Ohio History Journal

AN ECONOMIC HISTORY OF THE JACKSON

COUNTY IRON INDUSTRY

A THESIS PRESENTED FOR THE

DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS

BY VERNON DAVID KEELER, A.B., LL.B.

INTRODUCTION

"The Cyclops here their heavy hammers deal;

Loud strokes, and hissings of tormented steel

Are heard around; the boiling waters roar;

And smoky flames through fuming tunnels soar."

--Vergil.

In early Biblical times, according to the fourth chap-

ter of Genesis, "Tubal Cain," born in the seventh gen-

eration of Adam, was an "Instructor of every artificer

in brass and iron." The slow development of iron mak-

ing among the early Greeks, Hebrews, and other early

peoples is well known to the economic historian. There

is much evidence to prove that the Assyrians, Chaldeans

and Babylonians were acquainted with its manufacture.

Prof. J. Russell Smith, in The Story of Iron and

Steel, states:

The primitive methods of the ancient world finally focused

themselves so far as the Mediterranean basin and European

countries are concerned, upon the so-called Catalan forge, first

devised and used in Cataline, Spain. This differs but little from

the ordinary blacksmith's forge, which has the air blast furnished

by a bellows, or if possible by a waterfall, through the device

known as the "Trompe." This consists in letting the water fall

(133)

134       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

through a pipe, carrying with it bubbles of air, which escaped at

the bottom of the pipe with an air-tight receptacle. There the

accumulated air has a pressure derived in being carried down-

ward in the falling water. The Germans by a series of slow

improvements evolved the first form of blast-furnace. This was

called by the Germans the "Stuckofen," being built to a height

of ten to, sixteen feet, and having an output of from one hundred

to one hundred and fifty tons a year in its best form.

Many variations and improvements followed the

German improvements, before the making of iron was

introduced into the United States, which occurred in

Massachusetts in 1645. Then by degrees, tediously

but surely, its manufacture spread throughout the colo-

nies, chiefly because of necessity.

When Washington became President, iron was made

to some extent in practically every state of the newly

formed union. Proof that the use of iron was known

before the white man's coming is shown by the fol-

lowing quotation from the History of Iron in All Ages,

by James M. Swank:

Professor Putnam, the archaeologist, of Harvard University,

found in the ancient mounds of Ohio masses of meteoritic iron

and various implements and ornaments made by hammering the

pieces of meteoritic iron. This native iron the ancient people

used the same as they did native silver or native gold, simply as

a malleable metal. It was only after contact with Europeans

that the Indians obtained iron in different forms, and in due

time learned to heat and shape it as a blacksmith would do.

In the Smithsonian Institution at Washington may

be seen a replica of the early iron mine, showing an

American Indian woman carrying a basket of the pre-

cious iron ore from a tunnel, which extended straight-

ways into the earth.

Although backed by the experience of their fore-

runners, the iron makers of Ohio needed unlimited

Introduction               135

courage, strength of will, and perseverance to "carry

on." The development of the Southeastern Ohio Iron

Region at the beginning of the 19th century, gives to

the section an unusual romantic story for the economic

historian. This region, which developed from such a

small beginning, later rivalled such regions as Toledo,

Spain, and the famous iron region of Asia Minor.

The Hanging Rock Iron Region furnished crude iron

for use in making ordnance in England during the

Crimean War, and it was highly praised by their chem-

ists. During the Civil War, the Hanging Rock iron

was again in great demand, and the region furnished

the materials for building the famous Merrimac, the

iron-clad ship which won fame in the historic duel with

the Monitor. One of the Hanging Rock furnaces fur-

nished the pig iron which was used in moulding the

famous "Swamp Angel" cannon used in the defense of

Charleston Harbor. The Hanging Rock iron was so

much in demand during the Civil War, that ofttimes

the iron was started on its journey to the railroad in

wagons, before being allowed to cool, and many wagon

beds were burned. On the industrial side the iron be-

came equally famous for its casting qualities; it being

much in demand in Cincinnati, St. Louis, Pittsburgh,

and other foundry and steel centers.

Iron as we know it now is a basic material, the prices

being used as an economic barometer, especially during

a period of depression, like that through which we

are now passing. The dependence of manufacturing

upon iron and steel is taken for granted.   If a

country be lacking in iron and its close ally, coal, it is

indeed in poor straits to become a commercial or indus-

136      Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

trial nation, unless transportation is so well developed

that the necessary materials may be secured easily, or

at small cost.

The counties which comprise the Hanging Rock Iron

Region of Ohio seem to have been blessed with a plente-

ous supply of iron ore and coal, and the necessary

limestone is also found in great abundance.

The purpose of this thesis is to give a glimpse of

this most interesting and historical region. For this

purpose Jackson County has been chosen from the

group involved, to serve as a representative area for

study. The development of the iron industry in this

region, beginning with the establishment of the first

furnace in 1811, will be closely studied. The effect of

the iron industry upon the entire region will be given

cognizance, including the growth of markets and com-

mercial centers. Concentrating the study, the develop-

ment of each furnace in Jackson County will be noted,

from the beginning of the industry in that county in

1836, and continuing to the present time; hence the story

of the struggle between the three major fuels, coal,

charcoal and coke.

The author is indebted to the following persons for

furnishing valuable information and help, that this story

may be complete: Mr. H. H. Maynard, professor of

marketing, Ohio State University, who suggested this

theme, and has carefully followed the preparation of it;

Mr. Ray B. Westerfield, professor of political economy,

Yale University; Mr. Wilbur E. Stout, State geologist,

Columbus, Ohio; Mr. Robert Jenkins, County auditor

for Jackson County; Mr. Joseph J. Jones, last manager

of Jefferson Furnace, Oak Hill, Ohio; Mr. Andrew J.

Introduction               137

Dutiel, last manager of Madison Furnace, Jackson,

Ohio; Mrs. Eliza Bundy Wells, daughter of Hon. H.

S. Bundy, and wife of Harvey Wells, builder of the

city of Wellston; Mr. C. B. Galbreath, secretary of the

Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Society, Co-

lumbus, Ohio; Mr. John E. Jones, present owner and

president of the Globe Iron Company, of Jackson, Ohio;

Mr. John S. Sylvester, editor of the Wellston Telegram,

Wellston, Ohio, and Mr. S. J. Newell, of the Jackson

Herald.

Information and help have been drawn from so many

sources that to acknowledge them all would require

too much space. In addition to the above, thanks are

due to the older residents in Jackson County, who

worked in the iron industry, many of whom generously

gave much valuable data and information.

VERNON D. KEELER.

Jackson, Ohio, December 22, 1931.

CHAPTER I

THE HANGING ROCK IRON REGION

The name which is used to designate this most inter-

esting and once most important iron making region in

the United States, is obtained from a cliff, located on

the brink of the Ohio River. This location was made

famous by the old Hanging Rock Forge, which was so

well described by Dr. Hildreth, and is worthy of re-

production here:

Four miles above the mouth of the Little Sandy on, the Ohio

side or right bank of the Ohio River, and in the midst of the iron

region, is a celebrated cliff of sandstone, called the "Hanging

Rock." The upper portion of the cliff, which is nearly four

hundred feet high, projects over the mural face of the rock like

a cornice of a house. The Ohio flows close to its base, while

beneath and under its projecting walls, is erected a forge, for

the refining of iron. The blast of its immense bellows, and the

thundering noise of its immense hammer, weighing more than a

ton, echoing and reverberating under the walls of the cliff, afford

no inapt emblem of the labors of Cyclops, under the caverns of

Mt. Etna. An abundance of iron ore is found in the vicinity,

and a few miles back in the hills a furnace called the "Aetna,"

furnishes the pigs for the anvils of the modern Cyclops. Bar

iron of an excellent quality is manufactured at this most inter-

esting spot.¹

The nucleus of this most famous region is found in

the four counties of Jackson, Lawrence, Scioto, and

Vinton, with minor plants in Hocking and Gallia Coun-

ties in Ohio; and Greenup, Boyd, Carter, and Lawrence

Counties in Kentucky, embracing in all about two

thousand square miles. Considering the whole of the

1 History of the Hanging Rock Iron Region. of Ohio, v. I, pp. 266-268.

(139)

140       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

above-mentioned region, a famous historian has written

that "It is doubtful if any similar section of the middle

west can furnish so much picturesque detail of human

experience and enterprise."2

The Hanging Rock Region is bounded on the east

by the Ohio River, and on the west by the Scioto River

and its tributaries. The region had a seemingly in

exhaustible supply of iron ore, a splendid grade of lime-

stone to be used for flux, and plenty of timber-land to

be used in making charcoal. The existence of men who

were willing to take long chances upon industrial ven-

tures, made possible the growth of this region, which

was practically an unknown wilderness previous to 1800.

The following quotation will show the abundance of

ores in the Hanging Rock Region at the beginning of

the nineteenth century:

The limestone ores, as calcareous and argillaceous carbonates,

and hydro-peroxides, or limonites, are very abundant and have

been mined for years in the Hanging Rock regions of Ohio and

Kentucky. They were the base of the charcoal industry of this

famous region. . . . The limestone ores derive their name from

being associated with a thick and extensive deposit of grey lime-

stone. . . . The iron made from this ore has always held a front

rank in market, the cold blast iron being particularly prized for the

manufacture of ordnance, car wheels, and other castings requir-

ing tough iron. The counties constituting the Hanging Rock

Iron Region, on both sides of the Ohio River along the horizon

of the grey limestone ore, have been worked over in every hill,

and the ore stripped to a depth of eight to twelve feet, forming a

line of many miles of terrace work.³

The making of charcoal was an expensive procedure,

in spite of the fact that timber-land was plentiful. The

2 A Standard History of the Hanging Rock Iron Region of Ohio. Pre-

face. E. B. Willard, editor.

