Ohio History Journal

PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED.

 

HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS OF OHIO.      In two volumes.

Illustrated by about 500 engravings, contrasting the

Ohio of 1846 with 1886-88; from drawings by the

author in 1846 and photographs taken in 1886, 1887

and 1888 of cities and chief towns, public buildings

historic localities, monuments, curiosities, antiquities,

portraits, maps, etc. By HENRY HOWE, author of "His-

torical Collections of Virginia," and other works. Colum-

bus: Henry Howe & Son, 1889.

The following communication upon this work and its

author will interest everyone.

"Tacitus wrote a history of the Romans, Josephus of the

Jews, Macaulay of the English; but how little, after all,

do we learn from their writings about the people of whom

they wrote. They have given us grand processions of

kings, queens, emperors and generals, but little or nothing

of the vast area of underlying life of which these crowned

and bedizened puppets were the outgrowth. A lord may.

be created in an hour, and then may not be worth the

labor expended in his creation. A king may owe his crown

and kingdom to the accident of birth, or the favor of fortune;

but a great people is the product of centuries of careful

nursing, discipline and cultivation.

What the readers of this age want to know is how this

great people lived, and for what they lived. This Henry

Howe in his Historical Collections tells us with respect to

the people of Ohio. He puts us face to face with the

founders, builders and beautifiers of a commonwealth; with

the sturdy fighters against adversity, the rugged subduers

of wild men and wild beasts, the hardy pioneers, who in less

than half a century converted a wilderness into a fruitful

garden.

The material for the pioneer portion of his history Mr.

Howe gathered when he was a young man of thirty, as he

traveled from county to county on the back of "Old Pomp,"

a slow-going, old white horse.

It was on that now famed historic tour he saw our

fathers and grandfathers, and in his genial and laughing

way swapped jokes with them, thus ascertaining just

what manner of folk they were, and what good stories of

572

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Publications Received.           573

 

a local flavor they had to tell. It was at this time he met

Corwin, Ewing, Wade, Giddings, and the men of their day

and generation.

Afer completing his first grand tour of the State, and

putting the things he had gathered in a book, he fell into

a Rip Van Winkle sleep, and after forty years or more

awoke again, stretched himself, shed a sympathetic and

regretful tear for the long departed "Old Pomp," and as a

gray-haired, but still jovial and young-hearted man trav-

eled over the old route again to see what changes had

taken place while he slumbered. There were many. He

tells us how many and just what they were. Columbus,

which he first saw as a scattering village of a few thousand

souls, had grown to be a prosperous and wealthy city.

Cleveland and Cincinnati had made even greater strides

toward metropolitan proportions. Toledo, Dayton, Spring-

field and many other towns had cast aside the dull monot-

ony of ordinary county seats, and assumed the rush and

fury of great manufacturing and commercial centers. He

tells us by words and pictures how these towns appeared to

him in the old time, and how they look at present. He de-

scribes other changes also. The Bebbs, Medills, Shannons,

Tods and Broughs are gone; but bare-footed boys strug-

gling with pot hooks and the multiplication table when

these men were prominent, have pushed forward to fill

the places they had filled. He heard no words of Grant,

Sherman, Sheridan, Hayes and Garfield in the old time;

some of them   indeed he met; but as almost beardless

youngsters that nobody ever heard of or wanted to look at

a second time. Now he finds their names on every tongue,

and their fame covering the continent.

In his wanderings to and fro across the State, this gen-

ial old historian stops at Georgetown, and talks and

laughs with those who knew 'Lyss Grant when he ground

bark in the old tanyard, and then he takes a picture of the

house in which he went to school. Going on to Lancaster

he finds out whether Cump Sherman was much of a

flanker when a boy, and whether he got around the girls

at spelling-schools and apple-paring bees by cutting in

ahead of them, when they were looking to see the enemy

approach from some other direction. And so in time he

visits the identical neighborhood on the Muskingum where

Jim Garfield taught the country lads and lassies how to

read, write and cypher; and he takes pleasure even in find-

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574   Ohio Archaeological and Historical Quarterly.

ing the precise spot on which the old pioneer school-house

stood. In short, Henry Howe has done for Ohio what

Boswell did for Johnson: he has told us precisely the things

we wanted to know.

