davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1941-12-18
FROM WATER TO STEAM
(By Silas ThorIal

10y 0lld6S AOAA0/
The water that furnished the
power went over the mill-wheel for
the last time. The spray that CLINT
ed in the sunlight through the wide
cracks in the rough up-and-down
weatherboarding ceased as sudden
ly as an April shower. The mill
race drained itself Of all but the
sediment and slime. The tail-race
sank to it's lowest level to become
stagnant pool for frogs and to
clothe itself with scum and weeds.
The heavy planking that formed the
fore-bay shrank under the wither-
ing rays of the sun. The heavy
frame that housed the primitive
machinery was taken down and
moved to another location. The
gaunt spectacle Of the water-wheel,
now exposed to open view, was left
to rot in the sun, all except the
cast-irongudgeons that squeaked in
their wooden bearings. The logs in
the mill-dam were chopped asunder
and the impounded water rushed on
to seek its level. Cat-tail and will
lows found their way into the mill
race. The water-mill was now no
longer a reality From now and
henceforth it would be yelled in
the caprices of memory.
This was at the time of the Civil
war. 1t was one of the two water
mills that were on the headwaters
of the Indian Fork of Meigs creek,
later renamed Dyes Fork. It was
built by Richard Thorla when
steam power was yet in it's infancy.
The other mill, mile farther down,
was built by John Dye, son of
Ezekiel Dye, the pioneer settler. A
portion of the frame of this mill
was still standing in the late six
ties. A trace of the fore-bay is
still visible at the left of the road
below the John Blackburn home.
This mill-race was quite a long one,
extending through the adjoining
farm above, nearly to the twin
bridges at the Bigley place.
These mills, built to saw lumber,
operated an up-and-down sash saw,
to which long pitman rod extend
ed down to the crank on one end
of the water wheel. About six logs
was an average days work. Dur
ing flood it was not an unusual
thing for the sawyer to work all
night to utilize the surplus water
When the sawyer would start the
saw he would sometimes mount the
log to get a little rest, but was very
careful not to drop off to sleep with
the saw slowly but surely creeping
toward him. Wherever there was
a stream large enough to afford
power the chances were that it
would be harnessed and made to do
the work which, prior to this, was
done by manual labor, such as saw
ing lumber, grinding wheat and
cracking corn.
But let us get back to that water
mill we first mentioned, the one
farthest up the creek. Within a
year from the time the building was
the poof, poof, Of white
steam was issuing from the side.
It was the transition from water
power to steam. No longer would
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1941-12-18
M. & M. BIG REDS TROUNCE
ELECTRICS AZ TO %

The Big Reds of M. & M. journey
ed to Philo Tuesday evening where
they engaged their old rivals, the
Philo Electrics, and came back the
victors by AZ to % score. The
Big Reds were paced in their attack
by Junior Wilson, who hit the hoop
from all angles, as he tailed 13
points. Capt. Jerry Rudolph spark
led at the foul line as he racked up
six fouls out of nine attempts.
M. & M. got off to poor start,
but as the game went on they be-
gan to pick up momentum. In the
first period they tailed IA markers,
but allowed the Electrics to ring up
IL. In the second quarter they
frightened their defense and held
Philo to four points as Wilson pac-
ed the attack to help the Big Reds
score II points. In the third pc
riod M. e M. hit the hoop for 10
points and held the scoring of Phi
10 to three points. In the final
quarter our boys scored six points,
but the Electrics were only able to
get four. At the final gun the Big
Reds were leading AZ to 20. M &
M. is now in second place in the
MVL, with New Concord leading
the league. Lineup:
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1941-12-18
Page Five

