Ohio History Journal

OHIO STATE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORI-

CAL SOCIETY.

 

ORGANIZATION AND PROCEEDINGS FOR THE YEAR 1885, WITH

ABSTRACTS OF ADDRESSES, AND PAPERS PRESENTED BE-

FORE THE SOCIETY.

 

PRELIMINARY CONFERENCE.

 

A PRELIMINARY conference, to take steps towards the or-

ganization of a State Archaeological and Historical Society,

was held at Columbus on the evening of February 12, 1885.

Prior to this time there had been in existence a State Archae-

ological Association, which had, however, become inactive

after several years of successful work.  This meeting was

called by Mr. A. A. Graham, of Columbus, after consultation

with many friends of the old Society. There were present

at the meeting General James S. Robinson, of Kenton; Hon.

Chauncey N. Olds, of Columbus; Professors N. S. Town-

shend and S. C. Derby, of Ohio State University; Messrs.

J. J. Janney, C. J. Wetmore, and A. A. Graham, of Colum-

bus. Letters regretting inability to be present and endorsing

the movement were received from General R. Brinkerhoff, of

Mansfield, and Hon. Henry B. Curtis, of Mt. Vernon.

General James S. Robinson was chosen as President, and

Mr. A. A. Graham as Secretary of the meeting.

The object of the gathering was stated to be to consider

not only the revival and reorganization of the former Archae-

ological Society, but the addition to it of an historical side,

which would largely increase the value of the Society and

the scope of its labors.  It was urged that as so much valu-

able material was being constantly taken from Ohio by the

Associations of other States, no time should be lost in form-

ing a permanent society for archaeological and historical collec-

tion and for the encouragement of researches in the counties

and townships of the State.

83

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84     Ohio Archaeological and Historical Quarterly.

As a result of this conference, General James S. Robinson,

Professor N. S. Townshend, and Mr. A. A. Graham were

appointed as a committee to draft and issue a call for a State

convention of those interested in the subject, to be held at

Columbus, at some convenient date in the month of March,

1885.

 

THE CALL FOR A CONVENTION.

In pursuance of these instructions, the committee prepared

the following circular, of which numerous copies were sent to

every county in the State:

"COLUMBUS, O., February, 1885.

"DEAR SIR-You are, no doubt, aware that in the year

1875 a State Archaeological Association was constituted, that

had at the time of the centennial year a very commendable

number of members, and exerted considerable influence. It

gathered a very good museum, and issued valuable reports.

The Association held several very interesting meetings, and

laid an excellent foundation.  Among its last officers was

the late Professor John T. Short, whose enthusiasm did much

to keep alive the interest in the Society, and whose death,

in the midst of his usefulness and his labors, deprived the

Association of one of its most active and zealous members.

No one appeared ready to take his place, and for a time the

Society has been practically inoperative.

"It was found by experience that the subject of archaeology

did not interest a sufficient number of people, and it is pur-

posed, in the reorganization which we shall now effect, to

extend its influence and scope, and add thereto a geological

and a historical feature.

"The necessity and usefulness of such a Society is apparent

to every intelligent person.  It needs no argument.  All

other States, East and West, are rapidly passing Ohio in

these matters, and, by united and persistent efforts, are pre-

serving their archaeological and civil history. These collec-

tions are invaluable to their people, and teach to their children

lessons they can learn in no other way.

"Ohio, the oldest State in the Northwest, is one of the

richest fields for the student of history. This fact is so ap-

parent that institutions from other States are continually

investigating her remains and her history, and enriching their

cabinets with valuable collections, which should and would

remain in her own care did such a Society as it is now pro-

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Proceedings of the Society.        85

posed to organize enter the field, rightfully its own, and dili-

gently pursue its investigations.

"In 1787 was passed the famous ordinance guaranteeing

freedom forever to the great Northwest, of which Ohio forms

an integral part, and which was the first State organized under

that "Constitution of Liberty."  Younger States in the

"territory northwest of the river Ohio" are moving in the

matter of a centennial celebration of that important event.

Shall not, and should not, Ohio take the lead? One year

after this ordinance was passed, a band of forty-one pioneers

came down the Ohio, in the "Mayflower," anchored their

vessel near the mouth of the Muskingum river, and here,

April 7th, 1788, was made the first permanent settlement of

our State. The centennial of this event will soon occur.

Shall not a proper celebration perpetuate its memory?

"It is proposed to hold, in the City of Columbus, in the

State Capitol, during the second week of March, beginning

Thursday, the 12th, a convention of all those interested in

the history of Ohio, and who may wish to aid in the organi-

zation of such an Association. We extend to you a special

invitation to come, and hope to see at this convention repre-

sentatives from every part of Ohio.

"The objects of the Association may be briefly outlined

as follows:

1. To bring together all those interested in these questions.

2. To revive and organize a permanent society, whose pur-

pose shall be to hold stated meetings, for the advance-

ment of these and kindred subjects by all laudable

efforts on its part.

3. To collect and arrange relics, and to publish material re-

lating to the archaeological and civil history of Ohio.

4. To maintain a depository of archaeological and historical

relics; to preserve manuscripts, pamphlets, papers,

books, paintings, and all other historical material; and

to do such other acts as may tend to enhance the

study of history.

 

"We will also be obliged if you will interest others, and

induce as many as you can to attend the convention.

JAS. S. ROBINSON,

N. S. TOWNSHEND,

A. A. GRAHAM,

Committee."

The responses were prompt and evinced a good degree of

interest in the movement. The circular, modified to suit cir-

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86     Ohio Archaeological and Historical Quarterly.

cumstances, was also sent to the principal educators of the

State. A synopsis was also printed in all leading county

papers.