But in addition to all Mr. Henry Howe has himself

written, he presents in his history of Ohio a number of

able articles by other men, worth more to the reader than

the price of the book. Frank Henry Howe, the historian's

son, gives us a General Description of Ohio; Prof. Orton

writes on the Geography and Geology of the State; Prof.

G. Frederick Wright, on the Glacial Man; Prof. Norton

S. Townshend, History of Agriculture in Ohio; Hon.

Andrew Roy, Mines and Mining Resources of Ohio; Col.

Charles Whittlesey, Pioneer Engineers of Ohio; Civil

Jurisdiction in Ohio, and Sources of Ohio's Strength;

Prof. G. W. Knight, Educational Progress in Ohio; J. Q.

Howard, Historical Men of Ohio; Prof. M. C. Read,

Ohio's Work in the Sanitary Commission; Hon. Wm. M.

Farrar, Ohio: The Buckeye State.

In brief, "Howe's Historical Collections of Ohio," next

to the Bible and Noah Webster, should find a place under

every Ohioan's roof-tree, and when-let us hope a thousand

years hence-this kind-hearted and youthful old historian

has been gathered to his fathers, full of years and of honors,

our sons and grandsons should recognize his descendants

as the hereditary historians of the State, greet them cordially

and reward them liberally.

Columbus, March 20, 1889.          JOHN BEATTY.

 

THE HISTORICAL WRITINGS OF ORASMUS H. MARSHALL

relating to the early history of the West. Paper covers,

uncut edges, five hundred pages, one volume. Joel

Munsell Sons, Albany, N. Y., 1887.

Mr. Marshall was a prominent and prosperous business

man of Buffalo, New York, who, despite the exactions of

a large business found much time for historical research.

He was one of the chief promoters of the Buffalo Histor-

ical Society, and read before that and other bodies, many

valuable papers bearing on the early history of the

country. He was well acquainted with many educated

Seneca Indians, and through them, and also through

Canadian French, who were tinctured with Indian blood,

he learned many obscure facts throwing no little light

upon our early annals. The book referred to con-

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Publications Received.           575

 

tains the following chapters, which sufficiently attest its

value and evidence its usefulness:

1. A short sketch of the Indian Tribes which dwelt on

the borders of the Great Lakes.

2. Champlain's expedition against the Onondagas in 1615.

3. Reply to Dr. Shea and General Clark.

4. Champlain's Astrolabe.

5. The building and the voyage of the Griffin in 1679.

6. Expedition of the Marquis De Nonville against the

Senecas in 1687.

7. LaSalle's first visit to the Niagara frontier in 1669.

8. DeCeloron's Expedition to the Ohio in 1749.

9. Historical Sketches of the Niagara Frontier.

10. History of the New York Charter, 1664-74.

11. Early notices of the Copper regions.

12. Index Review

JOURNALS OF MAJOR ROBERT ROGERS.         Maps.   Paper

covers. 296 Pages. Joel Munsell Sons.

Introductory notes by Franklin B. Hough. This work

contains an account of excursions made by Rogers during

the late war (French and Indian war 1755-60) on the

"Continent of North America." The appendix contains

documents and papers relating to Rogers while comman-

der of the Post at "Michilimackinack" in 1767, and also

his conduct in the Revolutionary war. The work contains

many items of value to the student of history.

 

"THE PIONEER PRESS OF KENTUCKY," by William Henry

Perrin, Louisville, Kentucky. The Filson Club Publi-

cations, No. 3.

This monograph was prepared for and read before the

August meeting, 1887, of the Filson Club. The preface

states the object of the monograph, or rather perhaps what

called it forth.

The 11th day of August, 1887," writes Mr. Thomas

Speed, the Secretary, in the preface, "closed the first

hundred years from the establishing of a printing press

and the issuing of a newspaper in Kentucky. This event

having been deemed worthy of commemoration by the

Filson Club, one of its members, William Henry Perrin,

was requested to prepare and read to the Club a sketch of the

pioneer press of the State."

In the course of his narrative Mr. Perrin states that

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576    Ohio Archceological and Historical Quarterly.

"the first newspaper west of the Allegheny mountains.

was established in Kentucky one hundred years ago. Its

origin was mainly due to a political necessity. Kentucky

then formed a county of Virginia, and the people were

earnestly debating the propriety of separating from the

parent State and setting up an independent government.

