OHIO STATEWIDE FILES  OH-FOOTSTEPS Mailing List
***********************************************************************
USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any
format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons.
Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain
the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative
of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof
of this consent.  The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb 
Archives to store the file permanently for free access.
***********************************************************************

OH-FOOTSTEPS-D Digest                    Volume 99 : Issue 382

Today's Topics:
  #1 HAMILTON COUNTY - PART 10            [AUPQ38A@prodigy.com (MRS GINA M RE]
  #2 CHARLES W. SMITH - SOUVENIR SKETCH   [AUPQ38A@prodigy.com (MRS GINA M RE]
  #3 WILLIAM DYER - HAMILTON COUNTY       [AUPQ38A@prodigy.com (MRS GINA M RE]

------------------------------

X-Message: #1
Date: Fri, 11 Jun 1999 15:58:49, -0500
From: AUPQ38A@prodigy.com (MRS GINA M REASONER)
Subject: HAMILTON COUNTY - PART 10


HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS OF OHIO By Henry Howe, LL.D., 1898

                        HAMILTON COUNTY - part 10

        A WITCH STORY.  - About the year 1814, one of our most wealthy and
respectable farmers of Mill creek, who had taken great pains and expended
much money in procuring and propagating a fine breed of horses, was
unfortunate in losing a number of them, by a distemper which appeared to be
of a novel character. As the disease baffled all his skill, he soon became
satisfied that it was the result of witchcraft. Under that impression, he
consulted such persons as were reputed to have a knowledge of sorcery, or
who pretended to be fortune tellers. These persons instructed him how to
proceed to discover and destroy the witch. One of the experiments he was
directed to make was to boil certain ingredients, herbs, et cetera, over a
hot fire, with pins and needles in the cauldron, which, he was told, would
produce great mental and bodily distress in the witch or wizzard. He tried
that experiment, and while the pot was boiling furiously, placed himself in
his door, which overlooked the principal part of his farm, including the
field in which his horses were kept. It so happened, that, while standing
in the door, he saw his daughter-in-law, who lived in a cabin about eighty
rods from his own house, hastened to the spring for a bucket of water. His
imagination connected that hurried movement with his incantation so
strongly, that he immediately ordered his son to move his family from the farm.
        From some cause, he had formed an opinion that a Mrs. Garrison, an
aged woman in feeble health, fast sinking to the grave, living some eight
or ten miles from his farm, was the principal agent in the destruction of
his horses. He had frequently expressed that opinion in the neighborhood.
Mrs. Garrison had heard of it, and, as might be expected, her feelings were
injured and her spirits much depressed by the slanderous report. One of the
charms he had been directed to try was to shoot a silver bullet at a horse
while the witch was evidently in him. This he was told would kill the witch
and cure the animal. He accordingly prepared a silver ball, and shot it at
a very fine brood-mare which was affected by the distemper. The mare, of
course, was killed; and as it so happened, that, in a very short time
after, poor Mrs. Garrison died, the experiment was declared to be
successful, and the experimenter believes to this day that his silver
bullet killed the poor old woman. However that may be, his slanderous
report had a great effect on her health, and no doubt hastened her death.
-Burnet's Notes.
        EXPLOSION OF THE MOSELLE. -The new and elegant steamboat, Moselle,
Captain Perkin, left the wharf in Cincinnati, April 26, 1838 (full of
passengers), for Louisville and St. Louis; and with the view of taking a
family on board at Fulton, about a mile and a half above the quay,
proceeded up the river and made fast to a lumber raft for that purpose.
Here the family was taken on board; and, during the whole time of their
detention, the captain had madly held on to all the steam that he could
create, with the intention, not only of showing off to the best advantage
the great speed of his boat, as it passed down the river the entire length
of the city, but that he might overtake and pass another boat  which had
left the wharf for Louisville, but a short time previous. As the Moselle
was a new brag boat, and had recently made several exceedingly quick trips
to and from Cincinnati, it would not do to risk her popularity for speed,
by giving to another boat (even though that boat had the advantage of time
and distance) the most remote chance of being the first to arrive at the
destine port. This insane policy -this poor ambition of proprietors and
captains - has almost inevitably tended to the same melancholy results. The
Moselle had but just parted from the lumber raft to which she had been fast
-her wheels had scarcely made their first revolution -when her boilers
burst with an awful and astounding noise, equal to the most violent clap of
thunder. The explosion was destructive and heart-rendering in the extreme;
heads, limbs and bodies were seen flying through the air in every
direction, attended with the most horrible shrieks and groans from the
wounded and dying. The boat, at the time of the accident was about thirty
feet from the shore, and was rendered a perfect wreck. it seemed to be
entirely shattered as far back as the gentlemen's cabin; and her hurricane
deck, the whole length, was entirely swept away. The boat immediately began
to sink, and float with a strong current down the river, at the same time
receding farther from the shore - while the passengers, who yet remained
unhurt in the gentlemens and ladies cabins, became panic-struck, and most
of them with a fatuity which seems unaccountable, jumped into the river.
Being above the ordinary business parts of the city, there were no boats at
hand, except a few large and unmanageable wood-floats, which were carried
to the relief of the sufferers, as soon as possible, by the few persons on
the shore. Many were drowned, however, before they could be rescued and
many sunk, who were never seen afterwards. There was one little boy on the
shore who was seen wringing his hands in agony, imploring those present to
save his father, mother and three sisters -all of whom were struggling in
the water to gain the shore -but whom the little fellow had the awful
misfortune to see perish, one by one, almost within his reach; an infant
child, belonging to the family, was picked up alive, floating down the
river on one of the fragments of the hurricane deck.
        The boat sunk about fifteen minutes after the explosion, leaving
