Richland Co., Ohio

 
 

Misc. Info.

 
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Judson Flaharty Letter in the Bellville Messenger

source:  Bellville Messenger:  27 September 1907, p. 1

 
 
 

Submitted by Peggy

 

BELLVILLE

Many Incidents Related By a Former Resident

To the editors:

                Through the courtesy of a niece of mine a copy of the “Bellvile (Ohio) Messenger” underdate of August 21, 1907 came into my hand in which I read record of the ?th “Home Coming” held at Bellville. This with other matter that I read  with interest started a train of reminiscences of which I am cognizant and while I am in possession of considerable data bearing on the early history of Bellville, I thought a statement might be of some interested to your readers, some of whom will remember more of the incidents I purpose to relate.

                I will say that the writer first saw the light of the world on Nov. 11, 1841, in a little log cabin on the banks of “Pine Run,” Jefferson Township, Richland County, at a point where said stream is crossed by the road leading from Newville into Brownville in what was then known as the “Hay Settlement” from the fact that a numbrer of families by that name resided in the immediate vicinity. An uncle’s farm joined that of my father, while that of my grandfather, Nicholas Flaharty, was less than a mile distant. The first four or five years was passed in the log cabin and I very distinctly recollect many incidents that came under my observation while there but as they have no particular bearing on the subject in hand, I will pass them and say that my father and uncle, Nick Flaharty, sold their farms, moved to Bellville and began the Tanning business at the North east corner of town immediately back of where the post office now stands, I recollect the trip from the old home to Bellville, for on passing through the vilage of Newville, father bought us some nuts and candy which was a new treat and being somewhat richer than corn bread, buckwheat cakes, pork, bread….???? Fed, I got sick and “parted” with the nuts and candy near Newville. We moved into a large double house that stood on the north side of the street that lays or runs East and West through the public square in the second block west of Main Street. After a few years, my father withdrew from the Tannery and with an uncle named A. Simpson a new partnership was entered into and a stock of groceries placed in the room two doors south of the brick Hotel. His partnership did not prove genial, and my father bought the interest of my uncle and continued the business for many years.

