Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-01-11
For the Daily Lesder.l
Franklin NiHs-Revisw of "B.''

represent the village of Franklin Mills
that deem it bat fair that @B's" article
should be corrected; and having only q
few days ago paid visit to this flourish
ing town, which gave me opportunities to
gather facts that enables me to make a
tolerable correction of obs" blunders,
will with your permission make the at-
tempt.
Inasmuch as nothing was said shout
the "oil diggings," they being hundreds Of
miles away, suppose the title WAS mere
ly ornamental, or part Of the romance Of
the thing, just as Army Correspondents
telegraph over the country now and then,
that this rebel General is bagged, that one
has fallen into the traps set by the young
Napoleon, and there is 8 great battle
going of when only an occasional shell is
being exchanged between the outposts of
the two armies.
Franklin Mills is a more tangible cub
ject. 1t is truly aourishing town, and
more true is it that its growth and i'm
pOrtance is owing to the energy and per-
sistent labors Of NJ. Kent, Esq, coupled
with q rare combination Of genius and
talent to plan and bring together skill
and labor to work out grand results.
The country around is favorable for the
support Of a village, being inhabited by
an industrious and thriving population
who have become "well to d." in the world
for the most part while some have become
wealthy.
The village Of Franklin Mills Is situated
on the great bend to the south, made by
tn CuyshOga river, where it has for many
millions Of years been cutting a channel
through the hard sand rock Of this region,
and as consequence a narrow channel is
made with considerable fall, which fur
nishes an abundance Of water power. 1t
is also the spot where the hardy pioneer
and famous indian fighter, Captain Samuel
Brady, made his wonderful leap to escape
from his red foes. Brsdy's leap is world
renowned, and the pond, in the waters Of
which under an oak log, he was able to
elude his savage pursuers, is within mile
or two Of this place. The pond has ever
since borne his name The leap was
twenty-five feet probably the longest on
record. 1t was made, however, under the
inspiration which the imminent prospect
Of the red mans torture could give; while
it is said Of Christopher North that he
lesped tWenty-One feet while at Cam.
bridge, in the exercise Of his si.1letio
sports, and Of General Wasb;neton-tbst
he leaped twenty feet,
The large water power here early at
trsched attention, and suggested the idea
Of village. Mr.. zsnos Kent, 8 success
ful merchant of Rs7enns, purchased as
early IS 1892, large tract Of land where
the village now stands. believ the tract
comprised the water pswer and six hup-
dred and forty acres Of land surrounding
it. He devoted some time and means 10
its improvement, but sold the whole tract
in lS4S to Marvin Kent, ESQ, his son-the
present owner, and President of ihe At.
lantic & Great Western Railroad Co. In
the purchase he agreed =, build large
brick cotton factory, mich he did, and
which he has since r. .,ngbt
1t was to u5'',. his nur,bass and
more certain develcpe the natural ele-
mehts in|S q town and city of quicker
groWD that caused Mr.. Kent to think out
me -l plan to build railroad from East to
est, with Franklin for point, that pro-
1 pelled him onward until he had mstured
his plan, procured his charter, and after
the toll Of dozen or more years, days
and months Of gloom and dependency, he
is new able to look to his work as 8 great
success, and realize that his town is in the
flush OF a splendid career, with his own
position and fortune secured. It is rare
indeed that a man can see 30 great success
attending his plans and efforts.
Mr.. Kent is the author Of the idea for a
railway connecting the New York and
Erie and The Ohio and Mississippi roads,
making more direct RoCte from the East
to the heart Of the Great Basin, and he has
devoted TO it Gn enthusiasm which could
know no tagging; hope above all annoy
ing disooursgements, 6 sincerity which
caused him to throw into the scale his
whole private fortune, and energy, ability
and persistent perseverance which has
worked out truly wonderful results. He
deserves the good fortune that attends
him. No man can envy him, but in all
tsirness will accord to him the praise OF
having conferred upon his fellow men great
benefIs and TO his country 3 lasting i'm
provement.
Franklin Mills early received health
ful impetus from the grestplans suggested
for its benefit, and the energy which stirred
its every citizen, and it has grown apace,
until it is respectable villsgs Of thou.
Bsnd or more Inhabitants. Its msnufae-
lures are fourishipg and highly impor-
tsnt 1t contains two Touring mills, two
saw mills, q woolen factory, three foun-
dries, an extensive machine shop, for the
manufscture of lathe machines, q sash,
blind and door factory, glass works, cot
ton factory, which is an imposing struc-
ture Of Eve stories with basement and
attic; several large brick stores. a large
brick hotel, bank, known as the Franklin
Branch Of the Portage County Bank-a
sound and reliable institution; three or
four churches, two Of them Of q very high
style Of architecture; and union school
This, it seems to me, is very good
record.
There is stone Of unlimited amount and