Lucasville Remembers Past 4th of July Celebrations -- 1865 Peace Jubilee to Harrisonville Reunions to Civic Club Events

 

The 4th of July Independence Day outing – once called “a community picnic – used to be a spectacular annual summer event for the Lucasville community. When I was younger, the day-long celebration featured picnics, amusements, commemorations, music – including a very popular teen dance – and, of course, fireworks. The setting was the Scioto County Fairgrounds where large crowds gathered to enjoy the patriotic festivities.

I miss the event, and I often wonder why it disappeared, as so many families – and especially area youth – flocked to the fairgrounds to take part in the colorful observance. Like so many other things from the past, a doting generation has lost part of its identity to time. I assume the cost of liability insurance, fears of injury, and lack of funds probably all contributed to the demise of the local tradition. For whatever reason, the community no longer hosts the summer celebration.

Allow me to share information about one such Fourth of July outing of the past. I am not certain if this was the second year for the event or just the second year for the sponsorship by the Lucasville Civic Service Club. I am sure that many seniors will recognize names and details from this 1946 4^th of July. Through this post, I hope that Lucasvillians hearken back to the past for a “hot minute” of history now gone but not forgotten. By the way, please add your remembrances of the Fairgrounds 4^th in the comment section. I'm sure others will enjoy those reminiscences. 

1946: "July 4th Event Will Raise Funds For Projects in Community"

An all-day Fourth of July celebration will be held Thursday, July 4, 1946, at the fairgrounds at Lucasville in the form of a community picnic sponsored by the Lucasville Civic Service Club. The organization boasts a membership of 30. The club was organized a year ago last May and this is the second Fourth of July celebration held for the purpose of raising funds for community projects.

Officers of the club include: W.J. Carver, president; John Collins, vice president; Edward Miller, treasurer; and Mr. Bogan, secretary. Members of the committee in charge of the picnic include: P.L. Bogan, A.S. Moulton, Coy Dodds, Dean Schuler, and G. Malone.

Admission to the grounds will be free as well as admittance to a baseball game in the afternoon between the Portsmouth Moose nine and a Jackson team.

A concert by the Valley Rural High School band will be a special attraction at night. The band is comprised of high school students and other members who have played with the band in past years. The group will be directed by Esto Davis.

Midway attractions, square dancing, and other amusements will help raise money for the club. Families are invited to take picnic baskets and spend the day. Refreshment stands will be on the grounds, and it is planned to keep the rides over for an extra two days, Friday and Saturday.

Last year the club helped purchase new uniforms for the high school band and gave a Christmas party for youngsters with funds raised at the 1945 celebration.

The club has seven standing committees. These and their chairmen are: municipal development, C.M. Purdy; civic improvement, Dr. D.C. Coleman; business, Mr. Carver; advertising, J.W. McKinley; membership, Mr. Moulton; agriculture, Walter Malone; recreation, Mr. Miller.

(Frank R. Thompson. “Bits and Pieces.” Bicentennial Calendar Project. 2019.)

 Photographer: William Fischer, Jr.
Taken: September 2, 2012
Caption: Civil War Mural Detail, Robert Dafford

I would also like to share information about Dugan's Grove and early beginnings of other public commemorations at, or near, the Scioto County Fairgrounds in Lucasville. The place – the grove – was very much both a center of public attention and a symbol for patriotic observances, including the end of the American Civil War.

Here is an account of one very celebrated reunion at Dugan's Grove – an event actually organized on July 4, 1865,

August 17, 1865 – Dugan's Grove

At the close of the war, patriotic fever was at white heat. The people felt there should be a grand reunion of the returned soldiers. At a meeting in Dugan’s Grove on July 4, 1865, it was resolved to have a Grand Soldier’s Reunion and Peace Jubilee. It was an affair of the two counties of Pike and Scioto. Abram F. Millar, Thomas Dugan and John L. Ward were the master spirits in the movement. Many committees were appointed in Portsmouth and the reunion was set for August 17, 1865.