Pending the convention, informal meetings of those inter-

ested in the formation of the Society were held in Columbus,

to perfect arrangements. At one of these, Alexis Cope,

John W. Andrews and A. A. Graham were appointed a

committee to draft a plan of permanent organization. R.

A. Harrison, H. T. Chittenden and R. E. Neil were made

a Committee on Arrangements, and John J. Janney, Charles

Wetmore, Sr., and S. S. Rickley were delegated to secure

temporary officers.

FINAL ORGANIZATION.

Pursuant to the "call" issued for a convention, about sixty

gentlemen, representing all parts of the State, met in the

State Library on the morning of Thursday, March 12th, 1885.

The meeting was called to order by Mr. S. S. Rickley, of

Columbus, who nominated Hon. Allen G. Thurman as Chair-

man. Judge Thurman, on taking the Chair, gave a general

outline of the work done by the former Archaeological Soci-

ety, and briefly sketched the work proposed for the new

organization.

Mr. A. A. Graham was elected temporary secretary of

the convention.

The committees appointed at the previous informal meet-

ings, submitted reportsas follows:

Mr. H. T. Chittenden, on behalf of the Committee on

Arrangements, reported that a public meeting had been

arranged for, to be held in the Senate Chamber in the

evening.

The Chairman of the Committee on Permanent Organiza-

tion, reported articles of incorporation, which, after discus-

sion and slight amendment, were adopted in the following

form:

ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION.

The undersigned citizens of Ohio, having associated them-

selves together, and desiring to form a corporation not for

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Proceedings of the Society.       87

profit, under the laws of said State of Ohio, do hereby sub-

scribe and acknowledge the following articles of incor-

poration:

1. The name of such corporation shall be THE OHIO

STATE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

2. Said corporation shall be located and its principal busi-

ness transacted at the city of Columbus, county of Frank-

lin, and State of Ohio.

3. Said Society is formed for the purpose of promoting a

knowledge of Archaeology and History, especially of Ohio,

by establishing and maintaining a library of books, manu-

scripts, maps, charts, etc., properly pertaining thereto; a

museum of pre-historic relics and natural or other curiosities

or specimens of art or nature promotive of the objects of the

Association-said library and museum to be open to the

public on reasonable terms-and by courses of lectures and

publication of books, papers and documents touching the

subjects so specified, with power to receive and hold gifts

and devices of real and personal estate for the benefit of such

Society, and generally to exercise all the powers legally and

properly pertaining thereto.

4. Said Society has no capital stock.

The articles of incorporation were signed by the following

CHARTER MEMBERS.

ALLEN G. THURMAN,                                         D. H. GARD,

DOUGLAS PUTNAM,                                               S. C. DERBY,

JOHN W. ANDREWS,                                              CHARLES W. BRYANT,

S. S. RICKLEY,                                     A. A. GRAHAM,

HYLAS SABINE,                                                        E. M. P. BRISTER,

E. B. FINLEY,                                                             BEMAN GATES,

CHARLES J. WETMORE,                      W. A. SCHULTZ,

WM. E. MOORE,                                                          ALEXIS COPE,

W. P. CUTLER,                                   R. BRINKERHOFF,

A. W. JONES,                                      T. EWING MILLER,

JOHN J. JANNEY,                                H. T. CHITTENDEN,

ISRAEL W. ANDREWS,                                            JAMES S. ROBINSON,

JOHN B. PEASLEE,                            HENRY B. CURTIS,

N. S. TOWNSHEND,                                                 H. A. THOMPSON.

The Committee on Organization also reported By-Laws for

the Society. Upon motion of Gen. E. B. Finley, these

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88     Ohio Archaeological and Historical Quarterly.

were ordered printed and made the special order for the

afternoon. The Convention then adjourned till three o'clock

in the afternoon.

 

AFTERNOON SESSION.

MARCH 12, 1885.

The Convention assembled at 3 p. m., in the Senate

Library, and resumed the consideration of the By-Laws.

They were read article by article by the Secretary, and after

considerable discussion and amendment were adopted.

[As an early number of the QUARTERLY will contain a

copy of the By-Laws as amended to the present time, to-

gether with a complete list of members of the Society, it

has been thought unnecessary to print them at this point.-

EDITORIAL COMMITTEE].

On motion of J. W. Andrews, the Chairman appointed S.

S. Rickley, I. W. Andrews and John B. Peaslee as a commit-

tee to nominate fifteen trustees as provided in the By Laws

just adopted.

After a brief recess, the committee submitted a report,

and the persons therein named were duly elected as follows:

BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

For three years.           For two years.

A. G. THURMAN. Columbus. W. P. CUTLER. ... Marietta.

DOUGLAS PUTNAM.. Marietta. T. EWING MILLER. Columbus.

JNO. W.ANDREWS. Columbus. W. E. MOORE. ..Columbus.

H. B. CURTIS..Mt. Vernon. N. S. TOWNSHEND. Columbus.

R. BRINKERHOFF. . Mansfield. H.T. CHITTENDEN. Columbus.

For one year.

A. W. JONES ... .Youngstown.

HYLAS SABINE..... Richwood.

H. A. THOMPSON. Westerville.

ISRAEL W. ANDREWS. Marietta.

JAMES S. ROBINSON... Kenton.

The Society then adjourned to meet in the evening for a

public session.

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Proceedings of the Society.         89

 

FIRST PUBLIC MEETING.

MARCH 12, 1885.

When Hon. Allen G. Thurman called the meeting to order,

at 7:30 p. m., the Senate Chamber was closely filled with

members of the Society and others who evinced a decided

interest in the new Society and its objects. The Chairman,

in opening the meeting, expressed the thanks of the Society

for the courtesies extended during its meetings, and for the

large audience present before him.

