Unsolved In the Archives: The Murder of Hezekiah Stites

Author – Assistant Archivist Jacob Stickel

Portrait of Hezekiah Stites
The Western Star, February 15, 1900 – Courtesy of the Warren County Genealogical Society, Available Online Through Ohio History Connection

                In the small town of Oregonia, Hezekiah Stites, an elderly farmer, was murdered, and his house was ransacked. Stites was found by a neighbor, dead in a gruesome display with pockets turned out and valuables stolen. Rumors were flying following the murder, where a scrap of paper led to the indictment of a small “gang”. Three witnesses, two of whom were possible members of this group, perjured themselves and retracted statements. Either because they were hoping to get some of the reward money or because they were frightened into making a partial testimony. Following the trial that would see the alleged “gang” members released, a neighbor was arrested and charged with the murder of Stites. The man was said to possess property of the deceased and made odd remarks to witnesses of the murder that caused him to be seized. He would be released due to a lack of evidence, leaving many to wonder who committed this grisly murder.

In a lonely log cabin in the town of Oregonia on February 5, 1900, a tall elderly man was beaten and then strangled to death. Hezekiah Stites was an active 69-year-old farmer who maintained a plot of land with a number of pigs, horses, cows, and chickens. The land itself was five miles east of Lebanon, where the deceased would sell his wares and kept a bank account. Despite Stites using the bank rumors around Oregonia, he suggested that he kept money in his house. C.C. Emmons, a neighbor of Stites, became worried after not seeing his neighbor for a few days and approached the cabin. Emmons knocked and didn’t receive a response. Nervous on behalf of his nearly 70-year-old neighbor, Emmons broke down to find Hezekiah bloodied and strangled. Pockets were turned out, and his pocketbook rummaged through. The chest on the second floor was bloodied from the hands of the robber(s) turned murderer(s). It was concluded to be a struggle perpetuated by more than one person. Despite his age, Stites was still large enough to put up a fight. The victim was bludgeoned on the head with what was later thought to be a staff or piece of firewood. The location of these injuries was made by someone smaller than Stites. After being rendered unconscious, marks at the neck indicated that the old man was strangled, but despite this, Stites may have lived for several hours after death. With pockets turned out and pocketbooks opened, the murderer(s) ransacked chests and drawers, leaving bloodied prints as evidence. It was supposed that 100$ was stolen from the Hezekiah property.

                Rumors abound surrounding the death of Hezekiah, and customers at a nearby café theorized about who could’ve done it. The crime was thought to have been done by a gang looking to rob someone they felt was vulnerable and who had just come into some money days prior. A loose note passed between people was left at the café, which was suspected to be from Newton Upton and his brother, who was alleged to have threatened the old man after a previous robbery. The younger Newton was released after a lack of evidence, but Newton remained held. Additional members of the gang were alleged to include Hessie Berger (or Hassie Bargar), William and Vernon Lewis, Robert (Bob) Harlan, and Nellie Herron. Vernon Lewis and Nellie Heron were held as witnesses who provided crucial testimony that placed the “gang” at the site of the murder. Allie was another supposed witness to the crime, but later retracted her statements and was alleged to not have understood the oath which she took to testify, and was promised part of the reward money, which at that time stood at 1300$, which was set by the commissioners.  Vernon Lewis and Nellie Heron would retract their statements as well, stating that they were scared and felt frightened into testifying. Regardless of Vernon Lewis and Allie Logan’s defenses, they were both convicted of perjury; Vernon Lewis received three years. Robert Harlan would be held in the Hamilton jail for pickpocketing, and William Lewis was never found during the course of the investigation. Newton Upton and Hessie Berger were released after a successful defense.

Upton Newton and Hessie Berger
The Western Star, February 13, 1902 – Courtesy of the Warren County Genealogical Society, Available Online Through Ohio History Connection

                A pair of young men were jailed because they were caught stealing Stites’ revolver months prior to the murder, 20-year-old Clarence Ralston and 14 a 14-year-old relative. They were related to a neighbor of Stites sharing the same last name. Nicknamed Colonel Ralston on account of a military record, 60-year-old Richard Ralston inquired about the state of the investigation into Stite’s death. Whether or not Emmons was going to receive the award, and whether or not any arrests have been made. Through their discussion, Col Ralston was alleged to have made a vague threat to Emmons about talking about the murder. “Your life is dear to you and my life is sweet to me. If you know anything about the case, you’d better keep still or your life won’t be worth that” (The Western Star. (Lebanon, Ohio), 1902-06-26 Pg 2). After the sentence, Col Ralston snapped his fingers. It was alleged that Col. Ralston was in possession of an old coin that he would later part ways with. Col. Ralston alleged that his son found it in a Lebanon alley, but witnesses suggest it may have come from the Stites home. Cloth found in the possession of Col. Ralston was suggested to have come from the Stites murder. While he made an appearance in court, it would seem that evidence would be dropped against the elderly Col. Ralston. Newspaper records from the Western Star drop off at this time, and criminal records held in the Warren County Records Center and Archives are partial, concluding that an appearance was made with no conviction. Clarence, one of Col. Ralston’s sons who had stolen the Stites revolver, would die from tuberculosis in 1902 at the age of 22, and Col. Ralston would pass away at the age of 82 in 1912.

State of Ohio v. Richard Ralston
Criminal Appearance Docket Volume 4

                Unfortunately, we don’t know who murdered Hezekiah Stites. A few short years after the murder of the owner, the log cabin was burnt to the ground. We can only make some conclusions as to why Allie and Vernon perjured themselves during the initial investigation. The cash award may have polluted the pool of witnesses hoping to gain something from the heinous act. Murder that came to the small town of Oregonia would have created a vicious rumor mill, which may have helped create the initial case against the Uptons. Regarding this case, the Records Center and Archives has documentation from the initial trial of the alleged gang and the criminal appearance docket of Col. Richard Ralston. Clarence Ralston’s larceny of private property and the perjury charges of Allie Logan and Vernon Lewis can also be found in the archives. I would also suggest reading the old Western Star and Cincinnati Enquirer articles to come up with your own conclusion. In 1900, random acts of robbery and violence 150 yards from the nearest road in a log cabin were difficult to track; it will be a wonder what would be concluded should the crime happen today.

References

“Additional Local.” The Western Star, 15 Mar. 1900, pp. 2–2, https://ohiomemory.org/digital/collection/p16007coll84/id/26220. Accessed Oct. 2025.

“Additional Local.” The Western Star, 22 Feb. 1900, pp. 2–2, https://ohiomemory.org/digital/collection/p16007coll84/id/26265. Accessed Oct. 2025.

“Another Confession to Murder of Hezekiah Stites.” The Wester Star, 27 Feb. 1902, pp. 5–5, https://ohiomemory.org/digital/collection/p16007coll84/id/27148. Accessed Oct. 2025.

“Bench, Bar, and Jury.” Hamilton Telegraph, 3 July 1902, pp. 9–9, https://access-newspaperarchive-com.research.cincinnatilibrary.org/us/ohio/hamilton/hamilton-telegraph/1902/07-03/page-9. Accessed 3 July 1902.

