OHIO STATEWIDE FILES - Know your Ohio: Tidbits of Ohio -- Part 55 ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES(tm) NOTICE Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm All documents placed in the USGenWeb Archives remain the property of the contributors, who retain publication rights in accordance with US Copyright Laws and Regulations. In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, these documents may be used by anyone for their personal research. They may be used by non-commercial entities so long as all notices and submitter information is included. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit. Any other use, including copying files to other sites, requires permission from the contributors PRIOR to uploading to the other sites. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgenwebarchives.org ************************************************************************** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Darlene E. Kelley http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00026.html#0006374 June 10, 2005 ************************************************************************** Historical Collections of Ohio. And Then They Went West Know Your Ohio Tid Bits - part 55. Notes by S. Kelly Newspapers and Articles ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Tid Bits - Part 55 Early Newspaper Competition In the 1850's Mr. J.W. Gray was editor of the " Plain Dealer, " and Mr. J.A. Harris editor of the " Herald," there was great strife each year between the two newspapers to be first in printing the President's message. During a Whig administration, the editor of the Herald, who was a Whig in politics, got permission from the postoffice department to open a mail bag in transit, some distance from Cleveland, and take from the pouch a copy of the message, which on a fleet horse was quickly conveyed to the Herald office, and thus the Herald was able to appear with the message in its columns before the Plain Dealer had received its copy. This led to an angry discussion between the two papers. The Plain Dealer charged the editors of the Herald with rifling the mail; with filing off the lock on the mail pouch with a " rat-tail file." Soon a libel suit was brought by the Herald against the Plain Dealer. In one of the issues of the Plain Dealer, Mr. Gray claimed he could prove all he said, except perhaps, a " three-cornered file " had been used instead of a " rat-tail file," as he had charged; but if anyone could send him a rat, with a tail which was three-cornered instead instead of round, his defense would be complete. During the controversey the word " liar " frequently passed between the two papers and the readers of each concluded that both were telling the truth. While this was going on, one day the Plain Dealer had a local item saying that Mr. Richard Hilliard, a prominent merchant in the city, that morning had started for New York. Soon after the appearance of the paper, Mr. Gray met Mr. Hilliard on the street, when the following conversation is said to have taken place: Mr. Gray: " Why Dick.' in my paper today I have said that you had gone to New York, as you told me you were going; for God's sake don't let Harris see you here; if you do, I'm undone; he will prove me a liar," to which Mr. Hilliard is said to have responded: " Gray, I did expect to get away this morning for New York, but could not. As for you and Harris, from what I read in your papers, I believe you both liars, but to save you in this instance I will go home where I will stay out of sight until I can get away in the morning." Mr. Hilliard " got away" in the morning an with him he took, as Mr. Gray used to tell, a bottle of good old port. furnished at the expense of the Plain Dealer editor. +++++++++++++++++++++++ Eccentric Irad Kelley Mr. Irad Kelley for many years was a prominent character in Cleveland. He inherited a small property, which he managed well, added to, and in time became a man of considerable means. In 1814, he and his brother erected the first brick buildng in Cleveland, which then boasted of having twenty-four residence and business buildings. Before 1830, r. Kelley was village postmaster for many years. He was a man of about medium size, perhaps a little below the average, had rather a sharp face, and in his latter days his head was nearly bald. His movements were quick, and as he hurried about the street was sure to attract attention. Everybody knew " Irad." His eccentricities were quite observable. Several times, of his own volition, he was an independant candidate for congress. I remember, once at least, he carried one or more of the wards, and perhaps also some one or more of