Richland Township (part 1 of 5)

Richland Township

PORATION AND First Officials - The First Taverns and Market House - The First Business Houses - The First Court House and the "Old Court House" - The Population, and Municipal Officers - The Great Fire - Some Old Citizens - The Oldest Building - St. Clairsville's Railroad Facilities - The Postmasters - The Banks - The St. Clairsville Schools, Past and Present - The Churches - The St. Clairsville Cemetery Ass'ociation - Belmont County Agricultural Society - Secret Societies - Drummond Post, G. A. R. - The County Infirmary.

Pease and Pnltney on the east, and Mead and Smith townships on the south, and Union on the west. As its name implies, the soil is rich and the land throughout the township is underlaid with a wealth of coal and limestone. As heretofore indicated the township was erected from parts of Kirkwood and Pnltney townships in 1802.

The first settler was probably Richard Hardesty who located on Wheeling Creek in 1795 and a numlier of his descendants live in the neighborhood of the old homestead today, d'he same year William Boggs settled on section 10 where he opened the first coal mine.

cross Wheeling ferry where he located on section 16 anchbuilt the first hewed-log cabin in the county and the name is a familiar one among the farmers of Richland township today.

Among the first settlers whose descendants are still living on or near the old homesteads after the lapse of a century were: Joseph and Andrew Anderson, Abraham and Frederick xRmrine, John Arrick, Valentine, Peter and Philip Ault, Isaiah Allen, William Askew, David and Samuel Barnes, George and Elizabeth Beam, John Berry, Jacob Brown and Nicholas Brown, Alexander Boggs, Rees BransOn, James Barnes, William Bell, M. C. Carroll, Sarah Coleman, Henry Close, Adam Kaufman, Jacob Clevinger, Joseph Craft, Isaac Cowgill, Lamb Clark, Richard Copeland, James Caldwell, Andrew Dickey, Robert Duncan, Daniel Dillie, Robert Dent, Andrew Foreman, Alexander Gaston, Isaac Hogue, David Hutchinson, Michael Groves, Zachiel Hays,

And Representative Citizens

The preceding are familiar names in Richland and adjoining townships today. Many of the oldest and most highly respected citizens of the county are lineal descendants of these pioneer settlers, and are prominently identified with the commercial and manufacturing, as well as the agricultural, industries of the county.

Mrs. Priscilla Baldwin says when her grandfather Isaachar Foulke above mentioned came ot the county in 1810 he located upon a farm three miles east of Newellstown (St. Clairsville) and on the road then leading to Flushing. She said that at that time the old Indian trail passed by her father's home and over this trail Indians traveled between Monroe and Guernsey pausing at the trading post at the foot of the "big hill" to exchange their copper. lead and furs.

Undiscovered Ore Mines

These Indians were always accompanied by an interpreter who told Mr. Foulke that there were silver, copper and lead mines in Monroe and Guernsey counties and the evidence of the truth of these statements was the ores they carried with them for trading. |

These bands of Indians would always camp at Bear Camp just east of Belmont going one \vay, and at the Indian Springs now owned by AVilliam Clark's heirs near St. Clairsville going the other. Mrs. Baldwin's father always exjiressed the lielief that these mines would ultimately 'be discovered.

The Popueation

Of Richland township in 1804 was the largest in Belmont County and in 1820 it was 3,379, with but one voting precinct, located at St. Clairsville. The census of 1900 shows a population of 4.367, a gain of 988. Because of the fact that Richland township is a purely agricultural township, the increase in population has not been as marked as in the townships along our river front. The assessor's returns however for 1902 show an increase over last year of $28,444 while the tax levy in the township has been increased from 1.49 in 1901 to 1.56 in 1902.

The First Election

WHs held in St. Clairsville in 1802, - it is said at the house of William Congleton, but as the records were lost for a period of seven years the first records available today reveal the fact that Isaac Cogle, Isaac Hatcher and John Carter were serving as trustees in 1809 and Josiah Hedges was clerk.

By order of the trustees, William Dent was appointed constable, and an election was called for the second Tuesday in August at which Robert Griffith, James Cloyd, Sterling Johnston and William Sinclair were elected justices of the peace.

The township officers elected in those early days were justices, constables, supervisors, overseers of the poor, fence viewers, township treasurer, and township clerk, and the highest vote cast in the spring of 1810 was 154.

In 1900 there were four voting precincts, namely : Glencoe. Loydsville and precincts i and 2 in St. Clairsville. The total vote was: Glencoe precinct, 232 ; precinct 1,231;

The township officers for 1902 are: Trustees, - Henry Morgan, Robert E. Giffen and J. '1'. Knox; townsliip clerk, John Nichols; treasurer, Harry Boroff ; assessor, William Mc- Bride; justices of the peace, - D. M. Davies, John Sidel)ottom and John C. Michner.

The old Zane Road, the first in the county, which was constructed under an act of government, and afterwards changed to the National Road, passes through Richland township from east to west.

The Towns Glencoe, Loydsville And

Glencoe was estalilished along the line of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad in Eebruary, 1855, by John B. G. Eulton. Today it contains a population of about 200, which is increasing rapidly because of tbe accession of many miners in the employ of the Belmont Coal Mining Company. There are also a number of stores and a good flour mill. The school has an enrollment of about 120 and is conducted by C. A. Henry, superintendent, and Miss Ella Meek, assistant.

The Methodist Episcopal Church is the only ])lace of worship in the village. It is included in the Demos circuit with Rev. M. W. Bevington, pastor. The officials are : Trustees, - Dr. J. H. Meek, C. A. Henry, William Barrett and P. W. Helpbringer; stewards, - Dr. J. H. IMeek and Miss Kate Henry.

The oldest citizen is Henry Neff who is now in his 92nd year. Mr. Neff is spending his closing years with his children who reside in Glencoe and the vicinity. Another octogenerian is John McNiece, who notwithstanding he is past 84 makes a daily visit to Glencoe and is hale in body and clear in mind.

One of the oldest families in this section of Belmont County are the Aults. Michael Ault, Sr., settled where Glencoe now stands and engaged in the milling business. ^ His son Michael Ault followed in the pursuit of his father and purchased the mill property in 1836. In the prosecution of his business he ground and shipped 10,000 barrels of flour from October, 1846, to the following May, which were forwarded to different points down the river.

Loydsville is on the National Road five miles west of St. Clairsville. It has two general stores, two blacksmith shops and a wagon shop, with a population at the last census of 125. The town was laid out by Joshua Loyd in 1831.

It was upon the old Loyd homestead that the eminent statesman and financier, Hon. William Windom, was born, and some old citizens recall the fact that they witnessed the future statesman when a child making mud pies by the roadside.

About one mile south of the town the Society of Eriends built the old Plainfield Meeting House in 1844. This was for 50 years the church home of the Friends in Richland township. Gradually the members of the Society lessened by removal and death until the church has been abandoned and the building is now occupied by the Farmers' Grange. The Methodist Episcopal Church at Loydsville built a small frame church in 1837. For two years previous, however, they had worshiped in the school house. In 1866 a more commodious brick church was erected, the church society then having a membership of 60. In 1879-80 the pastor was Rev. W. D. Starkey, with Rev. J. M. Carr, presiding elder. The membership of the church in 1902 is 100, and the pastor in charge is Rev. J. L. Dawson. The church officials are: R. W.

ti'ict, conducted by G. O. Bowles. Mr. Bowles' predecessor, W. S. Wright, taught in this district for eight or ten successive years. The present School Board consists of John Michner, C. P. Clark and F. O. Bowles.

Stewartsville is a railway station and coal mining town on the line of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, between six and seven miles west of Bellaire. It was named after John Stewart, of the late firm of Stewart & Mehan, and one of the proprietors of the Franklin mines which were organized in 1868. While the struggling mining towns of Stewartsville and St. Clairsville Junction, the latter in Pultney township, are not incorporated they have an aggregate population of 2,500, largely miners employed at the Troll, Franklin and Empire coal mines.

Near Neff's there is a neat Presbyterian Church with a membership of 100, that is ministered to by Rev. W. A. Alexander and near the Troll mines there is a new Methodist Church with a membership of 130, that is conducted by Rev. M. Strahl.

David Newell, the founder of the county seat, migrated from Pennsylvania in 1795 and 1796 and effected a settlement upon the summit of the most picturesque hill country in the county, and there laid out the village of Newellstown at an elevation of 1,284 above the sea level. It was known as Newellstown for several years, but was subsequently called St. Clairsville in honor of Gen. Arthur St. Clair at tliat time Governor of the Northwest Territory. The court records designated it as St. Clairsville as early as 1802-03, and in the contest with Pultney and Franklin (now Martin's Ferry) for the county seat it won the prize in 1804 and was thereafter known as St. Clairsville. The original town contained 65 acres, but an addition of eight acres was made by William blathers in 1803.

Some of the first lot owners were Abraham Lash, Valentine Ault, James Caldwell, Jacob Holtz, John Thompson, William Irwin, Alisalom Martin, Noah Zane, Sterling Johnston, Alpheus Ferren, John Israel and Daniel Peck. The above-named purchases were made between 1800 and 1802.

St. Clairsville being on the line of the Zane Road, then the leading thoroughfare in the county, it became the foremost trading town in Eastern Ohio, and as early as 1807 had shipped 2,000 pounds of snakeroot and ginseng in a single year to Eastern markets and hundreds of barrels of flour were wagoned to Wheeling and floated down the Ohio and Mississipjii rivers to New Orleans.

F. Cummings in his tour through Belmont County heretofore mentioned has this to say of St. Clairsville in 1807: I awoke at an early hour well refreshed and pushed on ii miles to St. Clairsville through a fine well improved, well inhabited country which was still hilly but the ridges were neither so steep nor so high as they are in general at this side of Chillicothe. I stopped at Thompson's Stage Inn where Mrs. Thompson who was very civil prepared me a good breakfast.

"St. Clairsville, or Newellstown as it is more frequently and more properly called, is the capital of Belmont County and is pleasantly situated on the point and top of the highest hill within sight and from whence 12 or 14 miles of ridges and woods may be seen in every direction, some of them across the Ohio, which I was now again approaching. The town is only about four years old and already contains 80 good houses including several stores and taverns. It has a Court House and gaol and altogether it has the greatest appearance of wealth and business of any town between Chillicothe and itself. There are several Quakers settled in the neighlwrhood who are snug, wealthy and industrious peojjle and who have enhanced the \alue of real ])r()perty to a wide extent around the focus of their settlement."