He then introduced General R. Brinkerhoff, of Mansfield,

who spoke of the "Old Ohio Archaeological Association,"

of which the present Society is the successor. The following

is an abstract of his remarks:

My object is to state something concerning the old Arch-

aeological Association, of the work done by it, and why it

failed. Ten years ago, at a meeting held in Mansfield, some

people were stopping at my house who were interested in the

study of archaeology. Conversations were held on the sub-

ject, and it was determined to hold a meeting of Ohioans in-

terested. About fifty responded to the call. The purpose

was purely to form an archeological association, and the pur-

pose was carried out.  In 1876 the Association was repre-

sented at the Centennial. The Legislature of Ohio appro-

priated twenty-five hundred dollars to make an exhibit of

this nature. Time was short, but an interesting and credit-

able showing was made. In the opinion of those competent

to judge, Ohio had by far the finest exhibit of prehistoric

relics, except that of the Smithsonian Institution. Over seven

thousand five hundred articles were shown, and in some

respects it was hardly inferior to that of the Smithsonian.

In Ohio there are a large number of articles that only need

collecting to make them of great value.  The people who

formerly lived here have left many fine relics. The popula-

tion of Ohio ages ago was fully equal to that of to-day. They

had brains, and have left magnificent monuments of their

skill. They were not Indians.  When we remember that

mounds as large as this Capitol were built, and that, too, by

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90      Ohio Archaeological and Historical Quarterly.

carrying the dirt in baskets, it is fair to say that on some of

these mounds was put as much work as upon some of the

pyramids.

By actual count there are ten thousand mounds in the

State. These relics should be preserved. We have permitted

these earthworks, mounds, and graves to be despoiled by the

whole world. The ornaments, utensils, and implements are

of such value that Ohio is the spoil of all nations, and many

of the best relics have already been carried away. It was in

part to preserve these relics that the old Archaeological

Society was formed. There are better collections of ancient

relics of Ohio in London and Paris than in the State. But

there are single collections remaining, which, if brought

together, would be far better than those that have gone.

There is one private collection in the State worth to-day

more than fifty thousand dollars, and there is one in my own

county worth ten thousand dollars. But these single collec-

tions are, after all, of little value.  The thing to do is to

aggregate them. This is what we should seek to do in our

Association.  The best relics are still in the State, still in

the ground, still in the thousands of mounds, and the State

should have sufficient pride in herself to take care of them.

All that is necessary is to have a room in the Capitol where

relics can be placed, and the collections will be donated.

The Association has been broadened so as to take in his-

tory. This is the first State Historical Society. Year after

next is the centennial of the Ordinance of 1787, and Ohio is

the first child of that ordinance.  When it is known what

grew out of that ordinance, it should be an object of pride to

all Ohioans to see that anniversary properly celebrated.

Upon the conclusion of General Brinkerhoff's address, the

Chairman introduced Dr. I. W. Andrews, of Marietta, who

spoke upon "The Beginnings of the Colonial System of the

United States."

[This address is printed in full elsewhere in this issue of

the QUARTERLY.-EDITORIAL COMMITTEE.]

Professor John B. Peaslee, of Cincinnati, was then intro-

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Proceedings of the Society.         91

duced, who read an address upon "Ohio." The following is

an abstract of the address:

After a brief account of the settlement of the State, her

subsequent history demanded attention.  The history of

Ohio in the wars of the country, the achievements of her

brave soldiers, her varied resources and their development,

her intellectual and material attainments-all these are won-

derful, considering the brief lapse of time in which the

history of the State has been made and recorded. Less than

a hundred years ago not a single white settler lived within

the borders of a great State which now contains more than

three millions of inhabitants. At that time the Indian held

full control of our hills, valleys and plains, and nothing upon

the face of our land showed the existence of a superior race,

but the mounds scattered here and there over our territory.

The origin of these mounds, while the subject of much in-

vestigation, is still disputed and surrounded with more or less

of uncertainty, but the value of the relics contained in the

mounds is great since they assist us in our studies of pre-

historic man.

This society now just formed can be made of immense

value to the youth of our State in inspiring them to a more

thorough study and appreciation of the character of Ohio's

pioneers. Local history should come before that of foreign

countries. Knowledge to be most useful should include a

thorough and familiar acquaintance with the locality in

which the student lives, and familiarity with Greek and

Roman history is worthless in comparison with the love of

home and country which such knowledge will inspire. Teach

the children the history of the fall of Fort DuQuesne, of the

settlement of Marietta, of Ohio's admission to the Union,

but above all teach them about the ordinance of 1787.

Teach them that because of this ordinance religious persecu-

tion has never stained the soil of Ohio. At the head of the

States formed from the Northwest Territory is Ohio, the

pivotal State of the Union.

Upon the conclusion of this address the Chairman intro-

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92     Ohio Archaeological and Historical Quarterly.

duced Hon. Wm. P. Cutler, of Marietta, grandson of Dr.

Manasseh Cutler, who read an address upon "The Settlement

of Ohio." The following is an abstract of the paper:

At the beginning of the Revolution the Continental Con-

gress, in order to recruit men for the army, offered land

bounties to those who would enlist "for the war." As Con-

gress did not own an acre it practically said to the army,

"Conquer the Western Territory from the British and you

shall have your share." At the end of the war the Western

Territory had been conquered. At the close of the war

there was no money in the Treasury of Congress with which

to pay the soldiers; nor was the Congress able by the "requi-

sition" power to raise the necessary means with which to

meet their obligations to a brave soldiery.  The soldiers

were dismissed from camp without sufficient money to pay

their way to their own homes, and having only the "final

certificates" representing balances due them from a bankrupt

treasury. In this extremity the promise of a bounty in lands

made at the beginning of the war recurred to them, and two

hundred and eighty-eight officers and soldiers petitioned

Congress, reminding them of the promise, and asking that

the lands might be located in the Ohio Valley.   This

petition, endorsed by a letter from General Putnam, was

advocated by Washington, but produced no direct action on

the part of Congress.

