The Tuscarawas Indian Trail, as told before, passed through the Township from east to west, keeping generally near the
bands of the Big Sandy. The trail was a regular “trunk line” among the savage Indians. It was only 18 inches wide, but its bed
was work down by moccasined feet until it was two or three inches lower than the surrounding ground.
The first heck line established was about 1830 from Steubenville to Canton, going through Waynesburg. The completion of
the Tuscarawas Branch of the Cleveland and Pittsburgh Railroad ended this mode of travel as well as the Sandy Beaver Canal
which was commenced in 1835.
The Sandy Beaver Canal Company was incorporated in 1828. Work was begun in 1835 but was suspended for a long time
due to the panic of 1837. Work was re-commenced about 1845.
The canal took its beginning at Beaver and from there it led to Hanoverton. From there it took its course to Minerva, at which
place it was taken through a tunnel; the boats frequently dragged on the sandy bottom of the canal so much that it was with
great difficulty they continued their course.
From Minerva the canal went to Malvern, to the outskirts of Waynesburg, and then to Magnolia. Here it was constructed to
run the mill by means of an undershot waterwheel. The water which glows from the lock north of the mill and joins that
which runs from the mill pond is a part of the original bed of the Sandy and Beaver Canal.
Locks were built above and below the mill to raise or lower the boats as needed. Also there were three warehouses for
produce, one where the park is, one where Nick Lepar lives, and the largest where Lewis Kemp’s blacksmith shop now
stands. The basin was large enough at this one that the canal boats could turn around. Whiskey was free to customers from
this warehouse.
From Magnolia the canal continued to Bolivar where it entered the Ohio Canal, which followed on through Columbus to
Portsmouth where it joined the Ohio River.
The Canal only enjoyed a brief season of prosperity for it was discontinued in 1853. The first boat to come to Magnolia was
the “Live Yankee” which was captained for some time by Bill Knotts.
We read in the records of the Elson Mills that on May 20, 1848 “Flour shipped to Cleveland by the “Live Yankee” per Captain
Laughlin 287 bbls” July 4, 1848, “Flour shipped to Cleveland by the “Alice” per Captain Jinks 40 bbls”
Many interesting items are noted in these old ledgers. Prices are often unusual, the handwriting is exceptionally beautiful and
the manner of keeping the books is novel compared to modern methods for there are often personal comments as in a diary.
For example taken from the Magnolia Mill Record, 1849:
1. “The price of wheat is firm this winter at about 85c, March 15th. A good deal of wet weather and very sickly. I still
have the flue, but run the mill day and night.”
2. “1848, Fine weather 14 December. Some boats arunning. Wheat is 75c.”
3. “In Waynesburg, April 10th, wheat 70c. Rainy weather today. Boats have not started yet.”
4. Geo A. Burns. “Acc’t with R. Elson. R. Elson please look over your books and let’s have this acc’t squared up for
short settlements keep friends.
The failure of the Canal Co., Sept. 2, 1853 was due primarily to the installation of the Pennsylvania Railroad which was
started at Bayard and ran to New Philadelphia, running near Magnolia. This road followed the old stage coach line. On Jan. 1,
1854, the first train ran over this line as far as Waynesburg.
When the railroad company was purchasing the rights for the building of the track, they wished to go through Magnolia but
due to the opposition of the chief landowner, they were refused the rights.
An old Quaker preacher who was one of the company engineers very calmly said, “all right, we’ll go around ye.” And around
us they did go, much to our present discomfort.
The first station was located where the railroad crossed the road from Magnolia east to Carrollton. Since this proved
unsatisfactory, the station was moved to its present location.
A.R. Elson was our first station agent from 1873 to 1881. Tom Griffeth was his helper from 1873-1878. Other agents who
followed were W. H. Greer 1881-1903 and J.B. Newhouse, 1903 up to present day.
Likewise Magnolia had a branch of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. This branch carried most of the products of the flour
mill. The depot was situated at the edge of town near the Stark-Carroll line. At one time it carried many passengers, but the
bus lines took that part away. In 1922 the line was abandoned entirely.
With the coming of fine paved roads, buses took the place of trains. For a number of years people from here commuted
between the neighboring towns and cities in this manner. Today there is no bus route through the village, since many people
have their own ways of transportation.
| MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION |
