The Rachel Smith Letters — Letter #7

Yellow Springs, Oct. 30th/64

Dear Husband

I received your letter of the 20th last Friday and was truly glad to hear from you and to hear that you was safe.  Had I known for certain that you were with your reg’t, I should have a great deal more uneasy than I was.  You must have been in very great danger.  I am very thankful that you escaped unhurt.  Yours is the only letter that I have heard of coming since the fight.  No one had heard of the death of John Baker until I told it.  Jobs have not heard from Thos. Job [1] for a month, and not from Emmet [2] in two months.  They want you to write if you have anything more about Emmet, or of the particulars of his capture and to tell Thos. to write and let them know what he is about.  They are very glad that you spoke of the boys.  Rachel Job is very sick.  She has the bilious fever.  I was in to see her this morn.  They think she is some better today.  Job came over last eve and got your shop stove to put in her room upstairs.  Their house is very damp from having just been plastered.  They don’t expect to use the stove very much.  Job thinks he can sell the sleigh to a good  advantage if there come a snow.  Mary Lece was here today.  They have had no word from Wm Richardson since the battle and they were very uneasy until I told her what you had written that none of the Yellow Springs boys were hurt.

Mary is living with her mother.  Old Mr. Kershner has traded his property here to Birch for Tennessee land.  He is to get one hundred and twenty acres for his property.  Johnathon Kershner gets the same amount of land for his property.  I expect that Birch has salted them.  Kershners are in high spirits about their trade.  Johnathan talks of moving out this winter.  They have not seen the land yet.   I saw Peirce [3] the other day.  He asked about you, and said he was going to write soon to you.  He seems to think a great deal of you.  Jack, I didn’t know I had so many friends.  All the neighbors let on to be very sorry that I am going to move away.  I don’t know exactly how soon I will move and if this letter is long on the way, you had better direct your letter to Clifton.  I have not seen any of Father since Monday. I have not seen Reed since Monday.  I don’t expect he would give me the money on what you wrote in your last letter.  I believe he would have give me the money if it had not been for Leonard.  He was in the store at the time and he told Reed he had better not give it up without an order from you.  The children are all well except that Mary has a bad cold.  I have had a very bad headache for two days.  It is some better today.

Well I must quit and get dinner.  I am going to have beans for dinner.

Monday eve

Well, Jack, I got up this morn intending to finish this letter and mail it today, but father came by seven o’clock  to move me, so I had to pitch in and get ready to go.  He took the cabbage and beets and turnips and a lot of barrels and a few things out of the house.  He will be over in the morn to get some more.  I expect to go tomorrow.  Father said when he came to dig his potatoes, they were very good.  He said he would have more than he wanted, and that I might as well sell mine.  So, he took them down to the store.  They sorted them.  They took six bushels of them.  I got seventy five cents a bushel.  Potatoes are very plenty  I sent down what lard I had and rags and some butter.  They all come to twenty one dollars and nine cents.  Jack, don’t laugh at my crooked lines.  I can’t see the marks.  I am writing by candlelight.  I was afraid I would not have time in the morn to finish it.  You must excuse me this time.  Your long letter deserved one in return, but I have not time at present.  I hope that you may be preserved in future danger as in those past.

With love from all, I remain your wife as ever,

Rachel Smith

A. J. Smith

write soon and often

[1]  Thomas Jobe of Yellow Springs was a bugler in the 8th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry
[2]  Emmet Jobe served in the 94th Ohio Volunteer  Infantry and later in the 8th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry.
[3]  Peirce Folkerth was a friend of the Smiths who had served with Jack in the 154th Ohio Volunteer Infantry.

Previous entries in the Rachel Smith letters: Introduction Letter #1 Letter #2 Letter #3 Letter #4 Letter #5 Letter #6

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Yellow Springs Heritage profiles Civil War Unit

The 154th Ohio Volunteer Infantry

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Trivia from the Glen Forest Cemetery — Barkley

Barkley tombstone with local history enthusiast Mary E. Morgan dramatizing the story.

