Green City (part 11 of 14)

In 1831, Mr. Bissell, then teaching a select school, was empowered to raise funds and build a house for church and high school purposes, which was located east of the public square and immediately north of the Alling hotel, completed in 1832, the total cost -being about $700. The present edifice west of the public square, erected in 1848, originally cost about $3,000, though material improvements have from time to time been made during the intervening years. : (ee af

OTHER DENOMINATIONS.~-The Methodist class of two members above alluded to, formed in 1821, expanded into a full church organization a few years later, their first house of worship, near the northeast corner of the square, being erected in 1832, the present structure on the south side of the square, being built in 1848. Present membership about 112. Present pastor (1891, '92,) Rev. Ira J. Harris. é;

A Baptist society was organized June 15, 1832, and a house of worship built in 1841. April 14, 1843, a Free Will Baptist Society was organized, building a house of worship in 1847. This house was destroyed by fire and rebuilt, in 1851. This latter society declining in numbers and influence, in 1859 their house was sold to Mr. Riley, who soon afterwards exchanged houses with the Baptists, who have occupied it ever since, the house being located a short distance north of the square, on the Cleveland road. This society has been without a pastor for the past few years, and from deaths and removals is reduced to about twenty-five members, who at present unite in worship with the Congregationalists,

EpucationaL Marrers. - In the matter of education. Twinsburg has, in some respects, the most wonderful record of any township in Summit county, not even excepting that long-time emporium of learning immediately adjoining upon the south, Hudson. While her common schools have fully averaged with those of her neighbors on the Reserve, having now a fine high school building a few rods south of the square, "Twinsburg Institute stands as atime honored and imperishable monument of what one good, conscientious and energetic mind can accomplish, during a well-rounded lifetime.

SAMUEL BISSELL was born in Middlefield, Hampshire county, Mass., April 28, 1797. In 1806, removed with his parents to Aurora, laboring on the farm until 1816,,when he began to prepare for

4 college. Entering Yale in 1819, he graduated with high honors, in 1823. Then ensued a rigid course of theological study, amid difficulties that would have appalled an ordinary man, completing his studies in New Preston, Conn., and receiving a license to preach in 1825. Returning to Aurora in 1825, he opened a small select school which he kept till 1828, when he became pastor of the Congregational church at Twinsburg, as elsewhere stated, at the same time conducting a _ private select school, the first three years in a small log house, and then inthe church in which he preached, continuing this dual occupation for seven years. After an absence of about one year, é : - as pastor of the Congregational Dinh she Gs church at Edinburg, Portage county, Mr. Bissell, about 1840, returned to his double duty of preaching and teaching in Twinsburg. In 1843, owing to the rapid increase of his pupils, Mr. Bissell resigned the pastorate and established "The Twinsburg Institute," which has never missed a term during all the intervening 48 years.

On his return to Twinsburg, a small school building was erected by Mr. Bissell a short distance south of the Center, which, after being once or twice enlarged, so as to accommodate 80 or 90 scholars, was still found to be too small to accommodate all who desired to enter the school. Mr. Bissell then purchased the old Alling hotel property, adding to it, upon the south, making the building 102 feet long by 30 feet wide, subsequently adding a threestory 30x30 foot wing, upon the east, and still afterwards annexing the 30 x60 foot building upon the north, formerly used by him as a church and school house (then called "Lyceum Hall") and still later, about 1858, annexing another school building on the north.

This composite building, or group of buildings, while making no pretensions to outside show, or interior adornment, had at one time over 300 students in attendance, requiring, besides the principal, some seven or eight teachers and assistants to properly conduct the several classes therein receiving instructions, besides the necessary household reguiations for boarding and lodging, perhaps one-fourth of the number in attendance finding homes with the various private families and boarding houses of the village.

_ "Twinsburg Institute" was simply a private individual enterprise - -no charter, no $500,000 donation, no endowment funds, but solely the outgrowth of the persevering energy of its liberalhearted, self-sacrificing founder, and wholly maintained on the basis of the meager tuition fee of $2.00 to $4.00 per term, and the still more meager charge of from $1.12! to $1.50 per week for board and lodging.

A Vicorous NONAGENARIAN. - The venerable principal of this remarkable school,'now almost 95 years of age, is still (November 1891), vigorous in both mind and body, except as to impaired hearing. In a letter to the writer, in reply to inquiries about his school, Mr. Bissell, in 1887, said:

"As to Twinsburg Institute I have kept no record of the number of scholars, and can only approximate to it,as I find from some of its catalogues and from memory. It has never lost a term from its commencement, and will average 100 a year from 1840, a period of 47 years, making 4,700, and from its beginning, in 1828, not less than 6,000; among them more than 200 Indian youth, both from the east and from the west."

And to this brief and modest mention of the gigantic labors of this remarkable man, the writer will add that a very large proportion of the instruction and sustenance imparted to the 200 dusky pupils mentioned, was gratuitous, while a goodly number of indigent white youth, of both sexes, were also taken in, boarded and educated free of charge, or on the " manual labor" system, the labor performed consisting of chores, and other light work about the institution, that could have been done by regular hired help at far less cost to the kind-hearted proprietor.

As illustrative of the tenacity of purpose of this philanthropic educator, it may be stated that when, by reason of his open-handed liberality, and the embarrassments growing out of the War, he was obliged to vacate the buildings he had occupied for nearly twenty years, though then seventy years of age, Mr. Bissell resolutely set about erecting another on his own private lot, a short distance south of the public square. This isa two-story stonestructure, 33x77 feet in size. Mr. Bissell himself helping to quarry and haul the stone, and with his own hands framing and putting on the roof, laying the floors and doing all the joiner work, except making the window frames and sash. The walls were laid by a Scotchman, over twenty years ago, with instructions to regard strength rather than beauty, and, adds Mr. Bissell: "The rock of Gibraltar will as soon give way, without an earthquake," though a suit was brought against him, by a neighbor, three or four years ago, on account of its liability to fall and crush his (the neighbor's) house upon the adjoining lot - the old gentleman feeling deeply grieved at being compelled to defend himself from the charge of maintaining a nuisance (his first law suit), in the 91st year of his life, the suit being happily decided in his favor. '

In closing a letter about his school, Mr. Bissell, in 1887, says: " Circumstances are such, we expect to do but little more by way of giving instruction, and very little more than the name will continue." Mr. Bissell still survives, and in his 93d year delivered an address before the Old Settlers' Association, at Cleveland, July 22,

1889, with twenty of his old pupils on the platform with him, and October 8, 1890, took part in the 90th anniversary exercises 1n honor of Mrs. Anner Mary (Hudson) Baldwin, in Hudson.

Among well-known citizens who have in years past attended Twinsburg Institute are the following: General A. C. Voris; Hon. U. L. Marvin; B. C. Herrick, Esq.; Hon. Henry McKinney, State senator for Summit-Portage district, 1869, "70, since Common Pleas Judge in Cuyahoga county; Hons. D. W. Gage and W. 5. Kerruish, of Cleveland; H. W. Ingersoll, Esq., Akron; Hon. E. E. White, former president De Pauw University, Ohio commissioner of common schools, and late superintendent schools, Cincinnati; General Lucius Fairchild, ex-member of Congress, ex-governor of Wisconsin, ex-U. S. consul at Liverpool, ex-consul general at Paris, ex-minister to Spain, ex-commander Department of Wisconsin, G. A. R., ex-commander-in-chief of National Encampment G, A. R., etcy ete.

ONATHAN E. HERRICK, - one of the pioneers of Twinsburg township, was born in Worthington, Massachusetts, July 11, 1804. At 22 years of age he came to Ohio, then an almost unbroken wilderness, setilin in Aurora, Portage county. April 10, 1828, he was married to Miss Phila Clark, of Twinsburg, soon after which he bought a farm in that township, a mile and a quarter south of the village, from which he cleared the forest, and on which he resided ove? sixty years, in 1845, erecting a fine stone house, one of the best in the township. Mr.and Mrs. Herrick were the parents of five children - Burke C. Herrick, for the past twenty years a successful crockery merchant in Akron; Earl, now residing in Cleveland; Electa A., now Mrs. B. L. Alling, of Akron; and Olive and Cyrus M., deceased. Mrs. Herrick died May 7, 1889; Mr. Herrick, though still retaining his property interests in Twinsburg, is now living with his daughter, Mrs. Alling, in Akron, in the 88th year of hisage. Mr. Herrick was for several years one of the trustees of his township, and otherwise active in public affairs, being chairman of the monumental committee, which erected the beautiful soldiers' monument on the Public Square, an engraving and description of which will be found elsewhere in this chapter.

TWINSBURG'S PArrioTisM. - The first settlement being more than forty years removed from the Revolutionary struggle, and several years after the close of the War of 1812, we find no recorded or traditionary history of the participation of any of her citizens in either of those wars, though it is very probable that a number of her early settlers were soldiers in the latter, and probably some in the former struggle; nor is it thought that Twinsburg furnished a single volunteer for the Mexican War, of 1846-48.

The township paid some attention, however, to early military matters, keeping the patriotic ardor of New England fully glowing for many years, under the old militia system of Ohio, Mr. Luman Lane recording that Elisha Loomis was captain of the first military company, Joseph Myric, second and Asa Upson, third. This is all of the early military history of the township that has come down tous. But in the War of the Rebellion - 1861- 65 - her patiotism and valor was second to no other township in the county, according to population, having furnished a total of one hundred and seventeen soldiers for the Union Army.

A MAGNIFICENT TRIBUTE. - Not only were the customary bounties promptly raised and paid to her volunteers, and their dependent families kindly looked after during their absence, but after the close of the War, a splendid monument was erected on the public square, in memory of her fallen, and in honor of her surviving, heroes. This monument, located near the north side of the square, is of the following dimensions: Kirst base (paradoxical as it may seem, the "crowning" glory of the superstructure), is a solid sandstone block, quarried one mile west of the village, containing 35814 cubic feet, and weighing 50,549 pounds; Second base, also a single block, 120 cubic feet, 16,920 pounds; Third base, 48 cubic, feet, 5,768 pounds, all firmly resting upon a solid sandstone foundation. The monument proper consists of seven pieces of handsomely wrought Italian marble, measuring 1003 cubic feet, weighing 18,120 pounds, the main shaft being surmounted by a splendidly carved spread mp eagle, the entire height, above the som" foundation, being 28 feet, and the - total cost not far from $2,500.

