The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1874-12-25
rfhs Jo1rlal. "a
OCCASI0NALS.
AN About Toledo.


This city is really donning metropoh
tan airs. It's nameis romantically Span
ish, its people decidedly Young Ameri
can, its location relatively advantageous
its natural difficulties apparently insur
mountable, and its growth little less
than wonderful. Atthehead of the lake
river and canal navigation, the terminu:
of many long lines of railroad, and OIL
tht great thoroughfare connecting the
Atlantic with the Pacific, if it does not
become a great and powerful city, its
inhabitants will be at fault. Less than
half a century since its site was the do
main Of the red man and the wild beast;
twenty years later, lots now held at
81, 800 per foot front, sold for little more
than $50; its population nearly equals
$4,000, and its present limits can easily
accommodate ten times that number.
It has dug down mountainous ridges,
converted water into streets, drained
rniry swamps, constructed street en-
bankments through bottomless pits,
built aqueducts and tunnels, filed acres
of shoals IN its river, deepened its creek
and spanned a wide stream with three
long, massive railroad bridges. With
no extensive, productive, farming coun-
try near, and relying chiefly on retailing
and jobbing. with manufacturing IN its
helpless infancy and lake commerce de-
stroyed by railroad transportation, the
city has achieved its present proud posi-
ton; and with those undeveloped re-
sources made available, its rapid and
substantial future growth is secured,
Though only recently bestowing thought
upon identifying and improving itself,
1t possesses a Finlay's Chamber of Com
merce block, a Body House, Wheeler
Opera-house, several magnificent
churches and many splendid private res
licences, while a grand system of water
works is Just about being brought into
use for the convenience and protection
of the citizens. In leaving this part Of
my subject, can but deprecate the mis-
fortune that has run the city so deeply
into debt, created so onerous taxes, and,
while disabled from making new and
splendid Work-house available, left in
existence SO unsightly an old pile as the
county Courthouse.
VI THIS WINTERS A1lUsEARNTs.
r. OF course SO enterprising a city has
its share of these. They are Of two
classes: those furnished by foreign tai
ent for their own pecuniary profit, and
those given for benevolent purposes. II
VIII mention two or three. and first in the
list is one of a series of three hops at the
Oliver House given by the Naiad Boat
Club. This hardly belongs to either of
the classes I have mentioned, as its OBJ
object is to raise funds for procuring a
much needed regatta shell. The first Of
the series has been held, and everything
was complete. Milversted's music was
delightful and the calling complete;
beautiful cards Of invitation had called
select couples to purchase elegant tick
cts at So; syallow7tail coats lavender
kids and white slippers were In the as
cendant; ornate programmes, with satin
tie-ribbons and ample engagement
blanks, were industriously used, and
gay young couples danced to their
hearts content. A cold collation. was
served by mine host, fit to dull an epi-
cures appetite, and the small hours had
flown before the happy company reluet-
antly left. The club cleared expenses,
which was all they expected at the first
hop. tits hoped that the remaining two J
viii yield them handsome surplus. II
must slightly demur at one feature: the
dancing was nearly all of the round va
riety. My objection is not that of Mrs.
General Sherman-that strange arms
should not encircIe ladies' waists; but,
old fogy as am; I can not waltz, and
one hardly gets his moneys worth see
ing others dance. AZ 1a.lIia
I do not need to mention the perform
ances of travelling troupes; sufice'it to
say that the city is honored by the visits
of the best performers on the stage, in
tragedy, comedy, nlinstrelsy and the
opera. I next notice the beautiful and
powerful amateur drama of the Drum
mer Boy of Shiloh. First enacted here
in the old skating rink and several times
repeated each succeeding winter, many
shook their heads in doubt and disap-
proval when it was mentioned for this
winter. They said the obiect-to re-
plenish the G. A. R. fund for aiding sol
diers' widows and orphans-was excel
lent; but the play is old and the people
would not attend. This croaking was
signaIly refuted, for the Opera-house
was packed from pit to gallery with a
staring audience, night after
night. The new and judicious cast of
characters which personally interested :
circles Of the citizens. and some
out Of the city, doubtless. contributed to
the marked success Of the play. Toone