The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1879-02-22
Letter fom ONO.
'orrewondsnes Of he Democratic Adeeeass.
DAYToN. Fob. LODI. 1919

I Correspondence Of the Democratic Adrocafe.
DAYToS, Feb 10th, 1879.
On the 23d ult in company with uncle,
we left Mt. Gileard for Dayton after car
ride Of five hours We arrived safe at the
end Of our journey. We passed through
very fertile country; among the towns was
that Of Springfield, which is one Of the
largest manufacturing cities Of Ohio. There
is building going up that covers ten acres
Of ground. Dayton is very fine city, its
streets are wide, its population is about
$4,000, and the public square contains
two acres. There are some elegant build
ings, among which is the county jail Il
is lined inside with boiler iron; towards tho
centre Of the building there are rooms lined
with gum for prisoners who might knock
their brains out against the iron wall.
Near Dayton is the national home for the
disabled volunteer soldiers. There are
about four thousand soldiers in il at this
time. Eleven hundred and twenty sit
down at one table. Fifteen barrels Of -four
day are consumed and everything else In
proportion is used A great many died
during the month Of January. Thirty
three were buried In the cemetery, and
four hundred are lying in the hospital.
Every thing is kept 10 complete order; SOL
diers that are able to work get 40 cents
per day. The home contains four hundred
acres Of land.
ltis painful duty to relate an incident
that occurred here on last Friday evening.
About seven o'clock, while the family Of
Mr.. Frances were at supper, three robust
men stepped in with pistols In hand, told
them to make no alarm or they would
blow their brains out. They tied the old
gentleman and wife, and son and daughter,
searched the house and obtained $500 and
about S2500 in notes. They then left and
told them not to make any alarm until ten
o'clock, if they did they would be killed
What time they were let loose have been
unabled to learn. The robbers are still at
large. The case has caused quite an ex-
citement here. The family reside two
miles south of Salem, in beautiful coun-
try mansion, and they are highly respected
by all
Dayton, on the Miami at the junction
Of the Mad river, which furnishes great
number Of mill-seats, is rapidly growing
town, in highly productive region. 1t
carries on an active trade by the Miami
canal, and contains numerous saw and
grist mills, several woolen and cotton fac
tories, an oil mill and other manufactures
Woodlawn Cemetery, about half mile
from town, contains one hundred acres, and
is beautifully laid out in lots ten feet square.
At the highest summit is an observatory
which gives grand view to the visitors.
A few days ago the writer witnessed the
! funeral procession Of Mr.. John Temple, a
highly esteemed citizen Of Dayton. At 3
O'Clock the procession formed in front Of tho
I city hall, headed by the Dayton brass band
) aud followed by three different lodges and
the city fire companies. They marched
to his residence on Main street, where the
casket was placed in the hearse, and car
ried to the Baptist church, of which he was
member. Aftor the funeral discourse
it proceeded to Woodlawn Cemetery, the
/ band playing the funeral march,
The FIRE department of Dayton consists
E Of six fire engines with hook and ladder
!. company The water house contains two
engines of four hundred horse power each
IL is said that this city affords the bss
, market for farmers and gardners in the
State. "A farmer taking load Of wood tC
, town must stand on the wood market, the
|, load is measured by man who is elected
by the city, who charges one dime for
every load; the same with hay, straw OF
fodder, which must be weighed before sold.
! Any person violating the law is liable to a
fine of $40.
In my first letter to you | spoke of tenn
perance in Ohio. A large number Of sa-
looms are noticeable in Dayton. On Third
street there are three hundred saloons
open, selling spirituous liquors. Oyster sa-
looms are numerous; an oyster soup as low
as five cents per bowl; oysters stewed or
fried for 10 cents; person can procure a
meal for 20 cents.
A few days ago | had the pleasure of
T paying visit to Greene county, which Is a
, fine country. From Dayton to Osborne is
very rolling aud not very good land; the
billy land is said to be poor, and the bot
tom is swampy Within several miles Of
Osborne most magnificent valley is pre-
sented to the eye, which can be seen for
miles, it is known as the Mad river valley
Osborne is in Greene county, in the south.
western part, aud the population is about
two thousand. IL has two railroads and Is
quite business town. Fairfield is one
mile north Of Osborne, it is beautiful
country village, but has no railroad. land
sells from 500 to 500 per acre. During
my visit here the weather has been ex-
cellent for this time Of year. J.L.R