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Newspaper
Athens Messenger
Location
Athens, Ohio, United States of America
Date
Jun 14, 1877
Page
5
The column lists visitors and residents in Athens including Dr. Otis Ballard and Mrs Therese Rice, notes on court adjournments, trades of mills for a saw mill, and indictments. It reports on church events, temperance advocacy, a treasure of iron ore samples, progress on Pilcher’s planing mill, and details from the Athens High School commencement with nine graduates.
Captain W H H Minton remains bedfast from injuries after an accident on the Hocking Valley road last Wednesday. A pelvic fracture is suspected, likely delaying his return to duties. Meanwhile a large socially notable gathering at Dr and Mrs Lash’s residence entertained guests Friday evening, praised for its cordial hospitality.
Suburban drive yields upbeat view of harvest as fields show strong growth. Officials predict wheat will be fully ripe for harvest in about two weeks, signaling abundant yields for the locality.
Major C. C. Jones of Nelsonville refines the recent cost estimate for pig iron production in the local coal and iron center, showing the cost per ton need not exceed 10.50 dollars.
The DeSteigner and Jewett firm reorganizes to admit Mr John A Slattery to the partnership. He is described as a cultured gentleman who will, with practice, become a good lawyer and the firms wishes him success.
An 18 year old girl calling herself Carter tried to end her life in Columbus by taking laudanum on Saturday She said she came from Athens last fall and made the attempt after losing her situation.
Our former student townsman Rev A Strittmaier, for years a missionary in China, sends readers a further entertaining letter from that country. The piece appears on the second page.
Funeral services for Mrs. Minerva Pickering of the M E Church drew a large crowd on Sunday afternoon. An extended obituary appears in another column detailing her life and family.
Our townsman Jacob Grones has been critically ill for several weeks with a heart affection and remains in dangerous condition with his physician expressing no hope for recovery.
The piece urges readers to secure seats at City Hall for President Scott's baccalaureate service on Sunday morning, emphasizing prompt attendance to ensure a place.
Geo W. Davis of Meigs County near the Athens line owns a Spanish Merino buck two years old last April. He recently clipped the animal’s fleece weighing 25 pounds, illustrating notable fleece yield from a single shear.
The county infirmary houses 110 inmates with ages 80–90, 70–80, and under 15 totaling 5 5 and 27 respectively. Health is generally good. Mr J D Brown left for a West and South trip on Tuesday. Dr G L Gorsline has again fixed professional stakes in Hamden.
Fourth of July events include a grand Temperance Society picnic at the Fair Grounds with nine societies in regalia from Columbus, Lancaster, Logan and Straitsville. An extensive program features a parade, evening entertains at City Hall, a Lancaster band, and talks by invited speakers amid rising temperance activity in Athens.
A Cincinnati Commercal item reports Rev. D H Moore pursuing John Connell after he exposed himself near Wesleyan Female College. Connell fined fifty dollars and sent to the workhouse for thirty days. Local Murphy movement supporters plan to set up a blue ribbon standard in Coolville next Monday evening, expecting large turnout.
Citizens are urged to attend the final examinations as a sign of interest in teachers and pupils and the educational progress they represent. The tests conclude tomorrow.
A group of Eastern capitalists continued prospecting in the Valley at week’s end amid strong interest in its natural wealth and robust local manufacturing potential. The activity signals forthcoming eastern investment and new ventures in the region.
Albany native Luther B. Cake now in Page county Iowa narrates in verse the sorrows of Old Ragged Ben as reproduced on the third page of this issue with the feature.
The office of Dr. A. B. Frame has moved from the Norton Building to a new location on Washington Street at the first door west of the Bank of Athens and opposite the county jail.
Dr Lash at City Hall condemns intemperance as a cause of epidemics and disease. He cites Greece Germany and Ireland to show alcohol harms health, crime, and mortality, urging a strictly temperate life and pointing to asylum and hospital data.
The author argues alcohol harms individuals and communities, not as nourishment but as a toxin that reduces nervous strength, lowers temperature, and fosters eventual inebriety. Education and total abstinence are urged, with historical notes on temperance efforts and the need for sanitary public health measures.
The Cornell House in Athens undergoes a major reorganization with extensive brick additions on Congress street and a large frame enlargement on Washington street. Contractors manage the rapid work to present a modern front, while Fifty Years Ago recalls a 1827 home built by the writer on the same lot.
Sunday reminiscences recall the demolition of a long-standing Athens dwelling and sketch the early builders and tradesmen involved. Contractors Jerry Olney and Samuel Knowles, brick makers Eben Foster and Stephen Porter, masons Ira Whitmore and Thomas Francis, and joiner John Walker with apprentice Thos L Minton are named. Col. Charles Cutler supplied lumber. Knowles later served as Judge. The piece notes rapid changes in Athens as many early residents left or died, leaving only fragments of that era.
Prices range from 6 dollars for cattle arrivals to 6.50 dollars for top quality cattle. Common cattle sell 4 to 5.25 dollars, reflecting a quarter decline from the previous week.
Charles Townsend announces his candidacy for the Republican nomination for the Athens County representative seat in the next General Assembly. He asks for public scrutiny of his merit and fitness before the convention and urges an open, fair inquiry into his qualifications.
Obituary outlines Minerva Pruden born Athens Ohio November 19 1825 and married to Oliver W Pickering April 20 1847. She died June 8 1877 after a life of ministering to the sick and sorrowing, nursing family and friends, faithful Christian virtue, and devotion to God with son Samuel B Pickering and daughter Ella surviving.
Hall of Constitution Lodge No 426 F and A Masons notes the death of brother Alex F Swaim. It resolves mourning drapery for sixty days and extends sympathies to the widow children and friends. A copy of the resolutions is to be sent to the Messinour and Jou for cation.
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