CHAPTER XXIII.

SKETCH OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY -- A CONTRAST --
THE, RISE AND PROGRESS OF INDUSTRIAL ENTER
PRISE IN THE STATE--DESCRIPTION OF NAPOLE~
ON, HENRY COUNTY, OHIO--A BLIGHT.

As we near the close of this imperfect sketch, let us contrast the dense forest and dismal swamps which I have so often referred to in the early part of this work, with the beautiful landscapes and fertile fields of the Maumee valley at the present day. For beauty, fertility, and picturesqe scenery it cannot be surpassed in the West. The Maumee River, rising in north-western Indiana, at the junction of the Joseph and St. Marys, pursues its graceful, winding course

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across north-western Ohio, watering a tract of country unsurpassed in any clime, for beauty, fertility, and natural advantages, and connecting the two important commercial points, Fort Wayne and Toledo. Following along close to the bank of the river, and winding itself into most of its rugged recesses and deep-cut bends, is an immense channel cut for the purpose of navigation. This has been built since my acquaintance with the country, and has been a source of vast wealth and internal importance for more than a quarter of a century. It abounds with innumerable boats and vessels of different descriptions, mostly as yet towed by line. But quite a number have recently been introduced that are propelled by steam. It is not now, as it was a few years ago, used for the transportation of travelers, for in this respect it has been superseded by the erection of railways. Pursuing as nearly as practicable a parallel course with the canal and river, is the Toledo and Wabash rail-road, stretching across a section of country nearly a thousand miles in extent, and connecting the head waters of Lake Eric with the far-off Mississippi; uniting the great metropolis of north-western Ohio with south-western Illinois, at the town of Quincy, and connecting with other roads leading into every section of the United States. I have watched the rise and progress of innumerable enterprises along the circuitous route of the canal and river, and the growth of many

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pleasant villages and towns, until the village and town were lost in corporations and city ordinances and would it had fell to an abler pen than mine to chronicle their excellences. As it is, I will only speak of the one with which I am at present, and have been for several years, most intimately connected:

Napoleon is the county seat of Henry County, and situated mostly upon the left bank of the canal, upon an elevated portion of table-land overlooking a beautiful and well-cultivated section of country, and surrounded by tile choicest and most remunerating farming lands I knew it when but little more than a convenient duck-yard, and it is now the most, thrifty and enterprising city on the Maumee. Its rapid growth is no doubt attributable in a great measure to the healthy condtion of the two great; thoroughf:ares -- the rail-road and the canal; but this alone cannot solve the problem, else all other towns along this important route would have attained an equal growth and importances whereas there is not from Fort Wayne and Toledo and indeed in all of north-western Ohio, a. town that dare compete with it in rapid growth, improvements, and commercial importance; and these superior attainments can be attributed to nothing else than the superior quality of the land, unless it be the unfailing energy and enterprise of the people. From the foot of' Perry Street, the river is

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spanned by a massive bridge of superior architectural construction. This was built in 1860, and stood unmoved before the heavy winds, immense floods and masses of ice, until the spring of 1866, when the unusual weight of ice coming in avalanches from the rapids above, dislocated one of the piers, doing serious injury to the entire structure. But through the vigilance of County Commissioners, and the superior architectural skill of Mr. Ulch, the work of destruction was arrested in time to save the entire bridge. Across the canal are three convenient bridges, the last one having been built at the dictation and expense of our enterprising citizen, Mr. Vocke. On the left bank of the river are two steam gristmills of huge dimensions, one woolen factory that would be an ornament to any city, a large sash and blind factory, three saw- mills, and a planing establishment. The mechanical arts are carried to a high state of perfection, and the city is rapidly improving in architectural beauty. There is also a flourishing Union School with convenient school buildings.

Nearly every religious denomination has its representation here; but, the most flourishing are the Episcopal, Methodist and Presbyterians, among the protestant, and the most numerous and wealthy are the Roman Catholics. There are two good churches, one owned by the Methodists, the other by the Episcopalians. There is to be a

MAGNIFICENT EDIFICES.221

new church edifice erected the coming summer, by the Presbyterians, and a few miles from the city another is in process of erection by the Disciples, who are both numerous and flourishing, a church having been organized but a few years ago by our enterprising and Christian citizen, Mr. Lemert, at first small and feeble, but now numbering over three hundred members. The Catholics also purpose building a magnificent Cathedral the coming summer. The last year our ambitious and enterprising citizen, Mr. J. A. Stout erected a most magnificent private edifice. Another of our enterprising citizens, Mr. Wm. Sheffield, lately returned from California, has recently opened a bank in our city. The professions in all their departments, medical, legal and clerical, are admirably filled. The fine arts have a fair representation for a country place. There are two papers subservient to the interests of the two parties--both ably edited, and in style and matter, can compete with the ablest in our state.

We, in common sympathy with our sister towns, have to lament that we are cursed with the abiding presence of the demon intemperance: A large number of liquor stores and doggeries still rear their deformed heads in our midst, and pour forth their envenomed draughts to curse the earth. When shall these hell pits be forever closed, these death fountains stanched? For this end let my daily prayers ascend; to accomplish this work,

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my latest breath be given. When this great evil shall be effectually overthrown, then and not till then shall I expect to see the millenial morn triumphantly ushered in.