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PAGE SIX Editor’s Note—This is one of a series of articles to appear in the Bluffton News dealing with early Ohio history. Others will appear in forthcoming issues. Ohio’s First Fourth of July Then it rained—suddenly, abun dantly and at the worst possible time. From daybreak till noon the skies were sunny, the weather warm and the day ideal. Then, just at high noon, when a bugle was calling all celebrants to the long plank tables, groaning un der their weight of all the delicacies of the forest, stream and newly made garden, the rains descended. It was a downpour. So, like most of the Independence Days that followed it through the years up to now, the first Fourth of July celebration in Ohio got its duck ing. It was July 4, 1788, first observ ance of Independence Day in the Northwest Territory and twelfth in the nation. The first settlers at Mar ietta were “keeping the law”—the statute enacted just a few days after their arrival April 7 that year, mak ing observance of Independence Day, “Settlement Day” and a few other holidays mandatory. On the boats that had comedown the Muskingum during the past three months had been the wives of many of the original 48 men and all the new families the small and in frequent craft could carry. The Fourth of July dinner that weighted the long and wide festal board in the clearing that day was an appetizing one—the pioneer housewives had seen to that. There was venison, barbecued buffalo steaks bear meat wild turkey fish —and a little pork, the rarest and choicest luxury of all. Now about the fish. One was a six-foot pike weighing more than 100 pounds—the largest ever caught by white men, it was said. That pike had been speared in the Muskingum River by Gilbert Devoll and his son, Gilbert Jr.. Because of the feared falling of caterpillars the great table had been set in the cleared space instead of under the leafy buckeyes and syca mores and so had no shelter at all. The rain Jasted only a half-hour. When :t was over and the sun again smiled, the viands were put back on the table and the pioneers had their Fourth of July dinner, a bit the worse for its wetting but appetizing just the same. The celebration had begun with the firing of the Federal salute at daybreak by the cannons at Ft. Har mar. Music for the day was furnish ed by the bugles, bass and kettle drums of the garrison. It amounted to but little—all they could play were bugle calls and the long roll. At one o’clock, after the great fish-bones were picked clean, the address of the day began. It was de livered by James M. Varnum, one of the newly-elected judges of the Territory. After dinner, too, a number of toasts were drunk. Some of themi Every meal will be more exciting—when you have one of the new 1947 Servel Gas Refrig erators. For its big clear-across Frozen Food Locker holds a bushel of frozen foods—to provide you such out-of-season delicacies as strawberries, asparagus, spring chickens, all year round. For fresh foods, the new Servel has both moist-cold and dry-cold protection. Two dew action fresheners actually crisp up garden vegetables, keep fruits fresh and appetizing. were to George Washington, Arthur St. Clair, the Northwestern Terri tory—and can you imagine this one today?—to Congress. Then came the toast of the army and navy—“To our wives and sweethearts: May our sweethearts be our wives and our wives ever be our sweethearts.” One, to “the ami able partners of our delicate pleasures” also appeared to have been pointed the direction of the wives. Several Indians were present and enjoyed the festivities—all except ing the firing of the cannon. “To an Indian,” one officer from the fort, who was at the celebration pointed out: "the roar of a cannon is as dis agreeable as a rope to a thief or broad daylight to one of your made up beauties.” From this the writer gathers that the rain that day wash ed off no lipstick. Did the celebrants have a good time? The narrator continued: “Pleased with the entertainment, we kept it up until after twelve o’clock at night then went home and slept till daylight.” Fireworks? The account ended: “A great illumination at Fort Har mar closed the ceremonies of the day.” That, dear readers, is an authentic account of the first Fourth of July public celebration ever held in w’hat now* is Ohio—more than 159 years ago. It is like lifting the veil of cob webs from before an obscure past to tell you this, but all good news paper accounts of such an occasion must have their “among those pres ent” highlights. Here it is: Young Daniel Mayo, Harvard graduate who came from Boston, and Bathsheba Rouse, daughter of John Rouse, from New Bedford, Mass., were there. Both were schoolteachers —the first in the settlement and first in Ohio. He taught the larger pupils at Farmer’s Castle, opposite Marietta, and she, the kids at Belpre, next year. They were paid out of the $150 appropriated for support of the schools in the three settlements. Rev. William Breck, wrho preached the first sermon in Ohio twenty-five days after the celebration Mary Lake, a Revolutionary War nurse, who organized the first Sunday school in the state Isaac and Re THE becca Williams, a squatter family from across