West Jefferson in Days Gone By - series 30 by Charlie Miller

CIVIL WAR: The Battle of Chickamauga, Georgia- fought September 18, 1863-September 20, 1863. On August 16, 1863, Gen. Rosecrans started a movement on Chattanooga with 5 Corps and a Brigade of Cavalry. The Reserve Corps, which contained Co. A 40th O.V.I. followed the main army as closely as possible. On September 9, Bragg evacuated Chattanooga. Rosecrans then forced Bragg to retreat farther and established a base at Bridgeport, Alabama. Bragg received reinforcements and counter-attacks. The two armies met at Chickamauga Creek, 12 miles below Chattanooga. Dr. Beach narrated that on the way to Bridgeport, they marched all day and the next night. On the 14th they passed over the nose of Lookout Mountain and saw a fine view of Chattanooga then went into camp at Rossville, Georgia 5 miles south of Chattanooga. 

On the 18th Gen. Granger and the Reserve Corps were at Rossville, Ga., Rosecrans then dispatched two Corps to keep Bragg from seizing the roads leading to Chattanooga. By 11 p.m. Bragg had crossed Chickamauga Creek. The Confederates were met by Gen. Granger and Gen. Steedman’s Reserve Corps, containing Co. A. The battle took all afternoon. The ammunition of the Union Troops was almost exhausted and the Confederate’s final charge was met with bayonets. Gen. Thomas’ stand was made possible by Granger’s relief which he had enacted on his own without order to do so, this had bought time for the rest of the army. The Confederates finally took up a position on Missionary Ridge. The Union had suffered 1,700 killed and 10,000 wounded. The Confederates, 2,000 killed and 13,000 wounded. Daniel Lilly of Jefferson Township, from Co. A, was killed in this battle. Your writer has a relation buried at the Chattanooga National Cemetery. 

Dr. Beach describes the battle: “The heaviest fighting of the 19th was on our center and left. At 11 a.m. on the 20th, Gen. Granger came up, and although ordered to hold the roads back to Chattanooga, there was no enemy in front of us, and the sound of their guns seemed so much like an appeal for help, Gen Granger determined to respond. We march toward this sound, the position of our army at this time was critical in the extreme. During the morning the right of our army had been broken and retreated towards Chattanooga. Gen. Thomas being unaware of this was still fighting stoutly. Thankfully the enemy was also ignorant of this. Thomas was just about to be overrun when our two brigades, led by Gen. Steedman (Co. A) charged the advancing foe. In twenty minutes we had checked the whole advance and for half an hour there was a lull in the fighting. At 4 o’clock, we again were charged by their eight divisions against our less than 20,000 men. We succeeded in repelling them. We withdrew to Rossville. At midnight we arrived, worn out, the men dropped down and slept by the side of the wounded men who had drifted back. Without Gen. Granger’s two brigades at the critical moment, the utter rout, if not annihilation of Gen. Thomas’ force was absolutely certain. In our brigade of fewer than 4,000 men, we lost 1,732 killed and wounded between 2 p.m. and sundown. This was over 45% of our entire force. On September 21, we fell back to Chattanooga. In the battle, we lost two valuable officers, one being Capt. Benj. Snodgrass of Co. A.” during the battle the 40th O. V. I. was part of the 2nd Brigade, Gen. W. C. Whittaker commanding; 1st Division, Col. Charles Cruff commanding’ 4th Corps, Gen. Granger commanding; all part of the Army of the Cumberland, Gen. George H. Thomas commanding.

West Jefferson in Days Gone By - series 31 by Charlie Miller

LOOKOUT MT: On November 19th, we drew 6 days’ rations and moved out the next day. On the 22nd of November, Bragg had advanced within three miles of Chattanooga and the Confederates held Lookout Mountain just south of the city. Gen. Grant was ordered from Vicksburg to aid Gen. Rosecrans. Gen. Rosecrans was replaced by Gen. Thomas as Commander of the Army of the Cumberland. On the 23rd, we went camping in Lookout Valley. Our regiment was to hold Lookout Valley and make a demonstration upon the face of Lookout Mountain. 

