Ohio History Journal

REVIEWS, NOTES AND COMMENTS

BY THE EDITOR

 

SILVER SERVICE OF THE BATTLESHIP OHIO

Through the prompt and effective aid of Senator

Frank B. Willis and the cordial co-operation of Gover-

nor A. V. Donahey, there have been transferred from

the Navy Department of the United States to the cus-

tody of the Ohio State Archaeological and Historical

Society the silver service of the Battleship Ohio, the

loving cup presented by Miss Helen Deshler who chris-

tened the battleship, and the large bronze bell carried

for more than two decades by this famous war vessel.

The Society has also received a large and very beau-

tiful silk flag made by members of the crew of the bat-

tleship, used on its first voyage and later presented to

Miss Deshler together with the Naval Jack floated by

the Ohio. These flags were presented by Mrs. William

G. Deshler. With the silver service, the loving cup and

the bell they make a very notable addition to the mu-

seum collection of the Society. The Battleship Ohio

was launched at San Francisco, May 18, 1901. It was

scrapped April 16, 1923, in accordance with interna-

tional agreement on Limitation of Naval Armaments.

A full history of the Ohio with a detailed account of

the launching ceremonies will be published in the next

issue of the QUARTERLY.

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528      Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

 

FRANK GEORGE CARPENTER

Frank George Carpenter, well known correspondent,

traveler and author, was born at Mansfield, Ohio, May

8, 1855. He was the son of George F. and Jennette L.

Carpenter. He was graduated from the University of

Wooster, Ohio, in 1877 with the degree of A. B. Later

he received the degrees of A. M. and Litt. D. He mar-

ried Joanna D. Condict of Mansfield, Ohio, January 10,

1883.

Mr. Carpenter began newspaper work as legislative

correspondent of the Cleveland Leader at Columbus,

Ohio, in 1879. He became Washington correspondent

of the same paper in 1882; correspondent of the Amer-

ican Press Association in 1884; of the New York World

in 1887. He wrote syndicate articles for newspapers

in every section of the United States.    His travels

reached practically every section of the old and

the new world. His descriptive articles attained a high

degree of popularity and they always had a substantial

foundation of fact as a result of his keen observation

and extensive research.

The Boston Globe, one of a number of large daily

newspapers for which he was long a correspondent, in

the course of an extended article makes the following

observations in regard to the man and his work:

He visited every nation. He has written millions and millions

of descriptive words for millions and millions of avid readers. He

has lived perhaps the best known syndicate writer of his time. A

part of the vitality has gone out of the Sunday papers now that

Frank Carpenter has gone. He always wrote fascinatingly, always

in a language the common man and woman could understand,

always of subjects that even children are interested in, but always

in a manner and on a theme which added to the information of

the best educated and the most widely traveled.

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Reviews, Notes and Comments            529

Frank Carpenter had a genius for finding out things, and the

things that interest everyone, and then for writing them interest-

ingly. He never wrote anything cheap or flashy. No articles

have been more educational than Carpenter's, but he never wrote

a snobbish line. * * *

When he reached Europe in the fall of 1922 to do his greatest

series of the new Europe, forged in the travail of the world's most

terrible war, he said, "I am finding Europe more interesting than

ever before. I am looking at it with the eyes of the man in the

street, and I will describe it for the everyday man in America and

show him how the other half lives on this side of the world, in

what conditions its workingmen labor and compete with him. I

hope to give American newspapers an actual picture of Europe

as it is."

Frequent mention is made of the fact that Carpenter

commenced his travels abroad to improve his failing

health. "His first European trip," we are told, "was

to save his life. He wrote his early articles propped up

in bed. He fought sickness as one more factor in the

struggle of living at life's best. His story parallels

that of Robert Louis Stevenson's heroic striving against

a heavily handicapped physique."

As a testimonial to his pre-eminent ability as a cor-

respondent we quote again from the tribute paid him

in the Boston Globe:

He got the first interview ever granted by Premier Li Hung

Chang of China, persuading that great Oriental to break all the

precedent of his tradition-worshiping land to talk to the daring

American scribe. He had lunched with kings as you and I do

with our casual acquaintances.

