VISIONS

Paulding County
Carnegie Library
^T-^'w.^,

205

SorTii

MAIN

BOOKS-ON-TAPE - 2 0 0 1

Y O U R

1 920s

1 940s

200 1

S U M M E R RE.XDINO P R O G R A M S - 1 9 5 0 s

399-2032

HIGH-SPEED INTERNET A C C E S S - 2 0 0

T H E N !

1893-The Ladies Literary Society begins a subscription

library.
1903-Paulding Public Library Association is formed with 32
charter members.
1904-A public library and reading room is opened at 113
N. Main St. above the Farmer's Bank.
1912-A letter of inquiry is sent to Andrew Carnegie for
funding of a public library.
1914-Funding is secured and building begins on land donated
by the Latty family.
March 3, 1916 The Paulding County Carnegie Library opened its
doors with 4,000 books.

Y O U R

1 950s

L I B R A R Y

(419)

ST.

L I B R A R Y

T O D A Y !

Summer Reading and other youth programs involve hundreds of

Paulding County youth each year.
Research, reference, homework help and genealogy services are
provided by a knowledgeable and friendly staff.
Hundreds of unique items are borrowed yearly from other libraries for
patrons via Interlibrary-Loan (ILL) free of charge!
Books-On-Tape, CDs, videos, and DVDs help make up the 80,000 items
held by the library.
Fiction, non-fiction, biographies, best-sellers, magazines and
newspapers provide recreational and informative reading.
Branches in Antwerp, Oakwood and Payne provide full library service to
Paulding County communities.
Fast! Free! Internet connection via aT-1 Line is provided by the Ohio
Public Library Information Network (OPLIN).
Thousands of online, full-text magazine articles are accessible for
current authoritative information.
The Library's web page: http://library.norweld.lib.oh.us/Paulding gives
the library a "world wide" presence.
Recommended by State of Ohio to receive Gates Computer Training Lab.

Antwerp Branch Library

205 N. Madison St.
(419) 258-2855
Oakwood Branch Library
230 N. First St.
(419) 594-3337
Payne Branch Library
101 N. Main St.
(419) 263-3333

LIBRARY C L A S S VISIT - 1 9 5 0 s

"YOUR
Visions of HOMETOWN
Pauiding County
BANK"
2001 Edition

From the Historical Archiues of the

Paulding County Progress
yecond in ayeries # January 51, 2001
# tdited by Melinda Krick

Features

Early Days in Paulding County - A narrative from

1923.

A History that Speaks Volumes Paulding's library

has been branching out for more than a century.

The Legacy The son of an former slave became a

university professor and left a legacy to all Paulding
County.

12

Trading Places A ghost legend lives on as the 175year-old Curtis Trading Post Is being restored.

15

Childhood Memories of the Pauiding County Fair

17

Life on the Canal Take a trip back to the rowdy,

brawling days of the "canawlers."

19

You are now entering Dague, Ohio The story of a

real ghost town.

23

Barn Sighting The quickly vanishing little red barns

are an Important part of our heritage.

Copyright 2001 by the Paulding County Progress.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without
permission in writing from the publisher.
'Visions of Pauiding County: From the Historical Archives of the Paulding County Progress,
Volume 2" is published by the Pauiding County Progress,
P.O. Box 180, Pauiding OH 45879

Eastside
Restaurant
(formally Riverside)
Homecooked
food

Daily Specials
Open 6 a.m. - 8 p.m.
410 En.sl River U.S. 24
Antwerp, Ohio

(419) 258 - 1336

January 2001

Brookside
Drive Thru
602 East Perry
Paulding
399-2220

Street

The
Oakwood
Deposit Bank
Company
OAKWOOD
594-3333
GROVER HILL
587-3500

1905

2001

Drive-Up

Lobby

Mon.-Wed. 8 : 3 0

Mon.-Wed. 9-3

Thurs.-Sat. 8:30-12

T h u r s . & S a t . 9-12

Friday 8:30-6

F r i d a y 9-5

Visions of Paulding County - 1

Vorcb unwriten tell no 5tory to the future'

By MELINDA KRICK Progress Editor

Welcome to the second in our annual series of special publications, Visions of Paulding County: From the Historical Archives of the Paulding County Progress. Throughout the decades, the county's newspapers have printed innumerable articles recounting events related to the past. These stories, in
many cases, are the only written information available about
certain people, places and happenings.
The Visions is a collection of these informative and entertaining articles. We also have tapped a variety of resources to
bring you vintage photos and drawings - never before seen in
our pages - to help illustrate these stories.
Among the Ohio Historical Society Archives/Library's
holdings is a booklet: Address of Hon. A. P. Edgerton of Fort
Wayne, Ind, at the Annual Meeting of the Williams, Defiance
& Pauiding Counties, O., Old Settlers' Association, held at
Hicksviiie, Defiance Co., Sept. 11, 1878. The booklet is a print
version of the speech Mr. Edgerton gave that day - 41 pages
reminiscing about roads, schools, land sales, business and early settlers. On the final page, he left his listeners with the following thought:
"There is not a farm nor a home anywhere around
us but has its History, and if we would have it or
have our posterity possess it, some one must work to
obtain and preserve it. Every fallen tree, and fence,
and field, is full of it. They tell of man's labor and
trials, it can be found on every floor and around every room in every home. Birth and marriage and

The Whistle Stop Cafe has stood as a restaurant on

the corner of Stone and Main in Antwerp since
1893. Pictured here in 1908, the design has rarely
changed.

The Whistle Stop Cafe

202 South Main
Antwerp, Ohio
258-2269

2 - Visions of Paulding County

death make a part of it. Every itinerant preacher

who, in hope and prayer, over foot and bridle paths,
has searched out his people, can tell it to you. Every
doctor has found it on dreary roads and in the darkest nights, and in the homes where fevers and agues
had prostrated alike the strong man and the feeble
child. Every cross-road school house and every
church contains it. Every trade and trader has some
of it. It is found in our men on battle fields, in lowly
graves, and in places of trust and honor. In shadow
or sunshine it has passed every door. As we have
made it, and are daily making it, why should we not
keep it? Words unwritten tell no story to the future.
Therefore I say again, let every one keep some written record of something they know."
Mr. Edgerton's words are as true today as when he uttered
them 122 years ago. In addition to keeping readers informed
of the events of the day, we are pleased to be able to record
pieces of our history for current generations and generations to
come. Remember: "Your Newspaper is a Living Textbook."

?\ Index
^Visions

?(dVerisers

Angle's Hair Port

Antwerp Exchange Bank
BaughmanTile
Bright Net
Brookside Drive Thru
Carol's Catering
C&Y Oil
Davis Ace Hardware
Eastside Restaurant
Foitz Realty/Elaine Wannemacher
Holly, Wood & Vine
John Pauiding Historical Society
K-9 Custom Styling
Mr. B's Specialties
Nothing But Nature
Oakwood Deposit Bank
Ohio Gas Company
PC Workshop
Pauiding Chamber of Commerce
Pauiding County Carnegie Library
Pauiding County Progress
Pauiding County Senior Fair Board
Pauiding County Soli & Water Conservation
Pin-a-Rama
Sauder Village
IDS Telecom
Village Apothecary
Wannemacher, Maurle
Whistle Stop Cafe

Page*

15
18
5
7
1
19
4
10
1
10
10
16
21
12
15
1
23
14
3
Front Inside Cover
Back Inside Cover
12
13
19
7
11
Back Cover
10
2
January 2001

in

au ding (^ountu

From The Republican, March 22 and April 5, 1923:

HE BEST AND MOST ACCURATE way of obtaining knowledge relative to the advancement that
is being made by any certain community or section
of country is to converse with some one who has
spent many years therein.
Although he isn't exactly the oldest resident of
the county, Mr. John W. Ankney, of Paulding, has been here
quite a while and has always participated actively in that part
of the work which makes things go. It takes such men as he to
make a new country build.
His father purchased a 120 acre tract of woods in Emerald
township in i 851. On the fifteenth day of October of that year
the family, consisting of the parents and five children, arrived
on the land. They had been residing near New Philadelphia,
Ohio. The trip to the new home was made with two teams of
horses and two wagons, and took two weeks. During those

two weeks of travel they only crossed one railroad. The rails
of that were made by nailing long pieces of common strap iron
to pieces of wood. That road is now known as the Big Four.
When they arrived at their destination they discovered that
two other families had already located in the same vicinity.
They were the Hannenkratts and the Weipperts.
The Ankneys purchased what is known as canal land. They
paid $1 per acre. There was plenty of school land, just as
good, to be sold at 40 cents per acre, but it was back from the
canal a considerable distance making it difficult to get timber
to market.
Those of us of today who move from one community to
another and find fault if the former occupants of the premises
failed to remove every speck of dirt would hardly be capable
of wrestling with the problems that confronted this family in
their new home. Here they were with a family of small childSee EARLY DAYS, Page 4

Paulding
Chamber
of
Commerce
Pauiding Chamber of Commerce Board ot Directors: Seated from left to
right: Jim Durre, Treasurer; Rhonda Stabler, Vice-President; Konnie Gerber,
President; Mark Ferris, Secretary; Standing left to right: Mike Farmer, Anna
Brewster, Bruce Mohley, Kim Sutton, Executive Director; Jane Gray, Tony
Stureman, Greg Johnson and Larry Thornhiil.

Supporting

the

Community

Downtown Revitalization Heritage Tourism Business Promotion

P.O. Box 237
Paulding, Ohio 45879
(419) 399-5215

January 2001

Visions of Paulding County - 3

# Early days
(Continued from Page 3)

ren and no house. They spent the first night with one of the
two families already there. The next day they selected a site on
their own land and began the erection of a "bungalow" of their
own. Within a day it was so far advanced they were able to
move in, although a number of the conveniences were still
lacking and it was some time before it was entirely completed.
It wasn't much of a house, but many families were living in a
less commodious place and it was far better than remaining
longer in the wagons.
It was nice and dry when they moved onto the land. A little
later the heavy rains set in and it was then they realized a poor
place had been selected for the home, as they had water on all
sides and underneath.
Some how they managed to survive that first winter, and
early the next year they erected a more substantial abode, on a
higher and more favorable spot some sixty rods awayfromthe
first modest affair.
The magnet that drew the Ankneys, and a little later, numerous other families, was the canal, which was just beginning to operate and open up a way to market for the timber.
The reservoir was not yet completed, but it was no difficult
task to get water from the woods to feed the canal.
At first the only timber they were able to get ready for the
market was the hand split staves. There were times when the
water was so deep in the woods it was impossible to use
horses. At such time the staves had to be carried on men's
shoulders to the bank of the canal.
The snakes were numerous and large. Some of them reaching the proportions of fence rails. They were mostly black

Courtesy of Paulding County Carnegie Ubrary

This photo of a fleid of stumps repoitediy is the canai reservoir

near Antwerp, taken after it was suddenly drained during the
"Reservoir War" in the 1880s. Or, it could show a field being
cleared. Either way, it's a vivid reminder of the enormous amount
ot work It took to clear the forests to make productive farmland.

snakes, blue racers and copper heads. It served the youngsters

well as pastime to pursue these reptiles. The copper heads
were the only real venomous one of the lot and they were not
nearly so numerous as the others. The fires that swept through
the woods nearly every fail assisted greatly in ridding the
See EARLY DAYS, Page 20

C & Y OIL COMPANY, INC.

PAULDING COUNTY'S SOURCE FOR INDUSTRIAL, COMMERCIAL

AND RESIDENTIAL MARATHON PRODUCTS. OWNING AND
OPERATING TWO CONVENIENT MARATHON LOOATiONS:

Payne
MaraMart
202 N. Main St.
Payne, Ohio

263-2684

Store Hours:
Men.-Sat. 6 a.m.-10 p.m.
Sun. 7a.m.-10 p.m.

4 - Visions of Pauiding County

Paulding
MaraMart

1001 N. Williams St.

Paulding, Ohio

399-3247

Store Hours:
Mon.-Sun. 6 a.m.-11 p.m.

An American Company Serving America

January 2001

SCENE ON .THE AUGLAIZE:A HOME IN THE WILDERNESS.

Private collection
This etching ot an Augiaize River homestead is trom a book that was marked "1867" in pencli on the tront Inside cover. The book likely
predates the Civil War.

POLY-^AIN
CORRUGATED POLYETHYLENE DRAINAGE TUBING

(lj>BMUCHMMM

TILE

CO.

Pioneers In The Drainage ndustry

117 Years In Business

1-800-837-3160, iiiniiniif.taugnmaaiile.eom

e-mail: infor@bauglimantiie.CDm, St. Rt. 613. Pauiding^ Visions

Ohioof Paulding County - 5

A History that Speaks Volumes

Paulding's library has been branching out for more than a century

From the Paulding Progress of March 28,

1979:
By DORTHA SCHAEFER
N OCT. 20, 1893 A GROUP OF
women in Paulding began tbe long
process tbat finally resulted in tbe
present Pauiding County Carnegie
Library.
Known as tbe Ladies Literary Society, tbe
group assessed
eacb member
two dollars to
start a circulating library for
members of tbe
organization.
Additional
funds were
raised tbrougb
tbe efforts of
tbe members of
tbe club by
sponsoring local
programs. Mrs.
Overman, au
Antwerp memCourtesy Pauimng County Carnegie Utirary
ber, put on
The site upon which the libraiy was built was donated by Rebecca
some sort of
Latty, widow of Alexander S. Latty, who homesteaded there In the
musical enter1850s. This photo, on a 1907 postcard, reads: The oldest house In
tainment and
Paulding, owned by Mrs. Latty." it likely was razed for the library.
cbarged admission. Tbe brief outline of tbe library's history
neglects to list tbe lady's talents.
In 1896, Mrs. Percy Copeiaud presented
"an elocutionary entertainment," a popular
way to amuse listeners before the days of radio and television and the coming of comedians such as Bob Hope and Pbyliis Diiler.
Bob Hope uses the old elocutionary method of amusing with bis opening act during
eacb performance.
Tbe children of town leaders did their bit
to earn funds for the cause by giving "A Calendar of Years," and uo explanation of this
performance is given. We can only guess at
tbe act presented.
L. Etta Hutzel drilled local talent and put
on an entertainment called "Tbe Tots' Carnival," and a home talent effort was produced
under tbe direction of Mrs. E.E. Edge, with
ticket sales going to provide needed books.
Volumes were purchased as funds would
allow, and were stored at tbe home of tbe librarian, Mrs. William J. Wheeler. At this
time books were made available to tbe general public at tbe charge of five cents per volume per week.