But the New England army had determined to locate in

the West, and the movement, begun with the petition of the

soldiers, did not cease until the formation of the Ohio Com-

pany, their land purchase in the Ohio Valley, and the

ordinance of 1787 led the way to the settlement of Ohio at

Marietta in 1788.

After the emigrants from New England reached Marietta,

they had peace for a time. The colony was thoroughly

organized and paid the expenses of a four years' Indian war.

If there is any value in recalling the deeds of those who

have done faithful service in a noble cause, these men should

be remembered. The nation has honored itself in rearing a

memorial to the Father of his country, but could the Com-

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Proceedings of the Society.        93

mander-in-Chief have achieved such results without his army?

Is this generation so buried up in the rubbish of an abounding

and demoralizing prosperity that there is no place in their

grateful reflections for the men who spent life and fortune to

preserve untarnished their own sacred honor and to lay for

posterity the deep and broad foundations of liberty, religion,

morality and knowledge?

Hon. Henry B. Curtis, of Mt. Vernon, was next intro-

duced, and in his remarks dwelt mainly upon "The Influ-

ence of the Character of the Pioneers upon the History of

the State."

Mr. Curtis had taken part in the organization of this Soci-

ety because he hoped that it would remove the obscurity

which now envelopes the people of prehistoric times. The

prehistoric man has left, in the pleasant plains, the hills and

the valleys of this State, traces of his existence and numer-

ous relics whose importance we are but just beginning to

appreciate. For example, a mound was not long ago opened

near Mt. Vernon, in which a man's skeleton was found.

The only metallic utensil was a copper breast-plate. An

interesting discovery was that of nearly a hundred claws

belonging to an animal now extinct. These relics were

taken to Washington, thus removing from the State the con-

tents of another one of her mounds.

The Society should, however, direct its attention not sim-

ply to the prehistoric man but also to the history of the past

century and of to-day. History and archaeology should go

hand in hand.

In the history of our own State it was the character of the

pioneers that made the most lasting impress upon the moral,

physical and intellectual growth and development of the

commonwealth. It was energy and enterprise that sug-

gested to those people in the East to go into an unsettled

country in order to improve their condition. They were

men of education. They had obtained their learning in the

best schools in the country. They brought with them char-

acter and refinement. It is the character of such men that

has made us what we are. To those who came, who built

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94      Ohio Archaeological and Historical Quarterly.

the log school-houses, who brought the circuit riders, we are

indebted for the moral foundations of our commonwealth.

Not less, perhaps, than to the circuit riders, are we indebted

to the lawyers of the early part of this century, the names of

so many of whom stand high in the annals of our State.

Dr. W. E. Moore, of Columbus, spoke briefly of the

religious history of the State and the influence of the

churches in its early days. The State began to flourish after

the revival of religion following the infidelity of the French

Revolution. The influences of that revival upon our people

in early days are still seen in the fact that Ohio has more

religious sects than any other State. No other State has so

many churches and ministers, in proportion to its population.

There were pioneer preachers of almost every sect, whose

labors, trials and achievements should be remembered by us

and in the future.

After Dr. Moore had concluded his remarks, the Society,

upon motion, adjourned to meet at ten o'clock, Friday morn-

ing, March 13th.

BUSINESS MEETING.

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 1885.

The Society met at ten o'clock, in the State Library.

Twenty persons, whose names were proposed for member-

ship, were duly elected members of the Society, thus making

the enrollment at the first session of the Society, forty-eight.

Professor John B. Peaslee, of Cincinnati, stated that, in

his opinion, it would be well to engage, as a Society, in an

effort to arouse in the children of the public schools of the

State a proper interest in the coming anniversary of 1888.

He urged upon the Association to take some step in the

matter as soon as possible, in order to prepare the children

for an intelligent commemoration of the settlement of Ohio.

As a result of the discussion that arose, the following reso-

lution was adopted:

Resolved, That John B. Peaslee be requested to prepare a

pamphlet on the pioneer history of Ohio, for the celebration

by the public schools, of the Centennial of the first settle-

ment of the State.

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Proceedings of the Society.        95

On motion, the Executive Committee was requested to

take into consideration the policy of the Society with regard

to the celebration of 1888.

The following resolution, offered by Hon. John W. An-

drews, was adopted:

Resolved, That this Society cordially approves of the erec-

tion at Marietta of a suitable monumental structure, to com-

memorate the services of the patriotic men who obtained a

valid title to the Northwest Territory, and established therein

the principles of civil and religious liberty, expressed in the

Ordinance of July 13, 1787; and the Society will gladly par-

ticipate in the proposed celebration, to be held in the city of

Marietta, of the seventh of April, 1888, to commemorate the

application of the principles of the ordinance in the first per-

manent occupation of the soil of Ohio by systematic coloni-

zation.

On motion a committee, consisting of Alexis Cope, A. A.

Graham, and R. Brinkerhoff, was appointed to secure, if pos-

sible, a room in the State-house for the use of the Society in

exhibiting its archaeological collection.

On motion of General R. Brinkerhoff, the Executive Com-

mittee was authorized to provide for the compensation of the

Secretary.

The Society then adjourned to meet at the call of the

Trustees.

ACTION OF THE TRUSTEES.