At 10 o’clock on the morning of the 24th, we were ready to advance, but recent rains had swollen the Creek. We were able to cross at about 8 o’clock that morning. The First Division under Co. Cruff joined in the attack on Lookout Mountain. At 11 a.m. we connected with Osterhaus’ Division on our left. Climbing over boulders and creeping through the brush we advanced cautiously and then charged rapidly, driving the enemy back about one mile. Our brigade, thoroughly aroused and forgetful of orders pushed on through the front line and continued to pursue the enemy. Our regiment was in advance, the brigade charged two additional lines capturing a section of artillery at the Craven House, and the right of our regiment, led by Lt. Col. William Jones, (son of Rev. Isaac Jones) pushed far beyond the rest of our line and at one time was actually in the rear of the Rebel line of battle. The heavy fighting ceased about 2 o’clock. Later on in the day fresh troops arrived and we were allowed to drop out of the line of fire, our men dropped down upon the wet ground and shivered through the night. Our regiment lost 11 men. Killed from Company A were Major Thomas Action and Nelson Glaze. 

On November 26th and 27th, we moved back to Rossville and the Ringold Road pursuing the retreating enemy, but we were halted at Ringold. On November 28th we sent our wounded back to Chattanooga. At 4 a.m. on December 1st, we started in the direction of Chattanooga, our march being made by the light of the burning town. We reached Shellmound at 3 p.m. on December 2nd. The weather was very cold, never did home seem more delightful, more comforting than did our cabins perched on the hillside, to our weary regiment. We went into winter quarters at Shellmound. While Col. Jones resigned on account of ill health., 

More about the Battle of Lookout Mountain

West Jefferson in Days Gone By - series 32 by Charlie Miller

MISSIONARY RIDGE: On November 26th, Gen. Granger set out for Rossville pursuing the fleeing enemy. In the meantime, the Confederates moved to Missionary Ridge. The next day Gen. Grant ordered Gen. Sherman to attack at daylight with his Army of the Tennessee and Gen. Hooker with the Army of the Cumberland. Gen. Thomas was to hold the middle until Gen. Hooker reached Missionary Ridge. Gen. Sherman attacked as planned and fought a pitched battle until 3 p.m. but failed to break the line. Grant then ordered Thomas to attack. At 3:30 his attack commenced. They charged at the double with fixed bayonets and almost simultaneously the ridge was carried at six places. 

Dr. Beach’s narration: On the 25th, we moved out through a fog that surrounded Lookout Mountain. We were ordered to carry Missionary Ridge from the north. At 4 p.m. the heroic charge was made. Gen. Thomas’ men were so eager that even servants, cooks, and clerks found guns in some way, and at 3:30 they ran forward heading for the rifle pits at the base of the Ridge. The first Rebel line fell but the Yankees were still exposed to the killing fire from above. Without orders, they leaped from the captured pits and began charging up the steep face of the Ridge. A Northern Lieutenant noted that “Little regard to formation was observed. Each battalion assumed a triangular shape, the colors at the apex, a color bearer dashes ahead of the line and falls, then another picks it up, waves it defiantly and as if bearing a charmed life he advances towards the top.” Amid the din of battle the cry “Chickamauga, Chickamauga” could be heard. Grant and Thomas watching from Orchard Knob were incredulous. Gen. Granger confirmed to Grant that the men had charged without orders and added, “When those fellows get started all hell can’t stop them.” Bragg’s men fired desperately, the cannoneers pouring hats full of musket balls into their pieces, shooting them like giant shotguns. Bragg, cursing like a sailor, tried to rally his force but it fled in a hopeless rout as the Army of the Cumberland poured over the crest.

