Hamilton City (part 2 of 12)

William Cooper, in the public prints, gives notice that, having lately taken the tavern stand on High Street, op- | posite the court-house, formerly occupied by George F. i Giassford, he begged leave to notify his friends that he j had opened a house of entertainment, and solicits a share | of public patronage. Tit is was in 1822.

In 1824 Hiram Wright respectfully informed his friends, and the. public in general, that he had lately opened a public house on the corner of Dayton and Main Streets, in Hamilton, where he was ready to accommodate those who gave him a call. Liquors would Ik; sold 50 per cent lower than heretofore in this place, if cosh were paid down, otherwise the customary price. "Shoemaking carried on as usual. Butchering to commence on the third day of August next, where beef can be bad of 'the best quality and in the neatest manner, on Tuesday and Saturday mornings."

Somewhat later, George Vandegriif took the establishment formerly occupied by William Cooper, " in the brick row opposite the court-house, where he is now keeping a house of entertainment for the accommodation of traveling gentlemen and ladies, and solicits a share of public patronage." The bill of prices is as follows:

"X. B. Gentlemen and ladies can be accommodated with private rooms. He has repaired the house in good style, and his accommodations are as good as any in the county."

Barbarism

Having taken a permanent residence in this place, tenders his professional services to the gentlemen of Hamilton, Rossville, and their respective vicinities. He may be found at any time at his office, where all business intrusted to his care will be diligently and faithfully attended to. He does not wish to make any great profession of his knowledge, or to speak in his own praise, neither does he wish to "anticipate the pleasure" which gentlemen must necessarily and inevitably feel while undergoing the operation of his < exterov.s performance, but will merely state that he has Heretofore never failed to give universal and unbounded satisfaction to his friends.

The peculiar situation in w Inch he has fortunately located himself is strikingly singular. On one side of him is a law office*, on the other a tavern, the court-house in his front, -Stable Street in his rear, and a printing office immediately above him. Possessing so many superior advantages, in point "f locality, political principles, and acquirements over his pre- - hressor (Benj. Tolliver!, who came before the public under arbitrary colors, Green Briggs flatters himself that his serv- !<-<-'< will be. duly appreciated, and that he will meet with the rapport and approbation of an enlightened community.

Notwithstanding the head prefixed to this notice may appear somewhat shocking, still there is no harm whatever n.mjidcd. He merely wishes to convey the idea that lie will

Tn 1820 a calamity occurred that sent a thrill throughout the community. A house in this town, occupied by Mr. James Boal, was struck by lightning, and the electric fluid caused the death of no less than four persons, thus bereaving Mr. Boal of an affectionate wife and two lovely children, one about five and the other about three years of age, and a widowed mother, Mrs. Perriue, of a daughter in the bloom of life. Four other persons were in the room at the time, three of Mrs. Boal's children, and a daughter of Mrs. McCarron, who providentially escaped with but slight injury.

Fashionable gentlemen now may be interested in knowing what kinds of clothes were worn in those days. Mr. Basey's house had been broken into, and be had been robbed. He was a well-known saloon-keeper of the town. He thus advertises his loss:

" About nine o'clock iast evening from the residence of the subscriber in Hamilton, the following articles of clothing: A drab double-milled Newmarket coat lined with silk ; a blue close-bodied coat with a few' small slits in the tail of it; two silk velvet vests, one a black and the other a crimson color. Two pair of blue pantaloons, of the same quality as the close-bodied coat ; one pair ribbed cassimere; one pair fine blue cazinett; one pair sky-blue ribbed cazinett."

" The American museum of wax figures," exhibited here in 1825 at Colonel VandegrifFs hotel. The museum consisted of nineteen figures, General Jackson, Commodore Porter, John Q. Adams, General Marat, and Charlotte Corday, Lorenzo Dow, Catharine, the empress of Russia, Harriet New'ell and her infant, the American beauty, and two beautiful children, the fair sleeping Desdemona, and an infant child, Paul Coffee, Turner the Hermit, two Lilliputians, and an African boy.

During the freshet in April, 1825, twenty-five boats descended the Miami River, laden with pork, flour, and whisky destined for New' Orleans. One or two accidents occurred. One boat struck the pier of the Hamilton bridge, and sunk a few miles below. Another was wrecked a short distance above town, and a Mr. Johusou, of Rossville, was drowned in assisting the owner to save the cargo.

The forty-eighth anniversary of our national independence was celebrated in 1824 by the citizens of Hamilton and Rossville. At half past 8 o'clock, A. M., a procession was formed in front of Blair's Hotel and proceeded to the Presbyterian Church, where (after other exercises by some of Mr. Watkins's pupils) Taylor Webster pronounced a highly interesting and appropriate oration. At 11 A. M., the citizens assembled at the court-house. The Declaration of Independence was read by James McBride, and the oration delivered by Mr. John L. Watkins; after which those citizens who wished to partake of the entertainment prepared by Mr. I.. P. Sayre, in Rossville, were directed to form a procession ar. the cast door of the court-house, which was accordingly done, and, preceded by a band of musicians, playing I suitable martial airs, they moved to the place of destination. Great cordiality prevailed throughout, and nothing occurred to mar the festivity of the day, which was j ended in a very happy way.

The anniversary of 'Washington's birthday was cele- ; brated in a very becoming manner by the citizens of Hamilton and Russville, on Wednesday, February 22, 1826. At 2 o'clock P. INI. the farewell address of Washington was read by Mr. Charles K. Smith before a large and highly respectable audience of both sexes, assembled at the court-house, after which Mr. Jesse Corwin pronounced an oration, the whole being much enlivened by. the performance of se\ eral appropriate airs by a band of music.

The Hamilton Free and Easy Club met in February, 1825. at early candle-light, to discuss at Mr. Blair's Assembly Boom, the following question: "'Were the Allied Powers justifiable in confining Napoleon Bonaparte ou the Island of St. Helena?"

In 1825 the Cincinnati and Dayton mail stage ran once a week between Cincinnati and Dayton. It left Cincinnati every Monday at 4 A. M. , and arrived at ! Hamilton the same day by 6 P. M. It left Hamilton \ every Tuesday at 4 A. M., and arrived at Dayton the ! same day at 6 P. 2d. From Dayton it left every Friday at 4 A. M., reaching Hamilton the same day by 6 P. M.

The stage offices were kept at Cincinnati by Hezekiah Fox ; at Hamilton by Thomas Blair, and at Davton by Timothy Squires. The owners were Henderson & ! Squires.

As an instance of rapid traveling, the newspaper savs i that the President's message, in 1829, was delivered ! at the city of Washington on the 8th inst., and "wc, ; ar this distance, publish it on the 11th - only three !

In 1827, it was stated on the authority of Platt Evans, of Cincinnati, that goods were transported from New | York by the canal at the following prices per hundred I weight :

From the same city, by way of Philadelphia and Pittsburg, Mr. Bard, also of Cincinnati, said it cost him five dollars per hundred weight, and required several days lunger. It was, therefore, much cheaper, and equally ! fade, to take goods purchased in Philadelphia, for the | western market, by the way of New York.

Three Cents Reward

Walked away (too lazy to run) from the bouse of the subscriber, in Butler County, on the 11th inst., an indented apprentice to the coopering business, ycleped William Vann, 16 years of age, about 5 feet high. Pie took with him a new drab tight-bodied coat, an old wool chapeau, &e. All persons are cautioned against, harboring or employing him. The above reward (but no extra charges or thanks) will be given to the person who will " do up " the said walk-a-way in a bandbox, to prevent his taking cold, and deliver him safely to Jonas Wehr.

Among the deaths recorded at an early date, we have Matthew 'Win ton, in the seventy-eighth year of his aye, in 1830; Moses Conner, in 1829; Sarah W right, in the eightieth year of her age, in 1828; George Chesterson, an aged citizen, in 1825, and John Blackball, in 1824.

The mayor's docket of 1834, when James McBride filled that position,- has been preserved. It is full of interesting reading. The first case we notice bears date of October 28, 1834, and was the filiate vs. Ruber Meeker, on the charge of running a horse through the streets of Hamilton. The charge was made by Samuel Bayless, and the witnesses were John S. Gordon, John M- Millikm, George P. Bell, and John Woods. The docket shows a clear case against the defendant, and a fine of five dollars was annexed against him.

On the same day, and on the same charge, and proved by the same witnesses. John Meeker paid a similar fine ; but John Meeker must have been indulging- in something stronger than spring water, for the next case on the docket is that in which ou a charge of assault and battery on Matthias Dungan he pleaded guilty, and was again fined five dollars and costs.

There arc a number of cases against sundry parties for " keeping a grocery and retailing spirits without a license.'' Henry Amsden, John Jenkins, Benjamin Talbert, James Elliott, James Ward, Charley Snyder, Billy Lohmanu, and others, were so arraigned, and when they could not produce, and generally they did not, the permit of the Common Pleas Court to sell liquor, they submitted to a flue of thirty dollars and costs.

The 2 1st of February, 1836, was a good day for the marshal of Hamilton, fhe weather had been unusually cold, and on that bright Sunday morning the basin was frozen over as smooth as glass, and as solid as a rock. Mr. Bayless had his hands full of warrants for the arrest of A\ ilharn B. Cameron, Ira M. Coliyer, John Blackall, Alex. Richardson, William East, a boy of color ; William Ha prison, James (Moore, Benjamin Yau Hook, ami a half dozen others "engaged in the sport or amusement of skating on the Hamilton Basin ou the Sabbath day." 1 hey were called upon to pay fines and costs ranging from ouc to two dollars

Shortly after this Henry Swain, commonly called "Dutch Henry," was fined three dollars and costs for ruling his horse at a gallop through the streets. The

Rut on Sunday, February 28, 1836, Michael Delorac, jn-thrared, doubtless, by the devil and an inordinate ereed of .rain, sold a grindstone for the sum of one dol- ! hr and tiftv cents. He was arrested "for being found on the first day of the week, commonly called Sunday, ,-portincr and at common labor, in violation of the statutes," etc., and fined one dollar and costs.