The Trustees of the Society, at a meeting held on Friday,

March 13, 1885, elected the following

 

OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY:

President-Allen G. Thurman.

First Vice President-Henry B. Curtis.

Second Vice President-R. Brinkerhoff.

Secretary and Librarian--A. A. Graham.

Treasurer-H. T. Chittenden.

District Vice Presidents-First, John B. Peaslee; Third, T.

J. Godfrey; Fourth, R. B. Hayes; Fifth, S. S. Rickley;

Sixth, C. W. Bryant; Seventh, W. A. Schultz; Eighth, W.

M. Farrar; Ninth, Henry Todd; Tenth, E. B. Finley.

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96     Ohio Archaeological and Historical Quarterly.

The following Committees were also elected:

Executive Committee -Allen G. Thurman, T. Ewing Miller,

N. S Townshend, H. A. Thompson, and James S. Robinson.

Finance Committee -James S. Robinson, W. E. Moore,

and H. T. Chittenden.

 

 

COLUMBUS, APRIL 24, 1885.

The Society met in the Senate Chamber at the State-house.

In the absence of the President, District Vice President

Rickley presided.

The report of the Secretary for the month was read. Also

a report from the same officer concerning the opening of the

Adelphi mound.

Mr. J. J. Janney, of Columbus, read a paper on "The

State Bank of Ohio." [This paper has since been printed in

full in the Magazine of Western History, Vol. II., No. 2,

June, 1885.-EDIT RIAL COMMITTEE].

The following is an abstract of the paper:

The true basis of banking is that those having surplus

money unite together and employ some person to loan it for

them; but prior to the formation of the State Bank of Ohio,

banks were generally established for the purpose of earning

money by those who had no means, surplus, or necessary.

In 1816 a general banking law was enacted, by which eleven

banks were established, and in a list of banks published in

1860, four of these were reported "worthless," three

"broken," and one "closed." The Eastern States had fated

no better than Ohio. In the list before referred to, there are

one hundred and twenty-one "closed," thirty "broken," and

nine "worthless" in New York, and one hundred and twenty-

two "closed," thirty "broken," and twenty-six "worthless"

in New England.

To relieve Ohio of such a system, the Legislature, during

the session of 1844-5, under the leadership of Alfred Kelley

in the Senate, and Benjamin S. Cowan in the House, passed

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Proceedings of the Society.         97

an act to establish the State Bank of Ohio. The act provides

that the bank shall have a capital of six millions one hundred

and fifty- thousand dollars, and in addition the capital of such

existing banks as might be authorized to become branches.

The State was divided into districts, among which the capital

was distributed, and not more than one branch could be

established in any county, except in certain specified cases.

A Board of Bank Commissioners was named in the act.

Under its supervision, seven branches having been accepted,

the organization was effected on the 15th of July, 1845.

The act did not establish any parent bank, but each branch

elected a member of the Board of Control, who must have

certain specified qualifications. This board was made a body

corporate by the name of the State Bank of Ohio, and man-

aged and controlled the conduct of the branches. The char-

ter and the by-laws of the Board defined the powers and

duties of branches as to loans, transfer of stock, reports to the

Board, interest of directors, loans to directors, and all the

details of their management.

Notes for circulation were furnished by the Board of con-

trol, and countersigned by the branch issuing them. The

amount that a branch could issue was determined by the

amount of capital, being from twice the amount down to

three-fourths the amount of capital. The law fixed the

amount of each denomination.

On the 18th of March, 1852, the Board established a

clearing office, to which notes not fit for circulation were re-

turned. At that time, the only means of public conveyance

for them was the mails, and while packages of fifteen hun-

dred dollars were sometimes sent, but two were ever lost,

amounting to less than three hundred dollars. In the first

notes issued, the name of the branch was written in with, a

pen, but, subsequently the name was engraved. In 1851,

Draper, Welsh & Co., of Philadelphia, engraved a set of

new plates, and so complete was their execution, that no

successful attempt was ever made to counterfeit them.

On the 19th of May, 1862, there was in the hands of the

President, of unsigned notes, $650,000; in possession of the

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98     Ohio Archaeological and Historical Quarterly.

Vice President, $216,000, and in the hands of the Secretary,

signed, $1,868,749, making a total of $2,734,749, which was

considerably less than the average amount.  May 19th,

1868, arrangements were made by the Board for the redemp-

tion of all outstanding notes, including those of the broken

branches, the determination being that every note issued by a

branch of the State Bank of Ohio should always be redeem-

able in coin. The amount of bank notes lost or destroyed

is greatly over-estimated. The total amount of circulation

the State Bank could issue was $8,950,000. The amount

outstanding May, 1870, was $360,021, and is now certainly

not over $300,000. That would be about three per cent. of

the circulation for twenty years, or about fifteen hundredths

of one per cent. per annum.

In the panic of 1846, and again in 1857 and 1862, the

Board took active measures to keep the circulation at par.

A system of examination of the branches by members of

the Board of Control was found unsatisfactory, and John R.

Finn was elected Vice President and Examiner. He exam-

ined each branch at least once a year, and oftener, if deemed

advisable. His examinations were thorough and complete.

Forty-one branches were established, of which six became

insolvent: the Toledo Branch, the Commercial Branch of

Toledo, the Akron Branch, the Licking County Branch, and

the Mechanics' and Traders' Branch of Cincinnati.  Their

notes were redeemed by funds provided by the other

branches, and were always at par.

The State Bank passed successfully through three severe

mercantile paroxysisms, 1847, 1857, and 1861. It always

discountenanced, and finally refused to put in circulation,

notes from other States, and established an agency at Cincin-

nati for their return and redemption.

