Historical & Genealogy Newsletter For Washington County, Ohio May 2007 (TEXT VERSION)     A FREE Newsletter Published by Debbie Noland Nitsche with the assistance of  Joyce Dever, Ruth Dennis, Ruth Decker, Martha Johnson, Peggy Tice Rogers, Donna Criswell-Mollaun     You may reprint any articles from this newsletter unless it specifically states otherwise. Any reprint must be used for personal, non-commercial, educational or research purposes. Copying or reprinting any article that appears in this newsletter for the use of "profit" is strictly prohibited. Copyright © 2004-2007   All Newsletters are written and sent by email in "HTML" format. If you cannot view any of the bold print, photos or 'click' the links that are in every newsletter, you are receiving it in the "plain text" format. Subscribe to the Newsletter by sending an email to Diamonddeb@comcast.net       A big THANK YOU goes out the people who assisted me in getting the Newsletter up and running again.  Joyce Dever Ruth Dennis Ruth Decker Martha Johnson Peggy Tice Rogers Donna Criswell-Mollaun        Most Extraordinary Winter (1813)   Poulson's American Daily PA February 22, 1813   UNPARALLELED FINISH Marietta, Ohio, January 30.    We have one of the most extraordinary winters known since the first settlement, a continual course of frozen weather had caused an unusual accumulation of snow on this side the mountains. We have had ice, mud and more good sledding than in almost any other winter in remembrance. During last week the snow was gradually wasting by the sun; and we had began to congratulate ourselves on the hope of escaping the dreaded invasion of high water. But the hope was vain! On Sunday the 1rth commenced a very heavy rain. During the night it poured down in torrents, and continued in the same manner, at intervals, on Monday. On Sunday the rivers were very low – they had but began to raise on Sunday evening – On Monday evening they were nearly full banks, and had risen probably about twenty feet. Many began then to prepare for the worst, but scarcely any were fully aware of the impending danger. A part of the cattle were driven from the Point. On Tuesday morning the point was nearly covered, and most families were obliged to remove into upper stories or leave the Point. By night fall the water was about six inches higher than ever before known since the settlement. Many cattle were driven to the upper part of the town to places which had not hitherto been invaded by the freshet; but by Wednesday morning the water had risen three or four feet bigger than at any former time – and many cattle were consequently drowned. About twenty are said to have been lost at major Hart’s barn – 30 by Dr. Jett at his farm about town and many in other places – but a good number were taken to the hills on Wednesday. The water still continued to rise through the night, but began to recede on Thursday morning. A great part of the families on the Point had left their houses. The water rose about four and half feet higher than ever before known in Marietta. The damage is incalculable – fences swept off – one house removed or materially injured, all houses in reach of the water and much furniture MO…..or injured – forage and grain destroyed – bridges torn down – many …….destroyed and nearly ……….damaged – in short it would be vain to attempt any accurate computation of the loses sustained. – We understand that the water at Zanesville was not higher than the fresh four years ago last Christmas – but at Pittsburgh it is said there were almost …… rains.and the suffering much greater than here. All along the Ohio the destruction has been terrific – particularly the islands. On the Island opposite this town, which has never before been fully overflowed, the inhabitants were forced in the night to abandon much valuable property, and seek the Virginia shore on a raft through a very heavy run of ice.   Extracted and submitted by Ruth Dennis  dennis43@suddenlink.net =======================================================================     Alexander Henderson & Stephen Wilson Duel   Ohio Gazette November 1805   We understand that a duel was fought on Tuesday the 8th inst. In the settlement of Belpre, Ohio by Mr. Stephen R. Wilson and Mr. Alexander Henderson, both of Wood county, Virginia. The distance agreed upon was fifteen steps and to wheel and fire when the word was given to fire, they both advanced, the one in a deliberate walk, the other in full speed, till within an arm['s length of each other, when they both fired and fell side by side. Mr. Wilson received a ball in his knee which shattered it to pieces, Mr. Henderson a ball in this thigh, near the upper joint, which was feared would deprive him of existence; but we understand they are both in a fair way of recovering. Ohio Gazt.   Extracted and submitted by Debbie Noland Nitsche Diamonddeb@comcast.net =======================================================================     Blennerhassett Fire, Marietta March 12th Conflagration Otsego Herald in New York, dated April 27, 1811.        