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                     Chapter XII.

   Educational Improvements and General Progress


                     Portsmouth Public Schools.

  The public school system of Portsmouth, at the present day, will compare favorably
with any in the State. The chain of available facts is not a continuous one. Many reports 
and documents filed away in the council chamber in the Massie Block were destroyed in 
the disastrous conflagration of 1871.
  Portsmouth was incorporated as a town March 1, 1815, under an act of the Legislature 
the year previous. Henry Massie had donated to the town, for school purposes, lot No. 
130 and lot No. 143, comprising one tract upon which the Second street school building 
now stands. He also donated for the same purpose out-lot No. 39, which comprises a 
square plat on the northwest corner of Fourth and Court streets, running 355 feet on 
Fourth, and 445 feet on Court. The Fourth street school-building occupies a portion of 
this lot. In 1823 Clarkson Smith rented a log house, then standing on the Second street 
lot, for $25 a year, in which he taught a pay school. The furniture of this house was of the 
most primitive sort. The benches were of slabs, with riven legs, and without backs. 
Perhaps they varied in height to accommodate the various stages of youthful physical 
development. The desks were wide boards, adjusted against the wall, at which the 
scholars took turns at writing. They also served as receptacles for hats, bonnets and 
shawls, dinner-baskets and buckets. The fire-place was wide and deep, and its capacity 
for wood, though great, was never the subject of mean comment, for the adjacent forest 
primeval was lavish in its offerings, and the big boys were ambitious to display their skill 
in the use of the ax, the great leveler of the forest and the forerunner of civilization, while 
the big girls looked on, admired, and selected their heroes.
  In 1824 Uriah White rented out-lot No. 39, for which he was to cut the trees and clear 
the ground. He, in turn, rented the same to John H. Thornton for $6.18 ¾ per year. In 
1829 George Ross Kelley taught the first free school in the frame building now occupied 
as a dwelling by Phillip Jung, near the corner of Third and Washington streets. It 
continued only three months. The public funds contributed to its support arose from the 
interest on the sales of the lands of section 16, and were exhausted at the expiration of 
that time. In 1834 a public school-house was erected on lot 215, abutting on what is now 
known as Locust alley, east of Madison street and between Front and Second streets. In 
this building Mr. Mears taught a pay school the same year, and here, in 1836, William S. 
Morrill taught a free school. In 1836 a company of gentlemen, consisting of James 
Lodwick, Washington Kinney and Peter Kinney, desiring to establish a Select Female 
School, received as a donation from the city a lot on the corner of Fifth and Court streets, 
on which, at a cost of $900, they erected a two-story brick house, the lower story of 
which was used as a school-room, while the second story was used only by the All 
Saints'
(p. 195 – MA McCurdy picture)
Church Sunday school, access to which was by an outside stairway. This building was 
long known as the Seminary and is now used for the public library. In a few years the 
public school system having received a new impulse by the provisions of the special set 
of the Legislature in 1838, the city council purchased this building and the ground 
previously donated for $1,200, and it has ever since done duty as a school-house.
  By a provision of the town charter, as amended, the control of the schools was vested in 
the town council in 1838.  
  In 1836 the whole number of youth enumerated was 454. In 1837 the value of school 
buildings is recorded as being $500. They consisted of the one in the lower or First Ward, 
which was a frame house, a mere shell, with weather-boarding battened, and the log 
house on the corner of Second and Chillicothe streets. The enumeration of the white 
children and youth of school age was 278 males and 269 females. Attendance for more 
than two months and less than four months was twenty-eight males and twenty-two 
females. Attendance at private schools, forty. Total public funds in the treasury, $529.80; 
total amount paid teachers, $277.
  On June 1, 1838, a contract was entered into with Ratcliff & Schulz to build a public 
school-house on Fourth street for $5,450. And old report describes this building as 
follows: "This edifice is constructed on the model of the Boston and Cincinnati school-
houses, so remarkable for elegance of external aspect and convenience for the purpose 
designed. It is three stories in height, and has six rooms, capable of accommodating 800 
scholars." The final cost of this building, when the extras were paid for in final 
settlement, was $5,810. The building was completed in 1839. It was build under the 
direction of a committee of the city council, consisting of Joseph Riggs, Conrad Overturf 
and Gideon J. Leete.
