CITIES AND TOWNS. 347 



this subject is the connection which exists between these 

 towns, their citizens and the events, described in our history. 

 From in and about these towns went our soldiers to war with 

 England. And the people of these towns have governed the 

 state, and still have a great influence on its destiny. 



fn our older towns where there are not so many new buildinors 

 erecting in them, and so many improvements making, a 

 ?:tranger might believe them to be much older than they are. 

 In each city or town, there are a court house and jail, and 

 buildings for the county offices — for the clerk of the courts, 

 for the auditor, sheriff, treasurer, recorder and sometimes for 

 the county commissioners and state's attorney. All these are 

 commodious and hnndsome structures. The streets are paved 

 and there is a handsome market house in many, and indeed, 

 all the cites and towns mentioned by us. The churches are 

 numerous, and sometimes spacious and even handsome build- 

 insrs. The side walks are well paved and there are many 

 other marks of older towns than they are. The stores are or- 

 namented with goods, tastefully displayed, to attract attention. 

 These towns have two or more market days in the week, 

 when the crowd of citizens and market people, present a busv, 

 bustling aspect. The long row of wagons, carts and dr'ivs, 

 reminds one of an eastern city, on a market morning. This 

 is Ohio now, happily contrasting with the past, only a few 

 • J^^enrs since. Our towns have grown up rather too rapidly 

 for the country around them, and marketing of all sorts is ra- 

 ther dear, for so new a country, whose soil is so fertile. Our 

 farmers, obtain such high prices for all they produce, thit 

 their wives and daughters, neither spin nor weave much cloth, 

 so thev go to the store for their clothes. Cows are n-^t kept 

 in very large numbers, and but little cheese is made in most 

 of the counties. Butter, ton, is rather scarce and dear. 

 Fowls are becomingf dear — one dollar a dozen! Eggs once 

 but four cents a dozen, are now six and even eight cents a 

 dozen. Other articles are equally dear. In one particular 

 our towns are doing well in cultivating our ov/n native trees, 

 shrubs, plants and flowers. The soil and climate suit them, 



