Dayton City (part 10 of 50)

On the 19th of December, 1864, President Lincoln called for three hundred thousand more men, which was the last call made. The quota morcune !Dhirds District wauder stins 'call was 2577 met. "A comparison of the gvotas of the various districts in the State showed that there must have been some mistake in the calculations upon which the quotas had been based. The understanding between the United States authorities and the authorities of the State of Ohio was that on the 2oth of October, 1864; all requisitions made upon the State had been filled. It was also understood that on the Ist of July, 1864, Governor Brough had procured an order from the war department of f the United & 'tates, stating that up to that time there.was no deficiency existing against any of the districts of the State, but that on the contrary the State was entitled to a eredit of twenty thousand men, which credit was to be applied on the call for five hundred thousand men of July 18th. It was also claimed that the Third District furnished its full quota under that call and bad a small excess. The quota of the Third District under the call of July 18th was 3,043, and in fillne that quota the terms of enlistments of the men amounted to 5,832 years, being an excess of service over the men furnished of 2,789 as due. The aggregate' service furnished by Ohio under the eall of July 18th amounted to 102,853 years, which was an average to each 'district of 5,415 years; bot the Third District had furnished D,o52 years Of service, au excess of 419 years' service. The excess of years of service over the number of men furnished by the State under 2 fo4, and the district an excess over the average of 35. Under the call of Deeember 10, 1864, the whole number of men required from 'Ohio was 26,155, an average'to each district of 1,376. The

7, an excess above ne Average for the entire number of districts in the State of 1,201. The question arose ne Wihyiavas the! Third' District required to furnish one tenth of the entire number of men required of the State, while the Eleventh District was asked for only 320 men, the Fifteenth District only 461, the Fourteenth only 887," ete.

An attempt was made to have the inequality rectified by application to the provost marshal general of the United States, James B. Fry, but that officer replied, under date of January 2, 1865, to lhe provost marshal of the Third District, Captain John Mills, that the quotas assigned under the call of December 19, 1864, for three hundred thousand men, must not be reduced exeept by actual enlistments in the army, navy, or marine corps since the date of that cal. This order of General Fry was denounced by Union men as an outrage upon the rights of men who had been the most earnest in maintaining the government in its efforts to overthrow the rebellion. General Robert C. Schenck, who was then serving in con- distriet, immediately called upon Provost Marshal General Fry, who upon having his attention pointedly called to the inequalities of a requisition from the various districts in. this State, concluded to have the whole account revised and to have all errors in calculations rectified. From this time on, enlistments which had reeeived a temporary clieck, were very brisk, and the most of the wards and ee au succeeded in filling their quotas before the draft was finally made on the 80th of March, 1865. One consideration, which may have stimulated ENE was the pay an enlisted man was receiving from the general government, the State government, and the people, in the way of bounties and allowances of various kinds, a statement of which is as follows: Government bounty S100; local bounty, : 00; special bounty, (average), $500; monthly pay, $192; clothing, $150; i ee w300 5 ay annual pay of a private soldier, $1,642. On the 2d ae February, 1865, the provost marshal published a statement of the number of men eae from the county and.-the city, 998 from the former, and 200 from the latter. After the month had closed, % was found that 499 men had been recruited and mustered, and 24 men had. been reernited, but not mustered. The local bounty money paid in was $177,455. The treasurer of the Fifth Ward made a statement just previous to the draft of March 50th, showing that 259 subseribers in that ward bad paid in $5,797; that he had received from city bonds discounted, $5,120, and $12.10 from the sale of stanmrps; total amount, $10,929.10. He had: expended for 21 recruits, $9,825; for various small matters, $14.50, and héd on hand a eash balance of $1,089.60. Ile also said that there were some two hundred and fifty persons on the enrollinent lists who had contributed nothing toward freeing the ward from the draft, and urgently requested the delinquents to pay their share.

The quotas of all the wards not being full, Major L. V. Bierce, acting provost marshal of the Third District, issued the order for the draft on the 27th of the month, and on the 50th the dralt was made in the following wards: In the First Ward, 58 men were drafted; in the Fifth Ward, 66, and in the Sixth Ward, 56, these numbers including the one hundred per cent in excess of the quota, in order to fill possible deficiencies. On the next day Major Bierce was relicved of the duties of provost marshal of the Third District, and Captain John Mills, who, had been temporarily sut afew days after this draft was completed came the intelligence that the rebel General Lee had surrendered to General Grant. The news began to be telegraphed over the country about midimght of the 9th of April, 1365, and the meXt day the entire ae was electrified with the intelligence. Livery one saw plainly then that the Union was saved.

In Dayton, Dilly Keifer was at the telegraph, instrument, and.after a lull in the receipt of dispatches of an important nature, which for a time scemed to justify the expectation that the war news would be unusually dull tor the next da. 'said at jrali past ten P.M. thatihe lad received nothing then, but was going to have a bully report, as Butfalo said that Le had surrendered, sure pop. . At 11 o'clock Dayton was called by Co eee "Send for another operator, we have a government dispatch of thirteen hundred words. Lee has surrendered!" It was not long before messengers sped mht nd down the streets shouting heartily, ringing door bells, and explaining to the Bish who, awakened in this way, and in some CASES ier nels were thrusting their heads out of apps: eae " Lee has surrendered!" And eaten there came back the response of " Hurrah for Grant, " or "Three cheers for the Union," or some other expression indicative of joy. Soon a soldier ran on the double quick to the engine house, and in a second afterward the fire bells were ringing outa frantic pleasure. The darkness of the night was dis "pees by blazing torches which were everywhere visible throughout the eity. Old men ag well as young, vied with each other as to who should exhibit the most extravagant manifestations of joy. Women's voices were heard as well as men's, in the singing of patriotic songs. The cannon boomed on till daylieht, and the exultation of the hour was intense. Its like will not be seen again for generations yet to come.

On the 8th of April, Governor Brough set aside the l4th of the month as a day of thanksgiving and praise. In accordance with the proclamation, the people of Dayton ade preparations to cclebrate the day in wv befitting manner. Cominittees were appointed on the various features of the proposed proceedings. The committee on singing and string band consisted of Dr. Brewster and W. J. Comly; on brass band, R. M. Marshall; on National Guard, Colonel John G. Lowe, J. W. Dietrich, Frederick Fox, and Dr. Brewster; on veterans, Captain Willian Brown;.on artillery, Il. W. RB. Brunner and C. A. Starr; on fireworks, R: M. Marshall; on PMO ON IN ORO Geo oohere,. Gn. Womtincs, ji. ©. Box, Cea. Diane and... Bauman; on nuance, H.W. i. Brouner, A. Praden, and

Military History. O29

D. W. a The above arrangements were made by a committee appointed for the purpose. The mayor issued a proclamatiou to the people ealling attention to the recommendation of the governor, and requesting that all the citizens of Dayton suspend their regular business for that day and unite in a proper observance thereof.

_ At sunrise on the 14th as rejoicing began by the firing of a national salute at the park. The bells of the various churches and of the enginehese were rung forva ee length of time. Liverywhere the national flag was displayed, and with very few exceptions the aes made every possible exhibition of the joy and gladness that filled their hearts to pvernowmg: At 10:50 a. M., the church bells called the congregations to their respective houses of worship, and the attendance was unusually large. After the noon salute, at about 1 p.m, Marshal Dietrich and his aids proceeded to collect the military and civic materials for the grand procession, which was formed in the following order: The field band; the vetcrans with their battle-flags; wounded and infirm soldiers, in carriages, under the command of Colonel Wi. A. Parrott; brass band; National Guard of Montgomery County, under command of Colonel John G. Lowe; mayor of Dayton and other civie authorities; fire department; the boys of Dayton; citizens on horseback, in carriages, and on foot.

The most interesting feature of the Bee was the veterans with their tattered battle-flags - colors borne by the First and Ninety-third Ohio. regiments on many a sanguinary battlefield. The boys in the procession were commanded by Captain Uerchelrode, but they being quite young could not keep their places in the procession until the end, and so fell out by the wayside as they became too, tired to go further. The steam fire engines were decked out with flags, evergreens, portraits, ete., and were a very noticeable feature of the display. Captain Hoole had a ship beautifully decorated, and labeled "Old Constitution." The massive wagon of the. Express Company, loaded with boxes, was a very prominent feature. Samuel Thomas had a wagon in the procession containing a wheel spinning hemp, and a gallows on which was displayed an effigy, placarded "Jeff Davis has found his last Hitch." It was estimated that thirty thousand people were in the streets, and that as many more were in the doors, windows, ete., preferring to be spectators rather than participants in the display.

After the evening salute there was the grandest illumination of the city ever witnessed in Dayton, All the prominent houses and stores in the ae portion of the city were most brilhantly iluminated, and the tower of the Lutheran chureh, on Main Street, was the center of a most gorgeous display of fire-works, as was also a vicinity of the courthouse. Afterward there was a big bonfire, aud during the nee evening the band varied the programme by playing all kinds of patriotic and soul-stirring music. Speeches were made by Colonel EH. A. Parrott, Samuel Craighead, Senator Guuckel, and Colonel Lowe, and the Glee Club sang "Richmond - Palen, "Jobuny Comes, Marching, Wome," "Joly srown's Body," and other patriotic songs, the crowd joining in whenever they could or lieaeuer they desired. Never before in Dayton was there such universal joy, or so hearty a demonstration, as on that occasion. It was something which those who participated in MH can never forget.