The report of the fire on Blannerhassett’s island, mentioned in our last, proves to have been too correct, we learn that three Negroes employed on the island, undertook on the night of Saturday week, to pass over to the Virginia side of the Ohio in a canoe, which they overset & one of them was drowned. -  The other two returned to the house, about three o’clock in the morning, chilled in their attempts to save the fellow, and one of them in procuring fire, caught with it some hemp in the north wing.  After intellectual attempts to quench it himself, he ran to raise his fellows in the south wing.  Had he immediately alarmed Mr. Neal, who occupied the house.  But while he omitted the cry of fire, and was obtaining assistance of the Negroes, the flames had progressed too far to be arrested.  Part of the furniture of Mr. Neal was saved.  The valuable articles of Mr. Cashwell, cabinet maker, were consumed in the north wing-and Mr. Cashwell himself, in attempting to save some effects from the house was severely scorched, and narrowly escaped perishing.  A sudden burst of flame prostrated him on the floor, he rose with difficulty and had the good fortune, through smoke and flames, to escape at the window.        Mr. Miller, of Kentucky, who holds Mr. Blannerhssett’s (sp) estate on the island, to satisfy debts on the accruing, on the dishonor, of his bills drawn in favor of Mr. Miller in Burr’s time, has suffered very considerable by this event.  He had for two years devoted the plantation to the raising of hemp; he had high expectations of the profits from last year’s cultivation, but a great part of his hemp, dressed and packed away in the house, was destroyed by fire.  Besides which perhaps cannot be seasonably replaced.        The house was built about ten or eleven years ago, at great expense, under the direction of Mr. Blannerhassett himself, and exhibited taste and elegance probably unsurpassed, perhaps unequaled in the western country.  It had become somewhat defaced – and the beautiful shrubbery, which formed a part of the paradise described by Mr. Wert on Burr’s trial as the residence of an Eve, had be ruined for want of culture, but the house was an object of curiosity to travellers, and was no considerable addition to the beautiful prospect of Belpre; but its elegance now lies in ashes, and in all human probability will never again be resuscitated.   Extracted and Submitted by Joyce Dever  skipdever@earthlink.net =======================================================================     ANTI-ABOLITION MEETING   Richmond Enquirer Richmond, Virginia December 10, 1835        MARIETTA, Ohio, Nov. 21.--At a meeting of the citizens, held in the Brick School- House, on Point Harmar, on the 16th instant, a respectable number having assembled, the meeting was called to order, and a motion made and seconded to form an Anti-Abolition Society for the county of Washington, which was carried without opposition      Whereupon, A. V. D. Joline was nominated Chairman, and Lawrence Chamberlin Secretary of the Society, which was carried unanimously.  The meeting adjourned after having passed the following Resolutions:      RESOLVED, That the honor and interest of this community demand that efficient measures be taken, without delay, to prevent the future action of the abolition society in Marietta --"Peaceably, if we can"  Forcibly, if we must."      RESOLVED, That this meeting do adjourn to meet at this place on Friday evening next, November the twentieth, at early candle light, and that public notice be given.      RESOLVED, That these proceedings be signed by the Chairman and Secretary, and be published in both the newspapers of this town. A. V. D. JOLINE, Chairman. L. CHAMBERLIN, Secretary. N. B.  The meeting was slightly disturbed for a moment by the discovery of fire-arms, concealed under the cloak of an abolitionist.   Extracted & Submitted by Debbie Noland Nitsche   Diamonddeb@comcast.net =======================================================================     D. Putnam & Col. A. Stone Gets Attacked While Assisting Negros   Portsmouth Journal of Literature & Politics New Hampshire October 5, 1839   OUTRAGE---Advices from Marietta, Ohio, state that a brutal attack had been made on two of their most respected citizens, D. Putnam, and Col. A. Stone, by the inhabitants of Parkersburg, a small village on the Virginia side of the river.  The two gentlemen were forced into the river, and their lives saved only by the prompt resolution of the Captain of a steamboat which had just touched at the place. -- They were taken on board, and the engine put in motion.  The reason assigned for the outrage was that Mr. Putnam had assisted with money and other aid, some Negroes who had escaped into Ohio.  Mr. Putnam is a descendant, we believe, of the old General of revolutionary memory.  Col. Stone is well known and much esteemed in Philadelphia.   Extracted and Submitted by Debbie Noland Nitsche  Diamonddeb@comcast.net =======================================================================     NINE PERSONS HURT BY A MARIETTA CAR ACCIDENT MARS UNVIELING AT WHICH MRS. NICHOLAS LONGWORTH OFFICIATED   Grand Forks Herald ND 10-19-1906   Marietta, Ohio. Oct. 18.