Edinburg Township

Edinburg Township

EDINBURG, at the partition of the land of the Western Reserve, was drawn by Gen. William Hart, of Saybrook, Conn., who owned, in addition to this township, which in the survey was laid off as Town 2, Range 7, Sheffield and Saybrook on the lake and fractions of other townships. Gen. Hart was a very wealthy man for those times, and invested $20,000 in Western Reserve stock. He was a Major-General of Militia, and served in the Revolutionary Army in Rhode Island. He died in 1817, at the age of seventy-two years.

In the spring of 1811 Eber Abbott, of Tolland County, Conn., arrived in the township and settled on Lot 2, Subdivision 5, being the southwest corner of the northwest quarter of the township. He built a cabin and made a clearing, but met with an accident that rendered him a cripple for life. A tree fell upon one of hip feet, and broke several of the bones. His wife afterward dying, he removed to Ravenna Township, and settled on a piece of land owned by Dr. De Wolf, about the same time marrying a sister of Jacob Stough, who lived near by. Abbott afterward moved to Michigan, where he died.

Shortly after Eber Abbott came in, Lemuel Chapman, Jr., whose sister was the first wife of Abbott, settled on Lot 2, Subdivision 5, being the northwest corner of the southwest quarter of the township, made a clearing and built a cabin. He boarded with his father, who lived just across the line in Rootstown. The winter following his settlement he returned to Coldbrook, Tolland Co., Conn., for his wife and children, but just before starting, his wife died, and he brought his six children, part of whom lived with their grandfather, Lemuel Chapman, Sr. He afterward married a Widow Waller, of Palmyra, who also died, when he married as his third wife a maiden lady. Dorothy Bond, by whom he had five children. He was the father of fifteen children, eleven of whom were living at the time of his death, which occurred in November, 1857, he being a little over eighty years of age. His youngest child, a boy, was only twelve years old at the time.

In 1813 a man by the name of Howard settled and made an opening near Silver Creek, where he resided till 1815, when ho exchanged his place for one near Sandusky to a James Stoops, who came in and still further improved the Howard settlement. Stoops was originally from Beaver County, Penn., and in 1790 the Indians made an attack on the settlers at Brady's Run, where his father lived, and carried off a number of prisoners, among them being Stoops, who was then a child. They were all carried to Canada, and several years elapsed before they were released.

In February, 1815, Alanson and Justin Eddy started from their homes in "Williamstown, Mass., and came all the way through in sleighs, with their families. Alanson made the first settlement on the farm afterward occupied by C. H. Rowell, and Justin broke the fii-st ground and made the first clearing on the splendid farm now owned by Theodore Clark. Justin had been out the year previously with his father and made his selection. A young man, who drove one of the teams for the Eddys when they came in, afterward married and settled down, and in after years became an excellent citizen, owning a fine, highly cultivated farm, all the result of his own industry and perseverance. This was Russell Clark, who not only was a good driver, but an expert in handling an ax ; the first trees cut on many of the farms of Edinburg were laid low by his sturdy strokes. He used to point with pride to many a huge stump, as the result of his early labors.

In the year 181G a large accession was made to the population. Besides several others there came from Connecticut in seven wagons forty-two persons, being the families of Henry Botsford, Amasa Canfield, Capt. Trowbridge, Edmund Bostwick, Elizur Bostwick, Cyreneus Ruggles, Rial McArthur and Mr. Cowell, the father-in-law of the latter. They started some time in August and arrived on the 80th day of September. This number of persons arriving in one body, gave an impetus to immigration that made the little settlement feel like putting on organization airs, and it materially advanced the price of land.

Robert Calvin, a bachelor from Virginia, caiue in about this time and settled on Lot 8. He afterward married Miss Fisher, of Palmyra, and June 15, 1820, his son, John Calvin, who now resides in the northeast corner of the township, was born. David Trowbridge and Sylvester Gilbert also came in 1816, and settled in the northeast corner of the township.

Richard M. Hart, who was born May 9, 1795, and who still resides upon a portion of the land whereon he settled, was a nephew of Gen. William Hart, the original proprietor of Edinburg, and went to live with his uncle when he was six years old. The rich old uncle took a liking for the boy and provided well for him. giving him the entire northeast quarter of the township; so the young land-holder in May, 1817, came West to look up his possessions, and liking them so well, went back to Connecticut, maiTied his sweetheart, and in the spring of 1818 returned and settled down for a good long life, which he certainly has enjoyed. He first settled at Silver Creek, near the east line of the township, cleared eight acres and put it in wheat. At the Organization he was the first Treasurer, one of the Justices of the Peace and one of the Supervisors.

In 1819 many settlers came in; among the number was Adnah H. Bostwick, of New Milford, Conn., who settled on Lot 8, Subdivision 2, being in the northeast quarter of the town. He first came to Ohio in 1805 with his father, who settled in Canfield, and from there went to Rootstown, then to Palmyra, where he married, and from there to Edinburg.

The township had now arrived at the point when the inhabitants desired to become organized and have their own ofiicers, and, application being made to the Commissioners and granted, an election was held April 5, 1819. Edmund Bostwick, Justin Eddy and Daniel Trowbridge were the Judges of the Election. The following ofiicers were chosen: Trustees, Alanson Eddy, Daniel Trowbridge, Edmund Bostwick; Justin Eddy, Clerk; Fence Viewers, Enoch Martin, Benjamin Brown; Overseers of the Poor, Amasa Canfield, Robert Calvin; Appraisers Lemuel Chapman Jr., Amos Thurber; Lister, Lemuel Chapman, Jr.; Supervisors, Lemuel Chapman, Jr., Justin Eddy, Richard M. Hart; Constables, Daniel Trowbridge, Benjamin Brown; Treasurer, Richard M. Hart.,

At a subsequent election Justin Eddy and Richard M. Hart were chosen Justices of the Peace. There were twenty votes cast, and sixteen tax-payei's in the township. The name of the township arose from the fact that Levius Eddy had purchased the first land in the township (although he never came into possession of a foot of it, he not having complied with the contract of purchase, and it passed to another), coupled with the fact that the two other Eddys were among the first settlers and prominent men. It was called Eddysburg and from that the transition was not great to Edinburg. It had, originally, been called " Hart and Mother," but just exactly why, does not now appear, unless it was in honor of the mother of Gen. Hart, an exemplary old lady, who had been known to some of the first settlers.

Edinburg was not settled up as rapidly as some other of its neighbors, owing to the fact that the southern half had not yet regularly come into market; but it must not be supposed that it was entirely unsettled at that time. Several "squatters," as they would be called now, took up lands, and when they came into market bought them. This accounts for the settlement of 1811 by Abbott and Chapman, as some have supposed that date was too early for them. Besides, where they settled was near the Rootstown line, and Rootstown at that period was far advanced, a number of Chapmans, relatives of the one who settled in this township, being there as early as 1801. It is altogether probable Lemuel Chapman, Jr., and his brother-in-law, Abbott, reached this place from Chapman's father's settlement across the line in Rootstown, as all east of them was what might be called a hoivlmg wilderness, and very correctly so, for the accounts the old settlers give of the number of wolves in those primitive forests, especially at night, was something not to be ignored.

About the biggest hunt that ever happened inside of Portage County was the Army Hunt of 1819, participated in by Edinburg, Rootstown, Atwater and Palmyra. It took place on the day before Christmas, and the slaughter ground was the south half of Edinburg and the north half of Atwater. It was conducted in the usual way, having officers and a cordon of hunters within seeing or hearing distance all the way around. Trumpets were sounded by the leaders,which signal was passed along the line, taking about five minutes to make the circuit. This being the summons to advance, a forward movement was made by all till they enclosed a space of half a mile square, when shooting began. After nothing else could be seen alive, the hunters gathered their game, and found they had 103 deer, 21 bears, 18 wolves and about 500 turkeys, which were equitably divided.

Lemuel Chapman, late one evening whilst in search of his cows in the woods east of his house, lost his way, and night coming on had to remain where he was, as he knew that wandering around would, possibly, take him farther away from home; so he "clum" a tree and prepared to pass the night in that position, in order to be safe from wolves. His family getting uneasy about him went in search of him and found him, but as they approached his tree, not knowing he was there, one of his sons, Joel, remarked: " Well, I guess the wolves have got daddy," when the old man sang out, "I'll get you when I come down," almost scai'ing the boys out of their senses.

Justin, Polly and Sally Clark and Harriet Canfield went nutting one day, and were caught in a rain storm, and had to stay in the woods all night. Justin helped each of the girls up a tree, placed the nut bags around them, and made them as comfortable as possible, and there they stayed till morning, but they were all terribly exhausted from their strained positions, and their hands badly swollen. Polly afterward married Seth Day, of Ravenna; Sally married

In the ledge of rocks on the land where Justin Eddy settled, there was an immense den of yellow rattle suakes, and the boys used to pass many a Sunday killing the "varmints." Seventy-two were killed at one sitting, as it were, and the Jumbo of the lot was hauled out and tormented by having sticks poked at him, until, finally, a green stick with the bark taken off was thrust at him, into which he struck his fangs, and the virus could be seen, we are told, ascending through the poi'es of the wood, twenty- two inches, and almost dripping out of the end of the stick!

" Uncle " Thomas Brigdon says that the first corn he planted wap put in ground plowed with an ax, the "bull plow" even in that day being scarce. He cleared the land where the town house now stands. Also, that since he came here, there have died in four families thirty six persons. Justin Eddy and John Campbell built the first saw-mill in 1816, on Barrel Run, on Lot 2. Henry Botsford built another saw-mill and run it for many years. The first house was built at the Center by James Stoops in 1818, and the lii'st orchard was set out by Lemuel Chapman in 1815. In 1819 Frederick Wadsworth donated an acre of ground about three- fourths of a mile north of the Center, for a burying place. It is said that a cabin was seen in the township as early as 1808, by Lemuel Chapman, Jr., while on his way to his father's in Rootstown, but it is possible it may have been Just over the line in the township named, as no settler can be traced here earlier than Abbott.