!n 1807 town was incorporated hy the election of John Patterson, president; Sterling Johnston, recorder; Samuel Sullivan, marshal; and Michael Groves, William Brown, John Brown and Josiah Dillon, trustees ; with Wdlliam Cougleton, collector; and James Caldwell, treasurer. The iiojndation of the v illage before its incorporation was 400.

few years after the town was incorporated, the dense forests began to disappear and pioneers crowded the trails in every direction, ipion horseback, in wagons and on foot. For some reasr>n the corporate authority was permitted to lapse, and now as the town began to improve and brick and frame Iniildings sup- ])lanted tbe log structures, public safety demanded a renew'al of incorjiorate powers for public jirotection. Accordingly corporate ]iowers were again granted by tbe General .\ssembly during the winter of 1818.

Before the town was incorporated, St. Glairsville had become quite a business center. .Among tbe early tavern keepers eve note first tbe name of Jacol) Holtz who was granted a license in 1802; the May following, two additional taverns were opened, one liy John d'hompson and the other Basil Israel.

On the 17th day of December, 1833, the commissioners of Belmont County appropriated $100 to build a Market House in St. Clairsville and gave an order to John Patterson, grandfather of John Patterson now one of vSt. Clairsville's druggists, to superintend the work. This old building was constructed in the middle of the street just south of the present Court House and between the Clarendon Hotel and the opposite side of the street and is remembered by all the old citizens.

The First Business Houses

There were also twC' schools, five taverns, eight stores, seven carpenters, three masons, two blacksmiths, two tanneries, four cabinetmakers, a brickmaker, two saddlers, one pottery, one tinner, one manufacturer of nails, two clock and watchmakers, four shoemakers, three tailors, and two turners in wood, spinning wheel makers, two distilleries, three ])hysicians and two attorneys.

One of the distilleries was operated by Alichael Groves and the other by Dillon & Thompson. John Copeland was the first blacksmith; Reese Branson was the first clockmaker ; Jose])h Morrison and Samuel Sullivan were the first hatters ; Ira Robinson was the first tinner; Jacob Leech was the first barber; Jesse McGee, a familiar name in Richland township today, was the first cabinetmaker; Robert Dent, an active Alethodist, was the first school teacher; Joseph Patton and Henry Alitchell were the first shoemakers ; John Long and Smith & White were the first tanners; and John Marcus was the first tailor.

Colonel Charlesworth says that the first Court House was a strong substantial log strnctnre two stories high that occupied the first lot directly west of the more pretentious and costly stone structure of today ; while the old log jail was east of and not under the same roof as some writers have claimed. The second Court House, best known to the people of this generation as the "Old Court House" was built of brick and stone in 1813 at a cost of $56,040. The Court House building was a square, two-story building with a hip roof facing each point of the compass and surmounted by a tall spire in tbe center. This historic old building was sujiported on the south by an immense stone wall 1 50 feet in length and about 14 feet high at tbe east end. This building remained in use for a period of 72 years, when it was removed to give place to the present handsome public buildings elsewhere referred to.

In 1842 because of the increased demand for more prison room, the third county jail was built by Bailey and Collins of brick and stone at a cost of $3,902.

The Population, And Municipal Officers

The population of St. Clairsville in 1900 was -I. 210. a small gain over the census of 1890; however, the tax levy for 1902 is less than that of the year following. The municipal officers are: James B. Ryan, mayor; John Ferren, marshal; John C. Nichols, clerk; John H. Boroff, treasurer. The members of the Council are : D. H. Milligan, Albert Lawrence, Isaac H. Gaston, A. L. Bumgarner, J. M. Reese and A. W. Beatty.

The Great Fire

One of the memorable events of the history of St. Clairsville was the great fire of 1866. The fire originated in the property of John Jepson on May 22nd, and practically burned the entire square from Market street west to the alley between Market and Marietta streets.

There was no fire department or fire extinguishers that could be made available, and the citizens in their excitement worked without plans or system, hence the great loss. The properties destroyed were the store room and residence of John Jepson, the drug store and residence of I. H. Patterson, the dry goods store of John Patton, the jewelry store of George Brown, the tailoring establishment of L. P. Hoffner and Henry Meyer, the boot and shoe store of John Bickham, the saddlery of John Crymhle, the law office of Judg'e Chambers, the Gaccttc printing office and the dry goods store of Watson & Gressinger.

The flames also communicated with the Methodist parsonage on Market street, nearly opposite the present livery stable south of the hotel, and it was also destroyed. The total loss was estimated at upwards of $50,000.

Some Old Citizens

There are still residing in St. Clairsville many worthy old people whose mental faculties are unimpaired and who yet enjoy a fair degree of health. Perhaps the oldest native-born citizen is Judge C. W. Carroll, who at the age of 67 occupies the house in which he was horn.

The oldest resident of the village is Mrs. Elizabeth Adams, who has attained her 95th birthday. Mrs. Altissa Hutchison, now temporarily residing with her daughter Airs. Clark in Bridgeport, has also entered upon her 95th 3^ear. Mrs. Hutchison has lived in St. Clairsville nearly all her life.

Among the ladies that have attained to or past the allotted three score years and ten we might mention Aliss Jane Edgerton, Airs. Robert Thompson, Airs. Caroline V. Groves, Mrs. William Frazier, Aliss Ann Edgerton, Airs. Ruth Eaton, Airs. William Lee, Airs. Amos Fawcett and Airs. Henry Aleyer.

The Oldest Building

In St. Clairsville today is the home of Editor AIcAIillen of The Belmont Chronicle. This historic old building with recent additions and improvements is still in a good state of preservation. It is located at the northwest corner of Sugar and Alain streets.

As heretofore referred to in the story of the county seat contest. St. Clairsville has built two short railroads at a cost of $65,000, one that intersects the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad at Qunicy and the other that intersects the Cleveland, Lorain & Wheeling Railway at a point near lioston. In addition to the above, a l)rancli of tlie j^reat Wal)ash system enters lielmont County at a point near Adena in Harris(m Comity and ]>asses through St. Clairsville from nortli to south near tlie old Neiswanger homestead, jmrsuing its course down Ault's Ruu eastward to iMcMechen's Creek and running parallel with the Baltimore & Ohio Railroacl for several miles, thereliy opening up the extensi\e coal fields recently purchased by hiastern cajiitalists for shijiment to the great manufacturing centers. Of these mines The Cazette in a recent article says ;

"On the Bellaire and Adena branch of the Whahasli road wdhch is expected to be ready for business from St. Clairsville to Adena by the first of tlie year, there will be mines every mile or so of the route, and the operators are getting ready to start. Near the Maynard end of the line in Belmont County, two companies are ready now to operate on an extensive scale.

"Purseglove Brothers have two openings made above Maynard. They wanted the C., L. & W. to give them a switch for their cars, but were refused any concessions along that line so they propose to wait for the opening of the new road. They will be right on the new road and at their two mines expect to employ between 500 and 600 men when in full operation.

"Along the same railroad Troll Brothers have two hig mines almost ready for business. It is expected they will be ready to load coal as soon as the new^ railroad is in operation. Both openings are to have modern equipment and the tipples will be of the latest model. They will employ not less than 500 men, possibly many more inside of a year."

The Postmasters

It was impossible to obtain a record of the postmasters from the organization of the town. The following is a list of those who have served the people from 1R26: viz., - William Booker, T-Tenry Kennon, Benjamin F. Thomas, Wilmuth Jones, William Darrah, Mrs. Rebecca Ramage, Rev. T. B. Johnson, J. B. Longley, J. P). Ryan, W. A. Hunt, James F. Charlesworth and C. \V. Carroll, the present incumbent.

The Banks

St. Clairsville, being the center of a rich agricultural community, sustains three lianks, namely: The First National Bank, the Second National Bank, and the Dollar Savings Bank Company.

The first bank established in the county and one of the first in the State was the Belmont Bank at St. Clairsville, a corporation organized in t8i6, with a capital of %oo,ooo of which $150,000 was paid in. Among the original stockholders and officers of the old bank were : William Booker, Steel Smith, Hugh McNeely, John Winter, Jacob Neisw^anger, John Ramsey and Ezar Ellis.

Some old citizens have thought it was a branch of the old State Bank of Ohio, but Colonel Charlesworth insists that it was a private bank and ante-dated the State Bank many years. When it failed, Mr. Booker was appointed receiver and was given the old bank building with its peculiarly constructed safe elsewhere referred to, if he would redeem the outstanding notes. The building was subsequently sold to the Lists of Wheeling. After this old building was sold, a period of 20 years elapsed before another hank was es.tablished.

The First National Bank was probably the second in order of establishment in the county. It was organized January i, 1864, and began business on March ist following. The capital stock at the time of organization was $60,000, which was subsequently increased to $100,000 with a surplus in 1902 of $40,000. The first directors were: D. D. T. Cowen, Joseph Woodmansee, Ross J. Alexander, John Darrah and David Brown. The first officers were : D. D. T. Cowen, president, and H. C. Welday, cashier.

The Second National Bank occupies a room especially constructed for banking purposes in the handsome and substantial Troll Block. It was organized in January, 1896, by the election

The capital stock fully paid in is $50,000. The officers in 1902 are; Charles W. Troll, president ; Henry Morgan, vice-president ; Albert Troll, cashier; Otto Giffen, assistant cashier. John Troll, N. J. Hatcher, Samuel Campbell, Charles W. Troll, Albert Troll, Henry Morgan, Alexander Neff, W. J. Giffen and W. L. Patton constitute the board of directors.

The Dollar Savings Bank Conipa,ny was organized June 17, 1895, by the election of Capell L. Weems, president; J. B. McMechen, vicepresident; M. M. Scott, cashier; and L. M. Sutton, assistant cashier. John Stewart, William J. Clark, Walter Darrah, W. J. Thompson, Albert Nichols and James T. Bentley were the first board of directors. The paid-up capital amounted to $25,000. L. M. Sutton was subsequently chosen cashier, a position he held until September, 1898, when failing health compelled him to resign. Wilson Mitchell was selected as his successor.

The building occupied by the Dollar Savings Bank Company was formerly the building in which the old Belmont Bank was established, and for upwards of a quarter of a century thereafter it was the county treasurer's office. The safe is in the shape of a bake-oven with stone walls 55 inches in thickness and built upon a foundation of stone sunk eight feet in the ground. Within this great, stone vault is a movable modern steel safe.

