Once again, it is the time of the year for changes. Schools are back in session and the weather is beginning to prepare us for the fall season. The Sedgwick Museum remains the same, but there are some changes and new programs as we too prepare for autumn.

We have been working hard to get the garage located at the rear of the Hanover Street property ready for use as a display area. We want to exhibit many of our large items there.That will give us three structures for visitors to view... the museum itself, the summer kitchen/wash house, and the stable/garage.

Another new program that showed some success during the Betty Zane Days festival was our Cemetery Walk/Ghost Walk. It was well received by those who participated in the walk. Because of its popularity, we are scheduling another walk during the Halloween season, on Sunday, October 27. If you can, come and share the stories of Walnut Grove Cemetery with us.

As usual, our greatest need is of members. We appreciate your financial support, but would even more appreciate your actual, physical support. Please help us if you are able, and spread the word of our organization and facilities to others Our website is listed on the back of this newsletter. Visit it and enjoy the features that are available there.

In the year 1814, the area that is now Martins Ferry was only a small farming community. The hills were thick with trees and wild animals were in abundance. There was no glare from factory furnaces nor smoke from their smokestacks. It was a quiet and peaceful time then, when people would gather at the ferry landing to watch the flatboat arrive from the Virginia shore. Ebenezer Martin, who operated the ferry, was the wealthiest and most influential man in the settlement. His mother, Catherine, was a warm-hearted and godly woman...and she was a Methodist. So it was in 1814 that Ebenezer's home became the place of preaching and class meetings for the Methodists. Circuit riders provided the spiritual leadership for the small group of worshipers. When Catherine died, the group disbanded and the people had to travel to other settlements for services.

Then in 1821, Rebecca Hadsell invited a Methodist preacher to come to her family home and provide religious services to the people of the area. Also, that year was the beginning of Methodist camp meetings which were held at the Walnut Grove location. Methodism had come to Martins Ferry to stay. Various homes were used for the worship services, but in 1832 a tremendous flood devastated the Ohio Valley. The cabin that housed all of the Methodist material was swept downstream, and everything was lost. That’s when the people decided it was time for an actual church building.

The first church structure was a one-story frame building that was built on land given by Ebenezer Martin. The Methodist Episcopal Church was located at the corner of Third and Clay Streets. The building was also used for political meetings and a singing school, until it was destroyed by fire in 1858 or 1859. Another building was erected and served until 1914. At that time, a cornerstone was laid for a new building. In September of 1915, the congregation moved into their new home and dedicated it with nine days of festival services. Almost ninety years and four renovations later, the church continues to serve its people and the community of Martins Ferry.

At one time, there was also a Second Methodist Church in Martins Ferry. The congregation worshipped in several buildings located at different places in the city. Finally, in 1966, they had to abandon their home for the construction of State route 7. At that time, they merged with the congregation of the First Church. Since 1972, the now First United Methodist Church has administered to the spiritual needs of its people.

A small notebook that is in the files at the Sedgwick House Museum holds the minutes of a little-known political organization named the Bryan Bimetallie Club. Organized by Martins Ferry residents in 1896, its constitution states that the “restoration of the money of the Constitution is now the paramount issue before the people; and in order that the voters may intelligently express their preference on this question, and believing that through organization education my be better effected; we the undersigned, therefore, declare ourselves in favor of the free and unlimited coinage of gold and silver at the ratio of 16 to 1 as such coinage existed prior to 1873. . .” Some excerpts from the minutes follows:

Martins Ferry September 14 - 96
The finance committee was instructed to get to work.
Mr. Graham moved the committee employ the Burlington Drum Corps for next evening. Motion lost and the matter left in the hands of the speakers committee.
On suggestion of Dr. Burton Mr. Orr was instructed to take up a collection to pay for the Drum Corps, $4.60 was raised by this means.
Moved by Mr. Lupton that a soliciting committee of 5 men from each ward be appointed by the chair to raise funds. Names of the above mentioned committee: 1st ward - George Venom; 2nd ward - Lou Carpenter; 3rd ward - Joseph Frazier; 4th ward - P. T. Anderson; 5th ward - Jas Shrodes

September 29 - 96
An invitation to the club to participate in the demonstration in Wheeling October 1st was read.Mr. Orr moved that the invitation be accepted motion carried. Reported cost of last meeting at $17.10 of which $9.50 had been collected.
Speakers committee reported also that Van Burnett of Kansas would speak on Friday night October 2nd.
Treasurer reported 65 cents in the treasury.