EPPS Bae 9 July 4, 1867, was truly a gala day for the people of T'winsburg - a triple celebration - the 91st anniversary of American Independence ; the Semi-Centennial of the first settlement of Twinsburg, and the unveiling and dedication of the beautiful soldiers' monument in question. '

Jonathan E. Flerrick, Esq., was president of the day and Horace P. Cannon, Esq., was chief marshal. A mammoth tent had been erected about the center of the square, in which the chief literary and oratorical exercises were held, a free banquet being provided in a neighboring orchard, the central figure of whicli was a one thousand pound steer, a Man whole, flanked by a very great riety of gustatory viands. be The Watiaration of Independence was read by Isadore Roskolp, Esq., of Cleveland; Hon. O. 8. Griswold, of Cleveland, being the orator of the day. Hon. N. D. Tibbals, of Akron, responded to the toast, " Our Citizen Soldiery;" President Henry L. Hitchcock (who -had lost a son in the army), to "Our Sons Who Never Returned, Dr. H. J. Herrick, of Cleveland (a native of Twinsburg), to "The

Surgeons of the Army;" Rev. S. Bryant to "Woman in the Hospital and Woman at Home;" Edward Oviatt,. Esq., of Akron, to "The Day We Celebrate;" S. A. Lane, editor Summit CounTy BEacon, to " The Press;" Ethan Alling, to " The First Settler of Twinsburg."

Phe exercises were interspersed by the firing of cannon, martial, band and vocal music, and general good cheer, scarcely dampened by the drenching rainstorm which occurred early in the afternoon.

Inscriptions On Monument

West Sipe. - To the memory of our sons who fell during the Rebellion of 1861-65." KitLeEp In BatrLE: - Charles Stearns, 7th regiment, March 23, 1862-22; Edward Bissell, 19th regiment, shot on guard duty, July 28, 1864-24; Dryden Ferguson, 125th regiment; Charles Weatherbee. Diep From Wounps: - Anderson Oviatt, 19th regiment, May 1, 1862-19; Elmore C. Hinckston, 7th regiment, January 29, 1864-24; Charles H. Springer, 41st regiment, June 2, 1864 - 22. Diep From DisEAsE: - Warren Wait, 19th regiment, December 4, 1861-18; George Gaylord, July 18, 1862-29; Edwin H. Hanks, 19th regiment, February 25, 1863-20; George W. Hanks, 104th regiment, May 10, 1861; Walter Chamberlain, 177th regiment, February 14,' 1865-16. CaSUALTIES: - Louis Schroeder, 7th regiment, drowned in Fall of 1862-24; E. Thompson, 115th regiment, drowned, Sultana, April 27, 1865-45; H. Crocker, 115th regiment, killed on cars at Columbus, October 24, 1862-25; G. E. Pease, 10th cavalry, died in Andersonville prison; John FE. Carter, 177th- regirrent, fate unknown. HAvING FRIENDS HERE: Wm. H. Bliss, 63rd Pennsylvania, September 29, 1862; H. G. Bennett, 19th Wisconsin, July 18, 1865-26; Samuel Eells, Iowa cavalry, December 4, 1862-30; Isaac F. Smith, 48rd Illinois, July 16, 1865-41,

Early Military Reminiscence

Wm. J. Beardsley, Andrew Lamb, Willard Prentiss, Giles Post, 'Geo. Sodon, Geo. Thompson, Sidney Varney; Diep IN SERVICE: - - Edward Webster, E. F. Wilcox; Barrery: - Wm. C. Calander, Joseph Oviatt, Geo. L. Stanley, Charles Webster, H. M. Wright; 6TH CAVALRY: - Howard Chaffee, Virgil Richmond, Edward Sodon; 2p CavaLry: - A. A. Maxam, Henry Mead, Calvin Smith; Musrc: - -David Crankshaw, J. W. Fessenden, F. M. Fessenden, H.C. Fessenden, S. H. Hull, Alfred Hawkins, Orrin Redfield. The following names not on the monument were also returned by the Twinsburg assessor, as soldiers from that township: Hiram Holton, Harvey McLain, Eldridge Post, George Palmer, Irving Wilcox, A. 5. Meakin, William Penhale, S. D. Jones and George Read.

RRIN P. NICHOLS, - born in Hampden county, Massachusetts, June 21,1817; at six years of age removed with parents to Trumbull county, Ohio, and afterwards to Franklin Mills (now Kent); married in 1840 to Miss Lemisa Crow, the same year purchasing a 70 acre farm north of Twinsburg Center, on the Cleveland road, subsequently adding thereto several other farms, also for a number of years conducting extensive lumber operations in Western New York. Mrs. Nichols dying in 1844 (their two children having died in infancy), in November, 1847, Mr. Nichols married Miss Wealthy C. Baird, who still survives; three of their four children: Fremont A., Orrin P., and Katie A., all married, living upon the several fine farms left them by their enterprising father. Though of limited education, Mr. Nichols was a man of large intelligence, broad views and great personal and political influence. In

Orrin P. Nichols

October, 1875, Mr. Nichols was elected as Summit county's representative to the State Legislature, serving with eminent ability, until his unfortunate death, April 28, 1877, superinduced, as system, received ina slight railroad accident, between Akron and Columbus, during his incumbency ; his age at the time of his death being 59 years, 10 months and 7 days.

CAPTURED By "INGENS." - Mr. Luman Lane relates of Twinsburg's first military company, that while it was captained by Asa Upson (probably about 1825), the company was invited by his father, Mr. Saul Upson, to a dinner to be served in his new frame barn. While marching through the woods it was suggested by the captain that one of his subordinate officers select a squad of men and go on ahead to play Indian, for the purpose of demonstrating the military skill and prowess of the captain and his command in case of an attack. Giving the "Indians" a good start, the company started forward keeping a sharp lookout for the "enemy," and were beginning to wonder what had become of the supposititious "red-skins," when suddenly they sprang forth and seized the redoubtable captain before he could use his sword, and captured and disarmed the entire company before they could bring their weapons to a position for defense. It was a bloodless victory, but one that afforded a vast amount of merriment at the expense of Captain Upson and his discomfited "braves." The dinner, consisting of roast pig, turkey, chicken-pie, etc., was relished alike by all, while the after-dinner patriotic and pioneer stories, songs, etc., were most heartily enjoyed by all, both "friend" and "foe."

THE ANCIENT "ToBOGGAN.' - For years there were very few wagons in the township, especially the northern portion of it, so that other means of transportation than the horseback and "footback" process heretofore alluded to had to be devised. Rude sleds were, therefore, made use of, both Summer and Winter, while what was known as the sap-boat - a sort of toboggan-shaped vehicle, made out of long flat puncheons, turned up at the front, fastened together with strong cleats and wooden pins - was brought into requisition in hauling grists to mill, women and children to meetings, parties, etc., while ancient young America would sometimes ride in sap-troughs hitched to the rear of the larger vehicle, as modern young America hitches his modern coaster to every passing sleigh or "bob," that he can possibly "catch on"' to-

DANGERS OF THE WILDERNESS. - People in those days often lost their bearings while traveling through the woods, even in the day time, a number of instances of which are related by Mr. Lane; one being that of Professor Rufus Nutting, of Western Reserve College, while going to Solon to preach, who, becoming bewildered in passing through a swamp in the southwest part of Solon township, with his horse remained all night in the woods, covering his feet with his saddle to keep them from freezing. Mr. Lane also rescued, one evening, near his place,a Mrs. Bull, of Solon, who, having gone into the woods to hunt up ner sneep, haa tost her bearings, and, but for the prompt response of Mr. Lane to her call, which he at first mistook for a panther, must have remained in the woods all night, and perhaps have perished; Mrs. Reuben Henry, of Twinsburg, having also been similarly rescued by Mr. Lane when, after dark, she was headed toward Solon,in which direction it was six miles to the nearest house.

Locust GROVE CEMETERY. - The earlier burials took place on the farms where the deaths occurred, the first township burying ground, of one acre, being laid out northeast of the public square, in 1823. Mr. Ethan Alling, feeling the importance of having a suitable resting place for his own dead, and believing that individual rights would be more satisfactory than rights in common in a public burial ground, in 1846 bought an acre and a half of land a short distance west of the center, which he caused to be graded, platted, fenced and planted to locust trees, and which he named "Locust Grove Cemetery." There were 130 lots in all, besides a portion of the ground set apart for individual graves, and for the gratuitous use of those unable to purchase a burial place for their dead.

Up to 1860, some eighty-five or ninety of the lots had been sold, the prices being originally from $3 to $5 per lot, to be enhanced from year to year, by an amount equal to simple annual interest on those sums. It was now (1860) found that a new fence was fast becoming an imperative necessity, and the lot owners were invited to join Mr. Alling in. putting a solid stone wall around the grounds that would never decay or need repairs. Responses were made by eighty-two of the lot owners, in sums ranging from $5 to $45 which, with the liberal contributions of Mr. Alling and his brother, Lewis, swelled the total amount of the fund to $1,140.

Not to trench upon the original ground, Mr. Alling bought a strip three feet in width on each side, on which to build the wall. Four courses of the best Twinsburg free stone compose the wall, as follows: First course or foundation stone, two feet square; second course, eighteen inches bed, sixteen inches thick; third course, fifteen inches bed, sixteen inches thick; fourth course, twelve inches square; the wall being three and a half feet high above the foundation; the only entrance gate being of iron, and the total cost being $1,079.66.

The care and custody of this noble monument to Mr. Alling's memory, by the will of the father has been relegated to the only surviving son, Ethan Lewis Alling, Esq., now a resident of Akron, but whose property interests are still largely in Twinsburg.

ILLIAM McCKINNEY, - born in Franklin county, Ohio, December 29, 1833, when young removing with his mother to Cuyahoga county, his father having died in 1834; educated in district schools; at 16 apprenticed to shoemaker, serving three years; worked at trade in Twinsburg, and in Iowa and Kansas several years; in 1860, returned to Twinsburg and opened a shoe shop; in 1862, leaving shop in charge of a brother, enlisted in company G., 115th Reg't, O. V. L, serving till close of War, first as corporal and later as 2nd sergeant; while in command of block house, at Luverne, near Nashville, on December 5, 1864, was captured by Forrest, and with the rest of his command, held as_ prisoners, being moved to Black River, near Vicksburg, the following March, where he escaped, making his way to

TwinspurG Farr. - Owing to its distance from the county seat and the lack of proper facilities of getting to and from the regular county fair, and with the view of stimulating the dairy and agricultural interests of the township, a series of local fairs were held upon the public square of Twinsburg, for three or four years in the early fifties. These fairs attracted more than a local interest, and several of the contiguous townships of both Summit, Portage, Geauga and Cuyahoga counties joined with Twinsburg in the formation of the " Union Fair Association," purchasing and fitting up with buildings, trotting track, etc., about thirteen acres of land, a short distance east of the public square.

