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Mail Was Carried by tle Stage Lines.-
The greater stage lines took annual contracts, usually after competitive bidding, for the transmission of the United States mail. Fast stages carried the through mail. The ordinary stagecoach, which also served as a passenger coach, delivered mail to local
offices. The postmaster would remove that intended for his office from the bag, lock it and return it to the stage driver. Robbers usually attacked the coaches carrying the through mail. However, the ordinary passenger coaches were often held up. All drivers went heavily armed and exercised the greatest possible care, especially at night. The freedom given postmasters along the way, of opening bags and taking their own mail from them, was tempting to some.
 
General Otto Hinton Becomes a Mail Robber.-The following has been copied
from The Jeffersonian of May 15, 1851:
 
"General Otho Hinton, who was held to bail in the sum of $15,000, charged
with robbing the U. S. mail, failed to appear before the United States court at
Columbus, April 15. This robbery was on the road between Cambridge and
Washington."
 
Otto Hinton was employed by the United States government as a mail agent.
His duties were to inspect post offices and investigate thefts. He rode the mail
stages and frequently passed through Cambridge. The perpetrators of many
daring robberies were apprehended by him.
 
But like Captain William Kidd who, about the year 1700, when sent out to
cruise against pirates, turned pirate himself and became the greatest of them
all, so did General Otho Hinton, employed to guard the United States mails,
become a mail robber himself. His arrest followed an attempted theft in
Guernsey county.
 
There was much robbing of the mails along the National Road, even as far
east as Cumberland, Maryland. Much of it was done at the transfer stations.
Hinton would flood the mails with decoy letters from Columbus, addressed
to Cumberland, Maryland, and Baltimore. He would ride the stages and
check the mail at each office along the line. If a letter was missing he would
know that it had been removed at the last office.
 
A letter addressed to Cumberland, Maryland, was found missing by Hinton
when the sack was opened at the first office east of Cambridge. He proceeded
to Wheeling where, before federal authorities, he swore out a Warrant for the
arrest of Robert Burns, postmaster at Cambridge. He then returned with a
deputy United States marshal who took Burns in charge. -Without regard to
political party the people of Cambridge, believing Burns innocent, rallied to
his defense, demanding a thorough investigation be made at once. The
missing letter was found in the Cumberland, Ohio, box where it had been
thrown by somebody assisting in sorting the mail. It had lain there several
days as mail was sent to Cumberland on Saturdays only. After this incident
the feeling of Cambridge people toward Hinton was not kind.
 
About a year later a letter containing money and addressed to Baltimore was
mailed at Columbus, but never reached its destination, although Hinton rode
the stage carrying the bag in which the letter had been placed. Thomas Bryan,
driver of the stage between Cambridge and Washington, reported that
Hinton, who rode on the high seat with him, said he would climb on top and
take a nap while the stage was going up the long hill west of Washington.
Looking back later Bryan saw Hinton on his knees fumbling in the open mail
sack.
 
Hinton Is Arrested.-As Hinton was already under suspicion he was arrested
on Bryan's statement. After an investigation by the federal authorities the
belief prevailed that the man sent out to catch the robbers had himself been
the robber for many years.
 
Hinton gave bond in the amount of $15,000 that he would appear before the
United States court at Columbus. But when court convened he was not there
and his friends paid the bond. Years afterward it was learned that he had fled
to the Hawaiian Islands where he remained the remainder of his life.
 
This story bears a heading that was used as such to a news story printed in
The Guernsey Times on Saturday, January 13, 1832. The news story is
reproduced here to show that travel on the National Road had its hazards a
century ago; also to show the style of news reporting at that time.
 
Many Accidents on National Road in Early Days.-Accidents attended travel
on the National Road before the advent of the automobile. One who made a
journey took a risk, just as he who travels that highway today. Stagecoaches
were held up, and lone travelers were waylaid and robbed. Teams ould often
get beyond the control of drivers on steep hills and vehicles would upset at
curves. Casualties were not as many because travel was less however, there
was a goodly number.
 