they have to wait for freshet to
+, saw the logs, or grind the corn.
Only a small fraction of the water
formerly required now converted
into steam, and the work could be
done any day. Steam had now be-
come the. main source OF. power.
| But how long had This source Of
] energy been hArnessedr for practical
years previous to the time of which
] we write, or near the beginning Of
the century 1900.
/ H. However, it Is. recorded that
steam engine to be employed in in
dustry was used in England long be-
fore this. A man by the name of
@Savery got a patent for a-=water-
raising engine in 1898 and later
this was improved by man named
Newcomer in 1905. But it appears
that a century elapsed before any
thing of practical value came into
use. The introduction of rela-
lively high pressure engine was ef-
fected in England and later in
America, about 1900.
AS we have already indicated, ex-
periments were being made pre-
vious to this time. Some man,
whose name we cannot recall, saw
the steam raising the lid Of the
teakettle, got the idea that there
was power in steam when he at
tempted to hold the lid down, set
about and constructed crude
working engine. James Watt and
Arthur Wolfe appear to be the pio-
neers in harnessing steam for pow
er. In Scotland man by the name
of William Symington is said to be
the first to apply steam! power to
water craft. 1t was the tug Char
lotte Dundas,' on the Forth OF
Clyde canal in 1902. AS all know,
the first steamboat in America was
the "Clermont," on the Hudson riv-
er in 1907, built by Robert Fulton.
The first steamboat to ascend the
Muskingum river was the Rufus
Putnam" in 1924. The boat car
ried a small cannon to be fired ev-
cry fifteen minutes to herald its
coming. Then came the application
of steampower to railroads.
At first fifteen miles an hour was
considered entirely too much speed
and it ought to be regulated by law.
In 1881, the B. & O. railroad offer
ed $4,000 for the best American
made locomotive to pull fifteen
tons on level track at speed OF
fifteen miles an hour.ra .:EeA
Steam power may be said to have
revolutionized naval strategy and
tactics, whereas the best laid
schemes were often frustrated by
winds and gales. Now the, great
steam power of battleships. and
cruisers render them Independent
of wind, and, to a great extent, bad
weather AS we have already in
timated, steam, like electricity.
wrought radical changes in the de-
velopment of our country.
The harnessing of water for pow
er was extremely simple, SO far as
danger was concerned, as compared
with steam. The latter. having to
be put under pressure, was attend
ed with very great danger. Awful
and appalling have been deaths
toll for carelessness,c reckleesness
and faulty construction OF steam
boilers. 1:,.s e6.c
In the near future we hope to be
able to contribute more interest
ing article tentatively entitled,
when Steam Lets Loose.
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1941-12-18
COURT HOUSE NEWS
CONTINUED from page one)

Porter and C. w. Weeden.
Inventory is filed in the estate of
Alonzo B. Ellis, deceased.
Minnie Kincaid, surviving spouse
of Frank C. Kincaid, elects to take
under the will.
Decree of Adoption
Decree is granted Frank and
Pearl Smith, for adoption of George
Francis Kash Banas. The place of
residence of George Banas, jr.,
father of the child, is unknown
The mother, Mrs. Bessie Lois Ellis,
lives in this county.
Brice L. Masterson, as admins
traitor of the estate of Irwin c..
Masterson, deceased, files first par
tial account. Authority to transfer
real estate in said estate to Freda
Sidwell, daughter, and Brice L..
Masterson, son, each one-half Said
estate is not subject to inheritance
tax. Gross value of estate is $4,-
541. 70; debts and costs of admin
istration are $3.50. Net actual
market value is $3,2617O, which
passes to Freda Sidwell, daughter,
and Brice L. Masterson, son, each
One-half.
Lizabeth Stanbery, the person
named in the will, is appointed ex-
ecutrix of the estate of C. L. Stan.
berry, deceased. No bond is re.
quired Estimated value of estate
is $4,000, of which $25, is per-
sonal and $1,000 real estate.
Inventory is filed in the estate of
R. w. Barnes, deceased.
Recorders Office
Amanda Smith, deceased, by ex-
ecuter, to James Earich, ct ano,
1890 acres. Penn township, ex-
ecutor's deed.
Lulu May Sheets to Dean r.
Sheets, 63.41 acres, Windsor town
ship, deed.
Irwin C. Masterson, deceased, to
Freda Sidwell, ct ano, 1886 acres,
Deerfield township, certificate for
transfer.
Autie L. Masterson, deceased, to
Brice L. Masterson, ct ano, 1886
acres, Deerfield township, affidavit
for transfer.
r. D. Brown, ct ux, to Clyde For
aker, II acres, York, quit claim
deed.
Clyde M. Foraker, ct ux, to In
dustrial Gas Corporation, / II acre,
York township, oil and gas rights
only.
Oil and Gas Leases
The following have leased to the
Ohio Fuel Gas company: Callie M.
Knox, SO acres, Meigsville and
Bristol; Anton Highley. ct ux, 16
acres, York; Everett G. Greer, ct
al, S5, Bristol; Lowell Coins. %.
Marion: Luella Lamb, ct al, 121,
Deerfield; Ralph Richardson, 40,
Bloom; Lena Waxler. Is, Morgan:
G. e. Glass, 81, Malta: Girls Glenn
ems, 20, and w. A .Barkhurst. 19.
both In Morgan
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1941-12-18
Morgan Thursday