On 'the same day John B. Weller, John Woods, and William Bebl) were arrested on a similar warrant for Sabbath breaking. The facts in these cases are as follows :

"The said defendant (Weller), on Sunday, the 28th | of February last, in company with others, left Hamilton on horseback for Eaton, in Preble County, with the avowed intention of attending the Court of Common Pleas in that countv, which commenced its session on the ensuing Monday.

"The defendant, John B. Weller, moved the court to be discharged, upon the grounds that the facts, as proved, do not bring the ease within the section of law under which he is arraigned, to wit, the first section of an act entitled, 'An act for the prevention of immoral practices,' because the charge, as proved , is no violation of the laws of Ohio, and not recognized as an offense. Which motion was overruled by the mayor, who refused to discharge the defendant on the grounds above stated, whereupon the said defendant tendered his bill of exception'', which was signed by the mayor, and the mayor assessed a fine of one dollar for the offense and costs of suit."

Daniel Skinner, who had the temerity to engage in the sport or amusement of sleigh-riding on the Sunday of February 28, 1836, was summarily arrested, and, on the testimony of W. H. Bartlett, Jesse Corwin, John Eiehelbc-rger, Israel Gregg, and John G. Ritter, vindicated his reputation and succeeded in obtaining a verdict of not guilty.

The anniversary of our national independence was appropriately celebrated by the citizens in 1830. An impressive address to the throne of grace was offered up i by the Rev. Mr. J. Bradley, of Middletown. The Declaration of Independence was read by W. Murray, Jr., and an eloquent oration pronounced by James Rciiv. The procession was again formed and marched to Uossville. where an elegant dinner was prepared by Mr. Ingersoil, for which the company appeared to have excellent appetites.

The political contest between General Jackson, Henry f lay. and John Q. Adams for the Presidency produced urvni excitement in the county of Butler, dividing the people into parties, which opposed and assailed each other "-tit ali the violence of party rancor. On the success of General Jackson, in the Fall of 1828, great rejoicing "as mail*- bv the successful parly. A celebration was had, ami barbecue made in Rossville on the 4th of March, 1829, Iteing the day on which General Jackson was inaugurated. A fatted ox was furnished by Jacob Wehr, which was roasted whole, on the common on the river bank, in the lower part of Rossville, which, with bread furnished from the bakery, formed the bill of fare. Two or three hundred persons were present, who, with their knives, each cut off such part of the ox as suited their taste. This, with bread and an abundance of whisky, obtained from the neighboring groceries, constituted the repast. The day was somewhat rainy and the ground muddy, and the liberal potations of whisky used at the feast rendered the appearance of the assemblage in the evening like any thing else than a temperance meeting.

In July, 1830, Henry Clay, of Kentucky, paid a visit to Hamilton, in accordance with an invitation received from the citizens of the place, communicated through a committee who had been appointed to wait on him for that purpose. He arrived at Hamilton on Thursday, the 20th of July, and on the next day partook of a public dinner provided on the occasion. The dinner was prepared by Thomas Blair and served up in elegant style under the shade of the locust trees in the public square, on the east side of the court-house, about two o'clock, at which two hundred and eleven persons sat down, being all that the table would accommodate. John Bigger, of Warren County, officiated as president of the day. After the dinner was over toasts were given and drank with great glee. After the toast complimentary to Mr. Clay had been given and drank, he addressed the assembled multitude from the east door of the courthouse in a speech of great eloquence and effect, which occupied about two hours in the delivery. There were about one thousand persons present to hear him.

Th.e house and yard were brilliantly illuminated and crowded to overflowing, and all the beauty and elegance of the town and neighborhood were present to welcome and take by the band their celebrated guest. On Saturday Mr. Clay bade farewell to Hamilton, and proceeded to Cincinnati, on his way to Ashland.

Hamilton Lasix

In the year 1826 and 1827 that portion of the Miami Canal between Cincinnati and the Miami fields above Middletown was constructed, passing on the east side of the town of Hamilton at the distance of nearly a mile from the Miami River, and about half a mile from inlots of the town. On the first day of July, 1827, the water was let into the Miami Canal by the feeder, two miles above Middletown. The first boat on it was built at. Middletown by Robert L. Campbell, and called the tjiiimtel Form-. On the fourth day of July, the water having reached Middletown, the canal-boat made several trips- from Middletown to the canal feeder. The canal filled slowly, so that it took more than a month before the water reached Hamilton. In August the canal-boat Samuel Form - came down to Hamilton, and remained some time, making trips with ladies and gentlemen for pleasure to Middletown and to the neighborhood of the big pond below Hamilton.

In December, 1 827, the citizens of Hamilton and Rossville had a public meeting at the court-house in Hamilton, at which they passed resolutions setting forth their grievances in consequence of the location and construction of the Miami Canal, and appointed Robert B. Millikin, John Roily, and Thomas Blair their agents to memorialize the board of canal commissioners on the subject of a hit- ! eral canal and basin, and perform such other matters as might be deemed necessary. A survey and plan with an estimate of the expense of constructing a side cut or lateral canal from the main canal to the town of Hamilton was made by Jesse L. Williams, an engineer on the Miami Canal, and now living at a good old age in Fort Wayne, which was forwarded to the board of canal commissioners, together with a memorial by the agents on behalf of the citizens, praying that the board would, on behalf of the State of Ohio, make, a location of a lateral canal and basin at Hamilton, and grant the citizens the privilege of its construction, and give them such pecuniary aid as they might deem proper. Jesse Corwin was appointed by the citizens to proceed to Columbus and lay the memorial before the board of canal commissioners, and represent the case as well to the board as to the Legislature. Dr. Daniel Millikin was afterwards associated with him to second him in his efforts.

On the presentation of this memorial, the board of canal commissioners, at a meeting held at Columbus, on the fifteenth day of January, 1828, passed the following resolution :

" Resolved, That in the event of the General Assembly granting to the hoard of canal commissioners the authority to lay out and construct side cuts, or lateral canals, as suggested in the last report of the board, the acting commissioner be authorized to lay out and establish a side cut from the Miami Canal to the town of Hamilton, and upon the construction of it by the inhabitants of said town, in the manner he shall prescribe, to pay towards the cost of the same to the persons properly authorized to receive it, a sum not exceeding two thousand dollars."

In compliance with the request of the citizens of Hamilton, the Legislature of the State of Ohio, on the eleventh day of February, 1828, passed a law authorizing the canal commissioners " to construct, or permit to lie constructed, a navigable communication between the Miami Canal and the town of Hamilton, in the county of Butler, and if they should deem it inexpedient to construct such com- j muiiicatimi at the expense of the State, they may permit i it to bo done at the expense of individuals desiring such 1

On the passage of this law subscription papers were immediately put into circulation, and a sum deemed sufficient to complete the work was soon subscribed. When this was accomplished, on the application of the citizens, Micajah T. Williams, acting canal commissioner on the Miami line, on the thirty-first day of March, 1828, entered into a contract with Andrew McCleary, of Rossviile, to construct the basin at seven and threefourths cents per cubic yard for the embankment.

The length of the Hamilton side cut, or basin, from the main canal was fifty-three chains and. sixty-two links. The natural surface of the ground on which the basin was constructed being some four or five feet lower than the bottom of the main canal, it was laid out of such a width as to admit of the earth ami gravel being taken | from the. center to construct the banks. The basin was one hundred and twenty feet wide at the bottom, and one hundred and forty-eight feet wide at the surface of the water, having an average depth of about eighteen feet. On each side was a towing path eight feet wide, which, with the slope of the banks, made the whole width occupied by the basin from the outside base of one bank to the outside base of the other bank about two hundred and six feet. The surface of the water in the basin being about five feet above the general level of the town, it presented a beautiful appearance.

Mr. McCleary, the contractor, commenced the work immediately on his closing the contract, and prosecuted it with vigor, so that the whole was completed by the 13th of December, 1828, and the water let into the basin a few days afterwards. The bottom of the basin being a very loose gravel and the banks also gravel, it required a considerable length of time to fill it and some care to prevent the banks from giving way. The water leaked through the banks and at the bottom, rising up in High Street and the low ground on the north so as to overflow to the depth of three or four feet in the street in the front of Mrs. Caldwell's residence, doing considerable damage to property in that part of the town, until a drain was dug down Basin Street to convey the water to the river. The leakage continued for several months. Mr. McCleary paid at that time for a man and two horses and a scraper only seventy-five cents per day; for a stout, able-l>odiod man, thirty cents per day, and, notwithstanding the cheap labor, he lost over one thousand and five him a red dollars.

For -'rubbing, safety-gate, bridges, and other work. o7"> For puddling, securing safety-gate, digging ditch to drain water to the river, and other expenses necessarily incident to the eonstiueden of the work, 605 50

An office for the collection of tolls was established at ! the east end of the Hamilton basin, on the main line of the canal, in March, 1828, and Pierson Sayre appointed collector, with a salary of two hundred dollars per year. He then lived in East Hamilton, and continued in office until the 1st of April, 1830, when he resigned, and William Blair was appointed in his room, with a salary of three hundred dollars per year.