Almost immediately after the close of this joyful jubilation came the astounding news that President Lincoln had been assassinated. The news was so shocking and so horrible, that at first it could not be beheved; but ate ee first dispatches were confirmed, and there was no nee any hope that it was not true, joy gave way to grief, and the hearts of the people bled with inexpressible anguish. It seemed clear that this cowardly assassination was the last expiring thrust of slavery, and the ee that that gigantic erime against humanity should be extinguished became more intense and more irrevocable, if that were possible, than it ever had been before. Hiveryone knew that the murder was wholly without the least semblance of justification; that the assassin had never been in any way injured by his unsuspecting victim, ane that slavery was, 1n this case as in that of the inanguration of the rebellion itself, the great criminal.

On the morning, of Saturday, the loth, Mayor Elis, of Dayton, by proclamation, called the people together at the courthouse at one P. M., to consider the great calamity that had befallen the country. Mayor Ellis was called to the chair, and W.D. Bickhamn was made secre ary. Upon the suggestion of H. W. Davies; Dr. Thomas offered prayer. A committee, consisting of Hon. L. Be Gunekel, fi. W. Davies, Samuel Craighead, J. A. Jordan, and Dr. Henry Kc. Stcele, was appointed to draw up resolutions for the consideration of the meeting. While the committee were absent preparing their resolutions, Dr. Thomas addressed' the assembly with fervent eloquence, dwelling upon the inserutable wisdom of God in his dispensations with men, and calling attention to the fact that the calamities which he visited upon nations often proved their sreatest blessings; and that, notwithstanding the bullet of the assassin had stricken down the great captain of the hosts, the people still "ved and would yet triumph. After a similar address by Dr. J<emper, the committee on resolutions made its report. The resolutions were as follows: ie . That, according to the sugges stion of the mayor, business be generally suspended for the remainder of the day, and that the people avoid, as far as possible, unduc excitement, and devote the afternoon and evening to such considerate calianess and quict as seemed appropriate to the occasion.

Second. That all the church bells be tolled between the hours of ten and half past ten o'clock a. mM. on Sunday, and that solemn relgious services be held in, all the churches of the city, and that the pastors of the several churches, as far as practicable, conform their exercises to the national calamity. Ce

These resolutions were unanimously adopted, and the mayor cautioned the people to comply with the resolutions and to use their best influence @ tO preserve the FOG od order and peace of the city.

Sermons were preached i accordance with the spirit of the resolutions, at the First, Presbyterian.Chureh by Dr..,Thomas; at the First Baonst, Charch by. Rev. Dir dlaryey;. at the. First. United, Brethren Chureh by Rev. W... J..Shuey; at the First Npiscopal, Church | by. the Rev. Mr. Jewett; at the First German Reformed Church, by Revi a. 33. Bucher, and at St. Joseph's Church by Rev. Father Kelly

On Wednesday, the 19th, in accordance with the suggestion of the war department of the government, religious services were lield at twelve M., in all parts of the country, in honor of the dead president. In Dayton all the business houses were closed, minute guns emphasized the solemnity of the day, church bells tolled out sad requiems to the great soul of the departed, and the city was clad in sad and appropriate emblems of mourning. On the 25th, a meeting of citizens was held at the courthouse, at which a committee of one hundred was appointed to go to Columbus on Suturday, the 29th, to participate in the obsequies of the president, whose body reached there that day .on its way to its final resting-place at Springfield, L}inois. :

Lafayette Guard, 85; Dayton Light Guard, 70; Montgomery Guard, 8o- - -all in 'the rae On Infantry; Dayton Ritlemen, 100; Anderson Guard, 56 - both in the Eleventh Ohio Infantry; Buckeye Guard, S7 - Lwenty-fourth Ohio Infantry; Eighty-fourth Ohio Infantry during the summer of 1862, 26; Kighty-sixth Infantry, 4. Total number of three months' men, 612. In the Fourth Ohio Independent Cavalry, for six months, 00. '

'Trtesios, ol) Dsted PLY LSDs PE INT OEE Evia ae aga ta fie woexiint Bee neath it Va trae, Troi otto YOON | Tse Paes, TaN ithe apes te eri peal ate WEES TEL 1 Phiees ie thai Dus wi 'ts with ben" bon i ; be : , ols Peete' a ieee Ohio, guid One fruhited: fatal Bightyseventh Ohio, 10; One Hundred and Miehty-eighth Ohio, 5; ° One IWundred and Bighty-ninth Olio, 25; prior to draft of March 30, 1860, 100; drafted March 380th, 40. Total for one year, 209.

stort yetourti Olio, Za; Sixty-sinth hinois, 50; Seventy-fifth Ohio, 25; Fi ifty-erohth Ohio, 95; Sixty-ninth Ohio, 7; Seventy-first Ohio, 12; Sixty-first Ohio, 20; Filty-second Ohio, 12; Ninety-third Ohio, 200; Fiftieth Ohio, 20; One JTundred and Sixth Ohio,

One Hundred and Thirteenth Ohio, 22; Tenth Tennessee, 7; First te Heavy Artillery, 60; Second Ohio Heavy Artillery, 11; prior to the d raft of May 11; 1863, 170; One Handred and sl el Ohio, 10; after the dratt to clear First Ward, 5; colored enlistments, 20; ae United States Veteran Volunteers, 20; other Ohio infantry regiments, 45; United States navy, 15; First Ohio Independent Battery, 20; Mighth Ohio Judependent Battery, 30; Seventeenth Ohio Independent Battery, 15; other Ohio batteries, 10; Fourth Ohio Cavalry, 50; Second Ohio Cavalry, 37; Twelfth Ohio Cavalry, 5; other Ohio cavalry regiments, 12. 'Total for three years, 1888. Special calls in emergencies: Aonere Rangers, State Guard, 1861, 50; Squirrel Hunters, 1862, 330; Mor gan's Raid, 1863, 240; Ohio National Guard, 1864, 365. Total militia service, 985.

Recapitulation: Three months' men, 512; six months' men, 90; one year's men, Dib three years' men, 1,888. .Total in the service of the United States, 2,699. Under special calls of the State, 965, making a grand total of Dayton men in the service, of 3,664.

At the close of the War of the Rebellion there were soldiers' hospitals in many of the larger cities in the loyal States, in which everything was done for the comfort of the returning soldiors that skill and sympathy could suggest. As these hospitals disappeared, it beeame necessary to establish national homes, which may be considered as great hospitals on a solid and enduring basis, the principal object being to enlarge their usefulness and to extend their benefits to as many of the wounded or otherwise disabled soldiers of the Union as might need the eare and protection of the nation they had suffered to preserve. 'To carry this purpose into efkect, the national congress passed an act which was approved March 8, 1865, and whieh was entitled

Military Pistory

"An Act to Terme te a National Militar yf ae NN ee eee Or the Fee of the Totally Disabled Officers and Men of the Volunteer Lorces of the United States.

Solomon, Thomas C. Bryan, BB. French, Samuel J. Crawford, James T. Pratt, Alfred Ti. Tous Edward annie Maia! Moses I. Odell, and their successors, duly chosen, are hereby constituted and created a body corporate in the District of Columbia."

Section 2 of this act provided that the corporation thus constituted should consist of one hundred members, Section 3, that the business of the corporation should be managed by a board of twelve directors, who should select from their number a president, two vice-presidents, and secretary; and that. seveu of the oe of whom the president or one of the vice-presidents should be one, should form a quorum for the transaction of business. There were other important provisions' in the act, to which it 1s necessary to refer the reader for fuller information.

On ee 21; 1860, this act was so amended thatthe ain of the United States, the seeretary of war,-the chief justice of the United States, and such other persons as might, from time to time, be associated with them, should be a board of managers of the establishment for the eare and relief of the disabled volunteer soldiers of the army. The board of managers should consist of twelve members, of whom the three above-named of the United States Government should be members, ex-officio. The other nine embers of the board were not to be members of congress, and no two of them were to be from any one State. No person who had given aid or countenance to the rebellon was oe to a place on the board. \'The officers of the Asylum were to bea nor, deputy governor, secretary, and rohenitny and such other othcers: as the board of managers might deem, necessary, amd: they were 'to' be appointed from disabled oflicers serving as before mentioned.

A. joint resolution of congress, appointing managers for the National Asylum, was a March 21,1866. hese ma nagers were as follows: Richard J. Oglesby, of [inois; Benjamin F. Butler, of Massachusetts and Frederick, ok of New 'He ire; of the, first class, to serve six years. Lewis B. Gunckel, of Ohio; Jay Cooke, of Pennsylvania; and P. Joseph Osterhaus, of Missouri, of the second class, to serve four years. John LH. Martindale, of New York; Lloratio G. Stebbins, of California; and George H. Walker, of Wisconsin, of the third class, to' serve two years.

The first meeting of the board of managers was held, pursuant to a call made by ea ane Benjamin. I. Butler; at the offiee of the surgeon-general of the United States, in the city of Washington, May 16, 1866.. At that meeting, Major-General B. Ff. Butler was clected president, Major-General P. J. Osterhaus first vice-president, Hon. George H. Walker second vice- -president, and Lewis B. Guneckel secretary.

Proposals for 'sites for the Asyluin were required by the board to be sent to its president on or before June 20, 1866, and on the 18th of July, an executive committee was appointed, whose duties ineluded the making ofa report on the selection of a site or sites for one or more asylums. On September 6, 1866, it was decided by the board of. managers to establish three branches of the Asyluin, and the Togus Springs property, near Augusta, Maine, was selected for the Eastern Branch. Mr. Gunckel offered a resolution at this meeting to the effect that, in the opinion of the board, the Central Branch of the Asylum should be loeated in the' State of Ohio, but a substitute was presented by Mdwin M. Stanton, instructing the executive committee to make further examination fora suitable site for the Central Branch. On the 7th of Deeember, 1866, appointed a committee to make a selection of a site for the Northwestern Branch of the Asylum in the vicinity of Milwankee, and they were also constituted a committee on the location of the Central Branch.