6 - Visions of Paulding County

Mr. E.I. Antrim of tbe Brumback Van

Wert Library gave an address for tbe purpose
of informing and arousing interest in tbe formation of a public library in Paulding. Tbe
Brumback Library is noted today as tbe very
first of its type of USA public libraries.
Tbe Federation of tbe Literary Society
called meetings in tbe churches of tbe county
at which Miss Ella Louise Smith, librarian
from Van Wert, told of tbe steps required to
form a public library.
At a public meeting on April 6, 1903, the
Paulding Public Library Association was organized. Tbe following officers were appointed: Mrs. Andrew Durfey, president; Mrs.
A.N. Wilcox, vice president; Mrs. Baughman, secretary; Mr. T.R. Dunatban, treasurer.
Library committee: Mrs. W.J. Wheeler, John
Snook, Rev. Hoffman. Membership committee: Oliver Morrow, Mrs. Ice, Mrs. E.E. Savage. Thirty-two residents signed to become
charter members and in succeeding months,
tbe charter membership increased to seventytwo.
A reading room was first opened to tbe
public in 1904. Tbe room was furnished by
donations and the labor of Mrs. Eicbling,
Mrs. Wheeler and Mrs. C.W. Gamble. Tbe
first names of tbe women listed were omitted
from tbe sketchy history.
Maintenance was paid with dues of tbe
members. Mrs. Eicbling gave tbe fuel to beat
tbe reading room for tbe first year but tbe location of tbe room is not given.
At tbe time of tbe fust reading room there
were 600 books on tbe shelves, ranking tbe
new facility as one of tbe larger collections in
tbe area.
In 1912, Mr. C.H. Allen, Mrs. E.E. Edge
and Mr. W.J. Wheeler called upon tbe secretary of Mr. Andrew Carnegie to seek funds
for constructing a library m Paulding. Carnegie's secretary wrote back, requesting population and revenue information about Paulding County. At first, Mr. Carnegie refused to
consider tbe plan, stating tbat other communities in tbe county would also want libraries,
but did not have enough population to warrant tbe grant. When tbe Library Association
explained to him that the county library
would provide countywide service through
book stations, Mr. Carnegie changed bis
mind and granted $40,000. It would be tbe
first Carnegie Grant for a county library.
Tbe grant was accepted by tbe commisJanuary 2001

sioners Blakesley of Oakwood and S.O. Jackson of Cecil and J.L. McClure. The same
year a levy for necessary tax monies was
made by the same commissioners to provide
funds to maintain the new library structure.
Common Pleas Judge John S. Snook appointed tbe followmg as trustees of tbe facility: William J. Wheeler, Mrs. Williams H.
Shaffer, Mr. G.C. Dittenhaver, Mr. H.K. Harris of Antwerp, Mrs. George Rice of Brougbton, and Mr. Cyrus May of Oakwood as trustees of tbe library.
The new library was opened on March 3,
1916. As tbe structure was first used there
were 5,000 books on its shelves. After tbe
dedication of tbe building, it was found tbat
tbe structure bad been built on quicksand.
Tbe east back part and end began to settle
and separate from tbe remainder of tbe building. Concrete buttresses were placed on the
east wall to bold tbe building together. Evidence of tbe settling is still visible in tbe
basement.
Tbe name of tbe library was changed to include tbe name Carnegie. It is still used today
Tbe Pauldmg County Carnegie Library.
After tbe initial shock of tbe quicksand discovery and repair of tbe early damage, no
renovation or major repair was undertaken
until 1960 when tbe trustees, under tbe
guidance of Leslie Basil, president of tbe

board, installed a gas-oil boiler, new floors

on tbe main floor of tbe building, storm
windows on all windows, and removed tbe
skylight which bad been a source of leaks
since construction of tbe building.
Ceilings were lowered in both reading
rooms, fluorescent light fixtures were installed throughout tbe entire structure and
mercury vapor lights were placed atfrontand
back of tbe building.
At that time tbe trustees replaced tbe concrete walk and steps at tbe front and repaired
roof leaks and did several other repairs much
needed by tbe agmg building.
Ten years ago tbe library was staffed by
two full-time people: Mrs. Iris Kuns and
Bonnie Carlisle, and by two part-time assistants, Mrs. Arva Ferrell and Richard Gonzales. Another part-time worker from tbe
Neighborhood Youth Corps was Esther Garrett. Supervising librarian was Ronald J.
Scbenk.
Tbe library boused over 35,000 books,
subscribed to 105 magazines and had back
copies dating to tbe early 1900s. Recordings
and films were a new service with record circulation for 1969 totaling over 1,100, and
fibn viewers totaling over 11,000. Total book
circulation for 1969 was in excess of 56,000.
Funds for operating came from the intangible tax collection of which tbe budget com-

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Easy Driving Directions: Less than an hours drive from
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to and tbrougb Arcbbold then right on St. Rt. 2.
January 2001

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Visions of Paulding County - 7

Courtesy Paulding County Carnegie Library

For many years, the Paulding County Carnegie Library had an Easter egg tree for decoration and also as a centerpiece of an annual spring
program. This photo was taken about 1956, in the north reading room. The woman at left was Helen Simon.

mission gave 100 percent to the library, one

tenth of a mill on real estate and a grant in aid
from the state library to operate extension
services in tbe county.
At tbat time there were five stations in tbe
county: Antwerp, Grover Hill, Haviland,
Oakwood and Payne. One joint venture with
tbe Van Wert Brumback Library in Van Wert
was established at Scott.
Trustees in 1969 were Ray Hart, president;
Raymond Rougbton, vice-president, Mrs.
Florence Wetli, secretary, Albert Beatty, Patrick Young and Mrs. Audrey Johnson. Russell Williams served as clerk.
Iris Gallagher has been serving as parttune librarian. Mrs. Gallagher was librarian at
Paulding Schools for several years before
taking over the county job. Her position is
8 - Visions of Paulding County

temporary and she will be replaced as soon as

a qualified librarian can be found.
The serious disrepair of tbe library was
noted by the new librarian and is being corrected presently. The library now contains
over 40,000 books, along with tapes, cassettes and albums.
Others working in tbe popular facility are
Eleanore Brune, Genevieve Rife and Velma
Loop. Leonard Shields is maintenance man
and Ellen Beck is cleaning lady.
Tbe Library Board is now made up of
these citizens: Jim Spriggs, president; Harold
Sponseller; Ray Hart; Judy Snook, secretary;
Sharon Kobart; and W.P. Scbey. Florence
Gorman serves as clerk-treasurer of tbe
board.

January 2001

THE LEGACY

The son of an ex-slave,

George Phillips
became a
university professor
and left a legacy
to all Paulding County

This photo of Dr. George Phiiiips and his wife, Myrtie, was taken at
his retirement in May 1956.

January 2001

=5^

From the Pauldmg Progress, Nov. 30, 1983:

By DORTHA SCHAEFER
EORGE PHILLIPS, A MAN WHO SPENT the
early years of his life in Pauldmg County, willed
his estate to the John Paulding Historical Society
a few years ago, thus helping to bring about tbe
historical museum now being completed in Paulding.
Little is known of tbe man locally, even by Society members, and much interest is being shown as tbe days before tbe
grand opening of tbe facility become shorter.
Dr. George Augustus Phillips
was bom December 22, 1885 on a
small farmstead located a mile
south and three-quarters of a mile
east of Roselms in Washington
Township. He was one of many
children bom to a slave father, tbe
Reverend Lloyd Phillips and
Georgeanna Howard Phillips who
was Lloyd's second wife.
An old tmnk now in possession
of tbe Society to be on display in
tbe museum came to Paulding
County with tbe Phillips by way
of tbe underground railway, a system worked out to help escaped slaves to freedom.
Information on bis childhood is sketchy although much is
known of bis later life. He attamed an excellent education and
made bis mark in tbe world as an educator, a most difficult
feat for members of bis race.
As a young boy George was offered a job by prominent
physician Leroy Fast of Paulding who needed someone to
groom bis horses. He not only accepted tbe job, be walked mto
their lives and became one of tbe family, remainmg there until
be finished high school and one year of medical college in
Fort Wayne.
Tbe physician realized George bad great potential and was
invaluable in helping tbe young man get bis start. His offer to
pay George's way tbrougb medical college bad to be tumed
down by tbe youth as bis real love was for teaching. He entered tbe teaching profession and made rapid progress m bis
chosen field.
During World War I be was assigned to tbe Armory Division for Classification and was enrolled in German Language
Classes at Westem Michigan University. In this capacity be
was appomted as supervisor of tbe War Gardens. After tbe war
ended be went to Cassopolis, Mich., and reentered tbe classroom where be continued teaching.