The St. Clairsville Schools, Past And Present

The St. Clairsville schools have ever been esteemed among the best in the county. While the present commodious three-story brick building was constructed nearly 34 years ago, it is regarded as one of the most substantial as well as one of the best equipped schools in the county today. At this time it is taxed to accommodate the pupils seeking admission and a new room was created in 1902 in order to more equally distribute the work. The number of scholars that took the high school course last year from rural districts numbered 64, and they came from homes within a radius of seven miles, and the revenues derived from this source added $1,100 to the district school fund. The school library contains 745 volumes and is perhaps one of the best libraries in the county, while the chemical laboratoi'y and* instruments for scientific demonstration are probably not surpassed in any other township in the county. The total enrollment of scholars in 1902 is 340.

The first superintendent after the re-organization of the schools in 1869 J- J- Burns; he held the position until he was elected State School Commissioner in 1878. His successors were; John G. Black, 1878-80; C. E. Stitchcock, 1880-84: L. H. Waters, 1884-89; Walter Mitchell, 1889-91 ; and George Rossitter, 1891-1900.

The present corps of teachers is constituted as follows : Prof. W. R. Butcher, superintendent ; Miss Maggie Davies, principal of the High School : W. D. Porterfield, assistant principal ; Miss Margaret Moore, primary teacher; and Miss Eannie Ryan, Miss Sadie Giffen. Miss Margaret Mellor and Miss Irene Eerrel, intermediate teachers.

Ruggles homestead, south of town and not far from the residence of A11:)ert Johnston. The chinks l)et\veen the logs were daul)ed with mud. Rough split-board benches served as seats, and greased paper was used in place of glass f(jr windows. William Fleeharty is said to have been the first teacher and for several years gave satisfaction, but petty jealousies between town and country scholars caused a quarrel that resulted in the school's demolition.

In 1809 the Methodists established a school in the little brick l)uilding in the Methodist Episcopal Cemetery northeast of the present Methodist Episcopal Church. This school was maintained for a period of 31 years. The first teacher was Professor Dent, heretofore referred to. While this denominational school existed, there were several select schools conducted in different parts of the town. One was held on Mariettta street in a building on the corner southwest of the Presbyterian Church ; another in a building back of the old Market House, which was afterwards used as a colored school : and another on east Main street in the brick l)uliding, now the residence of the Misses Armstrong.

Among the teachers of that early day who afterward achieved prominence we mention: Judge Davy, Gen. G. W. Hoge, Judge Robert E. Chambers, and Miss Jane Edgerton, all of whom have passed away but the last named. iVfter a long and useful life devoted to the cause of education and temperance. Miss Edgerton is i)eacefully closing her days in the old home and in the enjoyment of the high esteem and res])ect of the whole community.

The first graded school was taught by David Moore. However, there were a number of seminaries conducted at different periods, - one by Professor Wilkinson in 1837 1^38 on the top of Seminary Hill and in the building now occupied as the home of Prof. W. R. Butcher. The other was conducted by Professor Brooks in 1836 in the historic old building now the residence of John Troll.

Since the above was written, the old building has been removed and concealed among the rafters was found an old catalogue of the seminary, printed in 1837, containing the following announcements, viz. -

Eranklin PI. Brooks, superintendent; Mrs. Sarah M. Brooks, principal; Miss Sophia S. Cooly, assistant teacher. Eifty-one students were in attendance, as follows: Nancy M,

Three years were required to complete the course of study, which was as follows : Primary - Reading, spelling and defining, writing, mental and written arithmetic, English grammar, modern and ancient geography, history of the LTnited States, modern and ancient history, improvement of the mind, geography of the heavens, Sullivan's political class book, natural philosophy and botany.

Junior year - English grammar, rhetoric, human physiology, Euclid's geometry, chemistry, astronomy, philosophy of natural history, intellectual philosophy, algebra.

Senior year - Outline of geology, eccleciastical history, logic, natural theology, moral philosophy, Butler's analogy, evidences of Christianity.

St. Clairsville Public School

Mr. Brooks also conducted a school for young men on the hill west of town. It was called the St. Clairsville Institute and Teachers' Seminary. The teachers were Franklin H. Brooks, superintendent, and rklvah G. Dunning, A. B., assistant teacher. It had no connection with the female seminary. The following is the list of students for 1837 :

It was announced that the young men would study and sleep in the rooms in the school building, four students in a room, and would take their meals at the dining room in the village. Students were required to furnish their own rooms. They were also to strictly observe the following rules :

In the prospectus the managers of the Institute say, "As a rigid adherence to study and a neglect of physical labor would greatly endanger health, we have determined next spring to open a manual labor establishment in connection with the Institute."

The Churches

The Protestant Episcopal Church. - Dr. Doddridge. the great Episcopalian divine and author, whose notes have long been recognized as authority on all matters pertaining to pioneer histor}' in West Virginia and Eastern Ohio, extended his missionar}- operations into Eastern Ohio in 1800 and established congregations at St. Clairsville, IMorristown and Zanesville.

St. Thomas' Church in St. Clairsville was brought into existence in 1813 by the removal of some of Dr. Doddrige's former parishioners to that place and the parish was represented in the first convention of the Diocese of Ohio by John Carter. In 1822 a church was built opposite the Methodist Church and for some years was in a flourishing condition, but the congregation becoming scattered the church \Vas abandoned and the ground rvas sold in 1862.

The Society of Friends. - Before this religious society had erected a church, they met at private residences, notably the home of William Mosely, where preaching services were conducted by a lady named IMitchell, but as the membership increased in numbers a brick meeting' lionse was built in 1809-10 on a half acre of ground on the North Commons, where it intersects the Cadiz Pike.

d'his old building was removed in 1875, since which time the organization has been extinct. Inclnded in this lot was an old time Friends' Cemetery. There was also another Friends' Meeting House of the opposite persuasion in the little house near the present home of Dr. Hewitson.

The Methodist Episcopal Church. - In the Methodist Episcopal Church, Ohio circuits were formed as early as 1787, and in 1793 the circuit riders, who visited Washington, Pennsylvania, with regularity, also visited the Methodist homes west of Wheeling in Belmont County, Ohio, and conducted class meetings and prayer meetings at and near Kirkwood (Salem), Scott's and Newellstown (St. Clairsville) . The first circuit riders mentioned were Jesse Stoneman and Thomas Hammond, who served on the Ohio circuit in 1799, Mr. Hammond dying while thus employed, when but 35 years of age. In 1809, St. Clairsville was connected with the West Wheeling circuit, with Jacob Young as pastor; and that year the Methodist Episcopal Cemetery was purchased, and a large frame Methodist Episcopal Church was built, with a gallery in the rear, facing the pnlpit. The trustees, who sujiervised the work, were Vachel Hall, Henry Mozier, Flenry Johnson, Robert Dent and Joseph Hedges.

In 1813, and for several years previous, there were such noted local preachers at this appointment as Jesse Parks and Jacob Meyers; and the preacher in charge was the famous James B. Findley, who was untiring in his efforts in building up the new civilization.

Ten years later St. Clairsville was connected with the Barnesville circuit, with Cornelius Springer and Bennett Dowler as preachers. In 1824 the Pittsburg Conference was organized, and St. Clairsville was included in that conference for a half of a century. Among the appointments on the circuit were ; St. Clairsville, Mount Pleasant, Harrisville, Cadiz, Liston's,

Kinsey's and Scott's. In 1827 the preachers were John Walker and John McMahon, with James Roberts, W. B. Evans, Edward Mercer and David Mercer, local preachers, and among the members of the quarterly conference we find the names of Matthew Thoburn, Matthew Simpson (each the father of a celebrated bishop in the church), Ebenezer Liston, John Warfield, George Brown, Philip Darby and R. E. Carothers.

Some of the noted men who have served these people as presiding elders, we might mention William Lambdin, Wesley Browning, Samuel R. Brockunier, Robert Hopkins, Silvester Burt, Joseph M. Carr, Dr. Paine, James R. Mills, D. L. Osborne and James M. Slutz. In 1834 St. Clairsville was set apart as a separate congregation at the conference held in the Pipe Creek Church, and Rev. Erancis Dighton was appointed pastor. Four years later he died, and was buried in the old Methodist Episcopal Cemetery.

It was in 1834 that the second church was built. This structure was a substantial brick, erected under the supervision of Matthew Thoburn, Peter Hulse, Michael Carroll, James Arrick, R.- E. Carothers, Eli Wells, Robinson Baker, William Wilkins and George Shipman.

Thirty-eight years later, the present brick church was built at a cost of $11,500. The work was inaugurated during the ministry of Rev. Mr. Grant in 1870, and completed during the administration of Rev. Mr. Lauck, in 1872. Five years later, and during the ministry of Rev. B. F. Beazelle, a neat parsonage was purchased from Hon. Lorenzo Danford at a cost of $1,800.

The church officials during this period of improvement were : Stewards, - George Brown, H. C. Wei day, Joseph Young, Joseph Close, John Close, Thomas Fawcett, W. W. Mc- Monies and A. T. McKelvey; trustees, - W. A. Hunt, W. J. Thompson, Benjamin Barkhurst, Amos Fawcett,' Robert Pogue, Israel Lewis, Cephas Carroll, F. D. Bailey and A. H. Mitchell. It will not be an invidious distinction to say that because of the labors and liberality of H. C. Welday and George Brown

Several memorable revivals have taken place in the history of the church that profoundly stirred the whole community ; one was conducted by Rev. Mr. Smith in 1835, resulting in over 100 accessions. Thirty years later, a great revival was conducted by the pastor, Rev. J. C. Taylor, assisted by Rev. Dr. James Thoburn, who was upon a vacation from India, and Rev. Mr. Marshall, of Bellaire. Again over 100 accessions were received. In 1879-80 Rev. Mr. Conkle conducted a series of meetings that resulted in 136 accessions to the church. A few years later, another great awakening took place during the ministry of Rev. Dr. Haskell, that resulted in upwards of 50 accessions to the church.

people, three are buried in the old Methodist Episcopal Cemetery; viz.: Francis Dighton, David C. Merryman and J. C. Taylor. The present official board consists of R. P. Rose, J. W. Hollingsworth, A. T. McKelvey, W. F. Smith, E. L. McMillan, Mrs. Ollie Lowe, Prof. W. R. Butcher, Mrs. C. L. Weems, Mrs. A. H. Mitchell, Mrs. Ellis Wilson, W. S. Mitchell, Z. Fawcett, John Wilson, Dr. Greitzner, E. E. Shepherd, W. W. Cowen, W. J. Thompson, F. D. Bailey and J. M. Aultman. The Sundayschool superintendent is A. T. McKelvey. The present membership is about 300.