Local history enthusiast Mary E. Morgan tells the Barkley story.

At least one gravesite in Glen Forest Cemetery has a connection to a major American historical event.

Sarah & Nathan Barkley – During the CivilWar, Mr. Barkley was captured and heldprisoner until the war ended. When thewar was over, he and about 1,800 otherreleased prisoners of war were on theirway home on a boat designed to carry 376passengers. The Mississippi River’s strongcurrents and the ship’s heavy load weremore than the boilers could take. Aroundtwo in the morning, just north of Memphis,the ship exploded with a tremendous blast.More than 1,400 people died, including Mr.Barkley. Sarah moved to Yellow Springsin 1870 so her children could attendAntioch College. Sarah lived here on DavisStreet until her death in 1914.

Anyone wishing to find out more about this April 27, 1865 event can find a wealth of detail here.

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Antioch Bookplate Archives — the Antioch Bookplate Troll

In addition to the intricate ecclesiastical bookplates he did for Antioch Bookplate, in 1943 John Huchthausen provided a black-and-white line drawing for a bookplate of a character which was to become something of an Antioch Bookplate mascot.

Antioch Bookplate design M-90 by John Huchthausen

M-90

Antioch Bookplate design M-91 by John Huchthausen

M-91

Although bookplate design M-91 never really caught on and was withdrawn in about 1950, M-90 remained  a top seller for decades. As a matter of fact, its popularity inspired a series of related products in the late 1970s and early 1980s, the art for most of which being painted in full-color by staff artist Tom Till.

The various books and calendars showed the troll in a series of detailed natural settings accompanied by wildlife friends.

The Yellow Springs Historical Society found in the archive material a supply of the advent calendars that will be offered for sale at a future Street Fair.

Advent Calendar

Advent Calendar

Christmas Giftbook

Christmas Giftbook

Christmas children's book

Christmas children's book

Wall calendar

Wall calendar

Wall calendar

Wall calendar

Various troll products (clockwise from left): tote bag, art prints, wall calendar, bookmark, heat transfer,bookplates, gift enclosure bookmark, leather bookmark, and in center mug and small calendar

Variety of products using the troll character

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The Rachel Smith Letters — Letter #6

LETTER #6

Yellow Springs Oct 27/64

Dear husband

I now take my pen in hand to write you a few lines to let you know how we are. We are all well at present. I have had no letter from you since yours of the 16th and I am getting very uneasy to hear how you are getting along and to know if you have got to the reg’t or not. It is reported here that the 110th is going to reenlist and come home on furlough, but I don’t put much faith in the report. I hope there will be no need of their reenlisting if they do come home. Will you get to come with them? If you do come, I wish it would be before I get moved for I know we could enjoy ourselves better in our own house that any other place, but I don’t expect there is any such good luck as for you to get home now. This is my birthday. I am 28 years old today.

Wm Hazen[1] is home on furlough. He came home to see the little stranger his wife has. A young daughter. Johnathan Kershner has traded his property here to Birch for Kankakee (?) land. He expected to move out in the spring. John Pennell has moved in the house with his father. Candy White moved out to Indiana about two weeks ago and moved back this week. A. Jobs are getting their house plastered this week. I had Kitty Beaty washing bedclothes yesterday. She says that Joe Downey was drafted the last time. She says he has sold his house and lot to get money to hire a substitute. It is said there will not be enough men that was drafted to fill the quota and that there will be another draft here. I have not seen a list of those last drawn, but I have heard that your name was not drawn, but Jim Bagford and Ike Bohlman were both drafted. I was to see Mrs. Kinney. She would not take the shop. I paid the rent in money. It is just a month since you went away. It seems to me like it had been three months instead of one. We have had very nice weather for the three last weeks. It has been cloudy for two days, but hasn’t rained any.

