1925
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Friday, 16 October, 1925
pg 1
Applecreek May Seek State Institute
Grafton Site Water Supply Is Inadequate
Several Hundred Would be Added to Community if Home is Built There.
A site near Applecreek, southeast of Wooster, may receive consideration for the state’s proposed new institution for feeble minded persons.
Some years ago a site near Grafton, northwest of Medina, was selected for this institution, but the question of an adequate water supply has never been satisfactorily settled, and there is, at present, considerable likelihood that the Grafton site will be ultimately rejected.
With this situation existing, Mayor M.R. Limb, on a recent trip to Columbus, suggested a site near Applecreek to J.A. Meckstroth, secretary to Governor A.V. Donahey. This morning Mayor Limb had a letter from the governor’s secretary setting forth some details in the matter, and suggesting that if citizens of the vicinity of Applecreek are interested in procuring the institution, they should make formal application for it.
Consults Applecreek Folks
Wayne Hart, president of the Wooster Board of Trade, took the letter to Applecreek today and conferred there with several prominent men of the town. They agreed that the proper thing to do was to give it consideration and to decide whether it is the sentiment of the community to launch a campaign to get the institution.
President Hart assured the Applecreek men that if affirmative action is taken, the Wooster Board will do everything in its power to aid Applecreek citizens in their campaign.
Add Many People
The institution, it was pointed out, would mean the addition of several hundred persons to the community. There would be patients in the home and also a personnel staff, the latter consisting principally of physicians and trained nurses, together with caretakers and laborers.
“The institution would afford a market for a large amount of produce and provisions,” Mayor Limb said in discussing the matter today.
“I suggest the Applecreek location because of the very fine water supply in that community,” Mayor Limb said.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Saturday, 17 October, 1925
pg 3
Applecreek Citizens Send Committee Here To Hold Conference
A committee of Applecreek citizens sent word to Wayne Had, President of the Wooster Board of Trade, this morning, they would come to Wooster this afternoon for a conference in the matter of seeking to locate the proposed state institution for feeble minded persons in that vicinity.
Applecreek’s remarkable water supply is one of the chief assets to give it consideration, for it is because of doubt as to sufficient water supply that the Grafton site has not been accepted.
Applecreek folks shown the letter received by Mayor M.R. Limb, suggesting that Applecreek make formal application, became interested at once and talked the matter over last night. Their trip to Wooster today was the result.
“A state institution of this kind would add materially to the business of the community,” the mayor said today. “Down at Xenia, where I happen to be a member of the board of trustees of the orphans home, I’ll venture to say that at least $5,000 is spent each month for food alone. It practically all is purchased in Xenia.”
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Monday 9 November, 1925
pg 10
To Make Report On Water Near Applecreek
Health Officer J.E. Monger has promised Mayor M.R. Limb that he will make a special report on analyses of water samples taken from the vicinity of Applecreek, where a site has been proposed for the state institution for feeble minded persons.
Citizens of Applecreek, working in conjunction with the Wooster Board of Trade, are awaiting a final report on the availability of a tract near Grafton before going any further in the matter of presenting the merits of their locality.
“The more experience I gain in the matter of the orphans’ home at Xenia, the more convinced I am of what a fine thing this institution would be for this community,” Mayor Limb said today. The mayor is president of the board of trustees of the Xenia home, and is in direct touch with the financial expenditure there.
“Establishment of this institution would provide a market for a great variety of products, for it would add several hundred persons to the population of the community,” the mayor said.
1926
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Thursday, 27 May, 1926
pg 1
State Men See Proposed Site At Applecreek
Spend Night in Wooster And go Over Ground With Board of Trade Committee
The members of the state board of control, consisting of State Auditor J.T. Tracy, Attorney General Crabbe, Harry Carpenter, Perry Green, and Harry Silver, deputy state auditor, with Chief Engineer Briggs, were shown over the proposed site for an institution for the feeble-minded at Applecreek today by members of the Wooster Board of Trade.
The visitors all reached Wooster last evening, and the party left Wooster shortly after nine o’clock this morning, spending the forenoon at the Applecreek site.
Every feature connected with the site at Applecreek was pointed out, the wonderful productive country, the flowing wells, the places where lakes could be formed by means of small dams, and the entire beauty of everything with the splendid facilities for building a home such as is proposed for the state being shown the visitors.
No hint of the standing of the board on the proposition was allowed to leak out, but it was announced by Messrs. Tracy, Green, Crabbe and Carpenter, that a decision would be reached at the vote to be taken next Tuesday at the regular meeting of the control board.
Luncheon was served the visitors at the Country club. Following this Director O.G. Williams of the Experiment Station talked on the farming situation at Applecreek. Attorney Dan Funk then presented the reasons why Wayne countians feel Applecreek should be chosen. Former Mayor M.R. Limb, trustee of the Soldiers and Sailors Orphans’ home at Xenia, talked of the institutional advantages of the site.
The speakers were presented by Wesley H. Zaugg, president of the Wooster Board of Trade.
Ask Explanation
An editorial in the Cleveland News concerning the site was read here with interest last night and today. It appeared in late editions of yesterday’s News. After reviewing the whole situation and pointing out the extensive work which was done by the site committee which ranked Applecreek first, the editorial concluded:
“It is an unusual turn of events and The News if frankly of the opinion that an explanation is necessary. A committee of able citizens is given a task to perform. Without pay and at a considerable loss of time they do their best to secure an appropriate site. Finally, after every possible aspect has been analyzed, the concluding summary made by these investigators is dismissed as entirely useless. Careful analysis of soil and water are not even deemed worthy of a casual inspection, although the entire matter hinged from the first upon the problem to secure ample and satisfactory water. To quote the findings of the advisory board, ‘a mistake in this regard can never be corrected.’”
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Saturday, 5 June, 1926
pg 1
Applecreek Site Is Not Eliminated
Governor May Fire Hogsett, He Indicates
Charges of Graft, Made at Columbus Hearing, Do Not Affect Local Site.
While special dispatches from Columbus to the morning papers of Ohio today contained statements to the effect that offers of graft in connection with the New London and Applecreek sites for the new institution for feeble minded persons might eliminate those two sites, members of the Ohio Board of Control stated freely and openly during the day that such statements were simply the statements of people who are friendly to the Ravenna site.
“Just keep your feet on the ground. We have in no way eliminated the Applecreek site,” said a member of the state board of control who went through Wooster this afternoon.
Not Eliminated
Attorney General C.C. Crabbe, during the day, gave out an interview, at Columbus, stating the Applecreek site has most emphatically not been eliminated, and that the Wayne county site is still very much in the running.
All this furor followed a meeting of the board of control at Columbus yesterday afternoon, when late in the day the fireworks began to ascend with the reading of a letter sent by John T. Hogsett, state agriculturalist, to Col. S.H. Bell, of Wooster.
Col. Bell received the letter some weeks ago when he was taking options on the Applecreek site, and followed a conversation with Mr. Hogsett to which the letter refers.
It was Bell’s stand immediately following the receipt of this letter that he stated the only thing he would accept for his services was a straight and open commission, to which there could be no question, and the size of which was to be subject to the decision of the state board of control, with the approval of the advisory committee which endorsed Applecreek as the site best in every way for the institution.
Quizzed on Letter
Col. Bell, who has worked unceasingly for Applecreek, placed the letter in question at the disposition of his Wooster friends early in the game. At the hearing yesterday at Columbus Attorney General Crabbe asked Mr. Hogsett if he had ever written a letter to Bell.
“I did not,” he said.
“Did you ever write him any letter?” Crabbe asked.
Denial was made to this question.
Hogsett also denied that he had visited Bell in the night a few weeks ago for the purpose of getting this letter back. The letter, turned over by Mr. Bell to his Wooster friends had been shown to members of the board of control, and the existence thereof had been made known to former Mayor M.R. Limb, a close friend of Governor Donahey, so that many persons interested were informed as to its contents.
Letter is Read
And this letter, which follows, was then read by Crabbe to Hogsett at the hearing. Hogsett then admitted writing it. He also changed his testimony to state that he had visited Bell one morning “while on his way to Massillon.”
What Letter Said
The Hogsett letter was addressed “Dear Sam.” It follows:
“Miles (presumably R.E. Miles, executive secretary of the Ohio Institute and a member of the advisory committee) will either wire or write you at once, requesting detailed list of options, showing acreage and price of each individual tract.
“Would suggest following plan previously agreed upon — that of adding margin to each piece of property as optioned and submitting only the total price.
“Believe we can take care of any development that might arise by sitting tight. (The last words underscored.)
“We are making survey from information at hand of Applecreek, Ravenna, New London and Spencer.
“This will be presented to the committee some time next week, at which time they probably will request us to drill or make tests at Applecreek, New London and possibly Ravenna.
“Brand (chairman of the advisory committee) is determined to sidetrack Spencer. I am going with Brand, Stone and Blossom to Ravenna. Will keep you advised of any new developments.
Hogsett’s Claim
Hogsett, in his testimony yesterday, declared it referred to a plan for obtaining a profit for Bell for his work in obtaining the options by means of sub-options. He said that when he learned that commissions could be paid legally, he immediately dropped the matter of sub-options.
Dispatches to the Record this afternoon stated that it was indicated at the office of Governor Donahey that the governor will demand Hogsett’s resignation as chief agriculturalist in view of developments in the situation.
Dispatch was made in order to be certain that all was being done that could be done. Col. Bell dropped all requests for even commissions, and the Applecreek site was being put in without extra cost in any way, although Attorney General Crabbe, the other day, stated this would be too much to ask, and that if Applecreek was selected, it was his intention to introduce a motion in the board of control to allow Col. Bell a commission sufficient to cover his expenses in the matter.
Exonerates Bell
“It is regrettable that men in public office should attempt to impose upon the state a site for the proposed feeble minded institution which is wholly unfit for institutional purposes,” declared Attorney General Crabbe this afternoon.
“Any demand, or attempt to hold up innocent parties, must not reflect upon the merits of any site under consideration,” said Crabbe today, in Columbus. “It should be made clear that nothing that has developed in the public hearing before the state board of control, new considering the request of Welfare Director Harper for approval of his selection of the New London site, in any way reflected either upon the conduct of Colonel Sam Bell or the merits of the Applecreek site. As one member of the board of control, I think the site for the proposed feeble minded institution should be determined solely upon merit.
“Hogsett is the same gentleman who purchased cows for the state institution and, although the farmers of Ohio were paid not to exceed $30,000 for these cows, they were turned into the state at $74,000,” Crabbe said.
For Applecreek
The hearing by the board of control was enlivened by the testimony of Carl Brand, chairman of Welfare Director Harper’s advisory committee, and Dudley Blossom, another member of the committee of Cleveland. These two men are wealthy and prosperous Cleveland citizens and are above reproach in every way.
“We never had any idea after our investigations of recommending any site except Applecreek,” Mr. Brand testified.
We recommended Applecreek after we had thoroughly and exhaustively visited all the sites offered. We spent much time at New London, at Ravenna and at Applecreek and decided after the most thorough investigation we were capable of making that there was only one site, and that site was Applecreek. There were great objections to each of the other two. There were none to Applecreek,” said Mr. Brand.
The testimony of Mr. Brand went further, answering at length some of the claims made by New London boosters.
To Reduce Price
“The only reason we ever mentioned the few things favorable to the other sites was to assist Welfare Director Harper in getting the land at Applecreek at as low a price as he could,” he concluded.
Mr. Blossom talked along the same line and emphasized the necessity for early action.
Local citizens Saturday were very busy, and were working hard for Applecreek. Former Mayor Limb was to see Governor Donahey.
Dan C. Funk, who presented Wooster’s case at Columbus yesterday, wired Attorney General Crabbe after an intimation in a Cleveland that Applecreek might be eliminated that it was absolutely unfair to eliminate the best site simply because a state employe had mentioned the subject of graft to a citizen of Wooster who was working for the Applecreek site.
Deny Graft Charges
E.C. Brenner wired State Auditor Tracy that local citizens had all been busy eliminating every possible question as to the honesty of the Applecreek site, and E.C. Dix, chairman of the New Industry committee of the board of trade, wired the attorney general that he “spoke for forty thousand Wayne county citizens in denying indignantly, emphatically, unqualifiedly, any charge that there is or has been any graft in the Applecreek site, even though the same has been offered.”
It was following receipt of these telegrams that statements were issued saying Applecreek is still very much in the running and that statements to the effect Applecreek is eliminated are made by the boosters for the Ravenna site.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Monday, 7 June, 1926
pg 1 & 2
Governor Orders Grand Jury Probe
Fritz Ready To Delve Into Site Question
Prosecutor Holds Options Void, And Suggests New Plan to Acquire Land.
Governor A.V. Donahey, at Columbus this forenoon, asked for a grand jury investigation in Wayne county “of all the activities connected with the selection of the Applecreek site for the proposed Ohio State Institution for Feeble Minded.”
The governor’s request came following his receipt of a telegram from Prosecutor J.O. Fritz here in which the prosecutor said the grand jury would be summoned at the governor’s convenience.
Mr. Fritz dispatched a similar telegram to Attorney General Crabbe and it was reported this afternoon that the attorney general was en route to Wooster for a conference to take place late this afternoon.
Crabbe stated at Columbus that he would furnish Fritz with all of the information the state possesses in the case to aid in the investigation here.
Bell Is Back
Col. Cam Bell, who returned last night from a business trip of several days to Pittsburg, corroborated today a statement given out here Saturday by the new industry committee of the Wooster Board of Trade exonerating both Bell and the Applecreek site from any connection with charges made in Columbus.
Attorney General Crabbe stated in Columbus that developments had not reflected upon either Bell or the Applecreek site. There was no progress today in the matter of selection of a site for the institution.
Prosecutor Fritz, up to this afternoon, had received no direct communication from the governor or attorney general concerning the grand jury investigation.
Ready For Jurors
“I will call the grand jury this week if they wish,” the prosecutor said, “or I can wait until week after next. I asked for a list of witnesses and a brief of the case, and until I receive these, nothing further can be done here. I have arranged for my time next week and would prefer not to have the jury called in then.”
There were no developments at Columbus in the status of J.T. Hogsett, state agriculturist, whose letter to Bell, made public at Columbus last week, stirred up the fuss. There had been an indication that the governor would discharge Hogsett.
Defend Hogsett
A delegation of more than 20 residents of Ashland and Huron counties, including State Representative G.B. Murray, Nova, Ashland county Attorney E.M. Palmer, New London, and Roy Baker, New London, chairman of the Huron county Republican central committee, went to Columbus today in defense of Hogsett.
Calling first at the state welfare department, the members of the delegation assured Welfare Director Harper of their confidence in Hogsett’s integrity.
They then proceeded to Gov. Donahey’s office where they conferred with Jacob Meckstroth, the governor’s secretary, and James Huffman, executive clerk. The governor and Highway Director Schlessinger, shortly before arrival of the delegation at the executive offices had left the city for a five day inspection and speaking tour along the Ohio river road from Batavia to Toronto.
Following an extended conference at the governor’s office between Harper, Hogsett, Meckstroth and Huffman, report was prevalent this afternoon that Hogsett will resign.
Prosecutor Fritz last night sent night letters to Governor Donahey and to Attorney General Crabbe promising his co-operation if a grand jury investigation was decided upon here.
Fritz Telegram
His telegram to the attorney general read
“You are quoted in press as proposing investigation by Wayne county grand jury on proposed purchase of Applecreek site. Grand jury will be in session at your convenience. Would thank you for brief and list of witnesses. Will make this a safe place for the state to invest its money.”
In commenting on his telegram this morning Prosecutor Fritz made the following statement
Says Options Void
“Some things are apparent without an investigation. There is no provision of law for taking options. The persons who took the options had no authority to act for or bind the state of Ohio as its agent. The options in controversy are void, have no legal force as contracts and cannot be enforced. They should be promptly consigned to the waste basket. The public business should be transacted by public officials. The state may buy land or appropriate it. They should first determine what land is desirable and necessary and then proceed according to lawful methods to acquire the title. Had this plan been followed the present argument could not have arisen. Should state officials desire legal counsel they should apply to the attorney general. Accurate counsel should be promptly forthcoming and there should be a cheerful co-operation between the several departments in all matters pertaining to the public business. Reputable businessmen who have spent a life time building a business, a character and a name should not be involved needlessly in a controversy like the present one. Ordinary prudence should have foretold those responsible that a departure from substantial statutory compliance would not lead to harmony.”
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Tuesday, 8 June, 1926
pg 1
Crabbe, Fritz, Tracy, Confer On Jury Probe
Prosecutor Also Gets Governor’s Letter — Awaits Further Report.
Attorney General C.C. Crabbe and State Auditor Joseph C. Tracy held a forty minute conference here last night with Prosecutor J.O. Fritz, concerning the proposed grand jury investigation of matters incident to the selection of a site for the new feeble minded institution.
Mr. Fritz stated today that he was awaiting a further report from the attorney general before taking any new steps towards the calling of a grand jury.
It was intimated today that no grand jury will be called this week, for the report from the attorney general is not expected before tomorrow.
Gets Governor’s Letter
Prosecutor Fritz also received today a letter from Governor A.V. Donahey containing his request that a grand jury investigation be made. The governor’s three-page letter explained in detail the various steps that have been taken in the matter of selecting a site for the new institution and commented on the hearing in Columbus last Friday in which a copy of a letter was produced which resulted in statements in Columbus proposing a grand jury investigation here. The governor’s letter suggested that among the witnesses should be members of the original site committee, headed by C.W. Brand, members of the Board of Control, and “others which would suggest themselves as the investigation proceeded.” The governor pointed out that he was certain that regardless of the community’s eagerness to procure the institution, he was certain that citizens here wanted to win it on the merit of the site alone and he felt confident that any investigation here would be properly and fairly conducted.
The governor’s letter stated that he had no evidence to offer in addition to the statements contained in his letter but suggested that the prosecutor procure a transcript of the proceedings before the board of control in Columbus last Friday.
In his telegram to the attorney general, Mr. Fritz had asked for a brief of the charges made in the case, and also for a list of witnesses. These matters were discussed at last night’s conference and the prosecutor indicated he might have a further statement to make upon receiving the additional report from the attorney general.
______
Leave Of Absence
______
Columbus, June 9— Welfare Director Harper, it was announced today, has complied with the request of John T. Hogsett that he be granted a leave of absence “without pay” from his position as chief agriculturalist in the state welfare department pending the report of the Wayne county grand jury which is to conduct an investigation, requested by Governor Donahey, of alleged irregularities in connection with the selection of a site for the proposed northern Ohio state institution for feeble minded.
Director Harper this afternoon issued instructions to all managing officers of state institutions under his supervision to take complete charge, during the absence of Hogsett, of all farming, dairying and other activities which came under the supervision of the chief agriculturist.”
Harper told them that when in need of the services of the state veterinary department, or any other department, to take these matters up with them direct.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Thursday, 10 June, 1926
pg 1
Express Preference For AppleCreek
Members Indicate They Will Reject Selection And Ask for New Recommendations
Columbus, June 10. — Changing their plans, members of the state board of control decided to meet here late this afternoon instead of Friday as previously announced and take action regarding the request of Welfare Director Harper that the board approve his selection of the New London site for the proposed northern Ohio state institution for feeble-minded.
Board members indicated that the board will reject the New London site and will ask Harper to recommend some other site. These board members expressed a preference for the Applecreek site, Wayne county.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Friday, 11 June, 1926
pg 1
Harper Recommends Either Site
Crabbe Thinks Definite Site Must Be Named
Wooster Boosters Continue Efforts to Have Only Merit Count in Selection.
Columbus, June 11. — Welfare Director Harper, this afternoon urged the State Board of Control to approve purchase by the state of either the Applecreek site, in Wayne county or the Freedom site, Portage county for the proposed Northern Ohio state institution for feeble minded.
Belief was expressed at the Attorney General’s office this afternoon that the Board of Control has no legal right to comply with Harper’s latest request. It was pointed out that the law restricts the Board to approval or rejection of a specific recommendation. In keeping with this interpretation of the law, it was stated, Harper must recommend an individual site.
The Board of Control late Thursday rejected Harper’s recommendation that the New London site, in Ashland and Huron counties, be purchased.
Calls It First Choice
“The New London site was the first choice of a committee of institutional experts appointed to inspect three sites — Applecreek, New London and Freedom — recommended by the committee of citizens, and was the only one of the three sites free from any charges and whisperings, based upon any evidence of any kind, as made by Mr. Crabbe (Attorney General) and Mr. Tracy (State Auditor) of irregularities in the dealings of any final selection by the committee, of these three sites,” declared Harper in a letter addressed today to the Board of Control.
“In my annual reports for the past three years, I have called the attention of the public to the very great need for another institution for the feeble minded and, for more than ten years, the northeastern section of the state has been demanding a new institution,” Harper wrote.
Demands Condemnation
“I still agree with the committee of institutional experts, who reported the New London site as their first choice, but notwithstanding that all the charges and insinuations have been about the other two sites, the need of this institution is so urgent that I hereby request your approval of an expenditure for an appropriation for the purchase of either one of the other two, with the distinct understanding that whichever one is approved, the Attorney General shall start condemnation proceedings at once to acquire title to the land by the court fixing the price to be paid,” said Harper.
“I firmly believe,” continued Harper, “that the charges and insinuations referred to above are only another sample of cheap politics and, as the appropriation bill requires the approval of the majority of the controlling board, I am trusting you will realize how necessary it is to get started on this new institution and that the majority of the board, at least, will vote their approval of this expenditure from our appropriations.”
The local boosters for the Applecreek site have been trying, since the New London site was turned down last night, to have Welfare Director Harper make a straight out and out recommendation for the acceptance of the proposed Applecreek site.
Are Disappointed
Naturally, knowing that politics plays as strong a part as it does, they are disappointed in not having the Applecreek site directly recommended.
Perry Green, who is a member of the board, comes from Portage county, and he is said to be very strong for the Freedom site. In fact, he stated while here in Wooster, that home pride would naturally make him see the strong points of the Freedom site.
Whether Perry Green will influence or seek to influence Messrs. Carpenter, Crabbe and Tracy to vote for the Freedom site, remains to be seen. It was generally understood and believed that the members have not consulted each other in this connection. Messrs. Crabbe and Tracy, while in Wooster the other day, strenuously denied a statement by J.D. Robison, editor of the Ravenna Republican, to the effect that four members of the board of control were definitely pledged to the Ravenna site.
It is felt that if Director Harper had come through with a straight and definite recommendation for the Applecreek site, the board of control would have approved it.
Too Much Politics
There is much feeling, locally, that the Applecreek site, which is strongly backed by the Harper advisory committee as the best site offered for the new institution, is not receiving a square deal, and that it is being buffeted around in politics but it is felt that if the board of control, which is euchered to a position of possibly having to decide the matter, decides the matter on its merits alone, Applecreek will win.
It is felt unfair that the fact that there have been suggestions of graft in the matter of all the sites, Applecreek, Freedom and New London should have anything to do in the matter and local people think the site should be selected on merit.
At Columbus, Dan C. Funk, who made the argument for the board of trade’s new industry committee, stated that if Applecreek is not the best site, Wayne county does not want it here, but that if it is found to have the best site, it is a debt owed the people of Ohio to put it here.
All along the point has been made that a committee of men who have unimpeachable reputations, headed by C.W. Brand of Cleveland, has, after a most thorough investigation recommended Applecreek at the suggestion of and with the support of engineers of the best authority who investigated the situation thoroughly, and for this reason the Applecreek site has it over all the others.
Even the commission originally asked for work in securing options for the Applecreek site was dropped by S.H. Bell, who has done much of the heavy work, and the site is offered to the state free and clear in every way.
At the capitol, at Columbus, this afternoon, Attorney General Crabbe stated he had not seen Harper’s letter, but stated that as far as he was concerned the Applecreek site would be given a square deal.
It was not until late this afternoon that Attorney General Crabbe’s office expressed the belief that Mr. Harper must recommend a specific site, as stated above. This probably will again put the question up to Director Harper squarely.
Columbus, O., June 11. — The state board of control today is on record, through adoption of a resolution by unanimous vote as being willing to cooperate with Welfare Director Harper in the selection of another site for the northern Ohio state institution for feeble-minded. The board, by a vote of 4 to 0, late Thursday rejected Harper’s recommendation for approval of the New London site. Finance Director Baker, the only Democrat member of the board, was not there. The board meets again June 18. The New London site was rejected because of lack of water.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Saturday, 12 June, 1926
pg 1
Harper Is Asked To Specify One Site
Tracy Asserts Welfare Head May be Shifting Important Public Duty
Columbus, O., June 12. — State Auditor Tracy this afternoon wrote Welfare Director Harper suggesting that “you prepare to perform you statutory duty and make a recommendation,” for a site for the proposed Northern Ohion state institution for feeble minded.