The Presbyterian Church of St. Clairsville was originally known as "the Congregation of Richland," its organization being effected in the fall of 1798 through the influence and zeal of that good and great man, Rev. John McMillan, D. D., once pastor of the old Chartiers or Hill Church, near Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, for over half a century and founder of the school which afterward became the nucleus of Jefferson College. He died November 16, 1833, in the 82nd year of his age and the 60th of his ministry in the Presbyterian Church, and the thousands of enlightened and Christian homes in Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio are today our grandest monument to his devoted memory.

On the 17th of October, 1798, what was then known as the Presbytery of Ohio licensed and ordained Joseph Anderson to the work of the Gospel ministry, and committed to his care the scattered congregations of Scotch-Irish people, who were at that time pouring into Eastern Ohio. As a result of his labors in this district, Rev. Mr. Anderson was presented with a joint call by the congregations of Richland and Short Creek, now Mount Pleasant, in the fall of 1799. The call was brought before the Presbytery of Ohio on the 15th of April, 1800; and, having signified his acceptance of the call, Mr. Anderson was installed pastor of the said congregations August 20, 1800. This is the first recorded ordination of a Presbyterian minister west of the Ohio River.

McConnell were elected and ordained ruling elders of the congregation of Richland. Two years later William Ramage and Arthur Irwin were elected, ordained, and added to the session ; and, after a few years more, Robert Laughlin, John Perry, Matthew Anderson, John Marquis and, at still a later time, Robert Bell, William Paris, Sr., and Robert Morrison. In 1826, George Anderson and John Rankin were added to the session; and Andrew P. Ha])])er, Franklin Bell, John Culbertson, Joseph Laughlin and vkndrew Work some years later. I'hese were the office bearers and coworkers with Rev.* Mr. Anderson in erecting the cabin cburch in 1798, and the second log building on the same spot, near the Presbyterian Cemetery, half a mile north of town, in j8o8, and which in 1822 was relinquished for a more commodious brick ljuilding, conveniently located witbin tbe limits of tbe town at the west end, at a cost of about $3,000 - a large sum for that day.

For nearly 30 years the congregation bore the name of "Richland," but on the 19th day of January, 1827, it was incorporated under the name of "The First Presbyterian Church of St. Clairsville," with William Bell, Andrew Ik Happer and Dr. John McCracken as the first trustees.

On the first Tuesday of October, 1830, Rev. Joseph Anderson at bis own request was dismissed from the pastoral charge of the congregation to the Presbytery of St. Charles in Missouri, where he resided until his death in Monticello, Missouri, in 1847, year of his age, much beloved and remembered for his labors.

After the resignation of Rev. M^'. Anderson, the church was supplied by Revs. Alexander Rogan, William Fuller and others until July, 1834, when a call was made for the pastoral services of Rev. Joseph Smith, who -having accepted it was installed pastor in October of the same year. Three years later Dr. Smith l)ecame president of Franklin College, having resigned the charge of St. Clairsville. He died December 4. 1868. after an extended ministry of 47 years. Dr. Smith was the author

During the next two years the pulpit was supplied by Revs. Thomas Gordon, Churchill and others; until in October, 1839, Rev. James Alexander accepted a call from the congregation and was installed pastor December 19, 1839. It was during this pastorate that the third church Iniilding was totally destroyed by fire October 15, 1841, and a fourth building erected on a new site. Marietta street, in the spring of 1843, expense of about $7,000.

Rev. Mr. Alexander's ministry terminated as pastor of St. Clairsville June 9, 1846, and, having labored efficiently and successfully in Martin's Ferry, Wheeling Valley and Bridgeport in this presbytery, and in Allen Grove, Wolf Run and Moundsville in tbe Presbytery of Washington, he ceased from his labors and entered tbe reward of the faithful, July, 1879. The next pastor was Rev. John Moffat, who was ordained and installed in June, 1848; for more than 13 years he labored successfully as a faithful pastor and eloquent preacher of the Gospel of Christ. He resigned in 1861 to become pastor of Rockbill and Bellaire, and in 1863 he was transferred as pastor of the Second Presbyterian Cburch of Wheeling. He died December, 1875.

Rev. John Moffat was succeeded in St. Clairsville by Rev. David R. Campbell, D. D., in 1861, who labored with great success until February 18, 1866, when he resigned to accept the pastorate of the Second Presbyterian Church, Steubenville, Ohio. Dr. Campbell's ministry is still fragrant with the memory of a glorious revival of religion in which the membership was raised to a higher plane of spiritual activity. He died at Steubenville in March, 1873.

The next pastor was Rev. Robert Alexander, D. D., who was called September 22, 1866, and l>egan his labors on Christmas Day of the same year. His ministry in the congregation extended over a third of a century, during which the fourth church building was destroyed by a terrific tornado, April 15, 1887, and the present beautiful and substantial stone edifice was erected in 1888 at a cost of over $25,000. Dr. Alexander was born in Belmont County, June 15, 1887. He graduated from Washington and Jefferson College in 1855, and from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1858; he was licensed by the Presbytery of St. Clairsville January 6, 1858, and, having studied a year in the Free Church College, Edinburgh, Scotland, was ordained pastor of Little Britain Church, Pennsylvania, August 7, i860, from which he was called to St. Clairsville and installed here in April, 1867. He was honored with the title of Doctor of Divinity from Franklin College in 1879, and after a long and influential ministry resigned the pastorate to edit The Presbyterian April 26, 1899. He died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, February 27, 1901,- - lovingly "remembered by what he has done."

The present pastor. Rev. J. Burns Eakins, Ph. D., received the invitation of the church June 22, 1899. He was born in Ireland and received his collegiate training at the Magee College, Royal University, and Princeton Theological Seminary, from which he graduated May 9, 1899. He entered upon his work at St. Clairsville August ist, and was ordained and installed October 3, 1899. The story of this pastorate is still to be recorded.

During the pastorate of Rev. James Alexander, D. D. : John Jepson, James McConnell, Robert Smiley, F. FI. Brooks, H. H. Fisk, A. C. Work, John Tate, Sr., and John Porter.

During the pastorate of Rev. John Moffat: Samuel Ramage, James Hutchison. John Tate, Jr., Thomas T. Thompson, Samuel B. Work, Samuel Cunningham; and on January 12, 1861 : Dr. Henry West, William Chambers and William H. McBride.

During the pastorate of Rev. Robert Alexander, D. D. : June 4, 1874, - Joseph J. Taggart, and Robert A. Anderson; June 20, 1878, - Henry Daniel, Samuel R. Finney. William Lee, John A. Grove and George Jepson; June I, 1890, - William F. Schumaker, George V.

Brown, John W. Riley and John Elliott; April, > 17, 1898, - John D. Hays, Addison E. Rusk, Elbridge G. Amos, Lewis M. Sutton and James O. Dixon.

The following are the office bearers at the present date, October i, 1902: Elders, - William Chambers, George Jepson, John D. Hays, Elbridge G. Amos, Robert H. Anderson, J. J. Taggart, J. W. Riley, A. E. Rusk and J. O. Dixon ; trustees, - Samuel Campbell, R. M. Eaton and D. H. McBride; Sabbath-school superintendent, - A. W. Beatty; Women's Missionary Society president, - Mrs. Elza T. Clark; Y. P. S. C. E. president, - Miss Nellie Jepson; president Robert Alexander Missionary Band, - Miss hi. Gray McBride.

The church celebrated its first centennial in 1898, and rejoices in the fact that never in its history was it better able to be of service in the cause of God and humanity. It is free of all debt, with a membership of 320 active workers and worshipers, contributing last year $2,913 for the support of the Gospel; the outlook for pastor and people is bright and encouraging.

The United Presbyterian Church of St. Clairsville, Ohio, was organized June, 1830. The exact date of the organization is unknown. A charter was granted the congregation by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, February 14, 1835. The charter members were David Wallace, William Denham, John Patterson. Hugh Parks, Sr., John McMechen, John Nichol, Matthew Nichol, Thomas Duff, William Chambers, John Stitt, Joseph Woods and William Templeton.

For the 72 years of its existence, it has had but four pastors, viz.: Rev. Hugh Parks, who was pastor from 1831 to 1838; Rev. Alexander Young, D. D., pastor from 1842 to 1857; Rev. J. B. Johnston, D. D., pastor from 1859 to 1874: Rev. Thomas Balph, D. D.. pastor from 1875 and still continues after a pastorate of more than 27 years. It is a tribute to the worth of these men and also to the stable character of the people of the congregation that they have had but four pastors and yet have not been altogether five years without a pastor.

Of these pastors, all have passed over the river except the j)resent inciimhent, hut it is worthy of note that when the congregation celebrated its semi-centennial in 1880, all four of these men were on that day in the hounds of the congregation, three of them being present at the exercises, Rev. Mr. Parks alone not being able to he present.

The following men have served the congregation as riding elders, viz. ; IDavid Wallace, W'illiam dT-mpleton, John Patterson, John Nichol, Robert Stitt, William L. Dnff, John Rrown, Joseph Meholin, Thomas M. Nichol, Psaac Taggart, John Stewart, Thomas Dnff, Solomon Bentley, Samuel Giffen, William Stewart, Hum])hrey Alexander, Robert Kerr, James Gordon, Samuel M. Thompson, Andrew }. McFarland and Thomas Johnson. These have all passed away except Andrew J. Mc- Farland, who is still living at a good old age and a member of the congregation, but not now a member of the session. The following are the ]>resent members of the session : John

How many united with the congregation at the organization or who they were is unknown. The following signed the call for Rev. Mr. Parks in 1831, viz.: Hugh Parks, William Chambers, Alexander H. McCormick, Alexander McMillen, Joseph Taggart, William Calderhead, James Woods, James Taggart, John Patterson, John McMechan, Robert Ross, John Nichol, Andrew King, Thomas Duff, Matthew Nichol, Joseph Woods, Andrew Paul and Isaac Taggart. The growth of the congregation has been steady, but slow. It has reached its highest numlier during the present pastorate, and is now 210. They have been in moderate circumstances. Nearly all of them have been small farmers.

