Springfield Township (part 11 of 69)

The first building erected in the town exclusively for religious services was almost due south from Smith's school across Main street and oflf Center street, about west of the Zimmerman drinking fountain. This building of hewed logs, thirty feet long and twenty feet wide, was put up by a general subscription in 1811, and was used by ministers of all creeds in their casual visits. In 1 81 8 the house was used as a school, but the names of the teachers who presided at the desk cannot be recalled.

As closely as can now be reckoned, between the years 1824. and 1832, two schools independent of each other were conducted in a house still standing at the northeast corner of Fountain avenue and North street. The teachers were Reuben Miller, Esq.,. and James L. Torbert, Esq. Divided by a hallway, the west end was used by Mr. Miller, and in the east end ]\Ir. Torbert kept hisschool. These were the pioneers in academy work, for both taught only pupils in the advanced grades.

One of the drawing cards in Mr. Torbert's school was the fact that he gave instruction in English Grainrnar. Judge Torbert's dwelling was on Main street, the site covered by Governor Bushnell's substantial business block, and here Mrs. Torbert kept school for little children, whose weariness in quest of knowledge was slept off on a settee in her back parlor, and whose hunger was appeased with ginger cookies from her pantry. Several persons are yet living who recall the facts thus recited, and who also remember the industrial branches, such as painting and embroidery, which were included in her system of training.

One of Mrs. Torbert's pupils, afterward enrolled in Judge Torbert's school, recalls the sentence by which she was initiated into the mysteries of English grammar, parsing and analysis r "John's hand trembled." This is an interesting fact, since the usual introduction to parsin.s^ is through an ancient case of assault and battery, wherein "James struck John." But, after all, it may be a i)art of the same case, for, under the circumstances, what would be expected of John but that his hand would tremble preliminary to g^ivinp^ a synthetic example of subject and object chant^ing- places in the sentence.

These were the days of quill pens, with teacher as maker and mender, \^^lile making the rounds of his room for inspection or correction, he was wont to fix the damaged quills passed up to him. A good penknife, of proper edge and temper, w^as therefore an essential in the equipment of the master, and his skill and speed in pen cutting counted for much in the sum of his qualifications. One teacher had an eccentric fashion of thrusting the quills into his hair, till in his measured beat he came again to the pupil's seat. Hence by the time his round was made, his locks more and more resembled the "fretful porcupine." Engraved copies for the ])enmanshi]) exercise had not been invented, and so each teacher had to set the copy for his youthful scribes. This will explain, on the theory of heredity, why handwriting varies so, and also provides the cloak to cover a multitude of chirographic sins.

It will l)e understood that all the schools of that "elder day" were known as "pay schools" : the idea of instruction for all at public expense, though advocated, did not yet meet with popular favor. The demand for teachers w^as often in excess of the supply, and pulilic-spiritcd men, at times, were much at a loss how to keep the schocjls sup])licd with competent teachers.

In order to provide ]:)ro]Der training for her own children, Mrs. Ann Warder brought from Eastern Pennsylvania into her own household a well-ciualified instructor, and, inviting a few children from family friends, opened a school in her homestead, then on East High street, opposite Christ Church, now owned and occupied by the Misses Burrows. In her later home, on East Main street, at the intersection of the I'ig Four railway tracks, Mrs. Warder conducted a school of more advanced grade, among whose teaching corps may be named iNliss Armstrong and Mr. Lewis.

New England stock, full of right convictions, broad in mind and large of heart, she impressed herself upon the religious, educaional and social life of her day. When Main street was called South street, and before it was opened east of Spring, access to the ridge now called High street was by a road winding up the slope to its summit. On this road and below the Warder homestead before referred to, in a frame structure. Miss Strong kept school for younger pupils. Afterward, in association with Miss Parsons, on the site of the Charles Ludlow and Ross Mitchell residences, she had a school for older pupils. At a later period Miss Strong taught older students in a frame building on Fisher street, on the premises of the First Presbyterian Church. Many of the best years of her life were devoted to this good work, and no period of local educational history has the marks of one personality more deeply impressed upon it than the years Eunice Strong lived here. In response to questions relative to her work, nearly every one exclaimed: "Why, yes! Of course T rememlier iNIiss Strong."

If fires kept l)u ruing on the altar of education in any one locality can sanctify, then the northeast corner of High street and Fountain avenue ought to be regarded as "holy ground." As early, probably, as 1836, a two-story frame stood here, and on the second floor Mr. Elliott and his sister kept school for youth of both sexes. In 1837 Miss Strong succeeded in the occupancy of this site with her young people. Following her, Misses Merrill and Tenney kept a school for girls and continued it till 1840, the year of the fire that destroyed much of the business property of the town. In 1841 Rev. Mr. Presbury, rector of the Episcopal Church, brought to this classic corner his select school for girls, which he had previously conducted at his own home.

In the course of time this frame gave place to a plain brick building of three stories, known to the last generation as the "Baltimore Grocery." Reaching the third floor by a stairway from High street, one found a large, well-lighted room and well adapted to the school uses of that time. When, after a few years' suspension of the Public Higli School, the course of study was again shaped to provide a line of advanced work, the pupils pursu-

Ing it were separated from the other grades, and, in 1867. as a High School, were installed over this "Baltimore Grocery. Mr. Allen Armstrong and Miss Mary Harrison were the teachers in -charge of this school.

A review of education in Springfield with Hannah Haas left out, would ignore a very long and useful career. P)efore she began her work in connection with Springfield Seminary, Miss Haas gathered a little school in a house standing on the southwest corner of Fountain av^enue and Columbia street. At another time had a school in the basement of the church then known as the Associate Reformed Presbyterian and later as the United Presbyterian. This house of worship, partly torn away to make room for ]\Ir. James Carson's wholesale grocery, was recently wholly removed for the erection of Mr. E. S. Kelly's business block on Limestone street. After occupying a room in "Trapper's Corner" for a brief time. Miss Haas then used the basement of the Episcopal Church, which then stood at the southwest corner of High and Limestone streets. At another period she taught in the house on the Presbyterian Church lot alluded to in connection with Miss Strong. Whether it grew out of the sympathy felt by the church for the school, or was a source of income to meet that vexatious question, "current expenses," so common in church finance, it will have been noted already in this narrative that the church edifice was the usual shelter of the school.

The United Presbyterian Church was also used 1)y Rol)erl Black as a school of advanced grade : there are many of his students yet alive to attest to the excellence of his work in their behalf. In this same place was gathered the first pu1)lic lilirary. and here, too, a (lel)ating society held its meetings, which proved a valuable training for many who have since been much under public gaze. Robert Black remained long a citizen of this place and was Recorder of the County for a term of years. Among others who used as a schoolroom the Episcopal Church were ^Irs. Lowndes, Miss Lavinia Baird, Laura and \^irginia Miller, all of whom conducted schools for little children.

Miss Carrie Baird has the uni(|ue distinction of having conducted in her own home a school for little ones who were unable to pay the fees usually asked : prompted to do this simply as a means of doing what good she could. ^Nliss Lavinia Baird at a later date gave instruction in a room over the tea store now on Fountain avenue. These lahors were about 1858.

Where Central Methodist E^piscojial Church now is was the site of a school kept by Miss Catherine Haas, sister of ^liss Hannah Haas before named in this narrative.

A very interesting group of schools was located in the eastern portion of the town, then quite in the suburbs. Fifty years or more ago the tract east of Walnut street and south of Main was farm, forest and orchard. Near the intersection of Walnut and High streets was a frame structure in which an English gentleman (particular emphasis on gentleman) and his estimable wife kept school for all grades, including instruction in languages and higher branches. So long ago manual and industrial training were in vogue, for under Mrs. Miller's oversight sewing and embroidery were taught the girls : and women are still living who remember the instruction - and speak of the skill attained by several of the pupils. Mr. Miller is remembered for the interest he took and inspired in his students in the study of astronomy. When Mr. Miller had removed to a new school near the corner of Main and Spring streets, Miss Vicory succeeded him in the use of the building which was a part of her grandfather Merryiield Vicory's farm. Here also Miss Peet had a school afterward. "Kind and faithful" is the brief but expressive eulogy pronounced vtpon the memory of these teachers by one of the pupils.

Across Mill Run, on the site of the East street shops, and reached from the Vicory farm by a foot log, lay the little school presided over by Miss Emma Way. This one seems to have been the most remote from the center of the town.

Three places are identified as the scenes of the labors of Mr. Orin Stimson, a pioneer in educational matters in Springfield : North Spring street, a few rods north of Columbia street, on the west side ; South Limestone street, near the former site of the Associate Reformed or United Presbyterian Church ; northeast corner of Columbia and Factory streets. There are many who recall the days spent in Mr. Stimson's school and attest his ability as a

Springfield, Ohio. 28S

The lot now occupied by the mansion of Mr. John Foos has many scholastic associations. Here in a large square frame house, Mrs. Anna Foos held a school during the summer terms of two years. Here also for one winter Mr. Cadwallader, and the next Mr. Buchanan served the rising young idea. It is a matter of regret that the details of this service, both as to facts and dates, are so meagre.

Sam Lawton, of Miss Stowe's "Old Town Folks," was wont to say that a pretty face on the singer's seat, in church, was a means of grace. Apropos of this, there is a record that in the forest still surrounding the E. W. Ross homestead on East High street there nestled a little school presided .over by a woman of accomplishments, to which were added unusual charms of personal beauty ; declared by one admirer to have been the most beautiful woman of her time. Local history should not fail, then, to place on its roll the name of Miss Minerva Aldrich. Miss Aldrich was followed in the conduct of this school by Miss Gunning.

