Sherwood-Delaware Seventh Grade Students - 1948

 

The Soldiers Relief Commission

Communities have been taking care of the poor, because of laws or through churches or just through the kindness of neighbors, for centuries.  After the Civil War and the deaths of thousands of men, a law was passed to help those widows and children who were left to fend for themselves.  The law evolved over time, but, in general, each county in Ohio had a Soldiers' Relief Commission, consisting of three persons who were appointed by the probate judge.  
 At first, those committee members had to have some connection with the military, such as a veteran or, for women, membership in an auxiliary. Eventually, the law was broadened to included "reputable citizens" and the people they helped could be anyone who really needed assistance. 

The three members of the commission would, in turn, appoint three members in each township or county seat to create a list of probable names of indigent persons.  These persons would have to apply for aid, providing financial information of income, loans, taxes, and other pertinent facts for the consideration of the committee.  Eventually, a list was made and submitted to the township clerk and eventually to the county commissioners for their approval. Payment was made from the county funds.  In case of urgent need, the clerk also had the power to provide for any indigent or neglected persons.  This committee was also delegated the task of providing burial places and stones for indigent soldiers.

On December 2, 1897, the list of persons who were to receive aid appeared in the Defiance Democrat.  Today, this might have been embarrassing, but then again, for the times, maybe it was not at all.

"SOLDIERS' RELIEF

Allowances From the County Fund Made to Those in Need 

The allowances by the Defiance County Soldiers' Relief commission for the coming five months to May 1st, made last Monday are as follows:

Defiance Township

Mrs. Mary A. Davis, per month..............................................................................$5.00

Mrs. Jeffers............................................................................................................  5.00

Mrs. L. A. Malson...................................................................................................  5.00

Mrs. Jane Hatfield..................................................................................................  5.00

Mrs. Francis Schneider..........................................................................................  5.00

Mrs. M. C. Stout.....................................................................................................  5.00

Mrs. Lena Manders................................................................................................  5.00

Mrs. Benj. Schupp..................................................................................................  5.00

Mrs. M. Marcelius...................................................................................................  4.00

Mrs. M. E. Hutchins................................................................................................  4.00

Mrs. Geo. Watts......................................................................................................  3.00

Mrs. Robt. Kyle.......................................................................................................  3.00

Mrs. John E. Richardson........................................................................................  3.00

Mrs. Alanom Grant.................................................................................................  3.00

Hicksville Township

Mrs. Laura Lawson.................................................................................................  $5.00

Mrs. Elizabeth Schooley.........................................................................................   5.00

Mrs. L. G. Cox.........................................................................................................  4.00

Mrs. Emma Attleberger............................................................................................  3.00

Mrs. Edward Brooks................................................................................................  3.00

Mrs. Cornelia Hindle................................................................................................  3.00

Highland Township

Mrs. H. D. Parker...................................................................................................... $5.00

Mrs. Augusta Warren................................................................................................  5.00

Noble Township

Mrs. Catheran Heiss.................................................................................................$4.00

 

Closing the Saloons in Hicksville

From the Defiance Democrat - July 12, 1894

The temperance unions were once alive and well in Defiance County, and opinions were definitely split on the benefits of alcohol.  Hicksville, especially, had a contentious group who were afire to close the bars and ban the sale of liquor and apparently, it was the majority of the town.

"HICKSVILLE TORN UP

The Citizens Say the Saloons Must Go Forever

NINE ARRESTS HAVE BEEN MADE

The People Parading the Streets in a Big Anti-Liquor Demonstration -

Excitement at Fever Heat -

A Test Trial to be Held Today.

  Hicksville, O., July 6 -

There is more excitement to the square inch in Hicksville today than in any town of its size in Ohio.

Hundreds of women and children have paraded the streets with banners and blue ribbons flying and the utmost excitement prevails.

It is an anti-saloon war, and for the time being the big strike is a secondary consideration.

For sometimes it has been no secret that the drug stores have been dispensing liquors under the guise of prescriptions.  This has emboldened the proprietors of restaurants and billiard halls and a few weeks ago, beer commenced to be shipped here from Defiance and was retailed by the bottle.

The trouble reached fever heat the 4th and the law was violated openly to such an extent that the law-abiding citizens came to the conclusion that it was time to act.  Hicksville has been under a local opposition law for many years which has met with favor by the citizens.

 Tuesday evening the trouble culminated in the arrest of the attaches of Coffelt & Carr's, and Maxwell & Co.'s places and nine were arrested.  The arrests were made on complaint of James Patterson and Henry Nubleman.

Those pulled were George and Bert Wright, Harvey Maxwell, Myron Miller, Thomas Coffelt, Grant Carr, John Dowell, Bert and Frank Parker.  Examination was waived by the accused who were arrested for alleged violation of the local option clause in the town ordinance. Four or five additional arrests will be made today for violating the state law in selling to minors.

One saloon keeper has quit,and this is thought to be the beginning of the end as the citizens are thoroughly aroused.  The druggists will not escape and it is currently reported they will be arrested and charged with selling liquor contrary to the ordinances of the city and for a violation of state law.

At this hour, 10 a.m., a jury is being enpaneled to try Coffelt on a charge of violating the local option law, and the trial bids fair to last some time, as it is thought a test case will be made.  The attorneys for the city are Bowersox of Bryan and Clay Coulter and Thompson of this place. B. F. Enos and J. P. Cameron, of Defiance, have been retained by the defense.

The citizens are determined to stamp out the liquor traffic and this will be the supreme effort.  This place has been disgraced enough in the farce of this law and in defiance of the wishes of a large majority of citizens."