As a member of the state control board, Tracy took the position that, in making his recent request that the board accept “either the Apple Creek or the Freedom sites,” Harper might have been making an effort “to shift a responsible public duty.” Tracy held that Harper must make a specific recommendation for a single site. The control board recently rejected Harper’s selection of the New London site.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Tuesday, 15 June, 1926
pg 1
Harper Gives Control Board Cost Of Sites
Renews His Request Board Pick Site, Asserting He’s Not Required to.
Columbus, O., June 15. — Welfare Director Harper today renewed his request that the state Board of Control select either the Applecreek, or the Freedom site for the proposed northern Ohio state institution for feeble minded persons.
In a letter addressed to the board, Harper today insisted that there is nothing in the law which demands that he make a definite selection.
With a view to enabling the board to fix a maximum amount to be expended for the proposed site, Harper today informed the board of his belief that the Applecreek site, consisting of 2003 acres, can be bought for not less than $282,623.30 and the Freedom site, including 2164 acres, for not more than $226,340.
Would Remove It From Politics
A letter from Mr. Harper was received this morning by the new industry committee of the Wooster board of trade covering the ground indicated in Mr. Harper’s letter to the board this afternoon. The following reply to the letter was sent by E.C. Dix, chairman of the committee, during the day:
J.E. Harper,
Welfare Director, State of Ohio
Columbus, Ohio.
Thanks for letter of yesterday. Members of controlling board indicate they will approve site recommended by advisory committee, which spent six months making thorough investigation. Can we not now remove this proposition which means so much to the helpless and feeble minded, from politics and both sides omitting all personalities, consider the real merits of the case and unite on Applecreek?
If you recommend Applecreek and it is not approved, burden of responsibility will be on control board.
___________
Columbus, O., June 15. — Attorney General Crabbe today denied that he told Joseph O. Fritz, Wooster, Wayne county prosecutor, he had no evidence to present to the grand jury at Wooster in regard to charges of irregularities in connection with selection of a site for the proposed Northern Ohio State institution for feeble minded. Crabbe said he asked Fritz no to call a grand jury until he had time to gather all the evidence. The state control board will resume hearings here in a few days, it was stated, relating to the charges.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Tuesday, 15 June, 1926
pg 3
Harper Must Act Next, Says H.H. Griswold
Law Maker and Candidate Calls Upon His Many Friends Here.
Hal H. Griswold, first assistant attorney general of Ohio, was in Wooster, Monday evening, meeting Republicans of the city in the interests of his candidacy for nomination for attorney general. He was introduced to Att’y Daniel C. Funk of Wooster.
Mr. Griswold was speaker of the house of representatives in 1923 and is widely known as author of the Griswold Debt Limitation Act and Farmers’ Cooperation law, and is in great demand as a speaker at luncheon clubs on subjects relating to public finance and government, having spoken in 69 of the 88 counties of Ohio. He addressed the Rotary club of Akron, Tuesday, on “Ohio Libraries” and later in the week will speak to the Rotary and Kiwanis clubs of Warren and Jefferson and the Dairyman’s picnic at Cleveland. He is one of the speakers for the meeting of the Ohio State Teachers Association at Cedar Point, June 22.
When asked concerning the possible selection of the site at Applecreek for the new institution for the feeble minded, Mr. Griswold said, “The next step must be taken by the Director of Welfare. The controlling board has no authority to select a site, but only to approve one selected by the director. The great need for this institution makes it probable that some action will be taken in the near future. The New London site has been rejected by the controlling board, but our department will continue its investigation of the charges that improper methods were used to secure its selection.”
Mr. Griswold was a Sunday school superintendent for a number of years and is now affiliated with the Crestview Presbyterian church of Columbus.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Wednesday, 16 June, 1926
pg 1
Harper Wires He Is Ready To Co-Operate
Control Board Meeting on Site Proposition is Postponed Until Friday.
Columbus, O., June 16. — Due to inability of some of the members to be present today, the meeting of the state board of control which was to have been held here this afternoon has been postponed until Friday, Attorney General Crabbe, a member of the board, announced.
At its Friday session the board, it was stated, expects to continue its consideration of accusations of alleged irregularities on the part of state officials in connection with the selection of a site for the proposed Northern Ohio state institution for feeble-minded.
Samuel Bell, Wooster, who at one time held options on the land included in the Apple Creek site, Wayne county, it was announced, may appear before the board at the Friday session.
Attorney General Crabbe, a member of the state control board, today expressed belief that the board will act favorably if Welfare Director Harper will recommend the Apple Creek site.
__________
Replying to a telegram sent to him by the New Industry committee of the Wooster Board of Trade, which was printed in the Record yesterday, Welfare Director Harper today wired:
Chairman new industry committee Wooster Board of Trade, Wooster, O. Replying your telegram our efforts to select a site have been at all times entirely free from politics. Will go the limit in cooperating with the board in final selection of site.
J.E. Harper,
Director Dept. of Public Service.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Friday, 18 June, 1926
pg 1
Crabbe And Harper Clash At Hearing
Harper Claims Crabbe Spread ‘Insinuations’
Samuel Bell, on Stand, Charges Hogsett Was to Get Part of Commission
Columbus, O., June 18. — Heated verbal combat between Welfare Director Harper and Attorney General Crabbe marked a session here this afternoon at the state board of control. The board had under consideration Harper’s request that it select either the Applecreek or the Freedom site for the proposed northern Ohio state institution for feeble-minded, and fix a maximum amount to be appropriated for purchase by the state of the site.
The board late this afternoon had taken no action.
The set-to occurred when Harper accused Crabbe of making untruthful statements and with being a party to a spreading of insinuations against Harper and other state officials in connection with the selection of a site.
Crabbe Denies It
Carbbe denied the accusation. He joined with Harper in voicing hope that “all persons guilty of wrongdoing shall be properly punished.”
Bell of Wooster took the witness stand after Attorney Daniel C. Funk, of Wooster, spoke in support of the Applecreek site, Judge David J. Rockwell, Ravenna, for the Freedom site, and E.H. Mack, Sandusky editor and postmaster, with other members of an Erie county delegation, urged selection of a site about one mile from Huron, Erie county.
Had Model Copy
Detailing the steps he took in obtaining the options for the Applecreek site, Bell testified that Hogsett arranged with him to accept two thirds of the total amount of the commissions, Bell retaining the other one third. Bell said he did not know who, if anyone, was to share the two thirds with Hogsett. He said he did not comply with a suggestion by Hogsett that he obtain substitute options, but, instead, turned over to the welfare department copies of the original options.
Replying to a question from Crabbe, Bell denied all knowledge of “any roadside meetings” at which plans were made to have Bell sign a statement exonerating all persons connected with the state welfare department of improper conduct in connection with the selection of either of these sites.
Conscience Clear
Bell declared, however, that Hogsett gold him that “if I have to go to the pen, you will go, too.” Bell said he told Hogsett his (Bell’s) conscience “was clear” and that he had “done nothing wrong.”
A delegation of half a dozen citizens of Applecreek and several from Wooster were present at the hearing.
Prosecutor J.O. Fritz, who had been requested by Governor Donahey to call a grand jury investigation in Wayne county, was among those on hand. He had hurried to Columbus from the I.O.O.F. convention at Toledo upon receipt of a telegram from the governor’s secretary.
After hearing some testimony this afternoon the board recessed until 2:30 at which time more witnesses were to be called.
Asked For Split
William Pew, Ravenna, owner of most of the land in the Freedom site, told the board that he received a telegram from a “G.R. Lewis” stating that no consideration would be given any proposed site unless arrangements were made for splitting commissions.
Urges Applecreek
Harper said that he has turned over to Finance Director Baker for submission to the board another request that the Applecreek site be chosen. He denied that this last request involved any “consideration” and said it was made at the request of Governor Donahey.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Saturday, 19 June, 1926
pg 1
The Applecreek Site — An Editorial
The question of a proposed site for the feeble minded people of northern Ohio has been batted about so much in the turmoil it has raised that some times we fear the actual merits of the case cannot be dispassionately considered.
The men who are to decide are attacked from every angle and we know they will all be glad when it is over. There are a few things, however, about Applecreek they should not forget.
First, it was the only site in all Ohio finally considered for the Yeoman home.
Second, a committee of unapproachable citizens, headed by Carl W. Brand of Cleveland, selected it as the best site in northern Ohio for the home for the feeble minded.
In comparing Applecreek with the Portage county site, it cannot but be found that the Applecreek water is of an unlimited supply, that it does not need any softener, while there is much iron at Freedom.
Both Applecreek and Freedom can take care of the inmates of the proposed institution, but Applecreek, fifteen minutes and five miles from Wooster, can take care of the visiting relatives, with five Wooster and two Orrville hotels, while Ravenna has but one good hotel.
Wooster has many bus lines radiating in all directions, one going through Applecreek and past the site. Three railways pass Wooster and Applecreek.
How many bus lines radiate from Ravenna, or pass through Ravenna and Freedom?
Coal is cheaper at Applecreek than Freedom on account of the lesser freight rate. The Wayne county soil, according to the United States survey, yields more than the Portage county soil.
At Applecreek every one living on the farms that are offered makes a living and a surplus on those farms.
Is William Pew making a profit on his thousand acre farm at Ravenna? If he is making a profit, and, as an agriculturist he should be making a profit, why is he so anxious to sell his farm?
If the Board of Control selects the Applecreek site, the members can base their selection on the committee of representative citizens, who, after many months made the finding that the local site is the best.
If the Freedom site should be selected, and a mistake is made, the board, making the selection alone, would have to bear the entire burden of such a mistake.
We do not believe that in these days of political turmoil they, nor any one else, should feel themselves called on to shoulder such a burden. We do not believe they will.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Saturday, 19 June, 1926
pg 1 & 3
Make Decision Next Week On Site For Home
Lines Tightly Drawn And Control Board Will Once More Visit Two Sites.
The battle over the selection of a site for the proposed northern Ohio home for the feeble minded was still on Saturday with the lines tightly drawn between the site near Applecreek and the site at Freedom, near Ravenna.
As the matter stood Saturday morning the members of the board of control who visited the sites at New London, Applecreek and Freedom some four weeks ago, and eliminated the New London site, will again visit the Freedom and Applecreek sites the first of the week and hold a meeting Thursday when they will finally vote on the proposition.
There was too much in the air, which was electrically charged with politics and charges and counter charges yesterday, for the members of the board of control to get down to a final vote, although in the forenoon it was thought this was probable.
Another Harper Letter
Although, according to Welfare Director Harper, a letter formally approving the site at Applecreek had been given Finance Director Baker, the finance director did not produce this letter at any time during the open meeting. Mr. Harper stated he had written such a letter at the request of Governor Donahey.
Whether this letter will be formally presented or whether it will be withdrawn, was a matter of speculation Saturday. In connection with the above, D.L. Rockwell, whose client, Wm. H. Pew, has over 1,000 acres to sell to the state at Freedom, was authority for the statement that Cyrus Locher had told him that the letter by Harper, asking for the approval of either Freedom or Applecreek, was the only letter that would be presented to the board.
If the Harper letter was presented it was presented in executive session and nothing was said about it later.
Pew is Surprised
Wm. H. Pew, owner of most of the Freedom site, was the most surprised witness of the day. Pew, it seems, had not been able to obtain an interested audience when he went to Columbus to try to sell his site. Then he saw G.R. Lewis, a politician, who is at Philadelphia on sesquicentennial business for the state, but who formerly was state fair manager at Columbus, and who was given a “vacation without pay” following testimony in connection with the state fair some weeks ago.
Col. S.H. Bell, of Wooster, had expected to be called and his testimony was given readily and promptly, but Pew had not expected to be place on the stand. At first he disclaimed any knowledge of any telegram from anybody, and then he remembered. The telegram, which was the cause of some very heated language between Harper and Attorney General Crabbe, was as follows:
AP creek Harp. Five YOUNG two hog three on up depending on profits. S. Bee to split with Hog after other two taken out stop. N. London Hob three six hundred don’t know amount other two getting here Ravenna. Harp five young two S. Bee tw account supplies entertainment other two locations five cash to Harp and Hog to recommend you all figures mean thousand. Keep my name out of this hearing absolutely. Wire me results. Signed Geo Arr, May 22, 1926”
Pew stated he had sent a telegram to Lewis at Philadelphia “for the purpose of obtaining information,” and the above telegram was the result. Pew stated he had been referred to John Hogsett but had never talked to Hogsett about money. Harper and John B. Youngblood, engineer in the welfare department, denied ever having talked to Lewis about sites for the institution.
Bell testified he had obtained options on the Applecreek site after Hogsett had discussed with him the availability of Wayne county farms in October, and after Marcus R. Limb, then mayor of Wooster, and the board of trade had started a movement to bring the proposed institution to that county.
The first talk of commissions, he said, came when R.E. Miles, secretary of the advisory committee, appointed by the governor, wrote for the options. He then took up the matter of a “legitimate commission,” he said, with real estate men, who told him as high as 15 per cent was sometimes charged.
“I thought that was too much,” he said, “and I figured six per cent would be reasonable.”
He then said that he was to get a third of this, and Hogsett the remainder.
“What was the understanding as why Hogsett was to receive the two-thirds?” the attorney general asked.
“Nothing in particular,” was the answer.
“Did not Hogsett say that he would take care of the situation down here?” was the next question.
“Yes,” was the answer.
Bell testified he first heard of the possibility that New London might be selected after the committee of superintendents had been appointed by Director Harper to go over the recommendations of the advisory committee. He said he felt then “there was something on foot” and drove over to New London and discussed the matter with Hogsett.
“He said he didn’t know whether the department would follow the advisory board or not, that a good deal depended on what the committee of superintendents said, the witness went on. “I asked if there was any question of approval of Applecreek and he said the institution might possibly go to New London.
“He then said if you keep quiet you will be taken care of if it goes to New London.” He said there was more in the New London deal. “I am not certain of the figures but the commissions at Applecreek were around $18,000.”
Explains Sub-Option Plan
Regarding the proposition touched upon in the Hogsett-Bell letter, whereby sub-options were to be obtained, Bell said he “did not approve of that way of handling the matter.”
“I preferred to put my cards on the table,” he said, “and take a straight commission.”
He said the sub-option plan contemplated obtaining one option from the property owner which was to be for the actual amount paid for the land, and another option at a higher figure, which was to be the amount charged the state for it.
He made this explanation in identifying the letter from Hogsett, which suggested that Bell “add a margin to each tract and add a lump sum,” submitting the total price.
He later testified he had waived all claim of any commission whatever and that as the land for the institution is to be purchased by condemnation proceedings, the options obtained were without effect.
Rockwell Sarcastic
When Dan C. Funk read the report of the committee of heads of the four hospitals who had visited the Ravenna, Applecreek and New London sites, which report completely eliminated the site at Freedom as unfit for institutional purposes, Judge Rockwell, who represented Mr. Pew, became very sarcastic in reply.
“Applecreek, where is it?” he asked, trying to show that only a few trains passed through the town during the day, and that it was away off to one side of the universe, while Freedom was near the center of population. Rockwell also threw a slur at Wooster by saying he had passed through the town several times, and “that was what everybody else did, pass through it.”
Possibly the best argument in favor of Wooster and which may have been overlooked, was made by a woman talking for the reopening of the proposition and the considering of a site at Huron.
Point for Applecreek
“You want a place that is accessible for both Cleveland and Toledo which is another great center of population,” she said. Ravenna, being off to the east of Cleveland, is much more distant from Toledo than Applecreek, and more difficult to reach, while Applecreek is on the new direct line from Toledo to Wheeling.
Another point that will be brought out during the week is that Ravenna has only one poor hotel, while Wooster has five fine hotels which will accommodate all the visitors to Applecreek. Ravenna is also very short on bus service, while this service is one of the strong points for Wooster.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Tuesday, 22 June, 1926
pg 1
Hogsett Asks For Minutes Of Meeting
Columbus, O., June 22. — Again protesting his innocence of all accusations and intimations of wrong-doing, John T. Hogsett, chief agriculturist, state welfare department, called today at the office of Governor Donahey and asked for a copy of the minutes of the session of a state control board here last Friday when Samuel Bell, Wooster, testified that Hogsett proposed to split commissions with Bell in the event that either the Applecreek or the New London site was chosen for the proposed northern Ohio state institution for feeble-minded.
It was stated at the Governor’s office that complete transcripts covering proceedings at Friday’s meeting will be furnished Hogsett and Prosecutor J.O. Fritz, Wayne county, who is arranging for a special grand jury probe at the Governor’s request.
Members of the control board today were of the opinion that the Apple Creek site will be chosen and the maximum amount of state funds to be used in buying the land will be determined at the three-day session of the board which begins here Thursday morning. No more open hearings on the matter are contemplated, it was stated.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Wednesday, 23 June, 1926
pg 1
Donahey For Applecreek, He Declares
Calls on Huron and Portage County Prosecutors For Site Buying Probes.
Columbus, O., June 23. — Calling upon Governor Donahey here today, a delegation of Wooster business men urged his support of the move to have the state control board approve purchase of the Applecreek, Wayne county, site for the proposed northern Ohio state institution for feeble minded.
Heartily in accord with the request of the delegation, the Governor pointed out that at his request, Welfare Director Harper had submitted to Finance Director Baker, as chairman of the control board, a specific recommendation for selection of the Applecreek site.
The delegation from Wooster included E.C. Dix, publisher of the Daily Record; former Mayor M.R. Limb; President Wesley H. Zaugg, Wooster Board of Trade; and Robert R. Woods, banker.
__________
Columbus, June 23 — Declaring that the guilty should be punished and the innocent exonerated, Governor Donahey today asked County Prosecutor Edgar G. Martin, Huron county, and Britt Johnson, Portage county, to conduct grand jury investigations of charges of graft in connection with the proposed New London and Freedom sites, respectively, for the new northern Ohio state institution for feeble minded.
Prosecutor J.O. Fritz, Wayne county, complying with a similar request from the Governor is arranging for a grand jury probe of charges alleging graft in connection with the proposed Applecreek site.
“The charges, in substance, as I understand them, are that, no matter which of the three sites the state was to select, and no matter what the values, or prices, fixed by court, or jury, there was to be graft on the part of somebody,” Donahey wrote Prosecutors Martin and Johnson.
Used Probes
“The only way the facts can be ascertained is by a series of such official investigations of the alleged activities of the option holders and state officials and employes,” continued Donahey. “If there were collusion, attempts to defraud the state, offers, or solicitations of bribes, or any other wrong doing in connection with negotiations for these various sites, or undue efforts on the part of option holders to have their particular sites sold, we want to know about it. The people of your county want to know and the people of Ohio want to know.”
Even more important is it that the guilty may be prosecuted and punished and the innocent exonerated,” declared the Governor.
Members of the state control board stated that the selection of a site for the northern Ohio institution will not be considered before Thursday although the board went into session today. Today’s program, it was stated, would be restricted to consideration of relatively minor routine matters.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Thursday, 24 June, 1926
pg 1 & 2
Control Board Delays Action Until Friday
Crabbe’s Request For Probes by Governor Rejected by Chief Executive.
Columbus, June 24 — Attorney General Crabbe today asked Governor Donahey to conduct a hearing into alleged incriminating facts and circumstances involving the welfare department in the purchase of a site for the proposed northern Ohio feeble minded institution.
“I hereby request that in addition to the numerous grand jury investigations which you have asked to be conducted by county prosecutors in Huron, Portage and Wayne counties, a hearing be ? before you at the earliest possible date in order that any or all of the public officials involved may be properly removed from office,” Crabbe wrote in a letter to Donahey. “I will be ready to commence presenting testimony any day.”
Plan Rejected
Replying that, in his belief the proper place for such investigations is before grand juries, the governor rejected the attorney general’s request. The governor, ? promised to ask for a grand jury probe here any time the prosecuting attorneys of Huron, Portage and Wayne counties “deem it advisable.”
Devoting their attention today t relatively minor routine matters, members of the state board of control deferred until Friday further consideration of Welfare Director Harper’s request that the board approve selection of either the Applecreek or the Freedom site.
Brand is There
C.W. Brand, of Cleveland, chairman of the committee appointed the state director of welfare Harper to inspect sites for the proposed institution, today appeared before the board of control and said ? that the Applecreek site is ? county be accepted.
Governor Was Emphatic
Governor Donahey was ? emphatic, yesterday afternoon, when a committee of citizens composed of Robert R. Woods, E.C. Brenner, former Mayor M.R. Limb, E.C. Dix, and Wesley H. Zaugg, called on him.
“I do not see why that recommendation did not go in last week,” he said. “When the board of control turned down Welfare Director Harper’s recommendation for New London I asked him what his second choice was. He told me Applecreek was the second choice and I told him to put it in at once. He wrote it out at my suggestion and put it in the hands of Mr. Baker, our finance director and chairman of the board of control. I am going into that meeting Thursday morning to see that the recommendation is presented.”
It was plain to the Wooster men that Governor Donahey was much concerned about the proposition for he pounded the table several times and made his remarks very emphatic.
“If there is any graft in the proposition that is a matter to be worked out by the grand juries in the county where there was alleged to be graft. That has nothing whatever to do with the merits of the sites and what we want to do is to get down to business and get this matter settled,” the governor is quoted as having said.
Finance Director Baker was next visited.
“I certainly hope we get down to business this morning,” he said. “I think Applecreek has the best site,” he added.
Editorial in Plain Dealer
There was a strong editorial in the Cleveland Plain Dealer, this morning asking for the prompt selection of the Applecreek site.
Original Committee Takes Hand
A strong recommendation of the Applecreek over the Freedom site was sent to the governor and the members of the board of control last night.
“We feel that in the face of the careful studies we have made, further delays are ridiculous,” said the letter which was sent by Charles W. Brand, chairman of the committee. It compared in detail the relative merits of Freedom and Applecreek and then summarized.
“In view of the very ? advantages of Apple Creek over Freedom,” the committee wrote, “we are of the opinion that Gov. Donahey and Director Harper should make good their statement to the advisory committee and recommend to the board of control the selection of Apple Creek.
“While it is a fact that the initial price per acre is higher than at Freedom, consideration should be given the fact that additional capital outlay at Freedom would bring the price at Apple Creek to about the price at Freedom.”
“It must be remembered that the small difference in price per acre is not a major factor. The important thing is whether the advantages outweigh price differences.”
Summing up, the committee asks how Freedom can possibly be considered over Apple Creek and says:
“Not on quantity of water; quality of water, secondary water supply; building site; soil; highway facilities; interurban facilities; bus facilities; railroad facilities.”
It recommends
“In view of the advantages of Apple Creek over Freedom, we sincerely hope that everyone interested may now unite in selecting what is, in the opinion of every member of the advisory committee, the best site available, namely that at Apple Creek.
“Finally, may we reiterate that the proper procedure to follow is now to purchase these parcels of acreage at Apple Creek that are correctly priced and to promptly institute condemnation proceedings on such parcels, if any, as appear to be overpriced by the owners. This is the plan that has always been recommended by Gov. Donahey and it should be followed.
“Certainly the charges made against a state official in connection with the selection of a site should not now prevent the prompt purchase of a suitable site and a start made on this long delayed and greatly needed institution.”
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Friday, 25 June, 1926
pg 1
Choose Applecreek Site
Control Board’s Vote is 4 to 1
Wayne County Location Will be Scene of Great Activity As New Buildings Rise to House Unfortunate Wards of Ohio.
Columbus, O., June 25. — By a vote of 4 to 1, the State Control Board today conditionally accepted the recommendation of Welfare Director Harper that the Applecreek, Wayne county, be chosen for the proposed northern Ohio state institute for feeble minded.
Representative Perry Green, Portage county, Republican, voted against acceptance after making an unsuccessful effort to have the board decide in favor of the Freedom site, Portage county.
Acceptance of the Applecreek site is conditioned upon the state being able to purchase the land “at a fair price.”
Those voting in favor of the Applecreek site were Finance Director Baker, Democrat, chairman of the board; Attorney General Crabbe; State Auditor Tracy; and Senator Harry L. Carpenter, Steubenville, Republican.
The vote was preceded by Green’s plea for acceptance of the Freedom site, which, he declared, could be purchased for more than $80,000 less than the Applecreek site. He stated also that the Freedom site was best located to serve all the people most economically.
The board, it was announced, will confer with State Highway Director Schlessinger and a representative of the state welfare department at once and arrange plans for arriving at the total amount the state will be willing to pay for the Applecreek site. According to law a purchase of a site must be made through the highway director.
It is proposed that the state shall offer each owner of the separate parcels of land comprising the Applecreek site a certain sum. Members of the control board indicated that if any of these land owners held out for higher prices, the board then would either refuse to accept the site or condemnation proceedings would be instituted in the courts seeking to have a reasonable price fixed in each case where a land owner might try to “hold up the state.”
