348 - HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
MOUNT VERNON.
THE PROPRIETORS-NAME- FIRST HOUSE-FIRST TAVERN -
THE BUTLERS-TOWN PLAT-TORNADO-THE FIRST
DOCTOR-COMMISSIONERS FOR SELECTING THE COUNTY
SEAT-THEIR REPORT-THE STRUGGLE FOR THE COUNTY
SEAT-BEN. BUTLER'S "TRICK"-THE RIOT-AN INDEN-
TURE OF APPRENTICESHIP-THE HATTERS JAMES CRAIG -
JOSEPH WALKER-FIGHTING AND OTHER AMUSEMENTS -
ENDEAVORS TO CHANGE THE COUNTY SEAT-WHAT THE
LIVING PIONEERS SAY.
THE original proprietors of Mt. Vernon were Joseph Walker, Thomas B. Patterson, and Benjamin Butler. The town was laid out in 1805. One of the proprietors being from the Potomac, and thinking of the consecrated spot on its shores, suggested that the new laid-out town should bear the name of Washington's family seat-Mt. Vernon.
About 1806, Samuel Kratzer came from Lancaster to the new town site, and bought out the interest of Mr. Patterson.
Captain Walker's house was the first one within the town plat. The next buildings were two little log cabins, built by Ben. Butler, on the corner now owned by Christian Peterman-Gambier and Main streets-northwest corner. In one of these log pens Butler lived and kept tavern until he built his log cabin on the corner, which for many years continued the principal tavern of Mt. Vernon . Butler moved into it in the fall of 1805, and lived in it until 1809. It continued as the war office under successive administrations.
Among the early settlers of this part of Ohio was the Virginia family of Butlers. They were John, Thomas, Benjamin, Joseph, Isaac, and James, and all made their settlements upon Owl creek (Kakousie) and Whitewoman (Walhonding) at first. In 1800 Ben. Butler settled in the neighborhood of Dresden. In 1801 he moved to Lewisville, two miles above Coshocton, and in 1802 settled on Whitewoman, above the mouth of Kill. buck. From this place he moved to Mt. Vernon in April, 1805, where he resided until 1809, when he moved down the creek, where he remained until the time of his death, in June, 1872. Before he moved to Mt. Vernon he had purchased thirty-six acres of land of Joseph Walker, which he (Walker) had purchased of Matthews and Nigh. Matthews executed the deed to Butler. Patterson, Walker, and Butler conceived the plan of laying out a town on their possessions, and accordingly in July, 1805, it was surveyed by Robert Thompson, and recorded in the Fairfield county records.
Benjamin Butler was born in Monongalia county, Virginia. April 18, 1779, and married May 2, 1799, Leah Rogers, of Crab Orchard, Virginia, then in her sixteenth year.
Clinton-one mile and a half north-was laid out in 1804, Mt. Vernon in 1805, and Fredericktown in 1807. Neither of them amounted to much in 1808, but of the three Clinton was the most promising.
The following is the original specifications of the first plat of Mt. Vernon:
The town of Mt. Vernon is situated in the first section of the sixth township and thirteenth range. The town is laid off in blocks or squares, the streets and alleys intersecting at right angles, bears south one-fourth degree east and north one-fourth degree west, and east one-fourth north, and west one-fourth south. The lots are numbered from north to south, and from south to north successively, beginning at the northeast comer. The lots are four rods wide in front and eight rods deep. The streets are four rods wide, except High street which is six rods wide. The alleys are one rod wide each. The public square at the intersection of High and Market streets is twenty-two
rods square, including the said streets at the intersection, and is given, granted and conveyed to the purchasers of the lots and their heirs assigns and successors forever for the purpose of public buildings, etc. The said town of Mt. Vernon is owned and possessed by Thomas B. Patterson, Joseph Walker and Benjamin Butler, in three distinct and separate shares as hereinafter described, viz: Thomas B. Patterson's share or part is all that which lies north of High street; Joseph Walker's share or part is that which lies south of High street and west of Market street;
Benjamin Butler's share or part is that which lies south of High street and east of Market street, all of which shares and divisions are to be held by the said Thomas, Joseph and Benjamin, and their heirs or assigns in severalty forever. The public ground is bounded on the north be lots No. 111 and 130; on the south by lots 110 and 131; on the east by lots 73, 74, 75, and 76; on the west by lots 164, 165, 166. and 167.Given
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY. - 349
under our hands and seals this sixteenth day of July, A. D., 1805.
Signed, sealed and acknowl- THOS. B. PATTERSON, [SEAL]
edged in the presence of us.
ELNATHAN SCOFIELD,
JOSEPH WALKER, [SEAL]
PETER BARRICK.
BENJAMIN BUTLER, [SEAL]
STATE OF OHIO,
FAIRFIELD COUNTY. Personally appeared before me, Elnathan Scofield, one of the justices of the peace in and for the aforesaid county, the above named Thomas B. Patterson, Joseph
Walker and Benjamin Butler, and acknowledged that they signed the above written instrument as their voluntary act and deed for the use and purpose therein mentioned. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this sixteenth day Of July, A. D. 1805. ELNATHAN SCOFIELD, [SEAL].
July 16, 1805.
Received and recorded. H. BOYLE, Recorder.
Soon after the town was laid out, it was visited by a tornado, the effects of which are thus described in Norton's history:
The most extraordinary event of those early times was a terrible tornado in the summer of 1808, which played havoc with the early settlers. It came up suddenly, and was very violent. It tore off the roofs of all the houses, killed most of the stock running about, and tore down all the large white-oak trees that were on Butler's thirty-six acre tract, as also many trees on Walker's land. In its course it took in Andy Craig's old stand on Centre run. Butler had nine head of horses; as the storm came up they attempted to run out of its way. Two of them were killed; one of them ran all the way to Craig's and jumped into his garden patch; its skin was torn and its flesh scratched in many places by limbs of trees hurled against it by the storm as it ran to get out of its reach. Walker had some horses killed; also Patterson, and Kratzer, and a little fellow from Virginia, who lived on the hill, named Zinn.
Norton gives the following account of Mt. Vernon's first doctor:
A little doctor named Henderson was present when the town was laid out. He was from Baltimore, Maryland, proposed the name of the place, and they all sanctioned it.
Henderson was a clever young man; his father made a regular doctor out of him, and started him out with a good horse and outfit; but he was too lazy to practice. The first time Butler saw him, Patterson came out in the lot where Butler was plowing, and introduced him to Ben, who was out of temper at the beech-roots, which were in the way of the plow. When Patterson said he was a doctor, and Henderson mentioned the fact of inoculating a child with vaccine matter, and wanted to operate on Butler's children, Ben astonished the young doctor by cursing him in very strong back-woods vernacular. Ben said afterwards: " I didn't then know exactly what inoculating meant, but I was mad, and I threatened to put my knife into him, and scared him so that he would not attempt to 'noculate any more in that town. He stayed about for a time, until he ran away with a woman; and no other doctor dared to show his face there during my stay. We had no lawyers, either, in those days."
'The first white child born in Mt. Vernon was Joseph, son of Benjamin Butler, October 23, 1806.
In another chapter mention is made of a preliminary report made to the judges of the court of common pleas, at the first session held in the county, May 2, 1808, by the commissioners, to locate the county seat for the county of Knox. There were three contestants for the honor, Clinton, Mt. Vernon, and Fredericktown.
The following is the commissioners' report:
To the Hon. William Wilson, esq., President, and John A Mills, William Gass, and William W. Farquhar, esqrs., associate judges of the court of common pleas in and for the county of
Knox, in the State of Ohio:
May it please your honors: In conformity with an act of the legislature of the State of Ohio, passed the twenty-eighth of March, 1803, entitled "An act establishing seats of justice," we, the subscribers, were appointed by a resolution of both houses of the legislature, passed on the ninth of February, 1808, commissioners for fixing the permanent seat of justice in and for said county of Knox. We do hereby make report to your honors, that having met and attended to the duties of said appointment in said county on the twenty-eighth of the present instant, and having paid due regard to the centre, extent of population, quality of soil, as well as the general convenience, we hereby declare that the town of Mt. Vernon is the most suitable place for the courts of said county to be held at, and we do hereby declare the said town of Mt. Vernon the permanent seat of justice in and for said county of Knox. Given under our hands and seals this twenty-ninth of March, 1808.
JAMES ARMSTRONG,
JAMES DUNLAP,
ISAAC COOK,
Commissioners.
The citizens of the two rival towns were not satisfied with the action of the commissioners. Efforts were made to induce the legislature to order a new count, more especially by the Clintonians, who wanted the county seat badly. One thing mentioned by the prayer of the petitioners was that the legislature enlarge the boundaries of Knox county, so as to take from Richland one tier of townships and attach them to the north part of Knox,. thus throwing Mt. Vernon out of the centre of the county. If this move had succeeded Fredericktown would have been more eligible than Clinton, yet the people of Clinton would have been perfectly willing that her northern rival should have been made happy at her expense, so the good people of Mt. Vernon be made to chew the bitter cud of disappointment. The cry of fraud was raised and reported to the legislature for effect, but that body did not see fit to make any change.
The late Benjamin Butler, in his life time, gave
350 - HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
Mr. Norton his version of the causes which led to the selection of Mt. Vernon as the county seat, as follows:
When I moved my family to the thirty-six acres of land which I had bought, I had no thought of ever laying out any portion of it in town lots, or of any town ever being laid out here, nor at that time had Walker or Patterson. The idea when suggested was pleasing, and we at once took up with it. Clinton had been laid out by Samuel Smith, and had never been paid out, I believe. It was started chiefly on the donation principle. Those who would put up buildings had their own time to pay for the lots.
When we got word that the commissioners were coming on to locate the county seat, we were greatly stirred up about how we should manage. Kratzer, Patterson and Walker came to see me about it, and we had a general consultation. I thought we had no chance of getting it, for I told them that they had at Clinton Bill Douglass' mill, a lot of good houses, Samuel Smith's big brick house, and plenty of smart Yankees to manage; also they, had at Frederick Johnny Kerr's mill and a lot of rich Quakers around it, and both those places looked better then our little scrubby place. Samuel Kratzer asked me what I would do about it? I said to them that I had studied out a pretty bad trick that I could manage if they would only go into it; if they wouldn't there wasn't a bit of chance for us; they said "let's hear it." I told them I would give ten dollars myself and each of them must give ten dollars to make a purse and get liquor for some hard cases we had about town and engage them to go up Clinton and Frederick, get drunk, fight, and raise Cain generally when the commissioners were up there on their tour of observation. As for us we would get two good yoke of oxen to work on the streets, and the rest of the men must take hold and spade, and shovel, and pick, and roll logs, and dig up stumps, and be fixing up the streets right, while the women and girls must get out into their gardens hoeing, and weeding, and .working; I would have the best victuals cooked and the best cheer the little old tavern could afford, so as to please the commissioners, and we might then come out first for the county seat selection.
My plan struck their fancy. Samuel Kratzer, although he was a great Methodist, didn't say a word about its being a sin to cheat them in that game, but at it we went. All fell into the plan. We had a clever fellow named Munson, from Granville, and a big fellow named Bixbee, from over about Bigbelly, who agreed to go along and each to captain a gang of the rowdies and see that it was played out right.
It was Thursday afternoon when the commissioners first came to our town. They rode up and asked me if they could stay all night; I told them it was hard fare we had, but if they would put up with it they could, and they stopped. I guessed who they were at once and passed the word around. Everything went on as we had planned it. The next morning about daylight the busiest set of bees ever collected about a hive were at work, hammering, pounding, digging, hoeing, scraping, and working on the streets and in the lots. Leah (Mrs. Butler) had breakfast bright and early. I had their horses all cleaned up and well fed, and ready, after they had eaten, to start. They wondered at the work they saw going on, and if it was kept up always as they had seen it in town. I told them we were all poor and hardworking, and we never lost any time in our little town. They said they were going up to Clinton and Frederick to see those places, and were going to fix the county seat, and wanted me to go along; but I tried to beg off that I was poor and must work, and couldn't lose the time, as it would take them two or three days to determine it. They said no, it wouldn't take them that long, and I knew well if the trick was played out well by the rowdies that they would soon he back, so I hesitated as though I would not go. Finally I told Kratzer if he would go I would, as I would like to see them fix the county seat up there, and then Jim Dunlap, who was a jovial fellow about thirty-five, spoke up and said to come ahead; the other two were sort of gruff, it seemed to me, and didn't say much, but looked solemn. They asked if we didn't expect to get the county seat at Mount Vernon, and I told them no, that we were too poor to try for it; that I felt too poor really to go up with them, for some fellow might come along and stop with me, who would want me to go with him and look at land, and even, fellow that I showed land to, gave me two dollars, which helped right smart. There were three sorts of poor-God's poor, the devil's poor, and poor devils, and that we were all poor devils; but Sam Smith was long headed, and Johnny Kerr had lots of rich Quakers to back him, so us poor devils were left out of the question.