The records of many schools are so scant that the narrative reads like a page from a city directory ; yet in order to preserve local traditions and history, these teachers will be set down in this chronicle of one phase of our city's life.

Miss Smith, later wife of Judge Rodgers and mother of Professor Henry G. Rodgers, taught on the site of the Bowman Building, opposite the Teegarden residence on West Main street.

In a stone house removed to erect the business house of Conrad Nagel, as long ago as 1832-5, Mrs. Donohue had a school for little children. Here, too. Miss Finley and later Mrs. Anna Foos wrought on plastic natures. So few of the schoolrooms used in those "elder days" still stand, that any, which survive the demands of business for room to expand, should be pointed out as interesting links between the past and present. The red brick cottage on West Columbia street, under the shadow of St. John Germaa

Church, was one of those "noisy mansions" where, with varying tides of fortune, master and youth struggled with the problems then confronting them. Rev. Mr. Pingree, Mr. William Wilson, and probably Miss Ebersole are some of those who taught school in this house.

Close to the track of the Little Miami Railway, between Center and Factory streets, stood the school of Miss Doolittle, which is remembered as one of the most popular and flourishing schools of that era of "pay schools."

Few, even of the older citizens, remember personally Mr. Isaac Lancey, who enjoys the distinction of being the first custodian of the first public library. Mr. Lancey had a school on Fountain avenue where Unnon Hall now stands, in a two-story frame house set back from the line of the street. The building on West Washington street now used by the National Biscuit Company, and formerly the Universalist Church, was the school room of Mr. James Wilson and also of Rev. Mr. Pingree, who was also a pastor of the church.

It is interesting to note that in many of the schools last named the Bible was the chief reading book, and formal instruction in the catechisms of the churches was a part of the system.

The educational advantages of Springfield ere long began to attract attention from beyond her bounds, and created a demand for boarding schools for both sexes. About 1844 such an enterprise for girls was started by Rev. Mr. Moore in a building known as the "Linn," where the Gotwald-Zimmerman edifice now stands. This school was maintained for some time, remembered by many for the public examinations and literary exercises, which were held in the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Moore afterward removed to Granville, Ohio, in charge of a college.

Perhaps no name filled so large a place in public esteem as that of Rev. Chandler Robbins, who was identified in so many ways with the education of Springfield's youth. He was first called to the principalship of the Springfield High School, as the institution still standing on East High street was then called, and served acceptably five years. After an absence of three years in the South, Mr. Robbins returned to Springfield and in 1848 established Greenwav Institute, a boarding school for boys. This school was first located on the Foos property, before mentioned, and is said to have taken its name from the beautiful grounds surrounding the school.

In 185 1 the building on East Main street, now forming a part of the City Hospital, was erected as the home of his school, to which boys were attracted from distant places. Mr. Robbins continued this institute till his death in 187 1. In addition to his labors in his own school, this tireless man was successively rector of the Episcopal Church, a member of the Board of Education, Superintendent of Schools, Exammer of Teachers.

On this roll of worthies must be inscribed the names of Miss Matilda Stout, who kept a school at the northeast corner of Factory and Main streets ; Mr. ]\IcWilliams, William Reid and his sister, Jane Reid, Rev. William McGookin, and Rev. John Rowe, all of whom spent many years of their lives in the cause of popular education.

This brings the narrative of early education in Springfield within reach of published and documentary records, chief of which "Howe's Historical Collections" and "Beers' History of Clark County" give ample details of the growth of the public schools and other institutions of learning in our midst.

Public School System

The system of graded schools in the State was instituted at Cincinnati in 1836 by a special law. An act known as the Akron law, in 1847, provided for a board of six directors, who were to have full control over all the schools in the town of Akron. The provisions of this act, extended in 1848 to incorporated towns and cities, were further cmliodied in a general law in 1849, allowing any town of two hundred inhabitants to organize under the Akron law. The city records show that in 1850 two citizens were appointed as managers of the public schools, which then seem to have been conducted as private enterprises supported by subscription in part, and in part by an apportionment of public funds. In March, 185 1, the people, by vote, decided to "build two schoolhouses for the purpose of common schools." In February, 1853, a report to the City Council shows the purchase of two lots.

the present site of the Western School, the other at the bridge on East High street, and known to the past generation as the "Old Eastern School." January, i8s4. niarks the approval of plans for two schoolhouses and the awarding of contracts to build the same. In April, 1855, the people selected as the first Board of Education, Chandler Robbins, Joseph Brown and C. H. Williams. Arrangements were at once made to provide for instruction in the German language, which has been the policy of the Board ever since, and also to continue the maintenance of schools for colored youth, and did provide everv facility up to the abolition of separate schools.

The first Superintendent of Schools was F.W. Hurt, and the first Principals were John Fulton and Daniel Berger, with R. W. Morris and Samuel Wheeler as assistants. Of these, John Fulton, Daniel Berger and R. W. Morris are yet living (1901). Some of the women composing the first corps of teachers still live. James Cowles succeeded Mr. Hurt in the Superintendency, and was followed by Rev. Chandler Robbins. For some years thereafter the office of Superintendent of Instruction was discontinued, members of the Board of Education being designated in their turn to act as agents. At such times the principals seem to have acted as superintendents in their respective districts.

For a few years, in addition to actual teaching, the Superintendent devoted a stated portion of his time to supervision of all the schools. In such capacity were the labors of Charles B. Ruggles, Allen Armstrong, John F. Reinmund and Charles H. Evans. With the incumbency of J. A. Jackson, the entire time of the Superintendent was given to supervision. Since 1875 the office of Superintendent of Schools has been filled by W. J. White, A. E. Taylor, William H. Weir, Carey Boggess and John S. Weaver. When the latest published record closed, in 1880, the schools of the city were housed in the Central School, including the High School, the Eastern, Western, Southern and Northern, formerly the Springfield Female Seminary. The needs of the colored children were supplied by a commodious building on Pleasant street. Two single-room schools for little children - one on the Court House lot and the other, still standing, on the lot of the Southern School - were discontinued some time before.

In public school history since 1880, change and growth are marked. Separate schools for white and neg-ro children were discontinued in 1887. New school Iniildings have been put up on Shaffer street, Dibert avenue, Clifton street (and afterward enlarged), East High street (owing to the irrei)arable damage by the flood of 1886), Pearl street. Northern (and later enlarged), Lagonda, Gray's. Lagonda avenue. North street. Oakland, Frey's, and High School annex.

The Springfield High School

This corporation was authorized by act of the General Assembly of Ohio, March i, 1834. and soon thereafter the trustees selected the site on East High street where is still standing the iDuilding erected by popular subscription. Milo G. Willianis organized the school in 1835, and remained its principal till 1841. Upon his resignation Chandler Robbins became the head master and continued in office till 1845. In September, 1841, a proposition was made to the Ohio Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church to transfer the High School property to that body, on condition that a school of high grade be maintained therein. The was accepted, and, by act of March 7. 1842, the Ohio Conference High School was incorporated. After Mr. Robbins' retirement. Rev. Solomon Howard, Rev. John W. Weekly, E. G. Dial, Esq.. Rev. W. J. Ellsworth, Rev. J. \Y. Herron, in succession, managed the affairs of the school until 1869, when the property was leased to the Board of Education of the city for public school purposes.

The High School on East High street, after two years' use by the Board of Education as the home of the Public High School, passed into private control, schools for advanced grades being conducted in succession by Mrs. Ruth A. Worthington, Misses Longwell and Talcott ; now Miss Anna B. Johnson conducts a primary school on this historic spot.

The Springfield Female Seminary

that enlargement of its influence became imperative. Accordingly, in 1852, a charter was obtained. The school, which had its home in the First Presbyterian Church, was soon after installed in a commodious building which stood where the Northern School, now is, and commenced a long and useful career under the charge of John A. Smith, and under the auspices and moral support of the Presbyterian Church of the State. Mr. Smith was followed by Rev. L. H. Christian in 1854, who in 1855 yielded to Rev. Charles Sturdevant. On account of debt and its consequent embarrassments, Mr. Sturdevant assumed the liabilities of the institution and the corporate ownership became private. In 1857 Rev. James L. Rodgers became owner of one-half interest, and in i86a Rev. Henry R. Wilson bought Rev. ]\lr. Sturdevant's share. After five years Rev. Mr. Rodgers, by purchase, became sole owner and head of instruction. In 1871 the property was sold ta the city for public school uses.

Wittenberg College

of Ohio, and oli November 3, 1845, i^i the basement story of the First Lutheran Church, Rev. Ezra Keller, D. D., the first President, organized the first classes. During the year 1846 the east wing of the old college building was built, and in 1850-51 the middle and west portions were erected. Dr. Keller died December 29, 1848, beloved and mourned by all who knew him. August 14, 1849, Rev. Samuel Sprecher was installed as President, and served long and faithfully until the infirmities of age and feeble health compelled his retirement. He resigned in 1874, and was succeeded by Rev. J. B. Helwig, D. D., whose strong administration continued to the year 1882.