The charter provided that on the first Monday in May and

November each branch should set off to the State six per

cent. on its profits in lieu of all taxes, but the Legislature

passed an act in 1851 changing the method of taxation,

which the bank successfully resisted.  When the national

banking system was adopted, taxing the circulation of State

• 16
 

Proceedings of the Society.        99

Banks, it was thought to be very unjust, especially as the

State Bank had loaned to both the National and State Gov-

ernments a large amount, trusting only to the honor of each

for repayment.

If, at any time it was found that the coin in the vault of a

branch was below the required amount, stringent measures

were at once enforced to correct the error, and in 1847 the

Board took measures to import coin to supply any deficiency.

Gustavus Swan was elected President of the Board of Control

at its organization and served until November 21, 1854,

when Dr. John Andrews was elected. He served until No-

vember, 1866, when Joseph Hutcheson was elected, who

served until May 17, 1870, at which time the Board ad-

journed sine die, having elected J. Twing Brooks President.

James T. Claypoole, James Gillett, John J. Janney, and R.

C. Hull each served as Secretary of the Board.

The State Bank of Ohio answered the purpose of its form-

ation. It furnished a safe circulating medium for the people

and paid a good interest on the investment of its stock-

holders.

After the reading of the above paper, the Society, upon

motion, adjourned.

 

MANSFIELD, O., SEPTEMBER 15, 1885.

A joint meeting of the Richland County Historical and

Pioneer Society and the State Archaeological and Historical

Society was held under the auspices of the former society at

Mansfield. The meeting was presided over by General R.

Brinkerhoff, Second Vice President of our Society. Among

other proceedings a paper was read by Hon. Henry B.

Curtis, of Mt. Vernon, upon "Pioneer Days in Central

Ohio."

[This paper, or an extended abstract of it, will appear in a

later issue of the QUARTERLY. EDITORIAL COMMITTEE.]

 

COLUMBUS, OCTOBER 2, 1885.

The Society met in the City Hall, and in the absence of

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100  Ohio Archaeological and Historical Quarterly.

the President, the Chair was occupied by Dr. N. S. Towns-

hend, of the Executive Committee.

The Secretary presented his report for the preceding

months. It showed one hundred and sixty-four members on

the rolls, and a long list of donations of valuable archaeolog-

ical specimens and historical material. Upon motion of Rev.

W. E. Moore, the Secretary was instructed to return the

thanks of the Society to the donors.

The Secretary then announced a large

DONATION FROM DR. FRANK O. HART,

as shown by the following communication:

"COLUMBUS, O., OCTOBER 2, 1885.

"From early boyhood I have had a predilection for his-

torical research.  I have paid considerable attention to

archaeological science, giving special effort to the cultivation

and study of specimens from my native county. While I do

not claim nor merit recognition among archaeologists, I have

given the subject of archaeology what leisure I could spare

from professional duty. For eight or ten years I have spent

no little time and money in collecting archaeological speci-

mens in Williams county. One by one I have gathered

these remains of prehistoric races until my collection num-

bers about five thousand [specimens]. This occupation has

afforded me both pleasure and profit.

"In order that I may contribute to the general fund of

knowledge, and in the hope of awakening a proper interest

in archaeology, and with a special desire to manifest my

appreciation of the Ohio Archaeological and Historical

Society, it is my desire to present to that organization my

collection. The archaeological specimens themselves most

eloquently bespeak the frailty of human institutions and their

inherent value as records of the past. Hence while I have

an implicit faith in the good work and perpetuity of this

Society, it is my desire to make the presentation on condition

that, should the Society, from any reason, suffer dissolution,

or should the Society fail to take proper care of the collection,

the OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY shall possess the same as its own

property.                          FRANK O. HART."

• 18
 

Proceedings of the Society.         1O1

Upon motion of J. J. Janney, the following was unani-

mously adopted.

WHEREAS, Dr. Frank 0. Hart, of West Unity, Ohio, has

presented to the Ohio Archaeological and Historical Society

a large and valuable collection of Indian and prehistoric

relics, which in itself constitutes an excellent nucleus and

basis for a prehistoric museum, and

WHEREAS, A gift of this character, aside from its intrinsic

value, is specially calculated to serve the Society by the

example of public spirit that it sets; therefore

Resolved, That the Society hereby accept the generous

gift of Dr. Hart, and pledges itself to bestow on it proper

care, and so to display it that it shall fulfill the purposes of its

donor;

That the collection shall be maintained in the museum

distinct from all other contributions, and shall be known as

the Hart collection;

That the Society hereby tenders to Dr. Hart its cordial

thanks for his generous confidence and puts upon record its

high estimate of his enlightened public spirit;

That the preamble and resolutions herein contained shall

be entered on the permanent records of the Society.

Dr. Frank O. Hart, of West Unity, Ohio, then addressed

the Society upon "Prehistoric Remains in Northwestern

Ohio." The following is an abstract of the address:

In all lands where in ages past the climate has rendered

habitation possible, the earth has been found thickly strewn

with graves of vanished people. They have left no records

of their lives save in a few surviving monuments, in rude im-

plements and in fragmentary remains of their industry. All

that can be gained from history, sacred and profane, supple-

mented by the hieroglyphic annals of Egypt and Assyria,

carries us back only about forty-four centuries. Within the

last fifty years the science of archaeology has produced

results that throw much light upon the origin and antiquity

of man.

The number of prehistoric monuments on our own conti-

nent is legion. From Nova Scotia to Florida, from Atlantic

to Pacific are found sites of ancient cities once densely popu-

lous. Europe, too, is full of them. In Russia, in Siberia,

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102    Ohio Archaeological and Historical Quarterly.

in the Steppes of Asia, in the deserts of Africa, in Egypt-

the oldest historic country-we find prehistoric remains.

