HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.
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��The Ralnhoiv and Repository was the first newspaper published hi Bellville. Its publi- cation was commenced in Fredericktown, and, in 1849, was removed to Bellville. It was a five-column folio, and was published b}' A. Lau- back, at $1 per year. It existed onl^^ a few months.
The first number of the Bellville WeekJi/ was issued February 28, 1872, bearing the name of Bellville Dollar Weeldy, and was printed on a Kamage press, half platen, with a wooden frame. In one and a half j^ears from its com- mencement, it was enlarged from a six to a seven column folio, received its present name, and its subscription price was advanced to $1.25. J. C. Potts and Thomas Fans were its proprietors, which relation, with a few intervals, has continued to this time.
The Richland Star was started by the Garber Bros., who purchased a small press in the fall of 1875, and commenced to print cards at their country home, five miles south of Bellville. During 1876, they issued a small monthly-, a little larger than two hands. It was continued in 1877, and, in September, 1877, moved to Bellville ; and Saturda}-, October 6, the first num- ber of The Star was published. The work was commenced without a single subscriber, and, when the matter for the first number was about half in type, B. L. Clarlier and Aaron A. Leedy voluntaril}' headed the subscription list, and soon a large circulation was obtained. It is a five-column quarto, and published ever}- Thurs- day morning.
The Exchange Bank was organized June 18, 1872, with Frederick Fitting, H. Alexander and John and David Zent, as stockholders. At the end of eleven months, Mr. Fitting retired, and a re-organization took place, but no change was made in the officers. H. Alexander is Presi- dent and David Zent, Cashier. It commenced with a capital stock of $12,000, with a deposit of from $12,000 to $15,000. The safe weighs 8,800 pounds, and cost $1,400.
��Bangor is a small cluster of houses, located on the southwest quarter of Section 30. Several families of Yankees from the vicinity of Ban- gor, Me., settled there, from which the place derived the name. William ^Nloore built a foun- dr}' there in 1847, and for two years did a flourishing business in the manufacture of thrashing machines, plows, stoves, and in cus- tom work and casting mill gearing. It was burnt down in 1850 by an incendiarj-, it is be- lieved, and this took awaj- the life of the vil- lage. In 1850, Abraham Farquhar opened a sort of dry-goods store, remaining a short time. At this date, the place contains no industr}- other than a few ordinary shops.
The first school in the township was taught by Samuel McCluer, in his own cabin, during the winter of 1816-17. and in the same build- ing by William Spears the following winter. The first schoolhouse was built on the south- west quarter of Section 15, near where the Honey Creek House now stands, in 1818. and Timothy Evarts taught the first term of school in it, supported by countr}- subscription at the rate of $1.50 per pupil for a term of three months, paj-able in any kind of provisions, clothing or work. This house was of primitive log-cabin style, 16x18 feet ; one end contained the fire- place, the other the door ; a log was taken out of each side for windoAvs, and greased paper pasted over the opening to keep out cold and admit light ; the floor, seats and writing tables were of the inevital:)le •• puncheon." and, although the house was romantic, the school was well patronized and a success. Young men rode five and six miles, bringing the noon feed for their horses with them.- to have the young idea taught how to shoot. A similar schoolhouse was built on the southeast quarter of Section 35 soon after, to which children from Knox as well as from Eichland Count}' went for learning.
The propagation of religion commences with almost the first settlements of the township. The Dutch, who settled west of Bellville, were
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