The first child born in the township was a daughter to Lemuel Chapman, Jr., born July 23, 1815, and the next was Richard, son of Amasa Canfield, born April 24, 1818, he being the first white male child born in the township. The third birth was a son, Asa H., to Harvey Botsford, born October 13, 1818. The first death was Mary J. Eddy, aged four years, a daughter of Alanson and Rachel Eddy, who died August 4, 1819, and the grave of this little girl, which remained solitary and alone for nearly a year in the grave-yard north of the Center can now be seen suri'ounded by others so thick that one cannot walk without treading upon them. The next death was that of Mrs. Nancy Bostwick, wife of Elizur Bostwick, died July 17, 1820, '

The first marriage was in February, 1817, when Greenbury Keen and Betsey Hitchcock joined fortunes. The ceremony was performed by Re'v. Caleb Pitkin, a Congregational minister, at the house of Alanson Eddy, with whom the young lady had come to Ohio.

During the early days there was no regularly organized church in the township, but occasional sermons were delivered by ministers of the Connecticut Missionary Society and the Methodist circuit riders, the first sermon being about 1812, by Rev. Nathan Damon. In 1823, however, a Congregational Church was organized by Revs. Caleb Pitkin and Charles B. Storrs, the members being Edward Bostwick and wife, Benjamin Carter and wife, Mrs. Alanson Eddy, Mrs. Amasa Canfield, Mrs. Greenbury Keen and Ethel Strong. They afterward erected a small church, but in 1844 put up a neat and beautiful building.

In the latter part of 1826 a Methodist organization was effected. They had no house of worship, but Rev. P. D. Horton and Rev. Phillip Green officiated occasionally, preaching at the houses of the settlers. The first class was fox-med by Edward P. Steadman, assisted by his brother. Rev, J. J. Steadman. In 1834 a small building was commenced, but the flock being few in numbers and poor, the house was not finished till 1837, being used, however, in the meantime, in its unfinished condition. This building was occupied till 1865, when becom- ing almost unfit for use it was remodeled and rededicated January 23, 1866, Bishop Kingsley preaching the dedicatory sermon. The building was finished in a modern and tasteful manner.

The first school was taught in a log-house on the land of Amasa Canfield in 1818, and the teacher was Miss Clarissa Loomis, of Charlestown. Her scholars were Juliette A,, Edwin A. and Harriet Eddy, children of Alanson Eddy; Henry, Julia, Harriet, Polly and Charles Canfield, children of Amasa Canfield. The second school was taught by Miss Electa Bostwick, in 1819, during the summer, and another was taught in the following winter by Jesse Buell, near Gampbellsport, In 1823, however, the fathers and mothers becoming a little more ambitious, desired a school of a higher grade than those up to that time, so they employed Austin Loomis, of Atwater, to fill their bill, who entered into a contract with them as follows: "Decembers. Agreed with Austin Loomis, of Atwater, to teach school in Edinburg three months for twelve bushels of wheat per month, one-half to be paid' at the end of three months in grain, and the remainder in some other trade, such as cattle, sheep and whisky." A reference to the school statistics of the present day conveys a full idea of a half century's progress:

Edinburg Schools. - Revenue, $2,506; expenditure, $2,375; 7 school buildings valued at $4,000; pupils enrolled, 108 boys and 75 girls; average pay of teachers $25 per month.

Edinburg Special District. - Revenue, $1,893.66; expenditure, $1,178; 2 school buildings valued at $4,000; average pay of teachers, $40 per month; pupils enrolled, 89 boys and 27 girls.

There is an excellent high school at the Center with Prof. Work as Principal, and Misses Georgia Gladding and Hattie Frazier assistants. There are seven other schools in the township. An excellent brass band, with W. G. Gano as leader, furnishes music for the Edinburgers. There is also at the Center a Methodist Episcopal Church, Rev. Joseph Gledhill, pastor; Congregational Church, Rev. A. E. Colton, pastor; Disciples Chxuch, Elder White, pastor. There is a Methodist Episcopal Chapel, a branch of the church at the Center, but with no regular pastor. At Silver Creek is a good-sized tannery owned by Shultz Bros., and a saw-mill one mile southeast of the Center, F. B. Chapman, proprietor. Campbellsport, which partly lies in Edinburg Township, used to be a place of considerable importance during the old canal days. It now has one store kept by James Beardsley who also has the postoffice.

Township Officers: - Trustees, Chauncy Porter, F. I. Byers, Joseph Featherby; Clerk, H. A. Marsh; Treasurer, H. H. Spiers; Assessor, Thomas H. Clark; Constable, D. D. Hill; Justices of the Peace, John R. Giddings, AVilliam Willsey.

Edinburg is strictly an agricultural township, and has some of the finest land on the face of the globe, although hilly in some sections, and splendid crops are raised, besides being finely adapted to grazing. Much improved stock are bred and handled, and at their fairs an excellent showing is made. In 1856 the first sale and show exhibition occiirred, at which, on March 22 of that year, seed corn, oats, spring wheat and potatoes were placed in the Town Hall for inspection and sale. The Cleveland & Pittsburgh Railroad just touches the southwestern corner of the township. Edinburg furnished forty-nine soldiers for the Union, nine of whom were lost in the service.

Edinbui'or Farmers' Association was founded January 13, 1873, with A. S. Plummer, H. Horeon, W. D. Turner, James L. Dale, W. H. Weir, Daniel Ewing and y. Strong, for the promotion of agriculture and mutual improvement of members.

Grange Hall Building Society of Edinburg was organized February 2, 1878, with the following members: Smith Sanford, Isaac Williams, M. O. Gano, L. B. Wright, E. B. Higley, E. C. Myers and Hezekiah Hann. The purpose of organization was to build houses for a store and hall, and conduct the same at Edinburg.

Edinburg Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company is one of the best conducted associations of this order in the whole Reserve. The entire Board of Managers for 1885 are named as follows: President, J. R. Giddings; Vice-President, T. H. Clark; Treasurer, D. D. Davis; Secretary, George P. B. Merwin- Directors, Vespu Clark, B. W. Gilbert. Calvin Hutson.

Chapter Xx

First Settlement - The Haymakers - A Primitia^e Mill - Early Facts and Settlers - Contest for the County Seat - Low Price of Produce- First Burying Ground - Reedsbury - Organization - First Law Suit - Cackler's Geese - Important Primitive Industries - Fine AVater- PowER - The Manufacture of Glass - The Twin Villages in 1827 - The Rival Taverns - Early ISIercHxVNts, etc., etc. - Progress of Improve- SFENT- Zenas Kent - Franklin Land Company - Thk Canal Outrage- Franklin & Warren Railroad - Incorporation - Increase or Business- Standing Rock Cemetery - Names, Ages and Deaths of Some Early Settlers - John Brown - Brady's Leap - Primitive Schools and Religion - Sketches of the Churches - Free and Accepted Masons - Odd Fellowship - Other Orders and Societies.

FRANKLIN was the first civil organization effected in what is now Portage County, after the admission of Ohio as a State in 1802, it being formed the same year. Originally it comprised the whole of the present Portage and parts of Trumbull and Summitt Counties. The present territory of Franklin, Town 3, Range 9, containing 16,000 acres of land, was purchased in 1798 by Aaron Olmsted, of Hartford, Conn., for 12i cents per acre, and in 1803 Ezekiel Hoover and Ralph Buckland were employed to survey it into lots. As early as 1803, before there was a settler or a clearing of any kind, Benjamin Tappan, of Ravenna, and others from Hudson, had cut a road through the township from Ravenna to Hudson, and built a bridge over the Cuyahoga River about four yards from the spot where Capt. Brady made his famous leap in 1790. The late Christian Cackler, then a lad of thirteen years, passed over this bridge with his father in 1804, on their way to the southeast corner of Hudson, where they settled.

About the 1st of November, 1805. John Haymaker, his wife, Sally, and their three children, Jacob, Eve and Catharine, came into the township from Warren, where they had located a year previously, having come from Pittsburgh, Penn. They were of German descent and members of a large connection of that name in central and northern Pennsylvania, many of whom are still residents of that State. The father of John Haymaker had prospected through this section of country during the spring of 1805, and liking the looks of Franklin, generally, purchased from Olmsted's agent a tract of land covering the present site of Kent's mill. Arriving at the Cuyahoga John and his family took possession of a rude cabin, left by the surveyors in 1803, which stood just west of whei'e the upper bridge now is. This hut had been used for several j^ears indiscriminately by the Indians as a stable for their horses, and as a shelter by the deer and other wild animals, and was almost a foot deep with excrement, which had to be shoveled out before occupation. During the time they occupied this hovel the Indians came around them in great numbers, as the headquarters of the red skins was at the Falls of the Cuyahoga, and on a small stream in what is now Streetsboro Township. One day while the Haymakers were occupying this cabin, a few Indians came there and the squaw, as usual, took her pappoose from her back, and stood the board to which it was attached against the logs, as they never took their children into the houses of the whites except in very cold weather. After the mother had gone in, a wild hog came through the brush, and grasping the Indian baby ran off with it. The mother hearing the noise ran out and rescued her babe, but not until the infuriated hog was badly beaten.

