Green City (part 9 of 14)

The first recorder for Portage county was Mr. Titus Wetmore, brother of the judge, but the records of deeds, mortgages, etc., during his brother's incumbency, commencing July 2, 1808, and ending August 23, 1810, are in the neat and uniform handwriting of the judge, who, at the latter date, succeeded to the recordership himself, which official position, together with that of clerk, he seems to have filled until February 25, 1813, at about which date Judge Wetmore was appointed commissary in the army, under General Elijah Wadsworth, with headquarters at Old Portage, serving in that capacity until the close of the War. On receiving this appointment, Mr. Wetmore moved back to Stow, after the close of the War, about 1815, building the commodious house now standing, immediately east of Silver Lake.

The township of Stow was organized the same year as Portage county was (1808), but there is no record now extant, as to who its early officers were, though Judge Wetmore, except while living in Ravenna, continued to exercise the functions of justice of the peace for many years, the judge, by his intelligence, uprightness and enterprise, very largely promoting the settlement, and the material, educational and moral interests of the township, his death occurring October 27, 1827, at the age of 56 years.

TOPOGRAPHICAL, Hyprautic, Erc. - In point of topographic and hydrographic advantages, fertility of soil, etc., Stow may be regarded as one of the very best townships of Summit county. With a rolling, but in no wise hilly, surface; with the Cuyahoga river traversing its entire southern border; Silver Lake (formerly Stow Pond), with a circumference of nearly three miles, a little southwest of the Center; Crystal Lake (formerly Cochran's Pond), a short distance to the northwest; Turtle Lake (originally Mud

Pond), in the northwest part of the township; Walnut creek at Stow Corners (forming at that place a romantic gorge in its descent to the river); Kelsey creek, or Wilcox run, entering the river from the south, below Munroe Falls; Fish creek, entering the river from the north, in the east part of the township; Powers brook and Mud brook in the north, finding their way through Northampton to the river, near Old Portage, a great abundance of water for agricultural and mechanical purposes is furnished, without any appreciable amount of contiguous waste land, as in some of the other largely watered localities of the county.

Both Silver Lake, Crystal Lake and Turtle Lake, are beautiful bodies of water, the two former entirely fed from springs, neither having any visible feeder, while each has quite a copious outlet, the former flowing into the river below Munroe Falls and the latter being a tributary to Mud Brook. Silver Lake, always a favorite locality for both the Indians and their pale-faced successors, has of late years attained a state-wide repute as a Summer resort. Of abundant depth - in some places from seventy-five to eighty feet - to float the good-sized steamboat which has been plying its waters for several years; with its beautiful grove, upon its western border, tastefully fitted up with conveniences for sheltering and feeding the multitude, and with a good carriage road, and a railroad station in close proximity, it is now, under its present proprietor, Mr. Ralph H. Lodge, one of the most popular pleasure resorts in Northern Ohio. ;

INDUSTRIAL Stow. - By referring to the maps, it will be seen that the village of Munroe Falls, and quite a large part of the village and township of Cuyahoga Falls, lie within the original boundaries of Stow township, both affording large manufacturing facilities, that should, perhaps, be credited to Stow, but which being alluded to in connection with those villages, need not be repeated here. In addition to various works at those points, during the pioneer period, there were several early saw-mills in different parts of the township, the earliest in 1808, by Ezra Wyatt, on eighty acres of land donated to him for that purpose, by Judge Wetmore, near the present site of the Cliff house at Stow Corners, but which was dismantled in the early twenties by reason of the failure of the waters of that stream; one upon Mud Brook, built by Joshua Stewart prior to 1820, and for many years operated by Mr. Henry Wilcox; one on Fish Creek and a number of others, which by reason af the clearing up of adjacent timber lands, and the consequent diminution of the water in those streams, were long ago dismantled, and the sites of some of them are scarcely known to the present "oldest inhabitant" of the township - portable sawmills now doing such occasional local work as may be needed in that line. That modern lacteal institution, the cheese factory, however, has for several years been a prominent industrial feature of the neighborhood, several of which, in different localities accessible to suitable streams of waters, for cooling and cleansing purposes, afford a ready (though perhaps not always very profitable) market for the milk product of the adjacent farms. The soil may be generally called a clayey loam - though in some places approaching to sandy - and adapted to every variety of farm and

Whisky, Education, Religion

In this connection the fact should not be omitted, that among the very earliest of Stow's supposed to be indepensable industries was the whisky distillery. Army regulations, at that day, requiring that one gill of grog per day should be dealt out to each soldier, and as the whisky used for the purpose of supplying the troops at Old Portage, and contiguous points, had to be transported at heavy expense from Pittsburg, Commissary Wetmore, in 1812 or 1813, erected a distillery upon the east side of Stow Pond (now Silver Lake) in which Mr. John Graham, who had worked at the business in Scotland, was employed as distiller. After the close of the war, to supply the demand caused by increased immigration, Mr. Graham built a distillery for himself on the north bank of the river near the present village of Munroe Falls, two others being built in other portions of the township about the same time. Though these establishments were quite profitable, and at that time universally regarded as a legitimate and honorable business, the agitation of the temperance question in the latter twenties and early thirties, not only lessened the demand, but brought conviction to the minds of the proprietors of the wrongfulness of the business, and they were all soon afterwards dismantled, though a third of a century later an immense distillery was carried on for several years, within the original limits of Stow, now Cuyahoga Falls.

EpucaTiIon, Morauity, Reiicion, Erc. - It has been represented, in certain quarters, that the leading early sentiment of Stow being atheistic in its character, the township suffers, in comparison with some of its neighbors, in regard to its intelligence, morality and religious status, which it seems to the writer is grossly unjust to both the early settlers and the present inhabiitants of the township. It is very possible that some of her pioneer settlers, as well as some of their descendants and successors, may have been free thinkers, and it is quite probable that she may not have sent forth as many eminent divines, scientists, and statesmen as some of her sister townships; but that she is in any sense behind her neighbors in general intelligence, morality, piety or patriotism, can scarcely be conceded.

As early, perhaps, as 1806, Deacon Stephen Butler, a rigid Presbyterian, whose cabin was a short distance north of the center organized a small class among his Christian neighbors, who met regularly at his house for lay worship, with such occasional preaching as could be secured from Hudson and other neighboring localities. Later on, the meetings were held in the school house at Stow Corners, and still later in a small house of worship erected a short distance southwest of the Corners, on the Cuyahoga Falls road. Some of the remembered prominent members of this society in addition to Deacon Butler, were William Stow, and John and Thomas Gaylord, with their respective families. The membership gradually increased until some time during the early forties, when, the Disciples having obtained a strong following in the township, the house was transferred to that denomination, the Presbyterians allying themselves with the church at Cuyahoga Falls. The Disciples, largely in the ascendency in the township at the present time, a few years since erected a more commodious and imposing house of worshjp at the Corners, on the east side of the Hudson road.

Episcopalianism also, as early as 1818, obtained quite a footing among the pioneer settlers of Stow, the present St. John's Church and society of Cuyahoga Falls, having been organized there in 1830. Among the early promoters of this form of faith, were Mr. and Mrs. Josiah Wetmore (the latter being especially zealous and active), at whose house, at Stow Corners, the meetings were first held; Orrin Gilbert, Frederick Sanford, Henry O'Brien, Arthur Sadler, Frederick Wolcott, William Wetmore, Rowland Clapp, several of the Gaylords and others whose names are not now recalled. Lay services, with occasional preaching, were held in different places, in private houses, in school houses, at the tavern, etc., until 1835, when the society permanently located at Cuyahoga Falls, erecting the present St. John's Church structure, corner of Portage and Second streets, which, being completed in the Spring of that year, was consecrated, as a house of worship by Bishop McIlvaine, July 16, 1836, Stow still maintaining a respectable membership in the society. In the early twenties, also, a Universalist society was organized, and orate years vigorously maintained, among its promoters being Mr. and Mrs. Caleb Wetmore, Isaac Wilcox, Francis Kelsey and others, services being held in the school house by the resident preacher, Rev. Bigelow, a very fluent speaker, and a most excellent citizen.

In addition to the foregoing, there has also existed, for many years, in the northwestern portion of the township, at the point so long designated as "Little Ireland," but whose postoffice designation is now "Metz" a United Presbyterian Church and society, with a snug little house of worship, and quite a large membership, while religious meetings have been of frequent occurrence in the commodious school house at Darrow Street, now officially called Darrowville, and perhaps in other localities, during the past half century, so that it may be safely stated, that whoever asseverates that Stow is " without God and without hope, in the world," lies - under a very grave misapprehension.

In the matter of education, while it is true that Stow offers no academic or collegiate advantages to her youth, like some of her neighbors, it is also emphatically true that her common schools are as highly cherished, and as well conductéd, as those of the very best of her contemporaries, with a general corresponding intelligence among all classes of her people.

TERRIBLE AND FataL ToRNADO. - On the night of October 20, 1837, or rather on the morning of the 21st, there occurred one of the most violent and fatal hurricanes that ever visited Summit county, or perhaps the State. On the east and west center road, and a few rods directly north of what is now known as Silver Lake, stood the residence of Mr. Frederick Sanford, a small story-and-ahalf frame house, with a frame barn standing some 12 or 15 rods northeasterly therefrom. The family consisted of Mrs. Sanford, his wife, Clarissa, their two sons, Charles, aged. 22, and Norman, 19, their daughter, Mary C., 14, and Mrs. Mary Collins, the mother of Mrs. Sanford. On the evening of October 20, the entire family had been absent from home, attending a wedding, for which purpose, in addition to their own, they had bor-. rowed a buggy from the widow Butler, living a short distance northeasterly, on the north and south center road. Returning ata late hour, leaving the buggies standing in the yard, between the shouse and the barn, the family retired to bed, all but Mr. and Mrs. -Sanford sleeping up stairs. Between three and four o'clock, while -all were sound asleep, the cyclone struck the house, every portion -of which above the cellar walls, was entirely demolished, and all the family excepting Mrs. Sanford, and her daughter Mary, almost instantly killed. The bodies were all found between the house -and barn, Mary being the farthest from the house. Mrs. Sanford's -collar bone was broken, and she was otherwise considerably cut -and bruised; but Mary, found in an unconscious condition, lying upon a gate which had been carried from in front of the house, -sustained no further injury than a slight cut upon one of her -ankles and a few inconsiderable bruises, though the shock to her -System made it necessary for her to keep her bed for several days. The tick of the bed on which Mary was sleeping being found in the top of quite a large tree, between the house and the barn, it was supposed that she had been carried through the top of the 'tree, also. In her hand was tightly clutched her every-day dress, which, on retiring, she had laid upon the bed ready for use én the morning. Mr. Sanford was still alive when found, and removed 'to the house of Mr. Maxwell Graham, but expired in a short time without regaining consciousness, his thigh being broken, besides 'the internal injuries which caused his death. The two sons and Mrs. Collins were all dead when found, though it is not remem- -bered that any of them were seriously disfigured.