  The town charter, as amended in 1838, placed the common schools under the control of 
the president and common council, who were authorized and required, at the expense of 
the town, to provide for the support of the common schools therein. This body had power 
to levy taxes for the erection of the buildings, to purchase lots of ground for that purpose; 
also to levy taxes to defray the expenses of teachers and fuel, and to furnish the buildings 
with convenient seats, apparatus, etc.
  By an ordinance passed Sept. 21, 1838, the town was divided into three districts, the 
First, Second and Third wards comprising respectively the First, Second and Third 
districts. The ordinance further provided that, as soon the school-house then being built 
should be completed, the trustees should immediately employ teachers to open schools 
therein, which should be free and open to all the white children and youth between the 
ages of four and twenty years, to be so continued and free until suitable houses should be 
erected in each of the districts. One trustee should each year be elected from each district 
to serve three years, who, together with a Board of Visitors, consisting of five persons, 
should have oversight and management of the schools.
  In 1839 Washington Kinney, Joshua V. Robinson and Gideon J. Leete were elected 
Trustees, and the council appointed as Examiners Dr. G. S. B. Hempstead, Edward 
Hamilton, John McDowell, William V. Peck and Samuel Tracy.
  The only record of the names of the teachers and the wages they received per month, 
prior to 1839, that can be found, is as follows: W. K. Scott, $37.50, Mrs. M. A. Wilcox, 
$29.16; Miss Thankful Graves, $16.33; Miss Harriet Ratcliff, $16.33. This was for the 
year 1838.
  In 1833 a public school was taught in a two-story frame building on the east side of 
Jefferson street, between Second and Third streets, by Miss Eliza Ratcliff (afterward Mrs. 
J. W. Purdum) and John Clugston. The building still remains and is occupied as
dwelling. In 1836 a school-house was built on the sight now occupied by All Saints' 
Episcopal Church. It was a one-story frame building, and remained in use as a school 
building until the completion of the Fourth street school-house in 1739, after which it was 
the residence of Rev. E. Burr, until 1850, when it had to give way to the church now 
standing there.
  In August, 1839, the schools were organized in the new Fourth street building, with the 
following corps of teachers: A. L. Child, Superintendent; Miss T. Graves (afterward Mrs. 
Gray); Miss Harriet Ratcliff; Miss M. A. Wilcox, Principal of Female Department, and a 
male teacher whose name cannot be ascertained.
  The following is a copy of the first official report made by Mr. Child to the Town 
Council's Committee on Public Schools:
					"Portsmouth, Dec. 8, 1840.
   "Dear Sir:   From the examination of our Registers, I find that the average daily 
attendance, the year past, has been about 245.
   "Yours, respectfully, 	A. L. Child."
   "Mr. Gregory."
  On the same paper, in another hand-writing, is found a financial summary as follows: 
"Amount paid for tuition, $2,013.88; ditto for water, etc., $14.62; ditto for coal, $50; total 
expenditure, $2,078.50."
  The annual report for the year ending June 24, 1842 shows an enrollment of 468, and an 
average daily attendance of 220.
  Of the pupils enrolled during the year, there were: Between the ages of 15 and 20, 36; 
10 and 15, 124; 6 and 10, 199; 4 and 6, 109.
  The daily attendance, compared with the number enrolled, showed an average absence 
of more than one-half of the school.
  Dec. 6, 1841, an evening school was opened under the charge of Mr. Child, and 
continued until Feb. 1, 1842, and was then closed on account of irregular attendance. 
Thirty-two pupils were enrolled, while the average attendance was but fifteen.
  The report proceeds to state: "The teachers, with the respective times which they could 
have served, are as follows: Mr. A. L. Child, Superintendent, three years; Miss T. Graves 
(now Mrs. Gray), three years; Miss H. Ratcliff, three years; Mrs. M. A. Wilcox, Principal 
of the Female Department, two and one-half years; Miss E. Waller, three months.
  "The teachers engaged for the ensuing year are the same as above, with the exception of 
Mrs. Gray. Her place will be taken by Miss E. Young. An engagement has also been 
made with Miss E. McCarrell as a sixth teacher, for which the increased number of pupils 
of the latter part of the year justifies the demand."
  The schools were divided into two departments – Male and Female, each department 
occupying respective rooms in the house. And again, each department was divided into 
three grades, according to age, attainments, etc.