Visions of Pauiding County - 9

He was married to Myrtle Arm Reynolds of Ridge Township, Van Wert County on October 31, 1909. They bad no
children. George made up for this lack by bis life-long association with children tbrougb tbe teaching profession.
George continued to learn and earn degrees tbrougb tbe
years, getting a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1924 from Westem
State Teachers College at Kalamazoo, a Masters in Education
from tbe University of Cincinnati in 1927, and bis Ph.D. in
1930. He received an honorary doctorate degree in 1968 from
tbe University of Cincinnati.
At tbe time of receiving tbe honorary degree, Phillips was
'Offered a choice by his ex-siave father of a
horse-and-buggy or a high schooi education,
[George] Phiiiips unhesltatingiy opted for education, the only one of ten children in the family to
do so.'
U. of Cincinnati president Walter C. Langsam

lauded by tbe president of tbe university who called bim "a

pioneering teacher, distinguished school administrator and a
notable collector of historical documents and artifacts."
Phillips was an extremely proud man, one who rose above
tbe many obstacles tossed in tbe path of persons of bis race.
As be grew in knowledge be became intensely interested in
improving tbe educational lot of bis people.
To this end be devoted bis life, helping organize and administer a program of adult education in Cincinnati, and reorganizing secondary education programs of tbe Negro schools in

F0L7Z REALTY
106 N. Williams St.
Paulding, Ohio 45879

S6uHe7Cta*mmac4e^

Associate Realtor
419-399-3030
419-399-2347

Residence; 419-263-2523

MAURIEPAULDING
MMNOUCHK
COUNTY COMMISSIONER

OFFICE: 419A99-3030
121 N. MAIN ST. - BOX 316
PAULDING, OH 45879

10 - Visions of Paulding County

OFFICE; 4194399-8215
COURTHOUSE
PAULDING, OH 45879

Tennessee.
During his lifetime be helped to organize and administer
Blue Cross and Blue Shield Health programs, served as chairman of tbe registrant division of tbe Hamilton County Draft
Board in Cmcinnati during World War II, and assisted in establishing tbe federal govemment's Veterans Administration
building in Cinciimati.
Phillips served in tbe reconstraction of tbe school building
program m bis city, as a member of tbe Athletic Board of Controls, and as a professor of education in tbe Agricultural and
Industrial State University in Nashville, Tenn. He also served
on tbe Rent Control Board during tbe Second World War.
University of Cincinnati president Walter C. Langsam said
of bim, "Offered a choice hy bis ex-slave father of a borseand-buggy or a high school education, Phillips unhesitatingly
opted for education, tbe only one of ten children m tbe family
to do so. With tbe passmg of years, bis interest in learning and
imparting of knowledge continued to grow as, durmg and after
tbe completion of bis own formal education, be taught in public schools in bis native Paulding County, in Michigan, in Tennessee, and in Cincinnati.
"One of tbe most eminent contributions of bis remarkable
career," continues tbe writings of Langsam, "came during his
principalsbip of tbe Harriet Beecber Stowe School. There be
pioneered in developing a realistic curriculum for culturally
deprived boys and girls a program tbat successfully encouraged bis pupils to earn while leammg and to persevere in their
studies instead of leaving school prematurely. He also has
contributed significantly to an understanding of tbe ethnological and cultural backgrounds of bis race tbrougb tbe lifelong

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January 2001

Staff Photo/Paulding County Progress

Dr. George A. Phillips was a benefactor of the John Paulding Historical Society. The study at his home has been recreated at the society's
museum in Paulding. He died at the age of 94 and Is buried in Paulding County.

accumulation of a remarkable museum of historical documents

and materials."
Dr. Phillips made his home in Cincinnati for many years,
living there at the time of his death on August 26, 1979. During his later years he made contact with the county historical
society members and made known to them bis plans to leave
bis estate to tbe local organization. Many trips were made between Paulding and Cincinnati both before and after tbe man's
death to care for tbe estate.
Dr. Phillips has nieces and nephews in tbe county and at bis
death there were still six half-brothers and sisters living as
well as seven full brothers and sisters. He was buried m tbe
Middle Creek Baptist Church near Roselms. Credit for bis eulogy was given to tbe Honorable Judge Chase Davies of tbe
Cmcinnati court.
January 2001

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Visions of Paulding County ~ 11

TRADING PLACES

A ghost legend lives on as

the 175-year-old Curtis Trading Post is being restored

From the Progress of Oct. 23, 1996:

By DORTHA SCHAEFER
Feature Writer
OST OLDER HOMES HAVE REPUTATIONS
of one sort or another, and Paulding County's
famed Trading Post House built by General Horatio N. Curtis in 1825 is no exception. Tbe building is located northeast of Antwerp on tbe north
bank of tbe Maumee River.
General (that's bis first name, not bis rank) Curtis picked a
spot near Cecil for bis big brick mansion. Tbe site was once
part of a town named Cranesville and Curtis was also tbe first
postmaster. Stories, whether fact or fiction, are numerous of
tbe imposing brick structure built in tbe style of tbe early
1800s.
Some of tbe former residents of tbe bouse claim it was
haunted; others say they lived there for a time and insist there
was never a ghost prowling tbe upper reaches of tbe ancient
building. Mickey Hughes, who lived there with her family
from 1965 until 1970, admits she didn't use tbe upstairs por-

''^^g

ICome

Dortha Schaefer/Paulding County Progress

This is a picture of the General Horatio N. Curtis house near Cecil

as It looked in 1976. The photo was taken before the wooden addition on the back was removed, which was said to house the ghost ot
the poor fellow that was hanged there by his sons.

for
^ ran ,

Support the 2001

Paulding County Fair!
July 9th' 14th

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12 - Visions of Paulding County

t o

Tr
|

C i g a r

&

W i n e

Imported E>eer

S n a d c

ravel

& f a r t y

I t em s

4 1 9 - 2 5 8 - 1 6 1 1

Comer of St. Rt. 24 Antwerp

Tues.-SaL Closed Sun. & Mon.
January 2001

tion of the wooden 1826 addition, which once housed a maid.

That part has now been torn down. A man who once did use
tbat part claims tbat spirits roamed there, or at least bis parents
said so. Tbe family was said to be shirt-tail relation of the Curtis family. A ghost was said to have bumbled about upstairs.
According to the stories, two boys hung their father in the
attic just off the room in the north addition used by the maid in
early years. The reason for this extreme action is not known.
The father's spirit is thought to be tbe restless one. A small
door tfom tbe cobweb-bung, black and dingy attic into tbe
bedroom was continually coming open, no matter bow many
times it was shut and latched.
A desperate resident is said to have taken hammer and spike
nails and pounded it tightly shut. Tbe door still came open.
Another legend tells of a strange eerie light tbat appears in
tbe bottom ground between tbe bouse and tbe river two to
three weeks out of tbe year. Many have looked for tbe source
of tbe light. It has never been found. Former residents have remembered a burial ground west of tbe bouse which has since
been plowed over and farmed for many years, a place where
Indian relics were plentiful. Tbe graves were plainly visible at
one tune.
Tbe Curtis bouse was a part of tbe Cameron Estate when it
passed from tbe original family owners. It was owned for a
time by Jim Noneman and then was owned by Cliff Correll.
Curtis was one of the first pioneer into the northwestern
Ohio wilderness in 1825. He was a trading post operator, tbe
fust businessman to establish himself m Antwerp - at tbe tune
unnamed - tbe first surveyor and founding father.
Tbe bouse Horatio built sits on tbe north bank overlookmg
tbe river where an Indian bouse once stood, and where travelers on tbe river disembarked. Tbe bouse can be reached today
only by a private lane. It and 300 acres of tbe original 3,000acre-land was once known as "Colden Acres."
During tbe heyday of tbe trading post, Ottawa Indians trom
Cbarloe numbering in tbe hundreds brought their animal skins
to tbe post to trade for items they wanted and needed. Tbe
price for coon skins was tfom 50 cents to $1 eacb. A ledger
lists many transactions in tbe beautiful shaded handwritmg of
the post's owner.
Among things sold and traded were pine boxes for burying
the dead for one dollar eacb, and laces, calicoes, etc. A puzzling listing was "Blue Deer" and whether tbat was tbe name
of tbe person bringing in tbe skin or a type of deer is not
known.
During bad weather tbe Indians who lived in tbe river bank
bouse would come to tbe post and lie in front of tbe mainroom fireplace to keep warm.
There are five other fireplaces in tbe bouse, one in tbe kitchen, one in tbe downstairs bedroom, two upstairs and one in tbe
rock-walled basement.
A well can be found in tbe basement. It was a fortress of
sorts where tbe residents of tbe bouse could take shelter in
case of attack. Holes in tbe west walls of tbe bouse bad a sinister purpose - three of them are peek boles for watching to
tbe west and north for approaching danger and three others are
gun mounts.
Succeeding tenants have changed tbe inside of tbe bouse.
Tbe present owner, Denise Schwab, is restormg it to its former
state. One previous owner tried converting tbe rooms into
apartments; tbe grand central ball with its elegant stairway bad
been torn apart to make room for bathrooms and closets. Little
January 2001