The crooked stone bridge that spans Crooked creek west of Cambridge, has
been the scene of many automobile accidents within recent years. Approached
 
OLD STONE BRIDGE
 
Built across Crooked creek, at the foot of the hill on the National
Road west of Cambridge, is the bride pictured above. Although it
appears to be straight in the picture, a part of it is curved. This
bridge was built in 1828, and was the scene of the accident in the
story, "Penlous Accident and Extraordinary Escape."
 
Some of the bndges on the National Road are called "S" bridges,
because their shape is somewhat like the shape of that letter;
others are called "croked" bridges. This one belongs to the latter
class. One of the most curious of these bridges stood o-Test of
Hendrysburg, in Belmont county.
 
The reason the builders had for designing such shapes is not
known. Several different conjectures have been offered, some of
which seem reasonable and others ludicrous. It is probable that
there was no one reason; some may have been so designed for
one purpose and others for another.
 
Aside from their shape the bridges attract attention on account of
their massive masonry and the evidence of excellent
workmanship. After more than a century of service, with little
or no repair, some of the bridges are in good condition.
 
There were four or five stone bridges of considerable size on the
National Road in Guernsey county. This Crooked creek bridge,
the one across Salt Fork creek west of Middlebourne, and
perhaps one or two others in the county, are no longer crossed by
the National Road. A change in the course of the road has left
them standing aside. It is hoped they will be preserved for their
architectural and historical interest.
 
from the east by a steep grade, it is dangerous on account of the sharp curve
within the bridge itself. Skidding automobiles have been wrecked there a
number of times.
 
First Accident at Crooked Creek Bride.-The first recorded accident on the
National Road near Cambridge occurred at this crooked stone bridge over
Crooked creek, and in a manner similar to that of accidents there today; but to
a different kind of conveyance. Here is the story just as it appeared in The
Guernsey Times:
 
"An accident happened on Saturday morning last, at Crooked creek bridge on
the National Road, one and one-half miles west of Cambridge, which, among
the many moving accidents by flood and fire occurring from time to time in
various quarters of this widespread country, was not the least remarkable as
an instance of escape from peril of the most imminent kind. The
circumstances, as related to the editor, are these:
 
"A sled containing the United States mail and seven passengers who found it
necessary to use it for a traveling conveyance, in consequence of the upsetting
and breaking of the mail stage, on Friday, last, near Fairview, left the stage
office in this place on Saturday morning for Zanesville, the roads being at the
time completely covered with ice.
 
"At the bridge over Crooked creek there is a sudden turn in the road as it
passes the stream. This happened to be the point of danger. It appears that, in
passing around the turn at a quick speed, the sled was thrown from its track
in the center of the road, and dashed with all its contents against the parapet
wall of the bridge and overturned.
 
"The passengers (some of whom we regret to learn were much injured) were
instantaneously thrown from their seats. Three of their number, one of
whom was a lady, were cast by the force of the concussion over the parapet
wall into the stream below. One of these, a gentleman, fell upon the edge of
the stream; the other two-the lady before mentioned and a gentleman from
Steubenville (Mr. Turnbull) fell into the water, which was supposed to have
been ten feet deep at that time. The former individual was considerably
bruised by the fall; the latter swam out unhurt and the lady saved herself by
clinging to a cake of ice floating near her, until she was rescued from her
perilous situation.
 
"The distance from the top of the parapet wall over which they were
precipitated to the surface of the stream, is said to have been upwards of
twenty feet.
 
"Those on the bridge did not escape unhurt, having received sundry bruises.
A few of those injured were brought back to the stage office at this place, for
the purpose of receiving medical aid. One of the mail bags, containing the
newspaper mail, was also thrown into the creek, from which, howeverJ it was
rescued in the course of the day, but in a state much damaged by the Watery
element to which it had been so suddenly and unceremoniously consigned."
 
According to a tablet erected at the east end of Norwich, Christopher C.
Baldwin, librarian of the American Antiquarian Society, Worcester,
MassaChusetts, was killed on the curve there, when a stagecoach overturned,
on August 20, 1835. The tablet states that it was "the first traffic accident on
record in this state." The accident at the Crooked bridge occurred more than
three years before this one; however, no lives were lost.
 
