent a commission to locate the boundary and later dispatched about 500 militiamen to give the commission protection. In spite of this precaution, nine members of the Ohio surveying party were seized by the Michigan troops and held. Under this provocation, the Ohio General Assembly was called in special session and made preparations for war. The Adjutant General reported 10,000 men ready for service and the General Assembly appropriated $300,000 for immediate use and authorized a loan of $300,000 more. At that point President Jackson put a restraining hand on the Michigan authorities. Mason was removed from office, and Congress sustained Ohio's claim, giving to Michigan in lieu of the tract, the northern peninsula. Tims the controversy ended without bloodshed.

In 1836 Alfred Kelley built his handsome colonial, stone front house on Broad street, just east of Fifth street. The site was then so far out and was so cut off from the rest of the city by morass that it was called "Kelley 's Folly.'' But Mr. Kelley knew well what he was doing. He mastered the springs, reclaimed the morass and made beautiful the tract on which the old house still stands, with Memorial Hall and the Elks Club House between it and Fifth street.

On November 5, 1836, General William Henry Harrison was a guest of the city. He was dined at Russell's Hotel and welcomed in a speech by Alfred Kelley. In his response. General Harrison referred to his coming to Ohio 10 years before and to his military experiences in and around Columbus.

From this time on for several years the city suffered from the general business depression, and everybody went into politics to "save the country" and so escape from bis own particular ills. Both the Democratic and Whis parties held exciting conventions in Columbus in 1838, and there was much partisan bitterness.

1832 to 1836, during his residence in Columbus, kept a diary, from which it is learned that his salary was $400 a year, but was not required to give all his time to the work of the office. He boarded at first at Noble's National Hotel but, after a few weeks, at the home of Mr. Medberry, Penitentiary engineer, at $1.75 a week, which, he notes, is $39 a year less than he paid at Portsmouth. In June, Lapham "made an engagement with Henry Brown, Treasurer of State, to sleep in his office and guard the public funds." "I am now writing," he said in a letter to his brother in June, 1833, "in a little office, whose door, and window shutters are faced with thick sheet iron. I have locked, barred and bolted the whole and therefore think myself secure. At the head of my bed is a loaded pistol, ready for use in case of necessity. The Treasurer's office is in the same building with the Canal Commissioners' office. The addition to my salary is $100, per annum."

The cholera broke out while Lapham was here. On July 14, he records a death in the town; on the 23rd, two deaths at his boarding house, both victims being well at breakfast time and dead at the time for the evening meal. "There have been three or four deaths a day," he writes, "and cases unnumbered since that day." On September 8, he wrote: "Columbus is not yet free from cholera, but it is not as bad as it was," and there are hopes that the heavy rains will wash it away.

"It is a busy time with me now." he wrote January 19, 1834. "Recording the proceedings of the board, copying their reports, assisting in settling with county treasurers who bring their collections to the state treasury, each year in January, are my principal duties." He also speaks of having become a member of the Historical and Philosophical Society of Ohio and having been appointed to an office with the duties of custodian, for he says that members of the society are to send to him their collections which are for the present to the arranged in the office where he works. In a letter to his brother, January 30, 1835, Mr. Lapham speaks of a large case of drawers and shelves closed by glass doors and inscribed "Cabinet of the Historical and Philosophical Society' of Ohio," containing petrified "ram's horns," "calves' horns" and "honey comb" and many other curious stones, mussel shells, snail shells, minerals, ores, boulders, bugs, butterflies, dried plants, etc. There is a glimpse of the politics of the time in the following extract:

I wish you would exert your imagination a little, and see me in the Canal Commissioners' office, sitting at a small desk appropriated to the use of the secretary of the hoard. Imagine further that you see at my right hand Mr. Kilbourne, standing at a high desk and writing a long report relating to the books, accounts and vouchers of the Auditor and the Treasurer of State for the last three years. Observe the dark frown on his brow, and you will be able to anticipate something of the nature of his composition; perhaps it relates to some wolf-scalp vouchers that are missing, or perhaps to the $10,000 of 3 per cent, money drawn from the United States Treasury without authority and paid into the State Treasury when it suited the convenience of the one who drew it; or perhaps it may relate to the $504 paid to a certain printer for work which could have been done by others for half that sum * Imagine further that Mr. R. is writing a chapter on the effect of the July rains and floods on the canal, for the annual report, and Judge Tappan studying some abstract question of law or politics, or possibly reading the Globe. If he opens his mouth, it will be to wish, perhaps, that Judge McLene would resign his present office and become a candidate for the Presidency of the United States, and promise to vote for him, provided he would do so.

In a letter, dated July 7, 1835, Mr. Lapham wrote to his brother that he had been appointed by the Council of Columbus, which had just been incorporated as a city, as City Surveyor, and that he has to superintend the laying of about a mile of wooden conduit and the construction of five fire cisterns, 6,000 gallons each. He asks his brother to note how they put the logs together in Cincinnati, as he thinks the manner of running one log into another is objectionable.

Mr. Lapham moved to Milwaukee in 1836. His study of storms and warnings of their approach was one of the things that led to the establishment of the United States Weather Bureau. The United States Geographic Board in 1916 named Lapham peak in Waukesha county, Wisconsin, for him.

The following interesting excerpt from the unpublished family record of Mrs. Marcia Parrish Rhodes, offers a glimpse of life in Columbus from 1830 to 1845:

Orris Parrish and Amelia Butler, my father and mother, were married in Circleville, March 5, 1816. Their bridal trip was made on horseback to Columbus, where they at once established their home. My father was a young lawyer, full of energy and overflowing with courage and confidence. My mother was then 2-1, and my father but two years older. Their first home was on Broad street, the second west of High. The house between was the home of David W. Deshler, and his bank was on the corner afterwards, for many years. My father must have realized some of his early anticipations, for he could have been married only a few years when we removed to a new house, with ample grounds, I being carried across the State House square in a cradle on the broad shoulders of Josey Kag, the man of all work.