3 Historical Collections of Ohio, edited by Henry Howe, Columbus,

Ohio. 1896, v. I, p. 117.

The Jackson County Iron Industry    141

numerous charcoal pits scattered about over these

southern Ohio counties, still form a fitting memorial to

this industry of bygone days. After the charcoal was

manufactured at the kiln, mule teams or oxen were used

to transport it to the furnace grounds. A two-hundred-

bushel load of charcoal was usually drawn by four yoke

of oxen or by four-mule teams. In many instances

the coal had to be hauled a great distance to the fur-

nace bank. It was generally figured that five cords of

wood should coal one load of charcoal, which was two

hundred bushels. This charcoal was used as fuel in

all the old furnaces of the Hanging Rock Region, and

hence the charcoal industry was at one time the lead-

ing branch of the iron making venture.

Perhaps the greatest factor in the transportation

field during the first part of the nineteenth century,

was the historic and beautiful "La Belle Riviere" (Ohio

or Beautiful River), so named by the French following

its discovery by La Salle in 1669, this nation having

exercised control of it until 1763.

A model of one of the Ohio River flatboats which

plied the waters in these early days may be seen at the

present time in the United States National Museum at

Washington, D. C. The keel-boat used prior to the

steamboat, was used for the transportation of flour and

other products from Cincinnati to northern points. The

old-fashioned flat-bottom boat descended the Ohio and

Mississippi Rivers, with cargoes of iron, and other

materials, as soon as production was begun in the in-

land Ohio towns, thus opening a veritable road of com-

merce between north and south, east and west.

The first Ohio River steamboat was built in Pitts-

142       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

burgh in 1810-1811. It was 138 feet long, and of 300-

ton burden.   The following description of this boat is

of particular interest:

The New Orleans left Pittsburgh in October, 1811, and

created a veritable sensation all along the river--panic and con-

sternation in some places which advance information had not

reached. "A novel sight," wrote one contemporary journalist,

"and as pleasing as novel to see a huge boat working her way

without the appearance of sail, or pole or any manual labor about

her--moving within the secrets of her own mechanism, and pro-

pelled by power undiscoverable."⁴

The continued growth of this magnificent avenue of

traffic is a matter of history, and shows us the immense

value and importance of water traffic, especially during

the days of the pioneer, when every effort was made to

use the available resources at hand.

In order to reach this line of traffic, it was necessary

to use the familiar pack-horse, and still later the ox

cart, which used roads little better than paths through

the dense vegetation of the region. The roads, in many

instances, followed the creek beds where the water was

shallow, and furnished a suitable foundation for travel.

Nothing that could be called roads existed in the

territory west of Pittsburgh at the beginning of the

nineteenth century. Pittsburgh was the assembling

point for many a trader's boat or pack-train closely fol-

lowing the settlements in the Hanging Rock Region at

the beginning of the century. The pioneer families

were of the usual adventurous, poor but hardy group,

familiar in all frontiers in early days. There were only

a few persons of wealth among them, but such as they

4 The Ohio River in History.--Harry Pence. Pub. by Ohio Valley Im-

provement Association, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1929, p. 17.

The Jackson County Iron Industry    143

were, they formed a nucleus around which might be

built an industrial enterprise.

Because of necessity the familiar country cross-roads

store soon came into existence, these serving as markets,

places of social enjoyment, post-offices and general

utility centers; the stores carrying only articles of neces-

sity, such as hats, caps, flour or corn-meal, women's

clothing, articles of dress for young and old, implements

of labor for the charcoal and iron-workers, and general

supplies for the sturdy pioneer.

The blacksmith shop was generally considered a

necessary adjunct to the general store in most of the

small hamlets, and it occupied quite a place in the com-

munity life. The settlers in need of iron implements

depended upon the distant regions of Pennsylvania, or

other iron regions, to supply their wants. Little did

they realize that underneath the soil in these Ohio coun-

ties, lay untold wealth in the untouched ores, and in the

abundant allied products.

Iron was sorely needed for the manufacture of the

needed implements of labor, and for pots, pans and

kitchen utensils. The blacksmith shops at Portsmouth,

Hanging Rock, Chillicothe, Piketon (having a name as

early as 1814), and Jackson (officially organized in

1816), all did a rushing business. Bar iron often was

brought over the Appalachian mountains by means of

pack-horses, the iron being bent over the horse's back,

so as to allow different articles of merchandise to be

tied to both ends of the bar.

The cities of Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, and New

Orleans were the pioneer's chief buying centers at the

beginning of the nineteenth century. Slowly it dawned

144       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

upon the settlers that they must secure some commodity

which could be easily exchanged for their necessities,

if they would maintain their trade. The following

quotation sheds interesting light upon the first iron

venture in southern Ohio, at the beginning of the cen-

tury:

Previous to the first smelting of iron in the Hanging Rock

Region, Brush Creek Furnace in Adams County, the first erected

in the State of Ohio, was in blast in 1811. It was built by

Ellison, James and Colonel Paull. . . . This was also the first fur-

nace in the United States run by steam, the engine which operated

it, was built by the Pittsburgh Steam Engine Co. who, sent James

Rodgers to install it.⁵

Thus we had the beginning of the venture which was

destined to make its impression upon the entire section,

where such an abundance of raw materials remained

untouched. Cheap labor was found in the incoming

pioneer, who was willing to cut the wood at twenty-five

cents a cord, with other labor receiving a proportionate

compensation. Little capital was necessary in the con-

struction of the first furnaces, as they were of the

crudest type.

The second venture in the iron industry was under-

taken some seven years later, across the Ohio River in

our neighboring state of Kentucky. In the year 1815,

there lived a gentleman by the name of Richard Deer-

ing; "quite above the average of his class and day, for

enterprise and investigation, and he was also consider-

able of a mechanic."⁶ Mr. Deering engaged in salt

boiling as a vocation, and accidentally discovered the

iron ore located on his lands. Having made iron in his

5 B. Willard. Op. cit., Vol. I, p. 269.

6 E. B. Willard, op. cit., Vol. I, p. 268.

The Jackson County Iron Industry         145

native state of Pennsylvania, he decided to make some

of this ore into pigs.  Meeting with success in his small

cupola he engaged about half a dozen moulders to run

the material into hollow-ware.

The success of that crude attempt induced Mr. Deering, in

1818, to form a partnership with David and John Trimble for

the erection of "Argillite" furnace, the first iron plant to be

established in the Hanging Rock Region. It was located in

Greenup County, Kentucky, six miles southwest of Greenups-

burg, upon the left bank of Little Sandy River. The stack, 25

feet high, six feet "bosh," was cut solid in a cliff of black slate--

hence the name "Argillite"--with only two sides for arches. A

dam thrown diagonally across the river with a massive undershot

water-wheel, furnished power for the blast. The iron produced

was made into hollow-ware on week-days, and run into pigs on

Sundays. The blast-cylinder and water-wheel were made by

John Deering, whom his brother had engaged for that purpose.

The original capacity of the "Argillite" was one ton daily, it

being classified as a "cold-blast" furnace.⁷

The task of finding a market for the surplus iron

was not a difficult one, as it was easily loaded on rafts,

and floated to Cincinnati, Portsmouth, and other river

cities. The iron being disposed of, the lumber was sold,

and the men took the first steamer back home.

After Mr. Rodgers completed his work for the

Pittsburgh Steam Engine Company at the Brush Creek

Furnace, he became very much interested in the pos-

sibilities of the surrounding region. As a result of this

interest the first iron furnace north of the Ohio River

in the Hanging Rock Region was established in 1826.

Mr. Rodgers had as partners in this enterprise Colonel

John Means, Valentine Fear, Mr. Sparks, and Mr.

Thomas W. Means, the latter becoming prominently

identified with many furnaces during a later time. The

7 Ibid, p. 268.

Vol. XLII--10

146       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

new furnace was named the "Union," and it was very

similar in construction to the Brush Creek Furnace,

turning out about the same amount of iron, from three

to four tons a day.

Mr. Henry Howe, who visited this region in 1884,

wrote the following concerning Union Furnace:

Union Furnace was the first iron furnace north of the Ohio,

in the Hanging Rock District, built in 1826. In 1837, John

Means, a son of Thomas W. Means, leased it, at first making

three to four tons a day, and soon increasing the output to thirty

tons a week, considered unusual.

Mr. Means stated as follows: "When I leased Union Furnace

in 1837, corn sold for 12 1/2 cents a bushel, and wheat for from

24 to 26 cents. Wages for competent laborers were only $10.00

a month. I made a trip to New Orleans and saw wheat sold

there for a quarter of a dollar a bushel; and corn on the cob, at

the same price per barrel. We saw no gold, and little silver coin,

except in small pieces; our circulation was chiefly bills of state

banks, and those were continually breaking."8

"Union" was located only four miles from the Hang-

ing Rock Forge and thus served as a splendid feeder

for its immense hammer. Closely following the success

of "Union," furnaces began to spring up throughout

the Hanging Rock Iron Region, and it was soon on its

way to fame. One of these furnaces, "Hecla," which

was established in 1833, is shown on page 147.

The following figures give one somewhat of an idea

as to the materials used at one of these early furnaces

during a blast:

Clinton Furnace, located in the Hanging Rock Region, used

the following materials in a blast of 204 days in 1836: Charcoal,

307,876 bushels . . .  Stone Coal, 30,277 bushels . . . Limestone,

260 tons . . . Iron Ore, 2,546 tons . . . Pigs made, 896 tons.

