The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1947-02-06
Medina County's
Sleighride
concluded from page

in Riehfeld township that day total
ed 6.524. There were 1861 horses.
That was because many single
sleighs and bob-sleds, each containing
one or more persons, which did not
enter into the competition, were
there to enjoy the festivities.
A number of brass bands were in
each sleighing party. In those days
nearly every township in the Reserve
had its brass band.
Of course, Summit County captur-
ed the flag and took it to Akron.
The competition mostly had been
between Cuyahoga and Summit
counties up to that time. Medina
County then decided to get into the
race in earnest. Tt felt that the
proper place for the sleigh ride flag
was Medina County and on the re-
turn home from Richfeld made plans
to get it.
Four days after the Richfeld meet
Medina's expedition to take the flag
glided into Akron. Among the 1872
sleighs were many bands which had
been secured from various townships.
Many banners and other decorations
fluttered from sleighs along the train
and there was bedlam of sleigh
bells of every pitch and tone. The
songs and laughter and excited hum
of the riders voices swelled into
roar like that Of small army.
Akron Welcomes Sleighing Party
Arrival of the Medina party had
been anticipated in Akron, where
elaborate ceremonies had been ar
ranged in honor of its reception.
Church bells pealed, cannons were
fired, and yells and cheers went up
from the cheering groups hastily
organized to receive it.
In response, old newspaper ac-
counts related, word was passed
back from the head of the Medina
line to the last load, which COM
menced cheering, and the cheers
came swelling back up the line and
were taken up by the rapidly con-
gregating citizens until the town
was in one deafening uproar of
human voices"
The flag was presented to the
delegation by President Pierce, of
Hudson College. His appropriate
remarks were answered by Charles
E. Boswick, chief marshal of the
Medina procession. Two songs,
composed for the occasion, We're sung
and refreshments were served.
Everybody Was Sober
The sleighing party, probably the
largest and most joyous such party
ever assembled" took the flag back
to Medina. Newspapers said no ac.
cident occurred and "no one got
drunk"
Medina was a much different towr
at that time. Originally named
Mecca, it was 3S years old when th'
sleigh rides took place. It's popu
lation was abouts 700 and that o
the county only 10000. The village
had seven dry goods stores; fiv'
groceries; one drug store; one bool
and apothecary store; woolen mill
axe factory, -four mill and furnace
There was one newspaper and si1
churches.
| Akron was little larger. Medina
1872 four-horse teams made it lool
like Columbia, Tenn, on the frs
Monday of every month--mule day
And the blare of brass bands ant
din of the crowd easily filled th'
town. It had les sthan 1000 popu
lation. Starting with 100 log cabins
built by Irish canal laborers in 1926
the town now had 20 stores; eigh
churches; four woolen factories; five
furnaces; five flour mills; a bank, al
insurance company, and two news
papers. Ten Of it's 20 stores were
groceries and two were book stores
Four of the remainder were druG
stores.