Springfield Township (part 20 of 69)

Buck Creek was easily forded at the present liimestone Street Crossing, but in the condition of nature the surroundings were such that persons might easily be upon one side of the stream and not discover a house or dwelling on the other, and thus it appears that when Griffith Foos and his party first came through what is now the city of Springfield, they stopped at a spring located not far from the present intersection of Main and Spring Streets and then went on their way down into the Mad River Valley without discovering the hut that Demint had built on the rocks and ledges north of the creek. Plenty of good fresh water was one of the essentials that the pioneer first looked for in the location of his habitation.

Foos and his companions were impressed with the desirability of locating in this valley on the site of Springfield, in absolute ignorance that another had already determined to locate here. Another important factor in selecting this site as a location for a city and which operated no doubt largely upon the mind of the pioneer, were the advantages afforded by the waters of Buck Creek and Mill Rim, which could be utilized for mills of various descriptions. This was before the age of steam and no other source of power than water suggested itself to these pioneers.

These mills, of whicli a great number were afterwards located upon the streams flowing tlirough the city of Springfield and the surrounding country, were a great factor in the increase of its population. In an early day, when the surplus corn must be hauled to Cincinnati or Sandusky to be finally marketed, and flour to meet the necessities of the family must be puroliased and hauled from the same places, the local mill to convert the one into the finished product of whiskey and thus find a home as well as a foreign market, and to make flour to meet the necessities of the family, was of immeasurable importance to the pioneer.

"The scenery had all the irregularity and variety of a New England landscape, T\-ithout its hardness and abruptness. For several miles east and south of the new village of Springfield, the country was an undulating plain, which in the summer was covered with tall grass, mixed with a great variety of flowers, among which a species of wild pea, very fragrant but now extinct, was abundant. The country north for miles was an unbroken forest of large trees in great variety. The beautiful and never-failing stream called Buck Creek, or Lagonda, fringed its northern border with clear, running water. Mad River, with its rapid current, was within a couple of miles of its northwestern boundary. The 'Rocks,' or the pfrpendieular bluffs, filled with deep strata of solid limestone on either side of Buck Creek as it advanced toward its junction with Mad River, were covered with cedars, hanging vines, ferns, mosses and flowers ; the wild grape-vine hung from the stately trees and dipped its tendrils into the placid stream below: the sycamore bent its projecting l)oughs over its banks, while the sugar, maple and mulberry, towering above, with the dogwood, i-edbud, spicewood, butternut, buckeye and other trees, with their variegated leaves, formed a beautiful and attractive picture. Near the mouth of Mill Run, a little rivulet which flowed near the south and west lines of the village, the scenery was unusually attractive and romantic. The little stream went tumbling over the rocks in order to reaoli the brief vallej^ below and empty its waters into Buck Creek. On each side of this cascade, there were high, projecting rocks, covered with honeysuckles and wild vines and beautiful ferns, which hung down in festoons as a curtain to the chasm below, which was taller than a man's head. On the east side of this chasm, there was a large spring of water flowing from a round hole in the rock, with a strong current, remarkably cold, and depositing a yellow sediment. On the west side, there was another spring of delicious water, which, in after years, slaked the thirst of little fishing and picnic parties, who found delight on the banks of Buck Creek in the wild and picturesque valley."

James Demint, after he had finished his house, which was of the double-log cabin variety and located on the south part of the grounds of the northern school building, began to think seriously of lay- , ing out lots for a city.

Demint had entered and held by certificate from the government a tract of land of considerable size, south of Buck Creek and west of Spring Street. Historians are not all agreed as to whom should be given the credit for furnishing a name to the embrj'o city. Some state that it was named by the wife of the founder, but Mr. Woodward in a narrative of his meeting in later years with Simon Kenton and his wife, says that Mrs. Kenton told him that she suggested the name for the city, and it was because of the innumerable and beautiful fresh water springs that were to be found in that vicinity.

Not long after Demint had arrived on the site of Springfield there came to his cabin a young surveyor by the name of John Daugherty, and to him was assigned the duty of making the first plat of the town. This was commenced by him in Mai-ch, 1801. The land immediately south of the creek presented itself as the best rdapted by nature at that time for a town plat, and the principal streets were made to run parallel with the creek.

Columbia Street was made the principal thoroughfare. Main Street was designated as South Street. Lot number 1 is where the D. T. & I. depot is now located. The numbers ran south on both sides of Limestone Street up to High Street. Where the county buildings are now, a public square was laid out, and this was tlie center of the first plat. These lots were six rods wide and twelve rods long 90x198 feet. Later on Demint made other additions running west to the first alley beyond Shaffer Street and north to Cedar Street.

It is said of the founder of Spring-field tiiat while he was "a man of some ability and possessed of many good qualities, yet he had a passionate fondness for whiskey and gambling. That he would frequently mount his fine bay horse for a visit to neighboring towns, where he usually indulged in a ]u-olonged spree. On these visits he would supply himself with a new deck of cards and eagerly engage with anyone for small wagers. That at one time when he was playing with a man who had a fine deck of cards, he took such a fancy to them that he decided to purchase them, but the owner refused to sell them. Mr. Demint offered him a deed for any lot in the plat of Springfield that he might select, for the cards, and he was induced to part with the treasure. An exchange was made and the consideration for one of the finest and most valuable blocks in the city was once a gambler's deck of cards."

Since Demint 's plat of the city of Springfield was made, there have been many additions, a list of which shows the development of the city, with the names of those who had faith in its future.

We have before referred to the fact that in 1801 Griffith Foos had camped near the junction of Main and Spring Streets and had gone on down the Mad River Valley without discovering the hut of Demint on the north of Buck Creek, and that it was only after he and his companions had gone up the valley and crossed over the tableland and came down Buck Creek that they found Demint 's cabin.

Foos and his companions stopped here for several days. They were well pleased with the country and Demint offered them land at a very reasonable price and informed them of his intention of laying out the town. Mr. Foos and his party returned to Franklinton, a village now part of Columbus, where he and his companions had left their families, and with them returned to the city of Springfield. This was in 1801. Soon after Mr. Foos returned he began the erection of a house to be used as a tavern. This building was located on the south side of Main Street, a little west of Spring Street. It was open to the public in June of that year and continued to be a public hostelry until 1814. From this time on, the town began to show some evidence of what it might become in the future, and in 1804 it contained about a dozen houses all built of logs. These houses, as given in Beer's History, were located as follows :

Market Streets a man named Fields kept a small repair shop. West and almost opposite was a cooper shop owned by John Reed. On the northeast corner of the same street stood a log house, and a short distance west on the south side of what is now Main Street, near Primrose Alley, was a larger log structure, occupied by Charles Stowe of Cincinnati as a general store. Another log house was on the northeast corner of Limestone and Main Streets, and Colonel Daugherty's large log house was nearly opposite. A large two-story log-house, which in the time of Indian incursions was used as a blockhouse, stood near the southeast corner of High and Limestone, not far from what is known as the Old Buckeye corner. Near the public square was another cabin in which two Frenchmen, named respectively Duboy and liucroy, sold goods suitable mostly to the Indian trade. The two taverns conducted by P^oos and Lowrey, with two or three other cabins?, on Columbia Street, composed the village of S|)ringfield.

of the county which had just been organized. This was in 1818. Springfield had for its com})etitor the town of New Boston, located on the site of the old Indian village of Piqua, and had very little to boast over its competitor for the race was so close that Springfield only won by two votes. This gave new impetus to its growth for soon thereafter the county buildings were erected and court was held. (See County Buildings.)

As already stated, the first log house was erected by James Demint, and the first tavern was put up in 1801 by Griffith Foos. The first frame house was erected in 1804 on the northeast corner of Main and Factory by Samuel Simmiugton. This house was destroyed by a wind storm before its completion. The first brick house was probably erected by William Ross. It was a two-story brick building on the southeast corner of Main and Market Streets.

This building was at first occupied as a dwelling and store and afterwards as a hotel known as Ross' tavern. This building was standing as late as 1869, when it was removed to make room for the building now occupied by Theodore Troupe's drug store.

A very respectful authority, however, gives credit to John Ambler for having built the first brick house. His building was located on the north side of Main Street, about half way between Factory and Mechanic Streets and was built in 1815. This building is still standing and occupied by Charles T. Davis as a residence upstairs, and as a millinery store and restaurant in the lower floors.

The first school was conducted by Nathaniel Pinkeret in 1806. He opened a school in a log house on the northeast corner of Main and Market Streets. This building was not erected entirely for school purposes.

In 1813, at about where Shaffer's Feed Store is located on W. Main Street, Samuel Smith conducted a school, and the first building erected for religious services was directly across the street from Smith's school building, aliout opposite the drinking fountain on Center Street.

The first store was opened by a Mr. Stowe from Cincinnati. He brought with him a small stock of goods. The second store was opened by two I^'enchmen in a cabin near the public square. Samuel Simmingion may not have conducted the store in his frame house, for Pearson Sjnnning bought that property in 1812 and kej^t a store there for many years.

John D. Nichols kept the first bookstore in 1830 and 1831. The postoffice was first established in 1804; others seem to think that a postoffice was not established until 1814. Robert Rennick was the first postmaster. The first date is the correct one, for we are informed elsewhere that in 1804 a mail route was established, which went from Cincinnati through Lebanon, Xenia, Springfield and Urbana; thence to Piqua; thence down the Miami to Dayton, Franklin, Hamilton and Cincinnati. This was a weekly delivery. The first daily mail arrived in the city of Springfield in 1828 and came by fourhorse coach. The first newspaper was established in the city of Springfield in 1817 and was called the "Farmer."