Message From Tracy
A telephone message received by E.C. Brenner from State Auditor J.T. Tracy, after the board had adjourned, told the story of the meeting. The first question arose over the recommendation, made by Welfare Director J.E. Harper, that the board of control approve the selection of either Applecreek of Freedom. This question came to a vote, and the proposition was rejected by the votes of Crabbe, Tracy and Carpenter. Baker and Green voted yes.
At this point Finance Director Baker reached in his pocket and pulled out the recommendation for Applecreek that Governor Donahey told the Wooster delegation, Wednesday, he had directed the welfare director, Mr. Harper, to give him. On the vote for the selection or rejection of Applecreek the vote then stood:
Yes — Crabbe, Tracy, Baker and Carpenter. No — Green.
Means Much to Locality
The activity of the Wooster Board of Trade in the proposition has been because of the large sums of money that are to be spent in this immediate vicinity in the near future. About $250,000 will be spent for the site for the hospital. Then a long building program will begin, and there are to be a half mile of buildings erected on this site. The building activity should begin within the next few weeks, and continue for a long time.
In addition to this there will be countless visitors coming here from all over Ohio, to see friends and relatives who will be confined in this institution.
As a financial proposition alone, the new institution will bring more money to this vicinity than anything located here in a long time and will provide plenty of work for successful contractors and workmen in the construction of buildings and equipment.
Board Offers Assistance
A telegram was sent to Chairman Baker of the Board of Control by the Board of Trade this afternoon as follows:
“We desire to offer every assistance in our power to the state in the purchase of the site decided upon at Applecreek, and we wish to assure the state that we will not countenance any unfair prices.
Wooster Board of Trade
Wesley H. Zaugg, President.”
Options on the land have been secured by S.H. Bell, but copies of these options have been turned over to the state, and the prices named in the options will be used as a guide in the purchase of the land. Officials have stated that where they regard the prices as fair such prices will probably be paid, and where they are thought too high the land will be condemned.
Second Institution Here
This will make the second state institution located in this vicinity, the Experiment Station being the first and making one of the most desirable industries here employing a large number of people and bringing thousands to this city each year.
Was a Long Battle
The “Battle of Applecreek” was one of the longest drawn but battles ever participated in by local citizens. Starting with M.R. Limb and S.H. Bell, it later drew in leading citizens of Applecreek and Wooster, including all the power and resources of the Wooster Board of Trade, which were exerted to the uttermost in the last six weeks. Aside from the hard work, there were a number of pleasant things incident to this proposition and a lot of strong community spirit was engendered.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Friday, 25 June, 1926
pg 1
Fritz To Ask Grand Jury On Next Tuesday
Will Probe Alleged Graft Charges And Also Take Up Local Criminal Cases.
Prosecuting Attorney J.O. Fritz stated at noon today that when Judge G.A. Starn returns to the city this evening or Saturday, he will request him to call a special session of the Wayne county grand jury for next Tuesday.
“I expect to ask the court to call the grand jurors for Tuesday,” he said. “We have a number of cases on the local criminal docket that I am anxious to get out of the way, and while these are being investigated, the request of Governor Donahey that I probe charges of alleged contemplated graft in connection with options on the Applecreek site wanted by the state for a home for feeble minded persons, will also be taken up.”
Mr. Fritz said the only written information he had of the matter came from the governor’s office.
“I heard some testimony before the board of control at Columbus,” he added, “and I had a conference with the attorney general, but I have nothing in writing from the attorney general.”
The prosecutor declined to give names of any persons he planned to summon, but indicated that a number of state officials would be among the witnesses.”
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Saturday, 26 June, 1926
pg 1
Five Women To Have Part In Probe Of Jury
Grand Jurors Summoned to Appear Tuesday for Investigation of Site Charges.
Judge George A. Starn held a conference with Assistant Prosecutor Walter Mougey, Saturday morning, following which Sheriff A.W. Bucher, was directed to recall the members of the April grand jury for Tuesday morning at 9 o’clock.
While this special grand jury will consider local criminal cases, state-wide interest in its assembling is caused by the fact that it will also hear testimony concerning charges of alleged plans to split commissions in case options on land at Applecreek were accepted by the state welfare department, this land having been wanted for the institution for feeble minded.
Prosecutor J.O. Fritz discussed the grand jury proposition with Judge Starn over the telephone on Friday. Today the prosecutor was in Columbus. While he had another business errand there, it was stated at his office that he planned to visit several state departments concerned in the site selection to gather all possible information preliminary to the grand jury investigation.
To Call Crabbe
A dispatch from Columbus this afternoon reported that the prosecutor conferred with Jake Meckstroth, secretary to Governor Donahey during the day there and that he announced he planned to have Attorney General C.C. Crabbe summoned as one of the grand jury witnesses.
The grand jury will be composed of ten men and five women, according to the present plans, although some substitutions will be made. The jurors who are under instructions to return are Hazel Alexander, Plain; Mary Hartsel, Congress; Mrs. Louis Mohn, Wooster; Mrs. Harry Stucker, Saltcreek; Mrs. D.F. Albright, Wooster township; W.A. Knoble, East Union; John Houser, Baughman; Cliff Johnston, Wooster; Lee Franks, Clinton; Monroe Lantz, Wayne; George Gingery, Wayne; and H.H. Barrett, Frank Auit, David Greis and Z.A. Reed, of Wooster city.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Saturday, 26 June, 1926
pg 3
State To Make Offer On Land At Applecreek
Board of Control Hopes to Purchase Tract For Not to Exceed $245,000.
The state board of control, following its decision yesterday in selecting the Applecreek site for the proposed new state institution for feeble minded persons, took steps to actually acquire the land. The board voted to name State Representative Perry L. Green, of Portage county, one of its members, to act as its representative in making the investigation that will determine the “reasonable price” to be offered for the Applecreek land.
State Architect H.B. Briggs was designated by Welfare Director John E. Harper and by Highway Director G.F. Schlessinger to represent them and to act with Green in negotiating with the land owners. Auditor of State Joseph Tracey, also a member of the board, announced he would accompany the other two. The committee will make its survey and submit its report on July 2, which is Friday of next week. Columbus dispatches indicate that this committee hopes to materially reduce the price of $282,000 which is the total price of the land as optioned here. Each farm in the 2,004 acre tract will be considered separately by the committee. State Auditor Tracy is quoted as declaring he believed $245,000 a top price for the land.
The state board of control finally gives a qualified approval to a site for the proposed institution for feeble minded in northern Ohio. It favors Applecreek, but believes the price asked is too high. Thay may be a matter of negotiation or of condemnation proceedings.
What the state pays for a site is, of course, important, but it does not tell the whole story. The difference in cost between two sites may, for instance, be wiped out by other considerations. The more expensive location might be cheaper in the end. Transportation, quality and quantity of water and other elements enter into the problem.
It is hoped yesterday’s action of the board means the virtual end of preliminaries and the early beginning of construction. The public is weary of waiting.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Monday, 28 June, 1926
pg 1
State Agents Fixing Value Of Local Land
Committee Members Here Negotiating For Purchase of Applecreek Site.
The committee named by state officials to make a careful estimate of the value and ascertain a fair price for land wanted near Applecreek for the new institution for feeble-minded persons, lost no time in getting down to work.
State Auditor Joseph Tracy was in Wooster quite early this morning and immediately went to work at the task of examining in detail the prices quoted for the land in options taken by Samuel H. Bell. Mr. Tracy consulted Bell to learn all the details available about how prices were arrived at when the options were taken.
State Architect H.B. Briggs and Perry L. Green, of Ravenna, a member of the state board of control, reached Wooster later, and were also engaged at the task of estimating the land’s value this afternoon.
The committee intends to make a report on its estimate of a “fair price” by Friday of this week.
The committee secured from the auditor’s office figures quoting the value of the land as returned for taxation and were using these to compare with the prices asked. It was hinted that in a few cases the state may offer the price named in the Bell options, but that in the great majority of cases the offer will be for lesser sums.
Several land owners were called in from Applecreek to consult with the committee. Auditor Tracy was emphatic in declaring that he would vote for final selection of the Applecreek site only in case the land can be obtained at a reasonable price. He observed there should be a substantial reduction in the gross price of $282,000 which was the figure contained in the Bell options.
It was also indicated this afternoon that the option prices are being used only as a basis for negotiation and that wherever the state’s estimate of fair prices are not accepted by land owners, condemnation proceedings will be instituted.
__________
Worth $200,000
Columbus, June 28. — Believe that the state should not pay more than $200,000 for the Applecreek site, Wayne county, for the proposed northern Ohio state institution for feeble minded, was voiced here today by Geo. F. Schlessinger, state highway director. Schlessinger said his opinion was based upon reported average values of farm lands in Ohio and upon his personal observations made while inspecting the site.
“I am informed that the option price submitted by Samuel H. Bell, Wooster, for this land, aggregating 2,008 acres, is $282,000,” said Schlessinger. “It is to be expected that this price is entirely too high, by reason of the manner in which these options were obtained.”
Attorney General Crabbe and State Representative Perry Green, Portage county, left here today for Wooster where they will join State Auditor Tracy and State Architect Herbert B. Briggs and endeavor, through conferences with various persons, to determine upon maximum amounts which will be tendered individual owners by the state for the parcels of land comprising the Applecreek site.
Crabbe, Tracy and Green represent the state board of control. Briggs represents Welfare Director Harper, who selected the site, and Director Schlessinger, who, under the law, is to make the purchase.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Monday, 28 June, 1926
pg 2
Wednesday Is Time Set For Probe On Site
Prosecutor J.O. Fritz today gave out names of a number of witnesses for whom subpoenas have been issued for tomorrow’s session of the grand jury which will investigate charges in connection with the taking of options on land at Applecreek.
“I have issued subpoenas for three members of the board of control,” the prosecutor said. “Mr. Crabbe, Mr. Tracy and Mr. Baker. A dispatch from Columbus to your paper quoted me as saying there that I intended to call Mr. Crabbe. This may have left a wrong impression. I am calling a majority of the members of the board of control, and including Mr. Crabbe as a member of that board. I have a telegram from him which arrived today, saying he would come without a subpoena. The subpoena, however, has already been issued along with the others.
The prosecutor said he had issued subpoenas for Dan Funk and E.C. Brenner, who were active in carrying on the fight to have Applecreek selected, and for about five of the landowners at Applecreek.
Ira Amiet, Alex Naftzger, Chas. Studet and Gordan Beam were the Applecreek men subpoenaed.
A subpoena was also issued for Roy M.K, King, Columbus, stenographer, who took the minutes of the Columbus meeting where the charges were aired.
All of these witnesses were ordered to report on Wednesday, the prosecutor planning to devote Tuesday’s session to local affairs.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Tuesday, 29 June, 1926
pg 1
Starn Charges Grand Jurors In Site Case
Urges Punishment of Guilty But Cautions Against Indicting Innocent Ones.
Judge G.A. Starn, in delivering instructions to the Wayne county grand jury, which assembled in recess session today, reviewed briefly the facts concerning the Applecreek site selected for an institution for feeble minded persons, as they have been revealed.
“The state has been devoting a great deal of time to the matter of selecting a site for this institution,” Judge Starn told the jurors. “A committee,” he continued, “made an exhaustive study and finally recommended the Applecreek site. For some unknown reason, State Welfare Director Harper selected another site and the Board of Control refused to provide the money for its purchase. The newspapers, in connection with hearings on the matter, have carried articles insinuating dishonesty on the part of certain persons. The governor of the state thought the grand juries of several counties should investigate these charges and that is one of the matters for which you are here today. The prosecutor will have state officials here to inquire of them concerning these charges. It is your duty to make an impartial investigation.”
Pay Fair Price
“Since the charges were made, the Applecreek site has been tentatively approved by the Board of Control,” Judge Starn continued. “This site should be selected because of its superior qualities and the state should pay a reasonable price for the land, but no more than a reasonable price. If it cannot be purchased for a reasonable price, the law provides a way to procure it.
“It is your duty,” the court concluded, “to investigate thoroughly the charges made in this connection. If the evidence warrants it, those responsible should be punished. But it would be just as wrong for you to indict persons apparently guilty of no crime as it would be to fail to indict persons who are guilty.”
Other Matters
Judge Starn also told the jurors that besides the Applecreek matter, there are certain local criminal cases to be investigated, which the prosecutor will call to their attention.
Prosecutor J.O. Fritz stated as the jury went into session at 10:05 a.m. that the Applecreek case would not be reached today, and that all witnesses summoned for the investigation have been ordered to report tomorrow.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Tuesday, 29 June, 1926
pg 2
Land Survey Going Ahead
Agents of the state of Ohio continued here today to investigate the values of land near Applecreek wanted for the new institution for feeble minded persons. State representative Perry L. Green and State Architect H.C. Briggs were making the survey today. Auditor Tracy found it necessary to return to Columbus but planned to be back in Wooster this evening. Attorney General Crabbe spent part of the day here with the committee.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Wednesday, 30 June, 1926
pg 1
Grand Jurors Hear Charges In Site Case
Report May Come Thursday if All Local Matters Can Be Cleared Up.
The Wayne county grand jury continued its investigations, this afternoon, in the Applecreek site matter.
Hearings on the matter were commenced late yesterday when State Auditor Tracy was before the grand jurors.
This morning, Attorney General C.C. Crabbe was before the jurors most of the morning.
Daniel C. Funk, who represented the Wooster Board of Trade in presenting the merits of the Applecreek site before the board of control, both in Wooster and Columbus, also testified this morning.
This afternoon, when the jurors resumed their investigation at one o’clock, Roy M. King of Columbus, a state stenographer, went before the jurors. He identified his records of a meeting of the state board of control. He was followed by E.C. Brenner of this city.
May Report Thursday
Prosecutor J.O. Fritz said, this afternoon, that he believes the investigation into the Applecreek site matter will be concluded early Thursday morning, but that the grand jurors will not be able to make a report until late in the day because several local matters are to be presented to the jurors at the conclusion of the Applecreek site consideration.
No intimation has come to the public from the jury room as to what has taken place there. The jurors have been in session since Tuesday morning, when they took up the consideration of several local matters.
Many Local Matters
Nearly a dozen local matters had been reported to Prosecutor Fritz for presentation to the grand jurors. Of these cases, seven relate to men who have been bound over to the grand jury by magistrates. Some of the men, against whom charges have been made, have been in the county jail several weeks and some have been released on bond. About fifty witnesses have been summoned to appear before the grand jurors in local cases.
Prosecutor Fritz said this afternoon that he believes the grand jury session will come to an end by Thursday evening unless new matters are presented to him before that time.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Thursday, 1 July, 1926
pg 1
Grand Jury’s Report Comes On Friday A.M.
Applecreek Investigation is Concluded — Hint at New Probe in Franklin County.
The Wayne county grand jury which delved into the options on Applecreek land wanted for a state institution for feeble minded persons, had concluded its investigation of this matter today, Prosecutor J.O. Fritz said at noon.
“The jurors will report tomorrow morning at 10 o’clock,” Fritz said.
The jury has investigated the charge that plans had been made to divide commissions on options taken at Applecreek, and it is understood gave careful consideration to the reading of the state code concerning what constitutes a crime in this regard. The statute declares that in order that the crime be committed a state officer must be acting “in regard to his official duties.”
Whether there was any evidence before the jurors to indicate that any state official having authority by virtue of his office to acquire land for the state had solicited a bribe in connection with the Applecreek options, has not been disclosed.
Assistant Prosecutor W.J. Mougey today was examining the witnesses before the grand jury on local cases, a Ritman case being investigated this morning.
Prosecutor Fritz was dictating to his stenographer the forms of indictments which the jury will return. Several local cases were taken up before the Applecreek matter received consideration.
__________
Columbus, July 1. — If the Wayne county grand jury fails to return indictments in connection with the selection of a site for a state feeble minded institution in northern Ohio, the Franklin county grand jury may be called upon to consider the matter, it was indicated here today.
The Franklin county body would convene at the request of Governor Donahey.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Friday, 2 July, 1926
pg 1
Find Conspiracy, But No Indictments
Grand Jurors Urge Change In Ohio Law
Applecreek Site Probe Ends — Other Cases Bring Indictment of 11 Persons.
The Wayne county grand jury reporting to Judge A. Starn this afternoon following a three-day session, returned no indictments in connection with the Apple creek site land options.
The jurors, however, in a special report dictated by Prosecutor J.O. Fritz declared that there had been a “wicked, steadily and concerted purpose by an organized group of conspirators to defraud the state.”
Judge Starn thanked the jurors for their faithfulness to duty but did not excuse them, saying that they will be subject to call for other work between now and October if necessity requires.
The fact that there were no indictments, this report said, was because, as outlined by the statutes of Ohio, no crime was committed.
Probe Options
While no names were used in the special report issued, it was a generally known fact that the jurors investigated the options taken by Col. Samuel H. Bell, of Wooster, and his charges, made at a hearing of the board of control at Columbus, that he had been solicited to divide a commission on the land, Bell to have one-third, J.T. Hogsett and a third party, not named, to receive the other two thirds.
The report of the jury was not made until mid-afternoon, but announcement that no one had been indicted in connection with the Applecreek case came at noon from the prosecutor.
The Statement
This statement …? … nature of J.C. Johnston, …?… the grand jury was announced ?? connection with the report:
We believe we should report to your honor that we have carefully considered the charges preferred by the governor and attorney general involved in the location of the home for the feeble minded institute.
While we believe from the evidence before us that there was a conspiracy to defraud the state and that the persons were willing to take a substantial sum of money, certain facts are apparent on investigation.
The so-called options to buy land ???? and need not be regarded by the land owners of the state. We feel sure that no public official will attempt to deal with the holder of a ?? fraudulent contract.
The scheme of the tortfeasors has been exposed and effectually blocked. The funds of the state are still safe in the state treasury. It should not be difficult to secure their honest administration. The evidence seemed clear and convincing but did not establish all the elements of the crime prohibited by Section 12823 of the Ohio general code as that section was interpreted for us.
We all, however, unanimously are convinced that there was s wicked, stealthy and concerted purpose by a group of organized conspirators to defraud the state. It seems to us inconceivable that after 124 years of legislative history a conspiracy organized and determined having for its purpose the duping of honest landholders and the despoiling of the public funds is not definitely and specifically prohibited by the Ohio criminal code.
We recommend that your honor in some proper way bring to the attention of the next general assembly of Ohio the necessity for a statute making it a crime to conspire to defraud the state or any of its political subdivisions.
We also wish your honor to call to the attention of the general assembly the necessity for a statute prohibiting the taking of options or contracts to any land desired by the state or any of its political subdivisions.
__________
Eleven Indictments
Indictments were returned by the grand jury against eleven Wayne county residents. Two of the indictments were not made public by Prosecutor J.O. Fritz. The others were:
Ex White, colored man, of Orr of a fight with another colored man over a five cent piece in a game of craps.
Francis Miller and Edward Gallagher, two West Salem boys, charged with burglary in the day time.
Charles VanOver of Burbank charged with shooting with intent to wound. The incident occurred recently in a dispute with a road contractor.
Robert McDonald, a ?? of Wayne county, who says his ?? is in Maine, is charged with ??.
Joseph Goun?? , of Congress, who says he is a ??. intent to wound [cannot read the rest]
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Friday, 2 July, 1926
pg 1
Find Conspiracy, But No Indictments
Crabbe Claims Probe Here Is A ‘Whitewash’
Asserts Scheme Was Hatched in Governor’s Office to Prevent Indictments.
Columbus, O., July 2. — Accusation that a scheme was hatched in Governor Donahey’s office last Saturday to prevent an indictment by the Wayne county grand jury and to withhold facts from the public regarding charges that state welfare department officials were involved in a plan to split commissions in connection with the purchase of a site for the proposed northern Ohio state institution for feeble minded, was made here today by Attorney General C.C. Crabbe.
“There was never a more determined effort to protect public officials from exposure of guilt and to whitewash an investigation than is being made in a last desperate effort to shield the welfare department,” said Crabbe.
“Prosecuting Attorney J.O. Fritz, of Wayne county, admitted that an effort has been made to defraud the state and that there has been a violation of the constitution and the civil laws. Under our statutes, it is as great a crime, to solicit a bribe as to accept one.
More Witnesses
“The scheme to prevent an indictment and to withhold the facts from the public was hatched in the governor’s office last Saturday morning. I am informed that neither Colonel Sam Bell, Wooster, who held options on the Applecreek site, George Pugh, Ravenna, holder of options on the Freedom site, nor other important witnesses were called before the grand jury in Wayne county,” continued Crabbe.
“The Prosecuting Attorney has taken the position from the start that the options on the Apple Creek site were illegal and therefore, no offense could be committed in his county,” Crabbe stated. “I know the attitude of the grand jury, which was permitted to hear only a portion of the evidence and it is by no means the fault of the grand jury that indictments were not returned.
“The statement at the governor’s office, to the effect that the Attorney General could not proceed in any prosecution without the authority of the governor, and that the governor’s office would not press the charges further is, indeed, significant.”
?? Has Evidence
Crabbe today claimed that officials of the state welfare department entered into arrangements for dividing $50,000 in connection with selection of a site. He charged that these officials “approached” Bell relative to the “proposed graft” and that Mrs. Bell overheard part of their conversation with Bell at the Bell home.
Defying “The governor, or anyone else,” to give him opportunity to prove his charges, Crabbe said he possessed evidence to back them up.
“In the light of all the facts and circumstances which have come to the attention of the state board of control, which has been investigating the matter, the charges against those involved must not, and will not be dropped,” said Crabbe. “Definite steps will be taken in a very short time and I shall insist that no influence, however powerful, shall shield these men from exposure and removal from office.”
__________
The above dispatch came to the Record via International News Service today just after the action of the local grand jury became known. The International News Service telephoned Prosecutor Fritz from Cleveland, and to them he declared:
“My policy has always been never to argue anything in the newspapers. I will pay no attention to Attorney General Crabbe.”
In explaining locally why some witnesses named by Crabbe had not been called, the prosecutor said that Crabbe, himself, before the jury, had indicated it would be unwise to call as witnesses any persons who might prove to be subject to indictment.
Later this afternoon Mr. Fritz said he might have a statement to make concerning the attorney general’s assertions after he had an opportunity to read the statement in full.
A prominent Wooster man who was a member of the grand jury declared the jurors had given the case much consideration, and had examined the testimony. They based their finding of “no indictment” upon the section of the Ohio bribery code which follows:
The state code on bribery reads as follows:
Whoever corruptly gives, promised or offers to a member or officer of the general assembly or of either house thereof, or town, state judicial or tother officer, public trustee, or an agent or employee of the state of such officer or trustee, either before or after election, qualification, appointment, or employment, any valuable thing or corruptly offers or promises to do any act beneficial to such person to influence him with respect to his official duty, or to influence his active vote, opinion or judgment in a matter pending, or that might legally come before him and whoever being a member of the general assembly, or a state or other officer, public trustee, agent or employe of the state or of such officer or trustee, either before or after his election, qualification, appointment or employment solicits or accepts any valuable or beneficial thing to influence him with respect to his official duty or to influence his action, vote, opinion or judgment in a matter pending, or that might legally come before him, shall be imprisoned in the penitentiary not less than one year nor more than ten years.
__________
The jurors took the point of view that no person engaged in any “alleged conspiracy” was acting in line with “his official duties” as the statute outlines a crime.
It was reported that the jury had voted 9 to 6 against indictments in the case.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Friday, 2 July, 1926
pg 1
Find Conspiracy, But No Indictments
Urge $207,962 Price Of Site At Applecreek
Gas Leases Bring New Complication as Board of Control Considers Report.
Columbus, July 2. — That the Logan and East Ohio Gas Company and the Ohio Fuel Company hold oil and gas leases on part of the land comprising the Applecreek site is the information announced at a meeting here today of the state board of control which is seeking to fix a maximum amount which the state will pay for the site.
Without taking into consideration the value of these leases, State Representative Perry L. Green, Portage county, member of the control board and state architect Herbert B. Briggs, informed the board that the Applecreek site should not cost more than $207,952.50. The site comprises 2,003.5 acres. The original option price was $282,000.
Belief was expected, that if the state purchases the Applecreek site, it will have to buy the oil and gas leases also.
Judge David L. Rockwell, Ravenna, today telegraphed Gov. Donahey renewing his appeal that the state purchase the Freedom site in Portage county. He declared the Freedom site is best located for such an institution and that the land can be purchased for more than $80,000 less than the Applecreek site.
The state control board today postponed until July 16 further action relative to the proposal that it fix a maximum price to be paid by the state for the Applecreek site for the proposed northern Ohio state institution for feeble minded persons.