In March, 1832, the office was removed to the west ! end of the basin. On the first day of March, 1832, i William Blair resigned the office and Robert Harper was j appointed in his stead, who served until the first day of : March, 1836, when he resigned, and John Crane was \ appointed, who continued in office to 1844. On the 27th : of January, 1844, the Legislature passed a law declaring : that the collectors of canal tolls should be entitled to ' receive such compensation as shall be allowed by the I board of public works, not exceeding two-thirds of the ; amount now allowed. The salary of the collector of Hamilton was reduced to two hundred dollars per year.

hostilities the conflict was over. He served for several years afterwards as captain of a military company. He died in 1840, aged sixty, while his widow survived hirn fourteen years, dying at the age of sixty-four. But one brother of Hr. Falconer's, John II. Falconer, ever grew to manhood. He was a tailor and hotel-keeper in Rossville for several years, and afterwards a farmer in Illinois, where he died in I860. His only sister was Mrs. Louise M, Deshler, widow7 of the late John G. Deshler, of Columbus, who was a very prominent and wealthy banker. Dr. Falconer received his primary education in the schools of Hamilton. At the age of fourteen he began studying Latin and the higher branches in a select school conducted by John L. Watkius. In 1826 he entered Miami University (then in its infancy), and was in the class with General Robert C. Schenek. He remained at this institution until the Fall of 1827. To add a little experience and knowledge of the world to Ids book learning, he accompanied his father on his last trip to Few Orleans on a flat-boat down the Ohio and the Mississippi. It was on this romantic trip that he became instilled with abolition principles. He witnessed slavery in its worst form ; and the cruelties and degradation seen by him made a lastiug impression upon his mind. Upon his return in the following Spring he began the study of medicine in the office of I)r. R, B. Miliikin, father of Mr. Thomas Millikin, at present the oldest practicing lawyer of Hamilton. During 1830 and 1831, he took a course of lectures at the Ohio Medical College, at Cincinnati. In 1832 he was licensed to practice medicine by the Second Senatorial District Medical Society, and immediately opened an office in Hamilton, lu the Fall of 1834 he entered into partnership with Dr. L. lligdon, brother of Mr. Sidney Rigdun, made famous by his association with Joseph Smith, of Mormon notoriety. The Winter of 1837 was passed by the doctor in traveling through Texas 011 horseback, shortly after the capture of Santa Anna by Sam Houston, prospecting for a new location. A tour was also made through Illinois and Iowa, when he returned to Hamilton, and in the Autumn of 1838 he entered the Cincinnati Medical College, from which he graduated in 1839. He now resumed his practice in Hamilton, opening an office on the grounds where his residence now stands. In 1846 lie took as assistant Dr. L. J. Smith, and in 1850 received him as partner. In 1859 this relation was dissolved, and it was not uutil 1878 that another and last partnership was formed, when Dr. Lee Corbin became associated -with him iu practice for one year.

It is just half a century since Dr. Falconer entered opon t lie duties of his profession, which gives him the distinction of being the oldest practicing physician iu the county, while but few in the State can lay claim to a professional career of equal length. No physician iu buth.r County is more widely or more favorably known than Dr. Falconer, not only by his acknowledged skill as a physician and surgeon, hut also as a man of prominence outside of his chosen profession. His early education was liberal, and from studious habits and a naturally inquiring disposition his mind is replete with a store of knowledge that constitutes him one of Hamilton's most cultured citizens. He is a ready writer, which from time to time has enabled him to furnish scientific and medical journals with able articles. His first contribution was a report on cholera in Butler County, published in 1834 in Dr. Drake's Western Medical Journal. Another article which attracted considerable notice was furnished the same journal some years afterwards, describing a Caesarean operation performed by him.

Doctor Falconer has been a prominent member of the Ohio State Medical Association ever since 1845, shortly after its inception, and is one of a few of its oldest members now living. He has been its vice-president repeatedly, and in 1881 was nominated for president, but was defeated by a small vote. He has also been a member of the American Medical Association since 1859, and was a delegate to the first international medical congress, which was held in Philadelphia in 1876. The medical profession in Butler and surrounding counties owe much to Doctor Falconer for his etfbrts in their behalf. Ho was the active founder of the Butler County Medical Society, established in 1837, and served as its president for many years. Fie has also been president of the District Medical Society, composed of the physicians of Butler and Preble Counties, Ohio, and Union, Rush, Wayne, and Fayette Counties, Indiana. Doctor Falconer for many years has had a very large practice, and every thing intended for the advancement of medical science in the surrounding country has had his hearty support and the benefits of his long and successful experience. Upon the first draft of soldiers in 1861 he was appointed examining surgeon of this district. For the past three years Doctor Falconer has been carrying on a farm in Hanover Township iu connection with his other duties. During R. B. Ha es's first term as governor of the State, Doctor Falconer was, by bis appointment, trustee of the State Agricultural College, and was also appointed by Governor Noyes.

Ever since the inception of the Republican party Doctor Falconer has been an enthusiastic supporter of its principles, although his first vote was cast for a Democratic candidate, General Jackson, in 1832. Between that date, however, anti the birth of the Republican party liis affiliations were with the Whigs. He figured conspicuously in politics iu those days and was sent as delegate to the Whig National Convention at Harrisburg, in 1839, which nominated General Harrison for President, and took an active part in the campaign following.

The doctor lias been one uf the leading members of the Presbyterian Church of Hamilton for a great manv years, having been associated with that Church since 1845, and for the past thirty-two years one of its elders.

He w: is early identified with the educational interests of Hamilton, and was one of the organizers of the union school system in this place in 1851. He was one of three of the first board of school examiners, in which capacity he served for nine years.

Doctor Falconer married his first wife, Miss Mary, daughter of the Hon. John Woods, October 8, 1839, who died September 18, 1870. Eight children were born of this union. The oldest, John W., born September 30, 1840, was hilled at .Appomattox Court-house, April 9, 1865, thirty minutes before the flag of truce was raised by General Lee . asking a cessation of hostilities from General Grant. He was captain of a company of United States colored troops, and was leading the skirmish line which chocked the last effort of the rebels to escape, when lie received a mortal wound. The second sou, Jerome, born March, 1844, was also shot at Stone Liver, in August, 1863. Ho died at his home, in Hamilton, seven months afterwards. William B. was born May 14, 1847. Louise, wife of General Eugene" Powell, of Delaware, Ohio; was born February 15, 1852. Helen, wife of Captain O'Brien, of the Seventeenth Regiment in the regular army, serving at Fort Yates, Dakota, was born December 9, 1853. Cyrus, Jr., was born March 5, 1856. Scott, born May 12, 1858, died, aged two years, and Mary was born May 22, 1863.

The date of his second marriage was February 1, 1872, to Miss Margaret McKee, of Columbus, who died September 15, 1878. He married his present wife, Miss Ella Crawford, of Hamilton, ofay 20, 1880. Of the last union one child, a son, was born, February 16, 1882.

He has been concerned in nearly every public measure ' which affects the interests of Hamilton, and has been i distinguished in his action by originality of views. He ! is but little affected by the ideas of others, and pursues bis course regardless of popular clamor. Often he has been the most unpopular man in town, but time has generally shown the correctness of his opinions. He never shrinks front maintaining what he believes to be true; neither does he mince words in branding a falsehood.

For the last fifty years he has taken a decided stand in every thing that can affect mankind in this neighborhood. He was an ardent Whig and is new an ardent Republican; he is unremitting iu his attendance on the ordinances of religion; he is au active Sunday-school teacher; ho has on occasions delivered addresses on patriotic and professional subjects; in committee work he lias done a great deal , lie has exposed wrung and fraud wherever he has met them, whether intended to defraud the taxpayers of Hamilton or of the country. He attends every public meeting at which it is desirable that good citizens should turn out, and he has not been backward in putting his hand into his pocket when desired to do so for the good of the community. For many years ho has been regarded as among the first three or four citizens of the town.

Political Campaign Of 1840

During the year 1840, the contest between William Henry Harrison and Martin Van Buren, for the presidential chair, agitated the whole community from one end of the country to the other. Political conventions, mass meetings, Democratic Van Buren clubs, and Harrison Tippecanoe clubs occupied great part of the time and attention of numbers of the people.

On Monday, the 24th of August, 1840, a large meeting of the Van Buren Democrats took place at Hamilton, at which Colonel Richard M. Johnson, of Kentucky, Senator Allen, of Chillicothe, and Wilson Shannon, then governor of Ohio, were present. The number of persons assembled was about three thousand.

About 10 o'clock Colonel Johnson addressed the crowd from the front door of the court-house, but the situation proving unfavorable, he was heard hut by few. At the close of his speech the company adjourned to the sycamore grove south of the town, where Governor Shannon made a speech, near two hours long; Senator Allen then claimed the attention of the audience for an I hour or two longer, which occupied the time until 4 o'clock, when the assembly was dismissed and the auditors went to their respective homes.

On the 5th of October, 1840, a very large mass meeting of both political parties was held at Hamilton, agreeable to arrangements which had previously been made, of which notice had been given by hand-bills, circulated far and wide. The number of persons iu attendance were variously estimated by the different parties, some estimating the number of each party as high as fifteen or twenty thousand.

Early on the morning of the fifth, flags and banners were seen floating iu the breeze, from the top of almost every house in the town, as a signal that the house was open for the free accommodation of all strangers who might calk The day was fair as heart could wish, and | early in the morning were seen coming iu, by every road I and aveuue, from every part of the country, as well as from the adjoining counties, and some from the State of Indiana, numerous long processions ; their banners waving in the wind, with the emblems of their different trades and professions borne aloft, until every' house, street, common, and alley presented one solid mass of human beings.