The grounds of this new home lay between State and Broad, and Fourth and the alley back of Third street. On the last named were the handsome homes of Jeremiah McLene, P. iB. Wilcox, John W. Andrews and Demas Adams. These names bring up a multitude of memories connected with the old friends of my father and mother - dear Mrs. Wilcox, with her lovely face and winning manners; Mrs. Preston, just as charming; Mrs. Hannah Neil, devoted to all good works; Mrs. Alfred Kelley, whose home seemed then out in the country; Gustavus and Joseph Swan; Dr. Goodale, who made every one happy with the large means accumulated by his business ability; Mrs. Broderick and Mrs. Stirling, nieces of Dr. Goodale and women of such strong character and such traits essential to the life of pioneer women that they filled a unique place in the society of Columbus. Auntie Broderick, as we called her, had a heart big enough to include every one. In sickness she was the first in good offices, for we had no nurses then. On joyous occasions she was necessary to assist in the decoration and in making everything a success. Her home, plain and simple though it was, was headquarters for the young people - warm, bright and cheerful. Passing through many sorrows. she kept her cheerfulness and faith in people to the last. Mrs Stirling, at the head of Dr. Goodale's establishment, had scope for her executive and housewifely accomplishments. Hospitable as he was, her social duties might seem absorbing. But a strong churchwoman, she never forgot her duties as such. An exquisite needle-worker, her embroideries and all things necessary to beautify her home were remarkable. Her recipes were much sought for.

The Court and State Houses were of brick, a brilliant ugly red, and the cupolas and woodwork a dazzling white. In the latter was the State Library, and it speaks well for the people of Ohio that at that early day there was an intelligent interest in it. The librarian for many years was Mr. Mills, a dear friend of our family, from whose wife, Marcia Mills, I received my name.

The grounds around our new home were large, filled with beautiful forest and fruit trees, One in particular, called the "Old Elm," was a grand tree, from which hung a fine swing, safely guarded, in which it was our ambition to touch with our feet the immense branches above. This was a grand rendezvous for George, Sarah and Jennie Swan, Maria Wilcox, Sarah and Jim Doherty, Ann and Irwin McDowell (afterwards General), Mary Noble, Ann Eliza and Lizzie Neil and Lauretta Broderick, all friends of my elder sisters, Mary and Martha. There were eight children of us and we lived a busy and delightful life. We were sufficiently cared for, but had great liberty, under certain restrictions. We did not rule the house, as is too much the case today, but we had plenty of company and were not a great deal from home. School, Sunday school and church, had their important place and due influence. Our father was a Circuit Judge and often from home, but he had every confidence in the judgment and ability of our mother and was often heard to say that "she could carry out any plan she had resolved upon."

In my earliest years there was no Episcopal church building and but a small congregation. Our services were held, when possible, in the old Dutch church on Third street between Town and Rich streets. There were immense hay-scales next to it, a mystery to me for many years. Then I remember going to new Trinity, on Broad street near High. It was a handsome church for th,ose days, and the first rector was James Preston, a man deservedly loved and esteemed. We crossed the Public Square diagonally to reach the Sunday school, and for many years the great stones, cut and ready for the new State House, lay unused, offering temptations, every Sunday, too great to lie resisted, for us to climb and jump over, much to the horror of the older members of the family. The dear old chants and hymns, the pealing of the organ and the true congregational singing are all dear to my memory.

Mr. Noble kept the National Hotel, opposite the State House, where the Neil House now stands. The Robinsons had charge of the hotel, corner of State and High, called, I think, the American. The influx of strangers, Columbus being the capital, and the presence of members of the Legislature made such demands on these hotels that many families received friends, remaining in the city for the winter, as guests. There was a marked difference between the society of Chillicothe and that of Columbus - the former conservative and with few strangers and life, for a pioneer town, on a sure foundation; Columbus just the reverse. To the latter, as capital, many came, connected with the government. All political life and influence had there sts headquarters. Strangers and adventurers were drawn to it. Persons of note were sure to come and be publicly welcomed. When the Ohio and Erie canal was finished and the joy of the West over a new way of communicating with the East fonud public expression, Governor DeWitt Clinton visited Columbus and was the guest of my father.

The markets were excellently supplied, and all food was very cheap. I remember a quarter of venison selling for 25 cents; eggs, three and four cents a dozen; butter, six and eight cents a pound. I can see my father now with his market basket and George Scott following with two more, all filled to overflowing for our large family which sometimes numbered twenty. Relatives and friends came, as they did in early English life, to make a visit, remaining months and even years. There were many needs not supplied and my mother was a busy woman. Candles were all made in the home, moulded or dipped, and were the only means of lighting large rooms, except occasionally an Argand or sperm oil lamp. Beef was put up, spiced or corned; hams smoked or cured according to Epicurean recipes, and the preparation of sausages, tenderloin and sidemeat offered opportunity for the housekeeper to show her skill. I remember the old-fashioned methods of the kitchen - the immense fireplace with cranes and pothooks; the skillets with iron covers, on which coals were heaped; the reflector in which the direct heat of the fire browned the biscuit and cornbread to a turn; the roaster or spit, where turkeys, ducks and geese were roasted before the fire, basted and turned by the spit until ready for an appreciative table. At a respectful distance we watched the heating of the great brick oven, near the fireplace. After the light, dry wood had burned down, the coals were raked out, and pumpkin, mince and apple pies and an array of cakes were put in on an immense wooden shovel, and the door closed. It must have required great skill to know just when the oven was at the right temperature, but cooks were cooks in those days. We children did not dare to invade the kitchen on such occasions as this whjen the baking for several days was done; but there were other delightful times, when we could roast eggs, with a straw put into each to prevent an explosion, and roast apples in the hot ashes till the golden juice bubbled out. Corn, Stripped of its husks, was leaned against the huge andirons and turned until ready for our feasts. And what feasts we had out under the immense cherry or apple trees. My mother's maids were always from Radnor - nice, self-respecting, intelligent Welsh girls. They soon married, but there were always sisters of cousins to take their places at once. We often afterwards met these girls in much more elevated positions, and they proved themselves equal to their new social duties. The servant girl problem had not yet appeared.