As may readily be imagined, the question of the location of the Central Branch on the Asylum was of great. interest. in many parts of the country at that» times) and: nowhere! more, than in Dayton and vicinity. Fer several) months this question was earnestly discussed. Measures to carry out the design of congress were taken by the Soldiers' National Asylum Association, a meeting of which was held for the purposé indicated about the 20th of May, 1866. The managers of this association extended, invitations for the donation of sites, the premises to be situated in the ke States. Hach site must contarn not less than two hundred acres, must be in a healthy locality, aud easily accessible by railrond or otherwise. or was the intention of the managers to erect suitable buildings upon the sitcs that were accepted, without unnecessary delay, the buildings to include detached cottages for soldiers with families. In the erection of the buildings, the Gothic style of architecture was to be avoided. }

When it became fully known that the building of soldiers' home had been definitely decided upon, the question at once arose as to thnleay Dayton had not two hundred acres of land that she could offer to such an enterprise. 'The attention of the board of managers was directed to the fertile valley of the |Miami, and they, on, their visit to the Northwest and Ohio, made an investigation of its merits. On the 11th of April, £867, ithe, committee, reported to. the board of, managers, "that the committee had also visited Ohio, and carefully examined the sites offered at Columbus, Dayton, and White Sulphur Springs, and come to the conelusion that, all things considered, the site of Dayton was most suitable, and, therefore, recommended its purchase as the site of the Central Brauch.'

The beard, upon the consideration of this part of the report of the select committee, after a lengthy discussion, adopted the following resolution: |

"That a committee be authorized to negotiate for the purchase of the White Sulphur Springs property; provided oi "can arrange for permanent railroad accommodation to the same, at least once a day each way by a responsible railroad company, at their own expense, and at the usual fare and freight; and if such accommodation cannot be obtained, then to make the purchase at Dayton, according to the proposition made by Mr. Gunekel, to-wit: The land named by the committee, four hundred acres at $118 per nere, less a donation by the citizens of Dayton."

Oh Sore

The committee appointed under this resolution was composed of General J. UW. Martindale, Governor Frederick Smyth, and Geners ul John bp. Cavender.. The ae referred to, he about three injles west of Dayton. At the time of the purchase, it was in the ordinary condition of farm lands throughout the State, but possessed great natural beanty, and several springs of excellent water.

At the request of the board of managers, Chaplain T. B. Van Horn, of the United States Army, was detailed by Sceretary Stanton to Jay out the grounds. In this counection the statement should not be omitted that great credit is due to the exertions and influence of lon. Lewis B. Gunekel, who was secrefary of the board of managers. Vigorous measures were at once taken to erect and make ready, at the earliest possible time, the mp government performed its part of the work by contributing the lumber which had been used in erecting the temporary buildings at Camp Chase, with the use of which, under the supervision of Mr. Guuckel, buildings were rapidly constructed, and these build dings were filled as fast as ready for occupancy.

The buildings, barracks, and other property of the United States, at Camp Chase, were turned over to the board of ee of the National Asylum, for the use and benefit of the soldiers, under authority of a resolution of congress, approved March 22, 1867. On the ath of September following, Mr. Gunekel reported that he had shipped from Camp Chase to Dayton, for the construction of the temporary buildings of the Central Asylum, about two hundred and fifty thousand feet of lumber; that there was ready for shipment about one hundred thousand feet more, and that he had realized from the sale of smaller buildings the sum of $4,554.69. |

On December 5, 1867, the board of managers passed a resolution returning thanks to the patriotic citizens of Dayton, Gite: for the sum of twenty thousand dollars donated by them to the board, and used in the purchase of lands for the Central Asylum, near that city. On the next day, General Timothy Ingraham was detailed for duty as acting governor of the National Asylum, and was stationed at the Central Branch. On the same day, Dr. Wolcott and General Cavender were appointed a visiting committee for the Central Branch.

June 14, 1868, fifteen hundred dollars was appropriated for the purchase of a, printing office for the Central Branch, and on October 8, 1868, a report was made to the board of managers that Mrs. Mary Lowell Putnam, of Boston, Massachusetts, had donated a large and well selected library, and over one hundred beautiful pictures to the Central Branch, as a memorial of her son, William Lowell Patnam, ari 'foll at the battle of Ball's Blut 'Vhe forlowine resolutions were therenpon unanimously passed and adopted by the board: ,

"¢ Resolved, That the board. of managers receive with pleasure the munificent donation of Mrs. Mary Lowell Putnam, and return the thanks of the board and the gratitude of the beneficiaries of the National ae therefor; and direct that the same shall be carefully Isept for the use of the disabled soldiers of the Asylum, so long as the National Asylum shall exist, and then disposed of in accordance with the request of the donor.

"Resolved, That the board do further direet that the books be caialogued and kept apart in eases, bearing the inscription of "Putnam Library."

During the first year of the existence of the Central Branch, there were cared for there, 1,249 disabled soldiers, and up to December 1, 1868, there had been expended in the construction of buildings, furnishing them, and in work on the grounds, $212,900.69.

On June 14,1868, plans for a hospital building at the Central Asylum were adopted, and eae were invited for the construction of the building. In Mareh, 1870, three thousand dollars was appropriated for the erection of officers' ee and twelve hundred dollars for a wagon

On July 25, om the construction of a new building with fire proof vaults was authorized for the books and papers of the asylum, the building to cost not more than twenty-five thousand dollars.

On the 29th of October, 1870, Colonel John W. Skiles, of Ohio, was dishonorably discharged as secretary of the asylum, and was suceeeded by Captain W. Tl. Lough, of Ohio, who was~at that time made acting secretary, but who, on the 10th of the following July was appointed seerctary. |

On March 9, 1872, the name "Asylum " was changed to " Tome," so that the name of the institution became the " National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers." On July 10th, five thousand dollars was appropriated for the construction of a brick quartermaster and commissary building; eight thousand dollars for the construction of a barrack in place of the one to be removed, the new barrack to be three stories high, of brick, with hollow walls, and with flat metal roof; and two thousand dollars for the removal of the frame barrack which was to be superseded by the new one.

The purchase of one handred and one aeres of wooded land was authorized on the 6th of December, 1872, the price being one hundred and ninety dollars per acre. Captain Wilham Thompson was appointed steward of the Home on the same day in place of Captain A. P. Woodae ~ on . ST her baer het a | ey tdi itis ai "psvterael if) c bari Salary olvtinel ott by tra odie gate Ate we i ai' bon

On December 19): 1874, Captain Rh. 1. ert ning, of Ohio, was appointed secretary of the Home, and Dr. J. M. Weaver, who had been, during the war, surgeon of the Ninety-third Ohio Voluntecrs, was appemted acting: surgeon! or the' Home." On' July 10) 1875, the: erection of a building for dormitories for the men was authorized, the cost of which was not to exceed fourteen thousand dollars, and on sctileraties eth, following, owing to the rapid increase of the numbe ror inmates, thirteen thousaud dollars more was appropriated for the construction of another brick barrack;<two thousand, five hundred dollars for the construction of a new amusement hall; one thousand dollars for a new epileptic ward, and one thousand collars for an additional building for greenhouse and conservatory. Still another epileptic ward and Liaemtberaisuve were authorized on December 17th, the cost of which was not to exceed four thousand dollars.

. With reference to the conduct of the men mn the Homie, the president of the board of managers, Major-General 6. F. Butler, in lis report to the United States congress for the year 1875, said:

<a ipon the whole there has eds: scarcely any need of coercive measures for discipline. Ninety-seven per eent of all the inmates of the Tome behave themselves with perfect propriety and good conduct, save in one single regard, and that is that army vice (althongh not by any means wholly confined tothe army), the too great use of spirituous liquors. Were it not for the vice of drunkenness, whieh the board have come to look upon almost as a disease, less than one per cent would cover the entire number of those inmates of the Home who are guilty of any serious infraction of the rules, or conduct themselves otherwise than with perfect propriety, and as it is, less than three per cent ae e the board or officers any trouble by their misconduet. Perhaps there is no more remarkable, and certainly no more complimentary thing to 'ifs said of the disabled soldiers of our homes than this: The proportion of vicious men among them, as shown by the necessity of punishment, is not greater than the equal number of any 'part of the community; aud considering the fact that during the war the prisons were suabisatlty emptied into the army, and the necessary demorahzation of eamp lite, we have in our homes this example of the highest commendation of the American soldiers."

In the report of Hon. Lewis B. Gunckel, secretary of the board ot managers, to the president of the board, he shows the cost of the rations per day in cach of the four branches of the ome then established. The cost of running the TLlome, ire le food, clothing, fuel, hgbts, medicine, officers' salaries, inmates' pay roll, transportation of men to the Tome---in short, all expenses except those for acre Ngiee and repairs. "Tne total expense forthe year 1875 was $325,527.30, or $151.16 per man, or when the cost of clothing was deducted ae cost per man was 8141.56

On September 21, 1876, on account of the continued increase in the number of inmates at the Home, the construction of four wooden barracks was authorized, each to be 110 feet long, 24 feet wide, and two, stories high. The sum of six thousand dollars was appropriated for this purpose. On the same day, in response to an application for the same, the board of managers resolved to allow political mectings in the Central Home grounds during the presidential campaign of that year. Under this. resolution, one political meeting was permitted to be held in the afternoon by each party, on different days, at which two speakers from without the Home were to speak, the speakers to be indicated by the political organizations of the county. -The governor of the Home was to preside and to keep good order. No one was to be'admitted to the grounds during the mectings except alithorized reporters for the press, and the organized central committees of the several parties, and not to exceed ten other persons to be selec se by the said committees

In Mr. Gunckel's report for 1876, the cost of maintaining the inr nates upon the same basis as that en Acai for 1875, was $145.15 per man, or when the cost of clothing was deducted, $128.07.