To accomplish this a convention had been held at Danville,

the Territorial Capital as it might be called. A second

convention assembled in 1785, at the same place and for

the same purpose, which, during its sitting, adopted the

following resolution:

"That to insure unanimity in the opinion of the people

respecting the propriety of separating the district of Ken-

tucky from Virginia, and forming a separate State govern-

ment, and to give publicity to the proceedings of the

convention, it is deemed advisable to have a printing

press."

A committee was appointed to carry into effect the reso-

lution, but it was two years before it could be carried out.

John Bradford had come to Kentucky, and becoming

interested in the matter, was induced to attempt the enter-

prise.  He proposed to establish the paper if he was

guaranteed the public patronage. The offer was accepted,

and at Lexington, then the most important point in this

part of the west, two lots were given Mr. Bradford by the

town trustees in July, 1786. This offer was accepted by

the printer, and was the means of establishing the paper

there in place of Danville, then the capital of the county, or

district of Kentucky.

Mr. Bradford went by horseback, afoot and by canoe to

Philadelphia, obtained his material and a press, which in

turn came westward by much the same manner as the

purchaser, and in Lexington on the 11th day of August,

1787, the first number of the "Kentucky Gazette" was

given to the Blue-grass pioneers. "It was," says Mr.

Perrin, "a small, unpretentious sheet, scarcely as large as

a half sheet of foolscap paper. Its contents comprised

two short, original articles, one advertisement, and the

following note:

"'My customers will excuse this my first publication,

as I am much hurried to get an impression by the time

appointed. A great part of the types fell into pi in the

carriage of them from Limestone (Maysville) to this

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Publications Received.            577

 

office, and my partner, which is the only assistant I have,

through an indisposition of the body, has been incapable

of rendering the smallest assistance for ten days past.'"

The building in which this pioneer western paper was

issued was a small, rude, log cabin, one story high, covered

with clapboards. The press was an old fashioned hand

press, on which from fifty to seventy-five sheets an hour

could be printed.  The "Editor's chair" was a three

legged stool, and his lamp a buffalo tallow or bear fat "dip.',

The advertisements are quaint, and illustrate life in that

period. Gun flints, knee buckles, buckskin breeches, hair

powder, saddle-bag locks are advertised for sale.  In one

early issue those persons "who subscribed to the frame

meeting house" are notified that they "can pay in cattle

or whisky." Another early issue notes the adoption of the

Constitution of the United States, "just framed by a con-

vention now in session." Notice afterward appears that

a company will meet at Crab Orchard next Monday for

an early start through the wilderness; most of the dele-

gates to the State convention at Richmond (to adopt the

Constitution) will go with them."

Local matter is almost wholly ignored in all journals of

that period. Heavy editorials hurled at political antago-

nists constantly appear, while foreign news, six months

and longer old, form important parts.

There was not another paper in five hundred miles, and

when it was delivered to the settlements, some one who

could read well, would, copy in hand, mount a stump and

read the entire contents, advertisements, editorials and all,

to the crowd about him.

It is impossible in this place to go longer into details

regarding this paper.  The Filson  Club is doing an

invaluable work by rescuing from oblivion such incidents

and events in our history, and it is to be hoped the mem-

bers will find sufficient encouragement in the good work

before them to continue long therein.

 

THE TORY'S DAUGHTER. A romance of the Northwest.

1812-1813. By A. G. Riddle. G. P. Putnam's Sons,

New York.

"The Tory's Daughter," the scene of which is for the

most part laid in Northwestern Ohio, Detroit, and the

points of General Harrison's operations in the war of 1812,

Vol. II-37*

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578   Ohio Archaeological and Historical Quarterly.

is new departure for the pen of the romance writer. This

story is a historical novel, following the fortunes of the

contestants on both sides during our last war with Great

Britain.

Tecumseh, Proctor, Harrison, Brock, Barclay, and other

historical characters are so presented that the reader may

obtain a very clear view of them. That part of their

career which falls outside the limits of the novel is

sketched in  a supplemental chapter.    With the great

Indian chief the author becomes more deeply interested

than any of the others, his nobility of character made

more brilliant in contrast with his life, impressing him

very strongly. The shameful treatment of Tecumseh, as

an ally, by the British, their utter failure to understand

his character and motives, furnish the writer with much

matter for reflection. Tecumseh's part in the war and the

exact manner of his death at the battle of the Thames are

fully detailed.