“A Blood-Curdling Murder.” The Western Star, 15 Feb. 1900, pp. 5–5, https://ohiomemory.org/digital/collection/p16007coll84/id/25917. Accessed Oct. 2025.

Common Pleas Court. State of Ohio Vs Allie Logan. Vol. 12 & 4, May 1902, pp. 3344–3347 & 3349 & 512–520 & 523–527. Case No. 3344 – 3347 & 3349

Common Pleas Court. State of Ohio Vs Clarence Ralston. Vol. 12 & 4, May 1900, pp. 324–325 & 3243. Case No. 3243

Common Pleas Court. State of Ohio Vs Newton Upton. Vol. 4, May 1900, p. 3248. Case No. 3248

Common Pleas court. State of Ohio Vs. Robert Harlan & William Lewis & Vernon Lewis & Newton Upton & Hassie Bargar & Nellie Herron. Vol. 4, May 1902, p. 3330. Case No. 3330

Common Pleas Court. State of Ohio Vs. Wilmer Blackwell. Vol. 4, May 1900, p. 3239. Case No. 3239

“Court News.” The Western Star, 17 May 1900, pp. 1–1, https://ohiomemory.org/digital/collection/p16007coll84/id/26030. Accessed Oct. 2025.

“Doings of the County Courts.” The Westerrn Star, 9 Oct. 1902, pp. 1–1, https://ohiomemory.org/digital/collection/p16007coll84/id/27187. Accessed Oct. 2025.

“Five Prisoners Now in Jail .” The Western Star, 30 Jan. 1902, pp. 7–7, https://ohiomemory.org/digital/collection/p16007coll84/id/27283. Accessed Oct. 2025.

“Free Again.” The Western Star, 15 May 1902, pp. 5–5, https://ohiomemory.org/digital/collection/p16007coll84/id/26996. Accessed Oct. 2025.

“Grand Jury Has Stites Murder.” Xenia Daily Gazette , 2 Feb. 1902, pp. 1–1, https://access-newspaperarchive-com.research.cincinnatilibrary.org/us/ohio/xenia/xenia-daily-gazette/1902/02-07/page-1. Accessed Oct. 2025.

“Hearing of Richard Ralston for the Stites Murder.” Hamilton Daily Democrat, 24 June 1902, pp. 7–7, https://access-newspaperarchive-com.research.cincinnatilibrary.org/us/ohio/hamilton/hamilton-daily-democrat/1902/06-24/page-7. Accessed Oct. 2025.

“In Justice Court.” The Western Star, 4 Aug. 1898, pp. 5–5, https://ohiomemory.org/digital/collection/p16007coll84/id/25038. Accessed Oct. 2025.

“Is Tyler Wanted on Another Indictment.” The Western Star, 21 June 1900, pp. 1–1, https://ohiomemory.org/digital/collection/p16007coll84/id/26138. Accessed Oct. 2025.

“Murder Mystery Being Unraveled.” Xenia Daily Gazette and Torchlight, 21 June 1902, pp. 1–1, https://access-newspaperarchive-com.research.cincinnatilibrary.org/us/ohio/xenia/xenia-daily-gazette-and-torchlight/1902/06-21/page-1. Accessed Oct. 2025.

“Nice Fat Fees from the Public Crib.” The Western Star, 14 June 1900, pp. 6–6, https://ohiomemory.org/digital/collection/p16007coll84/id/25954. Accessed Oct. 2025.

“Not Guilty.” The Western Star, 6 Mar. 1902, pp. 2–2, https://ohiomemory.org/digital/collection/p16007coll84/id/27038. Accessed Oct. 2025.

“Preliminary Trial.” The Western Star, 10 May 1900, pp. 2–2, https://ohiomemory.org/digital/collection/p16007coll84/id/26094. Accessed Oct. 2025.

“Probable Clew.” The Western Star, 3 May 1900, pp. 2–2, https://ohiomemory.org/digital/collection/p16007coll84/id/26076. Accessed Oct. 2025.

“Ralston Was Bound over for the Stites Murder.” Hamilton Daily Democrat, 25 June 1902, pp. 9–9, https://access-newspaperarchive-com.research.cincinnatilibrary.org/us/ohio/hamilton/hamilton-telegraph/1902/07-03/page-9. Accessed Oct. 2025.

“Richard Henry Rolston (1830-1912) – Find a Grave…” Find a Grave, 25 Feb. 2024, http://www.findagrave.com/memorial/265575288/richard_henry-rolston.

“Significant Statement by Judge Runyan.” The Western Star, Oct. 2018, pp. 2–2, https://ohiomemory.org/digital/collection/p16007coll84/id/26787. Accessed Oct. 2025.

“Stites Murder Again Recalled.” The Western Star, 8 Nov. 1900, pp. 8–8, https://ohiomemory.org/digital/collection/p16007coll84/id/25938. Accessed Oct. 2025.

“Stites Murder Suspects.” The Western Star, 13 Feb. 1902, pp. 2–2, https://ohiomemory.org/digital/collection/p16007coll84/id/27242. Accessed Oct. 2025.

“Upton Indicted for First Degree Murder.” The Western Star, 31 May 1900, pp. 2–2, https://ohiomemory.org/digital/collection/p16007coll84/id/26274. Accessed Oct. 2025.

“Upton Is Free.” The Western Star, 5 July 1900, pp. 2–2, https://ohiomemory.org/digital/collection/p16007coll84/id/26085. Accessed Oct. 2025.

“Vernon Lewis Convicted of Perjury.” The Western Star, 19 June 1902, pp. 2–2, https://ohiomemory.org/digital/collection/p16007coll84/id/27215. Accessed Oct. 2025.

“Was It Murder?” The Western Star, 23 Aug. 1900, pp. 2–2, https://ohiomemory.org/digital/collection/p16007coll84/id/26058. Accessed Oct. 2025.

“Waynesville Enterprise.” Xenia Daily Gazette, 28 Nov. 1903, pp. 15–15, https://access-newspaperarchive-com.research.cincinnatilibrary.org/us/ohio/xenia/xenia-daily-gazette/1903/11-28/page-15. Accessed Oct. 2025.

The Western Star, 1 May 1902, pp. 4–4, https://ohiomemory.org/digital/collection/p16007coll84/id/27085. Accessed Oct. 2025.

The Western Star, 26 June 1902, pp. 4–4, https://ohiomemory.org/digital/collection/p16007coll84/id/27199. Accessed Oct. 2025.

“‘Col’ Ralston out on Bail. Stites Suspect Temporarily Free.” The Western Star, 3 July 1902, pp. 1–1, https://ohiomemory.org/digital/collection/p16007coll84/id/26956. Accessed Oct. 2025.

“Uncle Billy” Bequeaths a Bell

Author – Assistant Archivist Jacob Stickel

Does anyone else hear an extra bell in downtown Lebanon? The Newport Bell, built in 1914 along with the clock, has just been restored after 20 – 30 years of silence. The bell and its previous residence have been through plenty in the past 111 years of service. The Lebanon Opera House used the bell prior to its devastating fire on Christmas Eve, 1932. The bell would plunge from the large clock tower into the ruins of the building. The donor of the bell, William H. Newport, passed away prior to the destruction, but he nevertheless touched the community of Springboro and Lebanon in other ways. He was a philanthropist, farmer, godfather, educator, and dry goods merchant. When tragedy struck his family, he decided to give back to his community. The Newport Bell would be salvaged and placed in the new Town Hall that lay on the ruins of the Opera House. The bell would ring to remind the community of the fundraising efforts of the Women of Lebanon and the donation of Newport.