My father, as I have said, was a Circuit Judge, his circuit reaching to Sandusky, then called Portland, on the lake; and several times I was his companion. Squeezed into a little sulky, well named and only intended for one, with my belongings in a little leather trunk under the seat, I bad much converse with him, and was dependent upon myself at an age when the children of today are hardly out of the nursery. My father knew every one, and I was always kindly eared for. He was held in high esteem as a lawyer; he was brilliant, forceful and eloquent, but bitter and sarcastic when aroused. He had a fine library and took much pains that his children should lie well read. He died at 48, after several years of semiinvalidisiu, and six weeks later, when just ready to be admitted to the bar, my oldest brother, Grosvenor, died at the age of 20. Then, for economical reasons, my mother sold the home and, with her five children moved to Delaware.

In KS.SJS, the General Assembly passed an act providing for a new State House and then, in the partisan passion of the time, seemed to regret its action. Many tales were circulated to the disadvantage of Columbus. A bit of the rank partisanship of the time was the accusation that Samuel Medary, then state printer, had been appropriating to his own use the outside quires of every package of state paper. An investigating committee reported that lie bad done nothing unjustified, as the paper he had taken was unfit for public use. In retaliation Medary charged Wm. B. Lloyd, of Cuyahoga, who belonged to the Whig party, witli surreptitiously altering certain accounts. On investigation, this charge was sustained, and an effort was made to unseat him. Then many prominent Columbus citizens, friends of Lloyd, signed a paper declaring their belief in bis innocence. This angered the Democrats, and a bill was at once introduced repealing the act for a new State House. That was in 18 10, eight months after the cornerstone for the new State House bad been laid. The repealing bill passed both houses in the spring of IS 10. and a resolution was offered requesting tile Governor to invite propositions for the permanent location of the capita] elsewhere. The House adopted it at once, but the Senate referred it to a committee which reported it back with a majority report against and a minority report for it. The majority report held that remove the capital would be to break faitli with Columbus. That was not as good an argument as it seemed to be, for the capital had been located at Columbus, witli the express stipulation, accepted by the proprietors of the land, that it could be removed after 1840. Hut that stipulation was ignored by both the friends and foes of Columbus, having been forgotten or lost. This, together with the inadequacy of state funds, delayed action. In 1842 Newark made an attractive offer for the capital, and another effort was made to pass the resolution requesting the Governor to invite proposals from other cities, but after being adopted in the Senate, it was defeated in the House, that vote marking the end of the agitation to remove the capital, though the anger of the Democrats was by no means appeased. In the legislature of that year, partisanship ran high. The Whigs absented themselves and the Democrats charged that they were harassed in their work by local Whig mobs. This charge was investigated by a committee of citizens who reported that the alleged mobs did

City Life From 1834 To I860 41

In 1839 Welsh citizens filed a protest with the General Assembly against its refusal to publish the Governor's message in Welsh, while printing it in German. In the same year the State Agricultural Society out of which came the State Board of Agriculture, was formed.

The great Whig convention of 1810 was h;ld in the open air at the corner of High and Broad streets, February 21 and 22. It was a marvelous outpouring of people who came by the roads and the canal, 27 boats filled with people arriving in one day and numerous wagons with log cabins, canoes and other decorations coming over the muddy roads. The streets were gay with colors and banners of many kinds. Rain fell as the thousands came and rain fell as they lingered for the business, but there was no dampening of the ardor of the great throng. There was a parade in the rain the second day, followed by a convention outdoors, the delegates and others standing in a continual down-pour to listen to the speeches of General Resin Beall and Thomas Ewing. Thomas Corwin was nominated for Governor and resolutions against the spoils system of appointments and the centralization of power were adopted; also a set of reasons for opposing Van Buren. The crowd was variously estimated at from 12,000 to 20,000.

Partisan feeling ran so high that Columbus Whigs and Democrats held separate celebrations of the Fourth of July. Vice President R. M. Johnson, Wm. H. Harrison and John Tyler were all visitors in Columbus that year. Harrison's election to the Presidency was an occasion of great rejoicing and, following his death, there were services in his memory, May 21, 1841.

The first balloon ascension Columbus had ever seen was made from the State House grounds by Richard Clayton, July 4, 1842, and in the same year Charles Dickens and his wife were guests at the Neil House, while en route through the State. That was the year, too, of the first inaugural ball, the occasion b?ing the incoming of Governor Wilson Shannon. The ball was given at the American House, with inauguration suppers at the Franklin House and Oyler's City House.

In 1843 the Mechanics Beneficial Society dedicated a building with hall, erected with its own funds. A. G. Hibbs was president at the time and John Grenleaf secretary. The former on that occasion presented to the society an oil portrait, executed by Win. Walcutt, of James Russell, inventor of the Russell planetarium, one of the wonders of the day. Mr. Russell was by trade a cabinet-maker, who was born in New Hampshire and had come to Ohio when he was 20 years old.

