The Hot Springs star. (Hot Spings [Hot Springs], Dakota [Dakota Territory, i.e. S.D.]) 1886-189?, 1888-04-20
The Ohio Centennial.

MaRlErrA, O., April 1-This is the
great day Of the centennial celebration
Of the settlement Of the Northwest Ter
ritory. That territory now complies
the states of OHIO, Indiana, Illinois.
Michigan, Wisconsin, and the eastern
portion of Minnesota. II was in January,
1855. that, after u midnight conferences at
Rutland, Mass, two men-Rufus Put
nam and Benjamin Topper, generals in
the American army, issued a call asking
citizens in a large number of places to
elect delegates to meet In convention on
March 1, in Boston, at the Bunch of
Grapes tavern, for the purpose of form
ing a company with the object of rails
ing funds for the purchase of lands in the
Northwest Territory. The convention
was u success. The enterprise was cn-
tered into with enthusiasm, and q year
later, when the delegates met again,
at Brackets tavern, in Boston,
enough money VAS on hand to enable
the company to decide upon the purchase
of one million acres of land at 68s cents
an acre. One hundred years ago the nd.
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 a few hours after their ar
rival they had comMcflccd work upon an
)flice for the use of the company IN It's
business, and upon forts for protection
against Indians. The Office still stands
today and is in good condition. The land
ing Ot The pioneers at the mouth of the
Mnskingum, on April Z. 1918, has its
parallel only in the landing of the Pill
grims ut Plymouth, in 1920. AT q meet
ing of tue directors of. the Ohio company.
December 8. 1sSS. ii was resolved that
the eth day of April should forever be
considered q day OF public festival in the
Northwc.t territory. The resolution has
been scrupulously observed, both in
this city and by the Pioneer and
other associations of Cincim o and
other places throughout the state. Today
plants u milestone in the frat century OF
the settlement and the event is being OBJ
served with all the eclat that can possibly
he 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 evergrecns. The
town is packed with strangers in holiday
attire, and the strains of music are to be
heard in every direction. The formal
celebration vas opehcd at half past nine
O'Clock with prayer and music, after
which an address, of welcome was delivered
by Governor.Forakcr. This was follow
ed with All Grafton by Senator George F.
Hoar, of Massachusetts,. and an address
by cx-Prdsident Hayes. both being inter
spcrsed with appropriate music. AT the
conclusion of the cX-prcsidcnt's address
u recess wa taken for lunch.
Tho afternoon program includes m
Grafton by Hon. j. Randolph Tucker, OF
Virginia, Il historical address by Senator
Sherman, and short addresses by Hon.
George b. Loring, Rev. DIR. Everett Hale
and concludes with IL 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. DIR. Henry NJ,
Storrs, of New Jersey, and other distin.
guislied divines. The night meeting wi:
bring the celebration to an end, until un
other hundred years have passed away.