The Lebanon Opera House was approved for a special bond to begin construction in March of 1877. Work on the foundation began in July of the same year and was completed and dedicated in September 1878. The Lebanon Opera House cost 36,000$ for its construction. In 1879 – 1880, County Commissioners received a proposition from the Lebanon City Council to rent rooms in the Opera House for Warren County Offices while the courthouse underwent repair. The idea was to use the space on the top floor for the Court, the Jury room, and its various offices. The Opera House was used for anything from Shakespearean plays to hosting local groups like the Farmers Institute and High School commencement ceremonies. Other distinguished guests included President McKinley, then governor during his campaign visit in 1893, and President Harding in 1910 & 1914. The Opera House was destroyed by a fire on Christmas Eve morning, 1932. Witnesses suggested that the fire began at the back end of the building, but its origin is still unclear. In the wake of the fire, an article in The Western Star suggested that it could’ve been arson, given the movement of the highly flammable film reels to an atypical location. Nitrate film was common up until the 1930s when it was replaced by a less flammable acetate film. Nitrate is highly recommended to be kept in safe containment in archives and repositories. Nitrate cellulose made the base of the film and was also known as “guncotton”. The nitrate film on the second floor of the Opera House “exploded”, according to onlookers. Despite a 250$ prize if someone discovered an arsonist, no one came forward or brought anyone forward. The Opera House was deemed unsavable because the water pumps were unable to reach the top of the Opera House’s roof. Attention was brought to adjacent houses, and citizens were on the edge of their seats due to the airborne embers. No other fire appeared, but windowed houses around the old opera house were cracked from the immense heat. After the clock tower fell, Lebanon had to figure out how to move forward from the devastation. Despite some concerns over expense, plans were made to move forward from the Opera House. Lebanon planned to create a town hall and to include the bell from the opera house that survived its plunge into the fire.

Ruins of the exterior of the Lebanon Opera House following the Christmas Eve morning fire in 12-24-1932. The Western star. (Lebanon, Ohio), 1932-12-29 p. 1.

William H. Newport was born to James T. Newport and Mary Corwin Newport near Genntown in Warren County. His parents met out of state in Kentucky and learned that they had similar backgrounds connected back to Ohio. William Newport began working in dry goods in Springboro, where he would settle down and marry his first wife, Amanda Mullin. Amanda and William married in 1859, and they had one child together. The young boy would pass away before his 11th birthday. Devastated at losing their one and only child, it’s suggested that Newport worked tirelessly in the community to become an educator as well as a godfather to many of his relatives. He was often referred to as “Uncle Billy” by his friends in the community. Newport would become the first president of the Springboro Cemetery Association by 1865. Sadly, by 1900, Amanda Mullin would pass away, and William would later marry her sister, Laura A. Carpenter. By 1908, Laura would pass away, and Newport would take a greater interest in Lebanon, where he moved between 1900 and 1910. With help from The Women of Lebanon raising money, Newport would make up the difference and help fund a clock and bell for the Lebanon Opera House in 1914. The bell and opera house would outlive the philanthropist as he was laid to rest on May 26th, 1921.

This is the storefront and residence of William H. Newport in 1875, Springboro. Here is where he ran his dry-goods store. Combination Atlas Map of Warren County Ohio, p. 35

The Newport bell was inscribed with the name of its donor and “Created by Buckeye Foundry”. Van Durzen Bell Foundry was said to have cast the 1200 – 1227-pound bell, of which Newport reportedly spared no expense. Created with copper, tin, and other alloys, the bell would survive the conflagration in the Lebanon Opera House. Salvaged from the ruins of the building, it would later be reinstalled in the current town hall in 1934 to ring again after 16 months of silence. The bell would operate until the 1980s when it was inoperable. The Town Hall clock would operate for thirty or so years after until 2010. Thanks to the efforts of the city of Lebanon, the clock and bell were restored by August 2025.

This is an advertisement in the Western Star following the purchase of the then Opera House bell. The Western star. (Lebanon, Ohio), 1914-06-18 p. 1

Additional information on the Lebanon Opera House, William Newport, and the Town Hall Bell is available online and in person. Thanks to the Western Star and its early coverage of the Opera House fire and the construction of the Town Hall. Thanks to the Author, Dallas Bogan, in July 2004, for writing an in-depth article about the Opera House and fire; it would’ve been astounding if he had access to the online search features that OhioMemory has available for The Western Star newspaper. Thanks to the City of Lebanon for restoring the Newport Bell and Clock to show their commitment to preserving history. If you have a further interest in the story of William Newport and the Opera House, I would suggest coming to visit the Warren County Records Center and Archives, where we have probate records of William Newport. This is also where we located the information about the Lebanon City Council’s proposition to rent the upper floors of the Opera House to the County in 1880. Come see us in person or visit us at our website: https://www.warrencountyohio.gov/RecordsCenter/. Have a bell-ringing day, everyone!

This is a signature in William H. Newport’s Estate Packet. Located in the Warren County Records Center and Archives, box 792, document 13, p. 461.

Bibliography

“The Bell for the Town Clock.” The Western Star. June 18, 1914, sec. 1. https://ohiomemory.org/digital/collection/p16007coll84/id/21638.

Bogan, Dallas. “Lebanon’s Opera House Was A Cultural Landmark.” Lebanon’s opera house was a cultural landmark, September 28, 2008. https://warren.ohgenweb.org/Bogan/bogan038.html.

“Christmas Eve Most Disastrous & Fire Chiefs Report & Architect Gives New Year’s Eve Party for Children in Lebanon.” The Western Star . January 4, 1934, sec. 1. https://ohiomemory.org/digital/collection/p16007coll84/id/36994.

“Community Celebrates Completion of New Town Hall at Dedication Program Sunday .” The Western Star , May 10, 1934, sec. 1. https://ohiomemory.org/digital/collection/p16007coll84/id/36871.

“Cornerstone Laying Last October Celebrated Start of New Building.” Ohiomemory.Org, May 3, 1934, sec. 1. https://ohiomemory.org/digital/collection/p16007coll84/id/36901.

Combination Atlas Map of Warren County Ohio, 35–35. L.H. Everts & Co. Accessed September 3, 2025. https://digital.cincinnatilibrary.org/digital/collection/p16998coll9/id/5874/rec/7.

“Farmer’s Institute .” The Western Star. January 4, 1884, sec. 1. https://ohiomemory.org/digital/collection/p16007coll84/id/12970.

“Fire Razes Historic Lebanon Opera House Sunday.” The Western Star. December 29, 1932, sec. 1. https://ohiomemory.org/digital/collection/p16007coll84/id/36082.

H, Angie. “William H Newport (1837-1921) – Find a Grave…” Find a Grave, September 11, 2010. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/58503965/william-h-newport.

Hall, Rebecca. “Springboro Area Yesterday: A Pictoral History.” SpringboroHistory.org, 2022. https://springborohistory.org/Springboro/Springboro_Area_Yesterday.html.