the Ohio River Elijah Backus, who lived on the island he sold to Blennerhassett 10 years later incidentally, Herman and Mar garet Blennerhassett called the is land Eden until Aaron Burr tried to crash it in 1805. Nathaniel and Lucretia Saltonstall, from New London, Conn. He was a soldier of the Revolution Charles and Lydia McKawen Stanton Pren tice and John Green, soldiers of the Revolution Joseph Barker, Thomas Corey, Andrew McClure, Thomas Lord, William Gridley (“Don’t shoot till you see the w’hites of their eyes, Major Gridley”), Ichabod Nye, their families and the Parsons, Danas, Battelles, Tylers, Trues, Lunts, Bridge’s, Moodys, Russells’s, Deav ens’s, Oakes’s, Whights, Cloughs, Shipmans, Dorrances’s, Maxons and Wells’s, who had come on later boats. “John Miller,” the w'hites’ name for one of the Indians there, later risked death at the hands of his tribe for warning the settlers about an imminent Indian attack. The above and the original 48 who came on the “Ohio Mayflower,” and their families, w-ere those who cele brated Ohio’s first Fourth of July. And it had to rain! Richland Center Rev. and Mrs. E. T. Dailey of Ada spent Sunday afternoon at the Dwight Dailey home.. Miss Theressa Slusser was an evening caller.. Mr. and Mrs. Warren Moser and son Donivan were Sunday dinner guests of Mr. and Mrs. Dana Moser. Miss Mary Gehres of Chicago and Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Yoakum and family spent Sunday evening w*ith Mr. and Mrs. Otto Amstutz. Misses Linda and Louise Core spent a few days last week with their grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Gratz. Mrs. Glen Cool and Miss Mabie Cool of Beaverdam spent Saturday afternoon with Mr. and Mrs. Ray mond Matter and family. Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Chidester and family spent Sunday evening with Mr. and Mrs. Harold Jump and family of Ada. Charter Service To Any Place in U. S. A. Pleasure Hops Flying Lessons In a Hurry? Rent a Plane at Bluffton Flying Service BLUFFTON AIRPORT Telephone 588-W SERVEL HOLDS A BUSHEL OF FROZEN FOODS Mr. and Mrs. Wilford Gratz and And the big Servel meat keeper protects meat tenderness for days. Shelves give extra room iness because they adjust to eleven difierent positions. Famous for silence, the Servel Gas Refrig erator is the only refrigerator with no moving parts in its freezing system. Instead, a tiny gas flame does ths work. More than two mil lion happy owners have proved Servel stays silent, lasts longc r. Come see the new Servels on display today. UFFTON NEWS. BLUFFTON, daughter Sharon were Thursday evening supper guests of Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Schaublin. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Moser and John Burkey of Berne, Ind., and Miss Judith Bixel of Ft. Wayne spent the week end at the Amos Gerber home. Other Saturday evening supper guests were Mr. and Mrs. Robert Gerber and family and Mrs. Frank Burkholder. Sunday all were dinner guests of Mr. and Mrs. Cal Garmatter and family. Mrs. Wm. Amstutz and son w’as also a guest. Miss Patsy and Ray Schaublin are spending this week with their grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Schaublin. Mr. and Mrs. Will Gratz, Mr. and Mrs. George Gratz and son Gene of Allen, Mich., Mr. and Mrs. Max Miller and Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Gratz were Sunday evening supper guests of Mr. and Mrs. Lee Coon. Mr. and Mrs. W. L. Keeney and daughters Fannie, Marion and Mar tha of Brownsville, Pa., are visiting a few days with their daughter, Mrs. George Myers and family. Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Gratz call ed Sunday evening on Mr. and Mrs. Hershel Moser and family. Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Hilty and daughter of Chicago, Mr. and Mrs. Philip Hilty and daughter Minerva left Saturday for a western sight seeing trip and also to visit their son Gordon and family at Denver, Colo., and Mr. Hilty’s brother Adam Hilty and family at Colfax, Wash. Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Gratz were Sunday dinner guests of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Core and family. Mr. and Mrs. Sam Boegli and Mrs. Dessie Althaus of Gilboa called Sunday evening on Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Gratz. Mr. and Mrs. Leri Badertscher and daughter Janet of New’ Wash ington, called on Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Schaublin, Sunday forenoon. Mr. and Mrs. Earl Matter and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Roily Moser and sons and Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Matter spent Friday evening with Safe and profitable work! ThatA. the reason why *e can payliberal earnings,^ OHIO We will gladly handle your savings account by mail...no need For you to make trips in person to our office. Mr. and Mrs. Wilford Gratz and daughter Sharon. LaFayette Mrs. Ida May Henkle was a week end guest of Mr. Willis Klingler of Kenton. Miss Ruth Scoles of Lima was a week end guest of Miss Lillian Desenberg. Mrs. Glenn Bullock of Findlay was a Sunday guest of Mrs .Louise Cloore. Paul Hyduke of Fairport Harbor, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Binkley and daughter Carolyn of Chicago were recent guests of Mrs. Bertha Desen berg and Miss Lillian Desenberg. Mrs. Adah Hall entertained the CBC club at her home, Thursday evening. Mrs. Ida May Henkle spent Mon day and Tuesday w'ith her brother, Marion Lones of Findlay.