Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1846-05-06
Correspondence of the Sentinel.
Ifnnicum, .April 29, 1916

! have now arrived at the place of my selection,
in accordance with my promise, to inform
you with regard to my location, and the OBJ.
iects ofno velty and interest. which are cal
culated to attract attention, and amuse the
observer. And as, by your favor, my stua-
ton affords me opportunity and leisure for
observation, shall, in accordance with your
request, make my notes both general and
minute.
Tmnicum-for so the city is nominated, in
consequence Of the frequent commotions, and
great political, moral, and religious move
ments which agitate it; being now verify un-
der the influence of two or three mighty
champ ions in The cause of truth and virtue,
(of which shall have occasion to speak anon,)
lis very pleasantly situated on the dividing
ridge, which separates the waters afthe Ohio
and St. Lawrence rivers; or the northern and
southern CULTS, which mark the two extremes
of our beautiful constellation of States. 1t is
bounded on he north by a farming town,
bearing the name of its proprietor, who knew
i no way to perpetuate his name. but to annex
to it a "ville," and have 1t tacke upon post,
and such is the name of that which bounds it
on the south; while on the east and west are
names that sound in revolutionary story, and
ever viii be famous in the chronicles Of time.
The first, name which now sends through
the soul a leasing thrill, and swells the breast
with pride and joy, kindling there patriotic
fame, and the second one made magic and
immortal by the thoughts and deeds of him
who bore it in the infancy of our republic.
! No object worthy of particular remark at.
tracts the eye, on entering the town from
either way, save on the south, muddy ditch,
, they call ."canal." By this stand two or three
houses, advertising ''Nails and Glass; aero.
ceries," and "Cash for Wheat" where mer-
chants store their wares; a foundery, and
yard for making brick. But these are things
too often seen to be described. The observer
passes to the public square,-on the right "a
low and dirty looking building meets the view,
and such another in the front. These are
surrounded by species Of board platform, on
WAlSA SolCSS CfSl 0uu oilou tilo CVHstVN
people, of this goodly city, and in the common
room, they meet in conclave to discuss the
passing scenes, and cheer each other in the
!, good old way; while on the other side, "over
and against" are found all those who felgn
would class themselves among the gentler
sort.
A courthouse, Jail, and good fat looking
Sheriff, with sundry other officers Of town
and county, are the cities guardian spirits,
and the strong holds Of justice, where truth {,
eloquence, and learning always prevail; and
virtue in her heavenly robes, may ever pass
unsca thed d;-four well looking churches, with
another sanctum, ure the five pure fountains
from which 60 forth the streams Of life in
this little city Zoar; where ever and anon the
people gather to hear, and see, and praise.
and pray; where eloquent divines hold forth
in ever varying lights, the doctrines of the
holy book; and where those champions to
which have referred, at sundry times and in
diverse manners, collect together the magies
of this truth loving and conscientio GUS people;
and probe their hearts, and agitate and over.
, turn them, applying here balm, and there
the scariier; now an opiate and then cathar-
+ tics; until they have by their various elo-
quence, and wonderful representations and
denunciations, wrought out most magic ef-
fects. But more of this anon. ..-
4 AS have before intimated, two licensed
hotels, and Temperance. house." are the
three, so nominated hotels, which offer to the
passing stranger home and comfort; while
in back, obscure corner, are seen, set shily
forth, small allsigns,-'confectionary," ,"-'beer,"
] and sundry other, the like enticing words.
There man Of bareless head and sable brow;
who. one would think, had not yet seen his
' prime; deals cut to simple men and untaught
3 boys, those pleasant drugs, sweet. t.meats, and
, vile narcotics, which are the pampers of unho-
\ Iy thiret, and open the portals to a vicious
y life. -. -..... ,....
8 If the stranger chance to enter Tinnieum
9 about the close of day, scene, characteristic
of the active and boistrous temperament of it's
:. enterprising people. presents itself in full
: view before him. Directly in front Of "the
' sanctuarysof justice" ball is trundled back
!, and forth between two sticks called twickets,'
' laid tottering upon two bricks. which are
4 defended each by a man or boy. there stations
/ ed with herculean club, with which by vigor-
Gus efforts they are able often to send the ball
far bounding across the square; after which.
in full chase, desperately rush whole ken.
). mel Of half breeds, with whoops, and yells,
and yelps, unequaled by the baying Of gang
Of Cuba hounds. But what gives to this
play novelty and interest is that, at its head,
\ first among its bowlers, chasers. bawlers, and
grave Judges, are these same agitators,--no
: table champions, who are ever eager to con-