Do you still read the paper? I do. I miss the morning paper with my cup of coffee. Oh well!!!! I guess we will have to get used to reading the paper “on-line” and hope we don’t spill the coffee on the lap-top. I have chosen some news from the Wilmington News Journal in 1913 and it has been only one hundred twelve years.

The first article appears to be a hotly contested election for the office of the village marshal of Clarksville. The two candidates for marshal were Tom Smith and Frank Gray. Mr. Gray was declared the winner by one vote. Mr. Smith alleges that there were ballots thrown out that should have been counted. Members of the non-partisan committee chosen to review the ballots were Fred Mitchell, Republican: Wilbur S. Oglesbee, Democrat; and W. S. Wallace, Progressive. The Board of Elections ordered Clarksville not to destroy the ballots until the issue is resolved.

The next item may be mostly for the ladies. The question becomes how many is enough? The ad said, “You will never regret getting a plentiful supply of nightgowns at forty-nine cents each.” We may imagine a husband asking how many she would need. After all, you could wear only one at a time.
The County Commissioners and the Infirmary Superintendent are well-pleased over their success with potatoes this year which has been a very poor year for most folks. The Infirmary has stored away 375 bushels of fine Irish potatoes and over 50 bushels of sweet potatoes.

Did you know that almost every child has worms? Paleness, sometimes having a flushed face, hunger, and picking the nose can indicate this condition. Kickapoo Worm Killer is a reliable, thorough medicine for the removal of all kinds of worms from children and adults. It comes in a pleasant candy form, aids digestion, and increases the action of the liver. Kickapoo Worm Killer makes children happy and healthy. Check with your local druggist for availability.

If you have purchased an automobile it is now going to cost extra says the local tax department. Judge Kinkead has handed down a decision to the effect that the law licensing automobiles is unconstitutional. The judge feels the legislature “blundered ridiculously” in passing such a tax law. The income from such tax law is to be used for the building and maintenance of roads. Does this mean they may be able to tax horses according to their weight or wagons by how much they are hauling?

Kitty Foos was the wife of Rodney Foos who worked in our courthouse for many years. We have her family history here in the library and is part of the lineage of the Abraham Ellis family. In her article she mentions that it was illegal to publish the English Bible in the colonies as the King’s printers had a monopoly on the printing of the English Bible. The first edition of the German Lutheran Bible was printed in Germantown, Pennsylvania by Christopher Saur in 1743. John Eliot printed the Bible for the Indians in 1764.

The exhibit marks the 160th anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln’s assassination and explores the Civil War through the lens of local stories and artifacts, including the county’s connections to the Underground Railroad. The display features an interactive “smell station” that highlights 160-year-old odors to engage guests in a multi-sensory way.

“This award is a tremendous honor for our organization,” said Shelby Boatman, executive director of the Clinton County History Center. “It reflects the dedication of our staff and volunteers who’ve worked to ensure this important story was not only told, but experienced in a way that connects the past directly with today’s audiences.”

The award will be officially presented during the OLHA Region 8 Meeting in March 2026.

The public can tour the seasonal display through Dec. 27. In March, the museum will unveil a new exhibit highlighting Clinton County’s role in America’s 250th birthday.

The History Center, located at 149 E. Locust St., is open for tours from 1 to 4 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. Larger groups can schedule private tours by calling 937-382-4684. More information is available at clintoncountyhistory.org.

These short character descriptions are only a snippet of what visitors can learn about each dearly departed community member during the Talking Tombstones tour. Character actors will share a 5- to 10-minute story of each local individual’s history.

The historical figures and those portraying them:

• Catharine Kline was the first person buried at Sugar Grove Cemetery; she died of tuberculosis at the age of 18 or 19. Catharine is being portrayed by Emila Knisley.

• Albert Israel Bailey helped to found Champion Bridge Company and Irwin Auger Bit, while also notably serving as director of Farquhar Furnace, president of Clinton County National Bank and heavily involved with the development of Bailey Hall at Wilmington College. A.I. is being played by Shane Breckel.

• Matthew Rombach, born and raised in Germany, settled in his 1850s historic home located in Wilmington before becoming one of the largest landowners. Rombach began investing in numerous causes and businesses, including a bakery downtown and held occupations via the Census ranging from farmer to stock dealer, banker, and eventually back to farmer. Ron Johnson will be portraying Matthew Rombach.