                On our arrival at Bellville, I was sent to school, then taught by, I think, Mrs. Dr. Lee, in a little building diagonally across the street from the present Methodist church. Later, I was sent to a school taught by Alvin Drew, he of the crooked finger. This building was situated on the next lot south of old Robert Bell, the founder of Bellville. This building served its purpose several years and on the completion of the new brick school building in the south east part of town, was bought by my father and moved to the north end of town adjoining my father’s grocery. I will just say that at this time there was two school buildings in Bellville, the other one standing where Dr. Lewis subsequently built a large residence. This school house was sold to Mr. H. Alexander and was moved to the lot between my father’s grocery and the brick hotel where a large stock of stationery was laced and was handled by Mr. Alexander from a large wagon built for the purpose and traveled “where, there and every where” up and down the county by Mr. Alexander who also carried a fine line of cigars with the cognomen “Punch Cigars.” As my father sold cigars and tobacco with a full line of groceries, I distinctly remember the “Punch Cigars.” This was about the time that the railroad was built to and through Bellville. It was a daily occurrence for traveling salesmen with Notions in Wagons to call on the merchants in Bellville and other towns but with the advent of the railroad, was soon discontinued. I remember that when the railroad was within a mile of town that my father took me to the deep cut west of town to see the cars. The road through the Cut was open and rails laid but the bridge east of the Cut was not completed. Standing on the top of the Cut, I could look down where the men were at work. Soon a locomotive came along and when it got opposite where I stood the engineer gave a blast of the whistle that scared me very much, but my father had me by the hand and I did not get away, which probably accounts for my being able at this late day to give an account of it. The first location of the railroad through Bellville was on the north bank of the river, skirting the stone quarry but subsequently was changed to the present location. The life of the citizens of Bellville in those days was one of quiet contentment. Business was carried on in a reciprocal way, not much money in circulation and what there was , was of the old State Bank issue. Every merchant was provided with a Bank note Detector, a monthly publication that gave the standing of the various banks throughout the country. Much of the farm product, butter, eggs, vegetables, etc., were exchanged for goods. The dry good business was represented by John Strang, John Morrow, Elijah Markey and Benj. Jackson; groceries by my father and a Mr. Vickroy. Wilbur? Moody kept the hotel, David and John Zent managed the elebator. John Nelson and James Walsh had harness shops; ?? Fisher the meat market; Benj. Hines, the shoe man; Samuel Donald, the carpenter; Jacob Phillips, the cabinet maker and also manufactured coffins and, I believe, conducted funerals; a Mr. High, the blacksmith, at south end of town, also a Mr. D?? In second block south of public square, a Mr. Kelly was the tinware man. I should have said that a Mr. McIntire kept a harness shop on Main street, west side. Other business was represented but I do not recall the proprietors’ names. The health of town and vicinity was looked after by doctors Jno. M. Smith, A.I. Bench??, J.C. Lee and S.D. Whitcomb. The man who of all others I should recall is now forgotten, and that is the cemetery keeper, he who has the last chore for us to perform. The spiritual welfare was looked after by Reverend Lockhart, J.C. Cleaver and others who I have now forgotten. As for the old citizens, I recall Jacob Sergeant, Mr. Cowan, Shearer, Patterson, Wagner, John Dean, Selah Dean, Cyrus Day, John Wright, Capt. Wm. Lyon, John Markey, A.J. Markey, C.A. Lefever and his father, who lived one half mile east of town on the now ????, Mr. ???, ?????, James Miles, Jacob Britener, Mr. Plank, Thos. Austin, Benj. Brown, Peter Strong, Wm. Brenninger, Mr. Walsh, also Perry Walsh, old Mr. Lobacy and Robt. Lobach, Geo. Brentlinger — he of the long curls — Dr. Eells, , old Mr. Elston and Wm. Elston, Lew and Oliver Gurney, Wm. Lefever, Mr. Fairchild, J.G. Barney, Matt Reid, J. Ditwiler, G. Hume, Albert Harrington, Mr. Rankin, of the foundry, Mr. Campbell, Lucien Harrington, Mr. Whitten, Bunyan Edwards, Fred K. Fitting, Uriah Armstrong, John and Abe Lash, Wm. Madden, Frank Thrailkill, others I do not now recall, with the exception as it just comes to me, Miss Phoeba Patterson, a maiden lady who lived next south of the present Hines home. All young people found a welcome to her hospitable home when we wanted to have a  “party” — I believe it’s now called “sociable.” These were the places we found our sweethearts.

                Among the farmers were the Leedys, Shearners, Youngs, Stelts, Sites, Lockharts, Aungsts, Steels, Olins, Kletz, Hanawalt, Evarts, Hamiltons, Geo. Bowers, he of “Get Up Colly, 40 miles to Oceola,” Gerhearts, Grices, Traxlers, A.B. Leedy, Sells, Worley, Robinsons. Sam’l Bixler, Jno. Stone, Peter Masters, Allen Caley —he that was the “but end” of all jokes — Sam’l Antrikin, the Divilbiss that carried guns,  — great hunters and marksmen, Lyman Andrews, who always raised melons, Knoxs, Jim Marshall and I could name others — all but very few now have crossed over and joined the great majority. I recall the death of Mr. Chronister by drowning under the oak tree that stood on the river bank above the head race bridge near “Moody’s Garden,” subsequently Peter Measels, now where the “dairy buildings are.” Also the old German, who with this horse was swept away by flood just a farther up the creek.

                I was a witness to the drowning of Samuel McIntire. A new iron bridge was being erected in North end Main St. The heavy ironwork was being put in place with rope and falls. The river was on a rampage and more than bankfull the swift current undermined one of the stone piers and whole thing fell into the river with all that were on it. McIntire was carried down the river and caught hold of a cable that held one of the iron bents but on account the severe strain broke close to where McIntire was holding to it. The recoil of the rope struck him about the head, rendering him insensitive and falling back into the water, drowned. Another man, whose name I do not recall, came very near drowning but was saved, just in the nick of time.