  The aggregate receipts for the support of the common schools from their 
commencement in 1839 to the end of the school year of 1842 was $6,615.03. Total 
expense for the same time, $5,502.66. One considerable source of revenue at this time 
was the rent arising from the lots granted by Henry Massie. The entire amount paid to 
teachers for the school year 1841-'42 was $1,690.05. The first annual report was 
published in June, 1843. According to this, A. L. Child was superintendent of the entire 
school and teacher of the first male department. He was assisted by five teachers, all 
ladies. For the year ending June 25, 1843, 535 pupils were enrolled, the average daily 
attendance being 265. The school year ending in July, 1845, was one of  great 
improvement in the management of the public schools. A. J. Rickoff was the 
Superintendent, and the Board of Trustees consisted of Messrs. Moses Gregory, John L. 
Ward and John Ratcliff. The Superintendent received $45 a month, and the assistants 
$20, $16, $15 and $12 a month.
  In their report of this year, the board recommended that the council procure suitable lots 
of ground in the First and Third wards on which to erect school-houses in the future. It 
was plainly evident at this time that additional school room would have to be provided in 
the near future. All the schools were taught in the Fourth street building, which contained 
by eight rooms. Some of the rooms were sub-divided by board partitions, and the demand 
for more rooms thus temporarily supplied. The old seminary building was moved into, 
which furnished two rooms, but the insufficiency of this addition was soon apparent. The 
Board of Directors then contracted with Wm. Newman and J. W. Perdum to build on the 
school lot at the corner of Second and Chillicothe streets, a house three stories high and 
to contain twelve rooms. The whole cost was $7,184. It was built in accordance with the 
most approved style of architecture at that day.
  By a special act of the Legislature, passed March 1, 1851, Portsmouth became a city. 
Then the existing government of the schools by council, trustees and examiners was 
incorporated in the new charter, and the duties of these boards minutely set forth. The 
city council was authorized and required to provide at the city's expense, for the support 
of common schools therein; the city to be divided by territorial limits and bounds into 
school districts, due regard being had to be divided by territorial limits and bounds into 
present and prospective population of each, and from time to time to make such 
alterations of the limits and boundaries as might be deemed necessary, more effectually 
to secure equal advantages and accommodations for the education of all white children 
therein. Authority was given to purchase in fee simple, or receive as donation for the use 
of the city, such lots of ground as might be necessary in addition to the grounds already 
appropriated to that object, as sites for the erection of school-houses therein, the city to 
defray the expenses of building, keeping in repair, furnishing the same, etc. A tax of two 
mills on the dollar was authorized to be levied upon all the property in the city, to meet 
all expenses incurred in the purchase of lots of land, for the erection of houses, and the 
income thus arising, together with rents, were made a special incontrovertible fund for 
that purpose. An additional levy of three mills on the dollar was authorized to defray the 
expenses of teachers and fuel and other contingent expenses, these schools to be at all 
times free and accessible to white children not less than five years old, residing in the 
city.
  All the revenue arising from the taxation of black and mulatto persons was set apart 
exclusively for the education of black and mulatto children, and whenever the revenue 
thus arising should be sufficient to support a school for three months or more, the city 
council should provide a suitable building and cause a school to be taught as long as there 
was means for its support.
  The general superintendence should be exercised by a Board of Public Instruction, 
consisting of one member from each ward. The schools should be in session at least eight 
months a year. The council was required to appoint five examiners and inspectors of 
common schools, who should hold their offices for two years, whose duty should be to 
examine the qualification, competency and moral character of all persons desiring to 
become teachers.
  It was further directed that all moneys collected for school purposes and remaining on 
hand should be turned over to the city treasurer, and all moneys thereafter collected to be 
paid over to the same, and by him disbursed for none other than school purposes, for 
which service and the keeping of the accounts no compensation should be allowed. The 
city council should fix the commencement and termination of the current year, the time 
and duration of the vacation, which should be the same throughout the city.
  All houses erected for school purposes and all that should thereafter be erected, with the 
lots of land on which they might be built, should be vested in and become the property of 
the city to all intents and purposes.
  On the accession of Mr. Emerson E. White to the superintendency, who was elected in 
1856, he found the schools in a condition bordering on chaos. The board gave Mr. White 
discretionary power, and ere long he had brought about many salutary changes resulting 
in a complete reorganization of the schools. The schools as reorganized are reported as 
follows: One high school, two teachers; two grammar schools, four teachers; four 
intermediate schools, four teachers; one colored school, one teacher; total, sixteen schools 
and nineteen teachers. In April, 1857, the school law of 1853 was adopted by a vote of 
the people, and in compliance with this law the council appointed the first Board of 
Education, viz., Thomas McCauslen for one year; E. Miller, for two years, and John P. 