In 1803 a road was surveyed between Franklinton, a village near Columbus, to Dayton. This road was made to pass through what was then known as South Street, now Main Street, and did not pass through Columbia Street because of the extensive swamp lying at the east end of this street. The laying out of this road led to tlie building of the business portion of Spring-field on Main Street and it became the main thoroughfare from the vicinity of Columbus to Dayton.

Maddox Fisher came from Kentucky in 1813 with $20,000 in money.. He purchased twenty-five lots near the public square from Demint at $25 a lot.

"One Myers was killed near Urbana by a party of wandering Indians, and a family named Elliott, living on Mad River, was visited by an Indian of Tecumseh's tribe, who demanded a butcherknife of them, was refused, and told to leave. Mrs. Elliott wns soon after out getting firewood in the door-yard, when a rifleshot was heard and a ball whistled through the front of her sunbonnet and grazed the skin upon her throat. These acts, coupled with the gathering together of the Indians under the Shawnee brothers, induced a panic among the people of this and other counties. The bold and warlike organized into companies. The tavern of Foos was made a temporary stronghold, while many families left in haste for their previous homes in Kentucky. The whites demanded the aggressors : the Indians denied knowledge of their committal, and it was left to a council to be held at Springfield. The commissioners for the whites were General Benjamin Whiteman, Major Moore, Captain Ward, and two others. The Indians were led by Tecuraseh, Round Head, Black Fish, and other chiefs. The council took place in a maple-grove across the street from the tavern. The Indians had come in two bodies ; the band of Tecumseh from towards Fort Wayne, and one from the north, some seventy in number, in charge of ^IcPherson. Each party, unfriendly to the other, charged them with the deeds unlawful. McPherson's party, by request, had left their arms at a distance, but Tecumseh and his braves refused to disarm themselves, the chief saying that in his tomahawk was his pipe, and it might be needed for a smoke.

"Just arrived from Pennsylvania was a tall, slim young man known as Dr. Richard Hunt. Anxious to conciliate, this person advanced and offered Tecumseh his dirty-looking clay pipe with short stem. The chief stepped proudly forward, received the offering carefully between thumb and finger, looking with sparkling eye of ooutempt at it, eyed the owner a moment to his extreme discomliture, then flung the pipe, with a loud grunt, over his head and away from him. The Indians carried the point and retained their arms.

"Inquiry showed that the murder of Myers was an individual act. Speeches were made, hostilities disavowed, reconciliation effected, and quiet to the settlements, for the time, restored. The Indians stayed three days in town and amused the settlers by feats of agility. Whiteman, above named, had long made the forest his home and the Indian his acquaintance. A companion of Kenton and Boone, he had learned many savage dialects, and, at the council, conversed with Tecumseh in the Shawnee tongue with freedom."

"In these days of ready-made clothing, close-fitting dresses, convenient and costly furniture, excellent thoroughfares by rail and pike, hostility to the sale and use of liquors, fine houses and places of Imsiness, physicians on call, and car or hack to convey to or from desired localities, it is both curious and useful to revert in our history to the humble and arduous lives of the old pioneers, and therein leam a lesson for present needs. During these days of which we write, there was a condition of complete social equality; the exclusiveness of caste and the claims of aristocracy were not known, and the broad line of distinction was run between the worst class and the people in general. Their occasions of fellowship and good will were the old raissings of log and bent, the sharjj contests for rapid execution of parts of the work at log-rollings, and sportive gatherings for corn-huskings. Their sports were shooting at a mark and exercises calling for muscular exertion, and races ran in competition prepared for races for life in contests with the savages. Rollicking amusements among the young were untrannneled and innocent. All sought for ]ileasurable enjoyment, and were happy in seeing others happy. Dress was common to rich or poor, the men went clad in hunting-shirts of linen made from self-raised and manufactured material, and Buckskin pants; the women dressed themselves in garments of their own handiwork, - these, according to newness, were common or holiday dresses. The bridal costume was a medium American cotton check, which then cost a dollar per yard and took five yards for the pattern. Silks, satins, alpacas, and fancy goods were not in the market or possession. The interior of a cabin was simple in the extreme. Over the broad fireplace, held by wooden hooks, rested the trusty rifle; bedsteads were often no more than forked sticks driven into the earthen floor, with cross-poles for the clapboards or the cord. For cooking there was a pot, kettle, and fryingpan. ITpon the table, a few plates and dishes held the food. For seats, some had split-bottomed chairs, but stools and blocks were in general and satisfactory use. No mention have I made of carpets; this smooth, swept earth or puncheon floor were all that was needed. The battalion drills on muster-daj's, elections, celeln-ations, and all public occasions were enlivened by free use of whiskey, pure from the home stills. Hunting, now regarded as a pastime, was to them a business to secure the winter's meat, and corn-pones formed part of every meal. Flour was purchasable at Chillicothe, Zanesville and at Cincinnati. Goods were high; they were hauled in wagons to Pittsburg, floated down the Ohio to Cincinnati, and thence hauled or packed up. Tea retailed at $2 to $3 per pound; coffee at 75 cents; and salt brought $10. to $12 per hundred pounds; calico was $1 per yard; whiskey was $1 to $2 per gallon, and the Indians were excellent customers. Storekeepers are said to have given liquor free to encourage purchasers."

Many of us in this period of the history of our city have no doubt wondered why the vicinity of the Court House went by the name of "Sleepy Hollow." It seems that in earlier times Mill Run made a natural division of the city. This stream, especially south of Columbia Street, ran through a miry bog, and crossing it was a matter of some difficulty. Perhaps the best crossing was on Columl)ia Street, as the surface there was closer to the rock than elsewhere and of a more substantia! condition.

A number of enterprising Virginians became possessors of a good portion of the young city that was southwest of the stream. They built hotels, established schools and churches and considered themselves more enterprising than their neighbors on the other side of Mill Run, for which reason they soon gave to the latter locality the nickname of "Sleepy Hollow," and this name has continued attached to it until the present time, and with a good deal of aptness, for scarcely any business has been conducted in the immediate surroundings of the original .square laid out by Demiut. At this date there is nothing on Columbia Street within two squares of the Court House, excepting two livery stables, a carriage shop and a saloon. The people of "Sleepy Hollow" in turn designated that part west of Mill Run as "Old Virginia." This name has been lost as applied to that vicinity in the growth of the city.

From Mr. Martin's collection in a former work, we have gathered some useful information in regard to a number of the early settlers of Spring-field. These sketches bear evidence of a painstaking effort to give a truthful narrative.

Not much is known of the antecedents of James Demint. He came with Kenton and the others to the vicinity of Springfield in 1799. In 1800 he built his log cabin north of the crystal waters of Buck Creek.

In 1801 he began a plat of the future city. About this time also he conducted a still, no doubt in the rude and limited fashion of the early pioneers. In 1804 he built his grist mill at the mouth of Mill Run. This was an enterprise of great importance in view of the growing crops, though the mill was but a rude affair, having a capacity of grinding twenty-five bushels of corn in every twentyfour hours. Before this there were no mills nearer than licbanon.

remarried. His widow afterwards became the wife of a teamster who lived for several years west of the city of Springfield on the Old Dayton Road, by the name of John Rust. Demint added two more plats to the city of Springfield. He was a large consumer of the products produced by his own industry, and frequently went away on prolonged sprees. He died suddenly about the year 1817, at the tavern of the widow Fitch in TJrbana. This is the sum and substance of our knowledge of the founder of Springfield.

Griffith Foos is entitled to almost equal honors with Demint in the founding of the city, for without knowledge of Demint 's having already built a habitation, he had conceived and acted upon the idea that it was a good place in which to make a settlement. Of better habits and with more industry than Demint, he supplied that energy and industry that were required to ensure to the embryo city a pei-manent existence. He came to Springfield in 1801 and immediately began the erection of a house to be used as a tavern. It was the first tavern in the City of Spring-field and the second house to be erected. So far as we know, it was located on the south side of Main Street, a little west of Spring. He opened it in June, 1801, and continued it until 1814.

Foos, in 1817, built an oil mill on Mill Run, about where the Foos Gas Engine works are now located. He died in this city in 1858. Tie was an uncle of Gus, Wm. and John Foos.

Robert Rennick was one of the party that originally came to Spring-field with Demint and was a joint owner with Demint in the western part of Springfield, and when the same was set-off in severalty lie became possessed of that part west of what was then called Yellow Spring Street, now Plum. He built a mill in 1806 on Buck Creek, a short distance below where the spring is now located in Snyder Park. He was the first postmaster.

This personage has been before referred to as coming to Springfield about 1800 and making the first plat of this to"wn. He was an active Virginian, quite an industrious, enterprising citizen, and held various offices. He died a few miles south of Springfield in 1832.

John Ambler came to Springfield in 1808 and immediately engaged in the making of brick and the building of houses. In 1812 he was a merchant and kept a tavern nearly opposite the Mad River National Bank. He is credited with having built the first brick house in Springfield. This house is still standing and is occupied by Mr. Davis, 142 W. I\Iain Street. Wlien Clark County was organized he became the first treasurer and kept his office in his residence on W. Main Street. He died shortly after his term of treasurer had expired. The mother of the late John Shipman was his daughter.