The course of the tornado seemed to be from southwesterly to northeasterly, some effects of it being visible near.Gilbert's Corners, three-fourths of a mile west, while it was evident, from the 'moisture and sand found about the Sanford premises, that a considerable portion of the water and mud, in what is now known as 'Crystal Lake (formerly Cochran's or Hart's pond), were scooped up and carried along by the storm. Mr. Sanford's barn was partly -unroofed, and an adjoining shed entirely demolished; the barn doors blown open and a fanning mill standing on the barn floor -carried away; a cart and barrow left standing in the street, south .of the house, were found some distance beyond the barn; the two buggies left standing in the yard were entirely demolished and carried away; a plow standing near the house, after being made to plow quite'a long circular furrow, was dashed to pieces, and nearly all the chickens upon the place were killed and stripped of their feathers. The household furniture was entirely demolished, and the family clothing, bedding, etc., all destroyed or blown away, -some of it being found in Streetsboro, some five or six miles away, and other portions nearer by, folded and in good order, as when laid away by their respective owners.

Easterly from the scene of the chief disaster, Mr. Maxwell -<Graham's barn was unroofed and house somewhat racked; a log house further east occupied by a family named Wells, the house of R. M. Barnes, a short distance beyond on the same street, and that .of Mrs. Butler, upon the Hudson road, were unroofed and otherwise more or less injured, Mrs. Butler finding fragments of her own buggy, which had been loaned to the Sanford's, as above = stated, in the loft of her own house after the storm was over. ' Fortunately, however, no other persons than those named, were killed wor seriously injured, though quite a number of domestic animals -were either killed or more or less crippled, while fencesand a large

The funeral of the four persons thus suddenly deprived of life, was held at St. John's church, Cuyahoga Falls (of which Mr. and Mrs. Sanford were communicants on its first organization in Stow, as elsewhere mentioned), October 23, the very impressive servicesbeing conducted by Rev. Boydon, rector of Trinity church, Cleveland, the burial being in the cemetery at Cuyahoga Falls. A new house was afterwards built upon the foundation of the demolished structure, which is still standing. Mrs. Sanford died February 12, 1849, at the age of 61 years. Mary was married to Mr. William L. Hanford, on the 18th day of February, 1844, and, with her highly respected husband, still lives upon the site of her fearful and mournful experience of 54 years ago.

. ViraL SrTatistics. - The first marriage in the township is helieved to have been that of John C. Singletary, of Streetsboro, to- Harrtett Powers, daughter of Captain Gregory Powers, by Justice William Wetmore, in 1806, though Joseph Darrow, of Stow, was married to Sally Prior, in Northampton, as early as 1803; William Lappin, of Northampton, being married to Elizabeth Walker, of Stow, by Squire Wetmore, in 1807.

There is some discrepancy of recollection as to the first birth in the township, a former historian having recorded that Betsey Walker was born in the Fall of 1803, Mary Campbell in 1804, Samuel Walker in 1805, and Clarissa Rice, daughter of Thomas. Rice, the same year, though Mr. Henry Wetmore is of the opinion that the last named was the first white child born in the township.

The first death: reported in the township was that of Mrs- Gregory Powers, in February, 1807; the second that of Elizabeth Gaylord in 1809; third that of George Darrow, November 20, the

"Lo! THE Poor InpIAN." - On the first arrival of the whites in Stow, Indians were abundant, especially in the neighborhood of the river and lakes, Mr. Henry Wetmore reporting that from 1808. to 1812 there was a continuous line of wigwams around the southern end of the lake, about where the wagon road now is, and another camp near the river, at which points there must have . been at least 500 Indians, men, women and children. They were generally on very friendly terms with the whites, though misunderstandings would now and then arise, with perhaps occasional instances of treachery and cruelty on the part of the savages, and retaliation on the part of the whites; especial emphasis being given, in the traditionary lore of the neighborhood, to the Indiankilling exploits of Jonathan Williams (the slayer of the Indian Nickshaw, as detailed elsewhere); at least three townships - Hudson, Stow and Northampton - claiming the honor of Williams' prowess, in the selfsame transactions, while a resident of their respective. townships, fuller mention of whose reputed exploits will be found in another chapter.

MYSTERIOUS Exopus. - Soon after the inauguration of the War of 1812, between England and the United States, it was suddenly noticed by the white settlers, that something unusual was transpiring in the camps of their tawny neighbors; their visits to the

Indians, Rattlesnakes, Etc

'cabins of the whites had entirely ceased; there was much hurrying to and fro, from camp to camp, and from lodge to lodge, the men holding frequent consultations and apparently engaging in important discussion; the apprehension rapidly spreading that mischief was brewing for the pale-faces, who quietly put themselves and | their cabins in as good a state of defense as their limited resources 'would admit of. .

. But early one morning it was found that, during the night, the Indians had all departed, in a westward direction, leaving their wigwams standing intact. After the war, the few that temporarily returned, disclosed the true inwardness of their "sudden taking off." A British emissary had visited the camps, in the disguise of an Indian, and persuaded them that they had been swindled in the ceding of their lands to the United States, :promising that if they would rise and massacre the whites, by whom they were 'surrounded, and join the British army, after the Americans had been conquered by the English, their lands should be restored to them. They assented to the proposition to join the. British army, and fight for the reclamation oftheir hunting and fishing grounds, but utterly refused to massacre, in cold blood, those who had always treated them kindly, but on returning with the victorious army, give their old neighbors a chance to fight for their possessions, or run for their lives. The many other traditionary Indian reminiscences extant in the township will have to be omitted here, for want of space.

THE VENOMOUS "SARPENT." - In the early times immense numbers of rattlesnakes abounded in the vicinity of the river, and in the gorges traversed by the smaller streams, particularly in the rocky fastnesses of Wetmore Creek, between Stow Corners and the river. At length asort of club was formed by the neighboring > settlers, devoting acertain amount of time to the destruction of the venomous reptiles, which was joined by Samuel Baker, a ' blacksmith, on condition that he might do his share on Sunday, as he could not spare the time during the week.

~ One Sunday morning he discovered a large number of snakes issuing from a cleft in the side of the gorge, south of the cemetery, and sunning themselves on a narrow ledge of rock. When all were apparently out, Baker stripped off his coat, and, with a long pole, shoved it into the fissure from whence the snakes emanated, to prevent their returning to theirden. He then descended into the chasm, and with his pole began an onslaught upon the squirming and writhing, but half torpid, mass.

While Baker was thus engaged, Deacon Butler and his devoted neighbors were holding religious services in a log cabin near the 'Corners, and while the Deacon was in the midst of a fervent prayer, Baker's little son came running up to the open door of the cabin, yelling, at the top of his voice, "O, dad's killed a lot of snakes! Dad's killed a lot of snakes!" "Amen!'' said the deacon, abruptly closing his prayer, and the entire congregation hastened to the gorge to witness the discomfiture of man's original enemy, and found the entire product of Baker's Sunday morning 'devotions" to be, upon actual count, just sixty-five dead rattlesnakes. On blasting open the den, the next day, one old patriarch, only, probably the ancestor of the entire batch killed, was found therein. From this time such vigilance was exercised that the entire venomous race wholly disappeared within a few years, though not. before one young man had lost his life and several fatalities to animals had occurred from their virulent bite; and it is related by Mr. Henry Wetmore, as a singular fact, that with the disappearance of the Indians and the rattlesnakes, the plant used by the former as. an antidote for the bite of the latter, entirely disappeared from the woods, also.

Horriric INcIpDENT. - One, only, of the many narrow escapes. from fatal casualty, by contact with rattlesnakes, can. be here given: A little three-year-old child of John Campbell had been given a cup of milk and a spoon, and left sitting on the rough cabin floor for a few minutes, while the mother absented herself from the room. On her return, hearing the little one cooing and' prattling to itself, as she supposed, she looked: through the small window at the end of the house, to see what it was doing. To her intense horror she saw a huge rattlesnake coiled up, almost in the child's lap, licking up the milk which had been spilled upon its. apron, and the child delightedly patting the snake upon the head with the spoon. The frightened mother uttered a piercing scream and rushed to the rescue of her child, whereupon the snake glided beneath the floor, through a crack between the puncheons, where. Mr. Campbell and Mr. William Wetmore soon afterwards found and killed it.

