From the Sherwood Chronicle Dec. 29, 1949

"Uncle Jake Saylor was in the other day to tell us the story of Sherwood's first street lighting system. What reminded him of it was a Christmas card from a relative, which carried the picture of an old-fashioned street light - exactly like the ones here 60 - 65 years ago.

Those lights, Uncle Jake says, sat on steel poles on both sides of what is still Harrison street (in the business district), and they burned kerosene. A chap lit them each evening and turned them off each morning, a job which Mr. Saylor held for about a month.

Later, the town had its own electric light plant, but some years after its inception, it was sold to a private company, and finally the Ohio Power Co. took the village under its spacious wing.

Municipal light plants were never too successful in small towns in this section, although there have been some exceptions, notably Deshler, over in Henry County. But a good many of them gave up the ghost in the years immediately before and after the first World War, and since then, the big power companies have held sway.

And by the way of closing 1949 with a compliment, we would say that Ohio Power takes mightly good care of Sherwood."

Survivor of the Anthony Wayne Explosion, 1850

A shocking incident happened in 1850 involving one man who was on the Anthony Wayne when it sunk. The big question for more than a year was - did Robert Shean survive the sinking or not?  Most friends and family thought him dead.

"THE DEAD ALIVE

Robert Shean, a resident of Middletown in this county, was on board the Anthony Waynne, at the time she blew up on Lake Erie last April. After that dreadful catastrophe, a body was found floating on the Lake, which answered his description and no doubts were entertained but that he had lost his life by the explosion, and that the body which had been found was his.

The body was taken and buried in one of the churchyards of Sandusky City. A large circle of friends, to who he was endeared during life, and who sorely lamented his untimely and dreadful death, raised a subscription among themselves, and erected over his supposed grave a suitable monument to his commemoration.

Judge of their surprise when the actual Robert Shean made his appearance in their midst, a living, moving being, in good health, but covered with scars.  Judge of the welcome which he received when they were really convinced that it was indeed him.  One actually have risen from the dead, could not have received a more heartfelt, joyous welcome.  Others were promptly dispatched to Sandusky City to have the monument removed from the supposed grave.

It appears that when the Anthony Wayne blew up, he was severely scalded, but clinging to a piece of the wreck, he floated up on the Lake until he was taken up by a vessel and carried to Detroit.  He laid under medical treatment at Detroit for a long time, but having at length recovered, he repaired to Sandusky City.

In examining the grave yards, with a view of ascertaining who on board the Anthony Wayne had perished, he read the inscription on the monument which his friends had erected to his memory. His surprise on reading it was a great as theirs was to see him return.  He immediately returned to his friends, for the purpose of assuring them that he was still among the living.  'Truth is stranger than fiction.'"

Rossville Democrat

Reprinted in the Zanesville Courier, November 16, 1850, p. 2,  as well as the Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette.

Efforts to find out what happened to Robert Shean have been unsuccessful. His last name could be spelled so many different ways, and the times were early in Ohio, so nothing discovered has been conclusive.

One Hundred Years Ago - The New Years Eve Golf Party, 1925

 

The Kettenring Golf Course was a private club in 1925, and it supported a large social club just called the Golf Club. Excitement was high for the big New Year's Eve dance party that year, complete with a live orchestra from Napoleon and a dance contest.

"150 MAKE MERRY AT GOLF CLUB AS NEW YEAR DAWNS."

One hundred and fifty people attended the delightful New Year's Eve dancing party at the Kettenring Golf club Wednesday night. Whistle dances and circles provided much merriment and in an elimination dance, Mr. and Mrs. E. M. Rothenburger won the favors.

At midnight, paper hats and whistles were distributed. Shepard's orchestra of Napoleon played for the dancing from 9 till 1.