The first meeting of the association was held in September, 1856, and was a grand success, both in the variety, magnitude and excellence of its exhibits,and in attendance. This interest mainly through the energy and public spirit of the people of Twinsburg, was vigorously maintained for some ten or twelve years. Its patrons, however, being largely engaged in dairying and stockgrowing, a succession of extremely dry seasons, in the latter sixties, and the decease and removal of several of the most active promoters, so dampened the ardor of the remaining members, that the meetings were at length discontinued, the last fair being held in 1871. The grounds were sold and the affairs of the association were closed in 1872, though the memory of "Twinsburg Union Fair," and the lively interest and pleasure inspired by its annual recurrence, is still dear to the heart of the average Twinsburgian.

Though not as extensive an "office holder" as some of her sisters, Twinsburg has a highly honorable civil record, as the following brief mention will clearly demonstrate:

Aveustus EB. Foote was elected to the office of county commissioner, on the organization of the new county of Summit, in April, 1840, and re-elected in October of the same year for a full term, rendering much valuable assistance to his colleagues, both on the board and in the other county offices in organizing and harmonizing the business of the several departments, holding the office three years and seven months; Mr. Foote also serving as representative to the State Legislaturé, in the session of 1843, '44, as the colleague of Hon. John H. McMillan, of Middlebury.

NeELsSoN Upson, was chosen commissioner in 1860, and re-elected in 1863, faithfully serving his constituents five years and five months, resigning the office in March, 1866.

OrRIN P. NICHOLS, one of Twinsburg's most successful farmers, and for several years engaged in the lumber trade in Western Pennsylvania and Northern New York, was elected as a representative to the State Legislature in October, 1875, being a very popular and influential member of that body, until his universally lamented death in 1877.

WitiiAM McKInNEy, for many years a resident of Twinsburg, and one of her brave soldier boys during the War of the Rebellion, was elected to the responsible office of sheriff, in October, 1880, and re-elected in 1882, ably filling the office for the full constitutional period of four years; another Twinsburg "boy," Mr. E. A. Parmelee, pai throughout as his efficient deputy.

HORACE P. CANNON, in 1858, was, after several years' service as a director, elected vice president of the Summit county Agricultural Society, promoted to president in 1859, and again elected in 1863,

Fisher; Wacon-Maxker - N. A. Chapman; PAartnter - E. A. Parmelee; CARPENTER - W. C. Prentiss; AGENT, C. C. & S. R. R. - A. J, Webb; Coat anp FEED - A. W. Greer; CLARK HoTEL - George Luke; Currse Facrorres - John Adams, 1; F. Hurd, of Aurora, 2; Puysicians - L. G. Griste and S. Freeman; STONE QUARRIES - Nelson Doubrava, Boose Brothers, H. Dunshee, A. N. Stanley, N. Herrick and D. & C. F. Herrick.

PRESENT OFFICIAL Status (1891): Trustees, Chauncey B. Lane, Lincoln H. Oviatt, George L. Andrews; clerk, Darius L. Chamberlain; treasurer, Edward Crouse; justices of the peace, Almon J. Brown and William A. Rudd; constables, Eugene E. Lewis and Edward B. Crouse; postmaster, Seth R. Hanchett.

Twinsburg And Cuyahoga Falls, Etc

| ON COURT HOUSE GROUNDS, WITH COURT ROOM AS FLORAL AND FINE ARTS HALL - GENUINE AGRICULTURAL EXHIBITION - PLOWING AND PULLING MATCHES - THIRTY-FOUR YOKE OF OXEN IN ONE STRING - FIFTEEN 'SPAN OF HORSES IN ANOTHER - HOME-MADE STRAW BONNET ON EXHIBITION - FAIR GROUNDS FITTED UP ON SOUTH MAIN STREET - REMOVAL TO SUMMIT GROVE, A MAGNIFICENT LOCATION - PHENOMENAL SUCCESS - MUNIFICENT OFFER REJECTED - ANOTHER CHANGE OF BASE - TEN SUCCESSFUL YEARS ON THE HALI, GROUNDS - FIVE YEARS' CONTROVERSY OVER PUR- - CHASE OF NEW GROUNDS - "'POWDER PATCH" SELECTED - OPPOSITION FAIR ORGANIZED - " FOUNTAIN PARK" A GRAND SUCCESS - THE BEST GROUNDS AND THE BEST FAIR IN OHIO - LOCAL FAIRS AT RICHFIELD, TWINSBURG AND CUYAHOGA FALLS, ETC.

[ee records of the Summit County Agricultural Society, previous to 1859, were destroyed by fire, but a careful search of the files of the BEacon, prior to that period, made by the writer for another purpose, a few years ago, will insure a pretty full and accurate history of that important public institution. Though, under fostering legislative action, the Ohio State Agricultural Society, and several county societies in different portions of the State, had been previously organized, the first definite move in that direction, in Summit county, was in the Fall of 1849, though as early as May 14, 1844, a notice appears in print requesting the "officers and executive committee of the Summit County Agricultural Society to meet at the American House, in Akron, May 22, for the purpose of adopting such rules and by-laws as may be necessary for the government of the society," signed by Van R. Humphrey, president.

Pursuant to notice issued by County Auditor Nathaniel W. Goodhue, Esgq., on the 31st day of October, 1849, a public meeting was held at the court house, November 11, 1849, of which Captain Amos Seward, of Tallmadge, was president, Henry G. Weaver, of Springtield, vice president and N. W. Goodhue, secretary.

At this meeting Lucius W. Hitchcock and William A. Hanford, of Tallmadge, Talmon Beardsley, of Coventry, Sylvester H. Thompson, of Hudson, and John Hoy, of Franklin, were appointed a committee to report a constitution and by-laws for the government of the society. About seventy names were presented for membership, at this meeting.

Society FuLty OrGANIzZED. - An adjourned meeting was held November 18, 1849, at which the constitution reported by the above named committee was unanimously adopted, and permanent officers elected as follows: President, Simon Perkins; secretary, William A. Hanford; treasurer, William H. Dewey; managers, John Hoy, Sylvester H. Thompson, Avery Spicer, Philo C. Stone and

Initial Agricultural Fair

First ANNUAL Exurpit. - The "Summit County Agricultural Society" being thus legally organized, was entitled to draw from the county treasury $137.50 yearly, towards its support, and the people generally - villagers as well as farmers - worked harmoniously and energetically for its success. At a meeting of the directors, August 22, 1850,a committee was appointed to prepare and publish a premium list, and Wednesday and Thursday, October 2d and 3d, 1850, was fixed for holding the first annual fair, the premiums offered being: Cattle, $1 to $8; sheep, $2 to $5; swine, $2 to $4; horses $3 to $8; best kept dairy, $10; best butter, $3; best cheese, $3; farm implements, $1 to $3; domestic manufactures, 50 cents to $3; factory cloths and flannels, $2 to $3; grains and seeds, $1; vegetables and fruits, $1 to $2; field crops, $1 to $5.

The society, at this time, had no grounds of its own, and by permission of the county commissioners, the fair was held on the court house grounds, the court house itself being used for the exhibition of fruits, flowers, domestic fabrics, fancy work, etc., among other domestic handiwork exhibited, being a straw bonnet, made from straw raised in Summit county. In the bovine and equine display was one team of 34 yoke of oxen, and another of 15 span of horses, both from Tallmadge. Though some attention was given, at this initial fair, to blooded stock and fancy driving, the chief interest centered in the plowing matches, upon the commons, east of the jail, with both oxen and horses, and the pulling tests, upon both loaded wagons and stone-boats, stumps, etc. No prizes for racing or fast trotting were then offered by the society, though a year or two later, a track was improvised on the west side of the road, about where the Barber Match Works now stand, on which private prizes were competed for by the local high-steppers of that early period. The receipts were from membership fees, $1 per year, no admission being charged, the total receipts, including amount dtawn from county treasury, being $327.53, the total amount of premiums awarded being $100.

Fair Grounps Firrep Up. - Officers elected November 20, 1850: President, Simon Perkins, of Akron; vice president, Amos Seward, of Tallmadge; treasurer, Nelson B. Stone, of Akron; secretary, Nathaniel W. Goodhue, of Middlebury; directors, Henry Van Hyning, of Norton; Daniel Hine, of Tallmadge; Milo Stone, of Tallmadge; James M.Hale, of Akron; Harvey Baldwin, of Hudson.

The fairs of 1851 and 1852 were also held upon the court house grounds a tempory structure, 40x60 feet, being erected each year upon the north side of the court house, for the display of fancy work, farming implements, agricultural products, fruits, etc., the floral and fine art display being in the court room, to which a small admission fee was charged.

At the annual meeting, November 21, 1851, among other business transacted, the following resolution was unanimously adopted: "Resolved, That this society will award no premiums on any thing that will intoxicate."

Colonel Simon Perkins having, with characteristic generosity, tendered to the society the free use of six acres of land on South Main street, opposite the present Rubber Factory, the grounds were enclosed, and a floral hall, 40x100 feet erected, with stock pens, sheds, etc., in time for the fourth annual fair, which was held on the new grounds on Wednesday and Thursday, October 12 and 13, 1853. The total cost of fitting up the grounds was $1,800, mostly paid by voluntary contributions. At this fair an entrance fee of ten cents was charged, by which, and the annual membership fees, between $700 and $800 was realized.

ReMovAL To "Summit Grove." - The attendance increasing from year to year (the receipts growing from $800 in 1854 to $903 in in 1855, $1,230.50 in 1856, and $1,350 in 1858), the six acres were found to be too small, and though Colonel Perkins offered to sell to the society the land already occupied at the rate of $125 per acre, and as much more as was needed, adjoining upon the south, at $80 per acre; or an exchange, acre for acre, on the west side of the road, where the Rubber Works, and Match factory buildings now stand, the society delayed action until the contiguous lands had been disposed of, so that a change of location became an imperative necessity. Under this condition of things a spirited rivalry for the location sprang up, the people of Cuyahoga Falls offering to donate $6,000 to the society if the location offered there should be decided upon.

At this juncture, David L. King, Esq., tendered to the society, on a reasonable rental, for five years, nearly thirty acres overlooking the city on the west, where the fine residences of Hon. Lewis Miller, and Colonel Arthur L. Conger are now located, Mr. King stipulating to either sell the grounds to the society, at a price to be named by him, or to pay the society for its buildings, fences, etc., at their appraised value, at the expiration of the lease.