Bears, Wotves, Erc. - Bears, wolves and other wild animalsand game, both large and small, were abundant, some of which, though not regarded as especially dangerous, were a very great nuisance. Mr. Henry Wetmore informs the writer that one day, when quite a small boy, being in the woods, he saw their drove of hogs running rapidly towards him, in the direction of the house, and stepping from the path to let them pass, a large bear bound past him in hot pursuit, while he himself started in the wake of the bear. The hogs dodged through a gap in the fence which was too small to admit bruin, who, when Mrs. Wetmore came to the door to ascertain the cause of the disturbance, was standing on his. hind feet looking over the fence at the porkers with wistful eyesand watering mouth. Motioning her boy to go around, as soon asshe found that he was safe, the plucky woman seized some con-. venient weapon and sallying forth drove the discomfited quad- 'ruped away. At another time Mr. Jacob Cochran, being at Mr. Wetmore's, saw a bear seize a good-sized shote and make off with it. Mr. Cochran gave chase, and on going through a thicket the' bear dropped the hog between two saplings, which so delayed its movements that Mr. Cochran came up and shot the bear. The hog was so seriously injured that it had to be killed, also, both carcasses being hauled to the house by Mr. Wetmore's oxen and cart. Other families had similar " pleasurable" experiences, which can not be given within the limits of this chapter.

at Mud Brook Swamp, was a similar resort for millions of pigeons, every Autumn, while stopping, in their flight southward, to feed upon the beech nuts and acorns of the adjacent forests. For an hour or two, night and morning, while going to and returning from their feeding grounds, millions of them would fill the sky, obscuring the sun like'a dense black cloud, and.in their flight producing a noise like the roar of a mighty wind. In 1815, | Mr. Wetmore, with several companions, visited. the swamp one night for the purpose of securing a supply of the birds for the family table, the noise of their wings and their chatter, at the distance of halt a mile, resembling the. rumble of a heavy waterfall, and when close at hand being so great that the visitors had to_ raise their voices toa high pitch to be heard by each other. Not only the large trees but the smaller bushes of thé swamp were thoroughly covered with the birds, large branches of lofty elms being broken down by their weight; the company being able to capture and bag what they needed, with their hands, within a very few minutes. This may seem incredible to the modern reader, but from similar experiences in Copley swamp, the writer can vouch for its entire truthfulness, myriads being thus captured every season, from forty to fifty years ago, for the Akron and Cleveland markets, to say nothing of the immense numbers consumed by the inhabitants of contiguous localities. ;

Stow's TAVERN ACCOMMODATIONS. - At an early day, Ezra Wyatt, built a house of entertainment, at the Stow Corners, on the northeast corner of the Hudson and Kent roads, which was for many years, under its successive proprietors, one of the leading country hotels in the State. The old mail stage route from Cleveland to Pittsburg, on the east, and to Middlebury, Canton, Akron, Wooster, etc., on the south, was through Hudson and Stow, the latter point being the junction of the diverging routes, and the. hotel. in question being the "stage house" for the entertainment and transfer of passengers.

With a large dancing hall, and an ample dining room, it was also a popular resort for sleighing and other social parties, and the headquarters for the annual militia "trainings," so vigorously kept up for many years after the close of the War of 1812; as well as the .scene of many a carouse, and an occasional disgraceful fight,

In the later years of its existence as a hotel, this house was kept by General Oliver E. Gross, who afterwards bought and titted 'up the "Cliff House," just around the corner on the Munroe Falls road, the original old Stow Corners hotel being now fenced in and relegated to private use.

Stow's Minirary History.--There is no adequate record in regard to the early military history of Stow. That a number of her original settlers had performed honorable service in the War of the Revolution is quite probable, though the names of four, only, have been handed down, viz: those of Isaac Steele, Charles Wooden, George Darrow and Gregory Powers. In the defense of the frontier, in the War of 1812, quite a large proportion of her adult male citizens took an active part, the names of Josiah Starr, Samuel Flanders, Oscar Harvey, Ambrose Roswell, William Burnliam, George Darrow and Harry Wilcox, being mentioned in that connection, by Colonel Schoonover, in his contribution to the Military History of Ohio.

In the War of the Rebellion, however, through the foresight and courtesy of Mr. William Southmayd, formerly a resident of Stow, afterwards of Cuyahoga Falls, but now deceased, we are enabled to include in this work a full list of the patriotic young men who wentinto the Union army from that township,. which is as follows: George W. Bailey, Frank D. Bailey, Charles Beckley, Benjamin Boon, Samuel B. Bradley,Charles Buchanan, Benjamin F. Buckelin, Wiliam surdick, msimer Barney, Norman Cochran, KE. T. Curtis, A. B. Curtis, Oscar Champney, Seeley H. Chapman, Asa Clapp, J. W. Chamberlin, Alexander Corey, Henry Cedar, A; H. Cole, John C, Castle, Theodore Castle, Embury Castle, John Campbell, Norman L. Darrow, James M. Darrow, James Dailey, Frank Davis, Albert G. Eves, Leonard E. Gaylord, Robert Gaylord, Samuel Gaylord, Hannibal Grinnell, Sylvester Gaylord, William Gaylord, Charles H. Gridley, Albert R. Hewitt, Thomas Hoover, William Hazzard, Arthur A. Jones, Clayton Kelso, Luther Lendsay, Henry Lendsay, Walter Lewis, Richard Lewis, Wesley E. Loomis, Ferdinand Lord, Thomas Morris, Milton Miller, Lyman tess McAdams, Ulysses L. Marvin, George E. Nichols, Henry Nickerson, Theodore Nickerson, Albert Nichols, Jesse D. Post, Levi D. Post, William Peate, Ransom C. Parks, Edward Peebles, Frank Peck, Andrew Peck, Eugene Pendleton, William Puts, Albert Reeves, Frank M. Root, George Ray, Horace Southmayd, J. S. Sweeney, Edwin A. Season, Chauncey F. Smith, William R.Smith, Edwin S. Smith, L. B. Stark, Charles H. Stark, Henry Smith, Alanson Standish, Dwight Shumway, St. Clair Steel, Martin Schrady, Henry F. Stewart, Robert Sears, John Scanlin, Robert Scanlin, Edgar Sears, Thomas Steel, Newell Stratton, George S. Turner, Lorenzo Talcott, Adelbert Thomas, Charles G. Talcott, Edward Thompson, James Tothaker, James Turner, Henry Victor, Julius O. Williamson, Alson Wetmore, Samuel Wooldridge, Clarence Wilcox, Lemuel Wilcox, Charles H. Wetmore, Joseph Wallace, Warren Wright, John Wooldridge and William W. Wetmore, 104 in all, the last two being in the 100 days' service in 1864, in addition to which Samuel Gaylord and William C. Nichols joined the Squirrel Hunters to repel the projected attack of the rebel forces, under General Kirby Smith, on Cincinnati, in September, 1862.

Space will not permit a full record of the service of each volunteer, as named above, a brief synopsis of which, as furnished by Mr. Southmayd, was published inthe Summit County Beacon, September 7, 1865, and was also, probably, spread upon the records of the township. The aggregate term of service of the 104 persons named, was, as computed by Mr. Southmayd, 181 years. Of the entire number, though in a great many engagements, one only, Samuel Wooldridge, is definitely known to have been killed in battle, shot through the head at Buzzard Roost Gap, May 8, 1864, though two others, Alanson Standish and Benjamin Boon, were so reported. Seventeen died in service from various causes; two (Jesse D. Post and Henry Victor) from starvation in rebel prison at Andersonville; two (Robert Gaylord and Charles H. Wetmore) after six or eight months of terrible suffering in the prison pens of Meridian and Andersonville, lost their lives by the blowing » up and burning of the steamer Sultana, on the Mississippi river, while en route for home, April 27, 1865; there being but two deserters in the entire number, and only ten discharges for disability before expiration of their several terms of service, several of whom, on recovery re-enlisted. '

Military And Civil Affairs

Charles Southmayd, Elias Shick, Alexander Gettys, John Buchanan, George W. Hart and Lyman Gilbert, were drafted, the two ; former paying $300 commutation each and the four latter furnishing substitutes. In the Fall of 1864 the following persons furnished substitutes before the draft: Hobart Wolcott and William McGrew, one year each; Henry Southmayd, two years; Marcus Darrow, Henry O'Brien and George S. Richardson, Jr., three years each. The assessor for 1865 returns the following, as having died in the service: Samuel B. Rradlev. Norman L. Darrow, Ransom C. Parks, Horace Soutninaya, w#dwin Smith, Edward Peebles, Henry Victor, Samuel Gaylord. It will thus be seen that Stow, notwithstanding the frightful episode connected therewith, to be hereinafter detailed, was loyal and patriotic to the cure, in the bloody conflict of 1861-65, for the defense of the Union and the supremacy of the stars and stripes.

'Stow in Civir Arrarrs. - While Stow has furnished no presidential incumbents of the White House, at Washington, or any ministers plenipotentiary to the Court of St. James, or Envoys xtraordinary to the king of Cannibal Islands, she nevertheless presents a civil record in county and state affairs that will compare favorably with the average of her sister townships of Summit county.

WILLIAM WETMORE, Stow's earliest permanent settler, beside being the first justice of the peace of the township, was one of the associate judges of Portage county, on its organization, in 1808, resigning which honorable but profitless position, after about two years service, he officiated as both clerk and recorder of the 'county until the breaking out of the War of 1812, through which he served as commissary of the army, as heretofore detailed.

Trrus WETMORE, brother of the above, was the. first regularly elected recorder of Portage county, holding the office two years, from 1808 to 1810, though its duties were mainly performed for him by his brother, Judge William Wetmore, as elsewhere stated.

Grecory Powers, JR., was elected representative to the Legislature from Portage county in 1832, serving one year, and elected state senator in 1838, but died before the expiration of his term, July 10, 1839. .

WILLIAM WETMORE, JR. (the eldest son of the Judge), was state senator for the Portage-Summit district, from 1844 to 1846, filling the office very acceptably to his constituents in both counties for the full term of two years. :

Epwin Wetmore, (the second son of Judge Wetmore), for three consecutive terms, of three years each, from 1849 to 1858, was one of the very best county commissioners that Summit ever had.

GENERAL OLIVER E. Gross, for many years a citizen of Stow, besides filling important positions in the local military organizations of the county for many years, very acceptably filled the office of coroner, from 1853 to 1855, and again for two consecutive terms, from 1868 to 1872. ;

Unysses L. Marvin, a native of Stow, though for many years past, a resident of Akron, besides his honorable military service in the War of the Rebellion, gave to the people of Summit county able and faithful service as probate judge, for two full terms of three years each, from 1869 to 1875. On the resignation of Judge

N. D. Tibbals, May 1, 1883, Judge Marvin was appointed, by Governor Charles Foster, to fill the vacancy upon the common pleas bench, which he very acceptably did until the induction of his successor, Judge Edwin P. Green, in the following October, Judge Marvin also being the presidential elector for the Twentieth Congressional District, composed of Summit, Medina and Stark counties, for 1884, casting his vote in Electoral College for James G. Blaine, for president and John A. Logan for vice president.