The guests included: 

Mr. and Mrs. R. P. Kettenring, 

Mr. and Mrs. C.C, Hoffman, 

Mr. and Mrs. R. H. Sutphen, and 

Mrs. T. T. Shaw, 

Mr. and Mrs. August A. W. Martin, 

Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Clark, 

Mr. and Mrs. Walter Shelly,

Mr. and Mrs. R. C. Albertus, 

Mr. and Mrs. L. W. Watson, 

Dr. and Mrs. N. A. Cunningham,

Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Seither, 

Mr. and Mrs. Victor L. Mansfield, 

Mr. and Mrs. L.E. Daoust, 

Mr. and Mrs. Titus B. Johnson, 

Dr. and Mrs. G. W. Huffman and Mr. and Mrs. Scott Hoyt.

Mr. and Mrs. Donald Smith,

Mr. and Mrs. Fred A. Bokop,

Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Kruse,

Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Deatrick, 

Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Robertson,

Mr. and Mrs. Claud Winn,

Mr. and Mrs. I. N. Bronson,

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Leon Jones, 

Mr. and Mrs. William Ensign,

Mr. and Mrs. H. T. Campion,

Mr. and Mrs. Coy Jones, Mr. and Mrs. Don Roach,

Mr. and Mrs. J. R Brondes, Dr. W. S. Powell,

Miss Elizabeth Powell, Mrs. S. F. Shelly,

Mrs. Clara Bokop Bell, Mrs. Bessie Squire Wallace,

Mrs. Maude Daenitz, Miss Grace Whitaker

The top three dances of 1925 were the Charleston, the fox trot, and the Texas Tommy, which would come to be known as the Lindy Hop. For a look at the Charleston, follow the link:

https://youtu.be/oZzMytbrOn4  

Misses Elizabeth Seither, Dorothy Shaw, Alice Fauster, Dorothy Vandenbrock,

Elizabeth Shelly, Helene Harley, Virginia Harley, Lillian Bronson, Ruth Minsel,

Dolly Gest, Helen Weisenburger, Mary Bronson, Betty Beard, Lillian Deindorfer,

Christine Burdick, Bernice Burden, Elizabeth Bokop, Helen Clark, Katherny Hammer, Marion Ruess, Bessie Daoust, Doris Daenitz, Betty Shaw Katherine Jones

Dr. L. A. Sherry, Frank W. Papenhagen, 

Gerald Openlander, John Fauster, Paul Duerk,

James Sherman, John Cameron, Gerald Miller, 

Robert Weisenburger, William Latchaw,

Richard Diehl, Orla Gruner, Edward Schultz,

Carl Spriggs, Charles Jones, Paul Smith,

William Rex, Eward Willey, John Tate,

Frederick Bokop and Richard Bronson."

The Crescent-News, Jan. 2, 1925, p. 5

What were the top songs in 1925?

"Sweet Georgia Brown"

"Tea for Two"

"St. Louis Blues"

"If You Know Susie Like I Know Susie"

"Yes, Sir, That's My Baby"

"I'll See You in My Dreams"

"Charleston"

The conclusion of the article named all of the out of town guests who attended, numbering about forty.

(I wonder if dance cards were used since they were very popular for the time period.

The General Wayne, 1837

 As we casually jump into our vehicles this Christmas season to visit family, it is easy to forget that this ease of transportation did not always exist. In probably the earliest newspaper I've read, the Maumee Express, Maumee City, Ohio, published on June 17, 1837, an account of available transport on the Maumee River was advertised. I would guess that travel was not available during some of the winter months, but the time here was summer.

"Upper Maumee Navigation

The steamboat, Gen'l Wayne, H. C. Williams, Master, will leave the head of the rapids every day at 1:00 P.M. for the foot of Flat Rock where there will be coaches and teams in readiness to covey passengers and freight to Defiance.

Passengers leaving Maumee city and Perryburg in the morning will arrive at Defiance the same day. Returning will leave Defiance at 6 o'clock in the morning and arrive at the head of the rapids at 12:00 M, where coaches will always be ready for Maumee city and Perrysburg.

Also a barge fitted up for passengers and freight will leave Defiance every Friday for Fort Wayne (Ia.) running through in three days.