LIFE OF BENJAMIN WADE. By A. G. RIDDLE. W. W.

Williams, Cleveland, publisher.

This excellent biography of one conspicuous, not only

in Ohio's history, jurisprudence and politics, and also in

the nation's political life, is written by one who knew him

intimately, and who is, hence, well prepared. The book

not only deals in much of Mr. Wade's history, but also

sketches those events, both State and National, that con-

spired to bring his qualities forward.  It is an timely

contribution to our history.

 

THE SPOTSWOOD LETTERS. Two volumes. The Vir-

ginia Historical Society Publications.

These volumes contain the official letters of Alexander

Spotswood, the Lieutenant-Governor of the Colony of Vir-

ginia 1710-1723. The manuscript is among the collections

of the Virginia Historical Society. Volume one contains

an excellent portrait of Governor Spotswood. The intro-

duction was written by Dr. R. A. Brock, the secretary and

librarian of the Society. The preface states a fact con-

cerning the preservation of these manuscripts, students of

history will appreciate. The manuscript was owned by

John R. Spotswood, of Orange county, Virginia, who

loaned it to George W. Featherstonehaugh, an author and

geologist, who carried it to England.   There for many

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Publications Received.              579

 

years it lay in obscurity. It became the object of repeatedly

expressed solicitude on the part of American authors,

among them the venerable George Bancroft, who had

used it when preparing his history, and who knew its

value. After the death of Mr. Featherstonehaugh, renewed

search found it in possession of his widow, from whom it

was obtained by the Virginia Historical Society, and by it

returned to America.

 

SOUTHERN HISTORICAL SOCIETY PAPERS. Volume XV

-1887.

"Paroles of the Army of Northern Virginia, R. E. Lee,

C. S. A. commanding. Surrendered at Appomattox C. H.,

Virginia, April 9, 1865, to Lieut. General U. S. Grant,

commanding armies of the United States."

Now first printed from the duplicate originals in the

archives of the Southern Historical Society. The paroles

were given by Gen. R. E. Lee to Robert Ould, Commis-

sioner of Exchange, by whom     they were given to the

Southern Historical Society, which body printed them.

They constitute a valuable addition to the history of the

late war.

 

COLLECTIONS OF THE VIRGINIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

New series number one. Letters of Thomas Nelson, Jr.,

Governor of Virginia.

This publication contains the   letters relating  to the

siege of Yorktown, the surrender of Lord Cornwallis,

and the naval and the military movements which resulted in

that decisive triumph of the Continental army.

The last edition of this Society's Quarterly contains

letters of Governor Nelson never before published. Others

are also now in the rooms of the Society to be published

when space permits.

 

 

UNPUBLISHED LETTERS, ETC.

IN the December issue several letters and documents were printed

from original copies. Since then I have obtained from Mr. H. K.

Swaringen, of Circleville, a large number of others. It was the in-

tention to print some of these in this issue, but already it is larger

than usual, hence the publication of these documents and letters will

be deferred until June.                    A. A. GRAHAM.

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580    Ohio Archaeological and Historical Quarterly.

 

PERIODICALS.

THE CENTURY MAGAZINE, January, February and March, 1889.

This leading periodical maintains its excellent tone. The chief arti-

cles of interest to readers of this quarterly are those of Mr. Kennan

on "The Russian Exile System," "The Suffrage Question," by Rev.

Washington Gladden, and the novel, "The Romance of Dollard."

To one who has read Francis Parkman's delightful historical works,

this novel will have an additional charm. It portrays in vivid colors

much of the daily life in the "New France," of 1680 to 1750. The

scenery is accurately described, while the characters are well drawn.

It gives a better idea of life in the early French Colonies than any

other work and is well worth a careful perusal by the student of history.

The great narratives, Mr. George Kennan's "Siberian Travels," and

the "Life of Abraham Lincoln," are marked examples of what mighty

agencies for the presentation of history a monthly periodical such as

the Century can be. Many of the members of this Society recall with

vivid distinctness the scenes now portrayed in the life of Mr. Lincoln.