SAMUEL C. WILLIAMSON, though born in Portage county, may properly be regarded as a Stow boy, having spent much of his. boyhood with relatives there. For faithful service, both in the volunteer and regular army, he fully earned his several promotions in the latter, from sergeant to captain; and though afterwards manfully battling with the fell disease, contracted in the service, which finally carried him to his grave, gave to the office of probate judge, to which he was twice elected - in 1875 and 1878 - six years of unswerving fidelity and more than average ability.

Mosss D. Cau, for many years one of the justices of the peace for the township, with whose interests he was identified for nearly half a century, was elected county commissioner, in October, 1877, and re-elected in 1880, making an extremely faithful and painstaking officer for the full period of six years. .

WILLIAM SOUTHMAYD was born in Stow, May 16, 1830. Always. active and public spirited, after having served as township clerk for nearly 20 consecutive years, in October, 1879, was elected infirmary directory for one year, to. fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Captain Alfred R. Townsend, and in 1880 was. re-elected for the full term of three years. While serving in that capacity, Mr. Southmayd had personal supervision of the first re-construction of the insane department, and to the close personal labors which he bestowed upon that noisome job, Mr. Southmayd very largely attributed the malady which finally resulted in his. death. |

Hon. FrRANcIS MARION GREEN, was born in Norton, September 28, 1836, removing with his parents to Stow when. eight or nine years old. Educated at Hiram College, under President James A. Garfield, following the example of his father, Elder Philander Green and his uncle, Elder Almon B. Green, both well-known -preachers of the Disciple Faith, he early adopted the ministry as his life calling. In addition to his very acceptable ministrations in Stow, and elsewhere, Mr. Green for several years did good service on the editorial staff of the Christian Standard, and made numerous and valuable contributions to the Ministerial and Sunday School literature of the Church of: Christ, receiving from Bethany College, in 1884, the Honorary Degree of Master of Literature. Coincident with his clerical duties, Mr. Green has always. taken an active interest in political matters, as an uncompromising Republican, and, in 1885, was elected by his party to the State Legislature, for two years serving his constituents as ably and as faithfully as any representative that Summit county ever had.

The Graham-Filley-Kilpatrick Tragedy

Stow, generally as orderly and peaceful as the average of the proverbially orderly and peaceful townships of the. Western Reserve, was, nevertheless, the scene of one of those occasional bloody tragedies, growing out of political and partisan bias and bitterness during the late Civil War. In the states in rebellion, the slightest expression of opinion against the cause of the South, was deemed to be sufficient reason for summary action against both the property and the person of the recalcitrant; but in the North, the utmost freedom of speech and action, short of downright treason, was generally quiescently, if not cheerfully submitted to. :

As the War progressed, however, and as the danger to the Union became more imminent, the feeling grew stronger, among the masses, that the people of the loyal states should be compelled to be as unanimous in support of the government, as were those of the disloyal states for its destruction; especially in regard to contributing their just proportion towards furnishing the sinews of war, both physical and monetary. Thus, when troops were called for, in the later years of the War, it became customary, in raising the necessary amount of money to clear them from a draft, for the people of the several townships to appoint committees for the purpose of assessing and collecting the required amount from business men and property owners, in proportion to their supposed ability to pay, liability to draft, etc. And in some instances, when, from parsimony or partisanship, persons able to contribute refused to do so, a species of coercion was resorted to - or 'raiding,' as it was termed - by which, if the moral pressure thus brought to bear proved ineffectual, a horse, cow, or some other valuable belonging was confiscated to the fund in question.

BEGINNING OF THE TROUBLE. - Among the very limited number of the citizens of Stow whose political partisanship overshadowed their patriotism, was Mr. William Graham, one of the most wealthy and enterprising farmers of the township. During the presidential campaign of 1860, Mr. Graham had many exciting political discussions with his neighbors, and others, and on the announcement of the result, and the inauguration of the secession movement, openly advocated the cause of the South, and bitterly opposed the coercion of the seceding states. As the War progressed, and call after call was made for troops, and money for recruiting and bounty purposes, Mr. Graham's bitterness and hostility increased, and, though having ason subject to draft, not a penny would he contribute to the bounty fund, sought to be raised by voluntary subscriptions, for filling the township's quota and obviating the necessity for a draft.

When the last draft was pending, in the beginning of 1865, in making their computations and assessments, the committee - composed of some eighteen or twenty of the best people of the township, both Democrats and Republicans - apportioned to Mr. Graham the sum of $50, on his property possessions, and $10 additional, because of the liability of his son to the draft. These sums, on being called upon by a member of the committee, Mr. Graham, with great bitterness of speech, peremptorily refused to pay. and on learning that others entertaining the same views - in Stow and elsewhere - were being "raided," gave out that he should defend his property from seizure at all hazards, and to this end had his double-barreled gun thoroughly repaired, bought a supply of ammunition, prepared a quantity of bullets, slugs, etc.

Tue Dgeap_y AMBUSCADE. - Thus matters stood on the morning of Thursday, March 2, 1865. Feeling that .it was due to the rest of the people of the township that Mr. Graham should contribute to the bounty fund the proportionately small sum assessed against him, it was resolved to call upon him in " committee of the whole," hoping that their united influence and persuasion would be as effectual with him as it had already been with several others of his class, who at first had refused to contribute.

Accordingly, early in the afternoon of the day named, the committee in a body, on horseback, but wholly unarmed, started from the hotel at Stow Corners, in the direction of Mr. Graham's residence, about a mile distant, on the east and west center road. After turning the corner, and while yet some distance from Mr. Graham's premises, the committee halted for consultation. It was agreed, that whatever might be the result of their visit, they would not undertake to sequestrate any of his property, and sent one of their number, a warm personal and political friend of Mr. G.,forward to assure him of their pacific and friendly intentions.

While quietly proceeding on his way, and while opposite the lands of Mr. Edwin Wetmore, some distance east of the premises of Mr. Graham, he was halted and, on pain of death, ordered into the fence corner by Mr. Graham, who was concealed in the bushes, behind the fence, on Wetmore's land. Seeing their delegate thus diverted from his course, two other members of the committee rode forward to ascertain the cause. On coming opposite to Mr. Graham, they, too, were ordered to halt, and not complying, were fired upon by the infuriated man, but fortunately without serious result, one of them putting spurs to his horse and riding rapidly down the road to the west, while the other turned back towards the main body up the road, the original delegate also starting forward down the road.

UNAVAILING NEIGHBORLY INTERVENTION. - Almost opposite the point occupied by Mr. Graham, lived Mr. John H. Burridge, who, on hearing the command to halt and the report of the gun, came out to ascertain the cause. On seeing Mr. Graham in the act of reloading his gun, the two men riding rapidly down the road and the balance of the committee, to the east, Mr. Burridge instantly took in the situation, and started across the road to plead with his neighbor to go home, and avoid the serious trouble he was evidently getting himself into. But this only served to increase his fury, Graham threatening to shoot him if he did not go back. Mr. Burridge then walked up the road towards the committee with the view of advising them to retire, lest fatal consequences might ensue. In the meantime, Graham, still in the lot, worked eastward towards the committee, and assuminga threatening attitude, the committee dismounted, using their horses as a breast-work, in case they should be fired upon.

Two Fara Snors. - Here Mr. Burridge again begged Mr. Graham to retire, but instead of doing so, he fired one barrel of his gun, loaded with slugs, at Hugh Kilpatrick, whose person had become partially exposed by the restiveness of his horse. The main portion of the charge struck Kilpatrick's right thigh. The wounded man hobbled towards the fence on the north side of the road. Mr, Burridge and Mr. Homer Filley, a member of the committee, going to his assistance, the balance of the committee retreating up the road. Mr. Burridge now made another earnest appeal to Mr. Graham to desist in his bloody work, and assist him and Mr. Filley to carry the wounded man to his house and endeavor to save his life. But the appeal was wholly unavailing, Mr. Graham re-loading his gun and taking deliberate aim across the fence, firing at Mr. Filley, while endeavoring to stanch the flow of blood from the shattered leg of his wounded friend. The ball also entered Mr. Filley's right thigh, causing him to leave his dying comrade to the care of Mr. Burridge, and run towards the rest of the company, up the road, on reaching whom, he fell to the ground, and soon afterwards expired, the femoral artery in both cases being severed. Mr. Burridge was now compelled, by Graham, on pain of death, to leave Mr. Kilpatrick, who by this time had fainted from loss of blood, but soon afterwards returned for a moment - while Graham had gone in pursuit of the rest of the committee, who had by this time dispersed - only to find Mr. K. dead, also.

STANDING GUARD Over His Victims. - Mr. Burridge then went to the house of Mr. Maxwell Graham, a short distance west, to get him to endeavor to appease his brother, but finding him absent, again started for the scene of carnage. Before reaching his own house, he was met by Graham, who, leveling his gun at him, threatened to shoot him, also, if he did not instantly leave the street and go into his house, compelling him to climb three fences in doing so, instead of permitting him to enter the gate.

Thus, all the afternoon, Graham kept guard over his victims, permitting no one to approach, excepting Dr. George C. Upson, of Cuyahoga Falls, to ascertain wuether the wounded men were living or dead. Some distance before reaching the wounded men, the doctor was halted by Graham, from his peach orchard, on the north side of the road. In answer to an inquiry as to what he wanted, the doctor explained that he had been sent to look after the wounded men, whereupon Graham said: "I want you to understand that this is headquarters and you must report to me," and permitted him to pass. Finding both men dead, the doctor so reported to Graham, who declared he was glad of it, and wished to God he had killed more of them, and then ordered the doctor to leave. In response to the doctor's request to be permitted to come with a wagon and a single assistant, to remove the bodies, Graham declared that the bodies should not be removed until those horses had been returned (alluding to several head of horses that had been taken from another party), but finally acceded to the doctor's request.