Average quantity per day, 4 tons, 7 cwt., 3 qrs., 10 lbs. Average

stock being: 1,509 bushels bituminous coal, 148 bushels charcoal,

8 Henry Howe, op cit., 1896, Vol. II, p. 62.

148       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

to be expected that any considerable savings would be

possible.

A progressive movement which proved a blessing

for the industry for a time was the building of the Ohio

Canal in 1831-32, at a cost of $5,000,000. This canal

extended from Cleveland to Portsmouth, a distance of

307 miles, and opened up a new line of trade for the

entire region. This canal was of great aid in bringing

machinery and equipment from the Great Lakes region,

and helped to overcome the handicap of lack of transpor-

tation. However, the later results did not bear out the

wishes and hopes of its promoters, as shown by the fol-

lowing quotation:

In January, 1838, navigation was closed, and twice in the

spring of 1839 the canal was closed for repairs, goods being

brought to Brush Creek and wagoned to Portsmouth. . . . To give

an idea of the canal as a revenue producer, it may be said that

the tolls for 1837 amounted to $433,699, and $382,135 for 1838;

expenses for repairs in the latter year being $214,581. In July,

1855, the newspapers announced that the canal was in a deplor-

able condition, though in March, 1858 there were tri-weekly

packet lines from Portsmouth to Columbus. By 1860 railroad

competition had had its effect, and the canal tolls had materially

decreased, as witness the following figures: for the quarter end-

ing February 15, 186o, $7,150; and for quarter ending May 15,

$10,568.10

Relying chiefly upon the new markets made avail-

able by the Ohio Canal, several new industries were

begun in Portsmouth, the nucleus of the Hanging Rock

Region. Perhaps the greatest and most important of

these industries was the Portsmouth Iron and Steel

Company, founded in 1831, it being the first plant of its

kind west of Wheeling, West Virginia. The president

10 E. B. Willard, op. cit., Vol. I, pp. 92-93.

The Jackson Counter Iron Industry         149

of this company was John P. Terry, who owned several

charcoal furnaces, and thus made direct use of the pig

iron produced. Their products were bar iron, sheet-

iron, nails, and like materials. At a later time they

manufactured all kinds of steel, spikes, "T" rails,

specializing in iron boiler-plates and boiler rivets. By

the year 1885, their annual product was valued at about

$700,000 per year, thus being a factor of great import-

ance to the nearby furnaces.

In 1837 a new era dawned upon the iron business in the

Hanging Rock Iron Region and of the country, caused by the

introduction of the hot blast. Three or four furnace men met

at Vesuvius and there agreed that they would test the principle;

that they would employ a man to put up a hot blast at Vesuvius,

and if it proved satisfactory, Hurd, Gould and Co. were to pay

all expenses; if a failure, the expense was to be divided among

all the parties to the experiment. The result was so successful

as to mark a great step in the progress of the industry. William

Firmstone was the man selected to install the hot blast--the first

it is believed in the United States.¹¹

Thus we note that during the short term of a quarter

of a century, the iron industry of southeastern Ohio was

becoming well established; it being stated by a good

authority that Thomas W. Means, who kindled the first

fire at the Union Furnace, lived to see over fifty fur-

naces in operation throughout the entire region.

To determine the relative importance of the Hang-

ing Rock Region with other regions of the United

States, the following figures are of particular interest:

The first record of the amount of iron made, according to

the U. S. Association of Charcoal Iron-Workers, in its journal

for 1880-81, is in 1810, when there were in existence in this

country 153 charcoal furnaces, 135 bloomeries, 330 forges, and

34 rolling and slitting mills, producing 53,908 gross tons of pig

iron, and 36,385 tons of blooms, billets, and bars. In 1840 the

11 Ibid, p. 270.

150      Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

number had been increased to 804 furnaces, producing 286,903

gross tons of cast iron, and 795 forges, bloomeries and rolling

mills.

The Geological Survey of 1869 stated that 38 fur-

naces were in operation in the entire Hanging Rock

Region. These furnaces produced about 90,000 tons of

charcoal iron, and in addition there were five bituminous

coal furnaces which produced 16,000 tons, making a

grand total of 106,000 tons.   Thus it is to be noted

that the region was gradually assuming a leadership in

the iron industry, which it was to develop for many

years to come.

CHAPTER II

BEGINNING OF THE CHARCOAL EPOCH IN

JACKSON COUNTY

"Ay me, what perils do environ,

The man that meddles with cold iron."

Jackson County is an upland county, lying at the

head of the waters. The loftiest hills are in Washing-

ton and Jackson Townships, with a few points in Lib-

erty Township reaching 1,000 feet. The county is

bounded on the north by Vinton, on the east by parts of

Vinton and Gallia Counties, on the south by Gallia and

Scioto, and on the west by portions of Scioto, Pike and

Ross Counties. There are numerous hills and dales,

formed by the waters of the melting glaciers many cen-

turies ago. Two means of water transportation were

seemingly available for industrial development, when

the idea was first projected. The Scioto River was

some distance to the west, and Raccoon Creek was on

the east. As we shall see, however, both of these

routes proved to be impracticable.

The existence of the salt-licks in Jackson County

accounts for its early settlement, the pioneers coming

from many distant places to secure this needed ingre-

dient. It is known that licensed fur-traders began to

visit the salt-licks about 1720, and that they found evi-

dence of habitation at that time. "An edition of a map

by Lewis Evans, the Welsh geographer, published in

(151)

152      Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

1755, including Virginia, and the Ohio Valley, had the

Scioto Salt Licks marked on it."12

Transportation facilities were indeed lacking at this

early date, but the need for salt caused many emigrants

to settle at the springs, to aid in carrying on the indus-

try. Money was scarce, and was not often seen among

the settlers. It is stated that the warehouses (such as

they were) at the springs were often a type of museum,

because of the various articles brought in exchange

for salt. Any article ranging from a pocket-knife to a

saddle was acceptable as barter, and even fire-water was

brought in exchange for salt. Perhaps the best medium

of exchange was the pelt or hide, which was in great

demand. A historian of the region stated that "Even

some tax-collectors and postmasters were known to take

peltries, and exchange them for money required by the

government."13

There were two or three well-known trails or roads

leading into Jackson, at the beginning of the nineteenth

century. One of these trails extended from Portsmouth

on the Ohio River, another from Chillicothe via Jack-

son to Gallipolis. Relative to the early road legislation,

we have the following interesting note:

"The Ohio Legislature appropriated the sum of $800.00 on

February 18, 1804, for the purpose of opening and making a road

from Gallipolis, in the county of Gallia, to Chillicothe."14

The above-mentioned road was the first road estab-

lished in the territory now including Jackson County.

The county was organized in March, 1816, its area

12 History of Jackson County, D. W. Williams, pp. 34-36.

13 E. B. Willard, op. cit., Vol. I, p. 87.

14 D. W. Williams, op. cit., p. 80.

The Jackson County Iron Industry  153

being about 410 square miles. At this time the salt

boilers naturally held sway in every political, social and

industrial venture.

Statistics show that the population of the county in

1820 was 3,842, and in 1830 it had risen to 5,941. The

year 1823 saw the first venture of the traders in extend-

ing their operations beyond the county boundaries.

During that year they mined more coal than was needed

in their salt furnaces, and hauled the surplus to the

blacksmiths of Pike and Scioto Counties. Thus began

a development of commercial relationships with the ad-

joining counties.

As a result of better salt brine being found on the

Kanawha River in West Virginia, in 1826, the salt

works in Jackson County were abandoned, the school

lands were sold, and a general revival begun. The

school lands were appraised at from twelve to eighty-

seven cents an acre, the average amount being about

fifty cents. Little did the appraisers realize that under-

neath the apparently worthless timber-land lay untold

wealth in iron ore, coal and limestone, all intertwined

in their usefulness. The land in Hamilton Township,

which was to be honored by having the first iron fur-

nace established within its boundaries, was valued at

only twenty-five cents an acre.

The ore deposits in the southern end of the county

were known to the furnace men of Lawrence and

Scioto Counties, but the problem of bringing the finished

product a distance of twenty miles made quite a handi-

cap. The yield of from 325 to 350 acres of timber-

land, or about 13,000 cords of wood, were required per

year for the operation of a furnace. The prospect of

The Jackson County Iron Industry       155

storekeeper. The latter position was one of great im-

portance, as it was at the company store that all business

of the community was transacted. The furnace em-

ployees were all paid in scrip, and this was taken to the

store in exchange for various commodities. Very often

huge profits were exacted, one storekeeper stating that

75 to 100% was expected as a fair return.

Although the hot blast had been proven successful,

Jackson Furnace used a cold blast, the product being

used in foundries which desired the highest quality

charcoal iron. The crude method of manufacturing

employed in the beginning, is responsible for the low

output, about three or four tons a day. It was of high

quality, and was much in demand. The pigs were

hauled to Portsmouth, the nucleus of the region, where

is was loaded on boats and taken to Cincinnati, provided

that it was not needed for the mills in Portsmouth. It

is regrettable that the financial crash came so suddenly

at the time when Jackson Furnace was just getting a

start. The following quotation will show the conditions

which soon became general:

Property shrank to such low value, that many people were in

doubt as to whether they possessed anything except their lives

and their families  The wildcat banks rapidly climbed the golden

stairs, and their assets went glimmering. The necessities were

cheap, and those who suffered most in those days were of the class

called "wealthy," excepting perhaps, the managers of the wildcat

banks spoken of above. Neither the farmer nor the mechanic of

the West had little to complain of. Their wants were few and

supplies cheap. The collapse which began about 1837, hovered

over the land as late as 1842.16

"There was a six-foot bed of ore found along the

ridge above Jackson Furnace which yielded 10,000 tons

16 E. B. Willard, op. cit., Vol. I, p. 82.

156       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

to the acre."¹⁷ In spite of the advantages of plentiful

supplies, etc., the furnace was sold in 1840 to the firm of

Ellison, Tewksberry & Co. This group had operated

other furnaces previous to their new venture, and began

with high hopes of success, which hopes were well borne

out.