of the former interior design could he seen at one time. All but
two of the fireplaces were covered.
Bricks for the thick exterior walls were made m Fort Wayne
and shipped to tbe Cecil area. These were laid in an interesting
pattern. Window sills are thick and woodwork of tbe interior is
maple, pine and oak. Square-top handmade nails are in evidence throughout tbe structure where,remodeling has taken
place.
To tbe west of tbe bouse can be seen a small grove of trees.
Here a little creek flows toward tbe river and it is said tbat
Johnny Appleseed once planted some of bis famous Ifuit trees
in this area. None remain today, of course. A stagecoach route
passed from tbe river road down tbe west side of tbe bouse
and across tbe front yard, tfom there going to tbe east side and
back to tbe river road. Passengers alighted and walked into tbe
post over tbe stone threshold.
At one time, a porch with massive pillars must have fronted
tbe post; evidence remains of foundations for such pillars. Tbe
owners at one time poured concrete walks and a new front approach.
Denise Schwab is tbe current owner of tbe Curtis bouse, a
woman who loves tbe place and is attempting to restore it as it
once was. She lives in a portion of it. There was a wooden addition on tbe back and this has been torn down. Partitions put
in by former owners who intended to make apartments for rent
have been taken out.
Tbe bouse sat vacant for about 13 years. Denise also
bought, besides tbe first three acres with tbe bouse, an additional amount of land and now owns 30 acres. She raises
horses and recently made many bales of bay. She has plans to

Paulding Soil & Water Conservation District

315 North Walnut Street
Paulding, Ohio 45879
Phone: 399-3841 - SWCD

County Departments

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-Black Swamp Nature Center

Free Services:

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- T y e Paratill Subsoilers
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-Straw Mulcher
- B u s h Hog Rotary Chopper
-Phiiiips
Rotary for
Harrow
- M u l c h Nelling
erosion control
-Staples ( 1 " X 6")
- A i l Purpose Seed Mixture
-Bird Feeders & Nesting Boxes
- W i r e Marking Flags
- P o n d Safety Kits & Deep Water Signs
-Spring & Fall Fingerling Fish Sales
- S e e d l i n g Tree Sales
-Plat Books

Items for Sale:

State Departments
-Soil Survey

Federal Departments

-Conservation Plans
-Wetland Determinations

Educational Services

Teachers Tool Boxes Featuring:

-Environscape Model
-Groundwater Model
-Macroinvertebrate Santpies
-Water Testing Kit
-Outdoor Classroom Books
-Wildlife Discovery Box

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available to schools, youth
groups and community
Natural Resources
Conservation Service

Paulding Soil & Water Conservation District... Working

Together to promote wise use of our soli, water and other natural
resources. Conserving Today ... Protecting Tomorrow!
Visions of Pauiding County - 13

build an addition tbat will bold tbe utilities, a kitcben and

batbroom.
Tbe original post office was located nortb of tbe bouse and
was in business from 1825 until 1840. Curtis was bom Jan. 11,
1800, and died Aug. 13, 1870, according to some records. His

grave stone in tbe cemetery next to tbe Antwerp town park

carries a different date for bis deatb.
Curtis was tbe first Paulding County recorder, and bis beautiful trading post is a place of interest witb or without tbe
ghosts.

fi

Courtesy Denise Schwab

The General Horatio N. Curtis house and trading post was built along the Maumee River in 1825, making it the oldest dwelling still standing
in Paulding County. It was part of Cranesville, the first collective white settlement in the county.

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January 2001

Childhood memories of the

PAULDING COUNTY

From the Paulding Progress of Aug. 31, 1950:

"This And That" by EMMA SUTTON
S THE COUNTY FAIR of 1950 draws nigh, I am
reminded of the Fairs of yester-year.
I have been told that the first Fair that I attended, was when I was one year old. I still have a little
red glass cup which my parents bought for me at
tbat tune. On it is engraved "Emma Catherine Gary." Tbrougb
tbe years I have admired this souvenir and have told persons
bow I happened to have it.
Although Paulding was only nine and one half miles from
my childhood home, my mother and we children went there
only once a year. (My father went for paying taxes or on other
busmess.) Was it any wonder tbat my brothers, sisters and I
looked forward to tbe Fair witb great anticipation?
In those days tbe pupils of tbe country schools did drawing
for tbe Fab. Tbe older ones drew maps, and tbe younger ones
drew pictures. I remember of drawing and coloring a robin.
An older girl made a very pretty bunch of grapes. Of course,
we always looked at tbe school displays to see if our drawings
were really there. Our school won several nice books as prizes, for our work. One book tbat I read over and over was Fifty
Famous Stories Re-told, which told of tbe lives of many great
persons.
I think, when I was a child, tbat tbe Paulding County Fair
started on Monday and ended on Friday. To be sure, it was advertised in tbe two county papers.
Tbe first of Fair week, buggies and carriages began going
past our farm. On tbe rear of eacb one was a bundle of bay so
tbat tbe horses could be fed at noon. When we saw these vehicles passing, we knew tbat tbe Fair bad surely started. Since
Thursday was always considered tbe best day, we bad to just
keep watching others go by, and wait, until tbe all important
day came.
My brothers, sisters and I little knew of tbe work our mother did, tbat her family might attend tbe wonderful Fair. She
bad to wash witb a wash-board or band machine, and iron witb
irons heated on a wood-stove, in order to have dresses ready
for three little girls, little suits for two boys and ber's and my
father's best clothes in shape.
On Wednesday she worked bard preparing food for our
Thursday dumer, which would fill a large market basket.
Thursday fmally arrived. We were all up bright and early to
eat our breakfast. (Those were tbe days when tbe whole family
ate breakfast together.) It was thrilling, doing our little chores
tbmkmg of tbe picnic dinner, donning our very best clothes
and starting off to tbe Fair in tbe surrey witb tbe If inge around
tbe top. We could hardly wait until we arrived at Paulding
which seemed like a metropolis to us.
In a field along tbe west side of tbe road, just south of town,
was an advertisement, which I suppose was for ladies garments. To us, it was only a woman made of wood. We always
looked for her, and we knew when we spied her, tbat we were
abnost in Pauldmg. Another thrill, was when we beard tbe
horses hoofs clattermg on tbe brick pavement.
Since it took so long to drive to Paulding, it was nearly dmner-tbne by tbe time we reached tbe Fab Grounds, and found a
January 2001

FAIR

This tiny ruby-flashed cup was treasured by Emma Gary Sutton

all her life. Her parents bought the memento of the Paulding County Fair for her when she was a year old. She was born In 1896.
place for our horses and tbe surrey. Our parents would bunt a
nice grassy spot and spread a white table-cloth on which to put
tbe food. What looked delicious to us, was tbe golden-brown
fried chicken piled high on a platter. Tbe home-made bread
spread witb jelly, pickles, pie and cake were also very good.
Our family just sitting there on tbe ground and enjoying tbe

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Visions of Paulding County - 15

only picnic of the year, was something I shall never forget.