A MAGNIFICENT LocaTion. - The greater portion of the tract in question being covered by large forest trees, and affording such a fine view of the city, it was one of the very handsomest and most convenient locations for county fair grounds in the State. The new grounds were fitted up and the buildings and fences from the old grounds removed thither in September, 1859, at a total expense, including new cattle sheds, trotting track, etc., of $8,128.60, of which amount the citizens of Akron voluntarily contributed $1,870.07, in money, a large amount of labor of men and teams also being donated by the people of Akron and contiguous towns.

From this time on the Summit county fair became the fair of° Northern Ohio, not only constituting a grand harvest home festival, in October of each year, for the people of Summit county, but annually attracting thousands of visitors from contiguous counties, and many from more remote portions of Ohio and contiguous States.

THE SoctrTy AGAIN "Miss Ir.' - On the expiration of the lease, Mr. King, pursuant to agreement, submitted to the officers a proposition to sell them the entire tract for the sum of $5,000, on very easy terms of payment, stipulating, only, that should the grounds cease to be used for fair purposes, they should revert to him and his heirs. In the mean time, the directorship had been increased from five to eighteen - one from each township. Unfortunately for the interests of the society and of the county, Mr. King's truly magnificent proposition was not accepted, the majority of the directors, comparing the price named with the value of unimproved farm lands more remote, and less eligibly situated, being unable to realize the magnificent prize they were rejecting,

Purchasing Grounds Of Its Own

A SEconD REMovaL. - In 1864, the society leased of Mr. P. D. Hall thirty acres of ground, covered for the most part with forest trees, at the corner of South Maple and Balch streets, for the period of ten years: To these grounds the buildings and fences were removed from "Summit Grove," a new trotting track graded, at an expense of over $1,000 to the society, besides a large amount of labor and money contributed by citizens of Akron and sur-. rounding townships. !

The fair of 1864, though less convenient of access for many than the old grounds, was a grand success, and was followed from year to year with such increasing interest and attendance, that at the end of its ten years' lease, the society had several thousand dollars in its treasury, as the nucleus of a fund with which to purchase grounds of its own. In the meantime, however, the rapid growth of the.city had so enhanced the value of the grounds then occupied, and contiguous lands, as to place them beyond the supposed ability of the society to pay for.

THE " Powper Patcu." - Anticipating the expiration of its lease with Mr. Hall, in 1870 the society began to agitate the question of a new location, and a permanent home of its own. Proposals for sites were invited, and offers were made as follows: S. W. Bartges, on Wooster avenue, thirty-five acres, at $500 per acre; S. H. Coburn and Samuel Thornton, south line of city, west of Main street, thirty acres, $400 per acre; General A.C. Voris and Major E. Steinbacher, twenty-six acres, south line of city, east of Main street, $500 per acre; Allyn and Falor, north line of Coventry, any desired quantity, $400 per acre; J. H. Kramer, twenty acres along the canal, south of city, $250 per acre; James McAllister, thirty acres, one mile and a half west of Akron, $200 per acre.

A committee, appointed October 24, 1870, were instructed to purchase the Coburn tract, but subsequently empowered to purchase such grounds as in their judgment would be for the best interest of the society. This committee, consisting of James Hammond, of Copley, Edward Cranz, of Bath, and David S. Alexander, of Akron, decided upon and bought the McAllister tract in 1872. oe):

This location, being so remote from the business center and from railroad facilities, gave very great dissatisfaction to the people of Akron, and of the eastern, northern and southern townships of the county, and a heated controversy of nearly two years' duration ensued. In the meantime, A. T. Burrows had offered forty-five acres on the "Chuckery," at $400 per acre; fifty acres near Bettes's Corners, known as the Fouse tract, had been offered at $200 per acre, and the lands in the valley of the Cuyahoga river, known as the " Powder Patch," had been offered to the society on favorable terms.

At the annual meeting of the society, in January, 1875, it was voted 336 to 212 to sell the McAllister grounds and purchase the Burrows tract. This joint duty the committee appointed for the purpose were unable to satisfactorily accomplish, and at a meeting of the directors, June 26, 1875, after a personal inspection of all the localities named, the Powder Patch was selected by one majority. The tract purchased contained about forty-five acres, the consideration for which was the McAllister tract and $5,000

The tract formerly belonged to the Austin Powder Company, their extensive mills, from 1833 to 1860, being located along the banks of the tortuous Little Cuyahoga river traversing the same. Hence the name. Some seven or eight acres, at a cost of $200 per' acre, have since been added to the grounds upon the north, making a total of about fifty-two acres. The first meeting of the society upon its own grounds, was held in October, 1875, and notwithstanding the prognostications of failure, by those who had so bitterly opposed their selection, there was a very large attendance, as well as a very considerable increase in the variety and volume of exhibits.

PopuLaR "FounTAIN Park.' - Though in its then rough and unimproved condition, the location seemed to many to be most forbidding, the wisdom of the society in its purchase is now palpable to all. Naturally picturesque and romantic, by the judicious expenditure of a reasonable amount of money and labor yearly, it has become one of the most desirable places of resort in the vicinity, not only for fair purposes, but for private and public meetings, picnics, etc.

- The tracks of four railroads - the Cleveland, Akron & Columbus, the New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio, the Pittsburg & Western, and the Valley Railway - are in close proximity to the grounds, affording the most ample transportation to and from the fair, with equally easy access by private conveyance, and with abundant hitching facilities for the thousands of teams that yearly there do congregate.

A high picket fence surrounds the grounds. Extensive buildings- - mercantile hall, agricultural hall, mechanics' hall, floral and fine arts hall, dining halls, machinery stands, stables, sheds, trotting track, grand stand, with lakes, fountains, ornamental shrubbery, etc., serve to make it one of the most perfect of its class in the State.

_ This munificent increase of patronage, has not only enabled the society to yearly very greatly improve the grounds and buildings, materially enlarge its proverbially liberal premium list, and pay its necessarily heavy running expenses, but also, besides. paying the yearly interest, to very materially reduce the heavy indebtedness incurred in the purchase and fitting up the grounds.

The directory now consists of one director from every township and each city ward, twenty-four in all. Officers for 1891: William C. Sackett, of Copley, president; Anton McFarlin, of Bath, vice president; Robert Turner, of Portage, treasurer; Albert Hale, of Springfield, secretary. Dreecrors: - Anton McFarlin,.of Bath;

Divers And Sundry Other Fairs

George C. Stanford, of Boston; William C. Sackett, of Copley; George W. Brewster, of Coventry; David J. Thomas. of Crvahoga Falls; Levi M. Kauffman, of Franklin; J. W. Kreighbaum, ot Green; James Doncaster, of Hudson; Joseph Hartzell, of Norton; B. A. Robinet, of Northfield; Tames Harrington. of Northampton: Robert Turner, of Portage; W. tk. Townsena, ot Kichtfield; Albert Hale, of Springfield; George W. Bailey, of Stow; D. E. Fenn, of Tallmadge; L. H. Oviatt, of Twi nsburg; D. W. Thomas. first ward, Akron; C. E. Sheldon, second ward; HJH. Foltz, third ward; W. H. Evans, fourth ward; A. W. Hall, fifth ward and J. M. Wills, sixth ward.

During the agitation of the purchase of permanent Fair grounds, personal and sectional feeling ran so high that, on the final determination of the matter, a counter organization was formed, under the name of the "Summit County Fair Association," which, being duly incorporated, with a capital stock of $5,000, leased the Hall grounds, vacated by the old society, refitting them in good style with new buildings, sheds, pens, fences, etc., and in September, 1875, held a very successful fair, both in point of display and attendance, the officers of the association being: James - Hammond, of Copley, president; Frank A. Foster, of Copley, vicepresident; Wellington Miller, of Norton, secretary; and Philander D. Hall, Jr., of Akron, treasurer.

The fair of the association, for 1876, was also reasonably successful. Exhibitors and visitors, tiring of contributing and attendance upon, two fairs so near together, and the predjudice against the new grounds gradually subsiding, interest in the "new fair upon the old grounds," correspondingly diminished, and a year or two later, the association disbanded, its affairs being placed in the hands of a receiver for liquidation.

The new grounds of the county society not proving so dangerous to life and limb, by reason of their proxmity to railroads, as had been anticipated, the roads on the contrary, being of immense advantage in conveying visitors to and from the grounds, the feeling of antagonism rapidly abated, and now the farmers and citizens of all parts of the county are harmoniously united in their efforts to make the Summit County Agricultural Society, what it is everywhere conceded to be, the very best and most prosperous local organization of its class in Ohio, if not in the United States.

Other Fair Associations

In 1851, "Richfield Agricultural Club," was organized, whose annual exhibits and exercises became so popular, that, in 1858, Bath and Boston, in Summit; Brecksville and Royalton, in Cuyahoga; and Granger and Hinckley, in Medina, joined with Richfield in the organization of the "Union Agricultural and Mechanic Art Society," which, on ten acres of leased ground, midway between the east and west centers, for ten years, was very popular and prosperous. Later, about 1868, the society reorganized as a stock company, purchased the grounds, and with increased vitality, continued to prosper for several years longer, but finally disbanded in 1875, selling its grounds and buildings and closing up its affairs in 1876.

At Twirisburg, also, in the middle fifties, after several successful annual township exhibitions,a "Union Fair Association" was organized, comprising the townships of Twinsburg, Hudson and Northfield in Summit, Aurora in Portage, and Solon and Bedford in Cuyahoga. The first meeting of the society was held in September, 1856, upon its own handsomely fitted up and furnished grounds a short distance east of Twinsburg Center, and, as with the Richfield society, its annual fairs for several years were very popular and successful. The death and removal of some of its more active promoters, together with the recurrence of several dry and unproductive seasons in that locality, so diminished the popular interest, that, with the fair of 1871, its meetings were discontinued, its grounds being sold and its affairs closed in 1872.

A "Union Fair Association" was also organized and quite extensive grounds fitted up at Cuyahoga Falls, in 1859, upon which three quite successful annual fairs, and one exclusive trotting fair (with the celebrated Flora Temple as a competitor) were held, but the Civil War and other matters claiming the attention of the people, the project was abandoned.

Experiments and sectional rivalries having thus ceased, the people of every portion of the county now unitedly vie with each other in adding to the interest and continued prosperity of the old reliable, and ever entertaining and pleasant Summit County Fair.