We left our winter quarters at Shellmound on January 16, 1864, and arrived at Blue Springs, 4 miles south of Cleveland, Tennessee on February 6th. On the 22nd of February, we marched toward Dalton, Georgia. We fought at Tunnel Hill, and Rocky Face Valley, losing 4 killed and 25 wounded. We returned to our base at Blue Springs on the 28th. On March 1st, we again marched, this time to Charlestown, 11 miles north of Cleveland, and then returned to camp on March 9th. We remained there until May 3rd. 

Next: For the Atlanta campaign, the 40th O.V. I. was part of the 2nd Brigade Gen. W. C. Whittaker, commanding; 1st Division, Gen. D. S. Stanley commanding; 4th Corps, Gen., O. O. Howard, commanding; and the Army of the Cumberland, Gen. Thomas commanding. All of this was under the command of Gen. William T. Sherman.

West Jefferson in Days Gone By - series 33 by Charlie Miller

BATTLE FOR ATLANTA: The Atlanta campaign opened on May 7, 1864. The Army of the Ohio, with 13,559 men was near Red Clay, Georgia, 13 miles north of Dalton. The Army of the Cumberland, 60,7773 men, was near Ringold,12 miles northwest of Dalton, and the Army of Tennessee, 24,465 men were 20 miles northwest of Dalton. The Army of the Cumberland under Gen. Thomas, fought at Tunnel Hill and Rocky Face on May 9th. Sherman moved his forces to Snake Creek Gap, except for the 4th Corps, and a cavalry division left to cover his communications on the 13th of May. Johnston (CSA) withdrew from Resaca on the night of the 15th and arrived in Adairsville on the 17th. Thomas’ Army of the Cumberland advanced towards Ley’s Ferry. Johnson had planned to make a stand at Adairsville, but finding the valley too wide he changed his plans. He then retreated south of Cassville. On the 19th Thomas skirmished with Johnson until dark. As Thomas advanced against Johnston, McPherson, and Schofield (USA) were used as wide flanking movements. Johnston then retreated to Allatoona Pass and then to Hope Church. On the 14th of June Thomas was before Pine Mountain. 

On the 27th of June, the Army of the Cumberland and the Army of the Tennessee assaulted Kennesaw Mountain. Then Sherman thrust the center of Johnston’s line but was repulsed. Thomas then advanced through Marietta and on July 7th, turned toward Atlanta. Johnston then moved to a position south of Peach Tree Creek just north of Atlanta, being forced to that position by the movement of McPherson far to the east. 

On July 17, 1864, Gen. Johnston was replaced by Gen. John Bell Hood (CSA). On July 19th Thomas was crossing Peach Tree Creek. This caused a wide interval between Thomas and the Army of the Ohio on his left. To close the gap he ordered Gen. Howard of the 4th Corps sent two divisions to connect with the Army of the Ohio. Hood took advantage of this and on the 20th attacked Thomas, but was repulsed. Gen. McPherson, commander of the Army of the Tennessee was killed on the 22nd of July and was replaced by the commander of the 4th Corps, Gen. O. O. Howard. Hood excavated Atlanta on the 1st of September 1864, nearly being encircled by the Union forces. He withdrew to Lovejoy Station, Georgia. Sherman’s army withdrew to Atlanta and the surrounding area to rest and prepare for further operations. The Army of the Tennessee occupied Eastpoint, Ga. and the Army of the Ohio was at Decatur. Thus the Atlanta campaign ended. 

Companies A, B, C, and D were mustered out of the service at Pine Mountain, Georgia, on October 7, 1864. The men whose time had not expired were sent to the 51st O. V. I. to fill out their terms of service. 

Dr. Beach’s narrative of the campaign will appear in Serial #34.

West Jefferson in Days Gone By - series 34 by Charlie Miller

ATLANTA CAMPAIGN: Dr. Beach narrates the Atlanta Campaign. 

