By Mike Sherfy
When this column began—sporadically—several weeks ago, the author had hoped to be able to tell a story or two of bygone days each week, exactly a century after the events occurred. That, unfortunately, has not always worked out as the most interesting stories tend to take longer than that to play out. Sometimes the courts moved slowly…letting the facts of a case come to light over the course of several months. At other times, the local papers hinted at a story one week, covered it in greater detail the next, and then corrected their errors in the third. Sometimes, the events don’t even show up in the local papers for some time after they occurred—literally making them “old news” by the time they appear.
To put it another way, telling the best stories from a century ago well involves some prep time and research—and some flexibility with the chronology. Some of my favorites from early 1915 will appear here in coming weeks. In the meantime, however, enjoy some shorter anecdotes that offer glimpses of life in Knox County one hundred years ago.
From the Knox County Republican, February 2, 1915:
“The fire department was called to the Eureka restaurant, corner of Main and Front streets at 10 o’clock Saturday evening. A skillet of grease had caught fire. For a few moments the blaze appeared to be dangerous, but it was extinguished before any danger resulted. The department now has to its credit the “putting” out of a burning pot of beans, a scorching chicken and a blazing skillet of grease.”
And another from that issue:
“Brandon, Jan. 29 – (Special) Fire badly damaged the residence property of Mrs. Emma Safford here this morning about 9 o’clock. The fire started in a second-story bedroom, and was caused by an overheated stove-pipe, which set fire to some bedclothing.
Several men passing along the street saw the flames. It was due to their quickness in forming a bucket brigade to combat the flames that the house was not burned to the ground. As it was, the fire was confined to the one room. The walls of this room and the contents of it were badly damaged by the fire and water. The telephone exchange of the Mt. Vernon Telephone Co. is located on the first floor of the house but it was not damaged in any way.”
From the Democratic Banner, February 2, 1915:
“Game Warden Penrose of Knox county caused the arrest of Don Collins and Hugh Dunlap of near Homer Friday on a charge of digging out skunk. The men were arraigned before ‘Squire Towell of Utica where they entered a plea of guilty and were each fined $10 and costs. They paid the fine and costs and were released.”
And this one, describing some local men who made the most of the winter weather:
“In the racing on East Gambier street Saturday afternoon, Mr. Thomas Bell of this city proved the victor. A horse and sleigh were brought to the city from the south end of the county for the express purpose of defeating Mr. Bell and there were also drivers from Gambier and Green Valley.
And another, perhaps more interesting, from the same source:
“Nina Blair has petitioned the court of common pleas to grant her a divorce from Fred S. Blair, to whom she was married at Newport, Ky., Nov. 25, 1913, says the Mansfield News.
“As the husband will not be of age until next June, his aunt, Margaret Blair, who is his guardian, is made one of the defendants. One child was born of this marriage.
“The wife says her youthful husband has contributed but $12 toward her support since their marriage. She says that several weeks ago he left her and joined Hagenbeck & Wallace’s circus. She charges that her husband associates with other women and receives mail from others all of whom are unknown to her. Mrs. Blair claims this has destroyed her peace of mind.
“The wife represents that she has been a charge on her mother and that her husband would come home so badly intoxicated that she and her mother would have to take care of him. Mrs. Blair says that Margaret Blair, as guardian, has property in her care, located in Bellville and Newcastle, Pa., from which she receives rent. She claims the guardian receives rent from this property for the benefit of Fred S. Blair.
“The wife asks for divorce, alimony, and custody of the child, and that the defendants be enjoined from disposing of any of the property and that Margaret Blair be ordered to pay her alimony out of the property.”
From the Knox County Republican, February 5, 1915
“Harold Harmon, who resides west of the city, was arraigned before Mayor Perrine, Wednesday evening, on a charge of cruelty to animals, the charge being proffered by Officer McElroy. It was charged that Harmon whipped his horse unnecessarily hard. Harmon pleaded guilty and was fined $5 and costs.”
And another:
“Mrs. Alice Winton charges in her petition, for a divorce from Jefferson Winton that on January 25, 1908, he struck her on the forehead with a frying pan, leaving a scar. She charges further that on January 20, 1915, her husband struck her in the mouth with his fist, drawing blood and leaving a mark.
“The Wintons were married in Mansfield, March 15, 1899, and have one child, fifteen years old. Mrs. Winton says she and the boy have been compelled to ask the Humane society for help. She asks for divorce, custody of the boy and reasonable alimony. The husband was taken to the workhouse at Zanesville today. R. B. McCrory is attorney for the plaintiff.”
From the Democratic Banner, February 5, 1915:
“William Blubaugh, aged 24 years, indicted by the grand jury for forgery, who pleaded not guilty in common pleas court a week or more ago, appeared before Judge Blair on Wednesday morning and changed his plea to that of guilty. He was sentenced to the Ohio State Reformatory at Mansfield by the court, but the sentence was suspended upon condition that the young man lead an honorable life in the future. It was alleged that Blubaugh forged the name of his father, Thomas Blubaugh, to a check. The Blubaugh family resides in eastern Knox county.”
And another:
“Extensive improvements will be made in the Curtis Hotel before summer with a view of modernizing it in every detail. Work was started Thursday morning on measuring the halls and rooms and plotting so that estimates of the expense of the improvements can be prepared.
“Electricity will be installed throughout the building, with lights in every room. At least a half dozen baths will be added and a number of new lavatories installed in the halls. Passenger elevators will also be installed.”
And, from the Knox County Republican, a judicial decree from Morrow County:
“In the case of Adelaide Wright v. Wm. Wright, brought in the Morrow common pleas court, the following entry has been made:
“These parties came into court and asked the court to determine certain questions of difference between them and the court ordered and directed that these parties owe to each other obligations of mutual respect, fidelity and support; that the defendant is the head of the family; that the defendant must support the plaintiff and minor children; that in addition to paying $3 a week for the support of the plaintiff he should furnish her with wood for two stoves, meat for her use as she needs it, milk, potatoes, wheat and corn for her chickens, and flour. The plaintiff is ordered to assist the defendant in every and any way he may reasonably desire her services, and she is especially and specifically enjoined from interfering with the defendant or his property or the management of the family or his business.”
In coming weeks and months, this feature will introduce some century-old local tales of gambling, thrilling crimes, fires great and small, a winning basketball season, various infrastructure improvements, dubious parenting, festivals and events, and even an occasional sex scandal. We will also see area residents gradually come to be directly affected by the Great War overseas—years before the U.S. officially joins the fray. But, periodically, it remains worthwhile to consider some of the “little” stories as well.