Bv a mutual arrangement previously made between the pr.rtie.-, the Democrats occupied Front Street, and the [tart of the town lying west of that street. The Whigs occupied Second Street and that portion of the town on the east At 10 o'clock the different parties formed their processions, and proceeded to march around that part of the town allotted to them.

The Democrats formed on Front Street, extending its whole length. The procession was composed of persons cm horseback, in carriages, and every other description of vehicle the country could produce, moving down that street, and passing up Water Street, on the bank of the river, with their bands of music, flags, and banners.

The Whigs formed their procession on Second Street, which consisted of a great number of ladies as well as gentlemen, some on horseback, some in carriages, some in wagons, and in almost every species of vehicle that could l«e imagined. The procession continued to move down Second Street, passing up Third Street, ami so round alternately- When the rear of the procession w as at the head of Second Street, the front was half-way up Third Street. Notwithstanding the great numbers in the procession, every street and avenue of the town was filled with' persons on foot, who did not fall into the procession. Hundreds of flags and banners bearing appropriate and strange devices and mottoes were borne aloft by the different companies forming the procession. Carriages and wagons carrying almost every implement of mechanical trade's were in the procession. Here was a blacksmith shop mounted on wheels, with its forge and bellows in fuli blast, the smith and striker busily engaged in making- horseshoes. On. another wagon were seated half a dozen shoemakers steadily employed at their work. A pair of shoes Were. actually made and finished during the procession, and in the evening presented to Robert C. flekenck, one of the orators on the occasion, with an intimation that they were designed to he used in his race at the ensuing election.

On another wagon were seated several ladies, each with an oid-ta-hioned wheel, busily engaged in spinning flax, and immediately following on a similar wagon was a weaver wit:, his loom and quill fillers, converting the yarn into cloth.

Anon, comes a great canoe, mounted ou wheels, iu which were seated about thirty persons. The canoe was tastefully painted, and on each side were inscribed in large letters appropriate mottoes.

Then comes u vehicle, ou which are seated twenty -six little girls, from eight to ten years of age, all dressed in white, each bearing a flag representing one of the United -flutes ; their sweet voices ringing out in merry peals, and >»gging i' polar songs, appropriate to the occasion.

Half a dozen excellent bands were in the proevs.-ion, enlivening the scene by their melodious strains. Many grotesque and strange scenes intermingled in the proces- ¥,on. Lug cabin* and canoes, on wheels, were frequently i seen passing in the crowd. On one wagon was a bnck- { eye tree erect, with a live raccoon ou its branches, and j a living deer standing at its root. Some boys bore a living raccoon white- as the driven snow.

The processions continued moving in succession along the streets, with their music and banners, until near noon, when they adjourned for dinner. A bountiful repast had been furnished for all. Farmers throughout the country had liberally contributed their best and fattest beasts; sheep, hogs, calves and poultry, hams and bacon, to which was added bread and butter of the best quality, not forgetting a number of barrels of cider furnished by the Whigs. All the warehouses around the basin were cleared out and thrown open, in which tables were setand abundantly supplied, which were appropriated for the Whigs. The Democratic party had their collation in the sycamore grove, iu the south part of the town.

Abundance of provisions and to spare were supplied for the whole mass, which, taking both parties together, must have numbered at least eight or ten thousand.

After taking their repast the procession was again formed, and moved to the speaking ground. The Winns j had a stand erected east of the town from which Gcu- ! eral Metcalf, W. Southgate, and R. Wickliffe, Jr., of ! Kentucky, Thomas Corwin, of Lebanon, and Bellamy ! Storer, of Cincinnati, successively addressed the mulrlj tudes, and iu the evening again there was speaking by i Robert C. Sehenck, S. F. Cary, and others. The. Democrats had their speaking in the sycamore grove in the afternoon, and in the market-house at night. They were addressed by John Brough, auditor of state, afterwards governor. At night the town was beautifully illuinimated. Stands were erected at the intersection of streets,

| from which orators were haranguing the people. Private parlors and rooms were crowded with ladies and gentlemen, singing songs and enjoying themselves until a late hour. Notwithstanding the vast assemblage, and the proximity of the two political parties, every thing passed, off most harmoniously, and without any disorder or altorj cation. It was observed that not a single person was | seen intoxicated ou the occasion.

1 and was, at the time of his death, iu the forty-fifth j year of his age. He was married on the fourth day of j December, 1823, by the Rev. John A. Baughman, to j Martha Powers Akers, a most estimable lady, ami bad j by her six children.

i him. From April, 1835, until in October, 1811. he resided in the town of Millville, when lie removed to Uo>>- I ville, where he continued to reside up to the time of Lis I death.

Ho received from his parents what, in the days of his | youth, was considered a liberal education. Although | but lindtcd in comparison with the instruction now to be obtained, it was yet sufficient for one of such close observation and thirst for information to enable him by a very ' extensive general reading to qualify him for all the useful and practical pursuits of life.

Coming upon the theater of action when recollection of the glorious achievements of our heroic army of the war of 1812 was fresh iu the memories of all true-hearted Americans, and accustomed to hear the war-worn veterans recount their deeds of personal valor, his spirit became fited with enthusiasm, and lie longed for the opportunity of offering his services to his country. Devoting a great amount of time to the study of military affairs* and being attached to the eighth company of the second regiment iu the third brigade of the first division of the Ohio militia, he was, on the fifteenth day of June, 1830, commissioned o lieutenant in his company. On the tenth day of January, 1832, he was promoted to the rank of captain. Shortly afterwards he was raised to the rank of major of the regiment, and afterwards he was promoted to lieutenant-colonel, and then colonel of the second regiment, and finally was. elected and commissioned a brigadier-general of the first division.

A long period of peace having blessed our flag no opportunity was afforded him to display what all military mon acquainted with him agreed that he possessed in a most eminent degree - military skill.

When the war with Mexico broke out, being pretty well advanced in years, and having a large family to claim his support and protection, be was induced to abandon bis wish to accompany our army in that country, but his voice was hoard urging the young men to rally around the flag.

The great aim of his life appeared to be to render himself a useful member of society. Ardent and liberal in all his sentiments, he was a firm and unwavering friend of the people's rights. Having attached himself to the Democratic party early in life, he never lust sight of the party's interest; and the ardor and enthusiasm which characterized him in political affair* rendered him one of the strongest pillars which supported that political creed.

For seven successive years he served as township clerk of his native township, and was twice elected justice of the peace of St. Clair Township. In the year 1843 lie was appointed postmaster of Ilossvillc, which office he held until a Whig administration came into power, \yhcn lie was removed on political considerations.

The Oi, O Post-Office

The " old post-office," at the corner of Second and High Streets, was pulled down in April, l8.r)3. It was a strongly framed, one-storied frame building, painted a Spanish brown color. From the prominent position it

The building was framed at Black Bottom, four miles below town, by '"old Captain Sam Johnson," father of 'Squire Johnson. It was not weatherboarded, however, and after standing a time, it was removed and put up in its location in Jlamilton, on ground leased from Mr. Keily, in 1815. It was first occupied by Joseph Hough and Dr. Samuel Millikin as a store. They kept drygoods, groceries, drugs, iron, queen's-ware, hardware, and rdl the articles incident to the wants of a new country. Mr. Hough, on the dissolution of his partnership, which subsisted fur several years, continued the business till 1825, when Mr. James B. Thomas took the store. Mr. Thomas occupied it till 1849 - twenty-four years.

Mr. Thomas kept the post-office there from the date of his appointment, July 23, 1832, till his resignation, iu 1849. It was the scene of many a lively discussion and many a jovial bout. Here congregated the wit and wisdom of the village, and here originated many a practical joke, which set the community iu a roar.

' John William Sohn, long a resident of this city, is a native of Windsheim, formerly a free city of Germany, but now a part of Bavaria, where be was born on the 23d of May, 1815. Windsheim was one of the numerous cities which formerly composed the Hanseatic league, retaining its independence until the conclusion of the wars of Napoleon, when it was annexed to Bavaria, being confirmed to that state by the treaty of Vienna. It has a beautiful location, being surrounded by vine-clad bills; the town itself is defended by strong stone walls, and its appearance is at once antique and beautiful. Its attractions are still further enhanced by a promenade on the top of the walls, which gives a fine view' of the distant hills.