We then rode together up to Clinton, and there the rowdies were cutting up, the fiddle going, and shouting and cursing being done of the tallest kind. When we went to go into the tavern there was a rush to the doorway, as two, men were scuffling and fighting, and before the commissioners could get in they were jammed and scuffed about, and in the din and confusion, and yells of "pull them off," "part them," "don't do it," "fair play," "hit hint again," "let 'em fight it out," etc., the commissioners backed out from the tavern, and proposed to go and look at Fredericktown. About that time old Sam Smith came up, and when he found out they were the commissioners, and going, he tried the hardest kind to get them to stop, but it was no go; they had seen enough of that place then, but promised him to call again tomorrow. On the way to
Fredencktown I talked much with them, and apologized for the way our people up there had acted. They asked me if they cut up like Indians all the time, and I told them that about Clinton
and Frederick there were a great many rich men's sons, who had no trades, and would frolic a little just to put in their time, but they were a mighty clever set of people. I pointed out to them
the pretty scenery, and bragged on the land around, but said not a word for Mount Vernon. When we got to Frederick, they stopped at Ayres' tavern and found a good deal such quarreling going on as at Clinton. I got afraid then that they might see through it, and suspect that we had a hand in getting it up, so I got down about the mill, and sat on the logs awhile with Kratzer and Patterson, and left the commissioners up at the tavern to see the fighting in the yard. Just before going in to dinner I called one of the rowdies to me and told him it was all working well, gave him more money, and told him to swear the others not to divulge the secret, and we would make it all right with 'em. After dinner the commissioners sauntered around, and I proposed going back and leaving them, as they, would want to stay all night there. I had some work to do and chores
to attend to at home before night; but they would have me wait a little while longer for them, and I did it. While there sitting on a log, we bet two gallons of wine with Johnny Kerr, as to
which place would get the county seat. When they were ready they started, and we rode back to Mount Vernon, where Mrs. Butler had the best kind of a supper cooked up, and it put the
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY. - 351
commissioners in right good humor. She knew how to fix up things right on such an. occasion.
The men about Mt. Vernon were all quiet, and kept so, and when Dunlap asked Coyle's two boys to take a dram with him, they hung back and hesitated, until I told them to come up and take a dram with the gentleman-that there was no harm in it. They poured out the least bit of drams they ever took in their lives. The next morning the commissioners got ready to start, and I had got Knuck Harris (who came here from Zanesville), the only nigger in the country then, to sleek their horses off, and they came out looking first rate. Dunlap was a funny fellow, who thought he could hop, and bantered some of the boys to hop, but they were afraid they would be beat by him, and said it wem't no use to try as they knew he could beat them. I told him to make his hop, and he went out in the road and gate a sample; I went over it just a little, and we hopped several times, until I concluded to show him what Ben could do. I hopped so far over his furthest mark, they all laughed him right out, and he gave it up, saying I could hop some.. In those days I never found the man that could beat me. When they were about starting I asked them if they were not going back to Clinton and give it another look. They said "no," and the Clintonites never saw them any more. They wanted to go to Delaware, and asked me to pilot them a part of the way, which I did, and when I got out with them back of George Levels' place, I tried to get something out of them as what they had determined on, but they evaded my questions and gave me little satisfaction. On bidding them good by, I hoped they were not put out with our place on account of the hard fare I had given them that I had nothing nice to give them, as I kept only a little log tavern, and supplied my table by hunting and butchering, One of them remarked that if they ever came this way again, they were well enough suited to call on me. I then said that I was poor, and felt discouraged, and thought that I would quit and go somewhere else and make a better living for myself and family. Dunlap then said I was doing well enough, and must not get out of heart. And so we parted. When I got back to town all the men gathered around me to find out what was our chance. I told them what had passed between us, and that I was satisfied it would be found that our side was ahead, and 1 called them all up to take a good drink at my expense- on Mt. Vernon being the county seat. That little trick of ours, I am sure, made the scales turn in our favor, and when we knew it was established at Mt. Vernon, you can imagine we had rejoicing over it.
For some time after the settlement of the county seat question, the burden of the song of the Clintonians and of the Fradericktowners was the refrain of Maud Muller:
Of all sad words of tongue and pen,
The saddest are these, " It might have been. "
Jonathan Hunt gave this account of the volunteer work done on the streets, the day after the commissioners' arrival at Mt. Vernon:
Gilman Bryant sort of bossed the work, and being a cripple, he tended on them and gave out the whiskey and water, cheering them up as he came around, saying: " Work like men in harvest, but keep sober, boys. " Mike Click, and John Click, his brother, drove the oxen. Mike was a bully hand with a team, and made them tear up stumps, haul logs, plow and scrape, as necessary. Men never worked better on a road than that force then did. They chopped '.own trees, cut off logs, grubbed, dug down rough places, filled up gulleys. burned log heaps, and made a wonderful change in the appearance of things. It was the first work ever done on the streets of Mt. Vernon.
Bryant opened a grocery store on the lot where the "Buckingham Emporium" was afterwards erected. It was a little story and a half sycamore cabin, where he kept, powder, shot, lead, whiskey, etc., for sale to the Indians and the few whites in 1807.
There were other stories regarding this matter according to Norton's history, as follows:
Clinton and Mt. Vernon were the principal competitors for I the seat of justice. The former place at that time was the larger. It had more goods, more mechanics, more enterprises on foot, more houses, more people, and more hope for the future. It had more of New England families, more of Yankee spirit and shrewdness; and yet, with all their cunning and craftiness-all their money and management-all their efforts and inducements- Clinton lost the selection. Its generals were out generaled-its managers out-manoeuvred-its wits out-witted its Yankees out-Yankeed by the less showy and pretending men from the Potomac and the Youghiogheny, who had settled at Mt. Vernon. The choice of either one for the county seat involved the ultimate ruin of the other. Clinton made a bold effort to keep up against adverse winds. It could not sustain an appeal against the decision of the commissioners, but still it kept on for several years in its improvements, and until after the war it was ahead of Mt. Vernon in many respects. It had the first and only newspaper in the county for two years; it had the first and only church in the county for many years; it had stores, tan yards, shops of various kinds, and greater variety of business than Mt. Vernon; but after the war was over it began to decay, and its rival took the lead. The accredited account of-the location of the county seat is as follows: The commissioners first entered Mt. Vernon, and were received with the best cheer at the log tavern of Mr. Butler. To impress them with an idea of the public spirit of the place, the people were very busy at the moment of their entrance and during their stay, at work, with all their coats off, grubbing the streets. As they left for Clinton, all quitted their labor, not "of love:" and some rowdies, who dwelt in. cabins scattered round about in the woods, away from the town, left " the crowd," and stealing ahead of the commissioners, arrived at Clinton first. On the arrival of the others at that place, these fellows pretended to be in a state not conformable to temperance principles, ran against the commissioners, and by their rude and boisterous conduct so disgusted the worthy officials as to the apparent morals of the inhabitants of Clinton, that they returned and made known their determination that Mt. Vernon should be the favored spot. That night there were great rejoicings in town. Bonfires were kindled, stews made and drank, and live trees split with gunpowder.
Such is a plausible account of this matter, which we have often heard related by our old friend Gilman Bryant, who took great pride in rehearsing a fable calculated to give Mt. Vernon
352- HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
the manifest advantage in the estimation of moral and temperance men in these later times. But some of those who lived in the county at that early day, give an entirely different version of the subject, and even have gone so far as to aver that the commissioners themselves delighted, as did the rest of mankind, in taking a "wee dhrap of the crathur," and could not have been " disgusted by rude and boisterous conduct " to which they were accustomed.
And again it is suggested that "the crowd" at that day was not so great in this locality that men who had sense and observation sufficient to be selected for commissioners, would not have been able to observe and distinguish "the rowdies," and class them where they belonged.
Another old settler, whose partiality at that day was for Clinton, avers that the proprietor of Clinton, Mr. Smith, had been very illiberal in his dealings with those who wished to purchase lots in his town. He had adopted a plan of withholding from market the best lots on the plat, and keeping the corner lots to be enhanced in value by the improvements made by settlers on inside lots. At this course many of them became dissatisfied, and some of the number who had bought of him leagued with the Mount Vemonities against Clinton. We have been told by another old citizen, that two of the men living north of Mt. Vernon, and considered as in the Clinton interest, proposed to Kratzer and Patterson to help secure the location of the county seat at Mt. Vernon, in consideration of their receiving two lots apiece in the town, and that their favor and influence went accordingly.
In Mt. Vernon at that time Main street was full of stumps, log heaps and trees, and the road up the street was a poor crooked path winding round amongst the stumps and logs. Richard Roberts says that it was very rough and broken, where Mt. Vernon was located, and was the last spot on earth a man would have picked to make a county seat.
Another gentleman residing north of Mt. Vernon, and very partial to Fredericktown, thinks that by a little management that place might have been made the permanent seat of justice, when the strife was so great between the other towns. They might have got a strip thrown off of Delaware county, which might have been attached, and then Frederick would have been alike central; but Kerr and his comrades had not their eyes open to the importance of getting that five mile range with Knox, and they were left out of doors when the location was made permanent.
In the county clerk's office appears the original of a petition to the court of common pleas, to cause the removal of certain obstructions, placed in the streets and alleys of two additions to the town of Mt. Vernon, laid out by Thomas Bell Patterson, in 1811, and by Samuel Kratzer in. the same year.
The petition was presented to the court at the February term in 1817. One or both of the additions had in the meantime become the property of the late Anthony Banning. The town at that time
being at a stand still, and no sale for the lots, Mr. Banning concluded "to fence up the town," and
turn the vacant lots and adjacent streets into a corn or wheat field, as the occasion might require. This was done, hence the necessity of the petition, hereafter given, the spelling and punctuation being retained as in the original. The territory embraced in these additions commenced at Mulberry street, and embraced all of what was then known as Kratzer's (later as the Banning) addition. West of this addition a few of the citizens resided, and the fences placed across the streets and alleys were quite annoying, requiring the citizens to either climb over the obstructions or go around them; hence the following petition signed by fifty-six of the prominent business men of the village
To the Honourable William Wilson, Esq., President of the Court of Common Pleas of Knox County, and his associate Judges of the said Court-February, 1817:
The Humble petition of the subscribers, Householders, residing within the Town plat, of the Town of Mount Vernon and the addition There to; Containing in all fifty-six Householders; Situate in the first quarter of Town six and range Thirteen in the United States Military District; Laid out by Thomas Bel Paterson & recorded on the 26th of March 1811. Also the adition of the Town of Mount Vernon, Laid out by Samuel Kratzer on the 20th of March 1811, and entered on record about the same time; on the same page of the record, and agoining the above, all Intended for, and representing one Town, and your petitioners respectfully represent, That we have always Been Impress'd with a Belief that the Streets and alleys of the whole of the above recited Town Plats should be and remain for Ever open for the free use, and Benefit of the Inhabitance thareof, and under that Impression many of your Petitioners Became Purchasers of Lots in said Town; Tharefore in order that we may have all obstructions removed out of Each of the Streets and alleys, Contained in the two above recited Town Plats, and your petitioners be restored to their just rights, we Pray, That the whole of the above Described Premises may be Incorperated according to Law, and your Petitioners shall as in duty Bound for Ever Pray.