- Poultrymen are becoming more and more suspicious of visitors as Newcastle disease spreads across the country. Fow’l paralysis, fowd typhoid and other infectious diseases can be transported by people or vehicles traveling from farm to farm. THE CITIZENS LOAN AND BUILDING COMPANY LIMA, OHIO. FREE SHOWS For Your Home— New Asphalt Shingle Roof All Colors Every Tuesday and Friday Nite at Van's Corner Routes 69 and 30N Everyone Welcome IT’S HERE NOW— Wte-Neiu MASSEY-HARRIS "30" Beautiful Fireproof Long Wearing. Our plan gives you up to 3 years to pay. Estimate Without Obligation. J. A. Leatherman The Sheet Metal Man 107 S. Main Street Phone 152-W Bluffton After 6 P. M. we can be reached at 120 Madison Ave., Findlay. Findlay ghone 1525 Our attractive earnings on your savings en courage systematic thrift. You mqy start your savings account with as little as $1 or as much as $5000, adding to your account or withdraw ing as you wish. Ms-ie fart. tfO-uA Motieq,! In the new Massey-Harris "30" you’ll get full-2-plow power $or every farm job—plus all the money-saving features and time-saving con veniences that will make your farming more profitable fajr easier. Hsavy-duty 4-cylinder engine—162 cubic inch displacement—iq a high compression unit with a reputation for taking maximum energy from ever/ gallon of gasoline. Full 2-plow power top efhcieqpy peak performance no matter how tough the going—that's the return you can expect on your investment when you decide on a Massey Harris ”30.'' Regularly equipped with self-starter, "Velvet-Ride” seat, quick responsive steering, full-width platform, belt pulley, P.T.O. shaft, and a score of other farm-proved advantages—the model "30T has everything you've wanted and needed for high-production fanning. 5 PRACTICAL SPEEDS Same husky 5-speed transmission as is used in the new 3-plow models provides the right working speed for every job. On 10-38 tires, speeds are: 2.58, 3.61, 4.51, 6.31, 12.67, and 2.93 m.p.h. reverse. Plowing, disc ing, cultivating, spreading or hauling—there's a practical speed to get your work done faster more efficiently. Get the facts and you'll get a Massey-Harris "30" for your farm. See us soon for detailed information. reuiui 'WSL’RED FULL R-PLOW POWER BLUFFTON FARM EQUIPMENT CO. E. F. Schmidt, Prop. Massey-Harris Sales & Service 105 E. Elm Street Bluffton phone 260-W Open Saturday Evenings Remember, Moisey-Horris ownership is a mark of good farm management-— LEGAL NOTICE Thomas B. Carney, who resides at 817 Thirty-fifth Street, Cairo, in the State of Illinois, will take notice that on May 29, 1947 the Plaintiff, Martha M. Carney filed her peti tion against him in the Court of Common Pleas, Allen County, Ohio, the same being case number 87825. The prayer of said Peii tlori is for divorce, alimony and other equi table relief and said Defendant is required to answer said Petition on or before 'the 17th day of July, 1947. Martha M. Carney By Howard Everett. Her Attorney 12 Scissors and Shears Scissors and shears are designed for different uses. Scissors gener ally are smaller—blades are three to six inches long with sharp points and both handles alike. They are made for snipping and trimming. Shears, which are designed for cut ting fabric, are ordinarily six to thirteen inches long, have one blade heavier than the other, and handles differently shaped. Incidentally, both right-handed and left-handed shears are on the market. Concrete Drain Tile In 4-5-6-8-Inch Sizes Orders filled in rotation as receivi Place your order now if you expect delivery later. Bluffton Cement Bic ck, Inc. Phone 213-W or 365-W FEED MEM MASTER MIX CONCEflTRATES! Tour feeding problems can be answered by your local Master Mix Dealer. His”Own Brand’*of feeds made from Master Mix Complete Concentrates—or local grains mixed accord ing to the Master Mix Mixing Program assures you of top quality feeds that pro- dace results economically. Continuing research in the Biological Laboratory of McMillen Feed Mills means that Master Mix Dealers are •’out in front** on any new nutritional and manage ment practices. THURSDAY, JULY 3, 1947 Woodlot and forest owners in the Muskingum Valley are cutting tim ber at twice the annual growth rate. Such woodlot management will re duce the future forest income and al so the quality of the timber. ELECTRICAL WIRING Repaired and Installed Electric Stoves Installed Estimates without obligations New Etefctric Water Pumps for Sale Outdoo Davenport and Chair Se s, New.... $20.95 EUGI SNE HAAS Box 51, Bluffl Beaverdam, Ohio on phone 532-G ME, TOO----- I providing rfs MASTER MIX/ LOCAL GRAIN Feeds, Fertilizer, Grain and Custom Grindii It’s results that count. PHONE 317-W MASTER FEED MH Leland W. Basinger ALL DEAD STOCK REMOVED We Pay $5 for Horses $3 for Cows BUCKEYE REDUCTION COMPANY, Findlay,! Ohio Phone MAIN 475 Collect ♦Anrsf’ eerteaeaf* MASTER MIX CONCENTRATES &__23X BRANCH OF FOSTORIA ANIMaL PRODUCTS. INC. I MASTER COMPLETE CONCENTRATES i FELDS If I w METHIO-VITE