Dr. S. A. Ort succeeded Dr. J- H. Helwig in the presidency of Wittenberg College in 1882, and was himself succeeded in 1900 by Dr. J. M. Ruthrauflf. Women were admitted to all the college classes on equal terms with men in 1873, which date also marks the disappearance from the recitation room of slippers and dressing gowns as articles of male attire. Wittenberg ended the first half of the centur}^ with one building - the dormitory in which all departments w-ere housed. She ends the second half of the century with Recitation Hall, built in 1883; Ferncliff Hall, in 1888; Hamma Divinity Hall, in 1889, and Zimmerman Library, in 1891. Large additions to the endowments were made in 1866 and 1874, to which have been added the Alumni Endowment in 1886 and the Harter bequest in 1892.

In addition to the schools named, it must not be overlooked that the churches in several instances have maintained parochial schools for the instruction of their youth. From the organization of the churches of Roman Catholic faith, such schools haye been kept, at first, in charge of lay teachers, and later under the care of Sisters of Charity. St. Raphael School came under the tuition of the Sisters in 1877, St. Bernard in 1879, ^"<^1 ^^t. Joseph from the organization in 1884. The Zion Lutheran Church has always maintained such a school under lay teachers, and using the German language.

A large field is covered by the work done in schools of the commercial type, which form a very important factor in Springfield's educational development. The Williss School of Shorthand, established in 1880, has recently enlarged its scope and thus extended its influence. F. M. Porch, W. F. Bevitt and H. FL Goodfellow have likewise been instrumental in equipping a multitude of men and women for lives of usefulness and profit. W. S. Grim, Edward Harrison and J. W. Van Sickel, for longer or shorter periods, had schools for the training of both sexes in practical business methods. The largest place, however, is filled by the Nelson lUisiness College, established here in 1881, and kept up continuously, fitting hundreds of men and w'omen for places of usefulness and responsibility. It may be timely in this centenary of our commercial life to take an inventory of the growth of some of our institutions since the published record closed in 1880.

Springfiel.D Ohio

more of citizens who siil)mitted to interviews, unlocking memory's storehouse and spreadinj^ its treasures to the view of a ti^eneration which ought to vakie the work done in the past. As were tlie pedagogues of the old school, so we,

"Our hearts, our h;)])es, are all with thee; Our hearts, our hopes, our prayers, our tears. Our faith triumphant o'er our fears. Are all with tb.ee - are all with thee.''

The I^og" Cabin was one of the interesting features of the Centennial. It was visited by thousands during- the week, and pleased all alike. It was under the care of the Daughters of the American Revolution, who spared no effort to make it a ])lace attractive and interesting. The historian of the local organization, Miss Mary Cassilly, has presented the paper below, naming some of the relics and recording those who aided in making the Log Cabin so popular:

Miss Mary Cassilly

The Springfield Centennial Anniversary was cele1)rated at the Fair Grounds, in Springfield, Ohio, the first week in August. 1901. An old-fashioned log cabin was built by the Executive Committee, of which former Governor Asa S. Bushnell was chairman. The Springfield Daughters were invited by the Historical Society to take charge of the cabin, and they furnished it throughout with articles over a hundred years old, and interesting relics, rare old china, a grandfather's clock, rush-bottom chairs. saddle-l)ags, a tester bed, a quaint cradle in which Mrs. Asa S. Bushnell was rocked. A number of mothers who came into the cabin with babes in their arms, put them in the cradle, just to say their baby had been in the cradle in which a Governor's wife had been rocked. The fireplace, with the cooking utensils of a century ago, was complete in every detail ; in fact, nothing was omitted in the cabin - even strings of dried apples, peppers and herbs were hanginf^ on the rafters, and red wolf skins on the walls. The cabin looked comfortable and home-like, and in the evening, when the candles were lighted, was very quaint and attractive.

Mrs. J. S. Elliott, Chairman of the Furnishing Committee, deserves great credit for 'lier untiring efforts. Mrs. Elliott was ably assisted in soliciting articles and arranging the cabin by the following Daughters: Mrs. E. W. Ross, Mrs. Asa S. Bushnell, Mrs. S. F. McGrew, Mrs. A. P. L. Cochran, Mrs. William Murphy, Mrs. ]I. H. Moores.

Military Day was a great success ; over ten thousand persons were on the grounds. The guests of the day were Governor Nash and Colonel James Kilbourne. Former Governor Asa S. Bushnell said in his address that it was the first time in the history of Ohio that an ex-Governor, Governor and the next Governor were present at the same meeting.

Rcccptiiui - Mrs. James Kilbnurne, Regent of the Columbus Chapter, and a guest of Mrs. William S. Thomas, was at the cal)in from 3 until 5 o'clock, where an informal reception, which had been arranged by Mrs. A. S. Ihishnell, was held by the Daughters.

Tea Tabic - A deligluful feature of the Log Cabin was the tea table, which was graccfull}' i')resided over by our Vice-Regent, Mrs. E. W. Ross, and her assistants, who wore becoming caps, kerchiefs, and Swiss aprons, and served tea every afternoon. Quite a large sum was realized by the sale of souvenir cups and saucers.

The Maypole Dance, which was arranged by Miss Anna Hollenbeck and Miss Kinney, took place on a platform near the Log Cabin several times during the week, and was perfectly danced by the following- lads and lassies : Mary Moores, Mare^aret Kepsay, Margaret Elliott, Jane Martin, Kathcrine Kelly, Asa Dimond, Douglas Dimond, Warder Norton, William Corry, Ben Elliott, jack Frey. The Queen, Miss Mary I5uckinghani, said it would be interesting to tell her grandchildren that she was Queen of the Centennial in 1901.

There are nian\' interests in S])ringfield beside those mentioned in the foregoing papers, that were deserving of si)ecific notice during Centennial week, but the lack of time alone prevented their presentation. A more extended account of our fine Public Library, its faithful administration, and its great good to the people of our city ; a detailed account of our three benevolent Homes, and the fine work they are doing for young and old ; of wdiat has been done by our residents in music and art ; something about our beautiful and comfortable private homes, and other important factors in our city life, would have added interest to these records if time and space had permitted this to be done. The facts and figures presented by the various writers cost, in many cases, much time and labor, and they bring to view the great forward movements that our cit\' has made from its ])lanting one hundred years ago.

The weather during the week of the celebration proved to be very favorable. The exercises were unhindered by storm or rain. Large numbers of i)eople came and enjoyed the various papers and addresses from the beginning to the end. It had been prophesied by many that a large deficit in the expenses would l)e sure to follow the close of the week, but fortunately all such ]M-ophecies were without foundation. The Executive Committee, composed of Governor A. S. lUishnell. of whom the i)eo])le of Springfield are justly proud because of his most excellent record in the administration of the affairs of the great State of Ohio, and who has always manifested much interest in all that pertains to the welfare of our city, and of Mr. John Foos and Mr. D. O. Fox, both experts in the management of financial matters, were able to report a balance in the treasury, which was generously turned over to the Clark Count\- Historical Societv. Tielieving that it would be a matter of not only present, but of future interest, the final report of the Executive Committee is here o^iven, thus closinothe account of a most happy occasion in the history of Springfield :

Springfield, Ohio, November 14, 1901. Final report of Executive Committee to the General Committee having in charge the Springfield Centennial Celebration, August 4 to 10, showing receipts and disbursements of all moneys paid into the treasury of said Committee :

Source changes here: from 20th Century History of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, by Rockel, William Mahlon, published 1908; 426,313 words in this source stream.

Chicago, Illinois

The aim of the publishei's of this volume and of the author of the history has been to secure for the historical portion thereof full and accurate data respecting the history of the county from the time of its early settlement, and to condense it into a clear and interesting narrative. All topics and occiirrences have been included that were essential to this object. Although the original purpose was to limit the narrative to the close of the year 1906, it has been found expedient to touch on many matters relating to the year 1907, and also, in some measure, to the current year 1908.

It is impossible to enumerate here all those to whom thanks are due for assistance rendered and kindly interest taken in this work. We would, however, make mention of Benjamin T. Prince, A. M., Ph. D., and W. B. Patton, M. D., as the respective authors of special and valuable articles herein printed. In the preparation of the history reference has been made to, and in some cases extracts taken from standard, historical and other works on the different subjects treated of.

The reviews of resolute and strenuous lives which make up the biographical part of this volume, and whose authorship is for the most part independent of that of the history, are admirably calculated to foster local ties, to inculcate patriotism, and to emphasize the rewards of industiy dominated by intelligent purpose. They constitute a most appropriate medium of perpetuating personal annals and will be of incalculable value to the descendants of those commemorated. These sketches replete with stirring incidents and iritense experiences, are flavored with a strong human interest that will naturally prove to a large portion of the readers of this book its most attractive feature.

In the aggregate of personal memoirs thus collated will be found a vivid epitome of the growth of Clark County, which will fitly supplement the historical statement, for its development is identified with that of the men and women to whom it is attributable. The publishers have endeavored to pass over no feature of the work slightingly, but to fittingly supplement the editor's labors by exercising care over the minutest details of publication, and thus give to the volume the three-fold value of a readable narrative, a useful work of reference, and a tasteful ornament to the library. We believe the result has justified the care thus exercised.

Special prominence lias been given to the portraits of representative citizens which appear throughout the volume, and we believe that they will prove not its least interesting feature. We have sought in this department to illustrate the different spheres of industrial and professional achievement as conspicuously as possible. To all those who have kindly interested themselves in the successful preparation of this work, and who have voluntarily contributed most useful information and data, or rendered other assistance, we hereby tender our grateful acknowledgments.