The Columbus Horticultural Society was organized in 1845, Bela Latham, president; W S. Sullivant and Samuel Medary, vice presidents; Joseph Sullivant and M. B. Bateham, secretaries, and John W. Andrews, treasurer. This society acquired by gift the first tract of land which later went to make up Franklin park. It gave annual exhibitions and for some years maintained an active existence.

To the call for troops for the war with Mexico in 1846, Ohio responded so promptly that the state's quota was filled in three weeks. From Columbus went the Columbus Cadets, Captain Wm. A. Latham; the Montgomery Guards, Captain George E. Walcutt, later Captain J. T. Mickum, on the resignation of Walcutt owing to ill health. These went down the canal to Camp Washington at Cincinnati and were assigned to the Second regiment of Ohio Volunteers. In 1847 two other companies were recruited in Columbus - the Franklin Guards, Captain M. C. Lilley, and a German company, Captain Otto Zirkel. After a farewell demonstration on High street, these companies departed by stage and were assigned to the Fourth regiment of Ohio volunteers. The first two companies, after a year's absence, returned and were welcomed July 5, 1847, Samuel Medary making the speech. In the same month a fifth company was recruited here for a Lancaster regiment. James Markland captain, Wm. A. Latham having been promoted to lieutenant colonel. On December 10, 1847, a complimentary dinner was given here to Colonel George W. Morgan, of the Second regiment, and a sword was presented to him. In the summer of 1848, the last of the volunteers returned from the war, and there was a great demonstration. The returning soldiers were escorted to Jaeger's Grove in the southern part of the city, 54 girls dressed in white encircling them with a wreath of oak and evergreen as they marched. At the grove, Samuel Medary made the address of wclcom

to California in search of gold was begun. In February, the Franklin California Mining Co., headed by John Walton, and the Columbus and California Industrial Co., Joseph Hunter leader, were organized, with about 30 members each. They were carefully organized and the articles of agreement were filed here. Each man put in $200; they were to travel and work together under something like military discipline and in 18 months they were to return and settle according to the terms of the agreement. The Walton party disbanded before it reached its destination, some going on and others returning. Some of both parties reached California, but there is no record of their return and settlement, as proposed. Columbus also sent out another party of seven and doubtless contributed to other parties passing through, but the successes, if any, were individual, and there is nothing to indicate what Columbus got out of the gold craze.

The cholera again appeared in Columbus in 1849, and again many fled from the scourge. Others remained, and the resourceful ones organized to fight the disease which, however, raged from June 21 to September 1.5, causing 200 deaths in the city and 116 in the penitentiary. The cholera returned in 1850 and, from July 10 to September 1, was held accountable for 225 deaths in a population of 18,000, one-fourth of whom fled and remained away till the scourge should abate. There was no cholera in 1851 and none in 1853, but in 1852 and 1854 there were a few cases, and that its last visitation.

There was much improvement in business conditions in 1850. The evil of a depreciated and unstable currency had been corrected by the creation of the state bank with numerous branches, and there was escape from the old financial mire. Railroad building had begun, and on February 26, 1850, the first passeng ?r train arrived over the Columbus & Xenia railroad. In the same year the General Assembly delighted itself with an excursion over the road to Cincinnati and return. In 1851, the city council appointed a committee, of which W. A. Piatt was chairman, to raise $3,000 to pay the expenses of the State Fair. In 1850 the first fair had been held at Camp Washington, Cincinnati, and Columbus resolved to have the second. Mr. Piatt raised the money, and the fair was held on land owned by Michael L. Sullivant, near the old Court House in Franklinton. The fair was a success, but Columbus did not get it again till 1855. It was not held here again till 1864. The 1865 fair was also held here and then it went elsewhere till 1874, when it was located here permanently.

In 1851 some women appeared in Columbus wearing bloomers, and some men wearing shawls in place of overcoats. Spiritualism had its beginning and there were lectures, seances and spirit rappings, Tennie C. Claflin being one of the demonstrants. Equestrianism came into social favor for both men and women and there were occasional cavalcades of 50 or more couples.

The railroad to Cleveland was completed in 1851 and that to Zanesville in 1852. The Franklin County Agricultural Society, organized in 1851, bought a tract of eight acres, now a part of Franklin park, and appointed Lucian Buttles, W. I.. Miner and M. I.. Sullivant a committee to improve the ground.

Distinguished visitors in 1852 were Horace Greeley and General Winfield Scott, the Whig candidate for President. The remains of Henrv Clay, who died June 29, arrived here July 8, 1852. There was a procession to meet the bodv and bear it to the Neil House, and the bells were tolled and minute guns were fired till it reached its destination. At the Neil House where the remains reposed over night, and at the City Hall, there were appropriate addresses by William Dennison and Aaron 1". Perry.