• Former Clinton County Commissioner Charles Skimming and his wife Martha were well known Wilmingtonians during their lifetimes, having resided in the stately white house on the hill near the former high school on Locust Street. Charles was active in farming land in Union Township until he was struck by a rusty nail that resulted in blood poisoning. Charles and Martha will be portrayed by Jonathan McKay and his future sister-in-law, Molly Boatman.

• Cush Leech, son of slaves, obtained his freedom and became well known in the Wilmington area and close friends with R.E. Doan’s family. Prior to the Civil War, while traveling through Jamestown, he was apprehended by slave catchers who refused to believe he was a free man. A group of local Quakers acted quickly to ensure a several hundred dollar fine was paid and escorted him back to Wilmington to ensure his safe passage. A Quaker Friend will be sharing Cush’s life story secondhand. This Quaker will be portrayed by Ethan Powles.

• Sugar Grove was originally designed and layout by Prussian-born immigrant, Leo Weltz. Both he and his wife, Elizabeth Anna Weltz, called Wilmington home for many years despite their early lives in Europe. Leo and Anna will be portrayed by Michael & Rebecca Cooper.

• Former Mayor, Congressman, and Secretary of State Charles Q. Hildebrant, as well as his wife, Adda, will be portrayed by Fred and Susan Ertel who have resided in the Hildebrant Family Home on S. South Street for some years.

• Robert Wickersham, originally from Pennsylvania, was a Clinton County home builder in his early life. One of his most recognizable structures still stands today, 175 years later, as the History Center’s museum. Robert is being portrayed by Community Band Director, Eric Stanton.

• Front gate “ghosts” who help to prepare guests for their tours will be portrayed by Shirley Pricket, Vicki Wilson, and Addie Mattingly.

All characters are being historically costumed and outfitted by Linda Rinehart. The Cycling Without Age trishaw, supported by the Clinton County Trails Coalition, will be available at no cost for various time slots for those with limited mobility.

To learn more, please visit https://clintoncountyhistory.org/talkingtombstones2025/ or call the History Center at 937-382-4684. To purchase tickets please click here. Day-of tickets will be available for purchase at the gates of Sugar Grove Cemetery. Tickets are priced at $25 for non-members and $20 for members, with children 12 or younger admitted free with a paying adult. A new student discount rate of $10 is available to those currently in school up through university level.

Self-guided walking tours begin every half hour between 9:30am and 1:00pm. A variety of additional cemetery history and symbolism will also be shared in each participant’s event brochure. This event serves as one of the History Center’s main fundraisers annually.

When collecting information for articles, I found some items about dreams.  I found some in deed books of Clinton County and some in early newspapers.  It seems at times there are such great dreams, but sometimes dreams fade away.  Some last longer than others.

The Ballou Association of Universalists Agreement of Incorporation appeared in Clinton County Deed Book Z.  In checking history, I find there was at one time a congregation of the Universalist faith in Blanchester, Ohio.  The document is dated September 2, 1852.  Present for the organization of the association was Wm. L. Griffith who was appointed Chairman and S. Renner was appointed Clerk.  Several resolutions were written regarding organization of the group.  One of the resolutions stated there should be five trustees, one treasurer, one clerk, and other officers as provided in the agreement.  Those persons elected to serve were Wm. M. Baldwin, Wm. McFerron, Wm. Terwillinger, Wm. L. Griffith, A. D. Durham, and Gilman Rennor.  This document was filed at the courthouse August 25, 1855.  It was approved by James E. Johnson, Recorder of Clinton County.

There were many dreams of wealth in the 1850’s as the railroad boom was building and shares were rapidly being sold to those who could afford to buy.  Many made money but there were more who joined a venture that never materialized and quite often ended in bankruptcy.

One of those dreams was the Cincinnati, Wilmington, and Zanesville Railroad.  Stockholders met at Circleville on May 15, 1851 for the purpose of electing seven directors.  Stock represented at the meeting was 17,402 shares with the money value estimated to be $874,100.00.  The following directors were chosen.  F. Corwin and L. Fitzhugh represented Clinton County.  D. McLain represented Fayette County.  W. Griswald represented Pickaway County.  W. Medill and D. Tallmage represented Fairfield County and D. H. Lyman represented Muskingum County.  I have found no further reference to this dream as the agreement was to hire “efficient engineers” as soon as possible so contractors could be chosen and work begun “the following Spring.”  I wonder how many folks in those counties lost money.