-During the ceremonies in connection with unveiling of a bronze tablet on Marietta campus late today by Mrs. Alice Roosevelt-Longworth. A street car of the Marietta & Parkersburg system crushed into a portion of the parade seriously injuring nine persons.  None was fatally hurt.   Extracted & Submitted by Ruth Decker ruth5820@mchsi.com   ------NOTE:  Alice Roosevelt-Longworth was Pres. Theodore Roosevelt's daughter.  =======================================================================       Malignant Scarlet Fever   Wheeling Sunday Register 3-10-1895   The People of Marietta Excited Over the Presence of the Disease special to the Register        Marietta, Ohio, March 9---The three year old baby of James Wallace died early this morning from scarlet fever of the most malignant type. Two other children are very low with it and will probably die. It is supposed that the disease was contracted from rags received from some infected house. The house is quarantined and every effort is being made to prevent the spread of the disease. The people are much excited over the case. The body of the child was buried at sundown this evening.   Extracted and submitted by Martha Johnson mjohnson049@Columbus.RR.com    =======================================================================       OIL STRUCK BY LIGHTNING   From the Wheeling Register, published on August 2, 1886:   Twenty-Five Thousand Barrels Burned at Macksburg, O. Special Telegram to the Sunday Register. PARKERSBURG, W. Va., July 31._Yesterday afternoon during a thunder storm, a tank containing 25,000 barrels of oil, belonging to the Camden Consolidated Oil Co, was struck by lightning at Macksburg, Ohio. The oil caught fire and for a time there was great danger of the flames communicating with other tanks full of oil belonging to the same company. A car load of men were immediately sent from this point to assist in extinguishing the flames and saving other property. Col. Stem Thompson, Superintendent of the Camden Consolidated Works here took command of the sqad (sic). When the force arrived at Macksburg they found affairs critical in the extreme and great danger of the flames communicating to the other tanks communicating to the other tanks (sic), which contained 525,000 barrels of oil ready to ship. A piece of artillery was taken to the train and nine or ten cannon balls sent through the burning tank, letting the oil out on the ground, while trenches were dug and earthworks thrown up to save the oil in other tanks from catching. At noon, today, Mr. Thompson telegraphed that the fire had been overcome. The flames were so fierce and the heat so intense that the rails on the Duck Creek Railroad, which runs through the town, were warped so badly that they will have to be taken up and others laid down before the trains can run. The flashes of the gun were distinctly seen at this point   Extracted and submitted by Ruth Dennis  dennis43@suddenlink.net ======================================================================      Huge Ohio Oil Well   Daily Journal TN 3-23-1896   Marietta, O. March 22--The richest strike that has ever been made in this county was made by Messtr. Grafton and Noll, of this city, in their well on the Hannon farm, in the Archer’s Fork field, about twelve miles east of this city. The well is in the big ???? Sand, by the same as found in the famous Sistersville field, and it therefore will cause the opening of a new field altogether in this county. When the drill reached the sand a great amount of oil with a heavy gas pressure was struck, and no more work could be done.  The production cannot yet be ascertained, but it is constantly increasing, as the well is drilling itself in. The location was considered by all the oil men as rank wildcat territory, and great credit is due the owners for the persistent efforts to find the much sought for field. When the news of the strike reached this city the large number of oil men were thrown into great excitement, and, preparations are being made tonight for a great rush to the territory in the morning for leases. While the territory surrounding the well is pretty well taken up there is yet enough left to cause some fancy prices to be paid by the operators. The owners of the new will hold several hundred acres, and will ???develop ???right along.   Extracted and submitted by Martha Johnson  mjohnson049@Columbus.RR.com   =======================================================================       EXTENDED INTO OHIO   The following article appeared in the Fort Worth Register on June 26, 1902:    Death and Ruin Came in Whirling Cloud to Marietta.  Special Leased Wire to Morning Register   Marietta, Ohio, June 25.-Death and devastation were spread through Marietta at 8 o’clock tonight by a terrific cyclone of five hundred yards breadth and traveling at the rate of one hundred miles an hour. Thirty houses were leveled to the ground and several large manufacturing plants were destroyed.   One life was lost, three people are dying and a dozen others are severely injured as a result. Jack Sprague, blacksmith, was struck and killed by lightening and burned under his house. The fatally injured are Mrs. Ayer and Miss Styer.  