1852 was also the year of the visit of Louis Kossuth, who came to this country pleading the cause of an independent Hungary. He came from Cleveland, February 4, over the new railroad, and was met at the station by a number of civic and military bodies and escorted to the Neil House, into which Kossuth, his wife and Mrs. Pulasky made their way with difficulty on account of the crowd. A sympathetic meeting that evening packed tlie City Hall, thousdl Kossuth was not present. The next day at 1 1 o'clock, Kossuth spoke from a platform that had been erected in front of the old Court House to a crowd that packed High street. He was introduced bv Win. Dennison and welcomed bv Samuel Galloway. That evening there was another large meeting in the Citv Hall, and the Franklin Countv Hungarian Association was formed. Judge Wm. R. Rankin, president. On the 7th the two houses of the General Assembly convened jointly in the Odeon building, and Kossuth was escorted thither by Governor Reuben Wood. Lieutenant Governor Medill formally welcomed Ilim and Kossuth eloquently replied. A third meeting packed the City Hall that evening, which was addressed by Kossuth. The Cit\- Council had for some reason taken little part in this enthusiasm and the friends of Kossuth held a meeting and fiercely denounced it for its inaction. Altogether it was an exciting period of five days for Columbus, and when Kossuth left he was $2,000 richer by reason of the offerings made to him for the cause. Some passages from Kossuth's speeches here are word quoting, so keen was his insight into the genius and destiny of America and so pertinent to the issue of the recent world war. In his first speech he said:

Go on, young Eagle of America! Thy place is no more upon the top of the low hills where thou restest till now growing in proud security. Thy place is high up near the sun, that with the powerful sweep of thy mighty wings thou mayst dispel the clouds of despotism which prevent the sun of freedom over all Europe to rise.

The destiny of mankind is linked to a common source of principles and within the boundaries of a common civilization community of destinies exists. Hence thje warm interest which the condition of distant nations awakes nowadays in a manner not yet recorded in history because humanity was never aware of that common tie as it now is. With this consciousness thus developed, two opposite principles cannot rule within the same boundaries - democracy or despotism; there is no transaction between Heaven and hell.

The time draws near when by virtue of such a declaration as yours, shared by your sister states, Europe's liberated nations will unite in a mighty choir of hallelujahs, thanking God that His paternal care has raised the United States to the glorious position of a firstborn son of freedom on earth.

A convention of Whigs, Democrats and Free Soilers, held in the City Hall, later in Neil's hall, marked no doubt the beginning in Ohio of the movement that resulted in the organization of the Republican party. Those present represented the discontented elements of the parties named. They declared concurrence in the Michigan recommendation for a general convention of free states to take measures to resist the encroachments of slavery. Judge Joseph R. Swan was nominated to the Supreme Court and was later elected by 80,000. For the new political coalition the name Republican was suggested among others, but none was adopted. The following year there was a great convention of the same elements in the Town street Methodist church. It resolved to resist the spread of slavery, called the new party Republican and nominated Salmon P. Chase for Governor.

Know-Xothingism appeared in Columbus in 18.5.5 and was the cause of some rioting. The German societies fell under suspicion of anti- Americanism and on July 4 a procession of Turners was jeered at and attacked. Stones were thrown at the marchers, some of whom responded with their revolvers. The worst of the trouble was at High and Town streets, where Henry Foster, one of the stone-throwers, was fatally shot. Nineteen Germans were arrested and after a hearing all were discharged except six who were put under $500 bond each.

The remains of Elisha Kent Kane, Arctic explorer, were brought to Columbus, March 8, 1857, were received and cared for by a committee and lay in state in the Senate chamber, guarded by the State Fencibles. There was a civic and military parade, followed by a meeting with speeches in eulogy of the deceased.

Great excitement followed the resignation of W. H. Gibson as Treasurer of State, June 13, 1857, and the immediate appointment of A. P. Stone to the vacancy. The cause was the discovery of a heavy defalcation which subsequent investigation showed to be $574,112.96. It was also revealed that the defaulter was Gibson's predecessor, John G. Breslin. When Gibson took the office, he concealed the defalcation, being moved to that action by the fact that he was Breslin's brother-in-law and also his surety. Both were condemned in a public indignation meeting; both were indicted and found guilty. Gibson was granted a new trial which was never held. He served his country witli distinction during the Civil War and atoned for his part in the crime.

Columbus experienced another period of hard times beginning in 1857. Money was scarce, business men were in debt and there were many failures.

In the same year, both Stephen A. Douglas and Abraham Lincoln visited Columbus. Douglas came September 7 and addressed a meeting on the east terrace of the State House. The speaker's platform was erected facing the building, the acoustic effect of which was bad; so, when Lincoln came September 10, the platform was built with its back to the building. For this, his first speech in Ohio, Lincoln was introduced by George M. Parsons. Mrs. Alice Corner Brown thus describes the two meetings :

It was my happy privilege, in company with my father and mother, to hear the speech of Mr. Douglas and the reply of Mr. Lincoln, both delivered to small audiences on two sombre autumn afternoons. Near the northeast corner of the 10 acre State House square a steam engine was boring an artesian well. It was not noisy, but the sounds were regular and insistent; and, after speaking a few minutes, Mr. Douglas, looking weary and annoyed, stopped, saying, "I can't speak against a steam engine." As soon as word could reach the engine-driver, the boring ceased and the speech went on. Appeal, not argument; entreaty to change conditions, not recognition of the great trend of events characterized his address. A perfunctory round of applause without enthusiasm punctuated its close, and silently the 200 men who had stood on the ground throughout the harangue dispersed, seemingly not one converted to the plan of voting up or voting down slavery in the territories.

Mr. Lincoln came and was apparently introduced to the same audience. There were seated on the east terrace about a score of women when there came from the Capitol behind the group, a tall, sad-eyed, earnest, grave man. Taking up the assumptions of his rival, he showed the fallacy of the local option of dealing with the extension of slavery into the territories. He indulged in no .jokes, no witticisms. The crisis was too real and too awfully pregnant with fate. The impression left on the mind by the address was the vast import of events which no trifling or jugglery or vainglorious and boastful pro-slavery or antislavery men could delude the nation into excusing, viz., the invasions of free territory by armed men and the bloody encounters which followed.

At the close of Mr. Lincoln's address, the ladies who had been seated at his right were presented to him. I did not then know that I was shaking hands with the next President of the United States, the hero and martyr of the coming crisis in our history.