On May 3, 1864, we marched on the road to Dalton, Ga. Our brigade was composed of 9 different regiments, including the 40th O. V. I. We fought at Tunnel Hill on the 7th of May and occupied it by noon of the 8th. We advanced on Rocky Face and fought there on the 9th and 10th. On May 13th we marched through Resaca. Early on the morning of the 16th the 4th Corps marched through Resaca pushing the enemy back all day and camped at Adairsville the next day. We advance to Kingston on May 18th then march toward Cassville. We were under fire from the 26th from Johnston’s army in front of Dallas, Ga. The enemy finally fell back and formed a new line a few miles north of Kennesaw. 

Resting on the 5th of June we marched leisurely on the 6th, we went into camp at Ackworth. We remained there awaiting supplies and had pleasant weather. The rain had been almost continuous and the weather cold. On June 10th the whole army moved toward Kennesaw. On the afternoon of June 14th a shot from the 5th Indiana Battery posted with our brigade, killed Gen. Polk (CSA) who, with the Generals Johnston and Hardee, was observing our movement from the top of Pine Mountain. We continued to fight around Pine Mountain and skirmished all along our line. From a position on Pine Mountain, the night afforded the grandest exhibition of fireworks imaginable. During the night of the 16th, the enemy abandoned Lost Mountain and fell back to Marietta, Ga. We continued to advance for the next two days. The fighting continued through the 19th and 20th. June 20th was the bloodiest day for our regiment since Chickamauga. Around this time General Johnston was replaced by Gen. Hood. (CSA) 

June 28th and 29th were comparatively quiet on our front, the sick and wounded being sent back to Big Shanty to be sent on to the hospital. On June 30th the enemy made a feeble demonstration but was easily repulsed. On July 2nd the enemy vacated their line around Marietta, and on the morning of the 3rd, we marched through their works and onto the direct road to Atlanta. On July 4th we charged the enemy in front and captured their skirmish line. About 100 in our division were wounded. The next day the enemy fell back. 

From the high hill at Vinings’s Station, we got our first look at Atlanta, the “Spectral City” 8 or 10 miles in the distance. It seemed so near that we felt that our campaign was nearly ended, but it took us nearly two months longer to get into the city. On the 17th of July, our entire army crossed the Chattahoochee River. During the morning we marched on the road to Atlanta and halted at Buckhead 7 miles from Atlanta. On the 19th we secured a position on the south bank of Peach Tree Creek. We went into camp on the south side of the fork 5 miles from Atlanta. 

Next, the taking of Atlanta.

West Jefferson in Days Gone By - series 35 by Charlie Miller

The Taking of Atlanta: Dr. Beach narrates.-- On July 2th Gen. Howard and Wood’s divisions joined us and we moved forward, only Hooker’s corps and Newton’s division of our Corps were engaged. We advanced on the Cross Keys Road toward Atlanta fighting all day on the 20th and 21st. Capt. Benj. Snodgress in command of Company A of the 40th O. V. I. was killed this day on the skirmish line. On the evening of the 22nd our lines on the north and east were close up to the city, so near that at many points we could look into its streets. Our army settled down in front of the city waiting for a chance to assault. For many weeks there was not much to change the monotony of skirmish fighting. We put Atlanta under siege. 

On August 3rd we made a demonstration to our front with little result. It was repeated on the 5th. On August 25th the siege was abandoned. Our Corps with Gen. David S. Stanley now in command, Gen. Howard having been assigned to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Gen. McPherson, moved out of the trenches at dark losing quite a number of stragglers during the night. We halted at 2 a.m. on the 26th and marched again at 8 a.m. and went to the right and encamped 8 miles southwest of Atlanta. Marching again on the 27th we skirmished with the enemy cavalry and formed a line of battle near Mr. Gilead’s church. On the 28th we engaged in tearing up the railroad toward Atlanta and then encamped at Red Oak. 