In the spring of 1806 George Haymaker, brother of John, and their father, Jacob, came in. Jacob built a house on the west side of the river near where Kent's mill now stands. In April of this year Samuel Burnett was employed by Judge Quimby, of "Warren, to make a clearing on Lot 65, and to receive as payment eighty acres of land in that vicinity. He made a clearing and put up a cabin with the assistance of the father, Christian Cackler, but he did not remain there long, as Judge Quimby died and Burnett failed to get his eighty acres. During the following fall Frederick Haymaker came in and purchased a tract of land that included most of the upper village. Frederick, also, was a son of Jacob, and was a man of fine educational and natural abilities. He had served as private secretary to the brilliant but unprincipled Aaron Burr, on the famous expedition for w^hich he was tried for treason, and is said to have possessed the secret reasons and motives and plans of his superior, but he never divulged a word in regard to them; the facts, known to no one else, dying with the faithful secretary. Frederick was the father of twentyseven children, having been married three times. The Haymaker family owned about 600 acres on the present site of Kent.

During 1807 the Haymakers built a small mill, the stones used for grinding being those known as "hard heads," and were prepared by Bradford Kellogg, of Hudson. The mill, of course, was a very rude affair, and was used before it was'entirely finished. Crotched poles were planted, upon which other poles were placed, and a roof thus formed. A coarse cloth was used by hand as a bolting-cloth. This primitive affair was a great convenience, and was used, with very little improvement, for several years. Andrew Kelso was the miller. From the fact that this mill was located here the name, Franklin Mills, as designating the village, originated, for in time the settlement became known through the mill, it receiving patronage from a large section of the surrounding country.

The first white child born in the township was John F., son of John and Sally Haymaker, this event occurring September 11, 1807; Emily, a daughter to the same parents, was born November 26, 1809. The first death was that of Eve Haymaker, the wife of Jacob, and father of the first settler, John, and his brothers George and Frederick. Jacob died in 1819, John in 1827, George in 1838, Frederick in Trumbull County in 1851, and Sally June 15, 1869, at the advanced age of ninety-four years, having lived in the township sixtyfour years.

During the summer of 1807, after the organization of the county, there was a very heated competition to secure the county seat for Tappan's town mills. Benjamin Tappan, of course, wanted to gain the prize and brought much influence to bear; but Olmsted, the proprietor of Franklin, and John Campbell, although a resident nearer Eavenna, endeavored to secure it for the Haymaker settlement. Campbell was instructed by Olmsted to offer to the Locating Committee a plat of ground for the public buildings, and to give them the necessary assurance, also, that he would defray the expense of erecting a Court House and Jail. A beautiful site was selected by Campbell on a rise just north of where now is Standing Kock Cemetery, and it was deemed certain by all concerned that the county seat was secured, but Olmsted returned to his home in the East and died, leaving all his unsold lands to his grandchildren; so, when the committee came to make the necessary arrangements, they had no title to the land. Thus, Kent lost the county seat, but she fully makes up for it in natural advantages, and bids fair to outstrip her rival in population, as she has in manufacturing.

In 1811 Jacob Reed moved into the township from Rootstown, where he and his brothers Charles and Abram had settled in 1804 Reed purchased the little mill from the Haymakers and improved it, roofing and side-boarding it. From this old miller the settlement came to be called for several years Reedsburg, but, he selling out in 1816 to William Price and Geoi'ge B. DePeyster, the mill was again very materially improved, and the name Reedsburg was dropped, the original designation of Franklin Mills being generally adopted.

The old burying-ground in which Eve Haymaker was buried in 1810 was donated by one of the Haymakers and contained about two acres of land. It was used until Standing Rock Cemetery was laid off, and in that old and hallowed ground lie the remains of many of the early settlers.

In 1814 Christian Cackler was married to Theresa Nighman, the ceremony being performed by Fi'ederick Caris, of Rootstown. This was the first wedding in Franklin Township, and when we consider that nearly ten years had elapsed since John Haymaker had cut his first tree there, it will be seen how slowly the settlement grew.

In 1814 Elisha Stevens erected a sawmill, the first in the township, which stood upon the spot where was afterward erected the Lane foundry. Up to this time very little timber was used except in the rough. As soon as Stevens got his mill in operation the settlers actually built frame houses.

The township was organized in 1815, and an election held, at which twelve votes were cast, the voters being Amasa Hamlin, Elisha Stevens, George Haymaker, John Haymaker, David Lilly, Hubbard Hurlbut, Jacob Reed,

Alexander Stewart, Adam Nighman, William Williams, Christian Cackler, Sr., and Andrew Kelso. This was the entire voting population in 1815. The officers elected were: Trustees, Amasa Hamlin, Elisha Stevens, George Haymaker; Clerk, Hubbard Hurlbut; Justice of the Peace, John Haymaker; Jacob Reed and John Tucker were the Judges of Election.

Not long after the organization, the hrst lawsuit in the township occurred. It was a case for damages instituted by Christian Cackler, whose geese had trespassed upon the lands of David Lilly, and was a reversal of the ordinary mode of procedure. Lilly killed several of Cackler's geese while destroying his (Lilly's) oats, and was sued therefor, and forced to pay for them, the Justice holding that there was nothing in the law to prevent a goose from destroying a man's oats, but that there was a jaenalty for killing the same goose, even if caught.

Some time in the twenties a couple of cases arising from the ultra-religious sentiments of a few of the early settlers, occurred, which created a great deal of feeling. A man named Brown, who was working at one of the mills, went out on Sunday, having no other time through the week to do so, to gather a few chestnuts for his little ones. He was observed by the son of Deacon Andrews, informed upon, as a Sabbath-breaker, and fined $1 and costs. About the same time Jacob Stough and Sylvester Babcock, of Ravenna, drove through the settlement and the nest day were arrested at the instance of a fellow named Russell, who Avas studying for the ministry. The teamsters were on their way home from having delivered some goods to Zenas Kent. They were also fined, but the good people of Franklin Mills went to Stough, and told him that if he would cowhide Russell Ihey would foot the bill, in order to clear their township of such fanaticism, and Stough did it, yet there was no one to make complaint against him for the act, so just was considered the drubbing he administered to the pious man.

The present officers are named as follows: Justices of the Peace, Isaac Russel, John Bentley, N. L.Barber; Constables, Oliver Newberry, John F.Clark; Trustees, Willard Moody, S. W. Burt, William Bassett.

In 1818 Joshua Woodard moved into the township from Ravenna and commenced erecting, in conjunction with Frederick Haymaker, who had removed to Beaver, Peon., a number of buildings. They put up a woolen factory, dye-house, cabinet shop, turning- lathes, and a number of dwelling houses; also a hotel. Haymaker & Wocdard continued in partnership till about 182G, when they dissolved, the former taking the mill property, and the latter the hotel and other buildings. In 1822 Woodard had formed a partnership with Benjamin F. Hopkins and David Ladd, who built a glass factory near where the upper mill now stands. They also built a tannery on the east side of the river, near the upj)er bridge; a woolen factory, saw-mill and ashery one mile east of the village, on the Breakneck Creek, and a woolen factory and anvil-mill in the lower village, and opened a stock of goods in the basement of the house of George B. DePeyster. In addition they erected a number of private dwellings, and did a large business till 1831, when the firm dissolved and divided their property.

In 1824 James Edmunds, and Henry Park and his brother, built a glass factory on land now belonging to the Cackler estate, and for about ten years ending in 1831, William H. Price and George B. DePeyster had in operation in the Lower Village a grist-mill, saw-mill, forge and trip-hammer and a hemp factory. They also ran a general store and did a line business. They manufactured scythes, axes, forks and many other articles of iron and steel. De- Peyster was at this time appointed Postmaster of Franklin Mills, that being the ofi&cial name of the office, although the twin settlements were known respectively as Upper Village and Lower Village. The name Carthage was afterward applied to the Upper Village. Postmaster DePeyster kept his mail matter in a cigar box, and 25 cents was the usual moderate fee of Uncle Sam for carrying a letter a reasonable distance.

A sad event dissolved this enterprising firm of Price & DePeyster. In 1831 Mr. Price went to New Lisbon, where he procured a large grindstone to be used in his factory, and was on his way home, having the heavy stone upon a wagon. It was in February, the ground being covered with ice, and through some jolting or jerking of the wagon the stone slipped off and fell upon the unfortunate owner, inflicting such injuries that he died shortly afterward. Another misfortune in connection with the Price & DePeyster mills came in March, 1833, in the shape of a tremendous freshet that swept everything before it, carrying away the entire mill property and inflicting an almost irreparable loss upon the proprietor.

In 1831-32 Frederick Haymaker sold his property, consisting of 100 acres of land and a tine water power in the Upper Village, to Pomeroy & Rhodes, who built a grist-mill, woolen factory and a cabinet shop, and set up turninglathes, which they operated for several years. About this time J. C. Fairchild purchased the tannery put up by Woodard and others and ran it for some years. Mr. Fairchild erected the first brick house in town, it being a small building south of the John Thompson residence on the west side of the river, and in this building was born the son who became Gov. Fairchild of Wisconsin.

With the enumeration of the above industries, we are brought to what might be termed the end of the first era of Franklin, or rather Kent, although the settlement was not known as yet by that name, it being called Carthage for the upper, and Franklin Mills for the lower settlement. It will be noted that the tastes and enterprise of the original settlers of Kent ran strongly in the direction of manufactories, and it is very remarkable that, with a population so sparse, so many mills and factories should rise, considerable in size, too; yet, what^she has since accomplished in this way make her original efforts appear pigmean.

