VAN WERT COUNTY, OHIO
BOOKLET / PRINTS
Early days in Van Wert County, OH, including
the communities of Van Wert, Willshire, Delphos, Convoy, Middlepoint and
Scott, are recalled through a mixture of colorful tales and factual data
in this NEW 17 Page Booklet reprinted from the 1892 Centennial edition of Henry Howe's
Historical Collections of Ohio, The Ohio Guide (a WPA
Writers project), and other hard-to-find sources. The spiral-bound booklet
is printed one-sided on 60# paper with the fine print enlarged for easier
reading
In addition to the booklet, the buyer will receive THREE Computer-Enhanced 8 1/2 x 11 Prints made from engravings in the original book, suitable for framing.
These include the 1888 photo of the town of Van Wert shown below, a detailed
sketch of a Buckeye branch, and a delightful drawing of an early passenger
train.
Among the many and diverse topics covered are:
the prediction of an old Indian, a hidden spring, the adventures of Capt.
James Riley, the "Devil's Race Ground," friendly Indians, a grand mill raising
with eggnog and a moonlight dance, multitudes of fish, a postponed wedding,
a second Benjamin Franklin, religious Jerkings and Hell located, a dug-out
coffin, Asiatic cholera epidemic, and an old time Fourth of July oration.
GENEALOGY BUFFS will find
a list of 1888 county officers and businesses. The Howe history covers the
development of this area until about 1890, while excerpts from the WPA book,
give a nostalgic glympse from a 1940 vantage point, including interesting
historical notes, especially as they relate to sightseeing possibilities.
A brief history of journalism in the county, a 1941 article on the Brumback
Library, a map showing all 88 counties in Ohio, and a map showing 1805 Ohio
are also included.
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