During the year 1837, one of the most scholarly

gentlemen who ever lived in Jackson County took up

his abode in Jackson, and soon began to exercise a tre-

mendous influence. Of this individual Mr. Howe writes

as follows:

William Williams Mather, LL.D., a descendant of the family

of Cotton and Increase Mather, in August, 1836, resigned from

the army to take part in the Geological Survey of N. Y., and in

1837 came to Ohio to superintend the first Geological Survey of

Ohio. After the suspension of the Ohio Survey, he purchased a

tract of 1,500 acres, including the Pigeon Roost north of the

Court House in Jackson County, on which he built a house and

became a citizen of Ohio.¹⁸

Professor Mather, assisted by Caleb Briggs in the

Survey, noted the abundance of materials for the manu-

facture of iron in Ohio, and decided to take advantage

of the opportunity. Although his efforts were somewhat

unsuccessful, it had its effect in drawing attention to the

region. One of Mather's enterprises is well described

in the following paragraph:

William Williams Mather associated himself with a number

of capitalists and organized the "Ohio Iron Manufacturing Com-

pany," to manufacture iron, glass, pottery, and fire-brick, make

salt and saw marble. The company was incorporated on March

6, 1845, with a capital of $300,000. It was authorized to build

. . . furnaces in Athens, Gallia, Lawrence and Scioto Counties.

This brilliant scheme never materialized, although Mather and a

17 History of the Lower Scioto Valley, p. 496.

18 Henry Howe, op. cit., 1896, Vol. I, p. 957.

The Jackson County Iron Industry      157

company built the Oak Ridge Furnace in Lawrence County, but it

called the attention of capitalists to the resources here. Mather

was more of a student than a business man, and succeeded better

as professor at Marietta and Ohio University.¹⁹

Had Professor Mather and his New England

friends been able to convince the capitalists of the pos-

sibilities of the county, the development would have

been more rapid. When Mather examined the coal in

1837, he pronounced it to be of the highest quality, and

it was used to fire the boilers at Jackson Furnace.

As to the quality of the iron being produced in these

first Hanging Rock furnaces, Mr. Howe stated in his

notes of 1846 that "It stood very high for casting, and

was equal to Scotch pig for foundry purposes."20 Mr.

Howe further stated that the iron was excellent for bar

iron; the principal markets being Pittsburgh and Cin-

cinnati. At this date (1846) the four counties of

Jackson, Lawrence, Scioto, and Greenup, Kentucky,

made about 37,450 tons annually, which at $30.00 a ton,

the current market price, amounted to $1,123,500.

"There were 21 furnaces in the Hanging Rock Iron

Region. . . . Each of the furnaces employed on an

average of 70 yoke of oxen, 100 hands, sustained 500

persons, consumed 560 barrels of flour, 1,000 bushels

of corn meal, 10,000 bushels of corn, 50,000 pounds of

bacon, 20,000 pounds of beef, 1,500 bushels of potatoes,

besides other provisions, and tea, sugar and coffee in

proportion."21

The coming of winter found hundreds of wood-

choppers emigrating from their mountain homes in

19 D. W. Williams, op. cit., p. 168.

20 Henry Howe, op. cit., 1896, Vol. II, p. 59.

21 Ibid.

158      Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

Kentucky and West Virginia to the furnace regions of

the county. The constant moving about, and the asso-

ciation of the Jackson Countians with the inhabitants

of the river cities, brought about new modes of living,

and improved means of manufacture. Soon the one-

room cabins gave way to more modern dwellings. Dur-

ing the year 1817 the town of Jackson was incorporated,

and the community at large began to take on new life.

The migrations of persons from Lawrence and

Scioto Counties into Jackson County served a good

purpose, when a new furnace was projected in 1848.

This second venture in the county was promoted by

John Campbell,²² the well-known furnace man of Law-

rence County. Many of the residents of Keystone and

the neighboring villages, had served apprenticeships

under Campbell, and thus was provided experienced

labor for the project. This new furnace, the "Key-

stone," was to be located on Raccoon Creek, and it was

planned to make use of the creek for transportation.

The attention of the community was drawn to the

lack of suitable transportation facilities, by the promo-

tion of this second furnace. A corporation was there-

fore organized for the purpose of making the creek nav-

igable for travel. "The Raccoon Navigation Company"

consisted of James Riggs, Nicholas Thevenin, Alexander

Williams, James Lewis, Charles Giles, Joseph S. Coombs,

A. Bentley, and Moses R. Matthews. It was incorpo-

rated February 4, 1848, with a capital stock of $100,000.

The commissioners of Gallia, Jackson, and Athens

22 Howe stated: "To no other individual is so much due for developing

the resources of 'Hanging Rock Iron Region.'" Henry Howe, op. cit., 1896,

Vol. II, p. 63.

160      Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

being built in the side of a sandstone cliff.²⁴ The fur-

nace was somewhat more productive than the first fur-

nace to be built in the county, and produced from eight

to ten tons of hot-blast iron a day. The iron was loaded

on rafts, which were built of heavy logs; the whole out-

fit was then floated down the creek during the spring

freshets to the Ohio River, and thence to Cincinnati.

The method proved quite hazardous owing to the mill

dams, where several men were drowned in attempting

to get the rafts over the incline. This plan of shipment

was soon abandoned, and the iron was hauled to the

Ohio River, although it was about twenty-five miles

away.

Shortly after the furnace began, quantities of flint

were found in the ore, and many of the stockholders

sold out. Their fear proved groundless, as "Keystone"

became one of the most successful furnaces in the

county. It passed into the hands of Green, Benner and

Company in 1853, and they operated it for many years,

it being one of the last to close down.

"Keystone" like many other furnaces of the region

in early days never ran on Sundays. This custom of

closing on Sundays was begun by Robert Hamilton at

Pine Grove Furnace on December 20, 1844, and fur-

nished a valuable precedent for others.²⁵ In Europe it

was common for the furnaces to be rested on Sundays,

one famous manager stating "We do not claim to make

as much iron in six days as we could in seven, but in the

long run, Sabbath-keeping furnaces make more in a year

than those which do not rest."26

24 See appendix for complete statistics on this furnace.

25 E. B. Willard, op. cit., Vol. I, p. 271.

26 Journal U. S. Association Charcoal Iron Workers, October, 1884.

The Jackson County Iron Industry         161

During the year 1851, a third furnace was projected

in the county, the "Buckeye," which was located only

a few miles north of "Keystone." It differed but little

from the other furnaces in the county. The stack was 37

feet high, and it produced from 10 to 12 tons a day. It

was built in the side of a cliff, the opening being plainly

visible in the center. The company purchased 4,500

acres of land about the furnace, and employed the firm of

Newkirk, Daniels & Co. to erect the plant, a hot-blast

stack.

Relative to the merits of hot-blast vs. cold-blast iron,

as produced by the various furnaces in 1850, the fol-

lowing quotation is of particular value:

Most ores, when smelted with cold blast, will make an iron

which will have a more uniform and lasting chill than when

smelted with hot blast. Some ores are affected more injuriously

than others. Some, when smelted with hot blast, make an iron

not better than the average of anthracite iron. We know of no

red or brown hematite ores, which will not make a better iron

when smelted with cold blast.²⁷

The following query also brings out the fact that

charcoal iron was considered more valuable for cast-

ings than other irons, different factors being equal.

The Lobdell Car-Wheel Company of Wilmington, Del-

aware, was asked what advantages charcoal pig iron

possessed over other fuels for chilled castings, with the

following result:

All of our wheels are made of a mixture of different kinds

of charcoal iron. We suppose that a reasonably good wheel

could be made of a mixture of other fuels, but a better one

could be made of charcoal iron. Wheels made of iron smelted

27 Journal U. S. Association Charcoal Iron Workers, 1882-1883. Re-

port of Lobdell Car-Wheel Co., Wilmington, Del.

Vol. XLII--11

162      Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

with charcoal will have a more uniform and lasting chill than

if the ore is smelted with anthracite coal or coke. We know of

no wheel that is equal to a good chilled cast-iron wheel, made

with proper care and of the proper material, if safety and

economy are considered.27a

Following the establishment of the Hocking and

Scioto Railroad in 1852-53, several new markets were

created for iron, and the industry received a great

impetus. "Keystone" hauled no more iron to the Ohio

River, but brought its iron to the railroad at Keystone

Station, and to Jackson, where it was shipped to its

destination. The larger amount of the hauling was

done in the summer, when the roads were in a more

passable condition. The greatest iron market for the

three furnaces in the county was in Pittsburgh, although

Wheeling, Cincinnati, and Marietta received large ship-

ments.

The town of Jackson itself used a small amount of

the iron produced by the furnaces, in its two foundries.

The Jackson Foundries and Machine Shop was founded

in 1847, at a cost of about $10,000. It made hot-blast

car-wheels, and all kinds of castings, especially desir-

able for furnace equipment. It employed about a half-

dozen men in the beginning. Three years later the

"Old Jackson Foundry" was established. This estab-

lishment manufactured about the same type of article,

with one exception--they introduced the cast-iron stove

to the community. Pickrel and Company built the lat-

ter-named foundry at a cost of about $11,000.

When the news of the Scioto and Hocking Valley

Railroad was spread during the early 'fifties, the fur-

naces at once began to stack their iron along the right of

27a Ibid.

