Meigs County OhArchives News.....Meigs County Telegraph December 16 1856 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/oh/ohfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Connie Cotterill Schumaker Schumaker4@aol.com January 4, 2005, 11:24 am microfilm Meigs County Telegraph Pomeroy, Ohio Tuesday, December 16, 1856 POMEROY Recent Improvements &c. The terrible conflagrations of 1851 and 1856, which were sufficiently destructive to have consigned many a more handsome place to “the tomb of the Capultets,” has but exhibited our strength, wealth, and importance. Like the fabled Phoenix, Pomeroy rises from the ashes brighter, more beautiful, and more vigorous than ever. Four months only have elapsed since the two squares above and below our present location were burned to the ground. The brick walls of this building, and those of the courthouse alone remained standing, and they in a shattered condition. Now, what do we see? The court-house begins to assume the appearance of a new building. The walls have been straightened and repaired, the roof, cupola, and cornice replaced, and the outside painted in good style. In a short time, the interior will be thoroughly repaired and renovated, so that by the next term of court, all the rooms can be occupied as formerly. Between the court-house and our office there was formerly but one small building, used as a lawyer’s office. Now there are three small frames -- the first occupied by J. B. Hampton, as a Saddle and Harness Manufactory; the second occupied by Geo. Lee, as a Jeweler’s store and Post office; the third by Jesse Stafford, as a Grocery. The Branch’s Building, in which our office is located, has been repaired, and rendered fire-proof, by the addition of iron window-frames, to which iron shutters will be attached, in each story, both in front and rear. Next summer, they intend to erect another three-story brick on the vacant lot above, which will make their building double its present size. W. Stivers’ Building, joins the last-named on Court-street, and is built to the corner of Front street – 77 feet on Court-street by 21 feet on Front, with an L on Court 21 x 34 feet. This is substantially built of brick, with iron moldings. The first story is 11 ½ feet, the 2d is 10 ft., and the 3d 12 feet high. The 1st and 2d stories are designed for his extensive Dry Goods, Grocery, and Clothing Stores. Moore and Osborn’s Building -- Joins W. Stivers, on Front street, and is built of the same material in the same manner, and each story of the same height. It is 21 ft. wide by 56 ½ feet deep. The 1st and 2d stories to be used by them as a Dry Goods store. Odd Fellow’s Hall, the third story of the two last-named building will be fitted up and used as an Odd Fellow’s Hall, having been leased for that purposed by Mineral Lodge, No 232. Whether the other Lodges will occupy the same Hall or not, we are not informed. A brief description will suffice to show that this will be one of the finest halls in the state. The main Hall will be 42 ft. wide, by 56 ½ ft. long and 12 ft. high, and will contain ten large windows. In addition, there are two ante-rooms - - one 12 x 15 ft, the other 15 ft square. In these ante-rooms are three large closets, to contain the property and fixtures of the Lodge or Lodges using it. These rooms will be finished in magnificent style, such as would do credit to any city. H. Cohen’s Building - - This is a three story brick, fire-proof building, immediately above Moore & Osborn's but not connected with it. It is 22 ft. front, by 80 feet deep. The lower story is 14 ft. height, with circular ceiling, iron front, silver-plated iron sash, glass 5 ft. by 2 ½ ft. second and third stories 12 ft. each. Iron moldings, & c. to all the windows, and in all respects finished in the latest and most fashionable style, with all the modern improvements. It is designed to be used as a Hardware, Clothing, and Dry Goods Store. T.O. Crawford’s Building - - This is another three story brick, next above Cohen’s, already finished and occupied as a store and dwelling. The front building is 22 ft. front, by 60 fee deep. To this is added a brick building in the rear, two stories high, 14 x 34 ft. The lower story is 11 ft. high, and is used as a store. The second story is 10 ft. high, with fire-places in each room, and is used for a dwelling. The third story is intended for a Hall, and is 11 ft. high. Next above Crawford’s are two temporary frames - - one occupied by A. Gatchel, as a Furniture wareroom, the other by D. & E. Reed, for Drug and Grocery stores. There are no buildings between these and Remington’s corner. Remington & Halliday’s Building - - This building, erected on the corner of Front and Linn streets, is 50 ft on Front, by 80 ft. on Linn, three stories high, brick walls, with imitation stone front. The lower story is 12 ft., the 2d is 10, 3d 8 ½ ft. The store-room of Messrs. R. & H. will be 24 by 74 ft., with two warerooms - - one 25 x 40 ft. the other 50 ft. square. One side of this storeroom is to be devoted exclusively to Books, Stationery, and Wall Paper, the other to Dry Goods, & c. The remainder of the building will be occupied as a Drug Store, a Clothing Store, offices, and sleeping apartments. On