Dugan's Grove was then one of the most delightful spots in the county. On this beautiful day, the two entrances to the grove were decorated for the Jubilee. Over one entrance appeared the motto, “Victory at Last,” and over the other, “Welcome to the Soldiers.”

The grand event featured a free dinner, with two tables each over a thousand feet in length. At one was a banner inscribed, “We honor the private soldier.” At the other at each end were banners bearing the names “Logan,” “Thomas,” and "Rosecrans.” In the center were banners bearing the names, “Grant,” “Sherman,” and "Sheridan.” On the speaker’s stand was a banner reading, “The War was not a Failure.”

Five thousand people took dinner. Colonel John R. Hurd made the opening speech. Colonel T. W. Higgins spoke as did General Robert Schenck, who was the orator of the day. Schenck was at both battles of Bull Run and took part in Jackson's Valley Campaign of 1862, and the Battle of Cross Keys. Hon. Eli Glover made the closing speech. There was dancing in the afternoon and the band of the 73rd O. V. I. furnished the music. 

G.A.R. Organization, “G.A.R. Reception Committee,” Local History Digital Collection, accessed June   30, 2022, https://www.yourppl.org/history/items/show/12892. 

Closing

To close, I would be remiss if I didn't include information about the Harrisonville Reunion in this blog post, billed as one of the "biggest events in the county," according to many records. Local historical accounts say people would come from all over the region to participate in the festivities. The 1865 Peace Jubilee was evidently the inspiration (the beginning?) of the so-called “reunion.” Here is what I know from Portsmouth Times accounts …

The Harrisonville Reunion

The Harrisonville Reunion was started as a "thank you" to all of the veterans who served in the Civil War. The event was originally held in Lucasville. An article appeared in The Portsmouth Times on June 5, 1965 entitled, "History Revealed." This article states that:  "History recalled that on August 17, 1865, a reunion of Civil War veterans was held in the grove. More than 5,000 attended the "Peace Jubilee." Abram F. Millar, Thomas, Dugan and John L. Ward were listed as the committeemen.

The Times (1965) reported in 1880 Lucasville lost interest in the reunion and it was moved to Harrisonville when it was held August 17, 1880 and has been held annually since as the Harrisonville Reunion." Then, the Harrisonville reunion became an institution eventually managed by the Sons of Veterans.

There are conflicting records about the reunion's start date:

The July 20, 1895 article states, "one great picnic in the county every summer for the last 5 years" (making the start date 1890). Please read this 1895 reference: it's a great report. You will see Lucasville references and also delight in how descriptive and detailed past Portsmouth Times accounts truly were. Historians, enjoy. 

Historical Note: Harrisonville Reunion (August 18, 1895)

Article taken from The Portsmouth Daily Times, August 16, 1895

Sam Patch said "Some things can be done as well as others." He was right. So with the Harrisonville reunion and picnic last Saturday. Scioto Post, G. A.R., ably assisted by Lois Camp, S. O.V., put forth an extra effort this year, and the result was highly satisfactory to all concerned.

It cannot be said that reunion was any better or the picnic more enjoyable than on former occasions. The Harrisonville gatherings are always up to the limit. It's hard to improve on them. Last year the Sons of Veterans had entire charge of the affair, this year they stepped aside and the G.A.R. Ruled.

Saturday was an ideal picnic day. All roads led to Harrisonville, and long before people were coming from all parts of the county. The road was blocked in some places by long strings of rigs stretching away for a mile or so without a single break.

The dust was almost suffocating, and if there was one thing more devoutly prayed for than another it was rain. And it came in a gentle sprinkle in the afternoon. Just a wee bit of shower where the people were gathered, but beyond Harrisonville it rained copiously, and many of the home goers in the evening found the roads muddy in some places. Judging from the acres of rigs of all sorts in the grove it seemed that everybody in the county had turned out. Various estimates were placed on the number of people present. Some thought there could not be less than 6,000 people in the grove; others estimated the attendance at 2,000. A fair average would be 4,000. Of these probably 500 came from Portsmouth.  How they did miss the street car!  A horse and buggy represented $6 for the trip from Portsmouth, and it had to be a good, reliable driver that could get it at that price.