Friday morn – Oct 28

I got pretty badly scared last night. I went to bed about 10 o’clock and had got almost to sleep when I heard some noise that waked me up. Some one was stoning Mrs. Taylor’s house. I heard the windows crash. I heard someone run away. They mashed one window pretty badly. I don’t know who it could have been. Taylor is still at Camp Dennison[2]. Well, I must quit for the want of something more to write. I will have to go downtown this morn to get some flour. I hope to get a letter today. I am very anxious to hear from you but I hope to hear that you are safe.

With love from me and the children, I remain your affectionate wife

Rachel Smith

A. J. Smith

[1] Hazen served in the 44th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which recently had been reorganized as the 8th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry. Company D of the regiment had been raised primarily in Yellow Springs and Miami Township.

[2] Camp Dennison was a large federal recruiting camp located on the Little Miami Railroad northeast of Cincinnati.

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What They Did When — May 1900 – 1918

From the minutes of the Social Culture Club and Yellow Springs Library Association
May 28, 1900
Reading of the minutes were dispensed with, after roll call Mrs. Drake gave a report of funds from the “Nights of the Mystic Star Minstrel Company” as follows amt. of money $92.17. Moved report be accepted and adopted.
Moved and seconded that enough of this money be added to that already in treasury   of Social Culture Club to pay rent of room due July 1 and that balance be used for running expenses of library.
May 13, 1901
Literary Program
Quotations Eggleston
Paper, John Brown at Harper’s Ferry Miss C. Hirst
Paper, History of Ohio Miss Currie
It was moved and carried that the trustees be requested to raise the Librarian’s salary from five to eight dollars a month.
May 27, 1901
Literary Program
Quotations Margaret Sangster
Paper – Brook Farm and Community Experiments, written by Mrs. Hancock, read by Mrs. Ellis.
Paper – What Writers Have Made American Literature Illustrious– Miss Lehow
It was moved and carried that the question of taxing the members be laid on the table until the next meeting. Moved and carried that the Association request the Trustees to accept Mr. Wood’s offer to sell us one hundred bound volumes of magazines for forty-five dollars ($45) and six hundred numbers of unbound magazines.
The Committee then requested a contribution of magazines to give Mr. Wood in place of the copies on hand.
May 12, 1902
Literary Program
Quotations from Bret Harte
Paper – Noah Webster – Mrs. Peters
Paper – Italian Patriots – Mrs. Marshall, read by Mrs. Bell
May 26, 1902
Literary Program
Quotations upon subject of May
Paper – Frederic Douglas – Mrs. Humphreys
Paper – Porto [sic] Rico and its People – Miss Hailman
The Pres. of the Trustees announced that the Young Men’s Future Club had presented their stove and chairs to the Library.
It was moved and carried that a hearty vote of thanks be given the young men.
It was moved and carried that a Market be held May 31st, the proceeds of which to be devoted to the purchase of magazines.
May 11, 1903
Literary Program
Quotations – A Favorite
A paper prepared by Miss Susan Baker (who was unable to be present) was read by the Sec’y. Subject – Domestic Life of Men of Genius – was followed by general conversation on the subject.
May 26, 1903
Literary Program
Quotations – Lowell
Miss Hirst supplied place on program for Mrs. Little – and gave a description of a recent trip to Marietta O. And gave many items of interest relating to the city & surrounding country.  General discussion followed.
May 16, 1904
LiteraryProgram
Quotations – Subject–Liberty
Paper – The World’s Debt to Holland – Miss Currie. General discussion followed the reading of this paper.
Mrs. Martin who could not be present prepared an interesting paper – “Description of Famous Paintings Exhibited in American” – which was read by Miss LeHow.
May 23, 1904
Literary Program
Quotations – Subject–Government
Paper – Something about Oriental Rugs – Miss Susan Baker. This interesting paper was read by Miss LeHow and general discussion upon the subject followed by the club.
May 8, 1905
Literary Program
The Function of the Drama – Miss Thomas
Henrik Ibsen’s Philosophy of Life – Mrs. Groves
Discussion of the Theatre – Miss Lehow
Club discussion of all the papers followed. The work on all the papers was fine.
The program being of unusual interest to all the members. Mrs. Groves supplied for Mrs. Grinnell.
May 22, 1905
Literary Program
The New Thought School – Mrs. Martin
This paper was deferred until another meeting.
Radium the New Element – Mrs. Higbee
This paper was supplied – Mrs. Dye reading a paper on Alexander Hamilton.
Current Events in Science – Led by Miss Hirst
The Club closed the program with general discussion on the papers.
May 28, 1906
Literary Program
Chinese Manners and Customs – Miss Little
Comparison of China and Japan – Mrs. Crumley
The Boxer Uprising – Mrs. Baker
Recent Travels in China – Mrs. Dye
It was moved and carried that in place of the regular Social Day the Club have a picnic for its next meeting – carried.
Moved and carried to accept the invitation of Mrs. Weston to have it on her porch.
May 4, 1908
Social Day was observed as Creole Day with Mrs. H. F. Baker, the 4th Division entertaining.
May 1, 1916
The President called a meeting over the phone and it was decided to close the Library for our work on account of measles in town.
May 15, 1916
Club Picnic on the College Campus.
May 1918
…Then a resolution was adopted approving the contemplated action to stop the use of grain in manufacturing liquor. This resolution was sent to the proper authorities.
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Trivia from Glen Forest Cemetery — Birch