the townships. After the election, Mr.Gray, of the Plain Dealer, in a mirthful newspaper article insisted was the real repesentative of the parts of the district he had carried, and in all matters pertaining to them, should be consulted rather than the congressman elect. In fact, that it was the duty of Mr. Kelley to go to Washington when congress met, and remain there during the session. Mr. Kelley, when any matter came before the public for consideration, was always sure to be on the " off side." At one time he " hung" a jury for two days, and succeeded in preventing an agreement. When asked why the jury did not agree he replied, as the story went, " I agreed at once, but the other eleven hung out; they were the os stubborn lot of fellows I ever met." It was said that the foreman of the jury in giving an order for meals, called for ham and eggs for eleven men and a bale of hay for one mule. In 1854, a fence was put around the Public Square which very much displeased Mr. Kelley. In passing through the inclosure in a direction where there was no opening he was sure to jump the fence. Just before the spring election, 1855, he got out a large poster calling a meeting at the old court house, which stood on the southwest section of the Public Square, to nominate a municipal ticket, to be composed of men opposed to the fence, to which he so much objected. The court room was filled with people to witness the fun which was expected. Mr. Kelley was called to act as chairman. A committee, of which I was chairman, was appointed to make up a ticket. While the committee was out much amusement was created by the offering of various resolutions. Mr. Buchanan had just been nominated for president, and knowing that there were many more Democrats out of office than were in, thought to make a point by proclaiming in favor of rotation in office. This was caught up by some one at the Kelley meeting, who proposed this: " Resolved, that we believe in rotation in office; rotation from a poorer office to a better one, as exemplified in the whole political career of James Buchanan." This hit brought great applause, soon after which the committee on nominations made its appearance. The proposed ticket was read off commencing at the bottom with constable, for which some of Cleveland's most prominent men were named. So on up, persons were selected for office beneath their consideration or for which they were well known to be unfit. Finally the time for naming a man for mayor came, when with due gravity the chairman said the committee after much reflection and great labor, had come to the unanimous conclusion that the exigencies of the times, and the important problem to be met, called for the nomination of the Hon. Irad Kelley. Mr. Kelley who had for some time had been sitting apparently uneasy in his chair, for about the first time in his life, realized that he was being made the butt of ridicule, and he left the meeting much as though he was shot from a gun. ++++++++++++++++++++ An Old Time Song O Jabob, get the cows home and put them in the pen. For the cousins are a-coming to see us all again; The "dodgers" in the pan, and the turkey's on the fire, And we all must get ready for Cousin Jedediah. Now Obed, wash your face, boy, and tallow up your shoes, While I go see Aunt Betty, and tell her all the news; And Kitty slick your hair, and put on your Sunday gown, For Cousin Jedediah comes right from Boston town. And Job you peel the onions, and wash and fix the taters, We'll have them on the table in those shiny painted waiters, Put on your bran' new boots and those trousers with the straps, Aunt Sophia'll take a shine to you, if you look real slick, perhaps. Tell Josh to put the colt in the double-seted chaise, Let him just card down the cattle, give them a little hay, I'll wear my nice bell-crown I bought of old Uriah, And I guess we'll astonish our Cousin Jedediah. Chorus: There's Hezekiah and Azariah and Aunt Sophia and Jedediah, All coming here to tea. Oh! won't we have a jolly time, Oh! won't we have a jolly time, Jerusha put the kettle on, we'll all take tea. ++++++++++++++++ Rates of Postage in Cleveland 1837/ 38 On Letters.--- 61/4 cents for any distance not exceeding 30 miles; 10 cents, if over 30 and not exceeding 80 miles; 12 1/2 cents, if over 80 and not exceeding 150 miles; 18 3/4 cents, if over 150 and not exceeding 400 miles; 25 cents if over 400 miles. Double letters are charged double, treble letters, treble, and quadruple letters, quadruple these rates. Postage on heavier packages in proportion. On Newspapers.--- Not carried over 100 miles, or for any distance within the state where they are printed, one cent each. If carried over 100 miles, and out of state where they are printed, One and a half cents each. Periodicals, Pamphlets and Magazines.