GRAHAM HimsELF WounpED. - In the meantime the news of the tragedy spread rapidly throughout the neighborhood, and a warrant, issued by Justice Charles W. Wetmore, of Cuyahoga Falls, | was placed in the hands of Constable Julius A. Upson, who started, - unarmed except as to the legal process indicated, for the truly "dark and bloody" ground. There were, by this time, hundreds of terribly excited men at Stow Corners, who endeavored to dissuade the constable from approaching the infuriated man alone and unarmed; but Mr. Upson determined to make the venture. As the officer approached (on foot) he was halted by Graham, who demanded to know his business. Informing him that he had a warrant for his arrest, and urging him to submit to the process of the law, the constable was told to be off, on pain of death, as he would not submit to arrest. Returning to the Corners, Mr. Upson sought to organize a posse to aid him in the arrest, but finding the crowd decidedly averse to facing the desperate man who had already laid two of their neighbors low in death, he accepted the proffered services of the late Parvin Eves to accompany him alone, providing he could be furnished with a sure-fire weapon.

A messenger was accordingly sent to Mr. Thomas W. Cornell, at Cuyahoga Falls, who was known to be the possessor of a very fine rifle; that gentleman, after carefully loading the weapon, promptly responding to the call. On the return of the messenger, with the rifle, Messrs. Upson and Eves started, the former walking in the middle of the road, while the latter skirted the fence, inside the lot, the intention being that if he saw Graham raise his weapon on the officer, to immediately fire upon him, with the view of crippling and preventing him from doing further fatal mischief.

As Mr. Upson again approached, he was again halted by Graham, still on the north side of the road, and a short parley ensued, the officer stating to Graham that it was both his duty and his determination to serve the warrant which had been placed in his hands, and again urging him to peaceably surrender without causing any further bloodshed to either others or himself. Peremptorily refusing to submit, Graham again raised his rifle and ordered Upson to leave on pain of instant death, and as he turned to leave Graham fired, one of the slugs with which the gun was loaded cutting quite a gash on the side of his neck, the remaining slugs riddling the fence on the opposite side of the road. Simultaneously with the discharge of Graham's gun, Eves also fired, whereupon Graham immediately retired to the corner of the fence out of sight. In a few minutes he called to Mr. Upson to approach, saying that he was wounded and would surrender. After a momentary delay, fearing a ruse on the part of Graham, to get the officer within range of his gun, while himself safe from that of his ally, Upson went to him, soon after which Graham tumbled over upon his face in the snow in a dead faint. On turning him upon his back, and throwing snow in his face to bring him to, Mr. Upson discovered that his left elbow was badly shattered, by the shot fired by Mr. Eves. Constable Upson then called to his brother, Dr. G. C. Upson, who with many others, a short distance up the road, were anxiously watching the proceedings, although by this time it was getting quite dark. Dr. Upson gave the wounded elbow such surgical attention as the means at his command would admit of, and Graham and the bodies of his two victims were taken to Stow Corners, by Constable Upson, and the many willing hands now tendering their assistance.

telegraphed for, accompanied by Deputy United States Marshal David A. Scott, arrived at the hotel soon after the arrival of the party there, and though the excitement was by this time most intense, both in the neighborhood and at Cuyahoga Falls, as well as in Akron, succeeded in safely conveying the prisoner to jail. Doctors William Bowen and George P. Ashmun being called in by Sheriff Burlison, the next morning, found Graham's elbow so badly shattered that amputation was at first deemed to be necessary; but finally, after removing several fragments of bone, by aie of splints, bandages, etc., the arm was saved, though in a adly crippled condition. A few days later, a brief preliminary ¢xamination was held by Justice Wetmore, the defendant being duly committed, without bail, on the charge of deliberate and premeditated murder.

SOLEMN FUNERAL SERVICES. - The obsequies of the two murdered men were jointly held at the Methodist Episcopal Church, in Cuyahoga Falls, on Sunday, March 5, 1865. There was a very large attendance, the solemn services being conducted by the pastor of that church, Rev. Chapin. The remains of Mr. Filley were taken to Northampton for interment; those of Mr. Kilpatrick being buried in the cemetery near Stow Corners, with masonic rites, Mr. K. being a highly respected member of that order.

INDICTMENT, CONTINUANCE, Etc. - The February term of the Court of Common Pleas being then in session, the matter was immediately brought before the grand jury, by Prosecuting Attorney, Edward Oviatt, Esq., and two separate bills of indictment were returned, each charging the defendant with murder in the first degree. Owing to his physical condition, however, the trial was postponed until the ensuing May term, two new indictments, of three counts each, being found by the grand jury of that term; the several counts, in both indictments, each charging Sapa with deliberate, willful, premeditated and malicious murder.

ARRAIGNMENT, TRIAL, Etc. - On all of the six counts, on being arraigned before Judge Stephenson Burke, the defendant entered a plea of not guilty, Prosecutor Oviatt first putting him on trial for the murder of Homer Filley. The trial, which lasted nearly a week, was conducted by Prosecuting Attorney Edward Oviatt, assisted by Henry McKinney, Esgq., on behalf of the State, and by S. W. McClure, Esq., Judge Rufus P. Ranney, of Cleveland, and R. O. Hammond, Esgq., for the defense; the plea of both insanity on the subject of politics and war, and of justifiable homicide, being urged in behalf of the defendant. .

The main facts as to the killing, substantially as above given, and as developed on the trial, were admitted by defendant's attorneys, but a large amount of testimony was introduced tending to show, first, that by reason of injuries to his head, received in a serious railroad accident, a short time previous, the defendant's mind was so far thrown out of balance that, under great provocation and excitement he was wholly irresponsible for his acts; and, second, that from reports which had been brought to him of the action of the committee with other parties, and of their intended action against him, he had reason to believe that he was about to be illegally despoiled of his property, and perhaps subjected to personal injury, and fully believed that the defense of both his person and property against the formidable body of men he saw approaching his premises, was justifiable.

ARGUMENTS--CHARGE - VERDICT, Etc. - The testimony closed about noon, on Thursday, January 8, 1865. Prosecutor Oviatt opened the argument for the State, in a clear and lucid argument of about an hour and a half, followed by S. W. McClure, in an able plea of about three hours, on the part of the defense. On Friday morning, Judge Ranney, in an extremely ingenious plea, of nearly four hours, closed the argument for the defense, Mr. McKinney summing up the case, and concluding the arguments for the State in an extremely impressive plea of about five hours. The charge of Judge Burke, occupying about three quarters of an hour, was regarded by all who heard it, as remarkably clear and impartial, carefully guarding the interests of the people as well as affording full protection to all the rights of the accused, under the law and the testimony given in the case. j

The case was given to the jury at 6 o'clock P. M., and at about 10 o'clock the same night, they returned a verdict of murder in the second degree, which, the theory of insanity being thus discarded, was at the time generally regarded as unwarrantably mild, in view of the war-like preparations which the defendant had made, and the deliberation and persistence with which his attack upon the unarmed body of men approaching, and before they had reached his own premises, was made and followed up - even to the extent of preventing a disinterested neighbor, and a peaceable physician from giving succor to the two men who had already fallen before his deadly aim. Exceptions to Judge Burke's charge were filed, by defendant's counsel, but no further move was made for a new trial, and Judge Burke immediately sentenced the defendant to imprisonment, at hard labor, in the state penitentiary, during the period of his natural life,and to pay the costs of prosecution, amounting to $747.86.

AFTER THE TRIAL. - In speaking of the trial and its results, the present writer, editorially in The Beacon, said: 'The prisoner has nearly recovered from the wound received in his capture, though the elbow will always, probably, be stiff. We do not learn that he has ever manifested any contrition for the terrible crime, though he admits that it would have been better for him to have paid what was asked of him, and esteems himself very lucky, indeed, at the mildness of his sentence. Heis very busy with his friends - who in their deep affliction have the cordial sympathy of the entire community - in arranging his business matters, and otherwise preparing for the long imprisonment which awaits him, the legitimate fruits of his unbridled temper and his sympathy with the enemies of his country."

IN THE PENITENTIARY. - Sheriff James Burlison conveyed Mr. Graham to the penitentiary on the 23d of June, 1865, in speaking of which the present writer then editorially said: "The prisoner was very observant of the growing crops and of passing events, and expressed himself as being wholly unable to realize whither he was going. Surely it must have been very difficult for the doomed man, who has ever been in the enjoyment of prosperity, the society of kind friends, and but for his ungoverned temper, unalloyed happiness, to comprehend, in its full import, the terrible fact that he was soon to be shut out forever from the bright and beautiful scenes of earth, to drag out the remainder of his existence at hard labor within the gloomy walls of the penitentiary. 'Verily the way of the transgressor is hard.'"'

Civi, Suits FOR DaAmaGEs. - On the 17th day of March, 1865, Messrs. Henry McKinney and J. J. Hall filed petitions in the Court of Common Pleas, in behalf of Amanda Pilley administratrix of the estate of Homer Filley and Seth W. Harrington, administrator of the estate of Hugh Kilpatrick, against William Graham, for civil damages, in the sum of $5,000 each. At the May term of the court when the cases were called, though answers had been duly filed, no defense was made, and judgment was rendered by Judge Burke for the full amount of damages claimed. As was then quite largely practiced, a second trial was asked for and granted, thus carrying the matter over until a subsequent term. After the consignment of Mr. Graham to the penitentiary, however, and before the civil suits were reached, the son, Mr. Henry B. Graham, arranged for an amicable and equitable settlement of both suits, as will be seen from the following editorial from the pen of the present writer published in The Beacon of May 10, 1866:

"HIGHLY COMMENDABLE. - We learn that Henry B. Graham, upon whom has devolved the care of the family and the business affairs of his father, Mr. William Graham, since the occurrence of the unfortunate affair that at once deprived him of his liberty and two of his neighbors of their lives, has secured to the widows of Messrs. Kilpatrick and Filley the payment of $5,000 each, in annual installments of which $1,000 has already been paid. This evinces not only a high sense of honor on the part of young Graham, but a spirit of energy and determination, also, which will meet with the hearty commendation and sympathy of the entire community."