The Publishers

All the biographical sketches published in this volume were submitted to their respective subjects or to the subscribers, from whom the facts were primarily obtained, for their approval or correction before going to press; and a reasonable time was allowed in each ease for the return of the typewritten copies. Most of them were returned to us within the time allotted, or before the work was printed, after being corrected or revised ; and these may therefore be regarded as reasonably accurate.

A few, however, were not returned to us ; and, as we have no means of knowing whether they contain errors or not, we cannot vouch for their accuracy. In justice to our readers, and to render this work more valuable for reference purposes, we have indicated these uncorrected sketches by a small asterisk (*), placed immediately after the name of the subject. They will all be found on the last pages of the book.

The Publishees Chapter

A Tale of the Airly Days - Geological Formation - Limestone Formation - Coal, Oil and Gas - Glacial Drift - Singular Growth of Timber - Prehistoric Man - Prehistoric Animals - ^Mounds and Mound Builders - Tlie Bechtle Mound.

Chapter Ii

Character of the Surface - Elevation Ahove Lake Erie - Mad River - Tributaries of Mad River - ^Little Miami and Other Streams - Character and Fertility of the Soil - -Timber - Comparative Table of Crops.

Chapter Iii

In a Condition of Nature - Erie Indians - Iroquois - Twightwees - Shawnees - Indian Villages - Battle of Piqua - Tecumseh - Indian Character - Indian Fighting - Indian Incidents, etc.

The Old Northwest - Settlement by the French - French Settlement in Ohio - French Dominion - English Dominion - Important Part in the Revolution - United States' Control - Ordinance of 1787 - Arthur St. Clair.

Chapter

Ohio - Admission of State - County and Township Organization - Organization of Counties - Formation of Clark County - Systems of Survey - The U. S. Rectangular Survey - Miami Rivers Survey - Virginia Military Survey - Pre-emption Lots - Table of Measurements - Name of Boundary - Selection of County Seat - New Boston - George Rogers Clark.

Chapter Vi

No Time Like the Old Time - The Squatter - The Pioneer and His Times - First Settlers and Settlements- Present Pioneers - Wild Animals and Their Extinction - John Paul, the First Settler - Johnny Appleseed and Other Characters - Simon Kenton - Gen. Anderson's Address at the Ohio Centennial.

Chapter Vii

Wliigs and Republicans in Politics - ^Vote at Presidential Election - Close Calls and Defeats - Log Cabin Campaign - Pre-eminence in Politics - Civil War Spirits - War Politics - Political Meetings - Garfield and Pendleton Debate - Keifer-Bushnell - Contest - Unsuccessful Candidates - Plug Hat Brigade - Incidents Attending Elections Under Former Laws - State Officials - Apportionment to Congress - Congressional Dis-

Contents Chapter Viii

Centennial of the Battle of Piqua - Springfield Centennial - Underground Railway - White Rescue Case - Springfield's First Riot - The Second Riot - Cyclones - Freshets - The Great East Street Shops - The Crusades.

Chapter Ix

Condition of Roads Indicative of Advancement - Indian Trails, etc. - Early Roads - Military Route - Corduroy Roads - ^National Roads - Toll Pikes - Stage C'oacli Trip Through Springfield in 1834 - Dickens' Ride .Through Ohio in 1842.

Chapter Xiv

Paper Read by Gen. J. Warren Keifer at First Centennial of Springfield - ^Revolutionary and Territorial Times - War of 1812-1815 - Mexican War, 1846-1848 - Civil War, 1861-1865 - Second Ohio Infantry - Third Ohio Infantry - Sixteenth Ohio Infantry - Thirty-first Ohio Infantry - Forty-fourth Ohio Infantry - Seventyfirst Ohio Vol. Infantry - Eighty-sixth Ohio Infantry - Ninety-fourth Ohio Infantry - One Hundred and Tenth Ohio Infantry - One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Ohio - One Hundred and Forty-sixth

Ohio Infantry - One Hundred and Firty-second Ohio Infantry - One Hundred and Fifty-third Ohio Infantry - Sixteenth Ohio Independent Battery - Seventeenth Ohio Independent Battery - Squirrel Hunters, 1862 - First Kentucky Infantry - United States Navy - United States Military Academy - Spanish War, 1898.

Chapter Xvii

Distances from Springfield to Other Cities - Springfield in 1907 - Location, etc. - Naming and Platting of the City - Plats and Additions to City - Early Settlements - Selection as County Seat - Early Events^ Council with the Indians - Early Customs - "Sleepy Hollow" and Old Virginia - Eablt Settlers: James Demint, Grifiith Foos, Robert Rennick, John Daugherty, John Ambler, Cooper Ludlow, Walter Smallwood, Pierson Spinning, Rev. Paul Henkle, Ira Paige, Maddox Fisher - Condition in 1828 - Condition in 1832 - ^^'illage Days, 1834-1850 - Condition in 1850 - City Government - Roster of Officials: President of Council - Mayors of City - Solicitors - Treasurers, City Clerks - Police Department - Chiefs of Police - Police Judges - Police Prosecutors - Police Clerks - Board of Public Safety - Roster of 1907 - Fibe Department : Volunteer - Paid Fire Department - Roster of Present Department - Public Buildings : Market House - City Hall - City Jail and Station House - Public Library - Hospital - Postoffiee - Postmasters - Snyder Park - Fountains, etc. - Hotels: Foos Tavern - Lowry Hotel - Ludlow Hotel - Ross Tavern, Hunt's Hotel - MacElroy Hotel - ^Norton Hotel - Werden Hotel - Buckeye House - Hagenbach Hotel - Murray - Cherry House - Williss House - National Hotel - American and Western Houses - Lagonda - Bookwalter Hotel - Arcade Hotel - Palace Hotel - Palmer House - Opera Houses: Black's Opera House - Grand Opera House - Fairbanks' Theatre - The New Sun - Office and Store Buildings: Kizer - Old King - Union Hall - Commercial - Bookwalter - Buckingham - Mitchell - Arcade - Johnson - Zimmerman - - - Gotwald - King - Bushnell - Wren's Department Store - Fairbanks - Dial - Financiai, Institutions: Mad River National Bank - First National Bank - Citizens' National Bank - Lagonda National Bank - Springfield National Bank - Springfield Savings Bank - Springfield Building and Loan Associaton - Merchants and Mechanics' Building and Loan Association - Otlier Associations - American Trust and Savings Company - JIanufacturing Industries: Defunct Industries - Paper Mill - Oil Mill - Woolen Mills - Car Shops - Threshing Machines - Sewing jMachines - Whitely, Fassler & Kelley - Champion Machine Co. - The A. C. Evans Co. - Champion City Manufacturing Co. - Tricycle Factory - Present Industries - International Harvester Co.^P. P. Mast Co. - American Seeding Co. - Thomas Manufacturing Co. - Springfield Metallic Casket Co. - Crowell Publishing Co. - Good & Reese Co. - James Leffel & Co. - Wickham Piano Plate Co. - Bettendorf Metnl Wheel Company - Robbins & Myers Co. - Foos Manufacturing Co. - Springfield Machine Tool Co. - Thj 0. S. Kelly Co. - Springfield Malleable Co. - Mast, Foos & Co. - Indianapolis Switch & Frog Co. - Miller Improved Gas Engine Co. - Patric Furnace Co. - Trump Manufacturing Co. - Springfield CJas Engine Co. - The E. W. Ross Co. - Foos Gas Engine Co. - Heating and Lighting Plants: Gas - Electric Light - Home Lighting, Power & Heating Co. - The People's Light, Heat & Power Co. - Ansted & Burk - Barnett Flouring Mills - Stone and Lime Industries - Springfield Breweries - Summary of Industrial Matters: Machinery, Material & Supplies - Gas & Steam Engine Group - Iron & Steel Products - Manufacturing Publishers - Manufacturing Florists - Medicine, Chemical and Cotfin Companies - General Factories - Miscellaneous Factories - Mercantile Affairs:

Chapter Xviii

Early History - Location, Principal and Enrollment of the Various School Buildings (1907) - Private Schools Other Than Wittenberg College - Parochial Schools - Wittenberg College.

Chapter Xix Chapter Xx

Early Courts - Common Pleas - Common Pleas Judges - William A. Rodgers - William Wliite - James S. Good - Charles R. Wliite - F. M. Hagan - John C. Miller - Jacob Kreider Jlower - A. H. Kunkle - Probate Court Judges - Circuit Court Judges - Police Court Judges - Early Lawj-ers - Members in 1852 - Samson Mason - Charles Anthon?' - Samuel Shellbarger - George Spence - Samuel A. Bowman - ^Members in 1864 - Members in 1881 - Sometime Members - General Keifer - A. P. Linn Cochran - Bar Association - Library - Members in 1908.

Prehistoric Matter

A Tale of the Airly Days - Geological Formation - Limestone ' Formation - Coal, Oil, and Gas - Glacial Drift - Singular Grotvth of Timber - Prehistoric Man - Prehistoric Animals - Mounds and Mound-Builders - The Bechtle Moimd.

According to the geological map of Ohio, the dividing course of the lower and upper Silurian rock are within the bounds of this county, the entire bed rock of Ohio being Trenton limestone, which is the first in formation in the lower silurian period. This rock takes its name from a picturesque and weil-lmown locality in Trenton Township, Oneida County, New York. It has generally been recorded in Ohio as being found at a depth of from one to two thousand feet.