Ing The Poor How To Help Themselves, Etc

SUMMIT COUNTY'S BENEVOLENCE - GREATLY IMPROVED METHODS OF CARING FOR THE POOR - THE COUNTY FARM - ORIGINAL INFIRMARY BUILDINGS - ADDITIONAL LANDS PURCHASED - NEW AND ENLARGED STRUCTURES - MODERN IMPROVEMENTS - ONE OF THE VERY BEST IN THE STATE - THE CHILDREN'S HOME - A MUCH NEEDED INSTITUTION--THE DE ROO HOSPITAL - MUNIFICENT BEQUEST - A WORTHY EXAMPLE FOR OTHERS TO FOLLOW - OTHER CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS - MENDICANCY DIMINISHED BY TEACH - ING THE POOR HOW TO HELP THEMSELVES, ETC.

REVIOUS to 1849, although the law authorized county commissioners to establish "County Poor Houses" (name afterwards changed by statute to "Infirmary"), the poor of the several townships of Summit county were provided for by the trustees of the townships themselves - the "keep" of the unfortunates being generally let to the lowest bidder, sometimes in bulk to one person, and sometimes each individual pauper to a separate bidder - a system that did not always secure the most humane treatment, or the tenderest care.

In Portage township, including the village of Akron and a portion of Middlebury, a regular poor-house was established - a one-story board shanty, perhaps 20x60 feet in size, being erected on the south side of the marsh, traversed by Wolf Ledge Run, on the east side of South Main street, opposite Brewsters' flouring and saw-mills. This institution was, by contract with the overseers of the poor, or poor masters, as they were generally called, assigned to the care and custody of the late Silas W. Wilder, a hotel and boarding house keeper in Akron for many years, from its establishment until the inauguration of the County Infirmary system, as hereinafter stated.

Summir County INFIRMARY. - January 12, 1849, county commissioners Mills Thompson, of Hudson, James W. Weld, of Richfield, and Henry G. Weaver, of Springfield, bought what was then known as the McCune farm, on the corner of Medina and Portage roads, about a mile and a half west of Howard street, in Akron. The farm, but partially cleared, contained a trifle less than 150 acres of land, upon the front end of which there was a story-and-a-half dwelling house and a moderate sized frame barn, the consideration being $3,953.33, or at the rate of about $26.50 per acre.

- In addition to the buildings already mentioned upon the farm, the county commissioners caused to be erected a plain but substantial two-story frame building, about 20x60, and sundry outbuildings at a cost of $1,966, which were accepted from the contractor, Mr. Leander Starr, of Hudson, July 10, 1849. July 11, as provided by law, the commissioners appointed Messrs. Roswell Kent, of Middlebury, Avery Spicer, of Coventry, and Lucius V. Bierce, of Akron, a board of directors for the management of the farm and the care of the county's poor, to hold their offices until the ensuing October election. The board immediately organized with Roswell Kent as president, and L. V. Bierce as secretary, and by the appointment of Mr. Abraham Sichley as superintendent. Under the fostering care of the county commissioners, these four gentlemen laid, firmly and deeply, the foundation of what, in the intervening forty years, has grown to be one of the very best of the many local public charities of the State, our present magnificent Summit County Infirmary.

In May, 1856, the commissioners bought from Mr. Morgan Sweeney 43.62 acres of land adjoining the farm upon the west, at a cost of $1,828.80, being at the rate of about $42 per acre; and still later, in 1879, an additional parcel of 37.54 acres was purchased from the late James McAllister, for the sum of $4,223.25, or at about the rate of $112.50 per acre, making an aggregate of about 230 acres for infirmary purposes, less two acres on the northeast corner, sold to Mr. Michael Mull, June 27, 1881, for the sum of $1,200, and two and three-fourths acres, fronting on Portage road, sold to Mr. Aaron Teeple, April 15, 1882, for the sum of $1,100. Other similar small parcels, for private residences, fronting on Medina road, or West Market street extended, may possibly yet be disposed of without serious impairment of the farm for infirmary purposes, and at prices which will somewhat reimburse the county in the large outlay in lands, buildings and improvements that has from time to time been made.

_ Though small additions were from time to time made to the original frame structures, it was at length found that better and larger facilities for the care of the county's wards, and the economical management of the county farm, were imperatively needed and on the 23rd day of March, 1864, by special act of the legislature

Infirmary Formally Dedicated

The site for the new building was selected near the center of the original Infirmary farm, on the south side of Exchange street extended, an approach to it from West Market street extended, also being made on the north line of the farm.

The brick for the new building was made upon the ground, largely by pauper labor, under the direction of Frank T. Husong, and Mr. KE. C. Briggs, a practical brick maker, several hundred thousand brick being disposed of at remunerative prices to outside parties, thus bringing the cost of the brick used in the new structure down to a comparatively low figure.

The stone foundations and the walls were erected under the supervision of that thoroughly experienced brick mason, Mr. George Allison, of Tailmadge, and the wood work was done on contract, by the late George Thomas, the whole under the supervision of Infirmary Director Avery Spicer, and County Commissioner David KE. Hill, the latter being appointed general superintendent of the work by the board, June 4, 1865.

The economical plan of construction indicated brought the cost of the edifice nominally within the figures prescribed by the legislature, though adding the value of home material furnished, home labor performed, the actual cost of the improvement was probably not far from $20,000.

The building, as then erected, was of the following dimensions: central building, two stories, exclusive of basement and attic, 26x 40; two wings, same height, 25x32; rear wing, 30x32, with a still further rear extension for the insane, 30x 36.

The exterior of the building is of a mixed order of architecture, approximating the gothic, with bracketed cornice and gables, and its interior plainly but substantially finished, and divided into convenient apartments for the use of the family of the superintendent and the accommodation of the inmates.

Though somewhat earlier occupied, the new building was formally dedicated on the evening of February 3, 1866, by a public supper, under the auspices of the directors and Superintendent Husong. In addition to the trustees of the several townships, many invited guests from Akron and elsewhere enjoyed the festivities of the occasion.

At the close of the supper, George D. Bates, Esq., was called to the chair, and congratulatory speeches were made, by Gen. A. C. Voris, William T. Allen, S. A. Lane, Dr. E. W. Howard, and others, at the close of which, the following resolution was unanimously adopted:

"RESOLVED, That the county commissioners and directors of the county infirmary, together with those who have so faithfully aided them in the undertaking, are entitled to the thanks of the citizens of Summit county, for the able manner in which they have planned and prosecuted to completion the erection of an infirmary edifice, which is at once an ornament and an honor to the county, and a mark of the exalted humanity and liberality of its people."

Barns and other out-buildings have from time to time been erected and the grounds handsomely laid out and planted to ornamental trees and shrubbery, making them both pleasant for the inmates and attractive to visitors, while the farm itself, by reason of the careful and judicious tillage given to it by its several superintendents, has become one of the most productive in the county, giving healthy employment to-such of the inmates as are

As ample as the above described buildings were thought to be, at the time of their erection, as the population of the county, and particularly of the city of Akron, increased, it was at length found that additional accommodations were needed.

At the instance of the county commissioners, therefore, through the efforts of Senator N. W. Goodhue, of Akron, and Representative Hiram H. Mack, of Bath, the legislature, on the 7th day of March, 1875, passed a special act authorizing the commissioners to levy a tax not to exceed, in the aggregate, $10,000 for the purpose of erecting an addition to the infirmary building.

Under the supervision of Architect Jacob Snyder, the contractors, Messrs. Derhamer, Steese & Co., erected, in the Summer of 1875, an addition, adjoining the west wing, as above described, corresponding in general style of finish to the central building, 32x42 feet, the several stories being conveniently divided up into sitting room, dining room, sick room, bed rooms, clothes rooms, etc., the total cost of this improvement being not far from $8,000.

In 1880, a separate two-story brick building, 20x30 feet was erected for laundry and storage purposes, a short distance east of the rear wing, and a year or two later, a separate one-story building, 30x57 feet, southwest of the original insane department, was erected for the better care of the insane; and in 1887, an intermediate two-story brick, 33x60 feet, was erected, and the whole re-arranged, now making one of the most complete local insane hospitals in the State.

This year also (1887), the storage and laundry building above spoken of, gave place to a substantial combined boiler and engine house and laundry, 36 x 24, in the lower story of which is a battery of two medium-sized tubular boilers, with a small but first-class engine and pump for supplying the entire institution with steam, hot and cold water, and running the laundry overhead, which is supsupplied with first-class washing, drying and ironing appliances, the last improvements mentioned (1887), including machinery and plumbing, costing about $13,000. The directors of the infirmary for the present year (1891), are Joseph Moore, Eli Smith and Jacob Koplin; superintendent, Sherman B. Stotler.

'Up to 1866, the children of indigent and unfortunate parents were provided for at the various poor-houses and infirmaries of the State, with the exception of the few who were so fortunate as to be received into the occasional orphanages established by private munificence as at Cleveland, Cincinnati, etc. But for many years the growing humanitarian sentiment of the people has deplored the practice of consigning bright and healthy children to the companionship, and often to the care and nurture, of the diseased, imbecile and sometimes vicious inmates of these institutions.

This sentiment communicating itself to the law-makers of the State, an act was passed by the Legislature, March 20, 1866, authorizing county commissioners, at their discretion, to establish Children's Homes in their respective counties, to which orphans and abandoned and neglected children, under 16 years of age, should be admitted and properly provided and cared for.

Sundry amendments to the law in question were made from time to time, among others that passed March 22, 1876, providing that the question of establishing a Children's Home should be 'submitted to the voters of the proper county, by the commissioners.

August 8, 1881, the county commisioners, Messrs. Dr. William Sisler, of Akron, Moses D. Call, of Stow, and Hiram Hart, of Richfield, on the petition of 200 tax-payers of the county, authorized Auditor Aaron Wagoner to issue a notice to the electors of the 'county, to vote at the ensuing October election, on the question of issuing bonds for the purchase of a site and erecting the necessary buildings for a Children's Home for Summit county.

The vote stood 5,810 ballots for, and 1,091 against the proposition, showing a clear majority in its favor of 4,719 votes. With this magnificent backing the commissioners felt warranted in going ahead, and various propositions for sites were made and duly considered, the Cooke property at Cuyahoga Falls (the old Henry Newberry place, east of the covered bridge), being selected at the meeting of the commissioners on the 20th day of February, 1882.

March 20 a resolution was adopted to issue the bonds of the county in the sum of $25,000, for the purpose named, but on the 3d day of April the proposition was withdrawn by the representatives of the Cooke estate. :

August 12, 1882, the commissioners closed a contract with Mr. George Allison, of Tallmadge, for the purchase of his farm, a short distance north of Bettes' Corners, on the Cuyahoga Falls road. This purchase consisted of 142.27 acres, the price paid being $110 per acre, or an aggregate, in round numbers, of $15,650.