Terry, for three years. To this board the council, by ordinance passed April 13, 1857, 
transferred the control of the school property, the management of the schools, and all 
matter pertaining thereto. May 7, following, the district was enlarged so as to take in 
District No. 4 in the city, and making Wayne Township one district, and the school 
property belonging to District 4 was conveyed to the city.
  In 1859 the first colored school was established and a teacher hired to take charge of it. 
April, 1860, from some cause which does not appear on the records, all the members of 
the board resigned and a new board was elected.
  A spirit of reform seemed to seize upon this new board, and at their first meeting they 
resolved to meet monthly, and that all allowanced of bills and accounts should be made at 
the regular meeting of the board.
  In July, 1861, the appointments were made for the ensuing year. On account of the 
prevailing commercial depressing there was a general cutting down of salaries. Colonel 
John H. Allen became Mr. White's successor as Superintendent, at a salary of $900 a 
year; Mr. White had received $1,200. The office had become one of merely 
superintendence during the last year of Mr. White's administration. In July, 1863, the 
board declared the position of superintendent vacant, and appointed one of their own 
number, John McElhany, to act as manager.
  During this time the war was the all-absorbing topic. It permeated every body, every 
thing. The schools under this economical management, as might have been expected, 
retrograded from the high standing they had attained, and at the expiration of that school 
year the board determined upon yet another plan as a substitute for that of a 
superintendent. Mr. Poe was appointed Principal of the Fourth and Fifth street school-
houses, and Mr. Bolton of the Second street and colored schoolhouses, for which each 
was allowed the extra compensation of $10 per month. The lady teachers ventured to 
petition for an increase of salary, which the board granted.
  In August, 1866, the board contracted with Messrs. Hard & Conway to build a brick 
school-house on the corner of Ninth and Washington streets, for colored schools, for 
$2,260.
  In June, 1867, the board being satisfied that the necessities of the schools required that 
additional grounds and buildings be immediately purchased, and fortifying their action by 
a vote of the people, which was largely in the affirmative, bought the Salters property for 
$20,000, and a contract was entered into with Robert Baker for enlarging and improving 
the building for $4,600.
  Mr. John Bolton was elected Superintendent as a salary of $1,400, with the privilege of 
living in a part of the Salters building not occupied for school purposes.
  In 1868 Mr. Bolton was reappointed Superintendent at the same salary as the previous 
year. The number of teachers was increased this year to twenty-five; a German school 
was established at this time.
  The number of youth entitled to school privileges in September, 1870, were as follows: 
White males, 1,574; white females, 1,635; colored males, 102; colored females, 119; 
total, 3,403. In June, 1871, the board, consisting at the time of George A. Waller, James 
Y. Gordon and John J. McFarlin, seeing the need for yet more room, entered into a 
contract for the erection of a new school-house, for the use of the High School and 
grammar schools on the Salters lot, to face Gallia street. The total cost of the building 
was $10,215.
  The salaries paid to superintendent and teachers had gradually increased until at this 
time they were as follows: Superintendent, $1,800; teacher of High School, $1,500, and 
the other teachers, thirty in number, ranging from $70 to $35 a month.
  In January, 1872, it was determined to tear down the old Fourth street building and erect 
a new one in its place. The contract for the erection of the new building was awarded to 
Robert Baker for $23, 200, he allowing $650 for the old building. The new house was 
built according to plans furnished by I. H. Hobbs & Sons, of Philadelphia. It is an elegant 
structure, two stories in height, with ten large and comfortable school-rooms, well lighted 
and ventilated throughout.
  The basement is deep and extends under all the building, affording room for the heating 
apparatus, which is entirely adequate, besides furnishing ample room for storage of fuel, 
etc. For the payment of the debt thus incurred, the board on Aug. 12, 1872, by authority 
of an act of the Legislature, passed April 25, 1872, issued bonds to the amount of 
$20,000. In accordance with an act of the Legislature, passed May 1, 1873, providing that 
schools should be reorganized under it at the first annual election thereafter, and requiring 
the board to consist of two members from each ward, at the election held April 6, 1874, 
the following were elected members of the Board of Education: First Ward, J. M. Lynn, 
two years; J. M. Herder, one year. Second Ward, H. Leete, two years; H. T. Vincent, one 
year. Third Ward, W. T. Cook, two years; J. Q. Weaver, two years; George A. Waller, 
one year. Fifth Ward, G. S. B. Hempstead, two years; Jacob Sottmann, one year. Sixth 
Ward, A. L. Norton, two years; J. T. Miller, one year.