With weferencel to the Elio! established at the TLome some years previously, the'same report said: " Se eral years ago schools were established at each of the branches, but the number of young men (little could be expected of the old) who had sufficient health and ambition to educate themselves, was not sufficient to justify the expense. It was deemed better, as well as more economical, to transfer all who desired the advantages of a school to the Central Branch, where a school has been maintained with continued and marked sneeess. It was established February 24, 1868, and has been ever since in charge of Miss' Mary J. Katon, of New IJTampshire. The attendance during the year has been 93, and branches taught, reading, writing, arithmetic, English grammar, goography, book-keeping, music, algebra, and telegraphy. The total number who have availed themselves of the school during the past eight years is 524. Since the establishment of the school, not a single case of disorder or misconduct has been reported, the veteran scholars having been regular, attentive, and studious. Some (inostly colored men, who have never before had the advantage of a school) have learned to read and write; others have studied the higher branches and qualified them- selves to teach school; some who lost the right arm have learned to write, and well, with the Icft hand; and others have prepared themselves to earn their own living as book-keepers and telegraph operators. It is known that not a few, educated in this school, have secured lucrative

" At the Central Branch there is a resident chaplain, Rev. William Earnshaw, who has most worthily performed the duties of his high ealling for ten years past, and sueceeded in doing much good, both for the spiritual advantage and moral improvement of the men. ».. At the Central they have had the Sons of Temperance, Good Templars, and Ned

In July, 1877, it became evident that new accommodations would be needed for the ensuing winter, and that it was neeessary to erect a music ball. The governor was therefore instructed to prepare plans, specifications, and estimates for the building of an amusement and Iecture hall, to be two stories in height, the lower story to be used as a concert and lecture room, and the upper story as a memorial hall and museum. He was also to put in the foundations of the building, and to make prepa: rations for the vigorous prosecution of the worl. In September, it was resolved to erect three new frame barracixs, similar in size to the four erected in 1876, and that six thousand dollars be appropriated therefor.

Tn their report for the year 1877, the managers made a statement as to the magnitude of the Central Home at that time. There were then erected 132 buildings of all sizes, 56 of them were supphed with water, 26 were heated with steam, and 50 were lhehted with gas. The buildings eee 601,172 square feet of flooring, and the dormitories contained 1,614,066 cubie fect of air space, an allowance of 570 cubie feet for each person. The grounds were then nearly a mile square, and included 63 miles of macadamized roads, 2 miles of eraveled walks, 8 miles of paved gutters, and 15 mules of sewers:and drains. There were 5 never failing natural springs, 10 deep wells, 54 large rain-water cisterns, and 4 large lakes. , with knitting machines made 2,069 dozen pairs of stockings, which a a total of $7,391. 46, and a profit of $1,478.26. The shoe shop turned ont 22¢ pars of boots, and 286 pairs of shoes, all hand inade, at a profit of $1,256. fe The tailor shop turned out 695 garments made, and about double that number repaired, at a profit to ue \Iome of $1,435.32. The soap factory had made 121,599 eallons of soft soap, and 29 § 309 pounds of hard soap, all chiefly from material from the kitchens of the Home. Besides these various industries, there were the printing oflice and book bindery, as filters, tinners, ete, who.

During the latter part of 1877, and the first part of 1878, the water supply was Increased - deepening ia increasing the capacity of the three lakes, 1,800,000 gallons, by digging a large well fifty feet deep, giving 24,000 callons of pure spring water daily, and by the purchase of ten acres of land of James Applegate and W. I. Howell, immediately east of the lakes of the Home, forming an additional reservoir which, with a small expense, was made to hold at least 20,000,000 gallons. Three thousand dollars was appropriated for the continuance of the work.

The amusement hall mentioned above, was formally opened by the board of managers and the president of the United States, September 12, 1878. This hall had a seating capacity of fifteen hundred persons, and 'fll the appointments of a first-class theater. During the sueceeding winter the National Dramatic Company, the National Minstrels, aud the German Veteran Association, composed of inmates of the Home, and a few ladies of Dayton, gave several excellent ente rtainments. Clubs from Cincinnati and the Dayton R sading Club, also furnished suitable entertainments.

A" Memorial Hall" was erected in 1878, without cost.to the government, the money being derived from the "store and posthumous fund." It was a large, splendid brick building, 129x75 feet on the ground, and $5 feet high, and was designed for all clase of literary, dramatic and musical' entertainments. In May, 1880, it was destroyed by fire. On July 10th, following, the rebuilding of the a was taken into consideration by the board of managers, and referred to General John Love and Colonel Larris, who were authorized to secure the rebuilding of the hall, at a cost not to congress for that purpose. The new Li a was finished in Octo! yer "1881, and opened during the sueceeding winter. It possesses all ie ate improvements in hall architecture, is beautifully frescoed, and has a seating capacity of sixteen hundred.

The postoflice at the Home is altogether independent of any other postotice. - Justin HE. Chapman, postinaster, made a> report to 'the governor November 8, 1879, as to the working of his office for the six months ending June 80, 1879. This report is of intcrest as showing what the inmates were doing in the way of correspondence with their friends. The number of letters mailed, including postal cards, was 54,080; the number received was 87,752; papers and packages mailed, third class, 9.464; papers and packages received, second and third class, 45,994; total cash received for money orders sent, both domestic and foreign, $4,852; total cash drawn on money orders, domestic and foreign, $1,271.71. For the year ending June 30, 1880, the report was as follows: Number of letters mailed, including 12,301 postal, cards, 119,870; number of letters received, 82,240; papers and packages inane, third class, $8,928; papers and packages received, second and third class, 101,988; cash received on money orders issued, $14,215.05; cash paid for ae orders drawn on the oflice, $2,813.86.

For the six months ending June 30, 1879, the total current expenses of the ILome, including cost of all clothing issued to the men and excluding construction and repairs, was $187,927, or $05.00 per man. Deducting the cost of clothing, $47.46 per man. For the year ending June 80, 1880, the cost per man, including clothing, was $117.82, and excluding clothing, $90.40.

Yrars, Totay, Cost. Man

The following table shows the States and Territories, in which the oO ? soldiers admitted to the Central Branch enlisted from date of organization to June 30, 1888:

The cemetery is beautifully located west of the hospital on sloping ground. At the pesca time (June 1, 1889) there are about thirty-thrce hundred graves of soldiers who le band be teual A monument has been erected to their memory on Ingh ground overlooking the cemetery. 'The shaft of this monument was formerly one of the columns of the famous United States bank building in Philadelphia. It is forty-eight feet in height, and is surmounted by a colossal statue of a private soldicr at parade rest. The height of the statue is ten feet. The corner-stone was laid July 4, 1873. On this occasion an address was delivered by the Hon. Stanley Matthews; the list of articles deposited under the corner-stone was read by Captain Fernald; the corner-stone was laid under the supervision of Chaplain Farushaw; the oration was delivered by Mon. T.. W.) Ferry, United States senator from Michigan; an address was 7} the president of the United States im te presence am emits Saige thousand people. On the pedestal are the words, "To our fallen comrades' and "These were honorable men in their generation." On the base are four figures representing the four arms of the servicc - viz.: artillery, vavalry, infantry, and the navy. These four figures were carved in Italy. The base is surrounded by tablets on which are engraved the names of the veterans who he buried in the cemetery. The entire cost of this monument was about twenty thousand dollars, and its erection was in charge of the Monumental and Jlistorical Society of the Home.

Governors - Major I, Kk. Tracy, of Ohio, was appointed deputygovernor in March, 1867, and died in June, 1868. General Timothy Ingraham was appointed Decen nber 6, 1867, and served until January 1, 1869. Colonel I. F. Brown, who had been appointed acting governor, October 8, 1868, took charge of the Branch January 1, 1869, and was appointed me ae -governor July 2, 1869. He was appomted governor September 6, 1873, and served in that capacity until appointed inspectorgeneral of the National Wome for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, when he was sueceeded by General M. KR. Patrick, of New York, who held the office until Ins death, July 27, 1888, when he was succeeded by Colonel

| Treasurers - Colonel J. B. Thomas was elected treasurer of the Central Branch December 5, 1867, and held the office until his appointment as again became secretary. He was succeeded in the position by the present incumbent, Major M. F. Watson. . ~ Surarons- - Dr. C. McDermont was surgeon at the Central Branch from the time of its establishment until August, 1874, with the exception of fourteen months, when he was surgeon at the Southern Branch Home. During this interval Dr. 8. K. Towle was surgeon at the Central Branch. In November , 1874, Dr. J. M. Weaver became surgeon and served until October, 1880, when he was succeeded by Dr. A. IL. Stephens, of Maton, Ohio, who resigned September 18, 1884, and was suceeeded by Dr. FH. Patton, the present incumbent. SrewArps - Oaptain A. P. Woodruff acted as steward while he was secretary, and until December 4, 1872, when he resigned, and was followed ot

H46 History Of Dayton

H46 HISTORY OF DAYTON. by Captain Wilham Thompson, who was suecceded March 1, I882, by Major. M. FE. Watson, secretary.. On December 1, 1885, Captain J. II. Chapman was appointed commissary of subsistence, and still retains this position, the duties of which are the same as those previously performed by the steward. Major Watson since that date has been secretary only.