Cooper Ludlow came to the viciuity of Springfield in 1805. He was a tanner by trade. In 1<S12 he moved to Spring-field and kept a tavern on the corner of Main and Factory Streets. The late Dr. John Ludlow was a son by a first wife and the late Abraham Ludlow by his second wife. His residence for many years was where the high school building is now located.

This person came to the City of Springfield in 180-1, bringing his wife with him from Virginia, and purchased a lot on the south side of INIain Street and erected a residence a short distance west of Center Street. They 'lived in this town until 1852, when they moved to Missouri, where he died in 1869.

This person came to Springfield from Dayton in 1812. He bought a frame house that Mr. Siraington had erected and conducted therein a store until 1834. In 1827 he built a residence on the east side of Limestone Street, where Bennett & Young now have a printing office, south of the Citizens' Bank. He afterwards built the brick residence on the southwest corner of High & (rallagher Streets, now occupied by Mrs. Dr. Titlow. He died in this city in 1857 in his seventy-first year. Some of his grandchildren are residents of the city at this time.

wife in 1809. In 1827 he edited and published a religious paper called the "Gospel Trumj^et. " In 1830 he was elected county clerk. He died in 1837.

Ira Paige came to Springfield in 181-1 and a short time thereafter established a woolen factory on the lower floor of Fisher's Mill on Mill Rim. This was conducted by him for about fifteen years. He represented the county in the Lower House of the Legislature. He died in 18-17 in his fifty-eighth year. His son Algeron lived south of Spring-field upon the farm where his grandchildren still reside.

Maddox Fisher came to Springfield from Kentucky in 1813. He is said to have brought a considerable sum of money with him and ijurchased twenty-five lots from Mr. Deraint in the vicinity of the public square. In 1814, he built a cotton factory near where Mill Run empties into Buck Creek. He was prominent in matters of a township character. He assisted in building the first court house, jail, and was perhaps the most distinguished lobbiest Springfield had in causing it to be chosen as a county seat, and in the establishment of Clark County. In 1825 he built a residence on the lot where Dr. Rogers now lives. He served as postmaster in 1824. In 1830 he erected the Fisher Block, afterward enlarged and rebuilt, on the southwest corner of Main and Limestone Streets, and now owned by his grandson, C. W. Fisher. He died in 1836 in his sixtv-fifth vear.

Oliver Armstrong was born in Bennington, Vt., in 1783 and came to Clark County in ISl-i. He was prominent in city and county affairs for a number of years. Mrs. George Frankenberg, who is still residing in this city, is his daughter. She is now past eighty-three years of age. His son Cyrus was for twenty years treasurer of the county.

Other early settlers here were Granny Icenberger, Joel Walker, Marifield Victory, James Wallace, Dr. Needham, Elijah Beardsley and Major Christy. Sketches of Generals Mason and Anthony will be found in the article entitled "Bench and Bar" contained herein, and the lives of early physicians in the article treating on that profession. The roster of public officials of the county will likewise show the names of many who were prominent in city affairs during the early period, and so may be found in the history of the churches of the city more or less information about the ministry.

Shortly after Springfield was incorporated as a village (by act of Legislature. January 23, 1827), the first complete census was taken of which we have any record. That enterprising paper, the Western Pioneer, in its issue of September 28, 1828, said: "AVe have for the information of our readers and our own gratification taken the pains to enumerate the population of our village. There are in Springfield 935 souls - 6 blacksmith shops, with 15 hands ; 4 wagon shops, with 13 hands; 4 shoemaker shops, with 9 hands ; 3 tanneries, with 8 hands ; 6 tailor shops, with 18 hands ; 3 saddle shops, with 10 hands; 3 bakeries, with 5 hands; 2 hatter shops, with 6 hands; 3 cabinet shops, with 8 hands; 1 tin shop, with 4 hands; 3 cooper shops, with 10 hands; 2 chair shops, with 5 hands ; 14 stores, with 32 hands; 4 groceries, with 4 hands; 1 paper mill, with 20 hands; 1 gun shop, with 3 hands."

In addition the census showed 3 brickyai'ds, 27 carpenters, 1 clockmaker, 3 tvutcheries, 2 distilleries, 4 attorneys, 5 physicians, 2 sign and 1 portrait painter, and 1 extensive flonr mill. Incidentally they mention 4 schools, a courthouse, brick jail, 3 churches, six print shops and "a post office at which 24 mails are received weekly in elegant four-horse coaches."

In 1832 the village had a population of 1,250. There were 180 dwelling houses, courthouse, clerk's office, jail, 4 churches, one paper mill, one grist mill and one carding and fulling mill, one brewery and one distillery, 16 dry goods stores, one l)ook store, five groceries, 3 taverns, one printing office, by which was issued a weekly paper. There were five lawyers and six physicians. During the past 12 months (up to that date) there have been -erected 51 buildings, three of which were brick, twenty-one one story in height, 16 two-story and one three-stor3^ About this time quite an impetus was given to the growth of the town by the construction of the National Road. When this road was built it was necessary to bridge Mill Run on Main Street and thus again Main Street had the advantage over Columbia in the facilities for intercourse between the different parts of the town, and the business element became permanently fixed on this street.

This form of government was continued until 1850, when by an act of the legislature, Springfield became a city of the second class. Within this period the village had a steady growth, and when it became a city its population was 5,109. During its village days not much evidence was given of its future greatness as a manufacturing center. True, a number of mills of various kinds had been erected upon Mill Run and Buck Creek. Wittenberg College had been founded in 1845.

Jeremiah Warder had purchased the village of Lagonda in 1830. David West had began the manufacture of buggies in 1837; William Whiteley the making of plows in 1840. James Letfel began the foundry business in 1840 and James DriscoU the carriage business in 1847. The Pitts Threshing Machine was manufactured here as early as 1842. These were practically all the manufacturing industries, except mills, etc. (See mills.)

Perhaps more is due to James Ijeifel in this period than to any other one person. He built his foundry west of the city, near Buck Creek, in 1840. The Barnett Flouring Mills were commenced in 1841, large- Iv through the instrumentality of Mr. Leffel.

A woolen mill was likewise started during this period, which afterwards l)ecame the 'property of Mr. Charles Rabbitts. Within this period, in 1840, the town was visited by quite a fire, which consumed the entire business block from Fisher's west to \\v? Kizev Allev, and also the

While the National Road was opened in the year 1832 as a thoroughfare, it was of its greatest importance during the village days of Springfield, as by the building of this road Springfield became a point of importance on a great thoroughfare.

In 1850 Springfield had a population of 5,109, showing a substantial increase over previous j^ears. On the 21st of March, by a special act of the legislature and upon a vote in favor of the same taken in the village, Springfield became a city.

The first mayor was James J. Hunt, and the councilmen were Alexander Ramsey, John G. Filler, C. D. McMarshall and Martin Carey. The following is given as a summary of the condition at this time:

At this time the city contained twelve churches, one female seminary, one reading room and three large halls for exhibitions, lectures, etc.; eleven physicians and sixteen lawyers, two banking institutions, seven hotels, seventeen mercantile and three book stores, three drug stores, five iron and hardware stores, forty-three groceries, three bakeries, two dental offices, one daguerrean room, ten boot and shoe stores and shops, nine tailor shops, five saddle and harness shops, four stove and tin shops, three cabinet warerooms, four hat stores, three jeweler's stores, six wagon and carriage shops, several blacksmith and cooper shops and several warehouses, four extensive founderies, one oil, one paper, two saw, one planing and three fiouring mills, two book binderies, three printing offices and one publication office for a paper printed in Urbana, Ohio.

Under the constitution of 1852 the legislature proceeded to classify the cities of the state, which work was carried to such an extreme that many of the cities were finally in classes by themselves and Springfield became a city alone in its class. This permitted the enactment of legislation applicable to it only and not atfeeting any other cities in the state. This whole scheme of classification was declared in 1902 to be unconstitutional, and the new municipal code was adopted in Ohio. Previous to this present code and while Springfield was in a class by itself, legislation such as was desired by its citizens was frequently obtained. For a long time perhaps until the latter part of the eighties, the members of the council, as divided into committees, looked after various street affairs, and it became the common saying that when a person desired to go to council it was for the purpose of fixing up the streets in his vicinity. Owing to the city's growth, and perhaps to take away from councilmen tlie temptation to favor their own vicinities, boards of pulic affairs were created, and therewith Springfield chose to have a law enacted that these boards should be of a nonpartisan character, that is, composed of an equal number of members from each of the dominant parties.

Health. iliere is a health omcer appoint- and John M. Good was again a candidate and was suced by the Board of Health, as well as a ^"'*'"'- ^"-''''''"°^' ^''- dairy inspector. The members of the Soiicitoes

In 1862 the office of city treasurer was battalion svstem is operated in connecabolished and since then the county treas- lioi^ ^^^^ the department. The policemen

The earliest officials to look after the this act of genei'osity because he felt that police welfare of Springfield were con- the time had come when the city should stables of the township. First of these have a patrol wagon. He not only furwere Hiram Goble and Israel Bayless. nished the building, but also bought the president, William Sharon (William Trautwein, elected) ; executive member, Samuel J. Lafferty (Patrick Cafferty, elected) ; clerk, Frank A. Crothers.