The Utica Shales are the second in formation after the Trenton limestone and Professor Orton says, "In the wells of Springfield, Urbana, and Piqua it is found in undiminished thickness, but in some more calcareous in composition."

"A brief review of the scale and structure of the State will here be given, but before it is entered upon, a few fundamental facts pertaining to the subject will be stated.

"1. So far as its exposed rock series is concerned, Ohio is built throughout its whole extent of stratified deposits or, in other words, of beds of clay, sand and limestone, in all their various gradations, that were deposited or that grew in water. There are in the Ohio series no igneous nor metamorphic rocks whatever; that is, no rocks that have assumed their present form and condition from a molten state or that, subsequent to their original formation, have been transformed by heat. The only (lualification which this statement needs pertains to the beds of drift by which a large portion of the State is covered. These drift beds contain boulders in large amount, derived from the igneous and metamorjihic rocks that are found around the shores of Lake Superior and Huron, but these boulders are recogTiized by all, even by the least observant, as foreign to the Ohio scale. They are familiarly known as 'lost rocks' or 'erratics.'

"If we should descend deep enough below the surface we should exhaust these stratified deposits and come to the granite foundations of the continent which constitute the surface rocks in parts of Canada, New England and the West, but the drill has never yet hewed its way down to these firm and massive beds within our boundaries.

"The rocks that constitute the present surface in Ohio were all formed in water, and none of them have been modified and masked by the action of high temperatures. They remain in substantially the same condition as that in which they were formed.

And Representative Citizens

them, aud of the drift deposits, all the formations of Ohio grew in the sea. There are no lake or river deposits among them, but by countless and infallible signs they testify to a marine origin. The remnants of life which they contain, often in the greatest abundance, are decisive as to this point.

"3. The sea in which or aroimd which they grew was the former extension of the Gulf of Mexico. When the rocks of Ohio were in in-ocess of formation, the warm waters and genial climate of the Gulf extended without interruption to the borders of the great lakes. All of these rocks had their origin under such conffitions.

"4, The rocks of Ohio constitute an orderly series. They occur in widespread sheets, the lowermost of which are coextensive with the limits of the State. As we ascend in the scale the strata constantly occupy smaller areas, but the last seines of deposits, viz., those of the Carboniferous period, are still found to cover at least one-fourth of the entire area of the State. Some of these formations can be followed into and across adjacent States, in apparently unbroken continuity.

"The edges of the successive deposits in the Ohio series are exposed in innumerable natural sections, so that their true order can generally be determined with certainty and ease.

"For the accumulation and growth of this great series of deposits vast periods of time were required. Many millions of years must be reckoned in any rational explanation of their origin and history. All of the stages of this history have practically unlimited aiuounts of past time upon which to draw. They have all gone forward on so large a scale, so far as time is concerned, that the few thousand years of human history would not make an appreciable factor in any of them. In other words, five thousand years or ten thousand years make too small a period to be counted in the formation of coal, for example, or in the accmnulation of petroleum, or in the shaping of the surface of the state through the agencies or erosion."

The limestone cropping out around the City of Springfield and west along Mad River, and in some other places of the county is what is known as Niagara shale, and constitutes some of the finest building stone and lime to be found anywhere, and in the geological survey of Ohio it is spoken of as follows:

"We come next to what has been denominated the Springfield Stone, viz. : the building-stone courses which form so constant an element in the Niagara rocks of Ohio at this horizon. It is separated from the West Union limestone by a distinct boundary. As this portion of the series is so well developed and exhibited in the Springfield quarries, it seems appropriate to designate it as the Springfield limestone, and this name has accordingly been attached to this division in all portions of Southwestern Ohio in which it is shown. It is a prominent member of the Highland County series, as will be seen in the report of the geology of that county, subserving there the same purpose as a building stone that it does here.

nesian carbonate, eontainiug generally about fifty per cent of carbonate of lime, and forty jier cent of carbonate of magnesia. Some of the remaining substances --a small percentage of silica, and also of alumina - stand in the way of its being burned into an approved lime. There is. however, no uniformity in its com23osition.

"The prevailing color of this rock in Clark County is a light drab, though several blue courses occur. To the southward, the rock is mainly blue. The desirability of the light-colored stone for fine work is sometimes lessened by faint reddish streaks through its substance.

"The thickness of this division is never more than twenty feet, and seldom exceeds fifteen feet in this portion of the state. At Holcomb's, it is thirteen feet. Like the other members of the series, it expands to the southward, reaching at Hillsboro its maximum in Ohio of fortylive feet.

"Beginning in the Spring-field quarries at the bottom of the series, we find several heavy courses, from ten to eighteen inches thick, overlying the Wefet Union cliff. These lowest courses are blue in color, and, despite their massive appearance, are generally treacherous as building-stones. "Where exposed to the weather, they lose, in a few years, their dressed surfaces, their seams continually widen, and, in a word, they show themselves to be imdergoing a state of certain, though slow, disintegration.

"The blue courses generally, even when found above the lowest beds, show the same tendency, and should at least be carefully tested before being used in structures where thev can be attacked bv atmospheric agencies. The drab courses are almost all durable building stones in all ordinary situations. Making up as they do the bulk of this division, they furnish an invaluable supply of buildingstone to Springfield and the adjacent country. ' '

The Carboniferous and Sub-carboniferous foiTuations in Ohio occuijy the greater portion of the eastern and southeastern part of the state. Although numerous attempts have been made, no gas or oil has been found in this county in paying quantities.

In 1865 gas was discovered in Pike Township but not in paying quantities. After oil and gas had been discovered in the Lima district in 1884, the matter was again discussed and brought up in our county and Judge Mower and others became interested, and a well in the vicinity of the former one in Pike Township was again sunk, but only what is known as a "pocket" was discovered. This was in 1890.

In 1887, a well was sunk in the old Frey stone quarry immediately north of Buck Creek and east of Fountain avenue, and a "pocket" of gas was discovered, probably producing more gas than any other well that had been sunk in the county, for some time afterward it was allowed to burn and go to waste, when finally it was piped into Mr. Frey's house and was for some time used by him for domestic purposes.

In 1892, P. P. Mast sunk a well in the western part of Springfield, and in 1888, William N. Whitely also sunk one near what is now the Foos Gas Engine Works,

Wells have also been sunk near the village of New Carlisle, south of Vienna and west of Brighton, the latter two to the depth of 1,650 feet, but without paying results. When the Mast well was being dug, Dr. Lisle, a chemist of this town, made observations which were the subject of an article in the press at that time from which the following extract is made :

"Dr. Lisle has closely followed the well, and has analyzed the drillings as they have been brought up. He has 225 packages of them all completely labeled. No small amount of labor is represented in the collecting, and when the tube is filled it will make a valuable study of 'the earth beneath.' "

The first three feet is drift, or ordinary soil, which is followed by 150 feet of Niagara, including about 30 feet of limestone, cap rock, chalk, etc.

The third division is 15 feet of bluish clay. Next is 20 feet of Medina shale of fine reddish structure which rests on Clinton rock. Through this the drill steadily worked its way 175 feet down ; th'en came a deep bed of shales, a fine grained, slaty deposit, and the casing was lowered 769 feet before another solid stratum, the wellknown Ti'enton, was reached. This, on thorough iienetration, was found to be 633 feet thick and here, properly, the search should have ended. The State Geologist says, after long observation, that if Trenton rock does not contain a substance called dolomite, which is composed of calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate in equal proportions, there is no gas there. An analysis of the Trenton rock bored through in the Mast well showed that it was composed of 80.84 per cent calciu7n carbonate, 9.11 mag-nesium carbonate and the rest insoluble matter. The proportion was convincing as to the absence of gas, but the syndicate was induced to probe further toward the nether regions by the fact that gas was found in the Whiteley gas well, which was simk about four years ago until St. Peter's rock was reached. Still no gas. After prodding this solid formation 36 feet fui-ther the job was given up.

The salt water was struck at a depth of 1,815 feet. It is decidedly saline. A quantity of white sulphur and drift was precipitated from the sample,, and the test naturally showed the presence of sulphureted hydrogen.

As was noted above, gas was struck at a depth of 2,000 feet in the AVliiteley well. The flow was continuous, but too light for material use, and the well has been l)h>gged up. A depth of 2,533 feet was reached before the drill rested. Gas was first struck at 550 feet in blue shale.

It is curious to note the thiclaiesses of the strata. In the Whiteley well the drift was 125 feet deep. West of the city Clinton rock comes to the sui'face.

The Pettigrew well, which is located in the quarry at the foot of Plum street, was drilled four years ago (1887). It is 1,200 feet in depth, and also yields a

A depth of 1,700 feet was reached and salt water encountered. It yields a steady flow, and recent examination shows the pressure to be 185 pounds. Mr. Frey uses it in his residence.

From these observations made by Dr. Lisle, Prof. D. H. Suavely has prepared the following scale of geological formation which by his kind permission is inserted.

subject has been one of speculation to geologists. Prof. Geiger says there is gas in Clark County's area and he can locate it on geological principles. He recently proposed to Mr. Mast that he (Prof. Geiger) should select a locatiou, giving satisfactory reasons for doing so. If Mr. Mast should find gas there he should properly remunerate the professor, and if not, the obligation should be annulled. Mr. Mast may yet decide to act upon the proposition. Hitherto the locations of the wells have not been made scientifically and the proceeding outlined above would be watched with interest.