The picnic grounds are on a little rising knoll, half a mile beyond Harrisonville.  The grove is the property of Dr. Ray and contains over forty acres. The trees are not very large and the shade is not dense. The grounds might be considerably improved by cleaning out the underbrush and burning the leaves which have been accumulating on the ground for several years and have smothered out the grass completely. No malaria lurks in the grove. It is on high ground, half a mile away from water and dampness.

There were various means of entertainment in the grove. Most prominent of all was a large dancing platform. There was a large crowd around it all day. The Scott String band furnished the music for the dancers. Lemonade and refreshment stands were quite numerous. Marsh had two of the largest on the grounds and did a big business. The talented editor of the Morning Excuse even conducted a small lemonade and soda water stand. Five merry-go-rounds were in operation, but did not do the business expected. A platform for speech-making and the band was erected. Wheels of fortune, cane racks, shell games and various other schemes were in operation. Down in a corner of the grove several slabs of lumber had been stuck up, forming an enclosure of about twenty-five feet square. It was the intention of the builders to confine some Union prisoners inside, put some Rebels on guard, and, finally a grand rush for liberty was to be made, with a sham battle following. The prisoners could not be found, so the scheme failed.

A baseball game was also booked for the afternoon between the Sciotoville players and the Lucasville nine.  As the clubs were being organized the rain came up and the sport stopped.

Recognizing the importance of having some eloquence and speech making, Mr. Horace White exerted himself to enlist the services of a number of orators and politicians. After much trouble he obtained some promises and after some patriotic music by the Harrisonville Sheepskin band and the Lucasville band, the first orator of the day was introduced. It was young Orra Rickey, son of Ex-Commissioner Frank Rickey. He delivered a very able oration and one worthy the oldest orator on the grounds.  He is a very bright young man and will make his mark in the world someday.

Rev. Snodgrass was then introduced and made one of his characteristic patriotic talks. He was listened to with considerable interest and his frequent bursts of eloquence were loudly applauded.

William E. Ross, the colored statesman from the Seventh ward was next introduced. He wore his long Prince Albert coat and as he placed his hand on his bosom he looked far more dignified than his wont when addressing the city fathers. He made a good speech. It was full and running over with patriotism and he only alluded to politics in a very mild way. It was a very interesting talk. "Some negroes will steal and so will the white folks. Some colored people go to the penitentiary so does the white man. If I want to steal a chicken once in a while, nobody ought to kick on an old soldier. I was raised by Grover Cleveland's uncle anyhow and I ought to be excused," said the member of council from the Seventh ward. With the assistance of two of his colored brethren he sang an original song composed for the occasion. He afterwards favored the crowd with another song not quite so original, "Poor, but a Gentleman Still." He sang it, however, in a very original key, and some of the people believed what he said.

For some unaccountable reason the speech and song of Bro. Ross closed the exercises of the day, Chairman White then announcing the speech making at an end. There were several orators waiting behind the grand stand and were sorely disappointed when they were overlooked by the chairman.  Charley Hard stood under the dripping bunting until his had was colored red, white and blue, ready with a pretty little speech for his constituents. Rev. Racy also wanted a chance to move the audience to tears and tell them what an honest man he was to trust with the country cash. A number of other offices seekers could hardly control their anger when refused a chance to make their speeches, "This is not a good crowd to electioneer in anyhow" said C. Hard, "there are too many woman and children here. The people I want to see are voters."

A good story is told on Candidates Hard and Ball of a discovery they made while in search of water. They found something else, and as they were examining the cork of kodak, flend pressed the button.  Go to Floyd McCormick for the rest. It is said that Rev.  Tracy was also in it.

All in all the picnic and reunion was a great success. Not a single accident was reported, not a single drunk and disorderly was to be seen on the grounds. Everybody came to enjoy themselves, and they did in their own quiet way.

