December 17 , 2020 The Beacon • 21

Carole Etchells Cross

Between the Bookends

With the recent elections still influencing our behavior , I thought it might be interesting to search old records for a bit of background information located in early documents dealing with Coshocton City ordinances . The dates below refer to the January 1833 Town Charter .

Coshocton ’ s first councilmen met for the very first time in the Neal Hotel . The actions they recorded and the proposals they passed during Coshocton ’ s formative years were farsighted enough to create a form of self-preservation . With legislation , laws and city councils in addition to the creation of civil government , the city set forth an era of expansion that continues to this day . Without the formative years of a charter , Coshocton might still be a scattered rural community . Let ’ s take a look at some of their rules and regulations .

Regulated bridge traffic

The first council took steps to regulate traffic over the Tuscarawas Bridge . “ A speed of faster than a walk is forbidden . No more than 20 horses or cattle will be permitted across the bridge at one time .”

Council , suspecting numerous violations of these regulations , attached a teaser clause . “ For information leading to the conviction of any offender , council agrees to pay one third of the fine to the ‘ squealer ’ ( whistle blower ).” The city elections “ For the good order of government , the inhabitants shall elect one president , five trustees , one treasurer and one town marshal .”

Fines for refusing office

“ Woe be unto the man then who having been duly elected to an office , and who refused to accept that office within three days after receiving his notice of his election , the charter will provide a fine of not more than $ 5 nor less than $ 2 for such a civic slacker .”

An ordinance to regulate dogs

A license fee of 50 cents per dog was established . Heads of families were permitted to own one dog free of tax , presumably for the protection against burglars . For each dog above two , a fee

of $ 2 was required . The bell ringer The bell ringer , Marshall Benjamin Langley , was paid a small fee for ringing the courthouse bell at the hour of the Sabbath school and 15 minutes before the hours of worship on Sunday .

The council decided Langley wasn ’ t earning his money as official bell ringer and ruled that the courthouse bell be rung at 8 and noon each day of

With legislation , laws and city councils in addition to the creation of civil government , the city set forth an era of expansion that continues to this day .

the week except Sunday . Documents show Langley agreed to a salary of $ 20 a year . Council ’ s authority “ Every bodied man over the age of 18 to labor each year on the streets and alleys .” For neglecting to do such work , the penalty was fixed at 75 cents . Pigs “ The marshal has the authority to sell and seize any pigs , sows or hogs running at large .”

Disturbances in Coshocton city

“ An ordinance forbidding public disturbances after the hour of 10 at night shall find that person in a state of intoxication , shall be fined any sum not exceeding $ 5 .”

“ One hundred years from now , who knows what the current legislation may fall short of providing for the public peace and safety ” ( Charter Jan . 15 , 1833 ).

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