Building and maintaining roads to get from one town to another was usually a very contentious and expensive project.   The landowners wanted the roads but did not want to give up their land for the right-of-way.  It was also very expensive for them as they were often responsible for maintaining the road across their property.  All able-bodied men were expected to donate a certain number of hours and records were usually kept by the township trustees.  Fines or jail time could be levied if they did not provide their hours.

In the Democrat and Herald published April 13, 1838 a notice was published regarding a turnpike coming to Clarksville.  The project was called the Cincinnati, Montgomery, Hopkinsville, Rochester, and Clarksville Turnpike Company.  On June 18, 1838 proposals were to be presented at Hopkinsville in Warren County.  Sometimes these roads could be financed by stockholders and all or a portion of the road would become a toll road.  I do not know if this might have been near U. S. 22 of today but it sounds like some of the same towns.  Some dreams do come true.

Created in 1927, the sculpture was part of the Harvey family’s private collection until the artist’s third wife, Edith Harvey, gifted it to Clinton-Massie Local Schools in 1964. The gift honored the opening of the newly built high school, which was formed by the consolidation of the Kingman, Harveysburg, Adams and Clarksville high schools. The piece has been at the Lebanon Road location for 62 years.

Harvey (1860-1957) was a native of Clinton County, born in Ogden, Ohio. He lived much of his life in a home built by his family just a few miles from the current Clinton-Massie campus. He was renowned for his animal sculptures and paintings, with works shown at institutions such as the Paris Salon and the Pan-American Exposition. Harvey died in 1957 and is buried near his childhood home at Springfield Meeting Cemetery on Todd’s Fork Road.

“We are grateful to Clinton-Massie Local Schools for making this treasured piece of art accessible to the public for the next year,” said Shelby Boatman, executive director of the History Center. “It’s a remarkable connection between our county’s educational history and its artistic heritage.”

The loan is a collaboration between the school district and the History Center to preserve and share the county’s artistic legacy.

The sculpture can be viewed during regular museum hours. For more information, visit www.clintoncountyhistory.org or call the History Center at 937-382-4684.

The open house will be held from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the History Center, located at 149 E. Locust St. The time capsule is scheduled to be unsealed at 1:30 p.m. Light refreshments, including cake, punch and snacks, will be provided.

The company’s story began in the 1880s when Lewis C. Achor, a Civil War veteran from Green Township, developed the idea for a solid-center auger bit. Blacksmith William M. Demitt patented the design in 1884 and later assigned half the rights to Charles H. Irwin.

Irwin traveled to Wilmington in 1885 and persuaded businessmen to form the Irwin Auger Bit Company, which was incorporated on Oct. 1, 1885. The firm began in leased space at the Champion Iron Bridge Company and went on to become a global leader in tool manufacturing. The company later joined American Tool Companies in 1985 and Stanley Black & Decker in the 2000s.

In 2000, employees of the Wilmington plant, which was then under American Tool Companies, filled a repurposed popcorn tin with mementos from the era. The time capsule was donated to the Clinton County History Center in 2017 with instructions to open it 25 years later. The contents are expected to reflect the company’s craftsmanship and the sense of community among its employees.

“All former Irwin Auger Bit employees, their families, and community members are invited to join us for this historic moment,” said Shelby Boatman, executive director of the History Center. “We can’t wait to discover what was deemed important enough to be preserved for a quarter century.”

The History Center is also encouraging attendees to bring donations of Irwin Auger Bit items, such as photographs, documents or memorabilia, to be added to the museum’s permanent collection.

The time capsule opening is free and open to the public. For more information, contact the History Center at 937-382-4684.

In the Clinton Republican published April 19, 1861 I found an unusual Sabina ordinance. Is it still on the books? Be it ordained by the Council of the Incorporated Village of Sabina that it shall be unlawful for the owner or owners of any hog or hogs to permit them to run at large within the corporate limits of the village and any person or persons offending shall be liable to the penalties provided. The Marshall shall take charge of all hogs running loose and attempt to find the owner. If the owner is not found, the Marshall shall sell them as provided by law. Any person found to own any of the hogs shall be charged a reasonable fee for keeping or taking care of them. The fee shall be collected by the Marshall.