From an address delivered at the seventh annual meeting of the Portage- Summit Pioneer Association, by Rev. W. F. Day, the following facts are gleaned. In 1827 the spot now occupied by Kent contained two villages, having each about half a dozen families. They were known originally as Upper Village and Lower Village, but, in addition the upper one bore the classic title of Carthage, whilst the lower was Franklin Mills, the postal station. The name Carthage, however, died out, and until the present appropriate name was adopted, the villages were called Upper and Lower respectively, and Franklin Mills, collectively. - The first house built in Upper Village about that time was by Eber Phelps, on the site where now lives S. P. Stinaff.

Another small house stood a few rods below Phelps, and was occupied by the Frosts. The third, and more pretentious building was erected by Frederick Haymaker, a part of which is still standing. The fourth house, as you come down, was the residence of Rev. William Foljambe. This house was on the street just west of the upper bridge, and has been down many years. He owned a cow that knew when Sunday came as well as her master, and would pack ofi" to where they held services on that day with the human regularity of those early church-goers. The animal, doubtless, knew when Sunday came by connecting the fact of wagons collecting together, all of which contained hay or straw for the use of the horses that hauled them, and to which she would make her way and filch a good feed. The fifth house was the Woodard Tavern, owned and kept by Joshua Woodard, and is the present Dewey place. Another, and the sixth house, stood a few rods west of the tavern. Passing southward through the woods to a point a few rods south of where the Episcopal Church now stands, you come to the residence of William Stewart, whose daughter Maria became the wife of Hon. Marvin Kent. In the Lower Village was located the Lincoln Tavern, on the opposite side of the way a small house, and to the east was the residence of George B. DePeyster, who was Justice of the Peace for several years, and a Judge under the old county system. Franklin, for many years after the date mentioned, had no lawyer or scribe, and DePeyster drew up all documents requiring the peculiar and nonsensical phraseology of the law - his "hereunto attached," "fetch, bring and convey the body of," and his "for, and in consideration of and by," being deemed absolutely essential to the legality of any paper between man and man. On the opposite side of the street was the residence and store of Capt. Price, and on the brow of the hill above the grist-mill was a small building in which was kept a store by Samuel Foljambe, now of Cleveland. There were two dams to the river, each village having one. The upper dam was nearly against the Woodard Tavern, but was afterward moved a few rods farther down, where a grist-mill was built. The lower dam was across the river, a little above the present location of the flouring-mills, and a flouring-mill, the only one in the two villages, stood near the site of the present mill, whilst on the other side of the river was an oil-mill. In the Lower Village was a sawmill. There was also a small glass factory, a woolen-mill and a tannery, and these, added to the others, with possibl}^ the addition of two or three small houses, constituted the two villages.

W^oodard's Tavern, and Lincoln's Tavern, were great rival hostelries. They were each kept by more than ordinarily shrewd men, and both of the proprietors were accommodating and pleasant hosts, coming fully up to the standard of knowing " how to keep a hotel. " And they both exerted their powers to obtain custom, using all fair means to divert travel one from the other. There were two roads of travel between Ravenna and Cuyahoga Falls. About one mile west of Ravenna was the Black Horse Tavern. There the road to Cuyahoga Falls divided. The northern route, starting off where it now does, ran about where the present road does, save that it crossed directly between the lakes, instead of turning to the north as it does. After reaching the Woodard Tavern it dropped south a few rods, when it turned west across the woods and came out near John Perkins' place. The other road, after leaving the Black Horse Tavern, crooked around somewhat, though running in the same general direction as the present one, until, within about a mile of the town, it turned off to the southwest, crossing the Cuyahoga on a bridge a little below the grist-mill, then continuing on until it intersected the other. One road, therefore, was the road to Woodard's, and the other to Lincoln's, and the strife between the rival taverakeepers was which should succeed in turning the travel at the Black Horse Tavern, or at the Perkins place. They had handbills and signs eulogizing their respective houses, each showing conclusively why his route was the best for general travel, and why the other was a great deal farther, a great deal rougher, and entirely unfit for any sane man to think of taking, unless compelled to do so. The Cleveland & Pittsburgh stage was then running, and the great point was to get the stage route. Sometimes Lincoln would induce the stage company to run by his route, and then Woodard would get them to adopt his. The matter was finally compromised by running on the Woodard road from the Black Horse Tavern to Woodard's, when the stage would then drive down to Lincoln's, and then on west. About the date 1827 Jairus Cassius Fairchild came into the Upper Village, built a house opposite Woodard's, and opened a tannery on the other side of the river. He then built the brick store which was taken down some years ago, that being the first store in the Upper Village. A Mr. Root was associated with him. There were then two stores in the Lower Village, but shortly afterward a Ml'. Button opened a store in the Upper Village, and Carthage for a time ran ahead of its rival. This store was in the south end of Woodard's Tavern, but the proprietor dying, G. D. Bates, now of Akron, carried on the business.

No doubt it was the fact of there being two distinct dams, that two villages grew up so close together, but when the Pennsylvania & Ohio Canal Company destroyed the water-power, and especially when the brick buildings, owned respectively by Zenas Kent and Joy H. and Nelson Pendleton, were erected, all competition ceased, and everything has moved harmoniously since.

Outside of the villages there were, possibly, about twelve or fifteen families, and taking these with those in the villages, gave a population of not very far from 125 souls in the entire township. The following in regard to those outside of the villages is gleaned from a source considered to be as accurate as can be obtained at this late date. There may have been a few others who afterward passed away and became forgotten. In the northern section Jacob Lilly lived on the east banks of the East Twin Lake; John Haymaker was occupying the Olin place, half a mile or so below, where the roads fork. Edward Farnham had a small clearing on the east side, and Paul Davidson on the west side of the lake; a little further down was the settlement of Amasa Hamlin, whose wife, familiarly called Aunt Sallie, was a " holy terror" to the young men who attended "meeting" where she did, for if the pious old lady would detect any one of them whispering or misbehaving, she would march over to where he sat and take a seat beside him. As everybody knew what Aunt Sallie meant by that, the unfortunate offender became "spotted" forever after. In the northwestern part of the township lived the Cacklers; John Dewey lived where he died some years ago. In the eastern part of the town, Barber Clark, a Moore family, the Busts, the Clapps, Deacons Andrews and McBride, Timothy Wallace, Andrew Kelso, Alexander Stewart, Adam Nighman, Hubbard Hurlbut, Elisha Stevens, and a few others also were residents.

In May, 1832, Zenas Kent and David Ladd purchased the Price & De Peyster property, the mill on which had been swept away the preceding February, they paying for the entii-e site $7,000. The property consisted of 300 acres of land, including the fine water-power of the Cuyahoga. In the course of a year Mr. Kent bought his partner's interest, and continued the improvements. In 1836 Mr. Kent and Messrs. Pomeroy & Rhodes sold their entire interests, the first for $75,000, and the latter for $40,000. Kent received in cash $25,000, and P. O. K. $30,000 from the Franklin Land Company. The parties buying were known as the Franklin Land Company, which in the year following transferred its interest to a company incorporated as the Franklin Silk Company, the following gentlemen being the members: Norman C. Baldwin, Triiman P. Handy, Alexander Seymour, David H. Beardsley, Sherlock J. Andrews, John A. Foote, Solomon L. Severance, John S. Potwin, Seth W. Crittenden, Flavel W. Bingham, of Cleveland; Augustus Baldwin, John B. Clark, Van R. Humphrey, of Hudson; Elisha Beach, Nathan Button, of Franklin; Theodore Noble, of Middlebury ; Zenas Kent, George Kirkham, George Y. Wallace, of Ravenna; Frederick Wadsworth, of Edinburg; and James W. Wallace, of Boston. This company made great improvements. They erected the fine stone dam and the wooden bridge, where now stands the fine stone bridge, and seemed to lay out a splendid future for Franklin Mills. The company contracted with the canal company to build the dam, but, as the canal people, besides controlling the water at this point, were interested in the then rival town of Akron, they diverted nearly the entire volume of the Cuyahoga to their canal, ostensibly for navigation purposes, but really to furnish waterpower to Akron. This was a terrible blow, as well as an outrage on the struggling, yet plucky and enterprising people of the twin villages. The property of the Silk Company depreciated, it became embarrassed, their circulating notes were retired, and it finally went into insolvency. But, fortunately, by legal process and purchase, the property fell into the hands of a man whose stamen and ability were equal to the emergencies. This man was Zenas Kent, who did all in his power to revive the flagging interests and to recover from the effects consequent upon the loss of the water-power to the villages. In 1848 the property was sold to Henry A. and Marvin Kent, who for thirtyfive years, have been engaged in promoting the interests of the now consolidated villages. They erected a large cotton-mill, but through the failure of Eastern parties to fulfill their obligations in the matter, the factory was not stocked. Glass works were erected, and other enterprises inaugurated, but the village languished until the completion of the Franklin & Warren Railroad, now the New York, Lake Erie & Western, lately known'as the N. Y., P. & O. R. R. This great road was a conception of the brain of Marvin Kent, who early saw that the future would require a great thoroughfare to run diagonally across Ohio, and he ceased not his labors till he heard the whistle of the first passenger train of the Atlantic & Great Western Railroad as it approached Franklin Mills on the 7th day of March, -1863, in which year the name of the duplex villages was changed to Kent, in honor of the projector, executor and President of the now colossal railroad system. The location of the principal shops at Kent, and it being the termini of two divisions, gave a marked stimulus to the village, and it being the geographical centre of the road, an elegant depot and dining-rooms, to which H. A. and M. Kent donated grounds valued at about $10,000, were erected.