Godlib Zimmerman, Isaac Vore, jr.,
Win. Vore. John Frank,
Jno. Shaw, Robert D. Moore,
John Hawn, jr., Samuel Mott,
Henry Davis, John P. McArdle,
James Low, John H. Mefford
Abraham Emmitt, Wm. Mefford,
Nathl. Herron, Adam Coleman,
Thomas Irvine, Saml. Martin,
N. C. Boalze, Jacob Martin,
John Warden, John Dwyer,
R. M. Brown, Miriam Daniel,
Jonathan Miller, Walter McFarland,
H. Curtis, Wm. Y. Farquhar,
Wm. W. Alexander, James McGibney,
Ben. S. Martin, William Pettigrew,
James Miller, Peter Zerby,
Gilman Brvant, John Sawyer,
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY. - 353
Daniel Moore, John Lindsey,
David Reed, John Gordon,
Fred'k. Carey, Prospher Rick,
John Ruff, John Kaebler,
George Low, Jacob Siler,
Waitsell Hastings, Jacob Swales,
Wm. L. Brooke, Wm. Bevans,
Michael Click, T. Burr,
John Wilson; Rezin Yates,
William Roberts.
This humble petition the honorable court set aside, denying the prayer of the petitioners. This state of things was not to be endured; so some fifteen of the disappointed petitioners, among whom was the late Hosmer Curtis, then prosecuting attorney, resolved to take the matter into their own hands. Meeting on the public square, they faced west, locked arms, and started on their march to secure justice for themselves. As they came to an, obstruction they began. leveling the fences to the ground, scattering rails hither and thither with all the glee of schoolboys bent on mischief. From one obstruction to another the "regulators" marched tornado could not have made more havoc in its route than did the "laughing and shouting fifteen." This work created considerable commotion in the community. Some took sides with the "raiders," while others condemned their action as lawlessness against the peace and harmony of the town. Mr. Banning entered complaint against the fifteen for riot and trespass, and the case came before the court. As the prosecuting attorney, Hosmer Curtis, was one of those against whom the prosecution was commenced, his honor the judge, appointed the late Charles R. Sherman, special prosecuting attorney. The trial caused considerable excitement, and no little amusement, as the argumentof Mr. Sherman was principally aimed against the "tall prosecuting attorney," Mr. Curtis, who had laid aside the dignity of his office, and, for once, assumed that of a "raider" against the fences of the prosecutor, Mr. Banning. The result of the suit was a finding of `'guilty" against the whole, and a fine of "one dollar and cost" rendered against each of the defendants. Thus ended one of the most amusing cases ever brought before the Knox county court.
Another relic of the past, filed away in the clerk's office, is entitled "Samuel Geddes' Indenture to William Smith," and shows some peculiarities of the past that are now obsolete. Samuel Geddes
desired to learn the hatter's trade, or at least his father thought that Samuel would make a good hatter, so forthwith the following indenture was drawn up and signed by the respective parties.
This indenture, made the fifth day of August, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty-eight, witnesseth: That Samuel Geddes, aged eighteen years against the twenty-first day of November next, by and with the consent of the said John Geddes, of Knox county and State of Ohio, his father, hath of his free and voluntary will placed and bound himself apprentice to William Smith, of the town of Mt. Vernon county and State aforesaid, to learn the trade, mystery or occupation of a hatter, which he, the said Smith, in company with Adam Glaze, jr., now useth, and with him as an apprentice to dwell, continue and serve from the day of the date hereof, until the end and term of three years, three months and sixteen days from thence next ensuing, and fully to be complete and ended, during all of which Term the said apprentice his master shall well and faithfully serve, his secrets keep, his lawful commands gladly do and obey; huff to his said master he shall not do, nor wilfully suffer it to he done by others; but of the same shall to the utmost of his power forthwith give notice to his master; the goods of the said Smith he shall not embezzle or waste, nor them lend without his consent. At cards, dice, or any other games he shall not play; taverns and ale houses he shall not frequent; fornication he shall not commit; matrimony he shall not contract; from the service of the said Smith he shall not at any time depart or absent himself without consent of said Smith, but in alt things as a good and faithful apprentice, shall and will demean himself towards the said Smith and all his, during the said term. And the said Smith his said apprentice in the trade, mystery and occupation of a hatter with all things there unto. belonging shall and will cause to be well and sufficiently taught and instructed after the best way and manner he can; and shall and will also find and allow his said apprentice meat, drink, washing, lodging and apparel (both linen and woollen), and all other necessaries fit and convenient for such an apprentice, during the term aforesaid. And, also, at the expiration of said term, the said William Smith shall give the said apprentice a good freedom suit worth thirty dollars. As witness our hands and seals and the year and day first above written.
SAMUEL GEDDES,
JOHN GEDDES,
WILLIAM SMITH.
Witnesses present: G. BROWNING, ADAM GLADE, JR.
Entered on record by H. B. Curtis, recorder.
Such were the custom and practice of fifty years ago. In 1848 only two hatter shops were among trades of Mt. Vernon, viz: the shop of the late Samuel F. Voorhies, and that of the venerable
William L King. The jolly old William B. Henderson was an artisan in the shop of Mr. King, and Meigs Campbell, now of Ashland, Ohio, was a workman in the shop of Mr. Voorhies. The shop of Mr. Voorhies is still in existence, but its glory has departed-it has become the dwelling place for
354 - HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
horses, and can be pointed out in the alley in rear of the store of James M. Andrews.
The following extracts from Mr. Norton's history, published in 1862, continue the pictures of the early days of Mt. Vernon:
The first election Ben. Butler recollects of attending, the neighbors and himself went down to Dresden and voted in 1803 or 1804. Another election he recollects was held at Bill Douglass'. David Johnson wanted to be constable, and 'lectioneered hard, and agreed to take, on executions and for fees raccoon skins, if he was elected. But when the votes were counted, he was beaten by Dimmick. This was the first time he (Butler) voted a ticket. In old Virginia it had always been the custom to vote by singing out the name of the candidate voted for.
One of the greatest fights of that early date was between Ben. Butler and Jim Craig, in which Craig was badly whipped. Butler's hand had been tied up from a hurt, but he took off the ,poultice and gave him a severe thrashing. The next day Jim and Ben. met together and took a drink over it; the quarrel was dropped, as Jim said he deserved the whipping and would not fight it over again.
When Ben. bought his land of Captain Walker he had no thoughts of laying out a town, nor had Walker. He gave two dollars an acre for it.
Ben. helped dig the first grave, that of Mrs. Thomas Bell Patterson, the first person that died in Mt. Vernon. He says that Colonel Patterson was a very smart man, much smarter than any in the town now.
The old school house stood near where the market house stands, and the public well, with a sweep or pole, was north of it, nearly in the centre of High street. He helped wall the old well.
Gilman Bryant said when he came to the county in 1807, and landed in Mt. Vernon from his pirogue in March, there were only three families living within the then limits of the town, viz: Ben. Butler, who then kept a sort of tavern; James Craig, who kept some sort of refreshments and whiskey, on the corner, east side of Mulberry and north of Wood street; and another family, who lived south of Craig's on the opposite side of the street. These buildings were all log. On the west
side of Mulberry was a little pole shanty, put up by Jo. Walker, a gunsmith, who had a little pair of bellows in one corner, and tinkered gun-locks for the Indians. Further west, on what is now Gambier street, and beyond the town plat, stood the building occupied by Walker, also a log. There was also at that time a small log house with a roof, but the gable ends not yet filled, standing on the west side of Main street, between the present market house and where the court
house stood in 1849, which should be in High street. There was at the time living in the neighborhood, and recollected by Mr. Bryant Colville, on his farm east of town, Bob. Thompson,
where Stilley now lives; Andrew Craig, at or near the old Indian fields (on Centre run, above Turner's mill); old Mr. Walker, near Banning's mill, on the left hand side of the road; and old
Mr. Hains, south of town. Mr. Bryant brought eight barrels of whiskey by water to Shrimplin s mill on Owl creek, and from thence had it hauled by Nathaniel Critchfield's team, Joe driving, to Mt. Vernon. Tradition says that the first log shelter occupied by old man Walker was made of little round poles by Casper Fitting in 1802, but we can find nothing to sustain a claim,to its erection at so early a period. Fitting, doubtless, was the builder, we should think about 1804, though it may have been in 1803; however, as our own recollection does not extend quits that far back, we give it as it has been told to us.
Joseph Walker, sr., of whom we have been speaking, emigrated to this county from Pennsylvania about 1804, and settled near where we now write. Philip, Joe, Alexander, James, Robert and John were his sons, and he had two daughters-Sally, who married Stephen Chapman, and lives three miles south of this town, and Polly, who married Solomon Geller, a Pennsylvania Dutchman, who was one of the early settlers of Mt. Vernon, and subsequently moved into what is now Morrow county. Joseph Walker, sr., and his wife both died many years ago, and their bodies were buried in the Clinton graveyard, with no stone to mark the spot where they lie, and this record, it is hoped, may serve to perpetuate their memory. From all accounts they were worthy pioneers.
James Craig, one of the three men living in Mt. Vernon in the spring of 1807, was grit to the back bone, and was constantly harrassed by peace officers. It became almost an everyday occurrence with him to have a fight; and, if no newcomer appeared to give his fighting life variety, he would, "just to keep his hand in," scrape up a fight with his neighbors or have a quarrel with his wife-all for the love of the thing, for "Jamie was the broth of a boy." He had as high as four fights in one day with Joe Walker, who was also a game chicken. When arraigned before court for assault, ere., he would always put on his most pleasing smile, and say to the judge: "Now, will yer honor jist please be good to the boy, for he can't help it."
We have been told by an early settler of a little incident, illustrating the sports of pioneers in 1807, at James Craig's house, after he had moved out to the log cabin, erected and yet leaning, not standing, on D. S. Norton's farm, south of High street extension, on the Delaware road. Craig had tended a few acres in corn, and had the only corn for sale in that part of the county. Mrs. Rachel Richardson sent her son Isaac to buy some for bread, and after spending a short time in the village, he went out to Craig's, got his corn,, and stayed all night. The family had just got to sleep, lying down on the floor, when the wild fellows of the town came in to the doors and fired a volley over their heads. Craig at once sprang out of his bed in his night shirt, grappled with one of them, and in a short time all present were engaged in a lively little fight, just for the fun of the thing. " Knuck Harris," a "cul'ed gem'man," the first one ever in Mt. Vernon, and Joe Walker, are recollected as having been among the parties.
One of the most noted fights that ever came off in this county was between James Craig and his son-in-law, Jack Strain, and two of the Georges of Chester township. It occurred in this way: Old Jim was, as he said, in fighting humor, when, in company with Jack, coming along the road home on foot, they met the Georges near Clinton riding sprucely on horseback, and required that they should get off their horses and fight them. Parson George explained that they were in a hurry to go home, and had neither time nor disposition for a fight. But Jim swore that they must get off and fight; and there being no way of getting past them, as they held possession of the road, they reluctantly got off their horses and pitched in. Jack soon whipped his man, but it puzzled Jim to make his fight out, and the conclusion arrived at was that they had taken too large a contract when they undertook to whip the Georges. Jim, in
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY. - 355
after years, would revert to this one fight with regret, as it was entirely uncalled for, and only provoked by his own determinanon for a trial of strength.
After the marriage of Jack Strain into his family, old Jim counted himself almost invincible. Jack was a very powerful and active man, unsurpassed for thews and sinews, bone and muscle.
The great fight of the county might, with propriety, be called that of Strain with Roof. The county pretty much en masse witnessed it. It was a regular set-to-a pnze fight not inferior, in the public estimation, to that of Heenan and Sayers. Jack fought with great spirit; he fought, if not for his life, for his wife; for old Jim swore that he (Strain) should never sleep again with his daughter if he didn't whip him.
When Craig was indicted the last time for fightirg he told judge Wilson "not to forget to be easy with him, as he was one of the best customers the court had."
In wrestling with Tucker Jim had his leg broken, which he often regretted, as he couldn't stand on his forks right. He was not a big, stout man, but struck an awful blow, and was well skilled in parrying off blows. He called his striking a man giving him a 'blizzard." He was a backwoodsman from Western Virginia, but of Irish extraction-fond of grog, fond of company, fond of fighting, fun and frolic-kind-hearted, except when aroused by passion, and then a very devil. He fought usually as a pastime, and not from great malice. His wife was an excellent, hospitable and clever woman. We have heard very many anecdotes of Craig, but have space for only one more. One of the last kind acts of the old settler was his endeavor to treat Bishop Chase when he first visited our town. Jim having heard much said of him as a preacher and a distinguished man, met him on the street, and, desiring to do the clever thing by the bishop, accosted him with an invitation to drink. The bishop was somewhat nettled at the offer, but declined going to a grocery with him, whereupon Jim pulled a flask from his pocket and insisted upon his taking a drink there. The bishop indignantly refused, and Jim apologized, if the bishop considered it an insult. "Bless your soul, bishop, I think well of you, and have no other way to show that I am glad you have come to our county but by inviting you to drink. Don't think hard of me."
