McBride Tavern, Woodville Twp. Sandusky County, Ohio

McBride Tavern,  Woodville Twp., Sandusky County

Michael McBride, born October 13th 1806, near Sugar Creek, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania,  was the son John and Nancy McBride who had immigrated to America from Ireland.  As a young man,  he worked as a stonecutter at Buffalo, New York.  At the age of 21,  he came to Ohio and contracted to build several sections of the  Maumee and Western Reserve Pike (now U.S. State Route 20). It was at this time that Ohio at last appropriated funds to make permanent improvements to the pike.  Culverts, ditches, and macadamizing were intended to transform the endless miles of mud from Lower Sandusky (now Fremont, Ohio) to Perrysburg, Ohio.

In 1839 Michael married a young Irish girl named Joanna Kaley.  In the spring of 1841, Michael purchased tract #102 which lies today in section 35 of Woodville Twp. As with most of the tracts, they were first surveyed in long narrow parcels. This particular tract contained 96 acres and was originally purchased from the federal government by John Hollister.  

The innkeeping business along the pike had flourished for the previous ten years due to the wave of people headed "west." But it was the thirty miles of road which spanned the distance between Fremont (then called Lower Sandusky) to Perrysburg, Ohio that proved to be the real boon for those hardy Black Swamp pioneers.  Frequently travelers stayed in the same tavern three nights running.  Initially, many residents opened their homes to the "movers." Others converted their homes into taverns.  The McBrides were no exception.   They too, entered the tavern business,  but Michael built a building specifically for innkeeping rather than his  home.

The inn was an imposing structure situated on the south side of the pike just east of Sugar Creek which passed through the tract.  It measured approximately 40 feet by 28 feet with the first floor containing a sitting room, dining room, family parlor, and kitchen. On the second floor another huge sitting room extended the full length of the front of the inn.  To the rear of the second floor were the guest rooms.  Two large fireplaces one on either end of the inn provided heat for both the first and second floor.  A full cellar with hand cut limestone walls held wine racks.  A two-story addition,  measuring 30 feet by 27 feet, was built on the rear of the inn.  It is possible the McBrides lived in this section.  Eventually it was used for buggy storage.  Fruit and grain were stored on the second floor. 

Michael's thrifty, hard working ways made him well-liked and respected by his predominantly German neighbors. The hey-dey of the turnpike taverns had passed by 1850, but Michael listed innkeeping as his occupation on the census that year.  He valued his holdings at $5,000.  He accumulated more than 400  acres of farmland.  Though it was poor, rocky soil and drainage remained a problem, Michael was able to hire numerous neighborhood teens to work at the tavern and in his fields.

All four of Michael and Joanna's children: James, John, Michael, and Margaret were born at the inn.  They attended St. Mary's Church in Woodville. It is unknown when the inn was closed and used only as a home,  but Michael remained on the farm until his death in 1890.  He was buried in the Catholic Cemetery adjacent to Woodville's Golden Hill.  Michael,  himself, had laid out this cemetery in 1854. 

Michael, Jr. eventually became the owner of the inn and maintained possession until it was sold out of the family.  The building's appearance remained unchanged through the years.  But in 1969,  proposed widening of Rte. 20 placed it on the demolition list.  Although the Clark family made a valiant effort to preserve it because of its historic  value,  this rare symbol of the pike's past met the fate of progress.  

*Several McBride descendants have posted a sketch of the above photograph on facebook.  The original of the photograph was taken by the G. O. Clark family. An article about the tavern appeared in the Toledo Blade, February 9,  1969.

Michael McBride

Courtesy of Find a Grave 

Bellevue, Ohio Flood 1883

 [from the Bellevue Local News, February 10, 1883]

The village of Bellevue has had one experience, during the past week, entirely new in its history. The oldest inhabitant, covering the period of 60 years, remembers nothing of the kind so extensive and disastrous as the flood that submerged a good part of town on Saturday night. Indeed the town is so situated, on the divide, between Huron and Sandusky rivers and 200 feet above the lake, as to make it appear almost a physical impossibility for anything of the kind to occur, in any amount, at least to be a disaster. But the storm of Friday night and Saturday was peculiar as in all its features. Saturday morning the whole country was one glare of ice. Trees were laden and many, especially peach trees, broke down under their load. The scene was grand and beautiful, even if mischievous. It began thawing toward noon, and, the rain falling in a steady pour upon ground impervious to a single drop, it ran off with great rapidity into sink-holes, our only sewerage, already choked by frost and snow. These rapidly filled leaving the surplus to seek other outlets in lower levels. Then, too, in 1877 an insignificant ditch was enlarged draining the Woodward tract, Morey and Hayward farms, a broad extent of prairie south of town, into the sink-hole on the Kinney farm, contiguous to the corporation line on the south. Kinney and DeYo objected to this, because it would flood their land. They also tried to enlist the town in the fight, because a surplus over the capacity of the sink there, must necessarily come into the village. The details of this we give in another place. Suffice it to say here the ditch was opened and although for five years no mischief, to us, resulted from it, now it came with an amount and disaster which the pen can but feebly depict.