Miss Fred Baker was injured internally, and several others were injured seriously.   People were caught without a moment’s warning and buried under falling debris. Searching parties are busy in the ruins. The old fort and blockhouse and other famous landmarks in Marietta’s history have been totally destroyed the residences in the part of the cyclone were either blown flat or had their walls torn apart. The city lighting plant was disabled and wires are down, leaving the city in total darkness. Reports from Washington County enlarge the damage caused by the tornado.   Extracted and submitted by Ruth Dennis  dennis43@suddenlink.net =======================================================================     WRONG CORPSE CREATES PANIC Startling Discovery at a Funeral Frightens Mourners   The Philadelphia Inquirer Philadelphia, Pa. March 15, 1900   Special to The Inquirer.      MARIETTA, Ohio., March 14.--The old town of Macksburg, then miles distant, has been thrown into a state of excitement upon the receipt of a casket from California containing the remains of an unknown man, who seems to have suffered death by hanging.      The case is the more mysterious from the fact that Charles Schiller, who left for Colorado not long ago, was reported to have died there, and the family sent for the body.  When it arrived and friends opened the casket it was found to contain the body of an old man, and Schiller was but twenty-nine years of age.  The funeral had begun before the casket was opened, but at its end a panic-stricken throng of people left in fright.      A letter was found in the casket which said that the body was found suspended to a tree.  The mark of the rope deep enough to have caused strangulation is plain.  The mystery is deepened by the receipt of news from Charles Schiller that he is alive and well.   Extracted and Submitted by Debbie Noland Nitsche  Diamonddeb@comcast.net  ====================================================================== Biography of Henry Wendelken   History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio and Representative Citizens   Edited and Compiled by Martin R. Andrews, M. A.  Published by Biographical Publishing Company Chicago, Illinois, 1902   Pg. 1296   HENRY WENDELKEN, a retail grocer of Marietta, Ohio, located at No. 250 Front street, has been a resident of that city since 1853. He was born in the Province of Hanover, Germany, in 1840, and is a son of Gerd Wendelken.   Gerd Wendelken brought his family to America in 1853, and conducted a general store from 1855 to 1870. He died February 27, 1893, at the age of eighty----three years, his wife having died some years previous to that time. Mr. Wendelken has two sisters who are married, and live in Wheeling, West Virginia, and a brother, Martin K. Wendelken, who is a member of the firm of R. Van Metre & Company.   Henry Wendelken, subject of this sketch, went to school until he was fourteen years old, and then became employed in a bucket factory on the west side of Marietta, which was then conducted by John Newton, the site being that of the present Marietta Manufacturing Company. After four years’ employment in that factory, he learned the carpenter’s trade, at which he served a four years’ apprenticeship. In 1864, he entered the army, and served four months, after which he assisted his father in the store until 1865, when he engaged in business for himself. He first opened a general store on Front street, where Craig’s photography gallery now stands, and carried it on for ten or twelve years. He is now engaged in handling groceries, alone, and has a fine stock of both staple and fancy goods. He his occupied his present building, which was erected in 1859, for the past twenty—four years. Mr. Wendelken now owns the building, which, when first built, was 60 feet deep. He has added 40 feet to the rear, and the store is now 100 feet long, and 20 feet wide.   The subject of this sketch was wedded, in 1866, to Elizabeth Andrese, of Matamoras, Ohio. She died in 1885, leaving six children, whose names are as follows: Edward, who is in the employ of the Buckeye Pipe Line Company; Clara, the wife of William Sayres; Emma, the wife of George Schad; Sargeant, who assists his father in the store; Louisa; and Harry, a clerk in the First National Bank of Marietta. Me. Wendelken Married, secondly in 1888, Mrs. Elizabeth Rotchey, and they have one son, Gerd, who is in school.   Mr. Wendelken is a director in the Dime Savings Society, and also has other business interests in Marietta, although he devotes most of his time to the grocery business. He is a very successful man, and his success has been of his own making, as he has striven untiringly for many years. He is honest and upright in every way, and enjoys the confidence and esteem of all in the community. In politics, he is a Republican. He is a member of Buell Post, G. A. R., and has served three terms as senior vice-commander. He attends St. Paul’s German Church.   Extracted & Submitted by Peggy Tice Rogers MadCounty@aol.com =======================================================================   Biography of Jesse Cline History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio and Representative Citizens   Edited and Compiled by Martin R. Andrews, M. A.  