out, the Big Reds were given a
technical foul. Captain Jerry Ru-
dolph whished the net. with this
one to give the Big Reds 81 to IS
victory.
The game was hard fought
throughout and four points was the
greatest margin either team had.
The teams had trouble finding the
basket in the first quarter and with
Junior Wilson sinking a long shot
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1941-12-18

Just as the gun went off the score
was tied five all at the end of the
first period. In the second quarter
the Big Reds managed to gain a
one point advantage over the
Panthers and were leading 20 to 19
at half time. In the third cantO
the Big Reds gained another point
on their opponents and were hold
ing % to 26 advantage as the
third period ended In the final
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1941-12-18
N. d M. BIG REDS EDGE
PANTHERS 81 TO 85

Picking up where they left off at
New Concord, M. & M. got back on
the victory road by eking out 81
to IS victory over New Lexington,
Friday night. The M. & M. bas-
keteers fought from behind in the
closing minutes, and then scored
the winning points in the final Sec
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1941-12-18

quarter the one team matched the
other point for point.
The M. & M. basketeers were led
in scoring by their captain, Jerry
Rudolph, who hit the hoop for IL
points. He was matched by the
New Lexington captain, Fletcher,
who also tailed IL markers The
slim m q rios.
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1941-12-18

OnuB.
With the Big Reds trailing 35 to
81, Junior Wilson came through to
knot the score at 35 all. AS the
clock read As seconds left to play.
Rudolph was awarded one foul shot
which he dropped through the
cords to send the Big Reds into the
lead. New Lexington called time
out, with three seconds left to play.
This being the Panthers sixth time
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1941-12-18

~
Sheriff's deed (land owned by c.
HI. Dunn, ct all, to II. H. Dunn and
wife, 81.33 acres, Marion.
Willard Davis to Mary Davis,
335 acres, Windsor township, deed.
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1941-12-18

Referee: Wilson, of Lancaster.
The reserves of NJ & NJ went
down to defeat again This time
the New Lexington reserves handed
them a 38 to trouncing. Coach
Dick Steward still thinks that they
will develop into a team that will
give the other teams run for
their money.
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1941-12-18