For some time prior to 1881 there was a good deal of discussion as to the supply of water for the city. Finally, in the year previous, proper legislation was obtained and bonds were issued by the city for the amount of $400,000. A board of water works trustees, consisting of George H, Frey, J. H. Thomas and Oliver S. Kelly, were elected. Under the supervision of this board the old water works and pumping house was established. This is located immediately east of the Sandusky branch of the Big Four Railway and consists of a tract of 63.71 acres, purchased from Ross Mitchell, including in this the ground upon which the stand pipe was erected on East Main Street. The entire cost of ground was s!^20,400. The engine and boilers cost

After this old plant had continued in operation some ten years it was discovered that the water supply was not adequate to the demands of the city. The supply of water was obtained from the gravel bottom at or beneath the surface of Buck Creek. It was also found that the water taken here seriously affected the water rights of the mill owners below. It was then detennined that a new supply must be procured, and the present grounds, consisting of 67 acres all told, were purchased at a cost of $10,290. The cost of engine No. 1 was $31,000, engine No. 2 $39,000 and the crane used there $2,380; boilers, $9,736.00; building, $18,213.96. This new pump house was put in operation July 11, 1895, and the daily average of water pumped in 1906 was 3,948,341 gallons. The capacities of the present pumps in gallons are as follows: Gaskill engine, 5,000,000; Reynolds engine, 7,000,000, and William Todd engine, 10,000,000.

During the past year the total expenditures were $76,721.32 and the receipts for the past nine months were $62,503.90. A change in the time for the collection of rents having been made, only the record of receipts for the last nine months was obtained. The present bonded indebtedness is $355,000. Until the adoption of the new municipal code the Water Works Department was controlled by a board of trustees. Since the adoption of the new code (1902) the deijartmeut is in the control of the Board of Public Affairs.

Fire Department

A tire in the Barnett Mills in 1863 or '64, which was more destructive than it might have been had there been a proper handling of the fire department, suggested to the city that it was time to have a paid fire department.

Prior to that date the various "engines," as they were then called, were in charge of companies which were formed voluntarily. In those early days, when there was a fire, it was the duty of every citizen to lend a helping hand, to catch hold of the rope as the apparatus went through the street and to assist in dragging it to the fire; also when that was reached, to lend his aid with might and main in the "pumping department," or otherwise, as might be most desirable. The first fire company on record, the "Utility," was organized in 1837.. Prior to this time fires were extinguished by a bucket brigade. About the time that the village was incorporated each citizen was required to provide one or two or more leather buckets, according to the amoimt or value of his property, and these were kept in an accessible place so that they might be easily gotten at if there was a fire. This "Utility" company was disbanded in 1853 and the greater part of its members afterwards joined the "Neptune Company." In 1838, prior to this company's disorganization, there was another fire company organized, which had the title of the "Independent Fire Company." This also was disbanded in 1853 and most of its members went over to the ' ' Rover Company. ' ' The ' ' Neptune ' ' and the "Rover Company" were rivals for public favor. The original "Rover Company" was organized in 1854. The building that they then occupied was situated on West Main Street, about where the Marshfield Steele property is now located, immediately west of the new Sun Opera House. The "Neptunes" were organized a short time aTier the "Rovers" and the rivalry between these two companies was carried to such an extent that neither one would attend a fire when the other had preceded it.

This resulted finally in the "Rovers" giving up their old organization and forming a new one, which was in fact an independent company, accepting and asking no favors from the city. It enrolled in its membership some of the very first and best of Springfield's citizens and the rivalry between the "Rovers" and the other companies which were acting imder city authority was continued with a good deal of intensity on both sides. Sometimes it was friendly and at other times hardly so. Before the reorganization of the "Rover Company" the "Neptunes" had the central part of the city for its territory and the "Rovers" the western part. This led to the organization of the "Union Company" in 1856. This com- pauy had for its particular territory the eastern part of the city. This company was sometimes nicknamed the "Dutch Company," mainly from the fact that Daniel Huben and George Seibert, Germans, were the i^rincipal organizers. The "Neptime Company" was organized in 1856, with Jerry Klinefelter as president. The "Union Company" had for its engine-house the building that was afterwards for many years used as the city jail or station-house, south of the post office on Spring Street. The ' ' Neptunes ' ' had for their building a structure that was demolished to make way for the Arcade, and was situated on High Street, immediately west of the Wren Department Store. When the "Rovers" became an independent company they abandoned their old engine-house on West Main Street, and a new company was formed and they bore the name of the "Silver Grays"; they received this name no doubt from the fact that most of their members were somewhat advanced in years, old Mr. Tegarden being a leading person in its organization. Dr. H. H. Seys was its president and captain. James C. Walker, present sergeant-at-arms of council, was a inember of this company, as was also Captain William E. Moore. All of these companies, with the exception of the "Rovers," disbanded about the time that the paid fire department was established. The "Rovers" continued their organization until about fifteen years ago. The last fire they attended was in 1873, when the Fei'rell, Ludlow & Rogers Manufactory on South Limestone Street was afire. When they disbanded they presented a $25 gold piece to each of their members. Perhaps no company was ever organized in the city of Springfield in which its members took a greater pride than the "Rovers" Fire Company. To mention this company to any of its comparatively few survivors is to instantly get an expression of enthusiastic admiration as to what it did, and to hear it emphatically asserted that those were "great old times." It was their aim to throw water eight feet higher than the steeple on the First Presbyterian Church, and they speak with pride of a run that they made to a place in the country five miles west of Springfield, where they saved a man's house, and of the elegant entertainment they had on their way back at the residence of Colonel Peter Sintz. A group picture of the members of this company is hanging in the rooms of the Historical Society of this coimty.

In 1866 the paid fire department was organized, an ordinance having been jiassed in 1864 authorizing bonds to the amount of $12,000 to be issued to pay for a steam fire-engine. In honor of the councilman who introduced this measure, the first fire-engine was called "Jacob Myers." The old engine-house formerly occupied by the "Neptunes" was for a time used by the new department. In 1876 the engine-house now known as the Central was established on South Market Street at a cost of $18,000.

About the same time property was purchased where the Western is now situated and converted into an engine-house. Thus matters continued until the city water works were established and then it was thought that the water pressure from the pumping-house would be sufficient for all fires. However, it was plainly demonstrated , when the Krell French Piano Works were destroyed by fire in 1902 (this was the north wing of the Great East Street Shops), that this could not be relied on. An agitation was then begun for the purchase of engines, and the city again became the possessor of several steam-engines, and now possesses what might be considered a very wellmanaged and adequate fire department. When the department was first organized the first president of the old "Rovers" was chosen as its head. A. R. Ludlow served for several years, or until 1871, when R. Q. King was elected, the latter serving until 1880. J. C. Holloway succeeded him, and in 1882 he was succeeded by William E. Moore, Jr., who served until December, 1884; E. W. Simpson served from that date until 1895, and George Follrath from 1895-1905, when the present incumbent, Samuel F. Hunter, succeeded to that position.

Central Steam Fire Company No. 1 - Engine-house west side of South Fountain Avenue, between Jefferson and Washington; H. M. Rankin, captain.

Public Buildings, Etc

It was a long wooden structure with two rows of stalls, side tables and a pavement between. According to the ordinance this building was located on West Street and South Street, South Street being the present Main Street.

This structure served for a market house until the building of the old City Hall, which formerly stood on the esplanade immediately west of what is now the Arcade Building, fronting on High Street. It was built in 1848. The lower part of the building was arranged for market purposes, having stalls in the center and along the sides. On the upper floor there was a hall used for town meetings, public conventions and similar gatherings. This building, including the bell, cost, $7,800.

A great many meetings of various kinds were held in this building from the time of its erection in 1848 until its demolishment in 1888. West of it there was a pavement extending to the railroad. Market wagons were backed up to this pavement on both sides. If the walls of this old building could have spoken, stories of many interesting events occurring in the history of the city might have been told. County conventions were often held here, and the fights, quarrels and enthusiasm attending such meetings were frequently seen here. Here some of the most distinguished public speakers in the country poured forth their eloquence. It is interesting to know that in the same year in which this hall was erected a town clock was placed upon the spire of the First Presbj'terian Church. Excellent photographs of this old building are in existence.

The present city building, one of the finest in the state of Ohio, was begun in 1888 and finished in 1890. It extends from Fountain Square to Center Street. ]n architecture it is not to be surpassed anywhere, and to a native son of Spi-ingfield, Charles Creager, now deceased, is due the credit for its design. It cost .1^250,000. Though it has been in use now for almost twenty years, it shows few signs of age or wear and bids fair to reflect honor and credit on the city of Spring-field for a century to come. The building is one of the largest and handsomest in the county used for city purposes, extending from square to square, fifty feet in width. The entire first floor is used for grocery and market purposes. In the west end are the police headquartei's and Police Court. Next to these is the City Hall. In the east end are the other city offices - those of auditor, solicitor, mayor, the water works. Board of Public Service, clerk, engineer, health officer, sanitary marshal, dairy inspector, etc. Next to these is the council chamber. Over these is the Armory Hall.

The old building situated south of the post office building on Spring Street, wliich served as a city jail for forty years, was originally erected as a fire-engine house and for the special use of the old Union Fire Company. This building for a long time had been a discredit to the city of Springfield, even for the purpose of a jail or station house. Time and again the citizens of Springfield demand- ed that a new oue be erected. lu 1900 the people voted that the sum of $20,000 should be expended for a new station house or city jail. There was considerable controversy as to where it should be located, and it was some three or four years before those in authority commenced to act, even after they had been instructed to that purpose by the people. Finally, in 1904, the present building located on North Fountain Avenue, near the creek, was completed at a cost of $31,000.