The congregation has always been fairly liberal, and has manifested a missionary spirit from the lieginning. As far back as 1841 and 1842, we find single collections for missionary purposes, ranging from $7.60 to $15.15, and these were taken monthly. A Woman's Missionary Society was organized in August, 1S56, and has had a continued existence to the present time, the second one, perhaps, that was organized in the denomination. At the semi-centennial celebration in 1880, one in a position to know estimated the contributions of the organization to that date at $50,000. Since that time they have contributed a total of $70,534. making a grand total of over $120,- 000. During tbe past year they have contributed $2,385, an average per member of $11.80.

There has been sent out from this congregation the following foreign missionaries, viz. : In 1868, David R. Johnston, M. D., and his wife, Margaret J. ; in 1869, Miss Eliza F. Johnston ( now Mrs. Dr. Stewart) ; in 1875, Rev. John Giffen, D. D. ; in 1881, Rev. John Kelley Giffen; in 1889, Rev. E. Morrison Giffen, - in all six. Dr. Johnston is deceased, and his wife is in this country; all of the others are still at their work in the foreign field, - one. Rev. J. K. Giffen, being the pioneer missionary of the United Presbyterian Church in the Soudan, being located on the Sobat River in the heart of Africa.

Wallace, D. D.. E. C. Calderhead, Samuel Wallace, A. D. Clark, D. D., Thomas Love, D. D., David Paul, D. D., Thomas Drennen, T. P. Dysart, John S. McConnell, S. R. Frazier, R. B. Stewart, D. A. Duff, John Giffen, D. D., D. C. Stewart, J. R. Frazier, William McKirahan, D. D., M. F. McKirahan, J. A. McKirahan, J. K. Giffen, E. M. Giffeii, J. P. Giffen, Boyd Johnson, J. K. Knox, James Gordon and W. J. Grimes, - a total of 26. This is believed to be the greatest number of ministers furnished by any other one congregation in the denomination, and perhaps more than has been furnished by one congregation of any denomination in Eastern Ohio.

Their first house of worship stood upon the lot on South Commons, where Auditor Beatty's residence now stands. It was erected in 1835 at a cost of $2,600. The stone and brick work

Upon its destruction the congregation immediately set about rebuilding. The lot on the corner of IMain and Marietta streets was purchased and the present house was erected in 1888 at a cost of $20,000, and in this new house the congregation meets regularly for the worship of God and are C|uietly doing their work and endeavoring to serve God in their day and generation.

The African Methodist Episcopal Church of St. Clairsville was oi'ganized about 1840. Up to that time the colored Methodists had worshiped with their white brethren in the same place of worship, but during the ministry of Rev. Samuel Brockunier some trouble occurred at a communion service, and the colored Methodists withdrew and established a "meeting house" of their own. As the records have been destroyed, it is impossible to give the names of the first preachers and church officials or the location of the various church buildings.

The little church at present in use is on Market street. It was built at a cost of $600. The present pastor is Rev. C. L. Young, and the senior member is Father Goins. The official board consists of Samuel Cochran, S. Lewis, H. Swenigen, T. Davis and D. Hawkins ; the last named is also superintendent of the Sunday-school. The present membership is between 45 and 50.

The St. Clairsville Cemetery Association

Was organized July, 1871. A few philanthropic citizens, realizing the great need of a suitable resting place for tbe dead, met together in the spring of 1871 and by liberal contributions purchased the beautiful grounds now known as the Union Cemetery. The majority of these original stockholders have already been laid to rest within the grounds.

The purchase consisted of five acres of land, lying north and east of the old Presbyterian Cemetery and formerly owned by R. M. Wilkins, and four and one-half acres, lying south of the old burying ground, from M. Overbaugh, tbe whole costing about $2,000. The improvements since added amount to upward of $5,000.

The grounds of the Belmont County Agricultural Society are located within the incorporated limits of St. Clairsville, and consist of 15P2 acres of land purchased in 1859, and peculiarly adapted to fair purposes. It is in fact a beautiful park, with enough old forest trees growing over the grounds to afford ample shade to the patrons of the fair. The grounds are valued at $2,000, and the Society has a surplus of several hundred dollars in the treasure'. The great cyclone destroyed its main buildings in 1887, since which time the Society has been crippled in its facilities to accommodate exhibitors. It is expected that new buildings will be constructed in 1903.

The first Society was organized in 1838, but suspended in 1843 want of encouragement. It was re-organized again in 1848. The presidents who have served the Society since that time are as follows : Solomon Bentley,

Secret Societies

Masonic Orgaiiications. - Belmont Lodge, No. 16, F. & A. M.^ was the first Masonic society formed in the county, and one of the first in the State. Its charter is dated January 8. 1812, and its charter memliers were James Carothers, Josiah Dillon, Thomas Thompson, Joseph Patton, Ezra Ellis, Moses Morehead, Ezra Evans, Plenry Evans and Benjamin Ruggles. The o])position to Masonry in those days was so widespread that th.e growth of the order was necessarily slow. Notwithstanding, nearly all tlie Masonic lodges in Belmont County are l)ranches of this old lodge. The officers at the date of organization were : James H.

The first lodge meeting was held in a room in the old Fink Hotel building, on the ground now occupied by the United Presbyterian Church. It was subsec|uently moved to the jury room in the old Court House, where it remained until the construction of the new Masonic hall on South Market street, in 1857. In 1859. the building was destroyed by fire, and all the lodge records were destroyed. Returning to the former lodge room in the old Court House, the fraternity remained there until the large and commodious school building was constructed in 1869, which was built by the School Board and the Masons conjointly. The third story of this new building is devoted to Masonry.

It was the custom of the lodge for some time after the completion of the new building to hold an annual banquet and reunion for the entertainment of the Masons and their wives, and these social occasions were looked forward to with pleasurable anticipation.

The officers of the lodge in 1902 are: J. B. Ryan. W. M. ; J. B. Meyer, S. W. ; M. E. Wilson, J. W. ; Isaac H. Gaston, treasurer; C. B. Ryan, secretary; Erank Bailey, S. D. ; William Gummere, J. D. ; and John Wilson, tyler.

Hope Commandery, No. 26, Knights Templar, was chartered September 27, 1871. The present eminent commander is A. W. Beatty; secretary, J. B. Ryan. The past eminent commanders are: Ross J. Alexander, Francis D. Bailey, Andrew J. Baggs, Chandler W. Carroll, H. R. Bumgarner, C. F. Strahl, W. C. Bergunthal, Isaac H. Gaston, Thomas H. Burtoft, J. A. Greenfield, James B. Ryan, John R. Gow, J. W. Hollingsworth and J. V. Meyer.

Bellaire, and Belmont Lodge, of Bridgeport, with the petitioners, met at the lodge room in St. Clairsville and proceeded with the institution.

According to the annual report, the number of members in good standing in 1902 were 17 and there was a surplus in the treasury of $13.95. The presiding officers are: A. L.

Was organized in St. Clairsville April 20, 1882. Its charter members were J. F. Charlesworth, Samuel Hillis, Leroy Sedgwick, W. S. Kennon, James A. Barnes, W. S. Colby, J. R. Mitchell, J. W. Riley, Simon Jones, W. S. Hobbs, C. W. Carroll, W. A. Hunt, B. R. Johnson, Henry Meek, Alexander Barrett, J. E. West, H. M. Davies, Thomas Malone, B. S. McBride, W. PI. Roscoe and G. P. Schick.

Eight of these charter members have been mustered out and have united with the comrades on the other side. This lodge was named after Lieutenant Drummond, a gallant young officer of the regular army, who was killed in the War of the Rebellion. The officers of the post in 1902 are as follows: J. M. Rees, post commander; Henry Adams, senior vice com-, mander; J. J. Rennard, adjutant; J. A. Stewart, chaplain ; and B. S. McBride, quartermaster. The total membership is 65.

were cared for in a "Poor House." This institution was an unpretentious brick dwelling, located upon the farm of William Campbell, in Richland township, four miles west of St. Clairsville. The farm contained 150 acres, and was purchased for $2,800. The purchase was made in 1828 by County Commissioners Isaac Barton, David Smith and Joseph Morrison. As the demands made upon the house exceeded its capacity, the building was subjected to numerous repairs and additions, until, in 1870, the county erected the present large Infirmary, with all modern appliances for the economical and comfortable care of the poor and infirm. This building was erected at a cost of $63,000, and the work was done under the supervision of Commissioners H. Frasher, James Alexander and William Armstrong. Subsequently a separate building was erected for a jail, and this structure was destroyed by fire in January, 1901, at which time one of the inmates was burned to death. The building was rebuilt at a cost of $10,000. It contains 26 cells. The present acreage of the farm is 176, and furnishes the institution with all the vegetables and fruits required for the institution, and likewise supplies the hay and grain necessary for the support of the live stock, and a portion of the grain needed for the inmates. Commissioner George i\I. Wise thinks the total cost of the Infirmary will be about $80,000. The number of inmates in 1902 is 157, and the cost of keeping, per capita, is $62.50.

The present board of directors are Otto Rottmeier, J. A. Brown and J. H. Heed, and the superintendent is Orlando Cope. In chapter IV is given a list of Infirmary directors from 1842.

The Press

The St. Clairsville Cassette was the pioneer newspaper of Belmont County. Some time prior to 1812, Alexander Armstrong, a man of scholarly attainments, came from one of the Eastern States and settled in St. Clairsville, then a straggling town, consisting of two rows of cabins. Recognizing the possibilities of the county, Mr. Armstrong conceived the idea of starting a newspaper. The field was a wide one, for in all the territory hordering on the Ohio River, from Steuhenville to Marietta, and as far west as Zanesville, there was not a newspaper. Yet Mr. Armstrong's project was not without its difficulties. The population was yet s])arse, with poor roads and poor mail facilities. Mr. Armstrong visited the settlements, soliciting aid for his project and offering his paper to suhscrihers for $3 per year, which in those days was a large sum, and often had to be ixiid in the products of the farm. He seemed to have received substantial encouragement, for in January, 1812, he began the publication of a weekly paper at St. Clairsville, called The BcT inoiit Repository. It was a four-column paper, printed after the manner of that time, with wide columns and on coarse heavy paper, the four columns in the aggregate being about the width of five columns of the paper of today, d'he ])aper was devoted almost exclusively to a chronicling of the general news of the nation, and even of the world, as the editor gleaned them from his exchanges, this being long before the day of Associated Press dispatches, telephones, etc., and local items of less im- ]iortance than a murder or a hanging were not considered worthy a place in the publication.