The board requested Attorney General Crabbe to conduct an investigation in the meantime to the question of oil and gas leases and make a report July 16 to the board delaying with the status of all oil, gas and mineral leases on the Applecreek site and making recommendation as to what legal procedure should be taken with a view to having the leases canceled.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Saturday, 3 July, 1926
pg 1
Crabbe Seeks Special Jury For Wayne Co.
Also Asks Governor to Remove Officials of State Welfare Department.
Attorney General Crabbe, at Columbus today urged Governor Vic Donahey to remove officials of the state welfare department “summarily from office.” Crabbe, also, asked the governor to authorize him to conduct a special grand jury investigation first in Wayne Co. and after “in such other counties as the facts may warrant,” relative to the attorney general’s accusation that welfare department officials conspired to defraud the state in connection with selecting a site for the proposed northern Ohio State Institution for the feeble minded.
Governor Donahey was out of the city today.
Crabbe has publicly charged Welfare Director John E. Harper, John Youngbleed, chief engineer, and John T. Hoggsett, chief agriculturist, in the welfare department, with participating in plans for splitting commissions in connection with selection of a site.
Hints More Evidence
“If you have any doubt as to the justice of the findings of the grand jury at Wooster Friday, I am willing to present all evidence to you at any time you may find a date for such a hearing,” Crabbe wrote the governor, after telling Donahey that the Wayne county grand jury was not permitted to hear the incriminating evidence which was available.
“From documentary evidence placed in my hands and from testimony of witnesses, whose veracity cannot be questioned, I am satisfied that the accused entered into a conspiracy on, or about, December 1, 1925, to defraud the state out of approximately $50,000 in connection with the location of this institution, and that said bribe money was actually solicited by the accused,” Crabbe told the governor.
The attorney general charged that Prosecutor Fritz insisted that the attempt which had been made by said officials to defraud the state was not a violation of any criminal law.” Crabbe took issue with Fritz’s interpretation of the law.
Prosecutor J.O. Fritz stated here that all the witnesses Crabbe suggested were called before the jury and that Crabbe had suggested himself before the jury that it might not be advisable to call “certain ones” who were ? as being under suspicion.
Matter of Site Quiet
The matter of the site was very quiet Saturday, following a meeting of the Board of Control at Columbus yesterday, at which objection was made by Perry Green, of the board of control, and Herbert Briggs, state architect to the effect that the land at Applecreek was encumbered by oil and gas leases.
“What we want is merely the surface and not anything under the soil,” Architect Briggs strenuously asserted, and Mr. Green stated the oil and gas leases made the land owners charge more for their property than they would if the leases were not there.
While an attempt might be made to get the gas and oil companies to cancel their leases, it was stated, Saturday, that these companies might, in some cases, made a charge for so doing and there is no money in sight to pay such a bill.
Want Option Prices
Contention was made at the meeting of the board, too, that the farmers have had their lands optioned at certain prices and they now feel the land is worth these prices whereas board members content they would not bring so much money.
“The state is willing to pay more than the land owners can get from anybody else, but we would surely be criticized if we would pay fabulous prices for land anywhere” one member of the board of control told a Daily Record man.
In the meantime the holders of the options have made another cut and this land is now down to a very low price, understood to be about $175,000, whereas there is no complete sum in site for the Applecreek site, which makes it appear at a distinct disadvantage.
“If you had your land under lower option and could quote attractive prices, and we could arrange to have the gas and oil leases taken care of, it would be different,” a member of the board stated, Friday.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Tuesday, 6 July, 1926
pg 1
Await Return Of Donahey
Action on Crabbe’s Proposal is Held up Today.
Columbus, O., July 6. — Pending return of Governor Vic Donahey to Columbus, officials at the governor’s office today were silent concerning the action Donahey will take in answer to the recent request made by Attorney General C.C. Crabbe. The attorney general asked the governor to authorize Crabbe to personally conduct grand jury investigations in Wayne and other counties relative to the charges that officials of the state welfare department conspired to split commissions in connection with selection of a site for the proposed Northern Ohio State institution for feeble minded.
Crabbe also urged the Governor to dismiss immediately the officials against whom the charges have been made.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Tuesday, 6 July, 1926
pg 3
Lease Story Smoke Screen Says Mr. Brand
C.W. Brand, who was chairman of the advisory committee which recommended the site at Applecreek for a state institution for feeble minded persons, after many months of study, declared in Cleveland Saturday night that the dragging of oil and gas leases into the matter was merely a “smoke screen” stirred up by opponents of the site.
Brand revealed with emphasis that his committee was for Applecreek, and that reference to New London and Freedom was made only at the insistence of Messrs. Hogsett and Youngblood of the state welfare department. Brand declared the oil and gas leases were no detriment to the Applecreek site.
The Ohio State Journal commenting upon last Friday’s meeting of the Board of Control, had the following of interest:
The state board of control struck another snag in attempting to select a site for an institution for feeble minded in northern Ohio, giving rise to a report that the board does not expect to select a site during the present administration of Governor Donahey.
As near as can be determined, two sites, the one at Applecreek and the one at New London, had merits justifying consideration. Both had adequate supplies of water and both were in the list of three recommended by the citizens’ committee.
To have selected the New London site might have been a Democratic victory while to select the Applecreek site might have pleased Republicans. At least the welfare department under the Democratic administration recommend New London and Republicans for the most part backed selection of the Applecreek site.
But to have selected either the Applecreek or New London sites would have reflected credit to Governor Donahey. There were some who feared Governor Donahey in his campaign this fall, or some of his boosters, might point with pride to the big new institution for feeble minded in northern Ohio. If not actual glory, there might have been some reflected glory.
Yesterday the board struck oil.
If it purchases the Applecreek site, it may have to pay from $100,000 to $150,000 more for the site than the options stipulate as the options provide the present owners of the land do not surrender their oil rights. If the state did not buy the oil and gas rights, there would be danger some day than an oil company would build derricks all over the site.
So the board, on motion again of State Auditor Tracy, delayed selection of a site for two weeks while Attorney General Crabbe prepares another report. After that, other reports will be asked, it now appears, until selection of the site is safely postponed until after Nov. 2, election day.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Wednesday, 7 July, 1926
pg 1
Donahey Gets Fritz Report
Studies Work Done by Wayne Co. Grand Jury
Columbus, O., July 7. — Study of the report submitted by J.O. Fritz, Wooster, covering the recent Wayne county grand jury investigation into charges of graft against state welfare department officials was being made here today by Governor Donahey. The jurors returned no indictments.
The Governor still was undecided whether he will reply to Attorney General C.C. Crabbe’s latest request that the Governor authorize him personally to conduct a grand jury probe relative to these charges. Crabbe also has asked the Governor to dismiss immediately the accused official.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Thursday, 8 July, 1926
pg 1
Crabbe Seeks Lease Data
Attorney General C.C. Crabbe reached Wooster this afternoon from Cedar Point, where he attended a meeting of the Ohio Bar Association.
Mr. Crabbe’s trip here is in connection with the titles to land near Applecreek on the proposed site for a new institution for feeble minded persons.
At a recent hearing in Columbus claim was made that oil and gas leases made the property undesirable for the state purposes and the attorney general is here to examine into this phase of the project.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Friday, 9 July, 1926
pg 1
Leases No Bar To Land, View Of Mr. Crabbe
Attorney General C.C. Crabbe and an assistant in his office, Mr. Benoy, left for Columbus last evening, after looking over the court record and going over the matter of the effect gas and oil leases have on property belonging to the state.
While here Mr. Benoy was accosted by the recorder, the deputy recorder, and George N. Coffey, of the Wayne County Abstract Co., in going over the records and Mr. Crabbe and Mr. Benoy conferred wtih Ira L. Neely and Fenwick Ewing of the Ohio Public Service company, going over the whole matter of leases.
It was inferred that Mr. Crabbe’s report which will be made to the board of control next Friday, will be favorable to purchasing land carrying gas and oil leases, providing arrangements can be made whereby the wells will not in any way interfere with the buildings or the landscaping.
Messrs. Crabbe and Benoy visited the Applecreek site in company with S.H. Bell and D.C. Funk.
“If my report is accepted, and the land owners will take what State Auditor Tracy believes is a fair price for their land, I believe it will look better for the final selection of Applecreek,” said Mr. Crabbe.
The Cleveland Plain Dealer this morning carried an interview with George F. Schlesinger, the highway director, stating Applecreek would probably be disqualified on account of the oil and gas leases. Mr. Schlesinger is the man who will have to do the actual buying of the land at Applecreek, if this site is selected.
The Cleveland Press last night carried an editorial telling of the delay in selecting the site, repeating Attorney General Crabbe’s charge of graft and calling strenuously for the governor to make a full investigation of the entire matter.
Arrangements have been made at Norwalk to impanel a special grand jury next week to probe the charges of graft, Attorney General Crabbe having announced that he has evidence in addition to what was submitted to the Wayne county jury.
__________
Columbus, July 9. — Belief that the state may be able to purchase the ????? feeble-minded institution, was voiced today by Attorney General Crabbe.
The attorney general disagreed with Highway Director Schlesinger that gas and oil leases on the property would boost the aggregate valuation to an excessive figure. Most wells in that district are dry, he said. Crabbe returned today from Wooster where he investigated the leases.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Monday, 12 July, 1926
pg 1
Crabbe Renews Request For Grand Jury
Columbus, July 12. — Attorney General Crabbe today renewed his appeal that Gov. Donahey conduct a public hearing or summon a new Wayne county grand jury to probe charges, under Crabbe’s direction, concerning graft charges in connection with the Applecreek site.
The governor had not answered Crabbe’s letter of ten days ago and in commenting on it, Crabbe said
“As you have no desire to have further information on the subject I take it that you are convinced of the guilt of at least some of the men accused.”
Crabbe also told the governor that a grand jury in Huron county could not inquire into the offenses since they were not committed there.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Wednesday, 14 July, 1926
pg 3
Fritz Letter Sent To Crabbe
Local Prosecutor Denies Grand Jury Probe Here Was a ‘Whitewash.’
With a meeting of the state board of control scheduled for Friday when further consideration will be given to the proposed Applecreek site for an institution for feeble minded persons, Governor Donahey at Columbus last night made public a letter sent to him by Prosecutor J.O. Fritz, of Wooster, denying the charge of Attorney General that the grand jury probe here was a “whitewash.”
The governor flatly refused the attorney general’s request that he be authorized to conduct a special grand jury investigation. In writing to the attorney general, the governor enclosed a copy of the Fritz letter in which Crabbe was accused of “trying to use the Wayne county grand jury to stab innocent men in the back, to shoot from ambush and to assassinate character it has taken a life time to build.”
Fritz also declared that Crabbe had advised against calling Colonel Bell and other option holders as witnesses, and charged Crabbe with having planned with Colonel Bell to obtain commissions.
Denying that the Wayne county grand jury investigation was a whitewash, Prosecutor Fritz declared that “If anyone was whitewashed, Mr. Crabbe was whitewashed,” and that if “the aiders and abetters are to be indicted, Mr. Crabbe must be indicted with them.”
The governor’s answer to Crabbe said
“Submitted herewith are a copy of the report of the grand jury of Wayne county and copies of explanatory letters from J.O. Fritz, prosecuting attorney of Wayne Co., which will explain why you, the personal attorney and advisor of Samuel Bell, should not and will not be permitted to conduct a special grand jury investigation of your own fervent defense for Bell and other promoters who expected to sell their padded options to the state at auction prices until they learned to their dismay that the director of public welfare would ignore all options and buy a site only by condemnation proceedings before a judge and jury, which I hope you will institute forthwith.”
Calls it Insult
The whitewash charges were also characterized by Fritz as “an insult to the intelligence and integrity of members of the grand jury.” He said “no self-respecting member of the bar of Ohio should make statements of the nature of those made by the attorney general.”
Prosecutor Fritz declared the evidence before the grand jury “developed the facts that Mr. Crabbe had prepared the form of the contract Mr. Bell used in taking options,” and that Mr. Crabbe “frequently met and talked to Bell from the time he started to take the options until the investigation by the grand jury.”
“In these conversations Mr. Crabbe informed Mr. Bell that he would be entitled to receive a commission, that as a public official he was willing that he should have the commission and would assist him to get it,” the prosecutor said in his letter.
“He stated in the presence of witnesses that a commission of 3 per cent would be reasonable.”
Fritz also charged that the attorney general had refused to furnish him with names of witnesses.
“If Mr. Crabbe were put in charge of a grand jury I am convinced from his attitude and demeanor that he would get indictments. He would stop at no limit in an unfair or unnatural interpretation of the statutes in order to secure indictments.”
Bell Denies It
Col. S.H. Bell, Wednesday, ridiculed the idea that Mr. Crabbe had represented him at any time in the capacity of attorney.
“I have my attorney here and have no others. I have never talked with Mr. Crabbe except in the capacity as attorney general and except there were others with us, and he never talked to me except in his capacity of attorney general. He never gave me the lease forms mentioned. They came from Hogsett, who said they had been approved by the welfare department. I never discussed the question of payment for securing leases with Mr. Crabbe,” said Mr. Bell.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Thursday, 15 July, 1926
pg 2
Crabbe Produces Second Letter To Support Statement
Attorney General C.C. Crabbe replying to the statement of Governor Donahey, which was based on letters sent to him by J.O. Fritz, of this city, stated today that Governor Donahey is shielding men in his department that are guilty of grafting.
Mr. Crabbe denied that he had ever been attorney for S.H. Bell of Wooster, or had acted for him in any capacity, stating he had become acquainted with him only since Mr. Bell had been urging the Applecreek site for the home of the feeble minded.
In support of his contention that a decision had been reached to turn down the Grafton site for the proposed home, for some time before the information was made public, Mr. Crabbe quoted another letter sent to Col. Bell by John Hogsett.
“The letter reads as follows:
Columbus, O.
“Mr. Samuel H. Bell,
Wooster, Ohio.
“My Dear Sam:
“Grafton was unconditionally turned down today — confidentially.
“Notice will be in the papers Wednesday or Thursday.
“Will hold meeting in Cleveland Friday of this week to consider the location of new site immediately. Would suggest that you have your affairs in shape to submit a price whenever called upon. There should be a margin of from 15 to 25. Use your own judgment. However price will be given considerable consideration. If anything new develops, will advise. With best wishes.”
“Hastily, (Signed) “Jack.”
“Your affairs” was underscored.
“The envelope is also marked ‘personal’.”
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Friday, 16 July, 1926
pg 1
Schlesinger To Get Prices At Applecreek
Highway Director Authorized to Get Amounts Each Land Owner Will Take.
Columbus, Ohio, July 16. — Without reaching a decision, the state board of control in session here today considered the fixing of the maximum amount the state will offer for purchase of the 2,003 acres comprising the Apple Creek site, Wayne county, for the proposed Northern Ohio State institution for feeble minded.
The board then authorized George F. Schlesinger, state highway director, to obtain in writing, the amount each land owner is willing to accept from the state in full payment for all oil and gas rights as well as the land itself. Schlesinger, also, was directed to secure from gas companies written statements enumerating modifications these companies are willing to make in existing gas and oil leases, affecting this site.
Schlesinger will be aided in this work by Wilbur Genoy, Assistant attorney general, and E.C. Dix, members of the Wooster chamber of commerce and publisher of the Wooster Daily Record.
Finance Director Baker, chairman of the board of control, was requested to call a meeting of the board as soon as Schlesinger is ready to submit his report.
Attack Donahey Policy
Columbus, O., July 16. — Attorney General C.C. Crabbe today characterized as “deception” the recent statement of Governor Vic Donahey that the governor’s policy, through its administration, has been to procure land purchased by the state through condemnation.
“In a final effort to protect the Harper-Hogsett outfit in their attempt to defraud the state out of thousands of dollars in the purchase of a site for the proposed state institution for feeble minded in northern Ohio, Governor Donahey says he had, at all times, intended to condemn the land in question and that Welfare Director John E. Harper will swear to it,” declared Crabbe, in a statement issued to newspapermen.
“Such deception must again be ??,” continued Crabbe.
“The records will show that, of the thousands of acres of land purchased during the Donahey administration, not a single acre was acquired by condemnation, but all was purchased in the same manner in which they were acquiring the new site,” the Attorney General said.
“They only changed their plan when they were caught looting the state treasury. If Governor Donahey adopted a policy of condemnation when he became governor, it has taken 3-1/2 years to discover that policy and put it into effect,” Crabbe declared.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Friday, 16 July, 1926
pg 8
Col. Bell Back, Will Testify at Norwalk
Col. Samuel Bell, returning to the city last night from a short business trip, found a summons asking him to appear yesterday before the grand jury at Norwalk. The jury, as stated in yesterday’s Record, recessed until next week. Bell states this morning that he will be present at the recessed session and give his testimony. He indicated, however, that he does not expect to throw any light upon the case since he had never been in Huron county at any time in connection with the matter of a site for the institution for feeble minded persons.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Saturday, 17 July, 1926
pg 1
Ask New Price On Applecreek Land For Site
Project Seems Lost Unless Land Owners Will Accept Lesser Amount.
The question of locating the proposed new home for the feeble minded at Applecreek was as much up in the air, Saturday, as it has been for some weeks, except that with prompt action there may yet be a chance for more than a “lock in” for the Wayne county site.
So great was the opposition at Columbus, Friday, that it looked for a time as if the members of the board of control would definitely decide to pass up Applecreek, and ask Director Harper for another recommendation which would probably take the site to Ravenna.
Leaves No Bar
Assistant Attorney General Benoy gave an opinion in the matter of gas and oil leases, at the meeting, Friday, that showed there was nothing to fear in these leases, and representatives of the oil and gas companies holding the leases were present at the meeting with the statement that they would either cancel the leases if the state would pay them, or they would modify them in any way the state wished them modified.
This did not satisfy the members of the board, who stated they would accept no land that did not have the oil and gas leases directly under option. Harry Carpenter, of Steubenville, who originally voted for the Applecreek site, was strongly of this opinion, and could not be moved by any arguments that were produced.
Seek Lower Prices
Finally, after much talk, Director of Finance Baker, who is chairman of the board, asked why it would not be proper to give the Wayne county people the opportunity to see what they could do in the matter of getting new options including the leases, and to get a lower price for the land than the price named in the original options. A motion was made by Perry Green to this effect and the motion carried.
It developed that the Ravenna site is offered for $175,000 and while the board would pay more for the Applecreek site, the real value will have to be shown for all money paid. They stated definitely they would not pay anything like the prices named in the original options, and that it is now to be seen whether the land owners really want to sell at something not a great deal higher than prices that are being paid for Wayne county land. If the majority do not desire to sell, the proposition is ended, for the owners of the Ravenna land wish to sell their farms.
An effort is to be made in the next few days to obtain new options, and if this effort is successful an attempt will again be made, if the options are satisfactory, to interest the board in the Applecreek proposition.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Tuesday, 20 July, 1926
pg 1
Reductions In Price Made By Land Owners
The work of securing new options on land at Applecreek which is a prospective site for the new home for the feeble minded in Ohio is going steadily ahead. Several property holders have already signed at substantial reductions it was stated today. E.C. Dix, of the New Industry Committee of the Wooster Board of Trade, who is to report to Highway Director Schlesinger, another member of the committee, as soon as the options have been secured, stated, Tuesday, that he had hopes of substantial reductions.
“The property owners at Applecreek either want to sell or they do not want to sell,” he stated, Tuesday. “If they do want to sell here is an opportunity to get for their property more money than they can get for it anywhere in the world. If they do not wish to sell, it is perfectly all right with us, but it is entirely useless for us to go ahead and try to put across the Applecreek site. The Freedom site has been offered for $175,000 and I am confident that while we might be able to get $50,000 more for the Applecreek site on account of the land being better, the state officials will not feel justitied in going much beyond this figure,” Mr. Dix said Tuesday.
“It is desired to get the entire matter cleared up right away, for if the Applecreek site is not to be chosen, the state officials desire to have time to get work elsewhere started this fall.”
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Wednesday, 21 July, 1926
pg 1
Sandles Asks Probe
Attacks Governor For Refusal of Crabbe’s Request
Columbus, O., July 21. — Declaring the Democratic party unafraid of grand juries and urging Governor Donahey to permit Attorney General Crabbe to make a special probe into the alleged graft attempts in connection with the selection of a site for the northern Ohio feeble minded institution, A.P. Sandles, Ottawa, Democratic candidate for the gubernatorial nomination, today attacked the governor in a letter.
The letter declared the governor’s actions and the silence maintained by the accused threatened the entire Democratic party at the coming primary and called upon the governor to “forget your third term ambitions and save your state and friends embarrassment by granting the attorney general’s request before primary day.”
“When high public officials are not satisfied with salary, which the law allows them, then others will want more easy money and will be willing to rob and kill to get it,” the letter read.
“The attorney general claims to have the actual papers and telegrams written by state officials. Newspapers have published these letters which indicate that no farm would be purchased unless the farmer would raise his price, take more money and divide the graft,” it read.
“You and your accused officials should hasten grand jury investigations,” was part of the letter.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Wednesday, 21 July, 1926
pg 2
Need More Options on Land at Applecreek
A few more options to land at Applecreek that is included in the proposed site for the feeble minded institution for northern Ohio, were secured today. There are a number yet to be secured, it was stated this afternoon.
A telephone message from Highway Director Schlesinger’s office this morning stated the highway director was anxious to have the matter decided one way or another with respect to Applecreek, and that a meeting of the state board of control should be held within the next few days.
These options should be closed today or tomorrow. It was ? Thursday that several of the land owners desire so much for their land that the state officials will not care to spend the money asked for the local site.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Wednesday, 21 July, 1926
pg 4
Our Mail Bag
That Home For The Feeble Minded
The readers of the Record are familiar with the efforts to establish this home.
I have a location in view that in my opinion is better than any proposed and I have some knowledge of each. This location is in Wayne and Medina counties on State Route 55 where it crosses the Wayne-Medina county line on parallel 41.2 miles northeast of West Salem, 4 miles southwest of Lodi. The details of this location are as follows:
It is 45 miles from the public square in Cleveland. It is one of the highest points in northern Ohio, the dividing ridge between the waters that flow to Lake Erie and the Ohio river. It has perfect drainage. As to water it is in abundance from springs two feet below the surface to wells 140 feet deep. As to railroads the Erie with its double track stone ballasted between New York, Chicago and Cincinnati on the south side and the Cleveland and Southwestern electric line from Cleveland to Ashland, Mansfield and Bucyrus. There is gas on the farms related to this center. At Lodi 4 miles northeast are the B. and O. and W. and L. Erie roads. The soil is good and varied. It is beautiful for the situation. As the point indicated is one of the finest views in Ohio. There is a descent to Lodi where lies Garden Isle 1200 acres of the finest gardens in Ohio which ship hundreds of tons of onions, celery and other vegetables annually to eastern markets.
The view is magnificent and embraces about 300 square miles of lovely scenery of valley and upland to it aside from the present owners.
I might say it is 12 miles from Chippewa Lake, 15 miles to Medina, land to Columbus.
The land can be purchased at market price. There are no strings. Besides the railroads, paved roads lead in all directions. Route 55, soon to be 42, national highway reaching from New York to Buffalo, Cleveland, Cincinnati where it connects with the Dixie highway reaching into Kentucky. Just north four miles is the Ben Franklin highway that will reach from the Atlantic to the Pacific in a straight line. 55 crosses the Lincoln highway, Harding highway and the shortest and best route from Cleveland 16 miles from Wooster, 30 miles to Akron, 30 miles to Mansfield, 35 miles to Elyria, 15 miles to Ashland.
There is no such a location offered as this, nor one with such national advantages. Come and see it and be convinced.
— F.G. McCauley,
West Salem.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Friday, 23 July, 1926
pg 2
Crabbe Gives Evidence To Federal Men
Columbus, O., July 23. — That federal authorities will investigate the charges that officials of the state welfare department here conspired to defraud the state by arranging to split commissions in connection with the contemplated purchase by the state of the Applecreek site, for the proposed northern Ohio state institution for feeble minded, was announced today by Attorney General C.C. Crabbe.
The Attorney General stated that he had turned over to Assistant United States District Attorney W.B. Bartel’s here letters purported to have been written by John T. Hogstett, recently chief agriculturist in the state welfare department. These letters, mailed to Colonel Samuel H. Bell, Wooster, who held options on the land in the Applecreek site, for a probe which will determine whether charges will be filed in the federal court here alleging misuse of the mails in furtherance of a scheme to defraud.
Crabbe stated he was assured of cooperation from the federal authorities who promised that a thorough investigation will be made.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Saturday, 24 July, 1926
pg 1
John Hogsett Quits State Position
Agriculturist Charged With Conspiracy to Defraud State, Resigns.