Those people, several of them at any rate, residing in the low lying districts, were warned of its coming, but who could believe it? At least, no one did. After flooding the Kinney sink the water came, a rushing torrent, across the Kilborne road and Josiah Matz's place, the Gardner road and so around the valley, back of the Reformed church, down to the Lake Shore R'y embankment which served as a dam, or levee, making the whole district south of that road, from the Hilbish farm, on the west, to Woodward street, on the east, and Gardner St. on the south, a low lying place occupied by many residences, that began rapidly to fill Saturday evening. The night was dark, foggy and dismal. The alarm was given by young Furlong, who waded out in water waist deep. The fire bell rang, and men and boys with lanterns, rushed to the rescue. People in the submerging district were alarmed and crying for help. Nothing like a boat was to be had. Lumber was accumulated, fences torn down, men waded in the ice cold flood to construct a raft, or rescue those near at hand. Mrs. Kehoe was sick abed and had to be carried out of a window, bed and all, by men waist deep in water. A portion of sidewalk was found afloat, and Marshal Mayne, using it as a raft, went to the relief of Coony Sinning and family, who had water knee deep on first floor, at that time, and it finally arose to half the height of the lower story. They next went to the rescue of Mrs. Furlong, who had become so nervous from excitement as to lose her wits, while getting her on the raft, she threw up her hands exclaiming "Howly [sic] Mary!" and tumbled into the water. They fished her out and took her to a place of safety. Chris Free's family got on their second floor, with water the full height of first floor. They were rescued through the upper windows. Fritz Liebold was "full" in his upper story and shouted, "Help! Help!" His wife and family had waded out and the rescuers left him to do the same. Peter Pixley and wife waded out, while some young men carried out their child.

Mr. R. G. Hartman had heeded the warning and was somewhat prepared for the flood, at least, had more time to save goods. The water rose some eight inches on his first floor. By this time, nearly midnight, the water had risen not quite up to the platform of the Lake Shore station house, and was rushing a perfect torrent across the track down each side of York street, thence across Kilbourne into the valley back of David Moore's residence and the Riddell House, where the water would have gone, at first, had it not been obstructed by the Lake Shore R'y embankment. Nearly all this region is back lots, with barns and out houses. It soon became a lake scarcely allowing time to remove horses, cows and pigs; while wood, lumber and every loose thing floatable was being mixed in inextricable confusion.

Water filled the dining room of the Riddell House to the height of 5 feet, with all its contents. Murray & Rushton, furniture dealers, occupying part of the building, only got part of their furniture out of the basement.

T. C. Wood got up in the morning to find his horses floating around in the barn. Rev. Hamilton's cows were in the same predicament, and so nearly chilled to death as to require the utmost care to save them.

The flood crossed West Main street, to the depth of 3 or 4 feet, flooding Mrs. Brewer's house, the Bitzer building, occupied by Meyer, Tschumy & Co., Dennis Calligan's residence and just over the floor of Wm. Leiber's. Dehe & Relling's carriage works, on North West St., were flooded in the basement, the part used for blacksmith shop. Here the water crossed Castalia street and filled the hollow beyond, which being back lots resulted in no particular mischief.

During the night, previous to finding its way across the R'y track, the water rushed along the track east across South West street, into Harkness' vacant lot, and so under the track flooding Patterson's tannery. This, with overflow from the big ditch on the Drury farm, running down beside the W. & L. E. R'y, combined to fill the Monroe street hollow. Martin Hauff's grocery was flooded half way up its lower windows, and the family for their lives. A family occupying a small house on Broad street, near Hauff's, were nearly drowned before people became aware of their situation and could take measures to save them.

The overflow from here took its usual course and filled the section of town north of East Main street, between High street and Nickel Plate R'y, thence over into Dan Harkness' field, opposite the round house, making it a young lake.

This, as near as we can describe it, is the extent of the flood. Many cellars were filled and damage done that we cannot enumerate.

By Sunday morning the rain had ceased, and the weather becoming colder arrested many a little rivelet, and thus water gradually sank away. It was visited by hundreds of people on Sunday. Monday morning it had nearly all gone leaving beautiful frost and ice work on trees, fences, and buildings, etc., where the water had congealed as it fell. All except south of the Lake Shore R'y, where only one small sink is known. This section became frozen over and the young people found it a beautiful skating park, but far from beautiful to those with property still under water. It will take some time yet for this to drain away. In the meantime people are cleaning up and repairing damages, which, at a rough estimate, will mount up into the thousands.

