Congo, a mining town, was platted in 1891. It is a wide-awake
burg whose adjacent coal mines are its chief source of wealth.
Many other villages dot the county here and there, such as Buck-
ingham, Baird Furnace, Roseville (mostly in Muskingum County). Hem-
lock, Santoy, etc., but they are not of sufficient commercial importance
to warrant extensive description.
Moxahala, on the T. & O. C. R. R., seven miles south of New
Lexington, is a place of many stores, a new mission church, and the
Chapman Mining Co.'s plant, with its two hundred houses and stores.
It is also the home of County Commissioner James A. Kiener.
Perry County was named in honor of Commodore Perry, the hero
of Lake Erie. It is divided into fourteen townships, and in area is one
BIRD'S-EYE VIEW OF NEW LEXINGTON, COUNTY SEAT
of the smallest in the State. In mineral wealth is is one of the
largest. Coal, iron, clay and petroleum are found in nearly all sections
of the county. Coal and clay are practically inexhaustible. The
largest tile-producing plant in the world is located in Perry County, and
some of its brick-yards make and ship annually ten millions of fine brick.
The agricultural resources are equal to any section of the State, except
in the more rugged portions. Corn, oats, wheat, rye and potatoes pro-
duce abundantly. Fine horses, wool, cattle and poultry are raised and
form no inconsiderable source of income. All varieties of fruit thrive,
and grow in plenty. The climate is nearly ideal; long, growing sum-
mers, short, mild winters, during which cattle may feed out of doors.
Vast quantities of hay are raised of superior quality. Tobacco is a staple
crop, and much is grown. Perry County is prosperous in all sections.
Its coal, the clay, the iron, the petroleum, afford employment to labor
at good wages. The farmer finds a market at his door for all he may
wish to sell; hence, all share in the general prosperity.
The Perry County Infirmary has but thirty-eight indigents; the
Children's Home but six inmates. The population of the county is
32,000. The first court-house in the county was erected in Somerset.
and cost $2,335. The first court-house in New Lexington was built by
its own citizens and donated to the county. Our present court-house
was erected in 1887. It cost $145,000. The first infirmary was built in
1839 The present handsome structure was finished in 1903, and
cost $35,000.
The county is traversed by many railroads. The C. & M. V.
(Pennsylvania), Toledo and Ohio Central, Baltimore and Ohio, Zanes-
ville and Western, Hocking Valley, and a traction line connecting
Crooksville and Roseville with Zanesville.
In other ways the county has claims to recognition. Her sons
have made it and themselves famous the world over.
Adam Hambarger, who really made the first Colt's revolver,
was a gunsmith in Somerset. Some of the earliest settlers
fought in the War of the Revolution, and their remains repose
in Perry County soil. Among these were William Dusenbery, of Mad-
ison Township and Daniel Devore, who was buried in the cemetery near
Corning. In the War of 1812, John Fowler, of Pike, John Lidey, of
Reading, and Henry Hazelton, of Saltlick, were veterans who served
under Jackson. For the Mexican War the county furnished two com-
panies. When the Civil War broke out, Perry County sent regiment
after regiment to the front, and they participated in many of the fierce
battles of that great conflict. A Perry County regiment was with Sheri-
dan at Winchester, and some of the boys witnessed part of the gallant
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General's dramatic ride along "the broad highway leading down." In
the Spanish-American War the patriotic sons of Perry sprang to arms,
and, led by the gallant Captain T. D. Binckley, saw service in that
conflict.
Two Congressmen have come from Perry County, General Thomas
Ritchie, a farmer, who was elected in 1846. He was sponsor for Sheri-
dan, and his friend till death. The General was reelected in 1852 from
the 11th District. At the conclusion of his term, he retired to the farm,
where, like Cincinnatus, he passed his time in following the plough, and
a calm philosophy. He was a Democrat.
William E. Finck, of Somerset, was elected to Congress in 1862.
He served two terms. He was a Democrat; born in Somerset in 1822,
a lawyer and a fine type of the courteous gentleman of the old school.
Among others whose fame survives and whose birthplace was
Perry County, may be mentioned Colonel James Taylor. He it was who
discovered the mineral resources of the county. His remains repose
in the cemetery at New Lexington; J. A. MacGahan, writer, traveler and
patriot, whose name will live while "liberty" is in the language, was born
near Pigeon Roost, and posterity delights to honor his memory, not only
at home but abroad. Father Zahm, priest, scholar and scientist, was
born in a log house in Jackson Township, and he and MacGahan, with
Attorney John Ferguson, attended the Pigeon Roost district school.
Doctor Isaac Crook, preacher, orator, lecturer, college professor,
was born near Crossenville. Ephraim Colborn, the first historian of
the county, teacher, editor and scholar, noted for his brilliancy in every
field of literature, was born and raised here.
Then there are Uncle Jerry Rusk; Stephen B. Elkins, lawyer,
statesman, miner, traveler, scholar, and millionaire; Colonel James A.
Comly, who was born in New Lexington in 1832, and who, as warrior
on the field of battle, was accounted the "bravest of the brave." He
carried the colors at Antietam after they had been shot from the hands
of the color bearer, and in the face of fire and sword planted them upon
a rebel battery. He was at South Mountain, at Cedar Creek, and in
other desperate fights. He always led the way. As editor, writer, min-
ister abroad, he achieved as much distinction as in the arena of arms.
Col. W. A. Taylor, author of "Ohio and Her People," editor of the
"News," Columbus, whose sketch and portrait appear herein, has added
his share to the lustre that brightens the story of Perry County.
And to-day Perry County presents all the charms of yore, with the
advantages of the present, and the alluring possibilities of a glorious
NEW LEXINGTON, LOOKING WEST FROM COURT-HOUSE
future. Her mines are just as deep, her fields as fertile. Her rolling
hills, and verdant valleys, her limpid streams and waving trees are
just as entrancing. Her vine-covered homes and gardens of flowers
smile a welcome to every stranger; her sons are just as bold, her daugh-
ters just as beautiful. There are opportunities for wealth, for position,
more numerous than before. The record of her past stimulates to
greater exertion, and within Perry County to-day are those whose
energy and genius will make material for bright pages of future history.
Bristol Tunnel, on the B. & O. R. R., was opened for traffic in.
March, 1871. Owing to the peculiar shaly character of the roof it was
necessary to timber it in the start. Twice the timbers have burned, and
in 1907 a heavy fall of rock shut off traffic for several weeks. Owing to
the great cost of maintenance it has been decided to build an entirely new
one. It will be 1,175 feet long, and will be arched with brick
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