Published by Biographical Publishing Company Chicago, Illinois, 1902   Pg. 1465   JESSE D. CLINE,* who is the proprietor of a livery stable in New Matamoras, was born in Independence township, Washington County, Ohio, March 24, 1856, and is a son of Isaiah and Harriett (Ward) Cline.   Isaiah Cline was born in Ludlow township, Washington County, and was a farmer. He served in the 77th Reg. Ohio Vol. Inf., and died at Memphis, Kentucky, in 1863. His wife, Harriet E. Ward, was also a native of Washington County and was born in 1838. She departed this life in 1869. Her father, Jesse M. Ward, was one of the early settlers of Washington County. Isaiah Cline and his wife reared four children, as follows: Jesse D., the subject of this sketch; Martin W., who teaches school in Oklahoma; Mary E., of Wheeling, West Virginia; and Andrew K. Of Grand View.   Jessie D. Cline was very young when his father died, and he was reared by his grandfather Ward, and lived on his farm until he reached the age of twenty-one years. He then went west, spent two years and half in Kansas, one year in Iowa, and returned to Washington County in the spring of 1861. He lived in Marietta until 1883, and during part of the time, he was employed railroading. He also spent two years in the meat business, while in Marietta. In 1898, he engaged in the livery business at Newport, and moved to New Matamoras in 1899, where he has since conducted a livery stable. His stable is well patronized, and he gives his patrons the best of attention. He has a contract for the Star Mail Route from New Matamoras to Marietta.   Mr. Cline was married in 1886, to Frances Deigmiller, who was born in Noble County, Ohio, in 1867, and was reared in Washington County. Her father, John Noble, was a farmer. The subject of this sketch and his wife have four children,, namely: Bessie F.; Harriett E.; Winford; and John W.   Mr. Cline is a Republican in politics. He was elected town marshal in 1901. He is a member of the Methodist Church.   Extracted & Submitted by Peggy Tice Rogers MadCounty@aol.com =======================================================================     William Bion Mason Biography   History of Marietta & Washington County, Ohio and Representative Citizens Edited & Compiled by Martin R. Andrew, M. A., 1902   Extracted & Submitted by Debbie Noland Nitsche   Diamonddeb@comcast.net   Pg. 1140 & 1141   COLONEL WILLIAM BION MASON, deceased, for many years a prominent and influential citizen of Marietta, Ohio, was born in Adams township, Washington County, Ohio, August 16, 1823, on land near Lowell, which he had inherited from his ancestors.  He was a son of William Bond Mason, grandson of William Mason, and a descedent of Hugh Mason, who came to this country, in 1634, from Ipswich, England, and settled in Watertown, Massachusetts.      William Mason, the grandfather, was one of the original 48 who came with Rufus R. Putnam from Masachusetts, and located in Washington County.  He settled in Adams township, and was one of the earliest ministers of Rainbow Settlement, being a Baptist.  He was a farmer, as was his son, William Bond Mason, who was a fine carpenter and cabinet-maker.      Colonel Mason was reared in Adams township and attended college in Meadville, Pennsylvania.  H3e taught school for a number of years, beginning when he was 18 years old, and teaching one year near Keokuk, Iowa.  He returned to Washington County, Ohio shortly before his marriage in 1852, and in November, 1855, was elected county recorder.  He was reelected to that office in 1858, and served until June, 1862, when he resigned, leaving the office in charge of Manley Warren, his clerk.  One July 27, 1861, he entered the militia, and served at captain of Company D, 1st Reg. Ohio Vol. Inf., Third Brigade, Seventh Division, until October 10, of the same year.  He resigned and the day of his resignation he signed the muster roll as a private, and was ordered to report at Columbus.  Two days later;  he was mustered as 2nd lieutenant, and on December 2, of the same year, was promoted to be captain, under Jesse Hildebrand, colonel of the 77th Reg. Ohio Vol. Infantry.  He was promoted to be major on August 26, 1862, and as such served until April 18, 1863, when he was promoted to be colonel of the 77th regiment.  He served until December 31, 1864, and was mustered out at Little Rock, Arkansas.  He returned home and one year later was elected county treasurer of Washington County, assuming the duties of office in the spring of 1867.  He served in this capacity one term, until the spring of 1869.  He was appointed postmaster by President Grant , and served efficiently in that position from 1870 to 1878.  Then, for seven years, he was successfully engaged in the mercantile line, at No. 175 Front street.  He was thus occupied at the time of his death, November 11, 1885.  He was a man of the highest character, and was everywhere held in the greatest esteem.      Colonel Mason was married May 25, 1852 to Lucetta B. Mason (not a relative), who was born in Adams township, and was a daughter of William Mason.  