For some reason, about August, i8i8_, Mr. .Armstrong changed the name of the publication to The Belmont lonrnal. but the form of the paper remained about the same. Five years later, Robert H. Miller, who afterward became a noted veteran editor, was associated with Mr. Armstrong in the publication of the paper. It seemed to have been their design to give it wider scope and influence than it had before enjoyed under its local name, and the former name was dropped and JVestern Post substituted. How well their expectations were realized is not recorded, hut the partnership continued until January '!, 1825, when Mr. Armstrong, after a service of 13 years, retired from the Arm, and Mr. Miller became the sole editor- and proprietor. He had apparently discovered that the paper succeeded better as a local publication and again changed its title head, calling it The St. Clairsville Gazette. By this name it has ever since been known, except for a brief time after it was consolidated with another local paper, when it was called The Gazette and Citizen. Among the improvements added by Mr. Miller was to add another column, making it a five-column paper. In those days, currency was scarce, and Mr. Miller gave notice that he would accept corn, tobacco and other farm products in lieu of money in payment of subscriptions, the same to be delivered at points in the county designated in the notice. Air. A'liller continued the publication alone until 1829, when George W. Alanypenny, who afterward became a distinguished editor and politician at Columbus, Ohio, became associated with him. This partnership had a brief duration, being terminated in August, 1830, by the retirement of Mr. Miller, and seems not to have been a brilliant financial success, for in July, 1830, publication was suspended until Air. Alanypenny took sole charge in August of the same year. In his initial number, Mr. Manypenny states that the suspension was due to lack of funds to buy materials necessary for the publication of the paper. Mr. Alanypenny, however, took up the work, enlarged the paper to a six-column, and conducted it with marked ability until March 2, 1833, when he sold The Gazette to John Y. and Jacob Glessner, who afterward became distinguished as politicians and editors of the Mansfield (Ohio) Shield and Banner and the Zanesz'ille Signal.

In the latter part of 1837, the Glessners sold the plant to Maj. John Irons, a blunt old gentleman. who had seen military service, and had had editorial experience in Pennsylvania. His administration was brief, and in Alarch, 1838, The Gazette passed into the hands of its greatest editor. Dr. John Dunham. Fie was a small man and a cripple, hut a man of brilliant attainments, an iron will and a superb courage. A year later the paper was again enlarged to a seven-column folio and under Dr. Dunham's management it obtained a wide influence, it being the only Democratic paper in the Congressional district, and still the only one in the Ohio River counties between Steubenville and

Marietta. By reference to the files of that time, we find that the paper was printed by Gill, Heaton & Company, a firm of practical printers, and later, from 1841 to 1847, it was printed by Heaton & Gressinger, but Dr. Dunham had editorial charge during the whole of this time.

Whether, up to this time, any of the editors of The Gazette had possessed a printing outfit or not is not certain, probably none of them had, but, in 1847, Dr. Dunham bought a press and became both the editor and publisher, with Alexander Patton, one of the most incisive writers of his time, as associate editor.

In February, 1847, printing firm of John H. Fleaton and Stephen Gressinger started another paper in St. Clairsville, called The Citizen, but in two years it was merged with The Gazette and the consolidation called The Gazette and Citizen. With the merger, Mr. Heaton retired from the firm, and the paper was published by Dunham & Gressinger. Dr. Dunham retired from the firm and closed his long and able editorial career March 15, 1850. From that time until February, 1856, The Gazette and Citizen was edited by Stephen Gressinger. In that year, Mr. Gressinger retired and was succeeded by John H. Heaton. In January, 1862, Mr. Heaton dropped the name of Citizen from the title of the paper, and ever since it has appeared under the name it now bears. In February, 1862, Mr. Heaton sold the paper to Stephen Gressinger, and on February ii, 1864, bought it back again, retaining possession of it and editing it with signal ability and success until his death August 23, 1873.

After the death of Mr. Heaton, the paper was published for the benefit of his heirs by O. J. Swaney, Esq., his administrator, until its sale to C. N. Gaumer, November i, 1873. During this time it was under the editorial management of Stephen Gressinger. With his retirement. Mr. Gressinger closed a long editorial career, during all of which he maintained universal respect, even of those who had felt the force of his caustic pen.

Zanesville Signal, was a young man of capacity and great executive ability. He enlarged the paper to eight columns and greatly enlarged its circulation and pnt it upon a paying basis. He was an expert party manipulator, and during the most part of his ownership of The Gar zette nearly all of the county officials were of his party. Fie sold The Gazette to purchase the Mansfield {Ohio) Shield and Banner, and afterward served Richland County in the lower house of the General Assembly of the State. Isaac M. Riley, Esq., was the purchaser of The Gazette from Mr. Gaumer, February i, 1883. During his management, the building in which the paper was published was destroyed by a cyclone and the material of the office severely damaged. Mr. Riley removed the office to the present site, which except for a few months, while rebuilding, has ever since been its home.

September i, 1889. Mr. Riley sold The Gor zette to David H. Milligan, Esq., and George E. Steenrod, who conducted it under the firm name of Milligan & Steenrod. They enlarged the paper to a nine-column folio, and reduced the price of subscription from $2.00 to $1.50 per year. Later, about August, 1894, they further reduced the price of subscription to $1.00 per year, which it has since remained and now is. During their ownership, July 10, 1894. the office, with all the presses, type and other materials, was almost totally destroyed by fire. But by the generous assistance of friends the paper did not lose an issue. Within a few hours, after the fire, plans were drawn for the erection of a new office, and in a few days ground was purchased and the erection of the present beautifnl Gazette Building commenced. After occupying temporary quarters, The Gazette was removed into its present home December i, 1894, and was published from an .entirely new outfit of materials. On April i, 1896, Mr. Milligan sold his interest in the pa- ])er to his partner, Mr. Steenrod. who at the same time sold a one-half interest to Arthur A. Clark, and the firm name became Clark & Steenrod. January i, 1900, Mr. Steenrod retired from the paper, selling his interest to his partner, Mr. Clark, who conducted it alone until April i, 1901. when it was purchased by 1). H. Milligan. Sei)teml)er i, 1901, Mr. Milligan sold a one-half interest to D. S. Creamer, and he, with Mr. Milligan, are the present proprietors, under the firm name of Milligan & Creamer.

During the ]:>ast 10 years, much new material has been added to the office of The Gazette, until today it is one of the best equipped job and general work offices in the county. Today, it enjoys a large and growing circulation and an increasing ]:>atronage in all its departments.

Politically, it has always advocated the principles of the Democratic party, and has long been recognized as the principal organ of that party in Belmont County, During the 90 years of its e.xistence, The Gacette has had its seasons of adversity and prosperity. Some of its editors have been men of business ability, while others have failed for lack of such ability. Some have been men of national renown as politicians and statesmen. Of these many interesting incidents might be told were it not beyond the scope of this article. The history of the paper is a creditable one, and its files show it to have done its part in leading the way in the development of this great county and Eastern Ohio.

The Belmont Chronicle. - The newspaper of the present day, whether a country weekly or a metropolitan daily with a half dozen editions, is a modern institution. Each is the outgrowth of .something vastly different from that which we know. The great daily had its inception at the period of the Civil War, and the country weekly as a purveyor of local news came into existence at near the same time. The history of the newspaper business of Belmont County is a record of the country weekly and its evolution from being an exclusively political sheet to the point where local news is made the primary object and political discussion but incidental to its publication.

In 1813, Charles Hammond published in St. Clairsville a paper which he called The Federalist, and from this date is reckoned the life of The Belmont Chronicle. What The Federalist was like or how long it was published is not now known. In fact the record of its existence is nothing more than a tradition. It proljal)ly was a small sheet published at infrequent intervals and taken up wholly with the expression of the political views of the editor. Such was the early newspaper, so called, but it was notliing more in fact that a political leaflet. Hammond was one of the able and gifted men of early Ohio history, and in those days when men expressed their views in ultra terms, The Federalist, doubtless, was virile and caustic. Hammond later went to Cincinnati and founded the Cincinnati Gazette.

While probably something in the line of a newspaper was published at times following The Federalist, yet we find nothing definite until along in the "twenties," when The National Historian was published by Horton J. Howard. This publication was devoted to Whig principles and as such was the predecessor of The Chronicle. Howard had at an earlier day published a paper at Mount Pleasant. He was a printer and carried on an extensive business in the publication of school textbooks. How extensive his business was is shown by the fact that as early as 1837 he used upwards of $10,000 worth of paper a year. How long The Historian survived is not known, but in 1835 its successor was known as The lournal and Enquirer, and the latter was published by John Duffey for a time.

In those days it was nothing unusual for there to be a break of a week or a few weeks, even a few months, in the publication. When such a break occurred, it was usually explained by saying the editor was sick, the patronage did not amount to sufficient to warrant publication or the paper was out of supplies. When the difficulty, whatever it was, was overcome, publication was resumed. Thus we find what was really the continuation of the same publication under different names and appearing at irregular intervals.

In July, 1836, the paper appeared under the name of The Belmont Chronicle and, with the exception of some additions made to the name and later dropped, it has remained The Belmont Chronicle for more than 66 years. The first publishers of which there is record were Benjamin S. Cowen and Thomas S. Reid. Early in 1837, Cowen withdrew from the firm, and in July, 1833, Reid sold the paper to John A. Hutchison and J. S. Thomas, hut the latter remained in the firm hut a few months. Hutchison continued in control until 1842, when he disposed of the property to William Brown. In August, 1847, Foster Carroll and B. Gill became the owners, hut in October of 1848 they disposed of the property to Horton Howard, mentioned previously as having published The Historian. Howard evidently thought the name not long enough, and for several years under his management the papei' was known as The Belmont Chronicle and Farmers', Mechanics' and Manufacturers' Advoeate. May 10, 1850, notice is given that B. S. Cowen had become a partner with Howard in the publication of The Chronicle, and that while Mr. Howard would remain editor of the paper, Benjamin R. Cowen, then a very young man. would he associated with him. The firm name appears as Horton J. Howard and B. R. Cowen, but not until March, 1853, did B. R. Cowen's name appear in the paper as one of the editors. September 30, 1853, Howard retired, and Cowen - B. R. - became sole owner and editor and- continued as such for more than three years. Howard, after disposing of his interest, moved to Mount Pleasant, Iowa, where he died a few years since. He is said to have been a man of business ability and of more than ordinary intellect.