This is certainly a peculiar experience for Bellevue, and while it may not occur again in a life time, the bare possibility of it should compel the adoption of such measures as will prevent, or if not prevent, at least, provide for such another calamity.

This article appeared on the Sandusky-County-Scrapbook web page which no longer exists online.  The  scrapbook was a joint local history effort of Sandusky County libraries. 

Leezen Tavern, Lower Sandusky (Fremont) Ohio

 In 1818, Calvin* Leezen (born 1800) and his wife Clarinda (born 1796) left Genesee County, New York and set out for Lower Sandusky (now Fremont, Ohio.)  In 1819, the couple sold their remaining 150 acres in Allegany County, New York, deciding to settle permanently in Lower Sandusky and build a tavern.

Taverns often symbolized the village itself  and its stage of development.  They frequently were the "heartbeat" of the community,  sometimes functioning as the post office, schoolhouse, polling place, and militia headquarters.  

Leezen purchased a quarter acre lot for $50 from Cyrus Hulburd, one of the original proprietors of the Two-Mile Square Reserve. The tavern he built lay on Front Street between Garrison and Croghan. Pioneers described "it as a low half story frame building which stood back from the street with a yard in front." The Leezen tavern featured a barn, stable, outbuildings, kitchen, common room, and bedrooms.  Generally these early taverns served as the family home as well. The Leezen children included: Martin**, Susan, Clarissa, and Elizabeth.   

The raw frontier brought a variety of patrons: land speculators, trappers, surveyors, lawyers, and pioneer families, known as "movers," who hoped to acquire the last of Ohio's cheap government land.  

In these early years, local historian Lucy Keeler wrote that 30 log cabins and ten or twelve brick or frame structures were scattered amid the dense forest. Tavern owners were often as rough and wild as the wilderness they inhabited. Gambling, card playing, heavy drinking, cock fights, and brawling were common.

Some tavern owners were particular about their boarders. Frequently they refused "movers," believing they were generally thieves.  Not so with the Leezens. Court records show that Calvin was indicted at the spring term of court for selling whiskey to the Indians.   Almeron Sands was charged with assault and battery on Calvin.. 

Judge Justice recalled several mysterious deaths that occurred at the tavern. A land speculator had come "west" with a large amount of money.  He became  sick while staying with the Leezens and  suddenly died. His money was distributed among  several of the townspeople.  A short time later his wife came searching for him.  She too put up at the Leezen tavern where she took sick and died. She was buried beside her husband in the lot where St. Ann's Catholic Church was later built. Both were  reinterred at the Whittlesey Cemetery. Not long after a stranger named Howard died while playing cards at the tavern. 

All was not well between Clarinda and Calvin. A notice published  by Calvin in the "Sandusky Clarion" on July 31st 1827 that his wife had left him. Without her help, it appears Calvin decided to rent out his tavern to David Day.  On August 22, 1827 the two had a contract drawn up in which Day would run the tavern, but would keep Calvin in "victuals" and board him for $1.00 per week.  On the first of November 1828, Day would pay Calvin $140. 

Unfortunately Calvin Leezen died on June 22, 1828, long before the contract ended.  It appears that Clarinda returned to the tavern as she was indicted by a grand jury for poisoning Calvin.  Prosecutor Rudolphus Dickinson  charged her with murder, claiming she had put white arsenic in his "water gruel" and "chicken soup" on the 10th and 12th of June. Calvin lingered til the 22nd of June when he died.  He was buried in the Whittlesey Cemetery.  

Judge Justice claimed there was a "strong desire" to convict Clarinda, but in her defense she stated she had only treated  Calvin's ulcerated leg with the arsenic. The jury failed to find her guilty.

Clarinda moved to Bradner where she lived with daughter Eliza who had married Samuel Biggerstaff shortly before her father's death. Clarinda died there in 1852.  She is buried in the Chestnut Ridge Cemetery.  In the estate settlement, the tavern was sold to the well respected Loveland family who many early settlers remember with fondness.

*Calvin was sometimes referred to John Calvin

**Martin was sometimes referred as Martin Luther 

Mouse Island, Lake Erie, For Sale

Mouse Island, Lake Erie

Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library and Museums

This photo of Mouse Island in western Lake Erie was part of the Platt Studios Collection preserved by the late Charles E.  Frohman at the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library and Museums.  The island was owned by President Hayes and his descendants until it was sold in 1966.  As of July of this year, the seven-acre island is once again for sale.  You can see it on Zillow

To read more about Mouse Island's history and the Hayes family,  see my 2015 blog post researched among the Hayes family documents and photographs.