When he was not traveling he spent his winters in

Washington and his summers at his home on the top of

the Blue Ridge Mountains. This mountain home over-

looks the Shenandoah Valley. He called it Joannas-

burg, because his wife's name was Joanna. His wife

Vol. XXXIII -- 34.

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530     Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

accompanied him on all his travels and he died the

father of grown-up children. He is described as "a wisp

of a man, lank, red-haired, with a reddish mustache."

His hobby was a large peach orchard which his busy

life gave him little time to enjoy.

Not only was he a great correspondent but he was a

voluminous writer of books. Here is a list said to be

approximately complete:

Carpenter's Geographical Readers -- Asia, 1897,

North America, 1898, South America, 1899; Europe,

1902; Australia, Our Colonies and Other Islands of the

Seas, 1904; Africa, 1905; Through Asia with the Chil-

dren, 1898; Through North American With the Chil-

dren, 1898; Carpenter's Readers of Commerce and In-

dustry; South America -- Social, Industrial and Politi-

cal, 1900; How the World is Fed, 1907; How the World

Is Clothed, 1909; How the World Is Housed, 1911;

Around the World with the Children, 1917; Carpenter's

New Geographical Readers -- South America, 1921;

Europe, 1922, North America, 1922, Asia, 1923, Africa,

1923; Carpenter's World Travels -- The Holy Land

and Syria, 1922, From Tangier to Tripoli, Alaska, Our

Northern Wonderland, The Tail of the Hemisphere --

Chile and Argentina, Cairo to Kisumu, Java and the

East Indies, France to Scandinavia -- all 1923.

 

 

OHIO HISTORY DAY AT LOGAN ELM PARK.

The largest number of people ever assembled in Lo-

gan Elm Park attended the exercises of the fourth an-

nual celebration of Ohio History Day on October 5. A

conservative estimate places the number at between five

and six thousand people.

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Reviews, Notes and Comments              531

The fact that Chief Buffalo Child Long Lance was

to deliver an address in his native costume had been

widely advertised and was chiefly responsible for the

large attendance. It is to be noted, however, that these

meetings have been steadily  growing in  popularity.

One year ago a large audience assembled to greet speak-

ers from Circleville and Columbus. The day itself, its

historic suggestions and the interesting associations of

the park and its ancient elm are sufficiently attractive

to bring together with each passing year a large and in-

teresting assembly of Ohioans.

The   local papers gave extended accounts of the

meeting and generous praise to those who had planned

it. We quote briefly from the account published in the

Watchman:

Sunday, October 5, was a red-letter day at Logan Elm Park

and lest we forget, let it be remembered that one person above all

others in attendance, had a right to be proud of the occasion as

well as the manifest interest of the thousands present to see and

hear -- that person being none other than our highly esteemed

townswoman, Mrs. Howard Jones of Park Place, the originator

and founder of "Ohio History Day;" except for her vision and

her efforts, there would be no such an event as Ohio History Day

and certainly no such occasion and no such. unusual addresses as

were listened to on Sunday afternoon. And that she did not occupy

a permanent place upon the stage during the exercises, was an over-

sight on the part of somebody or bodies almost, if not wholly

inexcusable. Honorable John F. Carlisle directed the program

and following the introductory numbers explained that Ex-gover-

nor Campbell could not be present owing to physical indisposition.

He then introduced Chief Buffalo Long Lance, a full blood Indian

from a reservation in northwestern Canada who had traveled some

four thousand miles to be present upon this memorial day. When

he rose to speak, clad in native costume, it was called to mind that

he stood upon almost the identical spot where 150 years ago an-

other Indian stood and rebuked in language immortal the whites

for their indifference and ingratitude. *  *  *  Other speakers

1 Mrs. Jones was invited to the speaker's stand but modestly declined.

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532       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

of the occasion at the park were Mrs. O. D. Dryer of the Daugh-

ters of the American Revolution and Mr. A. W. Geisinger of the

Sons of the American Revolution. Mr. C. B. Shook of Columbus,

formerly of this city, read a selection from the McGuffey Readers

entitled "North American Indians."