Clark County is in the line of the glaciers descending from the north in the glacial drift period, and to this fact owes the richness of its soil. The rock foundation being limestone, this valuable ingredient became thoroughly mixed in the surface. Upon this question Professor Orton saj's :

"The other great division of the soils of Ohio, viz., the drift soils, are by far the most important, alike from their greater area and their intrinsic excellence. Formed by the commingling of the glacial waste of all the formations to the north of them, over which the ice has passed, they always possess considerable variety of composition, but still in many eases they are strongly colored by the formation underneath them. Whenever a stratum of uniform composition has a broad outcrop across the line of glacial advance, the drift beds that cover its southern portions will be found to have been derived in large part from the for- mation itself, and will thus resemble native and sedentary soils. Western Ohio is underlaid with Silurian limestones and the drift is consequently limestone drift. The soil is so thoroughly that of limestone land that tobacco, a crop which rarely leaves native limestone soils, at least in the Mississippi Valley, is grown successfully in several counties of Western Ohio, 100 miles or more, north of the terminal moraine.'''

Scattered granite bowlders are found in almost every part of the county, increasing in number toward the northwestern part of the county. However, in no place are they found in such great quantit}' as to seriously impede agriculture. North, in Champaign County, the surface is more thickly covered with them, in some places making a serious impediment in the way of the agricultural use of the soil. There is much to suggest in the formation of the Mad River Valley that between the hills upon the .sides of this valley there flowed a mighty .stream from the north, merging into a raging, roaring torrent from rock to rock south of the Masonic Home, west of the city. There is no evidence of any voleonic action in the formation of the soil of this county.

This drift has been found to vary widely in the depth of its formation in places not far apart, near St. Paris, Champaign County, Ohio. It has its maximum depth of 530 feet, while in the digging of the Mast well not more than 20 miles away, it was found to be only three feet. At the AVhiteley well within less than a mile from the :\rast well, the drift was 125 feet.

Undoubtedly the soil formation has much to do with the kinds of timber that has grown thereon, and a rather singular matter in reference to the growth of timber has been observed along the borders of the Mad River Valley, more especially that part of it which is north of the City of Springfield. On the hills and uplands west of the valley the timber is beach, poplar, sugar, oak, hickory and walnut. While on the east side of the valley there is not a beach or poplar tree to' be found and only occasionally a sugar, the prevailing timber being oak and hickory. From this fact the lauds east of the river have received the designation as the *'oaks" or the "oak hills" while the land west including German and Pike Townshi]) has been designated as the "beech."

While remains presumed to belong to another race may have been discovered in this county, there is no ])articular evidence of the existence of the prehistoric man, and upon this matter it may be Interesting to quote Prof. Wright's opinion. Tt is the opinion now of scientists that man did exist in the glacial period. Prof. Wright says :

"In my original 'report upon the Glacial Boundary of Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky,' T remarked that since man w^as in New Jersey before the close of the glacial period, it is also probable that he was on the banks of the Ohio at the same early period: and T asked that the extensive gravel terraces in the southern part of the State be carefully scanned by archaeologists, adding that when observers beeaine familiar with the forms of these rude implements they would doubtless find them in abiindance. As to the abundance, this prophecy has not been altogether fulfilled. But enough has been already discovered in Ohio to show that man was here at that early time when the ice of the glacial period lingered on the south side of the water partings between the lake and the Ohio River. Both at Loveland, and at Madisonville, in the valley of the Little Miami, Dr. C. L. Metz, of the latter place, has found this ancient type of implements several feet below the surface of the glacial terraces bordering that stream. The one at Madisonville was found about eight feet below the surface, where the soil had not been disturbed, and it was in shape and appearance almost exactly like one of those foimd by Dr. Abbott in Trenton, N. J. These are enough to establish the fact that men, whose habits of life were much like those of the Eskimos, already followed up the retreating ice of the great glacial period when its front was in the latitude of Trenton and Cincinnati, as they now do when it has retreated to Greenland. Very likely the Eskimos are the descendants of that early race in Ohio.

There is no doubt that prehistoric animals, if T may use the term in that way, those that existed in the mammalian period or age, wandered over much of the territor.y occupied by this county, the remains of mastodons having been found in the lands west of the Urbana Pike, near the Franklin School House, and in the valley of Buck Creek, not far from Catawba Station, and near the Columbus Road, on a farm of William E. Yeazell. in the southeastern part of Pleasant Township, and also near Brooks Station. Some of these remains are- in a fair state of preservation and I believe are now in possession of Wittenberg College.

That there was a race of people inhabiting this county prior to the red men, is abundantly testified to by the mounds that are scattered over this county. I think they number not far from forty. Who or what these people were, or what object they had in view in making these various works can only be conjectured. The largest of these mounds is the one situated near Enon, this county.

It is frequently referred to as "Knob Prairie Mound," and is on the line of march of General Clark on his way to the battle of Piqua. His officers ascended its summit to reconnoiter the surrounding count}'. This mound is several hundred feet in circumference with a height of forty-five or fifty feet and is located in a level field and shows forth quite prominently. Some years ago the mound was dug into and one of the investigators gives the following as a description of what they found.

"We found top soil all the way for thirty feet, when we came to a cave of curious construction; it was the shape of a bake -oven, and high enough for a man to stand upright in the center. It tapered down on the sides. On one side there was a door, that had evidently led from a ground entrance into the cave. In the middle of the cave was a pile of dirt aud stone resembling an altar; on these were bones, charcoal and some pieces of decayed wood, and one piece of ' partly cliarred wood in a good state of preservation. This wood was preserved, but the bones would not stand moving. After the party had satisfied their curiosity, they cut their names and the date on the altar, filled up the excavation and left."

"A few rods east of the intersection of Spring and Washington Streets, there was a mound of earth about fifty yards in size across its base and of conical shape. About this period (1818), several white oak trees and clusters of bushes stood upon its side, and a number of large stumps indicated that other trees had grown nearer its apex."

During the work upon the Dayton & Sandusky Railroad in 1847, this mound was entirely removed for the earth it contained. As the delvers in it penetrated its interior, they found it had been the burial place for a former generation of people. It was a huge sepulcher full of human bones. As the bones had by this period of time to a great extent become intermingled with the earth, the entire niass was carted to the railroad and formed part of the road bed. While the work was in progress, there was picked up what seemed to have been a section of the lower jaw bone of a wild animal containing a stout, crooked tusk or tooth. The bone had been ground away so as to be firmly gras]ied by a human hand. It had no doubt been used as an instrument of warfare. A few davs after

There are several of these mounds in Springfield. One being what is now used as the Soldier's Mound in the cemetery, and is described as follows by Prof. Snavely in giving an account of some investigations made there.

"After sinking the shaft four or five feet from the top a hard shell of baked clay was struck, and a hole made therein, which revealed an oven-shaped chamber, or vault, in which appeared large quantities of bones, ashes, charcoal, etc. The bones, when taken in the hand, crumbled to dust, and could be blown away with a breath. Among the skeletons were found a wooden chain - apparently black locust - about seven inches long, of perhaps five or six links, and a fine bone of about three by one and a half inches in size. The size of the vault can be estimated from the statement that one could turn a ten-foot rail around endwise on the inside quite readily. The hole was left open for some years afterward and finally closed of its own accord, as it appeared when the ground was sold for cemetery purposes. What became of the relics is forgotten, as are also the names of the students who made the investigation."

Another eye witness of a later date and excavation says: "In digging the graves for the burial of soldiers, burnt clay, ashes and charcoal were found, and also wood that had thoroughly decayed almost beyond recognition was discovered and seems to have served the purpose of protecting the burnt clay, which may have been used for burial purposes, but no hollow place or any evidence of one were noticed. Still, as the iirst row of graves, where these relics were found, t)egins at twenty-two feet from the center of the new mound, and as the center of the old mound is sixteen feet south and three feet west of it there may be a possibility that the burnt clay, which was found in digging the graves, is at the limit of the vault and the rotten wood was the remnant of the pi'otection afforded during the construction of the old mound.

"It is 410 j^ards north from the margin of the creek at an elevation of 100 feet, or, in exact figures, from engineer's survey, height of level surface base above creek level. 102 feet; height of top of mound, 107.5 feet, which made the Indian mound at the time of survey, 1863, 5.5 feet high and had a probable diameter of 30 or 32 feet."

The present mound is 200 feet in diameter and the center is 16 feet north and 3 feet east of the center of the Indian mound: and in height 7 feet, and surmounted by an iron flag-staff, 112 feet high, and 8 feet in the ground.

is located about four-fifths of a mile (4,200 feet) from the cemetery momid, nearly southwest. It is about the same distance from the highest point of Gray's Hill, neai'ly south of the mound (from

It is about one and one-tenth miles (5,775) feet to the mouth of the Lagonda (Buck) Creek, southwest; the same distance to the mouth of Mill Run, east, and to the hill on which Wittenberg College stands.

It is about one and three-fifths miles (8,450 feet) to the mouth of Mill Creek, southwest ; to the Indian burying ground on Snyder's hill, northwest; and to the hill on which the public library stands, southeast; near which site stood another mound some forty years ago.

Other distances and directions can be compared, with equal or greater interest and satisfaction. These mounds were not placed here at random by an ignorant people, any more than the great pyramid of Egypt was placed in its situation by ignorance and superstition.