The Jackson County Iron Industry         163

way, that they might take advantage of the first oppor-

tunity.  Buckeye Furnace had large stacks of iron piled

up at Jackson, and thus was one of the railroad's first

customers. Another result of the coming of the rail-

road was the establishment of the first bank in the city

of Jackson. People realized that with new outlets,

commerce would develop, and new industrial and eco-

nomic changes would be inevitable. The following

notice appeared in the Jackson Standard, in August,

1851:

Bennett and Company have established a bank in Jackson,

and are prepared to loan money on short time, in large or small

sums, upon approved security, and also purchase good negotiable

paper and county orders on favorable terms.

Office for the present over the Auditor's office.

Bank open from 10:00-12:00 M.

August 7, 1851. J. W. Laird, Cashier.

CHAPTER III

DAWN OF THE RAILROAD

Prior to 1827 all the railroads built were composed of wooden

rails, and constructed only for the purpose of carrying heavy

materials very short distances. In 1827 the Baltimore and Ohio

Railroad was chartered by the Maryland Legislature, and this

was the first railroad opened for carrying passengers. It was

opened for travel from Baltimore to Ellicott's Mills, a distance

of thirteen miles, on May 24, 1830, and completed to Washington

City on August 25, 1834.28

By the year 1837, when the first furnace was

operated in Jackson County, there were only 1497 miles

of railroad in the United States, with a total of only

9,021 by 1850. When the railroad fever reached the

"Buckeye State" about 1850, Jackson County was an

anxious prospect for the "Iron Horse." Accordingly,

in 1851, promoters were brought to the southern Ohio

counties, to secure subsidies, etc., with the expectation

of building a railroad. The County Commissioners

purchased stock readily, which later proved to be worth

only about twenty-five cents a bushel at a paper-mill.

The first Jackson County railroad project was the

"Iron Railroad." A charter was issued by special act

of the Legislature, March 17, 1849, and the capital stock

was fixed at $500,000. Lawrence County was par-

ticularly interested in this line, as it would bring the

iron and coal from the northern part of her boundaries

to the Ohio River. It was proposed to build a line

from the present site of Ironton, in Lawrence County,

28 25th Annual Poor's Manual of Railroads. Pub. about 1890.

(164)

The Jackson County Iron Industry   165

north through Jackson County, and connect it with the

Marietta and Cincinnati project in Vinton County. The

necessary capital could not be secured, and the matter

was dropped for the time being.

Two years later, in March, 1851, the County Com-

missioners of Jackson County subscribed $100,000 to

the "Scioto and Hocking Valley Railroad." An agree-

ment was reached whereby a release was to be given

upon their contract with the "Iron Railroad," that the

county might not lose thereby. The Scioto and Hock-

ing line crossed the Jackson County boundary line in

May, 1853, and thus became the first railroad of this

section. The line opened up a new line of trade to the

north via Columbus, and other northern points, and

later became a great rival with the Ohio River route.

It was at first intended that the "Scioto and Hock-

ing" would be extended to Newark, Ohio, but the Ma-

rietta and Cincinnati R. R. began a law suit, which

caused much delay. The road was stopped at Jackson,

but after a time it was completed to Hamden, where it

made connections with the M. & C. R. R., and the

Newark end was abandoned. The right of way for

these early roads was secured mostly by easement, and

was one hundred feet wide. The Scioto and Hocking

Valley road later became the property of the Baltimore

and Ohio.

Immediately upon receipt of the news of a railroad,

improvements in marketing facilities were commenced

and better production was begun. The old settlement

called Portland, in the southern part of the county,

literally moved west, the old public square was aban-

doned, and the buildings were erected several hundred

166       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

feet to the west to be near the railroad. The new set-

tlement, Oak Hill, was composed of many Welsh, who

came to the country between the years 1810-20. The

city of Jackson benefited more than any other part of

the county. Churches and schools were built, and

more than one hundred different types of buildings were

erected between April 1, 1853 and November 1, 1855.20

During the year 1853 the Scioto Furnace Company,

also known as Robinson, Glidden & Co., established the

house of Peter Powell & Co. at Oak Hill. Its purpose

was to sell goods, and buy iron ore for Scioto Furnace,

which was located in Lawrence County.³⁰ In addition

to the Scioto Furnace agents, other furnaces gradually

established agencies for securing ore and charcoal, and

it is regrettable that so much material was taken from

the county to be manufactured elsewhere.

The impetus given to business by the first railroad

soon led to the establishment of another. The Marietta

and Cincinnati Railroad was extended to Byer in the

north-western part of the county on June 4, 1854.31

Coach lines were then established between Byer and

Jackson, in addition to the existing lines running be-

tween Jackson, Chillicothe and Gallipolis.     This stage

line between the latter cities left Gallipolis on Tuesdays,

Thursdays, and Saturdays, at 4 A. M., and arrived at

Jackson at 12:15 P. M., and reached Chillicothe at 8:00

29 E. B. Willard, op. cit., Vol. I, p. 457.

30 "The Scioto Furnace Co. bought one acre of land from James

Kennedy a quarter of a mile west of Cackley's Switch for $120. It was on

top of a hill, and the dirt was plowed and stripped down, the ore on the en-

tire acre was taken out. It yielded a little over 4,000 tons of good ore.

This is a fair average for that region, and shows that the lands are cheap

at $2,000 an acre"--Davis Mackley. Article in Jackson Standard about 1860.

31 E. B. Willard, op. cit., v. I, p. 459.

The Jackson County Iron Industry   167

P. M., the total distance between Gallipolis and Chilli-

cothe being about sixty-five miles.

The three furnaces which were in operation when the

railroad was completed in 1853-54, were "Keystone,"

"Buckeye," and "Jackson." These furnaces rapidly

made plans to expand their business, and felt much more

confident as to the future of the industry. The firm of

Green, Benner & Co. assumed the management of Key-

stone Furnace, in 1853, and greatly expanded the hold-

ings. Jackson Furnace, under the control of Ellison,

Tewksberry & Co. was now enabled to load their iron

at a nearby point. As has been stated already Buckeye

Furnace had large stacks of iron at Jackson, awaiting

the coming of the first train. This iron was soon on its

way to Columbus, Cincinnati, and Chicago. The cold-

blast iron was selling at thirty to forty dollars a ton,

and was greatly in demand.

When the Scioto and Hocking Valley road was com-

pleted to Hamden in 1855, giving a direct route to Cin-

cinnati, six furnace projects were begun. The Iron

Valley (later the Cornelia, and still later the Lincoln)

was built in 1854, by Thompson, Laslie & Co. at a cost

of $115,000. The company purchased 5,000 acres of

land in the immediate vicinity. The Lincoln Furnace

was constructed somewhat differently from the others,

in that a part of the stack was hewn from the solid

stone of the cliff of which it was a part, and the blast

was sent through a tunnel driven through the rock in

the same manner. An interview with an old resident

of the vicinity, Mr. Sent Thorn, developed that he re-

membered having seen the ox-teams dragging the heavy

loads of iron over the hill, following the creek valley

168      Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

for a short distance, to the loading place at Hamden

Junction, about six miles away. Mr. Thorn stated that

the roads were practically impassable during the winter,

and that most of the hauling was done in the spring

and summer. About the time of the Civil War, a

branch line of the railroad was constructed to a point

within a few miles of the furnace, and this aided mate-

rially in its growth.

Latrobe Furnace was built in 1854, a few miles to

the southeast of Berlin. The capital stock of "Latrobe"

was $60,000, and the company was composed of William

McGhee, H. S. Bundy, H. F. Austin, and R. C. Hoff-

man of Jackson County, and V. B. Horton of Pomeroy.³²

Block and kidney ore were both found in abundance on

the company's land, the latter being extensively used.

Limestone was also available, as well as coal for use in

firing the boilers.

Madison Furnace, also erected in 1854, was in the

center of vast ore deposits. Portsmouth capital was

largely instrumental in building this furnace, backed

by Mr. John Campbell, veteran furnace man. Madi-

son's product was largely disposed of in Portsmouth

during her first few years of operation. The first

shipment of iron was in July, 1854, from the siding at

Cross Roads, about three miles from the furnace.33

It is regrettable that the same conditions did not

exist at the time of the completion of this group of

furnaces, as existed the year before (1854). Iron

which sold for $50.00 in 1853, sold for $35.00 in 1854.

All business except farming began to lag, and prac-

32 E. B. Willard, op cit., v. I, p. 455.

33 Feature article, Jackson Herald, January 1900.

The Jackson County Iron Industry        169

tically all the furnaces which had been erected were

unable to run, due to lack of funds. The persons who

had swarmed to the county with the prospect of the

railroad and the iron industry, now began to go else-

where, and this migration continued for several years.³⁴

The largest of the group of six furnaces erected in

1854, was the "Monroe," organized under the name of

the Union Iron Co. The same group also owned the

Madison Furnace, and the Washington Furnace, which

was, however, across the county line in Lawrence

County. Colonel Wm. M. Bolles, a nephew of Profes-

sor William Mather, the first State geologist, was in

active control of Monroe Furnace. It made an average

of eighteen tons a day, as contrasted with twelve and

fourteen tons, the capacity of its competitors.³⁵ Cam-

bria Furnace was built by a group of Welshmen, on a

site which is now called Black Fork. It was incorpo-

rated by David H. Lewis & Co.  Many of the Welsh

settlers traded their homes, land and belongings for a

share of stock. Practically all of the timber-land was

secured by this method. Thomas M. Jones was one of

the first managers of "Cambria," and he proved to be

quite successful.³⁶

The most successful, as well as the best-known fur-

nace established at the beginning of the railroad era in

1853-54, was the Jefferson Furnace. It was erected

34 "A relative of E. D. Ricker, living in New England, came over to

Madison Furnace in a sleigh during the big snow of 1856, an incident which

illuminates the conditions prevailing in the '50's."--E. B. Willard, op. cit.,

Vol. I, p. 455.