The light thrown upon the Nation's history by the publication of this

work, will enable the present and future student of history such a right-

ful comprehension of our Nation's affairs that could not have been

obtained elsewhere.

The same may be said of the narrative of "Russian Life" now pre-

sented by Mr. George Kennan, through the same periodical. It seems

the only way to gain a correct knowledge of human affairs, and while

exacting, almost to the loss of the body, yet a light is shed that wilt

not be permitted by the civilized world to be extinguished.

 

THE SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN SUPPLEMENT. Vol. XXVII. Munn & Co.

New York City.

Though devoted chiefly to engineering, mechanical, and scientific

matters, this excellent weekly notes many others bearing on any branch

of science. In the issue of January 26 last, a lengthy article, describing

the explorations of Dr. Augustus Le Plongeon in Yucatan is printed.

It vividly narrates the trials which the archaeologist must endure when

exploring strange, semi-civilized or barbarous countries. Dr. Le

Plongeon still lives in Brooklyn, New York, surrounded by many

evidences of his explorations. Great if not equal credit must also be

awarded his faithful wife, Alice Le Plongeon, who, in his most ex-

tensive tour, was his constant companion, helper, and adviser. Brave

and cautious, thoroughly in sympathy with her husband, she at all

times stood by him, and together they made discoveries which can

never be over-estimated. The article is too long for reproduction in

the QUARTERLY. It should be read by all students of archaeology.

 

THE AEERICAN ANTIQUARIAN. Volumes IX and X. Rev. Stephen D.

Peet, Mendon, Illinois, Editor.

Space forbids an examination of the contents of these valuable vol-

umes. As the name indicates, the "Antiquarian" treats chiefly of ar-

chaeological questions,though many others are well handled in its pages.

In addition to the editor, are such writers in volume I as Dr. D. G.

Brinton, Prof. John Avery, T. H. Lewis, Henry Phillips, Jr., E. M.

Hale, M. D., William Tucker, Prof. J. D. Butler, LL. D.; in volume

II, Thomas Wilson, H. H. Bancroft, Franz Boaz, James Deans,

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Periodicals Received.                  581

 

Thomas J. Brown, Rev. M. Eells, Alfred Gatschet, Washington Mat-

thews, Augustus Le Plongeon, M. D., and others, evidence a wide

variety of subject matter, of much interest to those devoted to anti-

quarian research.

THE MAGAZINE OF AMERICAN HISTORY. Mrs. Martha J. Lamb, New

York City. For January, February and March, 1889. Edited by Mrs.

Martha J. Lamb, New York City.

This excellent historical periodical maintains its high standing by

publishing the best of material. Mrs, Lamb in the January number

continues her treatment of "Historic American Homes." Gen. C. M.

Wilcox describes the "Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence;"

William L. Scruggs, the "Revolutions of Spanish America;" George

H. Moore, the "First Theater in America;" Isaac Hammond, "Slavery

in New Hampshire," etc.

The February number is the "Washington Number," being devoted

largely to Gen. Washington and history contemporaneous with his life.

In the March number, the writers are Mrs. Lamb, Rev. William

Barrows, J. G. Rosengarden, Alfred E. Lee, Annie E. Wilson, and

Martin L. Delafield. Each number contains full "notes and queries,"

"historic and social jottings," etc.

MAGAZINE OF WESTERN HISTORY. Cleveland. W. W. Williams, pub-

lisher. J. H. Kennedy, editor. January and March, 1889.

The leading articles in these two issues of this monthly are: "The

Western Library Association," by Judge John Welch. "Two Noted

Pioneers of the West," by Lida Rosa McCabe. "Our Highest Territo-

rial Court and Judges," by Isaac Smucker. "The Origin, Purpose and

Growth of the Prohibition Party," by George L. Case. "The Amer-

ican Railroad: Its Inception, Evolution and Results," by J. H. Ken-

nedy. "Owen Brown's Escape from Harper's Ferry," by S. A. Will-

son. "The Kansas State Historical Society and its Founders," by W.

W. Admire. There are many more valuable papers in these issues.

The mothly, as its name implies, is devoted largely to Western history.