--- Carried not over 100 miles, one cent a sheet; carried over 100 miles two cents a sheet. Those not periodicals, 100 miles or less, 4 cents a sheet; over 100 miles, 6 cents a sheet. No deduction will be made on postage on letters charged double, treble, or quadruple, unless they are opened in the presence of the postmaster, ot his assistant, or someone belonging to the office. ++++++++++++++++++ The Churchman and the Shaker The shakers formed a settlement to the southwest of the city in the suburbs now often called " Shaker Heights." The Shakers, as well known, according to their religious faith, never marry or have children. About the time they formed their settlement near Cleveland, the following lines appeared in a Cleveland newspaper: Churchman. " Salvation is of us the bigot cried Accept and live, or perish in your pride! Salvation is of us-- we are the church; Seek Heaven here, or else give up the search." Shaker. " How many Reverend sir, are on your roll, Of all earth's millions spead pole to pole?" Churchman. " Why, one in twenty thousand, less or more, Is seeking Heaven through ours, only door." Shaker. " If none but you are saved, and all else damned, Then Heaven runs no risk of being cramed; But, of those few, who form your congregation, How many souls are certain of Salvation?" Churchman. " Not one in five suceeding in his search, Finds a new heart, repents, and join the church." Shaker. " Art thou married ?" Churchman " Yes, thank God ! I have a wife, And ten dear children, blessings of my life." Shaker. " Oh worse than brute! Slave of unhollowed lust; Against such odds, to raise up souls from dust; Does not thy conscience smite thee, thus to have given Eight souls to hell and only two to Heaven? If human nature be indeed so base, Why do you thus perpetuate the race? Either the doctrines taught by thee are evil, Or thou art but a panderer to the devil, Oh how can peace witin thy bosem swell Recruiting sergeant to the ranks of hell? Go then enlarge your schem for man's salvation, Or, else, in God's name, cease your propagation." +++++++++++++++++ MR. LINCOLN ARRIVES IN CLEVELAND. February 15, 1861 at 4 o'clock p.m. Mr Abraham Lincoln arrived in Cleveland from Pittsburg by the C.& P. R.R., on his way to Washington to assume his duties as President. As the train was sighted the Cannon began to boom. A great con- course of people had assembled at the Euclid Avenue station, and down Euclid Avenue to the Weddell House. Mr. Lincoln was placed in an open carriage drawn by four white horses. The Cleveland Grays, four artillery companies, the Cleveland Light Dragoons, Phoenix Engine Company No. 4. and a large number of carriages, formed the procession. The weather was raw and the streets covered with mud and snow. Te hotel was reached about five o'clock, where twenty-four rooms had been reserved for Mr. Lincoln and his party. Soon after arriving at the Weddell, the President-elect appeared on the balcony. Hon. I.U. Masters, President of the City Council, on behalf of the city, and Hon. Sherlock J.Andrews, on behalf of the Citizens' Committee, delivered addresses of welcome. Mr. Lincoln in his reply said that there was no reason why any portion of the Union should bet excited, and intimated that nothing would be done by his administration calculated to interfere with the lawful rights of the Southern people. He called upon the people to stand by the Union, saying, " If all don't join now to save the good old ship of the Union this voyage, nobody will have a chance to pilot her on another voyage." After his speech several bouquets and floral wreaths were presented him. In the evening there was a general reception. Gen. John Crowell, nearly as tall as Mr. Lincoln, and Col. George Mygatt, presented the people. The Grays acted as bodyguard and kept order in the hotel. Mr. Lincoln left on the morning train for Buffalo, the Grays forming an escort to the Union depot. The line of march was down Superior Street, Union Lane and River Street. Messrs. George S. Benedict and H.S. Whittlesey headed a party of young men, about forty in number, on horseback, who, placing young Robert T. Lincoln on a fine horse, escorted him in procession to the Weddell House. In the morning he rode to the depot in the carriage with Mr.Wm. Edwards and Mr.Neil Dennison, the latter of Columbus. Thus the great and beloved Abraham Lincoln came to visit, honoring our city and people, and went from Cleveland to his all important duties. We are greatly honored Mr. President ! ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Tid Bits to be continued in part 56.