John Brown, of Harper's Ferry fame, came into the adjoining township of Hudson with his father in 1805, and moved into Franklin Mills in 1835, being then thirty five years of age. He built a house which he intended opening as a boarding house, but failed in his venture through some cause or another. The house still stands in Kent, and was used some years ago by a party for the very purpose Brown intended it. Brown & Thompson's addition to Franklin Village was platted by John A. Means, surveyor, in 1838, and recorded October 22, that year. This embraced twenty- one acres, extending from the bend of the river to the east line of Township Lot 12, and from the north line of Township Lot 12 to the south line of saine lot. This plat was vacated. The

Island tract and extension to Water Street of fortv-five acres was purchased by Marvin Kent from Capt. Heman Oviatt, to whom it was conveyed by John Brown. The descriptions on the original plat, now in Marvin Kent's possession, are in John Brown's handwriting.

On May 7, 18G7, Kent was incorporated, and the first Mayor elected was John Thompson. Five Trustees, corresponding to Councilmen, were also selected, they being C. Jones, James Glass, Joseph Bethel, E. A. Parsons and A. D. Power. The Recorder was John P. Catlin.

On October 26, 1875, the Council authorized the purchase of a Silsby engine, hose cart, hose, etc., for the sum of $3,400. In March, 1876, the Fire Department was organized as a department of the village.

The issue of bonds for $6,000, money required to make additions to the triple-arched bridge at Kent, over the Cuyahoga at Main Street, was authorized March 25, 1877.

The first school in the township is said to have been taught in the winter of 1815-16 by Abner H. Lanphare, of Brimfield, in a small cabin that had been erected by a Mr. Rue in 1811, but just where it stood has now been forgotten. In the summer of 1817 the inhabitants erected a building, regardless of religious proclivities, to be used as a meeting-house for all sects, and for school purposes. It stood on the east side of the river near where Dr. Crain used to live. Among the early teachers, in addition to Lanphare, maybe mentioned Amasa Hamlin, who taught awhile more for accommodation than pay; also Miss Orpha Curtiss, and a Miss Thayer. Up to about 1830 there was only one schoolhouse here, the one built in 1817, and one teacher. The growth of educational interests since that time is shown by the following statistics:

There is one of the finest educational buildings in the State to accommodate the excellent union schools, under the able management of Prof. A. B. Stutzman, Superintendent of Instruction of the city. The Principal is Miss

Anna M. Nutting. The teachers are Mrs. A. L. McClellan and Misses Stella M. Pearson, Addie E. Stewart, Georgie Gladding, Nellie Jones, Nellie Gettys, Belle Bradley and Anna Christian.

Keligious services were held at an early day, but just exactly where and when is not now definitely known, nor is it certainly remembered who preached the first sermon in the township. Rev. Shewell is thought by many to have been the first to expound the Word of God in this portion of the wilderness, and others think that Rev. Shadrach Bostwick, a Methodist Episcopal minister who came to Deerfield in an early day, came up here about the first. Rev, Joseph Badger preached in Mantua as early as 1802, and it is altogether probable that he addressed the settlers here as elsewhere afterward. Rev. Caleb Pitkin was also quite a noted Congregational minister, and it is more than likely he preached here at an early day. But the Congregational Church has the earliest documentary evidence and must be accorded first place.

Congregational Church. - By an arrangement entered into between the authorities of the Congregational and Presbyterian Churches, a plan of union was adopted by which in a community where there were a few of each they might unite in a common society and thus sustain religious services when neither could have done so alone. There being a few Congregationalists and a few Presbyterians scattered through the township, they came together June 18, 1819, and organized themselves into a society under the care of the Portage County Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church, the following persons being the members: Samuel Andrews and wife, Samuel L. Andrews, John Jones and wife, Mrs. Roxana Newberry, Mrs. Jared Thayer and Mrs. Amos Loomis. They held public services in the schoolhouse, and had occasional preaching from missionaries till 1825, when Rev. George Sheldon became their pastor. Mr. Sheldon was a young man of quick perceptions and a high order of intellect, but extremely sectarian in his religious views, so much so that he would not at first fraternize with other denominations, but this wore off in time and he became a portion of the community like anybody else. He built a large two-story frame house about midway between the villages, just north of the Kent residence, which was the finest house for the time in this section. He remained with the church till 1831, when the congregation was without a pastor until 1836, at which time Mr. Sheldon was again called to the pastorate. In the meantime the society had erected the neat brick edifice which was dedicated in the year named. In 1839 Rev. S. W. Burritt was called as their pastor. During the pastorate of Mr. Burritt a remarkable revival occurred and a large number of persons were converted, among whom was W. F. Day, afterward a well known preacher. These meetings were in charge of Rev. Avery. Burritt was reserved in his manner, and thereby failed to attract the sympathies of his entire flock. At one of their " confessional " meetings some of the members honestly made it known that they did not like their pastor, which so shocked the good man that he resigned his charge, went to Cleveland, and abandoned the ministry. The church was then without a minister for some time, when Mr. Bates, who also taught an academy here, took charge. Rev. Ira Tracey came in 1846, and Rev. John A. Seymour from 1852 to 1856. In 1858 the new church was built, during the ministrations of Rev. T. M. Dwight. In a short time after this came Rev. John C. Hart, who was followed by Rev. D. B. Conkling in 1868; then came Rev. A. C. Barrows. The present pastor is Rev. Chase. The church is in a very fair condition.*

*A story is related of Mr. Sheldon by his son, who is now a residentof St. Louis. Conversing with a friend one day he remarked that he would never believe or trust a man who drank whisky. The friend appeared to acquiesce in this view, and went farther still by the statement, "I wouldn't believe a man who swears, unless it be Zenas Kent."

Methodist Episcopal Church. - Not far from the date of the orgaDization of the Congregational Church, the Methodists came together and formed a class and held occasional meetings. In 1822 the Deerfield Circuit was formed with Rev. Ezra Boothe and Rev. William Westlake as the preachers, and Franklin was one of their charges. Then came Eevs. Dennis Goddard and Elijah H. Fields. In 1824 Rev. Ira Eddy and Rev. B. O. Plympton were the pastors. These gentlemen found the society in a terrible wrangle. Some claimed to be members and others were denying it; so, after one of the preachers had listened to their disputes, he took the church records and throwing them into the fire, told the people that if they wanted to be members of the Methodist Episcopal Church they would have to join over again. This cut the Gordian knot, and harmony was restored. The society in its reformed condition, consisted of the following persons: Amasa Hamlin, wife and two sons, Hubbard Hurlbut, wife and son, Jacob Lilly and wife, John Dewey and wife, John Perkins and wife, Rev. William Foljambe and wife, Samuel Foljambe and a Mrs. Burgher. The society worshiped for several years in the schoolhouse, but in 1828 they fitted up a small building, which of late years is known as the Morris House, a little above S. P. Stinaff's, on the opposite side of the road. This was really the first church building in the township, being used exclusively for religious purposes, although it was afterward used as a schoolhouse. The Methodists occupied this building until they erected their regular church in 1840. Some strong preachers held forth in that first little building, and among those may be mentioned Rev. Charles Elliott, who was Presiding Elder in the early days. He was an Irishman and full of wit. On one occasion when holding class meeting, several of the penitents expressed great desire to leave this wicked world and go to Heaven. Elliott stopped one of them short and said that as far as he was concerned he wanted to go to Heaven when his time came, but just now he wanted to go home to Phoebe, his wife. Father Eddy was also a strong character. With Eddy in 1825 was associated John Summerville, who was followed by Revs. Philip Green, Peter D. Horton, E. H. Taylor, George AV. Robinson, J. W\ Hill, J. C. Ayers, Cornelius Jones, C. Motfitt, Thomas Carr, John E. Aikin, Wilder B. Mack, John McLean, Aurora Callender, Hiram Gilmore, William Stevens, W. S. Warallo, Edward J. Kenney, Alfred G. Sturgis, E. J. L. Baker, W. F. Wilson, L. D. Mix, D. M. Stearns, L H. Tackett, E. Reeves, J. McLean, A. Burroughs, J. L. Holmes, A. M. Reed, W. H. Hunter, M. H. Bettes, T. B. Tait, W. M. Bear, W. A. Matson, S. Heard, L. W. Ely and a host of others of recent date. Mr. Jones, who was here in the early days, is remembered for his almost angelic temperament. Wilder B. Mack was one of the most graceful of pulpit orators, and Alfred G. Sturgis was considered a very impressive and eloquent man. The church has a good membership and is in a very prosperous condition, with a large Sundayschool. The present pastor is Rev. J. E. Smith.

Church of the Disciples of Christ. - The next church in the order of its organization is the Disciples, which was formed into a regular society in 1827. They encountered very bitter opposition at first, more so than any Protestant denomination of the century. The violence of the opponents of the teachings of the Campbells was one of the most unaccountable features of the early religious days, but this violence and opposition was met by the sturdy blows of a number of powerful expounders, in the persons of such men as Revs. Walter Scott and Sturdevant and Bosworth. Churches which disagreed in everything else joined hands in attempting to put down the efforts of this sect, but, like all persecuted causes, it thrived upon the very weapon sjiur led at it. The society at its organization consisted of Selah Shurtliff and wife,

Lydia Shurtliff, Desin Shurtliff, Luman Shurtliff, Naham Smith and wife, Setli Corbett and wife and William Converse. The following have been pastors of this church: Revs. A. Sturdevant, C. Bosworth, A. B. Green, Moore, T. Muunell, Griffin, Cronemejer and one or two others. They have a neat and comfortable church edifice and are doing a good work after the concentrated opposition offered them. Disciples Church was organized under State law, December 12, 1853, with George Van Selah, S. C. Clapp and James G. Wallace, Trustees, and Eieazer W. Crane, Secretary.