Geology, paleontology and archaeology are working side by

side to solve the question of man's first appearance upon the

earth.

In Northwestern Ohio, in the deposit of the last geologi-

cal age we find remains of animals and plants of which

distinct species are common to-day; also remains of several

extinct species of mammals. Northwestern Ohio was once

the home of a vast population, composed of tribes who had

fixed habitations in large towns, were skilled in agriculture,

had systematic religious rites, and were not ignorant of art.

Here we find numerous evidences of prehistoric cities, cem-

eteries, and stone implements and utensils of various sorts

fashioned with no little skill. From these countless monu-

ments and memorials of vanished races it has been found

possible to construct a record of prehistoric man, his manner

of life, his mode of burial, his religious ideas-almost all of

importance concerning him except his language.

Brief speeches were made by Prof. Eli T. Tappan, of

Gambier, and Prof. LeRoy D. Brown, of Hamilton, after

which the Society, upon motion, adjourned.

 

 

HAMILTON, O., October 27, 1885.

A joint meeting of this Society and the Hamilton Liter-

ary and Scientific Society was held in Hamilton. The pro-

gram of exercises included an address by A. A. Graham,

Secretary of this Society, upon "The Origin of the Common

Schools of the Northwest;" and a paper by Prof. J. P. Mac-

Lean, of Hamilton, on "The Aboriginal History of Butler

County, Ohio."   [This paper, somewhat condensed, is

printed elsewhere in this issue of the QUARTERLY.-EDITOR-

IAL COMMITTEE.]

 

COLUMBUS, November 13th, 1885.

THE Society met in the rooms of the Board of Trade, and

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Proceedings of the Society.       103

in the absence of the President, Rev. H. A. Thompson, of

the Executive Committee, occupied the Chair.

The report of the Secretary showed numerous donations

and accessions to the list of members.

 

DEATH OF HENRY B. CURTIS.

THE Secretary formally notified the Society of the death

of Henry B. Curtis, First Vice President of the Society, on

November 5th, at Chicago.

A committee, previously delegated by the President to

prepare a fitting memorial of Mr. Curtis, submitted through

Hon. John W. Andrews, the following:

This Society has heard with deep regret of the death of

one of the most eminent and honored of its members, the

Hon. Henry B. Curtis, a Vice President of the Society. Mr.

Curtis was one of the two oldest members of the bar of Ohio

at the time of his death, and those of us who were present

at the organization of this Society, recall with much interest

his appearance at that meeting, and the reminiscences which

he gave us of his long acquaintance with the bar and emi-

nent men of the State and Nation during the sixty years of

his prosperous and useful professional life. Although more

than eighty years of age he came from his home in Mt.

Vernon in February last, to attend the meeting referred to,

moved solely by the sympathy which he always felt and

manifested in every wise effort to advance the public welfare.

He was the friend of all institutions for the promotion of

knowledge, and his earnestness in the cause of education was

especially shown in the large donations which he made to the

funds of Kenyon College, of which he was, for several years,

a trustee.

The example of our departed friend and associate in thus

identifying himself with the best interests of the State in its

educational work and social progress, continuing his valuable

labors, as he did, up to the very close of his life, may well be

held in remembrance and followed by those of us who

survive him and mourn his loss, and should have a perma-

nent place in the history of this association. On motion it is

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104    Ohio Archaeological and Historical Quarterly.

Resolved, Therefore, that the foregoing minute be entered

upon the records, and a copy thereof sent to the family of

the deceased.

Judge M. A. Daugherty said:

I join very heartily in the tribute which this Association

pays to the memory of Henry B. Curtis. I have known

him full forty years. He had entered the bar more than

twenty years before our acquaintance began, and he was

then recognized as one of the leading lawyers in central

Ohio. The acquaintance then begun ripened into friend-

ship, and for many years I have regarded him with the kind-

liest, and I may say, with affectionate feeling.

He lived to a very advanced age, lacking less than a

month of eighty six years. But his was

"An old age, serene and bright,

And lovely as a Lapland night."

Some men wear old age with the statuesque grace that

was associated with the Roman toga, which, unlike modern

garments of pronounced seams and straight lines, lends dig-

nity, if not grandeur, to the presence. Mr. Curtis was one

of these exceptional men. All through life he had the gen-

tlemanly bearing and politeness that spring spontaneously

from generous feelings and a good heart; and as years

increased, these lovable traits were mellowed into an urban-

ity that was so marked, and yet without any trace of affecta-

tion, that the most casual acquaintance became impressed

with it and carried it in memory as we bear in mind a beau-

tiful landscape or a delightful perfume, the recollection of

which is an ever recurring pleasure.

His interest in current events and in all his surroundings

never seemed to lessen. Business was taken up and dis-

posed of with a zest and force that we would not look for at

his age. Social life was keenly relished by him, and the

society of the young was not only delightful to him, but he

also contributed to the pleasures of the young in a way that

made them enjoy his society as he did theirs. Blessed with

excellent health and great physical and mental energy that

afforded and required activity, he seemed in full accord with

• 22
 

Proceedings of the Society.       105

the activities around him. His heart did not grow old,

and his sprightliness of conversation had nothing of garru-

lousness.

He reminded me of what is said in the biography of

Madam de Stael of one of her German friends, Boustellen,

who at the age of eighty-seven, used to insist that no one

could be fully happy till after his sixtieth year; and that if

the body, the mind and the heart were then what they ought

to be, life would then be full and happy-his theory being

that to resist with success the frigidity of old age, one must

combine the body, the mind and the heart; and to keep

these in parallel vigor one must exercise, study and love.