Lancaster.
1t Has Happened!
Yes, it happened. The thing that
almost everyone said was impos-
sible. Yes, the Big Red Reserves
Coached by Dick Steward) won a
game They defeated the Philo
Reserves SO to Is. This was their
first win of the season.
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1941-12-11

spector for the bureau of motor We
hicles, with headquarters in Co
lumbus. The Past Matrons of
Webb Chapter, 0. Z. S., were pleas
antly entertained last Friday night
at the home of the president, Mrs.
Gale Gage, with Mrs. r. A. Durbin,
Mrs j. A. Hayes and Mrs. HI. W.
White as assistant hostesses. The
program in charge Of the president,
consisted of Christmas stories given
by Mrs. n. III. Hawkins, Mrs. Ivan
Ball and Mrs. Fred James. The
singing of Christmas carols, with
readings of their origin by Mrs.
Harley Mercer A dainty lunch was
served, the guests seated at tables.
The favors and lunch were in keep
ing with the Christmas season. 9th
er past matrons present, besides the
ones mentioned above, We're Mrs.
Joe Burcher, Mrs. NJ T. Clifford,
Mrs. w. II. Broomhall. Mrs. G. G.
Stoneburner, Mrs. R. w. Dewitt,
Mrs. Clara Kinney and Mrs. J. l..
Henery. Miss Lauribel Hawkins.
retiring matron Of Webb chapter,
was a guest and responded in few
we'll chosen words her pleasure in
becoming member of the Past
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1941-12-11
The Morgan County Democrat cconn.vue Ohio Thursday

day at the Harry Lindimore home,
Malta, where she visited Mrs. Ethel
Benjamin. Frank Porter was a
caller at the ]. Harry Henery home,
Sunday afternoon. Mabel Newsom
spent Saturday night and Sunday
with Chester Johnson and family,
McConnelsville.- Mr.. and Mrs. Wal
ter Clifford and daughter Martha
visited with Everett Williams, Sun
day.--Mr and Mrs. Harry Spring
and his mother, Mrs. Spring, OF
Deavertown, Bob Newsom and fam
lily, Mr.. and Mrs. Albert Ellis and
Mrs. Maud Trout, spent Sunday
with Anna Newsom and son Albert.
Mrs. Bernice Porter and daugh-
ter Dotty spent Monday in Zanes-
Vile Mr.. Ramage spent the week
end in McConnelsville- Protracted
meeting began at Bailey's, Tuesday
evening g--Charles, Mary and Ermil
Newsom attended the funeral OF
the formers brother-in-law, Charles
McNichols, at Bethesda, Friday
and Ross McNichols, another broth
er-in-law, returned home with
them for an indefinite visit.Mr
and Mrs Robert Wetherell, Mrs
Nan Sherwood and daughter Har-
riett, Mrs. Florence White and
daughter, Bernice Porter, spent
Sunday afternoon with j. A. Simp-
sons, of Stockport. rt.--Clarence Spen-
Ger of Cleveland spent the week
with Loren Spencer's and M. F.
Mercer's Mrs. Anna Newsom and
son Albert spent Friday afternoon
at Bob Newsom's of Hopewell -
Harriet Sherwood spent Friday in
GAINESVILLE. Ray McKibben and
family visited Sunday evening at
Luther McKibben 's.--Floyd Reven-
augh and family Of Blue Rock spent
the week end at George Bishops
Allie Bailey, Nan Sherwood and
daughter Harriet visited Wednes-
day afternoon at Arthur Warren s
Newton Ridge grange will meet
in regular session Saturday evening
instead of Friday. The change is
made because of meeting at Bail
ey's.- .--Dotty Porter spent Saturday
with her grandparents, Mr.. and
Mrs. James Porter.--Loren Spencer
and family spent Sunday at NJ F
Mercer's.-T The ladies of Bailey's
church furnished the supper fol
the Promoters club at Stockport
Monday evening.
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1941-12-11
inNeigs