Craig's family consisted of eight girls, and he often regretted that he had no boys to learn how to fight. If the girls did not fight, they did run, and run well, too. One of them, we recollect, was very fleet; many a time did she run races in the old lane, between Norton's and Bevans', and beat William Pettigrew and other of the early boys, notwithstanding the scantiness of her dresses, which then were made of about one-third the stuff' it takes for a pattern in these fashionable days of 1862.
At one time old Jim was singing to a crowd, when a smart young man, in sport, winked to those present and kicked his shins. The wink having been observed by him, he instantly drew back his fist and drove it plum between his eyes, felling him to the ground, at the same time exclaiming: There, take that, d-n you, and don't you evet attempt again to impose on old stiffer!"'
The indomitable will of Samuel H. Smith and his associates from New England, among whom we may mention the Nyes, Ichabod, captain of the troop of horse, and his brother Samuel; Henry Smith, Samuel's nephew; Dr. Timothy Burr, the Barneys, Alexander Enos, and others, kept the county in commotion about the seat of justice. No stone was left unturned. no effort untried, to bring about its transfer to Clinton. Petitions were drawn up and runners traversed the country for signers. From the official record we give the following exhibit of the disposition made of them
"December 26, 1808, Mr. Holden presented to the house sundry petions from a number of inhabitants of Knox county, setting forth that they feel much aggrieved in consequence of the ineligible and very unhealthy situation of the present seat of justice of said county, and for various other reasons therein stated, praying that the commissioners may be appointed to fix the seat of justice for the said county of Knox in some more eligible and healthy situation; which said petitions were read and referred to a committee of Mr. Holden, Mr. Owings, of Fairfield, and Mr. Blair, of Franklin and Delaware, to report their opinion thereupon by bill or otherwise."
Mr. Merwin (Elijah B.) of Fairfield, presented on the next day, a remonstrance from sundry citizens of Knox county against action as prayed for in above named petitions.
The cunning old fox managing the Clinton claim, devised an additional scheme ,hereby to bring about such increase of territory northward as would throw Mount Vernon farther from the centre than Clinton, and accordingly we find that Mr. Holden presented to the house petitions signed by sundry inhabitants of Knox county, setting forth that it will be greatly to their advantage, and to the advantage of the public in general; to have the county extended so far north as to take in one tier of townships. as it will be perceived, by the map of the State, that the county lying north of them, known by the name of Richland, is much larger than Knox, and by attaching one tier of townships to said county of Knox there will be given a more equal number of square miles to each county than there is at present; which was received and read, and referred to the same committee to whom was committed, on the twenty-sixth inst., the petitions, remonstrances, etc., on the subject of the seat of justice of Knox county. House journal, page 93, December 30, 1808.
On the thirtieth of December, on motion of Mr. Thomas Morris, of Clermont, and seconded, Ordered, that Mr. George Clark, of Columbiana and Stark, be added to the committee appointed on the the twenty-sixth inst., on the subject of the seat of justice of Knox county, and the matters to them from time to time referred.
On the twelfth of January, 1809, on motion, and leave being granted, Mr. Holden presented at the clerk's table two remonstrances, of the same purport, from sundry inhabitants of Knox county, remonstrating against petitions presented to this house, praying for a review of the seat of justice of said county, and a removal of it from Mt. Vernon to some more eligible and healthy situation. The remonstrants therein set forth that they are fully of opinion that, unless a fraud or neglect be made to appear against the first viewers appointed by the legislature at the last session for the purpose of permanently fixing the seat of justice of said county, that your honorable body will not grant a view barely for the purpose of gratifying self-interest; that, in consequence of the seat of justice being established at Mt. Vernon, a number of lots have been purchased and improved, and also that upwards of four hundred dollars have been appropriated for the building of a jail, and for other reasons, by the aforesaid remonstrants set forth, more particularly praying that the said petition praying for the removal of the seat of justice aforesaid may be rejected; and the same being received and read,
356 - HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
were referred to the committee upon that subject appointed on the twenty-sixth ultimo.
On page 145, House Journal, January 14th, 1809, the following entry stands: On motion, and . by leave of the house, Mr. Holden, from the committee appointed on the twenty-sixth ultimo, presented at the clerk's table a report, as follows: "The committe to whom was referred the petition of sundry inhabitants of the county of Knox, praying that one tier of townships lying south of Richland county be attached to the said county of Knox; also sundry petitions from the inhabitants of said county, praying that commissioners be appointed to review and fix the seat of justice of said county in some more healthy and eligible situation than Mt. Vernon; have, according to order, had under their consideration the said petitions; and are of opinion that the prayer of the said petitions is unreasonable, and ought not to be granted."
Monday, January 16th, said report came up, and it was Ordered, that it be committed to a committee of the whole house, and made the order of the day for Saturday next.
On the twenty-fifth of January (House journal, page 181), Mr. Merwin moved for the order of the day, whereupon the house, according to order, resolved itself into a committee of the whole house, and, after some time spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. Jewett reported that the committee, according to order, had under their consideration a report of the select committee, made on the fourteenth inst., on the petitions of sundry inhabitants of Knox county, and had agreed to the said report; and the same being read was agreed to by the house, viz: that the petitions aforesaid are unreasonable, and ought not to be granted.
At the ninth session of the general assembly, held at Zanesville, December 3, 1810, the subject of removal of the county seat from Mt. Vernon was again agitated. By the Senate Jonrnal, page 163, we find that Mr. Trimble presented a batch of petitions, praying a review, which was referred to a committee. On page 166, we find Mr. Trimble, from committee, reported that, in their opinion, commissioners ought to be appointed to examine and make report to the next legislature the place they think proper for the seat of justice of Knox county. The said report was read. A motion was made that said report be committed to a committee of the whole senate, and made the order of this day; and on the question thereon it was decided in the negative. On motion, Ordered, that the further consideration of said report be postponed till the first Monday in December next.
At the next session it received its final quietus. Mt. Vernon had improved in the intermediate time very much, and thenceforth its stat was in the ascendant. Clinton continued but a few years longer as a bnsiness place, and after the departure of its chief worker to other parts, its people moved to Mt. Vernon, Fredericktown, and elsewhere, and not one of the old inhabitants remains to tell that Clinton has been an important town in the history of Knox county.
The following regarding the early days of Mt. Vernon has been gathered from the living pioneers of the city, among whom are N. N. Hill, Isaac Hadley, Dr. J. N. Burr and others.
When Mr. Hill came, about 1813, there was but few houses on what is now Main street; the larger part of the town was on West Gambier street, between Main street and the railroad. Here the business of the town was carried on, and down near the end of the street lived Joseph Walker, in a large two-story, yellow painted, frame house the best house in the town. The first brick building in the town was the schoolhouse, which stood on Mulberry street, east side, a little south of the present high school building. It was taken away only a short time ago. Mr. Hill made sugar one spring in the lower part of town, there being quite a sugar grove in the western part of the plat below Chestnut street.
The first tavern, Benjamin Butler's, stood on or near the corner of Gambier and Main, about where Jenning's store now is. This building, during the war of 1812, was converted into a block-house, and used as a place of refuge and safety for citizens. The building stood upon a bank, the door being reached by several steps. It was again used as a tavern after the war, and was known as the "war office" many years on account of the many fights that occurred there.
The Indian chief, Armstrong, from Greentown, came frequently to town and often got drunk at Butler's tavern. On one occasion, while "Abe" Emmett was drilling his company of militia, Armstrong got in his way and annoyed him-very much. After telling the chief many times to keep out of his way without effect, Emmett finally knocked him down. This had the desired effect, but the chief never forgot it. Sometime after this, Armstrong, accompanied by three other Indians, met Emmett and Riverius Newell in the woods, when Armstrong asked, "Is your name Emmis?" "Yes sir, my name is Emmett." "What for you fight Indian?" said the chief. "Because you kept getting in my way." "You fight Indian now?" said the chief, making a motion to draw his tomahawk. "Yes!" said Emmett, with an oath, and immediately drew his tomahawk, while Newell cocked his gun and brought it to bear upon one of the other Indians. This determined attitude not being relished by the Indians, a truce was called and the parties separated.
When Butler moved to his farm his tavern passed into other hands, and among .the landlords about that time, who followed Butler were David Ash
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY. - 357
and John Davidson,. Marylanders. Ash was much of a gentleman, and kept the tavern for a number of years.
The second tavern in the town was started on Main street, in a log building which stood on the lot next to and north of N. N. Hill's brick block. John Haron kept it awhile and then moved to his farm, located in what is now the northeast part of town, a little beyond the present court house. He turned his tavern. over to his son-in-law, Got leib Zimmerman, who was from Hagerstown, Maryland. Montgomery Brown, another son-in-law, followed Zimmerman, and kept the tavern as long as it was used for that purpose. Upon the sign (which was one of the most important things about all the old taverns), was painted a full sized portrait of General Wayne.
The third tavern in Mt. Vernon was a frame building, and stood on the lot on Main street, where Warner Miller for many years kept store. It was two stories in height, painted white, and was called the Green Tree Tavern, having a green tree painted on its sign. It eras kept first by Mordecai Vore, who sold it to Judge Eli Miller, and he in turn sold it to Charles Timberlake, who kept it some years. After him came Constance Barney, who rented it, kept a hotel and run the first stage line from Mt. Vernon to Sandusky. He subsequently continued this stage line to Columbus. After Barney, the hotel was kept by Andrew Plummer and others, until it was taken away to make room for the present brick block.
The Kenyon House was the first brick hotel in Mt. Vernon, and was built by T. W. Rogers, who occupied it some years as a private residence, then remodelled it for a hotel This became a very popular hotel and was well patronized for many years. Killin Winne was the first landlord. The first building was a large white frame, which, after some years, was taken down and the fine brick erected. It stood on the southwest corner of Main street and the public square, and was taken down by Mr. A. Wolf, who erected the present large business block in its place.
George Lybrand erected in 1840, the building, yet standing and for many years known as the
"Lybrand House." It stands on the west side of Main, between Front and Gambier streets, and is
owned at present by Jerome Rowley, whose son is the present landlord.
The Curtis House, on the southeast corner of Main street and public square, was erected in 1876, by Henry B. Curtis, and is a fine building.
Gas works were established in Mount Vernon in 1857; the incorporators being John Ramsey Judge Eli Miller, Henry B. Curtis and others. The capital stock was thirty-five thousand dollar. This company erected the present works on Water street, at the foot of Mulberry. About 1858, N. N. Hill and Columbus Delano purchased a controlling interest in the works and thereafter managed them until within a few years. About eight miles of pipe were laid under the superintendence of Mr. Hill, who was secretary and treasurer of the company more than twenty years.
The first postmaster in Mount Vernon was Gilman Bryant, who also kept the first store. His little store room stood on "stilts," on the southwest corner of Gambier and Main streets, diagonally across the street from the "War office," on the lot for many years occupied by Mead's store. It was swampy and muddy in that region and the building stood five or six feet above the surface of the ground on piles driven into the ground, and was reached by several steps, from the street.. Bryant and Burr were the merchants and principal men in the new town. Bryant kept the post office a number of ye years and was followed by Alexander Elliot, Judge Eli Miller and Isaac Hadley-the latter still living in the city. Miller kept the office, the next door north of where the First National bank now stands (northwest corner of Main and Vine streets). Isaac Hadley says the next postmaster after himself was Benjamin Sinith, and was selected in the following manner: A wire was stretched e between two trees, quite high, and the man who could throw a coon's tail over the wire, was considered qualified for the office of the postmaster. A man named Jones was the first to throw the coon's tail over the wire; he accomplished the feat by purchasing a few shot at a neighboring grocery, and attaching them to the tail, thus giving it weight Jones did not take the office, but gave it to his friend Benjamin Smith, who was a son of James Smith, a Methodist preacher and justice of the peace many years. For half a century or more
358 - HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
the post office has been kept in the neighborhood of the corner of Vine and Main streets. James McGibeny was postmaster in 182.5.