October 6 - 96
Moved that the Cecil Drum Corps be accepted at their terms of 50 cents each per night in Martins Ferry, or $1.50 each when required to leave the city.

October 13 - 96
Moved by Mr. Bayless that Messrs. Helfenbine, Kyne and Hobensack be appointed a committee to make arrangements for those men needing naturalization papers to get them.
Mr. Graham of Finance Committee reported $1.00 collected.

October 20 - 96
Soliciting Committee report: Mr. Hobensack reported $10.25, Mr. Graham $1.50, Mr. Kyne $1.50. total $13.25.
Moved by Mr. Kyne that the club tender a vote of thanks to the ladies who presented Mrs. Bryan flowers.
Mr. Anderson read a report of the speakers committee. Total expenditures $43.85 - total receipts $21.25.

October 28 - 96
Moved by Mr. Burton that we accept the invitation of the Wheeling people and go over Saturday night. Chairman to be authorized to notify the proprietors of the Climax that we would go to Wheeling Saturday night by that boat. Mr. Shrodes moved that every member be a committee of one to invite his friends and neighbors to go.

December 11 - 96
Col. Poorman of Bellaire made a very able and scientific speech on the subject of Bimetallism. The president then appointed P. T. Anderson to write a paper on National Banks and George Cook on Greenbacks.

SEPTEMBER 2, 1902Council got together last night and transacted considerable business, although action on several important matters was postponed until a future meeting. George T. Barr, who was appointed to keep the books of the city clerk and the treasurer reported everything satisfactory. The mayor reported $4,125 were collected in fines during the month of August. Marshal Westwood’s record showed sixteen arrests. The electric light receipts for July were $282.22, for August, $241.02. Expenses were July, $232.58, August, $192.57. It was reported that the Lewis property, which was ordered condemned, could be purchased for $25, and the offer was accepted. The matter of placing telephones in the school buildings was left to a committee to consult with the telephone companies.

SEPTEMBER 12 It is claimed by some that Martin’s Ferry took care of not fewer than a hundred fair visitors who were unable to find lodging in Wheeling Thursday night. Many came over on the last car after having tried in vain to find lodging in Wheeling and were given shelter in private homes. All seemed to take the experience goodnaturedly.

A meeting of those interested in organizing a first-class foot ball team is called for the Good Templars’ Athletic Club Saturday evening.

SEPTEMBER 18 The capacity of the bar mill department of the Laughlin sheet mill has been increased by the addition of a new pair of shears. With the mill now in full capacity, the bar mill is unable to keep the mill supplied and as a result sheet bar slabs are being purchased on the open market.

SEPTEMBER 19 A meeting of the board of education (was held) last night to discuss some plan to relieve the crowded condition of the schools.

SEPTEMBER 22 Deputy U.S. Marshal John Hollister of Marietta was in town yesterday calling on his old comrade. Mayor Newland. The two had not seen each other since they were discharged from the army thirty-six years ago. Mr. Holllister was on his way to Irondale to take charge of a man held there for robbing the post office of the place.

Principal M. D. Morris of the high school, who has been undergoing for several weeks a siege of typhoid fever at the home of his parents in Flushing, returned Saturday evening and will resume his duties this morning.

SEPTEMBER 26 Yesterday the family of M. Sheets purposed to go to Smithfield to attend the fair and hired a livery horse which, with their own, was hitched to a surrey. The team started off all right, but it had gone but a short distance from home when the animal from the livery stable began kicking at a lively rate. It kept up the capers until the front end was kicked out of the rig and the occupants were thrown to the ground. No one was hurt, but the rig was considerably damaged.

SEPTEMBER 29 Fewer people left the city yesterday for a street car ride or went to Wheeling parks than on any Sunday in several weeks. The weather being threatening and disagreeable, most person preferred to remain home.