Blacksmith Christy Hare made this tomahawk tobacco pipe for pioneer settler Joseph Miller (1762-1845). It measures 6.5 by 14 inches (16.51 by 35.56 cm). Miller kept the tomahawk, which he used as both a weapon and a pipe for smoking tobacco, with him, even when attending religious services. He reportedly battered the bowl of the pipe while attempting to shoot a bear in a cave. Joseph Miller was a scout for the federal government, exploring the Northwest Territory and fighting American Indians. He was one of the earliest residents of Gallipolis. Miller was reportedly involved in one of the last fights between settlers and American Indians in Ohio. After the signing of the Treaty of Greenville established peace between the settlers and the American Indians, the government no longer needed scouts. Miller moved to Lawrence County, where he farmed and hunted.
Faintly tinted drawing of Portsmouth as if viewed from the air in 1871. Businesses and prominent residences are numbered 1 thru 32 on the drawing and identified by number in the margins.
This certificate documents the founding of the Bailey Post 164 of the Grand Army of the Republic in November 1881. It was named in honor of George Bailey, who organized the Kinney Light Guards, which eventually became the 1st Ohio Volunteer Infantry (O.V.I.), Company G, also called the Portsmouth Guards. The certificate, which measures 14.5 by 20.5 inches (36.83 by 52.07 cm) shows water damage, presumably caused by a flood of the nearby Ohio River. It lists the twenty original members of the organization. Following the Civil War, numerous veterans' organizations sprang up around the country. The Grand Army of the Republic was one of the largest and most influential.
Photo copy of pages 94 thru 103 of The Hawkins Family: A Family History and Life Stories by John Henry Hawkins. The chapter titled "CCC Camp" is about his work as manager of Shawnee Camp #2 in the Shawnee Forest 1933- 1935.
Dinner Menu for the First Anniversary Camp Shawnee No. 2, Company 1520 - S51A, Portsmouth, Ohio.. The young men enrolled in the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps.) program in Shawnee Forest are also listed.
Various metal shields, buttons, and pins from the estate of John H. Hawkins, manager of the Civilian Conservation Camp Shawnee No. 2 in Shawnee Forest 1933-1935.
Paper Anticipatory Tax Note issued by Scioto County dated December 1, 1934. This script was authorized by the county commissioners Austin Taylor, E.E. Rickey and Cliff Dever. County Auditor Henry H. Eccles countersigned the notes. It states: "This note is one of an issue aggregating in amount $65,000.00, issued for the purpose of paying the current operating expenses of said county in anticipation of the collection of delinquent taxes...."
Color photo copy ten dollar denomination dated February 25, 1903 issued by the First National Bank of Portsmouth. The 1904 Portsmouth City Directory lists the First National Bank at 127 Market Street, officers: J.W. Bannon, Pres., A.M. Damarin, Vice-Pres. and Simon Labold, cashier. The bank was organized in 1863 , serial charter number 68.
Gold colored metal medallion showing a horse and rider on one side and a native American good luck symbol on the reverse. Forrest and A. Grave Williams, brothers, started the Excelsior Manufacturing Company at Pig Iron Corner in Portsmouth, Ohio around the turn of the century. Excelsior became the manufacturer of "The Original 'Boy Scout' Shoe for Boys". The medallions — considered the first United States Scout medallions — were issued between July 1910, and January 1914. The original group of medallions are dated July 1910, while subsequent issues omit all reference to date.
Black & white photo image.
on back: Located at end of Walnut Street and Ohio River. Picture shows sewage and storm water flowing into Ohio River by gravity. But when river reaches a stage of 47 feet it will back up this sewage into the manholes and the streets, creating a dangerous health hazard. when completed this pumping station will be able to function when the river is up to a 77 foot stage. The two pumps have a capacity of 6000 gallons each. There is a 160,000 gallon reservoir for we sage beneath this structure. Cost of this pumping station is $63,000 of which the WPA is furnishing $50,000. Shown Standing is Jerome C. Zuercher, Portsmouth WPA area engineer.