During high water the steamboat will run regularly between the head of the rapids and Fort Wayne.  For freight or passengers, apply to the Master on board or to:

O. H. Harris - Providence

G. C. Mudgett & Co - Brunersburg

White & Kirtlaad, S. A & J. H. Sargent - Maumee city

June 3, 1837"

The Anthony Wayne (General Wayne) steamboat was brand new at this time, having been built in Perrysburg in 1837. It was a wooden hull boat with engine and boilers. Several times during her use, she caught fire or had high wind damage.

In 1849, the General Wayne went through a rebuild and was given a new engine and boilers. Her last voyage was on April 28, 1850, in Lake Erie. Two of her boilers exploded and down she went. A full account of the disaster was found in the Clermont Courier, Batavia, Ohio, on May 2, 1850.

"TERRIBLE EXPLOSION OF THE STEAMER ANTHONY WAYNE ON LAKE ERIE - FROM 35 - 40 PERSONS LOST

Cleveland, April 29, 1850 - The steamer Anthony Wayne blew up opposite Vermillion. The first mate says the Wayne came to Sandusky with 10 steerage passengers and 20 in the cabin. From Sandusky, she took from the train 24 passengers and her crew numbered 20. Total 74, Nineteen of the crew and 30 passengers saved, are likely to recover. The total lost and missing estimated at from 35 to 40.

Passengers known to be killed are: Matthew Falkner of Sheffield, Massachusetts; Henry McDonough of Trenton, Michigan;Wiley Robinson, John Williams, and Harvey Kelly, cooks and waiters, and Ebix Cartwright, a deckhand.

The missing are: John Bioner and James O'Neal, fireman; Whitney Parson, porter. Henry Blair, deckhand, badly scalded.

Fifteen of the crew, including both mates, clerk, saloon-keeper, two wheelmen, three firemen, one porter, two deckhands, the barber, and chambermaid were saved. The passengers saved are: D.A. Eddy of Cleveland; C. Mollen, H. B. Pellinger, of Cleveland; Dr. Balcom, John C. Waggoner, Chas J. Smith, of Hillsdale, Mich.; Cole VanHorn of Alton, Ill.; John Wood of Oxford, O.; Caroline Kimball and child of Springfield, O.; John Ellis of Mt. Hope,Mich, H. W. Guyon, wife and children of Toledo, O; a passenger from St. Louis, name not known; Edmond Kelly, wife and two children; -- Fitch of Peru, Huron County; Mrs. Smith, wife of the keeper of Smith's Hotel at Doane's Corners; Edward Cavanaugh of Troy, N.Y.steward of Mt. Clemens, Mich.; Franklin Freeman of Detroit; A. H. Meade, bar-keeper, Myron Titus of Dayton, O.; O. W. Hart of Perrysburgh; the wife and child of John M. Ellis, of Mount Hope, Mich.

The explosion occurred about one o'clock on Sunday morning. The schooner, Elmira, Capt. Nugent was hailed, and she brought the killed, wounded and surviving to Sandusky,

The Wayne was an old boat, not in the regular line with the Buffalo and Sandusky steamers. She was owned by Chas. Howard of Detroit. Insurance $10,000. The accounts vary as to the number on board."

The wreck was discovered on the lake floor in 2005 in 50 feet of water, and in January 2018, the wreck of the Anthony Wayne was listed on the National Historic Register.

Read the story of its discovery HERE. The law does not allow for these wreckages to be brought up from their watery home, as researchers have found that the wood dries and crumbles when exposed to air. Then all historical value is lost. But, on this website, photos of the Anthony Wayne underwater may be seen.