! Mr. Sohn's parents were Wilhelm Ludwig Sohn and | Catherine Daehuer. Without being possessed of wealth, j they were able to give their children good educations, j There was au excellent Latin school and gymnasium in

W ndsheim, and until the lad. was seventeen years of age he steadily attended them, making good progress. His father, whose trade was that of a brewer, lived in the city, and also carried on a vineyard, and with him the sou began learning the mystery of the vine - how to plant, prune, and cultivate it, and finally to express its juice and change it to wine. At seventeen be became an apprentice to bis father as a cooper and brewer, and served two years diligently at his trade, but when nineteen concluded to remove to America. At the time Charles X was dethroned in France, and was succeeded by Louis Pbillippe, the revolutionary ideas then inculcated had an extensive currency in Germany. Secret societies were formed in the colleges and among friends, i and the doctrines of the rights of man were assiduously studied. The events of this period made a strong impression upon Mr. Solm, and much was then to be heard of America. Many of the German ^soldiers who fought under the British ensign in the Revolutionary War had guttled not far from where he was born, and many old still lingered who recounted their exploits in America, and told how fertile its land was, and more recent travelers had made known the ease with which a livelihood could here be obtained. From Alsace and Lorraine an emigration had sprung up immediately after the pacification of Europe, in 1815, and those who came over sent letters back to their friends more than confirming the stories they had previously heard. Mr. Sohn determined to cast in his lot with us, and embarked for our shores, at Bremen, in 1834, landing at Baltimore. He came west on foot, with an occasional ride on a canalboat. In Hamilton, which he reached in November, 1834, he finally found employment at chopping wood at twenty-five cents a cord. After a little he went to work in a brewery, and then in a pork-house, and after nearly a year went to Cincinnati, working as a brewer, remaining there three years. Returning to Hamilton in June, 1839, he bought a small brewery with the savings of his previous labor. The business gradually extended, and his sales became larger, until in 1846 he embarked also in tanning. This enterprise assumed extensive proportions, and lie now has two large tanneries, one in Hamilton and one in Bike County. As a convenience to those who dealt with him, he also opened a leather findings store. His brewery dues a large business, and lie is also extensively engaged in the manufacture of malt for other brewers. He has the largest vineyard in Butler County, and has had great success in the growing of native wines. To these he adds the packing of pork, in which he does the largest business iu the county, and is interested with two of his sons-in-law in the manufacture of the Universal Wood-working Machine, which is the invention of the young men, and is of very decided utility iu the manufacture of scroll and other Muds of wood -sawing and dressing. He is also a farmer, having a great deal of land that he owns, and has cultivated under his own instruction. lie is a director of the First National Bank, and for fifteen years was president of the Hamilton Insurance Company.

In 1840 he was married to Miss Catherine Roscufeld, a native of Saxony, and daughter of the Rev. Charles Lrust Roscufeld, pastor of the German Lutheran and Reformed Church of Hamilton. Mr. Rosenteld was horn m 1779, at Ivoenigsberg, and came to this country in ls36, first settling in Cinllieothe. In 1838 he came to Hamilton. Ilis wife, Anna Barbara Schmidt, was born -n 1801, at Ivoenigsberg, and died in Eichelsdorf, in 8.ixuny, in 1834, before he came here. He possessed im excellent education, and loved to impart knowledge. Shortly after arriving in this county ho opened up a Hi'iol fur Germans, which was the first ever held here in their native language. An excellent musician, he taught both the piauo and organ, and gave instruction to the members of a brass band organized soon after, his arrival. It was difficult at that time to get music especially arranged for brass instruments. Mr. Rosenfeld took the piano score, arranged the various parts for each performer, wrote them out with his own hand, and taught each man how to use his own instrument. He understood the method of performing on every instrument of modern date, and on some reached a high de- ! gree of excellence. Among his treasures was a' violin presented to him by Carl Maria von Weber, the author of " Der Freyschutz," when they were both young and were intimate companions. This instrument is now pre- the melodies to many popular airs, and in some cases wrote both the words and the music. He had a prodigious bass voice, and none who ever heard him sing will ever forget it. His acquirements were not limited to books and music. He was the first gardener of his day this neighborhood. All plants and vegetables were understood by him, and he kuew the art of coaxing the reluctant earth to yield up its fruits. His example was highly beneficial to his countrymen, and, indeed, to' all the dwellers, in this neighborhood who kept a garden, His kindness to those weaker and less informed than himself was great. He wrote letters to Germany for his flock, carried on legal correspondence, acted as trustee I and guardian, and decided disputes, all without fee or I reward. He received no compensation fin teaching the brass band, nor would he accept any thing for the favors he bestowed upon those around him. He died in 1S55. He had six children, Ernst Ludwig, Philipp Albrecht, Kathnrina Barbara, Johann Christian, Carolina Barbara, and Cathariua, ail of whom have died, excepting the two last named.

Mr. and Mrs. Sohn have had nine children, three sons and six daughters, all of whom, save two named hereafter, are living. Caroline, the eldest, is married to Captain "William C. jMargedant, of the firm of Ben tel, Margeda ut & Co., manufacturers of the Universal Wood- worker mentioned above. The house does a large business. Wilhelmina, the second child, is the wife of Frederick | Beutel, of the same firm. Augusta, the third, was the ! wife of "William F. Doepke, a prominent dry goods u.er- | chant of Cincinnati, but died in February, ls81. Will- I iam G. P. Sohn, the fourth child, is the husband of ! Charlotte Slurb, and is now living in Hamilton. He is J a successful trainer. Charles E. is the fifth, and Chris- | that Sohn is the sixth. He has re-rived a collegiate education in Germany, and is now living in California, j Adclhcid died in 1S79. Leonora and Alma are living | with their pareuts in Hamilton.

Mr. Sohn is a Republican, and has been a leader of the party for many years. During the war he vigorously advocated its prosecution. His first vote was cast for Martin Van Buren, and he adhered to the Democratic party till the war. Since then he has been a staunch supporter of the unity of the nation. His first political office was that of member of the city council. He was a member of the school board that introduced the union school system in Hamilton, and supported the measure with all his ability. In the two bodies last mentioned he has frequently been a member. In 1849 he was elected county commissioner, and held the office for three years. In 1872, in common with many other Republicans, he became dissatisfied with the conduct of affairs by General Grant and his friends, and he saw the imperative need there was for a change. The supporters of Horace Greeley nominated Mr. Sohn for the position of member of Congress, and that nomination was indorsed by the Democracy, although he had for many years been opposed to them. Unfortunately, he was defeated.

Since his arrival here he has been the leading German citizen of the town. Few public enterprises have been begun in which he has not taken part, and of nearly all those in which the Germans are concerned he has been the originator. He was instrumental in organizing the first benevolent society of his countrymen in Cincinnati, in 183G, which is still in existence. The first German singing society which was organized in Cincinnati was beguu by him. It served for many years as the choir of St. John's Church, and helped much to promote the acquaintance of members with each other. He was its first president. For many years he has been president of the United German Society, which has done much to aid and improve those who come here from the Rhine and the Danube.

Mr. Sohn is still busily experimenting in matters tending to promote the prosperity of the human race. For the last five years he has been testing the effects of sowing grain in heaped up ridges, answering the same purpose that hilling corn does. It increases the production, renders cultivation more easy, and checks the injuries both of drought and flood. In addition to the thing itself, he has discovered the way to do it. A machine invented by him drops the grain and makes the furrow and ridge at the same operation. He truly deserves the credit to be given to him "who makes two spears of grain to grow where one grew before." The principle is that the seed is planted in raised lip ridges of mellow earth. Under the ordinary plan the seed is planted near tiie bard pan, and low down. In wet weather the water accumulates and soaks upon it, and in dry weather it is the place soonest dry and most liable to be affected in drought. Under the new and improved system invented by Mr. Sohn the plant germinates in soft and kindle soil. The roots reach out in every direction, unaffected l>\ hard clods of earth or, by hard pan. The earth is por-

| drained immediately off', while its cellular condition, like j that of a sponge, retains a very considerable portion of ! moisture, even in the dryest season. The sun and air ! strike the soil, and as the greatest portion of plant food I is derived from the atmosphere, progress can not fail to j be rapid. Experiments tried on farms in this neighborhood prove that increased crops are gained, varying in corn from five to twenty-five bushels per acre, and in proportion in wheat, barley, and other grains.

The Liberty. Party

At a meeting of the Liberty men of Butler County, i on the 20th of September, 1847, Doctor W. IT. Scobc-y j was placed in the chair and John Thomas appointed see- | retary. It was resolved that they regarded the Missouri | Compromise as a wicked sacrifice of principle, and that they looked on the proposition of Secretary Buchanan to ! extend that compromise as a base treachery of the principles of liberty, and the man as a fit tool for the aristocracy of the South.

Subserviency to the slave-holding aristocracy of the South ruled, they declared, even in the legislative bodies of the free States, and they desired to vote for men who would stand firm to truth in a time of need.

Pursuant to previous notice, a large meeting of the Germans of the towns of Hamilton and Rossville, together ] with many English-speaking citizens, was held at the j court-house on Friday evening, April 14, 1848, for the | purpose of expressing their sympathy for the gallant French who had just cast off the yoke of despotism and proclaimed republicanism in France. The meeting was organized by electing John AV. Sohn president; William Beckett, vice-president: John Baughman and Franklin | Stokes, secretaries.

A committee of six was appointed to draft resolutions i expressive of the sense of the meeting in regard to the I movements then making throughout Europe to establish | free governments, consisting of the following gentlemen: AY\ C. Howells, T. E. Lomond, Thomas Reed, C. Hipp, P. Rife, II. Fisher.

Doctor Fisher addressed the meeting in the German language, and his remarks were received with applause bv the German portion of the audience.

Mr. Hipp, from the German portion of the committee, reported a series of resolutions, which were adopted with I enthusiasm, and Mr. Howells reported a set of resolutions j which were unanimously adopted.

A committee of four was appointed to communicate these proceedings to our minister in France, Mr. Rush. The following gentlemen were appointed the committee: Doctor A. Fisher, John W. Sohn, John B. Weller, and W. C. Howells.

The president of the meeting was authorized to appoint a committee to raise funds to aid the movements in progress in Germany towards the establishment of a republican government.

The Germans of Hamilton and Rossville also held a meeting at the court-house on the 30th of April, 1S47, at early candle-light, to adopt measures for the relief of the suffering and destitute Germans and the families of the political prisoners of that country. Dr. Ciolina, a gentleman who had, according to his own account, been for many years a physician to crowned heads in Europe, addressed the meeting.

The proprietors of the omnibus which had in 1848 lately been established between Hamilton and Cincinnati had extended the line on to Eaton. They had put a large and commodious vehicle on the road between this place and Eaton, and took passengers through from that point to Cincinnati without any night travel. No railroads were yet in existence. Terms of fare from Eaton south per omnibus to Camden, 25 cents; Somerville, 374 cents; Hamilton, 75 cents; from Hamilton to Cincinnati, 50 cents, making the fare through to Cincinnati 81.25.

