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     The Hamilton Thespian. - From the original records belonging to the late Jesse Corwin, we find that this society was organized Dec. 13, 1820.  It was "founded for the purpose, of mutual improvement; to elevate and prepare its members for the duties of life by teaching them the power of speaking and writing."  The society met every two weeks and debated current questions of its day; gave entertainments semi-annually.  During its existence Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, Horace Greeley and Frederick Douglass lectured for the society in public.  James McBride, James B. Cameron and John Woods were its presidents at different periords periods, and Jesse Corwin, C. K. Smith and Taylor Webster, secretaries.  The following gentlemen were members: Jesse Corwin, John Woods, Stephen Millikin, Taylor Webster, John M. Hewett, C. K. Smith, George Sergeant, James B. Cameron, Robert Martin, James McBride, William Murray, Isaac Anderson, John McClure, jr., Lorenzo Latham, Thomas Lloyd, Joseph Landis, William B. VanHook, W. W. Greene, H. V. Disbrow, John Winton, Ira R. Lewis, Alex. H. Keef,  J. McKinney.
     The following subject was publicly debated at the society's regular meeting on Mar. 7, 1823:

     Resolved That Congress should prohibit the use of ardent spirits, except when perscribed prescribed by a physician for medicinal purposes.

     Affirmative -Alex. H. Keef, L. Latham, John Millikin; negative-Joseph Landis, William B. VanHook, J. McKinney.  The resolution was decided in the affirmative.
     At the next regular meeting of the Society the bill given below was ordered paid:

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     On June 1, 1823, " Damon and Pythias" was played in public by the Thespian. The Society had a long and brilliant career.
     Hamilton and Rossville Library Association. - Numerous meetings of citizens of Hamilton and Rossville were held at the Court house in Hamilton, for the purpose of forming a Library Association, at one of which meetings the committee previously appointed to draft a constitution, through their chairman, Rev. William Davidson, reported on Dec. 7, 1850.  We give the preamble as follows:
     "We, the subscribers, wishing to facilitate the diffusion of useful knowledge amongst us, have associated ourselves together for the purpose of establishing a Library and Reading room:"
 

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     Rev. William Davidson was elected president; J. W. McBeth, corresponding secretary; John H. Shuey, financial secretary; and Harrison C. Bird treasurer.
     A committee, consisting of Rev. William Davidson, John W. Erwin and Dr. W. H. Scobey, purchased eight hundred dollars worth of useful books.  Numerous volumes of choice literature were donated to the Association.
     James McBride, John W. Erwin, William Beckett, Thomas Moore and Jesse Corwin, composed the directory.  The board of directors were required to keep open a reading room; to appoint a librarian, whose duty it was to attend to the library - to keep a register of all books, magazines, maps, charts, papers and all other property in his care, belonging to the Association, arrange them in proper order make a record thereof, with the names of the donors, and keep an account of all books delivered to the members.
     The initiation fee was one dollar, and the annual dues, in advance, two dollars.
     The Association was in active operation for six years.

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     Its meetings were held in the Webster Lyceum on High street.
     The Franklin Literary Club - This Association organized in 1856 and its first entertainment was given in the latter part of December of the same year for the benefit of the poor.  The affair netted a fund of $250 for this charitable purpose.  The following May another entertainment was given for the purpose of raising money to furnish a hall.  It was very liberally patronized and a sufficient fund was realized to handsomely furnish the quarters of the society which started on what promised to be a long and prosperous career.
     The city council donated the Franklin the free use of the front room on the second floor of the Second Ward engine house for a number of years.  Its membership embraced the best young talent of Hamilton in that day, and the society held weekly meetings which were largely attended.  The programme consisted of a debate, two recitations and two essays.  The meetings were spirited and the members always prepared.  In the latter part of 1861 the organization succumbed to the war, a large number of the boys enlisting in the army.  The roll of membership was as follows:

     The Society held its last banquet in the Hamilton House, on the evening of Jan. 17, 1860, the anniversary of Ben Franklin's birthday. By scanning the list of members it will be seen that a great many have died, some have removed else where, and but a few of the old boys still live here.
     Who of the Franklin boys will forget Charles H. Murray, as "Hamlet;" Alexander W. Scott, as one of the grave diggers; A. J. Daugherty's "Bingen on the Rhine;" L. B. Potter's "Ber-

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nardo del Carpio;" E. W. Halford's poem on the "Diamond Ring;" John H. Falconer's response to "Woman and Petti coats;" Charles H. Murray's "Gipsy Hat and Duster."
     Aquilla J. Daugherty, John W. Falconer, William B. Millikin, John N. Wyman and Robert B. Millikin were stu dents at Old Miami university, during the palmiest days of the Franklin Literary Club, and it was not an unusual occurence occurrence for them to walk to Hamilton Friday afternoon to attend its meetings.
     The Thespian Club was organized Jan. 7, 1860, on the West Side.  Weekly meetings were held in Rumple's building. Its motto was Surgemus.  List of members: Joseph W. Harris, president; William E. Scobey, vice-president; John N. Wyman, secretary; Alexander C. Rossman, treasurer; Smith W. Stanege, critic; Stephen D. Core, Wilkie B. Beaty, Jesse C. Smith, Frederick Z. Leiter, William H. Millikin, John Caldwell, Robert Caldwell, James E. Harris, Edward Smith, Warren Corwin, James Trownsell, Elijah W. Halford, and John Rumple. Lucius B Potter, honorary member.
     The club gave its first entertainment in Beckett's hall, Friday evening, May 25, 1860.

PROGRAMME:

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"LEND ME FIVE SHILLINS."

     The Jefferson Club was organized Oct. 15, 1859, in West Hamilton and met at Dr. W. H. Scobey's office.  Its active membership consisted of the following well known young men:  William E. Scobey, James P. Mendenhall, William Coppage, Charles Morris, Thomas Shaffer, Philip Rothenbush, John M. Davidson, George Matthias, Joseph Wyman, Charles Falconer, Alonzo Mendenhall, Timothy Scobey, Everett Rossman, James Coppage, John Rumple, Robert B. Davidson, Eugene A. Weiler.