On the 31st we moved toward Rough and Ready on the Macon Road and threw up barricades facing Jonesboro. In the afternoon the Battle of Jonesboro was fought. Our division rushed forward but was so delayed by the thick undergrowth and enemy skirmishers, that the fury of the battle had passed up before we reached the field. By nightfall, the enemy had fallen back to Lovejoy Station. 

On September 2, 1864, a reconnaissance from the Chattahoochee River was met by the Mayor of Atlanta, who formally surrendered the city. On the night of the 5th, we withdrew from our entrenchments and fell back to Jonesboro. On the 8th we passed through Atlanta and out on the Augusta Railroad, our brigade going into camp two miles from the city. 

For nearly a month following the occupation of Atlanta, our forces had uninterrupted rest. At midnight of October 2, orders were received for marching. Our division marched at daylight and went into camp 5 miles from Marietta near where we fought on July 4th. On October 4th we marched through Marietta and encamped again. On October 5th we march slowly, the Battle of Allatoona being in progress. Gen. Sherman was with our Corps at this time. We encamped for the night at Pine Mountain and rested on the 6th of October. From our position on Pine Mountain, we had a fine view of the relative positions of the armies. 

On October 7, 1864, while at Pine Mountain, Georgia, Companies A, B, C, and D were mustered out of the service. The men whose terms had not expired were sent to the 51st O. V. I. to fill out their service.

West Jefferson in Days Gone By - series 36 by Charlie Miller

MEMBERS OF CO. A 40TH OVI: Known members from West Jefferson in Company A included: 

Col. William Jones, Thomas Pearce, Wilson Burrows, Marion Simpkins, Andrew Garrabrant, George Ingalls, Albert Ingalls, Lawrence Englesperger, James Chambers, Jacob Englesperger, Levi Hann, George Olney, Wilson Olney, Charles C. Roberts, Fredrick Olney. There were more but are unknown. 

154th REGIMENT: On May 9, 1864, three companies of the 154th Ohio National Guard were mustered into this regiment and Camp Dennison. These men served 100 days and were discharged. 

Camp Dennison was a 700-acre Civil War camp located near Cincinnati, near I-275 just north of Milford, Ohio. During the war, 50,000 men passed through it. It eventually held 2,300 sick and wounded soldiers and was also used for training. It was named after Gov. William Dennison. 

The following men from West Jefferson were in Company C of the 154th:

Capt. Alex Swanston 

2nd Lt. Isaac Hambleton 

Sgt/ James Arnett, Charles Putnam, Edward R. Hill, John Lewis, 

Cpl. George Hann, David Lucas, Samuel Sidner, James Farrington, George Price. Pvts. Elijah Bell, Lewis Johnson, William McCoy, Samuel Stickley, John Silver, and Thomas Timmons. 

On the announcement of the surrender of Gen. Robert E. Lee at Appomattox, the people of Madison County became almost frantic with joy. All the bells in London, as well as other towns in the county, were brought into requisition, flags were displayed and the streets thronged with people congratulating each other at the prospect of the return of peace once more. At about 9 o’clock in the morning on the 10th of April 1865, the day the news was received, the businessmen closed up their establishments for the day. The evening of the 12th was set apart by the citizens as a season of rejoicing over the recent Union success. Shortly after dark nearly all of the houses on Main St. in London were brilliantly illuminated, and a six-pound cannon belched forth its thunder tones from a vacant lot on Main St. Then followed a long procession of torchlights, parading the principal streets, after which a grand display of fireworks from the public square which lasted for more than an hour. The town was full of people from the adjacent country and everyone seemed jubilant and good-humored. The demonstration kept up until a late hour and nothing occurred to mar the proceedings of the evening.

An interesting story is told in the book, “Civil War in Song and Story,” about Gen. Steedman, who was commander of the First Division, which the 40th O. V. I. was a part of at Chickamauga. 

“General Steedman won great praise for his gallantry on the field. His horse was shot from under him, and in his fall his hand became seriously injured. Upon rising he discovered some of the men straggling from his division when he commenced pelting them with stones, driving them back to their work, concluding that if words would not do he would try the virtues of harder material. For a long time, he held the Union Colors in his own hand in the heat of conflict.”