Steam Carriages on the National Road
 
Had it not been for a fear of "scaring the horses" transportation on the
National Road by means of the horseless carriage might have come
seventyfive years sooner than it did. While "scaring the horses" is intended
to be taken literally here, in a figurative sense it has often retarded man's
progress. In his efforts to promote science man has been discouraged by the
opposition of persons whose reasons for prejudice were often ludicrous.
 
Columbus was considered foolish in believing there were people on the other
side of the world; for how could they walk with their heels upward and their
heads hanging down? Fulton was ridiculed when he proposed steam
navigation. His first boat was called "Fulton's Folly." There were objections to
railroads. A leading Ohio statesman of the day railroads were proposed
declared the whole scheme to be "wild and visionary." It is said that in one
county there was strong objection because the Bible would say so, if such a
thing as a railroad had been intended.
 
Steam Carriage Is Invented.-About 1830 much interest was taken in the
possibilities of steam power as a means for transportation. It was then that the
first railroads were built in this country. If a steam engine could run cars on a
track, why could it not be fitted to an ordinary carriage in such a way as to
propel it on a common road? In other words, why not an automobile? Such a
self-propelled carriage was invented. The boiler was carried at the back of the
vehicle. The engine beneath the body worked a cranked axle which was
attached to the driving-wheels by chain gearing. There was a wheel for
steering. A speed of ten or twelve miles an hour was sometimes attained.
 
Possibilities of the Steam Carriage Seen.-Some men with visions sensed the
possibilities of horseless carriages on the National Road. One of these men
was William Neil of the Neil, Moore and Company Stage Line. In 1833, five
years after the road had been built through Guernsey county, several
stagecoach lines had been established on it. Competition was keen. To outdo
the other in making speed and furnishing comfort to its passengers was the
aim of every company.
 
William Neil believed that the horseless carriage was destined to supplant
the horse-drawn vehicle on the National Road. With the exclusive right to
operate steam carriages his company would be supreme. With this thought in
mind his company petitioned the state legislature.
 
William Neil Was "Scaring the Horses."-But William Neil was thinking
three-fourths of a century ahead of his time. He was "scaring the horses."
Remonstrances were sent to the state legislature by people living along the
National Road. A postponement of action on the bill resulted. When news .
of Neil's failure to have his petition granted reached Guernsey county there
.was evident satisfaction. We quote from The Guernsey Times of February 22,
1833.
 
Editorial on the Subject.-"The bill granting to William Neil of Columbus,
and his associates, the exclusive right to establish and run a line of Steam
Carriages on the National Road in this state, has been disposed of for the
present session at least-by a vote of postponement until the first Monday in
December next. This disposition of the subject by our representatives at
Columbus, we are inclined to think, will not be demurred to by that portion
of their constituents who have given to the argument for and against the
scheme a moment's reflection.
 
"The project, to say the most of it, is one of very doubtful expediency.
Something, it is true, may be said in its favor. It cannot be denied, for
instance, that it would furnish an excellent medium for the rapid
transmission of intelligence by mail conveyance through the heart of our
state, and that it would facilitate the means of speeding travel on the road; but
these advantages, we apprehend, would be more than counterbalanced by the
sacrifice of others of more importance, now enjoyed by the public for whose
use the road was made.
 
"A contemporary has well remarked that if the legislature were to grant the
prayer of the petitioners, they should go a little farther and prohibit
altogether the use of horses on the road-for the substantial reason that no
horse could be ridden or driven with safety upon a road daily traversed by
carriages drawn by steam power. Let a line of such carriages be established to
ply regularly on our roads, and our word for it, the greatest gainers by the
measure would be the stockholders in the concern, and the medical faculty-
for it would enrich the former, and create business for the latter at the
expense of the limbs and perhaps the lives of the rest of the community.
"Not an individual could travel the road on horseback, or in any kind of
vehicle drawn by horse power, except at the risk of the one or the other. The
rapid motion, smoke and hissing of the boiler, and noise of the steam engine,
propelling a carriage at the rate of ten or fifteen miles per hour, along a road
like ours, thronged as it daily is with travelers of every description, would
operate, in our opinion, more as an engine of destruction than an auxiliary to
the wants or comforts of the community.
 