He lives with his parents on bank of river immediately west of the present elevator, their business was that of Pottery ware, all made by hand on the old fashioned wheel, the foot furnishing the power.

                The Pottery stood few doors north of the Miller Hotel, but that has all gone our of business years ago. It just occurs to me the name is Wolford.

                In this connection I will mention another gentleman, a former resident of Bellville who I doubt is remembered by any citizens in town, and that is E.B. Finley, now a resident of Bucyrus, O., an attorney of prominence, late member of Congress, and who arose to the position of Lieut. General in the war of the rebellion. He was one of the very early citizens of Bellville and whose fund of “Recollections of Early Bellville” is boundless. I would suggest that for your next “Home Coming” you invite him to address you on the early hsitory of Bellville, and if he don’t “set you afire” I miss my guess. He told me, when I lived in Bucyrus, many incidents of the early history of Bellville, I learned of his Bellville life by mentioning to him the name of John Morrow, dry goods merchant, who is remembered and then told me many things I had not known. He was a cooper and made barrels and other cooperage in the shop that stood west of where Dr. Austin lived.

                This brings me to about 1860. I distinctly remember the slavery agitation, the warm discussions pro and con, how just prior to the Harper Ferry Insurrection broke out headed by John Brownm whose “soul goes marching on,” that men would stand for hourse and argue the question, sometimes becoming so intensely earnest bad feelings was engendered and not infrequently came to blows. The Campaign of Lincoln and Douglas was one of the most exciting this country has ever witnessed. Mass meetings were held everywhere , and delegations of people from adjoining towns would prepare great wagons, bearing men and women, banners, flags and enthusiasm and form into large delegations would enter the town led by bands of music, ????? Principal streets drawing up at last to where the speakers stand was erected and there addressed by eloquent speakers. These speakers often inflamed their hearers to such  a degree that violence was often the result of a Grand Rally. I have witnessed women fight with others of her sex. Later the excitement grew so intensive and partisan lines were so closely drawn that one party devised in emblem so offensive to the others that the insulted party would snatch off the coat or dress, then “Hair Pulling” began and the participants would instantly be surrounded by the curious crowd until soon a policeman would march the participants away.  These were strenuous days and it is hoped that we will never witness such again. During the early agitation caused by the rumors of war elections would be followed by jollification meetings, great bonfires, marching men, torch light procession, fire works, which consisted of balls of candle wicking soaked in alcohol would be lighted and then thrown here and there much to the disgust of the female portion of the crowded streets.

                Then came the eventful day, April 12, 1861, when Ft. Sumpter was fired on by the Confederates. The die was cast and the inventable (inevitable?) conflict started. The President’s call for volunteeers was responded to early in the conflict by Capt. Miller Moody, who recruited a company of three months men and who found service in West Virginia, marshal music, fife snare and bass drum were brought out and added enthusiasm to the young and aged. I recall the young man Sammy Spayde who played a snare drum whose equal I have never since heard. He would begin with the single drag, a long steady roll. Soon his father would say, now, Sammy, give them the double drag, which consisted of an additional tap, interspersed in what seemed to be a roll of triplet taps. I do not know of any other way of explaining it but to the accustomed ear it was quite different from the single drag.