There really were horse thieves. In the Clinton Republican published June 27, 1851 it reads: “On last Monday night, two fine young horses were stolen from the farm of Mr. Cornellius B. Bloom, about three miles East of Wilmington.” On Tuesday several neighbors started to search for the horses. On Wednesday Mr. John W. Laughead, one of the men in pursuit, notified authorities that he had possession of the horses and the thief. A man who had claimed to be Edward Jones was found to really be Elijah Metts. He was tried and convicted and sentenced to five years in the penitentiary.

In the Clinton Republican published February 7, 1851 the headline read: Port William Counterfeiters. According to the article the persons charged were David D. Adair and Peter Stephens. Adair used his father, James Adair, as his bail. A short time later warrants were issued for James Adair, Eli B. Smith, and Cyrus Johnson. Adair and Smith took off. Cyrus Johnson, the only one remaining, was examined before Esquire Sewell and his bail was set at $400.00.

Another bunch of counterfeiters!!! The article reads: On Thursday of last week two men calling themselves George Buchanan and Lewis Jenkins stopped in Bloomington. A small purchase was made and shortly after they left, it was determined that the bill was counterfeit. It was a ten-dollar bill on the State Bank of Ohio. A warrant was issued and the men were overtaken in Greene County where they were staying for the night. A warrant was obtained and when their pockets were searched it was found they had in their possession $480.00 of counterfeit money. “The scamps were brought back to this county, examined, and committed to jail to await the approaching Term of our Court.”

An ordinance was passed in Port William April 18, 1861 that prevented the sale of “spiritous or intoxicating liquors” within the corporation of Port William. Be it ordained by the Council of Port William that if any person shall sell, vend, or give away these products for any reason other than medicinal or mechanical purposes, they shall appear before the Mayor and be fined a sum of not more than $50.00 or less than $5.00 plus cost of prosecution and imprisoned in the County jail not exceeding ten days. No part of this ordinance shall be construed as to prevent any person from selling or giving wine for sacramental purposes.

While the goal of this Request for Information (RFI) is to solicit information, capabilities, and redevelopment strategies from qualified firms and individuals that may be interested in responding to a future Request for Proposals, no formal qualifications are required to respond to this RFI.

“At this stage, creative thinking, community orientation, and feasibility are just as valued as technical expertise,” said Alex Beres, Executive Director of the Clinton County Port Authority. “A project like the Masonic Building will need tremendous partnership and strategic capital to become fully redeveloped.”

The Masonic Building, dedicated in 1913 for use by Masonic Lodge No. 52, has seen many changes in its history. Designed by Frank Packard and constructed for $40,000 ($1.2 million in 2025 dollars), the 21, 480 square foot building quickly became a hub for economic activity. Centrally located in the heart of downtown Wilmington, the building has been home to retail, restaurant, office, and art studio space. The Port Authority, through its DRIVE I, LLC subsidiary, acquired the building in October 2023. Additional information about the Wilmington DRIVE program can be found at https://www.chooseclintoncountyoh.org/doing-business/wilmington-drive.

Experienced developers, investors, firms, and historic preservation consultants interested in submitting information can find the full RFI at https://bit.ly/28WMainRFILongForm. Site visit walkthroughs can be scheduled for August 1 or August 8, 2025, by contacting Tom Perry with CDC of Ohio at thomasjperry@att.net. RFI responses are due August 22, 2025.

“Our hope is that the information we receive in response to this RFI will better inform the next steps and identify potential partners for the Masonic Building,” Beres added.

The article published in the Wilmington News Journal July 9, 1879 gave an hourly account of the celebration of July 4, 1879. It was cited as a “glorious parade”. Sometimes it does the heart good to look at early events and appreciate things which brought people together and made them smile. It is described as “the largest crowd ever gathered in Wilmington”. The event was held at the site of the present fair ground.

The weather was beautiful and some folks were there as early as 7:30 A.M. and stayed “until the last dog was hung”. The decorations were outstanding – all in red, white, and blue. There was great anticipation in waiting for the arrival of the 8:30 A.M. train to bring some of the “fine entertainment”. At 8:25 A.M. the Denver Guards and Custer Guards headed by the Wilmington Cornet Band marched down the street to the depot. Shortly before the train arrived General Denver, “riding a fine bay horse”, rode down South Street wearing his full Brigadier General uniform. “It was a sight to behold and represented well the atmosphere of the event”.