Columbus, O., July 24. — John S. Hogsett, chief agriculturist of the state welfare department, and one of the three state officials charged by Attorney General C.C. Crabbe with having conspired to defraud the state in the purchase of a site for the northern Ohio institution for feeble-minded, sent in his resignation to Governor Donahey today.
The resignation, effective immediately, was accepted, it was announced at the state house.
Hogsett had been on leave of absence since June 7, having requested Governor Donahey to be relieved during an investigation of the attorney general’s charges. He had been chief agriculturist for two years. His salary was $5,650.
Named With Others
Hogsett’s name was brought into Crabbe’s allegations with those of John E. Harper, state welfare director, and John Youngblood, chief engineer of the department.
Crabbe charged the three with conspiring to defraud the state by planning to split commissions on the purchase of a site for the feeble minded institution.
Calls Politics Unfair
Hogsett’s letter of resignation denied any wrong doing in connection with the contemplated selection of the site, and declared politics an “unfair field.” It read in part:
“I entered the service of the state in this capacity after all my life had been spent in the study and practice of agriculture. Since that time I have worked faithfully and honestly to perform my duties and to advance the state’s interests.
“I have now learned that honest endeavor, personal happiness and reputation mean nothing in political life and I have therefore decided to withdraw from an unfair field. In doing so I wish to emphasize that following statements:
“I have never made a corrupt bargain with any one and I have never either solicited or accepted any bribe from any one.
“My conduct in the selection of a site for a new institution for feeble minded was open and fair. I never made any attempt to influence the action of those having the power of selection in any, as has been publicly attested.
“An attempt has been made to accuse me of improper conduct with Colonel Samuel H. Bell of Wooster. My dealings with him were honest.”
Says He’s Exonerated
Hogsett expressed the opinion that the failure of the recent grand juries in Wayne and Huron counties to return indictments after investigating the charges against constitute an “exoneration.”
“If that is exoneration, come men are easily exonerated,” commented Attorney General Crabbe when his attention was directed to Hogsett’s statement.
“Hogsett’s explanation makes no attempt to account for his letter of December 14 to Colonel Bell, in which it was suggested that Colonel Bell add a margin of from $15 to $20 per acre long before any options had been taken,” continued Crabbe.
“His first request was that he be relieved from his official duties without pay until the matter was fully cleared up. If any of the accused think it had been fully cleared up, and the attempt to defraud the state will receive no more attention, they have a surprise coming, in my judgment,” the attorney general said.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Monday, 26 July, 1926
pg 1
Are To Settle On The Site
The Week to Decide Whether Applecreek or Ravenna Wins.
It was thought probable, Monday, that there would be a meeting of the State Board of Control, this week, to settle definitely the question of whether the new home for the feeble minded in Northern Ohio will or will not come to Applecreek.
A number of options have been secured on the tract, although it was stated, Monday, that some have been offered that are considerably too high, and that, even if they were accepted by the local committee, they would not be accepted by the board of control.
Options on land that shows a substantial reduction will probably go through, it was also stated, Monday, by members of the committee in charge.
It is the intention of optioning some land not directly in the square tract, for the purpose of allowing the board of control a choice in substituting this land for farms that members of the board might think too high, and might not be able to condemn at as low a price as they care to pay.
The matter is up for final decision this week, and it is believed now that it will finally be settled at Columbus whether the state will accept the proposition to pay $175,000 and go to Ravenna.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Wednesday, 28 July, 1926
pg 2
Benoy’s Absence Holds Up Meeting on Site
There has been a slight delay in the matter of the meeting of the board of control this week to decide what is to be done in connection with the Applecreek site, owing to the absence of Mr. Benoy, assistant attorney general from Columbus. He is expected back at any time and as he had charge of the details of arranging the gas and oil leases in a manner satisfactory to the state, and until he comes the exact time of the meeting could not be set.
Matters were being arranged Wednesday, however, and word as to the time of the meeting was expected at any minute.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Saturday, 31 July, 1926
pg 1
Lack of Options on Three Farms Holds Up Applecreek Site
The matter of a meeting of the board of control for the purpose of considering the Applecreek site for the proposed feeble minded home, is held up, temporarily, on account of inability to secure satisfactory leases from three Applecreek land owners.
These land owners want either to put in their land at a higher price than they had it in before, or refuse altogether to option it. It was stated Saturday, that if it could be optioned for sixty or ninety days it would be known, by that time, whether the institution is coming to Applecreek or not, but that it will not be practicable for the board to discuss the matter unless all the land is under option.
It is hoped, Saturday, that the remaining options would be secured in a day or so, and at figures that would justify taking the options to Columbus.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Saturday, 31 July, 1926
pg 1
Bragg Succeeds John Hogsett
Columbus, July 31. — J.D. Bragg, Circleville, Ohio, county farm bureau agent of the state welfare department, succeeding John Hogsett, who resigned a week ago. The appointment was announced by Welfare Director John E. Harper.
Hogsett was one of the three welfare department officials charged by Attorney General C.C. Crabbe with conspiring to defraud the state by splitting commissions in the purchase of site for a northern Ohio state institution for the feeble minded.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Friday, 13 August, 1926
pg 1
Give $225,000 For The Site At Applecreek
If State’s Offer is Not Accepted by Sept. 3, Other Recommendation Will be Asked.
Columbus, O., Aug. 18. — By a vote of 3 to 2, the state board of control today gave owners of the Applecreek site for the proposed northern Ohio feeble-minded institution until 10 a.m., Sept. 3, to accept an offer from the state of a maximum purchase price of $225,000 for the property.
If the owners of this land, located in Wayne county, near Wooster, refuse to sell at these figures, the board announced its intention of asking State Welfare Director John E. Harper to recommend purchase of another site for the proposed state institute.
These reports indicated that in order to obtain the Applecreek site, including all leases, free of all encumbrances, the state would have to pay not less than $291,815.
The matter of the oil and gas leases on the land, it was provided, must be taken care of from the $225,000 apportioned, so that Wooster men at the hearing were of the opinion that the amount provided will not be sufficient to buy the land, being considerably less than has been asked for it by the present owners.
Tracy, Griswald and Carpenter were the three members of the board voting in favor of the Apple Creek site. Green and Baker cast their ballots against Apple Creek.
State Highway Director Schlesinger advised the board to select some other site than Apple Creek.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Saturday, 14 August, 1926
pg 1
Chances for Applecreek are Slim
Unless some angel pulls it out of the fire the Applecreek site for the proposed home for the feeble minded is as dead as a doughnut.
Who that angel is, is not now known.
That the Applecreek site is the best in the state is admitted. That the farmers do not want to sell their land as sufficiently low a price to land the institution is claimed by the majority of the members of the board of control.
The offer of $225,000 for the site made by the board of control yesterday effectually shelves it, unless the farmers living on the site will at once take $100 and in many cases less an acre for their land. Out of this $225,000 must come $25,000 to pay off the oil and gas leases for members of the controlling board, notwithstanding the state has permitted drilling on state owned land and has bought land encumbered with leases, has suddenly discovered the state does not desire to be in the oil and gas business. So all the land on the Applecreek site must be bought for around about $200,000.
Unless the owners want to sell much more than they have the last week or two, there is no chance. Offers may be made, possibly they will be accepted, but unless they are the site is effectually shelved.
After half an hour of wrangling about oil and gas leases at yesterday’s meeting at Columbus, Perry Green made a motion that the Applecreek site be rejected. There was no second. Then auditor J.T. Tracy made the motion that $225,000 be apportioned for the Applecreek site. Here it was that Senator Carpenter got in the deal. He moved to amend that this include the $25,000 that must be paid for the state to be free of the oil and gas leases and that September 1 be the time by which all offers must be accepted or rejected. Looking at the calendar he changed this date to September 3 at 10 o’clock which was just three weeks to the minute.
This amendment was seconded by Mr. Tracy and carried three to two. Messrs. Carpenter, Tracy and Griswold voted for the amendment and the motion that went with it, and Messrs. Baker and Green voted against it.
E.C. Dix who, with E.C. Brenner and Charles Studer represented local people at the meeting, told the board they would not, in his opinion, be able to purchase the Applecreek site for $225,000 less the sum the oil and gas people demand for cancellation of their leases.
There was considerable talk of throwing the Applecreek site out at once but the board finally after Highway Director Schlesinger had told them it was no use to give it further consideration on the basis proposed, decided to try ??.
Ravenna people were there in force yesterday expecting the Applecreek site to be thrown out bodily and their site substituted. At the end of the meeting they upbraided Auditor Tracy for sticking to the Wayne county site, one Ravenna man being almost insulting in his language, as he talked to the auditor in the hall.
Attorney General Crabbe was not present at the meeting, but his assistant, Hal Griswold represented him, and stated he was under instructions to vote as high as $225,000 for Applecreek. Griswold did the local people more harm than good, however, for he was persistently against oil and gas leases, which he pretended to know very little about being in effect at other institutions.
So the question is right back to where it was at the beginning, only there seems to be absolutely no place to step.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Monday, 16 August, 1926
pg 10
Urge Condemnation Of Applecreek Land
Monday’s Plain Dealer contained the following editorial on the much discussed “Applecreek Site.”
__________
Faltering
The state board of control adds one more chapter to the story of aggravating delay in providing Ohio with an adequate institution for the feeble minded. It votes that $225,000 is enough to pay for the Applecreek site which has been strongly recommended by the advisory committee. There is nothing culpable in such a vote. But the board goes on to declare that it will wait until Sept. 3 for the Applecreek property owners to accept or reject the offer. If on the stipulated date the offer is not accepted, the Applecreek site will be rejected by the board of control. Then the business of selecting a site will be started all over again.
Representatives of the Applecreek property owners assert that $225,000 is too small a price for the land. An additional sum, not to exceed $100,000 would satisfy everybody. The board of control very positively declares that the additional sum will not be forthcoming. And Applecreek must voluntarily and unconditionally accept $225,000 or there will be no institution for the feeble minded at Applecreek.
It has occurred to many that the board of control might without undue effort accept the Applecreek site and then let the courts fix the price. The Plain Dealer is not prepared to say whether $225,000 or $325,000 is the proper figure. Institution of condemnation proceedings would place the decision in the hands of the courts. Surely the board of control would not insist on $225,000 if the courts decided that the figure is too low. There is, moreover, the possibility that condemnation proceedings might result in a figure even lower than that so arbitrarily fixed by the board.
The people of Ohio are very directly and strongly interested in the establishment of the institution without further delay. Already the procrastination has gone beyond the limit of patience. The advisory committee has investigated thoroughly and has found the Applecreek site suitable. The board of control does not find fault with the committee’s recommendation, but it has recourse to the expedient of price haggling and thus effectively provides for a continuation of inactivity. It is impossible not to feel that the board of control, for one reason or another, is unwilling to approve the Applecreek site, and is delaying a decision which it is loath to consider unavoidable.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Saturday, 21 August, 1926
pg 1
Making Offers For The Farms At Applecreek
Governor Assures Local Delegation He Prefers Applecreek Site.
Residents of Applecreek who have farms on the proposed site for the home for the feeble minded, have received, Friday and Saturday, offers from the state based on the $225,000 appropriated for this site on Friday, August 13, by the state board of control.
The offers state that the oil and gas leases have to be taken care of by the property owners and turned over to the state free from any incumbrance. While this would not be a large sum for the individual property owner in most cases, in many instances it will.
Conferences will be held in the next few days to determine the course of procedure. In the meantime property owners are asked, unless they are willing to accept the offer as made, to hold off the answer for a few days until it is known what course to take. In some instances the offer will foot up the amount asked, and in the case the owners are requested to accept at once, notifying someone who has been interested in the movement, so they will know just what is being done.
Call on Governor
Several residents of Wayne and Holmes county called on Governor Donahey this week in reference to the matter. A.H. Etling, of Orrville and Wooster was the spokesman and he told the governor his many friends in this community were anxious to know how he stood on the matter. Bovernor Donahey stated that he could vote only once and that vote was through Finance Director Baker, but that he would insure the Holmes and Wayne county people that Mr. Baker’s vote would be for Applecreek as long as Applecreek was in the running. While Baker did not vote for Applecreek on Friday of last week which fact was plainly pointed out to the governor, Governor Donahey came back with the reply that the reason was that he did not think sufficient money was being offered for the Applecreek site.
Whether any more money can be secured or not is problematical, but the trouble was the other day at Columbus that several farms were in at such high prices that these places ran the total up where no one would consider it, on account of the fact that the Ravenna site is being offered for $178,000.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Wednesday, 25 August, 1926
pg 10
Charges Dems Juggle Feeble Minded Site
The “Applecreek site” bobbed up late yesterday in Columbus during the Republican state convention, which got under way late in the day. Myers Y. Cooper, Republican nominee for governor, in closing his talk said:
“If Ohio ever needed the application of sound business principles in state administration — that time is at hand.
It will be my purpose as the campaign progresses to discuss and state my position on every important question relating to the affairs state government. There is one question, however, that I want to take time to mention now. I refer to the Welfare department. A Republican legislature has provided funds for the construction of buildings and installation of equipment to take care of the feeble minded now at large in our state. With 10,000 of these unfortunate people at large in the state a menace to themselves and society in general, we have had on the part of the Democratic administration only bickering disputes, rumors, and resignations. While all the time the crying need demanded action.
For four years the matter of securing land and the erection of proper buildings for the overflow of feeble minded in our state has been juggled about by the Democratic administration and made a political football.
If I am elected governor of Ohio I will not permit political considerations to enter into the necessities of human welfare and will take immediate action to the end that the unfortunate wards of our state shall have the care and protection intended by law.”
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Thursday, 2 September, 1926
pg 1
Report Harper To Recommend Apple Creek
Columbus Dispatch Indicates He Will Favor Expenditure of $285,000.
A dispatch from Columbus this afternoon to the Daily Record stated that it was reported on good authority that Welfare Director James E. Harper will recommend tomorrow that the Board of Control appropriate $285,000 to purchase land at Applecreek for a site for the institution for feeble minded.
The board previously had made a tentative appropriation of $225,000 which, it was agreed, was insufficient to purchase the 2,000 acres and cancel oil leases, as had been demanded.
The control board will be in session at Columbus tomorrow. A delegation of citizens from this community will be present at the hearing to make a final effort in behalf of the site which was unanimously agreed upon by the first investigative committee.
If the board accepts the recommendation it is reported the director will make, it is believed the amount will be ample to purchase the land, since this is substantially the same as the price named in the original options taken by Colonel Samuel Bell.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Friday, 3 September, 1926
pg 1
Board Picks Applecreek
Votes 4 To 1 To Buy Wayne County Site
Wayne County Delegation Hears Board of Control Discuss Proposition.
Columbus, O., Sept. 3. — (3:10p.m.) — The Board of Control votes this afternoon, 4 to 1, to build the state institution for feeble minded persons at Applecreek.
It was a great victory for the Wooster and Wayne county delegations who had worked long and tirelessly for the institution.
Members Crabbe, Tracy, Baker and Carpenter favored Applecreek, Green being the only member against it.
The action taken is that all land possible is to be purchased on the basis on which offers have been made and that condemnation proceedings are to be instituted for the remainder. If a jury fixes a higher price, the funds will be appropriated unless these figures are deemed excessive.
The Board will also vote funds to cancel the oil and gas leases and buy the Applecreek gas well.
At the morning session, Highway Director G.F. Schlesinger reported he was unable to buy Applecreek for $225,000. Attorney General Crabbe made a motion that the time for making this purchase be extended for a few days.
The Wayne county delegation, fifty strong, was making it emphatic that they believed the Applecreek site was the one which should be selected. They were hopeful that the board would take favorable action on the attorney general’s motion, and provide additional revenue to procure by condemnation such land as could not be purchased at reasonable figures. The motion, however, did not receive consideration.
Senator W.R. Comings, Lorain, moved to reopen the matter of the Grafton site, asserting reports on water there were favorable.
??? Bookwell, heading a Ravenna delegation, asked that the Freedom site receive consideration.
The board then adjourned for lunch, and in the afternoon resumed its sessions.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Saturday, 4 September, 1926
pgs 1 & 2
Plucky Fight Wins Victory For Wayne Co
Agreement on Resolution After Long Effort, Turns Tide to Applecreek.
Only the inability of Wayne county backers of the Applecreek site for new home for the feeble minded to know they were licked, when they were actually completely knocked out three weeks ago, and the wonderful work of many loyal folks since that time, made it possible Friday to win an actual victory for this site and to assure in case condemnation and settlement prices are not too high that the proposed home will be located at Applecreek.
The large delegation that went down to Columbus yesterday morning helped do all this. There was electricity in the air and an air of expectancy prevailed when the meeting was called to order.
Differ on Resolution
The chief difficulty previous to the meeting was in the formation of a resolution that would satisfy Messrs. Tracy and Crabbe, who favored a resolution offering the same sum that was offered before but paying the gas and oil leases, with another resolution that was favored by Governor Donahey giving $2??,000 for the purchase of the site.
Counter resolutions were passed back and forth by the people representing the Applecreek interests and finally a document was prepared on which all could agree.
Many Efforts Made
While local Democrats had been promised that Governor Donahey and Finance Director Baker favored the Applecreek site, Major M.R. Limb definitely secured Baker’s assent, with the aid of Mr. Huffman, Governor Donahey’s secretary, to the resolution which was to be introduced by Attorney General Crabbe.
At the same time everybody who had ever had any influence was sent to see Senator Carpenter. As a result, Senator Carpenter and Finance Director Baker both voted for the resolution and both expressed their happiness over the result.
“I’m glad we have put it across,” said Senator Carpenter.
“I certainly hope this ends it,” said Finance Director Baker.
The only man to oppose the resolution was Perry Green, house finance committee chairman, who is from Ravenna and who has been consistently favorable to the Freedom site all the time.
Attorney General Crabbe, who with State Auditor J.T. Tracy have been favorable to the local site since their visit here in May, was pleased with the ending and was pleased when Senator Harry Carpenter told him at noon he would favor the Applecreek resolution.
Tense With Surprise
The meeting yesterday was tense with surprises. None of the propositions recently made to Applecreek owners had definitely been accepted on account of the oil and gas leases which would have had to have been paid off by the owners.
Judge Rockwell put up a strong plea for the Ravenna site. After several statements in regard to Applecreek, Robert R. Woods, who was present, asked:
“Why don’t you tell the truth, Dave.”
In several instances the Wooster crowd laughed loudly at the statements of the Ravenna judge. Once he said:
“If it’s to be settled here by numbers, we could bring down a crowd that would fill Memorial hall.”
Major M.R. Limb put up a strong argument for Applecreek and Congressman John McSweeney, in a short eloquent address, answered some of the statements of Judge Rockwell.
Former District Attorney E.S. Wertz added to the remarks, and Dudley S. Blossom, welfare director of Cleveland and member of the advisory committee, read a letter recommending in the strongest language that the Applecreek site be selected as best in every way for the state of Ohio.
The Resolution
The resolution that was passed in executive session late in the afternoon makes the same offer of $225,000 that was made before, except that in cases where settlement cannot be made the state will pay for oil and gas leases, and provides that the land be condemned when agreement cannot be arrived at. It reads as follows:
“Whereas, on the 13th day of August, 1926, the Board of Control voted to appropriate the sum of $225,000 for the purchase of the Applecreek site for the new state institution for the feeble minded, with instructions that the Director of Highways and Public Works proceed to purchase, if possible, the various tracts of land at prices then stipulated, and it now appearing to the Board of Control that the owners of said property have not agreed to accept the price so offered, it is hereby directed by said Board that the Director of Highways and Public Works proceed to make the necessary offer preliminary to instituting appropriation proceedings pursuant to section 442 G.O., et seq., and that the Attorney General be directed to institute appropriation proceedings at the earliest possible date in all cases where the owners of said property do not accept said offers.
Be It Further Resolved by the said Board of Control that the oil and gas leases be canceled and annulled.
Be It Further Resolved that the resolution of August 13, 1926, be and the same is hereby repealed and the sum of $225,000 is hereby allotted for acquiring said land.”
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Wednesday, 8 September, 1926
pg 1
Crabbe Selects Weygandt And Funk
To Aid State Procure Land At Applecreek
Conference to be Held Here Tomorrow to Make Offers For Site Tracts.
Columbus, O., Sept. 8. — Owners of the property on the Applecreek site proposed for the new northern Ohio institute for the feeble minded, will be given a written offer by the state, and a certain number of days within which to accept, at a conference to be held in Wooster tomorrow, Attorney General C.C. Crabbe announced today.
If the offers are rejected, condemnation proceedings will be instituted at once, Crabbe said.
At the same time the Attorney General announced Judge W.E. Weygandt and Daniel C. Funk, Wooster attorneys, have been appointed to aid Crabbe’s office in carrying on condemnation proceedings.
The state is required to make written offers and may specify a time within which they must be accepted, Crabbe said.
If it should develop in the condemnation proceedings, the attorney general said, that juries were placing a valuation on the properties in excess of what state officials deem a fair price, the Applecreek site will be definitely rejected.
__________
It was stated that at the conference in Wooster tomorrow, there will be present Herbert B. Briggs, state architect and engineer, representing State Highway Director Schlesinger, Mr. Benoy, assistant to the attorney general, Attorney General Crabbe himself, Judge Weygandt and Dan C. Funk.
This conference will consume the greater portion of the day, and all phases of the situation will be taken up. There may be some changes, it was stated, in the offers made a short time ago. Some may be more and others may be less.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Wednesday, 8 September, 1926
pg 11
By-the-way
Major M.R. Limb, who was one of the chief orators at the same Columbus meeting, mentioned today that not very many in the audience noticed that the clock registered 9:59 all day.
The Applecreek site, it had been agreed at the previous meeting, was definitely rejected unless certain conditions were met by 10 a.m. in the office of Welfare Director Harper. So they stopped the clock at 9:59 and while the battle waged for hours thereafter, it was just like a session of the legislature or the U.S. senate, which functions on and on, although time does not register.
__________
It was at Tuesday’s Kiwanis meeting that one of the men who was in the delegation at Columbus last week when Wayne county landed the institution for feeble minded persons, was telling about the stenographer in one of the offices adjacent to the hall.
“Who is that bunch over there?” someone asked the stenographer.
“Oh, just that bunch of imbeciles again,” piped up the girl.
“Well,” commenced one who was listening to the story, “maybe she was half right.”
Now all who heard the comment are wondering if the last phrase had only two meanings.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Friday, 17 September, 1926
pg 1
State Offers May Be Taken At Applecreek
Sums Offered For Land Are Considerably Above Assessed Value.
Owners of land on the site of the proposed home for the feeble minded at Applecreek, have been discussing the offers made to them this week for their land and it was believed, Friday, by people who have gone into the situation, that there is a tendency on the part of many of the land owners to settle without condemnation proceedings.
The matter of condemnation proceedings is always uncertain. Land owners may get more than they are offered, and, on the other hand, they may get less, it was stated Friday.
In the reappraisement of Wayne county property made last year, the final values, when property was put in for taxation at much more than owners believed it was worth, and when a per centage was added, show that the state, if it based the offer on the taxation value, ran up the figures considerably.
For instance the Naftzer heirs were offered $18,500, an increase of 35 per cent over the taxation value of $13,700.
The sum of $12,650 was offered for the Rheinhart farm, an increase of over 30 per cent over the taxable value of $9,710.
For the Franks farm, $9,255 was offered, a 70 per cent increase above the taxable value of $5,420.
The Yoder farm is assessed at $3,000 whereas the state offers 50 per cent more or $4,500, although Mr. Yoder states he has over $1,000 more in this piece.
Gordon Beam is offered $13,695, an increase of 59 per cent over the taxable value of $8,610.
$7,240 is offered for the Keslar piece, a 70 per cent increase over the taxable value of $4,240.
$10,000 is offered for the Jacot piece, which is 110 per cent increase over the tax value of $4,700.
The $19,800 offered for the Bidle tract is 50 per cent increase over the taxable value of $13,170.
For the Amiet tract $7,800 is offered over 42 per cent more than the tax value of $5,480.
For the Smedley tract $18,040 is offered, or 33-1/3 above the tax value of $13,530.
There is a 45 per cent increase in the $6,300 offered for the Shaffer piece over the taxable value of $4,340, and a 38 per cent increase in the $10,000 offered for the McClelland piece over the taxable value of $7,960.
There is no question that the tax values are being used by the state as a basis for the appraisement, and in some cases it is stated that land owners offered to take what they were assessed in taxes for their land.
It is believed there will be a disposition on both sides to get together before the cases are finally fought out in court as the figures as they stand now are not far apart.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Thursday, 23 September, 1926
pg 1
Applecreek Site Fate Rests Upon Four Cases
Service on four of the property holders at Applecreek was not made Thursday, owing to the fact the papers were not prepared in time, but this service will be made, probably, Friday, but in any event on Saturday, it was stated late this afternoon.