THE PARDON QUESTION. - Within a very few months after Mr. Graham's incarceration, the War being over and the asperities arising therefrom becoming very greatly softened, the friends of Mr. Graham began to agitate the question of applying to Governor Jacob D. Cox for his pardon, but no definite move was made in that direction until after the accession of Governor Rutherford B. Hayes, in 1867. In a communication to The Beacon, under date of April 3, 1867 Mr. William Southmayd, of Stow, said: "The friends of Mr. William Graham are circulating a petition for his pardon, with what success Iam not advised. * * * Ithink the move is considered premature by those looking upon his case with the most charitable eyes." In commenting upon this item, the writer editorially said: 'We would not do anything to wound the feelings of the family or friends of the condemned man, or to prejudice his case with the executive, or public, and therefore withhold a resume of the evidence in the case given by 'Justice,' yet at the same time agreeing with our correspondents, that the movement for a pardon is at this time, in our judgment, premature."

GovVERNOR HAyES DECLINES TO INTERVENE. - The petition, numerously signed, by men of both political parties, was earnestly urged upon the attention of Governor Hayes, by interested friends and able counsel, but the Governor, on fully acquainting himself with all the circumstances connected with the double homicide, declined to interfere, believing that if, in any event, executive clemency should intervene, the time had not yet arrived for its exercise.

FrinaLt Parpon. - Mr. Graham thus remained in prison, until the accession to the Governorship of Hon. William Allen, in 1874, before whom the application was successfully renewed, a pardon being granted by Governor Allen on the 11th day of February, 1874. In his list of pardons, and the reasons thereof, subsequently reported to the legislature, Governor Allen said of this particular case: '"Pardoned on the petition of 1,500 citizens of Summit county, on application of Hon. A.C. Voris, delegate to Constitutional Convention from Summit county; of Senator Goodhue from

Summit District; of Lieutenant Governor Hart; of the prosecuting attorney; judges of Probate and Common Pleas Courts; of the treasurer, recorder, auditor and clerk of Summit county; of the mayor of Akron, and of leading bankers, professional and business men of Summit county. The crime was committed under extreme provocation, and during intense mental excitement while the victims were engaged in an unlawful act which Graham had reason to believe jeopardized his person and property. As he had suffered incarceration fora period of nearly nine years, it seemed to me that the ends of justice were fully subserved in his case."

SUBSEQUENT LiFk&, Deatu, Etc. - Mr. Graham returned to his home, in Stow, on the evening of February 12, 1874, where he continued to live quietly and peaceably, until his sudden death from heart disease, on the 3rd day of August, 1883, at the age of 68 years, 3 months and 28 days. His surviving family are among the most respectable and influential families of Stow township, and of Summit county, and in no way lessened .in the public esteem by the occurrence of the fearful tragedy in which the husband and father was so prominent an actor, in the most exciting period of our country's history. :

FAMILIES OF THE MuRDERED MrEN. - Homer Filley was born in the State of New York, and lacked about a month of being 40 years of age at the time of his death. In 1852, he was married to Miss Amanda Robstein, in Michigan, shortly afterwards settling near his mother, in Northampton, working in sawmill, at farming, etc., a year or two later at Munroe Falls, and doing similar work in that vicinity. Besides his widow, five children were left to mourn his tragic death: Eliza, 12; Alice, 8; Wallace H., 5; Ida, 3; and Loretta, 4 months; all of whom, except the youngest, are now living, and all married and comfortably settled in life: Eliza and Ida at Munroe Falls, Alice in Michigan and Wallace H. in Akron, an operative in the Knife Works; Mrs. FPilley still occupying the comfortable homestead which had been provided for the family by her lamented husband, previous to his death.

Hugh Kilpatrick was a native of Glasgow, Scotland, emigrating, when a boy, to Kingston, Canada. His parents dying when he was still quite young, he was reared to manhood by friends of his family. In 1847, he went to California, and on his return went to Patterson, N. J. Thence he came to Cuyahoga Falls, subsequently going to Munroe Falls, in both places working at his trade of paper-maker, for a time being a partner in the wellremembered firm of Howard, Peebles & Co. June 25, 1857, Mr. Kilpatrick was married to Miss Mary B. Gaylord (daughter of the late Isaac T, Gaylord, of Stow), who, after bearing him three children, died June 29, 1864; Mr. K. marrying for his second wife, January 1, 1865, Miss Charlotte L. Benedict, of Northampton. At the time of his death, Mr. Kilpatrick was 36 years, 10 months and 22 days of age; the names and ages of his children being: Adelaide M.,5; Arthur G.,4; and Henry Theodore, 1; Arthur G. surviving his father but about three weeks. Adelaide M. is now the wife of Dr. Sylvanus Koontz, a prosperous physician of Roanoke, Ind., and Henry Theodore is a resident of Morgan Park, near Chicago, Ill., engaged in the lucrative business of plumbing. Mr. Kilpatrick's widow, Charlotte L., was married to the late Parvin Eves, of Stow, June 15, 1866, but a little over a year later was again

-widowed, Mr. Eves being accidentally killed by the cars, at Cuyahoga Falls, August 19, 1867. Mrs. Eves was again married, November 26, 1872, to Mr. Amos B. Wait, with whom she is now living at Hilliard Station, Mich.

The census of 1840 gave to Stow, including the populous corner included in the village of Cuyahoga Falls, and the then booming village of Munroe Falls, a population of 1,533; the census of 1880 giving her, exclusive of Cuyahoga Falls, 911; while the census of 1890 credits her with 936, so that it will be seen that while there may have been a slight shrinkage between 1840 and 1880, she has rather more than kept her own during the last decade.

Gaylord; clerk, William Nickerson; justices of the peace, Ira B. Fairchild, Henry B. Graham; constables, Fay G. Davis, Frederick Barnard; postmasters: Metz, Edward A. Seasons; Munroe Falls, -C. C. Reid.

America As Business Manager For The Notorious Lola Montez

MUNROE FALLS - BOSTON CAPITALISTS PROJECT A GREAT MANUFACTURING CITY - ITS RISE, PROGRESS AND DECLINE - ITS PROTEGE, EDWARD P. WILLIS,. CHARGED WITH AN INFAMOUS CRIME - TRIAL, CONVICTION AND SENTENCE - SECOND TRIAL AND CONVICTION - ESCAPE FROM JAIL AND SIX WEEKS" HIDING IN HIS ATTORNEY'S CISTERN - FLIGHT TO ITALY - RETURN TO AMERICA AS BUSINESS MANAGER FOR THE NOTORIOUS LOLA MONTEZ, "COUNTESS OF LANSFELD" - SUMMARY EJECTION FROM HER PRESENCE. AND SERVICE - PREMATURE DEATH, ETC.

of Cuyahoga Falls, near the south line of the township of Stow, is a small, but pleasant hamlet, known as Munroe Falls. It is located upon the Cuyahoga river, and exists by' reason of the considerable water power afforded by the fall in the stream in that immediate vicinity. In the early thirties, manufacturing enterprises, at points where water power was attainable, had nearly reached their limit in New England, and eastern capitalists began to explore the then far west for eligible locations for investment of their surplus means, and the augmentation of their wealth and fame. Middlebury, Akron, and Cuyahoga Falls, had already secured considerable reputation as manufacturing centers, while at many other contiguous points, grist-mills, saw-mills and carding and fulling mills, or woolen factories, had been put in operation by local enterprise.

Tuer BEGINNING. - At the point in question, under the name of "Florence," several small mills of this character had been erected by local operators, several years before anything had been done or thought of at Akron, and about contemporary with the first improvements of a similar nature at the upper, or old, village of Cuyahoga Falls, a mile or so above the present business center of that village. But early in March, 1836, Edmund Munroe, a wealthy merchant of Boston, Mass., bought from Guy Wolcott, George Lodge, Zebulon Stow, and other farmers of the neighborhood, several hundred acres of land, including the water-power, mills and other improvements thereon existing. About 200 acres of these lands wefe immediately platted, and a handsome map prepared and published of the proposed village, or prospective city of "Munroe Falls." A commodious store was erected, and stocked with, a full assortment of general merchandise; old mills were rejuvenated, new mills projected and quite a number of dwelling houses were erected by Mr. Munroe, for the use of his agents and operatives, and by others to whom lots in the new city had been sold. So rapid was its growth, and so great was the popular confidence in its success, that several of the prosperous farmers of the: neighborhood, together with several other eastern gentlemen, proposed to share the glory, as well as the profits, with Mr. Munroe, by the organization of a joint stock company. Accordingly, on the-

3d day of April, 1837, a charter was granted by the Legislature of Ohio, to Edmund Munroe, Isaac " Bileliotss Oliver O. Brown, William H. Munroe, and their associates, until the year 1860, to be known by the name of the "Munroe Falls Manufacturing Company." By the terms of its charter, the company was authorized "to grow and manufacture silk and wool, and also to manufacture <otton, paper, flour, sugar, machinery, and tools of all descriptions which may be necessary in their manufacturing operations," and with an authorized capital stock of $500,000 in shares of $100.00 each. The working capital, to begin with, was fixed at $100,000, of which amount, as appears by the original stock book now in the hands of the writer, $82,000, was subscribed, in sums ranging from $200.00 to $40,000, as follows: Edmund Munroe, $40,000; Isaac I. Bigelow, $4,000; Oliver O. Brown, $4,500; William H. Munroe, $3,000; Owen Brown, $1,000; Henry Cogger, $1,000; Edmund S. Munroe, $10,000; Joseph Anderson, $2,000; Robinson Truesdale, $1,500; Joseph Hine, $1,000; Herman Peck, $300; Jacob Bollinger, Jr., $200; John B. Whedon, $500; Daniel Porter, $300; Parvin Eves, $500; William Armstrong, $500; James B. Angell, $500; Henry Harshbarger, $500; Hiram C. Carlton, $500; James Anderson, $400; Jonas D. Bigelow, $500; William Stow, $1,200; 'Samuel M. Coombs, $1,000; John Hall, 2d, $300; James Kent, $1,000; Ogden Wetmore, $1,000; Martin Bushnell, $3800; Horace Bushnell, $300; William Hickox, $300; Owen B. King, $200; Lewis Dailey, $1,000; Ralph Smith, $1,000; Benjamin Sewall, $1,000; George D. Munroe, $1,000.