Protestant Episcopal Church. - Previous to 1835 there had been a number of Episcopalians in the township, but there was no organization as a church. In the year named, on October 11, Rev. A. Sandford formally instituted a church, the services being held in the red schoolhouse in the Lower Village, at which time the following persons became members: Edward Parsons, Levi Stoddard, Francis Furber, Thomas Cartwright, Lucius M. Lattimer, George B. DePeyster, David McBride, Asa Stanley, Chaancy Newberry, David Frazier and Tileman W^agoner, being the male members and representing heads of families. Asa Stanley was Senior W^arden and Edward Parsons, Junior Warden. The Vestrymen were Levi Stoddard, Francis Furber, Thomas Cartwright and George B. DePeyster; L. M. Lattimer was Clerk. The present church building Avas consecrated June 12, 1838 by Bishop Mcllvaine. Rev. Grin Miller was the first Rector, serving from 1834 to 1841. The Rectors following the last date have been: Revs. G. S. Davis, A. Bronson, A. Phelps, S. Hollis, L. L. Holden, S. S. Cheevers, J. F. Curtis, T. Taylor, W. H. Capers and A. J. Brockway. They have no Rector at the present time.

Baptist Church. - Not far from the year 1835 a small Baptist society was formed in Franklin, but the members were very few, the Knowlton family being the principal adherents. This denominatio», strong in many localities, for some reason or another has never succeeded in gaining the foothold most of the other churches have, although the sparse membership has consisted of some of the most excellent people. For years they were without preaching at all; and have generally been very irregularly supplied. This church was reorganized March 14, 1875. The original members were L. Twitchell, E. B. Smith, W. H. Van Horn, R. Dillon, A. Newton, George Botham and George Botham, Jr., Rev. Lambert Twitchell preaching gratuitously for it for four or five years, during which period they erected a very neat, though small church edifice. The society is on a better footing than it ever has been, and they now have stated services, Rev. M. N. Smith being pastor.

Free-Will Baptist Church, of the Rapids, elected D. B. Crafts, Clerk; A. R. Crafts, Ariel Proctor and Oscar Chamberlain, Trustees, and John Bartholomew, Deacon, at its reorganization.

Universalist Church. - There being a Universalist Church established at an early day in Brimfield. the members of that denomination in Franklin attended divine service there, Alvin Olin and family being about the first who held to that faith in the township. On the fourth Sabbath of May, 1866, an organization was effected. A reorganization of the Franklin Universalist Conference took place March 3, 1867. Alvin Olin, P. Boosinger and J. D. Haymaker, were elected Trustees; A. M. Shuman, Treasurer, and Nelson Olin, Clerk. Among the members were Ransom Olin, J. G. Whitcomb, T. H. Marshall, Mary R. Haymaker, Eliza W^right, Mary J. Parsons, Mary Boosinger, Almira Russell, A. Merrill, Mary A. Furry, Sybil Bradley, Effie Parsons and Rhoda Boosinger. The pastors of the church have been Revs. Andrew Willson, J. S. Gledhill,- Edward Morris; the present pastor is Rev. R. B. Marsh. The church building, costing $17,000, is a tasteful and commodious structure, and is

St. Patrick's Catholic Church. - This church was organized in Kent in 1867, by Rev. P. H. Brown, at the time pastor of Hudson, Kent then being one of the out-missions under his charge. Forty families comprised the church organization at first, but in after years it has run up to about 100 families. The church edifice was erected in 1868, at a cost of ^12,000, and is practically free from debt. They have a very tastefully laid ovTt cemetery. The priests in charge have been Revs. P. H. Brown, W. J. Gibbons, J. P. Carroll, J. D. Bowles, Fathers O'Neill, Louis Braire, and Rev. J. T. Cahill. In February, 1885, a priest was appointed for this parish.

- Evangelical Lutheran Church. - For several years past there have been a number of persons holding to the tenets of this church, and have had occasional preaching to them by ministers of this denomination, but during the year 1884 they built a very neat little structure in which Rev. Mr. Pauls^i-ove preaches for them. It is, though small in numbers, an active and zealous helper in the work of the Lord.

Free and Accepted Masons. - Rockton Lodge, No. 316, F. & A. M., was organized in the fall of 1858, and worked under dispensation till October 21, 1859, when a charter was granted by Horace M. Stokes, M. W. G. M. ; J. N. Bust, D. G. M. ; James Williams, S. G. W.; George Webster, J. G. w! ; John D. Cadwell, G. S. The first officers of the lodge were A. M. Sherman, W. M ; W\L. Holden, S. W. ; J. S. Fisk, J. W. The late Gen. L. V. Bierce, P. G. M.,' was deputized by the Grand Lodge to institute this lodge, which he did with imposing ceremonies. The membership is 160. In 1870 the lodge built a fine hall at a cost oflS6,000, which is 85x45 feet inside of all.

Odd Fellou-ship. - '&vQ.dj Lodge, No. 183, I. O. O. F., was charted July 10, 1851, by the Grand Lodge of the State of Ohio, S. Craighead, W. G. M. ; Spencer Shears, D. G. M. ; W. F. Slater, G. W. ; Alex. A. Glenn, G. S. ; Mark Pritchard, G. T. The charter members were Asa Douglass, J. C. B. Robinson, Charles H. Kent, M. P. Husted, \V. I. Knowlton and David L. Rockwell. The order has a very fine hall, finely decorated and finished, and a membership of 103.

Knights of Honor - Cuyahoga Lodge, No. 316, K. of H., was chartered June 30, 1876, by the Supreme Lodge of the World, J. N. Ege, S. D. The charter members were G. S. Howden, Robert McGhee, A. C. Hines, N. ^^\ Gregg, E. B. Smith, W. R. Emery, F. W. Root, A. D. Clark, W. H. Van Horn, A. B. Bertram, E. Herman/E. M. Jones,! E. Parkinson, W. M. Stokes, A. D. Orr, J. T. Wishart, George^ulsinger, John Stouffer, D. H. Plump, J. S. Smith, M. A. Norris, W. I. Cook. They have seventy-six members.

Royal Arcanum, No. 106, was chartered June 13, 1878, with twenty-seven members. The chief officers or Regents were W^ W\ Patton (1878), J. D. Davis, M. A. Norris, I. L. Herriff, O. S. Rockwell, N. J. A. Minnich, Martin Holdridge and N. B. Rynard. The Secretaries were J. O. Judd, James Wark, M. A. Thorpe, Orlando Thorpe, L. C. Reed, W. R. Jones and A. B. Stutzman. The number of members at present is forty-six. The financial standing of the lodge is good.

A. H. Day Post, No. 185, G. A. J?., was organized December 11, 1882, and was chartered December 30, 1882, and named in honor of the late A. H. Day, of the Seventh Ohio Infantry. The charter members were James Crane, L. G. Reed, N. B. Rynard, F. L. Allen, C. P. Rodenbaugh, M. L. Robinson, F. B. Allen, G. A. Furry, J. S. Sweeney, W. M. Stokes, B. A. Brewster, B. W. Fessenden, Sam Dobbins, D. P. Holcomb, A. D. Clark, A. C. Hinds, A. P. Powell, '

E. Minnich, L. N. Kaw, John Kubbins, H. W. Kirk, B. F. Hargeaves, C. H" Barber, Hugh B. Deads, F. H. Vickers, H. L. Atkins, Leander Johnson, W. E. Greanfield, I. L. Heriff, R. McGhee, Ed. Wells, William Ropson, W. fl. Van Horn, H. M. Foltz, George Harter, F. L. Dunning, Thomas May, A. A. Rogers, S. J. Rouse and Robert Smith. F. L. Dunning was First Commander in 1882 and 1883. J. S. Sweeney was elected in 188-4, and Robert McGhee in 1884-85. N. B. Rynard was First Adjutant; F. B. Allen, Second Adjutant, in 1883-84, and Ezra Fowler in 1884-85. The members not mentioned in the foregoing record are John Bechtel, George Meacham, M. B. Norton, William Tucker, G. W. Myers, M. N. Smith, H. H. Snyder, M. V. Merrill, P. Y. Barnes, George L. Andrews, Jefferson Thomas, W. H. Fergurson, C. D. Buggies, J. S. Cook, H. H. Holden, L. L. Johnson, M. C. Clark, J. H. Howell, J. M. Irwin, Charles Waldron, John Fitzpatriok, John Allman, A. B, Stutzman, Charles S. Tyson, D. Baker, Frederick Myers, Henry J. Shook, H. D. Sawyer, John Cross, John Willeston, W. Champney, George Gangle, John I. Hastings, O. Champney, G. Bertholf, Phil. Ulm, Ezra Fowler, Levi Reed, S. B. Cuthbert, S. B. Bailey, Paul Clark, L. M. Chapman, Dallas Moulton, George Moon, I. F. Wilcox. H. O. Barton, W. S. Nickerson, C. A. Nickorson, H. W. Gridley, William Miller and Moses Owen. This is one of the most progressive posts in this district.

Kent Dramatic and Literary Association gave the first entertainment in February, 1885. The drama adapted was "Green Bushes," in which the following-named members appeared: F. H. Vickers, W. Donaghy, B. F. Hargreaves, A. C. Hind, T. D. Ruggles, R. McKeon, Thomas May, A. Wilder, A. B. Bertram, Thomas May, Jackson, Harry Vickers, Alexander, W. Stratton, Jones, Holmes, Hastings, McNeal, Davis, Russell, Miss Polly May, Miss Maud Jackeon, Miss Rose Green, Mrs. Thomas May, Miss Emma May, Miss Bertha Hargreaves and Miss Ada Minx. Robert McKeon is Secretary and Treasurer.