“High School Commencement Exercises at Opera House Tonight.” The Western Star. May 29, 1919, sec. 1. https://ohiomemory.org/digital/collection/p16007coll84/id/116763.

“Lebanon’s Bell & Clock Restoration.” Lebanon, OH, August 27, 2025. https://lebanonohio.gov/news_detail_T8_R697.php.

“Old Bell Takes Place In Tower.” The Western Star. October 19, 1933, sec. 1. https://ohiomemory.org/digital/collection/p16007coll84/id/36493.

“Proposition of Lebanon Council & Rent of Rooms for Offices .” Warren County Commissioner Journal 13 (April 1879): 359–455. https://www.warrencountyohio.gov/RecordsCenter/Records/ViewDoc/Index?DocType=1196&Volume=13&Page=359,%20360,%20454,%20455.

“Rent of Rooms for Offices.” Warren County Commissioners Journal 13 (March 1880): 454–55. https://www.warrencountyohio.gov/RecordsCenter/Records/ViewDoc/Index?DocType=1196&Volume=13&Page=454,%20455.

“Springboro Timeline.” Springborohistory.org, 2014. https://springborohistory.org/Springboro_Timeline.html.

“Town Clock Bell That Chimes The Time Has An Interesting History.” The Western Star. February 28, 1957, sec. 5. https://ohiomemory.org/digital/collection/p16007coll84/id/65148.

Trelvik, Arne. “Warren County Ohio Virtual Cemetery Project.” Springboro Cemetery, Clearcreek TWP, Warren County, Ohio, November 3, 2013. https://sites.rootsweb.com/~ohwarren/Cemetery/springboro/na.htm#WHNewport.

“William H. Newport Dies.” The Western Star. June 2, 1921, sec. 1. https://ohiomemory.org/digital/collection/p16007coll84/id/81532.

Wills, Mathew. “Combustible Cinema? The Nitrate Film Issue – JSTOR DAILY.” JStOR Daily, February 10, 2024. https://daily.jstor.org/combustible-cinema-the-nitrate-film-issue/.

Joseph Warren: Doctor & Major General

Author – Archival Assistant Jacob Stickel

Edna Bowyer’s copy of Josiah Morrow’s book History of Warren County published by W.H. Beers History in Chicago pg. 215.

With America’s 250th anniversary next year, we at Warren County’s Records Center and Archives feel that now is a good time to look back to Doctor and Major General Joseph Warren. While we share the name with other counties, townships, and cities alike the name stems from one of America’s first great martyrs of the Revolutionary War. Joseph Warren like many patriots was born in Massachusetts and studied at Harvard to become a doctor. While he served the well-off, he was no stranger to aiding the poor during difficult times. While he had little experience in the military prior to the war he took control of a unit during the assault on Bunker Hill in Boston. That is where he died and became immortalized by John Trumbull who created the painting called the “Death of General Warren at the Battle of Bunker’s Hill”.

        While we don’t know much about the early life of Joseph Warren, we do know he was born in Roxbury Massachusetts to his parents Joseph and Mary Stevens Warren in 1741. The home itself was built by the grandfather, also Joseph Warren in 1720 and is still standing. Young J. Warren attended Master Lovell’s Grammer School and Seminary where he was prepared to enter Harvard. The young Joseph’s father died from a fall of one of his apple trees by the time our subject was 14. Regardless of the family’s misfortunes, Joseph Warren was able to attend Harvard at 15 while the French and Indian War raged on in the 13 colonies.

        After graduating from Harvard in 1759 the now Doctor Warren found himself in good company. Many of this nation’s founding fathers graduated from the notable institution. Sam Adams graduated in 1740, John Handcock in 1754, and John Adams in 1755. After graduation, Joseph worked as an apprentice to a Boston doctor which further shaped his expectations of his newfound profession. Not only do physicians carry educational requirements but they are perceived to have an obligation to their community. Soon after or during the apprenticeship his conviction for public welfare was tested in the Boston 1763-64 smallpox epidemic. He operated in a clinic on Castle Island in the harbor. During the medical crisis, he inoculated John Adams. After the epidemic, Dr. Warren remained in Boston administering to the poor and wealthy alike. Notable patients included Paul Revere, Thomas Hutchinson, and William Dawes.

        Dr. Joseph Warren proved to be a prolific writer for the young revolutionaries. Given his bearing, he began to speak out against the British Townsend Acts in 1767. While he wrote under the pseudonym “A True Patriot” he still angered the local Royal Governor who threatened him directly with libel. Due to his connections between prominent Bostonians and Harvard, he excelled in Freemasonry. In 1769 he became the grandmaster of Masons in Boston and New England. In 1770 the Boston Massacre was personally witnessed by Dr. Warren, who attended to the sick and injured after the fighting. This would have a profound effect on Dr. Warren that he would often speak on upcoming anniversaries of the massacre. In 1772 he became the highest-ranking mason in the Americas according to contemporary Scottish leadership. In 1774 after the Boston Tea Party Dr, Warren served on a committee to take in donations in order to counter the English harbor closure. As tensions rose Warren became a leader out of Boston who oversaw the procurement of arms and the creation of a spy ring.

        Dr. Warren heard about the British plans to arrest the Sons of Liberty at Lexington. Joseph Warren dispatched both Paul Revere and William Dawes to ride that night and warn of the oncoming redcoats. During Lexington and Concord, Dr. Warren showed some aptitude for military leadership and left his medical practice in the hands of his assistant William Eustis. Warren joined the fight in modern-day Arlington, nearly getting himself killed. By June 14th, 1775, Dr. Warren was Elected as the third president of the Continental Congress, balancing political, commission, and military work. Here he was given the Major General moniker. Three days later British forces would arrive at Boston, the battle that ensued would be known as the Battle of Bunker Hill. Contrary to the one hill mentioned, Major General Warren would go to defend Breeds Hill personally. Instead of leading his forces, he chose to take up the raiment of a soldier. Unfortunately, this is where he died, shot in the head protecting the redoubt to the last man. Paul Revere would have to identify his friend’s body by his false silver teeth. The painting of his death by John Trumbull depicts the two opposing sides at the moment of his death. Bunker Hill proved to be a pyrrhic victory for the British and the lessons learned at the battle will prove to be invaluable to the rebels’ victory in the war.

        Major General Warren and his wife (who passed away prior) left behind four children. Due to the help of Benedict Arnold, the children received a pension for their education and argued that they should receive a general’s half pay until the oldest reached age. General Warren’s brother John Warren would later establish Harvard Medical, solidifying the Warrens with the University. After being reinterred and moved several times, the body of General Joseph Warren would rest in Forest Hills Cemetery in Jamaica Plain. General Warren was one of the first close friends of the founding fathers to have been killed in the Revolutionary War.        

There are local institutions touching on the importance of Dr. Joseph Warren to our community. Please check out Tim Madden’s “The Legacy of Dr, Joseph Warren and Warren County” and Beth Callahan’s “Who Was The Man Behind Our County’s Name”. The Warren County Historical Museum has an abundant amount of information about Dr. Warren and I would encourage looking into the biography and timeline posted on their website. While compiling this article I found a new biography of our subject called “Founding Martyr: The Life and Death of Dr Joseph Warren, the American Revolution’s Lost Hero.” Written by Christian Di Spigna I would recommend looking into this work too. Please check out these individuals if you would like to learn about the connection between Dr. Joseph Warren and our great Warren County.