Mr. Curtis lived up to this theory, and consequently, to the

end of his protracted life he was found occupying pleasantly,

usefully and beneficially his place in the business, the social

and the domestic circles.

I linger on these traits, because they are beautiful, and if

rare, ought the more to be commended, that they may

become more common.

But it must not be concluded that his life was merely

beautiful. With all these graces of manner and conduct he

had a good share of the sturdiness that so distinguished the

pioneers of Ohio, and aided largely in laying deep and

strong the foundations of our great State. A thorough law-

yer, he was also a thorough business man, methodical and

persistent, but always and everywhere with a full recognition

of the rights and feelings of others. His lines of character

were strong, but they were not hard. Eminently just he

was also pre-eminently generous.

A community is the better for such a life as his, and the

community does not do itself justice if it does not perpetuate

his memory.

Upon motion of Dr. W. E. Moore this tribute to the

memory of Mr. Curtis was ordered spread upon the minutes

of the Society.

The Chairman then introduced Professor W. H. Venable,

of Cincinnati, who addressed the Society upon "Early Intel-

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106    Ohio Archaeological and Historical Quarterly.

lectual Achievements in the Ohio Valley." The following is

an abstract of the address:

The history of civilized man in the Ohio Valley covers

not centuries but decades. New as the work of man is in

the west, it does not look new. The first settlers of 1779

were the most independent men and women that Virginia

could spare. The founders of Ohio remembering their Puri-

tan ancestors, named the barge in which they voyaged from

Pittsburgh the "Mayflower." In two years following the

foundation of Marietta, 20,000 persons, young, and vigorous,

came to organize the intellectual and material resources of

the "Yankee State," as Ohio was called. In these early

days the means of education were hard to command. The

preachers of that period taught the people in their crude

way, many of them not owning a copy of the Scriptures.

To the town of Lexington belongs the honor of being the

pioneer settlement of the Valley. The first newspaper, the

Kentucky Gazette, was published in 1786, and it was a small

and primitive looking affair. Copies are now very scarce.

Transylvania University was the first educational institution,

and Dr. Nathaniel Holly, Dr. Dudley, Caldwell and others,

were the instructors. Ohio University at Athens was estab-

lished in February, 1804, by act of the Legislature, and its

first academic degree conferred in 1815 on Thomas Ewing.

The famous "Coon-skin" library was one of the wonders in

those days. Next on the list of colleges was Miami Uni-

versity.  The first school house was the Riley school at

Columbia. In 1815 a Lancastrian seminary was founded at

Cincinnati with 420 pupils, and was chartered afterward

under the name of Cincinnati College. Thus schools, school-

masters and books early diffused knowledge among the

pioneers of the Valley. The scholastic ambition of our fore-

fathers was fed gradually, but surely.

Public opinion in the West shaped itself around the nucleus

of universal discussion. Everyone talked politics, breaking

the old molds and casting new ones. They were trying a

grand democratic experiment in a new part of the world.

There was an intense opposition to slavery, and here were the

termini of the "underground railways."

Theological and religious belief and speculation had a great

influence among the people. The itinerant preacher was a

person of conspicuous importance.  Jews, Christians and

Agnostics alike sought the privilege to think as they wished.

Men of pronounced opinions sought proselytes by appeals to

their convictions. Lorenzo Dow was one of these early

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Proceedings of the Society.       107

figures who breathed what he called the "Gospel of king-

dom." There were many denominational schisms and dis-

cords about this time, and one result of this doctrinal clash

was a series of debates held in Cincinnati on the questions

at issue between religionists and anti-religionists. Robert

Owen, Miss Frances Wright, Dr. Charles Caldwell and other

leaders in religious and speculative opinions made the Valley

the scene of their labors.

The pioneers had much to retard and repress their mental

growth. While relying on the East they asserted their inde-

pendence in thought, and excited ridicule for their provin-

cialisms.

If there was one thing hated more than any other in the

western country, it was the Frenchman or Englishman tour-

ing the country to write a book. The first literary maga-

zine, the Western Review, was published at Lexington in

1815. Pioneer poetry often went on stilts, and borrowed

stilts at that. Nevertheless there were a few very respecta-

ble verse makers in the Valley, generally drawing from

nature for their subjects. To these wild poets, Liberty was

the tenth muse. Book writing increased about this time,

and a magazine writer of the time defends the literary men

of the West against the aspersions of the Eastern press in a

scathing article.

At the conclusion of the address the Society, upon motion,

adjourned.

 

 

COLUMBUS, December 8th, 1885.

THE Society met in the Senate Chamber, and was pre-

sided over by Rev. H. A. Thompson, of the Executive

Committee.

The Secretary's report showed a gratifying increase in

membership, and several donations to the museum. The

Secretary also reported that on December second a commit-

tee of the Society met by appointment the Executive Com-

mittee of the State Board of Agriculture, to confer upon the

question of holding a Centennial Exposition in Columbus in

1888-the one hundredth anniversary of the settlement of

Ohio. As a result of this conference it was decided that a

committee of three from each body be appointed to formu-

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108    Ohio Archaeological and Historical Quarterly.

late a plan of action, and report at a special meeting of both

societies on January 13th, next.

As a result of this report from the Secretary, a committee

of three was appointed, as recommended, consisting of H.

T. Chittenden, W. Y. Miles, and E. O. Randall.

An address was then delivered by Gen. E. B. Finley, of

Bucyrus, Ohio, upon "Mound Builders." [This address has

been printed in the Magasine of Western History, Vol. V., No.

4, February, 1887.-EDITORIAL COMMITTEE].

Upon motion, the Society adjourned.

A. A. GRAHAM,

Secretary.

• 26