  The new Board of Education organized April 20, 1874, by the election of Dr. G. S. B. 
Hempstead, President; William Waller, Clerk; and J. Q. Gibson, Treasurer. On April 22 
rules were adopted, and committees of three members each appointed on the following 
topics: Finance, discipline, repairs, German schools, colored schools and library.
  The council chamber was rented for the use of the board in which to hold meetings. The 
number of examiners was fixed at three, and it was decided to elect annually 
superintendent and teachers at the first meeting in July.
  In September, 1874, a lot was purchased at the corner of Eleventh and John streets, from 
F. C. Searl, for $2,500, on which to build a house for the colored schools.
  The library, which had been kept at the rooms of the Y. M. C. A. for several years, was 
removed to the Sixth street building, July 16, 1874, and John Rowe appointed Librarian 
at a salary of $50 per annum.
  On May 27, 1875, the board purchased from Hannah Waller a lot on the northwest 
corner of Fourth and Union streets, for $10,076, on which to build a school-house to take 
the place of the Second street building; and on Sept. 16, 1875, entered into a contract 
with J. M. Nichols to erect a school-house for colored schools on the corner of John and 
Eleventh streets for $8,067 upon plans furnished by I. H. Hobbs & Son, of Philadephia, 
and adopted by the board. Eight bonds of $1,000 each were ordered to be issued to defray 
the cost of the building.
  In 1877 a need for still more room was felt and the board, having purchased a lot on the 
corner of Union and Fourth streets, advertised for bids for the erection of a new building. 
The contract for different parts of the work was let to different parties and the building 
completed for use in the following summer of 1878. The entire cost of the building and 
furniture was $34, 402.79. City bonds to the amount of $19,000 were issued, bearing 
seven per cent interest, for the payment of the new buildings and were at once taken at a 
premium of one and one-half per cent. This issue was ordered Sept. 27, 1877. Another 
issue of $11,000 was made March 21, 1878, to complete the building.
  This was the sixth school building in the city in which schools are taught. The number 
of schools at present is forty, requiring as many teachers. Some of the buildings bear the 
mark of age, but others, built at more modern date, are stylish and among the finest 
specimens of architecture in the city. All are substantial and comfortable.
  The High School, which was established under the supervision of Mr. E. E. White, in 
1856, has accomplished a work of which its founder may well be proud. It numbers many 
among its graduates, both men and women, who are destined to become known in the 
world on account of the sterling worth they possess, which the high school did so much 
to develop and to fashion. It has acquired an influence that overshadows every form of 
prejudice of opposition to our system of free schools.
  The first class to graduate from these schools was in 1860, composed of five members. 
Since 1869 classes have graduated regularly each year, the total number of alumni being 
180.
  The following is a list of the Superintendents and the times of service: A. L. Child, 
1840-'49; Nathaniel P. Wilson, 1849-'50; A. J. Buell, 1850-'51; Edgar C. Solfridge, 
1851-'52; John H. Rolfe, 1852; Samuel M. Heslet, 1852-'56; Emerson E. White, 1856-
'60; John H. Allen, 1860-'63; no Superintendent, 1863-'67; John Bolton, 1867-'72; J. F. 
Luckens, 1872-'75; M. S. Campbell, 1875-'79; W. H. Friesner, 1879-'81; J. A. I. Lowes, 
1881-'83; E. S. Cox, 1883.

                     Sanitary.
  For many years after its first settlement, much of the land on which Portsmouth is built 
was swampy and conducive to malaria. A spongy swale marked the direction of Third 
street, lying just south of and almost parallel to it. This swale or strip of marshy ground 
call the Gut was bridged at the street crossings and approached by fills, which lasted until 
about 1838, when that portion of the city north of Third street began to build up. Near 
where the Fourth street school-house now stands a large pond of water stood the year 
round. Although early measures were taken to drain, as much as possible, those parts of 
the town already built up, yet with swampy ground and standing water in the near 
vicinity, the health of the town was not as good as it would otherwise have been.
