The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1902-12-26

OLD LOG SCHOOLHOUSE IN WHICH SPEN
GER TAUGHT PENMANsHIP.
adopted on Nov. %, 1902, and as a me
mortal of this event Nov. 30 of the pres
ent year witnessed an interesting cere
mony, the placing of bronze tablet or
the site of the first statehouse. On the
tablet is shown the old stone courthouse
surrounded by a circle lettered as fol,
| lows: Courthouse of Ross county, used
as the statehouse, 1900" The great
seal of the state of Ohio is also shown,
and the tablet bears the following in
scription:
"On this site stood the first state
house of Ohio, where the original con-
stitution of the commonwealth was
adopted, Nov. 20, 1902"
1t may be said that Chillicothe holds
in store for those who will attend the
centennial celebration many relics and
historic sites. Here is located Mount
Logan, reproduction of which appears
on the state seal, and here, too, are
Adena, the home of Governor Worth
ington, and Fruit Hill, the home of
Governor Macarthur and later Of Gov
ernor Allen. On every side will be
found examples of the work of that
mysterious people, the mound builders,
regarding whose history so little is
known. All three of the governors men,
toned above lie buried in Chillicothe,
and here also is to be seen the grave Of
Edward Tiffin, the first governor of
Ohio and the president of the constitu-
tional convention. At the close of his
second term as governor he was elected
to the United States senate.
Another spot in Ohio around which
interesting memories cling is Geneva.
In the early educational history of the
state Plat n. Spencer played an impor-
tant part. He first taught the beauti-
full Spencerian penmanship in a little
log schoolhouse on a country road near
Geneva. Pupils came from all sections
of the country to this little school, and
so great became the fame of the teach
er that before his death he was presi-
dent of fourteen of the largest com
mercial colleges between San Francisco
and New York. His grave is at &c
neva.
Fremont boasts of being the home of
President Hayes, and today Spiegle
Grove, the Hayes estate, is an objective
point for many visitors to Fremont
Many of the trees about the place rep
resent the growth of centuries. Anoth-
err town of national interest is Point
Pleasant, noted for having been the
birthplace of General Grant. In
house containing but two rooms this
famous warrior and president was born
in April, 1922. Soon after his birth the
Grant family moved to Georgetown,
and naturally Georgetown has played
much more prominent part than
Point Pleasant in the history Of Grants
boyhood days.
When Salmon p. Chase was a boy,
his home was near WOrthington. lie
came to Ohio at the age of twelve with
an uncle and for some time worked on
his uncle's farm to develop later into
the able jurist of national reputation.
Still another Ohio town around which
pleasant recollections hover is Jeffer-
son. which has much of, interest in the
way of things historic. On the princi-
pal streets still stand the old law Of
fees of Joshua r. Giddings and Benja-
min f. Wade, the famous abolitionists.
In Giddings' office are to be found to-
day the lawbooks of the great lawyer
and his ancient safe. The building is
implanted, and only necessary repairs
have been made, the people of Jeffer-
son desiring to keep its appearance as
nearly as possible the same as in the
days when Giddings practiced there.
Columbus, Cleveland. Toledo and
many other Ohio cities and towns have
landmarks and memories that will
doubtless appeal to hundreds of those
who may visit the state during the
coming celebration. The present wide
ly known capital city, Columbus, did
not become the state headquarters I'M
til 1916, but its history runs back be-
fore that year.
AS March comes on Sunday next
year the committee having charge of
the centennial exercises have decided
to postpone the observances until
Wednesday and Thursday, May 20 and
81. This will not only give the COM
mittee further time to complete its
preparations, but will increase the
chances of having pleasant weather
for the celebration.
HENRY W. MILLER.