The Circleville Union Herald of October 6 contains a

full account of the meeting and a number of paragraphs

from the speech of Buffalo Child Long Lance. Fol-

lowing are a few brief excerpts:

The fourth annual celebration of Ohio History Day at Logan

Elm Park Sunday was a wonderful success in every way and ex-

ceeded the most sanguine expectations of those who were responsi-

ble for the meeting.

A great crowd of six or seven thousand people was present

to participate in the exercises, to listen to the recital of the stirring

events in the early history of the state and to visit the giant Logan

Elm, the most famous tree in the United States, and near which

the great chief of the Mingoes, dictated his classical address to

Lord Dunmore.

The day was perfect and delegations came from all over the

country to assist in the celebration of Ohio History Day. All

day long the people kept coming and going and while the program

was being rendered automobiles lined both sides of the road from

the Chillicothe Pike past the park and for a long distance toward

Elmwood. The road running south from the park for a long dis-

tance was used for parking machines and fields adjacent were

thrown open for the accommodation of the vast number of motor

vehicles.

License tags showed that vehicles were at the park from New

Mexico, Arkansas, California, Nebraska, Indiana, Florida, Illinois,

New York and a number of other states and from Ontario,

Canada. *  *  *

In introducing Chief Long Lance, Mr. Carlisle said that he is

one hundred per cent American in its true sense, that his ancestors

were here thousands of years before any white man trod this

ground. He had refused an appointment to West Point by the

late President Wilson and enlisted as a private in the Canadian

Army, served two years and was mustered out with the rank of

captain. He is a graduate of the Carlisle, Pennsylvania, Indian

School, took a course in the Conway-Dickinson and Manley Mili-

tary Academy and is a writer and journalist. He is now writing

a history of the Indian in the Northwest and Alaska, speaks three

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Reviews, Notes and Comments       533

Indian dialects and is a man of high character and gentlemanly

attainments.

At the conclusion of the exercises a remarkable dem-

onstration occurred. The vast crowd, charmed by the

address and manly bearing of Buffalo Child Long

Lance, surged forward eager to grasp him by the hand.

The timbers under the speaker's stand began to snap.

The Chief and those about him, however, succeeded in

getting to the ground and the threatened collapse of

the platform did not occur. Mr. Carlisle aided the

Chief in his effort to reach an automobile but found it

almost impossible to work their way through the

crowd, which was orderly and respectful but eager to

shake the Chief by the hand before he left the park.

He succeeded in getting to the log cabin about half way

to the road, behind the door of which he and Mr. Car-

lisle disappeared for a time. An appeal was made to

the crowd and he was permitted to return to the old

Elm to have some pictures taken under its branches.

He was evidently pleased at the manifestations of ap-

preciation and tried, as he said afterward, as far as pos-

sible to shake hands with the children. "I realize," said

he, "that this means more to them than it would to older

persons."

In the evening the Chief and a number of friends

were entertained at the hospitable home of Dr. Howard

Jones in Circleville.

 

HONORS TO THE MEMORY OF JONATHAN ALDER

A most interesting program was rendered at Alder

Chapel about four miles north of West Jefferson on the

afternoon of September 19, on the occasion of the un-

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534     Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

veiling of a marker at the grave of Jonathan Alder,

famous pioneer, Indian captive and captain in the War

of 1812.

Announcements had been made through the local

papers of the proposed unveiling and a goodly attendance

was expected but no one anticipated the outpouring of

people from the surrounding country and the manifesta-

tion of interest that marked this occasion. The carefully

arranged program was rendered on time in the

presence of the large audience that heard it with the

closest attention from the opening number to the close.

The exercises had not proceeded far until it became

evident that there were more people on the outside of

Alder Chapel than could possibly find seats and stand-

ing room within it. The meeting therefore temporarily

recessed. All then reassembled in the yard of the Chapel

and the program was concluded from the broad stone

step at the doorway.

The exercises opened with the singing of America

by the school children and invocation by Rev. Frederick

Fischer of Trinity Church. Judge John R. Tanner of

London presided and delivered a very instructive ad-

dress on the War of 1812. Mrs. John Copeland, great-

granddaughter of Jonathan Alder was then introduced

and read a most interesting sketch of her ancestor,

Jonathan Alder, the pioneer of Jefferson County. She

told the fascinating story of his life among the Indians

and his services in the War of 1812 when he attained

the rank of Captain. She emphasized his good judg-

ment and diplomacy in establishing friendship between

the Indians and the pioneers in the early history of

Madison County. Her address was an interesting con-

tribution to state and local history and we trust that we

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Reviews, Notes and Comments      535

may have for a future issue of the QUARTERLY a con-

tribution on this interesting subject from Mrs. Copeland.