  Prior to 1816 Dr. Thomas Waller was the only physician, but he could easily attend to 
all cases of sickness for miles around, and have time to run an apothecary store, which 
was the finest one in Portsmouth. In 1816 Dr. G. S. B. Hempstead, having just graduated, 
located here in the practice of medicine.

                     Medical Societies.
  As the town grew in population, there was no lack of physicians to attend to al cases of 
sickness. The recruits of the professional ranks are not apt to fall behind those of the 
general army so that Portsmouth has never stood in need of medical skill, eager for a 
chance of application. Before 1857 medical societies had been formed of the physicians 
of town and county, but they were short lived and of little importance. In 1857 a Scioto 
County Medical Society was formed with fifteen members and bid fair to be one of 
permanence, but it only lasted four years. Dr. Joseph Corson was President and Dr. D. B. 
Cotton, Secretary.
  In 1865 another was formed under the same name, with Dr. A. B. Jones as President and 
Dr. M. S. Pixley as Secretary. This one included in its membership nearly all the 
physicians of the city and county. It was kept up until the formation of the Hempstead 
Memorial Academy of Medicine, in 1882, into which it was merged.

                     Hempstead Memorial Academy of Medicine.
  This institution, although formed largely by member from the old Scioto County 
Medical Society, had an independent origin, being founded, it may be said, by Dr. G. S. 
B. Hempstead, the most venerable among the fraternity in the city.
  The academy was organized on the first Monday in May, 1882, when the following 
trustees were elected: Drs. Edward Ricketts, T. F. Davidson, T. G. Vaughters, John B. 
Warwick, J. L. Taylor, M. S. Pixley and C. M. Finch.
  The officers were then elected for the ensuing year were: T. F. Davidson, President; T. 
G. Vaughters, Vice-President; A. B. Robinson, Secretary; P. J Kline, Treasurer, and R. 
M. Gibson, Librarian. Immediately after the organization Dr. Hempstead, then in the 
eighty-ninth year of his age, in a neat speech, presented to the society his medical library 
of 1,000 volumes, covering a period of 150 years. President Davidson accepted the 
valuable gift, on the part of the academy, in a few appropriate remarks.
  The gift was made upon condition that the association become incorporated under the 
laws of Ohio; that the purpose of the incorporation shall be the advancement of the 
science of medicine and surgery; that the library shall be kept intact and added to as the 
members could find means to do so, and that as soon as they could obtain the means to 
erect a substantial academy building for the teaching and dissemination of the knowledge 
of the profession. The conditions were complied with so far as possible, the members 
securing a legislative act and promising to carry out the other provisions in due time.
  The academy is now composed of seventeen members. Meetings are held monthly at the 
offices of the various members in the city, and on the addition of new members a diploma 
is given, signed by the president and secretary, which contains at the top a cabinet-size 
portrait of the founder, Dr. Hempstead. 
  The City Hospital was established in 1870. The building which was fitted for a hospital 
at that time is just north of the city limit. The institution is governed by a superintendent 
and a Board of Commissioners of which the mayor is president ex-officio. The present 
officers are: J. B. Kennedy, Superintendent; Enas Reed, Charles E. Ammon, Sr., Samuel 
J. Houston and H. A. Towne, Commissioners; and Dr. T. F. Davidson, physician in 
charge.
  The City Pest House was first secured to supply a need of the city during the small-pox 
rage of 1872-‘3. It is a large frame building situated west of the city hospital and is 
supplied with all the modern improvements for the treatment of contagious diseases. It is 
under the direction of the city Board of Health, which, at present, consists of J. J. 
McFarland, President, ex-officio; Captain John N. Lodwick, George Tittle, William 
Wilson, P. J. Kline, Edward S. Ricketts, William Welch and Dr. T. F. Davidson, 
physician.

                     Sewerage.
  The system of sewers in Portsmouth began in 1856 with the construction of the Third 
street sewer; and since that time, by the construction of new ones wherever needed in the 
city, the growth of the system has more than kept pace with the growth of the city.
  The Third Street Sewer is four feet in diameter and was constructed in the summer and 
fall of 1856 along the line of the swale or stream called the Gut, just south of Third street. 
With the construction of the sewer, the depression was filled up, leaving scarcely any 
trace of the old stream that once required bridges and fills. The mouth of this sewer is in 
the Scioto bottom west of the city. From there it runs south along Madison street to Third, 
east along Third to Gay, up Gay to Fourth, east along Fourth to N. Waller, thence to low 
grounds northeast of the city. It has a branch at the corner of Fourth and Gay running up 
to Gallia, and two others in alleys extending to Gallia from Fourth.
