Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1888-05-24

filed with people. Ringing and savag
speeches were made, and, so soon as tn
people commenced pouring out of tn,
court house, Ross Alexander opened III
on the Wheeling men from the balloon!
of the National Hotel, directly across tht
street. Mr.. Norton was [. s Marsha
for West Virginia. The party started
under escort. to Joe Armbruster's, who
then occupied rooms where Vests drug
store now is, TO get some refreshments
before starting home. Just as they reach
ed the scales. EIr. Alexander called out al
the top of his voice that these Wheeling
men had come over here with loaded
pistols in their pockets to intimidate free
speech. Mr.. Campbell whirled quickly
and the balance followed him back to the
hotel. Running up the hall steps, Mr.
Campbell retorted,. "YOu are liar, sir
you are liar" and as he did so climbed
over upon the balcony, and simultaneous
ly Mr.. Alexander disappeared through a
window into the hotel, and that was the
end of his speech, and the end of the
meeting.
The secret and famous military orders
"1OO1" and "MusadOig" born and
dead before the war-held high carnival in
the old grand jury room. The latter, es-
pecially, following soon after the down
fall of Know NOthingism, attracted at
tention, and to those who were in it af-
forded much amusement. Morning after
morning people would find placards read
ing "NIusadoig g. pasted upon paving
stones throughout the town. COnsterna-
ton and bewilderment seized foreign
born citizens, especially. They were al
most ready to believe that another st.
Bartholomew massacre was cOntempla-
ted. 1t was known that the State arms
stored in the court house were used
by the order in initiating members, and
a big drum and other significant things
were heard Meyer Eisenberg, of Barnes
vile, undertook a translation of these
mysterious placartis, but it has escaped
the recollection of our informant. \
scene occurred when Martin Van BureD
Monroe was initiated. Monroe hailed
from Captina country, was a student in
Judge Governs Office, powerful man,
and a fighter. Eugene Nagle, the Grand
Hittite, or grand something else, sat on
chair on top of a table. A black gown
was tied closely around his neck and
reached to his feet. Monroe was blind
folded. Around him stood twenty o.
more of the order, with muSkets at carry
arms, and at signal all would drop to-
gether to the floor upon the butt end witt
a laundering pound, and simultaneously
the big drum would receive a thump.
This was during the time that Ross Alex
ander and Chan. Carroll were telling tie
candidate of the glorieS of the order, and
about the connection Of King Solomon
and Alexander the Great with it. Time
and again they reminded him of the mys-
terious characters rs-"Y-A-D-F." When
the handkerchief was removed from his
eyes. the candidate was directed to raise
his hands and eyes toward the ceiling
while the meaning of the mysterious
characters was explained to him. The
members had put away the guns, and
were standing in a semi-circle around
Monroe and the table upon which Nagle
sat. Nagle arose solemnly, but as lie
slowly spoke the words 'You re damn
ed fool" Monroe commenced pulling off
his coat Presto change! Out went the
lights, and out Of the room went the men
over chairs and drum. Monroe
was a stranger to the building, and as no
one had time to show him out, he had
in finding his way into the
open air.
Another memorable meeting held in
the old court room was one called to eX
press indignation at the repeal of the Mis-
souri, Compromise. Ex-Governor Shan
non then represented this district in Con-
gress, and was one of four Ohio Demo
Gratis who voted for its repeal. The ven
cradle Benjamin Ruggles, who was a
Senator from Ohio at the time the Com
promise was adopted QS20), presided over
the meeting. He was then a tall and
rather slender man, little stopped, his
hair winter than wool, and his face clean
shaved, thin, and benignant- man great
ly loved by all his neighbors. Judge Rug
giles looked upon the repeal of that COM
promise measure as little short of Sacri-
lege. The meeting adopted resolutions ex-
pressing deep indignation at the repeal,
and censuring Shannon in the severest
terms. 1t was one of the first of the in
dignati0n meetings held in Ohio over the
repeal of the Missouri Compromise, and
was preliminary and forerunner Of the
party. AT the next election
1883 the people repudiated Shannon III
the most emphatic terms.
Nearly forty years ago Swedenborgian-
ism created quite ripple here. Hugh
Anderson, then an engraver of town, re-
siding opposite the old DR.. Westresidence,
was a firm believer in it, and John H
Williams, his son-in-law, who owned and
resided where HOge's drug store now is,
and was engaged in the jewelry business,
preached its doctrines with some power.
Meetings were held in the court room.
Mr.. Williams had melodeon carried over
from his residence, and his son led the as
in song and accompanied the
voices on the melodeon. Judge Cowen,
Sr., likewise, was a believer in the doc
trine, as were Thos. II. Genin and d. d.
T. Cowen, then young lawyer. Mr..
Williams crowded the doctrine upon
public attention, occasionally sending
abroad for some preacher of distinction.
Finally he issued challenge to the cler
gy of the town to debate the matter with
him. His challenge was accepted by Rev.
10, 6 Io