West Jefferson in Days Gone By - series 37 by Charlie Miller

HANNA RIORDAN: Hannah first appeared in the 1860 census. She was born in 1835 and was married to Jeremiah Riordan, both born in Ireland. They had 4 daughters 9 mo.-6 yrs. He was listed as a Laborer, and later ran the saloon and probably the hotel called the Railroad House. Hanna and Jeremiah immigrated in 1860. 

The Madison County Democrat, May 25, 1871 “Jerry Riordan died, he kept a saloon and boarding house in West Jefferson.” Hannah later married Patrick McClauskey (also spelled McCloskey) a widower, on April 25, 1876. In the 1870 census, he had been listed as a Saloonest. He had served in Co. C 154th O. V. I. During the Civil War. Patrick served on the Village Council in 1870 and 1871. He married Isabella Kemp on February 12, 1868. It appears that Isabella died shortly after 1870. 

It appears that later Hannah and McClauskey divorced. There has been some confusion due to the name spelled two different ways. 

On Aug 1, 1888, she married John D. Kelley. Nothing is known about Mr. Kelley. There is a stained glass window in the old Catholic Church on Main Street with her name on it. Hannah died on January 2, 1903. 

February 10, 1874, An ordinance was passed prohibiting the sale of ale, beer, and porterhouse shops and shops of the habitual resort to tippling and intemperance. 

The Madison County Democrat, March 11, 1874, “The last of the saloons in West Jefferson caved in Wednesday night and threw in the sponge. Jeff is now regenerated and reconstituted on a cold water basis.” 

At this time the question of selling alcoholic beverages in West Jefferson was being hotly contested. The Railroad Addition was not within the Village limits and the railroad was not elevated at that time. Many persons were crossing the tracks to visit the Railroad House owned by Hannah Riordon located on the corner of Pennsylvania Ave. and Depot Street to consume alcohol. Many rallies had been held by the temperance people and the town had been voted “dry.” 

The Madison County Democrat, June 17, 1874, “A petition was presented to council to annex the Railroad Addition. This was done in view of getting Mrs. Riordan under the control of the ordinance when the question of beer was settled. 

The Railroad House can still be seen on the corner of Depot St. and Pennsylvania Ave. In 1946 I delivered newspapers to Ann Bosley who lived upstairs. I was 10 years old, she looked to me to be 100 years old. When I collected for the paper she’d reach down the front of her blouse and pull out a pouch of money and pay me, it would embarrass me to death!

West Jefferson in Days Gone By - series 38 by Charlie Miller

History is a lot more than just the recording of dates, it also captures the mood of the times, the way that people thought and acted, the way of life, the hopes, plans, and dreams of the people who called West Jefferson “their town,” in times gone by. In the following series, we hope to convey these feelings so that they can place themselves back in time to any era and feel that they could fit in as easily as taking a stroll downtown today. It is hoped that after reading you will have grown to know these people that would have been our friends and neighbors. 

The following appeared in The Madison County Democrat in the 1920s and was written by Mr. Matthew A. Horen. Mr. Horen was born in London, Ohio, on September 3, 1875, and died on January 15, 1943. He was a music teacher/music dealer. 

“Up and down the Main Street of West Jefferson 60 years ago, (1860) there appeared on the businesses houses, the names of people, for which the most part, would appear strange to the present inhabitants of that enterprising little city. To its very oldest citizens like the venerable Lawrence C. Englesperger, Edward Powell, and John Burns, who have spent many useful years of their lives in West Jefferson, and who are spared to the community, there is nothing strange in the recalling of the names of businessmen so long ago, unless it would be the interest that is awakened at the recital of names so long forgotten. The village according to the Federal Census of 1860, had a population of 450 persons and was situated mainly as it is today on the National Road. 