The mound is situated on the south side of the creek, distant 750 feet: its summit is 70 feet above the level of the water. It crowns the east end of a clayey ridge, which is soTue 500 feet in length and about 28 feet above the adjoining level surface. Tliis level surface extends south to ]\Iain and High Streets, and from Factory Street to near the Hydraulic, on the west; an area of about half a square mile, chiefly red clay.

Possibly the beds of clay which were so extensively used in the manufacture of modern brick, were also utilized by the prehistoric people in their manufacture of ]iottery, and in the burial of their dead.

above the suiface of the ridge on which it rests. Its north and south diameter is 69.8 feet at base. And its east and west diameter is 63.8 feet. The circumference is 210 feet; and its contents approximately are 1,750 cubic yards.

In shape it is nearly a cone; the south side is somewhat irregular. The top is depressed in the center, caused possibly by the interior sinking, as no knowledge of any extended excavation exists.

Large trees still surround it and have a growth of several hundred years; but that does not indicate any age of these earth works; for all accepted authority places the Mound Builders' era too far in the remote past to make timber growth a factor of much importance. The latest authority places the era at 800 years ago. A. D. 1092.

According to the classification, this is a sepulchral mound, but the theory is advanced that the site was a king's throne and dwelling place, a signal station, and at his death, the mound was erected over the remains. So, it may also be classed as a memorial or monumental mound.

One of the most noteworthy features is the fact that, as an observation station, it aiTords a fine view of the river valley nearly to Westville, with Tremont, Eagle City, the bridge over Mad River and farms between; also of the creek and its valley, for several miles ; the city and public buildings; and the fine residences on the ridge along West High Street; part of the Millereek Valley, and hills beyond; tlie river valley for miles towards Dayton ; and the vicinity of Enon, Snyder's and Cold Springs, near Tecumseh's birthplace.

The Mounds Near Enon And In Harmony

The mound near Enou, the railroad cut at the south boundary of the Masonic Home grounds ; this mound and the cemetery mound are all in a nearly direct line southwest and northeast, so that smoke or light can be easily seen at either place, day or night, if such signals were made.

The springs near this mound, with those along the creek to Market Street and beyond, one or more near every street that terminates or crosses at the creek, their relation to the construction of these earthworks, and their value in the service of a dense population in their vicinity, could be interestingly reviewed in support of the opinion that Springfield and the vicinity was a favorite and endearing locality to the Mound Builders, as well as to its present inhabitants.

"To describe one of the most interesting of these hunting grounds is the object of this paper. Between the old London road, three miles east of Harmony and the national road, eight miles east of Siiringfield, on the Newlove farm, is what people now generally call an 'Old Indian fort.' A half-mile northeast, just beyond the eight-mile stone, the national road vvas cut through a large Indian mound, part of which still remains. Nearly a half mile south of this mound and about tue same distance east of the 'old fort,' are several artificial depressions, or large pitholes and near these was once an Indian trail whose direction was from northwest to southeast.

"To the south of the "'old fort,' about a half mile among the hills, stands the Xewlore residenee, boilt manv years ago. and l^re in the ker to the vhole situation. This valley is about three-foorths of a ndle long nearly due north and sooth, and is nearly e!o<!cd at the north aid by the eastern devati«a enrving abnqitly to the tresL and by boggy land between it and the vestem elevatim.

-'It is at this end of this vaDey. and cm die vest side, that the earthwoiks are situated. It may also be stated here that the boggy land extoids for a long distance east and west from this point, and borders TkistveT Creek, which flows west between here sid the national road and j<Hns the Lagonda (Buck) creek six miles below.

^'The ahrvpk enrve of the eastern deration of die ralley also slopes gradnally toward the «eek, and makes the only natnral for&Ue place for several miles up or down the stream. Tlus ford was ased often, not only by the Indians, but by the early settlers, and. no donbt. by the buffalo, deer and other wild animals as welL

**The *oid fort' or rather CTcIosnres. eonsi«t of two elliptieal embankments, and resemble somewhat, on a large scale, the tracks <rf a hoi^r's front feet, made while standing or in a leap agahi5$t the side of the hfll. Both are of tfie same area, but the hank and ditch of the one north are not so hi^ or deep as the one sonth, and it is on more level ground. The western half of die <me north is nnder cnltrvation. The remainder of both is covered with heavy tianber, as are both sides or borders of the valley. Both 'toe' to die ssonth of we#t, or rather the longest diameters are in that direction. The openings or caitraneec face toward the east - a little north of east - and can be seen plainly from the top of the moond a half mile northeast, and from the crest of the hill range between.

"The eonstroction of these earthworks L= the most remarkable beeanse it has a striking miniature resemblance to the constmction of that part of the earthworks at Xewaik - the sonthem elliptical enclosure in which the fair grounds are now located. The area contained by that is over twenty-five acres, while one of these contains over one acre.

"The southern enclosure consL=ts of an ellliptical ditch twenty feet wide and from five to seven feet deep, the excavations havii^ apparently thrown upon the outride, making an anbankment from four to six feet hi^ and at jjresent from twenty to twenty-five feet wide. The distance from the bottom of the ditch to the top of tbe embankment, therefore, is from nine to thirte^i feet. The ends of the ditch do not meet at the east by some thirty or forty feet, nor do the ends of the embankments by twenty-five or thirty feet, making a wride entrance to the islandlike inside, which gradnally slopes or a.scends to the opposite end. upon which is a .«mal! monnd.

"The outside cireomference is 1,020 feet The long diameter is 325 feet and the short diameter 234 feet A rectangle of three or four acres would likely eontain both oidosures, as die one nordi is a duplicate of the one sonth, but shallower. The distance of each enclosure bank (at their nearest approach to eadi other) is bat twenty or twenty-five feet feuse agaiupt ar. outside enemy, are disappointed, because the most ignorant combatant would hesitate to go or remain inside, if an enemy were upon the outside. It has too much the appearance of a trap. In fact it is a trap. The whole surrounding landscape of nearly two square miles, is a huge trap, or typical ambush, the culmination of the Indian hunting a:roimds. and at the same time the

West Potiit of most of his military training; for whether game or enemies were decoyed or driven into similar localities and enclosures, in the sui^?eeding contest and almost certain slaughter, the native Indian was at home iu all the detail of conquest and capture.

Chapter Ii Topography

Character of the Surface - Elevation abov3 Lake Erie - 31ad River - Tributaries of Mad River - Little Miami and Other Streams - Character and Fertlity of the Soil - Timber - Comparative Table of Crops.

The surface of Clark County is what might be termed nndulatiug. The risings from the valleys attending Mad River, the Little Miami, and their tributaries, are hardly sufficient to be properly designated as hills, although it may be used to designate the broken surface of this county in comparison with that of the valley. This rough or broken land is, with but few exceptions, found on the edges of the valleys. After the heights of these broken lands or ridges have been reached, a plateau or stretch of level land is found which extends to the beginning of the next valley. The hills, if I may term them such, valleys, and plateaus, are not confined to any i^articular part of the county.

Immediately west of tlie city of Springfield, in what is now called Aberfelda Park, the roughness of the surface is such as to make as fine natural scenery as can he found anywhere in central Ohio. The stream called Rock Run extends u\)

The ridge of rocks and rising land along the west side of the valley of Mad River, passing the birthplace of Tecumseh between Aberfelda and Medway, with its varied forms of timber and vegetable growth, especially in the autumn of the year when the leaves assume a variegated hue, present a view beyond the criticism of nature's most fastidious lovers.

Here it sliould not be forgotten that the entrance to Ferncliff Cemetery in the City of Springfield has been pronounced by extensive travelers not to be excelled anywhere. In other parts of the county from the elevated lands, magnificent views of the valleys of Mad River and Buck Creek can be obtained, sometimes extending for miles and miles.

There is some broken land south of Enon and along the north fork of the Little Miami, north of Selma. A considerable stretcli, also, will be found east of Vienna, and smaller ])ortions east and uorth of Lawreueeville; along Chapmans Mad River is the priueipal stream withand Bounels C'l'eek and in various other in the county. The origin of the name for a short distance, forramg the bound- Erie Railroad at Bowlusville. . . .393 feet, ary line between it and Moorefield Town- " " " S})ring'field Sta- ship, then through its western part of

Pan Handle Railroad at Enon..451 " boundary line between Bethel and Mad " " " " Hen- River Township, to the Greene County nessey's 458 " line a short distance ea.st of the Mont- Pan Handle Railioad at Selma.510 " gomery County line. " " " " South The following as to its characteristics borders of considerable extent are found along its oonrse in Champaign and the northern part of Clark Counties, which help to bestow upon the stream its comparatively permanent character. These borders, locally called 'cat-head prairies,' consist largely of vegetable accumulations, and are peculiarly retentive of moisture. Ditches draw the water but for a very short distance on either side, and therefore if is almost impossible to drain these tracts.

"The tributaries of Mad Kiver share in the peculiarities that it possesses, in the districts through which they flow. Those that enter the river near Springfield have wrought out picturesque and beautiful valleys in the Cliff limestone, as, for instance, Buck Creek and Mil] Creek, which crosses the Dayton Pike two miles below the city. The configuration of the valley at the junction of Mill Creek and Mad Kiver indicates a long-continued history, in which the streams have occupied very different geographical relations from those now to be observed. A solitary remnant of their denuding action is found in a little island of Cliff rock, of three-fourths of an acre in area, that rises thirty feet above the general level in the angle between the two streams.