35 See appendix for sizes various furnaces.

36 The iron from this furnace was hauled over the hills to Gallia

Landing, the first railway stations being termed "Landings," by the river

men.

172       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

three miles away. It was hauled to the station by large

cumbersome wagons, drawn by three ox teams. The

haulers worked in two shifts of twelve hours each, be-

ginning at sunup. Some residents of the Jefferson

neighborhood have stated that many mules and oxen

were killed in pulling these heavy loads of materials up

and down the seemingly impassable roads. The photo-

graph on page 171 gives a splendid impression of the

manner in which the hauling was done.

The business depression which began about 1856, was a great

handicap to industrial growth. So far as can be determined,

none of the furnaces were making profits during the years

1856-1860.40

Several of the furnaces were out of blast for long

periods of time, due to lack of capital, and surplus

stocks, caused by the general depression. Jefferson

Furnace suffered along with the others. "A part of the

company holding about one-third of the whole stock

contracted the 'Go West' fever and sold out their in-

terests to the remaining members for $900.00 a share,

thus nearly doubling their money in two years' time."

This threw the officers into additional debt, and they

advertised the furnace for sale about 1860, but no offer

came, and necessity forced them to make the best of

things.

Undismayed by general business conditions, another

charcoal furnace, "Limestone" was constructed in 1855.

Splendid workmanship was displayed in its erection as

is shown in the photograph below. "Limestone" dif-

40 History of the Lower Scioto Valley, p. 669. This text further states:

"The policy of Jefferson was to get all additional timber-land possible, and

save their own for later use. They sometimes bought the land, then sold it

after they cut the timber off."

174       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

case direct contact was secured with the Columbus route. As

many as sixteen teams were engaged in hauling during the sum-

mers, and they were paid about $15.00 per month. Labor re-

ceived 75 cents a day. The charcoal was secured largely on the

company's land, and the wood-choppers were paid from 30 to

50 cents a cord for cutting the necessary wood supply.⁴²

During the year 1854, one year before the construc-

tion of the last charcoal furnace to be erected in Jack-

son County, the following article appeared in the Jack-

son Standard:

We understand that on or about the 20th inst., there will be

experiments made to bring into use the Jackson coal for iron

making. The Washington Furnace has made preparations to test

the matter in full and decided satisfaction. Much depends upon

the success of this important matter. If it is possible that our

coal can be used in the manufacture of iron, Jackson County can

build all the railroads in the State. Her wealth can be surpassed

only by California. We look with an anxious eye to the success

of this great and important experiment.43

Unfortunately no statement can be found relative to

the actual result of the above experiment, but it was

evidently regarded as a success. Coal had been mined

in the county since 1823, and it was used to a great ex-

tent throughout the entire region for firing the furnace

boilers. It was argued that if raw coal could be used

in the Mahoning Valley furnaces of Ohio, and also in

the Shenango Valley furnaces of Pennsylvania, it was

reasonably expected to be successful here. At least the

following article appeared in the Jackson Standard in

1855, which added to the enthusiasm:

Mr. Joseph Crowther has succeeded in coking or rather

charring Jackson coal, which is in every sense of the word cal-

culated for furnace use. Our furnace men say that it will

answer the same purpose as charcoal, for making iron.

42 Interview with Pat Varley, Wellston, Ohio, March, 1931.

43 Article in Jackson Standard, March, 1854.

The Jackson County Iron Industry         175

The news of the coal possibilities brought on another

slight boom, and several projects resulted therefrom.

The year 1855 brought the first telegraph-line to the

country, which proved to be a great aid to communica-

tion. The first daily line of stages was started from

Jackson to Byer Station, on the Cincinnati & Marietta

R. R. in July, 1855, thus giving a daily line to Cincin-

nati.  An attempt was also made to bring another rail-

road into the county, as noted in the following para-

graph:

This new railroad was to be known as the "Hillsboro, Jack-

son and Pomeroy." An organization was effected, and work

begun in 1856, with a number of Jackson men taking the initiative.

Considerable grading was done, but the promoters had not con-

sidered the fact that they might be infringing upon the rights

of another road. The Marietta and Cincinnati Railroad, which

claimed that the road would injure their business, secured an

injunction, and thus ended the project. Some of the local con-

tractors, including Bannister Brown, Abraham French, J. M.

Martin and C. M. Martin lost all they put into it. The

stockholders likewise lost heavily. The old road-bed west of

Jackson was later made use of in the building of the Detroit,

Toledo and Ironton road.44

The year 1856 found another furnace in process of

construction in the town of Jackson. Salt Lick Fur-

nace was built by Peter Powell, Alexander Gratton, and

R. C. Hoffman. "It was built in a vicinity where both

timber for charcoal, and iron ore were several miles

away. They owned little land, depending upon buying

the materials and hauling it in wagons."⁴⁵ This vision-

ary project could have but one future, and such was the

result. The charcoal was too expensive to be hauled to

44 Interview with Mr. S. C. Crossland, partner in Martin's store.

Founded '44.

45 Notes of D. W. Williams, Jackson County, author and historian.

176      Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

its grounds, and the long hauling costs were prohibitive.

This failure had some good results, however, because

following its failure, David Tod and Allan Hallowell

of Youngstown, experienced stone-coal workers in the

Mahoning Valley, were secured to experiment here.

Unfortunately too much sulphur existed in the stone-

coal which they secured from the hills, to make it suc-

cessful in the reduction of ore. Hence the first stone-

coal furnace in Jackson was a dismal failure. The fur-

nace was allowed to decay, very little work being done

after 1860, and it was dismantled in 1867.

The first furnace constructed especially for the use

of stone-coal as a fuel was also built in 1856, and was

known as the "Young America." It was located at

Petrea, three miles northwest of Jackson. The com-

pany consisted of L. A. Atkinson, J. W. Laird, J. H. C.

Miller, N. T. Cavett, Geo. B. Walterhouse, Miles W.

Vance et al, Mr. T. M. Jones aiding in its construction.

These gentlemen were more experienced in law and

politics than in iron making, and the venture was a com-

plete failure. It never operated over half the time and

when a receiver was appointed in 1860, the plant was

razed to the ground. Thus came the untimely death of

Jackson's second stone-coal fuel furnace. The ma-

chinery was sold to the Orange Furnace Company of

Jackson. Many Jackson citizens lost thousands of dol-

lars in this ill-advised scheme.

A. copy of the scrip in common use among the fur-

naces, in addition to its use by Young America Furnace,

appeared in the Wellston Telegram, on February 27,

1930; which stated that it was printed on thin India

The Jackson County Iron Industry       177

paper, so that a hundred could be slipped into an ordi-

nary billfold. A copy is given below:

Young America Furnace Company. No. 1778. June 15,

1858. The holder, having surrendered his certificate, has credit

to the company's store for the sum of One Dollar, payable in

merchandise on demand.

By order of the directors,

J. S. Miller, Secy.

Storekeeper will only issue checks in his charge depart-

ment for financial convenience, never for circulation as

money.

There was a feeling of discouragement, due to the

fact that the stone-coal fuel was seemingly unfit for use.

A mere accident resulted in the discovery of a new vein

of coal in the town of Jackson, which was in every

way suited for furnace use. In 1859, James L. Rice

sunk a well near his flour-mill, and upon finding a vein

of coal, used some of it in his stoves. Upon further in-

vestigation the shaft showed a four-foot vein of superior

coal. The secret of the Jackson Shaft Coal lies in the

fact that when borings are made an abundance of salt-

water is found, instead of the usual fresh water. Sul-

phur will not mix with salt water, and hence the coal

is practically free from sulphur, which makes it ideal

for use in the reduction of iron. The discovery of this

splendid coal vein was of immense value to Jackson

County, and meant the continued growth of the iron in-

dustry.

In closing this chapter it may be noted that seven

charcoal furnaces, erected during the railroad era, were

all due to the influence of the railroad. Although the

stone-coal furnaces were closed down, there was plenty

of usable fuel 75 feet beneath their own properties.

Vol. XLII--12

178      Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

Although the railroad was purchased for a high

price, its influence was felt in every town, hamlet and

village in the section. It led to immense changes in the

industrial, social and educational life. The population

of Jackson doubled during the decade, and a spirit of

optimism prevailed in 1860, in spite of the prevailing

business depression. Many of the furnaces were shut

down, but all looked forward with high hopes.

CHAPTER IV

EFFECTS OF THE CIVIL WAR AND INTRODUCTION

OF BITUMINOUS COAL

Due to the business depression which began about

1857, great quantities of iron were stacked by the fur-

naces, and this remained on hand in 1860. Credit had

been extended to the furnaces, although several were

forced, by lack of capital, to cease operations.   Scrip

and negotiable instruments became more common in the

payment of labor, and none of the furnaces paid divi-

dends during the years 1857-1860.

Mr. John Means, veteran furnace man, and owner

of several Lawrence County furnaces, gave the follow-

ing information relative to conditions during the years

immediately preceding the war:

From  1854-1861 I kept my furnaces going, but sold very

little iron--only enough to keep me in ready money. In 1863, I

had an accumulated stock of 16,000 tons. Charcoal iron was sell-

ing at between $10.00 and $10.00 a ton. In 1863 it advanced to

$400.00 a ton, which I thought a fine lift, but in 1864, it netted me

$80.00 a ton. For eight years before the war, nearly all the fur-

nace-owners were in debt, but creditors did not distress them, for

they were afraid of iron, the only asset they could get, so they

carried their customers the best they could, hoping all around

for better times. We Are All Right Now, and So Is the Country,

If the Fools Will Quit Tariff Meddling.⁴⁶

Prior to the breaking out of the Civil War, the U.