Cowen continued to publish The Chronicle until January i, 1857, when he sold it to David Thoburn. Thoburn kept it until 1861, when Col. C. L. Poorman became the editor. Colonel Poorman published the paper for about nine years, and in 1870 sold it to Clark Wilkinson and Joel Nichols. The latter did not remain in the firm long, but Wilkinson conducted it until September, 1872, when William A. Hunt became the owner and continued as such for more than 18 years, or until April i, 1891.

On the latter date Charles C. Carroll and Edwin L. McMillen became editors and owners by purchase, and this firm continued until January I, 1895, when Mr. Carroll retired and Mr. McMillen became sole owner and still remains editor and proprietor.

Of the editors of The Chronicle a number attained distinction and honor. B. R. Cowen was Assistant Secretary of War under President Grant and is at the present time clerk of the United States courts at Cincinnati, a life position of honor and responsibility. Thoburn was of the widely known Thoburn family of this vicinity, but died young. Poorman went into the volunteer service at the opening of the Civil War as a captain and came out of the service in command of his regiment. He is now living in retirement at Bellaire. W. A. Hunt, who edited the paper longer than any other man, has retired from active labor.

The Chronicle has always been a newspaper that exercised a strong influence in Belmont County. It has usually been outspoken and its editors throughout its history have been given to vigorous expression. At first it was a political sheet exclusively. Now it deals principally with the news and interest of Belmont County. Under B. R. Cowen's management in the "fifties," it first became a local newspaper and this feature has been constantly added to until today it claims to be a local newspaper only. Its life is the span of more than two generations, and it is more vigorous and more widely read today than ever before.

Source changes here: from 1903 Centennial History of Belmont County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, by Hon. a. T. Mckelvey, published 1903; 65,008 words in this source stream.

Table Of Contents Chapter Xix

The Soil - The First Settlers - The First Company from the County in the War of 1812 - The Population and Township Officials - Morristown - The Militia Muster - The Town Officials - The Postmasters - The Churches - The Schools - Secret Societies.

Chapter Xx

CHAPTER XX. The First Settlers - The Stillwater Valley - Distinguished Citizens - The Only Execution in a Century - The Population and Township Officials - Kirkwood Coal Lands - Hendrysburg - The First Mills - The Schools - The Methodist Episcopal Church - Secret Societies - Sewellsville - The Kirkwood Methodist Episcopal Church

Chapter Xxi

CHAPTER XXI. Township Organization - Township Officials and the Population - The Eearly Settlers - Reminiscences - The Churches - The Village of Flushing - Village Officers - The Schools - The Banks - The Churches - Secret Societies - The Flushing Hospital - The Press.

Chapter Xxii

Settlers - The First Elections - Township Officials - Fairpoint - Coal and Oil Development - Uniontown - The First Tavern and Foundry - The Process of Threshing Fifty Years Ago - The Schools - The Churches.

Chapter Xxiii

Rc Di Er M ERNEUT ANS ONT REM The Highest Point in the County - The Early Settlers - Township Officials and Population - Jacobsburg - Reminiscences of Pioneer Days - The Schools - The Methodist Episcopal Church - Centreville - The Schools and Churches - Free Masons - Some Distinguished Sons - Warnock's Station - The First Settlements and Mills - Knights of Pythias - The Churches and Schools - An Old Time Temperance Resolution - Lamira or Lewis'

Chapter Xxiv

A orc P RR: oe doa eer Dru Sn tess TS Capture of Lewis Wetzel and His Brother - The First Settlements - Spinning in the Olden Time - Early Settlers - Township Officials and Population - Goshen Township in the Civil War - Belmont Village - The School - The Industries - Natural Gas Developments - Odd Fellows - The Banks - The Churches - Bethesda - The Epworth Assembly - The Chautauqua Assembly - The Growth of the Village - The First National Bank - The School - The Bethesda Methodist Episcopal Church.

E Chapter Xxv

A A A RM EUN LUN T M Ee e eR ON Col. David Lockwood - The First Settlers - The Mining Industry - The Milling Industry - The Population and Township Officials - Bethel - Mount Summit Park - The Bethel Presbyterian Church - Businessburg - Old Citizens - The Great Flood of 1884 - The Schools and Churches - Canning Factory - Reminiscences - A Bloody Tragedy - An Incident of Pioneer Days - An Aneedote of Lewis Wetzel.

Chapter Xxvi

ASIN GROND BONNS REPAS mL cem oar E Ee ak Wn a ees EDS AS RN The First Settlements - Deprivations of the Pioneers - The First Settlers - The Population - The Industries - The Mineral Resources - The First Mills - Township Officials - Armstrong's Mills - The Churches and School - Eminent Citizens, Hon. Isaac Welsh and Leroy Welsh.

Chapter Xxvii

ORO EN A P M de e nr. ae uer peste RE Na TEE A a cin lh cr nf ll ors The First Election - The Battle of Captina - The First Squatters - An Indian Village - Another Indian Massacre - The Early Mills and Distilleries - Township Officials and Population - Powhatan - Town Officials - The Flour Mills - The Sehools - The Churches - Free Masons - The Ferries.

Chapter Xxviii

CHAPTER XXVIII. POMS LONN HI PIE LE UIS A A A esed rese eru Ee eR ETNBRI TS e ETE Pee s Ve The First Families - The Industries - The First Mills - Township Officials and Population - Somerton - Some Old Citxzens - The Schools - The Belmont Bank - The Churches - Secret Societies - Taylor Post, G. A. R. - Boston and Temperanceville - The Churches - The Oil Field - The Warrick Murder.

Chapter Xxix

NODIS TON WESS saut boa Buh O Y QULIOMP COUPE TIMERE : : The First Settlers - Some Old Citizens - The Soil - Coal Lands - New Castle and Hunter - The G. A. R. Hall - The New Castle Methodist Episcopal Church - The Hunter Disciples' Church - Noted Hunters.

Chapter George

HERO - INDIAN OCCUPATION OF THE COUNTY - THE TRAGEDIES AT YELLOW CREEK AND CAPTINA - THE Disastrous DuNMORE WAR - THE FOREMOST AMERICAN HEROINE - SIEGE OF Fort HENRY - " WHISTLING TO START THE TUNES" - KILLING oF WILLIAM COCHRAN - THE TRAGEDY NEAR KirKwooD's BLocCK-HOUSE.

The Northwest Territory

History inspires patriotism. classic character, a romantic value to the scenes of sacrifice and bloodshed enacted by the pioneers in opening up the primeval forest to civilization. i

No people of any country or age made greater sacrifices for the benefit of posterity than the first settlers of the great Northwest Territory. Virginia's claim to the Northwest Territory, of which Ohio was a part, was based on charters granted by James I of England, bearing date April 1, 1606, May 23, 1609, and March 12, 1611, but for 158 years, while not relinquishing soldier during the War of the Revolution, while floating down the beautiful waters of - the Ohio, remarked the fertility and wealth of its western bank.

Repairing immediately to the old colonial capital of Virginia, he interviewed Gov. Patrick Henry and said a country that is not worth defending is not worth claiming, and thereupon laid before the Governor a comprehensive plan for capturing the whole Northwest Territory from the British and Patrick Henry approved the scheme and the Virginia Legislature appropriated £12,000 for its execution.

Gen. George Rogers Clark

ginians had captured every British fort in | the Northwest Territory, and floated the stars and stripes over their battlements. When the Northwest Territory was thus thrown open to immigration, hundreds poured across the Ohio to occupy the land. Permit me to digress for a moment to speak of the sad fate of this gallant young Virginia soldier, who achieved so much for the people of the Northwest Territory.

Judge Burnett, in narrating a visit to Gen. George Rogers Clark before his death, found him poor and broken in spirit. his private property sold for supplies furnished to the needy comrades that followed him to victory.

He was a pauper and a bankrupt depending upon his brother's bounty. "Then it was that Virginia sent him a sword in recognition of his gallantry. To his friend Judge Burnett he said: "When my country was in danger I furnished her a sword; when she is in peace and plenty and 1 am in need of bread, she sends me a sword." And this Revolutionary hero, the conqueror of the Northwest Territory, died in poverty.

It was not until the treatv of peace between the United States and Great Britain that Great Britain would admit the claim of the United States to the Northwest Territory | However, the American commissioners insisted upon their claim upon the grounds of its capture by General Clark, and that claim after much. contention was admitted by the conference. Previous to this, however, Virginia had organized the, Northwest Territory into the county of Illinois, a county lieutenant was appointed by Gov. Patrick Henry to regulate the unoccupied lands and. following the precedents of the French commanders in the Northwest Territory, the court granted the settlers 48.000 acres of land and this continued until the cession of

Prior to the recovery of the Northwest Territory by General Clark, there had been a long and stubbornly contested war between France and England for the possession of the Ohio lands within the territory, a contention in which the Indian tribes were divided, part being on the side of each contestant. England finally conquered, and France by the treaty of 1763 ceded all these Ohio lands to England, who was in turn obliged to cede them to the United States in the treaty of 1783, because of their conquest by General Clark in the War of the Revolution. = After the cession of the Northwest Territory by Virginia to the United States, Congress continued to pursue the policy of discouraging and preventing settlements within its limits until the Indian titles had been extinguished, and the lands were regularly surveyed and ready for sale.

As early as 1785 a number of settlements were again attempted to be made on the west side of the Ohio, especially along the river front of Belmont. County. The government at once took action in the matter to prevent them, and finally resorted to force to expel the squatters and destroy their improvements. The extent and location of these attempts at settlement at that early period within the present limits of Belmont County are shown by the report of Ensign Armstrong, who was sent down the river with a detachment of soldiers for the purpose of enforcing the government's order.

In 1785 Congress passed an ordinance for the survey and sale of certain lands in the Northwest Territory, included in which was the territory now known as Belmont County. Previous to this, however, many squatters' claims were effected, cabins built and lands occupied from the Muskingum River east to the Ohio and much trouble was anticipated, not only with the Indians, who still laid claims to the territory, but because of the conflicting claims of settlers.