Various societies and associations were formed in Springfield at different times for the purpose of affording library facilities to its citizens. Not until 1872, however, did the movement for a public library reach its culmination. In that year the present Spring-field Public Library was placed on a secure basis. The present building was erected in 1889. In 1877 the library was located in the Union Hall building and remained there until it was moved to the present commodious building located on the southwest corner of High and Spring Streets. This beautiful building and its grounds were donated by Benjamin F. Warder, formerly a public spirited citizen of this city, latterly of Washington, and recently deceased. For many years he was connected in many public enterprises of Springfield, particularly the shops located at Lagonda. This building and the lot upon which it stands reached an expenditure of $125,000. There are more than 23.000 volumes in the library collection. The library is managed by a board of trustees. The present board is composed of Samuel F. McGrew, James Johnson, Jr., E. L. Buchwalter, Patrick O'Brien, William H. Weir and John L. Zimmerujan. Governor Bushnell, Oscar T. Martin, W. S. Thomas, W. B. Rodgers and others have served in the past in that capacity. For a long time Robert Woodward was librarian. He was succeeded upon his death in 1896 by Miss Alice Burroughs, who at present occupies that position. This new library building was dedicated and the deed delivered to the city in 1890, the address for the occasion having been delivex'ed l>y Samuel Shellabarger, formerly a Congressman from this district and then a distinguished lawyer, residing at Washington, practicing principally before the Supreme Court. It was the last public address that he made to the citizens of Springfield.

For some time it was apparent to those who were conversant with the growing needs of the city that a hospital had become a most necessary institution. Ross i\Iitchell, a time-honored citizen, having become possessed of the property formerly used by Chandler Robbins as a private school on East Main Street, proposed, with the late John H. Thomas, deceased, who agreed to furnish a sum of money sufficient to put the premises in proper condition for hospital purposes, to donate the same to the city. This was done in 1887. The generosity of these citizens in this matter was much appreciated by the citizens of Springfield generally. The need of an institution of that kind for the sick poor was felt also by the late John Snj'der, one of the donors of the pai'k.

and in his last will in 1896 he provided Aiat the sum of $100,000 should be set aside, the income thereof to be used for this special purpose. The growth of the city, however, was such that the buildings previously provided for this purpose by Messrs. Thomas and Mitchell had become inadequate. It was therefore decided, on a vote being taken for that purpose, that new grounds should be acquired and a modern hospital erected. For a number of years the old Sharpe Homestead, situated on the northwest corner of Clifton Street and East Street, had ceased to be used as a homestead. It presented a most desirable location for an institution of this kind. Its elevation was such that the ordinary noises incident to city life could not reach a building placed upon its summit. Fortunate indeed were the trustees when they were able to procure this most desirable site for a hospital. In 1905 the present building was completed at a cost of $150,000, and the succeeding year saw the erection of a building located on or near York Street for the use of nurses. It is under the supervision of a board of trustees, the present members of which are J. S. Crowell, H. S. Bradley and J. E. Myers. The Rev. Dr. Alex McCabe was active as a member of the board during the erection and the first years of the new building. James E. Adams, the veteran restauranteur, was the first superintendent in the new building, George Notts occupying that position at the present time.

from Cincinnati, through Lebanon, Xenia, Springfield and Urbana, thence to Piqua, thence down the Miami to Dayton, Franklin, Hamilton and Cincinnati. Mail was delivered over this route once a week, and the daily delivery was first established in 1828. Previous to this latter date the mail was carried on horseback in saddlebags. After this and until 1849 the mails were carried by a four-horse mail-coach. The particular advantage that this coach had was the right of way over all others, making it popular with passengers, but ujipopular with the drivers of the other coaches. After 1849 the railroad carried the mail.

The location of the post office was successively in various parts of the city until the present government building was erected. During the period before the establishment of carriers, when everyone went to the ])ost office to get his mail, it was quite an advantage to a particular locality to have the post office there, and it was often a matter of very great controversy between the different localities as to the location of the office, the rivalry going so far some times as to control the appointment of the postmaster. We are not able at this date to mention all of the localities in which the office was located at various times. At the present time, when people receive practically all their mail by carriers, the location of the office is not a matter of very great importance to the business community. However, there was considerable rivalry between different localities in the selection of a site for the permanent post office. This building was secured through the efforts of General Keifer before his retirement as member of Congress in 1884. It was.

however, not- completed until 1890, being used first in September of that year. Its erection and equipment cost $150,000. When the building was dedicated the gross receipts had never exceeded $74,000.

It was inadequate to care for the growing business and in September, 1898, an auxiliary station was established in the liublishing plant of the Crowell Publishing Company.

In the following year a rearrangement of the interior was made, appropriating space from the lobby so as to enlarge the workroom. Urgent effort has since been made to secure an appropriation for an annex to the building. This was secured by a bill passed in 1906, introduced by General Keifer, who was again a member of Congress, appropriating $30,000. In October following a sti'ip of seventeen feet adjoining the government site on the north wing, purchased October 16, 1907. Bids will be opened at the Treasury Department for an extension of, the building by a structure 28x84 feet, providing enlarged accommodations.

At the time of the removal of the office to the United States Post Office Building, September 1, 1890, the force of clerks was eighteen and of carriers eighteen, and so remained until 1899, since which time the force has grown to thirty-three clerks and thirty carriers.

Eleven rural routes add to the patronage of the office a population of more than 6,000. The first rural route was established July 5, 1899, two were added in 1900, four in 1901 and four in 1903.

Springfield has had eighteen postmasters. The first was Robert Renick, who was commissioned November 9, 1804. It is not know where the office was located during his administration, which seems to have extended for the period of twenty years.

On April 1, 1824, Maddox Fisher was ajJioointed postmaster. During his incumbency the office was kept at liis private residence, which was located where Dr. Rogers now resides on North Limestone Street.

William Worden was commissioned July 27, 1839. He was the owner of the famous Worden Hotel, which was located where the Henry Block is now, and he kept his office in a room at the west side of the building.

On June 9, 1841, John A. Craiu became postmaster and he moved the office into a building belonging to the Bacons, located on the south side of East Main Street, about midway between Spring and the first alley to the west, and where August Stelzer's cigar store is now.

Dr. Isaac Hendershott became postmaster May 29, 1850. He removed the office to the east side of South Limestone Street, the second door north of the Second Presbyterian Church, where now is located Willis ' plumbing store.

In April, 1853, Cyrus D. McLaughlin became postmaster again, and after a time the office was removed to the Odd Fellows Building on the west side of Fountain Avenue, where Henry Oldham 's present store is located.

On April 8, 1861, Robert Rodgers was commissioned postmaster, and he removed the office to the old King Building, located on the southeast corner of Main and Limestone Streets, where the Gotwald Building is now situated.

James Johnson, Sr., was commissioned postmaster October 26, 1866, but was not confirmed by the United States Senate, and he was succeeded by Ellen Sanderson, on March 11, 1867. After she was postmistress, the office was removed to the corner room of the then Lagonda House, situated where the Bookwalter Hotel is now located; afterwards to the corner room in the Black Opera House building on the northwest corner of Fountain Avenue and Main Street.

John A. Shipman became postmaster January 29, 1877, and for a time he continued the office in the Opera House Building and afterwards removed it to the Arcade Building, corner of High and Fountain Avenue, in the room that is now occupied by "The When" clothing store.

Perley M. Cartmell was commissioned February 25, 1890, and it was during his administration that the post office was finally moved to a home of its own in the United States Building on the northwest corner of Spring and High Streets.

For a long time there had been a strong desire growing, among those interested in the welfare of Springfield, for a park, but the question was, how were we to get itf John and David L. Snyder, residing west of the City of Springfield for more than a half century, had acquired the lands through which flowed the streams of Mad River and Buck Creek in close proximity to the city. They were noted as men of extraordinary business capacity, apparently little interested in public matters, attending principally to their own affairs and accumulating a great fortune. The thought never entered the minds of those who knew nothing of their affairs that these brothers would make such a magnificent gift to the city of Springfield, and so when it was announced in 1895 that they proposed to donate to the city the magnificent grounds now occupied by a park, coutaiuing 217 acres of land to be used for park purposes, a genuine surprise was felt. The only condition attached was that the city should expend the sum of $20,000 to put the land into condition for park purposes. This was done before 1897 to the satisfaction of the donors.

During the lifetime of the Snyders, and in memory of their deceased brother William, they erected the iron bridge connecting the dili'erent parts of the park and located not far from the pavilion, and when D. L. Snyder, the last of these brothers, passed away in 1898, it was found that by his will he had endowed this park with the sum of $200,000.

Thereafter the citizens of Springfield, largelj' through the instrumentality of the late Gov. Bushnell, erected to the memory of the donors of this magnificent playground the stately arch that spans its main entrance - there to remain as a reminder of the public spirit of these deceased brothers. It is governed by a board, the membership of which at this time consists of David F. Snyder, Paul A. Staley, Frank McGregor, and T. D. Wallace. John Foos and William H. Blee were for a long time members of this board.

In 1890 Oliver Kelly donated to the city the fountain upon Fountain Square, at a cost of $8,000. This worthy donation has added very much to the attractiveness of the city. The fountain on Center Street between Main and High, used principally for watering horses, was erected through the generosity of Mrs. John L. Zimmerman.