The Sherwood Chronicle's "Children of the Week" - December 21, 1950

 

From the Sherwood Chronicles, Thursday, December 21, 1950 , p. 1

"Top Row, L to R - 

Tommy Troyer, 4, son of Virgil Troyer of Defiance

Milan Farlee, 19 mos., son of Lloyd Farlee of near Hamilton, Indiana

Connie Coy, 13 1/2 mos, daughter of Roger Coy, Rt. 2, Hicksville

Helen Mack, 1, daughter of Raymond Mack, Rt. 1, Ney

Second Row -

Jimmy Mast, 4 1/2 and Sue Ellen Mast, 2 1/2, son and daughter of Chelmar Mast, Sherwood

Gregory Bayliss, 14 mos, son of Don Bayliss of Sherwood

Brenda Campbell, 5, and Judy Campbell, 17 mos, daughters of John Campbell, Sherwood

Moleva Jo Parker, 20 mos., daughter of Clarence Parker, Sherwood

Third Row -

Jimmy Powell, 2 1/2, son of Willie Powell of Sherwood

Matthew Hackman, 3, son of Morell Hackman, Sherwood

Cathy Deisler, 4 mos, daughter of Paul Deisler, Antwerp

David Garver, 4 1/2, son of Don Garver, Sherwood

Bottom Row -

Julius Lynn Parker, 6 mos, son of Joe Parker, Sherwood Route

Linda Sue Sprow, 2, daughter of Vernon Sprow, Sherwood

Kathy Kruse, 8, and Mary Jane Kruse, 5, daughters of Ward Kruse, Sherwood

Cynthia Kay Hull, 22 mos., daughter of Calvin Hull, Sherwood"

Hicksville - How Things Have Changed! 1909 - 2024

(A glimpse of the village in 1909...)

 "Fifty and Six Facts About

Hicksville, Ohio

• Three large handle and lath work mills with a combined value of $90,000 employing a large force of men.
• Three large planing mills and lumber yards
• A five thousand dollar stave and heading plant
• A ten thousand dollar tile, brick and clay works
• A ten thousand dollar furniture ad fine inside finishing mill
• Three cement, brick, tile, and block manufacturing firms
• Two grain elevators with a combined value of $30,000 which handle hundreds of thousands of bushels of grain and seed annually
• A twenty-five thousand dollar milling company housed in a four story brick building, with a capacity of 100 barrels output daily

• A thirty thousand dollar city water system serving the people at a very low cost for water privilege, and water from artesian well and direct pressure
• One first class telephone system with exchange and direct connection with both Bell and Independent long distance lines
• Four up-to-date drug stores carrying heavy lines of all kins of drugs and kindred merchandise
• Four large up-to-date hardwares
• Three large department stores carrying everything needed for the home and farm with a combined stock value of $150,000

• Two National Banks with combined capital and surplus of $100,000, and deposits aggregating about one-half million dollars
• Situated on one of the largest and strongest trunk line railroads with double trac and twelve passenger trains daily.  Unexcelled shipping facilities and low freight rate
• A thirty thousand dollar public school building
• A poultry and stock manufacturing company
• A glove and mitten factory
• A $40,000 modern up-to-date opera house
• A patent photograph printing cabinet manufacturing company

• Two large job printing companies with mechanical type setting machines
• Two modern up-to-date weekly newspapers
• A twenty thousand dollar modern hotel
• Nine churches and Sunday Schools
• Two large poultry and produce packing firms handling all kinds of country produce
• The finest agricultural country to be found anywhere, producing all kinds of cereal and fruits to be found in this latitude
• Two large harness and saddlery companies

• Three large implement dealers handling all kinds of farm machinery
• Three modern up-to-date meat markets
• Two bakeries
• One modern electric power machine shop
• With a population of 3000 live, up-to-date, energetic, wide-awake people
• One and a half miles of brick pavement
• Home Building and Loan asset $35,000
• Two large garages caring for the 40 local automobiles
• Five good restaurants and one good $1 per day hotel and boarding house

•  Three grain, seed and feed stores
• Three up-to-date jewelry stores
• Three novelty and bazaar firms
• Five shoe stores
• Two clothing stores
• One foundry
• Agricultural society with 40 acres of ground with fine buildings and track used as a public park
• A pickle packing station of Lutz & Schramm of Allegheny, Pa.