Sometimes when we have been at tbe Fair, persons who bad
left tbe dinner in tbe vehicle m which they bad come, would
discover upon going to get it, tbat it bad been stolen. I think
one who bad done such an act, should be called tbe meanest
thief.
After we bad eaten dinner, we started walkmg around to see
tbe sights. Since we were interested in farming we always
looked at tbe cows, bogs, chickens, etc. Some of tbe bogs
looked almost as large as cows, to me. We always raised Plymouth Rock chickens, so chickens of other colors were mteresting.
Tbe merry-go-round was tbe first and only kind of swing at
tbe Fair, for quite a number of years. I loved to bear tbe music
on it, and to watch tbe ponies go round and round. When I was
very small, 1 do not think I ever rode on it, because I could become dizzy, as I stood and watched it going.
We children enjoyed watching tbe races as we peeked
tbrougb tbe fence. We wer^ never in tbe grand stand as are
hundreds of people today.
Tbe displays of fruits, vegetables, flowers, quilts and other
needle-work were attractive. I can remember seeing one huge
sweet pumpkin, much larger than any I had ever seen.
My parents enjoyed meeting old acquaintances and relatives
whom they bad not met for a year, or maybe years.
Since we children did not know our way around alone, we
were witb our mother and father all of tbe time. In spite of this
fact, one time we lost my youngest sister. We were bunting for
her, and at last found her picking up pretty pieces of tissue paper which bad been wrapped around white chewing gum

P r e s e r v i n g
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16 - Visions of Paulding County

(made mostly of paraffin and in pieces around three inches

long). Tbat was tbe only instance of any of tbe Gary brood being lost.
At tbe Fair, there were usually persons selling water-melons,
celery and bushels of peaches. Some one was always makmg
white and pink taffy. As we left tbe Fair Grounds, we always
bad to buy some of tbe candy, to show tbat we bad been at tbe
Fair. We were always sad when father said "It's four o'clock.
We have to go home."
Nevertheless we bad to leave, because we bad to be home in
time to do chores.
We were happy because we bad seen tbe Fab, and no doubt
started looking forward to tbe one next year.

Attempted robbery

From the Paulding Democrat, Nov. 25, 1875:

N SUNDAY NIGHT AN ATTEMPT was made to
rob tbe County Treasury. Entrance was gained
tbrougb tbe back window, and tbe outer door of
tbe safe blown open witb powder, at which time
tbe robbers must have been disturbed by some
means, as no bace of any further attempt could be found.
Tbe inside door was colored by the burning powder that
bad there been any further work attempted, finger marks
would have shown on tbe safe, which they did not. Before
making their raid on tbe Treasury, Mr. Harper's wagon shop
was visited and such tools as were needed by tbe burglars in
their work taken. They also paid tbe Grocery of Joe. Coupland's a visit perhaps for tbe purpose of obtaining tbe powder
necessary to do tbe work.
We hope however tbat tbe parties may yet be found and tbe
villian or villians [sic], who would thus rob a poor people like
those of Paulding Coimty, brought to justice.
Tbe county funds were all kept in this vault and bad they
succeeded in opening tbe inside door, this county would have
been left badly in debt, and without a cent in tbe Treasury.
Tbe villians should be hunted down, and although we do
not approve of Judge Lyntcb [sic], We think tbat a banging
bee would be very pleasant and at tbe same time quite profitable to our people.
There is a gang of these fellows in this region and tbe banging of one or two of them might cause tbe rest to leave, if not
however, we have plenty of trees here and could dispose of
quite a number of them if necessary.
Tbe drawer in tbe Treasurer's desk contained several dollars in small change, and quite a number of county orders,
which were not disturbed. The cusses wanted big pay for their
trouble or none at all.
Since tbe above has been put in type, Treasurer Young has
discovered tbat about $50 worth of pennies three cent and five
cent nickels which be kept in a cigar box, were taken.

About the cover

The second Visions ofPaulding County cover features two photos.

The foreground photo has no markings to indicate date, location or
the identities of the nine women. It likely was taken some time around the turn of the century. The stone wall behind them is believed
to be under the railroad bridge or the canal aqueduct near Melrose
(courtesy of the Burt Family). The background photo is from a postcard view of the "Maumee River Antwerp," dated April 24, 1910.
The card, mailed from Antwerp, is from a mother to her daughter in
January 2001
Swanton (private collection).

From the Process of May 12, 1976:

By LOUIE LEVY
THE SHORT-LIVED CANAL ERA WAS an exciting time in
Ohio and Paulding County. For the canalers, or "canawlers," it
was rough life, but for passengers, canal travel was tbe most
leisurely of all types of water travel.
Hundreds of different boats traveled tbe Miami-Erie and
Wabash canals during tbe 275-day annual navigation period.
Tbe canal boats were either passenger or packet boats, freight
or line boats, or state or maintenance boats.
Most canal boats were 78 feet long and 14 feet 10 inches
wide, just small enough to fit in tbe locks.
Packets were tbe speed demons of tbe canals. Although a 4
mpb speed limit was imposed on tbe canals to limit wear and
tear on tbe banks, tbe packets generally made 6-8 mpb. This
pace was maintained by two to six horses or mules kept at a
trot by a driver who rode the saddle horse (usually tbe left rear
horse).
Fresh horses were sometimes kept on tbe boat, but they
were generally kept at relay stations spaced at 10-mile intervals. Steam packets on tbe canal were not common since higher speeds increased wave damage to tbe bank.
Passage on packets was cheap anywhere from 3-5 cents a
mile. Depending on tbe boat, 35 to 40 passengers was considered a good load; however, most captains would board considerably more persons if tbe could.
Packets usually bad a five-man crew: tbe captain, two
steersmen, a driver (for tbe horses) and a cook. Tbe crew's

quarters were generally in tbe forward part of tbe boat while

passengers were accommodated in an all-purpose, lounge-type
room, which also served as a dining room and sleeping area.
At night tbe all-purpose room was divided into a ladies' cabin and a men's cabin. If tbe boat was full, slips were drawn
from a bat for berth assignments. A line would be stretched
down tbe center of tbe room to bang clothes on.
Meals were fairly good. Dinners of lake fish and bam and
egg breakfasts were not uncommon. Fresh spring water and
food stuffs were stocked at main ports along tbe canal.
Some packets bad carpeted floors and light colored walls for
comfort and appearance.
A 266-mile trip from Toledo to Cincinnati on tbe MiamiErie Canal took four days and five nights while tbe 242-mile
trip from Toledo to Lafayette, Ind., on tbe Wabash Canal was
advertised to take just 56 hours.
Long distance packet service began to decline by 1850 witb
tbe commg of tbe railroads.
Grain, produce, ore and other raw products were typical
canal cargo. Freight rates were 2 1/2 cents per mile.
State boats transported maintenance crews tbe length of tbe
canal repairing tbe waterway and keeping tbe channel clean.
Canal etiquette was often based on which boat captain was
tbe better fighter. However, certain rules were supposed to be
obeyed by every captain on tbe canal. Packets bad precedence
over freighters when tbe two met on tbe canal.
If two freighters or packets going tbe opposite direction met,
tbe upstream boat bad tbe right of way. There was only one
tow path along tbe canals for tbe animals pulling tbe boats to

Bridges were necessary where roads intersected the canals. Some bridges were high enough to allow canal boats to pass underneath, in
other places, "bump bridges," like the one depicted in the above sketch, were designed to swing out otthe way when it was bumped by a
passing boat. When the boat cleared the bridge, it returned to position for horse and foot traffic. Such a bridge was located at Mandale.
January 2001