In 1825, when Dr. J. N. Burr came to Mount Vernon, the larger part of the town was still west of Main and south of Chestnut streets, but there were a number of houses scattered along Main street and perhaps half a dozen on Gay street, which is east of and runs parallel with Main. Hazelbrush and timber covered the larger part of the eastern part of the city. There were also half a dozen or more houses on Main street, north of the square. The principal merchants at that time were Burr J: Bryant, John Moody, Daniel S. Norton, Samuel Mott, Eli Miller, J. B. Rogers and Anthony Banning; all carried general stocks of merchandise, and did business almost entirely by exchange, money being very scarce. Rogers was located on the southwest corner of Main street and public square; Gilman Bryant was opposite, where the Knox county bank is now located; under the Curtis house, and below Bryant, in the same block, were three or four other stores. Norton was located on the present site of the Woodward block.
CHAPTER XXXIX.
MT. VERNON-CONTINUED.
EXTRACTS FROM THE OHIO REGISTER AND NORTON'S HIS-
TORY CONCERNING THE EARLY DAYS OF MT. VERNON
1814 TO 1830.-GROWTH OF THE. CITY.-ITS BOUNDA
RIES.-POPULATION.-A PICTURE OF MT. VERNON IN 1830
THE OHIO REGISTER, published at the village of Clinton in 1814 and 1815, is a relic of
the past, containing a few items worthy of preservation. It was printed in quarto form, pages nine
and one-fourth by seven and three-fourth inches, three columns to a page, and published by Smith & McArdle. Mr. Smith was the proprietor of the village of Clinton, and made gigantic but unsuccessful efforts to have his village selected as county seat. He was a man of great energy, and his advertisements showed that he was engaged in many enterprises, among which may be mentioned a dry goods and grocery store, drug store (with Dr. Timothy Burr as prescription clerk), a book store, Lanyard, real-estate agent, etc. His grocery department was both a wet and a dry one, as appears from the following extract from an advertisement:
I also intend to keep on hand, for sale by the barrel, or less quantity, whiskey of the very best quality.
Matters worthy of record are to be gathered more from the few advertisements than from the editorials, for the latter are scarce, indeed, hardly ever embracing more than four or five lines of the paper, as the following will make evident:
We have received a copy of the charges exhibited against Brigadier General Hull. Their great length precludes their insertion this week. We shall publish them next week.
That was the amount of editorial matter in the paper for May 24, 1814.
The selections of the Register were mostly devoted to the events of the War of 1812, which to the citizens of that day was a theme of great interest.
April 19, 1814, a Dr. Burge offers his services to the citizens of Mt. Vernon and the neighboring country. "Having," as his advertisement proclaims, "been a successful practitioner in physic, surgery, and midwifery, he solicits a share of patronage among other gentlemen of the faculty."
A cotemporary of his, and a successful practitioner, was Dr. Timothy Burr.
James Miller informs the trade that he is in immediate want of a good journeyman tanner. All interested are invited to apply to him or Dr. Burr, in Clinton.
June 21, 1814, John Wheeler advertisesf or "two hundred bushels of wheat, to be delivered at William Douglas' mill during the month of August next."
Gilman Bryant, postmaster, advertises the following uncalled for letters remaining in the office
at Mount Vernon, July 1, 1814: Abraham Albert, Samuel Arbuckle, William Biggs, Jonathan Burch, James Crage, Simon Dudgeon, Peter Doty, George Dial, Frederick Herring, Mr.Kratzer, Samuel Lewis, William Lydick, John McKee, John H. Melleck, John Mills, George Melleck, Abraham Rader, James Selby, Michael Schafer, George Sapp, Philip Smith, Samuel H Smith,
James Strange, Isaac Setton, Joseph Workman,
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY. - 359
James Waid, Jane White, Thomas White. Such advertisements as the above aid in recalling to memory many of the old pioneer settlers of the city and county.
August 9, 18:4, Samuel and James Selby inform the people of Mount Vernon, that they have lately established themselves in the hatting business.
Under same date John Sawyer and Abel Cook, blacksmiths of Clinton, give notice of having dissolved partnership-Sawyer continues.
Dr. G. B. Maxfield informs the citizens that he has opened an office in Fredericktown for the practice of his profession, and that he has taken board at the house of John Kerr.
November 19, 1814, Dr. W. Hastings calls upon all those indebted to him to come forward and pay up their liabilities by the twenty-fifth day of December next.
Married-On Tuesday, January 22, 1815, by Joseph Walker, esq., Mr. Abraham Emmett, to Miss Sally Zerick, both of Mount Vernon.
J. Brown opens a house of entertainment in Mount Vernon, at the sign of "General. Wayne." The location of the house is not stated.
Married-On Tuesday evening, January 24, 1815, by Benjamin Barney, esq., Mr. Seely Simpkins, aged eighty-eight years, to Mrs. Elizabeth Ask, aged twenty-eight.
Mr. George Girty, having purchased the stock in trade of Mr. Gilman Bryant, gives notice under date of February 28, 1815, that he has just received and is now opening in the house formerly occupied by Mr. Bryant, a general assortment of dry goods and groceries from Philadelphia and Baltimore.
George Dickinson gives notice that he has on hand a quantity of chairs and trunks, to which he invites the attention of the people of Mount Vernon and vicinity.
The Register of March 14, 1815, contains a copy of the treaty of peace between Great Britain and the United States.
Died-In Clinton, on Friday, April 14, 1815, Mr. Seely Simpkins, sr., aged eighty-eight years. He left a young widow of twenty-eight years of age, and had been married two months and three weeks. About a week previous to his death Mr. Simpkins had been elected to the important office of fence viewer.
May 9, 1815, Hosmer Curtis, esq., inform the citizens of Knox county that he has changed his place of residence from the town of Newark to that of Mount Vernon. He respectfully asks a share of the legal practice in the courts of the county.
June 13, 1815, Robert Irvine announces to the people that he has opened a drug store in Mount Vernon.
April 21, 1816, the Ohio Register appears in the town of Mount Vernon, under the sole management of Mr. John P. McArdle, Mr. S. H. Smith retiring, devoting himself to his many enterprises in Clinton. No doubt Mount Vernon afforded better facilities for the enterprise than Clinton, then in its decline, while Mount Vernon was rapidly increasing in population and business.
So far as editorial enterprise is concerned the Mount Vernon Register is no improvement on the Clinton Register; marriage and death items generally appearing at the head of the editorial column.
Major Samuel Kratzer has, by purchase, become interested in the town with Messrs. Patterson, Walker, and Butler, and through the agency of Joseph Brown, offers forty in-lots and out-lots for sale, April 24, 1816.
May 1st, Messrs. Bryant & Burr give notice they have just received a large invoice of new goods. It is presumed the firm was formed by Gilman Bryant and Dr. Timothy Burr, although that fact is not made patent by their advertisement.
As an item of interest in these latter days of cheap postage, the following will be interesting
Rates of postage. On single letters, for any distance not exceeding thirty miles, six cents; over thirty, and not over eighty miles, ten cents; over eighty and not over one hundred and fifty miles, twelve and one-half cents; over one hundred and fifty and not four hundred miles, eighteen and one-half cents; over four hundred miles, twenty-five cents.
Married-on Sunday, May 5, 1816, in Mt. Vernon, by Rev. James Smith, Doctor Timothy Burr, to Miss Rachael Thrift, daughter of the Rev. William Thrift.
Sudden Death. Departed this life on Friday afternoon, May 17, 1816, Samuel Zimmerman, son of Gotleib and Eva Zimmerman of this town, aged eleven years, one month and twentynine days. His death was the consequence of eating a small portion of the root of a wild parsnip, said to be rank poison. His illness was short. but pains excruciating, which terminated his existence in about ten minutes.
May 22, 1816, Miss Fulton opens a milliner's shop at H. Curtis', second door southwest of the court house, on High street. One peculiarity
360 - HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
of this advertisement is the peculiar spelling in two words; southwest appears as "sow west," and sewing is "sowing." These errors may be charged to the printer, and not to the faulty education of the young lady who offers her services to the fair ladies of Mt. Vernon. The editor in his next issue corrects the typographical errors.
Francis Wilkins notifies the public that he will, on the 2d day of June offer sixty merino sheep for sale in Mt. Vernon.
In the Register of May 30th, A. and T. Gormly announce that they have opened a new store in Mt. Vernon opposite Mr. Zimmerman's inn, and John Wilson, "with the greatest respect" informs his customers he has just received a fresh supply of new goods.
Married.-On Thursday, the 23d of May, 1816, by Elder James Smith, Mr. John Shinniberry to Miss Ruth Yoakum.
A meeting of the citizens of Mt. Vernon and its vicinity will be held at the court house to-morrow evening, June 6, 1816, for the purpose of devising ways and means for constructing a bridge across Owl creek at this place. Many citizens.
As no further notice of this meeting is taken by the Register the people of the present day are left in the dark as to its result.
In the Register of June 12, 1816, the following item of distressing interest is given:
Died.-On Monday, the 3d instant, Mr. Abner Hill, aged 25 years. His death was occasioned by the fall of a limb of a tree. The premature exit of this young man is sincerely regretted by all those who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. Survivors remember, " In the midst of life we are in death."
Mr. Abner Hill was an uncle of Mr. N. N. Hill, a venerable citizen of this city.
June 19th, John Mocabee notifies the public that he has taken the tavern stand well known as the "Rising Sun," in Clinton, formerly occupied by Mr. E. Ogle. His "bar" is supplied with the best of liquors, foreign and domestic.
July 3d, Jonathan and Eli Miller request those indebted to them to come forward and pay up, as they are about proceeding to Philadelphia to purchase their fall goods.
On the same date N. C. Boalse informs the public that he has commenced tavern keeping at the well known stand of John Davidson, in Mt. Vernon, at the sign of the "Traveller's Rest."
J. Brown openes a tavern in Mt. Vernon, "sign of the Ohio Hotel."
John Sawyer and Adney Colman opens a butcher shop in Mt. Vernon, July 27th. July 24th Mr. Thomas Irvine also announces that he is engaged in the butchering business.
Robert D. Moore, July 31st, offers his services to the people of Mt Vernon as physician and surgeon.
Married.-On Sunday evening last, August 11, 1816, by the Rev. James Smith, Mr. Daniel S. Norton, of Connellsville (Pa), to Miss Sarah Banning, daughter of Mr. Anthony Banning, of this town.
August 21st Mr. James Miller turns his advertisement upside down, and says he has opened a new store in the house lately occupied by Mr. John Wilson, wherein can be found a large and elegant assortment of dry goods, groceries, etc.
The same date appears a notice of a petition to be presented to the next legislature, praying for a law to be framed for incorporating the town of Mt. Vernon.
Mordecai Bartley of Richland county, represented the district composed of Richland, Knox and Licking in the senate, and Jonathan 'Mills represented Knox county in the house of representatives, in the legislature the winter of 1816-17.
A careful perusal of the columns of the Register fails to give any information as to the fate of the
petition to incorporate Mt. Vernon.
Samuel Kratzer gives notice, August 28, 1816, "to all whom it may concern," that he shall make application to the next court of common pleas, "to vacate certain streets and alleys in the town of Mt. Vernon, viz.: The east end of Chestnut street, the length of one lot adjoining the graveyard; also, the west end of Sugar street, the length of one lot; likewise, certain streets in the second addition of said town of Mt. Vernon.
September 4, 1816, B. Bentley gives notice that he has just received for Joseph S. Newell, an elegant assortment of merchandise.
About November 20, 1816, the gentlemen of Mt. Vernon desire to put on airs - they advertise for a barber.
William W. Alexander, November 27, 1816, notifies the citizens that he still continues to carry on the tailoring business at his home in Mt. Vernon.
Same date Jesse B. Thomas offers at public auction, "two hundred lots, in the town of Mt. Vernon," the sale to take place on the twelfth of December next.
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY. - 361
Perhaps nothing so quickly indicates the decline, or increasing prosperity of a place, as the publication of the uncalled for letters at the post officethus Samuel. H. Smith, postmaster of Clinton, January 1, 1817, publishes a list of seven uncalled for letters-so much for the decline. Gilman Bryant, postmaster for Mt Vernon, publishes a list of similar letters at the same date, which contains the names of eighty persons doing business with the Mt. Vernon post office.
