Warren County
Local History by Dallas Bogan |
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Dallas Bogan on 10 August 2004 |
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original article by Dallas Bogan |
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The following was taken from "The Miami Gazette," Waynesville, Article by A.C. Thompson, April 5, 1933.
"Water was one of the first forces of nature to be harnessed for the
service of man. Rivers and lesser streams of water, seeking their common level
in response to the stern laws of the universe, not only furnished him with a
more adequate means of transportation, with less physical labor involved, but
were soon forced to aid with his larger tasks, greatly increasing and enhancing
the results obtained long before steam, electricity or gasoline had even been
dreamed of as motive power, streams were turning the paddle-wheels of mills
furnishing power for the grinding of grain into flour, meal and other foods;
the sawing of logs into timber, board and other building materials; the carding,
spinning and weaving of wool, flax, and other fibers into cloth, and for myriads
of other uses to meet the requirements of mankind.
"Along the banks of our streams, are still to be found eloquent reminders
of these small beginnings of our immense manufacturing industries. True, the
paddle-wheels have long since ceased to turn; the mills, themselves, have been
succeeded by fewer, but much larger mills, where steam or electricity has taken
the place of water power and where the operators of yesteryear would scarce
recognize the processes of manufacture now being carried forward on such a gigantic
scale. But the fact remains that these little water- power mills form the base
of our present magnificent system. The paddle-wheels are idle, the wheels have
ceased to turn, the very buildings have fallen into decay, or have been torn
away completely. In many in- stances, only the old dams remain, and they are
fast being carried away by the water on its way to the sea. America industry
has outgrown its swaddling clothes and has ever progressed with the times, aided
thereto by the inventive genius of man.
"Our own Little Miami River played its full part in these beginnings of
industry. Let us trace a few of these mills that, in former days, were to be
found along its banks. It is said that the first mill built on the head of the
stream was located near Trebeins and was erected by John Paul.
For more than a hundred years it was busily engaged with grinding the flour,
meal and feed for the inhabitants of the large territory in that vicinity.
"Coming down stream, we next locate the Schnebly mill, located near Spring
Valley on Glady, a tributary of the Little Miami.
"Arriving at Spring Valley, we find the I.M. Barrett mill,
one of the largest capacity grist mills on the entire stream, and also with
one of the longest periods of service. Not until about 1914, did this mill give
way before the keen press of centralized competition.
"Returning to Spring Valley, we find a large meat curing plant that conducted
an immense business for several years. Here were prepared for market those splendid
Spring Valley hams that won renown far and wide. This plant was remodeled and
operated in later years by Wm. Hiatt and Son, as a milling
and grain-handling center.
"Continuing our journey down stream, we next find the Mt. Holly Mill, built
by Pence & Kinney, and operated for years by John
M. Marlatt. About a mile below here is found the site of the Lamar
Mill.
"This brings us to the mills in Waynesville and its immediate vicinity.
The late Squire John W. Keys, father of H.P. Keys,
wrote an interesting sketch of these for the History
of Warren County, Ohio, published in 1882. We shall draw upon this source
for a bit of information.
"The first mill in Wayne Township, he says, was built by Samuel
Heighway on Newman's Run, below Waynesville, in the year 1803. The
mill was built of logs, and the millstones used were what were called "raccoon
burrs." It afterward became the property of Jonathon Newman.
He attached a saw-mill and carding machine which were burned down and not rebuilt.
"Mr. Heighway also built a grist-mill and saw-mill on
a power site directly back of the Waynesville water pumping station on the river.
This mill eventually became the property of Sidwell Taylor,
father of the late Mrs. Anna T. Ellis, and for many years was
known as the Taylor Mill. Today, only a part of the dam remains to remind one
of the busy activities that were carried on there.
"Writing of the Waynesville mills, Mr. Keyes says: About
the year 1806, John Haines, from Virginia, built a mill at
Waynesville on the power now owned by Mr. Wright (C.M.
Robitzer, now). [This writer does not have the exact date this was
written.] It was of framed timber and stood about where the saw mill now is.
(The saw-mill has since been torn down and cleared away. It stood just south
of the present swimming pool.) The dam was a few hundred yards above the mill
and abutted the land owned by Abel Satterthwaite (father of
Henry Satterthwaite), which has since, by means of a channel
on the east side, become an island. Haines failed to secure
an abutment on the east side of the river, and the dam causing the frequent
overflow of the land, became obnoxious to the owner. He cut round the dam and
destroyed the power, about the year 1809. A long litigation ensued and case
was finally decided in the Supreme Court against Haines.
"John Jennings came to the township in 1810, and bought
the mill and secured an abutment on the east side against the rugged bank, for
$200, and contracted with David Brown to extend the race for
$300. Brown completed the race, but lost heavily on the contract.
The mill was idle about six years, during which time the principal milling of
the neighborhood was done at Newman's mill on the Run, and
at Heighway's mill on the Miami. A saw-mill and a fulling-mill
were there at an early day and carding and fulling done there until about 1850.
"The brick mill was built in 1825 by John Jennings, and
about 1832 was sold by him to Stephen Cook and Jason
Evans. Evans became the sole owner, and, in 1840,
sold the mills with the lands, lots, dwellings, etc., to William Oliphant
of New Jersey, for $14,000. It was regarded as a good sale at the time. Oliphant
died, and his sons sold out, settled up and returned to New Jersey.
"The mills finally became the property of the Wright family,
who operated them for many years. The last member of this family to own and
operate them was the late John M. Wright, father of Mrs. Susan
W. Payne.
"The present owner, C.M. Robitzer, secured control during
the very early years of the present century, and immediately installed extensive
improvements. A modern water turbine replaced the old paddle wheel, and the
most up-to-date machinery was installed throughout, until the Waynesville Mills
gained wide renown as one of the best equipped plants of its kind in the entire
state. The saw-mill was discontinued and torn down.
"The mill continued to do a thriving business until after the close of
the World War, when the scarcity and high price of wheat forced the management
to abandon the struggle against the wealthy large combines. Even yet, however,
water power is used to operate the modern ice plant that has replaced the grinding
machinery.
"The Telegraph Mill, located two miles below Waynesville on the Little
Miami, was built about 1856 and was operated quite extensively during the early
years. Later, the ownership changed quite frequently. It was purchased in 1917
by the late Roy Van Tress, and has not been in running operation
since that time, although it has not been at any time completely abandoned improvements
being made at different times with a view of eventually replacing it in operation.
(The author, Mr. Thompson, was the last owner
of this mill to operate it on a commercial basis, and himself made many of the
improvements he mentions.-Editor)
"An old-time mill was operated at Oregonia for many years, the last of
which it was under the management of John K. Spencer. It was
burned in 1910, and has never been rebuilt.
"Thus passes the one time very necessary old-time type of stone burr mills.
These mills bear the claim of older residents of having produced the most excellent
grade of flour and meal ever manufactured."
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This page created 10 August 2004 and last updated
28 September, 2008
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