the corner of Second and Linn sts., W. J. Prall has erected a large frame workshop and wareroom for his Stove Store, which, with a stable or two, completes the list of structures on the upper square of the “burnt district.” Starting again from the court-house we have The Bank Building, erected by Messrs. Daniel & Rathburn and D. Reed, on the corner of Court and Second streets. This is a three story, fire-proof brick, iron front, substantial building, designed for a Banking-house and Drug Store. It is 45 ft. front, by 56 ft. on Second st. The 1st or lower story is 14 ft. high, and the walls 18 inches thick. A thick partition wall is built in the center, from cellar to roof. In the Banking House, a ponderous vault is built, which seems capable of resisting even the most desperate attempts of the most desperate of burglars. Its dimensions we cannot give precisely, but from the time and labor consumed in its construction, the quantity and size of rocks used, the huge iron doors, and all that, we imagine there is but little danger that any burglar will every find his way into it. The second story of this building will be 10 ft. and third 11 ft. The walls in the 2d and 3d stories are 13 inches thick. We presume this is the most costly and substantial of the new building erected here. Next to this, we have several temporary frames, occupied for stores, &c., which will probably soon be torn away, and give place to substantial brick edifices. They are occupied at present as follows: Dry Goods Stores - - Moore & Osborn, W. Stivers, H. Cohen, Jas. Rallston. Confectionery - - M. Sidebottom. Tailors - - Huttle, Howe & Jenkins. Stove Store - - W.J. Prall. Jeweler - - Burkert & Beickmann. Mayhugh’s Building - - This is a three story brick, 25 ft. front, by 65 ½ ft. deep. The lower story is 12, the second 11, and the third 10 ft. high. It is used as a Grocery and Provision Store. This, we believe, completes the list of new buildings on the “burnt district, ” and we think the list a formidable one. We, for one, feel proud of it and think it speaks volumes for the energy and perseverance of our business men, and is still stronger evidence of the superior advantages of Pomeroy as a business point. In addition to the above, we have noticed quite a large number of building in process of erection in other portions of the town, some, of which we deem worthy of special notice. The Methodist Episcopal Church – This is now nearly completed, and will be an ornament to the town. It is situated in the upper part of town, a short distance below what is known as the “Dunham lot.” It is built of brick being the only brick Church in Pomeroy. It is 45 ft. wide, by 65 ft. long. The basement is 12 ft. high, and is divided into a lecture-room and two class-rooms. The audience room is 18 ft. high. Much credit is due the congregation and others who subscribed so liberally toward its erection; nor can we forget that some share of the credit should be awarded to their former excellent pastor - - Rev. S. C. Frampton, to whose faithful labors in its behalf many of our good citizens can bear testimony. The Ladies have now taken the matter of furnishing the Church in hand, and will give a Supper there on Christmas Eve. Of course, all who can will attend. The Resident of Oren Branch. – We deem this worthy of notice, because it is the first attempt, we believe, to introduce a new style of architecture in Pomeroy. Instead of simply erecting a shelter from the storm, Mr. Branch has here combined exterior beauty, with the interior economy and comfort. The style is Gothie, modernized. An examination of the interior has satisfied us that he has lost nothing in adopting his present plan. Every square foot of surface is made available. The entire dwelling contains thirteen rooms, and several large closets. Its location is commanding, and the building at that point adds much to the appearance of town. We do not wish to be understood as advising every body to copy Mr. Branch’s plan and style in every particular. This would encourage the very evil we wish to avoid, namely, too much sameness and monotony. What we desire is variety - - a display of the various tastes of our citizens in and about their homes. There are other new buildings we might name; but we have already transcended our limits. We may refer to them hereafter. END Transcribed by: Connie Cotterill Schumaker Additional Comments: [The following is an article which gives information about the fire of August 8, 1856. There are a few names mentioned now and then but it is mainly about the buildings destroyed by the fire and how the town has rebuilt over the last 4 months. So far I have not found any articles which tells the cause of the fire. The courthouse seems to have been involved in the fire but I have gotten records, land deeds and etc. for the time period before the fire. The article is very descriptive. Does anyone know if these are the same buildings standing today in that two block area above and below the courthouse to the Main Street, Front Street in the article? Connie] File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/oh/meigs/newspapers/gnw91meigscou.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/ohfiles/ File size: 11.0 Kb