nothing to be seen but her chimneys and a small portion of her upper deck.
        The "Moselle" was crowded with passengers from stem to stern,
principally Germans, bound to St. Louis. Nearly all on board (with the
exception of those in the ladies cabin) were killed or wounded. Most of the
sufferers were among the hands of the boat and the steerage passengers. The
 captain was thrown by the explosion into the street and was picked up dead
and dreadfully mangled. Another man was forced through the roof of one of
the neighboring houses; the pilot was thrown about a hundred feet into the
air, whence he fell and found his grave in the river; and many were the
limbs and other fragments of human bodies which were found scattered about
upon the river and far along the shore. The number destroyed by the
explosion was estimated at over 200 persons.
        THE ASIATIC CHOLERA. -This dreaded pestilence first visited the
United States in 1832 and broke out in October of that year. The total
number of deaths by it in Cincinnati was as reported 351. [The most fatal
year of its visitation was in 1849, when out of population of 116,000 the
total deaths were 8,500. The deaths among the Germans and Irish were one in
sixteen persons and among the Americans one in fifty-six. The causes of
these results were doubtless owing to the different modes of living. The
greatest mortality was in the hot month of July, yet great fires were made
in some streets, but the disease went on with its fearful fatality and 'the
long funerals blackened all the way.']
        THE GREAT FRESHET OF FEBRUARY, 1832. -The Ohio river commenced
rising at this place about the 9th inst. On the 12th it began to swell over
the banks, and on the 14th many merchants and others near the river were
compelled to remove their goods to the second story of the houses. It
continued to rise rapidly till Saturday morning. February 18th, when it
came to a stand, having risen sixty-three feet above low water mark.
Differences of opinion exist as to its comparative height with the rises of
1792 and 1815. It is supposed to have been about five feet higher than in
1792 or 1815. About noon, on the 18th, it commenced falling very slowly,
and yet continues to fall. In the course of two or three days it probably
will be confined within its banks.
        The rise was of the most distressing character. It carried
desolation into all the lower parts of the city. Hundreds of families were
turned houseless upon the community. During the early part of the rise many
in the lower part of the city were awakened at night by the water pouring
in upon them and were obliged to fly; others betook themselves to the upper
stories and were brought away in boats the next morning. Many families
continue to reside in the upper part of their dwellings, making use of
boats in going from and returning to their stores and houses.
        We have heard of the death of but two individuals, Mr. John Harding
and Mr. William Aulsbrook; the former a man of family, the latter a single
man. They were in the employ of Mr. William Tift, of this city, and lost
their lives in endeavoring to keep the water out of his cellar. While at
work the back wall of the building gave way; the cellar filled in an
instant and they were unable to get out. They both were very worthy men.
        The water extended over about thirty-five squares of the thickly
settled part of the city, from John street on the west to Deer creek on the
east, and north to Lower Market and Pearl streets. The distance of about a
mile west of John street was likewise submerged. This part of the city,
however, is but thinly settled.
        The amount of damage sustained by merchants, owners of improved
real estate and others cannot be correctly ascertained. Many houses have
floated away, a great number have moved from their foundations and turned
over; many walls have settled so as to injure the houses materially, and a
great quantity of lumber and other property has floated off. The large
bridge over the mouth of Mill creek floated away, and that over Deer creek
is much injured. Thousands and tens of thousands of dollars worth of dry
goods, groceries, etc. have been destroyed or materially injured. Business
of almost every description was stopped; money became scarce, and wood and
flour enormously high.
        Active measures were taken by the citizens for the relief of the
sufferers. A town meeting was held at the council chamber on the 15th inst.
G.W. Jones was appointed chairman and Samuel H. Goodin secretary. On motion
a committee of fifteen (three from a ward) was appointed to take up
collections for the relief of the sufferers, consisting of the following
persons: E. Hulse, N.G. Pendleton, E.C. Smith, J.W. Gazlay, Jno. Wood, G.W.
Jones, W.G. Orr, W. Holmes, A. Owen, P. Britt, J. Resor, O. Lovell and G.C.
Miller.
        A committee of vigilance was also appointed whose duty it was to
remove persons and goods surrounded with water. The following persons
composed that committee; J. Pierce, Wm. Phillips, Saml. Fosdick, Wm.
Stephenson, Chas. Fox, Henry Tatem, I.A. Butterfield, Jas. McIntyre, N.M.
Whittemore, M. Coffin, Jas. McLean, J. Aumuck, J.D. Garard, A.G. Dodd and
Fullom Perry.
        T.D. Carneal, J.M. Mason, J.C. Avery, Chas. Fox and R. Buchanan
were appointed a committee to procure shelter for those whose houses were
rendered untenable. On motion it was resolved that persons who may need
assistance be requested to make application to the council chamber, where
members of the committee of vigilance shall rendezvous and where one or
more shall at all times remain for the purpose of affording relief. At a
subsequent meeting, twenty were added to the committee of vigilance.
        It gives us pleasure to state that the member of the foregoing
committees most faithfully discharged their respective duties. A provision
house was opened by the committee of vigilance, on Fourth street, where
meats, bread, wood, clothes, etc. were liberally given to all who applied.
The ladies supported their well-known character for benevolence by
contributing clothing and food to the sufferers. The committee appointed to
collect funds found the citizens liberal in their donations. All who had
vacant houses and rooms, cheerfully appropriated them to the use of those
made homeless. Public buildings, school-houses and basement stories of
churches were appropriated to this purpose. Mr. Brown, of the amphitheater,
Mr. Franks, proprietor of the gallery of paintings, Mr. R. Letton,
proprietor of the Museum, appropriated the entire proceeds of their houses,
the first on the night of the 17th; the second on the 18th, and the third
on that of the 20th, for the relief of the sufferers. The Beethoven society
of sacred music also gave a concert for the same purpose, in the Second
Presbyterian church, on Fourth street, on the night of the 24th.

