Sturgis advertiser. (Sturgis, Dakota [S.D.]) 1887-1???, 1888-04-18
The Ohio Centennial.

sManrETrA, o., April This is the
great day Of the centennial celebration
Of the settlement Of the Northwest Ter
ritory. That territory now comprises
the states of Ohio, Indiana. Illinois
Michigan, Wisconsin, and the eastern
portion Of Minnesota. It was in January,
1855, that, after midnight conference AZ
Rutland Mass, two mem Rufus Put
nam and Benjamin Topper, generals IN
the American army, issued call asking
citizens in large number o. piAces =
elect delegates to meet in convention ~
March 1, in Boston, at the buncn y
Grapes tavern, for the purpose on 10TH,
ing company with the object o. ia,s.
ing funds for the purchase Of lands In !. /"
Northwest Territory. The convention
was success. The enterprise was en-
tered into with enthusiasm, and d year
later, when the delegates met again,
at Brackets tavern, in Boston,
enough money was on hand to enable
the company to decide upon the purchase
of one million acres of land at G6s cents
an acre. One hundred years ago the ad.
vance contingent of the company landed
at this point which was then designated
as The country on the banks Of the Ohio
and Muskingham.' There were forty
eight all told, with Gen. Putnam at their
head Within few hours after their ar
rival they had commenced work upon an
office for the use of the company in Its
business, and upon forts for protection
against Indians. The Office still stands
today and is in good condition. The land
ing of the pioneers at the mouth OF the
Muskingum, on April 7, ITS, has it's
parallel only in the landing of the Pill
grims at Plymouth, in 1920. AT a meet
ing of the directors of the Ohio company.
December 3, 1888. it was resolved that
the It'll day of April should forever be
considered day of public festival in the
Northwest territory. The resolution has
been scrupulously observed, both in
this city and by the Pioneer and
other associations of Cincin1 ! and
other places throughout the state. Today
plants milestone in the first century of
the settlement and the event is being OBJ
served with all the eclat that can possibly
be brought into play by the citizens OF
Marietta Flags are flying from nearly
every roof and hundreds Of windows and
houses and public buildings are gaily dec
grated with bunting and evergreens. The
town is packed with strangers IN holiday
attire, and the strains of music are to be
heard in every direction. The formal
celebration was opened at half past nine
o clock with prayer and music, after
which an address, of welcome was delivered
by Governor Foraker. This was follow
ED with an Grafton by Senator George F.
Hoar, of Massachusetts,, and an address
by ex-Prdsident Hayes, both being inter
spersed with appropriate music. At the
conclusion of the ex-president's address
a recess was taken for lunch.
The afternoon program includes an
Grafton by Hon. J. Randolph Tucker, of
Virginia, historical address by Senator
Sherman, and short addresses by Hon.
George B. Loring, Rev. DR.. Everett Hale
and concludes with general reception
at the city hall Tomorrow there will
be mass meetings in the afternoon and
evening at the city hall, when addresses
will be delivered by Rev. DR.. Henry NJ.
Storrs, of New Jersey, and other distin-
guished divines. The night meeting will
bring the celebration to an end, until an
other hundred years have passed away