Mass Baptism at Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio

 Mass Baptism at Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio, 1922

Ernst Niebergall Photograph Collection

This photograph of the mass baptism in Lake Erie is part of the Ernst Niebergall Collection preserved by the late Charles E. Frohman  at the Rutherford B Hayes Library and Museums.  It is dated 1919, but according to the Watch Tower History of the Jehovah's Witness International Bible School Association, it was one of the photographs taken during the nine-day convention held at Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio, from September 5th through the 13th in 1922.

The baptism in Lake Erie of some 200 delegates took place on September 6th at sunrise during an open-air, praise and prayer service. The baptism was conducted by the vice president of the association Pastor C. A. Wise of Indianapolis. Participants waded into Lake Erie where volunteers assisted with their immersion. More than 6,000 onlookers attended the baptism. 

More than 10,000 delegates from the U.S., Canada, and Europe gathered to hear talks given simultaneously in 11 different languages.  The Breakers Hotel was packed to "overflowing." Cedar Point management housed attendees in other buildings on the grounds.

                                       

Brother Joseph F. Rutherford speaking in the Coliseum

 

According to the history, the high point of the convention took place on the 8th when some 8,000 people gathered in the Coliseum to hear Brother Rutherford's famous speech "The Kingdom" which urged delegates to "advertise the King and the Kingdom." The audience was "electrified" when a banner above the stage was unfurled and proclaimed those very words.

At this convention a resolution was passed to oppose war, revolution, anarchy, and violence in any form. Members opposed WWI and would do so again during WWII.  It was not until 1946 and 1953 Supreme Court cases exempted members from military service

The convention was filmed, but it has never been located.

 

The Kline Block, Fremont, Ohio

 

Kline Block, 200-202 E. State St, Fremont, Ohio

Rutherford B. Hayes Library and Museums

Henry Kline constructed this building in 1893. It was considered one of the finest business structures in Fremont, Ohio.  It was  located on the northeast corner of East State Street and Sandusky Avenue.  The versatile Mr. Kline is said to have run successful  plumbing, sand, pork packing, and wholesale liquor businesses.  The ornate gazebo on the roof was an east side landmark where at one time the Agerman Band played music on Saturday nights to the delight of listeners on park benches below.  The Kline family lived in the fine Victorian house at the right.  The photograph was taken in the 1890s.

     

William McKinley, 25th U.S. President

William McKinley, 25th President

 President Donald Trump has given high praise to 25th President  William McKinley. McKinley's policies on high tariffs and territorial expansion have attracted President Trump's interest. In a recent AP article, Associate Professor of History Kevin Kern at the University of Akron, does not "think there has been as much interest in William McKinley in at least a century in terms of the kind of public consciousness." It was in1928 when his portrait appeared on the $500 bill!

Born in Niles, Ohio in 1843, William McKinley served in the 23rd Ohio Volunteer Regiment during the Civil War where he met and fought beside his mentor Rutherford B Hayes. Following the war, he lived in Canton, Ohio, where he practiced law and married Ida Saxton. 

Saxton-McKinley House
National First Ladies Historic Site, Canton, Ohio

National Park Service

Elected to the U.S. Congress in 1876, McKinley regarded the protective tariff  as a means of bringing prosperity to the nation. The U.S. was just beginning to develop its industrial might, unlike today's global economy. The McKinley Tariff of 1890 was highly controversial, leading to his Congressional defeat after seven terms.

Ohioans elected McKinley its governor in 1891 and again in 1893.  In 1896, the Republican Party chose McKinley as its candidate for the U.S. Presidency. After the famous "front porch campaign," he took office during a deep depression. He  championed "sound money," protective tariffs, and territorial expansion. 

Statue of William McKinley outside Lucas County Courthouse
Toledo, Ohio

Creative Commons

The Republic of Hawaii became a U.S. territory in 1900. Spain, in its peace settlement following the Spanish-American War, gave up to the U. S. its colonies: Guam, the Philippines, and Puerto Rico.  The U.S. Army controlled Cuba until 1902.

McKinley's second term was cut short when he was shot by Leo Czolgosz on September 6, 1901 in Buffalo,  New York. He died eight days later.

McKinley Monument and Final Resting Place, Canton, Ohio

National Historic Landmark

The McKinley Presidential Library and Museum offers a greater understanding of his protective tariff and territorial expansion policies. Professor Kern believes McKinley was beginning to change his views on tariffs in a speech he gave the day before he was assassinated.

  

President McKinley shot at Pan American Exposition, Buffalo, N. Y.

Library of Congress

The Hayes Presidential Library and Museum contains more information about McKinley during his Civil War service in the 23rd Ohio when President Hayes was his commander.