        -continued in part 11

------------------------------

X-Message: #2
Date: Fri, 11 Jun 1999 15:59:03, -0500
From: AUPQ38A@prodigy.com (MRS GINA M REASONER)
Subject: CHARLES W. SMITH - SOUVENIR SKETCHES


BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL SOUVENIR
For the counties of Clark, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Jefferson, Jennings,
Scott, and Washington, Indiana.
John M. Gresham & Co., Chicago Printing Co., 1889 - Part II, page 186

        CHARLES W. SMITH, was born in Butler county, Pa., March 7, 1811,
and is a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Cunningham) Smith, the former a
native of Ireland. He emigrated to America and settled in Cumberland
county, Pa., where he married. Believing in Horace Greeley's advice to go
West, he came to Indiana, and after wandering around for a time, settled in
Harrison county, which was then almost a wilderness. Here the remainder of
his life was spent. Charles W., was reared on his father's farm and
received such education as was to be obtained in the country schools.
January 9, 1839, he was married to Miss Lavina Zenor, a daughter of John W.
Zenor, who was born in 1793, and married to Mary McIntosh. He was a man of
considerable prominence, and represented Harrison county several times in
the legislature. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1850;
died May 23, 1860. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have had three children, viz: John
Thomas, Mary Elizabeth and Eliza M. John T. received a collegiate
education, and served as assistant superintendent of schools, under
Superintendent Bloss, of Indianapolis. He secured a position as postal
clerk under President Garfield, from which he was promoted to clerkship in
the Adjutant General's office at Washington City, where he still is
engaged. After giving his children each a good education, and also a good
farm to start them in life, Mr. Smith still has sufficient of the world's
goods to make him and his good wife comfortable the remainder of their
days. They are exemplary members of the Presbyterian Church, and have been
for many years.

------------------------------

X-Message: #3
Date: Fri, 11 Jun 1999 15:58:54, -0500
From: AUPQ38A@prodigy.com (MRS GINA M REASONER)
Subject: WILLIAM DYER - HAMILTON COUNTY


BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL SOUVENIR
For the Counties of Clark, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Jefferson, Jennings,
Scott and Washington, Indiana.
John M. Gresham & Co., Chicago Printing Co., 1889 - part II, page 140

        WILLIAM DYER was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, ten miles north of
Cincinnati, March 22, 1814, and is a son of James and Rachel Dyer, who
emigrated from Ohio to Indiana in 1832, settling in Clark county. After the
family arrived in Indiana, William, the subject, was apprenticed to John
Kidwell to learn the cooper's trade. He was married August 11, 1838, to
Miss Elizabeth Johnson, and on the 11th of August, 1888, they celebrated
the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage. Mr. Dyer enlisted June 1, 1862,
and was discharged March 28, 1864, on account of disability.
        He was in Co. H, 28th Indiana Volunteer Infantry and saw hard
service as long as able to keep up. He was a drummer boy in enlisting
volunteers for the Mexican war for Gen. Joseph Lane. James Dyer, William's
father, was born in Delaware, and was a captain in the War of 1882, serving
in the same regiment of which Richard M. Johnson was the colonel. Cabb
Dyer, the subject's grandfather, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war,
and served under Gen. Washington. Elizabeth Johnson Dyer was the daughter
of John and Margaret Johnson, and was born in Marietta, Ohio, August 7,
1820. Her father was a very eminent physician of his day. In childhood he
was captured by the Indians and held a prisoner for seven years, and
finally made his escape. To Mr. and Mrs. Dyer have been born eight
children. Mr. Dyer and his venerable wife are living quietly and peacefully
together, waiting for the summons to their Heavenly Home. He is a prominent
Mason and served as master of his lodge several times.

--------------------------------

End of OH-FOOTSTEPS-D Digest V99 Issue #382
*******************************************