Visions of Paulding County -

17

follow. Therefore, the downstream boat would have to allow

its 70- to 90-foot tow line to drop to tbe bottom of tbe channel
so tbe upstream boat could pass.
Locks were a time consuming hassle for tbe boaters. About
one minute was spent in tbe lock for every foot tbe water level
was raised or lowered. Tbe same rules of precedence applied
at tbe locks; however, tbe rougher captains usually were able
to convince tbe more peacetul ones to let them go tbrougb
first.
Sometimes tbe question of who would go tbrougb tbe lock

Private collection

The Wabash-Erie and Miami-Erie canals often had to pass over

rivers and streams, creating the need tor aqueducts over these waterways. This photo Is probably ot the aqueduct over the Little Auglaize River south of Melrose. The "waterfall" actually was trom a
break In the wooden structure.

first was settled by a fist fight. During these fights, no weapons were permitted and few canalers were every seriously
hurt. Some of tbe best fighters were honest, respected family
men.
There were two canal-related murders in Paulding County.
One occurred along tbe Wabash Canal in Emerald Township
when a lock tender shot a man approaching bis bouse. Tbe
lock tender claimed it was self-defense. But, since tbe murdered man was shot outside tbe lock tender's picket fence, tbe
court refused tbe plea.
Tbe other murder occurred near at Dead Man's Lock in tbe
1880s. It seems one canawler split tbe bead of another witb an
axe over an affair witb a woman.
Some "bad guy" captains hired thieves and fighting
"toughs" to intimidate other canawlers. Besides picking fights,
they often neglected to pay their food and feed bills. To outwit
their creditors, they frequently renamed their boats, passing
through town one day as the "Ohio" and tbe next day as tbe
"California."
Canawlers were an interesting lot. Few of tbe owners of
boats made large profits. Most of tbe freighters were owned by
more than one person. Many of the owners started as boatmen
on the canal, working until they bad enough money to buy
boats of their own.
Next to fighting, singing held a large place in their lives.
They memorialized in song their loves, boats and mules witb
equal fervor. Canawlers were tbe gypsies of tbe waterway.

We're not just bankers,

we're neighbors.

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305 S. Main Street
Antwerp, Ohio 45813 (419) 258-5351

Melinda Krick/Paulding County Progress

This small stone aqueduct at Junction looks almost frozen In time

- nearly unchanged since it was built more than 150 years ago.
This view is of the east side of the structure, not visible from the
road.
Member FDIC
18 - Visions of Paulding County

January 2001

YOU ARE NOW ENTERING

Dague

... THE STORY OF A PAULDING COUNTY mmi

From the Progress Sept. 18, 1996:
By NANCY WHITAKER
Feature Writer
I thought that "ghost towns" existed only in the Old West,
but I found out differently. When talking to some folks in
Paulding County, and to some local people, I beard about
towns tbat have vanished. Towns tbat used to be thriving and
were hubbubs of activity. What happened to these towns?
Why did they disappear? In a series of articles, I will attempt
to write about these towns' beginnings and their ends. At one
tune, most of these towns bad grocery stores, post offices, saloons, hotels, schools, and homes. The town of Dague is one
of these ghost towns.

DAGUE
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IS 11 /.I

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STREET

MAIN
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LYNN

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99

21 92
28 27

STREET

The Village of Dague was located about five miles south,

and one-half mile west of Paulding, right off of U.S. 127.
Thirty-eight lots were plotted where tbe old Cincinnati Northern Railroad crosses Blue Creek, approximately in tbe early
1880s. Tbe village was named for Hamilton Cbauncey Dague,
who was a promoter.
Like other growing communities of its time, Dague grew
witb tbe lumber industry. To tbe east on 127, there was a sawmill tbat attracted many people because there were jobs available. In addition to tbe sawmill, there was a hoop stave factory. Tbe stave factory produced staves of wood used for
wooden barrels. Also Dague produced wooden bowls for
kitcben and dining room use. So if you see or have any of
these wooden bowls, maybe it was produced in Dague.
When Dague was a booming site, it boasted a tile mill, two
grocery stores, a train depot, post office, a saloon, a doctor, a
baseball team, a United Brethren cburcb, Masonic Lodge, and
even a roller skating rink.
As tbe community began to grow, there was a need for a
school. Some of tbe founding fathers created a special school
district. It consisted of two square miles - one nortb and one
south of tbe village. This led tbe villagers to erect a two-story
school bouse. Tbe school bad two rooms down and one large
room upstairs. Only one of tbe ground floor rooms was used
for classes because taxes were no more popular then than
now! It was simply cheaper to use just one room for school, so
tbe top floor was rented to tbe Prince Hall Masonic Lodge.
These were black brothers, and Charles Abbott, a highly respected man, was tbe last Master of tbe Lodge before its charter was moved to Fort Wayne.
See DAGUE, Page 21

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Visions of Paulding County - 19

# Early days

(Continued from Page 4)

country of the pests that have been harassing mankind since

tbe days of Eden. Mr. Ankney recalls many a time when
several of tbe boys of tbe community would get together and
engage in a snake chase. It was rather dangerous but this only
added to tbe excitement. They nearly always brought back tbe
"game."
There was much rejoicing amongst tbe settlers when it was
announced tbat tbe Wabash railroad was to be built tbrougb
tbe county. Tbe making of tbe roadbed reached Emerald township a couple of years after tbe Ankneys bad settled on then
land. Three routes bad been surveyed. One of them was half a
mile nortb of tbe one finally decided on and tbe other was a
mile and a half south. Tbe latter was favored except for tbe
fact tbat it bit tbe reservoir.
There was not much road-building machinery in those days
and it was no small task to build a grade tbrougb a forest tbat
was also a swamp nearly tbe entfte distance. Oxen played an
important part in tbe work. Once in a while some fellow
would appear on tbe job witb a team of horses but they would
not last long. Tbe cattle were tbe only beasts of burden that

could stand it. The right of way was a hundred feet wide. It
was contrary to the wording of the lease to move any of tbe
trees or stumps onto tbe adjoining land. Most of tbe timber
was used for tbe grade, making sort of a corduroy affair. This
came in bandy for tbe tune being as the water was so deep m
places it was practically impossible to get a start until after the
big timbers had been used for a foundation.
There was much rejoicing when the road was fmally completed and the first train passed over. By this time there were a
dozen or more families in Emerald township. They were all on
hand to hid Godspeed to that first train. It did not look much
like the trains we have now days hut it served the country
well. The engine was a small affair, and looked as though a
strong man could lift it off tbe track. It seemed like its largest
part was a tub-like affair on top of tbe stack, but tbey could
make fairly good time witb a train of ten or fifteen cars.
In tbe later years tbe logs tbat went into tbe making of tbe
grade bad to be removed at considerable expense as tbey were
proving a menace. Tbey would catcb on fue and bum for days
and days, finally leaving a bad place m tbe track.

Courtesy Bob Her

This photo ot the Latty railroad depot was taken around 1913. The depot stood at the northeast comer of the intersection of two railroad
lines. Note the large bay window on the corner of the building, which allowed depot workers to view all tour tracks.