The Junto of Enquiry, at its regular meeting in the school-house in Rossville, on Thursday evening, January 3, 1850, discussed the propriety of abolishing the credit system in all business transactions. Henry Traber was the secretary.

It was some years after the beginning of telegraphing before any attempt was made to connect Hamilton with the outside world. Henry O'Reilly, 'til! living in great old age iu the city of New York, was the principal man in the combination that first reached this place. Work was begun in 1849, and the liue from this place to Cincinnati was to be completed by the 20th, or at farthest the 25th of December. Messrs. Kent & Co. informed the editors of the Telegraph that, the posts would all he laid dow n iu three or four days after November 29th, by which time they would have an effective force at work setting them. The route was by Springfield, Carthage, and Mount Auburn. Operations had begun also on the Cincinnati and St. Louis liue, west of Hamilton, in the neighborhood of I)a mown-. The line went by Oxford, Connersville, Indianapolis, Terre Haute, etc. The business would pass over the Hamilton line to Cincinnati, thus greatly enhancing the value of the stock. Two thousand miles- of telegraph, linos were now in actual operation in Ohio. Of these 1,400 belonged to what was called the Morse, and 000 it) the O'Reilly lines.

Source changes here: from A History and Biographical Cyclopædia of Butler County, Ohio : with Illustrations and Sketches of Its Representative Men and Pioneers, published 1882; 119,375 words in this source stream.

Hamilton Topography

Hamiron, the seat of justice for the county of Butler, is situated on both banks of the Great Miami River, about thirty miles, by land, from its junction with the Ohio River, and about fifty miles pursuing the meanders of the river.

The original Indian name of the Miami River was Te-wighte-wa. It is so named on an old map of the country engraved in the year 1762, dedicated to General Amherst, then commander-in-chief of the British forces in North America. Te-wighte-wa was also the original name of the Miami tribe of Indians. On the first intercourse of the whites with them the old Indians of the Miami tribe called themselves by that name. According to some old books we find that the Miami River was sometimes known as Rocky River, or Stony River.

Hamilton is situated in 39° 26' north latitude, and 84° 31' west longitude from London, or 7° 29' west from the City of Washington. The upper plain, where the court house and principal improvements of the town are located, is about thirty-four feet above the surface of the water in the Miami River at its common stage. The soil is alluvial, resting on a strata of gravel at least forty feet thick, that being the greatest depth to which the earth has been penetrated. Pure water is everywhere to be obtained in abundance by digging to a level with the water in the river. The water in the wells rises and falls: with the Miami, hence it is presumed that -they are supplied by water filtering through the gravel from the river. The water obtained is clear and cool, but strongly impregnated with lime, so much so that tea-kettles and other culinary vessels in which it is boiled soon acquire a coating of lime on the inside, which requires to be frequently removed. It is not known to contain any other foreign substance in any considerable quantity.

The alluvial plain on which the city of Hamilton is situated extends back about a mile and a half from the river to the base of the hills, which ultimately rise to about the height of two hundred and fifty to three hundred and fifty feet above the plain. The hills run in a southwardly direction, then gradually incline to the southeast, presenting a level plain or valley between them and the river at and below Hamilton.

The site where Hamilton now stands, previous to, being occupied by General St. Clair's army, was mostly covered with a dense forest of timber, with thick underbrush. About a mile to the south was a pond covering about one hundred acres of land, evidently the bed of the Miami River at no very remote period.

The tract of land lying between this pond and the river comprehended about six hundred acres, and was at that time a beautiful meadow covered with high grass. Above the fort, in what is now the upper part of the town, was also a beautiful prairie of forty or fifty acres.

In digging cellars in the northern part of the town of Hamilton, in the year 1855, two teeth of the mastodon were found near each other embedded in the gravel, about five feet below the surface of the ground, bearing. testimony that this huge animal at some former time dwelt in the forests in the vicinity. At the time of the first settlement of the country vast herds of deer and elk roamed through the woods, and numbers of other kinds of game were very abundant, and remained so for some time afterwards.

In the south part of the town, near the old burying ground on the corner of lot number forty-four, or on the west side of Third Street, and just north of the Junction Railway, was a mound of earth four feet high and thirty feet diameter. On removing it for the erection of a building, the bones of two human skeletons were found, with some flint arrow points and other stone implements. The hills in the neighborhood of Hamilton are composed of first a rich fertile mould, then loam, intermixed with loose stones, and underneath interstratifications of blue limestone and marl in places.

The Last Commander Of The Fort

The latest commander of the fort was Major Jonathan Cass, who was born in the year 1753, about fifteen miles from Newburyport, New Hampshire. His ancestors were from Devonshire, England. His remote ancestors were of Norman birth. He was living in Exeter, New Hampshire, when the news reached there of the battle of Lexington. With some half dozen comrades he set off at once, musket in hand, to join the army, marching from his home to Cambridge. He was where the balls flew thickest at the battle of Bunker Hill, and participated in the great battles of Trenton, Princeton, Germantown, Monmouth, and Saratoga, remaining in the army until the close of our great Revolutionary struggle. His accounts as brigade quartermaster were closed June 26, 1785, and a certificate was issued to him for the balance due of £65. 10s. 4d. Whether the government ever paid this certificate or not, is not now known. It is stated in Appleton's Cyclopedia, under article '" Lewis Cass," that Major Cass retired to a four thousand acre tract of land in Muskingum County, Ohio, given to him by the government for services in the Revolutionary of land for lis services nor a dollar of pension money, although he died from injuries received while in the discharge of his duties in the public service. After the close of the war he resigned his commission and engaged successfully in the West India trade, living with his family at Exeter, New Hampshire. About the close of the year 1781 he married Miss Mary Gilman, daughter of Nicholas Gilman. Of this union, three sons and two daughters were born, all at Exeter. The oldest son was General Lewis Cass, and the youngest, Captain Charles Lee Cass, a brave officer of the 'War of 1812," distinguishing himself at the battle (sortie) of Fort Erie. All of the children became citizens of Ohio, the last survivor (George W.) reaching the green old age of eighty- 'seven, in 1873.

When the regular army was increased, after the defeat of General St. Clair, General Knox, then Secretary of War, sent to Mr. Jonathan Cass, then a private citizen, a commission as major in the army. This commission was wholly unexpected and unsolicited, but was given by General Knox in recognition of long and faithful military service and soldierly character and bearing of one whom he knew personally. The personal presence of Major Cass was most striking and commanding ; he had the look of one born to command. In height he was nearly or quite six feet, of perfect form, without superfluous flesh, black hair and piercing black eyes, and commanding brow. He joined his command at Winchester, Virginia, taking his family with him, excepting his oldest son, Lewis, who was left at Exeter, that he might continue his studies at '' Phillips Academy." From Winchester he was ordered to take command at Fort Franklin, on the Alleghany River, in Pennsylvania, north of Pittsburg. His route to his new command was via Fort Cumberland, and across the Alleghany Mountains, and along '' Braddock's road" to Pittsburg, and thence up the Alleghany River in barges. From Fort Franklin | he was ordered to Fort Washington (Cincinnati), to which point he went about the Fall of 1793, taking his family with him, excepting his son Lewis, who still remained at 'Phillips Exeter Academy." He remained in command at Fort Washington nearly all the time that he was with the army of General Wayne. In 1794 and 1795 he was at Fort Hamilton. While in charge of a reconnoitering party, his horse, in jumping over the trunk of a prostrate tree, fell, and in coming down fell upon and broke one of Major Cass's legs below the knee. In consequence of bad surgery, the wounded leg never healed, and required daily dressing for about thirty-five years, and was painful all that period. It finally caused premature death, at the age of seventy-seven. His widow followed about five years later. In consequence of this injury, he was for a time so disabled from military duty that he was granted a leave of absence, and went with his family to Exeter, New Hampshire, trayeling by a northern route. He went from Cincinnati to ne, Indiana (then '« Block' House No. 10"), descending the river from aap to a Erie, and coasting thence to Detroit. From e went by boat to Oswego, and thence to Albany ; : ss Albany to Boston. This was Im the year 1795 ee 96. In the year 1799 he was so far relieved from suffering that he applied for "orders," and was sent to Wilmington, Delaware, but was soon after ordered to the command at Winchester, Virginia, at that time a principal recruiting station. ;

In the year 1800 he tendered his resignation as an officer of the army. -The Secretary of War accepted it, to take effect at the end of one year. In the meantime he was granted a ''leave of absence" to the date his the United States military district in Ohio (west of the Ohio River, east of the Scioto, north of latitude 40°, and south of the Greenville treaty line), was decided by a lottery, drawn in Philadelphia in 1799 while Major Cass was stationed at Wilmington, Delaware. He drew No. 1. He commissioned Bazaleel Wells, surveyor, of Steubenville, Ohio, to make a selection for him, and the latter chose the section at the mouth of Walkatomaka Creek, on the Muskingum River, fifteen miles due north of Zanesville, Ohio, and for his services received four hundred acres off of the north-west corner of the section selected. No. 2 was drawn by Thomas Backus, who "located" the section at the mouth of Whetstone Creek, above Columbus, on the Scioto.