At Columbus today, it was stated by Attorney General Crabbe that if these offers are not accepted, he will institute condemnation proceedings October 4.
“The results of these suits will indicate the control board’s intention of further continuing to get the Applecreek site,” Crabbe said.
A strenuous effort is being made to get a state official here next Friday to talk the proposition over with the Applecreek people in question.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Tuesday, 28 September, 1926
pg 3
John Amiet Replies To Offer by State
John Amiet, owner of one of the farms at Applecreek wanted for the institute for feeble minded persons, is one of the four who have received official offers from the state. Amiet has replied to the offer in a letter, which he made public today, as follows.
In the matter of appropriation of lands for Institution for Feeble Minded
Messrs. Schlessinger, Harper, et al.
Columbus, Ohio
Dear Sirs — Your offer of $95 per acre for farm in proposed site, handed me by County Sheriff the 24th inst is very indefinite and incomplete. A vacant lot could thus be bought, but for a cultivated and inhabited farm it is customary in this locality to have some sort of understanding as to when to be vacated, growing crops, lime sown, work by tenant, things reserved, and by what time removed, winter fuel, abstract, other expenses, etc.
I wrote to Mr. Harper some time ago in reference to this, did not receive any answer. Upon invitation, I visited your local attorney, but he claims that, on the subject, he is positively ignorant. Fine.
In the 35 years I have been in business in a small way I have never been so “rottenly” treated. I have been unable to get in touch with any one with authority or that would state anything except that I must have the oil leases cancelled at my expense though we had been told that the state would take care of the leases. If farm was sold to anyone else the lease adds to the value and transferred to the new owner is worth money to him. But because the state buys the farm, why should I reimburse an oil company at their own price for a lease of doubtful value? They took and paid for the chance for oil, and by the dry wells and light producers near this tract since, the present value is undeterminable. If anything I am not buying worn out oil leases. As usually done, will transfer lease and the state can do as it pleases with it. Most of us farm owners were not aware that an oil lease is an encumbrance on a farm like a mortgage, but something nice to have to help pay taxes and why cancel them? They would help lower taxes. Those on the County Poor Farm here are a bug help — $1,000 a month at one time.
I believe my price of $104 per acre, net, moving and all considered, is very reasonable. I am ready to leave it to local farmers, who know farm values by considering location, tarm, crops, etc. and do not value them by “tax sheets” and “forced sales,” but will not leave to “imported” or non farmers who do not know. Except on account of site, farm is not for sale. I am not to blame for this affair for which I am being threatened with being forced into court on short notice unless I agree to a ready made bargain.
While the community is very desirous and worked hard to have this state institution here, after then months of delays, a promise of better price for the land, when it understands the offer we received and how it is being done by a wealthy state that for other projects spends money very freely, the people surely will lose faith and confidence in whoever is responsible.
In conclusion considering prices paid for other sites, for additions to the Experiment Farm with oil leases, and farm values in this locality, any attempt to “railroad” this site through at the prices you offer for farms with the added handicap that the farmers have to deal with an oil company to cancel leases at prices as yet unknown to them, it becomes a wrong to bring any of these cases to court, causing a lot of worry and expense to all these farmers and expense (only) to state, without first investigating if anyone would sign if they understood about the leases. If any have signed did they know, as it was believed until a few days ago, that the state would take care of leases, and some will not yet believe anything else. For this reason copies will be sent to county papers with request to print at once.
Thank you if you read this far.
Yours truly,
John Amiet
This may not be law, but better, it is just.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Wednesday, 29 September, 1926
pg 2
Replies To Letter Written By Amiet
Wooster, O.
Sept. 29, 1926
To the Editor
The Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio.
Dear Sir: — Because a number of people have spoken to me regarding the letter from John Amiet to Messrs Schlessinger, Harper, et al., with respect to the appropriation by the state of the Amiet farm, a copy of which letter appeared last evening in your paper, I feel that I should make a statement with respect to the situation. To my mind, Amiet’s letter was quite premature.
Last Saturday I phoned the property owners against whom the state had decided to first start condemnation proceedings and told them that the sheriff would serve them with summons and that if they had any questions to ask that either Judge Weygandt or myself would be glad to confer with them. Mr. Amiet said that it would not be necessary for us to have the sheriff go to Applecreek, as he would be in Wooster that day and would call at my office where the sheriff could serve him personally, which was done.
Mr. Amiet asked certain questions with respect to the details of the transaction and also with respect to putting out fall crops. I told him that Attorney General Crabbe had instructed me to advise the farmers on the proposed site to put out their fall crops the same as they would do if no such institution were contemplated, as even though the state would require the land, building could not be started at once and the state would expect to farm the land anyhow, at least for the time being. I also said that the fact that the fall crops were out would probably make the land that much more valuable when condemned.
As to the other details I informed Mr. Amiet that Judge Weygandt and I had received no instructions, but that Attorney Wilbur E. Benoy, representing the attorney general, and State Architect Herbert Briggs, representing the director of highways, would be in Wooster October 1st and 2nd to talk over these details with the land owners involved, and that I would notify him of the time and place of meeting. Subsequently the dates for the visit of these state officials to Wooster were changed to October 4th and 5th, whereupon I notified Mr. Amiet that the officials above referred to would meet him at my office October 4th at 10 a.m. to discuss the purchase of his farm with him.
It is because the state of Ohio wants to be fair with these men are coming to Wooster to interview these property owners. And it is because Judge Weygandt and I want to be fair to the land owners that we have insisted upon these interviews.
For the benefit of other land owners I might add that Mr. Benoy and Mr. Briggs will meet on October 4th, all those who have already been served with certificates and on the 5th will interview other property owners, who will be notified, on their farms.
Yours respectfully,
Daniel C. Funk.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Monday, 4 October, 1926
pg 1
File 2 Suits To Condemn Land
Amiet and Bonewitz Are Named Defendants in Actions Brought by State.
Two suits to appropriate land by condemnation for the site at Applecreek wanted for an institution for feeble minded persons were filed in probate court this afternoon.
The suits are directed to John Amiet and Van J. Bonewitz. These men, with others were present at t conference this forenoon in the law offices of Daniel C. Funk. Wilbur E. Benoy, assistant attorney general, George Fink, gas lease expert of the public utilities commission, and Herbert Briggs, state architect, were the state officials at the conference. Judge W.E. Weygandt, engaged with Mr. Funk as local attorneys, was in Mt. Vernon trying a law suit.
Amiet and Bonewitz did not accept the offer tendered by the state, so immediately following the conference the condemnation proceedings were brought in the court of Judge Jones.
This afternoon the state men and Mr. Funk went to Applecreek for conferences with other land owners. They also expect to spend Tuesday in similar conferences.
The outcome of these first suits will do much to determine whether or not the state institution will be established at Applecreek. A jury will be impaneled later to fix the value of the land owned by the two defendants named in the suits.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Wednesday, 6 October, 1926
pg 3
Settlements Are Made In Site Actions
John Amiet Case Dismissed From Court And Other Adjustments Reached.
The suit filed by the state of Ohio against John Amiet of Applecreek for condemnation of his farm for the state institution for the feeble minded was withdrawn from the court of Probate Judge Charles Jones, today, with the announcement that the matter had been satisfactorily adjusted, and that Mr. Amiet has agreed to dispose of his property to the state without condemnation proceedings.
It was announced, Wednesday, that settlements have been arrived at for several of the parcels of land at Applecreek, and that others await a few more formalities before signatures are attached. H.B. Briggs, state architect, and Wilbur Benoy, from the attorney general’s office, were both highly pleased with the results thus far.
The state is making a new appraisal of the different pieces on the site, for the purpose of checking up on the offers originally made real estate experts being called in to assist in this appraisal.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Thursday, 7 October, 1926
pg 1
Contract For Third Of Parcels of Land On Applecreek Site
One-third of the parcels of land on the proposed Applecreek site for the proposed new state home for the feeble minded had been contracted for Thursday subject, of course, to the state being able to acquire the remainder. There is a possibility, it was reported Thursday, that one or two farms that might not be needed at present might not be acquired but might be condemned later in a few years when the institution grows to need them.
The question has been raised in connection with this deal as to the prices paid for land recently acquired by the Experiment Station, Station officials stated Thursday, and it is also shown on the Wayne county records, that $125 an acre was paid for the Frye farm while the Snyder farm is under option for five years with a prospective purchase price at $165 an acre, the oil lease, which has been exceptionally profitable, going with this farm.
Both these farms are on an improved road and the Snyder farm is optioned at $165 an acre because the option stands for the long five year term and because, according to Director Williams of the Station, the land is more completely tillable than any farm acquired by the Station.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Friday, 8 October, 1926
pg 1
Applecreek Definitely Assured
At the meeting of the state board of control this afternoon definite plans were made to close the contracts for the land already bought, to purchase at once all the tracts needed for the new home for the feeble minded at Applecreek, and to have the gas and oil leases paid by the state.
Land that cannot be purchased will be condemned at once.
This definitely assures the new home for Applecreek and means the necessary land at Applecreek will all be bought before the end of the year.
The rest of the article in unreadable.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Saturday, 9 October, 1926
pg 3
Victory For Applecreek Is Pleasing
State Board Quite Unanimous in Final Action to Select Wayne Co. Site
The final approval of the State Board of Control to locate the new state home for the feeble minded at Applecreek, at Columbus yesterday afternoon, marks the end of one of the longest battles in which Wooster boosters have ever been engaged.
In the final analysis the board was pretty much unanimous. Senator Harry Carpenter, whose stand was at one time very doubtful, and who, on August 13, said he was ready to make a motion to reject the Applecreek site, was one of the strongest boosters for the site at yesterday’s meeting. Senator Carpenter was conscientious all the way through, however, for on account of certain experience with oil and gas leases he felt they would prove a detriment to the site.
Messrs. Tracy and Crabbe and Finance Director Baker who represented Governor Donahey were all for the site as they were at the meeting on September 3.
Cash in Sixty Days
The vote on Friday afternoon means that the land that has already been contracted for is to be purchased by the state. There will have to be a satisfactory abstract arranged for and accepted by the state, and it may be from thirty to sixty days before the actual cash will be paid over but this will all go through at once and in orderly precision.
Other farms are to be acquired next week, and the farms that can not be acquired will be taken thru condemnation process.
This decision followed a week’s visit by Wilbur Benoy, of the attorney general’s office and Herbert Briggs, state architect. The tracts they purchased last week were at the rate of $106 per acre and it is expected that this is something like the average price that will be paid for all land not taken by condemnation proceedings. In these proceedings the state will be represented by Mr. Benoy of Columbus, and by Attorneys Weygandt and Funk of Wooster.
Wooster Folks Jubilant
Wooster people were very jubilant, Saturday, over the final outcome. The victory is the work of no particular individual, but is the result of the team work on the part of probably the largest number of citizens ever engaged in bringing anything to this locality. Not only Wooster people were engaged, but citizens of Applecreek, Orrville and even Holmes county. Possibly the greatest amount of outside work was done by members of the advisory board of Cleveland, particularly C.W. Brand, Dudley S. Blossom, and Probate Judge Adams, of Cleveland, all of whom were thoroughly convinced that the Applecreek site is far and away above every other site offered.
Messrs. Benoy and Briggs had expected to arrive in Wooster Sunday night, and to start work early Monday, but, Saturday they changed their plans and will arrive in Wooster at 10 o’clock, Monday, and will begin to interview several property holders at that time at the office of Dan C. Funk. The two state officials will remain in Wooster and Applecreek until all the property is either purchased or condemnation suits have been filed against the owners.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Friday, 15 October, 1926
pg 1
Half Of Land Needed Bought At Applecreek
Some Farms on Site Will Not be Purchased, It is now Indicated.
With practically half the acreage at the new home for the feeble minded at Applecreek purchased, Wilbur Benoy of the Atty general’s office left for Columbus last night with Herbert Briggs the state architect after attending to other ?? of the experiment station, here ? at the state hospital of Massilon ?? also look after ???.
The two will return to Wooster ?? Monday when ??? against ??? whom no agreement can be reached.
Engineers from the C.A. & C. offices of Akron were making new surveys for a switch to the site this week in order to eliminate the purchase of the Jacot farm. A couple of other farms and possibly more on the site as originally proposed will not be purchased and whether others will be added depends on the decision of the board of control and the ?? of Messrs Briggs and Benoy ?? condemnation suits ???? than they now have.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Saturday, 16 October, 1926
pg 4
The Feeble Minded Home At Applecreek
We have been asked many a time what help the new home for the feeble minded at Applecreek will give this vicinity.
In the first place there will be an enormous building program, which will absorb whatever labor surplus exists in Wooster, Orrville and this entire section.
In the second place it will, in the bringing of attendants, and people necessary to run an institution of such proportions as this will be, bring more residents here than and two good sized factories.
In the third place it will each month, from the institution outside the personnel, bring thousands of dollars in orders to local stores that are hurry up orders and than can not be filled by state contracts.
In the fourth place, it will bring business to hotels here on the nights that are otherwise dull over the week ends, when visitors will come to visit their relatives at the new home.
There is no doubt the new institution will help in many ways.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Tuesday, 26 October, 1926
pg 3
More Farms Purchased At Applecreek
Bidle, Eyman and Derr Farms Purchased on Monday by State Officials.
The George Bidle property, suit to condemn which was to have been filed by representatives of the state today, for the new home of the feeble minded, was purchased late Monday by State Architect Herbert Briggs and Assistant Attorney General Wilbur Benoy without the necessity of a suit. It took but a comparatively short time for the state representatives and Mr. Bidle to get together, Monday, and a contract was signed for the purchase of the property.
Also, on Monday, the Eyman land, lying along the C. A. & C. railroad, and adjacent to the Smedley tract, was purchased. The switch to the new institution will be taken off this land and will run to the site which is on the Bidle and Naftzger tracts. The purchase of the Eyman land will do away with the necessity of buying the Jacot farm, the owner of which has indicated he does not wish to sell.
The Derr farm was also purchased by Messrs. Benoy and Briggs, on Monday.
This purchase will bring the amount of land already contracted for by the state, the vouchers for which will shortly be paid to the owners by State Auditor Tracy, to over 1,300 acres or practically two thirds of the land that is to be bought.
Messrs. Benoy and Briggs had to return to Columbus today but will return next Monday, and on Tuesday suit will be filed to condemn the Naftzger farm, which adjoins the Bidle property, and which is in the center of the site. Formal offers for other farms are also to be sent out at once, and if these offers are not accepted other condemnation suits are to be filed.
It is believed that within the next ten days or two weeks all the land will either be purchased or suits to condemn it will have been filed. Owners of the most of the land not yet purchased have indicated their with to sell without resorting to condemnation proceedings.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Wednesday, 27 October, 1926
pg 1
Rapid Movements Coming On The Applecreek Home
State Architect Herbert Briggs will, next week, place surveyors from his department on the site of the new home for the feeble minded in Applecreek, with an idea of determining the exact location of buildings to be erected to take care of the wards of Ohio that are to be brought to the Wayne county home.
The acquiring of the Eyman farm makes a new entrance to the property, and will undoubtedly change the location of the buildings considerably.
The state may start the buildings at the base of the hill on the Langell piece and use largely the Langell and Jameson farms for this purpose, the question to be finally settled by the survey.
It is possible under the new arrangements that the main site may be shifted from the Naftzger farm, where it was placed under former plans.
Assistant Attorney General Benoy will have the formal state offers sent to Mr. Shaffer and Mr. Kessler tomorrow, and will file condemnation suits for these pieces next week. Yesterday he stated these suits may be the first suits tried and will be followed by suits to acquire the Franks and Naftzger pieces.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Thursday, 28 October, 1926
pg 6
State Offers For 2 Farms Served Today
Sheriff Bucher, today, served the state offer on the owners of the Kesler and Shaffer farms on the Applecreek site, with the further notice that unless the offers are accepted by Saturday, condemnation suits will be started on Tuesday.
Dan D. Funk stated, Tuesday, that the Kesler suit would be the first one tried.
“We have tried to settle with the owners of these farms, but have been unsuccessful,” Mr. Funk said Thursday.
“We expect to serve our offer on Mr. Franks in a day or so, but were delayed a little in getting out the papers,” added Attorney Funk.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Monday, 8 November, 1926
pg 10
Applecreek Folks Are Buying New Homes
Abstracts for the land being acquired at Applecreek by the state for the home of feeble minded persons are being prepared this week and deeds are being drawn by Daniel C. Funk, local attorney to the case. At least half a dozen deeds will be signed up this week, it was predicted today.
The land owners who have disposed of their holdings are making provision for the future. John Amiet has purchased a two acre tract near the intersection of the Applecreek and Fredericksburg roads three miles southeast of Wooster where he will build a home and establish a print shop.
John Yoder has purchased a farm near Smithville and Daniel McClleland has purchased a farm. The Jamesons, it is stated, have practically closed a contract for a farm.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Thursday, 11 November, 1926
pg 1
First Applecreek Deeds To Be Take To Columbus Friday
Dan C. Funk has formally approved the abstracts for the purchase of the Bedle Smedley and Odenkirk farms at Applecreek and the deeds and abstracts for these properties which have been drawn and signed will be taken to Columbus by Mr. Funk tomorrow.
Deeds assigning gas and oil rights to the state have also been signed.
As soon as these deeds and abstracts have been purchased and approved at Columbus vouchers will be given the property owners.
Money is now ? to the state treasury for the purchase of this land and other deeds and abstracts will soon be approved.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Saturday, 20 November, 1926
pg 8
Jurors Drawn for a Land Condemnation Suit Over Applecreek Site
Twelve jurors were drawn today by court officials for the probate court trial of the state against Alex Naftzger in the state’s condemnation suit for land near Applecreek. The trial will be commenced at nine o’clock, November 29, before Judge Jones of probate court. The names drawn from the wheel are:
Durbin Shamp, East Union; Milton Ritter, Chester; Chas. Hershey of Congress; Mrs. Estella Myers of Canaan; Edward Ruch of Paint; J.A. Sanderson of Saltcreed; D.L. King of Green; C.A Graber of East Union; Wm. Funk of Canaan; Emmet Wirt of Franklin; Carey Grosenbach of Wooster and Jesse Franks of Wooster.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Monday, 22 November, 1926
pg 10
Judge Jones Prepares For Condemnation Suit
Judge Jones is preparing for the land condemnation suit for the Applecreek site by reading the law and judicial opinions in such proceedings. The trial will begin next Monday and the hearing will be in the common pleas court room because there is no court room in Judge Jones’ probate office. The jurors have been drawn and have been notified by Sheriff Bucher.
Judge Jones heard several land condemnation suits several months ago with reference to property north of the city which was desired by an electric company for a transmission line. The Applecreek suit is for land for another purpose but the legal proceedings are the same as the former suits. The chief point in a land condemnation suit is to have a jury fix a sum for the land to be taken from the owner. The Applecreek case is that of the state against Alex Stauffer. His is the only condemnation suit pending in court with reference to the acquisition of land by the state for a site for feeble minded persons. There is a possibility that one or more suits may be filed.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Tuesday, 23 November, 1926
pg 7
Legal Point In Naftzger Case
Judge Jones Suggests Trustee to Protect State’s Title.
A conference was in progress this afternoon in the offices of Probate Judge Jones concerning a legal point raised by Judge Jones in the matter of the condemnation suite of Ohio vs Alex Naftzger, which begins next Monday.
The Naftzger farm is wanted by the state as part of the site for the institute for feeble minded persons. It is the property of Mrs. Naftzger, having been bequeathed to her in the will of her father, the late Adam Fike. According to the will, Mrs. Naftzger is given the farm “during her natural life,” and at her death it is to go “to her heirs forever.”
Mrs. Fike and their children are made parties to the suit, but Judge Jones has raised the question that if all the children should precede the mother in death, the state, upon the death of Mrs. Naftzger, would have no title to the estate, because collateral heirs (nieces and nephews) could claim it under the terms of the will.
Judge Jones has suggested that a trustee be appointed and that when a jury fixes the value of the farm, the sum be paid to the trustee and the interest be paid to Mrs. Naftzger during her life time, and at her death distributions be made to the heirs. Judge Jones holds that there is no way of ascertaining now who will be the heirs of Mrs. Naftzger at her death.
The provision of the will, he pointed out, is no bar to the condemnation proceedings.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Monday, 29 November, 1926
pg 1
Jurors Picked View Land At Naftzger Farm
Condemnation Suit Testimony Will Begin Tomorrow Before Judge Jones.
The only land condemnation suit pending in probate court with respect to the securing of a site for the feeble minded persons institution near Applecreek is on hearing today before Judge Jones, who is holding sessions in the common pleas court room. Attorneys believe the suit will be completed sometime Wednesday.
The suit is that of the State of Ohio against Katie E. Naftzger and others and the state seeks to acquire title to 165.86 acres of land near the middle of the proposed site. The Naftzger farm will be a part of the building site. The state is represented by Wilbur E. Benoy, assistant attorney general, Judge W.E. Weygandt and Attorney Daniel C. Funk.
Mrs. Naftzger is represented by Attorneys Weiser and Weimer and Leona Bupp, a minor heir, is represented by Attorney J.O. Fritz.
Testimony Tuesday
Very little progress was made today in the court room proceedings, but tomorrow’s sessions will be given entirely to testimony. This morning court was convened at ten o’clock and a jury was secured. Before the noon hour the attorneys made their opening statements. Then arrangements were made for the jurors to spend much of the afternoon in viewing the Naftzger farm. Court sessions were resumed after the jurors had returned from the farm in a steady rain.
Attorney Benoy told the jurors in his statement that the state considers the farm worth $17,250. He told the jurors that the farm is located directly north of Applecreek.
The jurors were informed that the present hearing is a peculiar kind of proceeding as is authorized by special statutes. The supreme court of Ohio has held that there are no issues and no burden of proof in this kind of proceedings. The jurors act as appraisers or assessing board to fix a fair market value of the land and are to base the value upon the facts given in the testimony.
Goes to Trustee
Katie E. Naftzger holds title to the land during her life under the will of her father, Adam Fike. After her death, the land goes to her children. The price of the land determined by the jury will become a fund to be held by a trustee and the income from the fund will be paid Mrs. Naftzger during her life. After her death the fund will be divided between the children.
The jurors are Durbin Shamp, Charles Hershey, Mrs. Estella Myers, J.A. Sanderson, D.L. King, C.A. Graber, William Funk, Emmet Wirt, Jesse Franks, Edward Rouhiers, Charles Martin and Seymour Easterday.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Tuesday, 30 November, 1926
pgs 1 & 4
Naftzger Case Witnesses Are Heard By Jury
Applecreek Condemnation Case Brings Many Figures As to Land’s Worth.
When the jury in the land condemnation suit of the Naftzger farm, near Applecreek, wanted by the state as a part of the site for a feeble minded institution, goes into secret session to consider a verdict, it will have widely divergent testimony to consider in arriving at a fair market value of the 165 acres.
This was shown in the testimony today in the probate court trial before Judge Jones when witnesses for the state placed the value of the land at $100 and $110 per acre and witnesses for the Naftzgers place a value upon the land of $150 and $200 per acre.
Arguments in the case were begun shortly before 3 p.m.
The jurors are to give a decision as to the value of the land per acre. In the present hearing the jurors act as an assessing board under the law.
Early Start Today
Judge Jones got an early start with the proceedings at 9 o’clock. Six witnesses were heard for the state and six for the Naftzgers. The state’s witnesses were divided, four for $100 per acre for the land and two for $110 per acre. The state finished its direct testimony during the forenoon and the witnesses for the Naftzgers were then put on the stand. After all the witnesses have finished their testimony, there will be testimony in rebuttal, which will be followed by arguments by the attorneys. The testimony given as to the value of the Naftzger farm follows a visit to the land yesterday afternoon of the jurors.
Tilt Between Attorneys
The hearing is a scrappy one between attorneys of opposing sides. Objections are raised repeatedly by the attorneys to questions asked by the opposing side. The hearing is a special one under a statute that is seldom used in lawsuits and the attorneys take different views of some of the interpretations of the law.
The Only Issue
The only issue before the jurors is that of determining the value of the Naftzger farm, which is north of Applecreek and is a part of the land wanted by the state for the building site. The state made an offer for the land when it purchased the other tracts in the proposed building site. The owners would not accept the price offered by the state and went into court to have a jury determine the value of the land. The hearing was commenced yesterday and will be completed Wednesday.
Naftzger Explains
Naftzger, who was the first witness called by the defense, told of the condition of his farm under the questioning of Judge C.A. Weiser, and on cross examination, told, under protest of his attorneys, of an argument he had with land appraisers who fixed the value of his property for taxation at the appraisement a year ago.