It will thus be seen that the Munroes held a majority of the stock, and no doubt was entertained in regard to the final success of the corporotion, and the rapid and prosperous growth of the new city. The entire plat, together with all buildings, machinery, goods, bills payable, crops, farm produce, teams, live stock, etc., belonging to Edmund Munroe, valued at $71,631, was transferred to the company. By-laws were adopted - directors and officers were elected, and the entire machinery of the corporation was under full momentum early in the Summer of 1837.

THE CompaANy STARTS A "BANK.'' - Elsewhere allusion has been made to the great panic of 1837, during which all the banks of the country suspended specie payment, and a very large number entirely collapsed, while dire financial distress, in commercial, manufacturing and agricultural operations, universally prevailed. In this emergency, like many other similar corporations, the Munroe Falls Manufacturing Company, to facilitate its own business operations, as well, perhaps, as to afford financial relief to its patrons and neighbors, issued neatly engraved and printed scrip, in denominations of 10, 25 and 50 cents, and one and two dollars, payable on demand, in current bank notes, when presented in sums of five dollars, or any multiple of that sum. Fora year or two, these notes, with others of their class, circulated freely, and very greatly facilitated the company's mercantile and manufacturing operations, during which time, in addition to quite an extensive retail trade in general merchandise, was added a wholesale department. From this establishment, merchants from neighboring towns and villages were supplied, at about eastern jobbing prices, with prints and other cotton fabrics of New England manafacture. The company fairly held its own for three or four years, when, by reason of the continued business depression, and its inability to realize upon the almost unlimited credit which had been extended to its customers, it became financially embarrassed, and finally bankrupt, large amounts of its "currency" in the hands of the people proving entirely worthless.

Irs Curer CLERK Comers TO GrRIEF.- - Among the operatives and employes of the company, was a young Bostonian by the name of Edward P. Willis, who occupied the position of chiefclerk in the store of the corporation. This young man was a younger brother of the renowned poet, Nathaniel P, Willis. Young Willis was of rather a gay order - somewhat of the modern dude persuasion - and it was rumored that, leading rather a fast life in the city of Boston, his friends had sent him to Ohio, under the auspices of the very respectable representatives of that city, connected with the company, in the hope of effecting his reformation. Be this as it may, certain it is, that in 1844, he is thrown into prison, charged with an infamous crime. The catise of his apprehension may be thus readily stated: Being in attendance upon the commencement exercises of Western Reserve College, at Hudson, on the 8th day of August, 1844, young Willis was introduced to a young lady from Ravenna, by the name of Clara M. Bard, who, with her brother-in-law, Deputy Sheriff Edward P. Bassett, and her sister, Mrs. Cornelia Bassett, were alsoinattendance. In addition to the commencement and graduating exercises, in the daytime, a musical entertainment was given in the college chapel in the evening, to which entertainment Miss Bard was accompanied by Willis. Learning, during the evening, that it was the intention of the Ravenna party to spend the night with friends at Cuyahoga Falls, Willis proposed that if Miss Bard would accept a seat in his buggy, he would go home by way of Cuyahoga Falls, which proposition was assented to, by both Miss Bard and her friends. Starting from Hudson together, Willis soon out-distanced the Bassetts,. though the latter arrived at their destination some time before the former did, occasioning the friends of the young lady considerable anxiety, and no little alarm. Nothing wrong, however, was suspected, until after the return of the party to Ravenna, the next day, when Miss Bard was found to be in such a state of nervous prostration that her friends commenced an investigation of the cause, eliciting from her the story, that somewhere between Hudson and Cuyahoga Falls her escort had turned off from the main road, into a dense piece of woods, where he had made a criminal assault upon her, and that in the desperate struggle which she had made to prevent the accomplishment of his designs, she had sustained serious bruises upon her back and limbs, as well asa terrible strain upon her nervous system.

ARREST AND EXxAMINATION. - On learning the true state of the case, the young lady's brother, Mr. Rodolphus Bard, of Ravenna, visited Cuyahoga Falls, on the 10th day of August, 1844, and filed an affidavit before Birdsey Booth, Esq., one of the justices of the peace for Tallmadge township, charging said Willis with assault with intent to ravish the said Clara M. Bard. A warrant was immediately placed in the hands of Constable Warren Lane, who at once proceeded to Munroe Falls and, taking the accused into custody, escorted him before Justice Booth, to answer to said charge. Pleading not guilty, on hearing the affidavit read, the examination was postponed until August 13, at 10 o'clock a. M., by

Trial, Conviction, Sentence

On the day named Miss Bard and her mother, Anna M. Bard, and her brother-in-law, E. P. Bassett, were sworn and examined. The defendant, offering no testimony, he was held to bail in the sum of $5,000 for his appearance at the September term of the Court of Common Pleas to answer to said charge, in default of which he was remanded to jail.

It may well be imagined that the excitement over the affair, both in Summit and Portage counties, was intense, which was considerably augmented by the fact that the young lady in giving her testimony had fainted entirely away, with the prospect, for a time, that the swoon might prove fatal. While the public sympathy in the two counties, was decidedly with Miss Bard, with corresponding indignation against her alleged assailant, the friends of the accused were also quite numerous and influential, not only providing him with able counsel and every available appliance for his defense, but also laboring to mollify the public feeling and to induce the aggrieved parties to modify their charges and condone the offense.

BEFORE THE CourT OF Common PLEAS. - At the September term, 1844. of the Court of Common Pleas, Hon. Eben Newton, of Canfield, Mahoning county, presided, assisted by associate judges Charles Sumner, of Middlebury, Hugh R. Caldwell, of Franklin township, and Robert K. DuBois, of Akron. The grand jury, after a most careful and searching investigation, returned a true bill of indictment against the accused in the following words: "That Edward P. Willis, on the 8th day of August, A. D., 1844, with force and arms, at Northampton, in the county of Summit aforesaid, in and upon one Clara M. Bard, a female in the peace of the State of Ohio, then and there being, did make an unlawful assault, and her the said Clara M. Bard, did then and there unlawfully beat, wound, and ill-treat, with intent then and there, unlawfully to ravish and carnally know, to the great damage of her, the said Clara M. Bard, contrary to the form of the statute in such case made and provided, and against the peace and dignity of the State of Ohio."

On being arraigned, under the indictment, the defendant enters a plea of "not guilty," and, in the language of the law, "throws himself upon the couvtry." <A large number of witnesses were examined, the court room being crowded to its extremest capacity, with a most intensely interested audience, both men and women. The main interest, of course, centered in the testimony of the accusing witness, Miss Bard, who, by reason of the delicate position in which she was placed, and the embarrassing nature of the questions propounded, again, as before the magistrate, swooned during the extremely severe cross-examination, to which she was subjected by the defendant's counsel, though maintaining a straight-forward and consistent story, throughout.

CoNVICTION AND SENTENCE. - The testimony being all in, the case was ably argued by Rufus P. Spalding and S. W. McClure, who were assigned to assist William M. Dodge, prosecuting attorney, on the part of the State, and by L. V. Bierce and Van R. Humphrey on the part of defense. After an elaborate charge by Judge Newton, the case which had occupied the attention of the court for nearly a week, was given to the jury, which, after a few hours' consideration, returned "that the said Kdward P. Willis is guilty in manner and form as he stands charged in said indictment." The defendant's counsel immediately moved for a new trial on the ground that one of the jurors had expressed an opinion against the prisoner, previous to the trial, which fact was unknown to the defendant or his counsel before the case was given to the jury; and also because of error in the charge of the court to the jury. The court, after hearing arguments of counsel for and against, overruled the motion and immediately sentenced the prisoner to five years in the penitentiary.

A bill of exceptions was presented by the defendant's counsel, which was signed by all the judges, except Judge Sumner, who declined to attach his signature to the bill because of the impeachable character of the witnesses who had testified in regard to juror having expressed an opinion previous to the trial. On this bill of exceptions, Hon. Reuben Wood, one of the judges of the Supreme Court, on the 7th day of October, 1844, granted a writ of error, and ordered a transcript of the writ to be certified to the Supreme Court for review.

HEARING BEFORE SUPREME CouRT. - Willis, notwithstanding his large array of influential friends, being unable to procure bail, continued to occupy a felon's cell in the county jail, awaiting the hearing of his case before the Supreme Court, which, under the old system of jurisprudence, being a circulating institution, did not get around to Summit county until the 6th day of October, 1845, Judges Reuben Wood and Matthew Burchard presiding. On the case being reached, the alleged causes of error in the proceedings below were duly presented, and the case ably argued by counsel for both the defense and the State, a portion of which allegations were sustained by the court and the case remanded to the Court of Common Pleas for a new trial.

At the November term of the Court of Common Pleas, 1845, the defendant was again brought to trial, commencing on Monday, November 24, and occupying the attention of the court during the balance of the week, the attendance being as large and the excitement even greater than on the former trial, the State being this time represented by William S. C. Otis, prosecuting attorney, and S. W. McClure, and the defense by L. V. Bierce and Van R. Humphrey, as before; Judge Humphrey's plea for the accused, being one of the most eloquent efforts ever made in Summit county and occupying over six hours.

Under the charge of the court the case was given to the jury on Friday, November 28, who, after nearly twenty-four hours' deliberation, late on Saturday afternoon rendered a verdict of guilty, as charged in the indictment. Defendant's, counsel again immediately moved for a new trial and change of venue, on the ground of misconduct on the part of several of the jurors, and of undue prejudice against the prisoner among the people of Summit county. The hearing of the motion was postponed until Friday, December 5, on the early morning of which day the town and entire vicinity were thrown into the most intense excitement by the rapidly spreading report that "Willis has escaped from jail."

Investigation disclosed the fact that, probably through outside aid, the outer doors of the jail, and three of the cell doors, had been unlocked by means of false keys, during the previous night, and that Willis and another prisoner, charged with forgery, had: escaped - the third prisoner, William Buckmaster, of Bath, under a six years' sentence for incest; for some unexplained reason, failing to take advantage of the opportunity thus afforded him for securing his liberty. .

On the coming in of court, counsel for defense filed several affidavits, including those of three of the jurors who had tried the case, and counter-affidavits were also produced by Prosecuting ' Attorney Otis, all of which, owing to the escape of the prisoner, were submitted without argument, whereupon the motion for a new trial and change of venue was overruled and the case continued.