JOURNAL OF AMERICAN FOLK-LORE. Issued quarterly by the Ameri-

can Folk-Lore Society. W. W. Newell, general editor. Cambridge,

Mass. Vol. III. 1888.

As the name of this journal indicates, it is chiefly confined to printing

articles on folk-lore and mythology of the American Continent. In

it are found such articles as "Ondaga Tales and Customs," Birds in

"Folk-Lore and Myth," "Chinook Songs," "Lenape Conversations,"

"Early History and Myths of the Cherokees," "Child Life Among

Omaha Indians," "Folk-Lore of the Pennsylvania Germans," etc., etc.

These are by such writers as Dr. Daniel G. Brinton, Miss Alice Fletcher,

T. F. Crane, J. O. Dorsey, Franz Boaz, and others whose names suffi-

ciently index the value of the article.

THE AMERICAN ANTHROPOLOGIST. Published quarterly by the Anthro-

pological Society of Washington.

This quarterly is published in the interest of anthropological science.

The Society which it represents seeks the cooperation of all those inter-

ested in the advancement of this study. The following articles from

volume I show somewhat the scope of the journal: "The Law of

Malthus," Dr. I. C. Welling; "The Development of Time Keeping in

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582    Ohio Archaeological and Historical Quarterly.

 

Greece and Rome," F. A. Seeley; "From Barbarism to Civilization,"

Major J. W. Powell; "the Prayer of a Navajo Shaman," Dr. Washing-

ton Matthews; "Curious Customs and Strange Freaks of the Mound

Builders," Prof. Cyrus Thomas.

 

REPORTS. The twenty-second report of the Trustees of the Peabody

Museum, Volume IV, No. 2.

The reports, after noting the detail work in the museum for the year,

give a general yet concise review of the work done. Through all this

work can be seen the hand of the curator, Prof. F. W. Putnam. The

annual expenditures in the museum are a little over ten thousand dol-

lars. The endowments amount to $134,301.55, divided as follows:

Building Fund, $43,819.30; Professorship Fund, $45,241.13; Museum

Fund, $45,241.12. Each fund is kept separate, and each performs a

specified duty. This museum, as is generally known, now owns the

Serpent Mound in Adams county, Ohio. It was purchased through the

liberality, largely, of the ladies of Boston and vicinity, who raised the

necessary funds, placed the same in Prof. Putnam's hands, and thus

enabled him to carry out a long cherished idea, to own this valuable,

unique, and wonderful relic of pre-historic times. It is not gratifying

to our State pride to thus see our most valued archaeological possessions

pass out of our own control; but if it is to be so, no better institution

than the Peabody Museum can be found to care for and protect it.

Prof. Putnam has raised large sums of money in the East with which

to explore Ohio earth-works. Scarce anything can be done in our

own State, it seems, and we must, until public interest is aroused, see

outsiders enter our own borders, and enrich their already valuable

museums from our own fields. Prof. Putnam's reports show what has

been done, and they should stimulate Ohio people to action and to a

realization of their own interest.

 

MISCELLANIES. Part I and II. Compiled by J. Watts de Peyster, of

New York City.

These comprise original letters "from 1774 to 1813 of Col. de Peyster,

Brig.-Gen. Sir John Johnson, Bart., Col. Guy Johnson, and others from

1776 to 1813, never before published;" also "Discovery of the De

Peyster Islands in the Pacific Ocean," and "Biographical sketches of

the De Peyster, Watts and other affiliated families."

 

ANNALS OF THE EARLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATION, of Cuyahoga county,

Ohio. Number IX.

This Association, one of the most active of its kind in the West,

publishes annually a pamphlet containing full accounts of its purposes,

the addresses at its meetings, etc. This number is devoted largely to

a full account of the unveiling and dedicatory services connected with

placing the monument, a bronze statue, seven feet high, of Gen. Moses

Cleaveland, the founder of the city which now perpetuates his name.

Gen. Cleaveland was sent out by the Connecticut Land Company, which

owned, by purchase, the Western Reserve, in the spring of 1796. July

22 of that year he landed at the mouth of the Cuyahoga River, and

there laid out a town his associates named for himself. An article in

this issue of the QUARTERLY, by Prof. Hinsdale, gives a full history of

the purchase of the Reserve.

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