Hotels, or taverns as they were called in early times, while not sustained or controlled by the mimicipality, have yet, owing to the nature of their business, something of the character of public buildings.

In earlier times these buildings did not assume the immense proportions which they have generally at the present day. Sometimes they were of a few rooms only, but as such they were eagerly sought for by the traveler who made his journey from place to place on horseback or by stage coach. Necessarily his journey was slow and frequent stopping places were needed.

Griffith Foos has the honor of establishing the first public house or tavern in the city of Springfield. This hotel was opened in 1801 and continued until 1814. It was a double log house located on the south side of Main Street, a little west of Spring.

In 1803 Archibald Lowry erected a large two-story hewn log house, which was probably located on or near Primrose Alley, about half way between Main and High Streets. Archibald Lowry was a brother of David Lowry and the father of James Lowry, who afterward platted an addition to the city. How long this building was occupied as a hotel I am not aware.

In August, 1803, the Court of Common Pleas, then held in Xenia, gi-anted licenses to Archibald Lowry and Griffith Foos to keep a tavern in Springfield on payment of $8.00 for each license.

Cooper Ludlow kept a public inn on the corner of Main and Factory streets. This was probably the third hotel in the city and the first in ' ' Old Virginia. ' ' This was in 1812.

In 1815 William Eoss erected a twostory brick house on the southeast comer of Main Street and Fountaia Avenue, which was for some time used as a tavern and went by the name of Eoss Tavern. It was afterwards occupied by Mr. Werden before the building of his hotel.

About the time that Clark County was created, John Hunt was the owner of a hotel on Main Street. Its exact location is not known at this time. He may have occupied the old Lowry hotel or, possibly, the Eoss Hotel. It was at this place that the first Court of Clark County was held.

At the time that the county was created, in 1818, James MacElroy kept a boardinghouse and hotel on the northeast corner of Main Street and Fountain Avenue. This was a log house.

The most noted tavern that Springfield had in early days was that known as Werden's tavern. William Werden came to Springfield in 1819 from Delaware, Ohio. He first occupied the MacElroy Tavern. Afterwards he occupied the Eoss Tavern, and in 1820 he bought property on the northwest corner of Main and Spring Streets, but did not occupy it until 1829, when he built his large hotel. This was known as a public hostelry all over the country; it was a general stopping place for stage coaches and was at that date considered one of the best hotels in the country. The sign of this old hotel was that of a stage coach with horses under full speed, suspended on a tall post at the upper edge of the sidewalk. In Beers' History it is said that the room used for his office and bar was not more than 20 feet square and his whole house with all its rooms was not larger than one now required for a large family. It maintained its position as the first hotel of the place until the Buckeye came. He built another house on Spring Street, which was called the "Judson House." This was particularly intended for the use of the drivers of stage coaches. Daniel Aiken ran the hotel after W^erden.

Also at the time that the county was The Buckeye House was built in 1830 created, James Norton kept a tavern in by Pearson Spinning and was located on a small one-story brick house on the lot the northwest corner of Main and Limeoccupied by the old Teegarden residence, stone Streets. Mr. Spinning himself con- times and Mr. Williss being ' a strong Democrat, his refusing on one occasion to give a meal to some Union soldiers, came near causing a riot. This Was formerly called the National Hotel.

What has been known for a number of years as the old Spangenberger House on East Main Street, was erected some time after the National Road was built. For a number of years it was known as the Hagenbach Hotel, and for a long time was the headquarters of the German element of the town. It was quite a hotel in its time, and is still used as a boardinghouse.

In 1854, on the northeast corner of Main and Limestone Streets, Peter Murray erected a hotel which is now called the Cherry House. It was afterwards remodeled a number of times before it assumed its present condition. Mr. Murray went into bankruptcy and the hotel was afterwards conducted by various persons. In 1865 it was purchased by Jacob Seitz for the sum of $25,000 and it has remained in the Seitz family ever since. During its period as a hostelry it has had various names, such as "Murray House," "Williss House," "Knaub," "St. James," and the "Cherry House." This house has seventy-two rooms for guests.

Mr. Williss also at one time ran a hotel in a building which formerly stood where the Bushnell Building now stands. This hotel was in full operation during war

The time of the opening of these hotels is not now known. They were located on West Main Street, about midway between Factory and Center, the American on the north side of the street and the Western on the south side. In stage-coach days, the American especially, which had a large yard in its rear, did a great deal of business. Their use as hotels was discontinued about 1885. The building formerly occupied by the American Hotel is now used as a harness shop and pump store.

As Springfield began to assume urban importance, it was felt that the hotels which it then had were scarcely adequate to a place of its pretentions; so in 1868 a number of enterprising citizens organized the Champion City Hotel Company.

The old Mason property, formerly occupied as a private residence by General Mason, was purchased for $20,000 and the building which was known as the Lagonda Hotel was erected. For its day it was considered a very good hotel, costing $130,000 and having 140 rooms. As a business venture it was never a success, and finally the stock was i)ractically all acquired by John W. Bookwalter. It was opened as a hotel in 1869 with L. W. Cook and Son as landlords. It was continued as a hostelry until it was destroyed bv fire in 1895.

After the Lagonda House was burned, Mr. Bookwalter erected the present house and gave it the name of the "Bookwalter Hotel. ' ' Mr. Bookwalter was somewhat slow in erecting this building and its vicissitudes as a hotel have been somewhat various. It is now run on the European plan, Mr. E. M. Baker conducting the cafe in what was intended to be the .lobby of the hotel. This hotel has 120 guest-rooms.

When the old manufacturing companjof Whiteley, Fassler and Kelty was disbanded and Mr. Whiteley built East Street Shops, Oliver Kelly became the owner of the site of the old shops, which site is now that of the west part of the Arcade. He acquired by purchase the remainder of the property extending to the alley and began the building of the Arcade in 1883. Shortly thereafter the hotel part was opened", with E. L. Munger as landlord, and it has continued to be the leading liotel of the town ever since. It was struck by lightning in 1888 and in 1896 had a very damaging tire. H. L. Rockfield is the present manager of the hotel. There are 115 guest-rooms.

The Palace Hotel, situated on the southwest comer of Fountain Avenue and Washington Street, was built in the same year, 1885, as the Arcade, by Robert Flack, Sr. ; it is now owned by Robert Flack, Jr.

Opera House

Halls for entertainment are generally indicative of the size and progressiveness of the place in which they are located, and when Springfield began to assume the airs of a city and to enjoy the prosperity which was coming to it from its various industries, a play house, or building for public entertainments, conventions, and other occasions of that kind, became a pressing necessity.

Up until 1869 the old hall in the Market House was the only place in the city where concerts or any kind of entertainments or conventions could be held. Andrew C. Black had been a merchant in Springtield for twenty years previous, he having come here in 1847. In 1868 he began the erection of an Opera House on the northwest corner of Main Street and Fountain Avenue. This building was finished in 1869 at a cost of about $100,000. It had a seating capacity for about 1,000 people. It was located on the second floor, the first floor being occupied by store buildings, Mr. Black for many years having a dry goods store on the. corner. Afterwards the post office was located there, it being succeeded by M. M. Kaufman's clothing store. In the next room Samuel J. Lafferty had a queensware store, and the room west of that was occupied at the time of the fire by Mitchell Bros.' plumbing establishment.

building. However, some time before it was torn down it had become rather secr ond class in the character of its entertainments, the "Grand" having succeeded in monoiJolizing those of the first class. The peojDle were somewhat averse to climbing the stairs, and the ' ' Grand, ' ' being on the ground floor, had the advantage.

Some time prior to its final destruction it was purchased by Eoss Mitchell and in February, 1903, a disastrous fire broke out, presumably in the clothing store of M. M. Kaufman that quickly destroyed this building and the rear part of the Y. M. C. A. Building immediately north of it. Some buildings standing west of it were also destroyed and Mr. Mulholland, who had conducted a jewelry store in this city for a half century, was caught in the debris of his store and lost his life.

The ground laid idle for several years subsequently, when it was purchased by N. H. Fairbanks and his associates and the Fairbanks' Building erected thereon.

In 1881 the Grand Opera House, located on the west side of Limestone Street, a short distance north of the Big Four Railway, was comjileted. It is located on the ground floor and from that time until the erection of the Fairbanks Theatre it occupied a commanding position in the theatre line pf this city. It has a seating capacity of about 1,200 and is still considered a very good theatre. It occupied a part of the site of the old Leffel AVater Wheel Works, which are now situated south of Lagonda Avenue, along the Big Four Railway. It was erected by John W. Bookwaiter, and he took consideralile pride in seeing that its construction was fully up to the times. It has a very large stage and has recently been remodeled so that almost any of the theatrical companies can use it. For a number of years it has been operated by Mr. Lamar Dalie.

The Fairbanks Theatre was erected in 1906 and was opened on Thanksgiving Day of that year with "Ben Hur." It is located immediately south of the Y. M. C. A. Building. It is surrounded by the Fairbanks Building proper and is partly upon the ground formerly occupied by Black's Opera House. This theatre is thoroughly modern and will seat from 1,500 to 1,600 persons.

At this writing an opera house is being erected on the northwest corner of Center and Main Streets, called the "New Sun." It promises to be a play house of very creditable arrangements, not quite so large in capacity as the Fairbanks, and will likely be used for entertainments of a class that would not use the Fairbanks or the Grand.