These annual picnics are productive of much good. It matters not that their main objects is to make a little money. Patriotism and love country are always inspired, and the day is looked forward to with much eagerness by those to whom it is the only big holiday of the year. In many respects it is much more of a gala day than the biggest day of our county fair. Scioto Post, G.A.R., Lois Camp, S.O.V., and the people of Harrisonville are to be congratulated on giving us such and opportunity for solid enjoyment. There is not another picnic in southern Ohio equal to it. May the custom long survive.

(“The Harrisonville Reuniion. https://www.minfordfalcons.net/TheHarrisonvilleReunion.aspx.)

In the August 17, 1900 edition of The Daily Times, p. 1, an article described plans for the upcoming reunion. "Every rig and spare cab in the city have been engaged and the pike from here out will be black with vehicles and people a foot."

July 21, 1911 article states, "They mean to make this the biggest of the twenty-nine like affairs" (making the start date 1882) – “and to that end will get new attractions to draw the people. Chief of these is a balloon ascension which has already been contracted for.”

July 21, 1915 article states, "making the 36th annual reunion one of the best a great series" (making the start date 1879)

The reunions started to fizzle in the early 1910's. By 1915 there was a drive to reinstate the reunion is all it glory. In later years, the reunion became known throughout the community as the 17th of August. The event was held on August 17, unless that date fell on a Sunday.

(“The Harrisonville Reunion.” https://www.minfordfalcons.net/TheHarrisonvilleReunion.aspx.)

Historical Note: The History of Harrison Township 

FIRST SETTLERS IN THE AREA

The first two families to live in the area were Rev. Thaddeus Bennett and family, and his son, Rev. Joseph Bennett and family.

Thaddeus Bennett and his son, Joseph Bennett, lived in New York in the early 1800's. Thaddeus Bennett was a veteran of the Revolutionary War. Joseph Bennett was a veteran of the War of 1812. Around 1814, the two men decided they wanted a different life in the Northwest Territory.

Thaddeus, age 56, and Joseph, age 22, built a raft, and set out on the Olean River to begin their new life. They headed toward the Allegheny River. Continuing south, the men finally reached the Ohio River. The Bennett families continued down the Ohio River until they arrived at  the mouth of the Little Scioto River. They settled in the area we now know as Sciotoville.

General William Henry Harrison visited the area again in 1836.

In 1837, Joseph Bennett laid out a town on the land surrounding his home. He gave a building site to anyone who would guarantee to build a home in the settlement. Joseph named the town Harrisonville, after his friend, General Harrison. However, it would be 22 more years before the  town of Harrisonville would become "official." The town had not been platted in Scioto County records.

By 1880, the population of Harrison Township had grown to 1,325.

Lodges played a big part in the community of Harrisonville.  Ives Lodge Knight of Phythias started in 1890. Soon after it was organized, a large two-story hall was built at a cost of $1,800 including fixtures.

Scioto Post GAR was established in 1880.

Lois Camp Sons of Veterans was organized in 1880. They enjoyed second rank in the state of Ohio.

HARRISONVILLE CHANGES ITS NAME TO MINFORD

There was another town called Harrisonville on the C&O Railroad line. Railroad officials wanted to simplify matters, so they asked local resident Frank R. Minford if he thought the village would mind changing its name. Frank R. Minford was friends with one of the C&O Railroad attorneys.

Several names were suggested for the town--Harrison, Bennettville, and Minford. In honor of Frank R. Minford, (a local blacksmith) the town's name was changed to Minford on August 17, 1917. Frank R. Minford was the son of William J. Minford who immigrated to the area from County Antrim, Northern Ireland in 1846. William, his mother, brother Robert, and sister Agnes first arrived in New York before traveling to Ohio. William was the owner of a successful blacksmith business in the area. He taught his trade to his son, Frank, who took over the business when his father passed away.

(“The History of Harrison Township.” https://www.minfordfalcons.net/HarrisonvilleBecomesMinford.aspx.)