p. G. Lawrence regrets he can not
use a pencil-but we are glad he
can think of something worth
while. Here is his latest: '.That
churches like the Bristol Presbyre-
flan bulld cook oven similar to
those on the state highway, with
the idea that folks might como
there to spend the day and attend
church. Recently we attended a
meeting in neighborhood com
| munlty and listened to a wonderful
speech, sermon, lecture Had the
speaker stood at the gate of the
cemetery and talked to the tomb
stones they would have responded
as much as did the audience. The
only nice thing we could see in ia
vor of the speaker was that he got
some cash. Anyway we would like
to hear him speak to a responsive
audience Last week was what YOU
folks who know would perhaps call
hectic. We don't know, and haven't
had time to look up the meaning of
the word. Anyway we have not
only been busy but worried. Es-
ther Jean, who had been seriously
i'll with pneumonia during the week
was rushed to the Good Samaritan
hospital at midnight last Thursday
night, where she underwent an ap-
pendicitis operation, following
which she is thought to be doing
nicely. The hospital, while a sad
place, is "womaned" by a bunch of
mighty fine folks. While their
mode of worship may differ from
yours and mine, their practice of
the fundamentals of Christianity, of
human kindness and so on measures
up to that given the world by the
Saviour.--We are getting pretty
well acquainted with the roads up
around Coal HILL having made two
trips that way last week. At Rein
ersville we learned Earl Jones, who
was the doctor who not only
brought the GAINESVILLE News forth,
but who has watched, nourished and
groomed it, and SO on until it is now
out of swaddling clothes, but so
large it can't be covered up, was
dead. Before leaving the village we
learned someone had got the names
mixed. We found some folks who
had read our advice "Read your
lease" seem out of fix about our
lease Let us tell you here when
the boss is with us, he does the
leasing When We are alone, IL you
leave it to us, your lease will read
like the one we will sign, except
date. At the Dale Hill store at
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1941-12-11

Matron's association. An exchange
of gifts was feature of the even
ing. Worthy Matron-elect Mamie
Cheadle, is announcing installation
of Webb Chapter on Monday night,
Dec. %. Mrs. Roberta Mindling, of
Beverly, Associate Grand Con-
uucLress OF Ohio, AS installing offl-
Ger. Other officers taking part in
the ceremony are frankie Gage,
Wilda James, Margaret Durbin, Ag-
nes Dewitt and C. r. Bishop Mrs.
Philomena Schaad and son John,
accompanied Mr. and Mrs. Harold
Offenberger of Lowell to the Good
Samaritan hospital, to visit their
baby who is seriously i'll. l.--Guests
Sunday at the G. G. Stoneburner
home were her parents, Mr.. and
Mrs. L. F. Holcomb, of Crooksville,
Mr.. and Mrs Leroy Henery and Mr..
and Mrs. Earle Schuster of Zanes-
Vile Harry Gross spent Saturday
in Columbus with his daughter,
Mrs. Floyd Henery, and family
Week end guests of Mr.. and Mrs.
O. E. Lochary were their children,
Mr.. and Mrs. Roy Lochary and son
Layton of Philadelphia, Pa, and
| Leo and Carlos Lochary of Baltl-
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1941-12-11
HiIlcrest
Sailor Home From Pearl
HarbOr WadS