Edna Bowyer’s copy of Josiah Morrow’s book History of Warren County published by W.H. Beers History in Chicago front cover.

Bibliography

A Bostonian, Perez Morton, and Joseph Meredith Toner Collection. Biographical sketch of Gen. Joseph Warren. Boston, Shepard, Clark & Brown, 1857. Pdf. https://www.loc.gov/item/14003680/.

“Dr Joseph Warren (U.S. National Park Service).” National Parks Service, May 23, 2025. https://www.nps.gov/people/dr-joseph-warren.htm.

Holland, Ryan, Victor M. Sabourin, Chirag D. Gandhi, Peter W. Carmel, and Charles J. Prestigiacomo. “Joseph Warren: A Discussion of His Life and Analysis of His Death.” Neurosurgical Focus 39, no. 1 (July 2015). https://doi.org/10.3171/2015.3.focus1564.

Morrow, Josiah. “History of Warren County Chapter 1 Organization and Boundaries.” Essay. In The History of Warren County, Ohio, 213–16. Chicago, Illinois: W. H. Beers, 1882.

Smiledge, Lynn, John Amodeo, David Berarducci, Joseph Castro, John Freeman, Susan Goganian, Jeffrey Gonyeau, et al. “The Warren House Boston Landmarks Commisson Study Report.” http://www.Boston.gov, October 14, 2021. https://www.boston.gov/sites/default/files/file/2021/10/254.16%20Warren%20House%20Study%20Report%20final%20with%20amendments.pdf.

Wildrick, George C. “Dr. Joseph Warren: Leader in Medicine, Politics, and Revolution.” Baylor University Medical Center Proceedings 22, no. 1 (January 2009): 27–29. https://doi.org/10.1080/08998280.2009.11928466.

Women’s History Month: The Women of the Warren County Records Center & Archives

With National Women’s History Month coming to a close, we wanted to take a moment to appreciate the women within our own institution for all of their work and dedication in preserving Warren County’s history. We can truly say without a doubt that without the contributions of great women the WCRC&A would not be where it is today. Thank you to all women past, present, and prospective that “preserve the past, to protect the future”!

Hear directly from our wonderful women below:

Director Jen Haney Conover, 2013 – present: Before starting as Director in 2013, I received a BA in History at Miami University and an MA in Public History at Wright State. I’m married to Brian, and we share a spunky 6 year old together. Her and I love live music, and she somehow even got me to take her to see Taylor Swift last year!  I love Halloween and Christmas, and will always dress up for a good theme. I’m a huge runner, completing over 40 half marathons, 2 full marathons, and I have started pacing. Mentor and motivation is my jam!  

Assistant Archivist Tori Otten, 2016 – present: While earning a degree in Anthropological Sciences from Ohio State University, I worked as an intern for the Records Center during the summers of 2014 and 2015. After graduation, I moved back to my hometown of Lebanon where I became an official WCRC&A employee in March of 2016! I now live in Cincinnati with my husband, Kyle, and our black lab mix, Tucker. Favorite Activities: Reading Thrillers, Trying New Cuisine, Traveling / Hiking

Imaging Coordinator Mackenzie Stotts, 2024 – present: Hi, I’m Mackenzie Stotts. I’ve been the Imaging Coordinator here at the Records Center and Archives since Spring of 2024. Some time before I began working for Warren County, I received a Bachelor’s and Master’s of Science in Criminal Justice from Bowling Green State University. After growing up in northern Ohio, my husband, Alex and I moved to his hometown of Lebanon, where we’ve resided for six years with our two beautiful girls who are two and one. My favorite activities include anything with our family and friends, a day at the golf course or pool, or a house renovation project. 

Imaging Support Amber Stegner, 2023 – present: Inspired by genealogical research done for my brothers-in-law and other family and friends returning to school, I returned to school in 2021 to finish my degree in Library Science and Media through the University of Arizona Global Campus. After graduating in February of 2023, I started working for the Warren County Records and Archives that summer. I am originally from Crawfordsville, Indiana, but came to Lebanon with my husband, son, and a daughter on the way in 2016. I enjoy spending time with my family, playing video games, genealogy research, and playing with my three cats.    

Imaging Clerk Donna Barnes, 2019 – present: After starting at the Records Center and Archives as a microfilm assistant in 2019, Donna has brought dedication and joy to everyone’s work day. A Lebanon native, Donna lives in her hometown with her daughter Chrystal. In her downtime, Donna is known at the WCRC&A for her beautiful quilting and delicious homemade candy!

Happy National Women’s History Month from your Warren County women workers!
🤫P.S. Don’t tell the gentlemen we cropped them out😉

Black History Month: Anne Greenup, Cultural Pioneer

Author – Archival Assistant Jacob Stickel

Anne (Annie/Anna) Hurd was born May 1874 in Harveysburg, Ohio to Charles and Mahala Hurd who had recently moved into the Ohio Valley. Harveysburg had recently been established by Quakers, an open minded religious group that aided in the Underground Railroad. Charles worked there as a schoolteacher, likely for the Elizabeth Harvey Free Black School which had been in operation since 1831; as a biracial man, he was unlikely to be allowed to work in other nearby schools. One article from The Western Star circa 1883 expressed incredulity at a Black schoolteacher lecturing in the White school in Harveysburg. Despite some outside obstacles, the town held meetings and conventions that included both Black and White residents of the village.

Probate Court Record of Births, Volume 1, Pages 136 – 137.
Mary Hurd is Anne Hurd’s younger sister. The parents’ names are present here. Anne’s birth was never recorded with the county government.

According to census records, Charles Hurd and his family lived in Harveysburg in 1870 and later in Highland County in 1880. After attending school until she was 14, Anne became a school teacher for a time along with two of her brothers. She and her family moved to Essex, Ontario where Anna married Charles Harvey Greenup, also from Ohio, in December 1900. Charles worked various jobs on the nearby railway, such as a sleeping car porter, an attendant, and a cook. The couple moved to an English-speaking neighborhood called Little Burgundy where many Black families from the United States had settled. Many of whom, like Charles Greenup, worked in the railway industry.

In Lebanon’s Western Star, Anna Hurd received a shoutout for her performance in grammar in 1878.
The Western Star, October 10, 1878 – Courtesy of the Warren County Genealogical Society, Available Through Ohio History Connection

Around 1902 Anne, along with six other women including Matilda “Tilly” Mays, founded the Women’s Club of Montreal later named the Coloured[sic] Women’s Club of Montreal (CWCM) by 1904. This was the first Black women’s club in Canada, which Anne later became president of. The CWCM was responsible for a great deal of community action that included tending to sick veterans coming home from the Boer War, operating their own modest Black history library, operating soup kitchens, counseling new mothers, and managing a burial lot in Mount Royal Cemetery for poor African-Canadians in Winnipeg. By 1907 members of the CWCM helped establish the Union Church (later joining with the United Church to form the Union United Church in 1925) to better serve the Black community in Montreal as the first of its kind in the city.