Birch plot in Glen Forest Cemetery

Birch headstones

Erastus and Sally (Milligan) Birch were true pioneers. In 1834 the western fever took possession of their minds and they sold their farm in New York, gathered all their goods and belongings and journeyed to nothern Illinois, where they lived for a number of years om what was then practically a wilderness, but in spite of suffering and hardship they prospered. By 1850 Erastus had moved the family to Indiana. To Sally this was still the wilderness; her nearest neighbor was five miles away. In 1856 Erastus accepted an invitation from Horace Mann to come to Yellow Springs. By spring 1857 Sally Birch was, for the first time in her life, living in a beautiful house in a civilized town in the midst of education and refinement. Sally’s elegant parties at Birch House were social events not to be missed. Their son Hugh Taylor Birch left an imporant legacy to Yellow Springs; he bought over a thousand acres of land and donated it to Antioch College for preservation. That land today is known  as Glen Helen Nature Preserve, named for Hugh’s daughter, Helen Birch Bartlett.

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Antioch Bookplate Archives — Offset Takes Over

The early 1960s marked a change in direction for Antioch Bookplate designs. Except for a few experiments (previous posts here, here, here, here, here), the majority of previous designs were printed in either black or sepia ink on gummed vellum. After 1960 new designs were increasingly printed in four colors on offset presses.

For one of the earlist group of offset designs the Antioch Bookplate Company was able to take advantage of the talents of a local award-winning advertising company, Vie Design. Read Viemeister, Budd Steinhilber and Fred Blumenthal all contributed their skills to designs, most of which remained popular for over a decade.

Bookplate design B-46

B-46. Adapted from an Israeli postage stamp

Bookplate design B-47

B-47. Adapted from a U.S. postage stamp. Of this one, Ernest Morgan notes, "Technically this is NOT the UN emblem. The Bookplate Company had a tussles with the UN about this."

Bookplate design B-41

B-41

Bookplate design B-42

B-42

Bookplate design B-45

B-45. Of this design Ernest Morgan said, "As with some other doves, this one laid an egg."