S. Government had made a test of different irons, with

reference to its suitability for making ordnance.  It was

found that the cold-blast iron made in the Hanging Rock

46 Henry Howe, op. cit., 1896, Vol. II, p. 63.

(179)

180      Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

Region was equalled only by "Results obtained from the

two furnaces respectively, at Toledo, Spain, and in Asia

Minor."⁴⁷ As a result the Fort Pitt Works at Pitts-

burgh began to make heavy demands upon all the Hang-

ing Rock Furnaces, in many instances using every ton

of their output. The hot iron was hauled to the rail-

road, without a chance to cool. Before long the accumu-

lated stocks were disposed of, and the scarcity of labor

was quite a problem for the furnace owners. Many of

the furnaces, including "Keystone" and "Diamond,"

raised troops of their own, put foremen in charge of

them, and sent them off to the war.

Perhaps the most outstanding manufacturer of iron

for the government during the war period was Jeffer-

son Furnace. The government offered several times to

take the entire output, but the managers would not al-

low their old customers to be neglected, and hence the

agreement was not consummated. Jefferson Furnace

had thousands of tons of iron stacked on its property in

1860-1861, which was worth only $14.00 a ton. Then

came the big opportunity, and they made good use of it.

The price soared to $40.00, $60.00 then $90.00 a ton.

The iron from this furnace, which was sold under the

trade name of "Anchor," became a standard of value.

"The big guns at Harpers Ferry were made from Jeffer-

son Furnace iron, one of them weighed 60 tons, and used

80 tons of crude iron in its construction."⁴⁸ The furnace

paid its first dividends in 1861, and then commenced one

of the most prosperous eras in furnace history, for "Old

47 Ohio geological report, 1884, Columbus, Ohio.

48 Article in Jackson Herald, February 17, 1900. This article further

states that "The iron-clad Merrimac was constructed from Jefferson fur-

nace iron."

The Jackson County Iron Industry   181

Jefferson." The dividends paid by "Jefferson" from

1861-1880 are as follows:

1861      10%                       1871     100%

1862      20%                      1872    100%

1863     30%                       1873     100%

1864     100%                     1874     None

1865        150%                             1875       None

1866     200%                     1876     None

1867     100%                     1877    None

1868     100%                     1878     None

1869     100%                     1879     30%

1870     100%                     1880     200%

Another furnace in the county which profited

greatly by war orders was the "Lincoln," which was

leased by the Iron Valley Furnace Company to the firm

of Radcliff and McGhee, in 1861. McGhee bought out

the interest of Radcliff in 1863, and continued a suc-

cessful career. Latrobe Furnace likewise made great

profits during the war, and turned out some of the best

iron ever produced in the county. "Latrobe" was pur-

chased by Hon. H. S. Bundy during the war, and the

plant was arranged in such a manner that either hot or

cold-blast iron could be produced. Bundy and H. F.

Austin also purchased Buckeye Furnace in 1862, for the

sum of $50,000.⁴⁹ In 1864, the plant was sold to Terry,

Austin and Company, who ran it until 1867 when the

"Buckeye Furnace Company" was assumed to take con-

trol. The frequent changes at Buckeye Furnace is illus-

trative of the way in which frequent reorganizations

took place in the management of practically every fur-

49 Recorder's records, Jackson County Court House, Jackson, Ohio.

The Jackson County Iron Industry    183

nace. Many were the individuals who lost heavily on

these reorganization devices, and but few of the fur-

naces in Jackson County escaped the inevitable receiver-

ship proceedings, at some stage in their careers.

Monroe and Cambria Furnaces were unprepared to

profit greatly during the war; the former was in the

hands of a receiver, who sold off large quantities of the

land. Cambria Furnace was badly in need of repairs;

it made some iron during the war, but largely due to

lack of foresight, was placed in the hands of a receiver

in 1864. Jackson Furnace, the first to be established in

the county, was becoming obsolete, and no attempt was

made to bring it up to date. Due to the impetus of war

orders, progress was made for the time being, but the

Furnace was then again neglected. Madison Furnace,

which was managed by Portsmouth interests, made

rapid progress both during the war and after its close.

Their policy of constant replacement of obsolete ma-

chinery, conservation of timber-land, and the purchase

of coal-land stood the Furnace in good stead for many

years to come.

The high price of iron during the war caused

another slight boom in the industry, one immediate

effect of which was the building of a stone-coal furnace

within the corporate limits of Jackson. The Orange

Furnace had been planned as early as 1853, but various

obstacles prevented its construction. When a coal shaft

was sunk on the southeast corner of Locust and Pearl

Streets, it was found to yield a high quality coal, prac-

tically free from sulphur. This greatly encouraged the

promoters, and construction was immediately begun.

The company was composed of John and Lewis Davis,

184      Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

Alanson Robbins, Peter Pickrel, and D. D. Dungan, and

was incorporated as the "Orange Furnace Company."

Augustus and James Watson of Cincinnati were also

instrumental in the erection of the furnace. These

latter-named gentlemen were not particularly interested

in the business except as an investment, and when they

purchased a controlling interest, the end seemed near.

"Orange" ran a part of the time for a few years, and

went into the hands of a receiver.

The first cast at Orange Furnace was on Sunday,

May 21, 1865.50 The furnace was located directly over

an immense coal vein, but this factor alone could not

make up for poor management, and inexperience. Dur-

ing the second receivership, under Van Dyke, a large

amount of coal was mined and shipped out of the city.

A new coal-burning locomotive was placed on the Ports-

mouth branch of the Marietta and Cincinnati Railroad

about 1865, and thus developed a new use for the shin-

ing carbon. In 1867, the Orange Furnace boilers blew

up, and scattered parts all about the town. Some repairs

were made, and a small amount of iron made, until the

panic of 1873 gave it a death-dealing blow. The fur-

nace was torn down, and the land was sold by the Cin-

cinnati bankers, for use as town lots.

The fourth stone-coal furnace to be put in operation

in the county, in spite of the failure of three others was

the "Star" erected in 1864. The "Star Furnace Com-

pany" was composed of John M. Jones, Ezekiel T.

Jones, (who   had   superintended  the  erection  of

"Orange"), Alanson Robbins, David Dungan, James

Chesnut, B. Kahn, and Isaac Brown. The capital

50 E. B. Willard, op. cit., Vol. I, p. 477.

The Jackson County Iron Industry        185

stock was $60,000. "Star" had the first iron stack ever

erected in the county. It was also one of the most mod-

ern furnaces of its time. The machinery was pur-

chased from the Oak Ridge Furnace Co. of Lawrence

County. "Star" made about 12-15 tons of iron per

day in the beginning, but quickly increased its produc-

tion. The coal seam underneath its property in the

northeast section of Jackson was practically free from

sulphur. The firm had splendid management, the mar-

kets were well studied, and the furnace had a success-

ful career from the start. Thus the beginning of this

furnace really marked the successful approach of the

bituminous coal era for Jackson County.

It was now realized by prominent furnace men that

the struggle between charcoal vs. stone-coal iron would

become more intense as the years rolled on. Consider-

ing the whole of the United States, the following quo-

tation is of particular interest, although the same situa-

tion did not exist in the Hanging Rock Iron Region of

Ohio:

From 1840 there had been what is usually termed a decadence

of the charcoal iron industry; it is however more of an over-

shadowing. Many of the furnaces, forges, and bloomeries which

were in operation in 1840 are permanently abandoned. Some of

these works were forced to cease operations by reason of the

denudation of forest lands, and their conversion into arable tracts;

while others, owing to their location being distant from a suitable

ore supply or from railroad facilities, have been unable to compete

in the market with more favorably situated furnaces.⁵¹

In spite of the above-mentioned conditions, which

existed in the country at large, the Jackson County fur-

naces fared rather well until about 1880 when a sudden

51 U. S. Association Charcoal Iron Workers Journal, Vols. I and II,

1880, p. 1.

186      Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

downward    trend  developed.  The problem    of self-

preservation of the charcoal stacks was an ever present

one in the fact of the large production of the stone-coal

furnaces. Hon. H. S. Bundy, who had purchased two

furnaces in the county, made several noticeable improve-

ments. The tonnage capacity at "Keystone" was

increased from 10 tons to 24 tons a day between the

years 1870 and 1880, and about 100 men were employed

at various tasks.⁵²  Bundy also initiated a new program

of experimentation at "Latrobe" furnace. Heretofore

all the furnaces followed somewhat of a reforestation

plan, but H. S. Bundy converted the land to farming

tracts, and rented it out to various people. It is doubt-

ful whether this plan was of any value to the business.

Jackson Furnace changed hands a number of times

previous to its last run in 1874. Stone-coal was used

as an experiment in her stack, but the brick-lined side

was not fitted for its use. There were about 7,000 acres

of coal in the township in which it was located, but the

peculiar construction of the stack prevented its use.

"Jackson" was thus in operation for thirty-seven years.

Mr. Moses Morgan was one of the last managers. One

historian has stated that "had the vein of ore held out in

quantity and quality as it had first promised, it would

have furnished food for Jackson Furnace for 300 years.

It yielded 10,000 tons to the acre."53

Buckeye Furnace, on the other hand, made a great

deal of progress during the years 1870-1882, under the

52 Interview with Mrs. Eliza Bundy Wells, daughter of H. S. Bundy.

Mrs. Wells states that her father erected a large grain-mill on Raccoon

Creek, in conjunction with the furnace in 1879, this mill using the famous

turbine water wheel.