Judge Weygandt drew from him the admission that he contended the appraisement was “too high” although Naftzger would not say exactly what price the appraisers had mentioned. Naftzger contended that it was “over $14,000” and that he objected to having the buildings valued on a basis of buildings in Applecreek.
Later the taxable value of the farm was reduced to under $14,000, Naftzger said. The evidence was admitted by Judge Jones as a basis of “contradiction” and not to establish a value for the farm, attorneys for the defense drawing a distinction between market value and taxation value.
Charles Eyman, the next witness called by the defense, said the Naftzger farm should bring from $185 to $190 an acre, against the $100 and $110 per acre values fixed by state witnesses.
There was strenuous objection by Attorney J.O. Fritz for the defense when Judge Weygandt attempted to question Eyman concerning prices paid by the state for other land wanted for the institution. Fritz contended that these sales did not determine a market value, and that land owners took less than market value rather than go to court. Judge Jones assumed the position that each land owner had the right to go to court if he was not satisfied with the price offered, and held that the sales therefore were admissible as testimony. Sales of two other large farms in the community, one 204 acre tract which sold for $11,000 and a 222 acre tract which brought $14,000, were stressed by the state to indicate that large tracts brought less per acre than small tracts.
Other Testimony
Testimony as to the value of the Naftzger farm was given by Silas Troxel, Charles Eyman, Henry Young, Alonzo Hofacker, Harry Koontz, and George Rollar. The valuation placed upon the land by these men varied from $150 to $200 per acre.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Wednesday, 1 December, 1926
pg 1
Naftzgers Get $125 Per Acre For 166 Acres
Only Condemnation Proceeding Tried by State For Applecreek Site is Ended.
The price the state of Ohio must pay for the 166-acre Naftzger farm at Applecreek was fixed by a jury at noon today as $20,750, or approximately $125 per acre. The jury’s verdict was unanimous.
The land is part of the site for the proposed new institution for feeble minded people and the only tract upon which a jury has been asked to place a value.
The state had officially offered $17,250 for the land, which was in the tax duplicate for $13,700.
The verdict was generally considered today as “fair” by those who had watched the proceedings. State witnesses testified the land was worth from $100 to $110 per acre, while defense witnesses placed its value at from $150 to $200 per acre.
The case was begun Monday when statements were made and the jury visited the farm. Testimony was heard yesterday, and the jury was given the case after arguments and the charge of Probate Judge Charles C. Jones about 10 o’clock this morning. It was about 11:30 a.m. when the jury’s verdict was returned.
Assistant Attorney General Benoy, Judge W.E. Weygandt and Daniel C. Funk represented the stae. Judge C.A. Weiser, Dean H. Weimer and J.O. Fritz appeared for the defense.
Buy All But Two
All the parcels of land for the new home for the feeble minded at Applecreek have been purchased with the exception of the tracts owned by Van J. Bonewitz and the tract owned by Nancy J. Bone, who passed away this week. These two pieces are not yet to be acquired.
The Gordon Beam tract will not be acquired and the one acre owned by Lucinda Rhoades will also be left with the owner. The last tract of land about which there was any dispute was the Naftzger place which was tried this week before a jury in probate court. Settlement as been agreed to in the matter of the Rheinhart tract and all the other tracts of land on the site.
The site has been purchased in record time, too. Welfare director Harper has expressed himself as greatly pleased with the way it was handled by State Architect Briggs, Assistant Attorney General Benoy, and the local attorneys, Dan C. Funk and Judge W.E. Weygandt.
The surveying for the institution is now in progress. The surveyors have established an office in Wooster and are keeping their maps and tabulations up with their field work. Surveying so far has concerned the location of the switch from the railroad and, of course, the location of buildings which are to be supplied by the switch.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Thursday, 2 December, 1926
pg 7
Ask New Trial In Farm Case
A motion for a new trial in the matter of fixing the value of the Naftzger land was prepared today by Attorneys C.A. Weiser, Dean H. Weimer and J.O. Fritz, representing the defense, and Mr. Fritz announced this forenoon that it would be filed before night.
The motion charges errors made in the conduct of the hearing and will be passed upon by Judge Chas. C. Jones, who heard the evidence in the case.
In the event a new trial is not granted by Judge Jones, attorneys for the defense stated they will appeal to the court of appeals on error.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Thursday, 9 December, 1926
pg 6
Bonewitz Farm Purchased By State
No Additional Tracts Are to Be Purchased for Feeble Minded Home Site.
With an agreement for the purchase of the Nancy Bonewitz farm and the Van J. Bonewitz farm at Applecreek this week, all the land expected to be purchased for the new home for the feeble minded has now been bought.
The two Bonewitz farms were bought following a meeting of the Bonewitz heirs here for the funeral of Nancy Bonewitz, and while Van J. Bonewitz, a resident of Van Wert, was also here to attend the funeral.
“We do not expect to buy either the Gordon Beam farm or the one acre belonging to Lucinda Rhoades,” said Dan C. Funk, one of the local attorneys representing the state in the negotiations for the land. “We sent a notice to Mr. Beam stating if he cared to sell we would send appraisers to look over his land and named a price we would pay Lucinda Rhoades. We do not expect her to sell, however, as she has an acre across the road and needs the acre that would be on the tract to pasture her cow. Both were given ten days to reply to the state and we do not expect to hear from either of them,” said Mr. Funk.
Ready money, in the shape of vouchers from Auditor of State Joseph T. Tracy, is expected to come through at any moment now, to go to the land owners whose deeds and abstracts have passed the requirements of state officials. Wilbur E. Benoy, assistant attorney general, stated over the telephone Monday he expected the vouchers to start through this week.
All but six of the deeds and abstracts have been sent to Columbus for approval by state officials there.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Friday, 10 December, 1926
pg 1 & 2
Let Contracts At Applecreek Before July 1
Briggs Says Only Fear is That Financial Crisis May Withhold Funds.
Philip W. Porter, writing from Columbus for The Cleveland Plain Dealer, last night telegraphed the following information concerning the institution for feeble minded persons to be built at Applecreek.
All the land for the Applecreek feeble minded institution has been acquired by the state.
A surveying party is at work making topographical maps and within a few weeks drawings can be started for location of a railroad siding and sewage disposal plant.
Detailed plans will be begun, probably in February, and contracts ought to be let before July 1, when the remaining appropriation of $750,000 lapses.
Thus, for the first time in six years of blunders, argument, politics, investigations and reports, northern Ohio actually is on it’s way toward a place to house its mentally deficient.
Buy Nearly 1800 Acres
This Christmas present of good news was established by State Architect Herbert B. Briggs, and Assistant Attorney General H.H. Griswold, speaking for his colleague Wilbur Benoy, who is out of the city.
Since October 1 Benoy and Briggs have purchased nearly 1,800 acres for the site and appropriated 165 more at an average price of $116 an acre.
Thrusting aside party politics and departmental rivalries, the two men acquired all the property needed, a total of 1,935 acres, at a saving of about $50,000 from the original estimate. The total spent was $225,270.75.
Only minor details remain to be cleaned up in the land transaction. Transfer of deeds on all the properties must be completed. There is a possibility that the Naftzger family of Applecreek, which owned the tract of 166 acres appropriated, may appeal. If an appeal is allowed there may be further delay in the building plans for this tract is the one selected for the administration building.
Fears Financial Crisis
“My only fear,” declared Architect Briggs, “is that the financial crisis we are approaching may prevent the money from being in the treasury when we are ready to spend it. But that is a problem common to all the state and not this institution.”
The glad tidings of Briggs and Griswold are of special interest to Cleveland, for most of the feeble minded who will enter the Applecreek institution will come from there.
Briggs told the story of his and Benoy’s experience in getting the land thus:
“We found the property owners in an antagonistic state of mind. They thought the state was trying to steal their property. We had appraisals made, and then set out to convince each family that we wanted to be fair with them, and yet get the best price we could for the state. We found some estimates and offers too high and some too low.
“We bought the least valuable tracts first, and then after the owners were convinced we were on the level, managed to get the rest of them.
“Benoy and I worked in complete harmony, so much so that Welfare Director Harper congratulated him personally.”
To Speed Up Job
Because of the peculiarly complex nature of state government today, Briggs, who is in the state highway department, is the man chiefly responsible for speeding up the Applecreek job, which is a welfare department proposition. Briggs declared flatly today he expected to have contracts let before appropriation lapses.
“I feel that we have accomplished something worth while for the state already,” he declared, “and I am going to put my whole force on this during the winter and spring. It is fortunate that no other big construction jobs are pending now for we usually experience a lull at the time of year.”
Briggs is planning an institution to care for 2,000 feeble minded with a growth capacity of 3,000.
“Real relief could not come until probably July, 1928,” he said, “when the plant ought to be finished, and the 2,000 beds could be occupied. But I expect that probably 100 could be transferred next summer to houses already on the property. These are the better type of cases, which would be safe to put there. They could build fences, grade some of the land, and improve the property generally.”
“Some trouble might be experienced,” he declared, “because the appropriations are inflexible. An item of $148,000 is set aside for administration building and an item of $195,000 for cottages. Not a dime more than this can be expended, and the board of control cannot transfer from one construction fund to another, though they can do it on operating funds.”
State Senator Chester C. Bolton, who is slated to be the majority leader in the next senate, informed of the difficulty, said he was favorably toward giving the board of control the power to make transfers just as the Cleveland council has.
The Plain Dealer’s estimate on the feeble minded in Ohio, made two years ago, fixed it at 10,000. There are probably 11,000 to 12,000 now.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Tuesday, 21 December, 1926
pg 7
Landowners To Get Cash For Christmas
All But Five Applecreek Land Owners to be Paid, Probably Wednesday.
Christmas gifts, in the form of payments for the land at Applecreek bought for the new institution for the feeble minded, will be brought to Wooster, probably tomorrow, by special messenger sent by Wilbur E. Benoy, assistant attorney general.
Several vouchers were approved yesterday and today, by Welfare Director John E. Harper, and were at once checked carefully by state architect Briggs and assistant attorney general Benoy, and taken to Auditor Tracy’s office where warrants were being drawn. These warrants will then be turned over to the attorney general’s office, and Mr. Benoy, who represents the attorney general, will at once send them to Wooster.
Will Bother With Them
“I didn’t know whether you wanted to bother with them before Christmas or not,” Mr. Benoy told Dan C. Funk over the telephone today. But when assured that it would be a fine thing to give the money to the Applecreek land owners as Christmas presents said he would send them to Wooster by special messenger.
“I will not leave them to the mails for they are so heavy with Christmas presents at this time of the year that we will not take any chances,” Mr. Benoy said to Mr. Funk.
Must Call For Warrants
When the warrants are received Mr. Funk will notify the land owners who will call at his office for them. These land owners, according to the contracts, must pay the taxes for December and June and must bring the receipts for these tax payments, and wherever there are mortgages on the farms these are to also be taken care of. This will be done in the cases where there are encumbrances on the farms by bringing the mortgages along, and the cancellation will be taken care of at once.
The arrangements with the land owners whereby they are to pay the taxes for December and June, provided for their remaining on the farms until spring, harvesting next summer’s wheat crop, and having the oil and gas leases cancelled by the state.
Five Not Yet Completed
Although all land except the Naftzger tract has been arranged for and this tract is being condemned in court, there will be five warrants that will not be received this week.
The deed for the Nancy Bonewitz tract had to be sent to California for signature of one of the heirs and has not yet been returned.
The abstract is not yet entirely completed for the Rife tract but shortly will be.
The abstract for the Mrs. Delia Bonewitz tract has not yet been completed but will be very soon.
The Eyman tract had to be run through the courts but is about completed.
The Naftzger tract, as stated above, is being settled for in court.
Dan C. Funk, who, with Judge W.E. Weygandt, is representing the state, locally, stated Tuesday he had strong hopes that all these properties would be entirely closed up by the first of the year.
The cost of the land is running about $225,000.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Thursday, 23 December, 1926
pg 12
Amounts Paid For Farms
Warrants For Ten Tracts Are Delivered to Sellers.
Albert F. Scott, assistant state architect, who came to Wooster yesterday afternoon with the deeds, warrants, and other documents for tracts of land near Applecreek purchased by the state for the institution for feeble minded persons, was paying former owners for their tracts today.
The warrants were for the following tracts, the amounts being given for each:
Keslar, $7,250.
Langell, $11,250.
Amiet, $7,800.
Shaffer, $5,750.
McClelland, $12,000.
Smedley, $18,117.
Jameson, $5,500, (???
Bidle, $19,800.
Odenkirk, $9,500.
Yoder, $5,250.
Totol, $102,217.
Former owners were receiving their money today at the offices of Daniel C. Funk, the attorney assisting the architect in having all documents properly signed.
Warrants for the purchase of other tracts are to be forwarded here as soon as minor matters concerning the deals are cleared up.
Other cash is expected by registered mail in a very short time. The details precluded the warrants being sent by the special messenger yesterday.
“We certainly hope to have everything cleaned up within the next few days,” said Dan C. Funk, local attorney today.
Stock Salesmen Here
The coming of a quarter of a million dollars to Wayne county in almost one lump has brought a large number of stock salesmen here, within the last few days.
“We have advised all the land owners to buy securities only from their local banks or building and loan companies,” said Mr. Funk, this afternoon.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Monday, 27 December, 1926
pg 5
More Cash For Applecreek Is On Hand
The prices paid by the state for the different tracts at Applecreek payment for which was received just before Christmas, were as follows:
Van J. Bonewitz, $2,575
Franks, $10,000
Barnhart, $2,000
Derr, $6,500
Jameson, $5,500
73.92 acres, $26,575
A letter from State Architect Herbert B. Briggs, accompanying the warrants, stated the Reinhardt documents were now in the welfare department and would come thru in a few days.
Dan C. Funk, who has the warrants, was busy in court today and stated he would turn these warrants over just as rapidly as possible.
“We are notifying the land owners and will have them all taken care of in a day or so,” said Mr. Funk.
Mr. Funk also stated the payment for the remaining land should come through in a very short time.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Wednesday, 29 December, 1926
pg 4
Wooster Daily Record
Money For Applecreek Building
The Record’s readers will have noticed that for several days the transfers of real estate published have included a number of Applecreek parcels of land, each being deeded to the state of Ohio for the state’s new institution for feeble minded persons.
After nearly 10 years, the state is ready to begin building the institution. Such institutions are plants of slow growth.
The need of the institution is plain when it is stated that there are now 4,000 feeble-minded people awaiting admission to such an institution. They are in homes, cities, villages, free to come and go, a menace to themselves and the communities.
Those who appreciate the serious features of the situation will rejoice that delays have been overcome, obstacles surmounted and tangible things done to bring about work on the buildings that will be needed. In all the negotiations that have been completed, the big building fund for the institution has remained intact, so there will not be any legal entanglements from the financial source. During the years of agitation for the institution there has been more loss of time than money.
1927
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Friday, 14 January, 1927
pg 1
More Cash Here For Land At Applecreek
Vouchers for three additional pieces of land on the Applecreek site for the new home for the feeble minded arrived today. They were as follows:
Nancy Bonewitz farm $14,700
Reinhardt farm $17,125
Rife farm, $27,000
With the exception of the Naftzger tract cash has been received for all the tracts except the Sarah Nussbaum and the Eyman farms.
Local Attorneys Named
The connection of Daniel C. Funk and Judge W.E. Weygandt with the appropriation proceedings were discontinued shen Attorney General C.C. Crabbe went out of office. Today, however, letters were received by Mr. Funk and Judge Weygandt, from E.C. Turner, new attorney general, reappointing them as special assistants to the attorney general.
A brief has been prepared by the attorneys for the Naftzger land and Mr. Funk and Judge Weygandt will now prepare a brief for the state, whereupon the court of appeals will take up the case out of turn.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Wednesday, 2 February, 1927
pg 3
Naftzger Appeal Will Be Heard at Akron
The case of Ohio vs Kate Naftzger, Applecreek, which was an action to condemn certain lands for the site of the Ohio home for feeble minded, and which was appealed by the defendant to the court of appeals for this district, will be heard in Akron on Friday of this week.
The case was one of the most bitterly contested of all the actions heard in this matter, of obtaining the site and occupied about four days of the court’s time. The coming hearing in Akron will be watched with great interest by all those concerned in the recent deals in Applecreek.
NOTE: Reprinted in the Wooster Daily Record courtesy of The Ohio State Journal, 2/6/1927.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Thursday, 3 February, 1927
pg 9
[3 photos]
Nature and History Enrich Apple Creek Site
History of the Apple Creek site in Wayne County, where the proposed State Institute for the Feeble-Minded is to be located, is woven in woof and warp with that of “Johnny Appleseed” pioneer, Ohio nurseryman, and noted among the early settlers for his eccentricities and benevolences.
Apple Creek, a village of approximately 400 by which the institution site is designated, takes its name from a creek nearby. The stream was so-called according to Ira Amiel, a resident there, because “Johnny Appleseed” in 1801 had planted apple seeds along its banks and the trees luxuriated.
The real name of “Johnny Appleseed” was John Chapman, son of a revolutionary war officer of Massachusetts.
Many of the early orchards in Ohio were planted from his nurseries, but he made no attempt to realize financially from his ventures. His work apparently was designed solely for the benefit of his fellowman. He went about poorly clad, planting seeds or distributing trees to the settlers. He was also a non-resistant, a vegetarian and opposed to the shedding of blood of any living creature. It is said of him that he would not kill a snake in his way.
His death occurred at Fort Wayne, Ind., in 1843, following a career that has made of him an historical character.
Due to the stream also was the decision in part for establishing the institution at this site. The stream is fed by 20 springs and artesian wells in the village, and as many more near by. Upon test, the water was found pure and soft, and a well drilled by the state on the site was pumped for 12 hours at a rate of 250 gallons a minute without lessening the supply.
Water is found at depths of from 80 to 200 feet.
The stream flows through the institution site and will provide means of dispensing sewage, and has been proved so by a survey of J.W. Elms, city purification engineer of Cleveland, according to Mr. Amiel.
Another factor that entered into consideration in selection of the site was its soil, which, according to a government test, was found to be rich and adaptable to general farming. Formerly used for agricultural purposes, the land there is said to be very little waste in it. It includes also several tracts of good timber, mainly oak and chestnut, which could be used for park purposes.
The site, comprising approximately 2000 acres and purchased from 22 property owners at $225,000, lies due north of the village about a mile, in East Union township, Wayne County.
The state will take formal possession April 1. This will be the first step for the construction of the edifice and the laying out of the tract for agricultural purposes, which culminates in a progressive policy since months of controversy and litigation ended.
Apple Creek village is the center of a thriving agricultural community, but has a few manufactories including the Apple Creek Screen Door factory, a cold air register factory; Studer Bros. flour mill and Apple Creek Farmers’ Equity. It has also all necessary stores and two churches, a Reformed church and a United church, the latter formed by uniting the M.E. and Presbyterian churches. This merger is said to constitute one of the early experiments in solving the problem of comity in rural over-churching, and is being watched nationally by church organizations.
A new high school and a first grade school are other community appointments.
The village is located on the Cleveland, Akron and Columbus division of the Pennsylvania Railroad, and is situated 70 miles from Cleveland and 100 miles from Columbus on this line. There are 10 passenger trains a day and the company, according to Mr. Amiel, has promised to stop all trains at Apple Creek when the institution is completed, which will take several months.
A spur track about one-half mile long will be built to the site from the main line.
The Toledo and Wheeling highway (State Route No. 95) runs across one corner of the tract. This is brick and paved from Toledo to Wheeling, except 11 miles. Plans are being made to complete this stretch in the near future. Another road running north through the tract will be paved with concrete, 18 feet wide, this spring. The Lincoln Highway is one and one-half miles from the north side of the tract, which lies just outside the northern limits of the village, and is about two miles long and one and one-half miles wide.
The northwest corner of the tract is about three miles from the Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station at Wooster, which community is seven miles distant from Apple Creek. The distance to Akron, another nearby city, is 35 miles on the highway, and 63 miles to Cleveland via a similar route.
The village of Apple Creek was settled by Scotch-Irish Presbyterians about 1810 and was called Edinburgh after their home city in Scotland, and five years later the settlers established the first church of the Presbyterian denomination. The community was laid out by John Cheney and Wm. Thomas among the early residents. After the railroad was built in the outskirts of the village, construction started in that direction to be closer to the line and the name was changed to Apple Creek. L.E. Messner is mayor at the present time.
The above photographs and article are reprinted from The Ohio State Journal through the courtesy of Walter (Dude) Nice, former Wooster man, who took the pictures at Applecreek as a representative of the Columbus newspaper. The article and photos appeared in Sunday’s State Journal.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Saturday, 5 February, 1927
pg 3
Get Warrant For Nussbaum
Deals For Only Two Tracts At Applecreek Incomplete.
Attorney Daniel Funk, who with Judge W.E. Weygandt is representing the state in the purchase of lands for the Home for Feeble Minded at Applecreek, stated this morning that the warrant for the purchase of the farm of Sarah D. Nussbaum, amounting to $7,500, was received from the state treasurer, and will be turned over.
This leaves but two tracts to complete purchase on. One of these is the Eyman farm. In this case the abstract has been delayed on account of court proceedings to convey the interests of minor children in this property. This will be completed soon and the warrant issued for purchase price.
The other is the Naftzger farm. This has been delayed on account of the appeal of the owners to the appellate court after the property had been condemned in the legal courts and a price fixed.
This appeal was heard yesterday at Akron, Attorney Weygandt and Funk representing the state and Weiser and Fritz the Naftzgers. At the conclusion of the arguments yesterday the court took the matter under advisement and will make a decision within a short time.
With the conclusion of these two matters the whole tract will be owned by the state and the site ready for any building operations that may be started this summer.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Wednesday, 16 February, 1927
pg 1
Appeals Court Reverses Land Case
Naftzgers Win Thru Appeal On Error
Judge Rules Test is Fair Market Value, And Not Fair Cash Market Value.
In the appropriation proceedings brought by the state against Katie Naftzger for land that the state desires for a portion of the Applecreek site for a state institution, the district court of appeals, consisting of Judges Washburn, Funk and Pardee, has reversed the finding of the jury in probate court and has ordered another trial.
The opinion of the court of appeals was received in Wooster from Akron today.
The opinion says that “the sole question for determination by the jury was a fair market value of the property taken.”
In reversing the decision of the probate court, the higher court says that ? that court erred in charging ? ? that the compensation due to Naftzger was the “fair cash market value” of the land taken and in admitting testimony of its cash market value.
The higher court says
The rule is the fair market value not what the land would bring upon a sale in open market either for cash or long time payments, but in a sale of the usual manner, when offered for sale by one who desires but is not obliged, to sell, and bought by one who is under no necessity of having it.
Reasons for Reversal
The court of appeals then enumerates what it considers to be errors in admitting testimony. The court says
“What the party condemning has paid for other property is generally held to be incompetent. It happened that many of the witnesses for the defendants knew of such sales, and if such sales were competent, the error referred to in the form of the question might be obviated, but as the matter was presented as shown by the record in this case, evidence of such sales was not competent. There was no evidence on behalf of the state tending in any way to indicate that the sales were fair and open and made by an owner desiring to sell but not being obliged to sell to a purchaser who was under no necessity of having that particular property. There were not many sales in that vicinity ? of those made to the state.
Judges Unanimous
The opinion closes with these words
“For the errors stated the judgment of the probate court is reversed and the ause remanded for further proceedings according to law.”
The opinion is signed by the three judges of the court.
The belief of the Wooster attorneys in the ?? is that the second trial will come some time within a month.
The attorneys for Mrs. Naftzger are Weiser and Weimer and J.O. Fritz. The attorneys for the state were Judge Weygandt, Daniel C. Funk and W.J. Benoy of the attorney general’s office.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Friday, 18 February, 1927
pg 10
Naftzger Land Suit Date is Undermined
The date for a new trial in the Katie Naftzger suit over the price of land desired by the state for the Applecreek site for a state institution will remain undetermined until a representative of the attorney general comes from Columbus to confer with Probate Judge Jones and local attorneys.
Judge Jones is willing to set a date for the hearing at a time that will be convenient for all parties. A new trial was ordered in probate court by the court of appeals in an opinion that reversed the jury’s verdict in a trial held several weeks ago. The jury had awarded the owners of the land $125 an acre. Whether a settlement out of court can be made will not be known until after the state’s representatives have had time to confer with the land owners.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Saturday, 19 February, 1927
pg 2
Would Prevent Delay
Two Factors Working Against Speed at Applecreek
A dispatch from Columbus to the Plain Dealer, states that in addition to the delay which would be caused by a new trial to appropriate the Naftzger land for the Applecreek home for the feeble minded, the legislature is threatening to repeal the $750,000 appropriation for buildings to ease the state deficit problem.