To erect this building there was demolished what was known as the old Wigwam. This Wigwam was erected there about 1884. The ground was then owned by Benjamin H. Warder and a number of enterprising citizens erected the building, which was intended for campaign purposes. After the erection of the City Hall a building for the campaign meetings was not so badly needed. The Wigwam was converted into a liverv stable and latterlv

And Bepbesentative Citizens

This is a vaudeville theatre and one of the best in the state. It has a seating capacity of 750 and cost $35,000. It was opened December 1, 1907.

Office And Store Buildings

In viewing Springfield as it exists today with respect to its office and store buildings, it will be noted with surprise how many of them have been erected within the last twenty-five or thirty years; few indeed along in the business part of the town would antedate that period.

The Kizer Building, along Primrose Alley on the south side of Main Street, was erected in 1853 and was counted as one of the good buildings of its time. On the second floor some of our most noted lawyers had their offices. George Spence was in this building from its erection until his death. General Keifer, Judge Hagan, Milton Cole, W. H. Dugdale, George Arthur, Patrick Higgius, A. H. Gillett, W. M. Rockel and other attorneys were at various times in this building.

On the southwest corner of Main and Limestone Streets was the Old King Building, erected a good many years before the Kizer Building. In the lower part the postoffice was located from '61 to '67. In early days it was known as the Lyon property. David King, Sr., kept store here in 1842. In the second floor Samuel Shellabarger was at one time located and there also was T. J. Pringle, William M. Hunt, the Cochrans, David and A. P. Linn, Judge William White, C. F. Yakey, A. T. Byers, Frank Eightmeyer and other lawyers. This building was demolished when the Gotwald Building was erected in 1892. Before its demolishment the lower floor was occupied by a hardware store conducted by Phil AViseman, J. S. Kitchen and others.

The L^nion Hall Building was begun June 27, 1850, and in 1874 it was very much improved, assuming its present appearance. In 1905 and '06 a wing was continued back to the alley. The Odd Fellows have occupied this building for many years. Until the erection of the new Johnson Building on West Main Street the Masonic bodies met here also. On the second floor for a considerable period was located the public library. The lower rooms are now X)ccupied by, commencing at the north, Routzahn & Wright's shoe store; Pierce & Co., book store; Leo Braun, jeweler, and H. M. Oldham, millinery.

In 1875 there was constructed what was up to that time the most modern building in Springfield, although now quite behind in its modern conveniences, to-wit, the Commercial Building. This building was shortly after its construction the principal office building of the town and at various times S. A. Bowman,

In this building Kiunane & Wren first opened up their dry goods store and ]\Ir. Wren remained there until he moved in the department store on High Street in 1904. M. M. Kaufman occupies the north room below and McCrorej^'s tive and ten cent store the south.

Along about the eighties or a few years thereafter J. W. Rookwalter erected the building on the southwest corner of High and Limestone Streets. This corner was formerly occupied by the Episcopal Church. For a long time J. E. Adam-; had a restaurant in this building.

About the same time the building on the opposite corner now owned by Chandler Robbins was erected by Dr. Buckingham. Before its erection the lot was occupied by Dr. Buckingham's stately old residence. This residence had huge columns in front, taken from southern architecture.

The year 1882 witnessed the erection of the first five-story building in Springfield; this was the Mitchell Block, erected on the northeast corner of High and Limestone Streets. The Baptist Church used to stand on this corner. Graves' cloak house is in the corner room, while next is the Street Railway waiting room and then Toppy Troupe's cigar store. On the second floor are P. J. Higgins, C. E. Ballard and William H. Griffith, attorneys; J. S. Elliott, insurance, and C. R. Converse, dentist.

In 1883 the Arcade was constructed. Perhaps not all of it was finished in that year. It was built in the site of the old Whitely, Fassler and Kelly plant. The corner room was the office and is still in the building. The rooms on High Street are occupied by the When Clothing House: in the corner room are Pursell's tailoring establishment and Long's confectionery. On the Llarket Street space there is Nisley's Arcade shoe store, Altschul liquor house, Buchholtz's drug store, Morey & Hoagland's tobacco store, Corry's barber shop, the I. C. & E. Traction Line office, Miller's music store, Becker's vaeat store and the Pacific Ex- ])]-ess Company. Fronting the Arcade, beginning at the north, are Ehrenhart's millinery. Limbocker's book store, Hofman's jewelry store, the Wells Fargo Express Company and Ramsey's tailoring establishment. Nelson's Business College has for many years occupied the third floor.

About the same time that the Arcade was built Johnson's five-story building on West Main Street was erected opposite the First Presbyterian Church. For some time after its completion the Masonic orders met on the fifth floor. The lower floor is now occupied by Rosensteel & ^\''eber, furniture dealers, and by Krapp's grocery. Previous to the erection of the Johnson Building a disastrous fire burned the buildings that were located on most of the ground.

In 1889 John L. Zimmerman purchased from Martin L. Rice ground on East Main Street, where he afterwards erected the eastern part of the building in which he now has his office. In the lower rooms of the building torn down Mr. Rice conducted a shoe store; on the second floor there had previously been a hotel conducted on the Iluropean plan, a Mr. Johnston having operated the same for a time. The lower floor is occupied by the Springfield Hardware Company. In 1891 Mr. Zimmerman added to this building the room on the west now occupied by the Kredel & Alexander clothing store. In 1895 he purchased property which was formerly occupied by the old saloon called "Number Seven," immediately east of Troupe's drug store, and erected a building there, the lower room of which is now occupied by Oscar Yoimg's shoe store. About the same year he purchased property on Limestone Street, on which formerly for many years was located J. T). Stewart 's grocery, and erected there what is now a continuation of the Gotwald Building. The lower floor is occupied by the Citizens' Bank, the Commercial Club occupying the second floor.

In 1898 he purchased the property on the northeast corner of Main and Limestone Streets. This was on the location of the Old Buckeye Hotel. Afterwards for many years the Baldwins conducted a dry goods store here. Then the property was purchased by a Mr. Jones and remodeled and for some time he conducted a dry goods store and carpet establishment here, afterwards conducted by Myers & Son.

The second floor of this building at one time was devoted to offices. Before it was remodeled Ed. S. Wallace, James Willis, and other attorneys had their offices there. Afterwards George Rawlins and George Arthur occupied the rooms fronting on Main Street. The lower floor is now occupied by T. H. Sullivan dry goods store. The upper rooms are occupied by Chase Stewart, Earle Stewart, W. G. Campbell and Harxy Brenner, attorneys, and others.

In 1892 the Gotwalds erected the building now located on the southeast comer of Main and Limestone Streets, on the site of the old King Building, Mrs. Gotwald having been a King and daughter of the person who erected the former building. This building is occupied, on the corner, by the Spring-field Savings Bank, then the Merchants & Mechanics Building & Loan Association on Limestone Street, and by David Herr, undertaker. In the upper floors are Drs. Smith, Lupfer, and Minnich, dentists, and Dr. Gotwald; John L. Plummer, Frank Krapp, George A. Beard, Ollie Miller, and E. S. Houck; Thomas McCormick and James P. Goodwin being in the adjoining Zimmennan Building.

In the same year, 1892, the Kings erected, the King Building, on the west side of Fountain Avenue. In the old brick building demolished Wm. H. Pretzman conducted a bakery for many years. The lower floors of this building are occupied by F. Desormoux & Co., plumbers, and' "The Famous" millinery store.

In 1893 Governor Bushnell erected the Bushnell Building, which is perhaps the most substantial building that has been erected in Springfield at any time. In 1903 he completed the "Annex" leading over on Fountain Avenue. The lower floor of this building is occupied by the First National Bank and by Kinnane's dry goods store. On the other floors are a number of attorneys, namely: Oscar T. Martin, Paul C. Martin, J. F. McGrew, W. Y. Mahar, James G. Stewart, A. I. Zimmerman, John B. McGrew, James B. Malone, H. W. Stafford, E. L. Arthur, Wm. M. Rockel, Edward J. Lynch, Walter Weaver, Forest Kitchen, George C. Eawlins, Clem Collins, Judge F. M. Hagan, E. 0. Hagan, and H. L. Toulmin, patent attorney.

In 1903 the first department store was erected in Springfield, principally by Robert Johnson. To make way for the new building some old buildings were demolished. In the rear was a large livery stable that for many years was conducted by Benjamin Holloway and son Christy, and afterward by John E. Swords. On High Street, Toppy Troupe for a long time conducted a cigar store. This entire building is now occupied by the Wren Department Store.

In 1906 there was commenced the erection of Springfield's first sky-scraper - the Fairbanks Building. This building is in process of erection at the present time; it will be nine stories high and promises to mark the beginning of a new era in the erection of public buildings in this city. Including the 8th and 9th stories, it will furnish 200 office rooms.

In 1870 Judge E. G. Dial and Columbus Hauk erected the Dial Building, immediately north of the Bookwalter Hotel. Judge Dial's son George now controls the building, having his law office therein. The third floor is devoted to lodge purposes.

Financial Institutions

The last quarter of a century has witnessed quite a growth in our financial institutions. Springfield in its earlier days was not a wealthy town. It was not until the results of the various industries began to be counted in dollars and cents that our financial institutions began to assume the importance that they now possess. At this time perhaps no city in the state can boast of sounder or better managed financial institutions than can Springfield. At no time has there been any action on the part of any of them that would shake the confidence of the iuost critical depositor. They are all conducted with ability and, so far as an observer can say, carefully and honestly.