“Montreal’s blackout: a forgotten side of our history”, The Gazette, August 3, 1991

Anne and Charles lived in the city until 1910 when they moved to Vancouver. They had one child who unfortunately passed away within six months of birth. Charles would also pass away in 1920, leaving Anne to move in with her brother, Granvile Hurd. After Charles’ death, Anne dedicated herself to the First Baptist Church on Burrad Street where she attended biblical classes and headed social activities. By 1931 Anne’s mental health was taxed and at the behest of her brother, she was sent to Essondale Psychiatric Hospital. Anne was later moved by 1948 and sent to the Home of the Aged in Vernon where she died in 1952 from lung cancer. Her and the CWCM’s accomplishments were recognized by Quebec who created the Anne Greenup Solidarity Award in 1997.

NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: It’s difficult to find information about a family from this time period that liked to move from state to state let alone between countries. I hope whoever reads this post learns a little something new about Warren County and comes to a greater understanding of the human condition. I would like to take this moment to mention Camille Robert’s online article about their time researching Anne Greenup. The article is both one of the most recent pieces about our subject and one of the most comprehensive. If you find my article insightful please check for Camille Robert in the references and if you don’t know French make sure to click on your translator on the browser! Thank you for reading.

À la recherche d’Anne Greenup, première présidente du Coloured Women’s Club of Montreal

Intern Zyggy Mikula – Final Blog Post

Hello all! Welcome back to my blog where I look to trace the course of my internship each month. It is with much sadness that I say this is my final blog post as my internship is coming to a close. Before all the emotional thank yous and goodbyes, I will briefly outline the various projects I either completed or helped to continue throughout my internship. A new experience I was fortunate to have was helping Jacob with a Oral History interview. I was able to gain invaluable experience by helping to interview Neil Tunison, Warren County’s Chief Engineer. It was truly a blessing to be able to talk with Neil, a man whose love for the county is unequalled, and who was most helpful in sharing his journey, career, and expertise as the longest serving Engineer within the county. His interview will be uploaded to our YouTube page in January, so I encourage everyone to give it a view and a like. As a treat you get to hear my weird voice as Jacob graciously allowed me to ask a few questions during the interview. 

Warren County Records Center & Archives YouTube Page

As always, the Probate Estate/Wills packets continue to haunt me each night. Throughout the course of my internship, I was able to scan around 100 packets between three boxes. Although somewhat monotonous, this work was important for ensuring that the Records Center have digital copies of these packets. Once again, these packets will then be uploaded onto the Records Center website for public use. I enjoyed this task immensely, not only did it allow me to complete several lengthy podcasts, it also allowed my to gain more confidence in handling and preserving documents. I also learned that I truly do have a passion for being able to work with records and documents of historical value, and with that realization, I thoroughly enjoyed all the painstaking work of scanning, cropping, and renaming each individual document (mostly front and back). Throughout my internship I also worked to rehouse the packets from their compact positions into folders to be flattened. I believe I was able to complete 17 boxes worth of packets which fit in roughly 6 Banker boxes. As stated above, this was process that I loved and hated equally (really only loved). Through fighting with staples and rusty nails or even struggling with the huge quantity of papers from wealthy landowners, I felt truly blessed to be able to have the opportunity to help preserve a small (very very small) portion of Warren County’s records. 

WCRC&A Website, Searchable Online Indexes

 My main project with the Prosecutor Attorney’s office allowed me to dust-off my history research skills that were shelved shortly after I graduated. I had a blast being able to research and learn about the history of the office and the numerous men and woman who held the office throughout the history of Warren County. Throughout my internship I was able to write short biographies for each prosecutor which will then be used in the upcoming Prosecutors exhibit. I used resources such as The Western Star and Commissioner Journals to develop a rough timeline for when each Prosecutor served, as well as found photographs, news, and letters to help provide a clearer understanding of the office’s history. I am excited to see the exhibit when it is completed. 

Reading Room: Commissioners Journals, Clerk of Courts Records, 1856 Warren County Map

Lastly, I was able to help Jacob go through stuff found at the Silver Street Jail. This included several drawings of Volkswagen minivans that were coated in dust, dirt, and probably mold. I learned how to properly clean delicate objects by using tools such as nitrile gloves and archival sponges to lift up individual levels of dirt and grime. The before and after photographs of these drawings will be, if they haven’t already, posted on our Facebook page. Other objects found at the Silver Street Jail needed to be ‘sterilized’ and then processed by the Records Center. Once again, both Jacob and I worked to categorize the condition and provide a description for each object found. The objects found were a wide variety of things, such as an old blanket possibly used by inmates or old Coke bottles and beer cans. It was quite an experience digging through the dirt and dust that coded these materials, but an experience I will always hold dear. 

Jailhouse Drawing: Before

Jailhouse Drawing: After

My time at Warren County Record Center and Archives has been fulfilling and one filled with happy memories and experiences. One of my fondest memories was the bake sale day, where we were able to raise several hundred dollars for a chosen charity, while also working in the dark to keep up the Halloween vibes. I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with a dedicated team of professionals who truly care about their work and who have made me feel a part of their family over these short few months. I will miss working for the records center and the people who have helped my grow professionally. Warren County Archives, thank you for giving me this opportunity to further develop my skills and expand my knowledge of archival work. To any blog readers, thank you for bearing with my horrible writings. I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and Happy New Years. 

Intern Zygmunt Mikula, Last Day

– Zygmunt Mikula 

Intern Zyggy Mikula – Blog Post #2

Hello all and Happy Halloween! Welcome back to my blog where I look to trace the course of my internship every month. I have been quite busy working on a few projects over the course of this past month. One of the projects I started this month was the digitization and accessioning of Probate Court Will/Estate packets. As you may recall from my first post, I gave a brief look at the beginning steps for processing document records. In this blog, I hope to give you a more in-depth behind-the-scenes look of the entire records process.

The first step is the previously mentioned “flattening” process. As shown in the photograph below, the packets are initially stored as small folded bundles.

Photograph of estate packets folded into individual bundles from Box 112: 349-351. This is how packets first look before any preservation actions are completed.

While this allowed for a more compact form of storage, this method fundamental degrades the documents as the development of deep creases and folds over long periods of time leads to the premature death of records. To preserve the documents, it is important to unfurl the packets and re-store them in non-acid folders in a flatted manner. It is also during this step that we ‘de-metalize’ the packets. Many of the documents within the packets are bound by clamps, nails, and staples that not only contribute the degradation of the documents, but also can damage our scanners during the scanning phase. Once the metal is taken out and the documents are unfolded, the packets are stored in a long Banker’s Box to begin the flattening process. As seen in the photograph below, the documents in the box are all flattened and within non-acidic folders.

Left: Photograph of flattened Estate packets in Banker’s Box from Box 1: 0-2.

Right: Photograph of flattened estate documents of Jonathan Scott prepared for scanning. 

After many years of being flattened, the next phase is scanning. Over the past month, I have began scanning documents that were processed over a decade ago. Using a Fujitsu fi-6770 scanner (which is my favorite scanner because it does not fight with me!), both sides of each document are scanned and then transferred to our L: drive and put into electronic folders corresponding with the name and number of the physical folder as seen in the photograph below.