The artesian well referred to in the preceding comment was one of the vain hopes for a permanent underground water supply. Moved by success in other places and the prospect of having on State property its own inexhaustiible supply of pure water, the General Assembly, in 1857, appropriated $2,500 to make the boring. The work began November 1, 1857, and continued till October 1-1, 1859, exhausting not only the first appropriation, but also a second of $3,000. Prof. T. G. Wormley made tests in August, 1859, when a depth of 2,025 feet had been reached and found a pressure of 861 pounds per square inch, but no water came. When the bore had reached a depth of 2,328 feet, the effort was abandoned and the mouth of the well was closed with a stone.

With a view to preserving the good will between the states threatened by strife, the Genera] Assembly, in I860, invited the legislatures of Kentucky and Tennessee to visit Columbus. The invitation was accepted and the visitors arrived, January 26. They were welcomed cordially, entertained with a dinner and departed the following day.

In 1861, Columbus was again visited by Lincoln and Douglas. The former came February 13, this being one of his stopping places while en route to Washington to take up the duties of President. He was met at the station by city and state officials and was escorted through crowded streets, amid cheers and salutes, to the State House. He was introduced to the General Assembly, jointly convened in the hall of the House, and spoke briefly. He also spoke to a throng at the west front of the State House and held a reception in the rotunda. He was entertained at the home of Governor Dennison and left the next morning for Pittsburg and Washington. Douglas stopped on his way from Washington to Chicago. He was beaten and disappointed, but he was none the less a man. He made two speeches here, in each of which he pledged his support of Lincoln in putting down insurrection and preserving the Union.

for about 30 years, beginning in 1827, with a few intervals of inactivity, there was a military organization in Columbus known as the Columbus Guards. From 1837 to 181 1, this organization, with Joseph Sullivant as captain, John M. Kerr and Elijah Backus lieutenants and M. C. Lilley orderly sergeant had a fin- reputation. In 1 S 13 the Guards organiza- tion was vitalized by Captain W. F. Sanderson, and in 1846 it was reehristened the Montgomery Guards. In 1855 the Columbus Guards reappeared, Captain M. C. Lilley. The two German artillery companies which sought vainly to get into the Mexican war in their original formation, were led by Captains Frankenberg and Jacobs. In 1819 we read of the Columbus Light Guards, Captain George E. Walcutt, and the Columbus Light Artillery, Captain James A. Markland. In 1855 came the State Fencibles, Captain Henry Z. Mills, later Captains J. O. Reamy, Theodore Jones, Joseph Riley and A. O. Mitchell. In 1857 came the Columbus Vedettes, Captain Tyler, and in 1860 the famous Governor's Guards, Captain Isaac H. Marion.

Chapter Viii In Civil War Time

Columbus a Center of Military Preparation - Camp Jackson and Camp Chase - Prompt Response by the City to Every Call - Morgan's Raid, the Imprisonment and Escape - Camp Tod and Tod Barracks - News of Lee's Surrender - In Mourning for Lincoln - Abandonment of Camp Chase - Ohio's War Governors.

On February 13, 1861, Abraham Lincoln, the newly elected President, en route to Washington, stopped at Columbus - an occasion that was made memorable by the excitement incident to the uncertainty of the future and a demonstration by the military organizations. The bombarding of Fort Sumter, April 13 following, awoke Ohio and the capital city to action. Before the bombardment ended, twenty full companies had been offered to Governor Dennison for immediate service and their enrollment was begun before the Governor's summons had gone out to the state at large. Ths Governor's Guards, the Vedettes, the Fencibles, the Montgomery Guards and the Steuben Guards, all of Columbus, at once began recruiting. Of the 75 members of the Fencibles who then entered the service of the country, 57 later became commanding officers, ten non-commissioned officers and eight remained as privates.

Columbus at once became a center of military preparation. Every train brought a new contingent. The newspapers found it impossible to announce all enrollments. Their offices were besieged by eager inquirers, day and night. The crisis was so imminent and tremendous that there was at first confusion and fear, but with the announcement of a decided policy came order and calm. Following the President's proclamation, the General Assembly appropriated $1,000,000 for war purposes and authorized the Sinking Fund Commission to borrow money at 6% interest on certificates exempt from state taxation. Cincinnati took one-fourth of the amount, D. W. Deshler's Bank .$100,000, and the remainder was soon disposed of. Thirteen regiments of troops constituted the first quota; in two days time, men for twice the number had offered themselves. No adequate provision had been made for feeding and sheltering so large a body of men. Volunteers came in gala attire, as if to a political convention or celebration ; some wore their best suits and high hats and there were no uniforms for which to exchange civilian garb. Various styles of soldier garb appeared, but that most favored consisted of a red shirt, blue trousers and a felt hat. There were no tents, and the recruits were quartered at hotels and private houses at from 75 cents to .$1.25 a day for board. The construction of barracks at Cioodale park (Camp Jackson) was begun, and in the meantime, the Capitol, benevolent institutions, Starling Medical College and even the Ohio Penitentiary, the largest buildings in the city, were used for sleeping purposes. Though most of the men were patient to a remarkable degree, postponing their breakfasts till dinner-time and their dinners till bedtime, some appropriated what food they found at hand and on one occasion 1,000 men made a raid on the hotels and restaurants. C. P. L. Butler, Theodore Comstoek, Luther Donaldson and W. G. Deshler organized and financed a temporary provisioning plan by which the cost was reduced one-half and the accommodations vastly improved.