CiaPLains - Rey. William Warnshaw, D.D., was appointed chaplain of the Central Branch September 5, 1867, and served until his death at the Branch; July 17, 1885. iis successor, was Rev. J. V. Lerch, whois: the present chaplan

Toward 1 - att ter part of the year 1864, it was sugeested by General Robert C. Schenck that it would be appropriate to erect a monument to the memory of the soldiers of Montgomery County who had died of wounds, or of disease contracted in the war. 'To carry out this suggestion a committee was appointed to have charge of the movement. This committee held a meeting November 19, 1864, at Huston Hall. The meeting was addressed ae Dr. Thomas and coin Charles Anderson. The object of the meeting was to discuss plans for carrying into effect the enterprise. EK. W. Davies was elected president, and KE. S. Young, secre tary. Colonel John G. Lowe submitted' a series of resolutions, which were adopted, and which were to the effect that it was the opinion of the citizens of Dayton that an appropriate and permanent monument should ism and valor of every citizen of Montgomery County who has heretofore cied or who may yet die from wounds received, or from disease contracted whilst in the service of the United States in the present civil war. Resolution second provided for the appointment of a committee of three to report the names of persons suitable for an executive committee, which should devise and inaugurate the erection of a monument, and resolution third requested the citizens of the several townships in the county to appoit each a committee to cooperate with the committee of the city of Dayton. Colonel John G. Lowe, Charles: Parrott, and H.W. R. Brunner, the committee of three, appointed as an executive committee the following gentlemen: Lieutenant-Governor Charles Anderson, V. Winters, J. D. Philips: Wve Steele «Awe lallins st Wviond..oMe Buuroug,.d.- di. Peirce, J. McDaniel, A. C. Brown, W. 8. Phelps, ms mi aynmiure, IT. 8. Fowler, George pene John Ileward, J. Gebhart, C. Herehelrode, Henry ean Colonel KA. Parrott; Samuel Preeieent Lge cermmeicel. 1G. Morgan Wood, kh. D. Marshman, and Colonel John G. Lowe.

This movement, however, like several similar movements made at a later day, was not a success. But they all served to keep alive the spirit of the soldiers and the hope of the community that ultimately such a movement seit opiate ie was cusndniey determined to hold a meeting of the old soldiers of the county for the purpose of giving definite shape to their desires, and such'aemecting was held August 29, 18793:.> At this meeting there were present seventy veteran pita and it was decided to organize a permanent soldiers' association. A committee of five was appointed, whose duty it was to select fifteen others out of the Coon present, who, together with the five, should constitute the charter members. . The: second meeting was held at the same place, the City Hall, September 5, 1879, and the organization was eflected with the follow as charter A daha na Anderton, Ashley Brown, B. B. ee a ot. conn Clarkson, AL ©. Penner. 0. Staley, GoW. seater, (iB Kimmel, "Ad. Knecht, George LaRue, C. H. Miller, P. O'Connell, Robert Patterson, J. Co Reber, Jacob Renner, W. Radchit, H. 3B. one ae oe

Soon after the organization of the association, or the Old Guard, as it was called, a board of trustees was appointed, whose duty it should be o solicit funds for the erection of the monument. As time rolled on, however, nothing was accomplished by the trustees, and the association

Accordingly an entertainment was given at the fair grounds July 4, 1889, at which about two hundred dollars was realized, and as this was suebh a success, it was determined to give another entertainment, which came oft in the fall of the sarne year when the "Drammer Boy" was presented at Musie Hall. At this time a littl more than two hundred dollars was raised. The two sums aggregating about four hundred dollars were placetl in bank as the ay of the monument fund, Subsequently two other attempts were made to raise money in the same way, but they were both failures, and instead of increasing the sum already on hand, actually reduced it. Perceiving that this plan of raising money enough to erect suitable monument must necessarily fail, other and widely diverse plans were discussed, and at length it was resolved to try the legislature and secure, if possible, a law that would permit the amount to be raised by tax, provided the people would, at an election at which the question were submitted to them, approve of the law. The chairman of the trustees at that time was General 'P. J. Wood, and he, assisted by D. B. Corwin, one of Dayton's attorneys, drafted a bill which was forwarded to Senater John EF. Sinks. The bill was rettirned to General Wood with the suggestion that Wit were made general in its nature, instead of applying only to Montgomery County, there was no doubt that it would pass. The suggested. amendment was thereupon made, and the bill returned to tor Sinks. In due course of time the bill became a law, being passed e re 1 by the senate. It is entitled 'An Acl to Authorize the Commissioners of Any County to Build a Monument or Other Memorial to Perpetuate the Memory of the Soldiers Who Served inthe Union Army During the Late Rebellion.

county in this State be, and they are hereby authorized to submit to a vote of the people of said county at any general election for State and county officers, the question whether or not a tax of not more than one half mill said county, to raise a fund wherewith to erect a mouument or other suitable memorial structure to perpetuate the memory of soldiers from said county who served in the Union army during the late rebellion.

"Sec. 2. In case a majority of the voters of any county voting upon the question shall vote in favor of imposing the proposed tax for said purpose, said tax shall be made payable in two ins elie euts of one fou oe of a mill cach, and shall be imposed and collected during the two years next succeeding the taking of said vote, and the moneys Ait eins said ax shall be expended by said commissioners in the erection of a monument or other suitable memorial structure as said commissioners shall ceem best and most appropriate, at such place in said county as may be designated by said commissioners, and said money shall be applied to no other purpose whatever."

This law having been passed, the chairman of the trustees followed it up by securing its endorsement by both ieee parties at the next gencral election, which was held October 11, 1881. The result of this vote was the sanction by the people of the project, by the following vote: Total vote in the county in favor of the tax, 7,489; total vote against the tax, 6,755, being a majority in its favor of 734. The vote in Dayton was 4,641 in favor of the tax, and 2,116 against it, or a majority in its favor in the city of 2,525. The county commissioners at the time of this election were Bassett, Purcell and Marshall.

The first installment of the money was paid in December, 1882, and amounted to $5,580.12. From this time on, bids came in sith plans, models, ete. Many long and tedious meetings were held by the commissioners, and the trustecs of the Old Guard, General Wood, G. G. Pragh, A. C. Fenner, J. C. Kline, and Wenry Kissinger. Months were consumed

0090; and the Monumenthree designs, each $22,500, and one design, $29, tal Bronze Company, $22,500. After several mectings and discussions in and one bid by Carpenter & Son at $27,000. On June 28, 1883, the commissioners, assisted by the Old Guard, awarded the contract to of Main and Water streets. The contract stipulated that the monument should be completed by July 1, 1884, the statue to be of Columbia, and the design showed a very striking and beantif ilistatuc. Aiter se a weeks had passed, however, the Old Guard | beenme dissatisfied with the design, thinking that as the monument was to Pepeninicn the memory of the common soldier, the statue should be one of a common soldier. A change, therefore, was secured and made September 22, 1883. This change necessitated a delay in the progress of the work, and the time for its completion was extended to July 25, 1884, and its dedication to July 81, 1884, at the time when the soldiers and sailors had decided to hold their reublon. |

The excavations for the foundation were commenced September 19, 1888. They were thirty-six feet square and seven feet deep. The foundation, which is of aca stone, was completed November 22, 1883. The granite for the monument came from Maine, and the first four car-loads reached Dayton April 15, 1884. Other car-loads came on from time to time, the last reaching tdi city July 12,1884. The statue itself was made in Italy, in the iis of Carpenter: & Son at Carrara, under the supervision of Ross Adams. It left Leghorn, Italy, in the ship Alsatia, April 15, 1884, and landed at New York Wie 20th, arriving in Dayton a few days afterward. It is of the best Itahan marble. It was shipped two weeks carlier than was originally intended, and curiously enough, had it left at the time and in the ship intended, it would never have arrived in this country, as that particular ship was never heard. of after leaving port.

22 feet 4 inches square and 1 foot Ingh; third bile Una! nde iO etcet. 10 aches square and 1 foot high; fourth esplanade, 17 feet é awelles square and 1 foot high; base, 15 feet square and 4 feet high; plinth, 12 feet square and 2 feet 3 inches high; a 10 feet 6 inches square and 10 feet high; first mold, 7 fect 6 inches square and 5 feet 6 inches high; first commen, d feet 6 inches in diameter and 8 feet high; second mold, 5 feet in diameter and

4 fect 3 inches high; second column, 5 feet 6 inches in diameter and 28 feet neh; capital) 5 feet' in' diameter aud' 5' feet' 8 inches high; statne plinth, 3 feet 2 inches in diameter and 1 foot 10 inches high; statue, 11 feet 6 inches high; total height of the monument, 85 fect.

"The memorial of Montgomery County to her soldicrs;" on the east face, "The repubhe rests upon the virtue, mtelligence, and patriotism of -its citizens;" on the north face, "The federal union must and shal} be preserved;" and on the west face, "Liberty and union, now and forever, one and inseparable." On the south side is also the date of dedication, as follows: " Dedicated July 31, 1884."

The exercises connected with the Hott ication were extremely interesting. They commenced on the evening of duly 15th, when the Old Guard marched to the monument and deposited a box of dora There were one hundred and twenty-five members of the Old Guard present at their hall that evening. Allen O. Jeffries presented a large and handsome, bunting flag, with appropriate remarks, to'the KE. A. Mine Post, G. AR. After several speeches had been made, the committee on preparation oi the record' box was called*upon.'' This 'committee was\composed 'of Captain A. C. Fenner, Dr. J. M. Weaver, and E. M. Thresher. The latter gentleman, as chairman of the committee, reported the contents of the box as follows: A copy of the Bible, eity directory for 1883- 1884, Jast annual reports of the city clerk, of the work-house, of the directors of the board of fire commissioners, of the chief of the fire department, of the board of health, of the city infirmary directors, of the eity soheitor, of the police ae of the Woman's Christian Association, constitution and by-laws of the Old Guard Association; Dayton Journal of May 30th, Wadhnke the names of deceased soldiers in the various cemeteries, copies of the weekly papers published in Dayton, list-of the oiveers. or EGA eine Pest; roster a: the 'GAL UR. "Posteof Ohio, and other things. Upon the completion of the reading of the list, KE. M. Thresher delivered an address, and then My. Carpenter carried the box to the top of the monument and deposited it in its resting-place. Meanwhile the band played " Tail ¢ es wen ae and the Old Guard marched back to the hall.