Two children blessed this union,  Mary E. And William Bion.  The subject of this sketch was a member of the Odd Fellows, Knights of Phthias and Grand Army of the Republic.      William Bion Mason, son of Colonel Mason, was born at Marietta, in 1857, and received his mental training in the public schools.  He entered the post office as clerk under his father, at the age of sixteen years, and served with the latter during the last five years of his incumbency, as assistant postmaster.  He afterward served some time with S. L. Grosvenor and later in the Parkersburg post office.  Later he was engaged in the mercantile line with is father, at No. 175 Front street, and continued the business three years after the father's death.  Since 1889, he as been engaged in the railway mail service, over the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, and now runs between Chicago and Wheeling.  The mason family has resided at the corner of Third and Sacra Via streets for the past thirty-five years, and the present house of brick veneer was completed by Mrs. Mason in 1900.  Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias and Harmar Blue Lodge, No. 390. [End]   Read more about Colonel William Bion Mason.  CLICK ON THE TITLE OF THE ARTICLE [From the files of Debbie Noland Nitsche]   The Battle of Shiloh - As Told by Colonel William Bion Mason       This article is what William Bion wrote to be put in H. Z. Williams book. When Williams was collecting civil war histories.   Civil War Photo & Pension Card of Colonel William Bion Mason  More information about the family of William Bion Mason    (Contains, census records, civil war information, and other biographies) Information about Mrs. Lucetta B. Mason, wife of Willaim Bion Mason     (Includes some family history of her father, William Mason from Redstone, PA.) Photos of William Bion, Lucetta, & Mary Mason     Also includes a photo of their home on 3rd St.  This home is BEAUTIFUL inside and was up for sale in the summer of 2005 for $466,00.00  (This is my dream home.  The home I want to buy when my husband retires.  :o) Photo of an 1880 Advertisement in the Marietta Register for Gents Furnishing Goods, owned by William Bion Mason Mason Family Burial Plot in Oak Grove Cemtery    Photos taken by Scott Britton =======================================================================     TWO WHITE MEN NARROWLY ESCAPE LYNCHING IN OHIO   From Lexington Herald (Kentucky), 4-3-1907   Mob Surrounds the Jail at Marietta and the Entire Police Force of Town Is Put on Guard   GAVE INTOXICANTS TO SIX LITTLE GIRLS Feeling of People Intense But Further Violence Is Not Expected.   MARIETTA. –Ohio, March 3 – A lynching seemed imminent here early this evening when a large crowd of people surrounded the city jail where Walter W. Savage, of Syracuse, N.Y. And his accomplice, Andy Coruthers were imprisoned. Savage is an advertising sketch artist and has been here about a week. He has made a specialty of getting among girls to make their pictures. About 1 o’clock this afternoon he had six young girls, between the ages of twelve and fourteen years of age in his room and gave them whiskey, wine and beer and administered some kind of dope. Girls Found Unconscious At 6 o’clock this evening the police discovered that something was wrong and on investigation all six girls …. Floor. The girls and the two men ….The girls and the two men, Coruthers having been found in the room, were taken to the city jail. Physicians were summoned and made an examination of the girls and administered medicine which brought them to consciousness. The girls claim the men forced them to drink. The physicians are convinced that two of the girls are victims of attempted assault and at this time are in doubt as to the others as they have not yet completely recovered from the effects of the dope.   Taken To County Jail. Under guard of the entire police force the men were rushed to the county jail, which is on the first floor of the court house building. The Sheriff and his deputies, assisted by the police are guarding the two prisoners and at this time it seems that a lynching will be avoided, although the feeling of the people is intense.   Extracted and submitted by Ruth Dennis  dennis43@suddenlink.net =======================================================================     THE OLDEST WHITE WOMAN Born in Ohio, Died at Marietta Yesterday Melissa Sprague, 92   The Wheeling Register Wheeling, West Virginia July 31, 1896   Special to the Register.      Melissa Sprague died to-day at Lowell, then miles up the Muskingum, and was buried to-day.  She was ninety-two years old and is believed to the the oldest white woman born in Ohio.  Her parents, Stephen G. Smith and Matilda Stone, were married in Farmer's Castle, in 1794.  Mrs. Sprague was a close observer of the exciting events of the war of 1812, and many times recounted experiences of these stirring times.   