A UnigvE Document. - In anticipation of his escape, and as a stupendous joke upon the officers of the law, Willis left behind him a formal "Declaration of Independence," which, in his own handwriting, is now in possession of the writer. It is a close imitation of the immortal Declaration of American Independence, after giving, as his motto, "If we fail, it can be no worse for us, but we shall not fail," starting out with:

"When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for one person to dissolve the legal bonds which have been unjustly imposed upon him by others, and to assume among mankind the separate and equal station to which the laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle him, a decent respect to the feelings of others who may be interested, requires that he should declare the causes which impel him to the separation."

Quoting almost verbatim the second section of the Declaration as to abuses, usurpations, etc., as applicable to the attitude of the public, and especially of the court officials, towards himself, he proceeds: "To prove this, let facts be submitted .to a candid world:

"They have unjustly entered our house at midnight, filled our room with men and called upon us, in the presence of this force, to go to a neighboring village. . "

"When arrived and, on hearing the charge, demanding an immediate investigation, it was refused, and bail ordered to be given on penalty of being committed to prison.

"On going, in custody of the officer, in pursuit of bail, a mob was raised and we were dragged back before the justice, who, under the threat and terror of the mob, increased the bail, first to more than three times and eventually to more than sixteen times the original amount.

"The charge consists mainly of an intent, of which no one, unless he have directly imparted to him the divine prerogative, can know, but ourself.

"To prove this charge a'witness is called to substantiate by oath a statement made by her in the heat of'the moment to meet a wrongly supposed betrayal.of her secret by us, and which statement is as untrue in its material points, as it is repugnant, to every feeling in the breast of a human being. : [ ;

"All the testimony of the prosecuting witness is received in full force, and it is believed that she does not tell half the truth, while we, Jess interested, and of necessity knowing more about it, have our mouth sealed.

"The position in which we are placed, that of antagonism to a woman, is an extremely unpleasant and embarrassing one in which chivalry forbids a proper defense, while the consequences of not making one are utter ruin.

"Improper means were used to influence and excite the feelings of an. innocent and unsuspecting jury, by an unseemly display of this well-trained and fascinating female, in a theatrical and effective tableau. A fainting scene was twice got up for effect in the progress of the testimony, leaving an impression on the minds of the jury that there was something kept back

"Finally, destruction without proper representation, and damnation om misrepresentation, are i epresed abhorrent to every rule of justice, and every sense of right, and should be resisted to the utmost by every good citizen and every friend of his country. ;

"We, therefore, in unjust confinement held - appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions - do, in our own name and authority, solemnly publish and declare that we are, and of right ought to be, free and independent. é ; ;

"And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance in the protection of Divine Providence, we singly pledge our life, our fortune and our sacred honor."

A Curious Hipinc PLace. - The county commissioners offered the meager reward of $100 for his arrest and return, and the officers made every possible effort to trace the fugitive, but without avail. Many rumors were afloat as to his having been seen at this. and that point, both in the east and west, which, on being traced up, were found to be without foundation. The case was continued from term to term for over five years, when at the March term, 1851, a nolle prosequi was entered by the court. This left Mr. Willis free to come forth from his hiding whenever he might choose to do so, and his counsel to tell what they might know concerning his escape and flight.

GENERAL BIERCE'S Story. - After the safety of his client had been thus secured, through the dismissal of the suit, General Bierce took seeming delight in rehearsing the story of his escape, concealment and flight. Disclaiming any personal knowledge as to the procurement or manipulation of the false keys, or even that an escape was contemplated, the General said that sometime during the night, he was awakened from sleep by a succession of light taps upon his bedroom window; that on going to the window to ascertain the cause, he found a muffled figure standing there, which ina timid, frightened and whispered voice disclosed itself to be his twice convicted client. Sending him around to the other side of the house, he cautiously let him in; and there, in the darkness, formed a plan for his concealment, which was no less a scheme than to immure him in an unused cisternin his back yard,. until the excitement should blow over. Quietly gathering up one or two buffalo robes, which he happened to have in the house, together with sundry articles of bedding, clothing, etc., and depositing them in the cistern, by the aid of a short ladder, conveniently at hand, the ci-devant Boston dude was as completely entombed from the world as though physically dead and funereally interred. Food and other creature comforts were regularly supplied at night, for about six weeks, when, on a particularly tempestuous night, about the middle of January, 1846, in a well-contrived disguise, the fugitive emerged from his living sepulcher, received from his faithful attorney a well-filled purse, mounted a thoroughly-caparisoned, fleet-footed horse found standing in an adjoining alley, and, "solitary and alone," rode forth into the darkness and the storm.

Frinps A REFUGE IN SuNNy ITaLy. - Rumors from time to time reached the public ear that Willis was sojourning in Florence, Italy, but nothing definite was learned by the general public as to his whereabouts, and no efforts were made by the authorities to secure his extradition, if, indeed, there was any extradition treaty in existence for that grade of offense between the two countries, at

-that time. Thus matters stood untilafter a nol/e had been entered in the case, as above stated, when, in the Autumn of 1851, he accompanied the notorious Lola Montez to New York, as her confidential adviser, and managing agent. The older portion of our readers will readily recall the remarkable career of this remarkable woman, both in Europe and America, and her erratic history need not be repeated here, excepting to say that during her stay in New York, where she appeared upon the stage of the Broadway theater in a piece entitled "Lola Montez in Bavaria," she quarreled with her gay and festive confidential agent and adviser and summarily ejected him from her apartments at the Astor House, and ignominiously kicked him down stairs.

THe Enp or Epwarp P. Wiis. - After his break with his erratic mistress, Willis was for a time given a subordinate position in the office of the Home Journal (formerly the New York Mirror, of which his distinguished brother, Nathaniel P. Willis, the poet and popular prose writer, was one of the editors and publishers), his death occuring in Boston a few years later, but at what particular date, or from what particular cause, the writer is not advised. Thus ends the sad story of a young man of excellent parentage and of good native ability, who by taking the downward path, became as dishonorably infamous, in Summit and Portage counties, forty-five years ago, as, by taking the upward track, his elder brother became honorably famous throughout all the civilized nations of the earth. Young man! which of the two brothers will you emulate - the famous or the infamous?

TALLMADGE TOWNSHIP - ORIGIN, EARLY SETTLEMENT, ETC. - A UTOPIAN PROJECT - UNIQUE ADJUSTMENT OF LOTS AND ROADS - AN OCTUPLE GUIDE BOARD - NAME, ORGANIZATION, ETC. - PET SCHEME OF FOUNDER THWARTED - CHURCH AND EDUCATIONAL MATTERS - PIONEER DEAF AND DUMB SCHOOL IN OHIO - CURIOUS CHURCH PRIZE CURIOUSLY WON - FIRST "STRIKE" ON RECORD--PIONEER MINING OPERATIONS - EARLY LOCAL RAILROAD - BLAST FURNACE PROJECT - EXTENSIVE CARRIAGE SHOPS, SEWER PIPE WORKS, ETC. - CLEAN CRIMINAL RECORD - SPLENDID MILITARY SHOWING - BRILLIANT CIVIL RECORD, ETC.

NE of the most reliable and painstaking local historians of Summit county was the late Charles C. Bronson, of Tallmadge. Emigrating to that township from Connecticut, with his parents, in 1819, then a boy of 15 years, he resided upon the farm which he then helped to clear, until his death, April 11, 1886, a period of 76 years, and possessing a remarkably retentive memory, as well as being a minute observer and recorder of passing events, whatever has emanated from his pen may be received with the fullest confidence as being thoroughly correct.

In attempting, therefore, the preparation of a brief historical sketch of Tallmadge, I have availed myself of the writings of my late friend, aided by those of the late Captain Amos Seward, Colonel Charles Whittlesey, Hon. E. N. Sill and Gen. Lucius V. Bierce, and the recollections of Messrs. Daniel Hine, Andrew Fenn, Ira P. Sperry, Daniel A. Upson, George Allison and other surviving. residents of the township.

OrIGIN, EARLY SETTLEMENT, Etc. - The survey of the Western Ikeserve lands, east of the Cuyahoga river and Portage Path, was completed, by Wareham Shepard and Amzi Atwater, for the Connecticut Land Company, late in the Fall of 1797, Tallmadge, then unnamed, being designated as Town 2, Range 10. In the 24th draft, at Hartford, Conn., in January, 1798, the township fell to Jonathan Brace and Enoch Perkins, of Hartford, Roger Newberry, of Windsor, Elijah White, of Bolton, Conn., Justin Ely, of West Springfield, Azariah Rockwell, Abner and Roswell Root, and Oliver P. Dickinson, of Pittsfield, and Stephen W. Jones, of Stockbridge, Mass.; the total number of acres within the township, thus drawn, being 15,225. :

The first five parties named constituted what was known as the 'Brace Company," the last five forming the " Rockwell Company." Subsequently, in October, 1799, Jones sold his share to Ephraim Starr, of Goshen, and Stanley Griswold, of New Milford, Conn., Starr purchasing Griswold's interest the following year. The remaining members of the Rockwell Company, Nov. 9, 1799, transferred their interest to Colonel Benjamin Tallmadge, of Litchfield, Conn. This made the Brace Company and Messrs. Tallmadge and Starr, tenants in common of the entire township, by a subsequent arrangement the Brace Company taking the entire west half of the township, Mr. Starr three sections east of the center line, from the north line of the township southward, and Colonel Tallmadge the balance of the township.

A Projecrep Uroprra. - In 1806, Rev. David Bacon, of Woodstock, Conn., who with true, Puritanic piety and devotion had, under the auspices of the Connecticut Missionary Society, given about five years to missionary work among the Indians near Detroit, made a contract with Messrs. Tallmadge and Starr and the Brace Company, for the purchase of a portion, and to act as their agent for the sale of the residue of their lands in the yet unsettled and unnamed township.

Being an earnest believer in, and preacher of, the christian religion, Mr. Bacon conceived the idea of founding, in the wilds of Ohio, a community that should be in full sympathy with his own unswerving orthodox religious notions - a sort of Ecclesiastical Utopia - to be conducted upon, and governed by, a strictly moral and spiritual code of ethics.