The ceremonies proper of the dedication began July 29th at sunrise, with a salute of thirteen' guns' 'The day was, in Yr Bitte gece and Réaetiibin tee and was in a great measure devoted to the reception of the comrades and ex-prisoners of war. At midday there iwas a salute 'of thirty-eight guns, and in the afternoon there was music, prayer by the e ra] yess) > : 3 ry hev..W. A. Jlale, an address of weleome by Mayor Bettelon, a response

But the 31st was the great day of the eclebration. - General Thomas J. Wood was the conmmander-in-chicf. The procession formed about ten o'clock, and the line of march was as follows: Commencing at the intersection of Main and Fifth streets, proceeding north on Main to Water Street, west on Water to Wilkinson, south to First, west to Perry, south to nee east to Ludlow, south to Fifth, east to Bainbridge, north to Third, west to Jefferson, north to First; west to Main, north to the monument, and countermarch to Fifth, where the column was dismissed.

This ne Was 2 erand aiiair. The Seventh Keoiment Band marched at its head, and was followed by the Veteran Old. Guard and the Junior Old Guard, commanded by Colonel Patrick O'Connell. Next eame General Thomas J. Wood, commander-in-chief, and. staff, accompanied by Governor Hoadly and staff. Following them came the G. A. R. Posts, commanded: by Vice-Department-Commander Brown; then the the various societies in full dress, Uniformed Rank of the Knights of Pythias, ee Tola, and Humboldt divisions, commanded by Captain Peter Weidner; Kmeghts of St. George, of Emmanuel and Trinity churches; the Cathohe ee A. QO. H., and labor organizations; a line of infantry and ee followed by Wix-lresident Hayes, General J. KR. Hawley, ITon. W. Louk, Ifon. Samuel Craighead, Judge ILenderson Tilhott, ITIon. a A. McMahon, W. D. Bickbam, Colonel C. Willams,. Justice Stanley Matthews, General Wiss) hosecrans, General RR. P. Kennedy, Chaplain Harnshaw, and John W. Stoddard.

The speeches were made in the afternoon. The grand stand contained the above-named persons and others. IJfon. 8 C raichead introduced the Ilon. G. W. Mouk, who delivered the monument to the people. Governor Hoadly followed in a response, accepting the monument. A song was then sung entitled " Peace to their ashes, their graves are our pride." This

Joseph KR. Ilawley, and other speeches were made by General Rosecrans, iix-President Hayes, Hon. John Sherman, and General Robert P. Kennedy, and the exercises closed with the singing of the song " America."

Mercantile and Commercial - Numerous Branches of Trade and Commerce - Numbers of Firms in Busingss in Various Years--The Wholesale and Retail Grocer--Dry Goods Dealers--Extent of Trade - Disproportionate--zplanation - Dayten Exchange - Circular Issued -- Ratlroad Construction from Nenia- to Washington - - - Cheap Coal a Desideratum - - Death of the Exchange -- Completion of the Mtailroad into Jackson County--Graduai Reduction in Price of Coal - New Board of Trade--Its Efforts in Behalf of the Prosperity of the City. FYSHE branches of trade and commerce in Dayton, like the classes of manufactures, are so numerous that it 1s manifestly impracticable to trace them out in all their details, and it is hkewise impossil le to present an historical sketch of this branch of the city's interests that shall be anything like satisfactory either to the reader or to the writer. No one realizes this more clearly or forcibly that those gentlemen, officers and of them unsuccessful, to collect complete statistical information regarding either commerce or manufactures. Neither merchants nor man eee as a rule, are willing to give the necessary facts and figures from which, when summed up, such a statement as is required by those who are merely seeking information might be made, even when every assurance of the most rigid secrecy as to the facts concerning any individual firm or company is given. Hence it is evident that any attempt to do justice to this subject must fail from the necessities of the case.

But, if it is possible by a problem in proportion to arrive approximately at the extent or amount of business done in any one year, from a tolerably close estimate of the number of firms and the amount of business transacted in any other year, the following figures may be of some value the following numbers of individuals and firms engaged: In 1856 - Bookstores, 3; dealers in clothing, 4; coal dealer, 1; commission merchants, 2; confectioners 1» 45 ion . we dry goods merchants,

One of the most important branches of business in connection with any city or community is that of the grocer. Everyone must patronize the grocer, because everyone must live. The increase in the number of establishments carrying on the grocery business, therefore, would seem to be' a better index to the grow th of a ci ity than perhaps any other class of business. At the present, time, there are, five exclusively wholesale grocery companies iy Dayton: John Ik. McIntire & Company, Weakley, Worman & Coimpany, N. Thacker & Company, W.-S. Phelps & Sons, and Crossley & Adamson. 'These five firms transact in the aggregate an annual business of over three million dollars. The directory of 1888, as stated above, contains a lst of about two hundred and fifty grocers doing a retail business. JLowever, it has been stated npon apparently good authority, that therevare oven ive hundred and cichty retail erocers in the city, a few 'of these retail grocers, including those who are wholesalers as well, transact an annual business of about ten thousand dollars each, or an aggregate of over five million cight hundred thousand dollars per annum.

houses and twenty-nine retail houses. Some of the largest of ae se retail firms are D. L. Rike & Co., Daniels & Meldrum, Lambert & Clock, Hider, Jiunter & Johnston, and Baucr, Forster & Co., all of whom do an immense business. The first firm mentioned is said to transact a business of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars per year, a part of it being wholesale. In the ready-made clothing line there are several large establishments, which is also true of the boot and shoe trade, the jewelry business, fancy goods, and several other lines. The last directory enumerates forty-three drue stores in the city, and im all there are, im all probability, over twentythree hundred retailestablishments of all kinds. The estimate is made that each of these establishments, large and small, on the average, do a business of about seven thousand dollars per year, and, according to cas estimate, the retail business of Dayton would amount, annually, to nea eighteen milhon dollars. ~The entire number of wholesale houses in ie city is forty, and the amount of their business annually is estimated at eight million, five hundred thousand dollars.

city, but is explained by the fact that Dayton is in the heart of a rich agricultural region, which is inhabited by an industrious and thriving community of farmers. It is also surrounded on all sides by an immense number of wealthy towns and villages, whose oh aaa: for the most part, make it the source of supphes of all kinds. The merchants of Dayton buy directly from the manufacturers, and are thus enabled to compete successiully with merchants"or evens largertcitics.:::; They occupy not only all 'the territory' to° which * they are rightfully. entitled but encroach considerably on the territory that would scem to belong to such cities as Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Indianapolis. » The growth, of the trade of the city ie the past five or six years has been particularly remarkable and gratifying. This fact would seem to indicate that Dayton has become a more important center of ttade than ever before in her history. While conservatism may have its faults and disadvantages, yet it is doubtless owing to this characteristic of the inhabitants of this city that this very valuable feature of the hfe of the city is due.

The first organized cffort made in this city to collect data with reference to the commercial and manufacturing interests of the place, and to stimulate and inerease their growth, was in 1873. The first mecting of citizens for these purposes' was held in' the vie oflice of Jordan & Linden, Deeember Ist. Ton. J. A. Jordan was called to the chair, and S. B. Smith was made secretary. Jon. Mr. Jordan made a short address, in Which he said that the object of the meeting was to organize a board that the serene of the oy were enn ee Ss a not been pene and the people had confidence in the future of the place. Some had thought hat the business prosperity of the city depended largely on the facilities for securing cheaper coal, and if was true there was a large class of manufacturers to whom coal was an important item in the success of their eee There were then three coal roads and less than one hundred and thirty miles from the coal fields: Instead of shipping coal from Cincinnati to Dayton, as had to be done in former years, coal was then being shipped from Dayton to Cincinnati. There.were then Fe kdeat coal

1ty, about one fhe dred and twenty thonsand tons of coal per annum, ich cost to bring it to Dayton two dollars per ton, and the facilities for getting coal to Dayton were Coan increasing. a ; These were the principal remarks made, from which it will be seen that the main idea in which the mecting was interested, was that of securing cheaper coal. An organization of the board was then effected with, Hon. J: A. Jordan, pre esident; Michael Ohmer, vice-president; Ashley Brown, secretary, and John W. Stoddard, treasurer. The next meeting was held on the 6th of the month. At this mee HAS the principal reste discussed was the building of a coal read to the coal fields in Jackson County. Mr. Jordan, however, called attention to i fact that Meer were numerous branches of manufacture, to which coal was not a necessity at all. Committees were appointed for carrying out the work of the board. There was an executive committee, a finance committee, a committee on statistics, a committee of the whole, a committee to raise funds for the procuring of statistics, a committee on the extension of manufactures, and a committee on holding an annual exposition at Dayton. A constitution was adopted setting forth the objects of the board, which was named the Dayton. Exchange, which were to collect and publish statistics and facets; to develop the business interests of the city; to encourage men to engage in business; to encourage

A. report was made to the exchange by Mr. Arnold, that.he had information to the eflect that there was one hundred and fifty thousand dollars ready to go into various manufacturing enterprises, and that there were citizens with sufficient public spirit to donate land to the value of one hundred thousand dollars to enterprises of the kind. A committee on freights was, at this meeting, appointed to inquire into and report the price of freights on railroads leading into Dayton, as compared with other cities, and to Jearn whether there were any discriminations in favor of through freights as against local freights. Robert G. Corwin was requested to make a statement as to the feasibility of completing the railroad from Xenia to Washington and what advantages would be gained thereby to Dayton.