                The juvenile portion of Bellville was soon afire with enthusiasm and while they could not enlist on account of age they formed companies of Home Guards. Captain Wm. Lyon selected me as drill master for the boys and he put me through a throrough course of drill and when the boys finally drifted together into a company. I was chosen Captain. I have yet a full roll of the company, also an expense account of the equipment for uniforms, caps, etc. In the roll appears many names that are familiar to Bellville people. There was Capt. Judson Flaharty, First Lieut. Israel Moody, Second Lieut. Wm. Lockhart, Orderly Marsh Coleman, Color Bearer P. Headly, Fifer Frank Hill, Drum(mers) Lambert Walsh, Amos Plank, Privates Harry Flaharty, Wm. Smith, Edgar Moody, Goerge Clark, Josh Rankin (Poke), Milton Flaharty, Frank Reed, Chas. Ordway, James Ordway, Bradley Austin, Irvin Fisher, Cal Ward, Hub Sargeant, David Shearer, Frank Leader, Adison Hamilton, John Leedy, Del Sargeant, Geo. Shearer, Geo. Wilcox, Jas. Whitten, Ed Morrow, Harry Sargeant, John Phillips, Henry Masters, Wm. Howard, Levi Evarts, Eli Evarts, Perry Oldfield, McKenzie Harshfield, Henry Howard, Wm. Howard, Frank Stevens, Harvey Ditwiler, John Cushing, Marion Flaharty, Leroy Lefever, Samuel Robinson and John Leedy. Now where are they? I do not think I can count over ten that are now living.

                The junior company was formed about May 1, 1861, according to my records. The Company for actual service under Capt. Moody was open for enlistment on and after Saturday, April 20, 1861, for on that date the first meeting of Citizens was held. The next day being Sunday the enlisted men marched from Hotel to Methodist Church where Rev. Mitchel preached a sermon for their benefit. On Tuesday the company was complete and were ordered forthwith  to Columbus, arriving at the depot the order was countermanded, but on April 26 Capt. Moody returned from Columbus with the information that his company should immediately proceed to Columbus and they left that evening. In those days I kept a diary on a daily record of events that came under my observation. On May 15, 1861, I hoisted the American flag over the schoolhouse at Bellville perhaps the first instance. It has since become the proper thing to do, and about that time I write a note enclosing a penny and deposited it under a shingle on the schoolhouse which was subsequently found by Lew Gurney. I believe, thourgh, that is only my surmise.

                Among my schoolmates in the new schoolhouse, where the Idols of Bellville scholars. N.E. Stearns was the principal, Andrew Gernhart, Asst. ???????????????, some removed beyond my ken and some few who yet remain. It was quite the proper fad in those days to have an Album in which your friends and acquaintances were requested to write a verse, or a wish or even their name, as a memento or reminder in furture years of pleasant relations, and friendships of former years.

                The one I had was bought from R.B. Morrow Sept. 10, 1858, and among the many who contributed to its pages I will mention, Mira A. Olin, S.E. Gurney (now Mrs. Frank Thrallkill) under date of Feb. 1, 1858, Mary E. Sargeant, Florence Stevens, Julia Lefever (now Mrs. L. Severns), Miss Louisa McFee, Carrie Heath, Maggie Coleman (my wife), Israel Moody, Helen Ordway (now Mrs. Jno. Zest), Charles W. Burger, Ella Sargeant, M.L. Holtem, Chatt Lefever, Loram C. Markey, Lizzie Austin, and many others.

                In the spring or summer of 1863, I learned telegraphy at Mansfield, and since that time I have been at Bellville but little. I was always within visiting distance until last November, since which time I have been, during the winter at Tucson, Ariz., and since Mary last at this place.

                I attended your “Home Coming” but once and that was last August, a year ago. Whether or not we shall attended the next depends a good deal on the future, we know not what is before us, we hope it is all good, so we pray for continuance. There are many kind friends in Bellville and vicinity who we would be flad to see, and renew old associations, and remeniscences. I I have brought to mind some some things or incidents that you have forgotten, I hope they will all be bright ones to you. I know of no unkindness or feelings of regret to any acquaintance I ever enjoyed in Bellville. Many more little incidents present themselves in my mind, some that would interest many of you, while some of a more personal character would interest only those concerned. If I have been dull I crave your indulgence. If I have interested you I feel that my recollections of Bellville have not been in vain.

Yours respectfully,

Judson Flaharty
919 North Ainsworth Avenue

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