Max Riley, son of Herman Riley
who is with the U. S. fleet, station
ed at Pearl Harbor. Hawaiian Is
lands, while on 80 day furlough
spent the week end here at the Mrs
Media Smith home. Mr.. Riley was
accompanied by his bride They
were recently married at Missouri
when he was enroute to Ohio. His
brother, Herbert Riley, and friend
Miss Betty Fairall of Frazeysburg.
were also week end guests at the
Smith home. dwight Hanlin and
friend Miss Helen Perry of Canton.
spent Saturday night and Sunday
with the formers parents, Mr.. and
Mrs. o. v Hanlin.-- Misses Carol
and Mary BENJAMIN spent Sunday
with their grandparents, Mr.. and
Mrs. John Benjamin. Thursday
callers at the Vernon Ross home
We're Mr.. and Mrs. Dale Carpenter
of GAINESVILLE, and Joe Carpenter
and wife of Coshocton. Mr.. and
Mrs. c. II. Phillips were at the
Earl Phillips home East Windsor.
Sunday, to visit his mother. who
remains quite poorly and confined
w iCi Dtu.--1OlllS hlTDy ana MT.
Polling of Columbus and Frank
Newton and son Donald of Duncan
Falls, Were visitors Monday at the
Chester Newton home.--Geo. Huff
man of Westland was a dinner
guest Sunday at the Lee BENJAMIN
home Mrs. Elaine Kinney left
Monday evening for Urbana, Ind.
where she will visit her grandmoth-
er, Mrs. Linda Yarnell, at the New
burn Yarnell home.--J. Neil Ross
and Bob Haines of Columbus while
here on business trip, visited Sat
urday at the home of the formers
parents, Mr.. and Mrs. Vernon Ross.
Mr.. and Mrs A. A. Henery and
family, Newton ridge, visited Sum
day afternoon and evening at the
}. r. Henery home--Mr and Mrs.
Theodore Hollett attended the fu-
neral of Mrs. Nathan Henery. Sun
day.--Mrs. Esther Calvert was a
dinner guest of Mrs Mary Justice.
Sunday, and attended the funeral
of Mrs. Nathan Henery at the Van
Fossen funeral home, Stockport.
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1941-12-11

Young Hickory, we found Dale so
busy that he had to talk as he wait
ed on trade. 1t seems he has about
everything in stock except thresh-
ing machines. AS they are going
out of style perhaps he feels he
might have one left on his hands.
His brother, Floyd, owns the farm
which fills the space in the north
east corner of Bristol township
The death of Eva Mummey removed
another of the good women. Mar
garet Reed was a woman whom any
proud to call mother. If this weeks
batch is as hard to read, as it is to
write, we extend sympathy 1t
seems to us that we are not the only
queer one. AS we travel, talk and
listen, we find some folks who are
worried, fearing our boys will have
to go to war. They are real citizens,
true Americans. Some are worried
about increased taxes. You can
write the last line.--The Bristol
school has been closed the past few
days-but no restraint put on as to
where else they go.--The word of
the death of Jessie Wells caused
sadness to us, as we'll as the hun
dreds of friends and pupils who
have benefited by her instruction
and Christian life.
Corrections
Mrs. Bruce Huffman has 1900
cans of fruit instead of 200, as our
item read last week. 1t was "stave"
not stove timber that John Faris
and the scribe help cut.
Here is a letter which made us
feel good, so we want it published
that you may read it:
Friend Byron:-It is our very
great pleasure to extend to you our
Fluctuations and good wishes in hav-
ing rounded out 80 years as cores
pondent for the Morgan County
Democrat. Here is hoping you will
fill this capacity for many years to
come, as we consider you one
among the best. You wanted to
know something about the writer, so
here goes. Nationality, all Irish,
and proud of the fact; politics, dyed
in the wool, Democrats; religion,
Catholic We try to follow the pre-
cepts of the Golden Rule, to live
and help those less fortunate to live.
In the Sherlock home, the Demo-
crat our father John P. Sherlock,
was a subscriber to the first paper,
and we had in our possession a copy
of the first Democrat, but we are un-
able to find it at this time.-Alice
Hook, and James, Tom, John and
Fred Sherlock.
Delmar Hill, who has employ
ment at Dayton, has been at home
the past week on a sick leave.--We
are glad we are getting acquainted
with new friends, as at the rate our
friends are being called they would
soon all be gone.--About the time
we had decided the Gulf Stream"
had changed-the moon was staying
south and we were to have southern
brand of weather here this winter,
Old King Cole put in rap at the
door and Sunday morning we awak
ened TO find weather that were it
that way where our friends, Mr.. and
Mrs. Forest Tomson are, they would
sure stay close to the trailer. If
this catches up with them we hope
they viii keep us informed as to
their trip.-We notice almanacS are
to be in style for 1942-same style,
different numbers We left our
daughter, Jean, Sunday evening,
seeming to be improving nicely. She
is in room 210 Good Samaritan hos