The exchange issued a circular on the a a h of the month, by a committee composed of A. D. Wilt, Charles | ase, and W. IT. Gillespie, requesting all classes of business men to ve them statistics of their business, so that a comprehensive statement and accurate report might be made. W. LB. Pease was appointed to collect statistics. At the next meeting held on the 20th of December, Robert G. Corwin made a report on the construction of the railroad from Xenia to' Washington. He said that if it were completed there would be a saving of forty miles in the distance from Dayton to Muskingum and Perry counties, and the cost of bringing' coal to this city would be greatly reduced. Coal then cost at the mines, on beard the ears, one dollar and fifty cents per ton, and with this road completed the freight would be one dollar per ton, making coal cost, laid down in Dayton, two dollars and fifty cents per ton. The two reat then in existence, leading from Dayton to Columbus, were not competing with each other for the transportation of coal, and as a consequence the rates of freight were excessive.

An informal meeting was held at the Beckel House on the 28d of December for the purpose of conferring with a number of gentlemen from Greene, Jackson, and Fayette counties, in relation to the new road to the Jackson County coal fields. The plan discussed at that time was that of length, and there making connection with the Cincinnati and Marietta road, which, at the distance of thirty-four miles, came into the rich coal and iron fields, to which Dayton was desirous of securing access. The cost of building or of completing the road, as part of the grading was already done, including the laying of the ties and rails, was estimated at five hundred and seventy thousand dollars.

The Exchange from this time on seems to have done but little, as on the 9th of Iebruary, 1874, it was reorganized, Mr. Jordan suggesting the importance of employing a secretary who could devote his whole time to the duties of the position. 'The discussion of the construction of the Dayton and Southeastern Railroad was further continued, and the Exchange from that time on seems to have been suffered to Japse into nonentity, as no further accounts of its meetings could be found in the daily papers. 7

The road into the Jackson County coal fields was completed in 1881, and if is of interest to all to trace the gradual reduction in the price of coal for the past twelve or fifteen years. This reduction may not, howis ever, be wholly owing to competition 1 railroad freights, and doubtless is not, as in any civilized country there are at work numerous agencies which have a steady tendency to reduce the cost not only of what may be terined

'Karly inthe fall of 1872, anthracite coal was s: selling to consumers at $10 per ton, while at the same time Hocking Valley coal was $5 to $5.40 per ton. In January, 1872,in accordance with the general rule that coal is higher during the winter months than in the summer and early fall, the prices were, ae ens Valleyicoal,s'$5.90 per ton, "and for ten iogheny coal, $6.50 to $7.25 per ton. In August and October, 1873, the price for locking V ne was $0 per' tou. In' November, 1874, Tiocking Valley coal was $4 per ton, and in September and October, 1875, it was re

S February, 1877, Hoeking Valley was $4, and in ae and November it was $3.50. In April and July, 1878, the price was still $3.50, while in April andi June, 1879, it was $3.25. In September, 1882, it was $3.25, as was also Jackson County coal. In December the price ig both kinds went up to $3.75, and it' was the same im January, 1883. In May and October, 1884, the price for both Hocking Valley ait ee County eoal was $3.50 per ton, while anthracite was $7.25. The prices were the same for all kinds of coal in January, 1885. In October and November,

$3.25 for Ilocking Valley and Jackson County coal, and for anthracite, $6.50. In September, 1886, the prices were the same all round, and ' 138/ they were about nity cents bieher on the ton. In the fall of 1888, Tlocking Valley and Jackson County coal ranged from $3.25 to $3.50 per ton, and im the spring of 1889, both Hocking Valley and Jackson County coal were $2.79 per ton, and anthraeite $6.25

With reference to coal for manufacturing or steam-making purposes, it may be stated that when coal for domestic purposes is $4 per ton, lump coal for other purposes named usually is from $2.50 to £9.75 per ton, while slack is $2. During the last four or five years steam coal has been on the average,' for'slack, $1.50 per 'tony nutiand' slack, $2) nut, $2.26 sind slack, $1.75, nut, $2.25, and lump, $2.90, The present low Nee for coal are in part, at least, attributable to the introduction of natural gas into domestic and manufacturing purposes.

Mercantile And Commercial

It. is estimated that in 1870, the consumption of coal in Dayton was about forty thousand tons, while in 1888 an estimate was made, which is very close, and in every way rehable, showing that the consumption

The first official session of the directory of this new organization was held in the Council Chamber May 23d, with President HW. H. Weakley in the chair. E. P, Matthews was the secretary, and all the members were in attendance. The following standiig committees were announced by the president:

Mercantile Interests - N. Thacker, Walter Worman, T. A. Legler, C.V. Osborn, WH. C. Thompson, Harry Kiefaber, A. Newsalt, Houston Lowe, EK. F. Cooper, D. R. Johnston, and Charles Spatz.

Finance fia Legistation--\i. M. Thresher, A. 8. Esta vbrook, O. Gottschall, George P. Gebhart, Adam Lessner, Walter A. King, A. 4 Winters, W. D.Bickham, W.D. MelKemy, E. is Parrotiand.. ioCook.

At that time there were three hundred and thirty-six members of the. association. 'The executive committee was entrusted with the question of securing rooms for the meetings of the board, and a special committee was appointed to prepare a code of by-laws. Jtooms were secured at Number 8 North Main Street, and the first meeting held therein was on June 7th.

i. F. Stoddard, and Houston Lowe was appointed to the vacancy caused by his death. The regular quarterly meeting was held June 13, we at which time there had been paid of the membership fees, nearly $4,000. Four of the National' Banks had joined the association, and the rooms then occupied by the Public Library were rented by the board.

The officers of the board for 1887 were as follows: HH. H. Weakley, president; H. b. Pruden, first vice-president; .A...A. Winters, second vice-president; Hi. PD. Matthews, secretary, and Walter A. King, treasurer.

Lhe officers for 1889 are the following: A.A. Winters, president: IY. B. Pruden, first vice-president; A. C. Marshall, second vice-president; oie ieee secretary; A. S. Estabrook, treasurer, and Rice I', Cellarius, superintendent. The superintendent takes the place of the

Mercantile And Commercial. B01

The objects of the board of trade, as set forth in its recently adopted constitution, are to encourage integrity and fairness in business; to discover and correct abuses; to establish and maintain uniformity in * eomimercial" usages;* to collect, preserve, and 'circulate 'statisties ' and information regarding business; to prevent or adjust controversies that may arise between persons engaged in trade, and generally to advance the commercial and material interests of the city of Dayton.

In furtherance of these objects the board, in the spring of 1889 found it necessary to undertake to secure the erection of a new union depot. The first meeting at which this subject was discussed was held Niorehirad, ESO Whe: ohians series of resolutions, adopted at that

"Wrhu»nreas, The passenger depot facilities of the city of Dayton are inadequate for the transaction of its business, and for the convenicnee and safety of the public, to an extent which does not exist in any other city of the country in proportion to population and the number of railroads

«WuerrEas, The competing roads for the business of the city assert their desire and readiness to join in the erection of a new depot, with the single exception of the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis Railroad Company, and have attended the joint conferences called for the purpose, but without action being taken on account of the representative of the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis Company having failed to attend the meeting as appointed; aud, s part in proportion to its interests in the business of the city, would secure the erection es a new station during the coming summer; therefore,

" Resolved, That a special committee be appointed to advise the proper representatives of the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis Railroad, and connecting lines, the White Line, the Merchants' Dispatch, and the American Express Conan that the business and traveling public hold the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Indianapolis Iailroad Company responsible for the continued disregard of the rights and interests of our people.

The committee appointed to carry out the instructions contained in these resolutions was as follows: A.C. Marshall, George P. Huffman, and Hl. H. Weakley. This committee desiring to be indorsed by a strong representation of the city's business, secured the active support of the leading business men and firms of the city. Thus sustained, the committee communicated with General-Superintendent Beach, of the and the result has been several meetings of the board of trade, and the {inal subinission of plans and specifications for the raising of the railroad tracks and the erection of a new union depot building, the prospect bemg that in the near future an agreement will be arrived at, which will be satisfactory to all concerned, and a building erected which will

Source changes here: from Centennial Portrait and Biographical Record of the City of Dayton and of Montgomery County, Ohio, Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Together with the Biographies and Portraits of the Presidents of the United States and Biographies of the Governors of Ohio, by Conover, Frank, Ed, published 1897; 619,196 words in this source stream.

Presidents Of The United States

Augustine and Mary (Ball) Washington. His great-grandfather, John Washington, came from England to Virginia about 1657, and became a prosperous planter. He had two sons, Lawrence and John. The former married Mildred Warner and had three children, John, Augustine and Mildred. Augustine, the father of George, first married Jane Butler, who bore him four children, two of whom, Lawrence and Augustine, reached maturity. Of six children by his second marriage, George was the eldest, the others being Betty, Samuel, John Augustine, Charles and Mildred.

Augustine Washington, the father of George, died in 1743, leaving a large landed property. To his eldest son, Lawrence, he bequeathed an estate on the Potomac, afterward known as Mount Vernon, and to George he left the parental residence. George received only such education as the neighborhood schools afforded, save for a short time after he left school, when he received private instructions in mathematics.

He was an acknowledged leader among his companions, and was early noted for that nobleness of character, fairness and veracity which characterized his whole life.

a desire to go to sea, and a midshipman's warrant was secured for him, but through the opposition of his mother the idea was abandoned. Two years later he was appointed surveyor to the estate of Lord Fairfax. In this business he spent three years. In 1751, though only nineteen years of age, he was appointed adjutant with the rank of major in the Virginia militia, then being trained for active service against the French and Indians. Soon after this he sailed to the West Indies with his brother Lawrence, who went there to restore his health. They soon returned, and in the summer of 1752 Lawrence died, leaving a large fortune to an infant daughter, who did not long survive him. On her demise the estate of Mount Vernon was given to George.