August 14, 1882, the commissioners appointed as trustees of the Children's Home, George W. Crouse, of Akron, George Sackett, of Cuyahoga Falls, and E. S. Gregory, of Hudson. The trustees and commissioners, acting conjointly, in canvassing the matter of erecting suitable buildings on the farm thus purchased, found that the balance left, aft . paying for.the land, would be inadequate for the erection of such a structure as they deemed fitting, and on March 6, 1883, authorized Auditor Wagoner to issue notice for a vote of the county, at the ensuing April election, upon the proposition to issue bonds to the amount of $12,000 more.

By this time, the impression had become quite prevalent, that so large a farm as had been' purchased was not needed, and much dissatisfaction was also manifested at the location which had been selected, and furthermore that $37,000 in addition to the yearly taxlevy for its support, was a larger sum than should be invested in such an institution. Feeling thus, the vote on the last proposition resulted as follows: 'For,' 1,818; "Against," 3,195; the adverse majority being 1,377.

THE Home INAuGURATED. - Finding themselves thus handicapped, yet realizing the importance of establishing the Home in question, the commissioners and trustees, on the 27th of November, 1885, leased the property known as the " Buckeye House," nearly opposite the Court House, on South Broadway, for the period of two years, forthe sum of $600 per year.

Mr. William A. Hanford, of Cuyahoga Falls, was appointed superintendent, and Mrs. Hanford, matron, who entered upon their arduous duties as soon as the house could be put in proper order and appropriately furnished; Mr. and Mrs. Hanford being succeeded by Mr. and Mrs. William Grubb, of Franklin township, in November, 1887.

The report of the trustees for the year ending September 1, 1890, shows an average daily attendance of 55 children, some being provided from time to time, with permanent homes in private families, their places being speedily filled by new accessions. The levy, this year, for the running expenses of the Home, three-tenths. of a mill, will probably be in excess of its necessities.

Part Of The Tallmadge Farm Sold

Believing the Tallmadge farm purchased from Mr. Allison largely in excess of the necessities of the institution, even if that location should finally be determined upon for the permanent building, on the 7th day of March, 1887, the commissioners, Messrs. King J. Ellet, of Springfield, Charles C. Hine, of Hudson, and John

The avails of these sales, with the balance of the original $25,000 realized from the sale of the bonds above spoken of, amounted to about $15,000. Through the efforts of Representative Henry C. Sanford and Senator J. Park Alexander, the Legislature, during the session of 1888, '89, passed an act authorizing the commissioners to sell the entire Tallmadge farm, and to purchase such other site for the Home as might be jointly agreed upon by the commissioners and the trustees, who finally decided upon, and purchased, the Jewett homestead, and some contiguous lands (in all seven acres), on Arlington street, in the south part of the Sixth ward. The large dwelling house, under the plans of Architect Jacob Snyder, approved by the board of State Charities, has been remodeled to meet the present and immediate future needs, of the institution, the price paid for the property being $11,000, and the expense of remodeling 'and furnishing $9,000, a total outlay of $20,000. The present trustees of the Home (July, 1891): John J. Hall, Lewis Miller and David E. Hill, Mr. Grubb still being continued as superintendent, and Mrs. Grubb as matron. The balance of the Allison farm is still owned by the county and rented on shares, largely furnishing vegetables and other supplies to the Home, and paying a fair interest upon the investment.

The De Roo Hospital

On ; the death of Boniface De Roo, a native of France, an unmarried and eccentric but industrious and economical resident of Middlebury and the Sixth ward for many years, his will was found to contain the following provisions:

" First, the payment of his just debts and funeral expenses; second, $200 for the purchase of a lot in the Akron Rural Cemetery; third, $300 for the trustees of the cemetery, in trust, to be invested on interest for beautifying said lot; fourth, $500 for a granite monument of obelisk form; fifth, $100 for good metallic coffin without plate or ornament, no funeral services to be held over his remains and body to be deposited in vault a sufficient length of time to prevent intrusion, then to be buried on lot; sixth, the balance of his estate, real and personal, to the city of Akron, to be held in trust and appropriated by said city for the buying of real estate and the erection of the necessary buildings and maintenance of the same for a city hospital, wherein invalids and infirm persons, without distinction ofrace, nationality, color or sex, may be provided for without charge or compensation in case of inability to pay for the same."

The will further stipulated that in case the funds so bequeathed were insufficient for the purchase of the necessary real estate, and the expenses of carrying on said institution, said funds were to be invested until, supplemented by additions of like character, and appropriations which it is anticipated may be made by the city, shall be sufficient to create and maintain said hospital; the testator also expressing the desire that said hospital shall bear the name of the person donating the largest sum of money for the erection and maintenance of the same.

PROTRACTED LitTIGATION. - The will of Mr. De Roo was executed August 5, 1883, with Edward Oviatt and George G. Allen as witnesses, and Messrs. William Rowley and John P. Viall named as executors. Mr. De Roo died on the 3rd day of November, 1883 the will being duly probated on the 5th day of that month.

It was at first thought that the net amount of this benevolent and humane bequest would be fully $10,000, but that sum was considerably diminished by the proceedings which follow: The deceased had boarded for many years in a family of the same nationality as himself, by the name of Pouchot, having regularly paid his board at a stipulated price per week, the last $20 due being paid by him upon the day of his removal to other quarters, September 28, 1883. '

Subsequently, however, Mrs. Pouchot presented a claim to the executors for the sum of $2,046.67 for nursing, care and attendance, including washing and ironing, from November 5, 1877, to September 28, 1883, at the rate of six and two-third dollars per week. This claim being rejected by the executors, suit was brought for its enforcement in the Court of Common Pleas, and at the May term, 1885, the jury rendered a verdict in favor of the plaintiff in the sum of $1,645.46.

Attorneys for the defense filed a motion for a new trial, one of the grounds of which was that the vePdict.was excessive, and another that a verdict for plaintiff was not sustained by the evidence and was contrary to law. The court, on due consideration of the motion, made the following entry in the case: "The court being of the opinion that the amount of damages awarded by the jury is excessive in the sum of $800, and the plaintiff, now here in court, consenting to remit the excess aforesaid, therefore the Court overrules the motion for a new trial, and that the plaintiff recover from the said executors $845.46, the residue of the damages by the jury awarded, together with costs, taxed at $132.14.

Trust Accepted By Council

On the final settlement of the estate, the executors turned over to the city the sum of $8,012.16, which was duly accepted by an ordinance passed February 1, 1886, the ordinance also providing for the appointment of three resident freeholders of the city of Akron to act as commissioners of said hospital fund, for the purpose of keeping said fund properly "invested until such time as said sum, with its accumulations, and such additions as may be made thereto by donations, or appropriations, shall be sufficient to erect and maintain an institution which shall be at once a credit to the city, and an honor to its founders." The present trustees. (1891) are Henry Perkins, president, Burdette L. Dodge, secretary, and Joseph Kendall. Amount now in fund, July 1, 1891, $10,200. 16.

Other Charitable Operations

While the people of Akron, and the county generally, have ever been liberal in the dispensation of private charities, as individuals, much has also been done by organized and systematic effort in that direction. Most of the churches of both Akron and the surrounding villages and townships through appropriate committees, afford abundant relief to their own invalid and indigent people, while all of the beneficiary orders also look carefully after their own sick and needy members. In addition to this, in special hard times, and in extremely severe Winters, county and society aid has for many years been supplemented by organized action through citizens' committees.

AKRON BOARD OF CHARITIES. - The duties of such committees. ceasing with the emergency which called them into existence, it was at length deemed advisable that some more permanent system should be devised. Accordingly, on a numerously signed petition, in December, 1884, the council appointed a committee of citizens consisting of Messrs. O. C. Barber, W. H. Upson, N. D. Tibbals, Michael O'Neil and T. C. Raynolds to see what could be done in the premises. On the report of this committee, to a public meeting, held January 13, 1885, the Akron Board of Charities was organized, all contributors to be members for the current year, the aims of the board being tersely stated thus: "1. To see that al? deserving cases of destitution are properly relieved. 2. To prevent indiscriminate and duplicate giving. 3. To make employment the basis of relief. 4. To secure community from imposture. 5. To reduce vagrancy and pauperism and ascertain their true causes." ladies and two gentlemen - in each ward to investigate and report cases of destitution in their particular localities, and order such relief as may be deemed necessary.

_ Women's BENEVOLENT AsSOCIATION. - This is an institution similar in design but operated on somewhat different methods from the board above named. By the generosity of our citizens, the Association is the owner of a Home, on South High street, immediately north of the Congregational Church, costing, with the heating apparatus, $4,750. It is maintained entirely by ladies, and advisory board of six gentlemen - one from each ward - its present officers (1888) beingas follows: Mrs. ]. A .Long, president; Mrg L. A. Meacham, treasurer; Mrs. J. W. Lyder, recording secretary; Mrs. K. A. Josselyn, corresponding secretary; with one vice president for each ward and with Miss Lou Lusk as missiogary. ;

Though much direct aid is given from time to time, the main feature of this institution is to teach the needy to help themselves. To this end what are denominated " Mother's Meetings" are held at the Home, weekly, at which mothers of families are taught to cut, make and mend garments for themselves and children, provided with the necessary materials in return for a reasonable amount of labor, such as tying comforters, making carpets, and any plain sewing that members of the society and other ladies desire to have done, from 80 to 120 mothers thus assembling and industriously working every Friday, not only receiving full pay for the work they thus do, but, far better, receiving such intelligent instructions as will enable them to do more and better work at their own homes, on the other days of the week, than they otherwise could do.

There is also a kindergarten, and an industrial department, for girls and young children, with a roll of 185, and an average attendance of 110 on Saturdays; the girls being taught to do plain sewing and other domestic work, and given such educational and moral instruction as their several necessities seem to require.

The Association was duly incexporated December 4, 1889, the corporators being A. L. Conger,A P Raldwin, Ferd. Schumacher, Mrs. W. K, Foltz, Mrs. L. A. Meacham, Mrs. Henry Perkins, Mrs. Anna Ll. Booth, Mrs. Celia Baldwin, Mrs. Martha Manderbach, Miss Clara W. Botsford, Mrs. Frances Sweitzer, R. H. Wright, N. D. Tibbals, O. C. Barber, Mrs. Sumner Nash, Mrs. L. J. Brewster, Mrs. Laura K. Fraunfelter, and Miss Lou A. Lusk. The constitution of the Association is as follows: ,

ARTICLE II. - Its aim shall be to see that all deserving cases of destitution are properly relieved, and to make employment the basis of relief; also to promote the moral, educational and industrial interests of all who may come under its care, and by a system of thorough visitation and investigation to prevent wasteful and indiscriminate alms-giving.