Of the twenty-three regiments that had rsponded to the Governor's call, 12,7(57 volunteers had muskets and 197 had sabres. Advocate-General Wolcott arranged for 5,000 muskets in New York, and sent home a large supply of tent-poles by express, in advance of the requisite coverings, - a humorous situation which was made use of liberally by the grumblers. Senator Garfield procured another 5,000 muskets of the Governor of Illinois, and Mr. Wolcott also arranged for the purchase of $100,000 worth of Enfield rifles in England, for immediate use. Several hasty clothing-contracts were also made.

On April 22, there were already enough troops in Camp Jackson to form a third regiment; on tin' 26th it contained 7,000 men, and the next day, 7,826, the barracks beingcrowded to their utmost. Cam]) Dennison, near Loveland, was instituted to relieve the (-(ingestion, anil 15 companies were transferred on the 29th, leaving 6,435 at Cam)) Jackson.

In Civil War Time -47

Others were sent for the protection of Washington, for the safety of which there was much anxiety, and the work of receiving, organizing and transferring troops went on.

On May 28 workmen began taking down the barracks in Goodale park and transferring them to a site four miles west of the city; this bore the name of Camp Jackson until June 20, 1861, when it was changed to Camp Chase - a name it still boasts. It contained 160 acres, which were ploughed, harrowed and rolled to a level smoothness, and by June 12 there were 160 houses on it. It was under National, not State, control. Dr. Norman Gay was its surgeon, and Wm. Jameson, its suttler; both of Columbus. The Zettlers provisioned the Camp at $11.65 per hundred rations.

Governor Dennison was fortunate in having at this time the assistance and advice of Col. Charles Whittlesey and Lieutenants O. M. Poe, J. W. Sill, and W. S. Rosecrans, all of whom became famous. C. P. Buckingham of Mt. Vernon became his Adjutant-General, and Geo. B. Wright, of Newark, his Quartermaster-General on July 1.

The second proclamation of President Lincoln, May 3, called for 12,000 volunteers for three years. Accordingly, the 23d to 26th regiments, inclusive, were at once organized in Ohio, for the purpose of pushing the occupation of West Virginia by Federal forces; the 23d, with Col. W. S. Rosecrans at its head, was organized at Camp Jackson June 12, and on July 25 it was ordered to Clarksburg, West Va. The 21th, with Col. Jacob Ammen, afterwards a general, was sent to West Virginia, July 26.

Major Robert Anderson, the hero of Ft. Sumter arrived in Columbus from Pittsburg, May 16, and received the plaudits of the populace for the few moments his train was held, Governor Dennison accompanying him as far as London, Ohio. A secession flag was received in Columbus, July 6, captured by the 14th O. V. I., at Carrick's Ford, Va. ; it was 6 by 15 feet in size, bore red stripes on a blue field with seven stars among which was a rattle-snake skin stuffed with cotton twine. This was an object of speculation and derision. On July 24, Major General Fremont visited Camp Chase, for the day, and was greeted vociferously by the 5,000 soldiers there. Early in August a train of 27 cars of ammunition and artillery for General Fremont's army in Missouri passed through Columbus - the entire train being sent by express from Pittsburg; this was followed soon after by other express shipments almost as important for him.

Early in July a recruiting office for the 18th U. S. Infantry was opened in Columbus, by Col. H. B. Carrington, and before the close of the month 200 men were camped about four miles north of the heart of the city, on the Worthington Plank road; this, probably near the Olentangy Park, was called Camp Thomas, in honor of U. S. Adjutant General L. Thomas. Another rendezvous for the 16th Ohio regiment was established in September near Worthington, and first called Camp Wade, afterwards Camp Lyon. A prisoner's camp, the same month, was named Camp Carlisle and to it were committed a large number of Confederate prisoners.

The return of the original Three-Months' volunteers, beginning during the latter part of July, caused another congestion of troops. But, on July 18, the advance of McDowell's Army from Washington was noted in the Ohio State Journal witli flaring head-lines: "The March on Richmond Begun - Fairfax Court House Invested - General Johnston in Full Retreat - General Patterson in Close Pursuit." °n July 21 the famous Bull Run battle was fought and lost ! Thousands of Ohio volunteers had been sent home and this disaster dissipated the delusion that they were not longer wanted. The call for a million more men quickly followed the President's call for 300,000 on July 1. Columbus responded nobly; many of the three months' men returning to the front.

At the close of 1861, the Adjutant-General of Ohio reported that there were in the field 16 regiments of infantrv, 1 of cavalry, and 12 batallions of artillery; with 22 more regiments of infantrv and 1 of cavalry full or nearly full, and 13 in process of formation. In all the State were 77,8 14 men in the three vears' service and 22,380 in the three months' service. The administration of Governor David Tod began January 13, 1862. He retained Adjutant-General C. P. Buckingham, Quartermaster-General George B. Wright, and Commissarv-General Columbus Delano, from his predecessor's staff; the first-named remained in office only until April 18 when he was summoned to take a position in the War Department at Washington, and was succeeded by Charles W. Hill. Surgeon-General C. E. Weber was succeeded in Ortober by Dr. Samuel M. Smith of Columbus. At the opening of this administration the condition at the front was discouraging. A huge army had long laid inactive on the Potomac, and the Confederate flag floated within sight of the Capitol. On February 0, Ft. Henry fell, and on February 16, Ft. Donaldson. The effect on Columbus was magical. The good news passed rapidly from lip to lip, flags were unfurled and cannon and church bells joined in unison in the celebration.