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The Rachel Smith Letters — Letter #5

LETTER #5
Yellow Springs, Oct.23/64
Dear husband
I received your letter of the 16th yesterday, and was very glad to hear from you.  I am very anxious to hear from you again, for I see by yesterday’s paper that the 6th corps was engaged in the fight at Cedar Creek and as I don’t know whether you had got to the reg’t or not.  I feel very anxious to hear if you are safe.  I am very sorry that you have not heard from us, for I know you must feel very anxious to hear, but I hope the next letter I get from you, I will hear of your getting some of my letters.  This is the sixth letter I have written to you since you went away.  I have directed them as you told me to.  Mrs. Lawrence was here yesterday.  She said she directed hers to Washington D.C.  I intend to direct this one in that way.  She had a letter from Wm Richardson [1] dated the 12th.  He seems to think the war will be over against spring and I do sincerely hope it will be over by that time.  We are all well at this time.  I got Ed and Ja their boots yesterday.  I gave five dollars and a quarter for the two pair.  I got Ally a pair of shoes for a dollar and a quarter.  They look to be good boots and shoes.  Goods of all kinds are on the raise again.  Gold has gone up again.  I see in yesterday’s paper that it was 211 1/6,  Jack, I have written some things to you that I have heard contradicted since.  I have almost said I wouldn’t write anything again until I know it to be true.
I wrote to you last Thursday that Wm and John Confer of Clifton were drafted the last draft, but I have heard since that neither of them was nor Jas. Reid either. Wilson Hopkins was drafted.  He got a substitute he gave a thousand dollars.  He got a colored man.  I heard Ike Grindle and another one of the Grindles (I forget his name) and John Carney were drafted.
Dan was here Friday.  He was going to Columbus yesterday to report.  He said he would give eight hundred dollars for a substitute, and if he couldn’t get one for that, he would go himself.  If he gets a substitute, I am going to let him have the five hundred.  He is to give me his US bonds for two hundred and fifty and his note and father for security for the other two hundred fifty with interest on the note.  I hope you would have no objections to my letting him have it.  I do not want to do anything against your wishes.  I think the money would be as safe in that way as any I could place it in and would be doing him a favor, but I am afraid he will not get a substitute for eight hundred.  I was down at Maria’s on Friday.  I got Mrs. Kershner’s little wagon to take Mary in.  I got there and back without any trouble. I don’t feel any the worse for my walk.
I saw Mr. Knox on Saturday.  He says I will not draw any money from the county for some time yet.
Oh, Jack, I wish you could see Mary now.  She is busy playing.  She trys to say most everything.  She calls “Oh, Pa” and she is throwing kisses to you every once and while.  The other children often talk about you and wish they could see you.  I want you to cut out a lock of your hair and send it to me.  I will send you some of mine.
Oct. 24th
Dan was over this morn.  He has got a substitute.  His name is Joseph Lonsburry.  He lived in Xenia.  He gave eight hundred dollars.  Seven hundred and fifty to the substitute and fifty to the man that got him.  He borrowed the money out of the bank.  That is five hundred dollars of it and expected to get this money of yours to replace it.  I went down this morn with Dan to get the money out.  Reed would not give it up without an order from you.  He said the money was sent to him and he had no right to give it to me.  I want you to send some word so that I can get the money.  I have a receipt for it, but if he wants to act the rascal, I don’t know whether it would be any account.
I expect I shall move to father’s in two or three weeks.  Alex Furgeson was married last week to Miss Kyle.  Mrs. Mary Bell [2] is again a widow.  Her husband died about two days ago.
A. Job says I can leave the tools there.  They have not heard anything from Thomas for three weeks.  Have you seen or heard anything of him?  I want you to write us soon as you get this and let me know about that money.  With love from me and the children.  I remain yours as ever,
Rachel Smith
[1]  Richardson served in the 75th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which included a number of other men from Yellow Springs.
[2] Maria Bell owned a large farm south of Yellow Springs.  Following her husband’s death, she married William Allen, the owner of what is today Whitehall Farm, just north of Yellow Springs.  After Allen’s death, she moved in with her sister in the “Barr” house on Xenia Avenue in downtown Yellow Springs.

Previous posts in the Rachel Smith letters:

Introduction Letter #1 Letter #2 Letter #3 Letter #4

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Civile War Post from Yellow Springs Heritage

The Squirrel Hunters

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