There swims no goose so grey, but soon or late. She finds some honest gander for a mate.
Married.-On Saturday evening, February 22, 1817, by William Douglass, esq., Mr. Elijah Webster, to Mrs. Elizabeth, disconsolate widow of Mr. Ask, alias , alias , alias Simkins.
Died.-Suddenly, on the 8th of March, 1817, Master William T. Bryant, infant child of Gilman Bryant, esq.
March 26, 1817, the following notice appears:
Ohio Missionary Society.-We are authorized to state that a society has been formed in this State, for the laudable purpose of propagating the Gospel among the everlasting heathen of Connecticut and the parts adjacent. The first meeting of the society sill be held in Zanesville, on the 20th of May next, for the purpose of selecting suitable missionaries for the performance of the arduous undertaking. It is hoped that all who are favorable to the cause will contribute their mite to effect so desirable an object.
March 19, 1817, Coleman & Dixon open a boot and shoe shop in Mt. Vernon.
The following item in the Register of April 30, 1817, was of great interest to the citizens of Mt. Vernon and of Knox county:
At the last session of the general assembly of this State, sixty thousand dollars of the three per cent. fund was appropriated to the laying out, making and repairing roads in this State; and appropriated equally among the several counties. For the county of Knox is as follows:
On the road from Mt. Vernon to the north line of Knox county, leading to Mansfield, one hundred and seventy-five dollars; and two hundred and twenty-five dollars from Mt. Vernon to the south line of said county, on the road leading to Newark, by Azariah Davis; and fifty dollars on the road leading from Jonathan Hunts to Robinson's mill; and one hundred and fifty dollars on the road leading from Mt. Vernon to Coshocton by Abraham Darling's; and fifty dollars on the road leading from John Tibits on Mobeken to Mt. Vernon; where the said road intersects the road leading from Coshocton to Mt. Vernon; and two hundred dollars on the new State road leading from Mt. Vernon to Columbus, to be laid out in opening said road; and the sum of two hundred dollars on the said new road leading from Mt. Vernon towards Wooster, to be laid out in opening said road; and the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars, on the State road leading from Mount Vernon to the county line in a direction towards Zanesville, to be laid in opening said road; and fifty dollars on the road from Mt. Vernon to Granville.
The above appropriations from the State were highly appreciated by the people of Mt. Vernon.
Sixteen dollars per month were paid laborers in those days-and that amount was considered high
wages.
On the eighth of ,January, 1817, says the Southern Patriot, it was so dark in the city of London that candles were lighted at mid-day. Every American knows that the eighth of January is the anniversary of the glorious battle of New Orleans; the result of which literally put the city of London in mourning. It was indeed a dark day for England.- Ed. Register.
About this time Samuel H. Smith gives notice that he intends to apply to the court of common
pleas to vacate the greater part of the town of Clinton.
May 14, 1817, Wilson and Martin it appears have recently established a cabinet shop in the
house formerly occupied by I. Wilson as a storehouse, Market Square, Mount Vernon.
May 20th William W. Alexander, William Pettygrew and William Cranch, give to the public a
schedule of prices for tailoring.
The subscribers to the new school-house, proposed to be erected in Mt. Vernon, are requested to meet at Messrs. Richardson and Vore's tavern on Saturday afternoon, June, 1817, at four o'clock.
This year the fourth of July was honored by military display, banquet, toasts, songs, etc., both
at Mt. Vernon and Fredericktown.
July 9, 1817, Dr. William L. Brook commences the practice of physic and surgery in Mt. Vernon.
Married - On Thursday evening, July 17, 1817, by the Rev. James Smith, Mr. Isaac Vore, jr., to Miss Polly Martin, both of Mt Vernon.
In 1817 there were twenty-two chartered banks in Ohio, among which were the German bank of Wooster, the Granville bank and the Owl creek bank of Mt Vernon.
On the twenty-sixth of August, 1817, John Williamson, Samuel Pyle, Peter Zarby, James King and William Giffin, millwrights, met at Zimmerman's inn in Mt. Vernon, and established a schedule of prices.
One peculiarity of pioneer days was that all houses kept for the entertainment of "man and beast" were known as "taverns" or "inns." In 1880 such places are unknown. The pioneers copied the English inn, and also the manner of making "signs" for those establishments. The sign was the most important thing about them, and
362 - HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
the most noticeable, being generally suspended in a frame placed on top of a high post in front of the door, and consisting of a brilliantly painted horse, eagle, or some other animal or bird, or the head of some general or other prominent man.
February 4, 1818, another milliner offers her services to the ladies of Mt. Vernon, viz.: Miss Ann
Davis, also Miss Mary Lindsey, March 18, 1818, offers "her services as milliner, mantuamaker and glovist." She could be found at the house of Benjamin Martin, corner of Vine and Market (now Main) streets.
Died-Suddenly on Friday, March 13, 1818, Mr. Matthew Bonar.
Moody and McCarthy opens a new store in Mt. Vernon, April 1, 1818.
During this year Alexander Elliott is the postmaster at Mt. Vernon, and Andrew Clark is assistant postmaster at Clinton.
James Smith, April 4, 1818, advertises new goods for sale, in the house of Gilman Bryant, and, concludes as follows: "Clerk's office removed to this stand, and young ladies for sale at seventyfive cents."
In 1814 there were only eleven newspapers published in Ohio; of this number were the Ohio Register, the Zanesville Express and Muskingum Messenger, printed at Zanesville. Books of all classes, school, history and literary, were published from these early printing-offices. Even the Ohio Register office helped to swell the number, that the literary taste of the early pioneers might be indulged. The first noticed in the columns of the Register of 1814, was "James Smith's Vindication."
August 1, 1814, Putnam & Israel, of Zanesville, issued notice of their publishing in the office of the Zanesville Express Rollins' ancient history, in eight duodecimo volumes, of four hundred pages, at the low price of one dollar per volume. Egyptians, Carthaginians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Medes, Persians, Macedonians, and Grecians, were the themes of the different volumes. A great undertaking for a pioneer press.
Smith & McArdle, of the Register office, issued proposals for publishing by subscription, at their office, a history of the American Revolution, written in scriptural, or ancient historical style, by Richard Snowden. To which "will be added, The Columbiad, a poem on the American war," in thirteen cantos, by the same author. The price of the volumes, containing between two hundred and twenty and two hundred and fifty pages, duodecimo, was 'one dollar to subscribers; to non-subscribers, one dollar and twenty-five cents.
In 1816, the Register office having been removed to Mount Vernon, the editor, Mr. McArdle, who was also a bookbinder, gave notice in his paper that the publication of the Ohio Register would be suspended for two weeks, as he "had a large amount of binding for the State, which must be done promptly." In 1880, with a population of twenty-seven thousand three hundred and thirty, of which five thousand two hundred and forty-nine are within the limits of Mount Vernon, Knox county has not a bookbinder within its limits.
On the morning of the 4th of July, 1814, the flag of the United States was hoisted near Mr.
Zebulon Ashley's dwelling house, on a liberty pole sixty-eight feet in length, and the day was celebrated by a respectable number of the citizens of Strong's settlement and its vicinity. After an
elegant dinner eighteen toasts were drank, accompanied with the discharge of musketry. From
the number we extract the following:
The President of the United States, prefers republican principles to British tyranny-May the constitution be his life guard.
The American sword, which is drawn in defence of our country- May it never be returned till it has pierced the heart of our enemy.
Perry and his brave crew on Lake Erie-May they ever be victorious while their swords are drawn in defence of America.
The United States of America-May they ever be too independent to be governed by any other nation.
Success to the American Eagle, not forgetting Great Britain, hoping its kingdom may be brought down.
The others alike partake of a spirit engendered by the war, and breathe hate and defiance to the foe.
The following interesting items are from Norton's history:
In February, 1815, George Girty opened at store in Mt. Vernon, and also one in Fredericktown. There was but little increase the number of businessmen or in other respects this year.
On the eighth of April a "singing assembly" of ladies and gentlemen, comprising difterent singing societies in the county, gave a grand concert at the court house in Mt. Vernon, at 1 o'clock P. M. All persons feeling willing to unite and partici. pate in the exercises came. It was one of the olden kind of
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY. - 363.
gatherings, like the "old folks' concert" given in Mt. Vernon this spring of 1862, as we have been assured by one of the yocalists who participated in both " singing assemblies."
In these war times, when some are disposed to grumble at the low rates soldiers receive, it may be well to remind them of the pay in 1815. In March the pay of non-commissioned officers and privates in the army of the United States was reduced to the following prices: To each sergeant-major and quartermastersergeant, nine dollars; sergeants, eight dollars; corporals, seven dollars; teachers of music, eight dollars; musicians, six dollars; artificers, ten dollars, and privates, five dollars.
Samuel Mott had come all the way from Vermont to practice law in the wilderness, and was the first lawyer resident in the county. Enos was the second, who, one of the old settlers, says, had just been made at home, and "wasn't lawyer enough to hurt."
May 9th, H. Curtis informs his friends and the public that. (luring the vacations of the courts, clients will find him in the town of Mt. Vernon. In 1817 he became a fixture of the county, and here remained until 1858.
At the October election this whole county polled three hundred and forty-five votes. Alexander Enos was chosen representative; John Shaw, sheriff; Jonathan Miller, commissioner; Dr. W. Hastings, coroner.
Richland county, at this election, gave for representativeWinn Winship, one hundred and fifty-six; A. Enos, twentytwo; Robert McMillen, ten.
The following "furwan" we copy verbatim from the Register of January 29, 1817
"TAKE NOTICE-That eye have left my wife Isebelah Irelands bead and board and eye know furnwan env person or persons creeaditing hit. on my account as eye shall not be accountable for env of her deats or contracts from this date likewise eye furwan env person or persons for purchasing eny property whatever til her former deats is al paid up.
JOHN IRELAND."
The little log school-house on the public square had served its time, and at private houses schools had for some time been kept, when the public spirited men in Mt. Vernon started subscriptions to build another.
June 7th. The subscribers to the new school-house proposed to be erected, met at Richardson & Vore's tavern to choose managers, etc. .
June 18th. The small-pox having made its appearance at Newark, caused a great excitement in the quiet village of Mt. Vernon, The inhabitants ran to and fro, not knowing what to do. A public consultation was had, and Dr. R. D. Moore wrote and published a little treatise on the subject, giving the origin of the disease, the views of " the immortal Jenner" upon "the grease," "cow-pox," "small-pox," etc., and concluding as follows: "The small-pox has been for some months past travelling northward, and is now within a short distance from this place. The subscriber will attend on every Saturday at his house in Mt. Vernon, for the purpose of vaccinating.
Anderson Searl, of Mt. Vernon, on the eighteenth of June, publishes that he will not pay a certain note given to William Shinnibery for a certain black and white muley cow, to be delivered to him next harvest; "the said note being given in part consideration of a certain horse sold to me by said Shinnibery for a sound horse, which I have since found to be unsound."
The 4th of July was celebrated by the Mt. Vernon artillery company, under Captain Joseph Brown; with all the pomp and circumstance of war. The day was duly ushered in by a national salute-a grand parade came off a sumptuous dinner at Richardson & Vote's inn, and toasts, spee speeches and wine made it a merry occasion. The Declaration of Independence was read by Doctor Robert D. Moore. Among the toasts were the following:
" The Constitution, the grandest work of human genius-May it long stand the proudest monument of Republican solidity.
" The memory of our departed American heroes front. W-arreli down to the brave Pike and Lawrence.
"Faction, the bane of republican governments--May it never be suffered to impair confidence in our legally constituted authorities.
"May the words Federalist and Democrat be exchanged for the prouder appellation of-" I am an American citizen. "
"The fair Daughters of Columbia-Always lovely, but more divinely enchanting when attired in homespun, smiling on the patriotic brave.
" By Captain John Shaw-May brother Jonathan watch John Bull with the eye of an Eagle."
The grand jurors in the common pleas court June 23d, Royal D. Simons, foreman-returned seven bills of indictment. Albert Sherwood, by verdict of jury, recovered seventyfive dollars from William Williams for assault and battery; and in suit of the State William Williams was fined fifteen dollars and costs. Thomas Wilkins and John Roop are each fined five dollars and costs for assault and battery; and John Strain and Roop each fined five dollars and costs for an affray, and Robert Butler was fined. fifteen dollars and costs.