  Findley Street Sewer is four, three and one-half, and three feet in diameter; runs from its 
mouth just west from the Scioto Valley depot to Fourteenth street, then east to Findley, 
and south along Findley to Tenth street.
  Chillicothe Street Sewer extends from near the Johnson spoke and hub factory south 
along Chillicothe street to Seventh street. It is two and one-half feet in diameter.
  Miller Alley Sewer is about two and one-half feet in diameter and runs from the Scioto 
bottom east along Miller alley to Madison street.
  Thompson Street Sewer, two feet in diameter, has its outlet at the corner of Thompson 
and Jackson streets and runs from there up Thompson to the corner of Third street.
  Mill Street Sewer, four feet in diameter, extends from its mouth, at the corner of Front 
and Union streets, west to S. Waller, south to Mill, and west along Mill street to 
Chillicothe street.
  Fifth Street Sewer, two and one-half feet in diameter, extends from the low ground at 
the foot of Fifth up that street to Court street.

                     Postoffice.
  The postoffice was brought from Alexandria and established in Portsmouth in 1806. 
Thomas Waller was Postmaster during the whole time of his residence here, which lasted 
until his death in 1823. He kept the office in a little log building about 8x10 feet, situated 
on the lot near his house on Front street. The mail at this time was carried to Chillicothe 
twice a week on horseback, or in a small wagon, where is connected with other overland 
mail routes to the East and West. At this time carrying the mail was a difficult and 
expensive task. The small amount of mail that passed through the offices and the great 
length of the routes required rates of postage that would now seem exorbitant. The rates 
were as follows: For forty miles or less, 8 cents; for ninety miles, 10 cents; for 150 miles, 
12 ½ cents; for 300 miles, 17 cents; for 500 miles, 20 cents, and for more than 500 miles 
25 cents. The rate on packages was one-fourth that of letters, a letter being considered to 
weigh one ounce.
  At the death of Mr. Waller John R. Turner was appointed Postmaster and served until 
about 1829. As he was then Clerk of the County Court he kept the office at the court 
house. He was succeeded by James Lodwick, who kept the office at his residence on 
West Front street. The house, a one-story frame, is still standing. During his term in 1839, 
the first daily mail was established between Portsmouth and Columbus. Mr. Lodwick was 
succeeded in 1842 by Wm. Kendall, who held the office until 1845. He kept the office in 
the market house which stood where the Massie Block now stands. At the beginning of 
Polk's administration, in 1845, Wm. P. Camden was appointed Postmaster. He remained 
in the position until the year 1850, when he died of small-pox. A Mr. Becker was 
appointed and held the office until 1863, when Colonel John Row was appointed. Mr. 
Becker kept the office under the rooms now occupied as a law office by Moore & 
Newman. During Colonel Row's term the office was kept in the building on the corner 
above the present postoffice building. Row was succeeded by Colonel Oliver Wood, who 
kept the office for eight years, he being the first to move into the present building. In 
1874 Mrs. Levina Adair, whose husband had been killed in the Indian war, was appointed 
and served through one administration. She was succeeded in 1878 by F. C. Gibbs, who, 
in turn, was succeeded in April, 1882, by the present Postmaster, Mr. L. C. Damorin.
  The amount of business done at the postoffice at the present time is shown by the 
following figures, showing sales for the year from July 1, 1882, to July 1, 1883:
  Value of postage stamps and postals, $8, 479.65; envelopes and newspaper wrappers, 
$4,725; revenue from box rent, etc., $1, 423.62; total, $14,628.66.
  The office was made a money-order office Dec. 16, 1864.

                     Fire Department.
  Portsmouth has had peculiarly good fortune in some particulars, one of which is the 
absence, in her entire history, of any sweeping fires and only three or four of magnitude 
worthy of notice. This escape from any great losses is in a measure certainly due to the 
possession of efficient means of extinction and the prompt action of those in charge.
  In 1822, nearly two years after the big fire of 1820, the council passed an ordinance 
compelling the owners of houses to keep fire buckets on the premises. This is the first 
step toward fire protection of which we have any record.
  In 1823 fire ladders and hooks were furnished by the town and a company organized.