Left: Photograph of Fujitsu fi-6770 scanner.

Right: Photograph of scanned documents from George Klipperd’s packet in their corresponding electronic folders on our L: Drive.

Although this may seem redundant, it is very important to maintain both the physical and electronic copies of the documents as the records center acts as a document management system and a digital preservation system for Warren County. It is through the record center that both active and passive physical records are maintained and digitally preserved for prosperity. The documents are taken by IT to be uploaded onto OnBase, a document management system that manages the electronic scans of records for public access. These documents can be seen by anyone after they are uploaded to Warren County Archives website. All you have to do is search within the Index to uncover thousands of records in a pdf form. 

Left: Photograph of Warren County Archives Index Search.

Right: Photograph of electronic pdf files for David Hicks.

My other project this month was doing research for the record center’s Prosecuting Attorney exhibit. Because it is the week of Halloween, I decided to couple some research with a historic murder case of which the four attorneys all held the position of prosecuting attorney for Warren County. The case and trial is the Roosa Family trial, which began in 1864 and lasted until 1866. In December of 1864, four people were brutally murdered in the Roosa house by Samuel Covert and his accomplice Harrison McNeil. The four people who died were Harry Roosa, Alice Bell Roosa, Frances Roosa, and Jesse Cousins. The prosecution for the Roosa Family murders was headed by then Prosecuting Attorney George R. Sage (1860-1865) and David Allen (1865-1867), while the defense consisted of J. Kelly O’Neall (1851-1855) and Thomas F. Thompson (1856-1859).

Photograph of J. Kelly O’Neal who served on the Defense team for the Roosa Murder Trial and served three terms as Warren County’s Prosecuting Attorney. Courtesy of The Western Star.

After two years of trial, by which Samuel Covert was first found guilty by George R. Sage of perjury as seen from the documents shown below, Covert was then found guilty of all accounts of murder.

Left: Cropped photograph of the fourth page of Samuel Covert’s perjury trial. Notice George R. Sage’s signature at bottom of page.

Right: Photograph of the Subpoena of State vs. Harrison McNeil by which David Allen is now prosecuting attorney for the county.

Samuel Covert was sentenced to death and was hung on August 24, 1866. The Roosa Murder Trial is historic as it is the only case in Warren County by which the death penalty was enacted. If you have more interest in this case or in other historic murder cases, please stop by the Archives Center where there is a display case containing several cases.

This internship has given me invaluable insights on the procedures for organizing and preserving county archives. I am thankful for the opportunity to collaborate with a dedicated team to deepen my understanding of the field. This experience has continued to ignite my passion for archival work and its vital, yet under appreciated role in preserving and managing cultural history.  Thank you all again for reading my blog and I hope it was better and more exciting then the last one. See you all next month!      

Meet Zyggy Mikula, Archives Fall Intern

Editor’s Note: The last Friday of each month, fall intern Zyggy Mikula will be highlighting his work at the archives. Enjoy!

Hello all! My name is Zygmunt Mikula, and I am the newest intern at the Warren County Archives and Records Department. I recently graduated from Xavier University with a degree in History and have been accepted for the Library and Information Sciences graduate program at Kent State University. I have roughly three years of museum/archival experience, having worked as an intern and contract employee both at the Cincinnati Observatory and the Nancy and David Wolf: Holocaust and Humanity Center. It has been roughly two weeks since the beginning of my internship, and I can confidently say that my experiences at the Records Center have surpassed all internship experiences thus far. Needless to say I am escaping the confines of museum collections and breaking free by learning new procedures and methodologies for handling government archives. My first day was chalked full of adventure as I was able to become very well accustomed with the Silver Street Jail building, as well as receive a tour of the Records Center warehouse. It is incredible just how many documents of various departments the  Records Center manages for the County. I was also fortunate enough to tour the Justice Campus in its entirety by helping with the process of destruction. This process consists of Record Center workers going from building to building, collecting sensitive and classified documents of each department to be destroyed by NAID certified document destroyers.    

Zyggy with shred toter, assisting with the destruction process at Warren County

I have embarked on several projects during my first few weeks of the internship, most notable is doing research for the Record Center’s new exhibit for the county’s prosecuting attorney office. I’d like to give the Genealogical Society big thank you and shoutout for helping me facilitate my research of individual prosecuting attorneys. I would like to highlight this fact as it demonstrates the wealth of information that can be found in local county archives and historical (in this case genealogical) societies, for which both deserve more recognition. Another source of my research for this exhibit can be found in the Records Center itself. I have been utilizing the Commissioners’ Index and Journals to confirm when prosecuting attorneys served their terms of office, as well as find any information pertaining to the office itself. Right now, I have been focusing on tracing the locations of the prosecuting attorney’s office throughout its existence in Lebanon.

 

Top: Commissioners Minutes Volume 4-5 Bottom: Index to Commissioners Journal No.7

The Commissioners Index provides researchers the initial step for searching names or titles that correlate to entries in the Commissioners Journals. As demonstrated in the photographs below, the index lists the volume and pages that correlate to the name of specific citizens. These lists correspond with the entry minutes written by the Commissioners.

 List of ‘B’ entries in Volume 7 of the Commissioners Index.

Pages 210&211 in Volume 4-5 of the Commissioners Journal

The dates of the entries found in the Commissioners Journals have aided my process of confirming when and where each attorney served, providing me with a hardcore timeline for tracing the developing role of the prosecuting attorney throughout Warren County history. My other projects this internship include data entry of Volume 7 of the Commissioners Index, scanning important estate documents from our ongoing Probate Packet collection, and coming up with daily costume themes for the Holidays. 

I am excited to continue to learn more about government archives and records as my internship progresses and I utilize new experiences to develop my overall understanding of collection management. I have already been blessed with the opportunity to learn how to navigate new databases and equipment. In my previous experiences, I utilized PastPerfect database for accessioning and cataloging collections. At the Records Center I have been taught how to efficiently utilize Excel spreadsheets to achieve much of the same purpose. Dare I say Excel has surpassed PastPerfect in terms of database effectiveness and accessibility. In terms of equipment, I was able to learn how to scan wide format documents using the Widetek 48CL scanner. After many hours (30 minutes) of playing IT with Jacob, I now know how to correct and reconfigure the white balance for the scan. 

 WideTek 48CL Scanner used to scan Silver Street Floor Plans

The other more docile scanner that I learned to use was the Fujitsu fi-6770, which is a lot bulkier then any Epson scanner I have previously used. I use the Fujitsu to scan documents from the flattened Probate estate packets.

Example of flatten Probate Will/Estate Packets that has scanned and will later be uploaded.

Overall I have learned a ton of new things about managing and handling archives that continues to build upon previous experiences. I want to say thank you to all of my colleagues at the Records Center who have been so welcoming and helpful in teaching me how to navigate government archives (which is very different from museum archives!!!). I feel like a broken record but I can wait to see what other experiences and knowledge I can gain from this internship, and I am especially thankful for any loyal readers who find my horrible blogs interesting (this is my first ever blog). My next post will be the last Friday of October, which I hope to have more information on the development of the prosecuting attorney exhibit. Thank you all and have a great day!  