James Trimble renews his tavern license; also Michael Harter, John Davidson, Gotlieb Zimmerman, and Richardson & Vore:
On application of Anthony Banning and Samuel Kratzer for the vacating of a part of the addition of the town of Mount Vernon. the application is overruled at the cost of the applicants.
Samuel H. Smith's application for vacating part of the town of Clinton was continued; and also continued in the October term, 1817.
Ordered that a certificate issue to pay expense of coroner's inquest over the body of William Conaway, jr.; also of N. Butler.
John Frank & Co., July 17th, offered iron, castings and salt, being both chartered and cash articles in this place, and solicit their friends to whom they gave a short credit last winter to come forward and discharge their respective accounts.
They are informed that the paper of the Owl Creek bank, of Mt. Vernon, and that of Canton, and the Farmers' and Mechanics' bank, of Steubenville, will be taken, etc.
Luke Walpole brings to Mt. Vernon a quantity of salt, and leather, to exchange for beef and pork, delivered in Zanesville the coming winter.
October 16th Frederick Falley. proprietor of Venice has one thousand lots for sale, and invites all classes of mechanics and business men to locate there. About this time it was the supposition that Venice would become the future shipping point for Knox county, and Norton & Banning established a storage, commission and mercantile house at Venice, on the Sandusky bay. As evidence that this belief was general, we may cite the act of the legislature of 1817, declaring that the road to be made by the Knox, Richland & Huron Turnpike company shall terminate at the town of Venice, on Sandusky bay.
364 - HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
Robert D. Moore, as agent for the Mary Ann furnace, situated on the Rocky fork of Licking, brings to the notice of our citizens a large assortment of castings of superior beauty and quality, and asks them to encourage manufactories.
Daniel S. Norton notifies those who were in debt to him on the sixteenth of August last, to pay up while they can in the paper of the country.
Anthony Banning advertises a large lot of leather, which he will sell for hides or chartered money; or chartered money will be given for hides.
Jesse B. Thomas cautions "all persons (indiscriminately) against cutting, destroying, and removing timber from, or otherwise trespassing upon my lands on the Hamtramck section, as I
have given my agents (Messrs. John Roberts and John Warden), positive instructions to prosecute all."
"TAYLORS ' PRICES.-We, the subscribers, of Mt. Vernon. have agreed to establish the following prices for tailoring, viz: Great coats, four dollars and fifty cents; broad-cloth coats, four dollars; common homespun, three dollars and fifty cents; common pantaloons, one dollar and twenty-five cents; vest, one dollar and twenty-five cents; pantaloons with buttons on the legs, one dollar and seventy-five cents; ditto, welted, one dollar and fifty cents; cherrivallies, laced, three dollars; plain, ditto, two dollars and twenty-five cents; ladies' coats, three dollars and fifty cents. Any extra work on the above articles shall be priced according to the work.
"WILLIAM W. ALEXANDER.
"WILLIAM PETTIGREW,
"WILLIAM CROUCH.
"May 20, 1817."
William Giffin and Peter Zarley got up a meeting of mill wrights, at Zimmerman's inn, on the twenty-sixth of August, for establishing a bill of prices for their work. At this meeting John Williamson, Samuel Pyle. Peter Zarley, James King, and William Giffin were present. Among the items we find-"For a double-peered grist-mill, three hundred dollars; for a double peered saw-mill, two hundred dollars; for a meat spout two dollars; meal trough, three dollars; hopper, four dollars, etc." .
Jacob Myers, Patrick Nellans, Robert Robertson, Samuel Hoppers, Samuel Vance, John Byan, John Cottle, John Kinsey, and David Porter, agree upon honor to support the said bill of prices.
"The person who took away a mattock from my building, without leave, is requested to return the same immediately, or his name will be given to the public (besides prosecuting), as it is well known who purloined it."
"TAKE CARE.-The persons who was so kind as to take away without leave, a pair of stretchers and a broken singletree, or, the twenty-ninth of August; they were laying on the green between Messrs. Bryant & Burr's and Mr. J Frank & Co.'s stores, are requested to return the same immediately to the subscriber, and save themselves trouble. They had better return them before they are troubled with a call from Mr. Constable.
JAMES THOMPSON '
MOUNT VERNON, September 5, 1817."
Noah Rude has a chestnut sorrel horse stolen from James Bryant's pasture on the night of the fifth of September and offers a reward for him.
At the district court of the United States, held at Chillicothe on the ninth of September, Samuel Bunting was indicted on a charge of robbing the mail between Newark and Zanesville, and was sentenced to the penitentiary for one year.
Horse thieves about this time became so bold that Joseph Berry had, on the morning of the nineteenth of September, a mare, saddle and bridle stolen from the door of James Thompson in Mount Vernon, just after he had hitched her, and gone into the house.
Samuel Mott, candidate for senator, September 11th, sends out to the electors of Licking, Knox and Richland, the first printed address we have been able to find. He says, among other things, that he has "been induced to become a candidate from the encouragement of many substantial and respectable citizens in the district."
In the Register, of September 11th, we find tickets announced as the choice of Chester, Morris, Morgan and Miller townships.
There were many aspirants for political promotion. Among the number we find, for governor-Thomas Worthington, Ethan A. Brown, James Dunlap.
For congress-Peter Hitchcock. John G. Young. David Clendenan.
For senate-William Stanbery, esq.. William Gavitt, esq., Major Joseph Brown, Samuel Mott, esq., Benjamin Manin, esq., Waitstill Hastings, Henry Smith, Mordecai Bartley.
For house of representatives Jonathan Miller, William Mitchell, Munson Pond. John Warden, Alexander Enos, Judge Thomas Coulter for Richland county, William W. Farquhar.
The Ohio Register, of August 28th, having contained this notice:
"There is another gentleman who very kindly offers his sec, vices as representative in the State legislature; he is extremely modest, though very popular,- he, therefore, believes that it will amply suffice, at this time, to make public the initial letters. only, of his name. They are " R. B."
Expectation, on tip-toe, was gratified by the following explanatory card:
"September 3, 1816.
Mr. McArdle: .After my respects to you, as you have been so good as to insert the two first letters of my name, (1 presume it has been from the solicitations of my friends) I wish you to insert my name in full, as I am a candidate, and determined to oppose William Mitchell; and forward your hill to me, and you will much oblige yours, etc.
ROBERT BUTLER.
J. P. McARDLE''
Colonel John Greer about this time felt the importance of his milritary commission, and issued an order to the commandants of companies in the county of Knox to send two men from each company to Mr. Boalse's inn, to nominate suitable persons to represent the counties of Knox, Licking and Richland. Whereupon there appeared, on the thirteenth of September, the following persons:
From Captain Parcel's company, Truman Strong and David Shaw. From Captain Cook's company, Captain John Cook and Isaac N. Richardson. From Captain John Venom's company, Joslah B. Day and John Trimble. From Captain A. Emmet's company, William Bevans and Benjamin Warner. From Captain Cooper's company, Jacob Hanger and Jonathan Burch. From Captain Squire's company. James Miller and John Tullos. '
The result of this caucus or military dictation-the first of the kind ever known in this country, was the nomination of Waitstill Hastings and Jonathan Miller.
Nominating caucuses were also held in Richland and in Licking counties this year. The contest waxed very warm; circulars
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY - 365
and handbills were much circulated, and all manner of electioneering was resorted to at this election. The result, however, was that out of four hundred and eighty-five votes for governor cast in the whole county, Thomas Worthington received four hundred and twenty-four majority. Peter Hitchcock had four hundred and sixty-three majority for Congress; and the county gave small majorities for Martin for senator and Miller for representative.
Samuel Mott received one vote in Clinton, three in Morris, eight in Stiller, and none in Chester, Wayne, Jackson, Union, or Morgan. Connected with this election is the following anecdote, which is. altogether too good to be lost: Gideon Mott, the brother of Sam, who teas a very plain man, yet full of wit, was responsible for it. He said that he dropped in to see Mrs. Mott on the night of the election, and while there Samuel got home from Richland county, where he had been electioneering, and was asked how the election had gone in Clinton. He replied " I got one vote," Mrs. Mott exclaimed, That's always the way it is-if you had only been at home, Samuel, and voted, you would have got two!"
Josiah L. Hill, of Green township, offers himself as a candidate for representative of Richland county in the following pithy address:
"The usual theme of candidates, in my standing, are many loud-swelling words full of legislative wisdom, or rather of their own egotism, and to harangue every neighbor in their way with
the prospect of a State road or a turnpike, by measures of which one-half of our citizens will become wealthy inn-keepers, and the other half their happy customers, with their pockets flushed
with money drawn from a new country bank to be erected on a new-fangled system, and thus all are to be rich and happy. But such language as this hath never fallen from my lips since the
days of my youth, when under the passions of love and addressed to females of my age, and I shall not again resume this theme until I become a widower; but while I speak for myself
to men of understanding and discernment, and not to women, I have only to say that I stand a free-will offering at the altar of your good pleasures. Should I succeed in my election I shall feel it incumbent on me to use my feeble endeavors, by lawful license, to gratify my constituents, and this is all the flattery I have to make use of. My abilities are too small to boast of, which, with my character, are now for you to enquire into.
So I remain the public's devoted servant,
JOSIAH L. HILL.
GREEN TOWNSHIP, September 15, 1816."
Whereupon Thomas Coulter withdraws his name from the list.
At the election this year, four hundred and seventy votes were cast in Richland county-of which Worthington had a majority of three hundred and fifty-three, Hitchcock four hundred and thirty-three; and for Senator Mordecai Bartley received three hundred and thirty-nine, William Gavitt seventyseven, Joseph Brown twenty-three, Samuel Mott ten, Benjamin Martin six, Waitstill Hastings six. Samuel Williams was elected representative.
Benjamin Martin, for senator, puts forth the following address:
'To the electors of the district composed of the counties of Licking, Knox and Richland:
GENTLEMEN-As I am offering myself as a candidate to represent the inhabitants of the above district in the State senate, I think it- my duty to lay before the public a copy of official papers, which I hope you will read, and thereby satisfy your minds in regard to my political character. The first of my certificates has reference to the oath of allegiance.
"I do hereby certify that Benjamin Martin, of Bedford county hath voluntarily taken and subscribed the oath of allegiance and fidelity, as directed by an act of General Assambly of Pensylvania, passed the thirteenth day of June, 1777. Witness my hand and seal the tenth day of October, A. D., 1785.
JAMES MARTIN."
"Bedford county, State of Pennsylvania, ss.
We, the subscribers, justices of the Peace, & c., in and for the county of Bedford, do hereby certify to all who a may concern, that we have been acquainted with the bearer hereof, Benjamin Martin, son of James Martin, esq., of the county aforesaid these several years past, and that we have not heard of anything to operate against his character as an honest young man; but on the coutrary, that he has behaved himself as a good Whig and a friend to his country. And he being desirous to go from here to the lower parts of the State to transact some business and see his relations; therefore, all persons are requested to permit the said Benjamin Martin to pass and repass, he behaving himself as a good and faithful citizen ought to do.
Given under our hands and seal, the twentieth of April, in the year of our Lord 1784.
BENJAMIN DOUGHERTY,
DAVID HESPY."
"SIRS-Having always in view, as my polar star, the principles contained in the above oath and certificate, I have with a steady mind, either as a private citizen or as a public servant, pursued that kind of policy which would best promote the interests of our country, as the principles of general suffrage; for I always have and ever shall be of opinion, that when a man has enrolled himself in our militia muster-rolls, and has paid State and county tax, that in consequence thereof, he is and ought to be entitled to all the privileges and advantages of the government; and any policy or law, which, in its operation, would tend to lessen those privileges would be an invasion on the natural and inherent rights of man. Those, gentlemen, are the principles which I ventured in my life to establish, and the remaining part of my days shall go to maintain them.
Written by the public's humble servant and real friend,
BENJAMIN MARTIN."