“When the train arrived, it brought the Circleville Guards and the Sabina Band. The Circleville boys soon formed into line and joined the procession”. While the military were waiting, Quartermaster H. F. Walker came. Major Anderson of the Sixth Regiment was also on the train. General Denver, Major Anderson, Sergeant Major Egbert, and Quartermaster Walker headed the military and all moved down the street with the Wilmington Band in the lead. The next stop was City Hall.

About 11:00 A.M. marching orders were given. Chief Marshal of the day, James Hackney, was assisted by Henry Barlow and Calvin Babb. The order of the parade was the Wilmington Band, General Denver and Staff, Circleville Guards, Waynesville Guards, Custer Guards, Denver Guards, Base Ball Clubs, Fire Company, hose carriages, and a cannon drawn by small boys. After arriving at the Fairground, the program began. C. B. Dwiggins, Esq., read the Declaration of Independence. Dr. Welch, James Henry, and N. L. Linton were then in charge of festivities.

Several events followed. John McKecknie, David Taylor, Charles Dimmery, and Coleman Johnson competed in the two-mile race. John McKecknie won the silver cup. The next event was the sack race and the contestants were C. W. Brotherton, O. Hiatt, Preston Jeffers, and Clarence Moon. Clarence Moon won the cup. The “wheelbarrow event” was next. Clarence Moon, Preston Jefferies, Walter Hinman, Oliver Hyatt, Tom McDermott, David Jenks, Butler Babb, Arch. Anthony, Frank Frazure, L. C. Achor, Chas. Haynie, Ed VanHorn, Chas. Curl, and David Little competed. Butler Babb took the prize. The pole-climbing event created a lot of interest. A silver cup had been placed on top of the pole. The pole was liberally “soaped” and the competition began. Two of the contestants were Kearney Grantham and Charley Dimmery. In the end, Kearney Grantham got to the top and claimed the silver cup.

Next came the feature of the day – the band contest. Five bands competed and the first prize was awarded to the Wilmington Cornet Band. (Could there have been a bit of hometown pride that influenced the judging?) The day ended with an exhibition of the steam fire engine which operated for about ten minutes. WHAT A DAY!!!!!!

Another interesting “railroad tale” is that of the Cincinnati and Eastern Railroad. In 1881 Stephen Feike of Brown County, Ohio purchased the Cincinnati and Eastern line with plans of extending the line for twelve miles and then to lay more track to extend the line to the Scioto River. He had paid approximately one million dollars for the line. (This Stephen Feike was a relative of the Clinton County Feike family.) He was already doomed to failure as the line was a “narrow gauge” and some of the other roads were already beginning to build the “standard gauge” used by present-day railroads. It seems his company may not have been paid for some of their work but in my book of reference there is no clear answer. During the years of 1850 to 1900 many folks saw buying railroad stock as a “sure path to wealth”. Alas, in 1883 Mr. Feike filed a suit in Clermont County, Ohio declaring bankruptcy and the lawsuits continued from there. In the meantime, the line ran through Hamilton, Clermont, Brown, Adams, and Scioto counties. When the time came “for the real trial,” it appears that many folks of financial means had purchased stock in the railroad and presented a problem seating a jury in the southern counties of Ohio. At that point in history the case was moved to Clinton County Common Pleas Court and was assigned as Case # 5542. Clinton County was the 4th Circuit Court and Judge Cherrington presided. Over the years other Clinton County judges were involved. In 1855 the railroad was worth three million dollars. In 1866 the value of the railroad remained at three million dollars and the value in today’s market would be more than one hundred million dollars. This case would probably be the largest dollar value of any other case tried in Clinton County. The book “Cincinnati and Eastern Railroad” is in our genealogy library.

The C & MV (Cincinnati and Muskingum Valley) railroad later became the Pennsylvania Railroad through Wilmington. It is presently the bike/walking trail. Information in the following article appeared in The Clinton Democrat on September 20, 1888. There had been a wreck on the C & MV and the Wilmington businesses who had lost merchandise were: J. H. Hale & Son, Walker & Hunt, H. Lembcke & Co., P. S. Maloy, Mitchell& Fristoe, G. R. Moon, Babb & Lewis, F. S. Broomhall, Champion Bridge Company, and M. Fife. The agent for the railroad was F. M. Reed and he urged the businesses to submit their damage claims and the railroad would reimburse them for their losses.