Addresses by C. B. Galbreath, Secretary of the Ohio

State Archaeological and Historical Society, and Pro-

fessor L. C. Dick, County Superintendent of Schools,

followed. A large number of school children were in

attendance and their orderly attention throughout the

exercises was a tribute to themselves and their teachers.

"The Star Spangled Banner" was then sung and the

audience repaired to Alder cemetery adjoining the

Chapel to witness the unveiling of the marker in ac-

cordance with the ritual of the Daughters of the War of

1812. The flag was gently removed by Julia Walley

and Jonathan Alder Copeland with these words: "In

honoring the memory of our great-great-grandfather,

Jonathan Alder, we honor all the soldiers of the War

of 1812."

Mrs. James Martin, regent, with an appropriate ad-

dress placed a beautiful wreath on the grave for Jona-

than Alder Chapter. The benediction was pronounced

by Rev. Fischer.

School children joined with the chapter and guests

in singing "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" and

Bugler Winston Reese, of the Boy Scott troop, sounded

taps and concluded the services.

Following is a list of the descendants of Jonathan

Alder who were present on the occasion: Grandchil-

dren: L. C. Alder, Henry Betts, Mrs. Angeline Alder

High; Great-grandchildren: Henry Alder, Arch Alder,

Otto Alder, Harry High, Emerson Betts, Mrs. Etta

Alder Davis, Mrs. Flora Bidwell, Mrs. Laura Walley,

Miss Della High, Mrs. May Gautsheimer, Mrs. Jennie

Alder Donahoe, Mrs. Fannie Copeland, Mrs. Bessie

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536      Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

Goodson; Great-great-grandchildren: Alder Siebald,

Dorothy Alder, Alice Alder, Jane Alder, Clay Alder,

Jack Alder, Marjorie Walley, Mary Walley, Julia Wal-

ley, Walter Walley, David Walley, Jonathan Alder

Copeland, Garnet Alder, Jean Elizabeth Betts, Eva

Gautsheimer, Jane Gautsheimer, Doris Mae Gaut-

sheimer, Mary Catherine Goodson, Martha Leon Good-

son, Gladys Mae Goodson; Great-great-great-grand-

child: Ruth Ann Naivin.

 

 

"LOGAN THE MINGO"

This is the tile of a very readable book of 110 pages

by Franklin B. Sawvel, Ph. D., member of the Histori-

cal Society of Pennsylvania. It is published by Richard

G. Badger, Boston. It is based on reliable sources and

is remarkably free from prejudice and special pleading.

It is not marred by the evident errors that have crept

into much that has been written on this subject. It is

too much to expect absolute historic accuracy in every

statement of such a work. We quote a single paragraph

to illustrate how minor inaccuracies are unavoidable:

Dunmore commanded the second division in person by way

of Mingo and the Ohio River and up the Hockhocking. The two

divisions were to meet at Camp Charlotte, six miles east of their

villages, before making the attack. When Dunmore arrived at the

appointed place two days after the Point Pleasant battle he learned

that Lewis was encamped only two miles below the villages and,

supported by his angry soldiers, was determined to make the attack

alone. With difficulty and threats of dismissing him from his

command and sending him home under guard, Dunmore's firmness

won the day and the attack was not made.

Dunmore could not have learned "two days after the

Point Pleasant battle" that "Lewis was encamped only

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Reviews, Notes and Comments       537

two miles below the villages" because Lewis did not

reach that point until more than a week after the bat-

tle. In fact while the battle was fought October 10

Lewis did not leave Point Pleasant until seven days

later. Neither does the documentary history of the

Dunmore War sustain the statement that Dunmore

made any threats to dissuade Lewis from attacking the

Indian towns.

These are minor matters, however, and we are im-

pressed with the belief that Logan The Mingo is the

best up-to-date monograph on the subject that has yet

appeared in print.

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