Extracted and Submitted by Debbie Noland Nitsche  Diamonddeb@comcast.net =======================================================================      Various Early Deed Records   Transcribed and Submitted by Donna Criswell-Mollaun  Tmollaun@AOL.com   Washington Co., OH Deed Book 26 Page 312 312 ?I deal at said Providence the third day of February 1836 Signed sealed and delivered in presence of said EATON, JOHN B. SNOW EDWARD THURBER (seal) Sate of Rhode Island &? Providence Jc. In the City of Providence - February 6th 1836 Personally came the above named EDWARD THURBER and acknowledged the above said instrument to be his voluntary act and deed. Before me JOHN B. SNOW. Justice Peace The State of Ohio, Washington County Js. The foregoing is a true record from the original, presented for record this 12th day of July A.D. 1836. JAS. M. BOOTH. Recorder _______________________________________________________________________ FAYETTE THURBER & Wife to NUHAM WARD To all to whom these presents shall come, Greeting. Know ye that we FAYETTE THURBER of Providence in the State of Rhode Island, and HOPESTILL THURBER, wife of said FAYETTE THURBER, daughter of the late EDWARD THURBER of Providence, deceased, who held in his own name, at his decease, one share of right in the Ohio Company's Purchase - in her right, for and in consideration of  Forty Dollar to us in hand paid by NAHUM WARD of Marietta in the State of Ohio, the receipt of which us hereby acknowledged, do hereby ?w-mise, release and forever quit claim, unto the said NAHUM WARD his heirs and assigns forever, all rights, title and interest, in and to the share so at aforesaid drawn to EDWARD THURBER deceased, and which has fore & Lots of said land as follows ?Viz. Eight acres No. 633. Three acres No. 863 TOwn lot No. 1184, One hundred sixty acre Lot No, 618. One hundred acres Lot No. 301 Six hundred forty acre Lot No. 5 and 262 acre Lot No.5 both in the 12 Range & 7th Township - all in the State of Ohio, reference being has to the Books and Records of the Ohio Company at Marietta for a more minute description of the premises, To have and to hold the same together with all the privileged, appurtenance, rights, and immunities to the same belonging to him that said NAHUM WARD, his heirs and assigned forever. And we the said FAYETTE THURBER and HOPESTILL THURBER covenant to and with said WARD that we have good right it sell aforesaid, and that we will warrant and defend the ?forewished aforesaid to the  said NAHUM WARD  his heirs and assigned against the lawful claimed of all persons claiming (???) by through us under us or either of us in the premises aforesaid. In witness where of we have hereinto set our hand and seal at Providence aforesaid this third day of June A.D. 1836. Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of WM. B. WILKINSON WM B. HEALY FAYETTE THURBER (seal) HOPESTILL THURBER (seal) State of R. I. Providence Ys. June 3rd 1839 in the city of Providence this day personally appeared, FAYETTE THURBER and HOPESTILL THURBER above named to me. Well known and acknowledged the above deed to be their voluntary act and deed before me, and all in accordance of Law. WM B. WILKERSON Justice of the Peace State of Ohio, Washington County Js - The foregoing is a true record from the original presented for record this 13th July 1836. JA M. BOOTH Recorder _______________________________________________________________________ Washington Co., OH Deed Book 26, P. 313-314 313 JOHN MAY to  WILLIAM R. MAY      To all to whom their presents shall comes Be it known, That I JOHN MAY of Portland Massachusetts, Agent for certain ?associated in the Ohio Company in execution of said ?cruth, in pursuance of the attached of association of said Company, and in consideration of Five Shillings to me paid, do hereby grant and convey to WILLIAM R. MAY of Portland in the State of Massachusetts one of the said associated, his heirs and assigned forever, one full share of hand (?inchessing all the several lots heretofore drawn for said share in the name of WILLIAM RUFUS MAY) in two several tracts of land, granted to RUFUS PUTNAM, ?Manasseh Cutler, OBERT OLIVER, and GRIFFIN GREENE, in the tract for the Ohio Company of associated, by two several Letter Patent executed by the President of the United States, under their great seal, bearing date the tenth day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety two, which said two tracts of Land are situated in the county of Washington in the territory of the United States, northwest of the river Ohio, and in that part thereof purchased by said Company of Associated, one of which tracts contained desired the several lots and parcels of land ?relerved and appropriated to particular purposed, seven hundred and fifty thousand acres, and the other of said tracts contained two hundred and fourteen thousand two hundred and eighty five acres as by reference to said Letters. Patent will ?mor at large appear; To have and to hold the said one share hereby granted with the appurtenance to him the said WILLIAM R.  