The first bank of Springfield was organized in 1846 and was incorj)orated as the Mad Eiver Valley Bank of the State of Ohio. This bank was located on the north side of Main Street, the second door east from where its successor is still transacting business. It began with a capital of $100,000. Its first president was Levi Rinehart and its first cashier James Claypool.

This bank was succeeded by the present Mad Eiver National Bank, which was incorporated on Jan. 11, 1865, with a capital of $200,000. The first officers were John Bacon, president, Thomas F. Mc- Grew, cashier, and Samuel F. McGrew, teller. The directors were John Bacon, John W. Baldwin, William Berry, Charles M. Clark, and James S. Goode. The capital was afterwards, on Apx'il 1st, 1878, increased $100,000 and in 1869 the building now occupied by the institution, immediately east of the Bushnell Building, was erected. James S. Goode, John H. Thomas, and Thomas F. McGrew have been presidents. At present, William S. Thomas is president and Samuel F. Mc- Grew is cashier, the directors being James Carson, W. S. Thomas, Frank J. Webb, Ed. N. Lupfer, and S. F. McGrew.

In July, 1851, a state bank was organized under the free banking laws of Ohio, which was called the Springfield Bank. It was located on the east side of Main Street, across the alley immediately north of the Commercial Building. Oliver Clark was president of this bank and William McMeen, cashier. Dr. John Ludlow, William Rodgers, R. D. Harrison and Oliver Clark were directors. It had a cajiital of $75,000, which in 1855 was increased to $150,000. In 1853 Oliver Clark died and Dr. John Ludlow succeeded him as president. In 1856 Mr. McMeen resigned as cashier and the late C. A. Phelps assumed that position. In 1864 the institution was reorganized as a national bank with a capital of $200,000 under the name of the First National Bank, and with the same officers as had been at the head of Springfield bank.

Dr. John Ludlow continued president until his death when he was succeeded by his son-in-law, Asa S. Bushnell. C. A. Phelps remained cashier until ill health compelled him to resign about 1900, when A. R. Cobaugh succeeded him. He remained in that position for a short time when his health gave way and he was succeeded by the present cashier, Geo. W. Winger. Oscar T. Martin is now president, and Richard H. Rodgers, Theodore Troupe, Edward C. Gwyn, John L. Bush-

At its last statement its resources and liabilities were $2,115,669.35; its capital stock paid in $400,000; surplus fund, $225,000; undivided profits $33,628.71 ; national bank notes outstanding $225,000; individual deposits subject to check, $995,- 275.31.

In 1859 William Foos and Gustavus Foos established a private banking house under tlie firm of Foos and Brother in the Fisher Building, at the southwest comer of Main and Limestone Streets. This bank was absorbed when the Second National Bank was organized in December, 1863. William Foos was president of the reorganized bank and G. S. Foos was cashier, the directors being William Foos, G. S. Foos, H. 0. Williamson, H. M. Sheppard, T. R. Norton, John Foos and Charles Babbitts. Foos afterwards retired to a large extent from the management of this bank and Amos Whiteley became president, with J. G. Benallack, cashier. The stockholders in 1898 concluded to go into liquidation, thereupon the Citizens Bank was organized with Edward L. Buchwalter as president and Mr. Benallack as cashier. Mr. Benallack died in 1906 and was succeeded as cashier by Frank E. Hostei-man, the present incumbent. The present directoiy consists of Edward L. Buchwalter, P. E. Montanus, Chas. S. Kay, Edward S. Houck, D. F. Snyder, F. M. Bookwalter. and D. N.

The bank has occuiued its present quarters -in the Zimmerman Building on Limestone Street since its organization. There was a private bank in the Murray House (Cherry) corner conducted by E. D. Harrison, Daniel Hertzler and others, under the name of Hertzler, Harrison & Co., in 1854, which continued for about four years.

In 1870 Frye, McMillen & Co., operated a private bank called the Commercial Bank. This institution was succeeded by the Lagonda National Bank, which was chartered April 15, 1873, with General Keifer as president, Christopher Thomas, vice-president, and D. P. Jeffries, cashier. The directors at that time were General Keifer, John Howell, George Spence, E. T. Weakley. Michael Shaffer, and D. P. Jeffries. The bank commenced business in the building which was then part of the old Republic Building next the alley on the north side of Main Street and now occupied by the Bushnell Building.

In 1881 the corner northeast of Main Street and Fountain Avenue, known as the old Moore corner, was purchased for $10,000 and the present bank building constructed. During the time that General Keifer was in Congress in his first period prior to 1884, John Howell was president, for a time.

In 1906 D. P. Jeffries died, and Frank W. Harford, who had been connected with the bank for many years, succeeded him as cashier. The present directory is composed of General Keifer, C. H. Pierce, Robert Johnson, W. H. Bitner and J. J. Hoppes.

The Springfield National Bank was organized Dec. 29, 1881, with P. P. Mast as president, John Foos, vice-president, and C. A. Harris, cashier; the directorate being John Foos, E. G. Dial, F. W. Foos, Conrad Nagle and P. P. Mast.

This bank was at first located on th? north side of Main Street, second door east of Center, and continued there until (he completion of the Gotwald Building, on the southeast corner of Main and Limestone, when they moved into their present commodious quarters in that building. P. P. Mast continued to be the moving spirit in this bank until his death, when he was succeeded by C. R. Crain, and he was succeeded by Wm. F. Foos, the present incumbent. C. A. Harris was succeeded as cashier by F. S. Penfield and he in turn by "William S. Rabbitts; the present directorate being Wm. F. Foos, Conrad Nagle, W. H. Schaus, George S. Dial and W. S. Rabbitts. The last statement of this bank shows its resources and liabilities to ba $558,922.68 ; capital stock $100,-

This institution was incorporated January 4, 1873, under a special law of Ohio, and began business in a room on the south side of Main Street, the second or third door west of Fountain Avenue. It afterwards moved into a room in the old Republic Building, located where the Bushnell Building now stands, and about 1883 or '84 purchased the ground now occupied by the Springfield Building and Loan Association, and built the building thereon. In the year 1889 this bank purchased the ground on which its present building is located, on E. Main Street, for $20,000, and erected thereon its pi-esent commodious building. It is undoubtedly one of the safest and soundest financial institutions in (Jhio. The law under which it is organized is such that its money can only be loaned on first mortgage and then to the extent of only one-half of the ground value. Its first president was B. H. Warder, John H. Thomas was vice-president, and the trustees were Marshfield Steele, William Thompson, E. W. Mulligan, A. C. Black, William Conklin, Thomas Corcora, and Conrad Nagle.

W. S. Fields was for a long time president, and he was succeeded by the present incumbent, W. S. Wilson, who had been acting for some time previous as cashier. Upon his promotion Edward Harford was made treasurer and cashier. W. H. Blee is at present vice-president. The Board of Trustees are John W. Parsons, Joseph

B. Cartmell, Charles L. Bauer, T. W. Ludlow, Geo. Krapp, Sr., and Frank C. Johnson. The vacancy caused by the death of Amaziah Winger remains unfilled.

Prior to the organization of this company there had been operated building and loan associations in the City of Spring-field on what was called the terminable plan. The plan was not a very satisfactory one, and besides there had been some irregularities in management, that made the establishment of a building and loan association here a matter of considerable difficulty.

The "Springfield" is entitled to be called the "Pioneer" in this city of the modern building and loan associations. It was organized in June, 1884, with a capital stock of $500,000. The first board of directors were P. J. Cole, H. C. Laybourn, Andrew Burnett, D. L. Cornei-, J. M. Winger, C. H. Pierce and William M. Rockel. This board organized by selecting William M. Eockel as pi-esident, Andrew Burnett vice-president, John M. Winger treasurer, and C. M. King secretary and attorney. For some time the growth of tlie association was not very rapid. Mr. King died in 1885 and at the following election William M. Rockel retired from the presidency and C. H. Pierce was elected, John B. Clingerman having been chosen as secretary. Mr. Clingerman served in this capacity until 1888, when Charles Stout was elected secretary and still continues in that position, Mr. Pierce also being president at this time.

The present board of directors are J. C. Kellar, and John T. Ricks, B. F. Prince, Robert Johnson, Theodore Troupe, HaiTy Burleigh and C. H. Pierce. Frank Harford has remained its treasurer since about 1888.

This association commenced doing business first in a back room upstairs over Fried 's Jewelrj' Store. From here it was moved to the rooms upstairs on Fountain Avenue over Leuty's meat store, and from there across the street to a room downstairs, immediately north of the alley, where it remained until 1901, when the old savings bank building was purchased on E. Main Street. The association moved into their own building in April of 1901.

stitution they leased the building vacated by the First National Bank, situated immediately north of the first alley on the west side of Limestone Street, opposite to their present quarters in the Gotwald Building.

The Clark County Building and Savings Society has an office in Room 8, Gotv/ald Building. It was incorporated September 28, 1900, with a capital of $400,000. David F. Snyder is president, J. M. Good, vice-president, F. E. Hosterman, treasurer, and T. J. McCormick secretary and attorney. The office is not opened daily, but only on Thursdays of each week. While not a large institution, it is doingvery well.

The Springfield Co-operative Building Association has its office in Room 3, Gotwald Building., It was incorporated in November, 1904, with a capital stock of !!;25,000. James 1j. Harris is president. Marshal] Jackson, vice-president, S. E. Huffman, secretary, and William Johnson cashier. Meets Tuesday and Saturday evenings.