• One scroll work and cistern plant
• Abundance of natural ice at a very low cost
• Two telegraph companies
• Cheap labor, fuel and power
• Richardson's famous poultry farm
• First grade to High School, diplomas from which admit owner to college and universities without examination
• Home office of the Tri-State Elevator Company
• 3600 cars of freight shipped in and out annually
• Plenty of room for hustlers and wide-awake people
• A warm welcome and hearty support for any and all legitimate enterprises
• Is a live town, for live people, bustling with life and activities
• Splendid climate fine roads and inhabited with American people; no labor troubles or strikes
• Excellent advantages for manufacturers for skilled and common labor

For further information address W. H. Blakeslee, Sec'y, Hicksville Commercial Club"

The Hicksville Tribune, 15 July 1909

Was Earl Hulbert Really Shot by a Thief...OR Did Earl Shoot Himself?

 

It seems almost unimaginable that someone would wound himself with a gun to gain pity or notoriety, but that was thought to be the scenario when Earl Hulbert reported a robbery to the police in July, 1925. Earl, born on July 30, 1904, was about 21 when the incident happened.  According to the Bryan Press of July 23, 1925, the "bad" guys were never caught, and Hulbert had some explaining to do.

"STILL NO TRACE OF HULBERT ASSAILANTS

LACK OF TRACKS IN EVIDENCE CAUSES OFFICERS TO DOUBT HOLDUP STORY

Earl Hulbert is at his father's home between Farmer and Hicksville, recovering from a couple of bullet wounds he received early last Thursday morning while driving somewhere south of the Dunkard church on the Williams Center road.

He was found by the sheriff and his deputies under a tree on the lawn at the D. A. Erlsten farm, bleeding from a wound in  his arm and also one in his leg. Both were bullet wounds, but neither of a serious nature. He had crawled to the Erlston house and called for help, but the family telephoned to the sheriff and he drove to the spot and took charge of young Hulbert.

His story was that he was driving his Ford touring car toward home after midnight, and when at a point near the church, another car went around him and stopped, blocking the road and that two men alighted and presented revolvers and held him up.

He said they took about $3 he had in his pocket and about $40 he had concealed in the cushion in the rear seat. His story was that he reached for a cigarette and, at that instant, one of the men shot him, probably in the notion that he was reaching for a pistol, that he shot him in the arm first and then fired again, hitting him in the leg.

Jefferson Hotel, Bryan, Ohio

Hulbert was brought to the Jefferson hotel where his injuries were attended to by physicians, and his family notified of his experience. His father (Clyde Hulbert) came to Bryan, and as the officers went into the incident, and put the young man through a series of questions, they were led to the belief that his story was untrue, and that he had shot himself to gain sympathy and avoid paying some claims against him.

He claimed that while in the west some time ago, he loaned $400 to some man, and that Wednesday of last week, a representative of his debtor met him on the street in Wauseon and returned the money. He said he did not know the man and had never seen him before, and that the transaction occurred on the street with no witnesses. Hulbert said he had been working on the road north of Wauseon and was laid off on Wednesday when he met the messenger from Dakota with the money.

He had spent Wednesday evening with a young lady here and told her that he had the money, but she said that she did not see it when questioned by the officers. He owed money to his father and told him he was about to pay it.

His stories were so varied and hazy that the sheriff's office concluded they were fabrications, and that he had shot himself, taking care to send the bullets through the flesh and making slight wounds in both cases.

Powder marks where the bullets hit indicated that the weapon was close to its mark when discharged, and the officers said that the cuts in the cushion of the rear seat were fresh, and that there was no bullet hole in his trousers where the shot went in, but that the goods were cut.

It is a strange case, and if Hulbert did actually shoot the bullets through his arm and leg, it must have taken a good deal of nerve.

Some time was spent on the case by Mr. Burkhart and Mr. Calvin, but nothing conclusive was found. They said they could find no tracks or evidence of any struggle in the road where Hulbert said the holdup occurred, not any traces of blood in the road, although he claimed he was outside the car when the shooting occurred."

But time can erase the missteps of youth, and Warren grew to marry Alice and have a family of five sons and eight daughters. He was a Defiance County native who moved to Pioneer to raise his family. He died in August, 1964, and was buried in Lost Creek Cemetery, Farmer.