Franklin Manufacturing Company was also organized June 16, 1851, for the purpose of manufacturing cotton, wool and flax. The Kent brothers, S. Huggins and A. H. Allen held 4,000 shares of $50 each. This company was, in reality, formed for the purpose of holding the water-power of the Cuyahoga River at this point, and other property, such as the woolen-mills, sawmill, etc.

Franklin Cotton Mills Company was organized June 13, 1851, with'Zenas, Charles and Marvin Kent, Sylvester Huggins and Fred Whipple, incorporators. There were 6,000 shares, yielding a capital of $150,000. This was organized for the purpose of manufacturing cotton. Gen. James, of Providence, was one of the projectors. The cotton industry was never established, as the plant was not supplied under the contract. .

Joseph Turner & Sons Manufacturing Company was organized March 20, 1880, with Joshua Turner, Mrs. Martha Turner, Jonas Hey, John G. Turner and Alice H. Hey, members. The object of this association was the manufacture of alpaca cloth and other textile fabrics. The capital was placed at $100,000. In 1878 the firm of Joseph Turner & Sons leased the old cotton factory from H. A. & M. Kent, introduced English machinery in 1879, and inaugurated the manufacture of alpaca early in 1879, employing seventy-five hands. The firm now employs 120 hands annually. There are 114 looms and 1,800 spindles. The machinery is valued at $50,000. The buildings are some of the finest devoted to industry in the Western Reserve. John G. Turner is President, and Joshua Turner is Secretary and Treasurer.

Kent Woolen Company was organized February 4, 1867, with Marvin Kent, R. Dyson, H. L. Kent, E. L. Day and E. P. Williams, members. The capital was placed at $20,000. This company's mills were destroyed by tire in 1867. A biiilding was moved to the site of the old woolen-mills, which is now used as a warehouse by W. S. Kent.

Franklin Glass Company was organized June 13, 1851, with Charles H. and Marvin Kent, H. M. Grennell, George W. Wells and Horace Sizer, stockholders. There were 800 shares, aggregating $20,000. Joseph Lyman was a member of this company. The works were built in 1849-50.

Day, Williams & Co., Rock Glass W^orks, were established in 1864 by Ed. L. Day and Charles T. Williams. The works were erected by Kent, Wells & Co. in 1849 and 1850, and purchased in 1864 by the present owners. The industry employs 100 men annually; the capacity of the works is 70,000 boxes.

Franklin Glass Company was founded January 24, 1873, with Eben Applegate, Henry Brooks, Lewis C. Haler, Alex. Papa, Philip Demuth, William L. Snyder and B. W. Jones, members, for the purpose of manufacturing window glass. The capital stock was placed at $50,000. This company never erected buildings.

The New York, Pittsburgh & Ohio car shops were formed at Kent in 1861, and the buildings completed in 1862. Marvin Kent donated the land on which the shops stand. The number of men employed is 194, a decrease of 300 in the working force within a few years. The buildings and location are peculiarly adapted to a great industry like this. The Superintendent is S. B. Smith, and shop clerk, J. P. Hall.

Franklin Lath Machine Company was formed February 25, 1859, with William Merrill, J. S. Fisk, M. Kent, C. Peck, Jr., H. Ewell and A. M. Sherman, members. The capital stock was placed at $20,000. This company erected buildings on Water Street, and carried on the manufacture of machines. Mr. Merrill, the inventor, gained control of this industry and carried on the business for some years.

Railway Speed Recorder Company was organized November 2, 1875, with the following members: J. B. Miller, William W. Wythe, J.H. Holway, A. L. Dunbar and W. H. Stevens. The capital stock was placed at $250,000, and the location of factory at Kent, with branch office at Meadville, Penn. W\ H. Stevens, President, and A. L. Dunbar, Secretary and Treasurer, 1875-77. E. A. Parsons was elected Secretary in 1877. In 1878 A. L. Dunbar was elected President and re-elected annually since that time, while Mr. Parsons has served as Seci'etary and Treasurer. The Directors since 1877 have been William W. Wythe, J. B. Miller (now Superintendent), E. A. Parsons, A. L. Dunbar. J. T. Blair was a Director until 1879, when Charles Miller was elected. This industry employs fifty hands. The value of annual product is placed at $80,000. Buildings and machinery are valued at $37,000. To J. B. Miller is due in great measure the success of this enterprise. He it was who perfected the Recorder, and placed before the company's salesmen a most useful and reliable invention.

The Center Flouring Mill Company was incorporated February 13, 1850, with Edward Parsons, Robert Clark, Jr., Alvin Olin, James Woodard and Thomas Earl, Directors, and 141 stock-holders. The capital subscribed was $10,000, increased to $20,000 in 1852. Thomas Earl was General Manager, and under this management the industry was transferred to Dr. Earl's son, who rented it to various parties. The buildings were used for milling purposes until their destruction in the winter of 1884.

1879. In this year a brick building was erected and machinery placed therein at a cost of about $-40,000. In 1882 an addition was made to the mills at a cost of $5,000. There are sixteen sets of rollers used in this mill, with a capacity of 200 barrels per day. The number employed in all departments of this industry averages twenty-live. Their shipping business is confined to the Eastern States.

The Kent Mills, now operated by George Barnett, give employment to three men. Machinery for grinding new corn, chopping and flour manufacture has been introduced.

T. G. Parson's planing-mill was established in 1866 by Porter Hall and Ed. A. Parsons, in what was known as the Old Mill. About seven years ago the old building was moved to the present site, and a new building erected. This industry gives employment to eight men.

Franklin Steam Saw-mill is now operated by J. S. Sweet and M. M. Smith, and was built in 1884. This firm deals largely in all kinds of hardwood lum^ ber, sash, doors and blinds, etc.

Kent National Bank, successor to the Franklin Bank, of Portage County (founded by Zenas Kent), was chartered in 1864. This charter was renewed August 31, 1884, to continue until 1904. Marvin Kent is President, W. S. Kent, Vice-President; Charles K. Clapp, Cashier, and W. H. C. Parkhill, Clerk. The capital is $100,000, and surplus, $20,000.

Kent Savings and Loan Association was organized July 23, 1873, with Charles H. Kent, H. Y. Bradley, Theo. C. Bradley, Byron B. DePeyster, John Thompson, Henry Magan and David L. Rockwell, members. This company ceased business.

In early days the pioneers devoted themselves to the task of building up a town on the Cuyahoga, with remarkable energy. Not, however, until the various enterprises were taken hold of by Marvin Kent, did the theories of progress put forward by the old settlers assume practical shape. In 1848-49 many of those great industries which make the town their home were conceived, and shortly after those busy hives of manufacturing industry were constructed. The master-hand, in those pretentious beginnings of a manufacturing town, was Marvin Kent. A decade later we see him leading in railroad building, and succeeding not only in constructing the great road now known as the New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio Railroad, but also in securing the car and machine shops of the road for his town on the Cuyahoga. The great sum of money which he dedicated to public enterprise, has been repaid by the fact that everything he sees around him - a thousand sons of industry earning fair pay, and numerous trains exchanging people and products between the East and West - may be considered the result of his enterprise. In tendering this reasonable tribute to Mr. Kent, the historian takes great pleasure, also, in being able to make the statement that the actual operators of great manufacturing industries of the village are just employers and enterprising citizens.

The township, in addition to the Cuyahoga River and some smaller streams, contains several beautiful lakes. The two largest are known as the East Twin Lake and West Twin Lake, and are places of considerable local resort during the warm season, as they afford tine fishing and comfortable camping grounds. Pippin Lake is in the northeast, Stewart's Pond to the west of Twin Lakes and several smaller ponds or lakes dot the township, but the most noted is Brady's I^ake, about one mile and a half east of the village.

About 1790, according to what is deemed the best authority upon the matter, Capt. Samuel Brady, a noted Pennsylvania Indian fighter, who followed that profession through all this section of country, performed the feat within the bounds of what is now Kent, which for daring, determination and muscularity, stands unparalleled in the annals of the early times. It appears he and a few companions had pursued a marauding party of Indians westward across the Cuyahoga, but the red skins being re-enforced by their friends, turned upon Brady, who, seeing their superior numbers, advised his companions to disperse singly, and every man take care of himself. But the Indians knowing the desperate character of Brady, and anxious to glut a Jong-standing revenge upon him for the many severe punishments he had inflicted upon them pursued him only. Brady knew every point of importance in this section as well as the Indians, and so made for the narrowest part of the Cuyahoga, which was and is not far from the upper bridge in Kent. To this spot the Captain ran with the speed almost of a deer, for he was a man of herculean frame, and as active as a cat. The Indians could have shot him easily, but they wished to capture him alive for the purpose of having one of their devilish orgies around the torturing body of their great enemy, but their inhumanity over-reached itself. They had no idea of the latent powers of Brady, and thought that as he neared the rushing stream at the Narrows he would be compelled to surrender. They "reckoned without their host," however, for when the desperate man came in sight of the river he quickly made up his mind what to do. He knew that to be captured was to die a cruel and lingering death, and the dark rolling stream that rushed through the narrow gor^e, twenty-five feet below the banks, was more welcome to him than the knife and faggot of the savage; besides, there was a chance for life and escape. Bv the time he had arrived within fifty feet of the river he knew what to do, and with a mighty effort and the speed of despair he fairly flew through the air, and with a tremendous spring cleared the chasm as clean as an English thoroughbred leaps a ditch. So wonder-stricken and dumbfounded were the savages at the boldness and agility of their supposed victim, and so unprepared were they for his eluding them, that they stood speechless and actless for a moment, but soon realizing that he would escape, sent a volley of rifle-shots after him, one of which took effect in his thigh, but did not disable him. Not a wretch among the lot had the hardihood to duplicate the feat of the gallant Brady, and they had to make their way to the crossing on the regular trail, nearly a mile away, by which time the Captain had gained the little lake now so appropriately known by his name. The Indians saw him go in that direction and still hoped to capture him, but when Brady came to the lake he swam under water some distance to the trunk of a tree that had fallen in, and clinging to the submerged branches, held his mouth in such position as to obtain air. The Indians seeing him enter the water and not reappear, supposed he was drowned. Two of them walked out upon the very tree to which he was clinging, even coming close enough for Brady to ascertain what they would say, he understanding the Indian dialect. The joy he experienced when he heard them say that he was drowned none will ever know, and when he found them gone, climbed out of the tree and made his way safely homeward. From the evidence of a man who was at this famous spot in 1804, it is ascertained that the distance from rock to rock was about twenty-one feet, the side upon which ho alighted being about three feet lower than the other.