The difficulty of collecting debts, in part at this time, may be judged of by the following unique notice of Sheriff Shaw:
PUBLIC NOTICE.-My friends and the public are hereby informed, that should they have large sums of money to collect, not to bring suit in the court of common pleas, in expectation of thereby obtaining their just demands in a reasonable time. I have been induced to publish this friendly caution that the public may not censure me for neglect in my official capacity. In order to show where the fault lies, read the following plain statement:
I have been assiduously endeavoring to collect the amount of an execution ever since I have been sheriff of this county, and have as yet received no money. The associate judges grant bills of injunction successively, after I have had the property ready for sale, which has procrastinated the collection of money. There have been two on the aforesaid execution; the judgment was rendered at the December term, 1815, for Erkurius Beatty. Therefore, if the laws of this State will keep a
366 - HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
man out of his money three years after judgment is rendered, I would seriously advise my friends not to bring suits for debts due them, but rather remove to some other State or country where they may obtain justice.
JOHN SHAW,
Sheriff of Knox county.
September 4,. 1816.
The fall term of the court of common pleas came on December 24, 1816.
GRAND JURY.- Isaac Vore, sr., foreman, Abednego Stephens, Thomas Townsend, Zebulon Ashley, David Jackson, Robert Work, William Lepley, William Kittle, John L. Lewis, Samuel Durbin, Robert McMillan, Anthony Banning, Francis Wilkins, Francis Blakeley, and Thomas Fletcher.
They found six bills of indictments. Tavern license was granted to Anson Brown and Jonathan Hunt. Store licenses to John Williams, James Rigby, James Miller, John Shrimplin, Bryant & Burr, Eli and Jonathan Miller, and Anthony Banning. Shadrack Ruark, of the Methodist church, was licensed to marry, and James Craig was fined fifteen dollars and costs for assault and battery.
[The foregoing quotations from Mr. Norton's book have been given nearly verbatim, partly to indicate the spirit of the times and show the rather crude condition of the pioneers in a literary way, and partly for the names of the pioneers, which appear in various places.-The Editor.]
In 1820 there were only seven brick houses in Mt. Vernon, and of these two only remain to mark the past. The building on the northeast corner of Mulberry and Vine streets, now occupied by O'Conner, grocer, is one; the second has been so improved and modernized that its past appearance can scarcely be recalled to mind even by the oldest residents, and to others its existence is forgotten. At that time what is now Mr. Joseph M. Byers' pleasant residence, northwest corner of Gay and Vine streets, was but a small onestory building upon the east end of the lot. The old building is yet there, and is still not there, for the modern improvements have completely hidden it from view. At that time the little brick was occupied by William Vore, a teamster.
In 1826 Mt. Vernon contained eighty dwellinghouses, one printing office, a brick court house and jail, a merchant-mill, a saw-mill, a cotton factory, and within six miles, nine grist-mills and saw-mills, and three carding machines.
Up to the settlement of the county seat question, Clinton was far in advance of Mt. Vernon and even Fredericktown, although about two years younger than its more fortunate rival, seemed to offer greater advantages for the county seat than Mt. Vernon. That matter having been decided, however, probably in a great measure by Ben Butler's "trick," the destiny of the town was thus decided it was to become a city.
From 1805 to 1811: no territory was added to its limits as the increase in population was no more than sufficient for the original plat. Since the latter date the following additions have been made: Joseph Walker's, January 15, 1811; Samuel Kratzer, March 20, 1811; Joseph Walker made a second addition, September 11, 1:816; Mr. Hamtramck, November 15, 1826; Mr. Shaw, April 3, 1828; Trimble's addition was made May 5, 1832; Banning s, September 12, 1832: Burgess', October 12, 1832: Jesse B. Thomas', August 2, 1836; Norton's Western, February 4, 1837; Eastern addition, April 13, 1837; Samuel Kratzer's second, July 9, 1838; Mr. Norton made two additions in 1841, one March 25th, and the other July gist; Norton's, Northern, November 29, 1845; Potwin and Raymond's, December 31, 1845 ; Thomas, Warden & Brown's, May 22, 1848; Brown's Executors', June 9, 1848; Factory, July 5, 1848; M. M. Beam, June 23, 1849; Benjamin F. Smith's, April 7, 1852; Russell & Hurd's, March 14, 1853: Norton's, Southern, May 20, 1853; Blackman's, April 11, 1854; S. B. Doty's, September 18, 1854; Sturdevant's, September 27, 1854; A. Banning Norton's, October 31, 1854, Norton's Great Western, December 8, 1854; Norton's Island, December 28, 1854; P. Lothorp's, January 22, 1855: Henry B. Curtis', May 7, 1855; John Irvine's, November 7, 1860; Henderson's, January 3, 1861; George K. Norton's, February 12, 1862: H. W. Owens, April 21, 1862; Henry B. Curtis', October 8, 1862; J. F. Hobbs', January 12, 1863; Henry B. Curtis', December 1, 1863; George K. Norton's, May 11,
1864; Sheahan & Quade's, November 8, 1866; John Purcell's, March 2, 1867; James Worley's,
March 20, 1867; Joseph Watson's April 1. 1867; Adam Randolph's, August 22, 1868; H. B. Rogers', December 18, 1868; Adam Snow, April 10, 1869; C. H. Osborne's, January 14, 1871 ; Arthur Greer's, September 7, 1871; G. B. Potwin's Executors', July 20, 1871 : James Rogers', August 7, 1872; James Rogers' Eastern, November 25, 1872; H. O. Taft's, February 8, 1873; Boynton R Hill's,
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY. - 367
February 21, 1873; Frederick Vohls', May 13, 1873; Sherwood's, July 7, 1873; John Wilson's, July 26, 1873; Rogers & Doyle's, Ootober 9, 1873; and Newham & Williams', April 30, 1874.
February 26, 1845, the State legislature passed an act entitled "An Act to Incorporate the Town of Mt Vernon, in Knox county," the first section reading as follows:
SEC. I. Be It Ordained by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, That so much of the town of Mt. Vernon, in the county of Knox, as is comprised in the limits hereinafter described, that is to say, all the in-lots, streets and alleys, and other public grounds bordered by the same, within the old original town plat and its several recorded and confirmed additions, together with all fractions of lots or parcels of ground lying between the old town plat and either of said additions, especially to include such fractions or portions of ground not already laid out into town lots, as lie between the south line of Hamtramck street, anti the north line of Burgess street, extending between the Hamtramck addition and Norton's addition; and so much of like ground as lies north of the south line of Chestnut street, extending east to the Coshocton road, and to include one tier of in-lots of usual size on the north side of Chestnut street, so extended as aforesaid; also embracing the following groundscommencing at Lambton square, at the junction of the Mansfield and Wooster roads; thence along the Mansfield road to the intersection of the north line of the cross street or road, to the new graveyard; thence along the north line of said cross street to the graveyard lot; thence north and so running around said graveyard lot and including the school-house lot to the southeast corner thereof; thence following the aforesaid graveyard street to the east line of the Wooster road; thence southward along the east line of the said Wooster road and the east line of Gay street, as extended to North street; thence west to Main or Market street; thence north to the place of beginning, except such lots and streets in any of said plats or, additions as have been vacated; Provided, That this exception does not exclude the vacated lots and streets east of Division street, and north of Front street in the Eastern addition, but the same are hereby included in the limits according to the eastern boundary of said addition, as originally laid out and recorded-be, and the same is hereby created into a town corporate, to be known by the name of the town of Mount Vernon; Provided, That all ground here after laid out and recorded as town lots, or additions to said town, by name or otherwise, if contiguous thereto, shall, from the time of being so recorded, be included within the corporate limits of said town and constitute a part thereof.
Further provisions of the above quoted act of incorporation, divided the town into five wards, and allotted one councilman to each ward, and provided for their election, and also for the election of one mayor, one recorder, one town treasurer, one town marshal, and one street commissioner.
Eight years later, by the passage of the following sections, the legislature enabled the town to become a city of the second class:
SEC. XIX. of the municipal code, passed May 3, 1852, provides for the election of two trustees for each ward.
SEC. XXI. Any town which by the special act of incorporation has been divided into wards, shall be denominated a city of the second class if the council shall so determine.-Ohio Law, passed 1853.
The completion of the Sandusky, Mansfield S Newark railroad, about 1846, enabled Mount Vernon to take a long step forward, and thus avail itself of, the privileges granted by the legislature. The several additions made to the city in 1873, were caused principally by the completion of the Cleveland, Mount Vernon & Columbus railroad.
On the second of March, 1870. the city council passed "An Ordiance Defining and Establishing the Corporate Limits of the City of Mount Vernon, Ohio." The provision of the ordinance reads as follows:
SEC. I. Be it ordained by the City Council of the city of Mt. Vernon, That the City Corporation Line of the City of Mt. Vernon be, and is hereby established by the following described lines, to wit:
Beginning at the southwest corner of the north abutment of the bridge at the south end of Main street, and running thence S. 53 1/2°, E. 20 50-100 rods along the stone wall south of John Cooper's Steam Engine works, to the southeast angle thereof. Thence N. 83 1/2°, E. 516-100 rods to the southeast angle of John Cooper's fence, on the west side of Gay street. Thence S. 83 1/2°, E. 12 40-100 rods to the southwest corner of the Factory addition. Thence by the courses and distances bounding the south side of said addition to the southwest corner of Curtis, and Byer's lot, being lot No. 34 in said addition. Thence N. 83 1/4,", E. 25 80-100 rods, continuing along the south line of said addition. Thence N. 74 1/4°, E. 32 60-100 rods along said south boundry, and by the same course to a point on the east line of Ridgely street, and near the south line of Water street. Thence N. 2°, E. 136-100 rods on east line of Ridgely street to a point on the south side of the Springfield, Mt. Vernon and Pittsburgh railroad line. Thence S. 80°, E. 38-100 rods to a white oak 28 inches diameter, S. 73 1/4, E. 21 52-100 rods S. 64°, E. 27 16-100 rods along the south side of said railroad line to the centre of Allen Beach's alley. Thence N. 1 3/4°, E. 28-100 rods along the centre of said alley to a point 12 rods south of the south side of Gambier street. Thence S. 73 1/4°, E. 114 40-100 rods on a line parallel with the south side of Gambier street to the east line of Clinton township. Thence N. 2°, E. 94 50-100 rods on said township line to the south side of the new Gambier road. Thence N. 88°, W. 37-100 rods along the south side of said road to a point in line with the east side of Centre Run street. Thence N. 2°, E. 98-100 rods along the east line of Centre Run street to the centre of Coshocton road. Thence N. 70', E. 14 12-100 rods along the centre of said road to John Flynn's southeast corner. Thence N. 175,°, W. 13 92-100 rods to said Flynn's northeast corner in the the centre of the " Harkness road." Thence N. 88°; 20 W. 166 86-100 rods along the centre of said road to the southeast corner of Mrs. Plimpton s lot, known as " Round Hill." Thence N. 2°, E. 41 90-100 rods along the east side of said lot, to a point in line
368 - HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
with the north side of Curtis street. Thence on said line N. 89". W. 43 50-100 rods to the east side of McKenzie street. Thence N. 2°, E. 24 84-100 rods to the south line of land owned by the heirs of Rev. James Scott, deceased. Thence N. 31 1/2°, E. 36 5.100 rods across said Scott's land, To feet north of the stable, and along the northeast side of an alley, across and to to the west side of Wooster road. Thence on the west side of said road N. 40 1/2*, E. 13 40-100 rods to the northeast corner of John McGibney's lot. Thence N. 49 1/2°, W. 12 40-100 rods along the north line of said lot, to the northwest corner thereof. Thence N. 88 1/2°, E. 26 50-100 rods along the north side of land owned by John McGibney to the east side of the cemetery. Thence N. 2°, 10, E. 39 80-100 rods on the east side of the cemetery to the northeast corner thereof. Thence N. 88°, 50` W. 18 92-100 rods on the north line of said cemetery to the east line of the Catholic cemetery. Thence on said east line N. 2°, 10' E. 8 60-100 rods to the northeast corner of said cemetery. Thence S. 76 1/4', W. 43 8-100 rods along the north side or said cemetery and Mr. Pollock's lot, to the west side of the Mansfield road. Thence along the west side of said road N. 14°, W. 25 75-100 rods to the south side of a road on the north side of lands owned by widow Trimble's heirs. Thence continuing along the south side of said road S. 76 3/4', W. 39 80-100 rods to the angle thereof. Thence S. 68°, W. 24 rods along the south line of said road, to a point in the line with Mr. Flaharty's east line. Thence o n said east line N. 15 1/2`,