As soon as Major Cass received his '' leave of absence" he proceeded with his family (excepting his oldest son, Lewis, who was left in Wilmington, Delaware, in charge of a Latin grammar school) to take possession of his purchase of lands in Ohio. The warrants which were given in payment of those lands were purchased in the open market in Philadelphia. He came West by way of Cumberland and Pittsburg, stopping long enough at the last named place to make purchases of furniture, farm implements, supplies, ete., for his new home. He descended the Ohio River to Marietta in a ' broad-horn" boat. At Marietta he transferred his family and effects into large canoes, called pirogues, and thus ascended the Muskingum River about one hundred miles, disembarking on his own lands. On arriving there he found seyeral families from Maryland and Western Virginia living on the ground, each having a few acres in cultivation. On this farm Major Cass lived the remainder of his days, which terminated in September, 1830, in the 76th year of his age. As before stated, his death was premature, having been caused by thirty-five years of suffering, occasioned by an injury in the military service of his country.

Laying Out Of The Town

and returned to Hamilton. There were then no persons living in the country anywhere near Hamilton, except Charles Bruce, who had settled in the year 1798 on the Miami River, a mile and a half below the fort, at the outlet of the pond, and David Beaty, who, some time afterwards, built a cabin and.settled on the bank of the pond, one mile south of the fort, near the junction of the two turnpike roads now leading to Cincinnati.

Fort Hamilton remained occupied as a garrison until some time in the Summer of the year 1796, when the public stores, and property belonging to the garrison, were sold at public auction, and the fort abandoned. The line, however, where the pickets stood could be distinctly traced, and some of the buildings of the garrison remained standing as late as the year 1812. They have been seen by persons still living.

On the 27th of July, 1795, Jonathan Dayton conveyed to Israel Ludlow the fractional section, number two, in township one, range three, and on the 17th of December, 1794, Israel Ludlow laid out a town on this ground, in the immediate vicinity of Fort Hamilton, and gave it the name of Fairfield. The name was, however, shortly afterwards changed to that of Hamilton, in remembrance of the fort, which name' it bears at present. The whole number of lots in the present plan of the town were not laid out at that time, but additional ones were laid off afterwards, from time to time, as persons proposed to purchase, or circumstances seemed to require.

Darius C. Orcutt, who then resided at Hamilton, was agent for Mr. Ludlow, to lay out lots and contract with persons wishing to purchase. He was one of the early pioneers of the country. He was a pack-horse master with St. Clair's army, and was on the ground on the day married in the Miami country. He was united at Cincinnati to Miss Sally McHenry, in 1790. (The first couple married were .Daniel Shoemaker to Miss Elsie Ross, a few days before.) Mr. Orcutt owned lot No. 145 in Hamilton, on which he built a,hewed log house, which was afterward weatherboarded. It is the same house where Major William Murray lived, but was removed fifty years after, in consequence of the works of the Hydraulic Canal Company encroaching on the site. Mr. Orcutt afterwards lived a long time in Rossville, was constable of St. Clair Township many years, and finally died in the vicinity of Hamilton in indigent circumstances.

Shortly after the town was laid out, a few persons purchased lots and settled in the place. The first settlers were Darius C. Orcutt, John Greer, William MeClellan, John Sutherland, John Torrence, Benjamin F. Randolph, Benjamin Davis, Isaac Wiles, Andrew Christy, and William Hubbert. The first part of the town of Hamilton being originally laid out under the territorial government, there was then no law requiring town plats to be placed on record, consequently it was not recorded at the time. Afterwards, on the twenty-eighth day of April, 1802, Israel Ludlow placed the plat of the town on the records of Hamilton County at Cincinnati, where it may be found, in book E, No. 2, page 57. This recorded plat only comprehended entire inlots from No. 1 to No. 221, 12 fractional lots, and outlots from No. 1. to No. 30. The most northerly blocks of lots in the town numbered from No. 222 to No. 242, inclusive, and outlots Nos. 31, 32, and 33 are not laid down on that plat, nor are they recorded; hence the presumption is, that they were laid out after the first town plat was placed on record. According to the original plan of the town of Hamilton, placed on record by Israel Ludlow, ''the streets are sixty-six feet wide, except High Street, which is ninety-nine feet wide; alleys sixteen feet wide. The entire town lots are six poles by twelve, containing seventy-two square poles each. Entire outlots contain each four acres." However, the original survey, by which the town was laid out, was made with a two-pole chain, three inches and a half or more too long. Hence, it has ever since been the practice of surveyors, in measuring lots in Hamilton, to add three and a half inches to each two poles of measure, in order to correspond with the lots as originally laid out, and leave the improvements of individuals upon the ground which they believed they had originally purchased.

This circumstance was early known to the proprietor, but, having sold a number of lots in different parts of the town, to individuals who had made improvements upon them, he instructed his agents to survey and lay out the lots in such a manner that each person should have the ground on which he had made his improvements.

Additions To The Town Of Hamilton

Israel Ludlow, in consideration of the sum of five shillings, on the twelfth day of July, 1798, conveyed to Brigadier-general James Wilkinson; who had then succeeded General Wayne in the command of the northwestern army, the equal undivided half of the ground occupied by Fort Hamilton, comprehending all the land within the exterior line of pickets, and extending to low water mark of the Miami River, estimated to contain three acres and a half.

Some time afterwards, when General Wilkinson had gone to the south with the army, Peyton Short sued out from the Court of Common Pleas of Butler County a writ of attachment against Wilkinson for debt, and attached his interest in this ground, which was afterwards sold on the attachment on the 16th of April, 1806, and William Corry and -John Reily became the purchasers for one hundred and twenty-five dollars. The deed made to them by the auditors appointed by the court bears date the fourth day of May, 1806.

being the one equal undivided half of the garrison tract, to Lawrence Cavenaugh for five hundred dollars, and Lawrence Cayvenaugh afterwards conveyed the interest which he had thus acquired to this ground to the guardians of the minor heirs of Israel Ludlow, deceased, for the use and benefit of the heirs.

On the fifteenth day of September, 1817, Samuel W. Davies, Griffin Yeatman, and Stephen McFarland, guardians of the heirs of Israel Ludlow, laid out this ground, together with all that comprehended between High Street and Basin Street, and between Front Street and the Miami River, into town lots as an addition to the town of Hamilton. They are numbered from 243 to 262, inclusive, with four fractional lots on the river. They were offered at public sale on the ground in 1817, and brought high prices. Lot No. 251, on the corner of High and Front Streets, sold for $1,700.

On the 13th of November, 1826, William Murray laid out an addition to the town of Hamilton, on the Miami Canal, then in the course of construction, on a part of his farm situated in the south-west part of section No. 32, in township No. 2, of range 3, M. R. These lots were laid out on both sides of the canal, and extending westwardly along High Street, from where the Basin was, to near the outlots on the original plan of Hamilton. They were numbered from No. 1 to No. 62, inclusive, and called East Hamilton. The place soon afterwards acquired the sobriquet of Debbysville, after Mrs. Murray, by which name it was occasionally called for many years. Mr. Murray at first held his lots at so high a price that but few would purchase.

Notwithstanding, he sold-a few, and when the canal was completed to Middletown, and navigation commenced, business appeared to increase for a time. Some houses were built. The office of the collector of tolls on the canal was established at that place. Pierson Sayre, the first collector, built a house and lived there, and after him William Blair. Two taverns were begun, one by Benjamin Enyeart. William Blair opened a commission warehouse, and Alexander Delorac kept a coffee-house and nine-pin alley; a blacksmith shop was soon added, and then, in the estimate of its projectors, it was a fullfledged town. The distance from Hamilton proper was a pleasant walk on the basin bank when it was constructed; the coffee-house and nine-pin alley of Mr. Delorac were frequently visited by citizens of the place, but, unfortunately, they were consumed by fire, with all the refreshments and attractions which they contained, which put an end to that species of amusement. The basin was constructed in 1830. The collector's office removed to the west end of the basin in 1830, and the business of the place declined and dwindled away so as to be of little or no consequence. At the September term of the Court of Common Pleas for Butler ( in 1857, on the application of William Murr (the late William Murray), who had then inhe

In March, 1838, James C. Ludlow subdivided four acres on outlot No. 12, and that portion of outlot 15 lying south of the basin, including a portion of ihe lying on the east, into building lots, as a further addition to the town. 'They are numbered from No. 1 to No. 37, inclusive, and three lots of a larger size, called outlots. But few of them were sold by the original proprietor.

The Hamilton and Rossville Hydraulic Company, haying it in contemplation to construct their canal, to bring the water to their manufactories, through that ground on the river in front of the town, which had been designated on the original plan of the town as commons, doubts were entertained that, should that measure be carried into effect, whether it would not vitiate the original grant, by appropriating the premises to other purposes than that intended by the grant, and consequently that the surviving heirs of the original proprietor would claim and appropriate the property to their individual use. Under these considerations, by mutual agreement between the heirs of Israel Ludlow, the Hamilton and Rossville Hydraulic Company, and the corporation of Hamilton, the premises were laid out into town lots on the second day of March, 1843, and by an order made by the Court of Common Pleas at their March term, 1845, it was decreed that the heirs of Israel Ludlow should have one half of the lots lying south of the north side of Buckeye Street, and: one-third part of that portion of the lots lying north of Buckeye Street. To the Hamilton and Rossville Hydraulic Company was decreed the one-half of the lots lying south of the north side of Buckeye Street, and the one-third part of the lots lying north of Buckeye Street. The town of Hamilton was to have the remaining one-third of the lots lying north of Buckeye Street, and acccordingly partition was made of the property amongst the parties in this manner.

The lots laid out are on the river bank in front of the inlots, heretofore laid out, extending from the north to the south line of the town, and are numbered from No. 263 to No. 311. Many of these lots in the lower part lie wholly on the river beach, and those in the upper part are so narrow, extending into the river, as to be of little or no value.