"Such a spectacle would frighten the dullest plough horse that ever trod a
furrow, and cause even the famed Rosinante (the steed of Don Quixote),
accustomed as he was to strange recontres, to startle from his path-and those
who, under such circumstances, would venture to travel the road, would
have to do so at the peril of their lives. The consequence would be the road
would be entirely abandoned, so far as relates to the use of horse power, and
an odious monopoly be secured to the company holding the charter.
 
"The same objections would apply with stronger force to the use of steam
power on those parts of the road lying within the several towns upon it.
What, for instance, would be the consequence, if Steam Carriages were
permitted to dash through the main streets of Cambridge, Washington,
Middletown, Fairview, and other villages upon the route? Nothing less could
be expected than the almost daily occurrence of fatal accidents to some of their
inhabitants. With these views we are not sorry that the bill has received its
quietus for the present."
 
True isions.-William Neil was right in believing that the horseless carriage
was destined to run on the National Road. His project, though, would not
have been a success. However, had it not been for a fear of "scaring the
horses" it might have been undertaken. Somebody, perhaps, would have
been encouraged to make such improvements as would have brought the
automobile many years before it came.
 
The editor of The Guernsey Times was right in believing the horse would be
driven from the road. The telegraph, the telephone and the radio had not
then come. News traveled slowly. The editor appreciated the horseless
carriage as a "medium for the rapid transmission of intelligence." He saw,
too, that it "would facilitate the means of speeding travel on the road." But a
speed of ten or fifteen miles an hour! His fear was that "nothing less could be
expected than the daily occurrence of fatal accidents." John Hersh was this
Cambridge editor who, more than a century ago, wrote what we have quoted
above. Were he living today, what would he say?
 
CHAPTER VIII War Stories Revolutionary Soldiers
 
GUERNSEY county had no part in the Revolutionary War, as it was not for twenty years after our independence had been gained that the first settlers arrived here. Some of these pioneers had fought in the War for Independence. In lieu of money owed them by the government for war
services, they accepted tracts of land in the Military district, of which the most of Guernsey county was a part, and brought their families into this western country. Other Revolutionary patriots came here in their old age to live with descendants who had established homes in Guernsey county.
 
There is no complete record of the Revolutionary soldiers who lived for a time in Guernsey county; not even of those who are buried here. The following list, a part of which has not been fully verified, has been obtained from various sources. There are doubtless several others, whose burial places in the county are unknown.
 
Adair, Morris: Born 1757-enlisted 1778-served as a private for three years
-farmer in Madison township-applied for pension in 1819.
 
Baird, John: Born 1760 in Philadelphia-enlisted 1776-served six months in
Pennsylvania Infantry-died 1843-buried in Lebanon cemetery, Adams
township.
 
Bailey, Jared: Born 1758-enlisted 1778-served as private and corporal-
granted military land in Center township (part of Sec. 17, Lot 20)-buried on
said tract.
 
Bay, Robert: Died in Spencer township-aged 86.
 
Bonnell, Isaac: Buried at Winterset.
 
Bratton, James: Born 1756-came to Madison township as first settler, in
1805-died 1844, in Center township-buried in Pleasant Hill cemetery,
Jefferson township.
 
Chambers, Robert: Buried in Old Founders' cemetery, Cambridge.
 
Cook, Capt. Thomas B.: Born 1749-served under Colonel Broadhead and
Generals Marion, Sumpter, Pickens and Greene-entered 200 acres of land on
Cook's run east of Cambridge-died 1831-buried in Old Founders' cemetery,
Cambridge.
 
Cummins, John: Born 1751-enlisted 1776-came to Guernsey countv from
Frederick county, Maryland, 1829-lived in Cambridge township.
 
Dilley, Ephraim, Sr.: Born 1755-enlisted 1776-died at Senecaville.