And Representative Citizens

on the west side of the Ohio would ultimately be disposed of in that way." Hence, almost the whole tract between the Ohio and Muskingum was parceled out in "tomahawk" improvements, but these latter improvers did not content themselves with a single 400-acre tract. Many of them laid claim to a greater number of tracts oí the very best land, and thus in imagination were as wealthy as a "south sea dream." Many of the land jobbers of this class did not content themselves with marking the trees at the usual height, but climbed up the large beech trees, and cut their initials in the bark from 20 to 40 feet from the ground. In con sequence of the refusal of the settlers along the west banks of the Ohio to remove in obedience to the orders issued by Congress Colonel Harmar was instructed to send a detachment of troops down the river to eject them by force, and destroy their improve ments. But many of the cabins were re built, and many of the claims re-occupied when the troops departed. This was notably true at Norristown, now Martin's Ferry, in 1785. Indeed at Norristown there had beer formed a little colony consisting of 40 or sc souls in opposition to Congressional orders and this society had elected Charles Norris and John Carpenter, justices of the peace It was here in 1788 that Capt. Absolem Martin was granted by patent the land upon which Martin's Ferry now stands, and in 1795 he laid out a town and called it Jeffer: son, but, disappointed in his efforts to secure the county seat, he abandoned the town, be lieving it could not succeed as a rival of Wheeling. Notwithstanding there were many squatters' claims established as early as 1780-83 and little colonies had been established at many points, perhaps the first legal claim was 2,000 acres of land granted Captain Kirkwood by the government of Virginia in appreciation of his gallant services |

"During a recent visit made by the writer to the rooms of the Delaware Historical Society at Wilmington in that State, among many other interesting curiosities which claimed his attention were the shouldei straps and military sash which were worn by Maj. Robert Kirkwood on that fatal field where the army of General St. Clair was deteated by the Indians in the month of November, 1701. i

"The sight of these mementoes suggested the idea of collecting such data as bore upon the revolutionary life of this worthy and distinguished soldier and patriot in which we have not been altogether unsuccessful, but have secured enough to give a general idea of the deeds and character of the man

"He abandoned his business before the formal declaration of war which at the time was threatened and enlisted as lieutenant in Col. John Haslet's regiment, which was mainly composed of members from the counties of Newcastle and Kent. This was in the month of January, 1771.

"A few days after the reception of the news of the passage by Congress of the Declaration of Independence, orders were received for his regiment, then at Dover, Delaware, to march and report at the headquarters of the army, which were then located at New York. Upon its arrival there, it was brigaded with four Pennsylvania regiments

Centennial History

¿On thes27th. of o 1776 Kirkwood received his first baptism of fire in the disastrous battle of Long Island, where he showed conspicuous gallantry. The loss oí his regiment in this battle amounted to 33 killed, including two officers.

"The next general battle in which he was engaged was that of White Plains, followed by that of Trenton, which latter occurred on Christmas day, 1776, where the British loss in killed, wounded and missing amounted to 900 men. Nine days after this occurred the battle of Princeton, where the colonel of his regiment was killed.

"Under -a resolution of Congress, the quota of the State of Delaware was fixed at one battalion consisting of 800 men. The regiment known as Haslets regiment -was never re-organized after the battle of Princeton.

"Of this new regiment, Capt. David Hall, who had been an officer in the disbanded regiment commanded by Haslet, became the colonel, and Lieutenant Kirkwood became a captain, and his company was mustered into the service on the first day of December, 1776. The regiment joined Washington's army in the Jerseys in the spring of 1777, and in September of the same year they were engaged in the battle of Brandywine, and in October following in the battle of Germantown, also in that of Monmouth.

"In April 1780, his regiment together with the Maryland troops was ordered south, and were assigned to the command of Baron De Kalb. The following description of the appearance of these troops, as they passed through Philadelphia on this march, is taken from the letter of a lady who was a witness of the same, and was written at the time:

"What an Army, Tory as they saw them. The shorter men of each company in the front rank, the taller men behind them, some in hunting shirts, some in uniforms, some in common clothes, some with their hats cocked, and some withyoung | | wearing them the same way, out, and those who did cock them not all but each man with a green sprig emblem 'of hope in his hat, and each bearing his firelock with what, even to uninstructed eyes, had the air of skillful training.' of Camden into which it went 500 strong and came out with only 148. In this battle his regiment was placed in the front division as were the Marylanders. They maintained their position with noble intrepidity until the retreat was ordered, undismayed by the conduct of the panic-stricken condition of the Virginia and North Carolina militia. Both the colonel and major of his regiment were taken prisoners and sent to Charleston, South Carolina, where they were paroled, but never exchanged.

"After this battle the Delaware regiment was reduced to less than two companies. This shattered remnant was placed under command of Captain Kirkwood as senior captain, who commanded it until the close of the war. De Kalb with his dying breath showered benedictions on the brave men for their stern courage and unflinching gallantry in the fierce tide of battle, and even Cornwallis, Rawdon and the bitter and cruel Tarleton praised their constancy and valor.

"It was at the battle of Cowpens with the aid of cavalry that Kirkwood's command saved the day. He relied much upon the use of the bayonet and amid the roar of the battle he would shout in stentorian tones, 'Give them the bayonet, boys!" An eye witness of this last mentioned fight wrote as follows: 'Capt. Robert Kirkwood' s heroic valor and uncommon and undaunted bravery must needs be recorded in history through the coming years!'

"At the second action at Camden, which terminated unfavorably to the Americans, Kirkwood and his command showed the same indomitable spirit which characterized them in all previous encounters. General Greene, who succeeded to the command aiter the death of the lamented De Kalb, said: "The extraordinary exertions of the cavalry, fantry commanded by Captain Kirlewood, and the firmness of the pickets, rendering the advantage expensive to the enemy, highly merit the approbation of the general and. the imitation of the rest of the troops. Also in his report to the President of Congress after the battle of Eutaw Springs, General Greene speaks in highly laudatory terms of battle of Guilford Court House, Waxhan and Ninety-Six were all scenes of his heroic fortitude and matchless bravery. "Wherever danger called or disaster threatened, there E wood and his little band of faithful Delawareans were stationed. The battle of Eutaw Springs was the last in which and this was virtually the end of the war, as Cornwallis had surrendered and there was but little, if any, fighting afterwards. On the 29th of October, 1781, a resolution of thanks was passed by Congress in which the services of the Delaware battalion were specially recognized.

"The State of Virginia recognized and appreciated his services by making a grant to him in 1787 of 2,000 acres of land in the Northwest Territory, the grant being in what . is now the State of Ohio.

Clay Creek Hundred in New Castle County, Delaware, by whom he had issue two children, a son and a daughter. Joseph, the son, removed to Ohio, and Mary, the daughter, married a gentleman ot Dorchester County, Maryland. She died in 1830. Joseph, his during the same year removed to Ohio. They had issue, one son and eight daughters. "Major Kirkwood's commission as rst lieutenant of Delaware State troops is dated January 13, 1776, and is signed by John Hancock, President of Congress, Charles Thompson as Secretary. His brevet major' commission is also signed by the

1783. Both of these commissions are in the possession of one of his descendants who resides in St. Clairsville, the county seat of Belmont County, Ohio.

"He was engaged in 32 battles during the War of the Revolution. At its close he returned to Delaware and established himself. in the mercantile business at Cantwell's Bridge, and occupied a house which is still standing, or was not long since, which is dn east of the Old Tavernhouse. In

1785 he moved to St. George's, Newcastle County which is situated about one mile south of Kirkwood, a station on the Delaware branch of the Philadelphia, Wilmington & Baltimore Railroad. He remained here but a short time, when he removed with his family to what is now Belmont County, Ohio, and located on the Ohio River immediately opposite the present city of Wheeling, where he built his cabin, cleared the land and commenced farming. Subsequently he commenced the erection of a block-house, but before it was completed in the early spring of 1789 a large body of Indians attacked his cabin during his absence in the East on business. It happened that at this time Capt. Joseph Biggs with his company of scouts and others were in the cabin sheltering there. The savages fired the cabin and thus sought to drive the inmates out, expecting that they might fall an easy prey to their murderous ferocity. Those within, however, kept the fire in check with milk, Finding themselves foiled, the Indians then attempted to burst in the door which had been firmly barricaded, in which they failed.

"The rapid exchange of shots between the besiegers and besieged was heard at Fort Henry (Wheeling). The swivel gun in the fort was fired, notifying the besieged that succor was at hand.

"The savages accordingly relaxed their efforts, and made preparations to depart, knowing full well that the inmates of Fort Henry would soon appear and that they would suffer from an attack in the front and rear. Hence they promptly gathered their dead and wounded and hastily retreated. Five of the defenders were severely wounded - one of them mortally. The wounded were through the hip during the siege, died the following day at Colonel Zane's cabin in Wheeling, where he had been transferred. He was buried in the old cemetery which then occupied the site of the present residence of George K. Wheat, Esq., on Main street in the city ol Wheeling.

"When the army was organized under the command of General St. Clair to march against the Indians of the Northwest, Kirkwood volunteered his services, and was commissioned as captain. The rendezvous of the army was at Fort Washington (Cincinnati), from which place it took up its line of march on the 17th of September, 1791. It camped at Ludlow's station for two weeks, about six miles from Cincinnati. There was a tree standing there as late as the year 1837 with the fact and date of the encampment carved in the bark. They were delayed in their progress by the construction of several forts which were duly garrisoned and provisioned.

"On the night of November 2nd the army encamped near the Great Miami village, and on the following morning were attacked by the Indians in great force, which resulted in the defeat of St. Clair and the scattering of his forces. Of the distressing scenes witnessed by him on this occasion, Lieut. Michael McDonough wrote as follows: "We left everything behind, eight pieces of cannon, cattle, horses, flour, officers' and soldiers' baggage, officers' private property, in cash supposed to be of the value of £10,000, besides all their clothing. We retreated day and night for this place (Cincinnati), which is 98 miles, arriving on the 8th inst. The number of non-commissioned officers, musicians and privates who fell on the field were upwards of 600. More than 60 women were killed and I saw some of them cut in two, their breasts cut off and burning, with a number of our officers on our own fires be- I saw Captain

"The regiment to which Kirkwood be longed consisted of 258 commissioned, non commissioned officers, and privates, 111 of whom were left after the battle and 42 of these were wounded, Captain Kirkwood himself falling in a bayonet charge against the enemy. But two officers, McDonough and Bissell, survived. Out of 1,200, nearly 800 ofücers, men and women were killed and wounded. er

-"Thussended the days oí a brave and gal lant officer, who gave his life for his country after having passed unscathed through 32 battles during the stormy period of the Revolution, leaving as a legacy to his countrymen an untarnished name and a memory fragrant with noble deeds and chivalrous impulses."