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204 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY
was proper that they should be closed while the trees Avere too small to
afford shade, but IIOAV we can see no reason why they should not be free
to the citizens.
"We understand that when the land was dedicated to the city it was
Avith the express condition that it should remain open. We presume
that the city authorities intend to open them soon. In behalf of many
of the citizens whoso desires Ave have heard expressed, Ave suggest the
matter for an early consideration. With a coat of Avhite wash upon
the fences, a feAV graded Avalks, and several seats scattered through the
grounds, all of which Avould cost but a few dollars, they would add
much to the beauty of that part of the city, and to the happiness of
many people. We feel particularly anxious to have this attended to
IIOAV, inasmuch as in about tAvo Aveeks our city Avill be croAvded' with
strangers upon whom Ave should desire to make a favorable impression,
and we can if we strive to. We presume that it is argued that the miserable
swine and caltle, Avhich roam at will over our streets, Avould injure
the parks if they Avere open."
In 1869 tin.* Sandusky Directory AVIIS combined Avith several other
towns and published by A. Bailey. It SIIOAVS that at that time Sandusky
had .15 lawyers, 2 banks, 8 barbers, 12 blacksmith shops, 4 book stores,
29 shoe stores, 4 breAvcries, 5 clothing stores', 14 dry goods stores, 12 fish
bouses, 6 furniture factories, 44 groceries, 12 hotels, 8 lumber dealers,
10 milliners, 13 doctors, 7 restaurants, 134 saloons.
In the height of the panic of 1873 the labor of Sandusky AVIIS AVCII
employed. The B. & 0. shops employed 180 hands, the C. S. & C. Rail-
Avay 130, the Sandusky Machine and Agricultural Works 29, Butler's
Planing Mill 30, Schoepfle's Sash and Blind Factory 20, the Western
School Supply Company 22, the Sandusky Wheel Company 135, Woolsey's
Tool Company 50, the Butter Tub Factory 32, and Ryan, Johnson
& Company 35. During that year the opera house Avas built.
THE PUT-IN-BAY CABLE TELEGRAPH LINE
The Register of July 3, 1873, contains an account of the completion
of the cable between Sandusky and Put-in-Bay, by the Put-in-Bay Telegraph
Company, of Avhich F. G. Beach Avas president, Mrs. A. C. Mc­
Meens secretary and treasurer, aiid W. II. Brimson was superintendent.
The line Avas built by Geo. IT. Bliss of Chicago, and work upon it was
commenced in May, 1873. The chief difficulty in construction was the
marshes on both sides of the bay, where the Avorkmen Avere obliged to
Avork in Avater and mud nearly to their shoulders. It took some time to
properly splice the cable to the shore line, but when that was done and
the cable was ready to pay out, it only required about tAventy-three
minutes to pay out the entire three and one-half miles of cable. The
steamer "Riverside" did the Avork, without a single accident. The cable
runs nearly north and south and consists of seven No. 21 copper wires
twisted spirally and forming a core insulated Avith gutta percha and