The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1879-04-03
MANSFIELD LETTER.
Mansfield and Vicinity.

population of about IL, 600 Inhabitants. II
is extensively engaged in the manufactur-
ing of farming implements of various
kinds. as we'll as machines and steam-en-
gines of the most approved styles. Among
the manufactures, we noticed planning
mile, glass works, water-works, and an ex.
tensive wooden factory, self recommending
churn" factory. Carried on by Mr. Blust)
and the celebrated .Aultman-Taylor ma
chime establishment, in which more than
three hundred men are employed. Dry
goods and groceries are there in abun-
ance, and the stereotyped tables of"cheap"
seems to attract the gazers' eyes. and half
persuade them to believe that goods are
offered "without money and without price,.
but it is not so. The new court house is
a superb structure, costing about $500, 900,
on whose summit is placed the goddess of
Liberty. In looking over the bulletins of
the legal profession, we might almost
be made to believe that the pursuits and
jurisprudence Of the great Buckeye State"
were centered in Mansfield The city is in
a healthy locality, though, salubriousa the
location is, it seems that the medicine men
are in abundance, and the disciples of Es-
culphus are trying to practice the healing
art, observing the adage, that if they can
not cure they will not kill. The city has
all the facilities that are requisite to make
it place of business railroads are Du-
merous and traverse the country, and the
city has ample means for religious devo-
ton and moral training, (that is if hav
ing access to church immunities is any in
dication of piety.) There are sixteen
Charistian Cathedrals in the city, and D.
DIS and Revernds enough to supply the
sacred desks with ministers, to proclaim the
everlasting Gospel of salvation. Yet it
seems to our imaginative mind, after hav-
ing taken a second glance at the moral
condition of the city, we still think that it
has within its walls some devotees of Bac-
chus, who revel in dissipation, who will
groan in despair, and die in shame. Though
comparatively speaking, Mansfield is a
moral city; yet, there are some who traffic
in intoxicating liquors. whose. halls are the
haunts of debauchees, and the resorts of
crime. Those who are the proprietors of
these rooms, bask il their disgrace, fatten
upon the spoils, and flourish upon the ru-
in of their victims. Perhaps this may be
the dark side of the picture-we hope it is!
Mansfield has its societies of charity, it's
temperance meetings, its Murphy pledges
its Y. NJ. c. A., its Mite societies, its NOR
al lectures, its religious sermons, and it's
various organigzstieas 10 supply the ind
gent with food and clothing, and the de-
jected souls with consolation. In viewing
this, the bright part of the picture, itseems
like Utopia to US and mere existence
would be enjoyment. Prof Dixon, the
great temperance lecturer was in Mansfield
and lectured on the subject of temperance.
The attendance at each lecture was
very large; great many signed the Muir
ply pledge.
The city has all the means Of giving the
current news; it has five printing Offices,
issuing weekly papers.
The valuation of real estate and chattel
property of the city, is about four millions
seven hundred thousand dollars. The ed
ucational departments are prosperous, and
literary attainments are sought after with
avidity. We visited the schools of the
principal building, and found them in a
prosperous condition. The high school
has eight rooms, the schools of which are
conducted by the following named teach
ers' Miss Pomeroy, High school, Miss Gun
ming, assistant Miss jackson jr. High school
"Loye A and B Grammar school" James
B & D Gram. Myers A. Primary Beal,
Secondary, "Procor B. Prime" Prof.
Simpson, Supt.
A few days ago Theo. Tilton (of Tilton-
Beecher notoriety) stayed over night in
Mansfield, Ell route for ST. Louis ON !ec-
turing tour.
The mansion of Hon. John Sherman the
Resumptionist, is situated in the suburbs
4
dence of that distinguished fnancier and
politician. We visited the cemetery, sit
uated about one mile from the public
square, it contains abont sixty acres OF
land, and it is splended vault for de-
posting corpses temporarily. Among the
monuments we noticed Mr.. Cooly's which
is an elaborate structure, and costing S.,
900. We also saw the monument of Nor
decai BARLEY, which cost So, 500. He died
in 1878 aged 81 years. He was elected
Governor by the Whig party in 1874,
against David Tod; having majority of
1871 votes. About one year ago, Webb
(colored) murdered Mr.. Finney, who resi-.
ded about tv-9 miles from Mansfield, and
on the 18th of last May the murderer was
hung. The excitement ran high. old citi-
zens came to the Judgement hall, to hear
the trial, but the court room being Dense
ly crowded the judge called to his aid the
police force to close the lobby Of the court
and keep old and young men back and
make way for the "fair sex" to be seated
in the Tribunal and hear the malfactor's
trial; but on the day of execution the stur-
dy old yeomanry came, they marshaled
their force in solid phalanx and at the
word Of command, the high broad fence,
surrounding the gallows, was prostrated on
. horizontal line, and all present had an
opportunity of seeing the execution.
March 28th, 1879. w. j. DICK