West Jefferson is the logical successor to the Village of New Hampton but is not situated on the site of New Hampton, of which only a long-neglected cemetery is the only relic. It was located southwest of the National Road in the direction of Lilly Chapel. The building of the great Road left New Hampton a mile off its course and sounded the death knell of the village when merchants began to erect buildings along the road to catch the endless stream of stagecoaches, the village naturally followed and thus Jefferson came into being. The U. S. Postal name is West Jefferson but its proper name is Jefferson. 

At one time when the National Road was in its hey-day of glory, Jefferson was the most important town in Madison County but at the time of which we write, the glory of the Road was on the wane, because the railroad had been built through the village and travelers preferred the comfort and speed of the cars to the weary stagecoach travel. 

Lawrence Englesperger, born in Germany, on June 6, 1839, died April 14, 1825. Cpl. Englesperger served 3 years in Co A. 40th O. V. I. during the Civil War. He was a cobbler by trade. He died on April 14, 1925, and is buried at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, West Jefferson. In 1870 he was living with John Burns who was also a boot and shoe manufacturer. He died in 1919 and is also buried at Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

West Jefferson in Days Gone By - series 39 by Charlie Miller

EARLY BUSINESSES: In 1858 West Jefferson was a lively town, it not only sat on the National Road but had a railroad going right through town, and access to and from many points in the country was now available. The following businesses filled the town, and we will explore the individuals in a later series. 

General Dry Goods, and Hardware: James Parks, Chas. H. Mantle, Thomas J. Stutson, and E. S. Handcock. Drug Stores: O. H. Bliss, who also had a grocery and Dry Goods, and L. H. Stutson. Doctors: J. M. McCullough and G. J. Archer. Saddle Shop: James Arnett and E. S. Stutson. Wagonmaker and Blacksmith: Jacob McNeal. Wagons and Undertaker: Ed. McCulley. Brick Mason: H. J. Clark. Grist Mills: O. H. Bliss, John Mills, and J. F. Fickey. Hotels: The Madison Exchange run by Walter H. Wadsworth and Mantle House run by Blazer Mantle. Justice of the Peace: Jacob McNeal and William Clark. 

NEWS ITEMS: 1860-An Ordnance: Be it ordained by the Council of the Village of Jefferson, County of Madison, State of Ohio, that said Council shall erect a suitable building of convenient size, and to adjoin the north end of the town hall for a large jail and prison. 

1860- Salaries for Jefferson Officials by order of Council—Mayor-$10.00 per year; Recorder- $7.00 per year, Marshal- $10.00 per year (if by the opinion of Council, he is entitled to it.) Council 50 cents for a regular meeting. Each Councilman is to forfeit 50 cents for each meeting missed to be deducted from his yearly salary and should be allowed no more than 6 in any given year. 

In May of 1861, we find the first laying of brick sidewalks, this was along the north and south sides of Main Street. 

The Madison County Democrat, December 19, 1861—We believe the Ohio Legislature at its last session, passed a law imposing a severe penalty upon those convicted of carrying deadly weapons. As a consequence of a violation of the provisions of this act, a deed of blood came near perpetrated in West Jefferson on Saturday evening. During the progress of a lawsuit before a certain Justice in the place mentioned, one of the attorneys, Mac, of this place, made a statement that the opposing counsel, Mr. A. of Alton, deemed untrue and at once pronounced his opponent a liar. Mac’s concatenate grew dark with anger, and drawing a weapon from his breast pocket, (which in the uncertain light of approaching evening, resembled one of Colt’s repeaters,) he pointed it at his antagonist and demanded him to retract his language. Everyone shouted, “Don’t shoot, don’t shoot” Mac followed his foe thundering, “Retract sir, or I’ll blow your brains out!” One courageous individual to save bloodshed, stepped up and struck the weapon down, when to his utter astonishment, it broke in two and fell to the floor, which on examination proved to be a bologna sausage! Court adjourned and the difficulty was settled over “drinks around!