53 History of the Lower Scioto Valley, p. 496.

The Jackson County Iron Industry           187

management of Lot Davies. The following information

relative to this furnace was given by the State geologist

in his report of 1869:

Dr. Williams, who was the financial manager of Buckeye

Furnace in 1869, kindly furnished us ores for analysis some

being very superior ores. One gives 61.52% of metallic iron,

the other two respectively, 55.58% and 50.83%. The cinder of

No. 2 contains nearly seven per cent of metallic iron. No fur-

nace can afford to make much of such cinder. From the appear-

ance of the cinder heaps in southern Ohio some furnaces have

made far too much of it.

A change in ownership was noted in the Cambria

Furnace soon after the war. In 1866 John and Isaac

Peters, who were among the first owners, sold their en-

tire interest for $129,000 to Portsmouth interests. As

has already been noted, Limestone Furnace fared badly

following the war.  Madison Furnace was in the hands

of E. D. Ricker & Co. in 1865; controlled by Peters,

Clare & Co. in 1869. and by Clare, Duduit & Co. in

1871.54

During the year 1868, another stone-coal furnace

was begun in the town of Jackson. Fulton Furnace, as

it was called, has become one of the most successful fur-

naces of the county, and is still in operation under the

name of "Globe."

The land had been purchased and work begun on the shaft

in 1865 by Captain Lewis Davis, immediately after severing his

connection with the Orange Furnace. More land was purchased,

partners were taken in, the shaft and furnace were completed,

but the coal proved to be impure and the shaft was not worked.⁵⁵

54 Auditor's Records, Court House, Jackson, Ohio. This record further

states Madison owns about 1,000 acres of land at $9,621; plant and fixtures at

$11,575, in 1875.

55 History of Lower Scioto Valley, p. 498.

188      Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

The resultant hard times of the business depression,

coming as they did about a year after "Fulton's" con-

struction, crippled it for a time. Mr. Elias Crandall

and L. T. Murfin were among the first managers of the

furnace. It was capitalized at $60,000. Samuel Mc-

Cormick was elected president; J. E. Feree, secretary,

and Thomas T. Jones, manager. (Mr. Jones had been

active at old Jefferson Furnace, and was the grandfather

of the present president of the firm, Mr. John E. Jones.)

After a few years there was an opportunity to secure

a splendid coal supply by a consolidation with another

firm in the city, and this led to the consolidation of Ful-

ton Furnace with the Globe Furnace in 1873.

It is interesting to note at this late date, the contrast

between the furnaces here and in other regions. While

the Jackson County furnaces had a production of from

10 to 20 tons a day in 1870, there were big stone-coal and

coke furnaces being built in Columbus, Cleveland, and

Youngstown, which produced from 25 to 35 tons a day.

The height of the stacks in these latter-named cities was

from 60 to 65 feet, while only two or three furnaces in

Jackson County were over 50 feet.⁵⁶

The State geologist in 1870, stated that "Even our

best furnaces are still behind the age in their productive-

ness and economy. They come far short of what is

accomplished elsewhere. The old charcoal furnaces

were thought to do well, if they made from 30 to 40 tons

a week, while in England some of the furnaces are mak-

56 W. B. Potter in Geological report for Ohio. In 1870, he further

states that Scotch furnaces were built to a height of 95 feet in 1865, and in

1869 to a height of 100 feet, with a capacity of 3,300 cu. ft.

The Jackson County Iron Industry             189

ing 600 tons a week, and our best situated ones are

making 300 tons a week."⁵⁷

The United States had the advantage of a higher

tariff, and several thousand miles less of transportation

for the raw material, in which Jackson County shared

bountifully. By 1870, a few of the furnaces were mak-

ing use of foreign ores, and were making improvements

in their equipment, but it was not a general trend. The

Geological Survey of 1869 stated that the supply of ore

in the entire Hanging Rock Region was scarcely dimin-

ished, "Though many were quitting because of a scarcity

of timber."58 This report urged the adoption of a sys-

tem of forest preservation, although it admitted that this

might not be possible where the land was so valuable for

agricultural purposes.  This report further stated that

numerous rolling-mills were being established at Ports-

mouth, Ironton, Pomeroy, Columbus, Zanesville, and

Newark, which would be of great value to the industry

as a whole.⁵⁹

57 Geological Survey of 1869-1870, files of state geologist, Columbus,

Ohio.

58 Ibid.

59 This report further stated that "Portsmouth is the chief commercial

city of the Hanging Rock Region. Ironton, 30 miles up the river in Law-

rence County, has a population of 7,000 and is one of the most enterprising

and important manufacturing points in Southern Ohio, as well as being

the shipping and distributing center for the most important part of the

Hanging Rock Region. It is the largest town on the Ohio River above

Cincinnati, which has navigation uninterrupted by the fluctuations of the

height of the water."

CHAPTER V

STEADY DECLINE OF CHARCOAL IRON MAKING

AND BUILDING OF THE CITY OF WELLSTON

During the first few years of the '70s, great progress

was made in the development of the furnaces already in

operation, as well as in the construction of other plants.

Coal mining received a great impetus, due to the estab-

lishment of new markets, and the furnaces used thou-

sands of tons of the new fuel.

In 1871, which year may be taken as a fair year by which to

compare modern iron interests, the production of pig iron in the

world was approximately 13,315,000 tons. Great Britain led with

a production of 6,500,000 tons and the United States ranked sec-

ond with a production of 1,912,000 tons. Ohio ranked second in

the States being exceeded only by Pennsylvania. The entire

production of Ohio was 426,626 tons. Jackson County ranked

fourth in the state, with a production of 34,416 tons, being pre-

ceded by Mahoning, Trumbull, and Lawrence Counties. Jackson

County ranked first in coal production.⁶⁰

Speaking of the Hanging Rock Region as a whole,

Professor Newberry, the State geologist, said in his

report of 1869:

Deposits of iron ore can be found in nearly all sections of

the valley, especially in the coal measures. One vein of coal is

the floor of an iron ore seam. They occupy different horizons of

the same territory. One vein yields 33% pure iron, another 55%,

and a third 60%. These seams extend for miles, creeping out in

opposite slopes of the same hills.

Between the years 1870-73, the value of different ores as

delivered at the furnace was, per ton of 2,240 pounds on the

60 Article in Jackson Standard, 1884.--Andrew Roy, State mine in-

spector.

(190)

The Jackson County Iron Industry           191

average, for the limestone ores, $3.85; for the kidney ores, $3.50,

and for the block ores, 73.25. The Missouri ore, always high,

although now being used in the furnaces of the Hanging Rock

Region, is used especially at Ironton, as a mixture with other

ores. With these native ores, they usually work better than when

smelted alone, the native ores producing a red short iron, and

the Missouri and Lake Superior ores a cold short iron, a proper

mixture is said to produce a neutral iron, or one having neither

of these objectionable features. In 1870 the Lake Superior ore

cost about $11.oo a ton at Logan, Ohio, and the Missouri ores

$12.00 at Ironton.⁶1

In the year 1872 another stone-coal furnace,

"Globe," was built in the western part of Jackson. It

was incorporated under the name of Watts, Hoop and

Company, and the owners were J. M. Watts, Peter

Hoop, Jr., C. S. Dickason, and T. P. Sutherland.⁶² The

Globe Company had a slope mine in connection with its

plant, the shaft having been sunk in 1865. This mine

contained valuable coal deposits, Andrew Roy, State

mining inspector, giving the following report of it in

1880: "The coal falls below three feet on the hills,

and swells to four feet in the swamp of the mine.

'Globe' makes hot-blast iron, her production is about

15 tons a day." In spite of the advantages enjoyed,

"Globe" was unsuccessful, and consolidated with the

Fulton Furnace in 1873. From that date the coal was

hauled by teams of mules from Globe Furnace to old

Fulton Furnace, which was now under the name of the

Globe Iron Company. The old Globe Furnace com-

pletely burned in 1876, thus its life was short, but its

61 Ibid. Also states: Charcoal delivered at the furnace in 1870-71, cost

about eight and one-half cents a bushel; average consumption for ton of

iron was 155 bushels, or allowing 20 pounds per bushel, 31 hundredweight

(2,268) of iron with hot-blast, and 215 bushels or 43 hundredweight per ton

(2,268) of iron cold-blast.

⁶² History of the Lower Scioto Valley, p. 498.

192      Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

namesake is in operation today. The new Globe Fur-

nace was also one of the first furnaces in the Hanging

Rock Region to dispense with the expensive roasting

process, and to make iron from the raw native ore.,

During the year 1873, the same year of the re-

organization of Globe Furnace, another stone-coal fur-

nace was projected in the northeast section of the town

of Jackson.⁶³ "Triumph" was the name selected for

the new plant, but its failure belied its title. The in-

feriority of the coal seam caused its abandonment, and

the machinery, which had been purchased, was sold to

the newly organized "Huron Furnace Company."

The era of prosperity reigning for a few years dur-

ing the early '70s was in danger, however, and the fur-

naces were not prepared for a rainy day. Paying huge

dividends when they had them, reserve funds were prac-

tically unknown, even the best-managed firms spending

liberally. As a result practically all the charcoal fur-

naces were shut down during the panic of 1873, "Key-

stone," "Latrobe," and "Jefferson" being about the only

ones which kept going, although they sold little if any

iron during these years. A man living in Wellston

operated the two first-named furnaces, and when he was

asked time after time why he operated them, he stated

that "The country cannot always do without iron, and

the poor men must not starve, even though iron cannot

be sold."⁶⁴

One of the most interesting stories, illustrating the

economic fallacies of the time, grew out of an annual

63 E. B. Willard, op. cit., v. I, pp. 483-506.

64 The gentleman named was Hon. H. S. Bundy. From excerpts of a

letter written by F. M. Massie to Wellston Telegram, February 26, 1931.

The Jackson County Iron Industry             193