20 - Visions of Paulding County

January 2001

J Dague
(Continued from Page 19)

The teachers of the Dague School then had as many as 70

children to teach, and consequently, most teachers only lasted
a short time. No census record is available, but a 1888 school
census shows tbat there were 130 children attending school.
Some of tbe names familiar to tbe Dague community at tbat
time (and still are) were Vogel, Rboad, Williamson, Constable, Seely, Webrs, Finnegan, Littlejobn, Groves, Zuhrugg,
Hand, Ankney, Abbott, Prior, Patter, Gantt, Mines, Smith,
Gallapoo, and Harsbbarger.
Some might remember tbat at tbe east edge of tbe village,
William Harvey Vogel raised and trained horses. Probably bis
most famous horse was named "Paulding Boy." "Paulding
Boy" was a race horse who made it a practice to beat all speed
records at tbe tracks in this part of tbe country. Another type
of horse raised by Mr. Vogel was Asbwoods, but none gained
as much fame as "Paulding Boy".
I visited tbe home of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Stoller, who live in
what used to be Dague. Mrs. Stoller recalls tearing down what
was at one time was tbe saloon. She said tbat there were carvings and sayings on tbe old booths and bar of tbe saloon.
Next, I went to tbe home of Eric and Scott Bucbman. Tbe
main part of tbe village was where their home is located. Tbat
home was huilt in 1963.1 looked across tbe fields to where tbe
school used to he, and I had the feeling that I was stepping
into another time: a time when Dague was alive; a tune when
Dague had stores and husmesses; a tune when Dague had residents. Children were laughmg and playing. A churcb was alive
with music. There was a saloon where men might have gotten into fights like in tbe Old West. I could feel tbat this is a place
of history tbat many history books will never know, and quite
honestly, I did not know about tbe existence of Dague.
As the available timber diminished so did the market, and
Dague became more of a residence for the older generation,
with a few young people who found jobs farming.
As the lumber industry declined, tbe village vanished, and
tbe school district was annexed to tbe Latty School District
(approximately 1914-15); tbe students then bemg transported

by borse-drawn coach.
Tbe old sawmill is no longer running. It is overgrown witb
trees, and from tbe road, you can see where one of tbe buildings has collapsed. To tbe east of tbe old sawmill is tbe Pleasant View Cemetery. These three acres of ground were deeded
to tbe township on Aug. 5, 1891, by Elizabeth and Phillip
Mines. Also located on tbe same general tract of land was tbe
Blue Creek German Baptist (Dunkard) Cburcb. It is believed
tbat tbe cemetery was established prior to tbe erection of tbe
cburcb. It was known as Westview Cemetery until about 1916.
As I walked tbrougb this cemetery, there were many old
stones and tbey are so well preserved. You could read tbe
names and abnost get a family history from tbe tombstones.
So, what do we call these towns tbat simply disappeared?
Are tbey remembered? Some people knew about Dague
tbrougb what tbey beard from their elders, but quite a few
didn't know tbat Dague, Paulding County, Ohio, ever existed.
I am quite sure though tbat many seniors know about Dague,
and perhaps another "ghost town."
Mrs. Stoller did tell me tbat what used to be tbe hotel in
Dague was moved to Haviland. I believe tbat part of it was
converted into a bouse.
If you are ever out some nice day, turn by tbe old sawmill
on U.S. 127, go west and visit tbe Pleasant View Cemetery,
then go back east and see where a real ghost town exists.
I would like to acknowledge tbe help I received from Mrs.
Floyd Rboad, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Stoller, tbe Bucbman family,
and tbe Paulding County Carnegie Library.

Note: The articles contained in this issue have been previously published in the Paulding County Progress or one of
its predecessors. For this project, the original articles were
kept as originally written, except to correct any grammatical,
typographical or factual errors.

Dague was located south ol Paulding and Latty along a railroad line.
January

2001

Visions of Paulding County - 21

Courtesy Margaret Barker

Dave Fillery was a mail carrier for Route 2, Antwerp. His wife, Lizzie (Barker) Fillery is standing on the porch. The Barker family still has this
mail wagon. The photo was taken around 1918; the building in the background appears to be the Antwerp Town Hall.

Courtesy of the Burt Family

This undated photo is marked "K.P. Band Melrose at Oakwood." There is no date. "KP." is the Knights of Pythias Melrose Lodge 503, a
fraternal organization tor men of any religion.
22 - Visions of Paulding County

January 2C01

Barn
Sighting
The quickly vanishing
'little red barns'
are an important part
of our American heritage
From the Progress of Aug. 13, 1997:
By BRENDA VARNER RAU Feature Writer
r
IVING OFF THE LAND WAS SO MUCH A
I
PART of the early farmer's survival that his ingenu[ , ity on how to build a bam was a necessity. His main
interest laid in providing a slielter for his livestock
and storage for his crops so the bam was often a cmde structure.
In tbe day when "love thy neighbor as thyself was a way of
life, good old-fashioned ham raisings became popular. Tbe
men folk put a lot of bard work into building the stmcture that
was to he tbe livelibood of their neighboring farm family.
Bams were raised by tbe sweat of their brows and bard calloused bands. But, tbey were handsomely rewarded for their
labor of love hy the women folk who cooked up a storm to laden the dinner table with the goodness of their made-fromscratch home cooking.
Later on, changes in the methods of agriculture brought
about new building techniques and ham designs. One could
order blueprints through advertisements that appeared in the
Ohio Farmer and other magazines and newspapers of tbe
tunes.
Gradually, some talented carpenters began to specialize in
bam building. In tbe late 1800s, carpenters by tbe names of
Mobr & Goodwm teamed up in tbe Grover Hill area. One bam
Mobr & Goodwm built in 1892 near Roselms still stands like a
patriotic soldier after braving tbe elements of nature for over a
centtuy.
According to tbe farm's abstract, tbe bam, bouse and other
outbuildings were originally built for tbe Billie Smith family.
In 1900, tbe farm land and its buildings were sold to Silas Sanderson and were passed down ftom father to son for three generations. Tbe farm has remamed in tbe Furl Sanderson family
for over 60 years.
Tbe ham was huilt ftom oak and other hardwoods native to
the thickly-populated woods helongmg to the farm. Tbe trees
were cut down hy using a cross-cut saw and the hand-hewn
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Visions of Paulding County -

23

Courtesy of Margaret Barker

The Barker family raised this barn about 1910. The structure is still standing near the corner of Road 162 and Ohio 49 south of Antwerp,
These once-familiar icons of American life are increasingly rare - cl aimed by neglect and the passing of the decades, and the changes
brought by modern agriculture.

A n n o u n c i n g . . .

Visions of Paulding County

2002 Edition - Volume 3

S C H E D U L E D FOR PUBLICATION IN JANUARY

2002

More fascinating stories and vintage photos

about Paulding County history!
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THE

2002

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24 - Visions of Paulding County

BE A

NOW

TO
IN

beams were cut using a broad axe and held in place hy roimd
wooden pegs. The hack of the bam has its original siding and
is faded in its glory to a silvery gray. Tbe front has been resided and its once bright exterior is now a faded red.
It was said tbat Grandpa Furl "couldn't bit tbe broad side of
a ham," hut to his misfortune, he had three sons who could.
Along with their hasehall-playmg huddles, they often used the
ham as a hack stop.
The ham once boasted two sets of double doors. In the early
days, teams of horses could be driven tbrougb front or back,
and in later years, tbey became a convenient passageway for
tbe "antique" farm macbinery. Now only tbe wind travels
tbrougb, whistling a lonely tune tbrougb tbe rafters.
At eacb of tbe four comers lays a huge flat stone harvested
from tbe fields to serve as tbe bam's foundation. A bay fork
sways from its peak like a pendulum on a grandfather's clock
counting not tbe minutes nor tbe hours, but decades of tbe
passing of time.
A few years ago at Thanksgiving time, tbe Sanderson family, which spans five living generations, held a reunion m tbe
old bam. Some of tbe younger generation braved climbmg tbe
ladder leading to tbe mow and swung on ropes from tbe rafters. Tbe older ones reminisced about all tbe chores and fun
times tbat bad once went on within its walls.
Tbe old bam, once tbe livelibood of tbe farm family, not
only sheltered tbe livestock and stored tbe crops, but was
Grandpa's workshop. Grandma's milking parlor, and a haven
for those seeking a place of serenity.
Now tbe old bam spends its days in solitude holding only
memories of tbe good old days. If tbe ham could talk, it would
have some wonderful stories to share that would span over a
century of time.
January 2001

The Paulding
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