MAY his heirs and assigned forever. In Witness whereof I the said JOHN MAY have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty fifth day of May in the year of our Lord and thousand seven hundred and ninety two. and of Independence the sixteenth sealed and delivered in ?presence of JOSS MAY                    JOHN MAY (seal)                    JOSS CLARK Suffolk ?SS 25 May 1792 Personally appeared before me in the subscriber one of the Justices of ?S County JOHN MAY Esquire and Acknowledged the above instrument to be his voluntary act and deed. SAMUEL BARRETT JOHN MAY agent for WM R. MAY to JOHN SKINNER Boston      June 5th 1792 In consideration of five shillings to me in hand paid by JOHN SKINNER of Boston in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,  I do for and in behalf of my ?tow WILLIAM RUFUS MAY, and as ?Sid Trustee & Guardian, forever Release, Quit claims and Transfer all his rights and title to the within mentioned premises, to have and to hold unto him the said JOHN SKINNER his heirs & Assigned forever. In witness whereof I the said JOHN MAY as agents & Trustee to WILLIAM RUFUS MAY have hereunto set my hand & said seal this Day and Date. ad above- Witness.      ?EDER HOLYOKE      JOHN MAY agent for Wm. R. MAY (seal)           JN SKINNER No. of City Lott is 435. Three ?were Lott 243 eight acre Lott is 505. Suffolk ?j2 Boston Sept. 15, 1797. Personally appeared JOHN MAY & acknowledged this Instrument to be his act & deed. Before ,e ?Saint. COOPER Justice Peace. ?Wulk (?or Wud Jr.) Co. Js. The foregoing is a true record from the original presented for record this 14th July 1836-. JOHN BOOTHE, Recorder _______________________________________________________________________ Washington Co., OH Deed Book 26, P. 313-314 JOHN SKINNER’s ?Heirs, to NAHUM WARD 314 these presents, that we JOHN W. WHITNEY and SARAH WHITNEY, wife of said JOHN formerly SARAH SKINNER, and only surviving heir of the late JOHN SKINNER ?2 in her right and MARIAN SKINNER, only surviving heir of the late WM SUTTON SKINNER, in her right said SARAH & MARIAN being the only surviving grandchildren of the late JOHN SKINNER of Boston, in the State of Massachusetts, Gentleman, deceased, for ?his consideration of one hundred & twenty five dollars to us in hand paid by NAHUM WARD of Marietta in the State of Ohio, the receipt of which is acknowledged, do by these presents grant, bargain. sell, convey & quit claim unto him the said NAHUM WARD his heirs & assign forever all our right, title & interest in& to one full & complete share or right in the Ohio Company's Purchase drawn to the name of WM R. MAY that for lots of land as follows  ?vig 8 acres lot No. 1052 = 2 acres No. 243 - town lot No. 435 = 100 acre lot No. 689. Section of fraction No. 31=L. 2 = R. 13 = all in the State of Ohio, & for a more particular ?description of several lots & reference it herby had to the Books ?Opland of the Ohio Company at Marietta in Ohio. - To have and hold the said premises to him the said WARD, his heirs &  assigns against the lawful ?clients of all persons claiming or to claim from, by, through, or under ?us, but against the claims of no other personal,to him the said WARD his heirs & assigned forever. In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands & ?hold this first day of June AD 1836. In presence of us, the ?interlineation between Witnesses JAS BENJAMIN JOHN KNAPP (signatures) J. H. WHITNEY (seal) SARAH  WHITNEY (seal) MARIAN SKINNER (seal) State of Massachusetts, County of Suffolk, ?JS. Be it remembered that on the twenty ninth day of June in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty six, (19 June 1836) before me, JOHN KNAPP, a Justice of the Peace within & for the County aforesaid,  personally came JOHN H. WHITNEY and SARAH WHITNEY, his wife, and MARIAN SKINNER, the within grantors and acknowledged the within instrument of writing to be their voluntary act and seek for the uses & purposes therein mentioned, And the said SARAH, wife if the said JOHN H. WHITNEY, being by me examined separate and apart from her said husband, and the contents of the said deed being will & accord, without any fear or coercion of her husband, did and now both acknowledge the signing & sealing thereof, In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal the day & year aforesaid. JOHN KNAPP Justice of the Peace (seal) The State of Ohio, Washington County ?JS The foregoing os a true records from the original, presented for record this 14th day of July A.D. 1836. ?JAS. ? BOOTH Recorder      Transcribed and Submitted by Donna Criswell-Mollaun  Tmollaun@AOL.com ======================================================================= Recommended Links Washington County Chapter Ohio Genealogical Society http://www.washogs.org/ Newport, Ohio History & Genealogy http://newportohiohistory.com/ Belpre Historical Society http://www.belprehistory.org/ Washington County, Ohio Historical Society (Has a huge Cemetery Index database) http://www.wchs-ohio.org/ Solomon Harness & His Runaway Slaves (Wood County, Virginia (WV) http://mywebpages.comcast.net/harnessfamily/History/History8.htm Massachusetts Vital Records 1600-1849 Online http://www.rootsweb.com/~maessex/VitalRecords/?o_xid=0040444385&o_lid=0040444385&o_xt=40226546   WASHINGTON COUNTY, OHIO HISTORICAL & GENEALOGY "LINKS" http://hometown.aol.com/debnolandnitsche/index.html To Subscribe to this Newsletter in HTML format, send an email to Debbie Noland Nitsche Diamonddeb@comcast.net