The lots lying between the bridge and Buckeye Street are the only ones of sufficient dimensions to be occupied advantageously for manufacturing purposes.

On the fifteenth day of August, 1843, Doctor Jacob Hittell laid out a few-lots in original outlots, No. 1, on the west side of Front Street, and adjoining on the south of the inlots heretofore laid out. They are numbered from No, 1 to No. 11, inclusive.

On the third day of November, 1843, the original eae Pee 22, 25, and 28, through which the aus anch of the hydraulic eanal passes, were sub- divided into building lots by William H. Bartlett, John Woods, John W. Erwin, Cyrus Falconer, William Bebb, and Evan R. Bebb. The lots are numbered from No. 1 to No. 79, inclusive, and denominated '''The hydraulic addition to the town of Hamilton."

Rossville Laid Out

Previous to the year 1801, all the land on the west side of the Great Miami River was owned by the United States, consequently no improvements were made on that side of the river, except by a few squatters who had settled on the public lands. There was one log house built, at an early period, on the west side of the river opposite to the fort, near where the west end of the bridge It is on the corner, and is the same house A tavern was

On the first Monday of April, 1801, the first sales of the public lands, lying west of the Great Miami River, were held at Cincinnati, under the authority of the United States, at which sale a company, composed of Jacob Burnet, James Smith, William Ruffin, John Sutherland, and Henry Brown, purchased section No. 36, town 4, range 2, and fractional sections Nos. 31 and 32, town 2, range 3, lying on the west side of the Miami River, opposite to the town of Hamilton, on part of which tract they afterwards laid out the town of Rossville, the plat of which bears date on the fourteenth day of March, 1804. It was named after James Ross, of Pittsburg. The town then laid out consisted of one hundred inlots, five poles wide by ten poles deep; twelve fractional lots, next the river, five poles square, and twenty outlots, most of them containing four acres each. The inlots 53 and 58 were given by the proprietors to the county of Butler for public uses, and the ground lying between Water Street and the river was given for a public common, to be kept open for ever. The fractional outlot No. 20 was given for a burying-ground.

On the fourteenth day of March, 1804, the proprietor had a public sale on the ground, at which the lots were offered at auction, and a considerable number of them sold at fair prices.

Encouraged by the success of the first sale of lots, the proprietors proceeded to lay out an additional number of outlots, adjoining on the south-west of the former ones, beginning at outlot No. 21 and extending to outlot No. 38, inclusive. The plans of these additional outlots were not placed on record at the time, nor have they since been recorded anywhere, but appear on an old map of the town which has the plan of those additional outlots, laid out at that time, upon it, made by John Reily, of Hamilton, and formerly in his possession. Mr, Reily was the general agent for the proprietors, who laid out the town and superintended the sale of lots for them.

lots in the town of Rossville, including the additional outlots laid out since the first sale, was held, at which a considerable number were sold. The additional outlots were all sold at prices from twenty-five to twenty-eight dollars each. Several buildings were soon afterwards erected, and the town began to grow.

On the eleventh day of November, 1818, John Sutherland and Samuel Dick, who had then become the proprietors of the unappropriated ground adjoining Rossville on the north, laid out an additional number of inlots in the upper part of the town, which are numbered from No. 101 to No. 112, inclusive, and also three outlots on the north of the burying-ground (now the park), Nos. 39, 40, 41, and 42.

The original outlots numbered 9 and 10, in the northwest part of the town, were subdivided and laid out into building lots by Robert B. Millikin and William Taylor, on the twenty-eighth day of April, 1831. They are numbered from No. 118 to No. 140, inclusive.

John Sutherland

John Sutherland, the earliest merchant of Hamilton, was a native of Caithnesshire, Scotland, where he was born in 1771. His father was a farmer, and Mr. Sutherland was brought up to the same calling. In 1788 he determined to come to the United States, and, on his arrival here, settled in the western part of Virginia. In 1793 he came to Ohio, and acted as a captain of packhorse, engaged in transmitting stores from Cincinnati to the military posts in the interior. Robert Benham was in charge of the pack-horses, and was assisted by several others, among them Mr. Sutherland. Each had the care Afterwards he held a position in the commissariat department. When peace was concluded, he settled in Hamilton, opening a store on Front Street. Here he did a large business with the Indians, who came in from the surrounding country to exchange furs for the articles of the white men. The business was very profitable, and he soon became easy in his circumstances. As they moved away from this neighborhood, he employed persons whom he supplied with goods to go to their towns and trade with them. Some years afterwards Mr. Sutherland also dealt largely in beef cattle, which he purchased in the lower end of this valley, and drove north to Detroit. Soon after comting here he formed a partnership with Henry Brown, under the firm name of Sutherland & Brown; after a time also establishing a store in Dayton, which was continued until they dissolved partnership in 1810. About 1813, Mr. Sutherland entered into partnership with James P. Ramsey, and did business under the firm name of Sutherland & Ramsey until 1820. His store was at first in a double log building across the alley which runs east and west behind the United Presbyterian Church, and then it was removed to Front Street, between Stable and Dayton, where he built a house on Lot 120; and he subsequently built.

The result of his economy, care, and sedulous attention to his good name soon gave Mr. Sutherland unlimited credit, and his profits accumulated until he became the wealthiest man in the county, and one of the wealthiest in the State. He was liberal in his dealings and trusted much, but in course of time lost a great deal of money by bad debts. In 1818, and in some succeeding years, he was largely in the pork and flour trade, and made heavy shipments to New Orleans. The times were unpropitious, and he lost heavily. He had also become an indorser to large amounts for his friends, and, these coming back to him, embarrassed him. He finally suspended business, and in the end he found it required the greater portion of his acquired wealth to pay off the indebtedness thus forced upon him. However, a sufficient amount to make his family comfortable was saved from the wreck.

He was a man of unbounded charity and benevolence. He gave away much, and he assisted those who were weaker than himself to help themselves. He was a friend to every one who deserved it. He was a regular attendant of the Associate Reformed Church, although not a member, and gave of his means liberally to it, being a trustee at one time. He was a very hospitable man, and was never more pleased than when entertaining company. At his house ministers, and especially those of the Scotch Churches, were always sure of a hearty welcome.

He died on the 9th of September, 1834. He had been three times married. His first wife was Miss Mary Scott, of Fayette County, Kentucky, and his second Miss Mary Steele, of Kentucky. To the latter was born Alexander, who died soon after reaching maturity. In May, 1810, he married Nancy Ramsey, daughter of James Ramsey, of Ligonier, Pennsylvania, who was born on the 6th of November, 1787. She was one of the original members of the Associate Reformed congregation on_ its being formed in 1817, and remained a worthy and respected member of it all her life. Her temper was most cheerful and even, and she appeared to advantage everywhere. No gossip or scandal was encouraged by her, and she loved the company of pious people. She died March 21, 1855. She had borne eight children, two sons and six daughters. Elizabeth St. Clair Sutherland died unmarried. James R. died in June, 1834, at the age of twentytwo. Mary A. married Carter B. Harrison, a son of President William Henry Harrison. Carter B. Harrison died in Hamilton, the 12th of August, 1839, leaving his wife a widow with one daughter, Anna C., who married David W. McClung, now surveyor of the port of Cincinnati. Sarah married Nathaniel Reeder, dying in 1863. Three of her children, Nathaniel, John, and J ames, are now liying, and two died in infancy. John Sutherland, another brother, is still living. Jane, Isabella, and Nancy, the

Sales Of Land

The original lots laid off in. Hamilton measured 6 by 12 poles, 100 by 200 feet ; eight such lots generally forming a block 400 feet square. A comparison between the prices paid Mr. Ludlow or his immediate purchasers for these lots and their present value may not prove uninteresting reading.

Take the meee embracing Lots 99, 100, 101, and 102, bounded by High, Third, Basin, and Second Streets, now one of the most valuable blocks in town. The records show the following first sales:

Colonel Campbell still resides on part of Lot 99. The half block, bounded by Reily, Basin, Second and High Streets, is held by Mrs. Campbell, who inherited it from her father, John Reily, and her title deeds are probably the oldest of any resident of the city.

In the square bounded by Dayton, Second, Heaton, and Third, the only lots in this block that have not been subdivided are those now owned by St. Stephen's Church, Ezra Potter, and Calvin Skinner. Mr. Potter's lots (153 and 154), fronting 200 feet on Dayton and Third, were bought by John S. Gordon from David Gano, July 28, 1835, for $225.

Lot 151, corner of High and Second, was sold by Ludlow to Michael McNamee, together with Lot 18, June 22, 1795, for $28. On September 14, 1805, Michael Lafferty became the purchaser of Lots 151 and 152 (fronting 200 feet on Dayton by 200 on Second) from Samuel Enyart for $55. On February 22, 1830, James McBride sold these two lots to the St. Stephen's society for $400. These four lots make the south half of the block.

Lot 165, extending from James Neal's corner south on Second 200 feet to St. Stephen's property, and east on Heaton 100 feet, was sold by Ludlow to Rebecca F. Randolph, October 2, 1795, for $2.

Lots 167 and 168, fronting 200 feet on Heaton and 200 on Third to Potter's Alley, were sold with fifteen other lots to Daniel Gano by Ludlow, July 18, 1827, for $700, and Gano 'sold the lots, 167 and 168, July 25, #850, to John M. Millikin and William Bebb for $550.

Fenton Lawson and others sold Lots 167 and 168 to W. H. Bartlett, December 11, 1841, for $700, and on February 18, 1844, Calvin Skinner bought the south