Upon the arrival of Robert Dinwiddie, as lieutenant-governor of Virginia, in 1752, the militia was reorganized, and the province divided into four military districts, of which the northern was assigned to Washington as adjutant-general. Shortly after this a very perilous mission was assigned him. This was to proceed to the French post near Lake Erie in northwestern Pennsylvania. The distance to be traversed was between 500 and 600 miles. Winter was at hand, and the journey was to be made without military escort, through a territory occupied by Indians. The trip was a perilous one, and several times he came near losing his life, yet he returned in safety and furnished a full and useful report of his expedition. A regiment of 300 men was raised in Virginia and put in command of Col. Joshua Fry, and Major Washington was commissioned lieutenant-colonel. Active war was then begun against the French and Indians, in which Washington took a most important part. In the memorable event of July 9, 1755, known as Braddock's defeat, Washington was almost the only officer of distinction who escaped from the calamities of the day with life and honor. The other aids of Braddock were disabled early in the action, and Washington alone was left in that capacity on the field. In a letter to his brother he says: "I had four bullets through my coat, and two horses shot under me, yet I escaped unhurt, though death was leveling my companions on every side." Am Indian sharpshooter said he was not born to be killed by a bullet, for he had taken direct aim at him several times, and failed to hit him. After having been five years in the military service, he took advantage of the fall of Fort Duquesne and the expulsion of the French from the valley of the Ohio, to resign his commission. Soon after he entered the legislature, where, although not a leader, he took an active and important part. January 17, 1759> he married Mrs. Martha (Dandridge) Custis, the wealthy widow of John Parke Custis.

When the British parliament had closed the port of Boston, the cry went up throughout the provinces that ' 'The cause of Boston is the cause of us all." It was then, at the suggestion of Virginia, that a congress of all the colonies was called to meet at Philadelphia, September 5, 1774, to secure their common liberties, peaceably if possible. To this congress Col. Washington was sent as a delegate. On May 10, 1775, the congress reassembled, when the hostile intentions of England were plainly apparent. The battles of Concord and Lexington had been fought. Among the first acts of this congress was the election of a commander-in-chief of the colonial forces. This high and responsible office was conferred upon Washington, who was still a member of the congress. He accepted it cn June 19, but upon the express condition that he receive no salary. He would keep an exact account of expenses and expect congress to pay them and nothing more. The war was conducted by him under every possible disadvantage, and while his forces often met with reverses, yet he overcame every obstacle, and after seven years of heroic devotion and matchless skill, he gained liberty for the greatest nation of earth. On December 23, 1783,

Washington resigned his commission as commander-in-chief of the army to the continental congress sitting at Annapolis, and retired immediately to Mount Vernon.

In February, 1789, Washington was unanimously elected president. In his presidential career he was subject to the peculiar trials incidental to a new government; trials from lack of confidence on the part of other governments; trials for the want of harmony between the different sections of our own country; trials from the impoverished condition of the country, owing to the war and want of credit; trial from the beginnings of party strife.

At the expiration of his first term he was unanimously re-elected. At the end of this term many were anxious that he be re-elected, but he absolutely refused a third nomination. On the fourth of March, 1797, he returned to his home, hoping to pass there his few remaining years free from the annoyance of public life. Later in the year, however, his repose seemed likely to be interrupted by war with France. At the prospect of such a war he was again urged to take command of the armies. He chose his subordinate officers and left to them the charge of matters in the field, which he superintended from his home. In accepting the command he made the reservation that he was not to be in the field until it was necessary. In the midst of these preparations his life was suddenly cut off. December 12, he took a severe cold from a ride in the rain, which, settling in his throat, produced inflammation, and terminated fatally on the night of the 14th. On the 18th his body was borne with military honors to its final resting place, and interred in the family vault at Mount Vernon.

The person of Washington was unusually tall, erect and well proportioned. His features were of a beautiful symmetry. He commanded respect without any appearance of haughtiness, and was ever serious without being dull.

OHN ADAMS, the second president and the first vice-president of the United States, was born in Braintree, now Quincy, Mass., and about ten miles from Boston, October 19, 1735. His great-grandfather, Henry Adams, emigrated from England about 1640, with a family of eight sons, and settled at Braintree. The parents of John were John and Susannah (Boylston) Adams. His father was a farmer of limited means, to which he added the business of shoemaking. He gave his eldest son, John, a classical education at Harvard college. John graduated in 1755, and at once took charge of the school in Worcester, Mass. This he found but a "school of affliction," from which he endeavored to gain relief by devoting himself, in addition, to the study of law. For this purpose he placed himself under the tuition of the only lawyer in the town. He was well fitted for the legal profession, possessing a clear, sonorous voice, being ready and fluent of speech, and having quick perceptive powers. In 1764 he married Abigail Smith, a daughter of a minister, and a lady of superior intelligence. Shortly after his marriage ( 1 765) the attempt of parliamentary taxation turned him from law to politics. He took initial steps toward holding a town meeting, and the resolutions he offered on the subject became very popular throughout the province, and were adopted word for word by over forty different towns. He moved to Boston in 1768, and became one of the most courageous and prominent advocates of the popular cause, and was chosen a member of the general court (the legislature) in 1770.

Mr. Adams was chosen one of the first delegates from Massachusetts to the first continental congress, which met in 1774. Here he distinguished himself by his capacity for business and for debate, and advocated the movement for independence against the majority of the members. In May, 1776, he moved and carried a resolution in congress that the colonies should assume the duties of self-government. He was a prominent member of the committee of five appointed June 11, to prepare a declaration of independence. This article was drawn by Jefferson, but on Adams devolved the task of battling it through congress in a three days' debate.

On the day after the Declaration of Independence was passed, he wrote a letter to his wife which, as we read it now, seems to have been dictated by the spirit of prophecy. "Yesterday," he says, "the greatest question was decided that ever was debated in America; and greater, perhaps, never was or will be decided among men. A resolution was passed without one dissenting colony, 'that these United States are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states.' The 4th of July, 1776, will be a memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe it will be celebrated by succeeding generations,

It ought to be solemnized with pomp, shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations from one end of the continent to the other, from this time forward for ever. You will think me transported with enthusiasm, but I am not. I am well aware of the toil, and blood and treasure, that it will cost to maintain this declaration, and support and defend these states; yet, through all the gloom, I can see the rays of light and glory. I can see that the end is worth more than all the means; and that posterity will triumph, although you and I may rue, which I hope we shall not."

In November, 1777, Mr. Adams was appointed a delegate to France to co-operate with Benjamin Franklin and Arthur Lee, who were then in Paris, in the endeavor to obtain assistance in arms and money from the French government. He left France June 17, 1779. In September of the same year he was again chosen to go to Paris, and there hold himself in readiness to negotiate a treaty of peace and of commerce with Great Britain, as soon as the British cabinet might be found willing to listen to such proposals. He sailed for France in November, from there he went to Holland, where he negotiated important loans and formed important commercial treaties.

Finally a treaty of peace with England was signed January 21, 1783. The re-action from the excitement, toil and anxiety through which Mr. Adams had passed threw him into a fever. After suffering from a continued fever and becoming feeble and emaciated he was advised to go to England to drink the waters of Bath. While in England, still drooping and desponding, he received dispatches from his own government urging the necessity of his going to Amsterdam to negotiate another loan. It was winter, his health I

February 24, 1785, congress appointed Mr. Adams envoy to the court of St. James. Here he met face to face the king of England, who had so long regarded him as a traitor. As England did not condescend to appoint a minister to the United States, and as Mr. Adams felt that he was accomplishing but little, he sought permission to return to his own country, where he arrived in June 1788.

When Washington was first chosen president, John Adams, rendered illustrious by his signal services at home and abroad, was chosen vice president. Again at the second election of Washington as president, Adams was chosen vice president. In 1796, Washington retired from public life, and Mr Adams was elected president, though not without much opposition. Serving in this office four years, he was succeeded by Mr. Jefferson, his opponent in politics.

While Mr. Adams was vice president the great French revolution shook the continent of Europe, and it was upon this point which he was at issue with the majority of his countrymen led by Mr. Jefferson. Mr. Adams felt no sympathy with the French people in their struggle, for he had no confidence in their power of self-government, and he utterly abhorred the class of atheist philosophers who he claimed caused it. On the other hand Jefferson's sympathies were strongly enlisted in behalf of the French people. Hence originated the alieniation between these distinguished men, and two powerful parties were thus soon organized, Adams at the head of the one whose sympathies were with England, and Jefferson led the other in sympathy with France. I11 1824, his cup of happiness was filled to the brim, by seeing his son elevated to the highest station in the gift of the people.

Thomas Jefferson

The 4th of July, 1826, which completed the half century since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, arrived, and there were but three of the signers of that immortal instrument left upon the earth to hail its morning light. And, as it is well known, on that day two of these finished their earthly pilgrimage, a coincidence so remarkable as to seem miraculous. For a few days before Mr. Adams had been rapidly failing, and, on the 4th, he found himself too weak to rise from his bed. On being requested to name a toast for the customary celebration of the day, he exclaimed "Independence forever." When the day was ushered in, by the ringing of bells and the firing of cannons, he was asked by one of his attendants if he knew what day it was? He replied, " Oh, yes; it is the glorious Fourth of July - God bless it - God bless you all." In the course of the day he said, "It is a great and glorious day." The last words he uttered were "Jefferson survives." But he had, at one o'clock, resigned his spirit into the hands of his God. The personal appearance and manners of Mr. Adams were not particularly prepossessing. His face, as his portrait manifests, was intellectual and expressive, but his figure was low and ungraceful, and his manners were frequently abrupt and uncourteous.