The statistics of crops and produce for 1884 deal only with the township outside the town of Kent. Such statistics have been carefully compiled from most authentic sources. While they show the condition of the township in a fair light, they must not be considered a complete review of township values or '^productions. Acres under wheat, 1,323, bushels, 15,319; rye, 30 bushels from 1 acre; oats, 733 acres, 29,295 bushels; barley, 15 acres, 400 bushels; corn, 729 acres, 15,337 bushels; 8 bushels of broom corn; 1,277 acres of meadow; 1,964 tons of hay; 259 acres of clover; 348 tons of hay and 51 bushels of seed; 127 acres of potatoes yielded 15,529 bushels; milk, 45,810 gallons sold for family use; 73,708 pounds home-made butter; 400 pounds factory butter; 70,426 pounds of cheese; 8 pounds of maple sugar and 403 gallons of syrup from 1,286 tappings; 473 pounds honey from 41 hives; 20,703 dozensof eggs; 1 acre of vines; 7,115 bushels of apples; 30 of peaches; 51 of pears; 7,639 pounds of wool; 524 milch cows; 233 dogs; killed 38 sheep and injured 8; animals which died of disease, 58 hogs, 83 sheep, 22 cattle and 8 horses; acres cultivated, 6,788; pasture, 2,180; woodland, 1,211; waste, 598; total, 10,777 acres. A reference to the history of manufacturing industries will convey a good idea of their value. Total population in 1850 was 1,750, including 753 youth; in 1870, 3,037; in 1880, 4,141, including Kent Village, 3,309. Present population estimated, 4,350.

Source changes here: from 1922 Portage County High School Yearbook, by Portage County High School, published 1922; 401 words in this source stream.

Edinburg Township

"Happy is the people whose annals are brief." "This statement might well be applied to Edinburg this year; for the time has slipped away so pleasantly that we can scarcely realize it is time for more copy for the Speedometer.

Two plays were given this year; one by the Freshmen, the other by the Juniors. The former was a jolly little comedy called "Dodging an Heiress." It was given before a full house, early in December, and kept the audience interested from start to finish. It was the first appearance of most of our players, many of whom thought they "couldn't do that, just simply couldn't." However, they could, and did; and will attempt something more ambitious year.

which has real dramatic possibilities. The play was carefully rehearsed and was given in Charlestown, Edinburg and Randolph with good success, This work proved of great benefit in the development of ease of manner, power of self-expression and good enunciation, The play was given as one number on our lecture course and drew a much better house than any of the imported numbers.

Members of the Eighth Grade are hard at work at present on two farces to be given at their commencement, namely: "The Mouse Traps" and "On Time," This work was made possible by the rè- novation of our Auditorium wheih was supplied with chairs and fitted with scenery early in the year.

A course in Occupations has never been given here before, 1t aims to give a bird's eye view of the occupations and so to aid the pupils in the choice of a life work. Such a study requires something more than text-book instructions; and as we have few industries here, we imported speakers to give practical talks on the various occupations, including Insurance, Education, Nursing, Skilled Trades, Farming, and Religious Work.

These talks by experts along the various lines, have presented the several occupations In an auihoritative way, and have served to keep alive the interest of the class. The pupils have taken notes of these talks and these are to be handed in at the end of the course.

We expect to visit some factory before the close of school and thus gain first hand impreasions of industrial life. Many of us must find some life work other than farming, and we feel that the present course will help us materially in the choice of an occupation,

Source changes here: from 1927 Portage County High School Yearbook, by Portage County High School, published 1927; 1,126 words in this source stream.

Edinburg Township

School started with great promise this year as Professor Root was secured for our new principal. Mr. Root who recelved his B. S. degree from Kent State College has nine successful years of teaching back of him. We have been successful in getting Miss Moran back again as Assistant. Principal, Mr. Merle "arr, Mr. Harry Tarr, Mrs. Mary Miller and Miss MeIntyre are continuing their work in the grades. Miss Sturgis and Mrs. Perriot are the only new grade teachers we have this year, Mrs, Perriot who has had seven years of experience teaches the first grades, Miss Sturgis came shortly after schoo} started because of the overflow of pupils in tho grades. We now have more teachers in Edinturg than we have ever had in previous years.

It has been said that nothing stands still - it either moves forward or backward.. We fee] that this year Edinburg school has indeed gone forward. The old storeroom, formerly the home of chimney swallows, mice, spiders, and the dust of years, has been made one of the most cheerful and best equipped rooms of our building. A fully equipped office and a library of many volumes has been added to our school. A full set of maps has been secured for both the grades and high school. In addition to all the other improvements of our school we have a new victrola and a number of very good records. At present Mr. Root ls planning a new landscape and drive that will benefit the school as well as improve the looks of the grounds. Even the kitchen has been turned into a class room on account of the many students enrolled this year,

Our athletic activities started early to organize a football team. Mz, Harry Tarr coached our team again, as he turned out a championship team in the previous year. Shope was elected captain and praetico was started. After much sweating, cussing, and discussing, the coach decided that the team was in fair trim, so we invited Deerfield over to enjoy a defeat, The result was Edinburg 6 Deerfleld 0. We went on through the season playing eight games, winning *five, tying two and losing only one. We copped the conference cup for the second successive year. Everyone was pleased with our record except little Tona Booth who was almost drowned one evening at practice. All the members of the team worked hard, and assisted by Coach "arr, were very successful,

After football we stowed away the old goblet, packed the gridion rags and dug up the old bas- Mr. Tarr again officiated as coach for the boy's team, and a prospactive group of green candidates came out for the team, only two veterans being left from last year, Roy Robinson was elected captain. Tarr is working hard and our team is improving, having thus far played seven games, winning five and losing two.

The giris team under the supervision of Miss Sturgis, has won three of their seven games, Cora Mae Hicks was elected captain. We feel that our basketball girls through the game have learned one of the greatest lessons of life - that of sportsmanship, which after all is the most important ob- Jeet of the game.

The first social event of the school was the freshmen Initiation, It lasted a day and night, In the evening the "Weather Man" helped out the "freshies" by keep'ng many upper-classmon away, But the next day all were out in full force, so the "unfortunates" were changed into Indians and reduced into a barbarian stato by being made to run around in their bare feet. Soon after this these freshmen attempted a party. That time all the "little green sprouts" gathered together and since they were not molested, the building rang with shonts and laughter of the happy crowd.

For the benefit of treasury the Athletic Association tried something new by putting on a "Krazy Karnival" Madam Roselle inspired many youths by the prediction of their future, the ancient Mummy struck terror to many hearts, the games of chance gave their spoils to the lucky ones, and the fishpond furnished a whale for every fisherman. The sandwiches and doughtnuts called for their companions - coffee and cider - not hard, while the clowns, confetti and balloons completed the air of frivolity that prevailed at the whole affair.

One of the best Lyceum courses ever given was presented this year, The first number, The Griswold Duo put everyone in good spirits with humorous portrayals of many characters. The Ithican Quartet pleased all lovers of music, while Glenn L. Morris gave us a little practical education in modern seience, "Two school plays were prosented, "The Arizona Cowboy," by Paris High School and "Ted Drops In," by Eugene Hafer was given as our senior play. Roy Robinson, as Ted, took an especlally good part. He was just as dumb as a city man should be when he visits the farm, Beth Barnard, as Betty, the owner of the farm, showed herself capable of managing all the desperate situations in which she found herself. Harry Hughes, n8 Judy the colored cook, played the part of a double actor. He was both a negro and a woman and yet was neither, Glenn Robinson, in the character of "Mah Husband" gave us an actual picture of the modern negro shiek. Durward Shope, as Lonnie - a modern Romeo - carried his part very well with Cora Mae Hicks, as Sally. These two showed us what a few weeks of stage practice could do. Raymond Sander, as Charlle Crowder, made a splendid country laddie, and Mildred Grund, as Winnie, was indeed his lassie and was mean as most of 'em, We need not say much of Arlie Hickman, as Joe Kane, because we know that when a crook can make us hate him he is a real actor, It is thought by the publie that Miss Bernice Moran has now proved herself to be a very efficient director.

Two Literary Societies were formed this year under the name of Gay and Athenian, The object of the societies is to develop ability in public speaking as actual life preparation, Many interesting programs have been given by each society and there has been much rivalry between them,

'The three contestants who took part in the Literary Musical Contest represented our school in a splendid way, Roy Robinson succeeded In winning the oration and in recognition of this honor he now holds a medal proclaiming him the greatest orator of the Class B Schools,

We feel that this year has given to our Seniors a vision of advancement which we hope they will be inspired to carry on through years to come. We believe that these lines below express the feeling of our graduating class.