No date has yet been fixed here for the new trial.
Any move on the part of legislative leaders to repeal the appropriation will meet with strong opposition from welfare and civic leaders who point out the this sum will provide buildings for at least 750 inmates, which would relieve the immediate congestion at other state institutions.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Saturday, 19 March, 1927
pg 1
Naftzger Case Will Be Tried
Two paragraphs are not readable.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Thursday, 31 March, 1927
pg 2
Naftzger Trial Date Fixed
The condemnation proceeding for the fixing of a price for the Kate Naftzger farm in East Union township, as part of the site for the home for feeble minded at Applecreek, will pass into its second chapter on April 19th, when it will again be brought to trial in probate court. The first hearing resulted in the case being taken to the appellate court where the finding of the jury was reversed, error being shown by the Naftzger attorney.
The jury of April 19th has been selected by both parties to the suit but it is possible that some delay might occur that would require a postponement for a short time.
It is estimated by the attorneys to the action that approximately three days will be required to present the testimony and argument to Court and jury. This case has caused intense interest in East Union Township where the farm is situated as the price fixed will doubtless have a bearing on the market price of adjoining lands.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Tuesday, 5 April, 1927
pg 3
Naftzger Case Delays Work At Applecreek
Construction Intended For Early in Year Will be Postponed Until Fall.
The delay in getting possession of land at Applecreek because of the Naftzger case will man a postponement of several months in the actual building of the proposed institution for feeble minded persons, according to the following letter, received today by Attorney Daniel C. Funk, from State Architect H.B. Briggs.
“I beg to advise,” the architect writes, “that by reason of the delay in securing of the Naftzger farm in the above site it has been necessary for the department of public welfare to request a re-appropriation of the funds appropriated for the construction work of the above institution by the 86th general assembly.
“That also by reason of this delay it has been impossible to complete the surveys, prepare the layouts for the institution, and make the drawings and specifications necessary to the securing of proposals for and the construction of the improvements on the site.
“In consequence of these facts the completion of those parts of the institution that can be completed under the present appropriations will be seriously delayed and construction work will be advanced into the periods of the fall.
“It is my understanding that Attorney General Turner has instructed you and Judge Weygandt to proceed with a retrial of the appropriation suit to acquire the Naftzger farm. I am pleased to know of this arrangement and as the representative of the departments of highways and public works, and public welfare, I earnestly ask that you and Judge Weygandt immediately proceed with such preliminary work as may be necessary to advance the trial, to the end that the institution may be completed at the the earliest date possible and provide housing to take care of the hundreds of feeble minded which the probate courts of northern Ohio stand ready to send to the institution as soon as it is completed.
“Respectfully yours,
“Herbert B. Briggs,
“State Architect and Engineer”
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Tuesday, 19 April, 1927
pg 1
Naftzger Farm Jury Views Premises
To Fix Value Of 166 Acre Naftzger Farm
Women Are All Excused as Whole Morning is Taken in Selecting Jurymen.
Today, in probate court before Judge Jones and a jury, the case of the state of Ohio against Katie E. Naftzger to appropriate land near Applecreek was begun with the selection of a jury.
This preliminary part of the hearing occupied all the forenoon. The jurors are men. During the morning, the attorneys in the case by peremptory challenges excused the ladies. The jurors are Jacob Debel of Doylestown, Clyde Bixler of Dalton, Douglas Griffith of Shreve, Frank Kraus of Doylestown, J.D. Oxenrider of Smithville and the following from Wooster, W.J. Sweeney, J.C. Schultz, F.A. Starr, Wellington Webb, Ira Bowers, Frank Criss and Charles Unger.
Visit the Farm
Adjournment for the noon recess was taken after the selection of a jury. At one o’clock the attorneys in the case explained to the jurors the nature of the issue. At two o’clock the jurors were taken to the Naftzger farm to view the premises.
The case is brought by the state to acquire the Naftzger farm of 166 acres for a part of the site for the state institution for feeble minded persons. The state has acquired all the other land needed. The jurors in the present hearing are to determine the price to be paid by the state for the farm.
Judge Weygandt Ill
The state is represented by Attorney Daniel C. Funk. In a former trial of the same issue, Judge Weygandt, also, represented the state, but today he was in his home nursing an attack of the grip. No representative of the attorney general was sent here for the present hearing. An interested listener to the hearing is H.R. Briggs, state architect.
The Naftzger side of the issue is in charge of Attorneys Weiser and Weimer and J.O. Fritz.
The taking of testimony will be commenced Wednesday morning and the hearing is expected to last the remainder of this week.
This is a second jury to hear the issues, the verdict of the first jury having been set aside by the court of appeals.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Wednesday, 20 April, 1927
pgs 1 & 2
Naftzger Puts Value Of Farm At $225 Acre
State Witnesses Say $90 to $105 — Court Rules Taxes Are Lien Upon Land.
Testimony offered today in the probate court land value case of the State of Ohio against Katie E. Naftzger placed the fair market value of the Naftzger farm from $90 to $225 an acre.
The low figure was given in the testimony of a witness called by the state. The high figure was given in the testimony of a witness called by attorneys for the Naftzgers. W.J. Buss placed the fair market value of the farm at $90 per acre in testimony given this morning, when called by the state. Alexander Naftzger, who has managed the farm for fifteen years, placed the fair market value at $225 per acre when called to the stand this afternoon.
State Finishes Its Side
The attorneys for the state finished their side of the testimony by noon today. Six witnesses were called by the state to give testimony as to the fair market value of the farm, which the state desires as a part of the site for the institution for feeble minded people, having secured all the other land needed at this time. The trial is before Judge Jones and a jury of twelve men.
Testimony of Value
The state’s witnesses testified as follows as to the fair market value of the land: W.J. Buss of Wooster, $90 per acre, W.H. Zaugg of Wooster, John Villard of Mt. Eaton, Walter Wecht of Wooster and Emanuel Reichenbach of Applecreek, each $100 per acre, M.O. Kate of Wooster, $105 per acre.
Mr. Naftzger was the first witness called by the Naftzgers and he occupied the witness chair a considerable time before saying the fair market value of the farm is $225 per acre. The Naftzgers are represented by Attorneys Weiser and Weimer and Attorney J.O. Fritz. The questions of Mr. Naftzger, who described at length the buildings on the farm, the natural water courses, the fertility of the land, the drainage by tile, the amount of timber and other characteristics of the farm home. The state was represented by Attorney Daniel C. Funk, who is handling the case alone because Judge W.E. Weygandt is ill and because no representative was sent here from the attorney general’s office.
The State’s Offer
H.B. Briggs, state architect and engineer, is associated with Mr. Funk at the trial table. During the hearing, Attorney Funk stated to the court and jury that the state considers $17,250 a fair market value for the farm of about 166 acres and that the state is willing to pay that amount.
The case will probably go to the jury tomorrow.
An important decision in the case involving an interpretation of the constitution was made after arguments were submitted this forenoon on an objection raised by Naftzger to the introduction of evidence on the grounds that the state had not filed the recorder a certificate endorsed thereon “appropriation made.”
Overrules Objection
Judge Jones overruled the objection. this decision greatly facilitated the hearing for had the objection been sustained, the state would have been compelled to start all over again in its appropriation proceedings, which would have meant many months of delay before the land at Applecreek could have been acquired.
The defense claimed that failure to file the certificate they referred to was fatal to the validity of the proceedings. It also raised the question of when the title to the land actually passes, which affects the payment of taxes. Daniel C. Funk, arguing for the state, insisted that the Naftzgers would benefit by paying taxes on the land instead of on the money they would receive for the land. The defense wanted the state to assume the taxes for 1927, claiming the appropriation should date from last November.
Judge Jones held that except in cases of public emergency, compensation must be made before the land is taken and that the certificate must be filed with the recorder “if the appropriation is made.”
No Public Emergency
“We hold,” Judge Jones declared, “that this, not being a case of public emergency, there is no appropriation until the verdict, judgement thereon, and payment of the money is made, and that the title does not sooner pass to the state. Any other view would be taking the property of a citizen without due process of law as guaranteed in the constitution, there not being a public emergency for so doing.
“Findint, as I do, that nothing passes until payment of the compensation in cases like the case at bar, where there is no public emergency demanding the immediate seizure of the land, the filing of the certificate with the recorder before the time demanded would be premature.
Taxes are Lien
“Since the title of the land has not passed to the state, it follows that the taxes, if any, are a lien upon said lands as well as all other liens, mortgages or other encumbrances, if any, upon said land, and their validity and priority are purely matters of law for the co? and are not for the consideration of this jury, as the sole question for this jury to determine is the amount of the compensation to be paid for the lands taken in this proceeding, and the court therefore holds that evidence and further reference as to the amount of taxes on said land or who may be liable for payment thereof, would be improper and would not be permitted. I therefore find that the objection raised by the defendants to the receipt of any evidence is not well taken and the objection is overruled.”
The trial then proceeded, ? Villard of Mt. Eaton being the first witness called.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Thursday, 21 April, 1927
pg 1
Naftzger’s Given $96 More For Farm
$20,846 Price Named By Jury For 166 Acres
Twelve Men Deliberated About Two Hours Then Agree Upon Price.
A verdict of $20,816, or $125.58 per acre, was given by a probate court jury at 2 o’clock this afternoon in the case of the State of Ohio against Katie E. Naftzger. The jury deliberated about two hours.
This is a verdict of $96 more than was given in the first trial a few months ago. The first verdict was for $20,750, or $125 per acre. All twelve men of the jury signed the verdict.
The farm consists of approximately 166 acres near Applecreek. The jurors returned the verdict to Judge Jones, who then thanked the jurors for their services and excused them. The jury which heard the land value case was a special one and had no connection with the regular common pleas court jury.
Whether the verdict will be accepted by each party to the suit or whether the issue will again be carried to the court of appeals was not stated by any attorneys in the case this afternoon. The state was represented by Attorney Daniel C. Funk and the Naftzgers by Attorneys Weiser & Weimer and J.O. Fritz.
In view of the former verdict, the state is satisfied with the figure set in the present trial, it was indicated.
When court was opened this morning, the attorneys completed the arguments, which had been begun late yesterday after the testimony had been offered. Following the arguments, Judge Jones read the charge to the jurors, covering the legal points involved in returning a verdict.
The fair market value of the land as given in the testimony varied from $90 to $225 an acre. The low figure was given by a witness for the state and the high figure by A.A. Naftzger, who has lived on the farm for fifteen years.
The hearing is the second one brought by the state against the Naftzgers to acquire title to the farm of 166 acres, which the state desires for a part of the site for the institution for feeble minded persons. The verdict in the first hearing was overruled by the court of appeals, which ordered a second trial. This has just been completed before Judge Jones and a jury.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Thursday, 21 April, 1927
pg 7
Naftzger Land Case A Probate Court Issue
Because the Naftzger land value case is being held in the court room most of the persons attending the hearing and some of the witnesses have the thought that the issue is one of common pleas court.
They are mistaken in this respect because the question at issue is a probate court matter and is being heard by Judge Jones of that court. His assistants are taking care of the records in the case. The jurors were selected in his court and the jury’s verdict will be recorded in probate court. All this is according to an Ohio law, which gives the probate court the right to examine into land value matters under the heading of appropriation, that is transferring land from an owner to the state after a fair market value has been determined in court.
The present hearing is one to determine the fair market value of the 166 acres in the Naftzger farm near Applecreek. The land is wanted by the state as a part of the site for an institution for feeble minded persons. It is the last tract needed by the state to complete its acreage for the proposed institution.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Tuesday, 26 April, 1927
pg 3
Naftzger Motion For New Trial is Denied
Attorneys Weiser & Weimer and J.O. Fritz, representing the owners of the Naftzger farm at Apple Creek, on Saturday filed a motion for a new trial before Judge Jones in probate court following the second trial in which the jury returned a verdict of $125.38 per acre for the farm in the condemnation proceedings last week.
The motion was denied in a decision handed down by Judge Jones on Monday.
The motion was filed as a matter of form so that if so desired, the owners of the property might set up a petition in error and have the case again reviewed in the Appellate court.
Just what proceeding will be followed is a matter on conjecture as no definite statement has been made by attorneys in the case. The Naftzgers have thirty days in which to set up their petition in error if they so desire.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Thursday, 28 April, 1927
pg 12
$816,000 For Applecreek
The appropriation bill, as it finally passed the house and senate at Columbus before the recent recess, carried the sum of $816,000 for development of the site at Applecreek selected by the state for the institution for feeble minded persons.
It will be impossible to determine until after the legislature meets May 9th, how much of this sum will be available, and when. The money is appropriated, but the financial condition of the state treasury has not been remedied and conferences are now in progress concerning this phase of the state’s business. If sufficient funds are available the development of the Apple Creek site will progress quite rapidly, although some delay has already been occasioned because of the Naftzger suits.
1929
NOTE: Many articles leading up to and including the day construction begins at Applecreek. A new state administration had taken over the reins of the project.
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Saturday, 24 August, 1929
pg 3
Sidelights From The Big Day at Applecreek
It was Applecreek’s holiday. The storm clouds and the showers of the morning didn’t lessen the enthusiasm one whit. The Boosters’ Club had things keyed up too high to be dampened so easily.
__________
Efforts to park cars in an orderly fashion by shirt sleeved young men went for naught when the last minute rush came. Then it was everyone for himself.
__________
The applause which greeted the Governor when he arrived at the site of cottage No. 1 was rather formal. Perhaps it was awe of Ohio’s chief executive. Perhaps it was just a watchful waiting to see what was going to happen. But the ease with which he met Applecreek’s leading Boosters, the way he doffed his hat, smiled pleasantly first to the right, then to the left, soon won for him Applecreek’s whole-hearted support.
__________
And whatever else they may say about Gov. Cooper, he is surely as friendly asa any governor could be.
__________
After it was all over, some bystander, more politically minded than pure, was heard to remark, “Well, I suppose Applecreek will go 100 percent for Cooper at the next gubernatorial election.”
__________
“First time I’ve had a coat on for three weeks,” said one sun-tanned listener. And the thickness of that coat of tan would have been the envy of every golfer in the state.
__________
By way of contrast, the color of the hands which handler that silver plated shovel during the ceremonies at site of cottage No. 1 told a story, too.
__________
An involuntary gasp was heard when Gov. Cooper carefully placed the silver plated shovel in the grass and then gently pushed it three or four inches into the ground.
__________
The speaking was done from the back of a large open truck. That’s an indication of the informality of the entire program.
__________
What would most men do without a knife? The male element of the waiting crowd scattered through the grove put in some of the time whittling. Those who didn’t whittle loaned their knives to boys to play mumble-peg.
__________
Applecreek Boy Scouts were busy. They acted as traffic cops and seemed to know just who to direct. Guess most everyone in the locality was at the fete.
__________
Governor Cooper said many important things yesterday during his visit in Applecreek, but the one that met with the greatest all around approval was when he announced that it would be quite proper for the men to doff their coats during the banquet in the high school basement.
__________
H.H. Griswold admired the control of the weather that the people of Applecreek seemed to have. In the morning they turned on the rain just enough to lay the dust. In the afternoon, just before the party went out to the site where the governor was to turn the first spade full of turf, they shut off the rain to give the party time to get to the location. They turned the sky to an azure blue just before the ceremonies began, which greatly added to the solemnity of the occasion. Then after the outdoor program was over they turned on the rain just a little to cool things off before the time of the banquet.
__________
Attorney Dan Funk, who spoke for the Wooster Board of Trade, repeated some of the arguments the men had used to bring the institution to Applecreek. He told of the improved road to be built from the location of the institution to the National pike. “What could be more appropriate,” he said, “than to have the capital of the nation at one end of the beautiful road and the Applecreek institution for feeble minded at the other end.”
__________
The old fashioned chicken dinner put on by the wives of the members of the Applecreek Boosters’ club seemed to touch the spot with everyone there. The Governor, himself, took two helpings of chicken. After the speech a unanimous vote of thanks was given to the Applecreek women.
__________
One of the happiest men there last night was Ira Amiet. Mr. Amiet has always insisted the great natural surroundings of Applecreek would bring some great state institution to that vicinity. Ira assisted in securing the first options and assisted in securing all the other options. Ira has always boosted for Applecreek and last night was the partial fulfillment of some of his dreams.
__________
Charley Studer was Master of Ceremonies. Charley was just everywhere yesterday, and when anybody wanted to know anything the general alarm was sent out, asking, “Where is Charley Studer?” Charley was one of the original Applecreek boosters and Charley has always boosted for everything good and big for his section.
__________
There are other Studers, too. Len Studer is a “silent” partner, but he works every minute. Then Charley’s son is in the business, now, and there is never an unkind word said among any of the Studers.
__________
Wesley H. Zaugg was one of the happy ones there. Wesley was president of the Wooster Board of Trade when the institution was secured.
“It’s easier on a fellow’s nervous system to let the other fellow do the work.”
__________
Joe Tracey, state auditor, who pulled Wayne county’s fat out of the fire several times, had a big broad smile. He enjoyed every minute of it although he didn’t say a word. Mr. Tracey was certainly always a good big friend of Wayne county.
__________
None of the members of the old advisory board were there in the evening, although Dudley Blossom was present in the afternoon. Carl W. Brand sent word it was one of the regrets of his life that he could not attend.
__________
M.R. Limb was one of the “innocent bystanders.” Dr. Limb was one of the faithful ones when the battle was on. “Moxie was a member of the governor’s staff in those days and he had a lot to say.
__________
Robert R. Woods was also “happy to be there.” Mr. Woods organized a Democratic expedition which was headed by A.H. Etling and others, down to get Governor Donahey on “our side” when the battle was hot.
__________
Now that the smoke of battle has cleared away, Wooster Board of Trade officials have disclosed some of of the strategy employed to get the Applecreek institution here in the battle of 1926. It was divided up so Dan C. Funk was to exert pressure on Attorney General Crabbe, E.C. Brenner was to use his strategy on State Auditor ?.T. Tracey, and M.R. Limb looked after everything that would bring Finance Director Baker into line. When the smoke cleared away on the third of September of that year not only those three, but Harry Carpenter was in line for Wooster, but those who were there were sure Mr. Carpenter lined up when he saw the band wagon. These men were members of the Board of Control which board decided the site. Nobody tried to exert any influence on Perry Green for he was from Portage county anyway and everybody knew Mr. Green was just naturally against us on account of where he came from.
While the Applecreek Boosters’ club had made arrangements for 200 there were 233 served last night. Everything went off lovely, which merely the expenditure of more chicken. But there was plenty. And plenty more. Ice cream was red, white and blue. And good.
1948
Wooster Daily Record
Wooster, Ohio
Tuesday, 4 May, 1948
pg 14
Off The Record
By E.C. Dix
The recent death of the late Judge David Ladd Rockwell brought back vividly to my mind the struggle whereby the present school for the feeble minded was secured for Apple Creek around twenty-two or twenty-three years ago this summer. Judge Rockwell was buried at his old home in Portage county after a long and colorful career.
* * *
Most everybody, down Apple Creek way, especially Charley Studer and a number of leading citizens, will remember when Sam Bell went through that vicinity and secured options on a number of farms, most of which, with some additions, were included when the state. There were sites near several cities offered in Northern Ohio, but they finally narrowed down to sites near New London, to Ravenna, and to the Apple Creek site. The Ravenna site was owned by Bill Pew, a farmer on a large scale. As I got it, Bill Pew may have slightly over-reached, and he needed a lot of money. There were no available purchasers for this farm of several hundred acres, so Mr. Pew made some arrangement with Judge Rockwell to sell the farm to the state for the feeble minded institution.
The late Wesley H. Zaugg, Wooster banker, was president of the Wooster Board of Trade, while I was chairman of the New Industries committee. One day Wesley called me in that rather dark room of his, where the president of the bank conferred with folks, before the Commercial bank was rebuilt, told me of the desirability of having that institution for Wayne county, and ending with the request to “go get it.”
Well that was a fairly large order. Sam Bell had done the preliminary spade work, and he had a sort of working arrangement with a New London young man who was a state employee claiming to have a pull and who had written pull. One day Eli Brenner and I got hold of the letter, and in a few minutes Sam Dawson, photographer, had a photostatic copy of it.
Down at Columbus Auditor Tracey and attorney general Crabbe had heard of the letter and had promised Eli Brenner and myself to be for Wooster if we got a copy of it.
Mr. Crabbe also proomised not to use it, but when he got the New London man on the stand he could get nothing from him. In fact the latter was playing rings around the attorney general, and Mr. Crabbe finally sprung the copy of the letter to Sam Bell to save his face.
* * *
ANYWAY, that letter did not get us anywhere in particular, for we had only two votes, on the state finance committee of five, Tracey and Crabbe, and sometimes they showed indications that they might not stay any too well put.
Former Mayor M.R. Limb was working for the support of the governor. The governor, Vic Donahey, was ex officio chairman of the committee. However, he was seldom on the job at the meetings and finance director Baker was empowered to act in his place.
* * *
THE LINES were sharply drawn on Friday of the last week in August, when the state fair was in progress. The battle had surged back and forth all spring and summer, and had narrowed strictly to Bill Pew’s place as represented by Judge Rockwell, and the Apple Creek site as represented by all of us. Eli Brenner and I had been in Columbus several days trying to line up the proposition. Dr. Limb had arrived that day and the three of us visited Gov. Donahey, who promised to be at the meeting and himself see the thing come to Wayne county. But when the meeting was called Governor Donahey was at the fair, and all efforts to get him away were unavailing. He would rather watch the races than get in a tight political tangle.
* * *
In the morning Harry Carpenter, a member of the finance committee, whom Eli and I had been waiting to see, strolled breezily into the Neil house, and Judge Rockwell appeared from just nowhere and hustled him into breakfast. We marked him off as gone. They already had a second member and it developed they were depending on Governor Donahey for the third, the same as we were. And the governor was at the fair.
* * *
The old speeches which had been made many times before were made at the meeting. The room was crowded. A large delegation was down from Wooster and Apple Creek. There were speeches in favor of the Apple Creek site by John McSweeney, Dr. Limb, and a lot of citizens. Judge Rockwell speaking for Ravenna, admitted Wooster was a good town, but he added: “It’s just a good town to drive through.”
After the meeting had been all tied up by attorney general Grabbe on the question of what to be done with some oil leases IF Apple Creek was chosen, and it looked as if there was to be another adjournment, I happened to get in conversation with Governor Donahey’s confidential secretary, his son-in-law, James E. Huffman, recently United States senator. Jim Huffman told of many of his experiences in Wooster, notably on a former Chautauqua program, where he was platform manager. I mulled the thing over for a minute or so, and then said:
“MR. HUFFMAN, Gov. Donahey promised to be at the meeting this afternoon and settle this thing. He has had us running around in circles all spring and summer. You know he has promised us he would be for us, and he has probably not turned down the other side, either. Now you will have to light some time, and why not just take that yellow piece of paper over there, write a note to Mr. Baker, tell him to vote for the Apple Creek site, and all will be over?”
“Oh, but Judge Rockwell would be furious if I would do that,” said Mr. Huffman. “Well,” we told him, “you will have to light somewhere sometime, and you see that great big crowd in there from Wooster, including Dr. Limb and John McSweeney. They’ll be furious if you light on the other side.”
I gave the good Jim Huffman everything I had and a bit more. Finally he picked up the yellow paper and wrote aa note to Mr. Baker: “Suggest you end this thing by voting for the Apple Creek site.”
Those were not the very words, but that was the gist of the message. Sooner than it takes to tell it I had that note in the next room, and had it, neatly folded, passed to Mr. Baker. The latter took it, sensed it was something important, got it clear down under his desk and surrounded by his hands and read it. The conversation and bickering went on, and it looked as if they might adjourn. Finally Baker said:
“SEEMS TO ME we have discussed this question long enough. Those oil leases ought not to stand in the way. I move we adjourn for a few minutes while Mr. Crabbe draws up a motion which will extinguish them and make the Apple Creek site available for the institution.”
That was it. And all there was to it. I had time to telephone Pat Hauenstein and get it in the paper that same day. And after it was all decided Gov. Donahey appeared almost miraculously, and Robert R. Woods introduced a number of staunch Republicans to him, “as his Democratic supporters from Wayne county.”
* * *
And Judge Rockwell, who asked: “How did you do it?” afterward gave me a good business tip that has worked wonderfully for the success in our enterprise at Ravenna and Kent.
And Bill Pew who shed a big tear and thought all was lost, afterward sold his big farm to Congressman Bolten of Cleveland who developed it into a wonderful Guernsey cattle farm, which was later taken over by the government, and is now a part of the famous Ravenna arsenal.