ARTICLE III. - Section I. - Al cash contributors, of good moral char- ' acter, who shall have subscribed to the charter, shall be eligible to membership. Section IJ. - Members may be elected at any regular mecting of the association, by a majority vote, after the nominations have been referred to and reported from a prudential committee.

ARTICLE IV. - Section I. - The officers shall be elected annually, by ballot, on the first Tuesday in October, and shall consist of president, two vice presidents, treasurer and secretary. Section [J. - There shall also be one lady trustee from each ward, who shall be elected by the association, whose duty it shall be to have charge of the work in the ward, each trustee to choose the needed assistants, the names of such persons to be presented to, and approved by, the association.

ARTICLE V. - The trustees shall consist of the president, vice president, secretary and treasurer of the association, and one gentleman and one lady, for each ward, who shall have charge of real property, stock, or bonds, or evidence of indebtedness and contracts belonging to the association. They shall approve of all transfers of real property, stocks or bonds, before the same shall belegal. They shall approve of the investments of funds of the association.

ARTICLE VI. - The executive committee of this association, shall consist of the president, vice president, trustees, secretary aud treastfrer, who shall hold monthly meetings, as they may designate. At these meetings a majority shall be a quorum, for the transaction of all business. They shall prescribe the duties of all executive officers of this association, not herein prescribed, and may appoint such committees as they may deem necessary, to carry on the work, under their supervision and control. They shall also make all necessary rules and regulations for the maintenance of the rooms.

A concise and practical code of by-laws was also formulated and adopted, under which the work of the Association is now being harmoniously and most efficiently prosecuted, the present

_ officers (November, 1891), being as follows: Colonel A. L. Conger, president; Mrs. L. A. Meacham, first vice president; Judge N. D. Tibbals, second vice president; B. F. Clark, secretary; Mrs. Anna lL. Booth, assistant -secretary; M. T. Cutter, treasurer; Mrs. Sumner Nash, superintendent kitchengarten; Mrs. N. D. Tibbals, superintendent industrial department; Mrs. Alexander Brewster, assistant; Miss Lou A. Lusk, matron of Home and city missionary; Mrs. Lucy Stall, superintendent of industrial school. TRusTEEsS, elected in October, 1891: First ward, Rk. H. Wright and Mrs S.M. Dussell, Mrs. Mary J. Crain, assistant; Second ward, Michael O' Neil and Mrs. W. K. Foltz, Mrs. Henry Perkins, assistant; Third ward, Rev. T. F. Mahar and Mrs. A. P. Baldwin, Miss Kate Hurley, assistant; Fourth ward, John A. Wagoner and Mrs. B. Hitchcock, Mrs. L. A. Chisnell, assistant; Fifth ward, Frank D. Cassidy and Mrs. S. W. Pike, Mrs. 1.2 Dunn assistant; Sixth ward, Harvey Baldwin and Miss Sarah uckingham, Miss EvaGregory, assistant. STANDING COMMITTEES: Entertainment, Mrs. Henry Perkins, M. T. Cutter, Michael O'Neil and N. D. Tibbals; Prudential, Mrs. Alexander Brewster, Mrs. A. P. Baldwin, Rk. H. Wright and Ferd. Schumacher.

Akron Day Nursery

October 18, 1890, the "Heart and Hand" and the " Wayside" Circles of the Order of the King's Daughters, jointly established a Day Nursery, for the purpose of giving a home during the day to the children of working women, being temporarily given the use of a room in the Home of the Union Charity Association, 116 South High street, the members, on organization, being: Mrs, Mary Raymond, president; Miss Anna Ganter, vice president;

Mary Day Nursery

I. No child shall be received permanently in the nursery, until the chairman is satisfied, by thorough investigation that such child is a proper subject for admission,

II. No children can be kept at the nursery, but those whose mothers are at work away from their homes during the day, or are engaged at home in such work for wages that they cannot give their children proper care.

Ill. The admission fee shall be five cents a day for one child; twelve cents where three come from one family; fifteen cents where four come from one family.

IV. No child shall be admitted free of charge, nor unless the mother is willing to conform to, and have her child obey the rules of the nursery.

VII. The matron shall see that every child is properly washed, on arrival in the nursery, and neatly dressed, when necessary in garments from the nursery wardrobe. These garments shall never be worn away from the nursery.

Besides liberal contributions from several persons, funds have from time to time been raised by tableaux and other entertainments, so that the expenses of this most worthy benevolent enterprise have thus far been readily met, for of course, the moderate per diem fee charged for admission and care of such children as come to them will not go far towards defraying the cost of its maintenance, one of the most successful entertainments in its behalf being the musicale given at Irving Lawn, the fine new home of Col. and Mrs. A. L. Conger, on the evening of September 21, 1891, by which $200 were added to the treasury.

After gratuitous occupation of quarters in the Home of the Union Charity Association, for about one year, on the evening of October 20, 1891, the Nursery Association gave a general and largely attended reception in its own well-appointed Home, 406 South High street, the house and lot being generously donated to the Association by Colonel George T, Perkins, in behalf of his first grandchild, little Mary Raymond, in honor of whom the name was changed from the Akron Day Nursery to the "Mary Day Nursery," and under that name was duly incorporated September 18, 1891, five trustees being elected as follows: Colonel George T. Perkins, Frank M. Atterholt, Henry C. Corson, Mrs. Charles B. Ravmond and Miss Helen A. Storer; the original officers, as above given, being re-elected for another year; Miss Flora E. Hanchett being chosen matron.

In her first annual report the secretary says: ''There are eighteen children on the roll; aggregate attendance, 971; average daily attendance, three; there was no day without children, the largest attendance in one day being eight."

The new Home, so generously provided, was furnished in a like generous manner, by useful and timely gifts of furniture, stoves, crockery, cutlery, silverware, tinware, kitchen utensils, clothing, fuel, oil, etc., by dealers whose names cannot be enumerated here, and it may safely be predicted that the Mary Day Nursery is destined to become one of the most useful of the many purely philanthropic institutions of our proverbially benevolent city and county - one of the designs of its managers being the establishment of a kindergarten in connection with the Nursery at an early day.

Other Philanthropic Work

Besides the local church and other benevolent operations in the several villages and townships of the county, there are also, in Akron, in addition to those enumerated, the Young Men's Christian Association, with Rufus Wright, president; Othello W. Hale, vice president; R. B. Carter, secretary;and Will H. Hunt, treasurer, under the very efficient management of General Secretary J. Newton Gunn; the Women's Christian Temperance Union, with Mrs. G. C. Berry as president, Miss H. Hall as secretary, Mrs. M. J. Crain as treasurer, and Miss Mary A. Cushman as missionary and friendly visitor; and the Young Women's Christian Temperance Union with Miss Maud A. LeFevre as president, and Miss Maud C. Miller as secretary, all very efficient aids in the benevolent and reformatory work of the city.

It will thus be seen that both Summit county and the city of Akron are fully abreast with the enlightened and humanitarian spirit of the age, in charitable deeds and methods, as well as in educational, agricultural, commercial and manufacturing enterprise.

Chapter Liv Outcome, Lesson Inculcated, Etc

LABOR FIFTY YEARS AGO-- HISTORY REPEATING ITSELF - DISSATISFACTION, STRIKES, RIOTS AND BLOODSHED - LABOR ORGANIZATIONS - SHORTER HOURS AND INCREASED PAY DEMANDED - KICK AGAINST THE "TRUCK AND DICKER" SYSTEM - POLITICAL COMBINATIONS - SUCCESSES, DEFEATS, ETC. - MECHANICS' ASSOCIATION, READING ROOM, LIBRARY, ETC. - FINAL OUTCOME, LESSON INCULCATED, ETC.

The Twelve Hour Day

GROWING DISSATISFACTION. - This elongated day's work, taken in connection with the lowness of wages, and the "truck and dicker" system of payments heretofore described, created the most intense dissatisfaction among the laboring classes, and called forth many efforts and schemes for the amelioration of their condition, with frequent strikes, and occasional mobs and bloody riots in different cities of the country.

Besides the precarious nature of his pay, the wages of the mechanic and the laborer were scarcely half the present rates, while a very large proportion of the necessaries of life - clothing of all kinds, calicoes, cotton cloths, boots and shoes, sugars, teas, coffees, crockery, cutlery, etc., were, on the average, nearly double present prices, though of course, farm products were considerably cheaper then than now.

"The mechanics of Akron and vicinity, are requested to meet at the school house in South Akron, on Monday evening next at 6 o'clock, witha view to the formation of a Mechanics' Association. It is hoped that every mechanic in the place will be punctual to the hour in his attendance.

At this meeting, which was largely attended, two committees were appointed - one to draft a constitution for the government of the Association, and the other to report, to an adjourned meeting, candidates to be supported at the ensuing township election. The objects to be attained by such action, and the motives actuating the several participants, seems to have been quite misunderstood, as appears by a wordy and somewhat personal controversy between Ansel Miller (carpenter) and Ithiel Mills (harness maker) in the succeeding numbers of the Journal.

ANSEL MILLER'S Views. - In his first article, Mr, Miller, as chairman of the committee on nominations (the names of the candidates reported are not published), after explaining the action of the two meetings, and expressing the belief that the ticket " will meet the approbation of a majority of the. sober, candid and respectable citizens of Portage township" said

"As to any distinction between different classes of citizens, your Committee beg leave to state, that it was agreed, and we believe met with the approbation of a large majority of those present, that all honorable pursuits, whether professional or mechanical, where industry or moral deportment renders them worthy of public confidence, were equally deserving the suffrages of this Association. * * * It is true our citizenship does not extend back as far as the days of keg money, when the votes of a whole township could be bought with a churn of egg-nog; when we were ruled by a set of men who have left a stigma upon this place that nothing but time can remove. * * * We lay aside all political prejudice, and party feelings, and act solely with reference to the promotion of justice, virtue and morality.

MarsHaLt Mints Demurs. - Major Mills, who had held the office of township constable for several years, and was then village marshal, and also, by appointment, a deputy United States marshal, took exceptions to Mr. Miller's remarks - especially the "keg money" and the "egg-nog" portion thereof - and in a long reply, among other things, said:

"You must not think, Sir, to screen yourself from the severe castigation which you so richly merit, and with impunity trifle with the feelings of those that are but little inferior to yourself, in points that constitute the man. Citizens! you have heard the charge, are you prepared to meet it? Is the charge true or false? If true, submit in silence; if not, spurn it as you would the deeds of the midnight assassin."