Final French Friday – August 16, 2024

It’s my final week and the Records Center and Archives, meaning this is my final blog post, too. For lack of a more eloquent expression: I’m really sad!

It’s been such a great summer, and I’m so grateful for all of the projects I got to work on. I’ve learned so much about archival practices in my time here, and all of it will be so helpful to me going forward. I’m heading into my final year of undergraduate schooling at the University of Cincinnati, studying History and English. My ultimate goal is to pursue a graduate degree in Library Science, meaning this internship has been so invaluable to me and my studies.

For my final blog, I thought I would sum up everything I’ve worked on this summer.

Warren County SWCD District Charter, June 2, 1944.

Builder’s Dumpy Level and Survey Kit, courtesy of Warren County SWCD.

Image of Silhouette of Men in Field, courtesy of Warren County SWCD.

One of the main projects I worked on this summer was the Records Center’s exhibit for the Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District. We designed for them a fifty-foot timeline of their history, as well as various educational maps and posterboards for their 80th Annual Meeting. It was very interesting to research images and documents for this exhibit, as SWCD’s history is so rich, and their impact on the wellbeing of the community is so evident. I also enjoyed going through some of the physical items donated to the Archives by SWCD, including this Surveyor’s Kit from the 1970s. This was used by SWCD staff to measure and evaluate ground elevation, and apart from that, it definitely looks very cool. Moreover, though, I really enjoyed working on this exhibit because I learned so much about archival research and the organization of research into a coherent, aesthetic, and informative exhibit. I look forward to doing more work like this in the future!

‘It’s Time to Stop Pollution!’ Graphic – The Franklin Chronicle pg. 7 – August 11, 1971

Image of 35mm Slides

Something else I gained experience with this summer that will be so valuable to me is digitization. Throughout my time at the Records Center, I’ve learned how to use all of our scanners—namely, our slide scanner, flatbed scanner, book scanner, and large format map scanner. It seems inconsequential, but media digitization is such an important facet of archiving, and I’d not had the opportunity to use any of these scanners prior to my internship. I’m grateful to have that experience going into my further studies and future positions, and on a personal note, I’ve really enjoyed digging through the photos and film housed here! I’ve included here perhaps my favorite image that I found this summer, which is this very grave ‘STOP Pollution!’ graphic from The Franklin Chronicle. This graphic is from 1971 (unsurprising).

Boxes housing probate case files.

Wax seal found in estate packet.

Estate Docket volumes.

Of course, my longest project, and my ultimate labor (of love of course) has been processing estate packets from these Dockets of Estates. As I’ve written before, these books contain the contents of estate packets belonging to Warren County citizens, dating back to the early 19th century. My job has been to process these packets by unfolding and cleaning these documents, putting them in order, and putting them into new folders. Staff and interns have been processing these estate packets long before I arrived at the Records Center, and this summer I picked up where the last individual left off with records primarily from 1884. Since May, I’ve made it to about 1886, and in terms of numbers—I’ve processed ten boxes of files, which is likely somewhere between 300 and 400 estate packets, with anywhere from one to one hundred documents in each packet. As these estate cases all pertain to wills and guardianships, it’s so curious to see how much land, furniture, and other items used to cost. It’s been so satisfying and informative to process these, and I will truly miss wiping the dust and paper shreds from these packets off my clothes.

Warren the Hedgehog.

For the end of my final blog, and also the most important segment, I want to talk about the hedgehog. Of course, I mean Warren, our Records Center mascot.

Rachel’s mom with Warren the Hedgehog.

Rachel with Warren the Hedgehog at the Silver Street Jail.

If you’ve been following my blogs this summer, you’ll know that I have grown very attached to Warren, and I’m pretty convinced that he can talk. Honestly, he just has this judgmental look on his (adorable) face that makes me think he has a bone to pick with me, and I’d like to get to the bottom of it. You may be wondering: How? Isn’t it your last day? But not to worry, we have a plan.

I’m taking him with me.

You might be concerned that this is kidnapping, but I disagree. I’ve still not been able to prove that Warren can talk, but when I came back from lunch today, I found him sitting in my bag. Just ready to go! It was meant to be. Clearly, this is what he wants.

Warren and Baby Ross escaping.

Warren yearning for freedom.

I took my archives-safe plant and Warren’s conspirator, Baby Ross, as well, and helped them escape to the parking lot.

Warren and Baby Ross buckled in.

Our escape was a great success. Warren is so excited to experience the world (I’m assuming), and I promise to both you and the wonderful staff at the Records Center that I’ll take good care of him. I just can’t leave him here—he’s like one of the family.

Rachel and Warren.

I have had such a great summer at the Records Center, and I’m so grateful for this opportunity I’ve had to work here! I truly have learned so much, and all of it will be so valuable to me going forward in my career. Everyone has been so kind to me, and I’m especially grateful to the Assistant Archivist, Tori, for her guidance, kindness, and enthusiasm. This has been such a wonderful experience, and I would be thrilled to come back to the Records Center any time in the future.

A big thank you as well to those of you who have been reading my blogs. I wish you a happy end to your summer, and know that Warren and I are off to find new adventures. All my best to you!

Warren headed to freedom.

French Friday – August 9, 2024

Note From The Archives: Intern Rachel French will be keeping a blog during her tenure here, with updates coming every Friday. Stay tuned for all of her adventures!

It’s my second to last week at the Records Center, meaning this is my second to last blog! I’m so sad it’s almost over, but we did some exciting things this week.

From ‘Pierce’s Memorandum Account Book’ found in Jennie Griftner’s Estate Packet

I came across this account book from 1886 while processing probate cases. As you can see, it’s titled “Pierce’s Memorandum Account Book,” and it’s “designed for Farmers, Mechanics, and all people who appreciate the value of keeping a memorandum of business transactions, daily events, and items of interest or importance, for future reference.” That’s lengthy. The individual who owned this account book was named Jennie Griftner, and the diary mainly contained records of taxes and transactions. But I also came across this advertisement for Dr. Pierce’s “Favorite Prescription,” which was intended for diseases that are ‘peculiar’ to women. This ‘prescription’ was meant to cure anything from ulceration of the womb to nervous depression, which sounds about right for this era.

Images of the Old Courthouse by Craig Doda
June 2, 2022.

On Wednesday, I visited the Old Courthouse in Lebanon, Ohio to take a tour with our Assistant Archivist (and my wonderful advisor) Tori! I unfortunately did not get any photos inside, but the building is located next door to the Silver Street Jail that I got to visit in June. The courthouse, which now houses OhioMeansJobs, was built in 1835 and cost $25,000 to construct. Up until 1996, it was the second oldest courthouse in use in Ohio, and in 1999, the building was renovated and rededicated to the people of Warren County. We visited the original court room on the second floor, and also went to the lower floor of the building to see some areas where the old brick and stone of the original building remains. (From the Historical Marker Database at hdmb.org).

Warren the Hedgehog

As I mentioned, it’s my second to last week at the Records Center. I will miss everyone here, but I am definitely already mourning the loss of Warren, the Records Center mascot and/or baby. If you’ve been following my blogs, you’ll know that I’ve long suspected that Warren watches me and talks about me when I’m not here. I’ve not been able to prove it yet, and next week is my last—but I have a plan. More on that (and on my actual internship) in my final blog next week!