Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1880-08-06
SUMMER RECREATION.
A visit 60 the H1numee Valiey-His-
toricaI scenery, Cool Breezes,
Fishing, BOatIng, nRths
Lima Democrat, July 22.l

| Lima Democrat, July %
Tired Of the heat, dust and business OF
the busy little city OF Lima, we on Thurs.
day Of laat week, boarded the northward
bound evening tram on the d. Il NJ. Road,
and n ride OF two hours brought US to Per
rysburg, nine miles this side OF Toledo.
| Alighting from the train we were greeted
by the tall form and warm grip Of the hand
Of Brother Timmons Of the Perrysburg
journal, one Of the spicicst weekly papers
in that section, and who for the pist Is
years has been supplying news for the dem
liens Of that locality--and conducted to the
Exchange Hotel, kept by Mr.. Norton, one
OF the pioneers Of Perrysburg, who, by the
way, keeps good hotel, and is most Re'
nial landlord, and 10 whom we are under
obligations for many favors during our
stay.
Arriving at the hotel we soon observed
it was an "old settler" so TO speak, and is
filed with relics of ye olden time. A por-
ton of the building was erected in 1923,
and some years later James Spofford, well
known through that section in early days
ia the "prince of landlords" purchased,
enlarged and otherwise improved it, and
tor more than quarter of century con-
lucted it in a right royal manner for those
| days, when it had the reputation of contain
ing the finest bar west Of Bufflo. During
the cholera year'of '53, Mr.. Spoford died
suddenly of thnt epidemic and some years
later, Mr., Norton, the present proprietor
purchased it.
The building is an old fashioned two
story structure, with numerous additions
ex ending from the rear, n wide hall run
ming through the body OF il, and across lhe
front below and above extends two wide
verandas. Passing from the hail we are in
the Office or bar-loOm, which away back in
the time OF stage coaches, before the whistle
OF the railroad locomotive was thought Of
in this then western country, it snppliedthe
traveller with the purest liquors. Al the
rear end OF the room stand- the bar vet,
seemingly Ms n reminder OF the "gopd old
tines" when drunk of liquor made in
those days would not kill man at forty
rods. For many years no liquors have
posts support the huge canopy above, and
across the front of the bar extends the
counter with heavy mahogany veneered
rail, and silver mounted suppors kept
shining bright. Back Of the courter is the
sideboard with lis sliding glass doors, and
back OF the shelving is seen mirror Of
plate 2 lass which reflects the rows of de-
caHters and wine and champagne glasses,
which still remain on the shelves, empty,
~ ii resting from their labors. This z ass
ware is OF the finest cut glass, ms clear as a
crystal and antique in style. To the right
and left at the back of the bar, are hand
made circular doors-ope leading to the
baggage room and the other to the buck
, porch. Aud now, after nearly sixty years
have passed they are rs perfect as when
first made. The floor Of the room was for
merly covered with zine and kept highly
polished. The old. fashioned fire place re,
mains, snd II fire IL seen blazing on its
hearth during the chilly spring and aut
umn days.
The large dining room is wainscoated
and the uaken floor is "whi p sawed" in the
, old style, while cupboard, and an elevator
}, passing from the Kitchen below, fill uI
8 nearly one side of the room. On the wal
+ is the old clock imported from France il
h 1886, with its long, old-fushioned pendu
lum slowly swinging TO and fro, with 1t
; csaseless tick tick, and its bell ringing on
the hour clear and sharp, admonishIng u
q of heeting time, and if it could speak i
h would tell us tales of those long since lait
e to rest who gathered around the we'll sprea,
Y tables, in days gone BY. Out on the pore
;. we see the old bell hanging in its iro
frame which once stood on the top Of tn
building, and whose tones struck terror t
," the hearts Of the Indians when it was frs
" erected. We notice by the dale on it i
'e raised letters and figures that it was cast i
d I" Detroit, NJ, L. in lS34,"-before Mich
gan was admitted as State.
"a Passing up the hall we step into the pub
lie parlor, where we see heavy cherry table
~ whose leaves extend to the aoor,nnd on tn
walls are large oil paintings representa-
& that gay deceiver, Don Juan. We now pas
y up the staircase with its quaint carvings
the upper hall and out on the front verar
', da where a magnificent view OF the rive
10 with its islands green with foliage and yes
a citation, is had. Away up The river to tn
~ left can be seen old Fort Meigs, noted i
4 history for the siege OF Harrison, and 0
the opposite shore the elm tree still stand
where one ui the officers in the fort shot tn
u Indian who had stationed himself In tIl
A. tree anu plCkeu Oh Our SeullnesS. DOW
~ the river, opposite the hotel, is an Islam
ID OF 290 acres, on whose rich land golde
n. gr in has jusl been harvested, aud wher
the indians used TO cultivate their cor
ls and other crops Glancing down the rive
8, to the right We see the old British Fol
is Miami, and still further on the old India
burial ground.
In the center of the village is the ol
Ian l-mark, which is the highest elm
Perrysburg and has been known from earl
times a. the umbrella tree" 1t stan,
~ near the center of the road and loomin
1t, up high above its neigh bors like mol
I'd arch, under whose friendly branches mrn
a, II weary traveller has found rest and shellt
from die sun and storm. 1t il said Tia
)" this Tree could be ssen for miles IN Gle,
an weather, and was guide TO travellers
] early days.
ri Look where you may, in any directio
the scenery is rich with historical intere,
~ and where once waH 4 wild unbruken wi
is dernesS is now beautiful village and f.
no farms. Perrysburg is a quiet, orderly vi
n. lage, prettly lid ont with broad shade
streets and neat homes, around which n
~ green, well kept yards or lawns, and amor
be them We notice m my residences den0til
in wealth and refinement. The drives leadil
out Of the place are delightful, and espl
Tally romantic is the ro al winling ulol
:" the river for miles on either side whc
IL, W. catch glimpses of the Red Horse rapi
,r- and Turkey foot rock, upln which the o
,eI Indian chief WAS sitting when xii ed, al
;, the battle ground where Wayne surrender
II and other points of historical interest.
We The river abounds in III ,ck bass, cat al
in other fish. aud boats. fishing tackle al
guides are supplied nj nominal prices. 5
curing the veteran fisherman, Mr.. Pomero
Us as n guide-who, by the way, is one OF I
'p- most experienced here, and knows eve
qe nook aud corner where the best fish are
T.. be- caught--we set sail, and returned
:. evening with plenty OF fish, after day