HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY,
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��Reed, Treasurer ; W. S. Hickox, L. B. Matson and J. M. Joll}', Executive Committee. The powers of the association are vested in its offi- cers, acting as a Board of Directors, who are elected annually. For a few ^^ears, while the library was under the care and management of Mr. J. E. Wharton, it grew and prospered ; a room was procured in the court house, which was soon filled with books, relics, etc. After Mr. Wharton left the city, it was neglected, and and is still neglected. There is in it, at present, about one thousand eight hundred volumes, besides magazines and other matter, a nu- cleus around which Mansfield people may, in the future, build up a much-needed library. A lyceum has been connected with it since August 15, 1871. It still exists, but is not well sustained at present.
A Young Men's Christian Association was organized December 30, 1867, the first meetings being held in the Baptist Church. Its first officers were : R. Brinkerhoff", President ; L. J. Bonar and E. J. Davis, Vice President ; Mr. Allison, Recording Secretary ; Mr. Hilliar, Cor- responding Secretary, and J. H. Reed, Treas- urer. During the first year of its existence, nearly $800 were collected and expended in books, periodicals, furnishing room, etc. It continued many 3'ears with much interest, but is no longer in existence. Its books are pre- served in the public library.
The Mansfield Cemetery Association was formed in 1865, and added to the old cemetery, southeast of the city (about a mile from the public square), thirty-eight acres. The Board of Managers are J. H. Cook, P. Bigelow, Abner Wright, N. S. Reed and E. McCoy. The grounds have been laid out in lots, walks and drives ; it is well kept, and one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the State ; the gi'ounds, for the most part, being high and dr}' ; the soil generallj^ sand}*. Improvements are continu- ally made, and the location and lay of the ground is unsurpassed for the purposes of
��a cemetery. William Hyde is Superintend- ent.
A building and loan association was formed in 1807, which has been well managed, has grown and prospered, and to-day is one of the permanent institutions of the city. Reed Car- penter is President ; S. A. Jennings, Secretary, and John Wood, Treasurer.
June 8, 1871, ground was broken for the Mansfield, Coldwater & Lake Michigan Rail- road ; the work was pushed so rapidly that the last rail was laid December 16, 1872, and the next da}' a party of railway officials passed over the road on the first train over the entire route.
Having briefly glanced at the history of Mansfield, during her most prosperous 3^ears, it onl}' remains to speak briefly of the col- lapse and consequent depression. The city might be compared to a huge balloon, taking in gas for its aerial flight. It grew large rapidly, a thing of beauty, but, alas ! not a joy forever. It became too highl}- inflated. Its collapse ma}' be compared, in suddenness, to that of a punctured balloon in mid air, and al- most as fatal in its consequences. If the peo- ple were not killed outright, their feelings may be compared to those of the man who, after be- ing kicked down four pair of stairs, said he felt " shuck up like." Whatever headwa}' the city had made during these years, seemed to have been suddenly lost. The breaking of the First National Bank was the first clap of thun- der, that seemed to come from a clear sky, but, in realit}', came from the blackest cloud that ever hung over Mansfield. Following this in quick succession, came crash after crash, and the terrible financial storm swept over the cit}', leaving it in ruins, in more ways than one. This storm came from the east, and like other eastern storms, was ver}- hard and long-con- tinued, and during its continuance, nearly all the smaller craft, and many of the larger, went under. A few of the larger ships — whose
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