A Constable Finally Honored after 151 Years

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In Murder & Mayhem in Dayton and the Miami Valley, Sara wrote the story of John William Fogwell, a Beavercreek Constable who was killed as he headed home from Dayton. He had a warrant in his shirt pocket he intended to deliver on the way. His dying declaration identified his killer, William Ritchison. As it turns out, this story had the right audience. Steve Grismer, of Dayton Police History Foundation, read the story and realized Fogwell had never been honored as an officer who died in the line of duty.

Recently we learned he is officially [finally] honored on The Officers Down Memorial Page, just in time for the 151st anniversary of his death, which was October 31st. The next step (which is in process now) will be to submit paperwork to the committee for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. If approved, his name will be engraved on the marble wall in Washington DC.

Constable J. William Fogwell
End of Watch Thursday, October 31, 1872

Reminder of Upcoming Craft Fair Events

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We’re excited for a few upcoming craft fairs/holiday bazaars. You might see us there!

Other Daytons (Part 2)

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Here is more information about the other Daytons in the US! We covered the first half in Other Daytons Part 1.

  1. Dayton, Nevada – the second-oldest settlement in Nevada and home to the oldest hotel in Nevada, and once a hotspot for gold miners. Named for a local surveyor, John Day in 1861.
  2. Dayton, Newark, New Jersey – a neighborhood in Newark, named after Jonathan Dayton.</
  3. Dayton, New Jersey – an unincorporated community in South Brunswick. Originally known as Cross Roads but was renamed to Dayton in 1866, but it is unclear if it is named for William L. Dayton or Jonathan Dayton.
  4. Dayton, New York – founded around 1810 when settlers arrived and mistakenly thought they were in Chautauqua County (but they were in Cattaraugus County). Formed from the town Perrysburg.
  5. Dayton, Oregon – founded in 1850 by Joel Palmer and Andrew Smith, a native of Dayton, Ohio.
  6. Dayton, Pennsylvania – a small borough in Armstrong County. Population as of the 2020 census was 549 people.
  7. Dayton, Tennessee – Settled around 1820 and was named Smith’s Crossroads. Renamed to Dayton in 1877, after Dayton, Ohio. Was also the site of the 1925 Scopes Trial that decided if evolution should be taught in public schools.

    8. Continue reading →

Holiday Craft Shows

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We’re excited for a few upcoming craft fairs/holiday bazaars. You might see us there!

Food Pantry Donations

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As the holidays approach, people tend to feel more charitable, which includes donating to food banks. When it comes to donations, there are certain items that dominate. Pasta, canned vegetables, and expired food make up the majority of items donated. Although donations are always appreciated, there is a need for certain items over others. Here is a list from feedthecreek.org:

  • Pop top can of microwavable Chef Boyardee (single size)
  • Pop top can of fruit
  • Non refrigerated pudding
  • Pop top can of vegetables
  • Pop top can of tuna or packet
  • Pop top can of chicken
  • Vienna Sausages
  • Goldfish Crackers
  • Animal Crackers
  • Individual Cereal Pack or Oatmeal Packs (packs of 8-10 servings)
  • Granola bars
  • Fruit Juice Boxes
  • Individual Mac and Cheese
  • Peanut Butter

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Dr. Kemp and the Oldest House in Dayton

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Back in 2021, we posted about Lewis Kemp and the Oldest House in Dayton. In May of this year, a descendant of Lewis Kemp – Dr. Kemp – reached out to us asking if we had any information regarding visiting the Kemp Homestead.

We reached out to the Riverside Historical Society, and they forwarded our request to the owner of the Kemp Homestead. The owner then reached out to us, and gave us his contact information, which we forwarded to Dr. Kemp.

We were delighted to receive the following email from Dr. Kemp after his visit:

Thank you for suggesting the Riverside Historical Society for enabling contact with James Owen. My wife Tricia and I met him 1 o’clock June 5th. He was very open, gracious, and proud to show us all through the house for two hours. He said he and his father restored the homestead about 1972. It had been heavily vandalized but because the original had no nails, the wood and stones weren’t bothered. We went up to the attic and space where slaves sheltered and Kemp children slept and could be ignored. Jim is a lawyer and antique collector. The homestead contains a huge collection of furniture, beds, paintings, guns, pots, books, etc. that he loves to recount. There is a powerful home theatre system on the ground floor fireplace west. He gave us two printed gift cards of the homestead as a parting gesture.

We love that we were able to facilitate this!

Mz Jade’s Soul Food becomes Local Hero in One Fell Scoop

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When Donovan Elementary School in Lebanon made this Facebook announcement:

“…A Student must have money on their account to purchase an ice cream. If a student has a negative balance they will not be able to purchase ice cream even if they bring their $1 for ice cream. Students are only allowed to purchase 1 ice cream and are not permitted to buy an ice cream for a friend…”

Naturally, the public was outraged. Children who have issues paying their lunch bill are singled out and have to watch their peers eat ice cream without them.

Mz Jade’s Soul Food in Middletown wasn’t going to let this happen. As soon as she saw the post, she called the school asking if she could pay the balance. Not only did she pay the balance, but she paid for all the children to eat ice cream on the first Ice Cream Friday.

Community support is so important, so let’s give Mz Jade’s Soul Food some support too! They are located at 1131 Central Ave, Middletown, OH 45044. Check them out on Facebook to see specials, hours, and menu options.

Five Tiny Cemeteries in Beavercreek

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Driving around town, you may be stopped at a stoplight and glance over and be surprised to see a few old gravestones in a tiny cemetery. There are five of these tucked away in Beavercreek.
Sunnyside Cemetery:

  • Located on North Fairfield Road, just north of Kemp Road.
  • On the site of old Mount Pisgah German Reformed Church, which held services as early as 1809.
  • The cemetery is also known as Old Pisgah Cemetery.
  • The land was owned by Jonathan Harshman.
  • The earliest known burial was John Helmer in 1823.
  • Surnames of Cyphers, Goldshot, Harshman, Howett, Koogler, Reigelsperger, Sensenbaugh, Swigert, and Trubee are found on the gravestones.
  • The last known burial was in 1957.

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