"Almost all the streams of the county, great and small, have their springs, and earlier courses in drift deposits. They flow for awhile, many of them, indeed, through their whole extent, in broad and very shallow valleys that they have wrought in the surface accumulations of clay and gravel. In such cases, the width of the valleys is greatly disproportioned to their depth. On the eastern side of the countv, the descent of a few feet - not more than twenty-five feet below the general level - brings us to a broad, flat plain, one-half of a mile in width, perhaps. A stream of insignificant proportions meanders through the valley, but seems lost in the expanse. Indeed, the singlespanned bridge in the midst of a level tract is often our only intimation that we are crossing a valley. The several forks of the little Miami in Green and Madison Townships furnish good examples of this sort. It may be noted, in passing, that these broad and shallow valleys constitute some of the finest agricultural districts of the county.

' ' The present topograjihy of the county is to be mainly attributed to erosive agencies, which are still in progress. All that is wanting to complete the horizontal plain of rock which originally filled the area of the county has been carried away by running water. The surface of the county has been worn and chiseled by these agencies to a degree quite beyond a ready recognition, for these channels have been silted up by the drift deposits so as to be greatly reduced in dimensions, or even wholly concealed from view, unless some accidental section exposes them. The present sui;face of the county is irregular, through a considerable portion of it, the gravels and clays having been left in hills and hollows; but it is certain that the rocky floor has a far more rmeven surface.

"The lowest land in the county is found in the valley of Mad River, in the southwestern corner of Mad River Township. It is about 325 feet above low water mark of the Ohio River at Cincinnati. From this lowest level, taken as a floor, the whole county is built up to the extent of

And Eepbesentative Citizens

100 feet, with the iipper-most beds of the Blue Limestone or Cincinnati group. The average thickness of the Clinton limestone, the next story of the county, does not exceed twenty-five feet, and the heaviest single section of the Niagara group gives seventj'-five feet in addition to these measurements. The deposits of the drift formation are built up in many instances from 75 feet to 100 feet above the rocky floor.

"The highest land of the county, then, is from 600 to 625 feet above low water mark at Cincinnati, or from 1,025 feet to 1,050 feet above tide water. Some isolated points may exceed even this elevation by a few feet. The summits of Pleasant Township have probably as great an elevation as any land in the county.

"The sand and gravel are left over the surface of the country in picturesque knolls and ridges, which add greatly to natural beauty, and which, in the advantages they offer for building sites and road materials, form no mean element in its desirability for human habitation. These knolls and ridges are not the remnants of more extensive beds that covered the whole face of the country originally, as might be thought at the first inspection, but thoy were deposited where we find theni, and in the same form that they now possess.

"This is clearly proved by the lines of deposition that their sections furnish. The ridges often inclose basinshaped depressions of small extent, which can be accounted for in no other way than as the results of the original deposition of the surrounding masses. These depressions are particularly noticeable in

In pioneer and .subsequent days the water of this stream was utilized in various places for mill power, most of which have now been abandoned.

From Springfield south, the soil in the valley is underlaid with gravel, and does not need artificial drainage to fit it for agriculture. From the city north artificial drainage is needed in many places to bring the soil in a condition for a high state of cultivation. However, the river having an average fall of eight feet to the mile this is not difficult of accomplishment. 1199984

Mad River is not what is known as a navigable stream, although it is stated that David Lowry early in the last centurj' took a boat from presumably this side of Medway down to Cincinnati. In 1825, however, it is known that John Jackson, who married Nellie Lowry, built a flat boat on the north bank of Donnel's Creek and in high water he launched it, taking three or four of his children, and floated down the Mad River, thence to the Miami, and then to the Ohio and Mississippi, settling in Tennessee.

From its central and important position in the topography of the county. Mad River has a considerable number of tributaries entering into it in this county varying in size and importance. The first that enters the river as we come up the stream is Muddy Run. This stream has its origin in the west part of Green Township, not far north of Hustead, and flows in a southwesterlv direction in ]\[ad River

Mud Creek is a stream on the west side of the river and enters into the river in Miami County, and extends north through the western part of Bethel Township. The lands are tolerably level and . the stream somewhat sluggish.

Jackson Creek empties into the river about a mile and a half above Medway and extends north through Bethel and Pike Township almost paralleling Donnel's Creek. It is hardly anything more than a wet weather stream.

Donnel's Creek enters into Mad River about a mile up the stream from Jackson Creek. It receives its name from Donnel, an early settler along its banks. It extends north through Donnelsville, passing North Hampton, and some of its branches extend as far as Dialton in Pike Township. It is larger than Jackson Creek, but not generally fed by springs and sometimes becomes almost dry in periods of drought.

Rock Run is the name of the next creek that enters Mad River. Like the two previous ones it has its entrance from the north or west side and enters the river about three-quarters of a mile above Durbin, and extends up through German Township. Its principal branch is known as Miller Creek, it is fed by springs and by reason of its very great fall afforded in earlier times' a considerable number of mill sites.

Thus far we have l)ut one stream to enter the river on the south or east side. The next one. however, comes from that direction and is desigiiated Mill Creek.

This empties into the river about threequarters of a mile south of the National Road. It has several branches and receives considerable of its flow from springs and alTords excellent water for grazing purposes. Formerly there were some mills upon it.

About half a mile above where Mill Creek enters the river, and a short distance south of the National Road, west of Springfield, Buck Creek, its principal tributary, enters into Mad River. The Indian name of this' stream is Lagonda. In size it is about half that of the river. It extends northeasterly through the city and township of Springfield and through the township of Moorefield near the village of New Moorefield, having its source near Meehaniesburg in Champaign County. It is a spring-fed stream and always furnishes a considerable water-flow.

Almost in the center of Springfield, Buck Creek has a tributary called Mill Run. It has now, in the main part of the city, been covered over and is used principally for sewer purposes. It has its source east of the city, south of the Big Four railroad. In former times it was considered of sufficient importance to afford mill privileges.

A short distance above the city of Spring-field, not far from the present water works, there enters into Buck Creek, Beaver Creek. This creek is almost as large as that into which it enters. Like Buck Creek it receives considerable of its waters from springs. The main source of Beaver Creek is not far from Brighton in the eastern part of the county. Within a few miles of where Beaver Creek enters into Buck Creek it receives Sinking Creek, its

A short distance above New Moorefield another branch is received by Buck Creek. This branch extends easterly around south and east of Catawba. The valley of Buck Creek is not very wide but in many places is very fertile. About half or three-quarters of a mile south of the bridge across ]\rad River, on the St. Paris Pike, Pondy Creek enters from the west into Mad River. It has its source a mile or so north of Lawrenceville. For a short distance from its source it flows to the northeast, coming within less than a mile of Chapman's Creek, south of Tremont City; thence south parallel to the River. It has a turbulent little branch entering it about two miles from its mouth called Dry Run. Both of these streams are what may be called dry-water streams. About half a mile north of the Eagle City mill, Mad River divides, one part flowing around to the east for about two miles until it again enters the river. This is called the prong, the main part of the river being taken south past the mills at Eagle City. Into this prong, perhaps half a mile north of the Eagle City Road, enters a stream which, as now composed, includes the waters of Moore's Run and Kenton Creek, originally Kenton Creek only. This stream is a fresh-water stream having its source north of Villa in Moorefield Township. It receives its name from the fact that Simon Kenton at' one time lived in that immediate vicinity. Its original name was Jarbo's creek, named from Philli]) Jarbo, who was Kenton's brotherin-law.

Mad River about a quarter of a mile south of the Tremont Road, and extended in a northeasterly direction up into Champaign Coimty. Recently, however, it has become diverted from its original channel and now joins with Kenton Creek. Its waters are almost entirely of spring formation, and consequently its flow of water is very regular, and it affords an excellent stream for stock watering purposes.

Immediately south of the Tremont Road, Chapman's Creek enters into the river. It has its source in Champaign County, within a few miles of St. Paris. It received its name from Chapman, an early resident. It is a stream of considerable fall and of some size during rainy weather. It is not of spring formation and therefore not very reliable for milling purposes.

Not far south of the county line, Storms Creek enters the river, and it extends through a small portion of this county. It receives its name from Mr. Storms, an old resident.

On the east side of the river not far from the county line enters Cedar Creek. This creek has its formation a few miles north of Champaign County. Storms Creek is much similar to Chapman's Creek in the source of its water supply, while Cedar Creek is much similar to Moore's Run and affords a constant supply of pure spring water.

The Little jMiami River has its source in branches having their beginning in Springfield, Harmony and Madison Townships and leaves the county a few miles east of the village of Clifton. Along this stream between Clifton and Y'ellow Springs the river flows through a gorge thirty or forty feet deep and in some places less than twenty feet in width and affords the finest piece of natural scenery around this part of the state. The north fork of this stream has its source not far from the village of Plattsburg, and enters the main channel not far from the county line, being about twenty miles in length.

The Lisbon fork has its source near the east county line not far from where the C. C. C. & St. L. Railroad Company enters, and unites with the south fork a few miles west of South Charleston forming the river proper, the south fork flowing around south of South Charleston and having its source a few miles east of South Charleston near the C. C. C. & St. L. Railway.

There is a little stream called Massie's Creek which flows in a southwesterly direction in Madison Township and enters the Little Miami River in Greene County. Honey Creek is a branch of the Big Miami, having its source in several branches which have their beginnings in the northern part of Pike Township. It passes through the village of New Carlisle and leaves the county west of that place. It has a considerable flow of water, much of which is of spring formation. Its valley forms some of the richest soil to be found in the Miami Valley.