Seven months later occurred the bloody battle of Shiloli, which entirely reversed the period of rejoicing. The slaughter had been fearful and the people recoiled in horror. The first information of the battles of April 6-7 reached Columbus on the 9th. The public responded nobly, through the Aid Society and otherwise, to the Governor's appeal for assistance; and a few hours later Francis C. Sessions was on the way to the scene of the conflict bearing ample funds for aid and comfort to our stricken soldiers. During April a great number of the sick and wounded were brought to Columbus, on their way from the front, to recuperate. Many were destitute of money, most all, of food; but the women of the city responded immediately witli quantities of food and creature comforts, as in all similar cases.

On May 25 the surrender of Yorktown was recorded as the turning-point of the war, and the cry, "On to Richmond" was started with great enthusiasm as the tocsin of victory. But, while McClellan was advancing up the James river, Stonewall Jackson swept down the Shenandoah, cleared the Virginia valley of Union troops, appeared before Harper's Ferry, and the cry of "On the Washington" was raised by the Confederates.

Governor Tod issued a hasty call, May 26, 1862, for three-months' volunteers to defend the National Capital. Citizens poured into Camp Chase in great volume, and the 84th to 88th, regiments, inclusive, were organized, numbering over 5,000 men. On August 1, the President ordered a draft of 300,000 men to serve for nine months. The State was by this proclamation divided into five districts, of which the central counties including Franklin, was the fifth, with their rendezvous at Camp Chase. Several "war meetings" were held on the west front of the Capitol, to secure money for Franklin county men to escape the draft. At the first, July 15, Governor Tod addressed the meeting, and $25,000 was subscribed. Another was held, August 20, for raising bounty-money for our soldiers. By this means 3,176 enlisted men were financed by October 19, of which 1,131 had been furnished by the city. Franklin county was thus saved from the draft which occurred in the State at large, October 1, including 12,251 men.

Particulars of great battles between the armies of Pope and Lee, in Virginia, August 28, 29, and 30 did not reach this city until September 2, causing renewed apprehension, and a fortnight later came news of the frightful carnage at Antietam. During the first five days of September, General Kirby Smith's raid northward through Kentucky against Cincinnati, created almost a panic in Columbus, and a call for 700 minute men, or as they were known, "squirrel-hunters," brought forth that number who were immediately despatched to Cincinnati, and compelled his retirement.

The battle of Stone River began December 31, 1862, and closed with Bragg's retreat during the night of January 3, 1863. In this affray 1,730 men were killed and 7,802 wounded. Many Ohio regiments were engaged. Francis C. Sessions again represented Ohio mi the battle-field, as an emissary of mercy. He reported 2,000 wounded from Ohio. Governor Tod rented the Ladies' Seminary, then known as the Esther Institute, on East Broad street, (the Athletic Club site) for hospital purposes. It accommodated 350 patients.

The President announces to the country, that the news from the Army of the Potomac to 10p.m., of the third is such as to cover the army with the highest honors and promises a great success to the cause of the Union, and to claim the condolence of all for the many gallant fallen; and that for this he specially desires, on this day, that He, whose will, not ours, should ever be dime should be everywhere remembered and reverenced with the profoundesf gratitude.

The moment that the magic words, "Vicksburg Surrendered," met the eye of the multitude .... there went up such a shout - three wild huzzas, and "three more for Grant," - as never issued from unloyal lungs. Old men wearing the silver crown of honor that time weaves for age, threw up their hats and led in the wild chorus of shouts that made the midday welkin ring. Neighbor grasped the hand of neighbor, while the triumph of the moment beamed forth from every face and lighted up every eye.

Following close upon the heels of this noted victory came the unexpected and daringraid of General John Morgan's cavalry through Indiana and Ohio; breaking through Burnside's lines in Kentucky, they reached and crossed the Ohio sixty miles below Louisville, July 9. There were 2,460 men in the raid. They reached the Ohio border Julv 12, and Governor Tod called out the militia to repel the invasion, part to appear at Cincinnati, part at Marietta and part at Camp Dennison; the militia of the central counties were to report to Brigadier General John S. Mason at Camp Chase. Immediately 50,000 militia men responded, Franklin county furnishing 49 companies, numbering 3,952 men. Morgan and 900 of his men succeeded in crossing the river and, hotly pursued, rode north through eastern Ohio as far as Salineville, Columbiana county, where they were surrounded. Morgan's surrender was made through a militia captain. Burbeck, whom he was using under duress as a guide, after exacting from him the terms that, if captured, officers and men should be paroled. These terms were rejected by Governor Tod, and the raiders were incarcerated in the Ohio Penitentiary, July 27, 1863. Morgan and thirteen others effected their escape November 27 by digging through the cell floors into a sewer, then through a wall into a court from which the outer wall was sealed. How the escape was made, what outsiders helped and the responsibility for the escape were long subjects of controversy.

On September 21 came news of the battle of Chickamauga, in which Captain Joshua M. Wells, for whom Wells Post, G. A. R., was named, was one of the slain. The excavation for the U. S. Arsenal building (Barracks) was begun the same month. The removal of General Rosecrans from the command of the Army of the Cumberland created in Columbus, as elsewhere, much unfavorable comment. On October 17, the President called for 300.000 more volunteers, one-tenth from Ohio, 700 from Franklin county. Camp Tod, named for the Governor, was located, about August 1, in the vicinity of the old state quarry, and was occupied by the 86th Ohio. Tod Barracks was built north of the Union Station, 316 feet on the east side of High street and a depth of 750 feet, surrounded by a board fence 12 feet high. Construction began October 20 and was completed December 1, 1863. It was used for recruits, sick and wounded soldiers and for the temporary custody of deserters. Of these last named there were many. At one time 700 deserters from Camp Chase were reported, and from the 33 regiments in the field, the total was nearly 5,000. Numerous canards found circulation, alternately favorable and unfavorable to the Union cause and resulting in unjustified exultation or depression,