Ohio History Journal




Editorialana

Editorialana.                        287

 

students of the Ohio State University, Mr. C. P. McClelland and Mr.

C. C. Huntington, working under the direction of Professor J. E. Hagerty

of the Department of Political Science and Economics, Ohio State Uni-

versity, and by whom the preface is written. In an introductory note

by the Secretary of the Society it is said: "This monograph does not

attempt, of course, to discuss in any way the question of the policy of

the State as to the retention or abandonment of the canals. The pur-

pose has simply been to put forth in concise and accurate manner all

the data necessary for a thorough understanding of the constructive,

financial and economic history of the Ohio canals."

Probably no other single publication presents in so concise and

complete a manner all the information concerning the various features of

the history and construction and use of the canals as does this volume.

It treats exhaustively of the cost to the state, method of raising the

money, manner of building, extent of traffic and travel upon the same;

the industrial and economic effect, both direct and indirect, upon the state.

There are complete tables of the financial features of the canals, rates

of toll and so on for each successive year from 1827 to the present time.

An excellent map of the Ohio canals, proposed, existing and abandoned,

drawn by Mr. A. H. Sawyer of the Canal Commissioner's office accom-

panies the little volume. For many years there has been a great demand

for the varied information which this little volume supplies. It is sold

by the society at the prices of 50 cents and $1.00 for paper and cloth

editions respectively.

 

 

ELECTRIC RAILROAD TO SERPENT MOUND.

We have received a prospectus setting forth the proposed electric

railroad which is to be built from Hillsboro, Highland County, through

Peebles and West Union, Adams County, to Aberdeen, Brown County,

and touching at many intervening towns. This project particularly in-

terests the members and friends of the Ohio State Archaeological and His-

torical Society, as the road will pass the entrance of the Serpent Mound

Park, thereby rendering Serpent Mound accessible in a manner which

has never before existed. As it is now it can be reached only by

vehicle travel from Peebles, the nearest railway station some six miles

distant. Inconvenient as its location now is, hundreds visit it each year

but with the proposed methods of approach the number of visitors will

be vastly increased and the interest taken in this wonderful pre-historic

monument will be greatly extended. Those of a highly sentimental and

poetic temperament may be somewhat "shocked" if indeed they do not

lament, that this curious earth structure of a vanished race is to be a

side station of the  electric currents of modern rapid transit. But the

advance of modern conveniences is no respecter of persons, existing or

extinct. It is a far cry from the centuries ago when the Mound Builders



288 Ohio Arch

288        Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

 

erected their temple on the hilltop to the day of the traction car. But

that car like the one of Juggernaut is the irresistible chariot of the

present that ruthlessly rolls over the veneration for the past.

The pamphlet prospectus in question devotes several pages to the

history and description of the mound and properly presents it as one of

the leading features which will make the proposed traction line a valuable

and paying institution. The pamphlet is published at Peebles, Ohio, by

the Hillsboro, Belfast and Peebles Promoters' Company. It can be

secured for the asking by addressing Mr. P. M. Hughes, president of the

Company, Lovett, Ohio, Mr. W. B. Cochran, secretary of the company,

Hillsboro, Ohio, or Mr. S. M. Rucker, one of the directors, Peebles, Ohio.

 

 

 

NYE FAMILY REUNION AT MARIETTA.

We have received through the courtesy of Miss Minna Tupper Nye

of Brooklyn, New York, a handsomely published pamphlet of 100 pages

or more giving the proceedings of the third annual reunion of the Nye

Family of America, held at Marietta, Ohio, August 16, 17 and 18, 1905.

Benjamin Nye of Bedlenden, Kent county, England, was the first to come

to America as early as 1637. His numerous descendants are now in every

state and territory of our country. Among the first pioneers into the Ohio

valley after the Revolution were Ichabod Nye of Tolland, Connecticut, a

soldier of the Revolution, with his family. They settled in Marietta in

1788 where Mr. Nye resided until his death in 1840. From the descend-

ants of this early settler a very cordial invitation was extended to the

Nye Family Association to hold the third annual reunion in Marietta.

The eight branches of the Ichabod family are scattered from the Medi-

terranean Sea to the Pacific Ocean and yet not one of these branches

failed in showing their loyalty and devotion by contributing in some way

to the entertainment. Great interest was sustained throughout all the

meetings. The leading citizens of Marietta joined with the family in

extending hospitality to the visiting guests. Mr. James W. Nye of

Marietta was the local chairman and a most interesting and successful

program was carried out. Mr. James W. Nye welcomed his family

guests with a most pleasing and appropriate address in which he said:

"On the walls at the relic room, hangs a banner bearing the following

inscription, taken from an address delivered here in 1888: 'The paths

from the heights of Abraham led to Independence Hall. Independence

Hall led finally to Yorktown, and Yorktown guided the footsteps of your

fathers to Marietta. This, my countrymen, then, is the lesson which I

read here.' This refers to the little band of stalwart men and brave

women, who in 1788, left their New England homes, and turning their

faces westward, journeyed by the crude means then in use, in search of

new homes, in the then unknown wilds of the territory northwest of the