"For what reason do I so richly merit this severe castigation, Mr. M.? Is it because I have for years past been co-operating with others to put an end to those abominable practices? Or is it because reference is made to practices and transactions of which the gentleman dare not attempt a denial?" f

MecHANIcs' TICKET DEFEATED. - The inharmony indicated in the foregoing extracts, brought defeat to the ticket nominated by the mechanics, a ''People's'' ticket, composed of both Whigs and Democrats, being elected as follows: William B. Mitchell, Miner Spicer and John Sherbondy, trustees; Samuel A. Wheeler treasurer; Franklin C, May, clerk; Isaac Newton, Moses Cleveland and Warren H. Smith, constables; William E. Wright and Erastus Torrey, overseers of poor; Horace K. Smith, Joseph Cole and Constant Bryan, school inspectors.

WHat SHALL BE DonE WirH THE FuNps? - In the Journal, of April 20, 1837, A. R. Townsend, assistant secretary, announces that a meeting of the Mechanics' and Workingmen's Association will be held on Monday evening, May, Ist, "for the purpose of taking into consideration the disposition of the funds now in the treasury." The result of this meeting is not recorded, but one thing is sure, the custodian of the "funds" did not abscond with them to Canada, or squander them on " margins."

"The members of the Carpenters' and Joiners' Society of Akron, are requested to meet at the school house, South Akron, on Thursday 16th inst., at early candlelight, at which time committee on prices will present their price-book for adoption, and transact such other business as may be thought proper.

Labor And Politics

"The mechanics and workingmen of Portage township, are requested to meet at the school house, in South Akron, on Monday evening, September 25, 1837, at 6 o'clock, to take into consideration the propriety of calling a county convention, to make a ticket to be supported at the next election by the mechanics and workingmen of Portage county. By order of the President.

The meeting was adjourned until the evening of September 30, but there is no record as to whether a separate workingmen's ticket was put in nomination or not, though if there was it failed of success, the regular Whig county ticket being elected.

"InNocuous DEsSUETUDE." - From this time on, for fully eight years, the mechanics and workingmen of Akron, so far as political action or general organization is concerned, remained quiescent, though the different trades, such as carpenters, painters, etc., would occasionally combine to regulate prices for work, but these combinations the unstable and precarious sheep's gray - pot-metal - shinplaster - truck and dicker system of payment, heretofore detailed, would render of very short duration. >

In 1845, however, there seems to have been a "movement all along the line," in the direction of bettering the condition of labor, not only for better and more stable pay, but for a shorter day.

"There has been a strike among the carpenters of Cincinnati. They turned out in a body, with music. They demand $1.50 a day, in cash, instead of $1.25 in orders."

The $1.25 per day, then paid for skilled labor in Cincinnati, was considerably higher than the average in the western country at that period. In this vicinity, in the early forties, competent mechanics (single men) could be hired at the rate of $100 per year, and board, and paid in orders on stores, and other "truck," at that; the same grade of workmen, having families and boarding themselves, commanding from $18 to $20 a month, only, with the same kind of pay; common laborers receiving from 50 to 621% cents per day, and finding themselves. One of the present solid men of Summit county - Mr. Peter Lepper, of Springfield, then about 20 years of age - in 1845, sawed, split, and carried up two flights of stairs for the writer, a full cord of stove wood, for fifty cents (a little under current rates, perhaps, because of his being paid in cash, instead of store goods); a reminiscence that Mr. Lepper delights to recall whenever he and the writer chance to meet, Mr. L., perhaps, considering that hard-earned half dollar the chief corner-stone of the magnificent farm and other valuable possessions of which he is now the owner.

STRIKING Mitt OreRrATIVES. - The BEacon of May 28, 1845, chronicles a strike in a Pittsburg iron mill, for an advance of one dollar per ton; and in October of the same year, speaks of "a great excitement in Pittsburg and Allegheny in consequence of a turnout, or strike, in the factories of the latter city, on the demand for a ten hour day, in which there had been disorderly and mobbish demonstrations, with considerable damage to property, though it was believed that most of them would soon return to work under

A few months later is the announcement of a strike of the workmen on the new Brooklyn, N. Y., dock, for higher wages, and fewer hours of labor, the new hands employed by the contractor being driven from their work by the strikers; the military being called out and one of the strikers killed; the house of one of the contractors being fired by the mob and destroyed. Wonderfully like the strike operations of 1891, isn't it?

AKRON OPERATIVES Try Ir On. - In the temperance paper, the Cascade Roarer, published by the writer, under date of November 11, 1845, is this announcement:

"The hands in one of our factories struck for higher wages last week. They generally receive their pay in woolen cloth, and as they cannot get as much for it at the stores, by two shillings per yard as they were obliged to allow for it, they entered into a solid compact, refusing to work until the price was lowered, and yesterday not one of them would throw a shuttle."

"A great many employers, manufacturers and others, have recently been inquiring into the system, and it appears are indicating a determination to be foremost in effecting a reformation of the slavish drudgery to which many mechanics and others are now subjected, without decent time for recreation and enjoyment."

MassILLton Takes A HANpD IN. - On the 5th of May, 1846, a general strike of the mechanics of Massillon is announced, " who in a body refused to perform any more labor until a reformation is effected," and who, in a circular, called upon their brother mechanics in the United States. to assist them in carrying out their measures - the ten hour day, and cash payments. The Massillonians became so enthusiastic that they not only formed a compact organization, similar to the modern trades' unions, but sent missionaries into other industrial towns and villages, to work up an interest in the good cause.

MECHANICS' ASSOCIATION IN AKRON. - Two of their missionaries, Messrs. Dodd and Mathews, addressed a large meeting of our mechanics, at Military Hall, on the evening of June 238, 1846, resulting in the organization of the "Mechanics' Association of Akron," with David F. Bruner, president; Jeremiah Crissman and William S. Painton, vice presidents; H. G. Allen, recording secretary; D. G. Sanford, corresponding secretary, and James M. Hale, treasurer.

So rapid was the growth of the society that a delegation of nearly 100 members attended the spirited celebration held by the Massillon Association, on the ensuing Fourth of July, chartering a canal boat for that purpose, and marching in procession, with appropriate music, banners, mottoes, etc. An oration, or address, appropriate to both the day and the cause, was delivered by Reuben McMillan, Esq. (father of Mrs. D. E. Hill, of the Sixth Ward), then a prominent manufacturer in Massillon - a former partner of Messrs. David and Jesse Allen, in Akron, and afterwards senior member of the firm of McMillan, Irish & Co., for several nel Rs exercises were conducted on strict cold water principles, and, to their honor be it said, the mechanics would not let a grocery keeper establish a stand upon the grounds, for the sale of even small beer, gingerbread, etc."

"An interest of no inconsiderable extent, has been awakened in our village, and now, while the ball is in motion, let us urge all to take an energetic interest in keeping up the motion. Let it not be an ephemeral excitement. The cause is well worthy the unceasing exertion of all classes. If the contemplated victory is achieved, it will promote the happiness, as well as the interest, of the merchant, the lawyer, the doctor, the employer, the mechanic and the laboring man. It is a fact, if there is any virtue in civilization, that the more mankind are elevated, the better calculated are ron Eo advance the happiness and the prosperity of the great human

MecnuaAnics' Linrary. - To show with what promptness and kindliness the well-to-do people of Akron responded to this movement, not only were the demands for the ten hour day, and cash payments, generally acceded to with a good grace, by employers, but a movement was immediately inaugurated for the establishment of a Mechanics' Library and Reading Room,and a system of lectures, debates and other literary exercises, for the special benefit of the laboring classes. To the library fund Judge James R. Ford and Colonel Simon Perkins, each contributed $50.00, while many other liberal donations, both in money and books, were made, resulting in the accumulation of some 250 volumes of the best scientific and miscellaneous works of the day, for circulation, and a large number of the best periodicals of that period for the reading room, which was open on stated evenings for the use of members of the Association, and other contributors to the library and reading fund.

ANOTHER Po.itTicAL Twist. - March'' 3, 1848, a meeting of the workingmen of Portage township was held at Trussell's Hall, for the purpose of forming a Working Man's Ticket, at which it was

"WHEREAS, We are thoroughly convinced that working men and working women, have never held that station in society to which their high calling entitles them - being naturally the most independent as well as the most useful part of the community, and ought to stand first and foremost in all that pertains to the good of society, the elevation of the human family and the councils of a free, intelligent and happy people; Therefore,

"Resolved, That we will throw off all party political pre) udices, and will unite for our mutual good and protection against the encroachments of wealth, aristocracy and a few unprincipled office-seekers, who act only for their own aggrandizement."

For trustees, W. B. Storer, David Miller, John Ayres; for treasurer, Zebulon Jones; for clerk, Tilman Waggoner; for assessor, John Sherbondy; for constables, Hiram Force, Jeremiah Crissman, Asa S. Mariner; for justice of the peace, Joshua C. Berry.

This ticket was duly elected, and on the 26th day of May the following ticket for corporation officers was placed in nomination by the mechanics and laboring men of Akron:

For Mayor, James Holmes; for recorder, David G. Sanford; for trustees, Ansel Miller, David F. Bruner, James M. Hale, Nathaniel Finch, Benjamin McNaughton; for school directors, James B. Taplin, William M. Dodge.

By invitation a couple of young lawyers of the village made addresses at the nominating meeting, as appears by the following card published in the American Democrat, of June 1, 1848:

"The mechanics and working men of Akron, desire to express their thanks to Messrs. Edward Oviatt and Charles G. Ladd, for their instructive speeches, on Saturday evening, at Trussell's Hall, and especially for their explanation of the laws of nations and of the qualifications necessary for workingmen to have, before they can go ona foreign mission, or represent their constituents in the Senate of the United States."

This labor ticket, however, was defeated, the following mixed or people's ticket being elected: Mayor, Israel E. Carter; recorder, Arad Kent; trustees, Ansel Miller, John M. Cutler, Nathaniel Finch, George W. Bloom and Benjamin McNaughton; school directors, Harvey B. Spelman and James S. Carpenter.

First LEGAL TEN Hour Day. - This item in the American Democrat, of September 7, 1848, so far as the writer is advised, announces the first legislative action in favor of the ten hour day in the United States:

"THE TEN Hour LAw. - A law restricting the hours of labor to ten hours a day, has been passed by the Legislature of Maine, in accordance with the wishes of the mass of operatives in that State. Thusis the good work going forward. Thus will the masses be induced to contend for their rights in such a manner as to teach the money owners that their labor is of equal, and even greater importance, than mere money wealth."