  In 1831 James C. Davis, formerly of Pittsburgh, aided by George Stevenson, built the  
first fire engine ever used in Portsmouth, and in 1838, by an ordinance passed Aug. 17, 
the first regular fire department was established. Other engines were afterward secured so 
that by 1845 there were two or three engines and a hook and ladder company in the city.     
In 1835 the most destructive fires had been experienced, when the block on which the 
Biggs House stands was nearly all destroyed to the first alley west of Market Street. In 
1849 another big fire was experienced which started on the corner of Front and Madison 
Streets.
  After the construction of the water-works in 1871, additional facilities for fighting fire 
were presented and a new system demanded. The hand engines were disposed of and 
hose wagons secured to bring the water to the scene of the conflagration. A steam fire 
engine was secured, and this together with the hose wagons constituted the new and very 
effective fire department of the city. A second steam fire engine was secured in the 
summer on 1883.
  The fourth and last extensive fire in Portsmouth occurred in the summer of 1871, when 
the Massie Block was destroyed.

                     Portsmouth Water-Works.
  The subject of establishing a system of water works begin to be discussed in 1856 but 
the first movement toward establishing them was the passage of an ordinance, Dec. 30, 
1870, which provided that water-works be established and that they be on the plan of the 
Holly system of water supply and fire protection. The ordinance provided that the works 
be under the direction of three trustees, one to be elected each year. The first Trustees, 
elected at a special election for that purpose, were Phillip H. Kelly, Charles S. Green and 
Lewis C. Robinson.
  An ordinance was passed March 3, 1871, which "set apart and appropriated that part of 
the public landing so called and known as lies between the old corporation line and the 
east line of Gay street, and between Mill street and the Ohio River" to the uses of the 
waterworks trustees, whereon was constructed the necessary machinery.
  The contract for constructing the works complete was given to Weir & Overdale, to 
whom was paid $150,000. The works were completed ready for use in April, 1872.
  The growing proportions of the city have required an enlargement of the works in 
almost every department. According to the last report of trustees (May 1, 1883) there 
were nearly eighteen and one-half miles of pipe of different sizes, ranging from one to 
twelve inches, 1,255 hydrants and 88 Holly fire hydrants. The motive power is one large 
engine capable of throwing over 2,000 gallons of water per minute. The works are the 
property of the city, the trustees being required to report of the city council.
  The present officers of the works are as follows: Trustees, William Burt, John I. Mercer 
and George H. Stillman; Superintendent, Charles Zeigler; Secretary, W. H. Pixley.

                     Gas-light Company
  The Portsmouth Gas-Light Company was incorporated May 5, 1855, the following 
persons being named as the incorporators in the original certificate of association, to-wit: 
Henry V. Barringer, J. W. Glidden, A. V. Barringer, S. R. Ross and J. V. Robinson, Jr.
  Books of subscription were opened, and May 12, 1855, ten per cent of the capital stock 
($50,000) having been paid in, a Board of Directors was elected as follows: Washington 
Kinney, J. W. Glidden, J. V. Robinson, Jr., S. R. Ross and A. V. Barrington. Officers: J. 
W. Glidden, President; S. R. Ross, Secretary; J. V. Robinson, Treasurer.
  The company continued under the above amount of capital until January, 1877, when a 
meeting was called of the stockholders to increase its capital stock. From 1865 to Jan. 1 
1877, the company had expended $58,600.15 in real estate, improvements, meters and 
mains. Feb. 21 1877, the stockholders met, 713 ½ shares being represented out of the 
1,000, and the entire number was voted to increase the stock to $100,000. The stock was 
taken by the then owners, excepting thirteen fractional shares, which were purchased at 
par value by John G. Peebles for Mrs. Rachel Hamilton, July 18, 1877, and a supposed 
quarterly dividend declared of two per cent, July 16, 1877.
  At the annual meeting held Jan. 9, 1883, J. Y. Gordon was re-elected President and J. O. 
Murfin Secretary and Treasurer. James McCann was selected Superintendent. The 
company for the past two years has declared a semi-annual dividend of four per cent. The 
dividend for July, 1883, was three per cent.
  The company has now about 1,400 consumers, and the city lamps number 177. The 
Directors are J. Y. Gordon, O. B. Gould, P. S. James, M. R. Tewksbury and William H. 
Pursell. Through the resignation of Mr. Murfin, M. R. Tewksbury is now Secretary and 
Treasurer.